CHAPTER-1...And they lived happily ever after.. as I closed the book after I finished reading another story, I looked at those eager, little faces which lit up as soon as they heard that eternal, magical phrase. I smiled at them, thinking how much they can be happy by just hearing about a happy ending, a fairytale.
A fairytale. I sighed deeply . How easy it was for us to believe in that magic, those happily ever afters , when we were little but as time progresses and we grow up facing the hardness of reality, we unconsciously lock that magic in some dark, forbidden room of our hearts. I again looked at the kids who were running in the whole library room to find another book for me to read for them. I chuckled at their innocent enthuciasm. Every time I meet these little angels, I feel like believing in that magic again. This is one of the reasons why I love to come to this Angels Orphanage and spend time with them. It feels so nice when I see smile on their faces and happiness in their eyes just because of my mere presence. This is one of those very rare times when I feel special and precious. Apart from this, I feel like that when I am with my ammi and younger sister, my only sister. My ammi found me at her doorsteps one night. I was barely few months old and my parents were dead. Someone had left me there. My ammi , Shirin, was an widow and didn't have any child. She accepted me as her daughter whole-heartedly the moment she laid her eyes upon me. After few years, she adopted my naughty but lovely younger sister Zeenat. We are not rich but we are more than happy and content by having each other by our sides. I have this small but amazing family and this is the reason why I love coming to here the most. Allah blessed me with a family after losing one but these kids are not that lucky. So I feel like it is my duty to spread whatever happiness I can in their lives because they deserve it. It is my way of thanking Allah for showering his blessings on me.
I came out of my train of thoughts when I felt a tug at my top's sleeve. I looked down to find Sara, a five years old cute little girl, looking at me with a sad pout. I smiled and bent to her level.
- Kya baat hai Sara? Why are you sad? I asked her softly.
- Sare stories hum log alridi pad chuke hai Zoya api. Hume padhne ke liye koi bhi nayi book nahi mill rahi. She again pouted sadly.
- Hmmm. Yeh toh bohot badi problem hai. I said pretending to think seriously to which she nodded vigorously. I looked at Sara who was tapping her chin with her forefinger , deep in thoughts. Suddenly her eyes lit up as an idea struck her mind and screamed-
- FANCY DRESS COMPITION!!!!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I looked at the bright morning through the open window of my room, while lying on my bed . There was something special about this morning which I couldn't pinpoint but the liveliness of the morning breeze and the happy rays of sun told me that something different was going to happen today. I closed my eyes and covered the whole area around me with the duvet as I heard someone entering my room. I knew who it was and pretended to be asleep while smiling inwardly , thinking what was gonna happen next.
My ammi, Dilshad Ahmad Khan, entered my room and sighed loudly thinking I am still sleeping. She exclaimed while placing her hands on her hips-
- Ya Allah, Asad! You are still asleep. I know ke abhi tumhare holidays hai par that doesn't mean ke tum itne late tak sote rahoge. Come on. Get up sleepy- head. She said while coming near me and shaking me but I didn't responded. She became annoyed and flung the duvet away from me and gasped in surprise when see saw the huge happy birthday card lying beside me which was hidden under the duvet. I opened my eyes with a smile and sat up. She took the card in her hands and said-
- Asad..yeh sab...
I just hugged her and said-
- Happy birthday to the world's best ammi.
We broke the hug and she cupped my face with a teary smile. She kissed my fore-head and said-
- You remembered? I thought you forgot.
- Have I ever forgot your birthday? Then how can I forget it this time. By the way this time I have wished you first. I concluded with a triumphed smile. Ammi opened her mouth to say something but before she could say anything, a voice behind her said -
- Not so fast beta. I have already wished her.
Confused, I looked behind her to see my abbu, Rashid Ahmad Khan, entering the room with huge smile plastered on his face. My eyes widened in surprise and I ran to him and enveloped him in a tight hug who chuckled in response and patted my back in a friendly manner. I let go of him after few moments and stated in confusion-
- But you were in Australia right?
- Well I was missing you guys. So thought to give you all a surprise and socha kal tum logo ko mere sath hi Bhopal se wapas le jaunga . Aur vaise bhi tumhari ammi ka birthday ho aur main a present ho aisa kabhi ho sakta hai bhala. So mujhe to ana hi tha.
Abbu replied proudly and ammi blushed. I feel awed when I see them. It has been 25 years of their marriage and still their love for each other is increasing with each passing day.
- When did you come? I asked abbu.
- Yesterday night. Tum aur Najma so rahe the tab.
- By the way abbu this is not fair. App har baar mujhse pehele ammi ko wish kar dete hai. I complained good naturedly.
- Well she is my wife and it is my duty as well as right to wish her first. But don't worry, jab tumhari biwi ajayegi tab tumbhi use sabse pehele wish karna. Abbu told me with a wink at which I just shook my head.
- Hawww. Ap sab yahan pe ho par kisine mujhe bulaya bhi nahi. We looked at the door to find the source of the voice, a still half-asleep Najma who was pouting while rubbing her sleepy eyes,.
- Arre kiski itni majal ke meri princess ko bhul jaye, haan? Abbu tried to cajole her. Najma's eyes immediately flew open at his voice and she shrieked in delight plus surprise-
- Abbu you are really here??!! When did you came? I missed you so much. She literally jumped on him and gave him a bone crushing hug at which he laughed heartily and we also chuckled.
- Just yesterday night . I missed you too mera baccha. He said in a soothing voice.
Najma pulled apart after few moments and went to ammi . She wished her happy birthday and kissed her cheek. Ammi also lovingly hugged her.
- Ok. Now it's time for a group hug. Abbu said enthusiastically and soon we both joined them in a group hug.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I looked at myself in the mirror. These little angels can become devils at times. I agreed to have a fancy dress competition but they dragged me also in this. They knew I can't deny their puppy faces and they fully used this weakness of mine. Still when I tried to give them the excuse of not having any dress, they brought the dress which I wore in last x-mas when I played the role of a princess in their play. I didn't have any other choice but to wear it. I looked at my reflection in the mirror. It was a sky blue colored princess costume. It is very beautiful but simple also. I fell in love with it the first time I saw it. I smiled while touching the tiara on my head which Sara gave me to complete the look. I really felt like a princess from those fairytales in that moment. I giggled at my silly thoughts and went to the kids. We played for hours. They dressed up in different costumes and I helped them in that. They laughed and I smiled along with them. It became afternoon when I finally finished cleaning the whole place and collected all the colorful paper pieces, glitters, dust, ribbons in a plastic bucket to dump them in the dustbin which was in the terrace. Sara accompanied me and we were talking and giggling. The dustbin was attached with the railing of the roof. I was looking at Sara while emptying the bucket. But when I turned towards the dustbin, my eyes widened in horror. In stead of emptying them in the dustbin, I have thrown them on the ground. I immediately looked at the ground and saw a man standing right under us, who was now completely covered with the contents of the bucket which I showered on him unconsciously. My hands flew to my mouth to muffle the gasp which escaped my throat and before I could understand anything, the bucket fell from my hand and landed on his head making him wince in pain and my eyes bulging out of their sockets in fear.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I entered the Angels Orphanage. Every year on her birthday, ammi donate something to orphanages with her own hands. But this time she couldn't do it herself as she has went to meet Afreen khala who is very ill. This was the reason we came all the way from Australia to Bhopal on the first place. She couldn't to it herself this time, so she told me to donate this cheque to this orphanage on behalf of her. It wasn't a very big building on a huge area but it had a very homely feeling radiating from it which engulfs anyone who is coming near it and I instantly felt why ammi have chosen this orphanage out of all the other orphanages of the city. I was searching the office when I heard the sound of someone giggling. The sound was so soothing and genuine that I felt myself smiling. I followed the sound and felt it was coming from above. As soon as I looked up, I felt something being showered on me. In a fraction of second, I found myself completely covered with colorful paper pieces, ribbons, dust and glitter. I was trying to dust my clothes and face when I felt something sharp on my head. I winced in pain and rubbed my head vigorously to soothe the pain. I saw a young girl coming towards from the orphanage. I couldn't see her face as some glitters had entered my eyes. I rubbed my eyes to clear my vision but to no avail. I heard her saying sorry again and again. At first I was confused as why was she apologizing to me but then I understood that it must be her who had created the mishap. I heard her telling me to wash my face and I thought it would be wise to first clear my face and vision and then the situation. I followed her as she lead me to the tap in the garden.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I looked at the young man washing his face at the tap with nervousness. I have apologized to him but he hasn't said anything. I couldn't understand if he was mad at me. Well I can't blame him if he is. After all I am the one who has caused this blunder. I prayed to allah miyan to save me this time.
- Stupid girl. Why can't you do anything properly? Ek kaam thik se nahi hota tujhse. Kyun hamesha aise gadbad karti hai. I scolded myself mentally. I was busy blabbering with myself in my mind when I saw he has finished washing and drying his and was about to turn towards me. I quickly averted my gaze towards the ground and started blabbering in the speed of a bullet train.
- I am really very sorry for whatever happened earliar. I know it is entirely my fault but maine jaan bujh ke kuch bhi nahi kiya. Woh to main bas Sara se baat kar rahi thi aur maine dekha bhi nahi ke main kuda kaha phenk rahi hoon and then jab maine dekha ke who app par gir gaya hai toh shock ke mare mare mere hath se balti bhi gir gayi. I know ke mujhe dhyan rakhna cahiye tha par please iss baar meri...
I stopped my rambling when I heard him chuckling. Confused, I looked up and gasped inaudibly when my gaze collided with the most intense eyes I have ever seen.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As soon as I came to her after washing my face, I heard her starting to apologize. She was looking downwards, preventing me to see her face but I couldn't deny the extreme cuteness of her apology. She was just blabbering in the speed of light and wasn't even bothering to look at me once. She was looking like a 5-year-old school girl who was scared of her teacher scolding her for not finishing the homework. I couldn't help chuckling at this and that was when she looked at me for the first time and my breath caught in my throat when my eyes looked with the most innocent eyes I have ever seen.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
He was the most handsome man I have ever seen. He had the looks of a Greek god and suddenly I had a doubt if he was a filmstar. I shook my head to keep those thoughts aside and mumbled while looking at the ground-
- I am sorry.
- It's ok. I know ke tumne yeh jaan bujh ke nahi kiya. Kabhi kabhi aise accidents ho jate hai. Don't worry. I can understand.He replied with a smile making my eyes go wide as saucers. When I was preparing myself for some serious shouting, he forgave me? Just like that?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I forgave her? Just like that? It was really strange to do if I think about my paining head but it was also true that she hasn't done it seriously. And apart from that, I couldn't bring myself to shout at that adorable girl. She was the prettiest girl I have ever seen and her innocence and simplicity was the best thing about her. Dressed in that princess-gown and tiara with no make-up or jewellary, she looked nothing but a true princess. When she kept quiet after my reply, I decided to break the silence-
- Are you always this much quiet ya phir main stranger hoo iss liye ya phir you are still upset about the earlier incident. I asked in one breath with a smile. When she still didn't said anything, I understood that she was still upset with the earlier incident. So I decided to lift her mood.
- Agaar tum abhi bhi aise upset rahi toh ab allah miyan mujhse naraz ho jayenge to make such a beautiful princess cry. And this statement of mine earned me the most beautiful smile.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It was the first time anyone has called me beautiful. I felt a blush creeping up my cheek at his sweet reply. I looked in front of me to find him stretching his hand .
- My name is Asad, Asad Ahmad Khan. He told me his name.
- Zoya Farooqui. I told him my name and took his in mine for a handshake. As soon as our hands touched, I felt a chill run down my spine.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I felt a wave of electricity run down my spine as soon as our hands met. But I kept those feelings aside and asked her-
- Do you come here often?
- Yeah. But mein apko yaha pehli baar dekh rahi ho. She spoke a little confusedly.
- I have come here for the first time. In fact mein Bhopal hi pehli baar aya hoo as one of our relatives is ill. Me and my family lives in Australia and we are going back tomorrow. I informed her at which she nodded with a little 'oh'. I was about to ask her something more when her phone rang and she excused herself.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My phone rang flashing HOME' on it. I excused myself to attend the call. It was Zeenat on the other side. She just told me to come home quickly and cut the call before I could say anything. Panicked , that some serious problem has come up, I came back to him and said-
- I am really sorry for leaving like that par mere ghar mein kuch emergency agayi hai. I have to go now. I said apologetically , at which he nodded understandingly.
- Bye. I greeted him.
- Bye. He greeted me back. I was about to turn and go when I heard him call me back-
- It was nice meeting you , princess. Though surprised, I turned towards him with a smile at his sweet remark and said-
- It was nice meeting you too.
And with that we parted our ways and went in opposite directions, towards our destinations.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hey guys. I am back again with my boaring bakwaas. I know you all must be thinking that I have gone crazy and honestly, I also feel the same.😆
I know you all are worried that I have posted so many stories, how can I manage all. But let me tell you, out of all the stories I am continuing only WOLR. So if I continue this one, I will have two stories at hand and I fell I can manage that much. I know I am very busy with studies and have said that won't start this one before finishing WOLR . But I was badly feeling like writing something other than WORL. So couldn't help posting it.[:p]
I am really very sorry for not replying to your comments but I have read all of them and want to thank each and everyone for the lovely response. It was amazing to know that so many people are still interested in fairytales and Barbie movies. But I want to clear one thing on this point, it is not based on any particular movie but you can call it a tribiute to them, a medly of them in my style. So show me your love and please leave your likes and reviews behind. Only that will decide if I will continue it or not. Thank you😃
Edited by asya7 - 10 years ago
124