After a day filled with him swimming in her imaginations she went to sleep sadly, feeling empty on the inside. That evening when Najma and Zoya were going to the airport, they were informed that Asad's flight was canceled and since then zoya's spirits came crashing down to the ground level.
Next morning she woke up late, when the sun was shining bright and happy. She smiled as the fresh breezes rushed inside her room with the sun rays caressing her skin. She remembered closing the balcony door yesterday night. Thinking that Najma might have opened it early morning she again slipped under the duvet and let lose herself in the welcoming warmness. Her eyes did a double take when she spotted a manly figure standing in the sun's way. The brightness didn't allow her to see more than a shadow but she knew better. Her heartbeats started hammering inside as she squinted her eyes to see properly until he came inside and smiled at her...
That smile for a moment held her hand and swirled into her dream world but then she came back to reality realizing Asad's flight was canceled. She lay down on the bed again covering her eyes with her arms...
"God! Pareshaan kar rakha hai... Kal bhi dreams mein aaye, then the whole day you followed me and didn't leave me alone last night too. Now again... you're just everywhere!
She kicked off the duvet from above her when she heard him chuckle again. He hovered over her, the top two buttons of his shirt open for giving her a nice view. The scent of his cologne filled her senses and she breathed in peacefully, strangely feeling so complete like she never felt in the past two and a half year...
Itna toh bata
mausamo ki tarah
Tu badalta gaya kyun hai
Wo. oo. ho. Wo. oo. ho. Wo. oo. ho.
"You will never change, hai na? The banter queen? his warm breathe sent ripples of nervousness around her body. His voice never felt so alive in all her imaginations like it did today. She was breathing hard all this while and closed her eyes when he leaned in to drop a sound and tender kiss on her cheeks...
Sometimes it takes time to realize what one feels for someone. When Asad got away from home he felt that incompleteness in every action he did and in every moment he lived. He was confused with the cyclone of so many emotions whirling around inside him then when he left. But being away for a period of time he has realized what is it all about...
It's love...
Who's the girl?
Zoya... That very same stupid at times and very easily irritated and annoyed Zoya whom he enjoyed to tease so much. Zoya was his neighbor from last fifteen years and have bonded well with his Ammi and Najma. She somewhere warmed up to Asad too. Every time she walked in the house wanting to meet her best friend Najma, she'll always come face to face with her best friend's brother as she called him.
Zoya was a broad minded and smart girl, her early educational training was in New York but after her mother's demise she moved back to India with her dad. She spent most of the time at his house and even stayed over whenever her dad was busy. Busy is an understatement for her dad. He was always busy in and out of the town and even country seldom. She was a part of his family and he became habitual to her presence.
But all this time away from his family and her, he felt that value of her presence in his life... Zoya was a fresh air that he always wanted to breathe in. but from last two years unfortunately, he only was able to take a whiff in from what he saw of her in his dreams or in daydreams. He was never a person who would zone out. But it didn't matter whether he was in public or alone, he'd always hear her giggling or frowning at him as he teased her...
Tu hi tu har jagah, aaj kal kyun hai
Tu hi tu har jagah, aaj kal kyun hai
Raastey har dafa, sirf tera pata
Mujhse pooche bhala kyun hai
Na mai apna raha...na kisi aur ka
Aisa mere khudaa,, kyu hai!
Wo oh o...wo oh o...wo oh o...
Her eyes shot open as she felt his lips on her cheeks. Her heart did a double take and she flushed at the touch. Was it real? How can it be so good to be real? She raised her hand to touch his stubble face. His happy eyes gazed back in hers which were full of wonderment.
"Are you for real? she whispered and his lips curved up into a smirk. "Shall I prove it again? he cocked his eyebrows and let his gaze fall down to her lips. She fisted the lapels of her dress and stared at his lips too. He came closer and she closed her eyes, wanting to get her fantasy fulfilled in her imaginations at least...
He watched her holding her breath in anticipation and couldn't hold his laughter anymore. He moved back and burst out laughing half rolling on the bed. Zoya's eyes flew open for the second time too shocked to react.
"You! she gasped, her eyes zeroing in on him. She threw a pillow at him and he tossed it back with his elbow laughing hard.
"You've been always that playful! Why don't you just vanish from here like all other times! she threw another cushion at him and he caught it on time...
Resting his chin on the softness he asked her with innocent eyes, "why Zoya? Why do you want me to vanish?
"Because every time I see you around, every time you come in my dreams, every time Phupi speaks of you and Najma tells me she misses our fights, I miss you damn it! she slumped her shoulders down in defeat with a sigh and covered her face with both her palms...
"I don't want to see you... Go away!
Asad sobers up and shifts near her, holding down her hands, but she kept her eyes shut. "Par mai ab wapas aagaya hu...you won't have to miss me anymore.
"I tried not to miss you ...par abhi do minute mein gayab ho jaaoge...I'll start missing you again! she sighs averting her eyes from his...
"You don't believe me do you? he asked her but before she could say something more Najma walked in the room with a bright smile...
"Oh bhaijaan! You already met her...ahahaaha zoya...Aaj bhi unhappy hone ka natak karogi? Did bhaijaan give you your surprise? Zoya stared at Najma in confusion while Asad just shook his head...
"Uh...Najma you can see Asad too?
"Of course...not that he's wearing an invisible robe she laughed it off turning to Asad, "bhaijaan, ammi is calling you, come soon...and Zoya, get ready and you too come out, it's late. Saying so Najma left and a silence hovers down on both of them when finally Zoya realized that this Asad was not a figment of her imagination but was actually the man himself. She widened her eyes at him and he started laughing again...
"Do I look like a ghost? he questions when she kept staring at him.
"Oh wait it's you who look like one right now he said, moving close to her and fixing her hairs properly.
Reality hit her and she replayed all the things he said and she said few minutes before. Her face surpassed every shade of red when she recalled him kissing her cheeks...
"Raat mein aise mere room me mat aana, looking at you and these hairs like this I'd be so scared to death he chuckled, ruffling her hairs more again.
"Huh...what did you just say? ASAD! she slammed her fist at his arms and he gets out of the bed. She hopped down after him and there starts a chase and run game between the two, like old times. After running for four more minutes both stopped breathing hard...
"Ah! God Zoya, no more peaceful days for you, why did you come back? she fake scowled at him in dislike and he had to bite his lip from laughing... Is this the same girl who wanted so much to see him?
"Accha? he neared her while she moved back and hit the wall. "Someone said she used to miss me while I was away.
"w...who? she stuttered as he came dangerously close to her, her breathing faltered at his touch when he held her hand and threaded his fingers with hers.
"Someone who is affected whenever I am this close... Someone who missed me but it would kill her ego to accept... Someone who looked so cute and peaceful in her beauty sleep this morning... He whispered as she dropped her gaze. She felt her knees going weak and held on to his right shoulder with her free hand...
"Aur?
She dared to open her mouth, but the word came out dry and foreign to her ears...
"Aur, ...someone who is looking very pretty this morning, someone who didn't leave me alone even when I was far away, someone whom I love to tease, someone who is really close to me.
Her eyes collided with his, as he stared deeply in hers with sincerity...
"Aur?
Her inaudible word was felt by him on his neck and he intensely held her gaze, "Aur...someone who stole my heart, someone I realized I'd manage till the end, someone whose absence I can't bear... Someone I have come to love so much...
She stopped breathing at his words and he leans close to her ears, feeling her hand tighten the grip on his shoulder. "Now...do I control your breathes Zoya? He whispered in her ears and she saw red... He again faced her with a smirk,
"Breathe
She pushed him away frowning at the ground as she breathed in... it was like, he was opening that every knot of her heart and she came undone with his honest words...
"Wapas chale gaye toh?
He held her hand and placed it on her heart under his palm... "I know I have a place here, and I haven't come back to leave...
Dheemi Dheemi aanch pe jese
Dheere dheere jlta hai dil
Ye bekaraari kyu hai
Ye khumaari kyu hai
Awaargi kyu hai
Har mod par...
She licked her lips accessing her inner thoughts and absorbing everything he said...
Then he stepped back, his hand leaving hers and rubbing the back of his head shyly...
"Asad!! they heard his ammi calling him and he shoved his hands in his pants pocket before walking out of her room, a smirk playing on his lips that she didn't fail to notice.
After he disappeared from her sight she sat on the bed, her hand still placed on her heart where he oh so securely kept it. A blush crept on her face as she felt zillions of butterflies dancing in her stomach. Her grin grew wider in glee and she hugged the pillow lying back on the bed. She couldn't believe he was finally here...
She was finally happy in a long time, her heart joyfully complete and jittery. His words swam in her mind all day long and she was lost in just watching him interact with his Ammi and sister. Now and then he shot her a knowing look with that smirk plastered on his face...
After lunch when everyone went to sit in the hall, zoya was making custard in the kitchen. He pretended to look for something in the fridge. She turned and looked over her shoulder, focusing her eyes on his movements from under her lashes. When he turned around and caught her staring and she instantly turned back to cutting fruits. He walked to her and stood, supporting his back to the kitchen counter.
"I spot some drool he said in a serious tone, thumbing her lower lip and then when her eyes widened on him he snorted.
"YOU! she pointed the knife at him.
"Woah! You can be daring too? You looked so innocent when you were staring he teased.
"I wasn't..sta..staring. she muttered, failing to prevent the stutter.
"Is that so? he kept his elbow on the counter, cupping his chin. His bright eyes mocked her and she turned away from him. "Can't you spend one moment without me? Always comes behind me to trouble she muttered.
"ohho! Tum dono phir se start hogye? Dilshaad walked in on them shaking her head.
"Phupi your son is just too much...I thought he will change into better but some people never change! glaring at him she walked out leaving the two in loads of laughter.
Asad passed a smug look to his Ammi as she twisted his ears, "did you tell her?
"Did, par guess samjhaana mushkil hai isey. He points his index finger to the side of his forehead and rolls it to express she's mad.
Dilshaad gasped in mock anger and then narrowed her eyes at him, "Asad, stop teasing her. atleast give her the surprise c'mon she pushed him out of the kitchen and he went into his room to take out her surprise.
Zoya felt the sofa deepen beside her and then she found herself sat thigh to thigh close with Asad. Before she could react or shift away he held her palm open and placed a big gift wrap in front of her. It was unexpectedly good for her so she just sat and stared...
"ptch! Asad tutted and glanced at Dilshaad, "I told you she's crazy! "Gift wraps are supposed to be opened zoya. He turned his attention back to her and she slapped his hands away with a roll of her eyes. "Shut up! Najma giggled at this.
Zoya was surprised would be an understatement. Asad had bought her favourite artist's famous painting. It was an original with his autograph.
"Are you kidding me? she covered her mouth with her hands and hugged him in sheer happiness. She didn't need to say anything; he knew she had no words to express how grateful she was... His heart was contended that way.
The evening passed by with some healthy fights between the two, but after Asad gave her the gift she sobered up to him so much that they actually were laughing together at something and not at each other. After a light dinner, Asad took all of them to their favourite Kulfi spot to keep intact their tradition.
The setting was perfect for summers, with a lake alongside the sidewalk. They all were sitting on the chairs, facing the subtle waters of now the dark lake and enjoying the cool breezes. Asad was lost in zoya, as she stared at the moon, her chin turned upwards, a peaceful smile on her face. It filled his heart to the brim that it even hurt to keep staring at her. He was the most happiest person on this planet, having her sit beside him and devouring the Kulfi. He averted his eyes which were starting to get wet, he just felt so grateful towards life. Now he was back and he would start his business here only. That meant having zoya around him all the time. He sighed smiling up at her and found her already looking at him...
Na mai apna raha...
Na kisi aur kaa...
Aisa mere khuda...
Kyu hai...
Wo oh o...wo oh o...wo oh o...
The moonlight was reflecting on her dark figure, her eyes shone with a tender yet faraway look...
"Cheers!
She brought her kulfi close to his and he chuckled nudging her kulfi with hers, "cheers! Do you remember?
It was a humid day, and Asad was following an overexcited zoya to the kulfi stall. Najma had her board exams the next day so she was strictly off limits for going out. She was even warned to not eat kulfi by her ammi because she didn't want her to spoil her health in exam days. Reason being when Najma ate Kulfi she just didn't ate kulfi, she ate kulfis being a stress eater. But Asad and Zoya promised her to get only a single one for her secretly.
They both were sat on the chairs facing the lake. Zoya thought it would be funny if she can find out how far she can throw the wooden sticks into the lake. So she started throwing the sticks which were littered all over the road by other customers.
"Big time they all learn to use dustbins! she commented aiming for her third shot in the air. It flew up and just managed to fall at the starting wall of the lake. She pouted and he chuckled.
"Really? And what are you doing? Spoiling the pleasant waters of the lake? he pointed to which she rolled her eyes.
"Well, atleast they won't be visible!
"That is if you manage to throw them far enough he laughed at her as again her throw just closely missed hitting the water tangling in the bushes surrounding it.
"Oh really? Why don't you try then? she challenged him and being Asad he took challenge very seriously on his ego.
So there they began picking the used kulfi sticks from the ground and throwing them in the lake. It was a pretty cool competition between the two until they were reprimanded by the Kulfiwala to not spoil the lake. They both ran from there into the next street laughing hard on their rebellious self. While walking back home, they feasted on their half melted kulfis...
"You wanna try this Pista flavor? Asad offered her all of a sudden and she paused for a second before shrugging "okay. She licked his kulfi and he also tried to have some of her Rabdi kulfi but she didn't let him.
"I have a rule with kulfis, no sharing! she shrugged and started walking ahead. He followed her raising his eyebrows with a naughty glint.
"Well you're sharing your love, that should do for now. He said and then swiped his tongue on his kulfi, just where zoya licked.
"What nonsense! she rolled her eyes at him.
"Aur nahi to kya. Jhutha khaane se pyaar badhta hai, you know it don't you? he looked innocent but Zoya could see the imaginary devil ears on his head.
"In your dreams she again rolled her eyes and made a face, "In our case it's not pyaar but hatred, wo bhi pure...bina milaavat
They both chuckled, remembering the same incident and shared a good natured laugh. In their eye lock they didn't even realized when Najma and Dilshaad left. Dilshaad wanted to give them some time alone so that Asad could tell her his feelings. Asad and zoya looked around and spotted dilshaad and najma walking in a distance. They both started following them, walking side by side with the remaining kulfi.
"So? he prompted.
"So what? she asked out of habit. They've had this several times.
"Wanna taste a different flavor? he smiled wholeheartedly at her and it was intoxicating to her that she returned it with all her heart.
"Sure. She nodded and forwarded her kulfi towards him.
He widened his eyes in surprise and exchanged kulfis with her. "What happened to your no sharing policy?
"Maybe someone made me change it? it sounded like a question when she said it.
"And might I ask who? he leaned his head closer to hers while she devoured the taste of his half eaten kulfi.
She smiled, "Someone to whom it's tempting to eat a half eaten kulfi, someone who can't bear to spend a moment not troubling me, someone who needs to keep check of his over smartness.
He started chukling and shook his head before looking at her intensely.
"Aur?
"Aur...someone who is damn infuriating, someone who enjoys teasing me, someone stood very close to me and looking like a fool she smirked and he narrowed his eyes on her before turning his attention to the kulfi as he ate it.
"Aur? he aksed while swiping his lips with his tongue.
"Someone who distracts me in odd times, someone I think I'd manage to live with till the end, someone who has stolen my heart and someone whom I have come to love so much.
Hua nahi pehle kabhi yeh...
Chuaa nahi dil ko kisi ne...
Har aarzoo tu hi...
Chain or sukoon tu hi...
Mai toh kahoo...
Tu hi hai zindagi...
He was expecting her to twist the end playfully as shed normally do. But when she repeated his earlier words, he stopped walking. She smiled a shy smile and took her kulfi from him. Asad was mesmerized, but she walked ahead with both the kulfis in her hand.
"c'mon! she laughed as she called him and he followed her and took back the kulfi from her. "hey! she tried blocking but he was fast.
"What are we sharing today Zoya? he leaned in to whisper in her ears, his cool breathe making her shiver.
"Answer me Zoya. What is it? Love or hate?
She chinned up her head and looked straight in his eyes... "Love her tone was confident with finality. He grinned at her madly, impressed by her audacity.
"With no milaavat
"With no milaavat
They both said together at the same time. He laughed and she affirmed with a smile and finishing off the kulfi and then dropping the stick to the ground, she kicked it off. He mimicked her actions and side hugged her as they walked to the house.
"Thanks for the surprise Asad, I love it! she said when they reached home and were standing outside the gate.
"What about my return gift? he winked and she narrowed her eyes...
"Ab kya chaiye? You finished most of my kulfi she rolled her eyes and he chuckled. Now they were back to being them. They both were incomplete without each other and they knew it.
He pulled her close locking her one hand behind her so that she was pushed towards him till their breathes mingled.
"Something sweet? his eyes danced happily as they took in every detail of her face shining in the moonlit veranda.
"Pehle chodo... She pursed her lips, controlling her ragged breathes.
"Bhaag gayi toh?
With her free hand she placed his free hand on his heart and said, "I know I have a place here, and I haven't come here to leave.
They both smile at each other and he loosened his grip on hers. She quickly raised herself on her knees and pretends to peck on his cheek, but when his hands are completely on his side, she made a quick move and runs away...
Na mai apna raha...
Na kisi aur ka...
Aisa mere khuda
Kyu hai..
Wo oh o...wo oh o...wo oh o...
She escapes into the house giggling and it's too late for him to register she just tricked him... He followed close and their chase and run game goes on which might have fooled Najma, but the smiles on their faces told Dilshaad about the flow of this positive energy called love between the two...
"Not fair Zoya... You will have to pay for this... He warned following her as she rushed out of the house and again peeped in holding the door ajar...
"Everything is fair in love and war... She whispered with a naughty glint in her eyes and before he reached to her the door closed and he could hear her as she shouted wishing a good night to Dilshad and Najma... He shook his head before walking back to his room...
His heart was swelling with contentment as he lied down on his bed reminiscing that everything happened in a whole day... 'Love...with no milavat...' those were the words in his mind as he slowly drifted into the peaceful sleep with that small smile intact on his face...
While on the other side sleep was far away for Zoya as she was still feeling this everything as a dream... Just till last night she was missing him so much and imagining him nice and sweet to her in her dreams only... But now he was back for good... And had he really said all that to her...? It was still like a dream to her... She sighed caressing the gift... "Hehhh...It was too much to believe... His each word kept ringing in her mind and she felt her eyes welled up feeling emotional suddenly... "Today you gave me everything Asad... She breathed hugging the painting to her heart...
"Don't I deserve a return gift then?
She shook her head smiling as she could see him leaning back to the door... "Yes...You deserve... She hopped out of the bed and opening the door of her room walked out of her house... Taking a look around she moved to his window... For a moment she just stood watching him sleeping peacefully but then frowned, "Meri neend uda kar tum aise araam se so rahe ho like nothing has happened...how could you? "You like to tease me anyways...that is not going to change... She shook her head and very carefully entered inside his room... Sitting beside him she stared at him for sometime feared thinking she would touch him and he will disappear as he used to be...
"Still it feels like a dream... She touched his soft hair falling on his forehead before leaning to kiss him on his cheek... "Your return gift... She smiled as her lips touched his cheek and before she knew it his hand wrapped around her seizing her and she gasped...
"It's not a dream and you should start believing it... He whispered as he caressed the side of her face with his free hand sending chills down her spine... and she closed her eyes drinking in the feel of his touch... He smiled and flipped them so she landed on her back with him hovering over... His breathe fanned on her face and he traced the side of her lips... "Or it's better to make you believe Zoya... His voice thick as he whispered and his lips brushed against hers... He felt himself captive feeling the soft texture of her lips that he had dreamed of countless times... Her hand moved to his shoulder and gripped him tight as he placed a sweet tender kiss to which she began responding giving in... But half a minute of her responding, and he pulled away staring at her amusedly...
"Can you believe it now... He asked moving back & she inhaled before her eyes met with his... He winked and she pushed him off... He laughed lying on the bed and his fingers gripped her wrist as she tried to get up... "I would love if you keep dreaming though... He eyes danced with playfulness...
Grabbing a pillow with her free hand she threw it on his face making him laugh hard... And as his grip loosened on her wrist she hopped out... Her gaze fixed on him as she moved back to the window... He stopped laughing as he watched her getting out...
"I don't want to dream anymore..."
He heard her whisper and getting out of the bed walked towards his room window... outside where she was standing and held her hand, "Dream Zoya... I'll make your every dream come true..."
She still stood as she did, her back facing him and he back hugged her from inside the window...
"We'll together make our reality better than the dreams even, haina? As he said that she smiled a huge smile which he couldn't see but felt...
"Hmm..."
They both smiled and watch the moon, with thousands of stars merrily winking at them from the summer sky... They all were witnesses of them loving each other with a love that was more than love...
Har aarzoo tu hai...
Chain or sukoon tu hai...
Mai toh kahoo...
Tu hi hai zindagi...!!!
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Edited by -Prinky- - 7 years ago
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