Small update! Another one tomorrow.
Man, I love you guys :)
This is for Shatakshi, Ridhi and Juliet (Juliet honey...we need to talk about your new signature - I hate it!)
Much love, as always
Part 14:
"So man, are you ready for this?" Ayaan popped his head into Asad's room to ask him. Asad turned back from staring out of the window and smiled at him. "Of course" he said easily. He was finding it really difficult to contain his happiness and excitement, but he knew he didn't have to pretend with Ayaan.
He'd spent the last three days in a sort of dreamland, imagining what Zoya would like as his bride... imagining their first night together as husband and wife.
"Come, we need to get going Bhaijaan. The ladies have left already" Ayaan said, breaking him out of his thoughts. He patted Ayaan's shoulder as he walked past him.
He wondered how Zoya was... Was she as happy as him, or...? No, of course she was as happy as him. She'd told him herself the last time they saw each other.
Shaking his head to try and rid himself of his nervousness, he followed Ayaan to the car. There were tons of media outside his house, but they had managed to dodge them.
Ayaan patted his shoulder as they drove away. "I'm really happy for you, Bhaijaan. Never thought I'd see the day" Ayaan teased. Asad narrowed his eyes at him good-naturedly. He got his phone out to text Zoya. "Ready, Ms Farooqui?" he typed and sent. Asad smiled at her response.
**********
Zoya paced the room where she got dressed nervously. She'd asked her mother and Humeira for some time alone. They were initially concerned, but she had assured them that everything was alright. She just wanted a few minutes alone with her thoughts.
She was thinking of Ritesh. Well, not about him, but about telling Asad about their meetings and what he'd said. But now... it was their wedding day. She didn't want it to be marred by someone like that.
All she wanted to see in Asad's eyes today was...no, not love... it was too soon for that. But something like love. And most definitely not anger, which is what she would see if she told him about Ritesh.
No, that could wait until tomorrow.
Despite why they had initially decided to get married, Zoya knew now that it was so much more than that. She couldn't deny her feelings any longer. Asad was the man for her. He always had been; she just didn't know it before now. She sank down into the chair in front of the mirror.
"The happiest day of your life, Zoya" she smiled, tracing her finger across her lips and remembering the feel of Asad's kisses. She closed her eyes. They would kiss again tonight... this time, without the need for excuses. Her phoned pinged. She read the message from her husband-to-be and smiled.
She typed in "Maybe" and sent it to him.
**********
"This looks like a complicated set-up" Asad muttered to Ayaan when they were in the hall, amongst the crowd waiting for Zoya to make her appearance. "You're the one that wanted two ceremonies, Bhaijaan" Ayaan retorted.
But Asad was right; it did look complicated. On one side of the very large hall was a set-up for a traditional nikaah and on the opposite side, for a traditional Hindu ceremony.
"At least I managed to keep the press out of it" Ayaan said sulkily. Asad smiled at him. "Thank you, and for all of this. You know we couldn't have done anything like this without you, right?" he said to his friend.
"Of course I know!" Ayaan said cheekily, popping the collar of his shirt dramatically and making Asad smile at his antics.
The hall was teeming with guests by now. Anjali, Arjun, Dilshad and Razia made their way to Asad and Ayaan. They all exchanged a look as Asad smiled at them nervously then looked to the top of the staircase again.
"Nervous, beta?" Dilshad asked him, smiling. He shook his head. "No Ammi, I'm fine. Have you seen Zoya?" he asked her quietly. She nodded. "I went upstairs a while ago. She's also nervous" Dilshad answered.
Asad frowned. "I said I wasn't nervous, Ammi" "Sure, of course you're not" she teased, pinching his cheek.
He took Dilshad by surprise by hugging her tightly. "Love you, Ammi!" he whispered, bringing tears to Dilshad's eyes. Anjali and Arjun looked on smiling.
They loved that Asad was so caring of his mother. To them, that meant he would fulfil his promise of taking care of their daughter.
"I should go get her. We will be starting soon" Anjali said to them, stroking Asad's cheek lovingly before she walked upstairs.
Asad scanned the hall and fell upon Najma and Karan talking quietly in a corner. He excused himself from the guests he was talking to and strode over to them. "Ahem" he cleared his throat.
They looked so embarrassed at being caught, but luckily this time, they had just been talking.
Asad looked at Karan. "So, what is going on here? With you two?" he asked in his most authoritative tone. Karan's eyes widened, as did Najma's. "Uhm Bhaijaan... we actually..." she trailed off.
"Asad... Najma and I... we are just..." Karan stuttered out. Asad looked at them looking at each other with fear in their eyes and finally decided to put them out of their misery.
He started chuckling. Both Najma and Karan turned to look at him. Asad put his hand on Karan's shoulder then. "We need to talk about this. She's my little sister, y'know? But clearly, you Sharma's have done something to us Khans..." he trailed off, looking towards the staircase again.
He looked back to them. "Don't hurt her" he said and turned around to leave, but Karan stopped him.
Bravely, he put his arm around Najma then. "Asad, I wouldn't. Ever. You can trust me with her life. Same as I can trust you with my sister's" Karan said. Najma looked to him and blushed. Asad smiled; Karan had probably not been this open about his feelings in front of Najma now.
"So we have a deal then?" Asad smiled, reaching out to shake Karan's hand. Karan nodded. "Deal"
**********
"Ammi, have you seen Tanveer anywhere?" Asad asked as he looked through the crowd. "Asad... I tried to get her to come, but she said she just couldn't. I think... we need to let her be" Dilshad said sadly.
She hadn't realised the depth of feelings this girl had for Asad. He sighed. "Ok Ammi" he said. Just then, Ayaan came over to them and explained what would happen.
"First, it's the nikaah... on this side here" Ayaan said, sweeping his hand over one side of the room. Asad rolled his eyes. "Then when that is done, you can hold your bride's hand and lead her to the other side, where you'll then go through the next ceremony" Ayaan said.
"Thanks Captain Obvious" Asad couldn't help but roll his eyes again.
"Hmmm, don't you think its amazing Dilshad Aunty?" Ayaan asked, linking his arm in hers. "What is?" she played along, noticing the glint in her son's best friend's eyes.
"I think it is absolutely amazing that the man who said he would never get married, is now getting married twice - and to the same woman too!" he exclaimed.
Dilshad laughed as they walked ahead of Asad, who was still rolling his eyes. "Love does that to you, Ayaan" she laughed and they missed Asad's small smile as he trailed behind them.
**********
Zoya looked at herself one last time before she was led out of the room by Humeira and Anjali. She clasped their hands tightly at the top of the stairs and her eyes scanned the hall for Asad. As if he sensed her presence, he turned to see her at the top of the stairs.
There she was looking right at him, wearing red... looking magical. He blinked and smiled a small smile at her. Now that he felt he had the right... he couldn't wait to tell her how beautiful she looked... how beautiful she was to him. She descended the stairs, not taking her eyes off Asad the entire time.
Even though her veil covered half her face, the fabric was light and she could luckily see almost clearly through it. As she got closer to him, she noticed the look in his eyes. They were full of all kinds of emotions... pure, undiluted happiness overriding the others.
The crowd moved to make way for the couple who seemed to have eyes only for each other, as they were ushered to their seats. As per their requirements, the nikaah was done simply and smiling at him through veiled lashes, Zoya uttered those words that literally made Asad's heart skip a beat.
When she said "Qubool Hai" the third time, he'd wanted nothing more than to gather her up in his arms and tell her that now, she was his and only his...
The crowd went wild with cheers and applause as the Qazi announced them man and wife. Zoya and Asad just smiled at each other shyly.
Ayaan brought them together and joined their hands. He smiled at them both, leaning in to whisper to them, "Who would've thought hey, you two?"
Asad squeezed her hand gently. "Ready to get married to me for the second time, Ms Farooqui?" he whispered discreetly as they were ushered to the other side of the room. "Hmmm" she smiled and then tugged on his shirt sleeve, pulling him down.
"And I'm Mrs Khan now" she whispered in his ear, sending a delicious shudder down his spine.
Before he could say anything in response, they were made to take their seats in front of the sacred fire, where they would continue taking vows and making promises to each other.
Zoya teared up as Asad prayed with her and couldn't help how her heart swelled as she followed him around the fire after they'd been tied together.
Asad had winked at her when she was about to put his garland on and she giggled, making the crowd around them laugh as well.
All in all, it was a very happy, heart-melting joining together of two people, two hearts, two souls.
Their families came over to them immediately and there were hugs and cheers and congratulations all round.
"Your father would've been proud of you, beta" Arjun said to Asad as he took his father-in-law's blessings. "He would indeed" Dilshad said lovingly.
Rashid hadn't left her thoughts during the entire wedding. She somehow felt that his presence was felt even though he wasn't able to be here for his son's big day.
"And for your honeymoon..." Ayaan said mischievously, making both Asad and Zoya look away, "... I have a press conference and rally set up for the next two days" he winked, making everyone laugh.
Finally done, Ayaan ushered them to the middle of the room where a reception line was formed so that guests could congratulate the now married couple.
"Mrs Khan..." Asad whispered huskily in Zoya's ear, brushing his lips across her earlobe, while slipping an arm around her waist. She visibly shuddered in his arms.
"Yes, Mr Khan...?" she whispered back.
He smiled down at her and leaned in once again. "Do you think it's too soon to leave?" he asked playfully. Zoya's eyes widened and she smacked his arm.
"Mr Khan!" she chided, her cheeks reddening at his implication. He chuckled as more guests made their way over to the happy couple.
**********
"What? Are you crazy?! No way. Look, I may be 'just' a tabloid journalist but I'm not a cruel b*****. I know this isn't true... it can't be..." Shria shouted. "Wait! Who are you?" she asked desperately.
The line went dead.
**********
Najma, who was unaware of anything that had transpired between Asad and Tanveer, sent her a photo of the happy couple. Tanveer was almost done getting her stuff together.
Her eyes blurred as she opened up the message on her phone to reveal a picture of the bridal couple. Deleting it, she picked up her things and walked out of the Khan Villa.
**********
"Finally!" Asad muttered under his breath as they were ready to leave the hall, but Zoya heard him and giggled. "So impatient, Mr Khan?" she asked him. He nodded, looking right into her eyes. She almost gasped.
The raw emotion... the desire in his eyes... blew her away. She bit her lower lip nervously as he started massaging her palm with his thumb. She closed her eyes.
Now she couldn't wait to get out of there too.
**********
Ayaan had arranged for cars to take the family back to the Khan villa. Najma and Razia drove with him and Dilshad rode with the newlyweds. They found it so difficult to sit apart and not devour each other right there in the car, but Dilshad was in the front seat.
Instead, heated looks and clandestine touches, that were filled with promises of what later would bring, were exchanged.
On the way, Asad's phone beeped. He disentangled his hand from Zoya's and she pouted at him cutely. Damn, it was already taking superhuman strength to not take her right then; the pouting just took it to another level.
He stroked her cheek lovingly before getting back to his phone. Someone had sent him a picture, and he frowned as it took its own sweet time to download.
But as it became clearer, Asad eyes widened and his frown got deeper. He read the message and if his mother wasn't in the car, he would've blown his top.
He put away his phone, shaking in anger. Zoya noticed his change and reached out to touch him, but he shifted away from her and looked out the window, his posture stiff and unwavering.
She moved closer. "Mr Khan?" she whispered, placing her hand on his thigh. He jerked her hand from him. "Don't touch me!" he hissed. Zoya was so shocked, she just sat there staring at him.
What the hell had happened?! Minutes ago, he looked like he could barely wait the ten more minutes to his home to carry her to his room and ravish her all night long... and now?
Tears stung her eyes at the snub. She cursed, thinking that he'd been playing with her all this while. It was just a merger after all. She would be a good First Lady... and that was it.
She cried quietly, finally shifting over to the other end of the seat, careful to not let Dilshad see.
Asad shut his eyes in frustration. His entire night... their wedding... the entire marriage - nothing but a sham. But no, his heart told him this couldn't be true... but then the picture told another story.
What was he to believe? Right now, he was too angry, hurt and upset to think clearly. The less said, the better.
**********
"Asad, carry your bride in!" Najma squealed. Asad walked straight past her and turned to face Zoya. "I guess this is as good a time as any to tell everyone why we really got married" Asad announced to Najma, Razia, Dilshad and Ayaan.
Zoya stood on the precipice, wondering what the hell had gotten into him. They all waited with bated breath.
"Zoya became my wife for the good of the party. It's not a real marriage" he said calmly, in that tone of voice everyone knew couldn't be argued with. Everyone gasped, visibly shocked at the announcement.
Zoya held her tears that were close to falling any time now.
"Asad, what is this? What's going on? You're not being serious, right?" Dilshad ran forward, pleading with him. "I'm very serious, and since you didn't know, I expect that a guest room wasn't set up for Ms Farooqui, so she can sleep in my room tonight" he answered in a calm voice that belied how truly upset he really was.
Zoya had had it. "I'm not Ms Farooqui anymore! What the hell is wrong with you?" she screamed at Asad. Everyone turned to face her. They'd forgotten about her standing in the doorway. He walked up to her.
"Stop making a scene. Come with me. Clearly you need an explanation and damn if you don't get one right now!" he hissed, grabbing her hand and dragging her along with him to his bedroom aggressively.
Zoya cried as Asad pulled her past his family.
Dilshad moved forward to stop them but Asad gave her a warning glare. Ayaan held her back and she cried on his shoulder. "Ayaan, what's happening...?" Dilshad sobbed. Ayaan had no answers for her. What the hell had just happened?!
When Asad opened his door and almost threw Zoyz inside, she sank to the floor and cried. She cried harder when she looked around to how beautifully his bedroom had been decorated.
Tonight wasn't supposed to be like this.
Asad clenched his fists. He hated seeing her cry and yet he couldn't do a damn thing to bring himself to stop her. He felt like it was all an act. He knew he wasn't thinking rationally, but he was beyond angry. The more and more he thought about it, the angrier he became.
Tonight wasn't supposed to be like this.
They'd come so far in such a short time, but in a matter of seconds, they were far worse than just at square one.
**********
Asad got his phone out of his pocket and threw it at her. She looked up in alarm and took his phone from where it fell, a bit away from her. Her eyes widened as she saw the picture displayed on the screen.
She couldn't find her voice suddenly. Everything she had wanted to avoid for today was now staring her in the face.
"Nothing! You have nothing to say about this? All this time, everything was a lie to you! You've been meeting that b*stard secretly!" Asad spat out. "No-n-n-no... Mr Khan..." Zoya sniffed, getting up off the floor and going to him.
He turned his back on her. "If it wasn't a secret, why didn't you tell me? I had to find out like this? A text message from HIM!" he bellowed, making Zoya flinch.
"I didn't want to... ruin this... today" she stammered, her voice shaking with fear.
"All I asked of you was... a marriage, a partnership. I would've been happy with that, but you are the one who said it could be more. Why Zoya? Why did you lie?" he croaked out, his voice finally giving in to the lump that had formed in his throat.
"It wasn't a lie... it's NOT a lie... just let me explain..." she whispered, putting a tentative hand on his shoulder. He pushed her off him violently, throwing her to the floor once again.
"I can't... I can't even look at you, right now" he bit out. "It's not what you think it is" she cried.
"I can't believe you! And to think I went through the trouble of having that a**hole followed to find proof of his infidelity so you wouldn't have to go ahead and marry him! I did that! For you! And now I find out it was all in vain...? You two deserve each other!" he said, sinking to sit at the edge of his bed.
Zoya's head whipped up at that. "YOU did that...?" she whispered. Asad massaged his temple. Why did he say that now?
He faced her. "And what a waste of time it was. Now I'm stuck with someone who would rather be somewhere else!"
"Mr Khan, stop it. That day I went to get us lunch-" Zoya started explaining but was cut off by Dilshad screaming. Asad ran past Zoya and swung his door open. Dilshad was in a heap on the floor, flanked by a panic-stricken Ayaan and Najma.
Razia swayed slightly on the couch, clutching her head. Asad ran to Dilshad. "Ammi, what's the matter, what's wrong?" Asad asked desperately.
"It's Tanveer. She's gone, Asad..." Dilshad cried. He looked at Ayaan who gestured towards the piece of paper Dilshad clutched in her hand.
Asad took it from her and his eyes widened as he read it.
Dear Dilshad Aunty
I'm so sorry, but I can't live here anymore. I can't watch Asad love someone else... I'm not strong enough to handle that. Please, don't worry about me. I'll be fine. I love you all so much!
Please forgive me. I will be in touch in a while. Until then, please know that I'm ok.
Tanveer
Asad looked to his room; Zoya was standing at the door, looking wide-eyed at him. He looked away immediately.
"I'll find her, Ammi. Don't worry" he said. "Najma, take Ammi upstairs" he ordered. Zoya lifted her chin bravely and took Dilshad one hand as Najma helped her up by the other.
Together, they walked Dilshad to her room. Asad shook his head at Zoya. After everything he'd said to her in front of everyone, she still found it in her to go look after his mother.
Not giving it much more thought, he and Ayaan ran out of the house to go look for Tanveer. Her farewell letter didn't give much away, so Ayaan called an IT guru friend of his that he knew was able to trace her phone.
Twenty minutes later, they were on their way to the airport.
A/N: I'm ok with throwing shoes my way - just make sure they're size 4 stilettos :)
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
Cricket
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