AsYa FF: Mohabbatein - Part 18 Updated: Pg 140 - 20/12/16 - Page 70

Back at Khan Mansion:

Asad' s car came zooming through the gates of the mansion at the speed of light, as always. He was driving as coolly as always, checking messages on his phone at the same time despite the speed and recklessness with which he was driving. Just as he neared the garage and spun the car to park in his usual spot, he instead heard three horrifically loud screams, women's screams, and as he looked up startled, his heart nearly stopped beating. Thankfully though his mind continued functioning and didn't compel him to do something even more reckless out of panic like step on the accelerator. Thankfully, he did in fact step on the brake, HARD, and managed to not ACTUALLY Kill whoever it was on whatever that was, as Asad only vaguely saw whatever it was falling to the ground. He jumped out of the car, his heart in his mouth out of fear and worry as he approached whoever it was he had nearly knocked with his car. His wild with worry Ammi and sister came rushing over at the same time as well. Just as-

Zoya - ALLAH MIYAN! (she turned around, and the two of them just froze, their eyes colliding. Both staring at each other incredulously. DEJAVU ANYONE)

Dilshad - Zoya, tum theek toh ho beta?

Asad - (Stood back up. His arms crossed before his chest as he glared down at her, sprawled on the ground with a bike above her, but made no move to help her) inse kya pooch rahee hain Ammi. Aapko toh yeh meri gaari se poochna chahiye. (staring at his front bumper) Inhone toh jaise kasam khaa rakhee hai meri gaariyan tabah karne ki. (Narrowed his eye's at her. Genuinely interested in knowing) Aapko meri gaariyon se problem kya hai aakhir?

Zoya - (scrambling to get to her feet) Mujhe gaariyon se nahin AAPSE Problem hai. Aapko literally gaari chilane ki tameez nahin haina!

Asad - (A smug look on his face. Ahh, another chance to boost his already inflated ego!) Not what it seemed like this morning. You seemed quite impressed with my..what was it again sexy (Dilshad stared at him in bewilderment. Her eye's widening as she stared between the two of them) driving skills. (Zoya stared at him angrily. At a loss for words because he had put her in a spot once again. Okay so FINE she was impressed with his driving, she had never seen anyone drive so perfectly despite the recklessness with which he drove SO WHAT! There was no need to be so high handed and egoistic about it) Aur aap MERI parking space mein KAR KYA RAHEE THEEN? WITH THIS (his eyes widened) THING..

Zoya - (her mouth falling open) THING? This is not a thing Mr. Arrogant Ahmed Khan..this is a BICYCLE. A BICYCLE. Aapko apni gaariyon ke ilaava aur kuch nazar bhi aata hai. Not everyone can afford to have 2 Aston martins, 3 BMW's, 2 Mercedes a mustang a Ferrari and GOD knows how many more cars! (Asad's eyes widened..she was keeping count of his cars?) Hum jaise ghareeb log aisi hi transportation afford kar sakte hain. It's FUN to ride a bike Mr. Khan. Fun & healthy. But mostly..F-U-N. Fun. Fun pata haina aapko.

Asad - Will you stop being melodramatic! I know what a bicycle is okay. Main aapse pooch raha tha yeh meri parking mein kya kar rahee hai?

Zoya - Kya matlab kar rahee hai. Yeh aajse yahan Park hoyegi aur kya.

Asad - (FURIOUS. He just couldn't believe her and what she had just said) WHAT THE HELL- (Dilshad tried to intercede but when it came to these two, really how could she stand a chance?)

Zoya - Would you rather I park it inside your house then? After I ride it around the block? In my bedroom or yours? Or the kitchen or- (Asad cringed more and more with every word she said. He looked like he was in actual pain..which he was thanks to his OCD. He looked to his Ammi who gave him a pleading smile, beseeching him to show mercy, understanding and patience. That just riled him further and he looked away huffing loudly. Glaring at Zoya a second later)

Asad - Yeh meri parking hai. This is my MAIN parking. I'm not going to have 5.. 100,000 dollar cars, 3.. 80,000 dollar bikes and then A BICYCLE parked on my driveway.

Zoya - Toh? Main isse andar park-

Asad - (screamed) Toh aap isse GARAGE MEIN PARK KAREIN.

Zoya - But..what if I want to drive it multiple times during the day. Aap bhi toh issi liye apni thori si cars or bikes driveway pe park karte haina. I mean apart from showing off and giving your EGO a boost (Asad narrowed his eyes at her. Forget EGO his OCD wouldn't let her park her bicycle here) it's for convenience right so..

Asad - (rolled his eyes. Wishing for God to just kill him then and there so he wouldn't have to argue with her) Fine. Din mein aap isse backyard mein park kar sakti hain. (Zoya smiled victoriously and Dilshad and Aisha exchanged surprised looks) Not here. In the backyard and it better be parked properly. If I see it fallen on the grass or leaning against the house scratching the paint or ANYTHING I will make sure you never see it on my property again. (Zoya smiled gratefully at him. Thanking him through her innocent smile but right the next second Asad looked down in surprise and shock as he felt something drive over his shiny, freshly polished designer shoe. Her bicycle. Zoya then giggled devilishly as she ran off with her bicycle to the backyard. Aisha and Dilshad exchanged worried looks, this girl had some serious guts. Asad glared at both of them and their lack of doing anything in his aid. Then his eyes fell onto the front steps and his mouth literally fell open. There were about 100 shopping bags sitting on the foyer. He stared at Aisha in shock. About to legit have a heart attack)

Aisha - What?

Asad - What kind of money are they paying you at the hospital? (Aisha looked to the foyer and laughed)

Aisha - Those aren't mine..they're Zoya's. And to think just this morning..she was making excuses for not going to the mall (rolled her eyes)

Asad - (His eye's wide) What did she buy..the whole mall? What the hell does her father do for a living? (Dilshad stared at him surprised, once again realizing that he still didn't know. But before she could tell him he was already walking away inside, cringing and frowning in annoyance as he tried to find space between the bags to step..to go inside his home)

Asad - (called out to his mother) Tell Princess Farooqui to get her Father to send someone from New York to transport his spoiled daughters shopping bags into the house! Maine yahan ghulaam unke nakhre uthane ke liye nahin bithaye. (Shook his head while disappearing inside the house muttering under his breath) Brat.

xxx

Haveli:

Anaya was sitting on her bed staring at her lehnga with a sweet and for once, genuinely happy almost dreamy smile on her face as she ran her hand over the material continuously. She could almost picture herself wearing it whilst her handsome fianc slipped her engagement ring onto her finger. The thought alone made her smile. Azlan who was rushing past her room stopped as he saw her run her hand over it again and then pick up the dupatta and drape it over her head. A blush appearing on her cheeks in anticipation of her impending engagement to Dr. Aahil Farooqui. A bright smile lit up on Azlan's face seeing his sisters smile. A true, genuine happy smile. One that filled his heart with joy. And in turn his heart sent out another prayer, for his brother and step-mother. He really could not be more thankful or indebted to him.

Azlan - Apni hi nazar lagani hai kya? Isn't that like a bad omen? Dekhna kahin sheesha meri behen ki khoobsurti seh na paye aur chur chur ho jaye..

Anaya - (cringed) Chi..(Azlan laughed) How you get so many women to fall for you I have no idea. That was cheesy as hell.

Azlan - Haan Haan ab meri tareef cheesy hi lagegi aapko. I bet Jeeju's probably the king of cheesy pick up lines par unki har line pe blush karogi. (Anaya blushed causing Azlan to laugh) unke naam pe bhi blush kar rahee ho aap toh.

Anaya - Acha na stop teasing me now. Tang mat karo. Go..(saw him in uniform) go away.

Azlan - I was leaving anyways. Duty calls. Not all of us have time to sit around and blush over our to be Saiyaan Ji. (Anaya smiled at him and he smiled, serious this time, in return) Your lehnga's beautiful Aapi and you are going to make it even more beautiful when you wear it on your engagement. Aahil Jeeju doesn't even know how lucky he is. I can't tell you how happy it makes me seeing you this happy.

Anaya - (smiled at him) All thanks to our little brother eh? (Azlan smiled a sad smile at her, nodding in acknowledgement) I was thinking maybe...I should thank him. Usne..literally ehsaan kiya hai humpe despite everything we said..we did. He still found it in his heart to salvage my relationship. I..I..really..I just want to (her eyes filled with tears) I want to hug him..and..thank him and-

Azlan - (nodded) and you should. (Smiled sadly) He would like that. But I should tell you..warn he's not really a hugger so..(shrugged) he's probably literally going to put his hand forward for a FORMAL, handshake (Anaya stared at him weirdly and Azlan chuckled staring off into the distance as if reminiscing over a past memory) he's emotionally unavailable like that. (He saw Anaya smiling at him through the mirror and he sobered up clearing his throat awkwardly. He wasn't supposed to let her know that he still thought of him or had any memories of their friendship or thought about ANYTHING that had to do with Asad at all)

Anaya - I..uh I don't know where and how to contact him though. Do you have his number maybe- (Azlan initially caught by surprise panicked slightly but then trying to be as calm and collected as he could..shook his head in denial)

Azlan - I..uh I'll drop you at his office tomorrow. You can thank him there (Anaya nodded smiling at him)

Anaya - Tum khud usse milne andar nahin aaoge?

Azlan - (smiled sadly) I don't think he'd like that very much. (Anaya too smiled sadly at him. Sad for her brothers and their fallout. She knew, she had seen firsthand how special his friendship with Asad was to him. It meant everything to him. It was what made his childhood, teenage years, it made life special for him)

Anaya - Tum dono..tum dono kabhi sab bhula ke..jo kuch bhi hua tum dono ke beech..sab bhula ke..phirse pehle jaise dost nahin ban sakte kya? Bhai nahin ban sakte? Don't you want that? Don't..Don't you miss him? Don't you still love him (Azlan smiled a sad smile at her again..if only he could tell her how much he missed his brother, his friend..how much he loved him)

Azlan - I'll take you tomorrow morning. (Saying so he walked away and Anaya smiled sadly after him..his silence saying it all)

xxx

That Night - Town Square:

It was a wild stormy night. Thunder & Lightning were a fair warning enough of the rain that was about to come pouring in buckets at any moment to accompany the winds that were blowing away everything and anything in their path. Dust was flying, blinding everyone on the streets of Kasauli along with the fallen leaves they carried with them. The streets of Kasauli were pure chaos. People rushed to grab necessities from shops just as fast as the shopkeepers tried to close their shops and like the shoppers, return home to their loved ones. However, what stopped them all today and the reason for more people being on the streets of Kasauli than there had been in probably the last 25 years at this hour tonight was an angel. Kasaulis angel. Seems there were still some people with hearts in their chests left in Kasauli and she had touched those hearts. Her call, her request for help was answered by those people. Women, families, young boys and girls had come forth to help their fellow citizens in whichever way possible. There weren't a lot of them, but something is better than nothing right? They gave whatever money, food, clothes whatever it is they had to offer to the people left on the streets. People who couldn't find a home in a mosque, church or a Mandir. As heartbroken and upset as the people were at their unfortunate fate and circumstances for having to spend the night on the streets they were also very grateful for whatever help the kind people of Kasauli were for once offering them. Their shock and pleasant surprise was evident by their tears. The Father, Maulvi Sahab and PanditJi of the town stood around with them..accepting any donations on behalf of those who were taking shelter in any of those respective religious institutions. A lot of people had gathered around in surprise at this pleasant change of affairs for once and many from the crowd that gathered had also found it in their hearts to come help in WHATEVER capacity they could.

Maulvi Sahab - Yakeen nahin ho raha ke yeh hamara hi Kasauli hai. Hamara apne shehr hai. Har saal sardi ke iss mausam mein humme yeh mushkilat ka saamna karna parta hai aur har saal iss mushkil ka saamna humme akele karna parta hai. Khaana, bistar, paise, candles sab kam par jaati hain par iss saal kissi cheez ki kammi nahin hoyee. Balke zaroorat se zyaada hi mila hai humme.

PanditJi- Aaj pehli baar humne dekha hai ke hamare shehr ke log mushkil ghari mein apne logon ke saath khare hain. Unki madad karne barhe hain bajaye apne gharon mein band rehke TV pe dekhne ke.

Father - God Bless the angel who made this possible. I never thought we would see the day when people finally start waking up from their 25 year long sleep and see what has become of this city..what they've let become of it. It took one small step. One small initiative from her to wake these people. Some of these people. Let's pray the others wake up too and realize what we have allowed to happen to our beautiful city. This is exactly what we need. For people to come forth. Not an angel or a son of this city to work alone to fix it. But all of us to come together as one..and fight those who dare wish to destroy us.

Panditji - (nodded) bas ab inn baakiyon ka bhi kuch thikana ho jaye toh- (Just as they were accepting donations as were others a limousine pulled up down the street. Everyone's curious eyes turned towards the limousine but no one got out. Inside the limousine Dilshad Ahmed Khan turned towards her son, with eyes that could not have been prouder)

Dilshad - (kissed his forehead) Mera Beta. (Asad smiled, almost relieved as he stared at her)

Asad - So, you think it's a good idea?

Dilshad - I think it's a great Idea. I also think (slapped his head playfully) that you're a Bewakoof for even wanting my permission. Kya laga tumhe ke mujhe in logon ki madad karne ke liye inki takleef dekhna zaroori hai? Yehi tum mujhe ghar pe bol dete toh tumhe kya laga main inkaar kar deti? Inhe tukhra deti? Tumhe yeh..itna nek kaam karne ke liye meri ijazat nahin chahiye thi Asad.

Asad - Of course Chahiye thi Ammi. Woh ghar mere se zyaada aapka hai. I didn't want to cause you any inconvenience.

Dilshad - Aur inn logon ko jo inconvenience hua? Haan bahan itni der sardi mein rakha inhe tumne. Ab chalo jaldi phone lagao jisse bhi lagana hai aur inn sabko hamare ghar le jaane ka intezaam karo aur wahan pe in sabke bistere aur khaane ka bhi intezaam karo.

Asad - (smiled a small smile at her) actually Ammi, sab intezaam ho chuka hai. Bas aapki- Dilshad - (sighed exasperatedly) Oh Allah..kya karoon main iss bewakoof ladke ka? Chalo Jaldi phone karo (Asad nodded and typed something on his phone) It's done. (Dilshad shook her head)

Dilshad - Main zara bahar Maulvi Sahab, Panditji aur Father se pooch ke aati hoon agar unhe kuch chahiye na nahin.

Asad - Ammi aap..aap rukiye main unhe yahan bula leta hoon aap gaari main baithke baat kar lijeyaga..its cold aap aap bemaar par jaogi.

Dilshad - Tumhari Ammi itni kamzor nahin hai Asad..and..its disrespectful for me to call them here to talk to me instead of going to them myself. (Shook her head at him as she opened her door to get out and Asad too got out)

Asad - Waise woh aap pehle cafe ke baare mein kya keh rahee thee?

Dilshad - (remembering) Haan..woh..your favourite barista..(Asad rolled his eyes annoyedly and Dilshad bit back a teasing smile) suggested that instead of closing so early on Sunday evenings why not do something special. Uska kehna hai..Kasauli and the people of Kasauli really need it. Really need some life in this dull town..yahan entertainment ke liye kuch hai hi nahin..besides (laughed) Ayaan's nightclub.

Asad - and what was this fool of a barista suggesting exactly?

Dilshad - A musical evening. Open mic nights. (And she wasn't surprised to see her son's face immediately light up. Music, his first love and his passion always did that to him and she was so so grateful to Zoya for giving her a chance to rectify her mistake from 7 years ago. So what if because of her Asad didn't study art and music..he didn't need to. He had all the skill and talent he needed in his fingers and his voice and Zoya had given her an alternative way to fulfill her sons dream which had been mercilessly snatched from him once upon a time) We could get a piano..guitar a bunch of other instruments..clear up some space and..what'd do you think?

Asad - (sighed. Being his realistic self) Yeh Kasauli hai Ammi. Yahan 5 baje ke baad aapko sarak pe parinda bhi nahin dikhta aur aap log-

Dilshad - That's precisely why she suggested it. She says the people of Kasauli need to face their fears (Asad's steps slowed down beside her as he heard those words, somehow he felt those words were meant for him more than the people of his town) and stand united in the face of the troubles that plague the city. That hiding in our homes will only achieve what our oppressors want to. This way..we need to remind them what it feels like to live without fear. Live freely. LIVE. That is the biggest weapon we need to fight back and frankly I agree. (The amazement in Asad's eyes was unmistakable) Not as much of a fool as you thought she is,,is she? So tell me, will you play for us or what? Opening night will you do us the honours..(she saw Asad's face fall, saw his hesitance, his struggle and dilemma. She could see him fighting an internal battle and her heart pained for her son. She patted his shoulder as they finally managed to reach the town square and then she smiled teasingly at him)

Dilshad - Say yes and maybe I will finally introduce you to the beautiful mind behind this idea. I know and you know that you want to meet her (she winked at him as Asad smiled a shy smile in agreement. She walked away making Asad follow, right after he looked up to the rooftop of one of the buildings by the town square and nodded curtly..as if doing some sort of signal)

Panditji - Nahin Nahin Behenji..ab aur kuch Nahin chahiye..

Maulvi Sahab - Aapke iss ehsaan ke badle..aap aur aapke bete..aap logon ka yeh ehsaan..yeh neki yeh barapan..(sighed) Khuda aapke bete ko aur bhi taraki aur bhi kamyaabi dekhaye. Iska dil khushiyon se bhar de iski nekiyon ke badle. (Asad readjusted the collar of his shirt, clearly not comfortable with all the praise.)

Asad - Father are you sure you don't need anything else..any jackets, mittens, socks for the kids any-

Father - (laughed as he stepped aside for Asad to see something behind him) After all of this..aur kissi cheez ki zaroorat nahin hai (Asad and Dilshad looked to the countless shopping bags behind the three of them and then exchanged curious looks)

Dilshad - Father yeh sab?

Maulvi Sahab - Koi bachi ayee thee..apna naam nahin boli par inn logon ke saath saath..jo log church aur masjid mein tehre hain unke liye yeh sab zaroorat ki cheezein de gayeen..mujhe lagta hai yeh wohee ladki hai jiski wajah se aaj pehli baar Kasauli ke log bhi apne gharon se apni jaan ki parwa kiye bina apne logon ki madad karne aye hain (Asad looked around clearly very surprised and impressed. It wasn't much but it was something. It was a start. At least SOMEONE showed up and in the case of Kasauli that was more than enough and it was all possible due to her) (Dilshad smiled at the kindness of the girl while Asad narrowed his eyes at the shopping bags. The sight felt so familiar like he had seen those bags before but when and where? They were just shopping bags for crying out loud..he could have seen them but..)

Asad - (the desperation in his voice unmistakeable) Kaun? Kaun ladki thi Maulvi Sahab..aap jaante hain usse?

Maulvi Sahab - (stared at him confusedly) naam toh main nahin jaanta pehle kabhi mila nahin main par abhi abhi ayee thee shayad yahin ho..church mein- (Asad looked towards the church desperately. Madly. He felt this overwhelming desperation..a strange possession of wanting to know this girl. See her, find out who she is, where she came from and..why? He didn't know. It was just this strange pull and Asad felt like his heart would give in if he didn't see her now. The same feeling he would get when he dreamt of the faceless angel of his dreams. Luckily for him the Father looked towards the church just in time to spot her)

Father - Oh there is she is now (Asad's desperate eyes shot in her direction. A flash of red. That's all he saw. Her silhouette as she ran off into the darkness, her long tresses bouncing and swaying with the wind as she disappeared into the darkness. Away from him. Again. This same image had haunted Asad so many times now it was beginning to madden his senses. A faceless, nameless girl playing with his heart. A flash of red and just as he thought he could crash into her warmth and find whatever it is he was searching for, hope, peace, love, happiness, life salvation whatever this quest, this thirst this fantasy or illusion he was blindly almost insanely chasing after and it was as if his patience finally gave in. He felt like he was losing his mind and if he didn't confront this whatever this was..a dream hallucination or reality he would go mad. Frustrated, something snapped inside of him and before anyone could utter another word, before he himself could process his thoughts, actions and the strange overwhelming want, desire that had possessed him he had taken off after and went chasing after her down the empty dark streets that led nowhere. He ran and ran as fast as his legs could carry her but it seemed she had vanished into air as if he had really dreamt her there. As if she had walked straight out of his dreams just to tease him, play with him, his heart, mess with him have him at her mercy and then leave him a little more desperate, a little more mad, a little more broken each time. He held his head spinning around, his eyes wide and desperate as he tried to find a trace of her, anything, anywhere but all he heard was the silence of the night and all he saw were dark empty streets each leading down a different dark, unknown and hopeless path. He sighed, taking a deep breath as he held onto his knees. Was he really imagining her? But no..Maulvi Sahab, Father they had all seen her, then..who was she and why was he feeling like he wouldn't be able to breathe if he didn't find her. Why did she seem so essential for his existence? Who was she and what did she want from him? Why was she torturing him, playing with his mind with his heart? What was this unbelievable unattainable pull he felt towards her. What..what was this?

Meanwhile - Not too far from where he had ran off..where he had left his Mother still speaking to the main religious heads of the town a rowdy gang of gangsters on about a dozen bicycles arrived. Holding all sorts of weapons, from guns to bats to sticks anything to make them feel manly and powerful enough to instil the once maintained fear in the hearts of the people of Kasauli which they were now threatened might start diminishing. They had to take immediate drastic measures to ensure the base which allowed their "Ghundagardi' to be built and run was still intact. As soon as they drove into town square yelling and being rowdy chaos and panic spread between the people present there. People knew this was going to get ugly so they did the only thing they knew and had practised countless times to do. Run. They ran in all sorts of directions furthering the mania that had spread. Kids began crying, women were screaming in fear and in worry as their kids got lost in the crowd of people trying to run for their lives, people got trampled and half the people like Dilshad and the religious head were too shocked and bewildered over the change of events to even react. They stood rooted to their spots watching the hysteric and frightening scene unfold before their eyes. Half the ghundas had jumped off their bikes and began hitting any man in view, breaking windows to all the nearby shops, setting fire to anything and everything they could get there hands on and those doing rounds on their bikes began harassing the women present their. Mentally and physically with their sleazy comments and rowdiness and with their outstretched hands that senselessly groped and grabbed anything. It was a tragic and unfortunate change of events but it accomplished what they set out to accomplish. Instil fear, stop the people of Kasauli from raising their voices, their hopes or dare to dream of a better life, stop them from coming out and coming together because even they knew that although fear guaranteed power, once the people stood united their fall was inevitable. In between this chaos and the cries for help from the people of Kasauli, ascended angels in black from the heavens of above. Suddenly, as if in answer to their prayers, as if they had just been waiting to be called upon, hooded, faceless figures in black leather jackets and jeans, began jumping from all corners surrounding Town Square. From trees, from rooftops from bikes that came flying in..they just came charging in as knights in black armour ready to fight off whatever troubled the people of Kasauli. In uniform. In style. Further mania spread however, as the Ghunda's and the brotherhood went to war. The Ghundas who had misjudged and miscalculated their power became desperate and in that desperation they started spiralling out of control and their actions became senseless and frantic. They began making all the wrong moves. The same square which just a few minutes ago was witnessing one of the most heart touching sights and sides of humanity was now a blood bath. A giant fire had erupted in the middle of the square as the last of people and their cries tried to flee the scene. The Maulvi Sahab and Father had tried to shelter and protect as many people especially women and children and try to safely escort them and help them flee the scene while PanditJi tried to get Dilshad to the safety of her car without being hurt while she struggled against him, crying and screaming as her eyes searched high and low for any sign of her son. Of Asad. She screamed his name as tears blurred her vision while she tried to struggle against the Panditji to go search for her son but he wouldn't let go. Unfortunately he wasn't successful in his attempt. One of the rather bulky and slightly drunk looking Ghundas holding a bat appeared before him smiling sadistically.

PanditJi - Dekhiye aap inhe jaane dijiye inhone aapka kuch nahin bighada-

Ghunda - Kuch nahin bhigada. Tum sabne hamara kuch bighada hai. Tujhe kya lagta hai Pandit tum sab log yahan chori chori hamare Dada ke khalaf saazish karoge..hamare logon ko hamare khilaaf bharkaoge hamara shehr humse hi cheenoge aur hum kuch nahin kareinge?

PanditJi - (highly angry) Na hi yeh shehr tumhara hai aur nahin humne aisa kuch kiya hai..hum sirf apne logon ki madad karne ki koshish kar rahe the taake iss tufaan se woh log iss thand se bachke kahin sar chupa paye..par tum logon mein na khud insaaniyat hai aur naa hi doosron mein jaagne dete ho.

Ghunda - Kya bola tu? Kya bola mujhe (shoved him hard, much to Dilshad's horror. Her face was wild with panic and fear now. Fear for not just her son but also herself and Panditji) hunh? Shaana banta hai..mujhe sikhayega tu..Insaaniyat sikhayega..LE MAIN DEKHATA HOON TUJHE INSAANIYAT- (He punched him hard across the face and then hit him with the bat as well, making blood begin to trickle down his face as he fell to the ground holding his head. PanditJi hadn't even lifted his head from the previous blow when the man raised his bat ready to hit him yet again making Dilshad scream in panic. That only had him turn his attention to her. Dilshad stared with both fear and absolute disgust as the man eyed her, a sardonic smile etching across his face. Just as he began to step towards her, his hand shooting out to grab her he saw something like a shadow emerge from the sky and the next second all he felt was excruciating pain in the same hand that had reached out to touch her. Like as though all the bones were being broken one after another in each finger of his. He along with Dilshad looked up into the masked face of the hooded figure that had come to her rescue and seemed absolutely furious at the moment. His whole body seemed to be shaking as he glared at the sickening man before him. Shaking his head, he really had made the wrong move. Dilshad watched with a baited breath and fearful heart as within the next second, police sirens began finally resonating in the nearby area. The hooded figure, member of the brotherhood punched the disgusting man to unconsciousness. His whole face was bloodied and bruised by the time he had finished with him and without showing any remorse, any guilt or regret over his actions without sparing him a second thought or glance he kicked him aside and rushed to Dilshad, scaring her. Accomplishing the exact opposite of what he wanted. But it only took a moment for Dilshad to feel strangely comforted and develop a sense of trust. She visibly relaxed letting the man/boy whoever he was grasp her by her upper arm and begin leading her down one of the roads towards her awaiting limousine. But Dilshad's heart was still gripped with fear, a sinking feeling in her stomach. A feeling of despair..of desperateness. Desperateness to see and hold her son.

Dilshad - (struggled against the brother) Nahin, Nahin choro choro mujhe main aise nahin jaa sakti..mera beta..mera Asad abhi nahin aaya..mere paas nahin aaya woh ASAD (began screaming and crying) ASAD..ASAD..(much to the boys shock she suddenly became possessed with a strength he had not believed a woman, that too a woman her age to possess. It was the strength of a mother. She pulled free from his hold and began running in the opposite direction, looking almost mad with worry and desperateness, dropping her shawl somewhere along the way as she cried and screamed out her sons name in desperation. But nothing.) ASAD!! (Screamed so loud she nearly ripped her vocal chords) ASAADDD!! Asad..(she felt two pairs of strong hands grab her shoulders from behind and she spun around desperately, her face lighting up with hope) Asad (But it wasn't Asad. It was the same faceless figure. Dilshads heart broke even further seeing that it wasn't her son) Asad..mera..mera beta..mujhe mera beta chahiye..woh kahan hai woh kahan chala gaya mujhe chorke..woh kabhi bhi mujhe chorke nahin jaata..kabhi bhi..meri halki si awaaz lagane pe mere saamne aa khara hota hai aur aaj..aaj main chila rahee hoon toh..ASAD!' Kahan chala..kahaan (in all of this she seemed to be deteriorating her health. She swayed dangerously just as she reached her limo with the help of the brother. She hadn't realized in her plea to find her son that he had helped her all the way to her car. Just as he opened the car door for her and she swayed holding her head, she became overcome with worry again and was screaming out for Asad once again, desperately, but this time he held her firmly and forced her to look at him. He shook his head compellingly at her. Compelling her to listen to her, to follow what he said.

Figure - (his voice modulated) Go home. I promise you your son will return to you in one piece tonight. Alive and healthy. JUST, TRUST ME, TRUST HIM AND GO HOME. (And somehow Dilshad found herself trusting him. There was just something about him and about his words and..and the sincerity that had her heart, a worried mothers heart believing him. She let him help her into the limo just as her driver who had been hiding in the car in fear for his own life as he waited for his Beghum Sahiba and Baba to return started the car. The brother slammed the door shut and slammed the trunk loudly to tell the driver to not look back and just DRIVE. Which the driver did. He watched the limo speed off into the darkness of the night and the bloodbath on the other side of him. Now the fight was between them, the oppressors and the protectors of this town. The police. Amidst the broken shop windows, the fire, the blood were the sounds of raging gunshots and breaking bones as a massive fight broke out between them all. He ran back to fight alongside his brothers, his chain and the engraved 'N' shining bright in his neck as he did. As he ran to the town square, Azlan ran away from it chasing one of his brothers who seemed to be running behind one of the Ghundas all of whom seemed to one by one fleeing the scene. Unfortunately, the Ghunda got away because just as they reached a dead end street Azlan screamed 'Stop or I'll shoot' from behind the brother making the brother stop in his tracks. He spun around slowly, and Azlan found his heart constricting with a strange overwhelming feeling, a feeling similar to dreadfulness, a sinking feeling in his stomach as he watched the gangster before him turn. Sure enough the brother found a gun raised to his face and the officers finger on the trigger ready to shoot. But Azlan found himself unable to pull the trigger even as he saw the gangster..the hawk start slowly stepping back, stepping away from him. Azlan felt so utterly helpless and useless in that moment. He could practically see the knowing look, the assured belief in the gangsters eyes that Azlan wouldn't shoot him and Azlan felt himself grow insanely frustrated at himself as the seconds ticked by and sure enough, he just..he just couldn't do it. He had the gun pointed right at him, had his finger on the trigger but he just couldn't pull it. He instead stood there watching helplessly as in the blink of an eye the gangster jumped onto a wall, and then flew onto a parked car on the other side of the road, leveraged himself onto a fire escape and had managed his way to the rooftop of the building they had been standing by within 15 seconds. Leaving Azlan staring at the dark sky before him like an incompetent fool. A fool with a heavy heart. A strange feeling overtaking his heart and stomach in that moment. A feeling of fear as if someone had pointed a gun at him instead, a feeling of pain a feeling of dread and mourning. Like a part of his soul had nearly been ripped apart. He looked up slowly, knowingly, and sure enough he too was staring back at him with a knowing look in his eyes. Not gloating, not showing any form of victory, of happiness but he almost looked thankful. Thankful, As if Azlan had fulfilled an expectation of his. As if a theory of his had come to life. The two stood there staring at each other, as the damage of what the dare to hope looked like in Kasauli lay behind them.

xxx

Continued in next post...