FAASLE II: QH FF. Links to Threads I and III pg 1 - Page 40

PART 24: (two sections again- IF won't let me post the whole update under one section)

ASAD'S HOUSE: A FEW DAYS LATER

Dilshaad was home after spending a few days in the hospital. Her surgical scars were healing well but she was still weak and confined to bed most of the time. Najma and Zoya took shifts while taking care of Dilshaad. Despite her apprehension about blood and wounds, Zoya had become an expert at changing her dressings and injecting the daily dose of antibiotics through a catheter placed in Dilshaad's veins.

More than ever, Dilshaad was convinced that Zoya was the right girl for her son. "Asad ke ghar aate hi main us se Zoya ke baare mein baat karoongi. Kitna achcha ho agar Zoya ke course khatam hote hi in dono ka nikaah ho jaaye. I should ask Zoya to give me her father's phone number. Unse bhi salaah kar loon." Daydreaming about their nikaah was a good distraction and helped Dilshaad recuperate faster.

"Zoya! Ab tho bataado mujhey." Najma nudged Zoya while they washed dishes after dinner.

"Kya bataa do?"

"Yahi ki aap aur bhaijaan kaise miley? Kahan miley? Kab mohabbat huyi?" Najma chuckled playfully.

Zoya felt her face flush at the last question, "m-mohabbat? Yeh tumhein kisne kaha?"

"Aapke laal laal gaalon ne." Najma laughed.

"Aisa kuch nahin hai Najma," Zoya tried to act nonchalant,

"Aap jhooth bol rahe ho. Tell me one thing? Didn't you come to India for bhaijaan?"

Zoya lowered her eyes and blushed.

"Chalo mujhey apna answer mil gaya. Now tell me A to Z."

"Asad to Zoya?" Zoya laughed.

"Yes! Asad to Zoya and Zoya to Asad ki poori kahani. With details!"

"Ya Allah! Kitni besharam ho tum Najma?"

"I am a complete romantic at heart! Please batao na Zoya."

"Okay, on one condition?"

"Kya?"

"Abhi phoophi ko kuch mat kehna. Let Mr. Khan return from his trip."

"Done!"

Before they sat down for a heart to heart session in Najma's room, they made sure Dilshaad was settled for the night.

It's only when Zoya narrated the whole story right from their first encounter on the cruise to his indirect proposal on Skype a few nights ago, did she realize how irrevocably in love she was. It reaffirmed her faith in her decision to leave New York.

"Wow Zoya! I had no idea bhaijaan itne romantic bhi ho sakte hain. It's amazing how he saved you so many times."

"I Know Najma," Zoya reflected as she leaned back on the pillow. "That's why I feel we are destined to be together."

"Oh, I am pretty sure that you are destined to be my bhabhi!" Najma lay down beside Zoya, "can't wait for my fake bhabhi to become my real bhabhi."

"Soch lo Najma," Zoya teased her, "agar aisa hua tho tumhari sleeping partner yahan se chali jaayegi."

Najma placed her arm around Zoya, tucked her face in the pillow, "that's okay, nikaah ke baad kabhie kabhie bhabhi-nand sleepovers kar liya karenge."

"Haan, yeh theek hai," Zoya chuckled. Najma smiled sleepily and was soon fast asleep. Sleep had deserted Zoya's eyes. Her mind was suffused with flashbacks of all their times together.

It was a short journey from Barcelona to Mumbai but felt like a lifetime.

"Na jaane kahan honge abhi Mr. Khan? Kya unhein meri yaad aa rahi hogi?" Her mind floated around like a butterfly, ecstatic from the pollen of love'

Bann ke titli dil uda uda uda hai

Kahin dooor...

Bann ke titli dil uda uda uda hai

Kahin dooor...

Chal ke khushboo se juda juda juda hai

Kahin dooor...

STORMY NIGHT AT SEA:

Caught in the middle of a major storm, the Indian Navy ship in the Arabian sea, wobbled with the gigantic hurricane like waves. Visibility and navigation were both hampered by the unexpected twist in the weather.

"I think we have lost them." The captain punched his fist, frustrated, "we almost had them but now we can't see them on the radar."

"It's possible they are not too far from here. I think we should keep going sir." Asad interjected, "the radar shows calmer seas ahead. I think it's worth taking a risk."

"Yes sir! This is our best chance." Arjun echoed Asad's sentiments.

The captain checked the radar again and gave orders to surge ahead. "The mission is still on guys."

Just as he spoke, Asad and Arjun lost their balance to a humungous wave that crashed into their ship.

They both fell on the floor. Asad's wallet slid out of his pocket and landed next to Arjun's hand. Arjun picked the wallet to return it to his friend but his gaze fell on a photograph in the picture window.

"Wow! She is gorgeous!"

"ARJUN! Wapas de wallet!" Asad tried to get up.

"Oh, so you guys met on that cruise?" It was a wallet-sized replica of the photograph from their dance on the cruise.

"Arjun! Please."

"Pehle bataa, confess kiya?"

"Haan-nahin-maybe-I don't know." Asad was flustered and tried to reach Arjun.

"I won't give it till you tell me."

"I think she knows." Asad dragged himself against the slope in the floor.

"Promise me that as soon as we are done with this mission, you will confess. Confess clearly. Wo haan-naa-maybe types nahin. Okay?"

"Okay baba! Promise!"

"Promise me or else teri meri hamesha ke liye kutti!"

"Abbe saale, are we still in middle school?"

"Promise kar pehle."

"PROMISE!" Asad tried to crawl closer to him.

"Waise photo ke liye itni betaabi dekhkar, no one should have a doubt. Wish she could see you crawling desperately like that for her." Arjun laughed.

Asad smiled and rolled over on the floor. He was about to snatch the wallet when a LOUD THUD, CRASH AND PITCH DARKNESS PERVADED THE SURROUNDINGS.

AT A COFFEE SHOP IN MUMBAI:

"Jeeju," Zoya spotted Anwar at a corner table. She ran towards him and gave him a bear hug, "so good to see you here. Kaise aana hua?"

"Pehle baith jao saali sahiba. What can I order for you?"

"One Cappuccino! They make the best cappuccino here."

"Agar tum keh rahi ho tho cappuccino it is." Anwar gestured the waiter and placed the order. "Two Cappuccinos please."

"How's aapi?"

"She is a lovely lady!"

"Jeejooo," Zoya rolled her eyes and shook her head, "I know my aapi is a lovely lady. Mera matlab hai ki wo kyun nahin aayi?"

"Main yahan kisi kaam ke silsile mein aaya hoon. Zeenat Dubai gayi hai."

"Dubai?" Zoya's face fell, "Oh, apni ammi se milne, haina? Aapi wahan tho chali jati hain lekin New York kabhie nahin aati. That's not fair."

"Actually Zoya," Anwar became a little serious, "isi silsile mein main tum se milne bhi aaya hoon."

"Aapi ki ammi ki wajah se?"

"No, not her but there is a reason why Zeenat hasn't visited your abbu since we got married."

"Why?" Zoya was curious. This question had nagged her for years and she was glad someone was finally considering her adult enough to know the reason.

Anwar took a pause as the waiter served them their coffee.

"Janab Ghafoor Ahmed Siddiqui didn't approve of our marriage."

"Why?" Zoya licked the froth in her cup.

"It's a long story but essentially, Asad's family and your abbu have been at loggerheads for years. Wo ek doosre ke jaani dushman hain samjho."

Zoya coughed up the sip of coffee she had just gulped, "jaani dushman?" She had an incredulous expression, "are you kidding me? Aap kisi 80s ki Bollywood movie ki baat kar rahe hain shayad-jaani dushman? Yeah, right!"

"No, I am serious Zoya. That's why I asked you to stick with your Farooqui last name."

Zoya couldn't believe what she had just heard, "so, it means my abbu and Mr. Khan's abbu knew each other?"

"Correct! As a matter of fact, they were in business together and I really don't know the details but something went seriously wrong. Asad's abbu was imprisoned and your abbu fled the country."

"Ya Allah! Imprisoned? But I thought his father is no more?'

"It's possible. No one really knows. Dilshaad aapi doesn't talk about him and that's why keeps a distance from her family."

"Tho isi liye," Zoya bit her lower lip and recalled Asad's words before he left home. That's why he was upset about her last name.

"Is liye what?"

"Before he left on his trip, Mr. Khan probably found out that I am my Mr. Ghafoor Siddiqui's daughter."

"Was he upset?"

"Yeah! Really upset and wanted me to leave his house right away."

"That means Dilshaad aapi doesn't know yet."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because you are still there."

"Yeah, he didn't want me to say anything to phoophi. Maybe I should tell her. Unhein kitna bura lagega ki maine unhein itni badhi baat nahin batayi."

"NEVER! Pagal mat bano Zoya."

"But jeeju, phoophi hates lies. I would rather tell her the truth than she find out from somewhere else."

"Do you really love Asad?"

Zoya lowered her eyes and nodded gently.

"Then you are playing with fire. Na tumhare abbu is rishte ko accept karenge and as far as I know Dilshaad aapi, she will be livid."

"Jeeju, but is mein meri aur Mr. Khan ki kya galti hai?"

"I know. This is what Zeenat and I also thought when we got married but ever since, I have seen that longing and pain in Zeenat's eyes. She loves me but she yearns for her abbu's love."

"Aap hi ne kaha tha na ki parents hamesha bachchon ko maaf kar dete hain. So, I am sure one day abbu will come around. Unki nafrat ki wajah se main apni khushi kyun barbaad karoon?"

"It's not that simple Zoya. Zeenat unki naa jaayaz aulaad hai aur tum unki eklauti jaayaz aulaad."

"Naa jaayaz?" Zoya was stunned, "tho abbu wasn't married to aapi's ammi?"

"No," Anwar sighed and lowered his gaze into the cup.

Zoya was repulsed by that thought, "I can't believe abbu could have such a dark past. He expects me to be the perfect and righteous Muslim girl, but what about him?"

"Zoya, don't be judgmental. We really don't know the circumstances. As far as we are concerned, Zeenat and you are sisters and Ghafoor sahib is your abbu. Bas!"

"And then what happened with Asad's abbu? Was it abbu's fault that they had a fall out?"

"I really don't know Zoya," Anwar was exasperated, but understood Zoya's reaction, "I just know that you are his darling and his most cherished child."

"If abbu really cares, then he should be more understanding towards me, right?"

"No, that means he has a lot more expectations from you. It's not going to be easy Zoya."

"I am not afraid jeeju. I can't crush my happiness for abbu's wishes."

"I knew you would say that," Anwar touched Zoya's hand, "I just wanted to warn you about the dynamics. Bas, Dilshaad aapi ko abhi mat bataana. Let Asad do that. If he really loves you, he will convince his ammi to accept you. Tum ne agar unse kuch kaha, tho lene ke dene padh sakte hain."

"Thanks jeeju." With half a smile, Zoya stood up to leave, "I need to go now. Phoophi ko doctor appointment ke liye le jaana hai."

"I am proud of you Zoya," Anwar gave her a hug, "just be strong and fight for what you believe in."

"Yes jeeju." She smiled, "Allah Hafiz."

"Allah Hafiz."

...contd.. had to divide into two sections again

PLEASE CHECK SECTION ABOVE TOO (DIVIDED INTO TWO SECTIONS)

BILAWAL CHACHU'S HOUSE:

Bilawal, a gracious host, welcomed Ghafoor Siddiqui with open arms.

"Salaam Alaikum bhaijaan! Kitne baras ho gaye aapko India aaye." The two men embraced each other.

"Alaikum Salaam Bilawal! Haan bhai, bahut saal ho gaye. Ho sakta hai hum kabhie wapas aate hi nahin. Kya karein? Ek laachaar baap hain. Zoya ki chinta humein wapas kheench hi layi."

"Laachaar baap tho hum bhi hain. Ab dekhiye Akram yahan aaya hai lekin apne yaar doston ke saath party karne se fursat miley tho do baatein hamare saath bhi ho jaayen?"

"This is the problem with this new generation. They have no respect for their parents and their elders." Ghafoor sat down on the sofa with a grim expression, "I think we should go ahead and get these two kids engaged. Ab main yahan hoon, sagai ho jaaye dono ki tho aap ko bhi tassalli hogi aur humein bhi."

"Bahut khoob. Aap chaahe tho kal hi kar dete hain sagai."

"That would be wonderful. Do din mein mujhey wapas bhi jaana bhi hai. I have left important work for this girl. Kahan hai Zoya?"

"Jee, subah se kai baar phone milaya maine, lekin mil nahin raha." Bilawal rued, "Na jaane Zoya hamara phone kyun nahin uthaati hai?"

"Is gair-zimeedar ladki ki tho khabar leni padhegi!"Ghafoor was irked by her irresponsible behavior.

"Koi baat nahin bhaijaan. Bachchi hai. Dheere dheere samajh aa jaayegi." Bilawal downplayed Zoya's callous behavior.

"Bilawal, can you arrange a car for me?"

"Zaroor bhaijaan. Bataaiye kahan jaana hai?"

"I will go to her college. Yeh ladki bahut ziddi hai. Iska koi bharosa nahin. I will personally bring her back home."

"Kuch aaraam kar lee jiye pehle."

"No Bilawal. I can't waste any more time. Tum Akram se baat karo aur sagai ki tayyari shuru karo."

AT THE J.J COLLEGE OF ARTS OFFICE:

"I am sorry sir, this is her address on our file." The office clerk pointed to Bilawal's address in their book.

"Zoya Farooqui?" Ghafoor was mortified, "yeh galat hai. She is Zoya Siddiqui!"

"I am sorry sir. This is the name on her passport. We have a copy if you want to verify. Lekin aap unke kya lagte hain?"

"HUM ZOYA KE ABBU HAIN!" Ghafoor was infuriated.

"Can I see your ID sir? We don't have any proof of your name on our files."

"THIS IS ABSOLUTE NONSENSE!" In a huffy, he walked out of the office, slamming the office door behind him. How dare anyone ask proof of his relationship with his own daughter?

After searching all over the college campus, Ghafoor became extremely impatient and was about to cancel her tuition check to the college when he spotted Zoya, dressed in her denims and pink top walking towards the college gate.

"Driver, ruko. Wo rahi Zoya. Lekin jaa kahan rahi hai?"

He saw her walk towards the bus stand.

"Hamari beti bus mein jaati hai?" Ghafoor Ahmed Siddiqui's ego was bruised to see his darling daughter board an overcrowded, public bus. He was upset at Bilawal for not providing a chauffeur driven car for her. "I will have to talk to Bilawal. At least, after her nikaah, she would be in the US with Akram. I won't have to worry about these mundane things there."

Before he could stop her, she had boarded the bus.

"Driver, us bus ka peecha karo."

"Jee sahib."

Ghafoor's patience was further tested when the bus crawled through the Mumbai streets, halting at various stops. His pride wouldn't let him board the bus to meet his daughter. He'd rather just follow her in his air-conditioned car.

Finally, she alighted and after picking some eggs and bread from a local grocery store, he saw her walk towards a house in the neighborhood.

"Yeh ladki kya kar rahi hai? Aaj tak America mein tho grocery story gayi nahin, yahan kinaare waali dukaan se samaan khareed rahi hai?"

Once she had entered the house, he waited for a few minutes and rang the doorbell.

Najma answered the door.

"Salaam Alaikum!" Najma greeted the bearded, well-dressed middle-aged stranger at door.

"Alaikum Salaam! Hum yahan Zoya se milne aaye hain? Wo yahin rehti hain?" Ghafoor stood at the door. His eyes scanned the modest living arrangements of the house.

"Yes, she does. Aap kaun?"

"Hum uske abbu hain. Aaj hi America se aaye hain."

"Oh really? Aaiye sir. Please come in. Zoya just got back from college."

"Shukriya." Ghafoor took a few steps into the house, "Zoya yahan kab se reh rahi hai?"

"Last month or so."

"That means she has been here since she joined the college?"

"Yeah, she initially came as a paying guest but now she is more like a family member. We just love her."

Ghafoor just nodded with a smirk on his face. He was upset with Bilawal more than Zoya. Something must have happened that prompted his dear daughter to seek accommodation as a paying guest.

"Kaun kaun hai is ghar mein?"

"Jee main, ammi aur Asad bhaijaan."

"Bhaijaan?" Ghafoor didn't appreciate the fact that his daughter lived with strangers who had a son, "kya umr hai tumhare bhaijaan ki?"

"He is about 26," Najma was surprised by his question but realized his reservation, "Oh bhaijaan ghar par nahin rehte. He is in the Navy. Wo ship par hain."

"Oh, I see," Ghafoor relaxed a bit, "ok beta, please send Zoya. I have come to pick her."

"Jee?" Najma was stunned, "lekin Zoya ka course tho abhi chal raha hai."

"Please send her over. I need to talk to her."

"Jee sir." Najma complied. Ghafoor's stern body language terrified her a little.

Alone, Ghafoor looked around the living room. Nothing caught his attention except for the fact that his daughter didn't deserve to live in such modest surroundings. He had barely calmed down when a photograph on the display shelf threw him off. There were three photographs- one was the girl who answered the door, the other a handsome man in a Navy uniform and then the third one looked so familiar.

He walked closer, just in case he had made a mistake. How could he forget her? It was definitely her- Dilshaad Khan! She was as beautiful as ever but instead of softening, his anger escalated as old memories flooded his mind. How could he forget her ruthless words when he had opened his heart to her?

FLASHBACK:

"Dilshaad, main tumse bahut mohabbat karta hoon. Kya tum mujhsey nikaah karogi?"

"Ghafoor Ahmed Siddiqui! Aap aisa soch bhi kaise sakte hain? Aapke dost ki mangetar hoon main. Rashid aapki bahut respect karte hain. Chee! Mujhey afsos hai ki Rashid aur maine aapko apna dost samjha!"

FLASHFORWARD:

"Najma beta kaun hai?" Dilshaad dragged herself from her room.

Ghafoor recognized that bittersweet voice.

With a hateful expression, he turned around and came face to face with the only woman he had ever loved. A woman, who had changed his destiny forever. The woman whose rejection had forced him to betray and snare his friend into a game of deception, crime and adultery. All these years, Ghafoor had thought that by separating Rashid from Dilshaad, he had avenged her rejection but seeing her face-to-face, riled his emotions once again.

Dilshaad was appalled to see her biggest foe in her house.

"AAP YAHAN KYA KAR RAHE HAIN JANAAB SIDDIQUI SAHEB?"

"Mujhey yakeen nahin hota ki mujhey apne pak kadam tumhare ghar mein rakhne padh rahe hain."

"Pak aur na-pak baatein aapki zubaan ko shobha nahin dete. PLEASE LEAVE MY HOUSE!"

"NOT WITHOUT MY DAUGHTER!"

"Daughter?" Dilshaad was taken aback, "aapki beti yahan nahin hai."

"ZOYA MERI BETI HAI!"

"Zoya?" Dilshaad felt the ground rattle under her feet, "I think aapko koi galat fehni huyi hai."

"Zoya Siddiqui meri beti hai! Tumne usey yahan mujhse badla lene ke liye qaid kar rakha hai!"

"Kya baat kar raha hain aap? Zoya Farooqui hamari mehmaan hai. Meri hone waali bahu hai. Please leave my house right now Siddiqui sahib. You know I can call the police."

"BAHU?" Ghafoor felt his heart sink to his feet, "yeh kya badtameezi hai? ZOYA!" He yelled her name.

Zoya stood at the stairs. Tears rolled down her eyes. Her worst fears had come true. She was happy that Dilshaad had considered her 'hone waali bahu' but mortified to see her abbu there. How did abbu find her? Why didn't he call her? She kicked herself for ignoring Bilawal chachu's phone calls.

"ABBU!" Zoya ran down and intervened, "please abbu khamosh ho jaaiye. I can explain."

Dilshaad couldn't believe what she had just heard, "Abbu?Zoya, yeh sach much tumhare abbu hain?"

Zoya shut here eyes and winced at her own foolishness. Of course, she had invited this wrath. Her series of lies had finally trapped her in her own game.

"ZOYA! I NEED AN ANSWER!" Dilshaad shook Zoya's arm.

"Haan phoophi," She hung her head and nodded gently.

"ITNA BADHA JHOOTH?" Dilshaad's voice cracked.

"I am sorry phoophi. I didn't mean to hurt you."

"Najma!" Dilshaad glared at Zoya, "is ladki ka saaman pack karo and throw her out of this house."

"Par ammi!" Najma tried to reason. She was as distressed about the whole situation, "lekin ammi, please ek baar Zoya se explanation tho le lo. Zoya ne humse itne din yeh sach kyun chupaya. Koi tho wajah hogi. Please ammi."

"ZOYA DOESN'T NEED TO GIVE ANY EXPLANATION. SHE IS ZOYA SIDDIQUI AND SHE WILL LEAVE THIS PLACE RIGHT NOW. CHALO ZOYA!" Ghafoor's bloodshot eyes spewed venom.

"NAHIN ABBU!" Zoya cried. She fell at Dilshaad's feet, "please phoophi forgive me. My intentions were good. I didn't mean to hurt you. Mujhey aaj hi pata chala ki aap aur abbu mein gehri dushmani hai. Trust me, I had no idea. Please phoophi, I can't leave you all till Mr. Khan is back."

Dilshaad stepped back, "just leave Zoya! I can never forgive people who lie and deceive me. Main nahin jaanti tum hamare ghar kyun aayi thi lekin ab yahan se chali jao aur hamari zindagi mein ab kabhie mat aana. JUST LEAVE! Mujhey afsos hai ki maine tumhein apne bte ke laayak bhi samjhaa."

"Please phoophi! Try and understand."

"ZOYA! I am waiting for you in the car outside. Is ghar mein main tumhari aur apni be izzati nahin seh sakta." Ghafoor gave them all a dirty look and walked out of the house.

Zoya bawled and collapsed on her knees, "please phoophi. I can't leave. I have promised Mr. Khan that I will take care of you till he returns. Please let me stay till then. Wo jab aayenge aapko sab kuch sach sach bataa denge."

"NAJMA! THROW HER THINGS OUT! Galti hamari hai. Bina jaane pehchaane humne ek ajnabi ladki ko apne ghar panaah de di."

Najma was in a quandary. She stood still with tears in her eyes. Even she was upset about the lies but knew there must have been a valid reason for Zoya's lies. Zoya probably did it for bhaijaan. Her love for Asad was pure and heartfelt. It was not a fling on the cruise. Why else would she leave the comforts of her home for a man? Why else would she treat Asad's ammi like her own mother? Why else would she worry and stay up all night to take care of ammi?

Dilshaad, in a fury, walked over to Najma's room and dumped Zoya's clothes into a bag.

Zoya and Najma stood helplessly as Dilshaad threw Zoya's bag out of their house and pointed towards the door, "Zoya Siddiqui, please leave or else I will call the police."

Dejected, Zoya gave Najma a hug and staggered out of the house with a heavy heart.

'to be contd'.