ZOYA'S HOUSE:
Zoya unlocked the door to her private studio and led Farhan in with her. She bolted the door behind them.
"Here Farhan," she took out a baby canvas and some finger paints, "yeh tumhare liye hai bachcha. Do what you want."
Farhan resisted the paint on his hands but once they started making fun patterns, he enjoyed the art, his little fingers imprinted on the canvas. Zoya was pleased to see the progress. Till a few weeks ago, Farhan would have a temper tantrum each time his hands got dirty or a different texture touched his skin but gradually, he was beginning to enjoy normal childhood activities. Finger painting was the best way to help him learn how to feel and accept the world around him.
Once Farhan was settled, Zoya sat in front of her incomplete painting, lost in her thoughts as usual. This studio was her sanctuary, her private world that no one had access to, but her (and now Farhan.) To keep herself distracted, she had a full time career and now responsibility for Farhan but this was her time with herself- without which her day was unfinished and her desire to live incomplete.
This was where her Mr. Khan resided.
Kahin to dil mein yaadon ki ek sooli gad jaati hai
kahin har ek tasveer bahut hi dhundhli pad jaati hai
koi nai duniya ke naye rangon mein khush rehta hai
koi sab kuchh paa ke bhi ye man hi man kehta hai
kehne ko saath apne ek duniya chalti hai
per chhup ke is dil mein tanhaai palti hai
Bas yaad saath hai
teri yaad saath hai
teri yaad saath hai
teri yaad saath hai
The walls of the studio are covered with numerous paintings and enlarged photographs of Asad from the cruise and their Mumbai darshan trip. Each time she walked into the room, she felt heart swell with happiness and her faith in her love reinstated.
With a brush in hand, she caressed the incomplete portrait in front of her. Soon, she was lost in an imaginary monologue with Asad,"It's been almost five years since I saw you on the Skype call. Was it just yesterday, I received the letter in the mail that they were not able to match your DNA sample to the corpse in the morgue? While everyone was relieved, I was not surprised. Even though people think I am in denial, I know you will come back one day. Jaante hain Mr. Khan, if it were not for Rashid uncle, my struggles in this city could have been more agonizing. I was nave to think I could do it on my own. At 21, the world seems more conquerable especially for a young girl who was (and still is) madly in love with you. I sometimes wonder when and how did I fall so irrevocably in love with you, Mr. Khan? Perhaps, I will never be able to answer that question but when I look around at the walls of my Taj Mahal, I know why. I have been working on your portrait for the past five months but just haven't been able to get that expression right- wo jo aap mujhey dekh kar choti si smile karte the- the one you were trying to suppress but couldn't!" She pouted and tried a few strokes on the canvas, " lagta hai yeh painting bhi aapka intezaar kar rahi hai!"
Kahin to beete kal ki jade dil mein hi utar jaati hain
kahin jo dhaage toote to malaayein bhikar jaati hain
koi dil mein jagah nayi baaton ke liye rakhta hai
koi apni palkon par yaadon ke diye rakhta hai
kehne ko saath apne ek duniya chalti hai
per chhup ke is dil mein tanhaai palti hai
Bas yaad saath hai
teri yaad saaath hai
teri yaad saaath hai
teri yaad saaath hai
.
Five years ago, when Rashid had revealed his relationship with Asad, Zoya didn't know how to react. She sat staring at the man responsible for her phoophi's miseries but was shocked when he wept like a child for his son. That day, he had poured his heart out to Zoya. He was a man misunderstood; a man who had been betrayed by others and by fate. He had taken some bad decisions in life but had been punished harshly for these mistakes. While Ghafoor had deceived him in business, in a moment of weakness he had betrayed Dilshaad's trust by cheating with another woman.
It didn't take long for Zoya to befriend everyone at Rashid's house.
At first, Shireen didn't strike her as a typical home wrecker but Dilshaad's pain prevented Zoya from ever developing a deep bond with Shireen. Zoya often wondered if a man should suffer all his life for mistakes made years ago? She discovered that Rashid's tremendous love for Dilshaad, Asad and Najma had helped him survive the seventeen years of separation. For her, it was an irony that Dilshaad rejected her because of her abbu but Rashid accepted her despite of her abbu. Rashid's pain from the separation was worse than his animosity for Ghafoor Ahmed Siddiqui.
Zoya was indebted to Rashid as Ghafoor left her to fend for herself and learn to 'grow up' before returning to the US, but her adopted abbu, Rashid made sure she had a home and family in Mumbai.
Their mutual love for Asad, Dilshaad and Najma helped them bond very quickly. Although ostracized by Dilshaad, both took care of her from afar.
Zoya was hurt by Najma's snub but later sensed her predicament was a result of Dilshaad's wishes. Zoya often followed them to their hospital visits to make sure all was well. Dr. Ali became an ally and kept her informed of Dilshaad's progress. He would download her reports from the cancer department and email them to Zoya.
When Zoya found out about her Dilshaad's relapse, Rashid helped her raise money by selling some of her paintings at a decent price. As an anonymous donor, Zoya was happy to assist with the cost of the expensive but life saving bone marrow transplant.
Five years ago, Rashid helped Zoya set up a new division at the Bombay art house- a studio to encourage budding artists display their talent at the prestigious gallery. If Asad was the first person to recognize her talent on the ship, his father helped blossom Zoya's talent to new heights. In these past five years, she has established herself as a leader amongst the circle of young artists and painters.
Rashid and Zoya have also bonded over exchanging notes on Asad, Dilshaad and Najma. As a result, Zoya knows a lot about Asad's childhood and Rashid has gotten to know his son's tastes, habits, caring nature and immense sense of righteousness and love for his family.
Despite becoming good friends with Rashid, there is a part of his life Zoya is completely oblivious of.
She often wonders-
"Why does he have a separate office in the basement?"
"Why does he never give interviews to the press?"
"Why does he never show his face in public?"
"Why does he not attend any of our exhibitions?"
"Why does his name not appear on any of our official documents?"
"Why does he not pay for phoophi's medical expenses and insist they are paid through my account (not that I mind)?"
"Why did he send his personal bodyguard in guise as phoophi's chauffeur? Was there a threat to phoophi's life?"
"Why does he feel guilty about Mr. Khan's accident? It wasn't his fault the ship had an accident"
These are just some questions about him that still remain unanswered.
Her equation with Ayaan is a little different. Just like his love hate relationship with his elusive half brother, his relationship with Zoya has gone through various ups and downs.
Finally, they have become friends now.
It happened because of two reasons-
Humeira- Zoya's half sister
and
Farhan- Zoya's nephew.
AYAAN's OFFICE:
"So, Mr. AK- is that how you want to be addressed?"
'Yes Mr. Ayaan." Asad sat across with his sunglasses and a deadpan expression.
"I like that you have a background in the defense services. You are retired now?"
'Yes, I am."
"Alright. I will introduce you to my son Farhan. Please meet me at my home tomorrow."
"So, I have the job?"
"Yes AK!"
Both men shook hands and smiled at each other.
'to be contd...
Ye Hai Mohabbatein
Arjun
Sensational South
