Twenty
'Zoya, wake up beta...it's nearly nine o'clock' Zoya opened her eyes 'Aisha Bibi...please let me sleep...what am I going to do downstairs anyway' 'Hamid has gone out...and Karan is ready to take you out too' Zoya sat up 'where are we going?' 'Anywhere, just away from here...go shopping, sight seeing...go and eat...just don't come back until this evening'.
The prospect of spending the whole day with Karan away from everyone brought a smile to her face, jumping out of bed Zoya went to get changed before she headed downstairs. She saw him standing at the bottom of the stair looking at her intently, she knew he was silently asking if she was ok following last night. Zoya gave him a faints smile, letting him know she was ok.
'I have spoken to Hamid and told him you are going out...so go and remember Karan don't bring her back until late' 'don't worry I won't'
Karan opened the door, as she sat down he closed it and then walked around to the drivers seat. 'Can I sit at the front with you?' 'Yes...but let me get you out of here first'. Karan drove for a good ten minutes before he stopped the car 'you can jump in the front now'.
Zoya got out of the car and sat in the front passenger seat, before she put he seatbelt on she leaned over to give Karan a kiss on the cheek, at the same time Karan turned his head making her lips land directly over his, smiling against one another they shared a beautiful moment before he drove off.
'So where do you want to go?' 'I don't mind...you pick' 'how about there?' Zoya looked to see where he was pointing to 'Mc Donald's?' 'Yes, I didn't have any breakfast...am starving' he said making her laugh 'ok husband dearest, let's get that stomach filled'.
Karan and Zoya sat in the restaurant for hours watching the world go by 'can we go now?' Zoya said finishing her third drink 'yeah, sure, let's go'.
Driving along Zoya saw a small gathering of people walk past, as she looked closer she saw that it was a newly wedded couple, the bride looked stunning in her red outfit. Looking at the sindoor that adorned her Zoya reached up to her own hair 'Karan, what behind that wall?' 'A Mandir, I think...why?' 'Can you stop, I want to go there' Karan stopped the car 'you want to go in there...I mean a Mandir...what for?' 'I will tell you what for...come one take me'.
Karan and Zoya took off their shoes at the bottom of the steps before they made their way up 'do I need to cover my head?' She asked 'you can do if you want...I don't think it's required' Zoya rolled her eyes at him, he really didn't know anything about his own religion. Out of respect Zoya covered her head, this was the first time she was ever going to step foot into a place of worship other than a mosque.
As they walked in they came to stand in front of priest who welcomed them in. 'Zoya, what are we doing here?' 'You are going to stand right there and pray...whilst I wait for you and when you have finished there is something else I want you to do' 'Zoya you know I am not religious or practicing in any way' 'you don't have to be to make a prayer...will you just go' 'fine...but what am I praying for?' 'Ya Allah...what is wrong with you Karan...pray for anything your heart desires' 'anything my heart desires...' Karan started smiling 'what?' 'Oh nothing...just figured out what my heart desires...be back in a minute'.
Karan came back out to join her 'what did you pray for' 'if I tell you it might not come true' 'so immature...don't tell me then' 'so what is the other thing you wanted me to do'. Zoya took his hand in hers and walked up to the priest 'panditji, can I please borrow that tray' 'yes of course...here you are' Zoya held the tray that was decorated with fresh flowers, little candles, sweets and red powder.
'Will you fill my mang with sindoor, here in front of your God?' Karan looked at her totally lost for words. The love and respect he had for her already knew no bounds but today what she had asked him to do, the gesture had melted him away, it had blown him over, how could he possibly love this girl anymore.
Karan couldn't say anything he lifted his hand and took a pinch of the sacred red powder and put it on her. The emotions she felt, the way her insides fluttered was not something she could describe 'thank you' she whispered smiling at him.
Zoya gave the tray back to the priest 'we can go now' she said to Karan. Karan was still to numb to move 'why?' 'Because this is who you are...and a part of who I belong to...I wanted to for both of us' Karan stepped forwards and took her face into his hands 'I love you so much Zoya Oberoi' 'I love you too Karan Oberoi'.
Holding each other close they made their way back downstairs 'you think we can kill another few hours before we go home?' 'I am sure we can manage that...sit'.
Karan took Zoya to a nearby park, which was also a mini adventure park for young kids. 'You must be joking...Zoya I am not sitting on that' Karan said looking up at the big Ferris wheel 'Karan it's only a ride, it will be fun' 'how old are you again?' 'Old enough to be your wife and to sit on that...' Not letting him say anything further Zoya pulled his hand and made him sit on the ride.
On their second round something caught the corner of Karan's eye, there seemed to be a large number of young boys huddled together. Not thinking much of it other than young boys out having fun he turned his attention back to Zoya.
As their ride came to an end they jumped off their seats giving way to there waiting. 'That was so much...' Zoya stopped what she was saying as her eyes opened wide with fear. Karan stopped and looked ahead to see Akram standing there with a few of his men. Narrowing his eyes Karan stepped in front of Zoya to block his view if her. Akram walked up to him, standing a few feet away from him he fisted his hands 'what is that in her hair?' He asked clenching his jaw.
Zoya grabbed hold of Karan's top, her whole body had started shaking 'does Hamid know...is that why he dismissed us? I am going to k...' Akram who was about to lunge at Karan was pulled back by one of his men 'the police are here...we need to get out now'. Akram let out a growl 'you two are dead...don't think because I am going now you have gotten away with anything'
Akram ran off leaving Zoya hyperventilating 'Karan...he saw...he knows, he will tell Mamoon, what are we going to do now' Karan grabbed her hand and started walking towards the car, totally ignoring what she had just said.
On route he called Mr Roy 'don't worry, I will meet you there'.
'Karan...please talk to me...I'm so scared' Karan pushed down on the breaks making her jump, he turned towards her 'there is nothing to be scared of...I am with you...this was all going to come out tomorrow anyway...just promise me one thing Zoya, no matter what he says to me don't get in the way' 'Karan I...' 'Promise me Zoya' with tears running down her face she nodded.
Karan pulled up outside the house he saw Akram and his fathers car already parked there.
Taking in a few deep breaths Karan took hold of her hand and walked in. Everyone in the house was standing, Aisha Bibi and Iram near the kitchen and Hamid along with Fawad and Akram stood with blood shot red eyes looking at them.
Hamid whole body tensed up, he saw the parting in her hair covered in red and the their hands that were entwined. Taking small measured steps towards them he kept his gaze fixated on Karan. Zoya couldn't stop shaking 'Mamoon' she whispered in a fear filled voice Hamid held his hand up to her 'is it true...what she is wearing in her hair...it can only mean one thing' tightening his hold on Zoya's hand Karan looked back at Hamid with the same intensity 'yes it is...Zoya is my wife' 'Nooo' Hamid roared, Zoya stumbled back in fright 'I trusted you...I made you a part of my home and you not only abused your position, you abused my trust...how could you...you have no idea what you have done...you are going to have to pay for this' Hamid lifted his hand and swung it to hit Karan but his hand never reached.
Hamid looked at the hand that had stopped his mid way, it was Mr Roy 'before you even touch him you need to know the truth' Hamid jerked his hand back 'you were in on this too...have you forgotten who I am and what I am capable of?' 'No Hamid I haven't forgotten' Mr Roy looked towards Karan and Zoya 'Zoya, go to Aisha Bibi' Karan reluctantly let go of her hand. Zoya ran into Aisha Bibi's arms 'it will be ok beta...don't cry' she tried to console her.
'Hamid, I admit that they got married in secret, it was wrong, but they had no choice...Karan didn't abuse his position...he fell in love and after what you had decided to do they were left with no option. It was Akram that went to Mumbai and told Zoya that he was going to marry her...before you had said anything. Hamid you were arranging to marry your brothers only child, only daughter to a monster like him'
'Watch your mouth Roy...who gave you the right to come in here and say anything...this is a personal matter' Akram said 'you are mistaken Akram...you see this here, this file. It is full of evidence that will keep you locked up behind bars for the rest of your miserable life'
'Roy what the hell are you talking about?' Hamid said losing patience 'and what has Akram got anything to do with them going behind my back and doing this?'
'Hamid, your character judgment has failed you...this guy you wanted Zoya to marry he is the one who has abused your trust, he has been using your name, your party and it's resources to fund his own illegal operations' 'bullshit' Akram shouted out as he stepped forward 'uncle they are using this as a distraction, to try an justify what they have done wrong' 'I assure you it's no distraction method...it's the truth, those girls that were kidnapped, he was behind it, he sold them off into a life of hell, into prostitution...read this and you will see...drugs, rape, weapons, prostitution...his name is attached to every kind of filth you can imagine...read it'
As Hamid took the file from Mr Roy Akram's entire body was breaking out in rage. Hamid couldn't believe his eyes, he looked up at Fawad who looked as shocked as him 'did you know about what your son was doing?' Fawad shook his head 'no...it can't be true...there has to be some kind of a mistake...Akram what is going on?' Akram walked up to his father 'nothing is going on...have you forgotten why we came here...it wasn't to listen to this bullshit'.
Akram started to move around the room, he knew he had been caught out and needed an escape route, and Zoya was going to be just that.
Karan followed his every move, he readied himself as he knew he was up to no good. But before he could react Akram snatched Zoya out if Aisha Bibi's hold and held her by the neck. Pulling out his gun he held it to her head.
'Argh...argh' Akram screamed out frightening the life out of Zoya 'none of you move...I swear I will kill her...since the day you were assigned to her everything started to go wrong, I had it all planned, you were supposed to all die in that blast' everyone looked at Akram flabbergasted 'that was you?' Hamid asked in disbelief 'of course it was...but this idiot, this guard saved you...it was a blessing when you moved out of Delhi, but little did I know that you two would meet again...this is all your fault Hamid...you signed absolutely everything to her...I have been prancing around you for what...your compliments...No...for the money...marrying this girl of yours would have given me half of everything...after she survived the plan was simple, I marry her, use her and then kill her...but now...you bitch...you went and married him...your bodyguard...you ruined everything' Zoya winced in pain as his hold around her got tighter.
Karan tried to move but couldn't as his hands were on the trigger 'Akram, what are you doing, stop this...let Zoya go...what is wrong with you' 'shut it old man...you may want to continue working under Hamid Siddiqui but not me...Hamid I am taking my would be wife with me...I mean after all you never go back on your promise right' 'let her go...she is...' 'She is what? his wife...please...and even if she is ...I can still have a piece of her...isn't that right Zoya?' He said inhaling her scent, Zoya's eyes shed tears like never before.
Karan started to see red 'you let go of my wife right now...' 'Or what Karan...what will you do?' He said mocking him 'I will break every single bone in your body, I will make you beg for death and I won't let it come to you' 'ooh I am so scared' he said laughing our menacingly.
'As much as I would like to stay and chat...I have to go...Zoya, you my darling are coming with me...and you all stay where you are, one moved and I will shoot her'.
Taking slow measured steps towards the door Akram kept his hold on Zoya and his eyes on all those that were watching him. Stepping out of the door Akram pushed into the back seat of a car that one of his men was sitting 'drive now' he commanded. Before anyone could come out Akram had driven off with Zoya.
'I want every police officer, every force after him now' Hamid shouted as he looked towards Mr Roy. Gritting his teeth Karan turned towards both men 'she is my wife...my Zoya...if anyone brings her back it's me'
Karan looked towards Hamid one last time before he walked out.
Edited by Saima-Syed - 10 years ago
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