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Chapter 23
The next day Asad took her out shopping for their engagement rings. He had told Zoya too that this was something very special and that he will not take no for an answer. Giving into him she had agreed and so they met for lunch. They discussed what types of rings they wanted along with their dresses. Quickly finishing their lunch, Asad took her to the shop from where his mother had been buying jewelry for a long long time. Telling the sales man behind the counter what they had in mind, they sat back looking at the beautiful pieces that were handcrafted. It didn't take them long to pick up what they wanted. As Asad went to make the payment, Zoya spoke to the salesman and giving him a piece of paper she walked towards Asad. Happy with their purchase they walked out the store hand in hand. By the time Asad drove her back home it had started getting dark.
He parked outside her apartment and said "So! One down one more to go". Looking confused Zoya asked " What do you mean?" "I mean, rings arranged and now we need to get our dresses arranged". Zoya smiled at him and nodded her head in agreement. Her happiness knew no bounds seeing how excited he was for their special day. Smiling wide at him she said " You're super excited about the engagement naa?" "Absolutely! I can't wait to put that ring on your finger and make you mine forever". He took her hand in his and they sat there in complete silence, only wanting to enjoy the unspoken words between themselves.
Suddenly Asad looked at her with wide eyes and said "Oh! How could I forget... You... You... You have to pay for something you know" Zoya looked at him, her nose crinkled and her eyebrows furrowed with confusion "What for?". " Something you did to tease me the other day ". Zoya knew what he was talking about but feigned otherwise. Her eyes widened as she saw him unbuckling his seatbelt. She knew what he would do to get back at her. So before he could realize, Zoya literally jumped out of the car and ran into the building. Asad chuckled at her cuteness. He watched her turn around one time and waiving at him she blew him a kiss. Asad extended his hand as if catching her kiss in it and placed his palm against his heart. Shaking her head she went inside the building and smiling he drove away.
The preparations for the engagement were done in less than a week as all that the Khan's and the Farooqui's wanted was a small private affair with only the family along with Mr. Kapoor and Shipra present. The happiness that they all felt for Asad and Zoya was beyond words. They all knew what the two had been through without the other in their lives.
If Benazeer had been a witness to her daughter's despair, so we're Rashid and Dilshaad. As parents they had seen their children go through so much pain for their first love that it had broken their hearts too. For three years all that the mother's had prayed for was their children to find their true love soon. The day of their engagement came which was no less than a festival for the two families. They were not oblivious to the fact that they both had been through a lot and how they had craved to be with the other.
Shipra had reached earlier to help Zoya get ready for this special day. Being a witness to the sorrow and pain that Zoya had been through in order to stay away from Asad and in trying to keep her love hidden, Shipra had seen Zoya at both her weakest and her strongest. Today, her happiness knew no bounds, for today, Zoya would finally get the happiness she deserved. Quickly greeting Benazeer she made her way into Zoya's room.
"Hey there" she said entering her room. "You're so late. Now hurry up. They would be here soon". "I know! I know! Am sorry, got late due to the traffic. You know naa how it gets in Delhi's traffic?" Zoya nodded her head and was just about to pick up her dress from the bed to change into it when Shipra held her hand. With eyes shimmering with unshed tears she said "I am so happy for you Zoya... Finally you will get the happiness that you so deserve. I haven't seen a better daughter than you, a better friend than you and a better person than you. Thank you for being my friend. Thank you for sharing with me what you couldn't even share with your Ammi".
Zoya took a step closer to her and wrapped her arms around Shipra giving her a tight hug she said "As much as you are happy to have me as your friend, I am too Shipra. You were the only one that I could go to when I was at my lowest emotionally. You are the one who helped me get back up whenever I found myself in the pits. Thank you for being the world's best friend". They both looked at each other with moist eyes and then smiling wide they started getting ready.
Zoya wore a beautiful turquoise blue and white anarkali suit with silver embroidery designs all over. The bodice hugged her tight and then flared out below her waist. She looked nothing less than a princess in her atire which was completed with minimum makeup, a delicate diamond pendant around her neck and her hair was left lose in soft curls. She looked exquisite and Asad couldn't take his eyes off her. As soon as Zoya had stepped out of her room she had felt his eyes on herself. She felt extremely shy and due to her nervousness couldn't find the courage to look up and meet his eyes. She knew well that if she would look at him it would be difficult for her stop herself from walking right into his arms.
Asad on the other hand was dressed in a pristine white sherwani with a turquoise blue collar to match her dress. It had silver embroidery and he looked nothing less than a prince himself. With his eyes fixed on her he didn't realize when she came and stood right beside her. He ws brought out of his transe when he felt a little nudge and then his Ammi whisper into his ear "Its bad manners to stare like that Asad, I remember teaching you that". As he heard that he felt his cheeks redden and then smiling wide he shook his head in the negative and whispered a sorry to his Ammi. Dilshaad knew he was playing along and to tease him further she said "I didn't expect this from you Asad. Why sorry? Ab Tumhari hi fiance hai, stare away" she said giving him a little nudge with her shoulder and laughing at his shocked expression.
They were both made to sit together and in no time Dilshaad announced that the ceremony should be completed. With their hearts picking up pace they looked at each other and as their eyes met, Asad winked at her making her go red. Widening her eyes she scolded him which only earned her another wink and a wide smile on his face. Feeling her face flush she lowered her eyes her face adorning a smile that was so shy and Asad had never see her blush so much. As they both held their rings Asad extended his hand gesturing her to place hers in his. Feeling shy and without raising her eyes she placed her hand in his and as soon as Asad held her hand she looked up to find him looking back at her lovingly. Her eyes conveying the love that she felt for him Zoya waited for him to place the ring on her finger.
Their eyes locked and softened, Asad's eyes mirroring the emotions as hers. Very slowly he slid the ring on her finger. A soft smile adorning her lips she kept her eyes locked with his. Taking the ring from her Ammi, Zoya placed his ring on his finger. Asad sighed with contentment as now, Zoya becoming his forever, was just astep away. They both looked at each other and then at their parents and close friends who all had wide smiles on their faces, all happy and excited for them. Soon the ceremony was over and Shipra along with Mr. Kapoor left. Dilshaad and Rashid too announced that they should be leaving soon. Dilshaad saw the silent conversation that Asad and Zoya had been having. She was well aware that youngsters today would want to spend some time alone too. Hesitantly looking at Benazeer she said "If its OK with you, I would like to take your permission so that they can go out for a coffee. I know they want to but wouldn't say it".
Benazeer looked from her towards Asad and Zoya. The way they both were looking away was proof that Dilshaad was right. "Zoya isn't just my daughter anymore, she's yours too and you have all the rights to take these decisions for her". Both the mother's looked at their children who had beaming yet shy smiles playing on their lips. " Chalo, utho tum dono and go enjoy yourselves" Dilshaad said making them blush harder. "Nahi, nahi its OK... We're OK... I mean.. Going out at this hour..." Zoya said trying to avoid the outing as she thought it would come across as them being desperate to be together. Where Asad frowned at her thought, Dilshaad and Benazeer smiled at her, understanding her delima. Dilshaad looked at Benazeer and with her eyes asked her to convince Zoya to go out.
"Zoya, beta we know you're feeling shy and its a little awkward for you to have us telling you both to go out, but its OK beta. We know how today's generation works. We know you both must be wanting to celebrate your engagement and I wouldn't be surprised if Asad has planned something special for you" Benazeer said making Asad go red and Zoya to giggle at his reaction. Shaking his head in the negative he quickly said "No, no! Aisa kuch nahi hai. I haven't planned anything special. I didn't even have it in mind that we would go out after the ceremony". As soon as he finished saying this, he heard a loud roar of laughter from his Abbu, Ammi and Zoya's Ammi. "Kya aap log bhi...Mein Hi mila hoon aap logon ko masti karne ke liye?" "Ab Asad yahan hum logon ke alawa aur koi toh hai nahi jo yeh sab masti kare tumhare saath. You didn't invite any friends so what are we supposed to do?" Rashid asked him, making the women laugh again.
Asad eyed Zoya, trying to look upset with her, as she too was laughing without a care with their parents. The smile that adorned her lips was enough to melt his heart. Bidding good bye to their parents, they went to a coffee shop spending a great time just being together. They didn't want anything fancy at the moment, all the two craved was each other and that is exactly what they did. Spending a good part of two hours, they chatted about everything starting from sharing their happiness about the engagement to what they would do special for their wedding going back to what all they still had to do at office.
Finally they agreed to call it a night. Asad led her to the car but before she could get in he grabbed her by her elbow and turned her around. Zoya looked at him confused "Kya hua?" Asad looked at her with a naughtiness in his eyes that made her heart flutter. She raised her eyebrow at him questioning him. With a naughty smile playing on his lips Asad stepped closer to her and winding his arms around her waste he said "I just remembered that I have a score to settle with you". Zoya placed her hands on his chest and said "Score! What score?" She asked absolutely confused about what he was talking. Asad removed one hand from around her waist and tucked the lose strand of hair behind her ear.
"You did something over the phone the other day that you have to pay for" he said in a whisper moving closer to her resulting in Zoya being trapped between him and his car. Feeling a blush creep up her cheeks Zoya tried pushing him away but he only tighten his hold around her waist. Blushing harder Zoya lowered her eyes feeling the heat from his closeness playing havoc with her senses. Seeing her so shy made his heart swell with love for her. He couldn't tease her anymore so he simply pulled her into a hug that was gentle and passionate at the same time. Kissing the side of her head he whispered in her ear "I love you so so much Zoya". "I love you too Asad, I love you too" she said as she tightened her hold around his torso.
Pulling away from her he looked deep in to her eyes and then leaned in kissing her forehead. He opened the door and helped her get in and as he started driving towards her house she put on music as always. Smiling Asad shook his head at how she could never travel without music. Zoya had been surfing through the channels when suddenly Asad stopped her "Wait wait wait... Don't change that..." He said putting his hand over hers to stop her. Zoya looked at him questioningly "This is my latest favorite song. Listen to it carefully Zoya, its exactly what I feel" he said in an emotion filled voice. Zoya only nodded her head. She watched amazed how, for the first time Asad sang along with the song in the car. She saw his face express every emotion as he sang the words to her looking in her direction once in a while. She could truly feel her heart fluttering as every word left his lips.
Haan aa...
Haan hasi ban gaye
Haan nami ban gaye
Tum mere aasmaan
Meri zameen ban gaye
Haan hum badalne lage
Girne sambhalne lage
Jab se hai jaana tumhein
Teri ore chalne lage
Har safar har jagah
Har kahin ban gaye
Maante thhe Khuda
Aur haan wahi ban gaye
Haan hansi ban gaye
Haan nami ban gaye
Tum mere aasmaan
Meri zameen ban gaye
Pehchaante hi nahi ab log tanha mujhe
Meri nigaahon mein bhi hai dhoondte wo tujhe
Pehchaante hi nahi ab log tanha mujhe
Meri nigaahon mein bhi hai dhoondte wo tujhe
Hum the dhoondhte jisey wo kami ban gaye
Tum mere ishq ki sar-zameen ban gaye
Haan hasi ban gaye
Haan nami ban gaye
Tum mere aasmaan
Meri zameen ban gaye
O.. aa...
(Hansi ban gaye. Male version from Humari Adhoori Kahaani).
By the time the song finished they had reached her house. Asad unbuckled his seat belt as she did and took her hand in his. Placing a soft kiss on the back of her hand he got out the car and walked around to open the door for her. But she had already alighted and was standing there looking at him. They stood there looking deep into each other's eyes when Asad took a step closer, his emotions still running high he cupped her face and said in a soft voice "I can't wait to make you mine forever Zoya". Understanding what he was going through Zoya placed her hand over his against her cheek and smiled at his reassuring him through her eyes that that was exactly what she wanted. She went up on her toes and placing a soft kiss on his lips she said " I love you Asad... Good night ". Asad watched her walk into the building and waving at her one last time he drove off.
P.S. Will appreciate if you all could leave back your likes and comments. Just one more to go on this one.
Edited by ChocoBerry - 9 years ago
Anupamaa
124