Half an Hour Later:
A drunkenly swaying Asad and a dizzy Zoya made their way inside the house, both with one arm thrown over the others shoulder for different reasons and yet the same reason simultaneously. Asad had his casually strewn over Zoya's shoulder so she wouldn't faint out of dizziness due to weakness and Zoya had hers over his so he wouldn't fall or hurt himself in his drunken stupor.
Asad - (glaring at her as she held her head, pale in the face still unable to walk straight) I told you it was nothing but pagalpan..
Zoya - (side eyed him) that half an hour was still a better healer than a day of drinking and that too on an empty stomach I'm sure (Asad laughed drunkenly and if it wasn't the most beautiful sound she had ever heard. Zoya shook her head at him although a blush crept up on her cheek and her heart beat wildly. Asad stumbled drunkenly again and Zoya grabbed his other arm too still shaking her head at him) easy boozy...
Asad - (his words coming out slurred, his eyes drooping, half closed) Ms. Farooqui, mujhe sahara dete aur sambhalte...kahin khud mat gir jaana..(Zoya who was unable to avoid the pain and deeper meaning behind his words, than the actual literal meaning of physically falling stared at him, in his pain filled eyes that as usual begged for saving, and Zoya's too filled with just as much pain seeing the pain in his eyes. Just as Asad's drunken eyes flickered to her lips, and she gulped nervously knowing exactly where his gaze lingered, just as their hearts beat just a little wilder, their breaths slowed just a little shallower, and they both almost leaned on just a little further, A crash resonating not too far off snapped them out of it. Both their shocked heads snapped to the direction of the source and they saw Aisha staring at them looking like she had just seen a ghost, her eyes wide. Zoya cleared her throat awkwardly and Asad made an attempt to move out of her hold and flee to the confinement of his room but he was so drunk he immediately began clumsily banging into the sofa and so Zoya rushed to grab him and this time very sneakily and greedily unable to resist the temptation and desires of her innocent wildly beating heart, in love, she linked her arm through his and began guiding him to his room, making certain to keep her head low and bowed and not make any eye contact with Aisha. Aisha meanwhile heard Zeenat nearly screaming through the phone she had dropped in worry and so smiling knowingly, excitedly and giddily she bent down to pick it up.
Aisha - haan haan...sorry I'm here...no no everything's fine..I just dropped the phone by mistake...sorry kya pooch raheen theen aap bhabi? Asad aur Zoya kaise hain (staring at the direction of Asad's room where she could hear their voices coming from, she sighed, for the first time feeling so immensely relieved and grateful to her Allah, CERTAIN that her brother would be Just Fine...that he would get all the happiness, the peace, the love and care that he deserved, as would Zoya) something tells me their going to be just fine...
Meanwhile Inside the room:
Zoya let go of Asad once holding on to him became too difficult for her to do on her own as he began stumbling and crashing, ready to fall as soon as they entered her room. Zoya's breath got caught in her throat, her heart nearly stopped beating in worry as she saw him dive, ready to fall it was just that he was multiple inches too short and was more close to the ground than the bed, luckily just as she shot out her hand to stop him and nearly screamed he changed direction and fell face first unto his bed with his shoes and jacket on. Zoya recoiled her hand as she closed her eyes in relief taking a deep breath just as Asad muttered something sleepily and drunkenly. Asad - (muttering, his eyes closed..mostly out of it now) aapne mujhe girne se bhacha liya...you didn't let me fall...you didn't...me...fall
Zoya - (hesitantly took a seat next to him at the edge of the bed where he was passed out, and stared at him through watery and worried eyes, she saw the dark circles beneath his eyes, saw how his forehead was still creased, saw the exhaustion on his handsome face, and it broke her heart, and her voice, she shook her head trying to speak over the lump in her throat) I promise...I won't let you fall. I...what...what is it Mr. Khan that's eating away at you like this? (As her own demon plagued her mind making her close her eyes and take deep breaths to prevent herself from panicking) What's your demon? (As she opened her eyes, a tear fell from them still seeing the exhaustion on his face and the creases on his forehead, her eyes fell unto his feet and she couldn't help but chuckle, shaking her head. She bent over on the bed and removed his shoes for him.)
Zoya - kuch zyaada hi tough banne ki koshish karte hain..(mimicking Asad in his stern deep voice) mujhe kissi ki zaroorat nahin hai...(shook her head scoffing) apna khayal toh khud rakh nahin sakte..subah uthte hi sabse pehle joote dekhke heart attack aa jaata phir hangover se aa jaata...(sitting up straighter, shaking her head, that's when her heart filled with a pang of want, a desire so deep it had the potential to destroy her, a wish...for this to become eternal, for her having the right and ability to take care of him now, and forever she would make sure not a single crease ever formed on that beautiful forehead on a single night. Just as she was about to give in to her hearts desires and her hand automatically lowered to his head on it's own accord, to run her fingers through his soft silky hair she heard commotion from outside. More specifically, she heard her brothers raised voices, so leaving her desire unfulfilled as always she rushed out worriedly, carefully remembering to shut off Asad's lights and shutting his bedroom door just so the commotion wouldn't disturb his sleep, compared to not too long ago when she brought in a whole band and dhol and could care less if he was asleep right there on the couch, resulting in him falling right off said couch. She stopped in the living room next to an equally worried Aisha as she saw Arsalan and Aahil trying to calm a raging Ayaan down and stop him from storming out to do something reckless..
Arsalan - AYAAN YOU CAN'T START BEATING UP RANDOM GUYS FROM HER COLLEGE EXPECTING ONE OF THEM TO FESS UP! Malik uncle was completely justified in calling me-
Ayaan - NO HE WASN'T. NOT WHEN I'M DOING HIS JOB-
Aahil - HIS JOB? Ayaan he doesn't even KNOW what happened how is he supposed to catch the son of a bitch-
Ayaan - I DON'T KNOW OKAY! I DON'T KNOW ALL I KNOW IS I WANT THIS bas***d BEHIND BARS OR I'LL KILL HIM WITH MY OWN HANDS -
Zoya - AYAAN! (As those unfathomable words left Ayaan's mouth Zoya felt like someone had ripped her beating heart out of her, she felt shaken to her core and his name escaped her mouth before she could even finish hearing whatever venom he was spewing without thinking. However, the very next second his enraged eyes were set on her and she was the next victim of his rage, she was the prime victim of it anyways. Aahil and Arsalan exchanged worried looks not wanting to subject her to that wrath, Ayaan's wide, deranged and drunken eyes scaring both of them because they held a certainty that he was dead serious)
Ayaan - (glaring at Zoya in a no-non-sense tone) ZOYA...acha huwa tum yahin mil gayee mujhe. I'm going to ask you this ONE TIME and ONE TIME ONLY ZOYA. TELL ME THAT SON OF A BITCHES NAME RIGHT NOW...OR I SWEAR TO GOD FAIZAN JEEJU WON'T BE THE ONLY FAROOQUI WHO WALKED OUT A DOOR AND NEVER CAME BACKAGAIN -
Aisha/Aahil/Arsalan - AYAAANNN!!! (They were all shocked that he could say something so ghastly but Zoya was stunned, shaken, numb, seeing and hearing her silence. Ayaan could take it no more and he stormed out of there, Arsalan and Aahil fast behind him, whilst Aisha rushed to support Zoya who fell to the ground as her week, shaking knees gave way)
xxx
The Next Morning - Haveli: There was absolute silence at the breakfast table that morning. The only sound made was the scraping of spoons and forks against plates. Tension filled the room and was seen visibly on every member's face except for Kajol's of course whose head was lolling as she tried and failed to remain awake. Eventually, upon Maya's silent insistence Salma couldn't help but address the elephant in the room.
Salma - (cleared her throat, gathering everyone's attention) uhm...Anaya..Azlan, kya hua..Arsalan ne kuch kaha ke nahin?
Azlan - (frowned) kis baare mein daadi?
Salma - (frowned back at him) uski aur Anaya ki shaadi ke baare mein of course..(Shireen dropped her fork as she stared at Salma in shock and Razia adjusted and then re-adjusted her dupatta also in shock but more than that, anger and annoyance) mujhe lagga Anaya aur uske beech baat pakki ho gayee hai..
Anaya - (nodded, and spoke in a small whisper after staring into Azlan's sure, confident and encouraging eyes) Ji Daadi baat pakki hai
Salma - Haan toh phir usse bolo ke woh apni Ammi se baat karre bhai hamare ghar rishta toh leke ayen woh..humse baat karrein...taake hum barre kuch faisla le sakke..itne eham faisle tum log toh nahin karoge na hum hi kareinge..
Anaya - (smiled) ji daadi..(and Salma, Salman, Javed and Maya all smiled seeing her smiling and happy for once as did Azlan. Rashid was again not present. But shireen was furious, she felt betrayed and she was angry)
Shireen - (her voice laced with disbelief and betrayal) Ammi...aap aisa kaise kar sakti hain? Meri beti-
Salman - woh hamari BHI beti hai Shireen..
Shireen - (narrowed her eyes angrily) tab hi aap uski zindagi barbaad kar rahe hain?
Salma - (shook her head, upset that Shireen was too dumb and too brainwashed to see what was actually going on here) actually Shireen...hum yeh faisla ISSI liye le rahe hain...kyunki hum tumpe ab aur bharosa nahin kar sakte...(Razia raised her eyebrow at that and Shireen was taken a back. Salma glared directly at Razia wanting her to know she was referring to her) unfortunately dosron ki baaton mein aake tum apni beti ke haq mein sahee faisla nahin le paa rahee ho issliye majbooran humme hi beech mein aake Anaya ki zindagi ka faisla lena hoga...
Razia - (viciously sneered at her) HOW DARE You-
Javed - RAZIA BI (glared at her) yeh mat bholiye ke mere maa aur baba iss ghar ke barre hain aur iss ghar ka har faisla karne ka sirf unhe hi haq hai. Yeh unka ghar, unka shehr aur unki beti ki zindagi ka savaal hai..frankly it is OUR family matter which you have no right to speak in. (Azlan couldn't help it and no matter how hard he tried he couldn't hold back so he snickered, quite loudly at that and earned a spiteful glare from Ghaffur and Razia..whilst Shireen who saw no one coming to her defence or side, no one understanding her point or lack thereof, scraped back her chair noisily and stalked out of there making all of them, especially Anaya sigh wishfully after her...hoping she wasn't as brainwashed as she was by Razia)
xxx
Khan Mansion:
Asad sat up slowly, holding his head and groaning feeling like a huge elephant was sitting on top of it. His hair was standing up in all directions and he really looked worse than he did last night. He heard a knock on the door and winced, looking up as the lights to his dark room flicked on aggravating his pounding headache.
Aisha - (frowned) you look like hell.
Asad - (winced) thanks, I feel even worse..
Aisha - are you okay?
Asad - (winced again) shh..not so loudly, and please turn off the light...
Aisha - (shook her head as her frown deepened worriedly) Asad seriously why do you do this to yourself-
Asad - Aapi please not now...I feel like bhai is sitting on my head (Aisha laughed and Asad winced again glaring at her)
Aisha - (gave him a sheepish smile) sorry sorry...(shaking her head) but seriously NEXT time you want to be reckless and drink please do yourself a favour and remember this feeling...or maybe (cringed) take a look in the mirror because you seriously don't look like Kasauli's heartthrob at the moment...
Asad - (muttered) I seriously doubt that
Aisha - (raised an eyebrow) aren't we modest. (Asad rolled his eyes holding his forehead) k, well I gotta run but uhh..3 things before I go-
Asad - shoot..just..stop,screaming.please. I feel like my head's gonna explode...
Aisha - (rolled her eyes not wanting to tell him she was practically whispering so instead she began actually whispering, exaggeratedly) 1. (Put her hands on her hips and came into a full reprimanding big sister mode, which was not a frequent occurrence with Asad so she took advantage of every opportunity she got with him to school him instead of getting schooled by the smart ass) Next time you drink I will not be understanding or supportive of such reckless and self destructive behaviour and I will LITERALLY blare music throughout this house and SCREAM when talking to you. 2. Can you please get Zoya to come out of her room and have some breakfast..Azlan had to run home for something and We're all really worried about her after last nights show down with Ayaan-
Asad - (frowned) what showdown?
Aisha - (sighed) he came over last night and was demanding to know the name of Zoya's assaulter, she wouldn't give it up and things got pretty ugly. He, he brought up some pretty dark stuff and I'm really worried so can you please just check on her (Asad nodded, although from that point onward he was barely listening to her, his mind was swarming with worry for Zoya, wondering what Ayaan had said to her and wanted to see her. wishing for Aisha to walk away quickly so he could jump out of bed and walk over to her room) and DON'T FIGHT WITH HER..(Asad rolled his eyes at her)
Asad - are you done?
Aisha - (smiled sweetly at him) almost. Lastly, do yourself a favour and (pointed to his side table, where there was a bottle of pills, a glass of lemon juice and a note) I'll see you kids for dinner..feel better k...(she blew him a kiss even though he was too busy staring at his table wondering who left it there, although the way his heart enlarged and filled with warmth, he was pretty confident in his belief of who it was. His hope of who it was, because it made his fantasy that much more possible.) oh and one more thing (she flicked off his light, hiding the playful glint in her eyes) I'm calling bhai and letting him know you called him an elephant..(she walked away laughing but Asad was least bothered. He was more interested in the note and he snatched it with impatient and eager hands, his heart hammering with a thousand emotions, hope, happiness, feeling touched and cared for, belief that he would be okay, that he could be saved, his soul could be salvaged, that..that someone could be written for him, destined for him, that he was deserving of that someone who could love him, that SHE could love him. With trembling itching hands he picked up the note and immediately his hangover effects dimmed slightly and he felt lighter suddenly, better suddenly as he read her note which said a simple "Boozy on it followed by an " emotion. But the fact that she cared enough to show her anger and annoyance her disapproval of his drinking only shouted her care for him more than the hangover curing pills or drink that she left for him did..and if that was the deal, if poison was what it took to see that care from her which he craved so deeply for, than he'd never give up such precious poison, not when the stakes were so high.)
xxx
5 minutes later - Zoya's room: A very annoyed sullen and depressed looking Zoya reluctantly opened the door to her bedroom when she realized Asad wasn't going away. She looked nearly as bad as he did, obvious that she hadn't slept a wink all night and had spent most of last night crying over her helplessness with Ayaan. She crossed her arms giving him an uninterested and annoyed look, her way of asking what he wanted and also her way of demanding an explanation of his getup. Why was he wearing sunglasses in the house? But my god did he look fine. She hated that. It completely threw her off balance and just added to her list of growing heartaches.
Asad - (ignoring the deep pain in his heart seeing her red rimmed, sleep deprived eyes, the twinkle in them and her million dollar smile both missing. He spoke to her in a no-nonsense tone, both of them not very good at showing their OBVIOUS care and affection for one another) get dressed...we're going out.
Zoya - (frowned) where?
Asad - to get some food into you...
Zoya your kitchen is bigger than any cafe or restaurant in this town...
Asad - we also need to get some fresh air into you...
Zoya - (moving back to slam the door in his face) we'll I'm not interested in going anywhere or eating anything so you can go on your own...(she tried to slam the door in his face but he effectively blocked that by one single hand of his and amused her by letting her indulge in her childishness and use both her hands and all her force, grunting as she tried to push it close. Once she had exhausted whatever little energy she had, Asad continued staring at her with one raised eyebrow internally laughing at her craziness and adorableness but with one swift push he threw open her door and made her go stumbling back into her room. She glared at him as he stalked into her room uninvitedly and smugly, enraging her as he stood there with that coy smirk on his face, with his beautifully sculpted biceps bulging as he crossed his arms. He was so hot, she hated that.
Zoya - WHY are you so frustrating?
Asad - (yanking off his sunglasses) WHY are you so exasperating? I told you...YOU have to eat so quit the comedy and let's get going..I need to get some coffee before this hangover kills me.
Zoya - THATS YOUR OWN DOING. Besides, if you want to go get coffee go get it...why do I have to go along.
Asad - (shrugged) you set the trap yourself...I'm only repaying the favour.
Zoya - Mr. Khan I'm really not in the mood-
Asad - I know...I heard..about what happened with Ayaan...(Zoya crossed her arms defensively and looked away as tears pricked her eyes remembering Ayaan's horrible and hurtful words) look I'll talk to him okay..but in the meantime..not eating isn't going to help anything.., it'll only make things worse...especially with your brothers...(& him)
Zoya - (tiredly) Mr. Khan-
Asad - (stepped closer to her, desperately...earnestly, his voice just slightly deeper, just slightly hoarser, full of emotion) tell me you wouldn't do the same for me. (Zoya's surprised and taken aback, speechless eyes shined brightly at him, full of as much emotion as his. Her silence told him what no amount of words ever could, and she looked away immediately too overwhelmed to continue looking into his eyes, afraid she'd see some raw emotion that would push her over the edge and take her to a point of no return...her shyness and the sudden pink hue on her cheek made Asad smile just a little) Get dressed...I'll wait
Zoya - (she wouldn't be Zoya if she gave in so easily and let him win, her ego was much too large for that. So she crossed her arms defiantly and looked up at him stubbornly) I'm not changing if you want to take me you have to take me like this...
Asad - (wiping his sunglasses clean, not even looking at her he spoke absentmindedly literally walking into that one) that's fine..Winnie the pooh works for me...(for a minute he didn't even realize what he had said, and Zoya wanted to laugh out loud but the hammering of her heart and the deep blush on her cheeks left her ineligible to speak considering the double meaning behind both their last sentences. That's when Asad finally realized it too and he looked at her blushing just as bad, his mind plagued with a million images that would leave him with a desperate need of a cold shower if he didn't quickly make a move out of that suddenly hotter bedroom of Zoya's and her Winnie the Pooh Pajamas which he took in the second he laid eyes on her.)
Asad - (stammering) I mean..let's just go...(saying so he quickly spun around and began stalking out of her room shutting his eyes and cringing at his ability to lose his mind around her whilst Zoya looked down at her pajamas, biting her lip, suddenly developing a deeper fondness for them before she hurried out after him knowing how impatient he could be)
xxx
Kasauli Beach & Pier:Zoya sat on the railing of the fence surrounding the ocean whilst Asad stood leaning against it, both of them holding their morning coffees - milkshake in Zoya's case. She looked over at Asad as he casually leaned with his back against the barrier, slouching, looking as handsome as ever in jeans and a thin white cotton shirt that flied wildly with the wind, some Chelsea ankle boots and dark ray-bans and her heart summersaulted, he looked like a million bucks, good enough to eat.
Asad - so..how do you plan on making things better with Ayaan? (Looking at the water ahead) you going to tell him who it was (he looked at her and was glad for the ability to hide behind his sunglasses because he couldn't hold the anger in them and he didn't want to put her through that anger, not when she was already so vulnerable)
Zoya - so uhh..(looking away, biting her cheek, keeping herself from screaming the name out loud just so she could put this nightmare behind herself and let Asad take care of it like she was sure he would.. so she wouldn't have to hide forever from the fear of running into Sameer again, anywhere and everywhere in this town, but fear stopped her, the fear of losing him to Sameer.) what was with you these past few days?
Asad - (shook his head) na uhn, you don't get to do that.
Zoya - (frowned) do what?
Asad - (turned his body towards her) ask me what's eating away at me when you won't fess up yourself. (He saw Zoya glare at him annoyedly and this time his heart summersaulted, he absolutely adored a feisty Zoya.) tell you what, I'll play you for it?
Zoya - (smiled curiously) oh yah? What's the game?
Asad - I used to play it with bhai and Aapi in childhood whenever any of us were having a bad day...(Zoya raised an eyebrow and Asad shrugged) I'll tell you if you tell me. (Zoya stared at him in shock for a few minutes, sure that he was mocking her and pulling her leg but seeing that he was dead serious she chuckled and shook her head)
Zoya - You're worse than a child you know that.
Asad - oh you're one to talk, chicken nuggets and milkshake for breakfast? That's practically a happy meal (Zoya chuckled even more and Asad's heart soared, that's all he wanted. To hear that melodious laughter of hers that immediately and always put his demons to rest, just as his eyes grew slightly darker and his smile vanished just a smidge as he raised his head hearing her laugh he heard someone calling his name behind him just as he was turning towards her. Asad and Zoya both looked over and saw a small boy come running up to Asad and his eye's immediately lit up tenfold. He turned around and at once jumped over the barrier surprising and confusing Zoya who turned around on the barrier watching them. Watching Asad bow down to the beautiful kids level whose innocent smile held the power to light up this whole world.)
Asad (gave the kid a hi 5) - kaise ho Karim? Aur kahan hote ho? Itne dinn ho gaye mille hi nahin?
Karim - (a devilish glint in his eye) main toh yahin hota hoon bhaiya...aap hi (eyeing Zoya) kahin masroof ho (Asad eyed Zoya's dangling legs out of the corner of his eye)
Asad - (shook his head at Karim and muttered) shaitan.
Karim - (held up one of the teddy bears he was holding) aaj Pari ke liye bhalu nahin loge bhaiya? Woh khush ho jayegee? (Asad stared at the adorable teddy bear the kid was holding and then back at Zoya, who smiled at him, adoring this gem of a man before her who had her whole heart at his mercy.)
Asad - of course loon ga..par aaj ek aur Pari ke liye loon ga, ajj iss Pari ki smile ki zyaada zaroorat hai mujhe (He then looked back and smiled at the kid ruffling his hair before nodding towards Zoya letting the kid know he could go give it to Zoya. As the kid ran up to her and handed her the teddy bear she looked from the adorable kid, to the adorable teddy bear he was handing her to the adorable man slowly standing up and avoiding eye contact with her refusing to acknowledge the care and concern his eyes held for her. As the kid handed Zoya the bear leaving her staring at him he came running back to Asad smiling up at him and Asad smiled back at him before taking off his sunglasses and putting them on the kid, the kids smile magnified and with it Asad's heart swam with relief, happiness, repentance, and a hope of surviving. Karim threw his arms around Asad's head lovingly, and Asad wrapped his large muscular arms around the innocent, stranger orphan child, crouching slightly Zoya wiped her tear needing to look away as a lump formed in her throat. She finally realized what that fluttering, all consuming, destructive and yet healing feeling in her heart was called. It was love. Love for the angel walking back towards her. She was falling in love with Asad Ahmed Khan...she cleared her throat to and wiped away her tears as she smiled at him.)
Zoya - (held up the teddy bear to his face) what's this for?
Asad - isn't that what you kids are interested in these days? (Zoya glared at him and using the teddy bears hand slapped him playfully on the face making Asad chuckle as he nervously and shyly ran a hand through his scruffy beard, staring at the teddy bear in Zoya's hand) I've been buying a teddy bear for Pari ever since she was born from Karim every time I run into him...(staring across the beach where Karim was playing with his friends all of whom had something or the other to sell) I can't pull him and many other children out of this child exploitation business the government and so many gangs here thrive on YET, but I sure as hell can make sure the kid has something or the other for himself and those monsters aren't robbing him of everything he slaves for. (The lump in her throat was back, and it was more painful than ever)
Zoya - but why me..(cleared her throat to get the words out) today?
Asad - (nervously and shyly poking the teddy bear, making Zoya's smile grow bigger and her heart to fall harder) it always gets Pari to smile (shrugged and Zoya felt like her chest would burst with emotion for this man before her. His ability to do anything and EVERYTHING to get her to smile, warmed her heart and she couldn't help but let emotions get the best of her as she cut him in between his sentence and throwing an arm around him hugged him with everything she had, whilst still sitting on the barrier and with him standing before her, never mind the numerous camera's that took a picture of him wrapped in some girls arms, which by the look on his face, the solace and serenity on his face as he tightly hugged her back was testimony to the fact that this girl was no stranger, she meant A LOT to him, probably meant EVERYTHING to him with the sheer intensity he was hugging her back, crushing her to himself, his face buried in her luscious hair which smelled of lavender, breathing in her scent and refusing to ever let go. Zoya, finally felt like she was home. She finally felt like she had reached where she belonged, what she was in search for. What she travelled all the way across the world for. A home, a family, a friend, a companion, a sense of belonging...love, and endless tears swam down her face as she realized how lucky she was to be well and alive today to realize and feel that beautiful feeling of what it was like to understand, realize and feel love, to be wrapped up in it's arms, and yet she couldn't be more unfortunate that with that realization came the REALITY, not a question or confusion but the reality that that love was not destined to be reciprocated. But if this moment, today, at this pier, in his arms is all she got, is as good as it got, then she would have no regrets, not a one. She simply couldn't believe that all she had been searching for had been here right before her, in Kasauli, her home town, all along.)
xxx
Back at Khan Mansion:
Asad and Zoya came strolling back from their brunch adventure into the Khan Mansion property and were walking it's long walk up to the house when Zoya who had been hugging the teddy bear to her chest all the way home (ignoring the envious and/or concerning looks from passerby's , all aunties and girls jealously staring at Zoya for walking with, talking with, laughing with Asad and all others concerned with Zoya's mental health seeing that she was hugging a teddy bear) turned towards Asad who was walking silently next to her with his hands tucked in his pockets)
Zoya - (smiled at him) thank you Mr. Khan (Asad stared at her with an adorably confused look on his face making Zoya smile but look away due to her treacherous heart and the desires and dreams it was spinning. She tucked a strand of her behind her hair as she continued walking next to him nervously fiddling with the teddy's ear) for trying to make me feel better..(Asad nodded. If only she knew, it was one of the only goals in his life) life may be a blessing but...(gave him a sympathetic and broken smile, broken for HIM) as we both know it can be ..(debating the right word to use) cruel...and unfair (a darkness engulfed Asad's eyes as those words sank in, his ability to relate, painfully strong) but unfortunate are those who go trough life's cruelties alone...(smiled at him as she stopped before the front door with him) without a 4 am friend who will do anything to make you smile (Asad nodded and hid a small smile, her words just bringing back his demons which were forever ready to haunt him, and he hung his head low, his eyebrows furrowed. Zoya tried a peak at his face but he was too busy, to her dismay in trying to light a cigarette. Zoya gripped his head from the front as her way of thanking him and he finally looked up at her, breaking her heart as she saw the usual broken and haunted Asad in his eyes, gone was the playful and adorable, almost childlike Asad she loved, from this morning)
Asad - (smiled at her through his tired eyes) I was just returning the favour...(he smiled at her and Zoya's heart raced. Her whole body shuddered as he poked her cheek where her dimple lay) your smile lights up this whole world...at least my world (and suddenly the mesmerizing and enchanting, blinding and dazzling smile she gave him with both her dimples on display made the tension between his eyebrows dissipate. Before she took advantage of his lost focus and cheekily snatched the lit cigarette from beneath his lips and ran back into the house, making him frown. She stopped by the door just once, to turn around and wink at him as she pointed just the one finger at him, both thanking him and labelling him, them, from frenemies to 4 am friends, and he reciprocated, pointing a finger back at her just as he unknown to her reciprocated her love. He then lit another cigarette, just as his cell phone rang.)
Asad - (checking out the number) This is Sean...(and then his entire face changed and filled with anger and devastation) when? (& no sooner had the call come in was he on his bike flying down the driveway)
xxx
Farooqui Mansion:
Haseena - Jab tum donon ne faisla kar liya hai toh humme batane ki bhi kya zaroorat thi? Khud hi jaake shaadi karke ghar le aate na apni biwiyon ko?
Aahil - (glaring at her furiously) well thanks for your permission. We were going to do that all along just wanted your blessings (He was about to get up and storm away but Arsalan held him back and through his eyes communicated for him to calm down, relax and let him handle it)
Arsalan - Look mom. Main aapko keh keh ke thak chuka hoon ke main aapki niece se shaadi NAHIN kar raha hoon chahe kuch ho jaye. I'd rather die single...par aapko koi baat samajh aye toh na.
Haseena - Main uski maan ko KYA moon dekhaongi? Yeh na socha tune apni maan ko saari dunya ke saamne badnaam karke?
Arsalan - MUJHSE poocha tha aapne meri zindagi ka itna bara faisla karne se pehle? Aapne KHUD yeh ghalati ki hai toh ab saza bhi aap hi bhugtiye...FIND a way to show face in society..
Haseena - (crocodile tears) bas yehi dinn dekhne reh gaye the mere...abhi woh donon iss ghar mein ayee hi nahin aur already mere dono beton ko mere khilaaf kar diya hai unhone-
Aahil - (threw up his hands, getting up again) you know what...I can't. I simply can't. (Arsalan grabbed his arm and pulled him down on the sofa next to himself again)
Arsalan - Look...abhi bhi hum aap logon ko bata rahe hain taake aap...hamare barre poore rasmon riwajon ke saath hamare rishte leke jayen...warna humme koi problem nahin hai KHUD unse baat karke KHUD aapke bina shaadi karne ki...aur apni biwiyon ko leke alag ho jaane ki...(glaring at shazia) lord knows you deserve it. Par agar aap chahte hain ke hum yahan iss ghar mein aapke saath rahein aur aap do aur bete na kho dein...then PLEASE...khosh sambhaliye aur jaisa hum keh rahe hain waisa kijiye-
Haseena - NAHIN MANZOOR TUMHARI KOI BHI SHART MUJHE. Aur tu APNI maan ko dhamki de raha hai? Jaa jahan jaana hai tujhe main bhi dekhti hoon kaun raukta hai tumhe-
Aahil - (getting up again) thank you-
Shazia - (panicking. The fear and possibility of losing any more of her children destroying her, not these two as well after Faizan, Ayaan, Zoya) EK minute Aahil...(Aahil stopped in his tracks, half way out the living room and turned towards her and she signalled him to take a seat...he took a seat as slowly and as angrily as Haseena wiped her tears in shock. Shazia sighed) jaisa tum log chahte ho..waisa hi hoga (Haseena gasped) iss liye kissi ko naraaz hoke (eyeing both of them with love and pain filled eyes, eyes of a mother who had simply lost WAY too much) kahin jaane ki zaroorat nahin hai...
Haseena - AMMI.
Shazia - (held up a hand to Haseena) humne keh diya so keh diya Haseena...jahan yeh shaadi karna chahte hain wahin inki shaadi hogi..zindagi unhe guzarni hai..humme nahin issliye behtar hai ke itne eham faisle yeh khud le lein..taake kalko humse shikayat karne ka mauka na mille unhe. Aur waise bhi..tumhe kyun itni problem ho rahee hai...tum toh khud Anaya ka rishta chahti thi apne bete ke liye..jo tum chahti thi waisa hi toh ho raha hai...fark sirf itna hai ke ek bete ko chorke doosre bete ki dulhan banne gi woh...(Haseena glared at her angrily. At a loss for words. How was she to explain the fact that internally she was rejoicing. This had worked out better than she had planned. 2 filthy rich families to exploit instead of just one? Two Khan girls to rule over instead of just one? Her only wish that was unfulfilled was that she wanted Anaya's family to come BEG her for her son's rishta so she had absolute power over them from day one)
Shazia - Bolo...kab jaana hai rishta leke?
Arsalan - (smiled at Aahil) well right away I suppose. I have to be in New York by the end of next month and I don't know how soon I'll be able to take time off and come back go get married once the project starts...I want to take Anaya with me. (Shazia nodded, and looked towards Tahir)
Shazia - Aap kya kehte hain? (Her son dropped his glass in shock. Was SHE his mother ACTUALLY asking his fathers opinion for once? Was ANY mans opinion being counted for anything in this house for the first time? Where had the sun risen from? It seems the rest of the family was in as much shock as he was as well...including Tahir as well)
Tahir - (his voice stammering. Not used to having his opinion asked or having the need or right to speak in this house) h...haaan humme koi aitraaz nahin hai par...
Arsalan - par?
Tahir - Asad Ahmed Khan. Uski taraf se hamara dil mutmaeen nahin hai...ab uske ghar ke saath tum log rishta jorna chahte ho?
Aahil - (glaring at him) uske ghar se hamara already rishta hai...woh Zeenat Api ka Sasural hai. (Eyeing him suspiciously and curiously) Aur aapko Asad Ahmed Khan se kya problem hai? Ke woh iss shehr ka eklota ameerzaada hai jo corrupt nahin hai? (Arsalan held his hand to keep him from lashing out as Tahir as usual fell silent. realizing it was probably better when he never spoke up and wasn't asked to either)
Arsalan - (eyeing all of them carefully as they all fell silent) aur ek aur baat..(they all looked up at him as he got their attention) hamari shaadi mein...Zoya BHI shareek ho gi...as our SISTER. (He saw Haseena about to say something so he put up a hand to stop her right there whilst his eyes never once wavered from Shazia's face. Surprised to see her not even ATTEMPT to defy him) aur yeh baat hum kissi se nahin chupayenge...naa hi uske wajood ke baare mein jhoot boleinge. Woh shaadi ke dauraan yahan ISS hi ghar mein rahegi and neither one of you will do ANYTHING at all to make her feel unwelcome. Our sister doesn't embarrass us. That would be YOUR role. And trust me...inviting you to the wedding is option B. If you have a problem with Zoya..we're more than happy to take her along with the baraat and leave the rest of you here. Our sister is enough for us, with her by our side, we don't need any more family. We have all that we need and all that we want. (Saying so he walked out of there and finally Aahil too walked out of there after putting forth their ultimatum which Haseena really wanted to reject but she wasn't able to because Shazia didn't speak up. Shazia however kept silent, tears swarming her eyes, and shockingly they were tears of happiness, excitement, relief in her haunted eyes. Haunted by loneliness.)
xxx
Khan Mansion:
Zoya tossed and turned in her bed restlessly where she had dozed off, still sitting up in bed, somewhere in between staring at her phone and trying to call Ayaan to talk to him, pacify him, reconcile things with him ANYTHING just so he would talk to her, just so she could get him to understand her and so he wouldn't do anything reckless like she was dreaming of at the moment. Ayaan going after Sameer after she had let his name slip that he was the one who had killed Faizan and assaulted her, and Sameer ended up killing him just like he did her jeeju. Just as the gunshot resonated in her nightmare she shot up in her bed screaming Ayaan's name, beads of perspiration filling her forehead especially near her eyebrows. She gasped for air realizing it was just a dream, just another nightmare and placed a hand on her racing heart which felt as though it would burst from her chest. Still, she had the worst, most nagging feeling, a feeling of impending doom fill the pit of her stomach and she knew it wouldn't go away until she called him, until she talked to him..and heard his voice. Made sure he was okay. Desperately tossing the covers aside she searched for her phone amongst the mayhem on her bed and through shaking fingers she dialled him, the anxiety only grew stronger with each additional ring which he didn't answer on. By the 5th ring she nearly cried and screamed hysterically when she heard the phone connect, but silence on the other end. She had to move the phone away and see the "connected sign on her phone just to be sure that the call had actually been answered. Putting the phone back against her ear she could hear Ayaan breathing on the other end, but not say anything and it broke her heart, he didn't want to talk to her. This was the first time they had gone on fighting for so long, without talking or patching up and it broke her.
Ayaan - (in a tired, hoarse and drunk voice) unless you're calling me with the name of the bas***d...I don't want to talk to you. I have nothing left to say to you Zoya...
Zoya - (her voice breaking as tears, pleading tears fell from her eyes) Ayaan...
Ayaan - (chuckled) that's the wrong name Zoya..(before Zoya could say anything further though she heard Ayaan hang up and the line disconnect. She closed her eyes putting her phone down, as helplessness engulfed her. A desperate need, a want to cut herself engulfed her and she didn't know what to do, where to turn, who to talk to. She knew internally they all thought the same as Ayaan, Arsalan, Aahil Aisha and Asad all wanted to grab her and shake her until she gave up Sameer's name but they were just putting up with her given the fragility of her health. She drew her legs up and rested her head on her knees and ended up sitting in the darkness, silence, and loneliness of her room for hours on end not knowing what to do, but wanting so badly to wake up from this nightmare. She stared at the teddy bear next to her on her bed that Asad had brought for her this morning and remembered what it symbolized, the power her smile held and it's need in this world and she tried to draw strength from that. She wanted to be the confident girl her family needed her to be, Asad wanted her to be, she wanted to be strong for them she just...she didn't know how, and she needed help finding her way. Hours later, when her eyes were hurting from all the tears and she needed water because her throat was dry from the painful lump in it that refused to dissolve she tossed the covers aside and for the first time since breakfast that morning got up and out of bed, and a wave of dizziness hit her. She clutched the wall to prevent herself from falling and held her head with her other hand as wave after wave of nausea hit her. Guess not eating post breakfast wasn't the best idea given the said fragility of her mind. Thinking it was best she went out to the kitchen and grabbed a bite to eat before she fainted and gave everyone a reason to be mad at her she turned towards the door when something caught her eye. A beautiful sleek black box, with a beautiful black and silver envelope, with a curious red sticky on top. Curiosity getting the best of her she walked up to the box and picked up the sticky, a smile forming on her face at once despite her broken heart. Who knew a sticky note could bring someone so much joy? But considering it was Asad leaving her the sticky and it was slowly becoming their thing, to communicate through them, how could it not bring her joy. She let her fingers caress the edge of the sticky as she read the note, as usual printed in Asad's elegant cursive scrawl.
To, My new 4 am Friend:
"Will you do the me the absolute honour? - Asad Ahmed Khan
(Zoya frowned curiously as a smile spread across her face and opening the envelope she read it was an invitation for Asad + 1 to some fancy Christmas party hosted by the Mayor and Zoya's eyes widened for numerous reasons. 1) It didn't surprise her that Asad Ahmed Khan at this young age was on the guest list of the Mayor's private and person parties, it did expand her heart with pride though. Unimaginable pride. 2) The idea of her going out to a party AGAIN? After what happened the last time she made that mistake? That too a party at the Mayor's house where no doubt the elitist of the elite of Kasauli would be present and her heart jolted with fear, what if Sameer were there? 3) Asad wanted her to go with him? A girl as characterless, humiliated, and incomparably low in status compared to him? Wouldn't he be ashamed of being seen with her? She wouldn't hold it against him if he was? 4) and this was the only point that mattered. Asad wanted and actually asked HER to go with him? As his +1? As in...as his date? (Of course without reading too much into it) her treacherous heart, spewing yet another countless dream beat wildly in her chest, as colour rushed to her cheeks at the idea of her and Asad on a date and at the realization that there was nothing. Absolutely NOTHING more she wanted. Her heart continued hammering as she pulled off the ribbon from the black box and gasped, for in it was the most beautiful, exquisite, and expensive red gown Zoya had ever laid eyes on. A gown fit for a princess and tears rushed to her eyes as she ran a shaky hand over the embellishment on the gown, her heart sinking again. Asad was an angel and she wasn't deserving of this. Of Asad's attention, his money, his company. And she definitely wasn't deserving of being seen with him in such a respectable gathering tonight, wearing this. Never mind the fact that she couldn't wear it even if she wanted to. It wasn't something that a decent girl would wear. It was strapless and backless, and those two things broke her heart further as she understood what Asad was trying to do. He was trying to let her know that he didn't think what he once did, that she was a loose character or bad girl who deserved bad things that happened to her because of the way she dressed, and he DEFINITELY wasn't ashamed to be seen with her, and she fell to the floor in a heap, holding the gown against herself, crying over the love and care from Asad she didn't deserve, crying over her own heart that just fell harder and harder for him which she also didn't deserve, and cried over all that she had lost due to what Sameer did to her, her pride, her confidence, her dignity, herself.
xxx
Continued in next post...
Debate Mansion
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Book Talk
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