Banner Credit-Zephyr.
Chapter 2
'Pretending to be happy when you are in pain is just an example of how strong you are as a person'
He is sitting at airport waiting for the boarding call of his flight to India but his mind is still stuck at those words that he read in the newspaper article on psychology a few days back.
He wondered whether he is really so strong to pretend for years or the deep wounds did heal already without any nursing. Then why did he feel pain thinking of those gruesome days of his life? Why could not he forgive his fate for being so unjust? Why he could never think of revisiting his memories?
Moreover, he very well knew those WORDS of psychology is very much WRONG. Because pretense will not help us in healing the pain, it will just lead to more pain. It will not give us a chance to let go of our build up frustrations, anger, and sadness. Only he knew even though he may appear calm outside but the storm is whirling inside which could destroy everything in its path. And he hoped against the hope to get rid of this storm. Therefore, he resorted back to his old habit of hoping against hope when nothing favors him, his same way out when this entire ordeal started.
The only way to free himself from the pain is to move on, letting go of his emotions which he successfully masked for years. But it is easier to be said than done because to let go of the mask of this happy man means to let his family see the vulnerable him. He could never let that happen, because he is the pillar of his house. He is the eldest son of his family, a doting brother, a responsible son, a lovable grandchild and also the most wanted person in his entire family.
His phone rang up to divert his mind. Glancing at the caller name, he picked it up with a small smile.'' Assalamualaikum Chachi.I have checked in already.''
'Walekum Assalam.Good to know that. I just wanted to confirm that you have not changed your intentions of retuning back'' She said in a teasing manner.
Why will I change my intentions?''He sounded offended.
Laughingly she answered Kya pata tum wahan apne lie koi dulhan dundh liya hai toh''.
He rubbed his forehead due to the teasing and decided to wind up the call.
I will reach home by tomorrow evening. I have some work at Mumbai tomorrow.''
Ok.Toh dulhan Mumbai se hai. Mein samaj gayi.''
He gave up on her teasing, mumbled a quick ''Allah Hafiz'', and switched off the phone.
It was his chachi, Shireen Ahmed Khan on call. He is very close to her as much as he is closer to his own mother. His sister also shared a strong bond with her like his cousins with his mother.
When she lost her husband years back, even though he was a child then, he managed her and since then his role changed from nephew to a son. He helped her in taking care of his younger cousins.
His parents, Rashid Ahmed Khan and Dilshad Ahmed Khan can never be more proud of him because he showed incredible strength when the whole family gave up hoping. Somewhere they blamed themselves for forcing the situation upon him and being weak. However, he always comforted them saying they were all helpless then and it was his duty to hold his family from falling apart.
He sent a quick prayer to the Creator for blessing him with such an amazing family.
The boarding call for his flight diverted his mind. Settling himself in his seat he wondered about the problem at hand. His mothers are hell bent on the mission of finding a bride for him which he was successfully dodging from last few months. But he knew he could not escape from the situation anymore as his whole family is teamed up this time.
Taking his seat, he decided to stop pondering over something which he could not help with. Yet he could not help but think of the torture he had to endure once he reached his home. Suddenly someone knocked on his shoulder taking him by surprise.
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Zoya was already in a foul mood due to the sudden complications aroused in one of the projects in Mumbai and she already blasted at her secretary for the same. Even though she knew, the mistake is on the part of the company with whom they are going to sign the deal.
To make the matter worse her brilliant adviser asked her to attend the meeting as she will be already landed by then and she could reach back Bhopal by following evening.
She badly wanted to cancel the deal but decided against it as this is a massive project with many companies on board from different parts of country and also they will get a chance to work along with another big company in the field, Khan Industries. Even though both of their companies are the leading ones in Bhopal, she never got a chance to meet the Great AAK himself. She is never interested in anything other than her company so she has no idea about the man other than the glorified story of his success
She was impressed by the story of The Great AAK who saved his father's company from sinking and worked die hard to make it reach the heights. Hearing his story for the first time, she noticed the connection with her own story.
But unlike his father who met with an accident and got disabled, she lost her father forever. Her father did have trusted employees who didn't allow their company to step down. Her father's friend who was her legal guardian managed the company and handed it over to her when she completed her studies.
She admired AAK not only as a man who built up such a great empire on his own but also for his sheer dedication and devotion to his work. Opposite to his work and success, the man himself is a mystery to the world. Unlike others, it did not surprise her much as she also belonged to same category.
She knew she had no way out but attend the conference in Mumbai and move back to Bhopal tomorrow.
Reaching her seat in the flight she saw a man in his mid-twenties is taking the seat besides her and it seems that the person is lost in some thoughts.
He has his legs stretched and so she called out to him so that she could sit in her window seat.
''Hey''
When she failed to get any response from him, she knocked on his shoulder.
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Asad turned to look at a girl of early twenties with big brown eyes wearing a black jacket and jeans staring back at him.
Seeing him confused Zoya motioned him towards his leg and realising his position he straightened himself. Taking her seat, she mumbled a quick thanks.
The flight announcement took both of their attention for the next few minute and finally they took off to their destination.
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Edited by --Mirage-- - 8 years ago
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