FF-The Desperate Kingdom Of Love-Note.p50(22/03)new - Page 3

Chapter 1 – The Silent Truth

Almost everyone in our Lives we know atleast talks about or tells us or rather lectures us about the importance of Boundaries in our Lives…about the limits that perhaps we should never cross…and about how we should always stick to them….but isnt it ironical…That No one ever told the truth in the first place…the truth that doesn't make a noise but exists silently in our being…the truth that in the World of the heart…the word Boundary doesn't even Exist in its otherwise complicated dictionary of emotions…It just never has…and probably it just never ever will….

……..

6.30 AM – @Barkat ( Khan's Mansion)

Asad Ahemed Khan…woke up with a start as his alarm clock went off…and got ready in his workout clothes and made his way down to the basement of his home.He swtiched on the lights to the otherwise dark room…and shut the door….he switched on the soft music on his Ipod which was stationed on the speaker base…and started his day as usually with his workout routine….the only time in the day he had for himself…because most of the rest of the day would be burried in Work…and once he was home…he would spend that much needed time with his mother…and then talking to his younger sister Khushi..who was studying in London…and then at night….the memories of the past would come to haunt him…haunt him…until sleep took over….memories of how Life used to be ten years ago…

He increased the speed on the cardio as he ran and remembered the death of his father and his little sister Najma….and how happiness left him that day…as he lost so much in that one day- His father…his sister….his best friend…the family he had grown up with…whose friendship was always talked about by people….

He brought his run to a stop as he reminded himself that all of that was ten years ago..when he was 18…and a different person all together.And it didn't matter now…because the truth of his Life was too bitter to ignore – Today he hated…he despised the best friend he grew up with…he hated him to the core…and no memory of the good old past could outlive the hatred he felt for Arnav Singh Raizada..today…

Right then he rememebered something..and so he called his secretary and asked him book his tickets for the flight tonight to US…his construction company had just won a contract…the contract which AR had been bidding for too…he was happy that he had outsmarted Raizada this time…and had backed the deal that would generate millions and also bring a lot of goodwill to Khan Industries.

He felt a sarcastic smirk on his lips as he imagined the face of his rival…and his reaction to his defeat.He had never come face to face with him in these Ten Years….in the sense they had never spoken a word to each other….but the cold war existed…and it was always in the air…even at the business conferences and award functions they had spotted each other in.

He finished his workout a while later and walked up to see his Ammi already preparing breakfast.He smiled as he walked upto her and wished her goodmorning.

Asad – ' Ammi…I forgot to tell you last night..ill be leaving for US tonight….we have backed the deal…and I am really happy that we have…and ill be flying via London…but its just going to be in transit…and I did not tell Khushi about it too…do u think shell be mad that I ddnt stop to visit her first? I mean she didn't even come home for holidays this summer….'

Dilshaad smiled as she made her son sit down on the chair besides her and said – ' Well no Asad…Khushi will not be mad…she understands her bhaijaan has a lot of work….and secondly she did not come because its her final year right ..she is just finishing her MBA…u know she is busy with her dissertation…and once that finishes…she will be back for good….and honestly I cant wait too..I miss her so much too…this house is eerie with the silence without her'…but she stopped in midsentence as she saw her sons face harden in pain and so she diverted the topic and said – ' anyway…congratulations on the deal…is this the one for Khan designs?'

Asad replied sipping his coffe – ' no ammi…this is the construction deal….the one in Boston…'

Dilshaad's face hardened as she remembered what her son was talking about as she had seen it in the news and so she whispered softly – Asad…I know you …and I can see that you are not happy that u won…you are happy that you defeated Arnav…isnt it?

Asad put his cup down in anger as he looked up at his mother – ' ammi….please…lets not go there again…'

Dilshaad said desparately –' how do u not expect me too Asad…its been ten years…cant the two of you let it go already?He was like a son to me…wasn't he a brother to you too Asad?'

Asad got up angrily as he answered – 'It's the Past ammi…and no..i cannot let this go….its because of his family…that we lost abbu and Najma…' as he tried to hide the pain in his voice..

Dilshaad replied with tears in her eyes – ' I know…we lost a lot Asad….but he lost his father too…and he blames us for Kkusum's condition till date '

Asad , now unable to control his anger – ' that's not true…'

Dilshaad sighed – ' exactly…that's what im trying to say…when will this blame game ever end Asad…it will only when the two of you will stop this war…and talk things out…please listen to me…'

Asad looked directly into his Ammi's eyes and he answered – ' Ammi ask me anything else but not this….please…just don't…Somethings don't ever end….and this war like u say it is one of them…accept it …just like I have …and stop torturing yourself in the hope that everything will be fine one day…because it never will….because I wont let that happen…as Long as I live'…and he walked back to his room…and started to pack.

Dilshaad walked into her room with tears in her eyes as she looked at the picture frame of her husband and whispered brokenly – ' I wish I knew what exactly happened all those years ago Rashid…I have already lost you…and Najma…and I fear…that this enimity will only bring us harm…..I miss Anjali…I miss Kkusum…I miss Arnav…I miss seeing the little girl..Kkusum's youngest daughter…the one I had named…Zoya…she must be all grown up bynow..just like our Khushi,..who Kkusum had named…I miss how Life used to be Rashid...' And she hugged the frame tighter as she wept helplessly wondering that was she really torturing herself in the Hope..in the hope that everything will be alright one day…and a shiver ran through her spine as she remembered her sons words…

…………………….

Shantivan- 8.00 am

Arnav Singh Raizada returned home from his morning run…and he thought that it had really helped his anger and frustration that had been engulfing him since yesterday ..when his company had lost out that deal to Khan.

It angered him to the core…..not because he lost…because he knew…that it was a part of the game…since AR constructions was barely a few years old….unlike Khans which had been in the business for 9 years now…but it angered him still…that he lost to Asad Ahemed Khan…and hatred instantly surfaced again…as he crossed his mother's room….and he entered to see the Nurse by her side…and he asked her if everything was alright to which he got the usual response like he got every morning…that all her vital parameters were fine…but there was no movement…and he fought tears of pain…as he watched his mother sleep in Coma for one more day….since the past ten years….the only movement that had ever happened was in her fingers…once when Zoya was by her side…when she was visiting home in the holidays last summer…and they had all felt a ray of hope…only to be disappointed as the doctor reconfirmed that Kkusum Raizada was still in Coma.

He walked back to his room….with hatred ruling his mind….as he looked at his bedside table where a picture of his father and mother lay….and the picture looked at him smilingly…and so he hugged the picture as he remembered the memory of it…the day it had been clicked….it was on at his 18^th birthday party…or rather…not just his….Asad and his…the families…had celebrated it together…because they were only a week apart…Asad was like his brother since they had grown up together…just like how Zoya and Asad's sister were like best friends at that tender age of 13…He remembered how all of them used to dote on Najma…the youngest in their group for she was just 7…and was she adorable….he and Asad had named her Tamatar…and just as that memory came…pain seared through his being as he shot back to the present….Asad was no more a brother or a friend…he was now a enemy….his father was dead…his mother was in Coma….and Najma was dead.

Just then he saw his sister Anjali walk into his room and he quickly kept the photoframe aside and he smiled – di…aap….you should have called me…'

Anjali smiled as she brushed the hair on her chotte's forhead and handed him the glass of juice – how was your run Chotte?

Arnav smiled as he sipped his juice – great..di..as always…so have u packed already?

Anjali sat next to her brother and said – ' No Chotte…infact that's what iv come to talk to you about…your jiju has come up with some work in Singapore…and he wants me to come along…so I was thinking….but what about London..i Mean?

Arnav instantly spoke – ' Di…you should go….with jijaji…hes been so understanding all these years…so I will not be selfish…and don't worry about London…I will go…'

Anjali asked – ' You will?

Arnav nodded – ' yes I will…di…I know…that Zoya has to go for that course she signed up for the summer at Harvard…and I must say I am proud of her di….not only did she fnish her MBA well…but also is handling our London branch for AR designs so well…altho I wondered a year ago…why she wanted to work there and not here in the first place…but now…when I look at what my little sister has become..i am proud….im sure…even maa would be..' and he choked on the words due to the emotion that surfaced up..

Anjali smiled sadly – ' I know what u mean Chotte….i am so proud of her too..im glad we sent her away…and u know that's why I was going there…because of this deal she has been working on…but now coz of summer school…its all clashing…'

Arnav nodded – ' I know….its alright….ill go…its just three weeks isnt it? And anyway I think I haven't been away for a while…will be like a break…and I guess I will also meet the real estate companies…we had been scheduling for…itll be good for AR constructions…since we just lost…'

Anjali sighed– Lost that deal to Asad..I know….its all over the news…its caused the share prices of Khan industries to rise up a little'

Arnav nodded curtly – ' I know….that was always his forte anyway…just like design is ours…and we have bagged every single deal internationally beating Khan designs anyway'

Anjali asked slowly –' Exactly…so why did you have to enter his forte anyway…and why did he have to enter yours'

Arnav looked at his sieter straight in the eye as he answered dryly – ' You know it isnt just Personal anymore di…its much more than that and….its complicated di….please stay out of it..'

Anjali sighed – ' But for how long will this continue Chotte? For heavens sake…..its been ten years….you know it kills us….this enimity …this rivalry…you two of been holding on to….i cant believe there was a time when he two of you were inseparable brothers….just imagine…one day if Maa wakes up….how will she feel…Asad was like a son to her too…'

Arnav sat up angrily as he answered – ' he was di..he was….and Maa has been silent for ten years di….just stop it di….stop wondering if everything will ever get back to what it used to be ten years ago…because it just never will…everything has changed….everyone of us has changed…

Anjali tried to calm down her brother as she said – ' Ok baba…calm down…im sorry chotte…ohk now why don't u do ur packing…and'

Arnav nodded controlling his anger – alright…and ill just ask Aman to get the hotel booked…

Anjali – ' no no…why will u stay in a hotel chotte? Zoya's appatment is there na…stay there…its serviced….and I know she isnt going to be there…but im sure shel be angry if her brother doesn't use her place and stays in a hotel instead…'

Arnav thought for a minute as he said – ' ohk I will speak to her…but what about the keys? I guess shes leaving tonight…and ill only reach after shes left..di this is weird…ill stay at the hotel'

Anjali smiled – ' No chotte you will not….and just ask her to drop the keys with someone at the building…her friends or something..you can take it from them…I remember you saying that u met a friend of hers who stays in the same building…the last time you visited…whats her name….Khus…' but before she could complete her sentence she heard her brother answer deep in thought – Khushi Gupta…but I'v only met her once..actually twice.'

Anjali smiled – ' Yeah..so what..I am sure she would do Zoya a favour…why don't u just pack…I will speak to Zoya..'

………………………

London – 6.30 PM

Khushi sat on Zoya's bed as she watched her pack…and worked on her dissertation side by side…just when her phone rang and she saw it was her brother…so she quickly picked up her phone and gestured to Zoya that it was from home…and walked towards the small kitchenette of Zoya's studio apartment and sat on the chair as she spoke –

Khushi – Bhaijaan….how are you and ammi? Honestly I know you will be perfect since we just skyped last night…

She heard her brother laugh on the phone as he said – Khushi…sab thik hai..alls good…I forgot to tell u last night…im flying to US tonight…for a business deal…and its via London but in transit…so I wont be able to visit…but maybe on my way back…you aren't angry are you?

Khushi's eyes widened but she brushed the thought away – ofcourse not bhaijaan…I know u have a lot of work…but visit me on my way back…ohk…surely..I miss you…I haven't seen you in so long…'

Asad smiled as he said – I miss you too..cant wait for you to be back home…ohk now..i gotta board…ill speak to you later…ohk?say my Hi to Miss farooqui…and U take care…ohk.'

Khushi smiled as she answered – Sure …you too bhaijaan…take care'..and she put down the phone as she walked back into Zoya's room…and she saw Zoya busy looking for something and so she asked – what is it?

Zoya frowned – nothing..my file….' And she rumbled through some stuff and found out…so she smiled as she said – Thank god…I just found it…who was it?Ammi…hows she?

Khushi – 'No…it was bhaijaan…hes was just telling me that hes going to US tonight…and he says Hi….but yes ofcourse Ammi is good…I spoke to her last night…and hws everyone else at home..?'

Zoya sighed as she sat down next to her and whispered softly – ' everyones good Khushi…maa is still..u know…no improvement..but how sometimes I wish I could just speak to Ammi…and..'

Khushi nodded – I know what you mean….i feel so too…Anjali di has always been an elder sister to me…I miss our good old times so much…when…' she choked on her words but she continued –' Im glad I ran into you here Zoya..last year…or else another year would have gone in my wish to meet my best friend…'

……

Flashback**

A Year before –

Zoya had just finished he MBA at the London School of Business…and she had just submitted her dissertation…but she was in no mood of going back to Delhi….and so she had spoken to her brother and Anjali and deceided to work for the AR branch…in London for a while…her brother had cribbed a little….but Anjali had convinced him to just let Zoya just be…

One evening…when she was returning from work….she saw the door to the studio apartment opposite her's open…and she was glad that someone had finally moved in…on the same floor…and so she walked a little in to see…who it must be…

She stumbled across a few carton boxes and just when she was about to call out to see if anybody was there…a picture frame in the carton box caught her eye…and shock reeled through her…as she recognized the picture…the picture of the 13 year old her hugging her best friend Khushi…and she picked it up to see if it were really what she saw …and just when she saw a girl walk up to her and so she smiled as she asked – Hi….Im Zoya…I live across the hall…I was just seeing…who it must be..welcome to the building…and you are..?

The girl smiled as she answered – I am Khushi….Khushi Ahemed Khan…and I just enrolled in for my MBA at London Business School…I didn't even like the student accomadation back at Cardiff..so this time I thought…ill just rent a studio appt…and so….' But she stopped in midsentence as she saw the girls eyes widen and so she asked – Zoya…whats the matter…did I say something wro..' just when she saw the girl get out a photoframe from behind her as she whispered – Zoya…zoya singh raizada…khushi…'

Realisation dawned on Khushi…as tears of happiness flew from her eyes as she instantly pulled Zoya into a hug – Zoyaa…you….here…..I mean..look at you….its been so many years….'

Zoya hugged Khushi back as she said – I know…9 years…but not a day had passed that I hadn't remembered my best friend…' and she took Khushi by the hand and took her to her studio as she showed her the same picture on her collage…'

Khushi whispered – Unbeleivale….for us to bump into each other like this…I mean…but what are you doing here..I mean?

Zoya smiled through her tears – I just finished the course you are beginning..'

Khushi smiled but frowned at the same time – so wait…are you like leaving….i mean…'

Zoya smiled as she said – No…khushi..im not…cmon lets go grab a bite…we have 9 years of our lives to catch up on…'

Flashback Ends**

…….

Zoya smiled as the memory of how she had stumbled across Khushi a year back as she said – I know…me too…and I cant believe that we have held this as a secret from our families…until now…because I cant even believe what will bhai's reaction be…'

Khushi nodded trying to control her heartbeat at the mention of his name– ' I know…me too…even bhaijaan…'

Zoya smiled sadly – I know….Asad…hes always been like that now hasn't he…remember how he used to trouble us when we were young…and then get all angry about it when ammi scolded him…..and remember when I told u all those years ago…that ur brother khushi was my first crush….he hasn't changed much Khushi on that note. Of his anger...I know he hates us so much'….she felt tears brim up her eyes – so much has changed…khushi…so much…bhai has…asad has…I miss how we all were one big happy family Khushi….and now..look we have to hide the very fact that we are almost living together….this is the only thing I have hidden from bhai till now….coz I will not loose u again…somewhere deep down I do not understand the reason for this war anyway...'

Khushi nodded – ' I know me too….we all lost so much….but anyway….they must have their reasons right…sometimes I wonder…don't they think of it…too…of how they were best friends more like brothers…do we need to live in this hatred and loose each other too…'

Zoya nodded sadly – I know…I wonder so too' and just then her phone rang…and she gestured it to Khushi that it was Anjali di and she picked it up and spoke to her for a while…and when she put down the phone worriedly..Khushi asked – what happened?is everything is alright at home?

Zoya nodded nervously as she explained – yes at home is..but here it wont be'

Khushi looked at her confusedly – what..what do u mean? I know ur leaving tonight for summer school and yes ill miss you..but its just three weeks…and..'

Zoya explained – no khushi…but three weeks of you going to have be Khushi Gupta..again..'

Khushi's eyes widened as she asked – what…???

Zoya looked at her nervously – Bhai is coming…for probably two-three weeks…to take care of the project id been working on…but due to summer school…remember Di was going to come…but I guess there is a change of plan…and bhai will be staying here…di has asked me to leave the keys with you..'

Zoya saw Khushi's mouth open up in surprise as she comprehended whatever she had said in silence as she looked at Zoya helplessly – two three weeks….Zoya..how will i….i mean…you had..i know it was in an instant that time..'

Zoya smiled as she pulled her into a hug – ' honestly add this to be the only lie iv told him….i cudnt help it Khushi…u know…it was too instant….when he visited unexpectedly..and he saw the two of us together….i had to instantly just introduce you as Khushi Gupta…because well Gupta is perhaps the first thing that came to my mind…'

Khushi smiled as she pulled back – ' its ohk….ill manage…I mean I had done the same hadn't I…when bhaijaan had showed up three months back…and introduced youto him as Zoya farooqui…..' but she frowned as she said –' that's the only lie…iv told bhaijaan…but I wonder…if the two ever find this out…'

Zoya rolled her eyes as she said – they will never…trust me…I mean..bhai hes alws too preoccupied with work to even comprehend that you are Khushi Ahemed Khan- the sister of his once best friend- now enemy…and..'

Khushi grinned – and you are not going to be living with bhaijaan across the hall anyway…..but remember just like I taught you last time….if u ever bump into him ever…'

Zoya laughed as she recalled the catch phrase she had used for the entire day..three months ago…when Asad Ahemed Khan had come to town to visit his younger sister..and she winked and said – I remember Khushi…and if I ever bump into him…I shall live up with ur side of the story… and exclaim all around him…Allah Miyaan …whats wrong with you…Mr.Khan..' she winked as she returned to do her packing.

…………………..

A few hours Later –

Zoya finished with her packing and had her bags ready..as she pulled Khushi into a hug – Ill miss you so much…here are the keys…and all the best…just be careful around him…and all will be ohk..trust me…and u have any problem…just whts app me…'

Khushi smiled as she said – Yeah don't worry…now…go….and come back soon…ohk…' and she walked Zoya down to the taxi and bid her bye.

Zoya sat in the cab…and it was only then did she think of him…the one she had never been able to get out of her mind…ever since shed seen him three months ago…had come face to face with the changed him..after ten years..she had forgotten all about the first crush she had had on him when she was 13…because ofcourse everything had changed….their families had cut out all ties…and she had never dared to ask her brother…anything….it was only a year ago that she had finally met Khushi…who always was like a sister to her…even Najma…she wiped her tears silently as the memories of the past came to haunt her…she knew Khushi cried several times in the memory of Najma…and her father….just like she did…in the memory of her father…and her mother…who lay in Coma since all these years….but they both always tried to be strong in front of the other…and give each other the strength silently…and because her bond with Khushi had always been close to her heart..that she had lied to her brother….who she otherwise always looked upto…and her mind thought of how her brother would react…if he ever found out…that the sister he doted on..her mind was being haunted by the memory of his enemy…ever since she had spent a day with him and Khushi…three months ago.She knew…that's where…her boundaries lied…things were already very complicated…but as she browsed her phone..and saw the picture..of Asad and Khushi she had clicked from her phone…from his last visit…her heart ached….and somewhere deep down she prayed that she never met Asad Ahemed Khan again…because she feared…that if she ever did…her heart wouldn't understand the meaning of the boundary any more…the boundary that yelled…that she could not think about the man..her brother hated…that she wasn't allowed to feel for the man…her brother despised.

………..

Khushi shut the door to he studio apartment as she placed her keys , along with Zoya's on the table and lied down on her bed …deep in thought….as she felt her heart wander one more time…just like it did every night..since the past six months…since she had been saved by a accident that otherwise would have taken place…on the busy streets of London…by him……she did not recognize him then…but she had felt her heartbeats go haywire….for the first time…and she thought she would never meet him again…and then fate struck as she met him again…the same day…to know that he was Arnav Singh Raizada…her brother's once upon a time best friend- now enemy and rival…and Zoya had instantly saved the situation…as she had introduced her as Khushi Gupta. She cursed her heart as it revisited the memory of how she had found it difficult to take her eyes off him…and control her heartbeat….for the two days he had been around….infact when he Left…she was happy..that her heartbeat had gotten back to being all normal…but then everytime when she would feel her heart thinking of him…she would google his name…and read all about the flings he had…and ofcourse his rivalry with Asad Ahemed Khan…so that her heart could understand the boundary her mind wanted to lay down here.She could not think of him…not only did her brother hate him….he was also bent upon in destructing her brother…who was like a father to her….and more than that…he would hate her too…if he ever found out who she really was…and so with those thoughts…she warned her heart again and again…to not think of what could never be.She tried to get some sleep…but deep down she felt a fear engulf her….a fear that now he was going to be living right across her….and she was going to have to pretend to be Khushi Gupta and not Khushi Ahemed Khan…she feared…crossing the boundary her mind had set…she feared falling for the man….she knew her brother hated.

………….

Fate smiled to itself as it said addressing the two friends that sat next to him – Its me on the job girls….its me…im sorry but it all has to start with a lie…or it never will start…right?

Destiny smiled as she said – Right…it wont…anyway…I don't mind…you are setting up my work platform…and I am thankful to u for that…you are doing the hard work..'and she winked playfully.

Love smiled as she heard the two and she said – Calm down my friends….this is just the beginning….we have a long way to go…but I must thank fate…in this story….hes been the one at work mostly for ten years in a row….'

Fate winked as he answered – Like I always say….whats meant to be…is just simply meant to be…and u know I have a way of finding my ways'

Love smiled as she looked at her two companions as she asked – btw wheres hate??

Destiny frowned as she answered – hes gone for swimming with revenge..but seriously why are u remembering him now?

Love answered calmly – well because hes a part of me…and u know that…all emotions are…'

Destiny nodded in agreement – yeah I know…anyway whts the plan now..'she asked looking at the two..

Love smiled as she answered – The meeting first?I guess..and for anyone who says…that the three of us don't get along…hopefully will know one day…that although we do have our differences at times…the three of us -Love,Fate and Destiny do work together…almost always?

Fate and Destiny grinned as they replied to Love in unison – Yup..Almost Always..it is…

……….

Happy Weekend Everybodyyy😊