Chapter 3 Dislike #1-JeansAt the gas station, Asad was getting petrol in the car while Ayaan, Haider, Zoya, and Humeira sat in the car waiting. Ayaan was playing video games on his nintendo while Haider was reading. "YES!" Ayaan exclaimed. His loud voice startled Haider, Zoya, and Humeira. "I won! I won!" Ayaan exclaimed.
"Ignore him. He's always like that." Haider told Zoya and Humeira.
"Haan, Zoya. When I was sitting here with these two waiting for you, he wouldn't stop talking!" Humeira exclaimed.
"That's how I am, Humeira begum," Ayaan smiled. "By the way...I didn't ask your name."
Zoya looked up at Ayaan, who was talking to her. "Well?" Ayaan urged. Zoya cleared her throat. "Zoya." she answered.
"Zoya! Nice name!" Ayaan exclaimed. "Suits someone as pretty as you!"
"Oh please! You're trying to flirt with me?!" Zoya asked.
"That's Ayaan." Haider said.
Asad finished loading the car with gas and got back inside in the drivers seat. "Where do you girls stay? We'll drop you home." Asad said. Zoya and Humeira looked at each other with solemn faces while Ayaan and Haider looked at them confused. "What?" Asad asked Zoya and Humeira.
"Humeira and I...have no one," Zoya answered. "We're orphans."
Asad was shocked at Zoya's answer. He showed a face of guilt for asking such a question. "Excuse us. Ayaan, Haider...come out." Asad ordered. Asad, Ayaan, and Haider stepped out of the car. "What do we do then?" Haider asked. "We can't just leave them with no where to go."
"Maybe we should ask Mr. Sharma." Ayaan suggested.
"I'll call him." Asad said.
Asad dialed Mr. Sharma's number on his cell phone. He waited for an answer. "Hello? Asad!" Mr. Sharma answered. "Is the job done?"
"Mission successful, sir. But there's a problem."
"What's the matter?"
"The girls don't have anywhere to go. They're orphans."
"Oh dear."
"So what do we do then?"
"Asad, I was planning on sending you and the boys back to Bhopal for a while. Take the girls to your home."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. Your sister is there. And Dilshad will be back in a while. They'll be safe with you."
"Sure sir. Bye."
Asad hung up the phone and went back inside the car with Haider and Ayaan. "So?" Haider asked. "We're going back to Bhopal. Zoya and Humeira will stay at my house." Asad answered.
"Are you sure that's okay?" Humeira asked.
'It's fine. We'll drive to the train station and take the next train to Bhopal." Asad said.
By morning, Asad, Ayaan, Haider, Zoya, and Humeira had reached Bhopal. They took a train overnight and reached Bhopal almost by noon. The five of them traveled in a taxi to Asad's home. Asad's house was modern in structure with a great exterior. Asad, Ayaan. Haider, Zoya, and Humeira stepped out of the car. "Zoya, what a house this is." Humeira whispered to Zoya, impressed.
"I know. My kind of style." Zoya whispered back.
"Okay, bhaijaan. I'll be going now." Ayaan said.
"Ayaan, at least have something to eat before you go." Asad told Ayaan.
"It's okay, bhaijaan. Badi ammi is all alone. I told her on the train that'll come as soon as I get to Bhopal," Ayaan explained. "I'll go spend some time with her. But I'll come visit soon."
"Okay. Take care." Asad said.
"You too. Bye Haider, "Ayaan said. "And bye ladies!"
Zoya and Humeira waved to Ayaan with a smile as Ayaan took the taxi and left. "What about him?" Humeira asked Asad, referring to Haider.
"Haider lives here." Asad answered.
"Won't that be fun?!" Haider asked Zoya and Humeira.
"We'll see!" Zoya exclaimed.
Humeira rolled her eyes at Haider as he chuckled. Asad led everyone inside the house. "Bhaijaan!" a girl's voice exclaimed. A young, chubby girl dressed in a blue salwar kameez came running to Asad. "Hi, Najma." Asad greeted.
"Bhaijaan! You're here! Great to see you after a month!" Najma exclaimed. "So these are the girls!"
"Hi. I'm Zoya." Zoya greeted.
"And I'm Humeira." Humeira greeted.
"Nice to meet you," Najma said."I'll take your bags and show you the room."
"Thanks." Zoya said.
Zoya and Humeira followed Najma upstairs. "Today's Tuesday. Your turn to make breakfast." Asad told Haider. "Do I really have to?! Tamatar must have made already!" Haider exclaimed.
"I told Tamatar on the phone not to! Get to it!" Asad ordered and then went up stairs.
"This is the price for being a paying guest!" Haider exclaimed as he headed to the kitchen.
Zoya and Humeira both changed their clothes. Humeira changed into a blue salwar kameez. Zoya came out from the bathroom dressed in a teal green blouse and blue jeans with a gold belt. Humeira looked at Zoya, stunned. "Zoya...you look so different!" Humeira exclaimed.
"I know! I'm wearing jeans for the first time in five years! I feel so good being able to wear what I like now!" Zoya exclaimed.
"I understand. Finally, we have freedom now. It feels nice."
"Definitely. Anyways, I'll freshen up real quick. You can go downstairs."
"Sure."
Zoya went back to the bathroom while Humeira headed out of the room down the hall. As she was walking, she bumped into Haider.
"You!" Humeira shouted seeing Haider. The two of them got up, composing themselves. "Are you not going down?" Haider asked.
"For what?"
"Breakfast! I made it myself!"
"Oh really?!"
"Really!"
"Let's see..."
"See what?"
"If you're as good of a cook as you are as a cadet."
Haider smiled as Humeira left, walking downstairs. Just then, Zoya had left the room and had come across Haider. "Hello!" Haider exclaimed.
"Hi."
"Kya baat hai?! You wear jeans?!"
"Yes. All the time. Except when I was held captive."
"Good luck wearing them here."
"Meaning?"
"I'll tell you on one condition."
"What?"
"Mujhse friendship karoge?"
Haider held out his hand to Zoya. Zoya looked at him and smiled.
She shook his hand. "That's no condition! Friendship is always welcome!" Zoya exclaimed.
"Now I'll tell you. Asad dislikes girls wearing such clothes."
"Why?! What's wrong in this?!"
"He's a traditional guy. Humeira and Najma wear salwar kameez. That's fine. But jeans...won't due for him."
"Don't worry! If he says something...I'll make him understand!"
"You sure?"
"I'm really sure! Just watch!"
Zoya headed downstairs while Haider stood smiling and said out loud, "Best of luck!" Asad, Najma, and Humeira were seated at the dining table, eating omelettes that were prepared by Haider. Zoya was about to enter, while Haider stood, ready to watch. "Hello everyone!" Zoya greeted as she came in the dining room. Asad looked at Zoya in shock as he noticed her blouse and jeans while Najma put her hand to her hand, knowing what was going to happen. "What are you wearing?" Asad asked Zoya.
"Jeans and a teal top. What's it to you?!"
"In my house, no one dresses like that."
"Oh please! We're in the twenty first century! So what's wrong with it?!"
"No matter how modern the world is, it doesn't mean you forget your culture."
"I don't believe this! You sound like some buddha talking!"
"Go change."
"But-"
"Come on!"
Zoya stomped her foot in frustration. She turned around leaving the dining room while Humeira and Najma continued to eat as Asad looked on. "I told you." Haider said to Zoya as she walked out. Zoya headed upstairs in frustration. Khadoos! Zoya thought to herself.
Kumkum Bhagya
Tu Dhadkan Main Dil
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
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