FF - The Colour of Love - Link to #2 Page 148 - Page 34

THIRTEEN

Ayaan had everything planned it was going to be perfect; today was the day that he was going to ask Humera to be his wife, to marry him and be his forever. He could hardly contain the excitement, he was so nervous he couldn't stop fidgeting. Ayaan had booked the most expensive restaurant in the whole city, he reserved a table by the balcony which overlooked the beautiful landmarks of Delhi. He waited anxiously for Humera to arrive, he kept looking at his watch 'why isn't he here yet' he said to himself scanning the restaurant searching for her. His eyes zoomed back towards the entrance as he saw her come in. As Humera walked up to him he stood up to greet her with an over expressive smile. 'Hi, sorry I'm late' she said giving him a tight hug. She sat down and took a moment to take in the view and surrounding this is so beautiful, what's the special occasion?' she turned to Ayaan who started to stumble over his words 'um why? I mean no special occasion...um why do I need one? Just wanted to spend some time with my beautiful girl' he took a deep breath and looked at Humera to see if she had noticed his idiocy. Humera just smiled and held out her hand over the table taking his into her firm hold.

Lunch went smoothly, well kind of, Ayaan had tried and failed a million times to pop the question but couldn't muster up the courage, he was rambling and almost choked every time he spoke. 'Ok Ayaan what's going on' Ayaan's eyes started to pop 'I don't know what you mean sweetheart' he said trying to keep his cool 'don't give me that, I know there is something bothering you, you've been twitching and fidgeting, you've nearly needed CPR choking over your food and most of all you're talking gibberish' Humera looked him straight in the eye trying to figure out what had gotten into him. Ayaan took a deep breath, he stood up and moved around the table he held Humera by the shoulders standing her up, Humera's heart started to race she didn't understand what was going on 'A...Ayaan what is it please tell me I'm starting to worry' she said as she cupped his face. Ayaan let his hand drop he put it inside his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box.

Keeping his eye on Humera's face she slowly bent down on one knee and opened the box in front of her. Humera knew exactly what he was doing her jaw dropped as she let out a gasp, she held her hand up to her face in disbelief. 'Humera, will you do the honour of being my wife? Humera, will you marry me?' Humera screamed with joy she hadn't realised just how loudly. 'Of course I will, yes yes yes' she held out her hand as Ayaan stood up and sealed her finger with his ring. She hugged him as tightly as she could. 'Ya Allah, I can't believe it, Ayaan I am so happy...thank you' no Humera, thank you for making me the happiest man alive' he said holding her face in his hands he could see unshed tears glistening in her eyes he slowly bent down and placed the softest of kisses on her lips making her blush.

Humera and Ayaan couldn't wait to get home to tell their families the good news. Humera slammed the door open shouting out for Zoya, then she remembered that she was at KM. Let me call Ammi and Abu first' she said to herself. Her parents were ecstatic, 'Humera beta I am so happy for you' her mum said with a lump in her throat. 'Ammi, you're going to have to come down to meet with Ayaan's family and finalise everything. Of course sweetheart we will make arrangements as soon as we can'.

At KM Najma and Naani were hugging and congratulating Ayaan, whilst his mother Shireen the all Indian drama queen was crying 'I can't believe my baby is all grown up, you're getting married' Everyone starting laughing if Ayaan's mother could do one thing that was make everyone laugh until they couldn't laugh anymore.

Zoya was on the terrace she was trying hard to concentrate on her canvas but she couldn't stop thinking about her encounter with Asad yesterday. She heard the commotion coming from downstairs but wasn't too bothered to go and see what was going on. She looked at her watch it was coming up to four o'clock, she decided to leave early to avoid a repeat episode of what happened yesterday. As she descended the stair she saw everyone gathered in the lounge engrossed in happy chit chat. As soon as Najma saw Zoya she ran up to her embracing her in the tightest of hug, the impact nearly pushed her over 'Zoya, you never guess what, I have the best news for you' she pulled back looking at Zoya who was trying to recover from her hug, she looked at Najma and then to the others who were all standing there with big smiles what's wrong with them 'may be Asad has migrated to the South Pole' she thought to herself with a little devilish smile oh how she would wish that to be true. Najma pulled at Zoya's arm and dragged her to stand in front of Ayaan 'go on Ayaan tell her' Zoya looked puzzled her eyes moved between the two trying to work out what was going on.

Ayaan cleared his throat 'um Zoya I ...I' he started to talk only to be cut by an impatient Najma 'hurry up' she said she looked more excited than a five year old in a toy shop. 'Ok Baji, one sec, Zoya 'I took Humera out to lunch and...and then I proposed and she said yes' there he finally said it. Zoya looked at him her mouth opened wide and her eyes just about to pop 'what did you just say? Ohhh Myyy GOD...Aaarggghhh' Zoya screamed with tears toppling over she quickly jumped up and hugged Ayaan who hugged his new to be sister in law back with much love. Zoya finally stopped screaming and stood back, tears of happiness moistened her face she looked around at everyone feeling a little embarrassed at her reaction but they didn't care they were just as happy as she was. She congratulated everyone 'I can't tell you how happy I am for you Ayaan this is the best thing ever' Zoya stopped and all of a sudden she started frowning 'hang on one minute...why am I finding this out from you she looked up at Ayaan with her arms folded across her chest and her foot tapping 'I can't believe Humera hasn't told me yet, I'm going to kill her' Ayaan let out a nervous laugh 'Humera went straight home to tell you, maybe she had forgotten you were here,' he said in vain. She could have called' Zoya reached in her bag and took out her mobile, 6 missed calls from Humera 'ooops looks like she did' she said as her cheeks turned a little red. She quickly looked up I have to go home' she turned to Najma I'll come back tomorrow and finish off the canvas it's nearly ready'. 'That's ok Zoya you go, I am sure we will be seeing a lot more of each other now' Najma said stroking her face. Zoya sprinted out of KM and rushed home to congratulate her best friend, her sister her Humera.

Whilst Humera and Zoya were rejoicing at home talking to their parents about the engagement, Asad had also reached home and was given the good news. A man of little emotions was very formal in congratulating his brother with a hand shake. 'So you decided that life isn't worth living anymore' Asad said looking at a confused Ayaan what do you mean?' 'Well isn't that what marriage is, a slow prolonged way of committing suicide' Asad said with a sarcastic smile 'ha ha very funny Bhaijaan' Ayaan said throwing a punch to his upper arm.

Naani and Humera's mum were on the phone getting acquainted. 'I think it would be a good idea if you all came to visit us, we would be able to get to know each other better and it will give us an opportunity to discuss arrangements for the engagement' Naani said. Naani and Humera's mum's conversation continued in the background. Asad walked up to his room and then stopped his eyes started to wonder as if he was searching for someone - he could sense her almost feel her presence but how was that possible he knew she wasn't here. Asad walked past his bedroom and walked up to the terrace to get some fresh air and away from the constant happy chatter. Walking across towards the edge he came across an erect object that had been covered with a large dust sheet he walked up to it and slowly moved the cover back. What emerged was nothing like he had seen before, it was abstract in nature but striking all the same it was as if the painting was alive Asad stood there for the longest time admiring the canvas 'amazing isn't it' he turned around to see Najma 'yes, it really is something, who painted it, where did it come from' 'Oh it's not finished yet, and its...um..actually Zoya painted it...I mean is painting it, that's why she was here today and yesterday' Najma said hesitating knowing that her brother may still be angry. Asad wasn't sure how to respond but he didn't have to, his eyes and facial expression spoke a million words.

He looked back at the painting 'Zoya did this?' He asked as if he couldn't believe it. He had seen her work before he remembered the art exhibition where he was drawn to one of her other paintings, he knew she was talented she had worked for him even if it was for a short period of time he knew deep inside that she was probably the best designer he ever had but this wasn't something he was ever going to admit. 'Yes she did, she is coming back tomorrow to finish it, she rushed home to see Humera after hearing the news' and with that Najma walked back down leaving Asad staring at the canvas. He quickly realized that what he had felt was real; she was here so he wasn't imagining it. Asad pulled the cover back over and went back down.