Thank you so much for being so patient!!! đ
I am back with the ninth chapter... Hope you will like it...đ
This chapter is dedicated to two beautiful people whom I met in this forum-- Swapno and Saima Di... đ¤
UNRECOGNIZED EMOTIONS
PART 9
Dear Diary,
It's Humeira's birthday this week and luckily it fell on a weekend this year. Ammi, Abbu and most importantly Atif will be home this time, unlike last year. . I am planning for a surprise party for her. I have so much work left to do. I have thought of baking her birthday cake myself. She loves it when I do that. But what gift should I give her?? She is always the better one when it comes to selecting gifts. She seems to understand my necessities so well. I need to think of something good, soon. Ammi and Abbu have also planned for something, but I wonder what it is. I just hope Atif does not open up his big fat mouth. Why is he never able to keep things to himself??
Anyway, Bye... Have got loads of things to plan.
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It's been almost three months since Zoya had that heart-to-heart conversation with Asad, sitting on a park bench. Every word that he said, every emotion that his eyes showed was still now crystal clear in Zoya's mind. She remembered herself giving him enough time to trust her. But she never thought that it would take him three long months to do so.
They had been too busy with their Inter College Dance, Drama and Music Festival, which was indeed a big success. Zoya's immense talent was showcased there and it earned a lot of appreciation from everyone. Her combination of retro medley songs proved her versatility well. Asad's harshness towards Najma had also paid off well. Their performance was one of the most admired and loved performances of the day. Even the other colleges did very well and it was for the first time when Zoya got an opportunity to be a part of this world of huge talent that prevailed in so many students of every college. All in all, the event was successful.
They did not even get enough time to celebrate their success in the event as they had many more important things to look after. Their exams were knocking at the door and time seemed to have participated in a marathon race.
During these few days, Zoya had learnt a good lesson of time management. Her hectic schedule was very efficient to teach her that. She learned to manage many things together at a time.
Exams were as horrifying as they were last time, but Zoya and Najma were much more confident about it this time. Things were different for Asad, Aafreen and Farhaan. It was one of their most important semester exams and they had to put it their level best. Thus exams made them as restless as it could.
Like every time, the most awaited vacations were finally there and everyone retired to their homes for a long month of relaxation, except Asad, Aafreen and Farhaan. They had to take their Vocational Training in this one month which was a part of their course, so this vacation was not at all a happy one for them. Idleness or lethargy had to be far away from them.
All these discussions about their vacation plans were done in front of Zoya. It made her realize that it was the last year for Asad in college and she still had two more years to go. She had ghastly feelings that occupied her mind at that time.
Asad was far away from Zoya's reach during the training period. They hardly had any conversations, and even if they had, it was not more than two minutes. Zoya was frustrated about it, but she understood that Asad had his own life to concentrate on.
She nudged him on various occasions in various ways, but stopped doing so when she realized that Asad was not yet ready for sharing his thoughts with her. He still needed time to fight himself and open up to someone.
On the other hand, Asad's mind had lost the battle to his heart a long time ago, but his heart was still not courageous enough to take a step forward, all by himself. He waited for Zoya to make an approach in that matter once again. He decided to grab that opportunity and tell her what he had kept safely stored in his heart for years. But, it was either his bad luck or his utter foolishness or Zoya's lost patience that she had stopped poking him further.
Zoya was no more a fresher now. She had juniors under her and she was a member of the Cultural Committee too. But these things were not enough to evoke a feeling of contentment in her. She hardly met the person who could make her happy.
Asad was a final year student and he had completely different class schedules. He tried to wait in the college canteen for Zoya, only to be disappointed. She would either be in the laboratory or would be attending classes. And being Asad, he could never let her skip them.
Soon it was time for Humeira's birthday week and Zoya got further busy in it.
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Zoya thought a lot about the gift that she could give to Humeira, but then, she decided on giving her Memories and a few things that she would need. With Atif's help, things got much easier for her.
Zoya had warned Atif to be back from hostel in time. She also made sure of her parents' presence on the coming Saturday. Everything was well planned and everyone was enthusiastic for the special day.
Zoya wished Humeira Happy Birthday' sharp at midnight. There was no point in not pretending to forget her birthday as Humeira knew very well that it was the last thing that Zoya could ever forget. She did what she used to do every year. Humeira came for lunch in Zoya's house. She cut the cake and celebrated her birthday with Zoya.
As per Zoya's instructions, Atif came back from hostel early. He took Humeira out and strolled near the lake area and talked about their childhood days. In the mean time, Zoya took the spare keys from Atif and went to their house to decorate it in the most splendid way she could. It had the touch of her love towards her best friend, her sister.
Zeenat and Anwar were also eager participants and helped Zoya in the decoration willingly. Humeira came back home after her long, purposeless walk and what she saw next left her completely spellbound. She saw her best friend standing with a homemade- Zoya- special -chocolate -cake which was her favourite! There were balloons and streamers everywhere! Humeira was strong, but also a very emotional person and her emotions often spilled out as tears from her eyes. This time was not an exception either. She ran and hugged Zoya and thanked her for doing everything she did!!!!
"Thank You So Much Zoya... thank you for everything that you did"
"Humi, just tell me straight away if you didn't like all these arrangements."
"What are you saying? Just now I thanked you for all this!!", asked Humira, confused.
"Then why are you crying? I feel like you are not liking all this...", said Zoya dramatically.
"That's because, you are celebrating my birthday twice this year. Do you even realize that you are doing a big injustice to my age?", said Humeira, pouting. Both of them broke into series of laughter and forgot the presence of others in the room as well.
"Aapi, I was the one to take you out and walk around aimlessly with you, and you are only thanking Zoya Aapi?? That's not fare at all!!", said Atif, faking his anger.
"That's because, I still can't believe that my useless brother could be so useful at times!!!"
With that one sentence of Humeira, the present scenario in the house was completely changed. Humeira and Atif had suddenly transformed into Tom and Jerry. They both ran after each other and also threw cushions at each other occasionally. It was a hard time for Zeenat to stop them from running about in the house. They stopped only when they went breathless and also warned each other with a will-teach-you-a-lesson-later' look...
Humeira cut the cake for the second time during the day, but this time was lot more special for her. She had those few people with her now whom she could call a Family..
It was now her turn of receiving gifts. Zoya asked her to guess what it was and Humeira guessed it effortlessly that it was a frame!! But what she could not guess were the photographs that were in it. She opened the wrap and saw a huge 30/20 inches wooden frame that had a collage of 30 pictures!!!!
There were photographs of Humeira as an infant, as a first time school going girl, Humeira with her parents, her grandparents, her brother, Zoya , and her new family- Zeenat and Anwar. Zoya was right, she gifted her memories which she had lived over the years with the people she loved the most. Her eyes clearly showed her gratitude towards Zoya for helping her to relive those moments.
Zoya also gave her a Doctor's tool kit which would be a very useful thing for her in the near future. Zoya's parents gave her a gold bracelet which Zoya herself was unaware of.
"I am really sorry aunty, but I can't take such an expensive gift from you...I can't..."
"Could you have said No if we were your own parents??", asked Zeenat with utmost care and love in her voice. Humeira lowered her head as she knew the answer. She could have never denied her parents.
"Then take it if you really consider us to be your family".
There was no more scope left of saying anything else. Zeenat took out the bracelet and herself made her wear it. She kissed her forehead and uttered a few motherly blessings to her.
"I wish I had a friend like Zoya Aapi too!!", exclaimed Atif, to lighten the mood, to which everyone laughed.
"So what if you don't have a friend like me, you have a sister like me Atif. Trust me, I am any day less khadoos than your own sister. I won't even stop you from watching cricket matches..." Zoya said the last few words with a wink.
"Stop it both of you!!!! And Atif, where is my gift?? Did you bring anything or not??", asked Humeira.
Atif took out a small box from his pocket and handed it to Humeira with utmost brotherly affection.
" Aapi, every time I take money from you only to give you a gift, but this time, I have saved some of my pocket money and bought it for you. Tell me if you like it as I really have no idea about these things." Humeira opened the wrapped box and found a beautiful stone studded earring in it. She was pleasantly surprised as well as shocked by her brother's actions. She had never imagined him to have done this ever. She gave him a tight hug and appreciated his efforts.
Dinner was ordered from one of Humeira's favourite restaurants. All of them spent another enjoyable evening with each other which was added to Zoya's list of new Happy Memories.
In every moment that she enjoyed, Zoya never failed to check her phone again and again. She did not want to miss Asad's call, if there was any. But there wasn't.
Dear Diary,
Humeira's birthday party was a big success, just how I wanted it to be. She was so happy today and her happiness is what makes me happy too. I am tired. Going to bed now..Good Night...
P.S.- Will Asad ever call me????
If Zoya was expecting Asad's call, then Asad was also restless to call her. He wanted to stop himself from calling her at this odd hour, but failed badly. He took his phone and called her.
Zoya was off to bed when she heard her cell phone ring. The caller's name brightened her dull and worried face. She knew that it was finally the end of her long wait. Asad did not wait for Zoya to initiate any conversation. He spoke as soon as she received the call.
"Zoya? Can we pease meet? I need to talk"
"You want to meet me now?"
"Now?? ?? Oh.. no...no... not now...may be tomorrow??It's Sunday though... I hope you will not have any problem with that??"
"No...ofcourse not... Where do you want to meet??"
Asad was relieved to hear this from her. He took a deep breath and continued talking.
" In that same weird place of yours. That children's park", said Asad, with a flash of taunt in his voice.
"Allah Miya!! What's wrong with you?? That place is not weird at all. You are the one who is weird. Tell me, which person takes three long months to trust someone??"
Asad knew that this was something that had hurt her, but he also knew the ways to mend it.
"Meet me tomorrow. All your complaints will be gone"
"Okay... See you tomorrow then.."
"Bye...Good night..."
"Good night"
Yes, finally the night was good after a long wait...
A/N:So sorry for stopping here... But it was getting too long!!
The next update will come soon. I promise to not take 1 week for that đđ
You all must be wondering that I am a photo frame freak may be, but to be honest, I really think that photographs are actually our assets that help us to recreate those long lost moments.
I had myself gifted my best friend a collage of 21 pictures, and trust me, she had the same reaction as Humeira. đ
Please drop your valuable likes and comments. It encourages me a lot. đ
P.S.- Humeira's birthday celebration was a very necessary thing in this update. I will be an essential part in the future updates. đ
Edited by BeYourself - 11 years ago
Arjun
Cricket
Indian Mythology
124