#2 - AsYa FF: Mohabbatein - Part 28 - Page 130 - 31/01/18! A/N Pg 132! - Page 67

Hopefully when I wake up in the morning the update is sitting here😃

Zoya Ch..(she stared between Pari and Asad) Pari...she's your (Asad nodded seeing the dumbfounded look on her face) WOW. Life really is cruel eh? I mean ek Pari ko aap jaisa chachoo mila ch..(as she shook her head biting her lip staring at the now departing train whilst trying to wrap her head around this new revelation still, Asad rolled his eyes) wow..it's such a small world.
Asad - (his eyes naturally drifted to her on their own accord, just like they tended to do every 2.5 seconds of every minute of everyday nowadays) apparently not small enough. (Zoya looked towards him confused) It's just I can't believe the girl I've been searching so hard for, waiting so impatiently to meet, begging Farida Bi to tell me about..came walking to my door on her own and has been living at my home for months and I...I had no idea...(Zoya's heart fluttered)
Zoya - and why may I ask were you looking for me?
Asad - Oh to uh (keeping a straight face) kidnap you and hide you some place far away of course..I mean you know I don't like to share and hearing Farida Bi sing praises of you made me quite jealous...so I wanted to kidnap you and keep all her love for myself.
Zoya - oh yah (still biting her cheek to stop herself from grinning or worse blushing, because this casual conversation with Asad bordering on the verge of flirting was new territory for her and it was quite nerve wracking) and how'd that work out for you?
Asad - (playing along, realizing himself just how much flirtation was up in the air between them tonight) not well I'm afraid to say. I'm afraid it's not just (and then his playful smile vanished and his eyes softened as he turned to face her again whilst she stared out at the dimly lit amusement park) it's not just her whose head over heels in love for this girl named chutki (whispered) it's everyone in my whole world (Zoya felt something in his words, like he was trying to tell her something, something she didn't even realize she wanted and simultaneously didn't want him to tell her, her surprised face snapped towards his direction and as her questioning and hopeful eyes meshed with his own, his eyes widened and he averted his gaze now being the one to look out at the amusement park, his face paling with worry and confusion as he realized he had almost said too much) I mean, my Ammi..My Aapi, Bhai they all love you. Kiss Kiss se compete karoon?
Zoya - (not understanding why she felt disappointed when he didn't say it and what exactly it was she wanted that something to be she herself didn't know?) Not nearly as much as they love you. It's so obvious you're their whole world. Unn sabki jaan basti hai aap mein, you're (chuckled) ironically, the light in their lives and (and then a real genuine smile, a proud smile spread across her face and hearing her words a small one managed to form on Asad's face too) from what I've heard and seen just now (tossing her head in the soon arriving trains direction) that includes Pari too. Another fan of yours. You're all she can talk about, literally I've heard sooo much about you from her I mean no offence now that I've found out who her chachoo her "hero" is I don't quite agree or see it myself but (Asad rolled his eyes at her again whilst she pretended to gag) so if anyone should kidnap anyone it should be me. I should hide you away (and then the emptiness Asad hated to see in her eyes returned) and keep your beautiful family for myself.
Asad (hung his head guiltily again) I..I really am sorry Zoya. I hope you see that now and I..I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me. Tum woh pehli insaan ho jisko maine Pari ke baare mein bataya hai aside from Farida Bi and Pari's father of course my...
Zoya - Your brother. (Asad nodded, with a frown between his brows which Zoya didn't understand because she didn't know anything about his tensions with his brother but she did know she couldn't tolerate the thought of anything bothering him no matter how small or major the problem may be, so if her forgiveness could elevate that frown from his handsome face then why not, it wasn't like Zoya to hold a grudge and especially from someone she "love-" "she had grown so close to") I...(sighed) I..forgive you. (Asad turned towards her in disbelief which Zoya could see so very clearly and so she smiled nodding letting him know she meant it) it...its okay. (and a small smile formed on his face too, his heart feeling it could burst with joy and he himself felt like breaking into a happy dance right there and then)
Asad - (trying to act all nonchalant and cool, he turned his back towards the park simultaneously lighting a cigarette) So you will come back home then? (and Zoya just couldn't help herself)
Zoya - Why? Miss me already? (Asad coughed and Zoya narrowed her eyes at the smoke and then at him)
Asad - (frowned at her not appreciating her ability to see right through him, his hopeful eyes and outing the secrets of his heart) You wish.
Zoya - Nooo (tapped her finger on his heart) actually YOU wish (saying so she winked at him playfully before walking off into the darkness of the night, into the amusement park leaving his heart in ever so much trouble)
5 minutes later:
Asad was still smoking now standing with Farida Bi as they watched Zoya with Pari on the carousel and right about now it was quite hard to tell who the child was and who the adult. Just as it was hard to tell who Asad's eyes had softened for.
Farida Bi - (bit her lip) She's beautiful isn't she...
Asad - (sighed, whispering to himself) She is.
Farida Bi - hmm...beautiful inside out. Bauhat hi khush kismat hoga woh insaan jisko uska dil aur uska saath milega.
Asad - (lost in Zoya's twinkling mischievous eyes as his own dazed eyes focused on the most picture perfect sight he had ever laid eyes on, it was just like Zoya to charm every person she had ever met and of course even little Pari didn't stand a chance, he was sure he had never heard Pari laugh this loud before) hmm...meri khushkismati hogi. (Farida Bi stared at him, giddy with so much excitement that she seemed like the biggest child there from all of them but she reined it in, staring at Asad with the same knowing smile but when Asad didn't even flinch and still remained as unfazed she burst out laughing unable to help herself and Asad frowned staring at her wondering what had happened to her)
Farida Bi- Main toh Pari ke baare mein baat kar rahee thee Pagal...tum..(Asad's whole face had gone red)..tum ab tak kiske baare mein baat kar rahe the? (Asad opened his mouth but shut it repeatedly not knowing what to say. He really had walked right into that one, and in the end he repeated in typical Asad fashion)
Asad - I don't know what you mean, and you can forget about anyone getting Pari's heart because there is no-one on earth deserving of it...
Farida Bi- (nodded) okay but..which Pari are we talking about exactly because even Zoya's nickname is Pari (Again, Asad opened his mouth to speak but had nothing to say and alas Pari unknowingly came to his rescue)
Pari - Chachoo! Come on aap bhi aao before the horsy gets away...
Asad - (still staring at Farida Bi, trying to figure out what just happened) Coming Pari
Zoya - Oh your chachoo won't come Pari he's too chicken to ride a carousel
Pari - No he's not. My chachoo is..is batman woh kissi se nahin darte (by the time Asad came running up to and hopped unto the spinning carousel he was greeted with his most favourite sight, Zoya had her head tossed back laughing freely. Asad held the bar of the horse she and Pari were seated on)
Zoya - Mr. Khan batman really? Aapko apne baare mein kuch zyaada hi khush fehmi nahin hai..
Asad - (shrugged) your just jealous that I have my own robin (picking Pari up from before her and sitting her in his lap in a car) and you don't (Zoya's ovaries melted seeing Asad with a child, a child he so obviously doted on)
Zoya - (leaned her head against the same bar he was standing against earlier) She really does have your whole heart wrapped around her tiny little finger doesn't she
Asad - (smiled wrapping his arms around Pari who was too lost in trying to "drive" the car she and Asad were seated in) and I wouldn't have it any other way (Zoya's heart soared and her mind wandered to dangerous territory of imaging certain other kids in Asad's lap) (poked Pari in the side making her giggle) Pari are you not sleepy? It's quite late.
Pari - Nope! Not at all...I wanna ride the carousel all night long chachoo.
Asad - If you rode the carousel all night long I doubt you'd ever be able to walk straight again you'd be too dizzy...
Zoya - Speak for yourself right Pari? (Pari of course was of course too eager to agree) ch, some batman you are, scared of a little carousel.
Asad - (rolled his eyes wondering if introducing Zoya to Pari was the biggest mistake he could've possibly made) Uhm after this ride the drivers gonna take Pari and Farida Bi back home and then he'll take you home too.
Zoya - (frowned) you're not going home?
Asad - I am, I just...it's a nice night so I was thinking of walking. (Zoya stared around at the sky full of stars)
Zoya - It is a beautiful night isn't it. (Asad nodded as Zoya turned her head towards him) you mind if I walk with you? (Zoya wasn't sure what she was doing. She just knew she wasn't ready to lose him just yet, and although both of them knew better than to indulge upon this dangerous path their hearts were leading them down, Asad was too far gone to say no and so before he could say anything he found his head nodding along to his heart in a slow yes whilst they continued gazing at each other through love filled eyes and riding the carousel with Pari like the perfect little family, butterflies of anxiety and anticipation fluttering in their hearts of their upcoming moonlit walk home under a sky full of stars)
A little while later:
Zoya's heart filled with warmth as she watched Pari cling to Asad and refuse to let go whilst Asad and Farida Bi coaxed her into letting him go.
Farida Bi - Pari chachoo bol rahe haina ke woh breakfast pe aapke paas honge abhi unhe ghar jaane do please...
Pari - Par woh bhi toh chachoo ka house haina woh wahan bhi toh sleep kar sakte hain hamare saath...please. Chachoo I want you to stay with me and I want you to sing me my lullaby
Zoya - (lending a helping hand, feeling helpless and sad for both Pari and Asad although she might not care to admit that mostly it was for Asad) Pari farida bi will sing you the lullaby won't you Farida Bi?
Asad - no she (shook his head) ch, Pari, k listen to me robin (Zoya looked towards Farida Bi who told her it would be best to stay out of it) look abhi I have to go walk Zoya home?
Pari - why?
Asad well (shrugged, with her still in his arms peering up at him) because she's a baby. A big (trying to hide his smirk. Guess introducing Zoya to Pari had it's perks after all) fat (Zoya's mouth dropped open in shock) scared baby whose scared to walk home in the dark and I need to be there to save the day (shrugged again winking at Pari before loud whispering to her) because I'm batman (Pari put a finger to her lips, her innocent eyes widened in understanding)
Pari - (looked towards Zoya) is this true Chutki Di? Are you scared of the dark?
Zoya - (speaking through gritted teeth letting Asad know she'd get him back for this) I guess I am, scared.of.the.dark.
Asad - (tried to hide his smile) so what say bacha? Can I go, and join you for breakfast tomorrow morning?
Pari - (sighed) I guess...
Asad - (smiled wide and kissed her nose) That's like my pari...now come on give me a big hug and a goodnight kiss to keep all the monsters away (Pari laughed and wrapped her tiny arms around Asad kissing his cheek too)
Pari - Chutki di, aap ko bhi kiss chahiye? Chachoo says my kiss is magical and it keeps all the monsters away...
Zoya - Well I can't say no to that...(muttered loud enough for Asad to hear as Pari leaned forward in Asad's arm to kiss her) especially when there is one certain JINN I can't seem to keep at bay (Asad tried his best but the blushing smile still managed to creep it's way back to his face and so he ducked down on the pretence of putting Pari into the limo and then he and Zoya stood back waving goodbye to them)
Enroute home:
Asad and Zoya were silently walking home "supposedly" side by side but self consciously putting a whole lot of distance between them. There was silence, but a rather strange and unique comforting silence.
Asad Uhm, Ms. farooqui I mean..Zoya I uh... I hope it goes without saying that Pari will have to remain OUR secret. (As special and close to Asad she felt hearing those words "our secret" a secret that just the two of them shared, it felt like something bonded them together and she didn't know why it even mattered to her to have that connection with him but she couldn't deny that it made her feel mattered and loved in a unique way and she wasn't going to let such a chance go by, but it also made her heart clench with a pain, a pain of familiarity)
Zoya Uhm, I (nodded) of course Mr. Khan that goes without saying but (and then she stopped not knowing if she should say what she was about to, if it would be too much of crossing a line)
Asad - (coaxing her to say what she obviously wanted to, but was holding herself back due to some self doubt) but?
Zoya - (sighed, staring into his sincere eyes, eyes that were fast becoming her undoing just like hers was his and once she did she couldn't hold herself back even if she wanted to) but I just wanted to make sure that you know what hiding Pari away from the world means in the long run. I mean I'm sure your brother has his reasons to hide her and they may make all the sense right now...but I hope you and he both know how this will affect Pari once she grows up, the kind of toll it will take on her realizing her own father was ashamed to own up to her and claim her and so he hid her away from the world where she had to grow up alone and unloved and not surrounded by family and their care and love like she deserves (and suddenly Asad had stopped walking whilst Zoya without realizing continued walking through seemingly glass eyes, like a shadow had been cast over them and she had drifted to a different world, a world in which she could relate to every word she had just said and Asad too realized that. He realized that there was more to Zoya and her words than she leant on, she may be saying those words about Pari but they were coming from a place of familiarity and personal experience. Of course none of this was breaking news to Asad but still it was always hard when someone showed you the mirror to all your harshest realities and darkest truths. Just as Zoya felt the loss of warmth and comfort next to her she turned around to face the moment of truth in which Asad was about to question her if the reason she knew all about what Pari would grow up to feel was because she herself felt all that today but it seemed God wasn't ready for them to cross that line in their relationship, instead he wanted to bless them upon this new step they had taken towards one another and so he opened the heavens and let those blessings come pouring down upon them in the form of rain, and not just a drizzle but like all the heavens opened at once and an ocean was descending down upon them from the heavens above. Zoya shrieked as she held out her hands feeling the first drops of water followed by countless others and in seconds she was drenched from head to toe. Although her shriek was one of pleasant surprise Asad's was one of frustration of course.)
Asad - WHAT THE- (he ran his hand over his face and through his hair trying to understand what just happened, not noticing Zoya checking him out head to toe and how unbelievingly sexy he looked in head to toe black, drenched with his clothes sticking to him) (screamed over the loud rain and thunder like the lost and sad boy which he was) come on! The cafe is just a few blocks down...we can wait for the storm to pass there. (Asad was pleasantly greeted with the sound of her twinkling laughter echoing all around her. Although it managed to erase the frown lines from his forehead it left him confused as to why she was laughing so crazily like that when they both looked like drowned rats (whilst not her in his belief) and were sure to catch pneumonia but Zoya just shook her head, making all thoughts fly out of his mind and leave him tranced when her still warm and tiny little hand slipped perfectly into his large ones, fitting like a glove, like it was meant to be, like she was his perfect fit. Without saying another thing she shook her drenched hair excitedly and took off full speed running down the streets, amidst the storm, letting the oncoming cold air kiss her face and the only response she had was her laughter which had Asad enchanted as he ran along behind her, transfixed)
Zoya - Oh ho Mr. Khan! Learn..to LIVE!

xxx

Haveli:
Azlan walked into his house, past dark again hoping to not see anyone or interact with them. Although majority of his family (the normal half) were okay with him again he still didn't like the hostility he received from members like Ghaffur, Razia, Shireen but mostly he didn't want to see them all crying or fawning over Anaya like she was a broken doll or some HUGE tragedy had struck her from which she may never be able to strike back. As he walked the dark hallways of the house, he couldn't help it but his let his eyes fill up as he choked up remembering not too long ago when his sister would be worriedly pacing the hallways until he returned home just to make sure he had a proper dinner and didn't go to sleep on an empty stomach and yet here he was today, avoiding coming face to face with her just so he didn't have to see the accusations he was afraid to see in her eyes. But then, as he passed by her dark room he couldn't help but let his mind wander over to Asad. From what he knew and had heard of (mostly what Asad had told him) he was his Ammi and sisters everything and just like Anaya they too would wait around for Asad and fret over him ensuring he didn't sleep on an empty stomach, and then he thought about a few nights ago and the tragedy that thankfully surpassed them without destroying them all. He remembered the tears in Asad's eyes and the relief he could feel emanating off every pore of Asad's being as he hugged him letting him know his mother was going to survive. He then thought about what would've Asad's reaction had been had it not been good news that Azlan had come to deliver. If god forbid Asad had lost his mother. What would his life be like then? Who would he return home to..would he even return home? His mother wouldn't be there to fret over him or pamper him or care for him. It would be up to him to have dinner or not no one else would care. Just like no one cared if Azlan had his dinner or not. The only difference of course was that in that case Asad would be helpless and could do nothing about it, he would've lost his mother without any fault of his own. On the contrary here and now Azlan had a choice of losing his sister or not, he could still do something about it he was just letting his ego come in the way preventing him from apologizing when he KNEW he owed his sister at least that no matter how much he wasn't sorry that she didn't have to marry into Haseena Bi's family. He looked into her room and saw Anaya sitting alone, broken and depressed by the window staring out into the slowly moving creek behind their house. Hesitantly, but confidently Azlan walked into her room. She either didn't notice or was too tired figuratively to care but she didn't even acknowledge his presence even as he took a seat before her on the window seat. He sat silently, just watching her sit there stare out into the backyard, not even react or flinch.
Azlan - hey. long time eh? Well I had a pretty horrendous day..2 murder cases and a rape case, 4 drug overdoses.(shook his head) I have no idea what the hell is happening to us but it's turning into a pretty scary place out there (sighed, as he dwelled further on his thoughts thinking that this is the world he was to raise his daughter in, his sweet little innocent Pari who couldn't hurt a fly and it terrified him beyond limits but once that train of thought began going down a dark road he stopped himself in time and turned his attention back to Anaya) so anyways how was your day? (But Anaya again, still didn't flinch and suddenly Azlan just snapped. He lost all patience) Huh. (He stood up angry and agitated and paced around) Do you even have the SLIGHTEST idea of what's been going on around these past few days or are you so UNBELIEVABLY involved in your own self wallowing and self pity over some guy you BARELY know that you can't care about what your loved ones, your family people who are your blood and have been in your life for 25 YEARS not 25 days like Aahil, 25 YEARS have been going through (Seeing her still not respond he just stared at her in pure disbelief and anger not having anything left to say but he did want to give her a huge shake to knock some sense into her) ASAD...ASAD do you know what ASAD and AISHA AAPI have gone through these last few days? They came THIS close to losing their mother. Abbu (shook his head) Abbu's a mess. First the showdown at your engagement and then Dilshad aunty (threw up his hands still seeing no response from her) k, if nothing else can you just let me know how much longer you're going to stay in mourning over something you ALMOST had. In mourning over a guy who could care LESS about your broken heart so I can come back and do this then. A week? A month? A year? (But when she still didn't respond he turned around without saying another word and stormed out of there, slamming her door HARD and Anaya finally flinched atlas, she turned towards the door where Azlan had just stormed out of with her heart heavy and weighing down on her and her eyes full of tears).

xxx

Khan Mansion: A head to toe drenched Asad and a still laughing till her stomach hurt Zoya reached the front door of Khan Mansion. She bent over clutching her side whilst Asad shook his head trying to get the water out of his hair and face.
Asad - (shook his head at Zoya still laughing) You're insane you know that right. ABSOLUTELY INSANE.
Zoya - I can't believe you screamed because of thunder...
Asad - I did NOT scream (Zoya didn't bother to respond because another fit of laughter overtook her and Asad just shook his head, his lips lifting upwards at the corners just slightly as he turned his attention towards the door to hide it. He had just raised his hand to ring the doorbell when instead the doors were thrown open startling both him and Zoya who was just beginning to stand upright again and it took them both a few seconds to process who it was standing before them.)
Zoya - (surprised) Aapi? (But Zeenat just threw her arms around both of them hugging them both tightly and refusing to let go. Asad stopped breathing for a second and stiffened as she hugged him, his eyes wide. Zeenat didn't notice but Anwar who came up behind Zeenat did and was about to say something worriedly to Zeenat but Zeenat let them go just in time and Asad finally calmed just a little though he struggled to orient himself and breath again and Anwar's worried eyes didn't leave his face for even a few seconds)
Zeenat - KAHAN REH GAYE THE tum dono! I've been so worried. Shaam se tum dono ka koi ata pata hi nahin hai upar se mausam bhi dekho kaisa ho raha hai. Kahan, oh my god tum dono toh bilkul bheeg gaye ho aur yeh Zoya ITNI thand hai yeh kaise kapre..
Zoya - Okay...crazy lady that's ENOUGH outta you. JEEEJUUU (she rolled her eyes at Zeenat and instead walked past her throwing her arms around Anwar's neck hugging him tight) It's sooo good to see you! Kab aye aap log? (A stunned Zeenat turned towards Asad but Asad was still a bit shaken up so he just gave her an apologetic shrug not knowing what to say)
Anwar - (laughed) jab tum dono baarish mein naha rahe the apparently. Seriously Zoya how'd you manage to get Asad willingly drenched..
Zoya - (giggled) Jeeju aapne bataya hi nahin ke aapka bhai baarish se BHI darta hai.
Asad - I AM- (He just walked into the house shaking his head not finding it worth it to engage in such childishness whilst Zeenat slapped the back of Zoya's head)
Zeenat - Tum abhi bhi nahin sudhri...aate hi uske peeche par gayee
Zoya - Chalo ji aagayee apne devar ki chamchi...WATCH out everyone don't say anything against Mr. Khan...
Zeenat - (shook her head and grabbed Zoya by the arm dragging her to her room) pehle se hi kaafi dheela hai ye (slapping Zoya's head) thand se satak jaane ka scope hum bardaasht nahin kar sakte..Asad tum bhi please apne baal sukha lo. You'll catch a cold.
Asad - (snapped out of his trance of his painful past Zeenat's hug had pushed him into and smiled at her) sure bhabi (Zeenat smiled back at him before disappearing into Zoya's room with Zoya leaving Anwar and Asad alone in the loving room)
Anwar - (smiled at Asad ruffling Asad's hair) How are you lil bro? I missed you.
Asad - (nodded) I'm fine. Ammi...aap Ammi se mille?
Anwar - Yah...she just fell asleep. Aisha's pretty much been locked in her room all night so it gave us a good chance to catch up and talk..
Asad - (frowned) Yah she does that a lot these days (Anwar frowned too wondering why that was)
Anwar anyways, uhm I'm sorry we didn't make it back earlier and you, Zoya and Aish had to go through all that trauma alone. It's just..it took us so along to get out of that jungle I just...I regret going in the first place and-
Asad - (gulped, trying to keep his tears and pain at bay as the sight of his mother laying in a pool of her own blood flashed before his eyes) Bhai, relax it's okay. We understand..it's cool. I know you came as soon as you could...and Ammi, Ammi she's you know (looked down as he felt his eyes fill with tears, that image haunting him) she's fine.
Anwar - (put a comforting hand on the back of Asad's head) Asad...
Asad - (looked up as a tear finally escaped his eyes and choked out just a few words which made tears fast rush to Anwar's eyes too) Ammi...bhai...Ammi. They just..they shot her and left her to- (Anwar choked up and nodded as a tear escaped his eyes too and then without saying another word he enveloped Asad into a tight hug to try and put his broken pieces together and Asad too wrapped his arms around Anwar and the two brothers cried over what ALMOST happened, a tragedy both of them couldn't fathom in their worst nightmare)

xxx

Zoya's room:
Zoya came out of the bathroom after taking a nice long warm bath, drying her hair with a towel and grinning to herself lost in her own thoughts. Thoughts that consisted of Asad. She thought back to him and the way he was with Pari, the way he held her, pampered her, cared for her like she was the most precious thing to him in the entire world, his eyes that held so much love for her like he would do anything and everything she would ask for him at the drop of a hat no matter how ridiculous or outrageous the request and Zoya was CERTAIN that Asad would without any hesitance be at little Ms. Pari's beck and call. Zoya knew Asad was caring and loving she had seen enough of him fawning over and caring for his mother, sister, brother but this was in a different way and it filled Zoya's heart with warmth and her stomach with a strange fluttering)
Zeenat - What's gotten you all smiling and giddy?
Zoya - (looking like a deer caught in headlights) Nothing. (But her response was a bit too shrill and quick and Zeenat looked at her suspiciously, taking the towel from her and handing her a steaming cup of hot chocolate, which Zoya gratefully took taking a seat before her on the ground whilst Zeenat began drying her hair)
Zoya - (grabbed her hand and kissed it whilst smiling up at her) I'm so glad you're here Aapi.
Zeenat - (smiled kissing her hand back) Me too. (Zoya took a sip of her hot chocolate and before she could even swallow she turned back almost immediately, hyperly, startling Zeenat with her wide eyes)
Zeenat - Aapi aapne Mr. Khan ko coffee di? Woh bhi baarish mein bheege...unhe bhi thand lag rahee hogi and never mind the fact that the weirdo (rolled her eyes) needs coffee before bed. To fall asleep. I swear koi alag hi piece hai woh. (Zeenat's hands stilled in Zoya's hair for a minute unable to believe what she was hearing)
Zeenat - Arre kissi ko bauhat fikar hai mere devar ki?
Zoya - (choked on her hot chocolate effectively spitting out her sip all over the room and earning a slap from Zeenat on the head) Mujhe? Nahin toh...Yeh kissne kaha aapse. Main toh bas jaanti hoon ke bina coffee ke woh kitne cranky ho jaate hain and I don't want him throwing another tantrum that's all (but her flaming red cheeks, ramming heartbeats and breathlessness definitely suggested otherwise to Zeenat)

xxx

In the middle of the night - Haveli:
Azlan heard faint sniffles coming from somewhere in his room loud enough to be heard through his snoring. He groaned willing it away and tried turning over in bed to make it stop but it didn't.
Anaya - (sniffling, she gave him another shake) Azlan (Azlan squinted his eyes as he heard another sniffle and then another and then he finally sat up understanding what was happening and his eyes finally fully opened wide)
Azlan - Aapi? (Anaya didn't say anything she just cried harder making Azlan even more worried) Azlan - (held her arm, now panicking) Aapi..Aapi what's wrong? Kya huwa hai Aapi please say something you're scaring me.
Anaya - (choking through her tears) Azlan...Asad..Asad ki Ammi...how is she?
Azlan - (not expecting that, he sat there frazzled, not able to answer for a minute) she...she's fine Aapi..(and then he snapped out of it, better orienting himself) I mean she's going to be fine Aapi kya-
Anaya - (shook her head) Azlan...I'm sorry I..I've been so selfish I...I forgot about everyone I was hurting in my misery...you, Ammi Abbu...Asad I...I'm sorry (and then she just fell apart and Azlan just hugged her tightly letting her let it all out whilst she cried nonstop letting all of the pain, suffering and heartbreak she had been harbouring for months out, finally)

xxx

The Next Morning - Khan Mansion:
Aisha - (still laughing from the story Zeenat was telling) oh bhabi yeh toh kuch bhi nahin hai. Last year we went river rafting and both these two only lasted one night. They had their bags packed the very first morning before I even woke up just because of a MOSQUITO bite.
Anwar - well there's nothing wrong with being health conscious...
Aisha - There is something wrong with being more beauty conscious than your wife OHH...bhai bhabi feels the same way stop pinching me to shut up
Zeenat - (laughed) exactly Anwar. It's a too little too late for that. You probably should've thought about it before screaming when you see a rare bug or when your skin itches because of dirt and then hiding in your cabin and not participating in any camp activities.
Anwar - It could've been poison ivy (but Zeenat and Aisha weren't having it, they continued laughing along with Dilshad who shrugged apologetically at Anwar as he fed her another bite of her breakfast) I swear my wife turns into a bully every time she comes to Kasauli. I like you better in Delhi.
Aisha - (put an arm around Zeenat) Well next time feel free to send bhabi alone
Dilshad - Acha chalo bas mere bache ko tang karna band karo tum dono
Aisha - and there she goes spoiling all the fun...mother India..(rolled her eyes)
Zeenat - Waise Ammi aap breakfast karke medicine le lein phir main nurse ko help kar deti hoon apko shower dene mein..by then the Ayaan should be here for brunch..(rolled her eyes) hopefully. Anwar can you go check on the cooks and make sure everything's almost set. (Anwar nodded and immediately left the room)
Aisha - (laughed) wow bhabi good one..you've got him on a short leash. Please chote waali ki bhi thori si muramat kardo na.
Zeenat - Aisha itna toh woh sweet aur suljha hua hai bechara.
Aisha - please bhabi he is the devil (Zeenat and Dilshad both rolled their eyes) argh! You two are no fun. Where's Zoya?
Zeenat - It's not noon yet, she's vowed to never wake up in any hour ending in A.M, help me out here with Ammi's medicines.
Dilshad - Arre zeenat tum kyun takleef kar rahee ho tum kal safar se ayee ho thakee hui hogi..Aisha hai yeh sab karne ke liye
Zeenat - Na uh...thats not fair. Saare neqi ke kaam aur savaab Aisha ke liye hi kyun Ammi? Mujhe bhi toh meri Ammi ka khayal rakhne ka aur unnki hidmat karna ka mauka milna chahiye na..main bhi toh aapki beti hoon na
Dilshad - Meri ekloti sane bachi...(whispered) inn paglon ke beech sirf tum aur main hi ek doosre ka sahara hain..(Zeenat laughed as Aisha rolled her eyes handing Zeenat the medicines and then slouching further into Dilshad's bed flipping through the television channels and drinking her coffee. They all got distracted by Asad's loud and angry voice out in the hallway)
Asad - Inspector stop giving me excuses. I want results. Itne din ho gaye hain aur aapki investigation ek step aage nahin barhi hai. Main aapko KHUD bata chuka hoon ke woh log kaun hain aur kahan se aye hain...all you have to do is arrest them then what's the hold up? Aapko ek arrest karne mein itna time kyun lag raha hai? (Zeenat and them all exchanged apprehensive looks) jiss wakt meri Ammi pe attack hua uss wakt main khud unke saath phone pe tha aur usse pehle woh do baar mujhe call karke khud dhamki de chuke the, phir...SAVE IT. I'll speak to Malik uncle myself. Unless it's coming from a senior you people don't do anything do you. (He angrily shut the phone, and stood there massaging his forehead feeling a migraine coming on whilst a still half asleep Zoya in her usual tragic morning appearance, hair a-blast, in her pyjamas, eyes closed dragged her feet into Dilshad's room)
Zeenat - Morning sunshine.
Aisha - It's a little too early in the morning for irony bhabi...
Zeenat - I would lecture you on the etiquettes of face washing, teeth brushing, showering and changing in the morning but I know you usually look worse than this (Aisha burst out nodding and laughing whilst Zoya ignored them both falling onto the bed next to her)
Dilshad - (called out to Asad worriedly) Asad? (Asad looked into her room and tried to erase his stressed look and worry lines, hoping it would seem he had had a good nights sleep but he looked like hell) kya huwa? Tum itne pareshan kyun ho?
Asad - Kuch nahin, its just the investigation. You don't worry about it I'll handle it with Malik uncle aap bilkul pareshan mat hp (he bent down and kissed her forehead) aapne breakfast kiya? Medicines lin...
Zeenat - (nodded) yah she just had them, and Asad I arranged for a brunch with Malik uncle so you can talk to him then..just him and Ayaan...
Anwar - (walking in) and Aahil (Aisha's face immediately both paled and lit up, her heart beginning to race at the prospect of hoping to see Aahil, but not wanting to at the same time) he texted and said he can make it to brunch
Zeenat - GREAT.
Asad - Uhm..thats great bhabi. I just have to run a quick errand but I'll be back in time for breakfast..
Dilshad - OH NO NO NO you don't Mr. Tum kisko budhu bana rahe ho? I know you're just trying to get out of having breakfast. Chup chaap yahan baith jao...
Asad - No Ammi I..
Zeenat - Come on Asad..Ammi theek keh rahee hain come sit and spend time with us we were just making fun of Anwar and his divaness...
Aisha - Oh he's a bigger diva than Anwar bhai bhabi...
Zoya - (muttered with her eyes still closed, half asleep) True that.
Asad - Come on guys I'll be back in an hour and a half tops, in time for brunch..trust me I'll be here before Ayaan the idiot.
Dilshad - Asad-
Zoya - Jaane dijiye na phupi..he'll just get cranky and ruin brunch with his temper tantrums, this way we an enjoy a peaceful brunch without jahapanahs rok tok and 101 issues. (Asad's mouth almost fell open appalled, whereas Zeenat's actually did but Asad caught Zoya's eye just in time as she winked at him and he realized she was trying to help him out for "paris sake)
Aisha - Oh yah shes right, k go..go run your "errand
Asad - Ammi?
Dilshad - (rolled her eyes) Kya Ammi? Jaise meri chalti hai..yeh do amma bol chuki hain toh hum barre (herself and Anwar and Zeenat) kis kaamke..jao..(Asad bent and kissed her forehead before making a beeline from the room lest she change her mind and stop him again. He only stopped once he was safely out of her sight)
Anwar - (handing Zoya his mug of coffee) rocking the bedhead look Zoe (Zoya nodded with her eyes closed whilst laying in bed next to Aisha, both attempting to fall asleep again whilst the other 3 rolled their eyes at their hopelessness and Asad stood outside the room gazing at a once again sleeping Zoya with admiration and adoration. He wanted to say thanks and appreciated her help in his keeping his promise to Pari par...dil pagla samjhane se samjhe na)

xxx

Continued in next post...

Haveli:
Anaya woke up still feeling immensely tired, groggy and disoriented. Having cried herself to sleep that too late last night or early this morning left her feeling exhausted. What didn't help was that she realized she wasn't in her own room. Thankfully Azlan, showered and fresh ready for the morning came in to help her overcome her confusion. He smiled brightly at her whilst buttoning up the cuffs to his shirt.
Azlan - Morning sleepy head. Aapi I gotta tell you, you really need to replace your bed zara bhi comfortable nahin hai. Well (laughed as he proceeded to brush his hair in the mirror) I'm sure you'll be doing that anyways after having spent a night in my bed. It really is a god sent blessing isn't it?
Aisha - (too confused to comprehend a word of his blabber) main yahan? (Azlan finally noticed the confusion on her face)
Azlan - (setting the hairbrush down) Woh aap..raat ko baat karte so gayeen and I didn't have the heart to wake you or disturb you so I let you be and slept in your room and after sleeping in my baby (stroked his bedding taking a seat before her on the bed) I hope you understand how big of a sacrifice that is...your bed is made of rocks or something (but then seeing Anaya not listening or paying attention to him but lost in her own depression, misery and self pity he sighed, of course it wouldn't all go away in one night but it seems they hadn't made any improvement either.)
Azlan - (setting a comforting hand on her shoulder) Aapi...hey come on. Come on...stop causing yourself pain and crying over a guy who couldn't care to stand up against his own mother for you. Aapke liye baaki dunya se kya larega woh? He doesn't care about your pain, your heartache NOTHING then why are you wasting your precious tears on him. He doesn't deserve them Aapi. Uski maa ne (his fists clenched with immense fury) Woh toh aapko ek baar sorry bhi kehne nahin aaya (and Anaya broke down again so he enveloped her in a tight hug. His own heart breaking out of worry and helplessness. Not knowing what to do or say to help her) Please aapi aisa mat kijiye. Forget about him.
Anaya - Main usse bhool bhi jaon Ayaan par Ammi Abbu ki takleef ko kaise bhula doon..woh kaise nazar andaaz kar doon. Unka bojh toh ab dugna hogaya naa., main pehle hi itni barri boj thi aur ab..itne barre rishte ka yun publicly tootna aur itni zillat ke baad kaun karega mujhse shaadi hunh?
Azlan - (filled with fury like never before) aap KISSI pe bhi bojh nahin hain samjhin aap. Aur aggar koi nahin karta toh naa karre aap kissi pe bojh nahin hai. Yeh aapka ghar hai hum sab hain aapke liye yahan..jo aapse behad pyaar karte hain agar koi aur aapko aapke liye nahin chah sakta..aapki respect nahin kar sakta woh aapko deserve nahin karta aur aapko bhi aise kissi aadmi ki koi zaroorat nahin hai...(running a hand through her hair) aap jaisi hain bauhat achi hain..bilkul perfect hain...aapko aur KISSI ki zaroorat nahin iss baat ka yakeen dilane ke liye especially kissi aadmi ki toh bilkul nahin.
Anaya - (laughed) tumhe shaadi nahin karni toh tumhe ek had tak hi force kareinge yeh log uske baad chordeinge par main...mumani ka pata hai na tumhe..aur waise bhi mein shaadi nahin karoongi toh aur kya karoongi? Iss chaar dewari mein ghut ghut ke jiyongi?
Azlan - (determined, his eyes brewing a storm, a storm not to be reckoned with because his eyes also held a promise, that anyone who crossed him would be left destroyed without any remorse) Uske baare mein bhi kuch soch liya hai maine.

xxx

Asad's Bungalow:
Pari sat on top of the sofa with her feet dangling over Asad's shoulders as he slouched on the sofa sipping his coffee. Pari was "massaging his throbbing head more like touching his forehead with her delicate little fingers attempting to heal his headache and the strange thing was Asad actually believed it was helping because she was so pure and also because his love for her blinded his judgement. Whilst they both sat there watching cartoons Farida Bi fed Pari her breakfast and here and there snuck in a bite for Asad too and Asad was so lost in the investigation about his Ammi he didn't even notice. Right about then, Azlan walked in and fell unto the sofa next to Asad and again Asad didn't notice, or hearing Pari shriek in happiness, till he fell on the sofa almost spilling Asads' burning coffee all over him.
Asad - (side eyed Azlan in annoyance) humesha bandron ki tarha entry marna zaroori hai?
Azlan - (rolled his eyes back at Asad as he leaned up to place a huge noisy kiss on Pari's lips) hamesha saddu hona zaroori hai?
Pari - (giggle) saddu toh chacho ka middle name hai (Asad's mouth fell open whilst Farida and Azlan burst out laughing)
Azlan - (pulling Pari into his lap, hugging her tightly and ruffling her hair) that's my girl. I'm so proud (Farida Bi held the next bit of French toast up about to feed Asad but Azlan opened his mouth wide so Farida Bi fed him instead) Yum! Your French toasts to die for Farida Bi...
Asad - (muttered sipping his coffee) and yet here you are. alive and annoying.
Azlan - Uhm Btw Pari I brought a tub of mint chocolate chip ice cream (Pari squealed in excitement and clapped her hands together and even Asads' eyes lit up) how about you go grab it and a couple of spoons before the next cartoon comes on, hunh? (Pari hopped off his lap and ran to the kitchen happily with her tiny footsteps echoing around the house and Farida Bi followed her too. Azlan looked over at Asad hesitantly, who was still lost in worry about his investigation, it seemed Azlan had something to say but was too nervous and confused about how to say it or where to begin)
Azlan - (avoiding looking at him) how's...how's your mother doing? (Asad looked at him surprised, that was sweet of him to ask but it was about the last thing Asad expected him to ask)
Asad - uhm...(still worried sick for his Ammi) she's fine. Doing better (Azlan nodded, visibly relieved and Asad's heart swelled with hope and love for his brother and their broken relationship) thanks for asking..(Azlan nodded and then avoided eye contact again not knowing how to approach what he wanted to ask but Asad was his brother, who knew him inside out and he immediately knew when something was troubling him)
Asad what's wrong? You seem tensed. Everything okay?
Azlan - huh? Uhm...yah..yah everythings fine (but then he scratched his forehead, his nervous tell and Asad scoffed, hearing his scoff Azlan frowned and then realized what Asad was scoffing for and he couldn't help but smile) yah uhm...I am a little worried about Aapi (Asad's protective instinct kicked in in full drive and he frowned worriedly) She's still broken up about Aahil and everything that went down on the engagement and I just don't know how to help her. What to say or do to make her feel better.
Asad - (frowned angrily) wait so...Haseena Bi...she still didn't come over and fix everything between you guys? (Azlan shook his head angrily and now Asad was FURIOUS. Haseena Bi made a very bad mistake, one she was going to regret horribly)
Azlan - But I don't care. I don't want my sister to go into that house with that woman or marry a guy who (held himself back from swearing and cussing, saying all the horrible words he could think of to Aahil) couldn't stand up for her or respect her
Asad - Then?
Azlan - I...I want her to find a different purpose in life. Something other than this 1000 century old ghar basana aur shaadi karna and all that crap. I want to do something big for her..a big gesture that could cheer her up, give her life a new direction and make her happy.
Asad - (remembering Zoya's words from last night about hiding Pari from the world and the damage it could do to her) so...uh how about introducing Pari to her..(Azlan looked at him taken aback) she would definitely cheer up and then meeting her niece would give her life a new purpose. Fine you don't want to tell your other family members but Anaya Aapi is different..she can be trusted and I'm sure she can keep this a secret. And I'm sure Pari would love having family around too. It's a win-win situation (Azlan for once really considered Telling someone in his family about Pari. He had considered telling Anaya before too because Asad was right she could be trusted, and it would achieve what he wanted, but his fears and insecurities took over him and he couldn't risk it..so he shook his head. His rejection angered Asad but before he could take it own on Azlan, Azlan went on to speak)
Azlan - I actually had something else in mind..and for that I need your help. I was hoping you could do me a favour (as Azlan went on to ask Asad the favour, which Asad was in favour for and had no trouble agreeing to, Pari came running back in excitedly with the tub of ice cream)

xxx

Khan Mansion - Brunch:
Asad's car came zooming through the long driveway up his mansion and he parked it along the long line up of cars outside his garage before hopping out of his car and jogging back to the house whilst checking his watch for the time. Ammi was definitely going to kill him today...he was so late.
Ayaan - Relax...brunch hasn't started yet. (Asad slowed down on the steps to the house as he heard Ayaan and turned around to see Ayaan leaning against a pillar of the house smoking. Ayaan nodded) we adjusted brunch plans according to "Asad time.
Asad - (frowned taking the cigarette Ayaan was offering him as he stepped down from the steps) I'm sorry "Asad time.
Ayaan - oh yah...that's when we adjust all of our plans for you by minimum 2 hours from when you "promise to be there (Asad nodded sheepishly)
Asad - everyone here?
Ayaan Yes your highness. You're the last to show up..as usual.
Asad - Malik-
Ayaan - K, enough of your boring inquiry. I have a question for you. (Asad stared at him defensively, scared of the look in Ayaan's eyes and what the question could possibly be, and seeing him already defensive made Ayaan smile) The other night when I came over to talk to you about the Roy gang (Asad nodded remembering, Ayaan nodded along playing dumb and innocent) so what happened that night?
Asad - (confused) what happened?
Ayaan - (laughed) seriously? You trying play dumb or are you really that dense?
Asad - No I'm lost. What're you talking about?
Ayaan - K..lemme spell it out for you idiot. That night why were you so pale and worried and why was Zoya crying hysterically? Why did she beg me to take her along and why did you look like a lost puppy watching her walk away? Why did she spend the entire night at my home staring out the window and crying (shook his head) You know I've never seen Zoya that silent before (and seeing Asad's face pale and worried made Ayaan's insides flutter with hope and joy) aur phir finally iss mystery ka last step...end pe aisa kya huwa ke Zoya khud ba khud yahan waapis aa gayee? I mean no offence mujhe seriously lagga ke main tumhe jaan se bhi mardoon toh bhi Zoya yahan waapis nahin ayeegi. Then, how- (LUCKY for Asad his most prize possession his cellphone came to his rescue just in time, no wonder it was Asad's most loyal belonging it never let him down and Ayaan seeing the relief on Asad's face bit his cheek to stop himself from smiling)
Asad - (walking away backwards, laughing nervously) I don't know tum kissi ghatiya flop film ki script likh rahe ho ya tum itne faarigh ho ke ghar baithke yeh khayali pulao bana rahe ho..par aisa kuch nahin hai okay. (and then without wasting another second he turned around, walking quickly further away and answered his phone taking a huge breath of relief, grateful to whoever the caller on the other end was, FOR NOW)
Ayaan - (laughed hysterically falling against the pillar) oh these two. Bachoo...tu shayad jaanta nahin ke pyaar ke baare mein kissi bauhat hi samajhdar insaan ne kaha hai...(singing at the top of his lyrics) "Kya karoon ishq mushq..chupaye nahin chupte
Meanwhile Inside: Zoya came out from the family room munching on her gigantic bag of chips, her pre-breakfast before actual breakfast because of course a bhukar like her couldn't wait till brunch.
Zeenat - Zoya please yeh garbage khaana band karro..brunch bas ready hai woh kha lena-
Zoya - Aapi aap please yeh garbage movie dekhna band karo na. Wahan paas mein hi kuch kuch hota hai parri hai..wohee dekh lo taake main bhi dekh sakoon. Yeh kya garbage movie dekh rahee ho aap...ek gaon ki setting hai gaon ki story hai jahan unhe basic necessities mushkil se mil rahee hai aur phir aisi jagah mein characters aapas mein english mein baat kar rahe hain jaise unhe gaon mein english aati- (and that's when it hit her, when she realized it...what none of them had realized till now, what didn't add up. The misconception they were living in till now. Just as she was wrapping her head around what she had realized and by then she was so lost that she couldn't even process Ayaan spinning her and dancing around with her as he came in still singing. But then once he let go of her walking away Zoya spotted Asad come bounding up the stairs looking scrumptious in black jeans and an open black and white flannel with a grey sweater underneath. And after she could bring herself to stop drooling over him she rushed him, startling him as she did)
Zoya - Mr. khan...Mr. khan! Omg Mr. khan you won't realize what I just realized (hurriedly walking next to him, trying to keep up whilst he was rushing away from her disturbed by Ayaan's observations, suggestions, and presumptions) what we all missed Phupi ke case ke baare mein (and that did the trick..Asad stopped dead in his tracks as she finally caught his attention and Zoya walked in front him) Mr. khan aap jaante hain..phupi par goli Gaon ki panchait ne nahin chalwai..woh shooter unn mein se nahin tha. (But that just did the opposite of what she was hoping. He was so worried, stressed and exhausted from this entire tragedy that just the entire suggestion sounded absurd and ridiculous to him and that coupled with Ayaan's insinuations made him refuse to even hear her out)
Asad - (held his head) WHAT! (Zoya nodded eagerly) do you hear what you're saying? You mean woh log jaante the ke Maryam yahan hai even when they warned me not to let her stay here aur phir bhi unhone Ammi par goli nahin chalwayee..unhone mujhe baar baar dhamki di, even Ammi ko goli lagne se thori der pehle unhone mujhe phone pe dhamki di aur aapke kehne ka matlab hai ke phir bhi woh goli unhe nahin chalwayee woh innocent hain..
Zoya - I understand Mr. khan aapki baat sahee hai par woh-
Asad - (held up a hand) Ms. Farooqui please leave me alone, and please leave this case alone main already isko leke kaafi pareshan hoon aur pareshan nahin hona chahta-
Zoya - Par Mr. Khan-
Asad - and besides I have to talk to Malik uncle (Malik uncle and the rest of the family came out of the living room right then too coincidentally)
Malik - Hey Asad..so you finally decided to grace us with your presence eh-
Asad - yeah Uncle I have to talk to you-
Dilshad - Na uh. No more talks, delays or hold backs we are going to have a nice brunch out back, and we are going to have it now and that's an order...chalo Asad..you lead the way...stay right in front where I can watch you for any detours (everyone sniggered whilst Asad rolled his eyes and began leading the way stomping his feet like the stubborn, spoilt and angry child he was whilst everyone else followed except Zoya who pouted angrily at Asad's retreating back for not taking her seriously)
Brunch:
Since the family was together and had just recovered from an extremely testing and difficult time the reasons to celebrate and kick back were numerous and so Zeenat had organized quite the lavish brunch. The garden table was overflowing with juices, lemonades, coffees, food entries what have you and everyone but the younger two Khan siblings and Aahil seemed to be enjoying not just the food but company quite thoroughly as well. For Asad that was a regular occurrence but it was rare for Aisha and Aahil to be lost in their own thoughts, not talking at all and just playing with their food. Asad too didn't have an appetite but it was for completely different reasons. He was still caught up and stuck in the shooting incident and was very very tensed about the investigation and so he too wasn't paying much attention to the conversation around him.
Ayaan - (digging into his breakfast) kuch bhi khaas nahin hone waala hai Aapi no need to tire yourself by flying in for her ghatiya lame performance..aapne toh isse naachte hue dekha hai na pehle bilkul paagal bandariya lagti hai (Anwar snickered and Zoya gasped in shock flinging a croissant at him and Anwar both which caused Zeenat to shriek in horror)
Zoya - OYE! BATAMEEZ!
Zeenat - (slapped her head) badtameez woh nahin tum ho..throwing food around. Maine kaha na hum tumhare arts festival mein aayenge toh phir tum uski baat kyun sun rahee ho woh bechara toh mazaaq kar raha hai
Zoya - (glared at Ayaan as he sneakily stuck his tongue out at her when Zeenat wasn't looking) haan yeh bechara toh hamesha hi mazaaq kar raha hota hai..(then she turned her attention towards Malik and Dilshad who seemed to have no idea of what conversation was taking place around them and instead were too busy whispering and by the looks of it conspiring eagerly like two children conspiring to get their parents to agree to something and to be honest this wasn't that different either)
Zoya - aur Malik uncle aapko bhi aana hoga (but it seemed Malik was too engrossed in arguing with Dilshad to have heard her and Zoya narrowed her eyes) Malik uncle, yoohoo Malik uncle...MALIK UNCLE (and as she stomped like an angry child she managed to get not just his but everyone else's attention too, no matter how lost they were. Aahil tried to catch Aisha's eye but as soon as he caught it she looked away angrily and awkwardly and he lowered his eyes)
Malik - Kya huwa bache? Tum chila kyun rahee ho?
Zoya - Malik uncle mujhe lagta hai aapko na hearing aid ki zaroorat hai aapki ummar ho gayee hai aur aap uncha sunne lagge ho
Malik - Khuda na karre aisa ho..hearing aid lagge mere dushmano ko (side eyeing Asad who rolled his eyes and poured himself another cup of coffee) who are threatened by me and want to replace me as the most eligible bachelor in town
Asad - really uncle buy a magazine or better yet a mirror...
Ayaan - Ohhh uncle below the belt mara asad ne toh aapko..(Zeenat slapped his head)
Zoya - (stomped her foot) yeh kya baate leke baith gaye aap...uncle!
Malik uncle - (saluting her military style) yes Zoya!
Zoya - Mere college ka arts festival is coming up and I'm performing so you HAVE to come for it warna main aapse kabhi baat nahin karoongi
Malik uncle - Of course kiddo I wouldn't miss it for the world..
Zoya - (beamed brightly) great, and Aish and Phupi toh have no choice in the matter unhe toh aana hi hai and I already called Asif Bhai and Arsalan (she looked around the table) so that's everyone then (Asad choked on his coffee and then stared at Zoya with his eyes wide and a W*F' expression on his face which Zeenat caught)
Anwar - waise what sort of a performance are you planning?
Zoya - I can't tell you that no (shook her head shoving food into her mouth)
Zeenat - Uh zoya (watching Asad's face)
Zoya - (a lost expression on her face, eyes round and her mouth full of food throwing Asad off for a few seconds by how adorable she looked at the moment) huh
Zeenat - Tum shayad Asad ko invite karna bhool gayee...
Zoya - Oh no, he's not invited..(and she gave Asad a sweet smile whilst everyone laughed aside from Asad and Zeenat, again Aisha and Aahil caught each others eye but then immediately looked away)
Asad - Fine by me. I don't wanna waste a perfectly fine evening watching a monkey dancing on stage anyways (Ayaan snorted giving Asad 5 just as Asad stood up to answer his ringing cell phone) I see enough of that at home daily anyways (Zoya narrowed her eyes at him and then flung a croissant at him too which hit the back of his head as he walked away and Zeenat began berating her again for throwing food. Anwar used this as an opportunity to turn his attention towards the conspirers)
Anwar - waise aap dono kya kichri bana rahe ho? Yeh kya subah se whispers chal rahe hain?
Dilshad - (smiled) sorry bro, that's a secret.
Malik - Yeh barron ki baat hai beta bachon ki nahin..
Anwar - I'm married.
Malik - So? That's given us no reason to believe your an adult or do we need your wife's input again (looked towards Dilshad who nodded in agreement)
Dilshad - I think it's time to hear her input again..Zeenat-
Anwar - (held up his hands) fine fine fine keep your secrets you mean girls I swear whenever you two get together you become worse than bullies aur mujhe roast karne ka toh aapko bahana chahiye (and Malik and Dilshad just laughed like little children)
Meanwhile:
Asad - WHAT?
Police inspector (on the phone) - Ji Mr. Khan aapke kehne pe humne Mangalpur ki panchait ka arrest warrant issue kiya par patah chala ke kissi aur jurm mein doosre gaon ki police ne unn sab ko already arrest kar liya tha...aapki Ammi ke saath yeh haadsa hone se kaafi der pehle...so unka iss se koi taluk nahin ho sakta.
Asad - (ran a frustrated hand down his face) so you mean to tell me that again you're back to square one and you have NO leads regarding who shot my mother or who may have a grudge against her and wishes her harm.
Police Inspector - Sir we're still doing our best and the investigation-
Asad - This investigation is going nowhere inspector thanks for wasting my time par ab mujhe jo karna hai woh main khud kar loonga (he shut the phone and felt a hand on his shoulder before Malik uncle came and stood before him)
Malik - Ooo who was that bechara getting a taste of classic nawab sahab ka ghussa (Asad just gave him a look that made him back off, holding his hands up not saying anything else) you uh you wanted to talk to me about something earlier..whats up?
Asad - Yah it was about the shooting- (and then he realized what he had in his arrogance ignored earlier and without saying anything further he retracted his steps before completely turning around and running back into the house leaving Malik standing there simply confused) Asad ran all the way to Zoya's room and then skid to a stop right before her door. He impatiently and very loudly knocked on her door repeatedly but her music was so loud inside that she couldn't have heard him even if he used a hammer to knock on her door so finally losing his patience which for Asad meant 5 seconds after the first knock he threw open the door only to stop dead in his tracks and the sight in front of him knocked his breath right out of him (amongst doing other things to him). Zoya having no idea Asad was standing there before her was still lost in her own world, dancing on the bed with her eyes closed, drying her hair simultaneously dressed in nothing but a towel. Asad just stood there staring at her, forgetting his manners and values forgetting to blink, breathe or move. His heart pounding in his chest, his throat completely dry as he gulped for air. His suddenly darker eyes on their own roamed over her entire frame, and his hands clenched and unclenched into fists of restraint and helplessness at his own sides, itching to and needing to touch her. Lucky for him, just as he took one step towards her without realizing it and having lost all control on his will and actions, Zoya opened her eyes and for a second she just froze seeing him there, admiring his beauty, believing him to be a figment of her own imagination or daydream which she had quite a few of these days but when she heard Ayaan's heinous laughter outside she realized it wasn't imaginary Asad was actually standing at the foot of her bed, staring at her with what could only be described as a lustful look and she was in nothing but a towel...and then she screamed and hearing her scream Asad yelped and jumped back in fear too, and then he realized and he screamed louder than her and she ran to the closet whilst he ran out of her room and straight to his own bathroom for a cold shower and the rest of the family ran to the lounge between both their rooms and stared at both their doors wondering what had just happened.
20 minutes later:
Zoya dressed in about 5 different layers, topped with one of Ayaan's 3x oversized hoodie which completely hid her hands too, her hood up, the baggiest sweatpants she could find as well as socks came and knocked on Asad's door angrily, though her cheeks were flaming red and her heart was pounding a mile per minute, I mean it was bad enough that she couldn't seem to get the arrogant handsome idiot out of her mind and she "believed she saw a look, a desire, dare she say love in his eyes that now he had to go ahead and see her in a towel too. But she couldn't let the chance to demand an answer for her own self respect and to reprimand Mr. Tameez and Tehzeeb himself. Asad was faring no better and had actually been expecting her any second so when she did knock on the door he took his hand out of his dampened hair and rubbed his sweaty palms down his own sweatpants too, taking a deep breath to calm his nerves before walking to the door thinking of anything but her because he really had to talk to her and he really did not want to take another cold shower but he simply couldn't get the unimaginably sinfully sexy sight of her in a towel out of his mind or stop guessing what those hideous red and brown marks on her wrists were. But finally keeping Rashid in his mind to stop it from wandering elsewhere he opened the door and was met with Zoya's fuming face but reddening cheeks and all thoughts of Rashid flew out of his mind at once. She was just so freaking adorable, beautiful and sexy even in those oversized clothes that completely hid her tiny self in there)

Zoya - MR. KHAN waise toh saara din aapki tameez aur tehzeeb ki ratt kissi broken casette ki tarha band nahin hoti aur ab achanak se woh sab tameez aur tehzeeb bhool gaye aap jab binna knock kiye mere kamre mein enter ho gaye.

Asad - (in a meek whisper, his mind wandering back to the towel again) maine actually knock kiya tha par aapne sunna nahin aur baat itni important thi ke I couldn't wait..

Zoya - Oh really? Kya baat thi? Ghar mein kahin choclate ka tukra girra mil gaya aapko ya mere pillows fluff karne aaye the aap? (Asad frowned and she glared at him angrily)

Asad - Nahin main aapse Ammi ke baare mein baat karne aaya tha (and that did the trick for NOW, for the time being the two were able to forget about the morning shenanigans and focus on the pressing matter at hand) actually I'm sorry maine aapki baat nahin sunni but as it turns out you may be onto something there...woh shooter koi aur ho sakta hai toh I'm going to need you to run me through EXACTLY what happened the day that Ammi..(unable to say it, but Zoya could read him and his very beautiful, very expressive and very sad eyes

easily and so she nodded at once, willing to do anything to help both him and her beloved phupi although she realized he needed it more than Dilshad did)

5 Minutes Later - Living Room:

Asad - are you sure ussne yehi kaha?

Zoya - Ji Mr. Khan uss aadmi ne mujhe Bloody Bitch hi kaha tha

Asad - (looking on the verge of a nervous breakdown) okay usske baad kya huwa mujhe sab jaana hai

Zoya - (eyeing his condition cautiously and worryingly) Mr. Khan maine goli ki awaaz sunni toh main yahaan bhaagti ayee aur maine dekha ke phupi yahan (pointing to the exact spot in the living room which Asad couldn't forget even if he wanted to because it was where he had found his mother that horrific day) girri hui hain aur woh shooter woh yahan khara tha (pointing again)

Asad - (nodded, staying with her) okay aur uss wakt Maryam kahan thi?

Zoya - (remembered, and then her eyes widened) woh bhi yahan thi yahin girri hui thi (pointing to the first spot again) phupi ke ek dum bagal mein

Asad - Phir kya huwa?

Zoya - Ussne phirse gun point ki aur mujhe darr laga ke kahin woh kissi aur ko na maare toh maine usse dakha diya (ignoring the leap his heart gave as he heard Zoya say those words and her disregard for her own safety when pushing a shooter he turned towards her with his eyes wide and hopeful)

Asad - ekk minute, jab uss aadmi ne dobara gun point ki toh kiski taraf ki thi?

Zoya - (thought hard about it and then her own eyes widened too unable to believe she hadn't realized it earlier, and then she said the words in ALMOST a whisper but it was loud enough for Asad to hear it anyways and as he did his heart sank with fear of the worst and all of a sudden he wasn't so sure of his mothers safety and security anymore regardless of all the extreme and extra precaution he had taken) Phupi ki taraf Mr. Khan...(turned towards a very pale and scared Asad) Mr. Khan uss aadmi ne dobara Phupi ko hi shoot karne ki koshish ki thi kyunki Maryam yahan girri hui thi aur uss aadmi ne Maryam ki taraf dekha bhi nahin jaise woh usse jaanta hi nahin ho..(whispered) woh dobara phupi ki taraf hi gun point kar raha tha

Asad - (whispered brokenly) aur hum soch rahe the ke koi Maryam ko maarne aaya tha lekin actually woh log (his heart sinking further realizing there was someone out there trying to kill his Ammi) Ammi ko maarne aye the. Aisa kaun kar sakta hai?

xxx

Haveli - Razia's Room:

Razia - Sauda Jaan lene ka hua tha aur woh ab tak zinda hai, tumse ek chota sa kaam sahee se nahin hua ab jab tak main agla hukam nahin doon wahin raho hamoshi se

Ghafoor - Razia, humme smabhal ke chalna hoga. Ab woh 23 saal pehle waali baat nahin rahee, ab cheeze dunya ke samne aate wakt nahin lagta..agar dilshad ko maarne ki koshish ulti par gayee toh? Tum toh jaanti ho na ke Asad apni Ammi se kitni mohabbat karta hai. Agar usse sachayee pata chal gayee toh toofan aa jayega.

Razia - aise toofanon pe lagaam kasna mujhe ache se aata hai, aur phir hamare paas koi aur raasta bhi toh nahin tha. Maine aapko bataya tha na Dilshad kya karne nikal parhi hai...aggar woh yeh karne mein aage barhi toh usse kamyaab hone mein zyaada wakt nahin lagge ga aur hamare barson ki mehnat barbaad ho jayeegi, hamara saara kiya darha sab bekaar jayega aur phir hummare saare karnaame bhi dunya ke saamne khulne mein zyaada wakt nahin laggega iss liye yeh behad zaroori hai ke hum usse yeh kadam uthane se rok ke rakhein. Main aisa nahin hone doongi, kabhi nahin chahe mujhe iske liye kuch bhi kyun na karna parre (they both stopped talking at once as they heard loud noises, an argument of sorts occuring downstairs, confused they walked out and peeked over the railing to see Azlan standing next to Anaya with one hand around her shoulder and Kajol, Naina, Humeira and Zain standing behind him in support whilst the parents sat on the sofa staring at them)

Azlan - You can try but you won't win..like I said before the matter is NOT up for discussion. Aapi abse hospital dobara join kareingi AND she will pursue her singing because she has a gift and I won't let her gift go to waste because you people are too thick to understand simple matters of happiness which are more important than your izzat and family honour that I could care less about (I mean he had already committed the act that could destroy his family's so called honour in a second and Pari was the living proof of it)..aap chahe toh Aapi ke liye phirse ladke dekh sakte hain because I know she eventually does want to get married but this time all prospective alliances will go through me and Aapi and once WE say yes can you move the matter along. But there will be no forcing or emotional blackmail of any sorts.

Ghaffur - Azlan (everyone turned their attention upstairs, Naina and Kajol holding at once and praying for matters to not get worse) tumhe sharam nahin aati aisi baat karte hue tumh khud apni behen se aise third class kaam karwa rahe ho? Woh ek shehzaadi hai nawabon ki beti hai aur woh bahar kissi mamooli jaga jaake GAANE gayee gi?

Azlan - Sapnon ka KOI class nahin hota maamujaan..par yeh baat aap nahin samajh sakte..aur woh kissi mamooli jagah nahin jaeygi woh apne BHAI (glaring right at Ghafoor knowing how much he hated Asad and HATING ghafoor for DARING to hate his everything, his Brother, His Asad so much) Asad ke saath ussi ke cafe mein gaye gi (and everyone including Anaya, Zain, Naina, Kajol and Humeira turned to stare at him at once with their eyes nearly popping out of their sockets in shock not knowing that little inconvenient fact and not believing they were hearing it from him knowing his "problems and sentiments for Asad) main usse already baat kar chuka hoon aur woh maan gaya hai..Aapi will be singing there this sunday night

Ghafoor - Tum paagal toh nahin ho gaye?

Azlan - Filhaal toh main bilkul theek hoon par aggar aapne aapi ke raaste mein koi bhi rukawat daali toh main paagal ho bhi sakta hoon aur agar main paagal ho gaya toh main yeh baat bhi expose kar sakta hoon ke pichle saal jo 30 bachon ki yahaan mysterious deaths huin thin woh pneumonia ki wajah se nahin balke dawaon mein milawat ki wajah se huin thin jiske zimedaar aap sab hain.

Ghafoor - Tum apni family ke khilaaf-

Azlan - (tightened his arm around Anaya) yeh apni family ke khilaaf jaane ke liye nahin apni family ke LIYE kar raha hoon unfortunately iss family mein yeh paane ke liye apni family ke khilaaf jaana aur blackmail ka istemaal karna parta hai (They all just sat there shook and shocked staring at him in silence for daring to pull such a stunt, only Maya followed by Javed came over and hugged Anaya stroking her hair whilst Javed put a blessing hand over Azlan's head)

Azlan - oh and a just a footnote you guys are not invited to Aapi's open mic night just because well..(shrugged) Asad wants to see your heads on a stick so..unless you wanna go Maamu? (Hoping he would, Ghafoor just turned around and stormed inside and trying to but failing to contain their excitement Kajol, Naina and Humeira shrieked with joy jumping on Anaya who was positiviely beaming and her smile was supremely infectious and radiant)

Javed - (shook his head at the devilish smile on Azlans face for pissing Ghafoor off) You just can't resist can you? (Azlan just shrugged before he joined the group hug that was occurring behind him whilst Shireen saw Rashid wiping his eyes seeing Anaya smile after so long and she knew he was internally praying and blessing Asad and as far as she was concerned all that was meant for Anaya was to get married and they were all standing in her path like her enemies so she stormed off whilst Salman and Salma looked towards Rashid and nodded in understanding of his plight, equally blessing the angel that was Asad Ahmed Khan)

xxx

Continued in next post...

Khan Mansion:

Zoya - I'm sorry mujhe yeh pehle yaad nahin aya Mr. Khan par sab kuch itni jaldi jaldi hua ke mujhe dihaan hi nahin aaya aur phupi ko (her voice quivering, Asad stared at her as she apologized, wanting to take her crying form in his arms and telling her she has nothing to be sorry for but the child in him afraid to lose his mother stood paralyzed and even if he wasn't his stubbornness wouldn't allow him, afraid he'd go down the path he had prohibited himself to follow upon) uss haalat mein dekhke toh waise hi mere dimaagh ne kaam karna band kar diya tha. Maine usse pakarne ki bauhat koshish ki par (shook her head) I don't know who he was or why he did it but now that I think about it he did come here only to attack phupi Mr. Khan...par aisa kaun kar sakta hai?

Asad - (getting more helpless and afraid by the second and as a result more angry) Pata nahin, par aap aur sochiye aur kya-

Zoya - (shook her head thinking hard) woh..woh yahin pe karha tha aur ussne dobara gun point ki. I was so scared ke woh dobara kissi ko na marre toh maine usse dakha diya aur goli vase mein lag gayee..phir maine uska pair pakar liya aur usne realize kiya ke woh dobara goli nahin chala payega toh woh mujhe kick karke bhaagne lag para..par maine uska collar pakar liya lekin uska collar phat gaya..main uske peeche bhaagi usko phirse pakarne ke liye Mr. Khan but- (but before she could continue Asad rushed up to her desperately)

Asad - wait wait wait a minute aapne kaha uska collar phat gaya tha? Yeh kahan huwa?

Zoya - (thinking hard about it) Yahin pe.. woh darwaaze se bhaagne laga (rushing to the door) maine yahan uska collar pakra aur woh phat gaya meaning woh yahin kahin (and both her and Asad immediately began searching for it in the foyer, around the plants) hona chahiye (and it wasn't long before Zoya found it) yeh hai..yeh Mr. Khan (and immediately Asad was next to her grabbing it from her hands) lekin yeh toh sirf ek hissa hai

Zoya - so what Mr. Khan? It's something and I'm sure its enough to start somewhere..I'm sure this small piece of the puzzle will eventually lead us to the whole truth..( before they could continue talking about it further they heard Dilshad calling out to Asad and looking into the house they saw her walking into the lounge with Anwar behind her, by the looks of it trying to convince her of something she obviously wasn't listening to, Asad frowned and walked in..Zoya following closely behind)

Anwar - (whispered urgently) Ammi please don't..woh upset ho jayega Ammi ghussa ho jayega please- (alas)

Asad - Ji Ammi?

Dilshad - Asad Anwar ne mujhe bola ke jab main hospital mein thi toh tumne apne Abbu ko wahan-

Asad - (snapped and Zoya jumped back nervous and immediately worried for Asad at once) DON'T CALL HIM THAT.

Dilshad - (ignoring him) Ke tum apne Abbu ko

Asad - (flinched stepping back with a wounded look on his face) don't-

Dilshad - Ke tumne apne abbu ko wahan bulwaya tha-

Asad - (snapped) HAAN bulwaya tha jab doctors ne kaha ke (and then his heart sank even further remembering how close he had come to losing her and the pain reflected on his face and this time Dilshad flinched for causing that look to appear on his face, causing him that pain) par ab frankly mujhe woh ek ghalati hai...aur just because woh wahaan aa gaye it doesn't make him a good guy and it sure as hell doesn't change anything or erase the last 25 years so don't read into it at all (saying so he turned around and stormed out..and Anwar shook his head sighing whilst Zoya pouted sadly watching him leave, her heart aching for Asad)

Anwar - I told you not to do it.

Dilshad - (shook her head) yeh ladka aur iska ghussa mujhe toh pareshan kar rakha hai issne.

Later that Night Khan Mansion - Asad's room:

The pitch black dark room reeked of cigarette smoke/smell and the smell of alcohol but Asad could be least bothered by it and he was smoking yet another cigarette and had a drink in his hand. His face was pale, his eyes had dark rings beneath them and his hand seemed to be shaking. He could hear the insistent knocking on the door but he could care less. Eventually Zoya too could care less and poked her head around the room.

Zoya - In my defence Mr. Khan you barged into my room this morning when I didn't answer so this makes us equal. (Asad answered with a smoke) Uhm (plugging her nose as she stepped into the room worriedly) Uhm Mr. Khan Aapi, Jeeju and I are going down to the beach to grab some ice cream and we're meeting Ayaan and some of his friends there which I'm guessing are your friends too, you wanna join us? (Silence) Mr. Khan? Jahapanah? M-

Asad - (in a monotone deadpan voice still lying in his daybed with an arm thrown over his face) take a hint. (Zoya narrowed her eyes her worry for Asad's wellbeing only growing stronger and in the back of her mind she had started wondering when the last time such a person had come into her life who she had cared for and worried this much in her life aside from her family. She turned the light on and that worry only escalated, Asads face was ashy and pale and his hands couldn't stop escalating, his t-shirt was damp on his chest and Zoya nearly panicked, he seemed on the verge of a nervous breakdown evidently from all the stress he was putting himself under and Zoya was guessing the discoveries he made about his mothers shooting weren't helping that and then the topic of his father was always a sour one for him. Zoya took a hesitant seat next to him and took the glass of scotch out of his hand)

Zoya - Mr. Khan come on, we're all going and you should join us too. I think a little family time is what you need to destress..Mr. Khan don't worry aggar khuda ne Phupi ki jaan bacha ke unhe ghar waapis hamare paas sahee salamat bhej diya hai toh unhe aage bhi kuch nahin hone deinge..he'll keep her safe and he'll help us find out whoever the scumbag is who did this to her we just have to have a little faith (Asad scoffed not believing in god or faith) Khuda kabhi apne bandon ko ruswa nahin karta woh jo karta hai ache ke liye karta hai...(and again Asad didn't answer) besides...you owe me an apology for your behaviour this morning (again Asads mind was plagued with the image of Zoya in a towel) and uhm I heard the band is all together down at the beach so I'm thinking one song will cut it. (Asad didn't answer for a few minutes but then he simply removed his arm and stared at her with narrowed contemplative eyes)

Asad - (sighed) I don't know If I've ever told you this before but...You're a very very weird girl

Zoya - (giggled and Asad's heart fell harder) thanks (sliding her soft tiny hand into Asad's heavy ones and Asad again couldn't help but wonder how perfectly they fit together. Zoya tugged getting off the daybed pulling him along) thanks I take that as a complement (Asad put the cigarette out trusting Zoya after all the times she had been right about this sort of thing as was evident by the scoreboard on the sign of his house, she seemed to know just what he needed all the time and so he followed her out grabbing a jacket along the way)

In the car: Zeenat and Anwar couldn't stop their smiles from reaching their ears as they saw Asad following behind Zoya to the car, finally joining in on some of the fun family activities. As they got in Zoya frowned confused whilst Anwar took off and Asad opened the window entirely, letting the cool crisp winter air soothe him.

Zoya - Where's Aish Aapi?

Zeenat - (shrugged) she wouldn't open up and refused to come along..

Zoya - but she LOVES ice cream I can't get her to go out to eat anything but..

Anwar - Yah I don't know whats up with her these days shes behaving quite weirdly always lost, always sad always locked in her room, you guys have any idea? (Asad did but he really didn't have the energy to get into that right now and he didn't know too much about it anyways. Zoya too had an inkling which she now decided to ponder and act upon)

xxx

Kasauli Beach:

Asad - Jeh Main Tainu Bahar Dhunda Te Mere Andar Kaun Shamaya Jeh Main Tainu Andar Dhunda Te Bahar Kis Di Maya(He stood by the podium near the beach with his band, a guitar strapped around his neck and a mic set up which he was singing into, his eyes closed pouring his heart, his fears, his anger, frustration all into his words and music, his greatest healer as he jammed with his band and all his friends had gathered round with their beers to enjoy. Zoya sat on the railing along the podium drowning in the beauty of his mystical voice, falling for him each word and beat at a time though she was too knaive to realize it and Anwar and Zeenat enjoyed their mini-date and ice cream along with the music out by the boulders on the beach as did others present at the beach at the time)

Asad - (eyes closed, losing himself as he always did with his music) Andar Tu Hai Bahar Tu Ae Vekha Har Tha Tera Saya Mai Bhi Tu Ae Te Tu Bhi Tu Ae Rata Farak Nazar Naa Aaya

Back up band singers - (Asad strummed his guitar hard, losing himself to the music, letting himself go looking like a complete rockstar as the band took over the words and Zoya was blown away by the intensity of him and starstruck by the rockstar in him, she was recording him all along but the picture she snapped of him was as kodak and candid as it could get, he really was an entity more than a person and one photo couldn't encompass all of him but that picture was as close as she could get it and somehow it ended up as her phone wallpaper and her heart raced a mile per minute as she tried to take him all in) Yaar Inj Lutna Haye Lutna Ho Dil Tutna Tutna Tutna Yaar Inj Lutna Haye Lutna Ho Dil Tutna Tutna Tutna Yaar Inj Lutna Haye Lutna Ho Dil Tutna Tutna Tutna Yaar Inj Lutna Haye Lutna Ho Dil Tutna Tutna Tutna Yaar Inj Lutna Haye Lutna Ho Dil Tutna Tutna Tutna Yaar Inj Lutna

Asad - (taking over the mic again) Log Charag Jalate Ghee Ke Maine Dil Ka Deep Jalaya Log Hai Khate Kasam Wafa Ki Main zeber hijar Da Khaya Log Gawande Dil Ishk Me, (eyes opened, staring right into Zoya's, both their hearts racing and falling) Log Gawande Dil Ishk Me Maine Apna Aap Gawaya Phir Bhi Mera Kuchh Na Haye Mere Sone Yaar Ko Bhaya(band joining him as he continued to stare at Zoya's beautiful face whilst singing the next few words) Je Main Nadiya Ta Tu Pani Main Ta Bin Tere Sukh Jana, Main Ta Bin Tere Sukh Jana Je Tu Pani Ta Mai Pyasi, Je Tu Pani Ta Mai Pyasi Main Ta Bin Tere Muk Jana, Main Ta Bin Tere Muk Jana Dil Da Lagna Ag Da Lagna Yaara Sab Kuch Hai Jal Jana Na To Dhua Na Chingari Yaha Kuchh Bhi nazar Na Aana Aaja Khele Khel Wafa ka , Aaja Khele Khel Wafa Ye Khel Hai Bahot Purana Ya Tu Mera Ya Main Teri Hai Chaukhat Par Mar Jana

Band - (as Asad once again lost himself to the music and was rocking back and forth strumming his guitar with his eyes closed Ayaan and the guys grabbed Zoya and joined them to dance with them and rock as well, which was more like whipping their heads insanely and swaying with their eyes closed drunkly and Zoya did join them but her eyes didn't leave Asad even for a second) Yaar Inj Lutna Haye Lutna Ho Dil Tutna Tutna Tutna Yaar Inj Lutna Haye Lutna Ho Dil Tutna Tutna Tutna Yaar Inj Lutna Haye Lutna Ho Dil Tutna Tutna Tutna Yaar Inj Lutna Haye Lutna Ho Dil Tutna Tutna Tutna Yaar Inj Lutna Haye Lutna Ho Dil Tutna Tutna Tutna Yaar Inj Lutna (and asad ended in total rockstar fashion by pumping his fist into the air and Zoya's heart skipped a beat, as she stood there breathless losing herself completely to him)

A few minutes later: Asad sat drinking yet another bear by the edge of the water, barefoot. The water always managed to calm his nerves as did beer but lately it seemed that it wasn't quite enough anymore, he always seemed to need something more or rather someone else to heal him and that someone too, always seemed to be there whenever he needed her just like she was tonight. Zoya didn't say anything or do anything she just came and sat next to him, with him, for him also barefoot in the sand. Then Asad saw her reach out and begin drawing or writing something in the sand which upon closer inspection seemed to be the word "hungry. He rolled his eyes and almost laughed realizing it was Zoya and hungry which meant the same thing but as he side eyed her he saw that she wasn't even paying attention anymore. He understood what she was doing and dare he say he "loved her for it and appreciated her kindness, warmth and beautiful heart. Unable to break her heart he sighed and indulged in the "childishness by reaching out and writing "scared on the beach. Then for his own ego he looked away too and took another sip of his beer)

Zoya - Mr. Khan..come on, please please don't worry about Phupi she's going to be okay. No one and NOTHING will harm her or take her away from you EVER. I WON'T let that happen.

Asad - (turned and stared at her and the fear in his eyes broke Zoya's heart) you promise?

Zoya - (rubbed his shoulder) I do. and I promise that I'll help you find out who was behind the shooting. together we'll get to the bottom of it AND we won't rest till we find out. I promise. (Asad just sighed, trying to compose himself and nodded taking another sip and Zoya smiled finally seeing some colour return to his face)

Asad - I just can't lose her (shook his head) I won't.

Zoya - (nodded) I know. (She smiled at Asad who sighed finishing his beer and after a minute or so stood up ready to leave, Zoya too stood up following him and then as she did she held his hand for support whilst erasing the "scared he wrote in the sand because he no longer had a reason to be, as she finished he raised an eyebrow staring at her pointedly and then stared at her hungry which was still there and Zoya shrugged because that emotion was still present and this time Asad didn't hold back and actually scoffed and Zoya gazed at him adoringly, until he reached to slip his shoes on but Zoya grabbed his arms)

Zoya - Na uh..you don't EVER walk in your shoes on the beach (Asad stared at her like she was berserk, letting his feet touch the dirty sand? but then Zoya closed and reopened her eyes and the light in them filled his heart with light) trust me (& he did).

xxx

Early The Next Morning:

Khan Mansion:

A tragic looking Zoya stepped ozt of her room with her eyes still closed and her laptop tucked beneath her arm. Just as she silently shut the door to her bedroom and proceeded to the kitchen she heard a noise on the stairs and looking over she saw Aisha who by the looks of it looked even worse than she did which was a feat. She looked like she either hadn't slept all night or had cried all night or both. Zoya thought back to last night and the conclusion she had come to and though it was too early to remember her own name she was determined to get a confession for her conclusion. Lucky for her it seemed Aisha was as much in need for coffee as Zoya was and so she grabbed the rest of the pot and a jug and poured all that was in the pot into it before dragging her feet upstairs, where Aisha was sitting up near her window cill watching the sky slowly grow lighter (thats right that it was that early) so Zoya walked in to her room and sat in front of her and as expected Aisha turned to stare at her like she was a ghost, her eyes wide.

Aisha - Zoya-

Zoya - (shook her head) it's too early for questions and jokes.

Aisha - It's too early for you to even be awake. Do you even know what 6 am looks like?

Zoya - (looked out the window) well it seems like I'm about to find out. Hey, isn't the sun a little late. (Aisha scoffed and then turned her attention out too, her swollen eyes making Zoya's heart ache) look at you. Look at that smile, I've missed that beautiful smile..haven't seen it in a while.

Aisha - wha..(laughed) what'd you mean?

Zoya - (smiled, taking a second) Aisha I'm going to ask you something and I think I already have the answer but just for my own satisfaction I want to hear it from you (Aisha nodded not knowing what she was hinting at) do you (shook her head) are you in love with Aahil bhai. (For a second Aisha sat there stunned, not saying anything..not even knowing what to say shocked that Zoya knew, HOW could she know..but then the pain that she had been harbouring in for so long, ever since she had found out about Aahil lying to her and his secret engagement that she just had to get it out and just as easily her eyes began filling up and just as soon those tears began spilling over breaking Zoya's heart further)

Zoya - Aaapi...(without saying or asking anything Aisha just wrapped her arms around Zoya and let it all out and Zoya let her because that is just what she needed to do)

Half an Hour Later - Asad's Room:

Zoya violently threw the door open startling Asad who had just fallen asleep what felt like 5 minutes ago. As she smacked the door shut again and proceeded to make her way over to the door she was momentarily thrown and stumbled as she lost her footing by how unbelievably sexy he looked in that sleepy, groggy, hair tousled look. There were morning guys and then there was Asad in the morning that too in a white wife beater. She had just gotten her footing back when he spoke and lord have mercy at that hoarse voice, it was just about the sexiest thing she had ever heard.

Asad - Whats going on? (And as he proceeded to rub his sleep ridden eyes and stretch Zoya's face flushed red and she darted her eyes letting her hair curtain her face as she avoided looking at him all the way to the bed till she climbed onto the bed, stepping over him, horrifying Asad because A) she did the above & B) she did the above in her slippers..but as he continued leaning up on his arms just staring at her in utter horror like she had completely lost her mind Zoya plopped unto the other side of the bed crossed legged, fluffing his pillows up to give herself back support and then settled her laptop onto her lap and got comfortable. Then she looked up and saw Asad staring at her mortified.

Zoya - (shrugged) what? Are you forgetting that we had plans?

Asad - (fell back unto his bed exhausted and yawning) we did? (Zoya didn't answer, not then not when he proceed to stretch and when upon not getting an answer he looked over he saw her staring at him with her mouth open, practically drooling her heart in trouble, butterflies in her stomach)

Asad - (snapped his fingers) what plans?

Zoya - (her face burgundy with excessive blushing) Uhhh...The shooting...uhm (unable to speak or unlock her laptop, Asad just frowned as he saw her fumbling) I promised you I would help you with the investigation..so do you wanna do this or not?

Asad - (looked at his watch) isn't it a little too early?

Zoya - We have no time to waste and knowing you you won't have any time post 7:30 am plus I have rehearsals for my peformance for the festival and work and you have a bajillion meetings and...

Asad - (nodded) yah I got it now stop talking. It's too early, I can't listen to you pre-morning coffee (Zoya handed him her jug)

Zoya - I got you covered bruh.

Asad - (raised an eyebrow, looking mortified lest she thought bruh and brother were one and the same, cuz he was NOT going to be friend or bro zoned) I'm NOT your bruh..(and saying so he got up and rushed over to the bathroom leaving Zoya and her coffee jug hanging because seeing her settled into his bed so comfy was giving him wrong ideas, like thats how it was meant to be..for her to share his room, his bed as hers too. Zoya wondered what was wrong with him but then as she finally unlocked her laptop she shrugged and chugged her coffee whilst pulling out the piece of the shooters collar they had found yesterday.

20 Minutes Later:

The door to the bathroom finally opened and Asad walked out showered and dressed looking as crisp as ever ready for a day at work. Zoya could smell his aftershave and his perfume and his still damp and tousled hair, with water dripping from it which was not helping her heart or matters along so whilst chanting "don't look under her breath as she proceeded to work on her laptop whilst Asad buttoned up his shirt and cuffs.

Zoya - God Mr. Khan aap toh larkiyon se bhi zyaada wakt lagate hain tayaar hone mein. You and Jeeju are such diva's (and then she proceeded to sip on her diet coke and stuff her mouth with chips at 7 am which she had managed to procure whilst Asad was in the shower)

Asad - (sitting on the bed with his back towards her) first, get your filthy shoes off my bed (Zoya narrowed her eyes at him and then her beloved kuala bear slip ons and then back at him) and then tell me whats happening with the investigation ya aap jabse ayee hain sirf khaane pe aur gar bar karne pe hi dihaan hai aapka.

Zoya - (gasped) HOW RUDE..main koi gar bar (and just as Asad turned to stare at her with a raised eyebrow like really? Like a curse, she dropped chips onto his bed and then Asads eyes roamed over the bed he found his sheets filled with crums causing him to close his eyes cringing. Zoya attempted to "clean but that meant shoving all the chips off the bed and onto the floor and that really wasn't helping) main koi gar bar nahin kar rahee Mr. Khan main kaam kar rahee hoon. Okay so maine woh shooter ka collar jo hai woh scan kiya aur ab jo mera software hai woh humme uss collar ke design ke baare mein kuch toh clues dega and I'm sure usse humme kahin se investigation start karne ka point toh mill hi jayega..just a few more minutes.

Asad - aur aapke paas yeh software aaya kahan se?

Zoya - (shrugging casually, whilst stuffing her face again) maine hack kiya.

Asad - (barked, appalled) WHAT.

Zoya - (looked up hearing him raise his voice and then seeing the shock and disbelief on his face she laughed and shrugged) Oh don't worry mujhe koi nahin pakkar payega par haan main aapki security ki guarantee nahin le sakti kyunki isspe jo I.P address hai woh aapke naam pe hai.

Asad - Aapka dimaagh haraab ho gaya hai band kijiye usse (and as he leapt forward unto the headboard of the bed to grab the laptop from her his force caused Zoya to fall backwards and him hovering on top both trying to get their hands on the laptop, eventually since Asad was stronger he managed to yank it away from her and somehow Zoya's one hand ended up on his strong bicep and the other on his rock hard chest)

Zoya - (still struggling against him) oh ho Mr. Khan aap baat baat pe aise hyper kyun ho jaate ho? (and they both simultaneously realized how awkward of a position they had managed to end up in yet again, they both frowned wondering how that was possible. It was like the harder they tried to stay apart the stronger they somehow managed to come snapping together like a spring. As they raised their awkward, hesitant, curious and hoping eyes to one another, their hearts raced against each other, their throats dry both gulping for air. Asad looked down at her hand on his chest, his fringe popping over his forehead and Zoya's hands itched to smooth it back on him even though he looked extremely adorable with it flopping over his forehead like that, like the young innocent 25 year old that he was and not the ruthless business tycoon he made himself out to be. However, Asad's hold seemed to be loosening on her as his eyes remained fixated on the big nasty gash on her hand which as his memory served him was his doing from when he pushed her at the hospital. Using his diverted attention, Zoya unable to trust her own actions and heart around him in that proximity managed to slide out from underneath him and Asad used the time to straighten up still dazed and disturbed, regretful of his heinous actions towards Zoya that day and every other day too and he just sat there guilty with his tie hanging loosely from around his neck whilst Zoya not knowing what had just happened grabbed her laptop.)

Zoya - I uhh..I gotta go. I have the dance studio booked for rehearsal at school lets just work on this later (Asad was unable to bring himself to even look at her so he just gave her a curt nod barely even registering what she had said and she ran out of there with her laptop, leaning against the door and struggling to catch her breath once outside..her heart hammering against her chest)

Zoya - (breathless) Yeh mujhe kya hota jaa raha hai? Why do I lose my mind around him?

Asad - (sitting inside wondering) why do I always lose my mind around her.

xxx

IMA:

Asad ran up the steps of the dance studio ignoring the desperately hoping eyes of every girl and jealous/admiring eyes of all the guys in the courtyard. He looked to his watch and saw it was coming up close to 10:30, way too long since Zoya had texted him and asked her to meet him. He walked in through the grand dance hall which was deserted and then proceeded to look around for Zoya.

Asad - (not sure of what to do or say) uhh...Ms. Farooqui?... Zoya? (He didn't quite hear Zoya but he did hear music coming from the smaller dance studio and it was that song again, the song that spoke to him like his very own heartbeat, the song he had heard the last time he was standing in this very room and that day too he had felt something, someone behind those glass doors) Ae Ajnabi tu bhi kabhi awaz de kahin se, Ae ajnabi tu bhi kabhi awaz de kahin se, main yahan tukroon mein ji raha hoon main yahan tukro mein ji raha hoon tu kahin tukron mein ji rahee hai kya...(and he once again followed his heart to the glass doors and closed his eyes pressing his hands and his forehead between his hands to the glass doors feeling her presence there, the girl in the red haunting his dreams. Little did he know she was mirroring the exact same position and feelings on the other side of those glass doors, feeling a strong presence of "S or "Asad there because both of them had her heartbeats spiralling out of control whenever they were in close proximity to her. However, just like that the warmth, the comforting presence, the butterflies the racing heartbeats were gone and she was left with the same coldness that always surrounded her. Asad meanwhile was answering a phone call on the other end. Zoya thus continued her rehearsals and whilst Asad wrapped up his 10 minute business phone call outside in the foyer Zoya had moved her rehearsal to the stage in the dance hall, and when Asad returned he saw just the ending of it but whatever he saw blew him away and left him craving more. He sighed, his heart yearning as he leaned against the doorframe watching. Zoya had completely lost herself to the music and her beats and so had no idea he was there but when she finished she heard his claps and for a second goosebumps erupted on her skin fearing the worst, fearing to turn around and see Sameer there but luckily when she turned around she saw Asad give her the tiniest but sweetest smile as he walked forward into the hall applauding. Zoya was surprised to find that the minute she saw Asad there her heart had relaxed and in that moment she realized just how much she trusted him.

Asad - you..you're...well you don't COMPLETELY suck (Zoya laughed ducking her head and shyly tucking her hair behind her ear, and Asads yearning grew wishing to run his fingers through her hair and tucking and re-tucking those loose strands behind her ear) so I guess I'll tell Ayaan to leave the tomatoes at home.

Zoya - (rolled her eyes) are you fishing for an invite? (Asad scoffed but didn't say anything and Zoya bit her lip to stop herself from smiling even though her cheeks were reddening again) oh hey by the way the search completed for the collar...it belongs to some Phoenix security uniform..that mean anything to you? (Asad frowned lost and shook his head thinking hard but his mind was coming up empty and so he shook his head)

Asad - No.

Zoya - Well jis kissi ne bhi phupi pe attack kiya uska koi na koi taluk toh pheonix security se hai

Asad - (confused) lekin kissi security agency ka employee Ammi par hamla kyun karega. Usse zaroor kissi ne hire kiya hoga. I guess maybe we can find something on their website did you go through it? Or do you have your laptop we could go through it now.

Zoya No, I have my laptop but uhm can we go through it at the cafe..I start my shift in half an hour and I'm starving.

Asad - (almost laughed, Zoya had never seen his beautiful boyish grin that big and beautiful, it stole her breath away completely) of course.

Zoya - (blushed and giggled, aware that they were totally flirting and it scared her and positively surprised her that she was the least bit concerned or apprehensive, rather she welcomed it) Shut up. (Running over to the side to grab her stuff) just let me get changed do you have time?

Asad - (checked his watch) yah I can spare an hour.

Zoya - Great. I'll get changed and meet you at the car then we can grab lunch and figure this out (Asad nodded, turning around walking out to his car a certain skip to his walk and a joyful whistle on his lips)

xxx

Asha's Cafe:

Zoya - (turned her laptop towards Asad from behind the counter) yeh pheonix security ki site aur uski clients ki list hai. Ho sakta hai inn mein se kissi ke paas phupi par attack karne ki koi wajah ho aap isse dihaan se dekhiye...shayad inn mein se kissi se aapki kabhi koi dushmani ya rivalry rahee ho (but classic Zoya just as she turned the laptop her hand hit Asad's coffee and the entire coffee spilled over the counter, Asad didn't even look towards it or react to Zoya he just nodded focusing on the laptop again)

Asad - Sure. (Zoya laughed and smacked his perfectly set hair with her dish towel before walking away to the devdas who also went by the name Aahil sitting at the other end of the counter. Meanwhile Sheila came by on the pretence of refilling the cookie jar whilst singing and humming to herself wearing a rather coy smile on her face)

Sheila - Do dil mil rahe hain...do dil mil rahe hain..magar chupke chupke..hooo do dil mil rahe hain magar chupke chupke sabko ho rahee hai ho sabko ho rahee hai khabar chupke chupke...(Asad stared at her with a raised eyebrow and she just smiled brightly and innocently at him before disappearing into the kitchen whilst Asad shook his head, these girls would drive him crazy)

Zoya - (stood in-front of Aahil and laughed, causing Aahil to glare at her through his sunglasses because he was quite hungover) so you gonna tell me what ghatiya Ayaan like act you did to get not one but two amazing women mad at you.

Azlan - (frowned) you haven't even met Anaya yet how do you know shes amazing?

Zoya - All women are amazing. We tend to not be pigs like you guys (Aahil nodded) so you gonna tell me or am I going to call Ayaan and get the exaggerated but more spicy and interesting version.

Aahil - (rolled his eyes and sighed) I...I'm in love with Aisha but I got forced by Ammi to get engaged to Anaya which she HERSELF broke off at the last minute, Ammi not Anaya.

Zoya - still doesn't explain why Aisha is mad at you.

Aahil - I...I didn't tell her I was getting engaged (Zoya nodded)

Zoya - so basically you're just as much a pig as Ayaan is?

Aahil - (nodded) basically. I hurt two amazing women with 0 intention to do so, now I want to get engaged to Aisha and she won't even look at me, I wanna apologize to Anaya but I can't even look at her and Ammi keeps looking at me to agree to another rishta and (Zoya couldn't help but clutch her stomach laughing the entire time) and yah I should pretty much be ready to kill myself any-day now.

Zoya - (laughed walking away) good luck brother.

Aahil - (his mouth fell open aghast) are you gonna feed me or do anything to help me or have you just called me here to make me feel worse?

Zoya - the latter.

Aahil - (warning tone) ZOE (but Zoya walked away to Asad laughing)

Zoya - find anything?

Asad - (nodded) Kalpana industries inke firm ke saath hamara ek lawsuit pending hai..Siddiqui and partners yeh hamare closest rival hain..Palma industries aur yeh Mr. Nilesh Gupta ki company

Zoya - thats it. (Asad nodded) toh phir Mr. Khan humme jald se jald inn sabhi companies ke owner ke saath interact karna chahiye aur investigation shuru karni chahiye I'm sure humme zaroor kuch na kuch pata chal jayega.

Asad - lekin mujhe yeh samajh nahin aa raha ke inn mein se koi bhi Ammi par hamla kyun karega?

Zoya - phir bhi Mr. khan unhe contact toh kariye shayad kuch pata chal jaye.

Asad - (nodded) I gotta run for now I'll see you at home (Zoya nodded)

Zoya - drive safely. (For a second Asad stopped dead in his tracks surprised to hear her say that, then his heart filled with warmth and hope like he had never felt before and neither had he felt this loved or cared for even though his family told him on the daily to drive safely hearing her say it was an all together different thing. Zoya too heard it as soon as she said it and before he could turn around she ducked into the kitchen her cheeks flaming red her heart beating a mile per minute not believing she had just said that. She had never said that to her own brothers, but the strange thing was she actually meant it. She knew how recklessly he drove and she genuinely felt afraid for his safety.)

Asad - (turned around remembering something just as she left) oh by the way Sheila you might wanna set up two mics and two stools for the open mic night tomorrow I'm performing a duet.

Sheila - (shrieked in excitement baffling Asad) ooo yay. So who is it? Do I know her..is it a her oh please let it be Beyonce (Asad didn't even wait for her to finish that line he just turned around and walked right out leaving her to her khayali pulao)

2 hours later:

Zoya walked out of the kitchen with a fresh tray of sandwiches and proceeded to put them out when she heard loud giggles coming from one corner of the cafe.

Zeenat - Yoohoo..Zoya, zara idhar dekhna (Zoya frowned wondering what was going on and when Zeenat came and why she was calling her like that and when she looked up she heard a picture being taken, followed by a few more and her mouth nearly fell aghast seeing Zeenat, Anwar, Malik and Dilshad sitting in the cafe laughing worse than teenagers and Zeenat taking pictures like her)

Anwar - Aww look how cute my badass Zoya looks in that apron.

Zoya - (stared at them wide eyed) aap log..yeh.

Zeenat - Zoya you have a little (pointed to her cheek) flour zara hata lena na pictures sahee nahi aa rahee

Zoya - (hid her face behind her serving tray) aapi stop taking pics of me.

Zeenat - Arre...mere students ke liye hai.

Zoya - (wiping her face) students?

Zeenat - Haan I want to use them as an example to teach my students about the importance of hard work and growth and what better example than my bighri hui choti behen.

Anwar - uhh waiter..(snapping his fingers..Zoya rolled her eyes)

Zoya - (grabbing a pad and walking over) don't tell me you guys drove all the way here for your tea or coffee just to annoy me I mean don't you think it's a little immature.

Malik - immature aur hum...(shook his head) nahin nahin

Zeenat - In case your confused thats your forte darling

Anwar - Okay now keep up saali saheba this is gonna go quick..(speaking at the speed of light) we want 4 grilled chicken sandwhiches two with cheese two without two with tomatoes two without two with pickles two without but the we want the ones with cheese to be without pickles and tomatoes oh and onions I don't like onions...also we want 4 chocolate frappucino's but we want you to make them all separately not at once I mean I understand it would be easier for you to make them all at once but thats not what we want so make one then rinse then make the next keeping up yah? And then we want a dozen biscotti's and 3 chocolate chip and 2 oatmeal raisin cookie- how come you're not writing this down (all of them stared at her with deadpan straight serious faces and Zoya just stared at them like they had all lost their minds before Dilshad burst out laughing unable to take it)

Anwar - Ammi yaar..

Dilshad - I'm sorry I can't...I..(she held her arms out and pulled Zoya into her arms kissing her forehead making her sit next to her and Zoya stuck her tongue out at him as he rolled his eyes at them)

Zoya - My phupi (kissing her cheek) so good to see you outside of the 4 walls of your room how are you feeling?

Dilshad - Arre I'm perfectly fine..kuch nahin hua hai mujhe aur aggar tum mein se kissi ne ab mujhe baby kiya ya ghar mein band karne ki koshish ki toh main paagal ho jaongi please.

Malik - (put his hands up) okay okay no babying..but Zoya beti we really could do with that food and coffee (Zoya narrowed her eyes at him and he couldn't help but laugh again) okay okay not that food and coffee but some tea and biscotti's would be highly appreciated..(Zoya nodded)

Zoya - (sighed) bullies. I'll get on it, but if you don't tip graciously I promise I'll put spiders in your tea next time.

Zeenat - No tip for family.

Zoya - (walking away, called over her shoulder) then consider our relation broken (Anwar looked over to Malik and Dilshad who had began whispering and conspiring as soon as Zoya walked away)

Anwar - Okay thats it. What gives? Aaj toh main jaanke hi rahoonga ke aap dono kya kichri bana rahe hain..(Malik and Dilshad looked towards one another, and made that adult/parentish eye contact in which they discussed and came to a conclusion all without saying a word)

Malik - okay so uhh...you guys know that the candidacies for the upcoming elections are still open and uh aside from the same old crooks no one else is willing to stand up for the challenge.

Zeenat & Anwar - (already, on the fence not liking where this was going) yaaahhh

Dilshad - Well, we put Asad's name down as a candidate for the election

Anwar & Zeenat - WHAT. (Malik and Dilshad not seeing the horror on Anwar and Zeenat's faces just began giggling like excited teenagers whilst Anwar and Zeenat looked towards each other mortified)

Anwar - kya..(unable to believe what he had just heard) WHAT?

Dilshad - (frowned, confused) what, what?

Anwar - Yeh kya kiya aapne...this..this is wrong..No Ammi yeh...yeh ghalat-

Malik - Kya ghalat hai iss mein? He's fully qualified to run this election and unlike the other candidates he would actually do something for this city aside from setting it on fire and then stand back and watch it burn to ashes..

Anwar - NO- Ammi what were you thinking-

Dilshad - (put up a hand) maine tum logon ko yeh tumhara opinion jaane ke liye nahin bataya. Neither am I discussing this or arguing about it with you. Main faisla kar chuki hoon aur main tumhari ek nahin sunne waali bas maine kaha ke Asad election larre ga toh woh larre ga-

Zeenat - Par ammi aap ek baar Asad se pooch toh-

Malik - usse poochne ka kya faida...Asad kabhi bhi apni Ammi ka kaha nahin taale ga

Anwar - acha sila de rahe hain aap usse uski achayee ka faida uthake. (Dilshad just waved him off and began whispering and conspiring with Malik again whilst Zeenat and Anwar sat aghast, staring at each other both worried and Anwar furious for the upcoming storm Malik & Dilshad couldn't see)

xxx

Continued in next post...