Chapter 1
Zoya and Najma reached the venue where the wedding was supposed to be held. A smiling Zeenat walked up to the trio. She wrapped her arm around Zoya and guided her to her place. Zoya wanted to look up and meet his eyes. But, she was too scared to do so. She was afraid that she would see something she doesn't want to. Najma, on the other hand, was lost in her lover's gaze as she walked towards her destination. They both sat down in their appropriate places. The Qazi started with reciting the Quran, and went to Najma and her groom Imran first. He questioned the couple on their consent to marriage and they both said their qubool hais. Next, the Qazi came to Zoya and her groom. "Asad Ahmed Khan bin walid Rashid Ahmed Khan, kya aapko Zoya Farooqui bin walid Anwar Farooqui se nikkah qubool hai?" silence prevailed in the room waiting for his response. Zoya prayed that he refused. She didn't want him to say yes. Imagine being a girl who sat in her wedding altar, hoping that her groom refused to marry her. She didn't want him to be tied down with her. Zoya didn't know what she felt for him. But, she knew one thing was sure. He did not want a wife like her. How could she forget? He had constantly told her how indecent, non-traditional, and improper she has been for his family from the past 2 months. She was being piled on in his life and she did not want that. If his mother hadn't chosen her as his bride, he would have never accepted for this wedding. She could see his face through her veil when he lifted the flower strings to the sehara that Dilshad had tied. It looked stern, like it always did, void of any emotions. "Allah miyan, please! Mr. Khan keh ek jawaab se meri puri zindagi ka faisla hojayega, meri takdeer ka faisla hojayega," she silently thought. "Qubool Hai," came his curt reply. Asad had thought about everything. He had remembered how they had met, their fights, their arguments, his mother challenging his father and his second wife to get him married in 10 days, and then telling him that Zoya was the best girl for her. How could she be the best girl for him? She was nothing he wanted in a wife. She was stubborn, spoke too much, totally non-traditional, and they had nothing but pretty much yelled at each other every time they had a conversation. But, he had to do this for his mother. She was his world. And if she asked, he could give up his life. And that is exactly what he had decided when he repeated his Qubool Hai twice more.
Zoya closed her eyes. She wanted to be sad but her heart wouldn't allow her to. Why? She wondered. But her thoughts remained incomplete as the Qazi stepped closer to her. "Zoya Farooqui...bin walid Anwar Farooqui, kya aapko Asad Ahmed Khan bin walid Rashid Ahmed Khan se nikkah qubool hai?" the elderly man questioned. Zoya was confused. She had hoped and constantly prayed that he refused to marry her. But, she never thought about what will happen if he actually agreed. She turned to her left to see her mother sitting next to her. Zoya recalled what her mother had told her about a week ago. "Zoya, Asad bahut accha ladka hai, usse shaadi karegi toh bahut khush rahegi," Zeenat told her daughter. "Par Ammi, woh mujhe pasand nahi karte. Aur mujhe bhi uss akdu se shaadi nahi karni," Zoya complained. "Zoya, aise nahi bolte beta. Dilshad bi khud yeh rishta lekar aayi hai. Aur Asad kitna accha baccha hai, bahut hi tameez daar, meihanati. Akir usne akele uski Ammi aur behen koh samala hai," Zeenat explained. Zoya rolled her eyes. Tameezdaar and him, yeah right, she thought. But what her mother said about taking care of Dilshad and Najma, and about working hard to being one of the most successful businessman in Bhopal was true. "Lekin Ammi, yeh thodi na kohi waja huwi keh main usse shaadi karloon. Uss mein aur mujhe mein kuch bhi common nahi hai toh phir kaise," Zoya told her mother. "Dekho Zoya, rishte dil se bante hai. Aur biwi shohar ka rishta toh aisa hai joh kissi bhi doh insaano koh ek karde. Dekho Zoya, tumare saath joh bhi hua, uske baad bhi Asad ne tumse nikkah karne kehliye ha bola hai. Please iss baar humari izzat keh saath mat khelna," Zeenat said, in a slightly scolding tone. Zoya downcast her eyes to the floor as tears pooled in them. She had ran away from marrying Akram and she knew that she was wrong to do so. It had left her parents in such a position where the world was raising fingers on their upbringing. But, she had to do it. She couldn't marry someone she didn't love. And now her mother was asking her to do the same thing. Zeenat took her hands in and held them lovingly.
"Zoya, main jaanti hoon keh tum yeh nahi chathi. Lekin iss rishte koh ek mauka do beta. Ek baar khudko aur Asad koh ek chance toh doh," she requested. Before Zoya she speak up, "Please, mere liye," Zeenat added. Zoya eyes drifted to her mother eyes who looked weak, she looked so fragile. Zeenat was diagnosed with breast cancer 6 months ago. Zoya hadn't been made aware of the fact at that time. Her parents didn't want to stress her so they had thought they will tell her when needed. Zoya had chosen to come to India for a study abroad. Zeenat was hesitant to send her here all alone. Though Zeenat and Anwar were from Bhopal who migrated to New York almost 25 years ago, Zoya was born and bought up in New York, she hadn't even visited India till then. After much persuasion, Anwar had told her that if she found something in Bhopal, she could go. Luckily, there was a program in Bhopal and Zoya had been ecstatic. But there was one more condition: Zoya was to live with Anwar's distant cousin's house and not in some hotel or hostel. Though Zoya didn't want to inconvenience anyone, she didn't have much choice but to agree. She returned to the moment when she felt her mother's hand on her shoulder. "Are you going to say yes or what?" she teased in a whisper. Zoya bobbed her head, turned towards the Qazi and spoke, "Qubool hai," and repeated it two more times sealing their fates together.
Family and friends around them cheered and congratulated each other. Dilshad walked up to Zoya, "I am so happy today beta," she said cupping her face and placing a kiss on her forehead. Zoya forced a small smile on her lips. "Come, let me take you to Asad," she offered. Zoya felt her palm sweat and her heart race. She had to go close to him, she thought. "Come," Dilshad said as she took Zoya's hand in hers and started walking towards Asad. The veil between them now removed and the pillars holding the cloth were cleared out of the way. Seeing his mother walk closer, Asad rose from his seat. "Asad, mera baccha," Dilshad said as she caressed his cheek and then pulled him into an embrace. He just smiled at his mother. As they broke apart, Dilshad held Zoya by her shoulders and moved her close to Asad. "Allah, tum dono ki jodi salamat rake," she prayed. Zoya felt Asad stiffen up next to her as their shoulders touched. She moved away slightly to make some space between them. Someone walked up to Dilshad to congratulate her. As the ladies talked, Asad and Zoya just stood in silence. What were they supposed to say? After finishing talking to the relative, Dilshad turned towards the couple, "Tum dono baito aur baatein karo, main Khana bhij wati hoon," she suggested. Asad and Zoya just nodded and took a seat, making sure there was a safe distance between them. Zoya looked around her. There was so much joy and happiness in her everyone's faces, especially her parents. She saw them in the corner with Anwar pulling Zeenat into a hug. "Ammi definitely emotional hogayi hongi," she thought as her lips curved in a smile but her eyes brimmed with tears. Asad too was looking at his mother and sister as they hugged. He could see both their eyes sparkle in glee. Asad had been hesitant when his little baby sister had come up to him 3 months ago and told him that she liked someone. His instant reaction was to say no and he had. But, she had been persistent. Najma insisted that he at least meet the boy first. After two weeks of constant persuasion from his sister, he had agreed. Asad had liked Imran at the first instant. He seemed like a calm, composed individual who could balance his cheery, sometimes dramatic tamatar. However, Imran's mother was a whole another story to tell. Haseena Qureshi was a epitome of greed, loved to dawn herself with all the jewelry in the world, and praise herself, every chance she got. His father was similar to Imran, a very down to earth man. After a lot of discussion, Asad had agreed for the wedding. But today, he was glad he did. The love and admiration which he saw in Najma and Imran's eyes for each other made him feel confident about his sister's future. As Asma, one of his cousins walked up to them with a tray of food, he felt Zoya fix her dupatta over head and wipe her cheeks. Was she crying? Asad thought as he glanced at her. Soon, a small table was arranged from them so they could eat. Zoya just nibbled on her food. With everything that was happening, she wasn't really hungry. Or maybe it was her lehenga, she didn't know. Zoya wasn't used to wearing these heavy Indian dresses, jewelry or make up that she was being forced to wear from the past few days. She usually worse jeans and top, and if she had to wear Indian, they were simple anarkalis or salwar kameez, not 50 Kg weighing lehenga. Perhaps it was more like 25 Kg, her mind suggested. "Why aren't you eating anything Zoya?" someone asked. Zoya broke out of her trance and looked up at her mother. "Jee Ammi," she replied. "Tum Khana kyun nahi kharahi ho? Tum theek toh ho," Zeenat asked looking at a dazed Zoya. "Ha Ammi, bas bhook nahi hai," Zoya told her mother. "Kuch toh Khana padega na. Tumne subhe bhi theek se nahi khaya," Zeenat urged. Zoya nodded as she took a small morsel of rice. "Allah, kya karoon main iss ladki ka? Asad, tum bhi samjao isse beta, yeh toh ek choti si bacchi hai," Zeenat said shaking her head at her bridal daughter who was now sulking. Why does Ammi have to get him involved? Zoya mumbled, glaring at her mother. Asad was lost in his own thoughts but when he heard his name, he looked up and saw Zeenat. "Jee?" he said confused. "Asad, tumara nikkah abhi hua hai, meri beti tumare paas beti hai aur tum kahi aur khoye huwe ho," Zeenat joked. He felt embarrassed, not because she had caught him red handed but because what she was saying was true. They both were definitely not acting like a just married couple. "Aisa kuch nahi hai aunty, main bas kuch sooch raha tha," Asad replied. "Asad, aabh toh mujhe tum Ammi bol sakthe ho," Zeenat scolded, but with motherly love. "Jee," he said. Zeenat looked at her daughter and then at Asad. What was she going to do with these two? she thought. They probably just needed some time to understand and get to know each other in the real sense.
Soon after, it was time for the bidaai of Najma. She hugged Dilshad and was crying uncontrollably. After Rashid left them, Dilshad and Asad have always been very protective of her. She had lived a sheltered life as she was the baby of the family. "Najma, please don't cry," Asad said as he stood next to his mother and sister who were engulfed in each other's arms. He couldn't see her crying, and that was the reason why she had agreed for this marriage. And now, his tamatar was crying because of this stupid wedding and the fact she had to leave this house was now making her sob. "Bhaijaan," Najma said as she moved away from Dilshad and threw herself into his arms. "Tum jab chaye yaha aasakthi ho, aur hum sabh bhi toh aaya karenga na tumse milne. Aabh chalo, hass doh," Asad requested as he patted her head soothingly. Najma still sniffled on his chest. "Tamatar, tum aise hi rohti rahogi toh tumara make up karaab hojayega. Aur I think tume aaj raat kehliye bahut hi accha dikhna hai," Zoya, who was next to Asad, bend down and whispered to her. No one else could hear her but Asad could as he was right there. Najma immediately stopped crying and looked at Zoya. "Is my mascara leaking?" she asked. "A little bit. Hold on," Zoya told her as she moved in closer and wiped the smudged mascara off of Najma's left cheek. "Aur mera kajal?" Najma said as she broke apart from Asad. "All good," Zoya confirmed with a smile. Asad looked at the two ladies in front of him. From the past 10 minutes, Dilshad and him have been trying so hard to console his sister to no avail. But, in one minute, Zoya had managed to not only stop Najma from crying but has totally diverted her attention to something else. Najma moved forward and pulled Zoya in a hug. "I will miss you Zoya or should I say bhabhi now," Najma's voice was sad at first but teasing at the end. "I will miss my best friend here too," Zoya confessed. Both the girls have grown extremely close over the past 2 months. Najma had taken an instant liking towards Zoya when she met her the first time. And for Zoya, it was no different. They have both found a sister, best friend, and a confidant in each other. "Take care ok," Zoya said, looking over the shoulder at Haseena. Najma chuckled, "you too," she said, sneakily eyeing Asad. Najma knew that Asad and Zoya had their differences. In fact, she had been very surprised when they both had agreed to marry each other. I guess both their mothers were just good at emotional blackmailing, she thought. But, Najma knew if anyone could stand up to her brother then that was Zoya. And that is probably why Allah had destined for them to become husband and wife.
After bidding Najma good bye and she left for her new home, Asad went to ensure that all the relatives got into the bus safely and to get the car along with the driver. Zeenat turned to Zoya, "accha beta, hum bhi chalte hai," she said. "Kya? Kaha?" Zoya asked puzzled. "Zoya, tum Asad keh saaath uske ghar jaogi aur main aur tumare Abu hotel jarahe hai," Zeenat explained. "Aap dono hotel jarahe hai? Lekin kyun Ammi?" Zoya said. "Ha Zeenat, tum dono ghar kyun nahi aarahe ho?" Dilshad asked. "Dilshad bi, kal tak yeh meri behen ka ghar tha par aaj toh meri beti ka sasural hai," Anwar told her. "Abu, yeh sabh aap kya bol rahe hai?" Zoya said sadly. "Zoya, har beti koh apne Ammi Abu koh chodkar jaana hi toh haina. Aaj tumara din hai," Anwar said, cupping her face with one hand. "Mat jayiye na," Zoya pleaded. "Baccha, zid nahi karte," Zeenat said to her daughter. Tears pooled in her eyes as she looked at her parents. She thought they would return with her to the Khan villa. How could they just leave? "Zoya, please baccha. Agar tum aise rohgi toh hum kaise jayenge," Anwar said, as he looked at his wife. Zoya threw herself in her father's arms and started to holler. "Aap dono please humare saath chaliye na," Dilshad said. "Dilshad bi, isse aabh nahi toh khabhi toh seekna hi toh padega na. Aur kuch dino mein hum New York bhi toh waapas chale jayenge," Zeenat said as she caressed her daughter's arm. At that time, Asad returned. He saw that Zoya was crying and asked Dilshad quietly with his eyes about what was going on. "Zeenat aur Anwar hotel waapas jarahe hai toh Zoya...," she trailed off. Seeing her clutch on to her father's sherwani and sob, did something to him deep down. He wanted to look away but couldn't. Something pushed his heart to worry for her. "Aap dono...," Asad started when Anwar interrupted him. "Asad please, tum toh samjo beta," he said. Anwar walked towards him with Zoya in his arms. Reaching him, he broke away from Zoya. "Asad, meri Zoya aaj bhi ek choti bacchi ki taara hai. Uss mein utni masoomiyat hai jitni shayad bachpan mein thi. Woh khabhi bhi kisika dil nahi dhuka sakthi. Ha, yeh saach hai keh khabhi khabhi na chathe hi huwe bhi galati hojati. Par Asad, main yehi umeed se tume apne beti di hai keh tum usse samaj kar apnaoge, aur meri Zoya koh woh pyaar aur izzat dohgi jiski woh haqdaar hai," Anwar said, getting emotional. Asad felt miserable. He had agreed to this marriage just for the sake of his Ammi and her promise she had made. But, to see that so many people were involved in it. Has he done something wrong? He thought. "Asad, kuch bologe nahi?" Zeenat probed. "Main puri kosish karonga," he told them. Anwar smiled and placed his daughter's hand in Asad's. His touch was firm on her soft skin. She looked up at him with her wet eyes but he looked away. As their palms touched, Zoya felt a tingle pass through her body. She didn't know why that whenever she felt his touch against her skin, her body went through this havoc that she never felt before. Dilshad smiled at the couple. "Aabh chalo, ghar bhi toh jaana hai," she said. Everyone nodded and walked towards the car. Anwar opened the car door and Asad helped his wife in the car. As he was about to turn around, Asad felt his hand still intertwined with hers. That is when they both realized that they haven't let go off each other. Slowly, they removed their joined hands. Asad moved to the other side and was about to get into the front next to the driver. Dilshad stopped him and told him to get in the back with Zoya as she needed him. Asad reluctantly took his seat. Dilshad hugged Zeenat and greeted Anwar and got inside as well. "Apna khayal rakna beta," Zeenat said as she bent down to see Zoya through the window. "Bye Ammi," Zoya said. "Bye beta," both Anwar and Zeenat said in unison.
Zoya was trying hard to be strong and not let the tears that were forming in her eyes to fall down. However, as she saw her parents walk away, she couldn't hold herself together. She started to silently sob as the car drove away. Asad could feel her sniffling next to him. Should he do something, he wondered. Dilshad knew Zoya was crying. "Allah, mera bhudu beta kuch kar kyun nahi raha hai," she thought to herself. Asad hoped that she would calm down in a few minutes but that didn't happen. She was silently crying when Zoya saw something appear in her peripheral vision. Zoya looked down to see something white. She turned to see that Asad was holding it out for her. Zoya looked at him then back at the white cloth, then she realized that he was giving her his handkerchief. Asad could tell that she was surprised and hesitant to take the fabric in front of her. He moved the cloth closer, urging with his eyes for her to take it. Zoya nodded as she took the handkerchief him, and mumbled thanks. Dilshad watched this silent exchange between the two and smiled. Finally, something was happening. Zoya wiped her tears and looked down at the cloth that was now stained with her kajal and mascara. She couldn't believe that he had be the reason for wiping her tears today. He is the one who usually made her cry. Lost in thoughts, they soon reached the Khan Villa. Dilshad and the other relatives gathered around the front entrance to welcome the new bride into the house. As Zoya stepped into the house, her feet tripped over the rectangular carpet near the door. She was about to fall when Asad wrapped his arm around her waist. As a reflex, Zoya's arms went around his neck. Her eyes drifted up to meet hers. Zoya felt like her skin was on fire as his hand touched her bare waist. The choli of her lehenga went a little bit below her bust leaving her waist exposed. Zoya had insisted to the makeup artist that she pin the dupatta in such a way so that her waist was covered. But, now his hand was touching her, making her heart go crazy. She wanted to break away from his gaze but for some reason she felt her eyes glued to his. The family members couldn't help but smile at the newlywed couple. Someone coughed breaking their spell. Asad and Zoya broke apart and straightened themselves. "Bhaijaan...at least raat tak ka wait karlijiye," one of Asad's cousins teased, causing the couple to turn red. "Zoya, tum theek ho?" Dilshad asked. "Jee Ammi," Zoya replied. "Accha...aao. Kuch aur rasmein bhi karni hai," Dilshad told them. "Ammi please, aur kitni rasmein," Asad said annoyed. "Asad, yeh sabh shaadi ki rasmein hai beta, karna toh padega," she said. "Ammi, lekin...," Asad was about say when Dilshad intervened, "mujhe kuch nahi suna hai Asad, andar chalo," she firmly stated. Zoya looked at the mother and son. Was this going to be her married relationship? Was Dilshad going to force Asad to do everything? Will he ever do anything for her by will? How was this marriage going to work? Zoya wondered looking at Dilshad and Asad ahead of her.
So, most of you guessed right lol, Najma is the happy one and Zoya is the sad ones. Thank you for the awesome response, looking forward to your comments on this chapter 😃
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