PART 39:
ZOYA'S HOUSE:
"Maya kahan hai?" Zoya walked over to her window and noticed the servant quarter door open with some of her belongings out in the porch.
"Jahan usey hona chaahiye tha. Bahut pehle. Jisey hum sab ne kai din ignore kiya."
"What do you mean Mr. Khan?" Zoya was confused.
"She was arrested last night." He replied with a straight face.
"WHAT? LEKIN KYUN?" Zoya couldn't believe her ears, "us bechari ne aisa kya kiya tha?"
"Zoya," he came closer and cupped her face with his palms, "anyone who is even a remote threat to you shall not be spared. I had always suspected her but last night I got my proof. I am glad you tricked me into staying back."
"Ya Allah!" Zoya placed her left hand on his fingers, "are you sure?"
"I caught her red handed receiving money from someone. We also found some proof in her quarters. Abhi aur zyaada nahin bataa sakta main."
"Yeh kya ho raha hai Mr. Khan? How could I have been fooled all these years?" She was stunned.
"Because we are dealing with professional criminals here Zoya. Allah ka shukr hai ki tum 5 saal hifaazat se rahi."
"So, what's changed now? Why the sudden threat?"
"Well, leave that to the professionals too. Tumhein fikr karne ki koi zaroorat nahin hai."
"Mr. Khan," She smiled and pressed his hand against her cheek, "jab tak aap mere saath hain, main jaanti hoon mujhey kuch nahin hoga."
He pulled her closer and buried her face in his chest, "of course, I will always be there for you."
"With me- I want you to be there with me-always." She lifted her face and glanced at him, "mujhey aapka proposal qubool hai Mr. Khan."
"Proposal?"
She pointed to her ring finger on the left hand, "ab dekhiye, paint bhi fade ho gaya hai. I think this finger needs something permanent on it."
Asad grinned and shook his head, "you got me there lekin koi baat nahin, like a good officer in the Navy, I am always prepared for emergencies." He pulled out a small box from his pocket and flashed the beautiful diamond ring.
"Mr. Khan!" Zoya's eyes popped wide, "so you have been carrying this in your pocket all along?"
"Bas tumhare haan kehne ka intezaar tha," he slipped the ring on her finger and held her hand in his palms for a few minutes. Then he went down on his knees and lifted his face, "Zoya, I promise I will always be there for you and with you for the rest of my life. Kya tum mujh se nikaah karogi?"
"Yes, Mr. Khan." Tears of joy rolled down her eyes. She fell on her knees and cried joyfully. As if a faucet of tears had been turned on, Asad was astonished to see the incessant flow from her eyes.
"I-I promise I will keep you happy. Itna rone ki zaroorat nahin hai." He wiped her face and pulled her into an embrace, "pagal ladki. I know a lot has happened in the last few days but ab sab theek ho jayega. Batao qazi sahib ko kab bulaun? I just need a few hours to get everything ready. Aaj shaam tak intezaam kar sakta hoon main."
"Itni bhi desparate nahin hoon main," she chuckled and pulled away from his chest. "Cast ke saath nikaah?" She looked around for a tissue to wipe her face. He let her use his unbuttoned shirtsleeve as a wipe.
"Waise main nikaah tum se karna chaahta hoon. Not with Mr. Plaster of Paris."
"Mr. Khan! I want to be the prettiest dulhan for you. Is liye jab tak cast nahin utrega, we will have to wait."
"Ok Mr. cast, agar aap kabab mein haddi ban na chaate hain, tho main kya kar sakta hoon?" Asad sighed, "I am jealous of this hard white plaster." He became more serious and added, "waise agar tum nikaah waale din night suit mein bhi aayi na, I will be ready. Tum har roop mein mujhey khubsoorat lagti ho."
"You know Mr. Khan. I wanted you to unite with Rashid uncle before we got married. That's why I kept delaying lekin ab mujhey Rashid uncle par shaq hone laga hai. Wo aap se door hi rahein tho behtar hai. Please never let him know you are back."
"Zoya, jisey jo sazaa milni hai wo mil jaayegi. Lekin mujhey ab aisa lagta hai ki shayad abbu ki koi majboori rahi ho, shayad unhone wo ship jaan boojh kar na udhaya ho, shayad wo itne bure insaan na ho jitni main unse nafrat karta hoon."
"Shayad aap theek keh rahe hain. But I am still in shock and it will take me a while to get over it."
AT THE HOSPITAL:
"Aap? Aap kaun hain?" Ayaan finally noticed Dilshaad, "aur abbu kahan hain?"
"Jahan unhein hona chaahiye tha. Bahut pehle. Jo tum logon ne kitne saal ignore kiya."
"What? Aap kaun hoti hain mujhey sabak sikhaane waali?"
"Mrs. Dilshad Ahmed Khan. Your abbu's first wife."
Ayaan's jaw fell to his knees, "k-kya? A-aap? A-aap yahan kaise?" He could barely speak through the parched feeling in his throat.
"Allah jise bachana chaahta hai, wahan apne bande bhej hi deta hai. I found your abbu at the Juhu beach last night."
"Oh. Abbu wahan kya kar rahe the?"
"22 saal se tho wo tumhare abbu hain. I think you should be able to answer that question better than me."
"Oh!" Ayaan hung his head, "m-main aapka shukriya ada karna chaahta hoon. Agar aap na hoti tho shayad-shayad."
"Shayad na jaane kya ho jaata. Lekin inki halat itni bigad kaise gai? Has he never seen a doctor before?"
"Kya hua hai abbu ko?"
"He has cirrhosis of the liver from years of heavy drinking."
Ayaan averted his gaze, "y-yeah. I know he used to drink but never realized it was that bad. Kabhie abbu ne kuch kaha nahin."
"Khair, main chalti hoon. Please take care of your abbu."
"Thanks for your help. I am sorry mujhey aane mein der ho gayi."
"Allah kare abhi itni der na huyi ho ki wapas aane ke sab raaste hi bandh ho jaayein. Kya naam hai tumhara?"
Even though Dilshaad was aware of Ayaan's name, she didn't want to reveal that Asad had mentioned his name. In the heat of the moment, she had told Rashid the truth but because he had collapsed right afterwards, she wasn't sure if it had registered in his mind.
"Ayaan-Ayaan Ahmed Khan."
"Beta, yeh mera phone number hai. Agar zyaada takleef na ho tho please keep me informed of his progress."
"Jee-aapne mujhey beta kaha hai tho-tho kya main aapko ammi keh sakta hoon? Jaanta hoon ab Asad bhaijaan tho hain nahin. Shayad aap mujhey apna beta maan lein. I know I can't take his place but I have always respected Asad bhaijaan a lot. Abbu unki bahut baatein bataa the hain. Wish I could have met him."
Dilshaad smiled and placed her palm on his head, "itne pyaar se poochoge tho manaa kaise kar sakti hoon? Apne abbu ka khayal rakhna," a tearful Dilshaad averted her gaze and walked out of the hospital room.
"I will text you regularly ammi. Aur aap agar milna chaahien tho milne bhi aa sakti hain lekin please don't tell anyone that abbu is here."
"I won't and please don't tell anyone that I was here."
"Jee ammi."
ASAD'S HOUSE:
Dilshaad and Asad walked into the house within few minutes of each other.
A worried Najma confronted them at the door, "KAHAN CHALE GAYE THE AAP DONO? I WAS SO WORRIED."
"Morning walk pe."
"Morning walk pe."
Mother and son echoed simultaneously. They glanced at each other guiltily and then split away towards their respective rooms.
"Morning walk pe?" Najma was flabbergasted, "aaj tak tho gaye nahin. Yeh naya shauk kab se start ho gaya?"
"NAJMA!" Asad yelled from upstairs, "please pick my clothes from laundry on the way back from work."
"Bhaijaan, you need a wife now. Main aapke saare kaam nahin kar sakti ab."
"Wife ke naam se yaad aaya," he grinned, "can you swing by Zoya's house this morning?"
"Kya hua Zoya ko?"
"She needs help with grooming- you know with her cast and all. Main kar deta lekin abhi wo wife nahin bani hai."
"I thought she had plenty of help at home. That's what she said in the hospital."
"Un sabko fire kar diya maine. I can only trust you tamatar. Please do it for me."
"Bahijaan!" Najma shook her head, "is that where you were all night?"
"Kahan na morning walk par gaya tha."
"I am really amazed. Jis ghar mein white lies bhi allowed nahin tha, wahan be-dhadak jhooth par jhooth bola jaata hai aaj kal."
"People change with time tamatar. Tum nahin samjhogi. Abhi bachchi ho."
"Yeah bachchi who has to run errands for her bhaijaan. Send me Zoya's home address. Main jaati hoon wahan."
"Thanks tamatar." Asad waved from upstairs and walked back to his room and made a dash for the shower. He had a long day ahead. With the new developments, he wanted to make sure they acted on their clues right away. As he lathered his body, he recalled the conversation between Zoya and Rashid. Enough time had elapsed since his emotional breakdown after seeing Rashid. There was more clarity in his mind; he wouldn't let emotions rule his decision anymore. If Rashid's people were responsible for the car bombing, he wouldn't spare him despite his confession last night. If only he could confront him face to face now.
SHIREEN'S BEDROOM:
"Ammi, abbu ki tabiyat bahut kharaab hai. Main abhi hospital se aaya hoon." Ayaan sat down next to Shireen in her bedroom.
"Yeh tho hona hi tha ek din Ayaan." Shireen replied with a cold expression, "Rashid ko kitni baar kaha tha sharaab se door rahein. Lekin meri kabhie sunte nahin the."
"Ammi, kabhie doctor ko kyun nahin dikhaaya? I was so embarrassed when the doctor blasted me for ignoring abbu's health. Unhein koi na koi symptoms tho hote honge."
"Hote the lekin wo meri nahin sunte the."
"But aap kisi doctor ko ghar bhi tho bula sakti thi?"
"Jo insaan jeena hi na chaahta ho, usey doctor ko kya dikhaana?"
"Tho ammi, aap unhein khud khushi karte dekhti rahi?"
"Main kya karti Ayaan?"
Ayaan knew there was no point arguing with his mother. It was very hard to change her mind once she had set her thinking on one track.
"Ammi, aap hospital mein rahengi na unke saath?" He pleaded.
"Haan jaaungi. Ek biwi ka farz poora karoongi chaahe tumhare abbu ne shauhar ka farz kabhie poora kiya ho na kiya ho."
"AMMI!" Ayaan was aghast, "abbu has always taken care of all your needs. Hamesha aapke saath hi rahein hai wo."
"Saath rehne mein aur saath dene mein farak hota hai Ayaan."
Ayaan wiped his face with both palms, "khair chaliye, aapko hospital le chalta hoon. Lekin yeh baat kisi aur ko mat bataiyega ammi. You know how the press is. I want to keep this confidential."
A LITTLE LATER: AYAAN'S HOUSE
"A-Salaam alaikum!" Asad greeted Humeira as she answered the door at Ayaan's house
"Alaikum Salaam." Humeira greeted him back, "aap yahan kaise?"
"I thought I will take you and Farhaan for his class today." Asad stepped inside, scanning the living room with his observant eyes. He was hoping to find Ayaan or Rashid at home.
"Aap aise ghoor ghoor kar kya dekh rahe hain?" Humeira receded to a corner.
Jee?" Asad was taken aback, "wo-Ayaan kahan hai?
"Bahar gaye hain."
"Aur Mr. Rashid Ahmed Khan?"
"Wo bhi bahar hain."
"Oh-kab aayenge?" Asad was disappointed and a bit surprised. He had swung by the Bombay Art house before reaching Ayaan's place but wasn't able to get in touch with Ayaan or Imran. No one knew Rashid's whereabouts either. There was an arrest warrant against Imran Qureshi but since the incident last night, no one had seen him.
"Kyun? Aapko tho sirf Farhan se matlab hai na AK sahib? Itni pooch taach kyun kar rahe hain?"
"Humeira jee. Please don't misunderstand me."
"Main jaanti hoon aapke iraade theek nahin hain. Pehle din se hi samajh gayi thi main. Aap achche aadmi nahin hain. Main aaj hi Ayaan se keh kar aapko naukri se nikalwa doongi." She trembled in a corner.
Asad was stunned by her accusations, "aap ko koi galat fehmi huyi hai. Farhan kahan hai?" He tried to distract her mind.
"MR. KHAN! MR. KHAN!" Farhan came running into the living room with a toy airplane and toy train in hand, "WOOSH! WOOSH!"
Asad was relieved and happy to see Farhan, "hey buddy!"
"Mr. Khan?" She was horrified, "aapka naam tho AK hai na?"
"Wo-wo," Asad stuttered, "jee Arshad Khan hai-in short AK." He lied.
"Main jaanti thi AK kisi ka naam nahin ho sakta. Aapne Ayaan se jhooth bola haina?" Humeira glared at him.
Asad tried to ignore her; instead raised his hand to give Farhan a high five but Humeira pulled Farhan away, "aap mere bachche ko maarna chaahte hain?"
"Jee?" Asad couldn't believe what he had just heard, "maarna? Of course not! I was just giving him a high five."
"Main sab jaanti hoon." She held onto Farhan but the boy protested and bit her hand.
"AHHH!" Humeira screamed.
Farhan set him self free and ran to Asad, "MR. KHAN. PLANE! PLANE!" Farhan wrapped his hands around Asad's leg.
Asad was caught between a rock and a hard place.
"Are you okay Humeira jee?" He tried to comfort her but she threw a vase at him, "CHALE JAO YAHAN SE! CHHOD DO MERE BACHCHE KO!" The vase crashed on the floor, missing him by inches.
Asad knew it was best for him to leave the house at that moment. She was probably alone and her paranoia was just going to make things harder.
"Humeira jee," he picked Farhan in his arms, "I will take Farhan for his class. Aap please aaraam kariye."
"Mere bachche ko kahin nahin le jao! Warna main aapko jaan se maar doongi." She picked a knife from the fruit tray in the dining table and charged towards him.
With Farhan in his arms, Asad dodged her attack. He grabbed her wrist; the pressure of his hand forced her to drop the knife on the floor. Asad bent down and picked the knife. After folding it safely, he placed it in his pocket.
Humeira fell on the floor, yelling and screaming. A terrified Farhan clung onto Asad's neck.
"Humeira jee. I will call Ayaan and ask him to take care of you. Farhan mere saath hai. I am sorry I can't leave him here." Asad walked out of the house and called Ayaan. Ayaan was unavailable.
ZOYA'S STUDIO AT HER HOUSE: THAT EVENING
"I am so glad aap Farhan ko mere paas le aaye. Lagta hai Humeira ki bimaari phir se relapse kar rahi hai." Zoya sat next to Farhan on the floor as he smeared paint all over a poster.
After leaving Ayaan's house, Asad's attempts at reaching Ayaan had gone in vain. Asad asked one of the maids at Ayaan's place to take care of Humeira while he took Farhan away with him. Asad stayed with Farhan through his classes and even took him to the park to let him vent some pent up energy. Later, instead of going back to face Humeira's paranoia, he just drove Farhan to see Zoya.
Farhan was back to his usual jovial and calm self at Zoya's house. Words that had been buried from his vocabulary resurfaced again as he came home' that evening.
"Now I can see why Mr. Rashid Ahmed Khan came with that proposal," Asad sat next to them on the floor.
Zoya flashed a glare at him, "matlab?"
"Matlab wo nikaah waala proposal."
"Mr. Khan? Are you out of your mind?"
He scooted on his bottom and came closer. Touching her shoulder, he gazed into her eyes, "just hear me out Zoya."
"Aapki nazrein bataa rahi hain ki aap mujh se kuch aisa kehna chaahte hain jo mujhey manzoor nahin hoga." She pulled back with a frown on her face.
"Zoya, please meri baat tho sun lo pehle."
"Kya baat hai?" She jerked her head angrily.
"I want you to say YES."
YES! TO WHAT?"
"I want you to go to Ayaan and agree to marry him."
Zoya was livid, "MR. KHAN! AAP JAANTE HAIN KYA KEH RAHE HAIN?"
"Zoya, I am just asking you to say yes, not do it. Meri poori baat tho suno pehle."
"I am sorry Mr. Khan. Main mazaak mein bhi aisi baat nahin kar sakti."
"Zoya, trust me. I really need help to reach Mr. Rashid Ahmed Khan's inner circle of people. Kal se unka koi ataa pataa nahin hai. Looks like after his confession he has gone into hiding."
"Tho wo main waise hi pataa kar doongi Mr. Khan. Why should I agree to a nikaah I don't even have intentions of doing?"
"Because a man can trust his wife more than anyone else in this world. Agar Ayaan ko yakeen ho jaayega ki tum us se nikaah karne ko tayyar ho tho shayad humein in logon ke kaafi raaz aasaani se mil jaayein."
"I AM SORRY MR. KHAN, I CAN'T DO THIS! TO MYSELF, TO AYAAN OR TO HUMEIRA."
"Zoya this is a temporary arrangement. Ek baar saare raaz khul jaayenge, I will reveal myself and bingo, we are all home safe."
"Aur Ayaan ko kya kahoongi ki Humeira ko talak kar de?"
"You might not need to say that because as far as we know that whole family never thought about the rules before coming up with this proposal. Na jaane Mr. Rashid Khan ne Ayaan se baat bhi ki hai ya nahin."
"Aur agar ki ho tho?"
"Tho," he lowered his eyes, "I am sure you are smart enough to figure out how to play this Zoya. Acting mein tho tum maahir ho."
"But Mr. Khan, nikaah koi mazaak nahin hai."
"ZOYA, KILLING PEOPLE IS ALSO NOT A JOKE! Kya tum is mission ke liye mera itna sa kaam nahin kar sakti? Kya mujh par yakeen nahin hai? Trust me, everything will be al right. I just need you to look at the bigger picture here. Please say YES Zoya- mere liye, mere andar ki us badle ki aag ko bujhaane ke liye, hamare saath jo na insaafi huyi hai, uske liye- please Zoya."
...to be contd...
...to be contd...
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Vasudha
