PART 21:
Jhoote rishte nibhaane ka alam hoga
Ishq main tanha har kadam hoga
Kya khabar chund lamhon ka safar hoga
Kuch duur chal kar dil barham hoga
NEXT MORNING:
"Zoya? Bhaijaan kahan gaye?" Najma walked into the kitchen while Zoya prepared breakfast.
Zoya remained silent. One glance at Zoya's face gave her the answer, "he's gone? Itni jaldi chale gaye? Bye bhi nahin bola? I am so upset with him."
"I think his ship was leaving early this morning," Zoya replied. In reality, she had just found a note on the dining table.
'Ammi, Najma- sorry have to leave for the ship ASAP. I will call you later.'
"Bas ek note chhod kar chale gaye? That's so unlike bhaijaan," Najma was worried, "hope everything is okay. Zoya, kal shaam aapke saath the na wo? Did he say anything?"
"Not really."
Zoya's puffy, red eyes couldn't hide her silent heartache.
"Are you okay Zoya?" Najma asked gently, "did you get enough sleep? Bhaijaan ke saath kuch jhagda tho nahin hua na?"
"Tamatar!" Zoya forced a smile, "don't worry about me. Do you think main kabhie kisi se jhagda kar sakti hoon? And you know how much I love my sleep!"
Najma was not convinced and just nodded absent-mindedly.
"Chalo main phoophi ko chai dekar aati hoon." Zoya tried to distract Najma.
"Ok."
With a heavy heart, she walked towards Dilshaad's room. How would she break the news that she had been ordered to leave their house as soon as possible? What explanation would she give? Asad's sudden departure was enough to raise doubts in phoophi's mind. Like Asad, she didn't want to burden her phoophi with any more stress.
"Maybe I will speak to phoophi in a few days. I guess, I will have to go to Bilawal chachu's home. Mr. Khan chaahe mujhey ghar se nikaal dein, but apni zindagi se nahin nikaal sakte. I will continue to live in India till I get to the bottom of all this and make Mr. Khan confess his true feelings."
DILSHAAD'S ROOM:
Zoya was surprised to see Dilshaad still asleep. Most days, she would have showered and be ready for her morning tea. It had become a routine for her to spend the morning with her cup of tea next to her window and Zoya by her side. Both women were chatterboxes and if given a chance, could spend the whole day at the same spot with loads to talk about.
"Phoophi?" Zoya kept the tray aside and kneeled against the bed. Dilshaad whimpered. Zoya was worried. She felt Dilshaad's skin with the back of her palm, "Ya Allah! Aapko tho bahut tez bukhaar hai phoophi."
Fortunately, Zoya was familiar with Dilshaad's medicine chest. Carefully, she removed the thermometer and checked her temperature. "Ya Allah! 104 degree bukhaar hai aapko?"
"NAJMA!" She yelled. "Najma! Please call the doctor." Zoya forgot the anguish from last night and took charge of the crisis at hand. From her earlier experiences, she knew Najma had a tendency to become anxious when faced with an unexpected situation.
The doctor came by promptly and checked Dilshaad. The worried expression on his face alarmed them.
"I think we should take her to the hospital."
"Kya hua doctor sahib?" Zoya asked worriedly. Najma was too shaken up; she stood holding Zoya's hand for comfort.
"Ammi theek tho ho jaayengi na?" Najma was almost in tears, "bhaijaan bhi nahin hain yahan."
"Najma, did you try and call Mr. Khan?" Zoya asked calmly, "his ship is probably still docked at the port."
"I have tried several times Zoya," Najma's hands were trembling, "but his phone is switched off."
"Doctor, let's do what's best for her," Zoya nodded, "what happened to her? Kal raat tak tho bilkul theek thi phoophi."
"She is on chemotherapy. Kabhie kabhie chemotherapy se blood counts bahut low ho jaate hain. The body is not able to fight off infections with a low count. Mujhey darr hai inhein koi serious infection na ho gaya ho. If we don't get her on treatment right away," The doctor became pensive, "it could be life threatening."
"WHAT?" Zoya exclaimed.
"NAHIN!" Najma cried.
"Main ambulance bhejta hoon. Aap dono bhi aa sakti hain saath mein." The doctor made a phone call to the hospital regarding Dilshaad's case, "yes, I have a case of possible sepsis arriving by ambulance. Please inform the Oncology service. Thanks."
As soon as they arrived, Dilshaad was wheeled into the intensive care unit.
"Her blood pressure is very low. We will need to keep her on special support in the ICU. Aap dono please bahar wait kariye." The ICU doctor informed them.
As the glass door to the ICU shut on them, Zoya and Najma hugged each other for comfort and support.
"Zoya! I am really scared. Ammi theek tho ho jaayengi na?" Najma bawled in Zoya's arms.
""Najma, Allah phoophi ke saath hai. Aisa kuch nahin hoga. Hausla rakho. We are lucky we brought her to the hospital on time. Na jaane raat kaise kaati hogi phoophi ne." Zoya wiped her own tears and held Najma like a baby. They were both scared and had no one else but each other for support.
ABOARD THE NAVY SHIP:
A restless Asad walked back and forth on the deck. In a hurry to get away from the painful and long night, he had even forgotten his mobile phone at home. Because, he didn't want to disturb ammi or face Zoya, he had tiptoed out of his own house like a thief.
"Ammi kya soch rahi hongi? This is so unlike me. Aaj tak unhein bina bataaye ghar se nahin gaya hoon. Ms Farooqui ke chakkar mein itna irresponsible kaise ho gaya?"
The ship had undocked and was on its way through the waters of the Arabian Sea.
He had tried to call home with the ship's satellite phone but there was no answer. Najma's phone was unreachable. If he had known they were at the hospital, he would have jumped off the deck and swam ashore.
"Kya hua Asad? Looking a bit tense. Eid achchi nahin thi kya is saal?" Arjun joined him at the deck.
"Eid was great," Asad had a faint smile that faded away quickly.
"Kya hua? Auntie tho theek hain na?"
"Yeah, she is fine. Infact, Allah ka shukr hai ki unka cancer kaafi control mein hai ab."
"Tho phir kya hua?"
Asad lowered his eyes and turned his back to his friend, "I didn't tell anyone that I was leaving this morning. Sirf ek note chhod kar aa gaya."
"That's very unlike you. Tho satellite phone use kar le."
"No one is picking up the phone at home."
"Relax man! May be they have stepped out for a morning walk or something. Chill!"
"Yeah, you are probably right," Asad was not convinced but had no choice.
"Achcha bata, aunty ne koi ladki dhoondhi tere liye?" Arjun slapped Asad's back, "I am sure she is worried about your nikaah now."
"Uh-wo," Asad glanced at Arjun, "n-not really."
"Arre yaar! Achcha tho koi ladki hai teri life mein?"
Asad was taken aback by that question, "hai bhi-aur nahin bhi."
"Matlab? Is she dead or something?" Arjun's eyes popped wide.
"ARJUN!" Asad became livid, "khuda kare usey meri bhi umr lag jaaye."
"WOW! MASHALLAH!" Arjun chuckled and put his arm around Asad, "lagta hai ishq ho gaya hai janaab ko. That was a trick
question, dude! I knew there was something cooking. Since you have been back from that cruise, you haven't been the same. Dude, are you in love?"
Asad sighed and averted his gaze. He walked up to the edge of the deck and leaned against the railing. Staring at the deep blue water, he mumbled, "I think I am in love but—"
Excited, Arjun grabbed Asad's neck and shook him vigorously, "dude, when you are in love, there is no room for the words think and but. Remove them from your dictionary."
"It's not that simple Arjun."
"Ek baat bolun? Love is not that complicated as people make it out to be. It's really simple- tu usey pyaar karta hai, bas! Nothing else matters."
"Arjun, you won't understand. Waise bhi tuney tho bhaag ke shaadi ki thi. You won't understand the intricacies of relationships."
"Take that back Asad." Arjun was incensed, "there are no compromises in love. Baaki teri marzi."
Asad didn't reply. He knew Arjun had his best interest in mind but he would never understand his dilemma or his point of view. Arjun was emotional and not very practical when it came to life. He had been blessed with an excess of everything; running away to marry a girl was probably just another adventure for him.
Asad could betray himself but not his ammi and his family.
"This is my life Arjun. I know what's best for me." He replied curtly. Arjun knew it was best to leave Asad alone in that mood.
"Alright, dude! Okay, let's talk shop. Do you know what's this new mission?"
"New mission?" Asad was surprised.
AT THE HOSPITAL:
"Zoya, bhaijaan ko kaise inform karein?" A tearful Najma asked helplessly.
"Let me try," Zoya took the phone from Najma. After last night, she had resolved to not initiate any interaction with him till he was ready to confess his feelings for her, but this was a true emergency and there was no room for ego here. "You are right Najma. His phone is unreachable. Let me call the Navy headquarters."
"Aapko number maloom hai wahan ka? Mere paas hai lekin ghar par hai."
"Don't worry Najma. Zoya Farooqui can figure out anything." She squeezed her hand and smiled. She got up and walked to the nursing station to begin her search.
Just like she had persevered with Asad's whereabouts in Mumbai, she was finally able to reach the Navy headquarters.
"I am sorry we can't give any information ma'am."
"This is an emergency."
"Commander Asad Ahmed Khan is out on a secret mission. We cannot divulge any information."
"Even if his mother is in the ICU?"
"This is a matter of national security ma'am. Personal emergencies can wait, the nation can't!" He hung up. Zoya was shocked by their heartless attitude. She couldn't believe her ears. A part of her was worried about Asad but at that moment, she knew if he couldn't be there, she would have to take over all the responsibilities for phoophi's well being.
"Ya Allah! Kaisa secret mission hai yeh? Unki ammi se bhi zyaada important?"
"Madam!" A staff member approached her at the nurse's station.
"Jee, the Neurosurgeon needs to talk to you about Mrs. Dilshaad Ahmed Khan."
"Neurosurgeon?"
"Hello Ms-uh?" A tall, well-built doctor in scrubs walked in with a mask hanging on his chin. He seemed in a hurry.
"Zoya—"
"Hello Zoya. I am Dr. Ali, the Neurosurgeon on staff here."
"Neurosurgeon?" Her heart sank.
"Are you related to Mrs Dilshaad Khan?"
'Well," Zoya lowered her eyes, "bataaiye, kya baat hai?"
"We need to operate on her right away."
'Operate?" Zoya was shocked, "pehle tho keh rahe the sirf infection hai."
"Jee, infection hai but she has an abscess, or a collection of pus in her brain. That's why she has been lethargic and running such a high fever."
"YA ALLAH! That sounds serious!" Zoya cupped her mouth with her palms, "wo theek tho ho jaayengi na doctor?"
"Of course, but I need to operate on her right away. We can't afford to let the infection spread any further or brain par bhi permanent damage ho sakta hai. I need a consent signed right away."
'Sure Dr. Ali. Main unki beti ko bulati hoon."
"Please make it quick. The OR is ready." The impatient surgeon glanced at his watch.
Zoya ran through the hallway in search of Najma but couldn't find her.
"Aap Mrs Khan ki beti ko dhoondh rahi hain?" A nurse asked Zoya.
"YES! Kahan hain wo sister?"
"Wo neeche prayer room mein namaz padhne gayi hain. She told me to inform you that she will be back in half an hour. Aap fikr na karein."
Zoya shut her eyes and squeezed her temples with both hands.
After pondering for a few seconds, she turned around and walked back to the surgeon.
"Dr Ali, kahan sign karna hai?"
"Here, Ms Zoya? Aap unki rishtedaar hain?"
"Jee!" She lowered here eyes and picked the pen.
"Kya rishta hai aapka Mrs Dilshaad Khan se?"
"I am her daughter in law." She knew that she was playing with the law, but Zoya didn't want to take any chances. Forging her name and signature could even get her deported forever.
"Tho pehle hi aapko sign kar dena chaahiye tha Mrs Zoya Khan!" The surgeon was annoyed, "time is precious here."
Zoya remained silent and signed the papers- Zoya Khan.
"Alright Mrs. Khan. Aap surgical waiting mein wait kar sakti hain. We will call you once the surgery is over."
"Thanks Dr. Ali." She averted her gaze; her hands that had been firm and steady while signing the consent papers, trembled once she was alone. She shut her eyes and raised her palms in prayer, "Ya Allah! Meri galti ki sazaa meri phoophi ko mat dena. Unhein salaamat rakhiye ga."
With heavy steps, she walked over to the waiting area. To distract herself, she turned her iPad on to Skype with her aapi and jeeju. She needed someone to support her through her decision.
ABOARD THE NAVY VESSEL:
"Sir, aapne bulaya?" Asad and Arjun walked into the captain's cabin.
"Yes, commanders. I need to give you some information about this mission."
"What mission? I thought we would be going back to the Andaman?" Asad was surprised.
"No, we are not! We just received an SOS from the CBI. Apparently, a vessel with some precious artifacts from India is being smuggled to the UAE. We need to intercept this vessel and rescue our national treasures."
"But why the Navy?" Asad was surprised, "yeh kaam tho civil forces bhi kar sakti hain."
"It's not only about the artifacts. A terrorist group or possibly, an underworld gang might be involved. We have some commandos joining us too, but you both are my most trustworthy officers. Can I rely on you guys?"
"Absolutely sir!" Asad and Arjun saluted their commanding officer.
"Wonderful! You guys can go to the command station and get your orders."
"Sir, before I leave, can I make a phone call?"
"Sure! Kahan karna hai?"
"Ghar. I haven't been able to reach anyone since we left Mumbai. Aap jaante hain meri ammi—"
'Here, why don't you use the Internet? The satellite phone has been giving us some issues today." The captain pointed to his workstation. "I am sure you can Skype your family."
Asad thanked the captain and sat down at the workstation. Arjun tapped Asad's shoulder, "I will wait outside. Good luck!"
Asad pursed his lips and nodded his head. He scratched his head as he couldn't recall Najma's Skype Id, "does Najma even have a Skype address?"
He tried various combinations but couldn't ping Najma's ID. Finally, he decided to search for Zoya's ID, "I know she has Skype because I saw her chatting with her aapi the other day. Hope she is still at home. Kahin abhi se ghar na chhod diya ho."
He typed- Zoya Farooqui- no response
Zoya Siddiqui- no response
Zoya- there were multiple choices. One ID that caught his attention
- ZoyaCruiseGirl
He had no doubt that was her ID. Hesitantly, he sent her a request.
HOSPITAL WAITING ROOM:
Zoya was unable to video chat with Zeenat and Anwar but was able to IM chat with them.
ZoYaCruiseGirl: Jeeju, do you think I did the right thing?
AnwarFromIstanbul: You did it with the right intention. Don't worry.
ZoYaCruiseGirl: Thanks. I am scared.
AnwarFromIstanbul: Trust Allah.
ZoYaCruiseGirl: I am.
SKYPE REQUEST- AsadAhmedKhan
Her screen flashed his name a few times. She couldn't believe her eyes.
ZoYaCruiseGirl: Jeeju, GTG.
AnwarFromIstanbul: Khuda Hafiz!
REQUEST ACCEPTED.
AsadAhmedKhan: Hi! Hi-Zoya!
ZoYaCruiseGirl: Hello Mr. Khan.
AsadAhmedKhan: I have tried to call home several times today.
ZoYaCruiseGirl: Same here.
AsadAhmedKhan: ???
ZoYaCruiseGirl: Called you several times.
AsadAhmedKhan: Why?
ZoYaCruiseGirl: had to talk to you.
AsadAhmedKhan: Can I chat with ammi or Najma?
ZoYaCruiseGirl: (Zoya felt her throat burning as she swallowed her tears. He was really not interested in chatting with her.) They are not here.
AsadAhmedKhan: Have you left our house?
ZoYaCruiseGirl: Not yet. But, I will. Soon.
Asad felt awkward. He didn't really intend to expedite her departure but that was hard to communicate through IM. He wanted her to be safe and not leave his house till she had reliable accommodation.
AsadAhmedKhan: OK. Tell ammi I am ok.
Zoya was in a quandary. Should she inform him about ammi's illness? The Navy had informed her that he wouldn't be released from important national duty. Should she get him all worried about phoophi? He wouldn't be able to help anyways. If worried, he wouldn't be able to accomplish the important mission either.
ZoYaCruiseGirl: OK
His fingers lingered on the keyboard. He didn't want that chat session to end. Even if it was impersonal, he felt he could see her and hear her voice through the typed words on the screen.
Najma returned from the prayer room, "Zoya, sab theek hai na?"
Zoya shut her iPad and kept it aside.
Asad was disappointed when the session ended. She had hung up on him but he had only himself to blame. With a heavy heart, he stood up and walked over to the command station.
"Najma, I need to tell you something." Zoya stood up and placed her arm around Najma.
…to be contd….will post next part soon…
Udne Ki Aasha
