SACCHA PYAAR 9.12 DT pg 18
BHAI & FAMILY 10.12
Paresh Rawal blasts Anupama Chopra over Dharundar Review.
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to sleep
A few days later...
Asha's Cafe: A sad and lonely Zoya sat by herself at the back end of the caf, "her spot" reading a book from the looks of it but sadly the truth was that her mind was far, far away from the book. In the land of heartbreak. Heartbreak over the fact that tomorrow her brothers and their family would be leaving for Mangalpur for Aahil's engagement and she wasn't invited. Sad, heartbroken and FRUSTRATED over the fact that despite such chaos and heart-wrenching events going on in her life she still had time to focus on and fret over a certain someone who had taken over her life. Asad Ahmed Khan. Since the night of Jay's birthday party all she could think about was Asad. His touch on her body, the scent of him and his breath intermingling with hers as they danced so closely and so passionately, the look in his eye's she wasn't sure if she saw or dreamt. A look of pure desire. The strange desires racing in her heart she dared to not voice. Desires that only intensified after what she had discovered about the kind of man Asad was that night from Aisha. A man of such admirable strength, honour and compassion. She couldn't help his thoughts, his memories and images of him himself seep through all her emotional ruckus of her brother's impending engagement more often than she would care to admit, when just as fate would have it, the object of her thoughts came wandering into the cafe, casually running a hand through his hair to get rid of the flakes of snow from outside. The cafe was nearly empty at this point as it was near closing time. He spotted Sheila clearing up a table so he made his way over to her whilst blowing into his hands to return some warmth to them.
Asad - Hey Sheila, did my mom leave a file here for me?
Sheila - Oh yah..it's in the back..I'll grab it for you.
Asad - Thanks. (Sheila saw him blow into his hands again)
Sheila - That bad outside?
Asad - The storms calmed down but it's still chilly..
Sheila - You wanna grab a hot chocolate? (She saw Asad about to refuse but she was quick enough to beat him, never letting a chance go buy) don't worry, (put up her hands) I won't make it myself. Your "sugars" here (and just what she was hoping for. That glimmer of happiness, of hope, flickered in his eye's for the briefest of seconds but she saw it anyways, right before he tried to hide it behind his mask of indifference. Sheila saw as his eye's flickered towards the back window seat to catch a glimpse of her to reassure himself that yes she was there even if he tried to hide it, and sure enough, there she was the angel tormenting his dreams and reality alike. Once confirming that she was there he averted his eye's from her like the plague and stared hard at his shoes as if they were the most interesting thing in the entire world)
Sheila - Zo-
Asad - uhhh, actually I'm kind of in a hurry and not in the mood for a drink so if you could just grab the file, I need to get back to the office.
Sheila - (rolled her eyes, whilst walking away to the kitchen) it's 9 pm Asad, give yourself a break. (She disappeared to the kitchen, and immediately, without fail and without any conscious effort from himself and despite all his efforts and instructions to himself to avoid doing so his eyes went drifting right back to the object of all his affections, thoughts and, dreams (including daydreams) ..and immediately his thoughts too without fail drifted back to what could only be described as the 2nd most beautiful night of his life, which was in many ways similar to THE most beautiful night of his life. The night him and Zoya danced together so closely so intimately under a sky full of bright shining stars and amidst a majestic snowfall in a deserted alleyway. Images of that night refused to abandon him as well ever since. As he stared at her now, her sad eyes and the crestfallen look that replaced her usually bright smile, brought back the desires in him with a new strength, new vigour. Desire to hold her close, sway with her, drift away with her, whilst staring into her beautiful eyes the whole time. He sighed longingly and painfully watching her from a distance, as he tended to do so because the awkwardness and avoidance had also increased since that night. Asad, dreadful of his actions, dreadful of the boundary he had crossed and dreadful of the path he finally acknowledged he MAY (according to him) be headed on avoided Zoya like the plague now (or as much as he was able to) which is why the minute Sheila handed him the file after embarrassing him by snapping her fingers before him to catch his attention he fled from there without so much as looking back and only took a breath once outside of the danger territory. Sheila stared amused between the idiot who had just left and the lost Zoya Farooqui staring out at the falling snow believing they could fight these unspoken undeclared feelings of love brewing between them.
xxx
Farooqui Mansion:
Ayaan - I understand why you had to do it, I just..I just wish there was a better way to keep Zoya from coming.
Asif - (patted his shoulder) I know, we all do.
Arsalan - (sighed) but unfortunately there isn't. Hum meinse kissi mein itni himmat nahin hai ke hum directly Zoya ko bol sakein ya message kar sakein ke woh iss engagement pe nahin aa sakti, because none of us have the strength to see her heartbreak. Uski aur hamari humsabki bhalayee issi mein hai ke woh yeh samjhe ke woh message ghalati se uske paas chala gaya and hum abhi uska saamna nahin kar sakte. She can't find out that we intended for her to get that message taake woh wahan na aye aur (shook his head disgusted) hamare ghar waale uska peecha chor dein.
Arsalan - Besides we all know Zoya has trouble with authority. If we had specifically told her not to come woh koi ut pataang tareeka dhoondke wahan pauhanch jaatee, so this is best for all of us. She's hurt now but trust me it is nothing in comparison to the kind of hurt she'd experience if god forbid our mothers or grandmother see her at the engagement party...
Asif - (shook his head) Filhaal hum jo marzi kahein...I don't know how we're going to face her after the engagement. (There was silence in the room as the brothers all pondered over the very real question that troubled them, a question which they had all asked themselves but only Asif had dared to voice it now)
Arsalan - (after a long stretched silence) Did you invite Asad to the engagement Ayaan?
Ayaan - uhmm (avoiding eye contact) no he..he's busy he's going away for business tomorrow so he can't make it..(they all nodded in understanding as Ayaan thought about the dreadful consequences if Asad were to Attend the engagement between Aahil and his HALF-SISTER) (muttered under his breath) trust me he'd rather get engaged and married himself than attend that wedding...
Arsalan - Besides, isn't it better to keep the guest list as small as possible, what with the groom not even sure if he'll make it to the ring ceremony..
Asif - (hid back a smile) Yeh engagement hoi ghi ya nahin Aahil? Or are we going to that village to get bit by mosquitos for nothing?
Ayaan - Ross said the wrong name at the alter, perhaps Aahil will slip the ring on the wrong finger.
Asif - Which is the wrong finger by the way Aahil? Anaya's or Aisha's? (Aahil gave him a bright smile before picking up a cushion and flinging it at his face as they all laughed at his plight)
Aahil - Kutto. Yahaan meri zindagi barbaad hone jaa rahee hai aur tum logon ko mazaaq sooj raha hai (fell back onto the bed covering his face and screaming out of frustration)
Asif - I don't understand how hard it is to just MAKE UP YOUR MIND. Decide who it is you love and marry that girl instead of ruining 3 lives with each second you waste in between now and the engagement...
Aahil - (sighed, shaking his head) I know who the girl is...
Arsalan - Then what's the problem...
Aahil - The problem is, is that it's too late now. (and those words said it for themselves. Who the girl was that Aahil had chosen)
xxx
And sure enough, it was too late because as Zoya walked through the streets of Kasauli that night on her way to the orphanage, 3 haveli limousine's passed her. Most of the Nawabs had already left for Mangalpur to start the preparations for Anaya's impending engagement. Shivering, Zoya reached the Orphanage not paying much heed to the limo's because she didn't know much about the nawabs of this town. Just as she ran up the steps she orphanage, her phone rang shrilly. Another call from Zeenat. Trying to call to comfort her knowing how badly upset she was and to ensure Zoya didn't do anything stupid because of that. But Zoya wasn't ready to hear anything or to make promises she wasn't ready to keep. There was nothing Zeenat could say that would make her feel better or that would stop her from going to that engagement. She was going one way or another. As she shut off her phone completely and put it in her bag, she looked up to the entrance to the grand hall of the orphanage only to be left completely speechless and awestruck. Believing her eye were deceiving her with the same mirage. For there he was again. Asad. The occupant of all her dreams lately. But the sight before her left her absolutely gawking. Asad surrounded head to toe with all the kids of the orphanage. They were clinging to every inch of him they could grab, begging him from the looks of it not to leave, making it impossible for him to walk to the door regardless of how stubborn he was to still continue to try in-spite of it. She didn't realize when but she had started grinning ear to ear at the ridiculousness of the whole thing. A grin which soon turned into fits of laughter seeing the helpless look on Asad's face and of course the awkward look that came with it, unable to know how to deal with the whole situation being the emotionally challenged person he was. She couldn't even remember how long it had been since she had last smiled or laughed fully and so openly, the sound of her own laugh sounded estranged to her ears. Hearing her chuckle, one of the kids turned around and immediately perked up seeing her there.
Kid - CHUTKI DI!! (Immediately all of the kids present at the side exit of the orphanage, Asad included, spun around immediately towards the front door he was pointing at only to be left disappointed for Zoya had immediately jumped out of side for reasons even she didn't' know, why as a reflex she had jumped out of sight. As she jumped aside she got startled herself as she came face to face with Farida Bi unexpectedly, seeing her gasp all startled Farida Bi chuckled)
Farida Bi - Zoya, aise choron ki tarah kya chup chup ke andar jhaank rahee hai? Tumhara apna orphanage hai..chalo andar chalo.
Zoya - Nah..Nahin I..woh...(Farida Bi narrowed her eyes seeing her all hassled and so clearly upset. Her face said it all. And then Zoya couldn't resist, she just had to ask) Farida Bi woh-..
Kid - (screamed from inside) SEAN BHAIYA PLEASE DON'T GO!
Zoya - (her eye's widened) S..Sean! (She stared at Farida Bi as her eyes widened) you mean (and then she was back to peeking into the orphanage as a complete intruder, her eye's still wide in shock) you mean to say...Mr. Khan...Asad is Sean?
Farida Bi - (Peeked in just like her to see what it is she was looking at, although she couldn't understand the cause of all the shock, absurdity and disbelief she heard in Zoya's voice) (chuckled again) Haan..Asad Ahmed Khan..is the famous Sean. Iss mein itni hairani ki kya baat hai? Z- (but then without replying, Zoya turned around and at once was running down the steps of the orphanage and out the gates into the darkness of the night leaving Farida Bi both baffled and calling out after her)
Farida Bi - Zoya..Zoya..Kya..Kya huwa? (But the truth is, even if Zoya had stayed back there is no way she could have explained the feelings and the surge of emotions that took over her suddenly, enough to scare her off running. It was bad enough that she couldn't get that Arrogant Asad Khan out of her head and her heart that she now had to go make this startling discovery about him. That, the mysterious Sean who was possibly the most generous, kind-hearted and beautiful soul she had ever heard about, fantasized and dreamt about turned out to be none other than Asad. Earlier when she had believed Asad to be nothing more than an arrogant, misogynist, ill mannered snob she could try even if she repeatedly failed in the process to control the feelings erupting in her heart. Feelings she had no room for in her disaster of a life nor was she destined or blessed enough to experience such beautiful feelings. But how could she possibly stop herself from falling more and more into the endless pit of those feelings after finding this out about him. S,o she did what she did best, she ran. Abandoning all her feelings, and deciding not to deal with the raging tsunami of emotions in her heart. But what she didn't know was that this was Kasauli. She wasn't just running into the darkness of night. She was running into the darkness of the hearts and intentions of the gangs that ran this city. Gangs who were trying to send another message to someone or another, by doing what they knew best. Terrorizing the innocents of the city. Burning, destroying and breaking any and all hope the residents of the city had dared to build again. Zoya had just ran into the middle of it, out of her troublesome habit of attracting trouble one way or another and instead of doing anything about it like run for her dear life or hide, she FROZE. Her mind going absolutely blank, her legs refusing to walk even though somewhere in the back of her head she had a fading idea to RUN. Luckily, just as one of the goons had spotted her and made a run for her, her arch angel in black, grabbed her in the nick of time. Just as she swayed on her feet, out of sheer exhaustion and fear.
xxx
Early the Next Morning -
Zoya awoke with a start. Fear erupting in the pit of her stomach, because for some odd reason she believed herself to be trapped in the middle of a war zone in the streets of Kasauli again. But as she awoke frightened and gasping for air she realized she was in the comfort and warmth of her own breath. She took a deep breath trying to calm her nerves which seemed to be in a juggle for some reason, when she heard it. Heard him. He was at the piano again, by the sound of it.
Asad - (singing) Roz Roz Resham si hawa ate jaate kehti hai bata..resham si hawa kehti hai bata, woh joh dood dhuli maasoom kali woh hai kahan kahan hai..woh roshni kahan hai..woh jaan si kahan hai, main adhoora tu adhoori ji rahee hai..ae ajnabi tu bhi kabhi awaz de kahin se. Ae ajnabi tu bhi kabhi awaz se kahin se...main yahan tukron mein ji raha hoon...main yahan tukron mein ji raha hoon...tu kahee tukron mein ji rahee hai...(Zoya's unfaltering attention to his words, to his voice, to his pain, his longing in his voice was only side tracked as she became aware of her own actions. She realized that the entire time she was absentmindedly playing with a chain in her neck. A chain with the tag of a certain 'S' attached to it. Zoya's eyes widened in shock and the panic from earlier set in even stronger. Why couldn't she remember what had happened or how she reached here? At home, in bed? Why was there such a large part of tonight missing from her memory? How did this chain get back to her? Around her neck? Who put it there? She had lost this chain long back. Precisely, at the cabin in the woods Akram had kidnapped and taken her too. That was the last time she remembered wearing it and just like tonight when she awoke after that incident the chain had been missing just as mysteriously as it showed up tonight. She had just assumed it had fallen in the jungle somewhere. Who could have possibly found it there and brought it back to put around her neck? Her mind and her heart were all too quick and eager to wish and think it to be Asad much to her annoyance, and she seemed a little too Adamant on fighting every possibility that could lead towards it being Asad for real. She was probably even ready to argue and fight off Asad even if he confessed to have found the chain and returned it to her, the rightful owner. As she groaned in frustration at the 1000 questions running through her mind which she had no answers too when quite frankly she should instead be worried and thinking about how on earth she was going to reach Mangalpur to attend the engagement later this weekend because come whatever she was still going to reach one way or another, there was a knock at the door and Dilshad slowly opened the door.
Zoya - Phupi aap..aap ab tak jagi hui hain?
Dilshad - (walking in) Nahin beta..main toh namaz parne uthi thi..socha tumpe nazar daalon dekhon toh ke tum theek toh ho...kal raat se apne kamre mein band ho na khaana khayaa tumne na phupi ko apni yeh pyaari si shakal dhekayee (running a loving hand over her face) we missed you at dinner too..
Zoya - (pouted) I missed dinner too. I'm so hungry phupi main aapko bol nahin sakti.
Dilshad - Toh jaldi ghar aa jaana tha na..khana khaa ke so jaati. (Shook her head) tumhe tumhari yeh late aane waali aadat chorni hogi Zoya..it's not safe and it's not good for you. Ab dekho raat ko bhi shehr mein kitne riots hue..kitne bure haalat the shehr ke aur tumhara koi ata patah hi nahin tha. Hum sab kitne pareshan the patah hai. Asad was besides himself with rage..(Zoya rolled her eyes) aur uske kissi savaal ka mere paas koi javaab bhi nahin tha. Tumhe dhoondte bhi toh kahan hum..mujhe pata bhi nahin hota ke tum kahan ho. Aur phir tum bina khaana khaye so-
Zoya - Phupi..no offence par Mr. Khan ke na do teen screw dheele hain..Aise hi choti choti baaton pe naraz hote rehte hain woh toh hum kya kar sakte hain un-
Dilshad - Nahin Zoya (Zoya stopped mid-sentence, realizing the tension in her phupis voice and eye's and the pensiveness alerted her at once) I'm sorry but (shook her head) main tumhari privacy ki bauhat respect karti hoon..iss liye main ab tak khamosh thi but hear me when I say this baat agar tumhari privacy ya tumhari safety mein se kissi ek cheez ko chunna hai mujhe toh main hamesha tumhari safety hi chunoongi. I would have forced Aisha to tell me what I'm about to ask you as well...and I want you to remember that. Remember that for me, you are my other Aisha...so please Zoya, please tell me your secret. Aisa kya hai jisse dhoondte hue tum Kasauli ayee ho..tum itni mushkilon se guzar rahee ho, har kissi se lar guzarne ko tayaar ho sirf Kasauli mein rehne ke liye. Apni Aapi, Jeeju Ayaan Aahil..Asad sab. Aisa kya hai jo dhoondna ya karna itna zaroori hai tumhare liye ke tum laakh problems ke bawajood raat ko Kasauli jaise shehr mein hatra bardaasht kar sakti ho par Asad ka kaha maanke ghar time pe nahin aa sakti. Zoya..(sighed) I..I know..Asad can be overbearing and overprotective to a fault, but trust me uske intentions bure nahin hai. Woh iss shehr ko (a faraway look in her eyes) bauhat kareeb se jaanta hai..hum sabse zyaada kareebse..so when he behaves like he does..it's purely out of love and concern for us all. Iss liye beta, if I have to defend you against him and take your side over his the next time you don't come home till late I need to know why it is I'm defending you and exactly what actions of yours I'm defending you for. You need to tell me beta. Tell me tum kahaan jaati ho aur kyun jaati ho...warna I'm sorry but agar aise hi chalta raha toh mujhe Zeenat se kehna parega-
Zoya - (whimpered, as she gripped her hand pleadingly) No..please no..(Dilshad was shocked to see the tears in her eyes) please Phupi no. Main aapko batati hoon..sab batati hoon aapko please aap..aap Aapi ko kuch mat kahiyega iss sab ke baarein mein.
Dilshad - (wiping her tears, her heart hammering with worry and anxiety over what it was that Zoya was about to tell her) Zoya Kya-
Zoya - (sighed, taking a deep breath) to be honest...I think I want to tell you this secret more than you want to here it. The burden of this secret that I have held on to for far too long, is..is to much to bear for me now. I, I'm crumpling beneath it. It's...(sighed) Yeh sach hai Phupi ke main Kasauli kuch nahin...(now the far away look was in Zoya's eyes. Dilshad could very easily tell that though Zoya was physically present here before her, in reality, mentally she was a 1000 miles aaay) bauhat kuch dhoondne ayee hoon. Apna sab kuch dhoondne ayee hoon.
Dilshad - Kya-
Zoya - Apna wujood. Apni pehchan. Apne log. Apnayeet. Phupi main. (her lips quivered, and her voice broke as her tears fell like precious droplets from her eyes breaking her Phupis heart) I..Main yahan apne Abbu ko dhoondne ayee hoon. (Dilshad just stared stunned. Unable to understand, unable to grasp what she was hearing) I...
Dilshad - (confused) Abbu, par-
Zoya - (nodded) I know, Main Aapi aur Faizan Jeeju ki family mein bhi adopt hoke gayee toh mujhe apne Abbu ke baare mein kuch bhi kaise patah hai, I know you have questions..so do I..and evidently so did Jeeju. (Tried to wipe her tears but it was a lost cause) Unke guzarne ke baad, on a trip to India I found something in his stuff. Something about my family. My real family. Uss mein se aur kuch toh main nahin le payee kyunki Naanima aa gayee aur unhone mujhe Jeeju ka samaan cherne pe daant diya (laughed a dry, helpless laugh but Dilshad found none of this even remotely humorous and a tear fell from her eyes instead) but what I did manage to steal was a picture. Jiske peeche likha tha, Zoya's Father. All I have to tell who I am, where I come from and where I belong phupi, is one picture of my father and some pictures of Kasauli I'm assuming he took. (Crying openly now) No name, no identity, no family, no home..no REASON WHY. No reason why I wasn't good enough for them. What was so wrong about me that they couldn't love me or live with me but chose to give me away instead..phupi what- (breaking down) kya main itni hi buri hoon Phupi? Ke koi mujhse pyaar hi nahin kar paata? Aur jo karne ki bhool karte hain woh beech raah hi chorke chale jaate hain.
Dilshad - (her heart breaking for the beautiful girl she had come to love and consider a daughter. She at once enveloped her in a tight hug and refused to let go till she, her touch, the touch of a mother hadn't healed her completely and washed away all her wounds) Shhh...Bas. Bas. Nahin tum buri nahin ho Zoya. Bure toh woh log hain jinhone tumhare saath bura kiya. Woh log jinhone tum jaisi phool bachi ko apnaya nahin. Woh log jinhone tumhe khudse door kiya, woh sab log bure hain meri bachi nahin (but still, her cries got only more louder and painful)
Zoya - Main thak gayee hoon Phupi. Kabse woh ek photo leke poore shehr mein bhatak rahee hoon, dhakke kha rahee hoon logon ki baatein sehrahee hoon..par mere Abbu hain ke..mujhse milna hi nahin chahte. Woh samajte nahin haina...agar woh aaj bhi mujhse utni hi nafrat karte hain..mujhe utna hi bura maante hain toh maan le..mujhe dhakke deke khudse door kardein mujhe shikayat nahin hai Phupi par aisa karne se pehle bas mere kuch savaalon ke javaab de dein take main bhi sar uthake jee sukoon doosron ko reham o karam pe nahin. Taake main jaan sakoon ke main kaun hoon, kahan se ayee hoon main kiska khoon hoon. Taake main logon ko keh sakoon..garv se keh sakoon ke mera khoon ganda nahin hai. Ke main manhoos nahin hoon. Lavaris..Lasahara nahin hoon main- (and her cries completely tore through Dilshad's heart at this point who tightened the grip she had around her even harder and refused to let go whilst running a comforting and loving hand through her hair)
Dilshad - (spoke fiercely and in a final tone, leaving no room for questions or arguments.) Tum Lavaris or Lasahara nahin ho. Tum meri Bachi ho..iss ghar ki Bachi. Tum hamari family ka hissa ho Zoya. Aur aajke baad jiss kissi ne tumhari taraf aankh uthakar ya ungli uthakar savaal kiya, toh usko sirf tumhara nahin, hum sabka saamna karna hoga..SAMJHI TUM. TUM akeli nahin ho.
xxx
Continued in next post...
Meanwhile on the other end of the house -
Asad lay awake shirtless on his sofa, smoking yet another cigarette and suffering from yet another night of incessant insomnia. He let the morning rain mixed with the chilly breeze soothe away the trauma his demons caused him, evidence of which were the scars on his soul, as well as the trauma caused to his city last night. It was as if with each raindrop that drizzled onto his handsome face that morning was one painful reminder of his burning city last night after another, but more than anything more than the sight of his burning city what caused him pain and left him traumatized was the sight of Zoya trapped in between the fire that burnt his city. He couldn't put it into words, nor did he want to relive the memory of the emotions that flowed through him when he spotted Zoya standing there amidst all his enemies, amidst a burning town square, frozen and scared, her beautiful eyes wide with fear. It was possibly the closest he came to someone literally holding his beating heart in his palm, holding his life in their hands and knowing they had the power to end his breaths just as easily. He didn't want to remember how he himself froze seeing her standing there. Realizing what his worst fear come true would be. He didn't want to recall the intensity of his rapidly beating heartbeats as he caught her falling body into the safety of his arms, and nestled her head against his chest. The breath that finally escaped him. He didn't want to remember any of it and yet that is all he could remember. That, and the feel of Zoya nestled snugly into his chest as he carried her home that night and put her to rest in her bedroom, thankfully away from his mother's eyes. Evidence of the fact that he didn't want to see any of this was the cold sweat that had broken out onto his forehead, mixed with the precious drops of rain, his fists gripping the sofa tightly with every traumatic memory of last night that hit him one after another, his tightly clenched eyes out of intense fear and trauma. Thus, he was all the more thankful for the welcome distraction of his ringing cell phone.
Asad - Hello?
Farida Bi - Asalamualaikum Asad..
Asad - (Immediately alert, Immediately tense) Walaikumasalam FaridaBi...Kya huwa Pari-
FaridaBi- (rolling her eyes on the other end) Bilkul theek hai. Bas tumko bauhat yaad kar rahee thee. Abhi tum dono bhai shehr se bahar nahin gaye aur Pari already udaas ho gayee...
Asad - (confused) Dono Bhai? Azlan kahan jaa raha hai?
Farida Bi - Haan uski tarha shayad main bhi batana bhool gayee tumhe..woh Anaya ki engagement ke liye jaa rahe haina sab.
Asad - (even more confused) engagement ke liye? Engagement toh yahan haina..Kasauli mein..phir woh kahan jaa raha hai?
Farida Bi - Maloom nahin beta..tumtoh uss tufaan ko jaante ho. Aadhi baat batata hai aadhi nahin...kal raat ko usse batana yaad aa gaya toh bata diya ke kuch din nahin aayega aur engagement hote hi laut aayega...
Asad - (rubbed his forehead, tensed. It was 5 in the morning and he could already feel a pounding headache coming along) Pari ko phone dijiye, main usse baat karta hoon.
Farida Bi - Haan ek minute (Asad shook his head, both disappointed and angry at Azlan's carelessness and neglect towards considering his responsibilities and duties as a father and counting Pari's feelings into his plans as top priority, as he waited for her to come to the phone)
2 Hours Later - Dilshad had finally emerged out of Zoya's room with a much happier and more lighter feeling Zoya, who was feeling much better as was evident from the glow and bright smile that had returned to her face and the spark that had returned to her eyes. The two were watching TV and talking and laughing about something but the conversation was cut short by a rather impatient, rude and shockingly dishevelled looking Asad which was very uncharacteristically of the rather always spick and span Asad as he walked in.
Asad - Ammi, I have to talk to you. (Casting a dismissive quick glance towards Zoya) It's important..
Zoya - (rolled her eyes, realizing he was clearly angry with her just by that one quick glance. It was shocking how much these two had come to know about each other just by the eye rolls they exchanged) Good Morning to you too Mr. Sunshine Ahmed Khan.
Asad - (ignored her. Or at least tried to because his eyebrow which had perched up in annoyance slightly would object if he tried to act like she didn't get under his skin just then, AGAIN) Ammi...main mangalpur nahin jaa sakta. (Hearing the word Mangalpur that too so unexpectedly, definitely caught Zoya's attention even if it didn't raise Dilshad's interests much. Zoya's eyes and ears were for sure all perked up)
Dilshad - Par-
Asad - I know, aapka dil tha ke main jaaon but I'm sorry it's just not possible for me to go I- I can't I..I..have too much work and I-
Zoya - JHOOT. JHOOT bol rahe hain Mr. Khan (she knew it was wrong for her to jump in and accost him like that, interfering in their personal discussion but she was desperate, and her own baffled expression along with Asad and Dilshad's by her behaviour was evidence of it)
Asad - Excuse m- (he had just about had it with her and the day had JUST begun)
Dilshad - aah- (nervous laughter, staring between Zoya & her son's rising anger)
Zoya - Phu..Phupi aap dekh nahin rahee kaise hakla hakla ke bol rahe hain Mr. Khan, saaf saaf jhoot bol rahe hain. Trust me, as a serial liar myself I can easily tell when someone is lying and Mr. Khan is lying.
Asad - (as baffled as he was by her behaviour, he had to reign in his growing curiosity over her sanity at the moment to focus on the issue at hand. Her attempts at destroying his well set plan in motion to stay here with Pari and not go off to that wretched village he absolutely despised) and she's supposed to take the word of a 'serial liar' over mines (Zoya's mouth opened to retaliate but he put up a hand effectively shutting her up) Ammi I'm sorry I wish I could-
Dilshad - par Asad., main already unko bol chuki hoon ke tum aa rahe ho beta maine unko zubaan de di hai. I promised Maryam you'd come..tum..tum meri kahee hui baat nahin rakhoge kya?
Asad - Ammi I..I- (Dilshad knew he would try and fight her but she knew that in the end he'd win. She hated taking advantage of his love for her like this and his respectfulness of her but she as a mother had the best of intentions for him and that is all that mattered. She knew how important it was for Asad to go take some time off, get away, away from the city and the hustle and bustle and spend some time with the people he absolutely DESPISED so that MAYBE his stone heart could soften just a little and he could learn to love as much as he hated,
Provided he made it back alive from there and didn't kill himself instead)
Asad - (pinched his forehead in annoyance and Dilshad knew she had won this argument) Fine. I'll go.
Dilshad - Great. You leave this afternoon. Maryam ka lehnga main tab tak finish kardoongi tumhe woh saath leke jaana hai.
Asad - (rolled his eyes angrily) I hope you understand HOW MUCH I hate this by the way Dilshad laughed running a loving hand over his face to annoy him further)
Zoya - (muttered) Oh Boo Hoo. You get to go on a mini holiday for a wedding, how tragic (Asad gave her a hateful glare letting her know just how badly he wished to put his hands around her neck and strangle her, giving Dilshad an idea so ABSURD both Zoya & Asad wondered where it came from. Asad more than Zoya because Zoya was already plotting something similar to it anyways)
Dilshad - Waise Asad, to make this trip less painful...why don't you take Zoya with you?
Asad & Zoya - WHAT (staring at her stunned with shock and disbelief)
Dilshad - Haan...Issi bahane usko bhi India ghoomne phirne ka mauke milega..culture dekhne ko milega..celebrations dekh sakti hai woh she'll enjoy herself. It'll be a nice break-
Asad - AMMMI (unable to hear any further. He was certain he was going to have a panic attack any second just at the prospect of this, imagine the dangers that lied ahead if this atrocity were to come true) itni mushkil se main khud jaane ko raazi hua hoon. Ab agar aapne mujhe iss MUSIBAT ko saath lee jaane ko bola toh main khud bhi nahin jaonga.
Zoya - AAP MUJHE MUSIBAT BOL RAHE HAIN MR. CAUSE OF EVERY MUSIBAT EVER AHMED KHAN. AAPKO KYA LAGTA HAI MAIN AAPKE SAATH AANA BHI CHAHTI HOON! KASAULI MEIN ITNE DIN AAPKE BINA REHNE KA MAUKA KAISE HAATH SE JAANE DOONGI MAIN YAHAN TOH JAANAT HOGI.
Asad - AAPKE HOTE HUE TOH NAHIN HOGI..SHAYAD AAPKE JAANE KE BAAD HO (with that he spun on his heels and stormed away from there, Dilshad who was staring between them both her fingers plugged in her ears thanks to their screaming match finally took them out trying to call him back)
Dilshad - Sean..Sean beta-
Zoya - (her ears perked up again in surprise, her heartbeats quickening on their own accord for some reason, her eyes suddenly brighter) S..Sean?
Dilshad - (laughed) Haan (nodded her head in the direction of his bedroom) Hamare ghar ki Sean. Meri Shaan. Mera Asad. Uska bachpan ka nickname hai (Zoya was left thinking about Dilshad's sweet words, whilst absentmindedly muttering his name 'Sean' under her breath, the sight of the Sean she had been searching for for years, surrounded by kids in that orphanage fresh on her mind, bringing a bright smile to her face unknowingly) and I'm so sorry Zoya about Mangalpur, Asad bhi na itna Ziddi hai ek baar woh zid pe ar jae toh - (turning to face Zoya. But the minute she did her words died on her lips, and she took a frightened step back instead) yeh mujhe tumhari iss look ke peeche chupe iraadon se itna dar kyun lag raha hai Zoya? (For Zoya had what could only be described as a devilish glint and a up-to-no good bright angelic smile on her face and she furthered it by waggling her eyebrows in response to Dilshad's question, but before Dilshad could find out Zoya's not so decent intentions they were interrupted by a freindly face)
Malik - Good Morning all you beautiful ladies, (bright smiles broke out upon both Dilshad & Zoya's faces as they saw him enter. Zoya immediately rushed to her feet and jogged over giving him a quick hug which he responded to just as fervently and kissed her head lovingly) Kaisi hai meri beti?
Zoya - Ab aap aa gaye haina, toh bilkul theek.
Malik - That's good. Aage bhi hamesha theek hamesha khush raho.
Dilshad - Ameen. Kaise hain Malik Bhai?
Malik - Bas aapki dua hai.
Zoya - (shook her head) I seriously doubt that. Phupi ki saari duaen toh unke laadle bete Mr. Khan ke liye hain..hum ghareebon ke liye toh kuch nahin hai..so I doubt that Malik Uncle...
Dilshad - (gasped as Zoya chuckled mischievously) chup badmaash..
Malik - (laughed) Waise Zoya ki baat mein dam hai Dilshad...aisa waaqe hi ho sakta hai..after all you are a desi mother..(all 3 of them had a good laugh as Dilshad waved her hand dismissing Zoya's antics) Khair yeh sab baatein toh hoti raheingi main actually aap sabko lene aaya tha..
Dilshad - Lene? Kyun khairiyat?
Malik - Haan Haan sab theek hai main bas yunhi soch raha tha kyun na hum log saath milke naashta karne chalein..maybe at the cafe? Kaafi din hogaye aap sabse ache se araam se baith ke baat kiye, apne bachon ke pyaare chehre dekhe..I missed you all so very much...
Zoya - We also missed you so very much my handsome uncle...because only you come up with such brilliant plans. I'm in, (linked her arms with his) Chaliye Huzoor (Dilshad and Malik both laughed at her antics)
Dilshad - Ek minute rukoo pagal main Aisha ko bula loon, woh hospital ke liye tayaar ho rahee hai usko bolti hoon jaldi aa jaye taake humme join kar sake...
Malik - Don't forget Nawab Sahab himself, although I assume instead of a "yes" you'll have to hear a lecture about wasting time on "useless" things instead..(both him and Zoya rolled their eyes) but phir bhi formality ke liye invite toh karna parta haina...after all yeh uska hi ghar hai...(Both Zoya and him burst out laughing over their shared sense of joy on pulling Asad's leg at every given chance while Dilshad shook her head)
Dilshad - Please hunh mere masoom se bete ko bully karna band kijiye aap dono...
Zoya - Please Phupi aapke bete ko hum jaise masoom log kaise bully kar sakte hain? Humari itni himmat..ke hum aisi ghustaki karein?
Dilshad - (shook her head) iss definition se toh phir tum bas ek hi dunya mein masoom ho.
Zoya - I can bet you a hundred dollars Mr. Khan ka javaab hoga (cleared her throat before donning her incredibly deep, manly, and as sexy as she could make it Asad voice) please Ammi, I don't have time for such nonsense. I have better things to do, like attend board meetings on a beautiful Friday Morning. (Malik and Dilshad couldn't help but laugh themselves silly at her impersonation of Asad complete with facial expressions especially the tied hands behind his back and the permanent frown on his handsome face, but it seemed someone else wasn't entirely pleased with her mimicry)
Asad - Incredibly foolish. (Zoya immediately sobered up and half hid behind Malik uncle, biting her lip in fear of getting a scolding much to Dilshad & Malik's amusement who shared a knowing look)
Malik - (cleared his throat) So I'll take that as a no? (Asad didn't answer, he just raised an annoyed impatient eyebrow at him letting him know to 'hurry up' and stop wasting his precious time on 'useless' things, a message which Malik uncle immediately understood) we uh, we're all going out for breakfast at the cafe and we thought-
Asad - (checked his watch) Sorry, I have to go. I have better things to do, board meetings and all (Dilshad and Malik bit their lips to stop themselves from laughing, actually afraid of getting a scolding from Asad whilst Zoya the devil coughed exaggeratedly much to Asad's further annoyance) Ammi agar aap wahan jaa rahee hain, toh if you have Maryam's lehnga at Ada's I can pick it up and leave from there warna dupaihar ko traffic bauhat hoga and I don't want to get late..
Dilshad - Sure Beta..
Asad - I'll be there in an hour and a half to two hours at the latest (Dilshad nodded)
Malik - Are you sure you can't come even for a little while beta?
Asad - (rolled his eye's) No, I'm not hungry..
Malik - (rolled his eye's right back cuz really two could play at this game) What a surprise...
Asad - I'll see you next week when I get back into town from this god forsaken (his anger rising again)
Dilshad - (condescending tone) Asad...
Malik - Have a safe and FUN trip beta..
Zoya - (muttered) You can forget about the fun part...
Asad - (narrowed his eye's dangerously at her) Bye Malik Uncle..
Malik - (laughed) Bye beta. (As soon as Asad turned his back, Zoya was back at it with the devilish up-to no good devilish spark in her eyes but Malik uncle was surprised to see that even Dilshad had the same calculating and conspiring look as he stared between them. They were definitely up to no good)
xxx
Continued in next post...
Later at the Cafe - Brunch: Asad parked the car across the street, evidently ready for his unfortunate road trip ahead of him. All showered and fresh, looking dapper in his jeans and snugly fitted white t-shirt. As usual he paid no heed to the flock of girls sat outside the cafe having coffee and breakfast which lay forgotten the minute his car pulled up and instead all eyes and attention was on him, as they watched his each move like hawks till he entered the cafe. (to a surprise of a different kind). Since as always he didn't pay any heed to them he didn't notice some of the girls who were hiding there faces from sight as they checked him out. He may not notice them much, but Zoya was right when she said it definitely did boost his ego. However, what was going on inside the cafe definitely did not boost his ego. Apparently the open mic night now extended to open mic mornings as well, for as people enjoyed their breakfast with family and friends they also liked to be kept entertained and who better to keep them entertained than the clown Zoya Farooqui herself, who had taken centre stage with the mic and was surrounded by a few little kids who were there with their families having breakfast and had probably been pulled in by Zoya to dance themselves silly amidst loud applauses and cheering on from their families, the loudest from the three at Zoya's table.)
Zoya - (wearing the brightest of the brightest smiles on her face) Hakuna Matata..Hakuna Matata..Hakuna Matata..Hakuuunnaaa...It means no worries for the rest of your days (winking at Dilshad unsuspiciously) it's a problem free...philosophy..Hakuna Matata..Hakuna Matata...Hakuna Matata..Hakunnaaa!!! (As her lil gig ended with loud applauses and cheers Asad couldn't help but hide his face by staring at the ground shyly just as the corner of his lips threatened to pull up at the corners at her captivating and breathtaking beauty, innocence and adorableness. Well that's what he was trying to focus on at least because truth be told those long legs of hers did look sinful in those floral shorts she had on. But he was trying to be a gentleman and not have ANY thoughts about her let alone any impure one's but it didn't help when she looked so sinfully beautiful, danced so innocently, laughed so enchantingly and then spread such sheer and joy so angelically wherever she went like she was doing now as she hugged, kissed and laughed with all her little partners in crime, her young dancing partners. Lost in thoughts, Asad didn't hear Malik uncle calling him repeatedly. It took Aisha coming over and forcing him to look at her for him to understand that they were telling him to come join them. Asad let himself get dragged over to the table by his sister but the whole time his head was turned back towards the sight he couldn't bear to look away from, the sight of; Zoya Farooqui.
Back at their table:
Malik - So you decided to join us after all? What happened, finally found time for us 'useless' humans.
Asad - (rolled his eyes) not at all, I just assumed that you people would've been done with your useless breakfast by now, I mean it has been an hour and a half since you've been at it but (shook his head) guess I was wrong..
Dilshad - Acha hua na..now you can join us too we're having such a good time..
Asad - (getting ready to protest) No I (but right then a hurricane name Zoya came storming back amidst a loud ruckus created by Dilshad, Aisha and Malik)
Aisha - That was adorable..
Zoya - I know right.
Dilshad - (winked at her unsuspiciously as she stared at Asad out of the corner of her eye smiling mischievously) very nice song. lyrics were very appropriate..
Zoya - (threw her head back as she broke into a small fit of twinkling laughter. Asad's undoing. Malik watched amazed, As Asad suddenly gripped the edge of the table and sat, positively hypnotized drowning in both her twinkling eye's and laughter) Mera favourite hai, Faizan jeeju ka bhi hai...(stopped to correct herself) tha. Jab bhi main thori si bhi pareshan hoti thi na, jab Aapi mujhe choclates nahin khaane deti thi ya video games nahin khelne deti thi..toh Jeeju aake halke se mere kaan mein yeh gaana gun gunate the..aur woh mera clue hota tha..ke kissi na kissi tarha jeeju ne koi raasta dhoondh liya hai Aapi se chip ke woh kaam kar lene ka. So (giggled mischievously) I thought it was appropriate to sing it today as well...
Malik - (groaned) Zoya, any chance tumhara yeh gaana meri musibat door karega.
Zoya - Sure uncle...kaunsi aunty aap pe line maar rahee hai bas uska naam batayen kaam ho jayega...(Aisha and Dilshad laughed, Asad hid his smile behind his phone, as he continued to observe her cute antics and conversation whilst busy eating her, pizza fries and milkshake, her favourite)
Malik - I wish my troubles were that simple, Aunties. But unfortunately not. Koi aisa tareeqa batao jisse inn (staring at a political debate on television in the cafe) politicians se peecha choot jaye hamara...
Dilshad - (shook her head disgustedly) sach bol rahe ho Malik Bhai..
Malik - Maine toh bola bhi tha tumhare iss nikamme bete ko ke elections larne aage barhe apne shehr ko bachane ke liye aage barhe par yeh toh (Zoya stared surprised betwen Malik and Asad, grasping the enormousness of what Malik was saying. Asad as mayor? But then she thought of it, the only image that kept flashing through her mind was of him, him/Sean, in the orphanage surrounded by all those innocent, unloved, unaccounted for children and the harder she thought the more she became obsessed and then she remembered the kids at her college screaming that during his speech. What a perfect idea. There was no-one more trustworthy, more respectable, honourable, stronger and honest. No one more PERFECT for the job than him, and as much as it scared her, and her knowledge and understanding of him scared her, her idea of him, his personality, her opinion about him scared her, the whole prospect excited her so much that the words were out of her mouth faster than she could stop them, unaware that they wouldn't be as positively reciprocated as her opinion of him
Zoya - YES MR. KHAN WHY NOT-
Asad - (his eye's which were just a second earlier gazing at her so softly and fondly, dreamily now suddenly held a steely look in them. A haunted, almost hunted look in them. Defeated, fearful and hateful. Raging with anger, as was his low almost deathly whisper with which he spoke) DON'T. EVER. (His voice/whisper although calm and collected, held a deadly warning in them (even though it was not going to work on Zoya at all, it did erupt goosebumps on her skin.) Zoya jumped back surprised at his unexpected reaction and the sheer amount of anger she saw in his eyes as she dared to even voice that as possibility. She looked towards Dilshad and Aisha and was surprised to find them just as surprised as Zoya, and also worried. All of them were thankful for the positive distraction in the form of Sheila lest Asad be tempted to throw a fit of rage right there and then.)
Sheila - (cleared her throat) Uhm...Asad..(Asad slowly, and painfully (for Zoya) tore his hateful and angry glare away from Zoya and turned towards Sheila who gave him a rather meek smile) Sorry to bother you. and I know I'm sorry I know you have no plans or obligation to oblige but since the minute you have walked in I've gotten about 20 requests to ask you to hum or sing a little something along with a very persistent request (handed him a small folded up note) by a certain (chuckled) Doctor Sinful Smile for a Doctor Pretty Eyes. Naam thore strange hai but he is quite persistent, I know you aren't scheduled to but (she shrugged handing a rather annoyed Asad the note and walking off. None of them had realized the way Aisha perked up when Sheila mentioned who the note was by and who it was for and the way her eyes had immediately started scanning the place to find the Doctor Sinful smile who had written the note, even though her search came up empty and disappointing) Asad was busy reading his note when Zoya unable to stop herself had something to share)
Zoya - (muttered) gaana gaane ke liye bol sakte hain ya usspe bhi humme kacha khaa jaane ka khatra hai (Asad heard her anyways, not like she was being discreet about it as is and he gave her another annoyed side eye. He was about to crumple the letter when Aisha, spoke up trying to act as calm, discreet and unsuspicious as possible)
Aisha - uhh, Asad..kya farq parta hai jab tum aa hi gaye ho aur..sabne itne pyaar se poocha hai toh please...gaa do na. Tumhari khoobsurat awaaz mein subah subah ek pyaara sa gaana sunke hum sabka din ban jayega..nahin Ammi..Malik uncle aap boliye na.. (desperately avoiding eye contact with him) gaa do na.
Malik Uncle - (scoffed) What makes you think, he'll listen to me? Tum jaanti nahin ho kya ke tumhara bhai kitna ziddi hai..woh sirf apni sunta hai..aur kissi ki nahin.
Aisha - Please Asad..Please...(she gave him the saddest puppy eyes she possibly could knowing he could never turn her down when she did, and sure enough she found him relenting soon enough. He sighed annoyedly and opened the note just to see what song was requested and immediately, naturally after reading the name of the song his eyes flew across the table towards Zoya who had completely lost track and interest in the conversation and was too busy indulging in her breakfast wholeheartedly and enjoyably. The innocence with which she devoured her pizza and fries, without a care in the world, like she could possibly have no other problems and concerns than her Pizza or fries finishing even though he KNEW better brought the sweetest and tiniest of smiles on his face. How someone could find so much happiness in the smallest of things like food, despite all the tragedies of life that inflicted their hearts left him speechless, but it did help him make up his mind of whether or not he was going to sing the song requested, or more like he was helpless at the hands of his heart to sing anyways.)
5 Minutes Later:
Asad sat on the stage, with a guitar perched on his lap and a mic placed before him as all eyes in the crowded cafe including the baristas who initially didn't want to get their hopes up or put pressure on him to sing now waited with baited breath to see what soulful song he was going to touch their hearts with this time. It seemed as if the cafe had suddenly grown more full and even people who were earlier seated outside had come inside, including (away from Asad and his families eyes) Naina, Huma, Humeira, Kajol, Anaya (the girls who had been sitting outside earlier) now joined by Azlan & Zain (sitting at a corner table by the entrance away from everyone's eyes)
Asad - (took a deep breath, to cover his nerves. Even though he was a pro at this and it came like second nature to him with the many unfortunate years he had of a singing hiatus in the middle he did need some work to recover from it. Finally he cleared his throat) So, this song is requested by a certain Dr. Sinful Smile to a Dr. Pretty Eyes. Now I don't know if anyone of you are present here right now but I assume you don't want anyone to know your real identities hence the names but whoever you are Dr. Pretty Eyes, he wants you to know that this is where he stands with you. So, without further ado (Everyone held their breaths, Zoya most eagerly as she sat settled comfortably in her favourite spot, where she had the most clear view of him and he of her. She couldn't help but notice and be left awed once again over how handsome he truly was, she also couldn't help notice how insanely fast her heart was beating in that instant and how quickened her breaths were for some reason. How anxious she was in anticipation, in the wait, the desire, the NEED to hear his beautiful voice just to give her hope, to make her feel calm, to remind her that everything would be okay, even though the words he sang next did exactly the opposite. They raised chaos inside of her instead.)
Asad - (strumming his guitar, attentively. Losing himself to the rhythm) Like a river flows (just that one lyric had applause and chaos spreading throughout the cafe. It brought a sweet smile upon everyone's face, including his brothers who was supremely happy to see his brother doing what he did best, fulfilling the purpose he was born to fulfill, achieving his dream and all that he deserved. Two people however, were left completely breathless for two different reasons and one very same. Aisha for the song requester and the meaning it held and Zoya for the singer and his voice and the common reason was the meaning behind the words and how it applied to them) surely to the sea, darling so it goes, some things are meant to beee..(and then he dared. Dared to do the forbidden, the doomed and the dreaded. He raised his eyes, and locked them with her mystical ones. Eyes that held the same pull, the same longing and the same hope as did his, and he found his heartbeats and his breaths quickening just as fast. Something twisted inside him, a desire, a want a need so bad it was excruciatingly painful. He wanted to, he needed to look away but at the same time he was completely incapable of doing so) Take my hand..take my whole life too..cause I can't help (his voice breaking ever so slightly, but those closest to him, his mother, his brother and his Malik Uncle heard it nonetheless) falling in love with you..(but then his demons kicked him. Reminding him of how undeserving a monster like him was of an angel like her, how undeserving he was of anything he desired let alone something so pure like her or his personal happiness, how cursed he was, and how much he would end up tainting or destroying her and someone as pure as her did not deserve that at all. So he broke their eye dance regardless of how hard it was for him. They both felt the almost crippling disappointment and they were also both shocked to find themselves wishing they were this certain Dr. Sinful Smile and Pretty eye's, and how lucky and fortunate the two must be to so openly declare their desires and love for one another instead of being hit by paranoia and crippling fear.) Wise men say...only fools rush in...but I can't help falling in love with you (but he couldn't keep his eye's closed for much longer and he opened his eyes, daring to gaze into her enchanting eyes once again, hoping to find answers to questions he didn't dare ask, nor did he have the answers to them himself either but all he knew was that he both loved and hated what he saw in those eyes. It scared him and gave him hope at the same time even when he knew better) Shall I stay...would it be a sin..(closed his eyes once again, just simply unable to see what he saw, what he wanted to see, what he was afraid to see, to see exactly the words he was singing in that very moment) if I can't help..falling in love with you..(in a much softer, lower voice) if I can't help, falling in love..with..(opened his eyes, unknowingly or knowingly searching for Zoya Farooqui's again but he was disappointed to see that she had walked away, she was nowhere to be found) you (as the audience broke into an applause and insanely loud cheering Asad's eyes only darted from left to right searching for Zoya, desperately, longingly, even when his Uncle came to say goodbye, even when his mother came to call him to accompany her so she could give him Maryam's lehnga his eyes only sought her. None of them, amidst the madness and chaos for Asad's singing, saw the awed faces of Naina, Kajol & Zain, jealous face of Humeira and insanely proud faces of Anaya & Azlan, nor did anyone see the exuberant face of Aisha Khan who looked like she had just conquered the moon (which to her knowledge she had)
Anaya - (whispered to herself) he loves me (grinning from ear to ear like a fool) Aahil Loves me. (No one saw, but at that moment a soon to be groom, Aahil who had his eyes glued on Aisha from the cafe window outside turned around and walked away to the car that awaited him to take him to Mangalpur for his impending engagement. Soon, the haveli folks too departed in their limousine towards Mangalpur at the same time as Asad who was on route to Mangalpur for his own cousins engagement, unknown to them all that they were all headed in the same exact direction.)
xxx
2 hours later - Somewhere on some road between Kasauli and Mangalpur:
Asad was whistling to himself as he parked his car at a gas station and then hopped off his S.U.V to refill his tank. He put the nozzle in and then leaned beside his truck, whistling to himself and staring at the blazing sun through the lenses of his sunglasses as he did so, completely unaware of the activity going on inside his S.U.V thanks to the tinted windows. He finished gassing up the car and then proceeded to pay for his gas. He returned to his car a few minutes later and lost in his own thoughts simply started the car and drove off, all the while whistling to himself, whistling along the lines 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai'...
5 Minutes After Getting Back On The Road: Asad casually spared a glance up in the rear view mirror and cussing loudly, his heart nearly jolting from his chest in shock, he swerved the car dangerously just narrowly missing a tree and colliding into it head on. The driver of the car he had swerved away from drove by honking loudly and displaying his anger in the form of violent insults. Asad took a second to breathe and calm his raging heartbeats and breaths before looking up towards the rear view mirror in desperation again remembering why it is he swerved the car in the first place. Although he hadn't expected to see whatever it was he saw earlier, he sure was disappointed when he didn't see it. Her.
Asad - (sighed disappointedly, dragging a hand down his tired but ruggedly handsome face) Great, as if she herself wasn't enough to finish the task before, now her hallucinations are going to get me killed (he was shaking his head disappointed in himself and his lack of self control when he casted a casual glance up at the mirror again and sure enough, there she was the beauty herself, Zoya Farooqui. Asad swerved the car violently again and stopped it on the side once and for all to attempt to get her, this, whatever this was out of his head lest these hallucinations actually did get him killed. He, took a second to catch his breath again but it was a lost cause, his heartbeats were raging as were his breaths so he mustered up as much courage as possible and dared to sneak a glance up in the mirror again and seeing her beautiful, confused, afraid but still beautiful face and those big innocent eyes which he was madly in love with, his heart jolted with both surprise and happiness. He spun around in his seat to the back seat and saw her still sitting there, staring back at him with a confused expression.
Zoya - Mr. Khan, mujhe toh laga ke aap bauhat ache driver hain, yeh kaisi behuda se driving kar rahe hain aap? Agar aisa teesra bhi koi death stunt pull karna hai toh please mujhe pehle hi bol dijiye taake main yahin utar jaon hunh..kyunki mujhe itni jaldi marne ka koi shauk nahin hai, abhi toh (her eyes brightened up at the prospect of attending her brothers engagement shortly) life mein bauhat kuch dekhna baaki hai, so please hunh, thora tameez se chalaiyee (but Asad just continued sitting there, still in shock of seeing her there, in his car, 2 hours away from Mangalpur. He had just spent those two hours fighting with his heart which threatened him with insane thoughts of actually 'missing her' and now here she was sitting before him evidently scolding him about something but all he could see was her mouth moving, he couldn't actually hear the words coming out of them. That was until Zoya lost her patience (big surprise there) and snapped her fingers before him, bringing him back to reality.)
Zoya - Really Mr. Khan kiss business meeting ki yaad mein kho gaye aap? (and that's when Asad TRULY snapped back to reality, back to his angry raging self)
Asad - (Outraged, his eyes wide with shock) AAP! AAP YAHAN KYA KAR RAHIN HAI!
Zoya - (shrugged, smiling brightly at him) Main, Main aapke saath Mangalpur aa rahee hoon...
Asad - WHAT!
Zoya - Yup! Woh kya haina, mere mean se bhaiyo ne socha ke woh mujhe aane se rok sakte hain par (adopting don's voice) Zoya Farooqui ko rokna mushkil hi nahin, na mumkin hai..(giggled to herself over her lame theatrics, but Asad was still in too much shock to join her laughter (not like he would do so anyways)
Asad - Par aap..AAP YAHAN KAISE AYEEN..I MEAN KAISE- KAHAN..KAB?
Zoya - Uff ho Mr. Khan, Obviously na (yes, really obvious) mein trunk mein chipke aayee hoon, Kahan? Cafe ke bahar..Kab? Jab aap apne gaane mein aur suron mein khoye huye the na toh main chipke se cafe se bhaag gayee aur bahar aake aapke trunk mein chip gayee. Seriously, aap thora sa jaldi nahin kahin stop kar sakte the taake main thora sa jaldi aage aajati, jaante hain kitna uncomfortable trunk hai aapka.. (Asad's eyes only widened further with shock as he sat there staring at Zoya in shock, but Zoya was Zoya and could care less. She just calmly, taking full advantage of his shock climbed over to the front passenger seat and made herself comfortable there, placing her bag before her on the ground, her iPad in her lap and buckled her seatbelt then she turned back towards Asad's still shocked face.)
Zoya - (patted his face giving him a blinding smile) whenever you're ready (she tried to keep up the cool act whereas the truth was on the inside she was positively ready to throw up with fear of his anger and rejection of taking her and that nauseous feeling only intensified when she caught him first humming and whistling the song they had their first dance to for the last 2 hours and then when she heard him admit he was having hallucinations of her, she turned her face to the window and let out an uneven shaky breath whilst keeping a trembling hand over her racing heartbeat. Another hour ride with Asad alone. Oh, she did not think this through entirely.)
xxx
Continued in next post...
Meanwhile - Somewhere along the same highway: The Haveli Limousine-
Azlan & Zain were drinking themselves senseless to drown out the torturous voices of Kajol & Naina as they did a rather dramatic re-enactment of Asad's small gig from this morning by throwing themselves all over the giggling and blushing bride to be, Anaya. Humeira just sat to the side uninterested, completely dissolved in her phone, hyperactively messaging someone.
Kajol - I can't help...
Kajol & Naina - FALLING IN LOVE WITH YOU...CUZ I CAN'T HELP-
Azlan - (muttered to Zain) I bet you can't help but regret that you fell in love with her now can you (pointed a shaky finger, drunkly at Kajol)
Zain - (pouring himself another drink) sure. Just the same as you can't help the fact that you're hopelessly in love with the other...
Azlan - What?
Zain - (Acting nonchalant, like he hadn't just dropped such a bomb) What? (Azlan continued to stare at him suspiciously but Zain resumed the act of pouring himself another drink)
Naina - Ohhh, I want to know so badly! I want to know sooo badly who Sexy Khan has fallen in love with...
Kajol - (bit her lip) Sexy Khan Senior or Sexy Khan Junior? (Naina rolled her eyes at her whilst Anaya and Kajol both doubled over laughing at her plight)
Naina - Uss bechare ki awaz mein kitna dard, kitni tadap kitni shiddat thi uss ladki ke liye aur aap log hoke yahan mazaaq ura rahe ho...
Kajol - Well, the girl was there today for sure..dekha na woh kaise wahan cafe ki back window ki taraf dekhi jaa raha tha..
Anaya - (nodded) uski aankhein hi nahin hil rahee thee wahan se...Hmm...Aur woh..Doctor Sinful Smile or Pretty eyes, wonder woh kaun hain?
Naina - PAR SERIOUSLY YAAR...KYA GAATA HAI AAPKA BHAI AAPI...
Kajol - Aapne nahin kabhi gaane ke baare mein socha? Aapki awaz kitni pyaari hai...it's a crime to keep a blessing like that hidden from the world...
Anaya - (shrugged) I don't know, maybe one day.
Kajol - Really? (Anaya shrugged unsurely) Well I hope someday comes soon...
Naina - (lost in a dream world) kitna acha hota na agar Asad aake aapki engagement party pe gaa sakta..
Kajol - (rolled her eyes) eh, Asad's fangirl. Tu pehle decide karle hunh, ke tujhe exactly kaunsa bhai chahiye..Bare waala ya chote waala? (Anaya laughed whole heartedly whilst Naina narrowed her eyes dangerously at her)
Humeira - If you ask me toh acha hai ke woh nahin aa sakta iss engagement pe. Socho aake kitne depressing gaane gaata woh. Sach mein your brother is morbid, woh jahaan jaata hai..apne saath ek dark si energy aur mood leke jaata hai..it's like he sucks the life and happiness away from people and places..yahan bhi wohee karta..
(As she finished spewing her nonsense, they all turned to face her, shocked by her growing insensitivity and cruelty, unable to understand what was going on with her. How could she possibly believe, a brother unable to attend his own sister's engagement was a good thing)
xxx
Meanwhile - Back to the stranded love birds:
Asad - (yelling on the phone) WHAT DO YOU MEAN USKO SAATH HI LE JAON! AMMI I TOLD YOU KE MAIN USKO SAATH NAHIN LEKE JAANE WAALA THA! THEN YOU GO AND CONSPIRE WITH MS. FAROOQUI AND- USS MEIN TOH AKAL NAHIN HAI - (Zoya gasped at his audacity, her mouth open in shock) BACHPANA BHARA HAI USS MEIN PAR AAP BHI- NO AMMI, NO DON'T HANG UP ON ME N- hello? (Zoya covered her face with her hands seeing his baffled face when Phupi actually did shut the phone on him, but his murderous glare the next second shut her right up. He put his phone away rather aggressively and then pinched his forehead, his frustrated and annoyed tell and Zoya clueless as always chose that very second to blow a loud, huge bubble of her gum - For the next 5 minutes they sat in complete silence by the side of the road, no-one speaking and no-one moving but that didn't mean Zoya made every attempt to tempt him to kill her (he probably would've if he wasn't so darn smitten with her) right here and now, by playing drums on her iPad, Window, dashboard and any other surface she could find whilst singing and blowing loud bubbles as well, making him want to just wrap his hands around his own neck and strangle himself. Finally, he admitted defeat and surrendered to his worst enemy, his fate.)
Asad - (took a deep breath) You aren't going to Mangalpur wearing THAT (side eyeing and barely managing to suppress a groan that threatened to escape him as he spotted her bare legs again. Zoya clueless as always looked down at her legs and then back at him and jumped to her own conclusions)
Zoya - DEKHIYE MR. KHAN AAP phir woh Jahapanah mode mein jaake apni 1970's ki MCP rulebook na khol dena. YOU CANNOT TELL ME WHAT I CAN AND CANNOT WEAR.
Asad - (relaxed further into his own seat. Two could play at this game Ms. Ziddi Farooqui) you can fight me on this, but I will win, because we aren't going anywhere until you change. (This time it was she who stared at him in complete shock, unable to believe that he was for real)
Zoya - Mr. Khan main PHUPI KO-
Asad - (relaxed in his seat, with his eyes closed) Phone chahiye ho toh batana, main khud mila doonga aapko..because trust me...Ammi will side with me on this. So will your sister, because I have her number too and if you don't do as I say I can call her too. (He was pleased to see the panic settle in her eyes just like he knew it would as he threatened to call Zeenat)
Zoya - Mr. Khan, AAP MUJHE FORCE NAHIN KAR SAKTE!
Asad - (still relaxing) Of course kar sakta hoon. Agar aap forefully mere saath aa sakti hain toh main bhi aapko aapke kapre badalne pe force kar sakta hoon. Besides isn't it you who always gives lectures on disrespecting others values and traditions and being judgemental and all, so don't you think you shouldn't be a hypocrite and listen to your own advice, respect the culture and values of the place you're going to. (Saying so, he shrugged and closed his eyes again, rather enjoying his short shut eye, a blessing he was rarely fortunate enough to enjoy)
Zoya - (huffed. UGH. She hated it when he was right because he was bloody right SO often and he LOVED TO GLOAT ABOUT IT. But fine, he was right this time, so she swallowed her pride and whispered in a meek voice) All I have is jeans.
Asad - (popped open one eye, and saw her staring outside her window, her arms crossed stubbornly. He cast a quick, less than a second glance at her legs and quickly looked out his own window to get a grip on himself, before he proceeded to start the car)
30 Minutes Later:
Zoya took one last look at herself in the mirror of the public restroom before she took a deep breath, gathering up her courage to face Asad for the remainder of their journey which was getting more difficult to do so but for completely different reasons than she had thought so. She had thought they'd fight so much till one of them got so frustrated they ended up killing either themselves or the other but here, being in such a confined space with him and their frustrated feelings and infatuation was even worse than that. She didn't know what games her heart was playing at, what the butterflies in her stomach were playing at or why the slightest glimpse of him left her so breathless but whatever it was it scared her to death. Still, she was a strong girl. She picked up her bag and confidently (or at least faking it enough) walked back to the car which was parked across the road by a lakeside. She saw the Adonis she had as a driver standing by the lake, evidently on a business phone call whilst skipping rocks in the lake. She opened the door and hopped into the car which was still ignited and getting bored within 3 seconds of waiting and poking the sleeping lion by honking loudly at him twice and not wanting to get any more death glares she busied herself with flipping through radio stations. Finally, a song on one of them caught her attention enough to let her leave it at that. It was the words of the song that caught her attention. They touched the chords of her heart for they just so perfectly summed up the current dilemma of her life. The biggest fear eating away at her heart, as she stared at he who threatened to destroy her and her heart both. Just as the first of the raindrops fell from the sky and upon her face which was leaning in the window, the wind blowing her hair across her face she couldn't help but lose herself to the beautiful melody blaring on the radio...
"Mana ke hum yaar nahin...lo teh haike pyaar nahin...Mana ke hum yaar nahin...lo teh haike pyaar nahin..(Just then Asad, the wind kissing his hair as well, turned around to face her and as their eyes collided in the briefest, quickest of glances, Zoya's heartbeats spun out of control, betraying her yet again, her treacherous heart beating out of control too.) Phir bhi nazrein na..tum milana..dilka aitbaar nahin...Mana ke hum yaar nahin..(unable to fight this, whatever this was any longer she closed her eyes, accepting defeat in the moment just as Asad shut his phone and started walking back over to the car so they could resume the rest of their journey to Mangalpur and face ALL that fate had in store for them."
xxx
Mangalpur - 2 hours later:
Zoya opened her eye's from her small nap when she felt the road go bumpy suddenly. She awoke disoriented and looked all around through groggy eyes..
Zoya - Where are we?
Asad - (staring straight ahead on the road, spoke in his usual calm and deadpan voice) China.
Zoya - (rolled her eyes) Ha-Ha. (She turned her attention towards her window where she could see the change in scenery from urban to rural settings, and suddenly a bright smile spread across her face, as she saw the green fields, the men and women hard at work, the mud houses, the sweet little children playing on the street sides zoom past her whilst Asad made his way further into the village. As excitement over experiencing village and rural life for the first time took over her, she opened her window completely and stuck her head out to let the clean, unpolluted air kiss her face, much to Asad's amusement. This girl surely was a wonder to him. The fact that she could find happiness in the smallest of things, was one of the things he 'love-' the second that word crossed his mind, his mood became cross with her. He straightened up into his same rigid self, sitting straight up and clearing his throat awkwardly. His characteristic scowl back on his face, as he continued driving on whilst Zoya kept getting excited over everything she saw. After a tedious 5 minute drive for (Asad) they finally turned the corner onto a much smoother road and evidently a much different class of the village altogether. Guarded by a white fence at the entrance and surrounded by a white fence all around stood a small neighbourhood of the rich, the panchait, rulers, and of course the nawabs of the village. Zoya watched amazed as Asad drove nearer and nearer to the beautiful Havelis.
Zoya - Mr. Khan, aap, aapki family yahan rehti hai? Wow. (sticking her head further out the window) I've always wanted to live in one of these Mughal style Havelis (continued to admire the breathtaking architect of the buildings before her, before a thought crossed her mind and she stuck her head back in) Waah, sirf aap hi nahin aapke toh khandaan waale bhi ameerzaade nikle, Mashallah (she noticed how Asad visibly stiffened as she mentioned his family and their wealth, how his knuckles turned pale as he gripped the steering wheel tightly, how his jaw clenched and his lips pressed into a thin line. She found it to be rather odd, but she was fast coming to understand that was normal where Asad was concerned. Finally, Asad stopped outside the gates as one of the Guards came over)
Guard - Haan Ji Sahab..kiske ghar jaana hai?
Asad - Dilawar Maam- (stopped. He could feel Zoya's eyes on him, observing him as he shuffled awkwardly in his seat and cleared his throat) Dilawar Sahab ke ghar...
Guard - Acha Maryam Beti ki Shaadi ke liye? (Asad nodded curtly, avoiding eye contact and getting rather impatient with the interrogation) Naam kya bataya aapne?
Asad - Asad Ahmed Khan (The guard fell silent for a few minutes and Asad continued to stare ahead, whilst Zoya continued to note the look of sheer astonishment, surprise and somewhat pity she saw on the guards face)
Guard - Mashallah, Aap toh Jawaan hogaye Asad beta (Asad's cold and ruthless eyes snapped towards him in surprise wondering how he recognized him and the guard merely chuckled in response) pehchaana nahin kya? Main Shabbir Chacha? (Zoya could see the surprise, the recognition the familiarity in Asad's eyes and couldn't understand his response the very next second)
Asad - (watching Zoya nervously out of the corner of his eye) Sorry, maine nahin pechaana, aap please zara gate khulwaadeinge, mujhe thori jaldi hai. (He then completely avoided eye contact with the old man, and acting like a rude spoiled brat much to Zoya's annoyance he kept pressing the gas so that the man would get a hint, which he did because no one is as dense as Asad)
Shabbir - Bilkul bhi nahin badle beta, abhi bhi Ghussa Ek dum naak pe rehta hai (Zoya burst into a fit of giggles as he said that and Asad threw her a murderous glare enough to shut her right up and sit back all sobered up just as the gates opened to let him pass through. Zoya watched Asad go around the circle of the Havelis till he reached the end of the line where Asad stopped right by the most BEAUTIFUL Haveli of them all. A grand white Haveli with tall black gates and lush green gardens, beautiful enough to make Zoya's jaw drop to the ground as Asad turned off the engine. She jumped off the car at once and stared at the Haveli gobsmacked)
Zoya - NO WAY! HUM YAHAN REHNE WAALE HAIN! OMG. It's just breathtaking. (But Asad wasn't listening to a word she was saying, nor was he paying her any attention, for his attention wasn't captured by his family's haveli, it was captured by 'his family's haveli'. The Nawab's Haveli right at the end of the line, right opposite his Haveli. The grand Mansion stood tall and proud surrounded by gates and all access to others completely sealed off. One of the biggest reasons Asad absolutely hated coming here was that he was alway's reminded of life's cruelty and all that he could not have. Even if he didn't want to remember, there sat a gigantic memorial just to remind him of his losses day and night. As he was busy burning his blood over his hate for life and the Nawab family he heard someone calling his name repeatedly)
Guy - Asad? ASAD!
Zoya - (leaned up and screamed in his ear after having enough of calmly staring between them both) MR. Khan (Asad flinched and jumped aside, glaring at her venomously and Zoya just shrugged calmly pointing to the man that had been calling him, getting more and more uncomfortable by the minute of all the aunties and uncles who were eyeing her up and down with calculating, shocked, judgemental and disgusted looks.)
One Lady - (whispering to another) Tauba Tauba, Yeh kaisa libaas pehna hai issne (the other lady shook her head in equal same in response)
Guy - (laughed) Kahaan kho gaye Asad?
Asad - (shook his head, putting his hand forward for a formal handshake much to the guy's amusement) Asalamualaikum Shahid Bhai.
Guy - (laughed) Sirf tum ek hi bande ho Asad jo apne cousin-in-law se gaale lag ke nahin haath mila ke milta hai (still he shook Asad's hand whilst laughing. Asad was busy however staring at the haveli behind Shahid with the oddest of looks in his eyes. Happiness but sadness at the same time, Pride but Shame at the same time. Right then however, some elderly folks came out to join them and Zoya noticed how Asad's mood immediately went foul and he became Angry, hurt and tormented at once, that hateful gleam was shining bright in his eye, as his jaw clenched excruciatingly painfully and his fists clenched at his side. Zoya found herself wincing seeing the torment he was in, along with the torment he was causing himself)
The elderly lady - (smiled lovingly at him and reaching up to reach him she ran a loving hand over his face before bringing his head down to kiss his forehead and Asad calmly let her.) Kaise ho Asad beta?
Asad - Asalamualaikum Naanima, aap kaisi hain? (The lady smiled happily and Zoya could see some dampness in her eyes, it brought a certain dampness to her own eyes. Whatever issues Asad had with his family both immediate and extended he really had no idea how fortunate he was to HAVE and KNOW his family.)(Zoya also noticed the tension radiating off both Asad and the two men who had accompanied his grandmother outside. All of their body languages spoke of hate, animosity and tension. They all avoided eye contact and stood as rigid and stoic as they could)
Elderly Man - (Evidently Asad's Grandfather) Dilshad Kaisi hai? Aur Aisha?
Asad - (without looking at him, spoke in the most cold and hateful tone Zoya had ever heard him speak in) Zinda hai.
The other man - aur tera woh bhai? Uski Shaadi thi na? Hogayee kya?
Asad - (continued speaking in that tone and Zoya could see his anger rising and his patience running thin, his eyes were fast turning red with rage) Ji Hogayee.
The same man - Tune toh humme nahin bolaya, par dekh, hum bare logon ka dil. Humne toh phir bhi bola liya na tujhe. (Zoya could see Asad about to rip one into him and give him a piece of his mind and Zoya found herself both frightened and ANGRY on Asad's behalf even though she had absolutely no clue what was going on here. She just knew she didn't like anyone or anything upsetting him and she was willing to fight his battles FOR HIM if that is what it took to keep him from getting upset)
Naanima - Uff ho, bacha abhi toh aya hai aap dono abhi shuru hogaye. Asad, beta aao (smiled at him warmly) aao, Chanda! Bhaiya ke liye paani lao (smiled tenderly) tumhare liye tumhara alag portion, tumhara favourite portion terrace saaf aur tayaar kar diya hai, hum jaante hain tumhe tumharee tanhayee kitni pyaari hai. Sharbat pee ke toh mun haath dho lo hunh. Dilawar iska samaan upar pauhancha do, aao beta, (Asad was about to proceed in when another lady spoke)
Lady - Arre usko bhi toh dekhein...(now everyone turned towards Zoya making her play with her hair self-consciously and nervously) Yeh gori ma'am aapke saath hain Asad Beta?
Asad - Yeh, nahin..inhe Kasauli waapis jaana hai, (Zoya's mouth fell agape in shock as he pulled a fast one on her) gaari ka wait kar rahee hain hamare saath nahin ayengi, aap log chaliye main zara do minute mein aata hoon (gripped her elbow tightly to prevent her from running or worse, throwing a fit. Both of them ignored the current of electricity that flowed through them, whilst they waited for everyone to return back inside and once they did Zoya snatched her elbow free and there was nothing and no-one preventing her from throwing a fit)
Zoya - MR. KHAN! MAIN WAAPIS (stomping her feet like an angry child) NAHIN JAONGI! NAHIN JAONGI!! NAHIN JAONGI!
Asad - (crossed his arms before his chest, watching her calmly, waiting for her to finish with his amused eyebrow raised as he did so) are you done? (he said calmly as she finished with her mini tantrum) dekhiye, maine Kasauli se already aapke liye ek car bulwaadee hai jo thori dair main aake aapko waapis le jayegi. Aap mere saath yahan nahin rukne waalin, main nahin chahta ke aap yahan kuch aisa karein jiski wajah se mujhe sharminda hona parhe (seeing Zoya about to argue) please. Mera decision bilkul final hai, gaari aate hi aap yahan se chup chaap chali jayengi. That's it. (Saying so, he gave her one final look of warning before turning on his heels and walking into the grand Haveli leaving Zoya pouting stubbornly and defiantly behind him)
Zoya - Jaa toh main kahin nahin rahin hoon Mr. Khan. Main yahan itni door sirf Aahil bhai ki engagement attend karne aayi hoon aur engagement toh main attend KARKE rahoongi (as she talked to herself she heard some girlish giggles behind her. She turned and saw two girls approximately her age dressed in fancy ethnic wear laughing at her as they stared at her and her funny attire, zoya tried to smile but it came up rather gimicky)
Girl 1 - Aap shehr se ayee hain? (Zoya nodded) Shaadi ke liye?
Zoya - (sighed) iraada toh yehi tha par ab...
Girl 2 - Ab?
Zoya - Actually who (peeked into the haveli) woh jo saamne white t-shirt mein khadoos khare haina-
Girl 1 - Sundar Khan? (Zoya stared at her oddly) mera matlab hai Asad Khan. (and unknown to her why, but a fit of jealousy struck Zoya in that instant hearing that girl compliment Asad in the most innocent way and pointing out the obvious)
Zoya - (shaky voice) haan, jahanpanah six packs, woh nahin chahte ke main yahan rukon shaadi ke liye.
Girl 2 - Kyun?
Zoya - (not knowing how to explain) woh...woh...hamara actually jhagda chal raha hai. (The girls giggled)
Girl 1 - Aap hamare saath chaliye..hamare paas ek tareeka hai jisse aap shaadi mein shaamil ho sakti hain aur aapke shehri baabu ko patah bhi nahin chalega. (Zoya's eyes brightened up, liking that idea and she immediately ran off with the girls, trusting them, complete strangers just so easily like she always did. As both Asad and Zoya were already in the Haveli, they completely missed the limousines pulling into the nawab haveli carrying both their respective families for their own celebrations. I guess the real question at the end here would be who had the bigger fireworks out of the two?)
xxx
Continued in next post...
Later that Evening - Terrace:
Asad was dressed for tonight's rather annoying (according to him) festivities - a dinner & musical celebration along with some henna artists doing henna for all the female guests. He still had some time before he had to go downstairs and participate in all the necessary small talk and he preferred to keep the communication with his mother's family to an absolute minimum, so he was delaying his participation in the events for as long as he possibly could. Instead, he stood leaning over the terrace railing, smoking a cigarette and ironically polluting the clean fresh air of the village he was enjoying simultaneously. He listened to the steady sound of the water flowing in the small river to the side of him whilst he continued to smoke peacefully and enjoying the quiet. All the while his hateful and angry eyes fixated on his ancestral Haveli which stood across from him. Finally, when the ruckus and chaos started becoming louder and louder, the hoots and screams along with the music only increasing the incessant noise he realized it was time to go downstairs.
Asad - (crushed his cigarette away) I hope woh Musibat jaa chuki ho...
xxx
Meanwhile The Nawab Haveli - Roof:
Azlan - Papa missed you too Jaan, and don't worry Papa jaldi waapis aa jaeynge. Before you know it. I know (frowned) chachoo? Chachoo kahan gaye? (Pari was just about to tell him when he heard footsteps behind him, so he was unable to hear where Asad had gone to all of a sudden leaving Pari alone, because the only reason he was comfortable coming here, away from Pari for so long was that he knew Asad was there with her and as much as it pained him to admit it he knew he had to, Pari was much more happier and better taken care of with Asad then she was with him, but now that he wasn't there Azlan wasn't all that relaxed about being here) uhh...Pari I have to go...I'll talk to you soon kay. Love you (he managed to hang up the phone just as Zain dangled a beer bottle before him)
Zain - Who was that?
Azlan - uh (avoiding eye contact, his cheeks strangely pink) no-one. Thanks for this, I really needed it.
Zain - (laughed, staring at him suspiciously) I know, that's why I brought it along (Azlan smiled at him before turning his attention back to the dilemma of Pari, clearly a million miles away) Evidently we aren't the only ones having a celebration here (Azlan looked at him confused and Zain nodded in the direction of Asad's families haveli, the sight, decor, hustle and bustle of which surprised Azlan.) Did you know about this? (Azlan shook his head) hmm, you think Asad's here too?
Azlan - (scoffed) Knowing him I'd have to say nope. (Zain laughed and nodded whilst sipping his beer)
Zain - Anyhow, I invited the girls and our to be brother-in-law up for some games, they seemed pretty bored downstairs watching the parents discussing decor and food for Sunday's party...
Azlan - (rolled his eyes) great. That means your annoying step brother is coming too. (Zain chuckled and nodded whilst observing Azlan)
Zain - You sure you're okay. (Azlan, his mind still set on Pari, didn't answer just sighed and took another sip of his beer not in the mood to lie)
xxx
The other Haveli:
Asad was trying his best but failing miserably to try and maintain a low profile. Every time he found one corner to hide in someone or the other would come drag him out of it, calling him for dinner or to join the musical celebrations. Finally, after telling the 14th person who came to call him that he wasn't hungry he just decided to give in and took a seat on a bench before a table waiting to be served dinner. A couple of giggling girls came by, clumsily tossing utensils before him, bringing out the worst of his OCD. He closed his eyes painfully, pinching the bridge of his nose physically disturbed by the sight of a haphazard place setting. Shockingly though when he opened his eyes he found it all placed before him EXACTLY (to a fault) how he liked it. Not even an inch out of portion. All the utensils were clean, aligned and exactly the right angle from one another. Asad looked up still pleasantly surprised and found a rather petite girl in red, her face covered with her veil walking away giggling slightly. He wondered if it was she who fixed his place setting, and he also couldn't help but shake the strange sense of familiarity he got from her. But his happiness seemed to be short lived, for the very next second the girls came back, dumping a spoonful of rice messily into the middle of his plate, along with a small bowl of curry and a chapatti tossed on top of it all. This time Asad felt physically nauseous and desperately wanted to lecture them on etiquettes of table manners, cleanliness and eating. But to his rescue, the same stranger in red returned and cleaned it all up for him exactly as he preferred, much to his confusion. As he continued staring at her bewildered and confused he heard incessant giggled behind him and he could swear he heard someone say 'Jahapanah 6 packs', he spun around quickly to see who it was and was shocked to find the girls running off, he heard the girl in red next to him giggle too and when he turned back she sobered up almost immediately, again familiarly.
Asad - Shukriya (she nodded, placing the glass down for him and then walked away leaving Asad more and more confused. Wondering if what he suspected could actually be true, and as if on clue to confirm his doubts, his cell phone rang, he picked it up and muttered a hello and then listened attentively) Ky- KYA Matlab Driver abhi tak nahin pauhancha...woh toh kab ka Zoya ko leke jaa chuka hai- (and as he continued to listen to whoever it was on the phone explain how the driver couldn't reach and wouldn't reach due to some road block, the girl in red behind him panicked and thinking quickly on her feet, grabbed the first thing she could get her hands on, a heavy pillow from nearby, flung it straight onto the back of his head. Asad screamed a loud 'OW' and let go of his phone, grabbing his neck as it jerked and bent violently. Her eyes widened as the phone went flying, before landing swiftly with a thud on the ground between both of them, just as both their eyes widened in shock.)
Zoya - ALLAH MIYAN!! (And she hadn't finished saying the word yet when Asad's furious, surprised but accustomed to her clumsiness, eyes had snapped towards her face accusingly. He KNEW IT. Zoya looked at him wide and doe eyed, and immediately made a run for it knowing if he got his hands on her he would make her REGRET disobeying him and worse would make her go back, even if he had to CARRY her kicking and screaming back to Kasauli.)
2 Hours Later: Getting a little tired of the festivities and the OBNOXIOUSLY loud music, Asad decided it was time to slip away into two of the most precious things of life to him. Silence and loneliness. He had just reached the end of the stairs when he came across some of his family members much to his displeasure.
Nanima - Itni Jaldi sone jaa rahe ho beta, abhi toh function shuru hi ho raha hai (Asad stared at her wide eyed, it was bloody 10:00 pm already)
Asad - (avoiding eye contact) ji bas thora sa thaka hua tha...
Mumani - Haan Bhai, Aap shehr waale kahan hum kum logon mein shaamil karte ho khudko, kahan aapki bari aukat aur kahan hamari-
Asad - (Finally snapped. All his anger, annoyance, irritation and built up frustration since morning was bound to come out sooner or later) Maaf Kijiyega Mumani par main logon ki aukat unke bank balance se nahin unki neeyat aur iraadon se judge karta hoon. (She just made nasty eyes and a hateful expression at him which he ignored and turned his attention back to his Naanima) Maryam kahan hai? Kabse dhoond raha hoon usse, kahin dikh hi nahin rahee? Shouldn't she be out here, seeing as though this is her wedding? (He noticed the slight panic that dance across their faces, but he couldn't stand to stare at them for too long as is so he didn't think too much of it)
Naanima - Woh, asal mein dulhan haina, toh hazar tayaari karni hoti hai, iss liye kamre mein thori masroof hai. Koi nahin beta kal mil lena (Asad nodded annoyedly)
Mumani - Waise, (staring at him through cunning, calculating eyes) tumhare saath yeh jo ladki Kasauli se ayee hai? Uska kya chakkar hai (and Asad was about to lose it right there and then. He knew his Mumani well enough to know that she meant no good by the tone and words she chose to say that sentence in, and seeing his face growing red and the cracking of his knuckles as he clenched his fists angrily his Naanima and another lady carrying a small child tried to intervene and cool things over before they spun out of control)
Girl - Maa ka matlab hai, woh koi rishtedaar hain aapki?
Asad - (spoke trough clenched teeth) Woh meri bhabi ke behen hai.
Girl - (nodded, smiling sweetly at him) Waise kaisi hai Anwar Bhai ki dulhan?
Naanima - Chalo Acha hua ke uska bhi ghar bas gaya, khuda Maryam ka ghar bhi khushiyon se abad kare aur tumhara (about to bless Asad but he wasn't having any of it)
Asad - Excuse me, I'm a bit tired (and sparing one last hateful and warning filled glare towards his Mumani he bounded up the stairs to the terrace 3 at a time. But lo and behold, his 'bedroom' for his short stay had been taken over by Zoya and some members of her new girl gang)
One girl knudged Zoya - Aapke Shehri Baabu aa gaye...
Zoya - (spoke angrily through gritted teeth) woh mere shehri baabu nahin hai...
Asad - Aap yahan kya kar rahee hain? Maine aapko waapis jaane ke liye kaha tha na? (One of the girls nudged the other and they took Asad's arrival as their clue to leave, so they ran off leaving Zoya to face the angry lion alone) Aapko sharam nahin aati aap yahan bin bulaye aa gayeen? America mein aise hi hota hai...
Zoya - (evidently upset and angry. She paid him only the slightest of attention as she continued wrestling the cone of mehndi she held in her hand whilst sitting on an antique wooden swing on the terrace under the open beautiful night sky and stars) America mein log ladkiyon ki respect karte hain, aapki tarha..(and then sparing him a quick glance and seeing his already seething stance she decided not to provoke him) Khair, aapki information ke liye main aapko batah doon, ke main yahan bin bulayee zaroor hoon but..(frowned) unwelcome ko kya bolte hain hindi main
Asad - (confused by her randomness) ji?
Zoya - Matlab main woh nahin hoon. Khud aapki family ne mujhe itne pyaar se rukne ko kaha hai. Aur jab unhe koi problem nahin hai toh aap kyun naraz ho rahe hain?
Asad - (walking across the terrace towards the railing, both ignoring and avoiding eye contact with each other) Unhe koi problem nahin hai kyunki woh aapko jaante nahin hai, main aapko ache se jaanta hoon aur main jaanta hoon ke aap dunya mein sabse bari problem khud hain (he saw Zoya about to retort something in her defence) I know, aap kabhi kissi ka bura nahin chahtin bura toh bas ho jaata hai. (Zoya pouted. Having no retort to that, because fortunately or unfortunately what he said was completely true. She huffed stubbornly and watched annoyed as he lit yet another cigarette, snobbishly blowing a big puff of smoke into the air without a care for others health, safety and the air. As annoyed as she was she also couldn't help but watch him like a hawk and admire him and everything about him. He really was a divine specimen. A sight for sore eyes. Especially in ethnic wear. Black ethnic wear. His muscles ripping in his forearms where he had the sleeves rolled up, his buttons open on his chest, his baggy kurta, it was nearly sinful. She diverted her eyes in the nick of time, lest she be tempted into that which was forbidden)
Zoya - Do you mind?
Asad - (not looking at her) Do you mind? This is my room?
Zoya - (burst out laughing) Room? I know aap thore se SLOW hain Mr. Khan par yeh ek bedroom nahin, TERRACE HAI. Yahan koi bhi aa jaa sakta hai. Yeh aapka bedroom nahin hai jahan se aap logon ko bhaga sakte hain.
Asad - (shook his head. But whilst he was doing so he saw something out of the corner of his eye. Something that had his jaw dropping to the floor) WHAT.ON.EARTH.ARE.YOU.DOING?
Zoya - (pouting, staring at her hand) I'm doing henna on myself.
Asad - Don't insult henna by calling THAT TRAGEDY Henna.
Zoya - (stared at her hand and then she gave up, nearly wanting to cry she flung the henna cone across the terrace and stared at her hand sadly) I just didn't want to be the only girl here with bare hands. Sab ladkiyon ki mehndi itni sundar hogi aur main-
Asad - (hid a smile) You will have a bunch of scribbles to show off.
Zoya - (flung another pillow at him) DON'T GLOAT MR. KHAN THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT ANYWAYS!!
Asad - (Bewildered) I KNOW YOU LIKE TO BLAME ME FOR EVERYTHING THAT GOES WRONG IN THE WORLD BUT THERE HAS TO BE A LINE DRAWN! PLEASE, PRAY TELL HOW THIS IS MY FAULT?
Zoya - Main agar pichle 2 ghante se aapse chup naa rahee hoti toh unn ladkiyon ko ghar naa jaana parta aur woh meri bhi mehndi karke ghar jaatin. Instead I have this-
Asad - (staring at her tragic attempt to do henna on herself) Please don't call that henna, it's insulting. And besides, this isn't my fault, it's YOUR FAULT. This is a wedding in MY FAMILY and you're uninvited and I can ask you to leave if I want to. What I don't understand is why you're so adamant and desperate to stay back UNINVITED at a wedding where you know NO ONE and that too in a VILLAGE (He stared at Zoya annoyedly and saw her just looking at her hands sadly, a sight which pained his heart more deeply than he admitted to care. For the next few minutes they sat/stood on that terrace under that open sky in silence and no-one spoke anything. Before Zoya was ready to confess the truth and hopefully rid herself of the burden and pain weighing down on her)
Zoya - (speaking in a small voice. Asad although not making eye contact was completely alert and on edge to the uneasiness in her voice the moment she started speaking) I, I came here...not to annoy you or intrude in on your family matters but (sighed, fighting back the tears) to intrude in on my own. (Asad slightly turned his head, confused unable to understand and comprehend what she was saying) Aahil bhai, is getting engaged this week and the girl he's getting married to is well, her family belongs to this village so they've all come here for the engagement. (Shook her head, still trying to fight the tears) I, I had to hide in your trunk and come instead of riding here with them respectfully as their sister because, since Ayaan found out about Akram and all that happened they've been too embarrassed and guilty to face me. Somehow I get harassed by Akram (Asad's grip unknowingly tightened on the railing and the murderous gleam returned to his eyes) and then I get punished for it too, by getting uninvited to my own brother's engagement (and then no matter how hard she tried, one of those stubborn tears still managed to escape and fell like Acid on Asad's heart. He didn't know why he didn't know WHEN he just knew he HATED absolutely HATED seeing her upset or crying and he would move the world to change that. So what he did next, seemed like nothing in comparison. They both sat/stood in silence for the next few minutes again, with Asad stealing glances at her sad face every now and then, her sad eyes ripping his heart apart as she sat there on the swing staring at her bare hands and one disastrous hand silently and sadly. Finally, just as she was getting up to leave though, she gasped softly as she felt his arm brush against hers and pleasant shocks run through her as she felt his cold fingers wrap around her warm forearm. She tilted her head up sideways and was melt with his unsure, pained but smouldering eyes, the longing and haunted quality forever present in them. As the music from downstairs turned into a rather soft, romantic and soulful tune, perfect to reflect the melody their hearts were playing at the moment...
xxx
Continued in next post...
[NOCOPY] Hello everyone! Happy to be here. I was searching for an opportunity to be here with all of you as a member after a long time as writer...
Asya FF: Rendezvous with Honor Asad Ahmed Khan is the prodigal son. All the tabloids say so. Coming from an affluent family in Bhopal, he's done...
Ganesh Kartikeya
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