Thirteen
In the presence of the staff the stood around the room Zoya felt helpless, all she wanted to do was run in to his arms, scream out to let the pain of his absence finally come to an end.
Aisha Bibi came running out and instantly ran to him 'Karan' she called out in a broken voice. Karan hugged Aisha Bibi who held on to him dearly 'where did you go...do you even know...' Aisha Bibi started crying as did Zoya. Karan pulled back and wiped her tears away, looking up towards Zoya he spoke 'I am so sorry...I know what you have gone through as I lived through exactly the same thing...please forgive me...I promise I will never leave your side again' Aisha Bibi held his face in her hands 'please don't leave without having met her...Karan she has died a thousand deaths in the last two months beta...' 'I won't...I promise...I will meet her outside on the balcony...let me take my leave from Mr Roy and Hamid Sir'.
Karan met with Mr Roy and Hamid 'Sir, is it ok to go and meet Aisha Bibi?' 'Of course, if she is not in the kitchen she will be in her room' 'thank you.
Karan ran upstairs, Aisha Bibi opened the door to him and let him out in the balcony where Zoya was standing waiting for him. 'Zoya' he whispered her name, Zoya turned around and ran into his open arms. Karan held her shaking body as tightly as he could, he let her cry as much as she needed to, he knew, he understood the pain she had and was going through. 'Please forgive me Zoya...I am so sorry' Zoya didn't respond, all she did was hold on to him as if her life depended on it.
Karan felt his insides tear apart as he saw her, she looked worn out, her face was red and puffy, and her tears refused to stop 'you...you never leave me again...I will die Karan...' Karan placed his hand over her mouth and shook his head, his own eyes had now started to water 'don't say that...I promise you Zoya...I will never leave you again' Karan lowered his head and placed a soft kiss on her forehead 'come sit'.
Karan sat with Zoya telling her exactly what he ha been doing for the last month, Karan had spend most his time in Shimla, on his return he came to Delhi where he found out from Mr Roy that Zoya was here. As soon a a Karan found out that Hamid had requested a bodyguard for Zoya he asked to be assigned. Mr Roy had known Karan for a long time and he was no fool, he knew that there was something going on, he had sensed this from Zoya and now Karan too. On confronting him Karan told him the truth, as happy as he was that Karan had actually found someone he was also very concerned but Karan had put him at ease and convinced him to let him be Zoya's bodyguard.
Zoya placed her hand against his cheek 'I want to go back to Mumbai tomorrow...so I can be with you...without all these prying eyes' Karan pulled her hand down and kissed the back of it 'as soon as I get the go ahead from your Mamoon, I will take you back...but for now...I have to go' Zoya shook her head 'please Karan...don't...please stay with me' 'just one more night Zoya...just one more'.
Zoya stood up with Karan, she slowly stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him 'I love you' 'I love you too Zoya' slightly tip toeing Zoya kissed his chin but before she could lower her feet Karan pulled her up further and placed his lips over hers. Zoya felt the world spin around her as he continued to kiss her, Zoya kissed him back with as much passion and love as he poured into that one kiss.
Thanking Aisha Bibi he opened the door to leave 'I will see you in the morning' he said giving her one last smile before he walked away.
For the first time in a long time Zoya woke up having slept peacefully, she got ready and came downstairs. 'Mamoon, when can we go back to Mumbai?' 'I was thinking of keeping you here until Monday' 'Monday...that's two days away' Hamid started smiling 'yes...Zoya it's New Year's Day, I thought we could celebrate it together and the you can fly out the same evening if you want' 'wow...New Year already...I didn't even realise...so are we having a party here...or can I go out?' 'Its entirely up to you, as long as I get to see you on the first day of the New Year you can do what you like...I mean now that Karan is back I am sure you can go out' Zoya beamed the biggest smile ever 'thank you Mamoon, even though going out would be great I would rather we set off a few fireworks at home' 'as you wish beta...Karan will be coming later this evening and then will stay here until you guys leave'.
Zoya's eyes waited patiently as they glued themselves to the front door. She couldn't thank Allah enough for the way everything had worked, all this time they were worried of having to play hide and seek just to spend time with one another, and now they could walk around and be together freely.
Zoya's heart skipped a beat as she saw him walk in with his bag, he in all his masculinity never failed to take her breath away. Taking of his sunglasses Karan looked at her, letting his eyes convey what was in his heart.
'Karan, good you are here...just in time' Hamid said coming down the stairs 'yes Sir' 'I have been asked to attend a gathering at the Masjid-e-Tawheed, I would like to take Zoya with me...we leave in an hour' 'yes Sir, I will be ready'.
Zoya wasn't able to speak to him, she quickly went to get ready and came back down. Zoya was asked to wear a burkha, Hamid always liked her to be covered in public, especially when he was with her. That way in such a gathering no one could identify her.
'Zoya, let's go' Hamid said not giving her a chance to speak or even look around for him. Hurrying her steps Zoya followed Hamid to his car 'I am going with you?' She said looking confused, she never sat with her Mamoon. 'Yes, as Aisha Bibi is not going I thought you can ride with me...Karan we are ready' Karan turned and opened the door for Hamid, he then walked around the car and opened the door for Zoya, Zoya gave him a warm smile 'I love you' she mouthed making him breakout into a smile too, giving her a wink he waited until she sat in the car before he closed the door.
As the car stopped outside the mosque Karan's eyes scanned the area 'Sir, is there a separate entrance for women?' 'Yes, to the side' Karan got out the car and opened the door to Zoya whilst the driver opened the door to Hamid 'Zoya put your veil down' Karan said in a low voice 'Sir I will take Zoya around and wait outside'.
Karan walked Zoya around 'you go in, I will wait here' 'Karan, will you not come in...just for a little while' 'Zoya, this is the women's entrance, how can I?' 'Through there, the men's section, when you walk inside you will come to the darbar, I will stand on the opposite side, you will be able to see me' 'Zoya...I...' 'Karan please, there is something I want to do' 'ok'
Karan stood outside, he had never stepped foot in any place of worship before yet alone a mosque. Looking around he saw all the men with their heads covered in a hat or scarf, Karan walked up to a young boy sitting with a basket of various item 'what would you like?' He asked in his sweet voice 'that bandana please'. Karan took the bandana and wrapped it around his head before he took off his shoes and walked in.
As Karan stepped into the mosque he felt a strange sensation pass through his body, like he was overtaken by a force of calm. He walked through the crowds and went to stand where Zoya had asked him to 'Karan' he heard her voice, Karan turned around to see her on the other side, between them a decorated wall with thousands of colourful threads tied.
Karan grazed his fingers over the threads 'what are these?' 'Prayers, wishes, hopes...people who come here tie these threads with a belief that Allah will bless them with what they have asked for...Karan will you tie this thread with me?' Karan looked through the small beautifully sculpted holes that made the partition between them 'Zoya I am not...' 'A Muslim...beyond the name that is given to people to group them together, we all hold one belief, that ultimately there is one God, that we all bow down to...don't divide us in the name of religion'
Karan felt his heart take a sharp dip 'you know I would never do that Zoya...my love is not conditional nor is it based on what is deemed acceptable or unacceptable by the world around...' 'I didn't mean it like that Karan...this place, is the house of Allah, where we who believe come and pray to Him...I just wanted to tie this with you...I wanted to ask Him to bless me, you, us...and if there is anyone written in my destiny to let it be you' 'I have never prayed or believed in God' 'is my faith, my belief, my dua not enough? My iman is enough for the both of us Karan' Karan placed his fingers over hers and squeezed them 'where is the thread'
Karan and Zoya held the piece of thread between them, they closed their eyes and prayed for one another, asking Allah, God to pave a path that was filled with love and acceptance. Zoya opened her eyes to see his face, he looked so calm so beautiful 'Karan' she whispered Karan looked at her and smiled 'you ready?' 'Yes' Karan and Zoya tied the thread with a belief that their love would conquer all.
Edited by Saima-Syed - 10 years ago
Cricket
