Hey all. This is an old piece of mine but a personal favourite. It seemed apt for Asya, obviously with changes and tweaks here and there so i decided to post it here.
Just a note, I have not seen any traditions or functions that the Cvs showed in the show in regards to a wedding. But a Pakistani wedding has a barat hosted by the bride side ( the nikkah can happen before or the same day as the barat) and a valima which is hosted by the groom side. Just wanted to make the functions and rituals clear so there is no confusion for the readers.
Hope you all enjoy it😳
Index:
ch.1- below
ch 2: pg.6
ch.3: pg.9
ch.4: pg 13
ch.5 (last part)- pg.18
A Simple Story of Love
Zoya Farooqui ran up the staircase decorated with garlands of flowers and lights of the lavish Farooqui house checking everything one last time before the groom Ayaan Malik brought the barat with his family to marry her best friend/ sister Humeria. Ayaan, Humeria and Zoya had always known as the inseparable trio being the best of friends ever since they became friends in grade twelve when Humeria and Zoya had come to New York and joined Bayview High school. Of course, friendship over time bloomed into love for Humeria and Ayaan; Zoya couldn't have been happier that her two best friends were marrying each other. Now after ten years of friendship, love and of course fights; they were ready to give it the name of marriage.
But Zoya and Humeria had been the best of friends even since they met in second grade of school back in India. Zoya had always been the loud, friendly social girl who had stepped up to be friends with Humeria on her first day in school when they use to live in Bhopal. Now years later, they were now in New York and the Farooquis were her family.
Zoya sighed as she saw Humeria's bridal dress laid out for her to wear once she got her make-up done. It made her wish that he was here too; and if he was here today then she would be wearing the red bridal dress she had once promised she would only wear for him. Ten years ago, She would have only been his bride but now...
"Zoya beta, remember to bring the platters of rose petals.", her Ammi hollered. I snapped out of my thoughts as I heard my mother and wiped the lone tear that had snuck out without my permission.
"Ji Ammi, I am coming.", I yelled back. I quickly grabbed one of the platters of rose petals for the welcome of groom and company.
"Zoya beta hurry up, they are going to here any minute", Zeenat Ammi called again.
"Mummy, your Zoya is coming.", I yelled loud enough so she would hear me.
I half-ran and half- walked with the platter in my hands, "Nuzhat, bring the rest of the platters down with your gang.", I instructed my fifteen year old sister as I passed her in the hall.
"Ji Baji, coming in two minutes.", she replied back obediently but then went back to chit chatting with her friends
I kept walking forward approaching the stairs and turned to look back to yell, "NOW , Nuzhat !"
The girls all stopped their chatter at once, "Yes Baji",she said meekly and ran with her friends to the other room. Not looking forward, I suddenly collided with a hard chest, as I was about to fall; the platter jumped up from my hands into the air as I attempted to save myself from falling backwards. Unknowingly, I let out a small yelp, as I feared a fall. My eyes closed shut as I fell backwards; just then in the nick of time, strong hands gripped my bare waist to save me and I crashed against his chest once again. Rose petals rained on us I felt the soft petals brushing my skin and the clinking of the metal platter falling off to the side.
I drew in the scent of him as I held onto his arms; not just his cologne, which was my favourite but also, his own intoxicating scent. It smelled exactly the same as it had ten years ago; the last time I drew in his scent at the beach.
I felt his warm hands on my waist as he held me tight against his chest; I ran my hands over his muscled chest unaware of it myself, reliving the memories of being cuddled in his strong arms.
I kept my eyes squeezed shut refusing to open them; fearing if I opened my eyes then he would disappear; just like he disappeared every morning.
"Zoya ", he whispered softly as he plucked off one of the rose petals resting my neck.
No, it can't be, it just can't be. He can't be here, I thought to myself. But despite my best efforts, my eyes fluttered open slowly as I stared into his intense chocolate eyes; the eyes that had always spoken me.
"Asad", I whispered unable to believe my eyes as I took my hand to his chiseled cheek and felt the light stubble I loved on him.
***********
He couldn't believe, he, Asad Ahmed Khan was sneaking into the bride's house right before the wedding..and for what? For a letter his stupid friend Ayaan gave for his bride; his best friend of five years. They had hit off in the first year of MBA in London even when they were extreme opposites; Ayaan being the loud social one and Asad being the quiet and not so social one. He guessed it balanced out as he did most of the talking for Asad, the partying for Asad, etc (you seem to get the gist of it). Even after MBA wrapped up and Asad headed to Bhopal and Ayaan to back to the States; they had managed to stay in touch. Asad knew the love Ayaan had for his girlfriend but he didn't know he would finally tie the knot. So when Ayaan called two weeks ago saying he needed his best man in New York; Asad couldn't hardly say no even though he had just come yesterday and missed most of the wedding rituals because of the business meetings he had. Even now it was hard to believe that Asad was a successful businessman with his company when ten years ago he was working part time and studying. Even MBA in London had been a full scholarship Asad had received.
He didn't even know anything about his bride other than her name Humeria; it reminded him of her best friend whose name was also Humeria. He sighed to himself; he could never forget anything connected to her.
Being his best man; he wasn't able to refuse when Ayaan asked him to deliver a love letter to his bride. Now what could be so important that couldn't wait till after the wedding that Asad couldn't understand. But he had been instructed to find Humeria's sister Nuzhat who he had met earlier in the day when the Farooquis had visited.
Asad had walked in with one of the basket, held it close to his face that other workers were carrying, hoping to blend in, saying salam to people he didn't know. He ran up the stairs looking back hoping to be out before anyone caught him.
Just then he ran into a petite female body, she let up a small yelp as the steel platter of roses slipped from her hands. Asad stared at her unable to believe his eyes. He instantly held her by the waist as he saved her from falling; for the millionth time. He held her midair as he continued to gaze at her. She kept her eyes shut tight as she ran her soft hand over his chest and then placed against his cheek. He sighed against her touch, he felt her touch after ten years. She slowly opened her eyes and he stared into her captivating hazel eyes.
"Zoya", he whispered as he reached to pluck the rose petals off her neck.
"Asad", she whispered softly as if she was living in a dream.
And suddenly the ten years of separation disappeared as they were in each other's arms.
*********
Flashback (10 years ago in Bhopal = Asad and Zoya both 17 years old)
I quickly looked at my watch as I got off my motorcycle . I was late and Zoya was going to kill me, I thought as I ran towards our spot on the beach. I saw her back as she faced the water as her open hair danced with the wild breeze; it was a cold day for September. I braced myself for her anger as I sat next to her. I reached to hold her hand that was resting on the wooden bench but she flinched it away as she continued to stare at the water.
"Zoya, I am sorry I am late. You see I got caught up with--", I tried to explain but she got up and began to walk towards the water.
"Zoya, listen na", I said as I ran after her. I turned her around and looked at her face in shock. Instead of the anger I excepted to see on her face for being late for our usual meeting; there were tears running down her pretty face.
I instantly cradled her face as I wiped her face, "what's wrong Zoya? Why are you crying?" I asked with worry.
She shrugged my hands away as she turned away again, "Zoya---"
"It's over Asad", she said simply, almost emotionlessly and started to walk towards the parking lot.
"What...What's over? What are you talking about?", I asked in confusion trying to read her eyes.
"Us", she said with tears descending down her cheeks. I hastened to wipe them off but her tears kept flowing. She shrugged my touch away and once again attempted to walk away.
I couldn't believe her words, I marched up to her and turned her around, "what are you talking about Zoya?", I asked but she gave no answers as she cried silently. "How can you end the friendship we have had since we were six? How can you end the love we confessed to each other when we were only fifteen? How can you Zoya?", I asked shaking her shoulders demanding a answer.
"Asad, I have no choice.", she said between her tears as she crumbled to the sand on her knees.
"Zoya", I said I took her into my embrace holding her tight, afraid to let her go.
She held onto my arms as she sobbed, "Asad, I am sorry, I am so sorry. Abbu found out about us and...", she trailed off unable to utter the truth.
"And he being the rich business man that he is refuses to get you married off to a lower status man who is supporting himself and his Ammi with a part time mechanic job while he studies.", I finished off her words.
She just nodded, as she held onto me tighter. "I am sorry Asad, I couldn't fight for us. I love you but you know how Abbu's health is...he...he can suffer from another heart attack..and the doctors..."
"Shhh Zoya..I know. I know you love your family very much.", I said as I comforted her while my own heart was being ripped into shreds.
"But Asad, I love you too", she said as she cupped my face and looked into my eyes
"I know Sweetheart, I know", I whispered softly as tears sprang into my eyes.
We sat in each other arms for as long as we could have; before Zoya had to go home.
I looked at the now darkened sky and knew it was time for farewell. I looked down at Zoya who was resting her head on my shoulder with her closed eyes as she held onto my hands.
"Zoya, it's late; you need to go home.", I whispered softly.
She suddenly opened her eyes as if she was woken up from a dream. Tears pooled in her beautiful eyes once again as she took in my words.
I helped her to her feet, as I looked her at her trying to memorize everything about her as she tried to the same. I kissed her forehead, her eyes, her cheeks and her nose; every part of her face except her lips not taking the liberty. She cradled my face in her hands as she pressed our foreheads together.
"I love you Zoya Siddiqui, I love you, I always have and I always will. This heart only belongs to you, Zoya ", I whispered in her ear just before I embraced her tigthly.
"I love you too Asad, i will always love you.", she kissed my cheek. She tightened her arms around my shoulder standing on her tiptoes to reach my height.
"Now go Zoya before I lose the courage to let you go.", my voice gruff with emotion as I took a step back and suddenly missed her warmth as the cold breeze blew around me.
She nodded as she turned to walk away and slowly let go to my hand. I watched her walk away as tears ran down my cheek.
She then suddenly turned around and ran back into my arms, I held on to her as we both cried; her with loud sobs and me with silent tears. She tiptoed to brush her lips against mine very lightly , almost like a feather caress.
Then without another word, she turned and ran. I watched her retreating back until I could no longer see her. Then I crashed down to the sand as I sobbed my heart for the only girl l loved; the girl I lost.
Flashback end
"Baji, are you okay?", Nuzhat asked as she came with a platter of petals. We suddenly snapped out of our own world. He quickly straightened our posture and took his hands off my waist. I straightened my outfit and hair in haste as I fumbled to explain.
"Umm actually Nuzhat, I was about to fall and this gentleman saved me.", I explained refusing to glance in his direction so I don't know how he reacted as I referred to him as gentleman.
"Oh okay but Asad Bhai, what are you doing here?", Nuzhat asked him.
"How do you know him?', I asked in confusion because Nuzhat never met Asad and she was only five when they had made the move to the States.
"We met earlier today at Ayaan Jijju's place.", Nuzhat explained, Zoya hadn't gone because Humeria needed her at home.
"But Asad Bhai, what are you doing here? Aren't you suppose to here later with the barat ,best man?", Nuzhat asked with a chuckle.
I was confused; Asad was suppose to be the best man at Ayaan's wedding; how could that be? How did Ayaan and Asad meet ?
"Zoya beta.", Ammi called from downstairs, again.
We looked at each other in panic, as we feared Ammi coming upstairs. Asad quickly took out a envelope and placed it in my palm; I shivered at the slight touch as I looked at him in confusion.
"Give this to Humeria, Ayaan sent it for her.", he explained quickly.
"Come on Bhai, we will get you out of here.", Nuzhat said as she led Asad the other way.
"Zoya beta, come downstairs, I need your help.", Ammi called again.
"Coming Ammi", I hollered back. I gasped when i realized what i had said; I started down the stairs as I turned my head to look at Asad's astonished face.
I knew what he was thinking; who was I calling Ammi when my own parents were dead?
Here is the part one, I will post the next part if there are interested readers. For anyone that would like PMs for the next part, please add ReyaPM, that's the ID I use for PMs.
Other Asya works:
Asya OS: Blessed:https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/topic/3690940
Asya OS: The Sunset: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/topic/3768970
ASYA OS: The red hat girl: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/topic/3794148
SS: Four Seasons : https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/topic/3856817
Much love,
Reya <3
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