PART 40:
"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 alright. 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."
"Mr. Khan," Zoya stood up and walked to the window, "yes, I will help you. Of course I want justice too but I can only help on my terms, not yours."
"Matlab?" Asad followed her to the window. Folding her arms, she took a deep breath, "aap hi keh rahe hain na ki main acting mein maahir hoon, so just trust me. Aapka kaam ho jaayega."
"So-so, you will say yes?"
"Yes to the nikaah?" She turned around and glared at him, "Mr. Khan, maine pehle bhi aap se kaha tha, aap mujhey jaante zaroor hain lekin poori tarah pehchaante nahin hain. I know I have lied and acted out in the past but have never hurt anyone intentionally. Agar main aapka fake nikaah waala proposal accept bhi kar loon, I will be hurting someone intentionally and I am sorry I can't do that to my sister. Aapke liye mere dil mein bahut izzat hai Mr. Khan and main chaahti hoon zindagi bhar yeh izzat barkaraar rahe. I would never want to belittle my love or feelings for you, and I hope you feel the same way about me. Please don't even entertain that thought again."
Asad lowered his eyes; he had never felt so ashamed in his life. If there was a time machine, how he wished he could rewind the suggestion he had made a few minutes ago. Once again, Zoya had trumped him with her grit and transparency of emotions.
"I-I am s-sorry Zoya. Mera intention tumhein hurt karna nahin tha. I trust you. Tum jaisa chaaho, waise help kar sakti ho," he tried to hold her hand but she backed away.
"Mr. Khan, please don't try to touch me right now."
"Zoya?" Asad was taken aback, "I am sorry but why are you making this a personal issue?"
"Mr. Khan, aapke liye ek chota sa sorry hoga lekin mere liye bahut badhi cheez hai. Yes, I am upset with you. Main kabhie sapne mein soch bhi nahin sakti thi ki aap mujhse aisa karne ko kahenge."
Asad lost his patience, " tum tho aise act kar rahi ho jaise maine tumhein sach much Ayaan se nikaah karne ko kaha tha. Damn it, it was just a suggestion. Like an undercover operation. Why are you getting so emotional about it?"
Precisely Mr. Khan!" She retorted, "you really don't understand me. I don't want to discuss this topic anymore. You have really hurt my feelings and I want you to leave."
"ZOYA!" Asad grabbed her arms, "let's just drop this idea. No need to get so worked up. Tum civilian logon ki yahi problem hoti hai. It's my mistake that I trusted you with this mission. Mujhey khud hi saara kaam kar lena chaahiye tha."
"Tho kiya kyun nahin?" She jerked him away, "yes, I don't understand why this fake nikaah is the only way out here? Anyways, I have to take Farhan home. Raat hone waali hai. Humeira must be worried."
Zoya held Farhan's hand and walked out of the studio.
"ZOYA! FARHAN! WAIT FOR ME!" Asad ran after them, "let me drive you to Ayaan's house." A frazzled Asad followed them frantically. He had never seen Zoya so upset. While he could understand her reluctance to go through with his plan, but he felt she was overreacting.
Asad grabbed the car keys and ran outside. An unwiiling Zoya placed Farhan in the backseat and sat next to him.
Humiliated by her gesture, Asad stared at her," you can sit in the front passenger seat Zoya. I am not your chauffeur."
"I guess I should call a cab then." She tried to get off but Asad pushed her back and shut the door. He rolled his eyes and mumbled, incredibly childish!"
"I heard that Mr. Khan." She retorted.
Asad reversed the car and then sped away towards Ayaan's house. The steering wheel felt the wrath of his clenched fists as he kept an eye on an equally livid Zoya in his rear view mirror.
Farhan was intrigued by the banter in the car. Giggling, he blurt out, "Mr. Khan is an idiot! Mr. Khan loves ammi."
While these phrases had no meaning for Farhan, they certainly brought a faint smile on both Asad and Zoya's lips.
Zoya gave Farhan a big hug and kissed his cheek, "yes Farhan, Mr. Khan is an idiot!" She frowned at Asad as he gazed at her expression in his rearview mirror.
Asad drove silently, both upset with himself and with Zoya. Yes, he had been a foolish to make that suggestion but why did Zoya have to make a mountain of a molehill?
AT THE HOSPITAL
Ayaan's regular texts to Dilshaad had made her more restless. Even though Rashid's bleeding had stopped, he was still unconscious as his liver was unable to clear the toxins from his blood. With Asad not at home and Najma out with Karan, Dilshaad decided to visit Rashid at the hospital.
Fortunately, she met Ayaan in the family lounge as he poured a cup of coffee for himself.
"Arre ammi aap?" He was surprised to see Dilshaad, "a-aap yahan kaise?"
"Bas unhein dekhne chali aayi."
"Wo-wo abhi meri ammi hain abbu ke saath." He stuttered," Aap thodi der yahan wait kariye. I will be taking her back home in a few minutes."
"Theek hai," Dilshaad's face fell. Why was she upset about Shireen's presence at the hospital? Dilshaad kicked herself for being foolish and impulsive. She had no intention of seeing Shireen after all these years. Dilshaad remembered her from a chance meeting at one of their corporate parties years ago. Never in her wildest dream did she imagine Rashid falling for such an immature and unpolished person. Painful memories of the past flooded her mind.
"Kya hua ammi?' Ayaan sat next to Dilshaad and handed her a cup, "yeh lee jiye coffee."
"Thanks beta but I don't drink coffee. Main chalti hoon." Dilshaad felt awkward about staying any longer.
"Please baithiye na. I can't take this coffee inside. Jab tak main yeh cup khatam karta hoon, please give me some company."
"Ok," Dilshaad nodded with a faint smile.
"Wo-abbu," Ayaan became a bit emotional, "theek tho ho jaayenge na?"
"Allah taala par yakeen rakho Ayaan. Tum sachche dil se dua maangoge tho wo zaroor sunenge tumhari."
"Lekin ammi," Ayaan's eyes welled up, "aaj tak Allah ne meri ek baat nahin suni hai, tho ab-ab kaise umeed rakhoon?"
"Aisa kyun kehte ho Ayaan?" Dilshaad was surprised. Tears in his eyes melted her heart.
"Kyunki- agar unhein meri zara bhi fikr hoti tho mujhey mere abbu poori tarah se miley hote- aise tukdon tukdon mein nahin."
"Kya keh rahe ho tum? Wo tumhare abbu hain beta. I am sure he loves you a lot."
"I know he is but-but unke liye sirf Asad bhaijaan hi unke bte rahe hain. Jo pyaar maine unki aankhon mein Asad bhaijaan ke liye dekha hai, waisa pyaar wo aaj tak mujhey nahin de paaye. I have always fallen short of his expectations. He has always tried to search Asad bhaijaan in me ammi."
Dilshaad was taken aback, "I am sure tumhein koi galat fehmi hogi Ayaan. Ek baap ke liye uski sab aulaadein ek samaan hoti hain. Aur phir tumhari ammi bhi tho hain."
"Meri ammi ne tho aaj tak mujhey gale bhi nahin lagaya hoga. She could never give us what she never received from her family or her husband."
Ayaan had never shared his deepest feelings with anyone in his life. Something about Dilshaad made him go through a catharsis of his deepest emotions.
Dilshaad was stunned, "Ayaan- yeh sab baatein mujhey kyun bataa rahe ho?"
"Kyunki aapka yeh jaan na zaroori hai ki 22 saal se abbu hamare paas zaroor the lekin kabhie saath nahin the. That's why he is so sick today. I wish I could rewind the clock back. I wish I were never born. Main apne ammi abbu ki galti tha aur iski sazaa unhone aur maine itne saal kaati hai"
Dilshaad's heart sank as Ayaan continued to confide in her. Years of pent up bitterness and emotions purged their way out of Ayaan's heart.
"Ayaan bte, aisa nahin kehte. Bachche tho Allah ki den hote hain. Maa baap ka fakr hote hain."
"Tabhie main apne bte Farhan ko bahut pyaar dena chaahta hoon. I want to be the best father to him but I really don't know how? Aisa lagta hai wo bhi mere haath se nikalta jaa raha hai."
"Why are you so negative Ayaan? Farhan ki ammi tho tumhein bahut chaahti hongi na?"
"She has schizophrenia. I am not sure she even understands the meaning of love anymore."
"Ya Allah!" Dilshaad felt bad for Ayaan. She placed her palm on his hand and reassured him, "beta himmat se kaam lo. Allah sirf unka imtehaan leta hai jo usey pyaare hote hain. Ho sakta hai tumhari zindagi mein koi farishta bankar tumhare gham baantne aa jaaye."
Ayaan thought about Shireen's suggestion of marrying Zoya. He wiped his tears and pondered. Was zoya the farishta?'
"Ammi chaahti hain main doosra nikaah kar loon. " Ayaan stared in space and replied.
"Doosra nikaah? How will that solve your problem Ayaan?"
"Aap tho Zoya ko jaanti hain na?"
"Zoya?" Dilshaad's heart skipped a beat.
"Jee- ammi chaahti hain main Zoya se nikaah kar loon. She really loves and understands Farhaan very well. She is also Humeira's half sister."
Dilshaad was horrified and shocked to hear that Zoya had a half sister. Her hatred for Siddiqui grew a few more notches. "Kya tumne Zoya se baat ki hai is baare mein?" She asked Ayaan.
"Nahin abhi nahin ki. Abbu ki tabiyat kharaab ho gayi."
"I would suggest you don't bring this topic with her."
"Kyun?"
"Zoya bahut nek ladki hai aur wo apne chaahne waalon ke liye apni jaan bhi de sakti hai lekin agar uski marzi ke khilaaf ya uske naa pasandi ka koi kaam karne ko kahoge, then she will never come back to you. Trust her and give her more responsibilities for Farhan. Don't alienate her. She can be your best friend lekin agar main usey jaanti hoon tho usey kabhie Asad se door le jaane ko galti bhi mat karna."
"Lekin ammi, wo kab tak Asad bhaijaan ki yaad mein zindagi jeeti rahegi?"
"Zaroorat padhe tho taa umr!" Dilshaad got up and raised her chin, "jaise maine ki hai.. Mere baat par gaur karna. I understand that girl better than anyone. Allah Hafiz Ayaan. Main kal aaungi. Bahut raat ho chuki hai ab."
AMMI!" Ayaan yelled from behind but Dilshaad had hopped onto an elevator by then.
AYAAN'S HOUSE:
Ayaan had returned with Shireen, confused and baffled after his conversation with Dilshaad. An upset Humeira unloaded a list of complaints about AK, how he snatched Farhaan and took him away, how he tried to hurt her etc etc. Ayaan was stunned to see the broken vase scattered on the floor.
"Kahan hai Farhaan?" He yelled.
"Farhaan yeh raha." Zoya was at the door with Farhan. Farhan clung to Zoya as soon as he saw Humeira approaching them. Even though he had ignored Humeira's violent outburst that morning, the sound of the shattered glass vase echoed in his ears. He was extra sensitive about loud sounds.
"Oh Zoya. Shukr hai Allah ka. Humeira just told me that AK snatched Farhaan and took him away forcefully. Us aadmi ko tho main aaj hi fire karne waala hoon."
"Ruko Ayaan!" Zoya held her left palm and stopped him, "AK did the right thing at that moment. Galti tumhari hai, Humeira ko ghar par akela kyun chhod gaye the?"
"Wo-wo," Ayaan lowered his eyes, "there was an emergency."
"Aur Shireen aunty?"
"She had to go with me."
"Next time if there is an emergency, please make sure you call me Ayaan. I just don't understand your philosophy here. Farhaan mera bhi kuch lagta hai aur mujh se achcha usey koi nahin jaanta. If I can help my sister and my nephew, why do you have an issue with it? Tumhein sirf Farhaan ke baare mein sochna chaahiye, na ki apni ego ke baare mein. I am so glad AK was here warna-warna bechare dono maa-bete bahut suffer karte."
Dilshaad's words rang in his ears- Trust her and give her more responsibilities for Farhan. Don't alienate her. She can be your best friend.
"Uh-wo-I guess you are right Zoya. Main dar asal bahut tension mein hoon."
"Tension baantne se kam ho sakti hai Ayaan but you have to treat me like a family member, as a friend not as an outsider."
"Shayad tum theek keh rahi ho Zoya. I-I will definitely let Humeira and Farhan hang out with you. Waise bhi mujhey aaj kal bahut kaam hai."
"Mujhey bhi tumse kaam hai Ayaan."
"Mujhse?"
"Yeah, there is a delegation arriving from Sweden next week. I had promised Rashid uncle that I would take care of all their exhibitions and displays. I need access to all their files and information."
"Wo-wo tho sab abbu ke office mein hai."
"Yeah, I need it."
"Lekin abbu tho abhi yahan hain nahin." Ayaan didn't want to alarm Humeira with Rashid's news and with Dilshaad in the picture, he wanted to keep Zoya away from the hospital.
"Then can you help me get the files?"
"I-I am not sure mujhey kal time milega."
"Ayaan, you will need to trust me here. If I am family to you, why can't I access Rashid uncle's office? In fact, in these five years, I have never seen where he works, kahan hai unka office? Yeh kaise rishta hai mera tum logon se? Am I just a nanny for Farhan?"
Ayaan felt embarrassed by Zoya's accusation. She was right. If he needed her help, he would have to learn to trust her. Despite abbu's reservations, Zoya deserved to be included in their professional deals.
"Ok, I will meet you at the art house tomorrow. Main tumhein abbu ke office ki keys bhi de doonga. But please keep it confidential. Abbu doesn't want too many people accessing his office."
"Kyun? Is he afraid of something?"
"Nahin-nahin," he shuffled nervously, "abbu is just a very private person. I will tell you where those files are."
"Thanks Ayaan. I will see you at 10 am tomorrow."
"Okay," Ayaan came closer and held Farhan in his arms. For a change, he didn't lose his patience; he was calm and more relaxed. Dilshaad was right- Zoya could be his friend and help him relieve some of his responsibilities; there was no reason to complicate his relationship with a proposal of nikaah. He would explain things to abbu later, but right now, he was just happy to share his burden with a genuine well wisher.
ASAD'S CAR:
Asad had also calmed down by now. Seeing Zoya so angry was a first for him and he realized his suggestion must have really hurt her feelings. He promised to make it up to her.
"Main sach much idiot hoon. Agar Zoya ko yeh plan manzoor nahin tha, tho mujhey usey force nahin karna chaahiye the. Kya soch rahi hogi wo mere baare mein?"
He saw her walk back to the car. Swiftly, he got off and opened the passenger door for her, "Z-Zoya-t-tum-yahan front seat par baithogi ya phir se back seat?" He asked hesitantly.
Zoya gave him a sharp look and sat down on the front seat.
Asad thanked the stars, shut her door gently and jumped back into the car. She sat with her face turned away from him
"Abhi bhi naaraaz ho?" He asked as he clicked his seatbelt on.
He glanced at her, hoping for a response.
"Aap please mujhey ghar chhod dee jiye Mr. Khan." He saw her reflection in the window- she still had a frown on her face.
"Okay." His face fell. He turned the radio to ease the tension between them.
As the song played a current romantic number, they exchanged glances. Asad shrugged his shoulders apologetically.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GnzZyGQi2ps
Main Rang Sharbaton Ka
Tu Meethe Ghaat Ka Paani
Main Rang Sharbaton Ka
Tu Meethe Ghaat Ka Paani
Mujhe Khud Mein Ghol De Toh
Mere Yaar Baat Bann Jaani
"I am sorry, I had no choice in the song selection."
"Waise bhi aap se itna meetha song thode hi expect kar sakti hoon."
"You are right. Saara meethapan tho sirf tum mein bhara hai, haina?' He taunted her back.
"Wonder what phoophi ate while giving birth to you?"
"Ammi ko karele bahut pasand hain." He chuckled.
"I can tell. Waise aapka kaam ho jaayega." She replied curtly.
"Kaun sa kaam?"
"Meet me at the art house at 10 am tomorrow but make sure Ayaan doesn't know you are there."
"H-how did you manage that?"
"Aapko aam khaane se matlab hai ya pedh gin ne se?"
Asad shook his head and mumbled, "I had no idea itni mirchi bhari hai tum mein Zoya." Just as he said the word mirchi', he saw his favorite Natural Ice cream parlor at a distance. He applied the brakes, parked the car safely and hopped out of the car.
"Mr. Khan?" Zoya was left stranded, "yeh kya kar rahe hain aap?" She followed him to the parlor, "what do you think you are doing Mr. Khan?"
"Here," he handed her a cone with an ice cream, "this is my favorite ice cream from Mumbai. Poori duniya mein aisi ice cream nahin milegi."
"I am in no mood for ice cream."
"But I am- here, try this flavor." He placed the cone next to her lips.
"Kya hai yeh?" She almost lost her balance, "itni teekhi ice cream?" She wiped her lips with her fingers.
"Yes, this is called mirchi ice cream. Eat a few more bites. The real flavor comes as an after taste."
After a few bites, she savored the unique flavor of the ice cream, "this is not that bad actually."
"Bilkul tumhari tarah hai yeh," he whispered in her ear.
"Matlab?" She stepped back.
"Thodi teekhi, thodi naram, thodi thandi, jaldi se pighalne waali," he grabbed her hand, licked her cone to stop the ice cream from melting away to the ground, "lekin sab se zyaada tasty."
Asad noticed her dimples flash through her sour facial expression.
"Mr. Khan, you are incorrigible." She grinned and licked the rest of her ice cream, "aap bhi mujh se kam ziddi nahin hain."
"Mujhey sirf ek zidd hai," he whispered again.
"Kya?"
"Ki tum hamesha khush raho, kabhie mujh se naaraaz na ho aur hamesha apne dimples flash karti raho."
"Mujhey bhi ek zidd hai Mr. Khan," she whispered back in his ear.
"Kya?"
"Aainda kabhie bhi mujhse apne se door hone ki baat mat kariyega-mazaak mein bhi nahin."
"I promise." He touched his ears, "ainda aisi gustakhi nahin karoonga."
She smiled back and then touched his cheek, "yeh kya laga hai yahan?"
"Kya?" He touched his cheek
"Zara jhukiye tho sahi," she asked him to bend down.
Asad obliged. She pulled his face with her left hand and gave him a peck on his cheek.
"Zoya? Public mein?" His eyes popped wide, "that's a bit daring."
"Maine aap se pehle bhi kaha tha na Mr. Khan, aap mujhey jaante hain, theek se pehchaante nahin hain abhi." She chuckled and ran back to the car.
Asad ran after her, "if this is the reward after every fight, I will make sure we fight a lot after our nikaah."
"Make sure you have shaved that stubble by then." She winked at him and shut the car door on his face.
Asad touched his wet cheek and smiled at her, "your command is my order your highness. Soon, this stubble shall be history."
...to be contd...
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon
