Asya(KaBhi) Drabble series..Realization...(Drabble 3 - pg 7) - Page 2

WO...EK PAL...

A road was buried in the darkness... Dark clouds were swirling and the chilly breeze blowing through the green wall that surrounded the both sides of the road... It seems like the clouds were eager to empty themselves...and challenging them a Black SUV was fleeing through the darkness...

A gust of chilly breeze blow through an open window of SUV and the person behind the wheel growled in irritation... Shut that window...!!!'

A moment later he glanced to his side sensing the window shut and the occupant of the passenger seat was staring ahead on the road...hands folding in front... He couldn't decipher the emotions on the persons face... He was expecting something that irritates him but nothing came on his way... And that increased his irritation, he didn't know WHY?

Sighing he moved his attention ahead...

A good fifteen minutes of silence broke by a ping of his mobile and he watched the notification on the glowing screen of the device...

Averting his gaze from the screen he looked ahead calculating something in his mind...

"Ms. Farooqui..." he called and gazed aside as he didn't get any response. She was looking at him waiting for him to continue, "call Prasad and check whether he mailed the contract papers or not..."

He watched her from the corner of his eyes as she navigated through her contact list and dialed a number...

"Contract papers have been mailed Mr. Khan and Prasad had already informed you about it..." A curt reply from her without any retorting back...

He was hell irritate now... If it was any other day she would have blasted on him after knowing that even though he had received the information from Prasad he made her call for it...

Whole day she didn't do anything that triggered his anger or didn't pull any act to annoy him but still he was annoyed, he was frustrated and the reason was unknown to him...

Actually he was aware of the reason for her aloofness...

She demanded an explanation for the sudden change in his decision...and he just dismissed her saying, boss never gives an explanation to his employees... Employees should follow each and every order of their boss without questioning back...'

He was aware that he provoked a storm but then he didn't expect this silent treatment... He was already bothered because of his own act... what could be an explanation for his act? He himself didn't know then how could he explain it to her...and then unexpected silent mode of Ms. Farooqui... It disturbed him more... But why?? He doesn't have an answer...

*********

Zoya was his associate whom his Abbu had recommended and thus he had to deal with her against his will from past six months... She was the girl who irritates him to the core...sometimes with her weird habits and sometimes intentionally pulling some acts... Her clumsiness, her weird shayari, her habit of barging into his cabin without knock, taunting him for his rules, teasing him with god knows how many weird nicknames... and... most important... she was not the employee who would follow the popular corporate mantra...Boss is always right' It always lead to heated arguments between them... But even though he never admitted it openly he was impressed with her work...many times she had proven her worth through her hard work...

It was Sunday and they were returning from one of the business get-together. He wasn't planning to attend earlier but then he got the news about Mr. Oberoi will be there and he didn't want to lose the chance of meeting him as he was looking forward for Mr. Oberoi's input in his next project as an investor... So confirming with Mr. Oberoi he decided to attend the party.

Ayaan and Zoya had worked hard on the presentation for the meeting and he was pleased with the output. It was decided that Ayaan was going to accompany him...

but the whole Saturday night he was not at ease...he had overheard her plan...and she sounded happy...with Rehaan...

On Sunday Morning he finally changed his mind and called Zoya to inform her that she had to attend the party with him...

Zoya was infuriated because she had to cancel her plan... Only after his confirmation that Ayaan was going with him, she accepted the dinner plan with Rehaan...as he wants to discuss something important with her...

She demanded the reason but his answer enraged her more...and whole evening she just ignored him...

*********

Placing the mobile aside Zoya stared ahead again crossing her arms in front... She was confused...her own behavior surprised her... It wasn't the normal Zoya Farooqui... Remain silent was not her way to show her anger... If Zoya Farooqui is angry she would yelled, she would express it in her act not in silence... It means she wasn't angry...then what?? What was the meaning of the agitation she was experiencing that leads her to the silent mode...? She didn't know... Or did she?? May be she did know but wasn't ready to accept...

Sighing she glanced towards him and the same moment he turned his gaze from the road...their eyes met for a moment before she looked away...

Strangely something troubled him...was it her silence or the sadness he witnessed in her eyes...or both...?? He doesn't want to think...

Silence lingered around...

SUV rushed through the darkness at the speed of light ...as his edginess reached to its peak...

A swift turn...

And...

Suddenly SUV stopped with a jerk...

Zoya looked towards him as he tried to start it again but that was not helping...She sighed as he hit the steering wheel in frustration and opening the door hopped out...

"Dammit...ise abhi kharab hona tha" he growled being unable to fix the SUV, Running fingers through his hairs he observed the silent road...hoping for someone's help was futile...

"What you are waiting for, call Ayaan and asked him to send another car" he ordered as he slammed the bonnet shut...

"There is no network Mr. Khan..."

She shrugged her shoulders as he looked at her before checking his own mobile...

"See, there...we can get some help..." Zoya said pointing towards the house on one side of the road and walked towards it...

"Ms. Farooqui..." he called but ignoring him she walked ahead... Asad shook his head and followed her, "Can't you wait..." He grabbed her wrist before she entered inside the gates, "Let me check" he said opening the gate when he felt a rain drop on him and looking up he gritted his teeth, "what could be the worst than this"

They rushed inside but it started to drizzle heavily before they crossed the pebble pathway to reach the house... Looking around Asad dragged Zoya towards the canopy, "It would have been better if we had stayed inside the car..." he said ruffling his hairs, "At least bheegte toh..." Removing his suit jacket he turned back and stopped not finding Zoya behind...

"Ms. Farooqui..." Placing the jacket on the bench aside he called her looking around and stopped noticing her out in the rain... She was standing with her face lifted to the sky, enjoying the raindrops on her face...her eyes shut while a smile lingering on her wet face...her eyelids squeezed as heavy drops hit her face...and the dent on her cheek deepened...

He stared at her as she twirled around giggling...catching the pallu of her pink saree with one hand and enjoying the rain with other free hand... In whole day it was the first time he saw that smile on her face...and it gave him immense pleasure...all the frustration he was experiencing was evaporated in just that one moment...he blinked...as if realizing something...before the smile lifted on his face...

Bol na halke halke, Bol na halke halke

Honth se halke halke, Bol na halke...

She took a circle waving her pallu in the rain and spread her both hands out...

He shoved his hands in his pant pockets and watched her amazed as a smile grew bigger on his face...

Dhaage tod laao chandani se noor ke

Ghoonghat hi bana lo Roshani se nor ke

Sharm aa gayi toh aaghosh mein lo

Ho saanso se ulajhi rahe meri saansein...

Making a ghoonghat of her pallu she danced and spun around hugging herself...

She was at ease...happy...content...just to herself...

And he was lost...in her...

Taking small steps he moved forward and she halted in her steps finding him in front... He stared at her and moving back she blinked unable to look into his intense orbs...

"Mr. Khan..." She whispered moving a step back and he moved a step ahead not averting his gaze... Rain kept drenching them as both stood in the silence...

"Wo...main..." she stammered and he shook his head moving ahead...

He placed his palm over her mouth stopping her to say anything...he could sense her sharp intake of breath as his palm barely touched he lips...

Her almond shaped eyes grew bigger as she heard his voice...

Umarein lagi kehate huve, Do Labj the ik baat thi...

Woh ek din sau saal ka, Sau saal ki woh Raat thi...

Kaise lage jo chup chaap dono, Ho pal pal mein puri Sadiyaan bitaayein...

Behind his palm a smile spread on her lips and she moved his palm away looking into his eyes... his hand moved to push her wet locks away from her face when moving back she nodded her head smiling...

Bol na halke halke, Bol na halke halke

Honth se halke halke, Bol na halke...

Shaking his head he followed her as she ran inside the canopy...she halted as he held the edge of her pallu... Moving forward he wrapped the pallu around her and she looked away shyly... Placing his finger under her chin he forced her to look towards him...and staring into her eyes he sang...

Dhaage tod laao chandani se noor ke

Ghoonghat hi bana lo Roshani se nor ke

Moving an inch she placed her hand on his heart...and he wrapped his palm over her hand making her smile...their breaths mingled with each others as the lyrics played on both of their lips ...

Sharm aa gayi toh aaghosh mein lo

Ho saanso se ulajhi rahe meri saansein...

Rain kept pouring outside as both stood cherishing the moment of silence...

"Zoya..." he whispered breaking the silence and humming in response she closed her eyes as his fingers touched her face...pushing the wet locks away...

"Wo ek Pal kitna khoobsurat tha jis pal mein mujhe sare jawab mil gaye..."

She opened her eyes... Her confused gaze met with his and he squeezed her hand that was still rested on his thudding heart...

"Tumhe jawab chahiye tha...wo jawab jis se main khud anjaan tha..."

Her heart raced inside and her fingers moved under his palm...he squeezed her hand...

"Main khud pareshan tha...par tumhari muskurahat ke ek wo pal me sari pareshani mit si gayi...tumhari udasi mujhe pareshan kar rahi thi Zoya..." He said and her eyes twinkled...

"In aankhon me udasi nahi dekh sakta main..." She smiled that made him smile too...

"Aur yeh hansi...ispe sirf mera haq hai..." he said tracing her smile... "Nahi gawara laga mujhe tumhe kisi aur ke sath dekhna..." His gaze intense...his hand moved on her waist as he pulled her close...and as in reflex her free hand joined her other on his chest...

"Mil gaya jawab tumhare sawal ka..." he asked and she couldn't handle his intense gaze anymore...her eyes closed...

"I was hurt...nahi achha laga tha yeh sunna ke main sirf ek employee hu aapke liye...jab ki mera dil kuch aur...kuch jyada... mehsoos karne laga tha..." She finally accepted what she was denying the whole day... "Pyaar karne laga tha..." she whispered...

He just stared at her...her confession made him stunned...content...

His hand moved below her ear, cupping the side of her face...and her fingers curled on his shirt...as he caressed her cheek with his thumb... "Wo pal khoobsurat laga tha Zoya...ehsaas ka wo ek pal..."

She opened her eyes...

"Par yeh pal...jaise is ek pal me hi puri jindagi ji li ho...lag raha hai yeh aise hi thum jaye..."

He leaned and her insides fluttered...just for a moment her eyes met with his before it closed again...

His hand squeezed on her waist pulling her closer... "I love you Zoya..." he whispered against her lips before closing the remaining distance...

Rain kept pouring outside...

While two hearts beats together in same rhythm...

Wo Ek hi Pal hota hai...

Bas...

Ek Pal...

Hai na...?? 😳😊