INDEX:
Update 1: Below
Update 2: Page 5
"Prologue" to Update 3: Page 8
Update 3: Page 10
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SS: Why do I even LOVE You??
ZOYA's POV:
I winced. This cut is one nasty thing to handle. That's when I heard the shifting of a person, I immediately felt a wave of security wash over me. I turned around to see why I felt that way and... found him standing there. Mr. Khan. The muscles on my face were trying to adjust themselves in to a smile and I was fighting my best to resist it. Common Zoya, he left you there all alone!
I felt as if I was seeing a motion picture as I saw the emotions in his eyes change from self-reproach to concern to pain to anger. I tried to put my best poker face on and stared back at my reflection in the mirror to cleanse the wound.
"Do you want me to call the doctor Ms. Farouqui?" I heard his rasping voice say, almost trying to soothe and caress me. I could feel his guilt even without looking at him. I started to melt at once but I strictly concentrated on the wound.
"I' m fine Mr. Khan-" my voice breaking down a bit as tears started to well up in my eyes, "there's no need to call the doctor" I was already conscious because he was around and with the stupid tears blurring my vision made me apply more pressure on my wound than necessary.
I let out a painful gasp. As I saw him get startled and approach me out of the corner of my eyes I stopped him by saying, "I can take of myself Mr. Khan. I don't need anyone" I felt his whole being get a jolt of pain. Was it hurt or... was it???
"Woh actually'" he started. I once again turned around to look at him. Allah Miyan does he not always look as if he is just walking out of the cover page of The Vogue. "Ms. Farouqui I was not aware that you were on the bus'" before I could respond I was interrupted with a-
"Mashallah Jammy, aapka ghar behad khoobsurat hai. Aapko shuru se hi taamir ka shauk tha, hai na??" the guest but-not-so-much-of-a-guest-as-me-Tannu said keeping a hand on Mr. Khan's shoulder as he gave an obliging smile (gag, puke, yuck). And the accident scene started to play in my mind once again. The hope and life drained out of me as I once again saw Mr. Khan run past me to... Suddenly I forgot all about my wound as the whole of my body and soul concentrated on that one small place on Mr. Khan's shoulder as if trying to jerk the hand away with yogic powers.
She must have felt my glare as she started to stammer with-"I'm so sorry. Did I just disturb you guys?? I was taking a look around the house and was so mesmerized that I completely forgot"
"No no Tannu not at all" said the "gentleman". Why were they getting on my nerves?? That's when I finally noticed her- perfectly manicured hands with unclipped to the tip nail polish, a dupatta draped carefully over her head, full-sleeved anarkali, an overwhelming-almost-hurting expression of goodness on her face (you could almost think that it was a facade) - she was elegance and tehzeeb embodied. Just the kind of girl Mr. Khan liked. And my heart immediately fell. Why she bothering me so damn much?? Why do I feel as if my rights, my space are being violated??
"No one has officially introduced us- Hi, I'm Tanveer" she extended her hand towards me I shook it only after giving her a "back off" look.
Just then Mr. Khan as if on alert mode said, "This is Tanveer' um.. Tannu, meri bachpan ki dost hain. Aur Tannu yeh hain Ms. Farouqui yeh yahan kuch din mehmaan hain"
Angry tears resurfaced as I tried to put forward my most detached attitude, and gave them a small smile. Mr. Khan kept on staring at me. As Tanveer led him away by his arm and he let himself being taken away. I kept on looking until they disappeared in his closed room.
I felt a strange defeat in my soul... a strange void. The emptiness hurt so much that it actually made me let out a painful groan. To try and divert my mind I opened my I Pad and started reading about the fall of Lehman Brothers on the net. Anything would do to absorb myself. Anything.
I must have lost track of time as I heard Mr. Khan' s voice singing to the strumming of his guitar. My world lit up listening to his voice sing!!! It must be a rare occasion! I ran out of my room and then suddenly stopped in my tracks seeing the sight in front of me.
Tanveer was coaxing Phoopi to where Mr. Khan was as if trying to unite the two. Mr. Khan kept on singing with a puppy dog face seeing Phoopi's reluctance (Allah Miyan why does he only use it on his mother). Phoopi finally gave in and joined him as even Najma joined them. Tanveer again put her hand on his shoulder and he smiled up at her.
That was when I moved my attention to myself. Standing in one corner of the room, like a third person- an inconsequential, unimportant narrator of a story. And then it hit me. My solitude hit me with all the muscle and sarcasm it possessed.
Mr. Khan first hugged Phoopi and then clasped all the three women in his wide arms. I felt a tear roll down my cheek as I looked on.
Being alone does not hurt as much as the feeling of being left out does.
Kabhi Laga wo Hume Sata Rahe he,
Kabhi Laga ke wo Karib aa Rahe he,
Kuch Log Hote he Ansuo ki Tarh he,
Pata hi Nahi Lagta Sath de Rahe He ya Chod ke ja Rahe Hai'
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So???? How was it guys??? Do let me know so that I can continue. Please reply!! đ đ đ
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