AsYa FF: Mohabbatein - Part 18 Updated: Pg 140 - 20/12/16 - Page 11

The Next Morning:

Khan Mansion-Breakfast:

Anwar - Ammi aap ne sab samaan rakh liya na gaari mein..baad mein aap yaad kareingi ke kya kya reh gaya..

Asad- I still think this is happening too fast. Bhai how about aap thore mahine aur sabr kar lein aur kaware reh lein..agle semester ke baad lambi chutiyan le leina aur hum dhoom dhaam se araam se shaadi karva sakte hain.

Dilshad- Aisi koi baat nahin hai..maine sab tayaari kar li hai..decorators aur caterers se baat kar li hai woh kal aa jayenge..DJ ka intezaam Zeenat ne kaha tha woh log kar leinge..sab rishtedaaron ko phone karke invite kar liya hai maine..unka rehne ka bandobast ho gaya hai..sabke kapre bhi le li hain..baaki bacha Band Baja aur Baraaati toh woh hum hai..isse zyaada dhoom dhaam se kaunsi shaadi hoti hai..bolo zara? Baaki jo kaam hain..woh hum aaj jaa rahe haina wahan sab tayaari karloongi main..tum bas apna office ka kaam wrap up karke..apna suitcase leke wahan pauhanch jaana..baaki mujhpe chordo.

Anwar- (narrowed his eyes at him) if you are so heartless ke apne Bhai ki shaadi pe bhi tumhe office ki parva zyaada ho rahee hai aur office se chutiyan lene ka mann nahin kar raha then you're beyond help Asad Ahmed Khan. Dekhna Ammi..apni shaadi pe isse dhake deke bhi office bhejeinge to bhi nahin jayega..

Dilshad- Sab pyaar ki baat hai Beta, kuch waqt do..jaise jaise dil kahin aur lagne lagega..office mein dil kahan lagega hamare Asad ka..

Aisha- Abhi koi itni superhuman ladki nahin banni jis mein isse sambhalne ki himmat ho Ammi..jiski bhi isse shaadi hogi kitni bechari hogi..

Asad- Issi liye to main kehta hoon ke main kawara hi sahee hoon. Aap logon ko hi shaadi shaadi khelne ka obsession hai.

Anwar- You're just jealous that I'm getting married to such a beautiful girl and you know what chances you have of getting someone as perfect as Zeenat issi liye meri shaadi turwane ke chakkar mein ho tum (Asad just rolled his eyes as Aisha giggled)

Asad- Aap sab paagal ho.

Anwar- Ji Ji bilkul. Iss ghar mein sirf aap hi ek normal insaan ho. Jo 2400 ghante bas office mein hi ghussa rehta hai. Normal hi toh ho aap (Asad groaned as he stood up)

Dilshad- (raised an eyebrow at him) Breakfast?

Asad- I have to go Ammi. I can't afford to waste anymore time doing something so useless when I have to manage 10 days of work in 1 day. Allah Hafiz (grabbed his coat walking out)

Anwar- Did he just call my wedding useless..

Dilshad- (smacked his head) usse tang karna band karo warna woh sach mein shaadi pe nahin ayega..tum jaante ho uska ghussa aur zid kaise hain. How he gets when he's pushed too far..

Anwar-(snickered) Chalta phirta Ghussa aur Chalti Phirti Zid hi toh hai woh..aur uss mein kya hai? Seriously Ammi I regret to inform you par aapka Beta normal nahin hai. I am not even lying but I can't remember the last time I heard him laugh or forget that even smile a genuine smile. I think the last time he smiled was on his 10th birthday when his friends bought him that bicycle (Dilshads smile faltered a bit) Kyun Aisha? do you remember the last time he smiled..

Aisha- Uh (thinking hard) woh uh, 5 saal pehle? Nahin tab bhi chila raha tha..uh..6..nahin 7 saal? no never mind..

Anwar- (laughed) take your time. Koi jaldi nahin hai..

Dilshad- Okay that's enough now up up up, we gotta go. Farmhouse ki safai mujhe apne aankhon se monitor karni hai we have to get there before Zeenat guys do. Chalo jaldi karo

Anwar- Relax Ammi. Woh log shaam ko pauhanch rahe hain..abhi sirf 10 baje hain hum araam se (just as he was about to help himself to another bite of his breakfast the plate was snatched from before his eyes) breakfast kar lein (he looked up to find Aisha staring back at him holding her knife and fork mid air in just as much shock as Dilshad snatched up her plate as well)

Aisha- What the hell Ammi? abhi aap Asad ko breakfast ke liye force kar rahee thee aur hamare aage se breakfast utha liya aapne..how is that fair?

Dilshad- Usko I have to force warna woh jitna khata hai..woh bhi nahin khayega whereas tum dono toh dunya bhar ka khaana khaane ke baad bhi nahin full hote. Now GET UP before I slap the both of you. UP UP UP!! (Anwar and Aisha both slowly got up from their seats and staying true to her words she smacked both their heads and then finally they got a move on and began running about as they made a move to leave)

xxx

Dilshad Industries:

Ayaan- So let me get this straight. Your brother and my..Aapi..well Chachi to be precise are getting married? Matlab the farmhouse we're going to tonight is yours. Matlab we're going to the same wedding..Matlab we're going to be family?

Asad- (rubbed his forehead) how difficult is that to understand? Seriously Ayaan how small is your brain? (Ayaan held up a small paper clip from the table)

Ayaan- About this size (leaned back into his chair and read over the list Asad had given him) man, this is (looked between the list and Asad in shock, his eyes growing wider and wider by the minute) What- how-? It's not possible to do this in 24 hours and I have 4 hours before we leave for the farmhouse. How do you expect me to do all (shook his head) dude just because you don't have a life and are a robot who is conditioned to only make money in life doesn't mean I am too. How..why don't you do something?

Asad- I have too many other last minute things to handle. Just make sure those things are done today. It won't solve anything but it'll hold things off till we get back. Well at least I hope so (shook his head and muttered as he continued working on a sketch he was working on) I still don't get why any of this is necessary. Just go to a Masjid and get a simple nikah and get it over and done with. Khawnbakahan log kaam se chuti lein, kapre banvayen 10 din wohee same functions attend karein just with different names allotted to them aur end pe phir bhi wohee nikkah hoga. So just save the money, time and headache and spare us the torture but NOOO (he jabbed his pencil into the paper harshly and his drawing ripped into 2..making him growl in irritation)

Ayaan- (his mouth still hanging open in shock from the time Asad had went off on a rant. He let out a deep sigh shaking his head) You need mad help bro, I seriously think-

Asad- Don't say it. (Just then Asad's PA came in)

PrAsad - Sir, I spoke to Mr. Whitman. Woh log aapke aane tak wait nahin kar sakte. He say's he'll discuss the contract over the phone with you and if all goes well he'll come in to sign the contract while you're at your farmhouse.

Asad - (growled in irritation) Phone pe? Shaadi? How am I going to work on this deal in so much noise and chaos.

Prasad - Otherwise he's ready to sign it to Mr. Siddiqu- (Asad glared at Prasad whose face lost all colour in freight making Ayaan smile amusedly)

Ayaan- (smiled slowly standing up and nodding) I can see that you're about to lose your patience and go savage like you tend to do once daily but please let me go before you decide to take a bite of some human flesh (Asad narrowed his eyes at him as he crinkled the paper throwing it into the trash just as Ayaan reached the door)

Ayaan- (grinned widely) I still think you should go get laid man you really (his eyes widened as a stress ball came flying and smacked him square in the face making him run off as he took one look at Asad's angry face. He was shaking with rage and his eyes were wild with both stress and fury and Ayaan knew it was best for him to simply leave at that moment so he ran out literally like a school girl who had been dismissed from the principals office)

xxx

Kasauli Police Station:

Azlan - This is the last option we have sir. Itne saalon se aap sab log kitni koshish kar rahe hain par hum inka kuch nahin bighad paye. Ek lead nahin hai hamare paas ek naam nahin. koi saboot nahin. The gangs, the criminals and the crimes multiply day after day aur hum sirf haath pe haath rakh ke tamasha dekhte rahenge. Sir, if we don't take drastic action now toh I'm sure yeh log apni ladai, apni jang mein apne paise aur power ki bhook mein Kasauli ko hamari aankhon ke saamne jala deinge aur hum sirf Kasauli ke logon ki, masoom aurtein aur bachon ki laashein uthane mein lagge raheinge. Sir, to be very honest and frank I find it both highly amusing and disappointing that you yourself haven't thought of this before and haven't taken more initiative. No wonder Kasauli ki yeh halat hai..(he took his seat angrily again glaring in response to Zain who along with their colleagues and senior officers was just staring at him in shock. They all turned their attention to the head of the table as they heard their boss chuckle in his seat before spinning his chair around to face them all with a highly amused smile on his face. The boss of course being none other than Asad's Malik Uncle)

Malik- That was quite a speech Prince Azlan. (clapped sarcastically as he leaned forward on the desk and faced Azlan) but may I remind you that you and your cousin/partner are the youngest and most inexperienced officers in this room. I know it may be heard for you coming from a royal background where people are paid to make you feel special and superior but this is the real world and things don't work according to your likes and dislikes or to simply amuse or disappoint you so I would appreciate it if the next time you come up with a bright idea which may make you feel like a genius for coming up with it, that you don't insult the intellect, capability, hard work and dedication of your senior officers. These officers have been in these posts for a very long time. Some probably before you were born. While you may feel like you're the only one who knows how to do their job around here let me assure you that that is not the case.

Azlan- Sorry Sir.

Malik- I sure hope you are. I will not tolerate that kind of behaviour again. Also, for your information and also because I never let an opportunity to put someone in their place pass and well you're the prince around here so it's only fair (shrugged) this idea has been proposed before. We even started searching for possible leads and thankfully before we could get to the lead we wanted the lead himself came forward and gave us MUCH more than what we needed against our suspect. How else do you think we got rid of a criminal like Anand Rai overnight. However, up until then Kasauli was ruled by one criminal after another. Now Kasauli is victim to gang wars. It is like a disease. They started off like a small infection, a gang here and there involved with petty crime so we ignored them and focused on bigger issues and just like that it started spreading and spreading until one day they had taken over the city and we had realized too late. (Azlan just clenched his fist in anger and frustration unable to take things not going his way or being shown the mirror. It was true. Doing a job was proving to be more difficult than he had imagined. He was a prince. A spoilt, privileged and pampered prince. He was used to having his orders and demands fulfilled before he had finished uttering them and now here he was having to listen to orders and have his own wishes declined and he was NOT happy to say the least)

Malik- That being said. I do agree that what you have proposed may help pave the path to demolish this disease one bad cell at a time. We need to start somewhere and this seems like the right point to start. If we get the right lead we can end these criminals one gang at a time. BUT- (just as he saw Azlan's Zain's and some of their fellow officer's faces light up he quickly cut in not wanting them to get their hopes too high) that is my condition. That you find me the right lead. You find me someone at the centre. At the top of this entire web. Someone with all the intel and all the information we will need to bring these people down and I'll let you get on with the case the way you want to. You have to come up with the right name or I choose for you. Because Guess what. The right lead can help us hit the jackpot but the wrong lead (shook his head) this could blow up in our faces if they find out our plan beforehand and plot someone of their own choice in front of us and we fail to realize it. (Azlan and Zain Nodded)

Azlan- Thank You Sir, I promise you won't regret your decision.

Malik- Let's hope so. Because your prince title surely isn't going to make me like you any better. It may affect your colleagues behaviour with you Khan. Not mine. For me you're just another officer. You do good you earn respect. Fail and you lose that respect, understood? (Zain nodded while Azlan tried hard to give him a polite smile instead of bashing his smug face in. He violently flung open the door to the meeting room and the person he saw before him didn't help with his anger in the slightest. He nearly bumped into the surprised and bewildered face of his "least favourite" person on earth. Asad Ahmed Khan. Asad quickly reigned in his expression and pretty soon both the brothers were busy glaring each other down as usual)

Zain- (hid back his smile as he turned towards Asad and stared him up and down) Get arrested for shoplifting Khan? Need uncle to bail you out AGAIN? (Asad just bit back a cheeky smile as he stared at Azlan with a raised eyebrow while addressing Zain's question)

Asad- Never a pleasure meeting you Malik. And just so we're clear here, I don't possess the need to shop lift. On the contrary in fact I own half the shops in this town. So in the future if someone as vain and sad as you wants mommy's attention and decides to shoplift please don't steal from me. It will not go down well with you. See while you may be the royality around here and may consider yourself to be of someone with power and position I still own your ass. Your boss is my Godfather and I've got the mayor of this town and the PM himself in my phonebook so go find someone in your own league to ridicule. And speaking of bails by the way, weren't you (he bit his lip to stop himself from laughing as he saw Azlan go pale, just the reaction he was waiting for)

Azlan- Uhh Zain, let's go. Abbu's waiting in our cabin. (Zain stared at him weirdly before following him out and Asad turned to watch them amusedly, only to find the entire station gathered round, whispering among themselves as they glared at him with pure unmasked hatred. Asad just smiled and gave them a little wave riling them up further)

Malik- You just can't help yourself can you? (Shook his head as Asad bit back a smile shrugging at him) Well Well, if it isn't for my favourite cigarette chor (Asad smiled a little as he turned around to the beaming face of his uncle who immediately embraced him in a hug. An action which broke Rashid Khan's heart as he stood down the hall and watched another man hug his son just as a father would, just as he should but was unfortunate enough to never have been able to)

Malik- (laughing as he pulled back noticing the officers staring) every time you walk in here to meet me I feel like you're a stripper who just walked into a bachelor party. They can look but they can't touch.

Asad- (his ears red, he looked disturbed) please uncle. Can't you find a better less behuda comparison like I don't know they are a bunch of coyotes who have it out for me but I still dare to walk in here without any fear or hesitation (turned around and found them still staring. His eyes clouded over with that usual haunted look and pain surfing deep from his past) they can't touch me. No one can touch me. Not anymore. (Malik wore a sad smile as he patted his face understandingly and lovingly)

Malik- Waise kaise aana hua? I know how much you loving coming here (laughed) so that's why I know it has to be something really special warna tum na aate. You would wait and come home later tonight, so...what is it?

Asad- Bhai ki shaadi. Ammi ne bola aap aa nahin rahe, why?

Malik- Work Beta. You know I can't take a whole week off for personal affairs. Not now, not when the city-

Asad- (rolled his eyes) Oh please uncle. My work is far more important than the circus you're running here (Malik rolled his eyes as he stared at him amused) par main jaa raha hoon. Aur agar main ek hafte ki chuti leke jaa sakta hoon toh aap bhi ja sakte hain.

Malik- My my, aren't we modest (Asad stared at him with a straight but annoyed face)

Asad- I'm serious. I can make one phone call and have you on an official leave for a month. Yeh toh phir ek hafta hai.

Malik- Seriously Asad you're too humble. It, it's really touching (Asad rolled his eye's again)

Asad- I'm serious.

Malik- I am too. Main nikah waale din aa jaonga na. I promise Beta. Par usse zyaada I can't afford to take time off. Aur tum? Tum ab tak yahan kya kar rahe ho. why aren't you at the farmhouse? Tumhe apni family ke saath hona chahiye Beta.

Asad- I'm leaving later tonight. Bas kuch kaam tha (shook his head) see now even you can't come. Bola tha maine Ammi ko ke shaadi itni jaldi na kare, kuch mahine wait kar lein par..

Malik- Hmm (a knowing smile overtook his face as he leaned back in his seat and it was futile to hope Asad hadn't caught on)

Asad- (Raised an eyebrow) hmm matlab?

Malik- Matlab yehi, ke main roz tumhari Ammi se phone pe baat karta hoon (Asad rolled his eyes AGAIN) toh bakhuda jitna anjaan aap humme samajh rahe hain utne hum hain nahin. Sab samajhte hain.

Asad- Kya samajhte hain aap?

Malik- Yehi, ke tum iss shaadi se ghabra rahe ho. Even though yeh tumhare Bhai ki shaadi hai tumhari nahin. Pata nahin apni shaadi pe tumhara kya haal hoga Asad?

Asad- Ma..main kyun ghabraonga. I..I'm very happy for Bhai.

Malik- (nodded) I know you're very happy for your brother. I know how much you love him. Par Beta, I also understand and know you. Main jaanta hoon ke kissi ko bhi apni life mein shaamil karte hue kitna darte ho tum. You don't trust anyone. You want your family to remain as close and connected as it is because apart from the 3 of them the only other person you have ever trusted is me. Tumhe lagta hai ke baaki poori dunya buri hai, unke intentions bure hain, aur agar koi aur tum logon ki family ka hissa bana to woh sirf tum logon ki family mein problems create karega aur usse tor dega. Asad aisa nahin hai Beta. Dunya mein ache log bhi hain Beta. Jo sirf gham nahin khushiyan bhi dete hain and I'm sure Beta tumhare Bhai ki life aur uske ghar ke saath saath tumhari life mein khushiyan gholne waali bhi jaldi tumhari zindagi mein aane wali hai (He ruffled his hair while Asad pouted sadly)

Asad- (a pained expression on his face..resembling a confused and lost little boy in so many ways) So is it me then? Mujh mein hi kuch haraabi hai kya? Kya main khud itna bura hoon ke mujhe sab mein burayee hi dikhti hai?

Malik- NO Asad. No. Don't think like that even for a minute Beta. Tum bauhat ache ho. You're a good brother, a good son, a good boy who unfortunately bad things have happened to. You find people to be untrustworthy and bad because life hasn't given you a chance to think otherwise, that's it Beta. But that can all change. I mean kuch saalon pehle tum Ayaan ko bhi toh nahin jaante the na. Par ab dekho, you've become such close friends, he's practically like family. You don't regret having him in your life now do you?

Asad - SAY'S WHO? (Malik burst out laughing at his adorable expression. His eyes wide and eager resembling that of a small child just waiting to tattle-tale)(Asad sighed) he is quite literally family now..Woh..Woh uski chachi hai..

Malik- (confused) Kaun?

Asad- Woh ladki.

Malik- (horrified) Tumhari hone waali bhabi hai woh Asad koi chudail nahin jiska naam lene se dar rahe ho tum, ke jaise naam loge toh woh haazir ho jayegi. (Slapped his head playfully) Pagal. Now please have some faith. Bharosa rakho apni family pe. Agar tumhare Bhai ko aur Ammi ko ek ladki pasand ayee hai to usmein kuch toh baat hogi. Learn to overcome your fears Beta don't give into them. They'll cripple you and make you incapable of trust and love, which are the basic necessities required to live. Now come on get on your way to the farmhouse and go have a great time at the wedding, okay. I want to hear about a nice item number done by you on the Sangeet..(winked playfully)

Asad- In your disgusting fantasies only (He hugged him quickly and was about to walk out)

Malik- Asad (Asad stopped and was surprised to find his uncle's eyes swimming with tears) I'm sorry Beta.

Asad- Kis liye?

Malik- For life..and what it did to you.

Asad- (gave him a sad smile) I'm sorry too. (As he left Zain walked up to Rashid and raised a judging eyebrow at Rashid who had been watching their interaction on the pretence of getting water. Upon spotting Zain he hurried to explain himself but Zain shook his head)

Zain- Don't even try.

Rashid- (sighed looking at Azlan busy on the phone in his cabin) Please Azlan ko mat bolna (Zain nodded understandingly as Rashid sighed) waise uh, Asad aksar aata hai kya..isse milne (Zain was surprised to find bitterness in his tone as he nodded in Malik's direction)

Zain- Nahin. This is the first time I've seen him around. Par sir often usse phone pe baat karte hain aur I think station se bahar milte hain. Ghar pe aana jaana hai tabhi unhe Asad ki chot ke baare mein pata chala aur unhone humme wahan bheja. He's apparently Asad's Godfather, did you know that? (But the surprised look on Rashid's face gave him his answer)

Rashid- There's a lot I don't know apparently (he watched with a small chuckle as Asad glared down a police officer on his way out and then stopped to realign a paper on the notice board because it wasn't at the right angle. Rashid shook his head as Azlan finally came out and they left)

xxx

Continued in next post...

xo - DailyDaisy!

Enroute the Farmhouse:

Zeenat watched amusedly, laughing at them as Zoya and Ayaan put on a show and performed to 'Koi rok sake..to rok le..main naachti chan chan chan chan chan..Palki mein hoke sawar chali re..main to apne saajan ke dwar chali re'with dupattas aured on their heads. Aahil video taped, as Sapna, Arsalan and Asif cheered them on. Tahir and Faisal tried but failed miserably to stop their chuckle as did the bus driver while Shazia looked ready to eat Zoya for dinner with the glare she was giving her. Zeenat caught her glare and worriedly not wanting any more scenes or tamasha yanked at Zoya's hand making her fall onto the seat beside her. She gave Ayaan the eyes which meant 'Sit your ass down right now' and he did obediently but mock glared at her to show his annoyance.

Zoya- (pouted) Kya hai Aapi?

Zeenat- Mujhse pooch rahee ho tum kya hai? Jabse hum chale hain naach gaa rahee ho, takhi nahin ho tum?

Aahil- Zoya aur naachte thake? Us din sooraj hi na nikle..

Zoya - Iss mein kya haraabi hai Aapi? (Wrapping her arms around her tightly) Apne sajaan ke dwar jaa hi to rahee ho aap..

Zeenat- Haan toh main jaa rahee hoon na tum nahin (little did she know) tum kyun itna naach gaa ke bol rahee ho 'Main to apne Sajaan ke dwar chali re' Shaadi karwani hai kya? Ladke dekhna shuru karoon (She bit back her smile as the boys laughed and Zoya narrowed her eyes at her)

Shazia- (sarcastic laugh) Ladke dekhegi? Dekh lena ke lawaris hi hon. Khandaani ladka to koi isse apnayega nahin. Khandaan waalon ko raas hi nahin ayegi. Bilkul jaise hamara ghar tabah kar diya kissi aur ka bhi kardegi aisi badqirdaar aur manhoos ladki. (Zeenat stared at Zoya worriedly but Zoya gave her a 100 watt smile in return)

Zoya - Logon ko agar gaana pasand nahin aaya toh bolna chahiye tha na mood haraab karne ki kya zaroorat hai? Hum doosre gaane pe dance kar lete na Ayaan. Woh kaunsa gaana hai..Teekhi teekhi baatein..Kala kala dil..aisa gaana hai koi? Aur chalo agar koi khandaani ladka mujhse shaadi nahin karega toh Khandaani ladki hi dhoond lena (Tahir sobered up just as quickly as he had begun laughing as Shazia gave him a deathly glare and Zoya shrugged at Zeenat who gave her an exasperated look)

Zoya- Waise Aapi..even though mujhe Indian wear ke baare mein itna nahin pata..itna toh main bhi jaanti hoon ke woh jo shaadi ke jode aapne apne aur mere liye liye hain they must have cost a fortune. Kissi andhe ko bhi dikh sakta hai. Maine itne pretty dresses kabhi nahin dekhe. Kahan se liye aapne? Kasauli mein aise dresses kahan milte hain?

Zeenat - (smiled as she stroked her hair lovingly) Dilshad Ammi. She's a designer (Zoya was unable to hide her impression) a BRILLIANT designer. Yeh kuch dresses unki boutique Ada' mein the. Kuch last season ke aur kuch unki nayee line ke exclusive designs..prototype jo unhone humme diye shaadi pe pehene ke liye. Ayaan aur insabke outfits bhi unhone hi diye. Anwar aur Asad ke kapde bhi. Tabhi toh itne kam time mein sab kaam hogaya..

Zoya - Wow. Phupi becomes more and more amazing day after day aur kitni der hai. I can't wait to meet her.

Shazia - Haan, taake uske ghar ki bhi khushiyan cheen lo na. Zeenat, Dilshad bi se kehna apne bete ko sambhalke rakhein..jaanti nahin hain kaisi musibat gale paal rahee hain woh.

Zoya- (singing at the top of her lungs) Jal Jal ke dhuan ho rahe hum (she giggled and continued singing as Zeenat jabbed her in her side)

Ayaan- (noticed Zoya's jean clad legs resting on the seat beside him and something occurred to him) Uhh Zoya, did you pack any regular shalwar kameez in your suitcases to wear around the house at the farmhouse and at..uhm..Dilshad Aunty's house (all of them stared at him weirdly)

Zoya- Are you drunk? Life mein mujhe kabhi bina occassion ke shalwar kameez pehne dekha hai? I don't own any everyday wear shalwar kameez toh pack kya karoongi..tumhari?

Aahil- (mock gasped) matlab tum New York mein university jeans pehen ke jaati thi? Not an Anarkali with a dupatta draped around your head. Khandaan ki izzat gawa di ladki ne, nahin daadi? (Zoya and the rest burst out laughing as the Daadi gave him one look shutting him up)

Ayaan- (bit back a smile as he stared at Zoya's laughing face and then threw a casual look at her jeans again and sunk further into his seat) well this ought to be fun.

xxx

Farmhouse:

Zoya- PHUPI!!!

Dilshad- (laughed as Zoya rocked her side to side after crashing into her and hugging her tightly) Aa gayee meri bachi.

Ayaan- Poochiye hi mat. Iska bas chalta toh urke pauhanch jaati ye Aunty. Dulha Dulhan se zyaada khushi isse ho rahee hai. Ladoo iske phoot rahe hain shaadi ko lekar..chal hat (he shoved her away and smiled brightly at Dilshad..holding his arms out) Hello beautiful, I missed you (Dilshad laughed as she hugged him back)

Dilshad - I missed you too Beta (smiled as she moved back) but now that we're officially family, I hope to see more of you hmm..

Ayaan- Only if your khadus Beta allows it. Aap jaanti haina kitna insecure hai woh. Mere jaise handsome aur charming ladke ko zyaada der apne ird gird nahin rehne deta woh..

Anwar- You should be happy he's not here to personally answer that with what did you name it Mukka Ahmed Khan?

Ayaan - Ahh, now I see where the insecurity stems from. The kid's got a handsome successful, charming elder brother and he can't match up (Anwar laughed as Ayaan held out his hand) We have met briefly.

Anwar- Trust me, I can never forget you.

Ayaan- (scratched his head) I was kinda hoping you had.

Anwar- (laughed) Not a chance

Arsalan- Really? This sounds interesting. I'd love to hear it. Ayaan ke kisse sunne ko hum hamesha Betaab rehte hain..

Anwar-(smiled) let's just say it doesnt make for decent conversation..

Faisal- Then I'd really like to know (raised an eyebrow at Ayaan and then he turned and smiled at Dilshad) Salamulaikum, main Faisal..Ayaan ke Father

Dilshad- OH! Mashallah, bauhat khushi hui aapse milke. Kabse milna chah rahe the main aur Asad aapse aur aapki- (the word died on her tongue as she registered the ID of the woman who stood by his side and Sapna's face too drained of all colour as she recognized her)

Faisal- (hugged her close) My wife, Sapna.

Dilshad- (fake smiled) Salamulaikum (Sapna too returned the gesture, visibly shaken)

Anwar- Asalamualikum uhh..Sir..Ma'am.

Shazia - Tum humme aunty bula sakte ho. Tumhari saas ki jagah pe hain hum.

Zoya - (muttered) Saas HI hain. The full package kinda saas. Koi doubt mat rakhna Jeeju (she gave an innocent smile as Zeenat glared at her) Phupii!! Mashallah. aapka yeh ghar bhi KITNA khoobsurat hai, WOW (giggled) Yeh waala kisne design kiya..yeh bhi-

Dilshad-(smiled proudly) Asad ne. (Sapna's head shot up as she stared at Dilshad but Dilshad wasn't paying attention to her she along with Zoya and the others was looking around taking in the surroundings and as Sapna did her eyes filled with tears of both helplessness and pride. Helpless over the circumstances her brother and his wife and kids had faced and proud of what Asad had become and what heights he had reached on his own. He was so talented, Mashallah.)

They were currently standing in a wooden open concept main floor. The living room windows were all glass, top to bottom looking out over meadows and meadows of greenery, flowers of various kinds and a nice peaceful lake. A gazebo and a small red bridge were in the near distance over the lake leading over to their horse stables. There was a grand fireplace and television with sectional sofas. A pool table to the other side. A large dining area and winding staircase to the back of the room with a narrow passageway leading into the kitchen. There were French doors on the other side leading to the patio and backyard with a barbecue and huge pool.

Zoya - (sounding actually sad) Aapke bete aaj bhi nahin aye? Shaadi pe bhi nahin aa rahe kya? (Ayaan bit back a smile)

Dilshad - Nahin Nahin, woh aa raha hai..usse kuch kaam tha toh abhi thori der tak pauhanch jayega.

Shazia - Ji. (Her voice full of venom) Isse aur batayee, logon ke beton mein bauhat dilchaspi rakhti hai yeh. (Everyone just stared at her not knowing what to say) Khair. Raat bauhat ho chuki hai please humme hamara kamra dekha dijiye hum araam karna chahte hain. Bauhat thak chuke hain..subah baat karte hain.

Zoya- Thank God. (Ayaan snorted)

Dilshad- Par aap khaana..

Shazia - Hum raat ka khaana nahin khaate. Humme jo khaana tha hum raaste mein kha chuke hain. (Stared at Zoya up and down) Isse khila dijiye..Jitna bhi kha le bhook mit ti nahin hai.

Dilshad-(smiled at Zoya as she cupped her face) Yeh to achi baat haina. Ek mera Beta hai usse jitna kaho..kuch khaata hi nahin hai..

Zoya- Kyun bauhat mote hain? Wait loss karne ki koshish kar rahe hain? (Anwar and Ayaan began laughing)

Ayaan- Haan. Be sure to give him some health tips when you meet him (Zoya nodded enthusiastically while they both tried to control their laugh)

Dilshad- Chaliye, phir aap sab baaki khaane ke liye aa jayee. Anwar tum Uncle Aunty ko unka room dekha do bahar guesthouse mein (Anwar nodded) Aap sab aayee..(turned to Sapna and smiled bright) Ayee (Sapna nodded smiling back awkwardly)

Aahil- Actually Aunty, mujhe bhi bhook nahin hai. So I guess I'll head off to bed too. I'm really tired. (Dilshad nodded and he left with Anwar and the Grandparents)

Ayaan- Aunty, Aisha Aapi kahan hain?

Dilshad - Kitchen mein cooks ke saath..aao main bulati hoon usse.

Zoya- Dinner ke baad mujhe full house tour chahiye Phupi.

Dilshad - Sure Beta.

After Dinner-

Zoya - Oh come on, forget about it. Mujhe toh infact dukh hai ke main un ladkon ko dekh nahin payee, (her eye's stared off into the distance as they suddenly filled with angry tears and immense pain) unse lar nahin payee warna kasam se aisa marti aisa marti na ke (shook her head) ainda kissi ladki ko aankh utha ke nahin dekhte.

Aisha - Seriously Zoya, thank you so much. Main toh soch bhi nahin sakti agar tum na hoti toh uss din club mein kya hota. You saved my life. And thanks again for not mentioning it in front of Ammi ke uss din kya huwa..

Zoya - Kaunse din..Kya huwa? (She winked at her)

Aisha - Now that that's off the table. Thank you.

Zoya - (looking thoroughly confused) I thought it was off the table.

Aisha - No. Thank you for something else.

Zoya- For what now?

Aisha - For coming and staying with us. Seriously Zoya you have no idea HOW much I've always wanted a sister, some female company in the house. Ammi aur unke beton se main itna pak chuki hoon. I mean don't get me wrong I love them (shook her head) theres no-one like my brothers on planet earth, but you know-

Zoya- Oh I know, main 5 Bhai- (the words died on her mouth as her smile vanished) I..I mean..I just love ganging up on spoilt boys with over protective mothers. Teaching them a lesson is my favourite hobby (giggled excitedly) aaj se tum mujhe apni behen maan lo (smiled again) and I can tell we're about to get along like a house on fire. Phupi ke beton ki aisi band bajane waale haina hum. Waise Jeeju toh kaafi sweet hain. Aapke doosre Bhai kaise hain? Kyunki agar woh inse zyaada sweet hue toh phir main unka band nahin baja sakti.

Aisha - Sweet toh hai, par ghusse waala aur nakhre waala zyaada hai. Par hamari salamti issi mein hai ke hum uska band na bajayen.

Zoya - Oh please. Zoya Farooqui KISSI se nahin darti.

Anwar - Farooqui? Aapka bhi naam farooqui hai? Ayaan jaise?

Zoya- (her smile vanished again as her eyes misted) hmm. Faizan Jeeju ne diya tha ye naam. (Aisha stared at her confusedly but didn't want to pry. Why didn't she use her parents last name?)

Aisha- Raat bauhat ho gayee haina. Aap chaliye jaake so jayee. Room yaad haina aapko. Dayn waala (Zoya still lost in her own miseries nodded and smiled absent mindedly as Aisha left her)

Meanwhile:

Asad stared at the sketch of a girls face on the sketchpad in his hand as he took another sip of his drink sitting in the back of his limo. He threw his face in his hands sighing deeply lowering his window as he sat back and threw his head back. He closed his eye's again and immediately his mind conjured up the same image that had been haunting him for years. A girl dressed in red shalwar kameez, her face towards the sky twirling around happily as the falling snowflakes kissed her face. Her face was hidden behind the long curtain of her lush brown hair. Asad looked over to his sketchpad where he had outlined the face shape of a girl and her hair but had been unable to fill in her features. He sighed deeply before reaching for and strumming his guitar with his eye's closed.

Asad - (The wind blowing his hair as he sat in his limo looking out at the mountains and trees passing by with a frustrated, pained, hopeful and confused look in his eyes as he began humming and singing the same lyrics that had been etched in his heart from the time dreams and thoughts of this stranger began haunting him) Aye Ajnabi Tu bhi Kabhi..Awaaz de Kahin se..Aye ajnabi tu bhi kabhi awaaz de kahin se..main yahan tukron mein ji raha hoon main yahan tukron mein ji raha hoon..tu kahin tukron mein ji rahee hai..

A little while later:

Zeenat walked out onto the terrace scrolling through her phone not looking where she was going.

Zeenat- Bolo Zoya, Kyun bulaya mujhe yahan? Kya kaam hai?

Anwar- Zeenat? (Zeenat looked up startled)

Zeenat - Anwar?

Anwar - Woh mujhe Zoya ne text kiya ke usse kuch kaam hai. Kuch chipkali aa gayee hai aur bola terrace pe ao aur bhagao

Zeenat - Ussne mujhe text kiya ke cockroach hai (right then their phones beeped again and they looked down to see a message from Zoya) "Itni khoobsurat raat..Itna khoobsurat mausam..Chaand aur asmaano tale thora bauhat romance toh banta hai na chipkali aur cockroach ka )

Anwar & Zeenat (smiled fondly) - Zoya.

Anwar - She's such a sweetheart.

Zeenat (smiled shaking her head fondly) - An angel. Allah karre meri pari jaise Zoya ki zindagi mein Allah ek farishta bhej de, jo uski zindagi mein utni khushiyan aur pyaar bhar de jitni woh doosron ki zindagiyon mein bharti hai. Aur uske sab dhuk dard aur takleefein kahin door le jaye. Kabse khuda se issi ek farishte ki dua maang rahee hoon par Pata nahin woh kaun hai, kahan hai aur kab ayega.

Asad ran a hand through his hair as he closed his eyes letting the wind kiss his face as he fought off his worries and his demons and tried to leave his past behind and turn over a fresh leaf. His Ammi and Malik uncle were right. He shouldn't mistrust his Brother's to be Wife because of his own bad experiences and baggage. It was unfair to her. He sighed deeply, deiciding that he was going to be strong and give her the benefit of the doubt. He took a deep breath as he opened his eyes and saw his farmhouse in view from the sunroof of his limo which he was currently standing out of smoking his cigarette.

Asad - So it begins.

xxx

Continued in next post...

xo - DailyDaisy!