Chapter 4
"This wedding isn't happening Imran, I'm sorry," although quiet, Najma's voice was strong as she finally reached her decision. "Najma...I love you," Imran said in desperation. "Imran, I'm sorry, but it's not happening. I don't blame you for whatever happened with Tanveer, we weren't together for three years and what you did, everything that happened, I have no right to those three years we weren't together. I also understand that people make mistakes. You know what though, when Asad Bhaijaan believed the child was his, he was ready to do anything for the sake of that child. He was ready to give up the love of his life as well." Najma stopped for a breath before continuing, "I'm not giving you up for Tanveer or her child, let me make that clear. I'm going to be selfish Imran, I honestly don't care what happens to Tanveer. In fact, today I really do hate her. .. I'm giving you up because now I realise, that you aren't ready for real love." Imran looked like he was about to cry, "Najma..." but he stopped not knowing how to continue.
Asad quickly stepped in front of Haseena bi and Chand Bi holding a plate of sweets. Both women's eyes widened staring at platter in front of them, filled with the best sweets one could find in Bhopal. She could always taunt Nikhat and Rashid later. Right now, she was going to enjoy this moment. Asad Ahmed Khan himself was offering her sweets. This really was something, after all one didn't get served sweets by a self-made millionaire every day; besides which, being on the bad side of a man like Asad Ahmed Khan was never a good idea. He had a good reputation all over Bhopal, an influence in many of the businesses in the area. He was well known and he was well liked. More importantly, however, he had a lot of money in addition to his influence. At a young age, he had the kind of power very few much older people had the privilege of holding.
Although Rashid and Ayan had missed it, Nikhat had seen the quick interception Asad had performed. She wondered if it had been a good idea after all, coming here. No one would have expected her to come, and the few looks of pity that were thrown her way by the people who knew about her and Imran made her feel uneasy. It was hard, standing here, and it would be even harder in a few minutes when the official engagement ceremony would start. Tears gathered in her eyes as she remembered the day of her own engagement. If only she had known the truth back then.
"Imran, you don't understand. I can't marry you knowing all these things. I can't handle all of this, not between you and her. Its best we end things now," finally she broke down, and was pulled into a hug by Zoya. "I understand Najma. I won't force you into anything. Maybe this is what destiny had in store for us." As he walked out of the garden, Najma raised her head up from Zoya's shoulder, "Maybe what we had wasn't true love. Not the kind of love Zoya and Bhaijaan have for each other." As she broke down into tears once again, Zoya pulled her into a tighter hug. Now there was only the matter of letting Mr. Khan know everything.
"Where on earth did Zoya disappear to? Honestly!" Asad mumbled to himself, making his way upstairs to her room. He didn't like her being away from his line of vision for too long. Too many things had happened where she had gotten into trouble and he just couldn't risk it with her these days. One of his biggest fears was losing her again, now that he had found her. He knocked on the door a few times, and finally pulled the door open after hearing no answers from within. He made his way over to her bathroom as well, but the door was open and no one was inside. He then made his way over to Najma's room which was empty as well. Now the panic was beginning to set in, as he decided to check downstairs, in the garden where she had initially said she would go to search for the keys.
Tanveer looked at the clock in the car. Tonight she would set in play her plan to ruin the life of Asad Ahmed Khan's sister. Tomorrow, she would make sure Zoya found some incriminating evidence against Imran. Zoya being the type of person she was would be in a hurry to solve the mystery and that would keep her busy. Meanwhile, Tanveer, temporarily Mrs. Imran Qureshi would make sure Zoya found that fact out before the wedding of Najma and Imran, but she would also make sure Zoya wouldn't have enough time to stop the wedding. Once the wedding was over, she would make sure Asad found out the whole truth, including the fact that Zoya knew all along. Then came the fun part, for a large sum of money Tanveer would agree to quietly divorce Imran...as long as Asad agreed to marry her and raise the child as theirs of course. Zoya wouldn't even be able to live to tell Asad the truth either, not after what Tanveer had planned for her. Poor Zoya, she would never be able to clear her own name.
"When is this ceremony going to start?" Ayaan grumbled. Humeira quickly glared at him and pointed at Nikhat who stood there quietly, trying to avoid everyone's eyes. "Let's just go from here?" Nuzhat suggested. Nikhat however shook her head at that, "Everything I came here to do will go down the drain if we leave now." Ayaan now looked angry, "What is it that you came here to do Nikhat? Put yourself through even more pain as you watch Imran get engaged to someone else?" Nikhat smiled sadly, "You won't understand bhaijaan," she said softly, knowing that she couldn't explain to Ayaan that the reason she was here right now was to make sure that because of this whole thing, the relationship between her two brothers, as well as between all the brothers and sisters wouldn't be destroyed. How could she explain to her brother that to her, her family was everything and that Asad bhaijaan was as much a part of her family as Ayaan bhaijaan.
As Dilshad made her way to the table with all the drinks, she bumped into Rashid. "What are you doing here?" she asked once she realized who she had bumped into. "Najma is my..." Dilshad stopped him, "You know, I tried my best not to keep you away from your children, but you really shouldn't be here today." Rashid smiled sadly, "Nikhat wanted to come here today you know? I couldn't stop her from coming, and I couldn't let her come here alone either." Dilshad made a movement to say something, but Rashid continued, "I don't blame anyone for all of this you know? I think all of this happened because of the circumstances. Sometimes the circumstances have a way of destroying many good things, but only if we let these things be destroyed. Tonight Nikhat didn't want to let something important be destroyed, and I hope you understand that's why she had to come." Dilshad smiled, "I have nothing against any of them Rashid, and I hope that Nikhat's try tonight bears fruit." She then walked away quickly, before Rashid could say anything else.
As Imran slid open the door, he was faced with Asad Ahmed Khan. Taking a quick look around, and noticing Najma crying in Zoya's arms, he glanced back at Imran. "Whats going on here?" he asked, his tone deadly.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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