Standing across the huge window in my room, all decked up as a bride I look up to see the stars shining, even more brightly than I recall...moon seemed to smile at me while the night played an unknown yet soothing melody that caressed my soul and engulfed me in a sense of well-being and happiness.
Today is the biggest day of my life when I will be tied to someone to whom I will belong forever. Yes! It's my wedding today...with the man whom I met literally few days back but our relationship started when I wasn't even in my senses. Confused? Let me tell you my complicated yet enjoyable tale of finding my prince...till of course he arrive here to take me with him to his house...our house where I truly belong!!
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25 YEARS BACK
15 OCTOBER 1989
Two anxious fathers paced to and fro across the lounge of the maternity wing of a famous hospital. A loud wail soon echoed in the corridor and the men rushed stopped pacing and looked stunned. Soon after another cry rocked their world and they hugged each other.
"Rashid, congratulations!! You are a father now..."
"Same to you, Abrar! I can't believe we are fathers now."
The nurse handed the two babies to the nervous fathers who stood together and looked at their little bundles of light. Rashid's wife Dilshad had given birth to a boy while Abrar's wife Nargis gave birth to a baby girl, just 5 minutes after Rashid-Dilshad's son was born.
Rashid and Abrar were business partners and former friends who married almost at the same time and now entered the phase of parenthood together.
"Rashid, I always desired for a son and you for a princess but see how our wishes got exchanged!?" Abrar exclaimed.
"We can still fulfill our wishes..." Rashid smiled slyly.
"How?" Abrar asked.
"I can make your ZOYA my daughter if she marries my son ASAD who in turn will turn into your son-in-law." Rashid explained and an instant smile lit up Abrar's face.
"I promise you that my Zoya will be your bahu only." They shook hands while handling the babies with one hand. They were visibly surprised when the two infants stretched out their hands as if to hold onto each other.
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THREE AND HALF YEARS LATER:
20 APRIL 1993
A little girl ran around the house while a small boy chased her all around. Their parents seemed like enjoying their antics.
"Ay fatty! Give me my ball back." Yelled the boy.
"Take it if you can!" the girl shouted and ran into the lawn.
"Fatty! Watch out..."
"Ahh...ouch" the girl fell down and started crying while the boy wasted no time to reach her side and hold her in his arms.
"Why do you run around like this when I tell you not to? See, you ruined your dress!" Asad scolded little Zoya. She sobbed and showed him her hands which had tiny abrasions due to the fall. Asad shook his head and took her to the tap in the garden and washed her tiny hands carefully. He then took out his hanky and wiped her hands and then dried her cheeks of tears.
Zoya wrapped her hands around his waist and snuggled closer to him. Till then their parents have reached there and awed at their kids who seemed to have developed an unbreakable bond. They smiled at each other and called out to their kids who readily ran to them.
"I think it's time we fulfill our promise." Abrar suggested.
"Ji bhaisahab, aaj sham ko hi hum Asad-Zoya ki sagai kar dete hain!" Dilshad supported him and the families hugged each other while the confused Asad-zoya looked at their parents and then thinking it was something that they should do too, hugged each other.
On the same evening in a small family get-together, Asad made Zoya wear the ring and Zoya reciprocated. They were bound into a life-long relation even when they didn't know what marriage and life-partners mean!! All they knew was once they grow up they'll live in the same house which made them happy as they were best buddies and their childish mind took it as an opportunity to play together for more time. Zoya kept flaunting her stylish lehnga and the cute little ring while Asad made faces due to the stupid clothes he had to wear but ultimately smiled when Zoya kissed his cheek and told him in her broken accent that he looked smart.
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1 MONTH LATER:
23 MAY 1993
Zoya sat gloomily waiting for Asad to come and take her away. Her little world had shattered as she'd lost her parents in a terrible car-crash few days back. Currently she was sitting on the airport with her Mamu-Mumani and their little daughter who were taking her with them to New-York where they lived. She cried and threw tantrums but no one listened to her. She hid behind Asad but ultimately her monster Mami took her out and dragged her into the cab that took her away from her Asad. Now she just prayed that somehow Asad and Rashid chachu would come and rescue her from these obnoxious people but nothing happened and ultimately she boarded the flight to where her destiny took her.
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18 YEARS LATER:
12 MAY 2011
I woke up from my dream panting and all covered in my own sweat. It was my routine to wake up like this since last few months. I stretched my arm and poured myself a glass of water and drank it in a gulp. I took a look at the clock and it was still 6:30 am...two more hours left to go to college. I picked my lazy self from the bed and stood in the balcony. This dream...it had taken away my morning sleep which I tell you is very dear to me. I always see two little kids running around and murmuring something incoherent. Then I see that the girl is in a beautiful dress while the boy held her hand and slipped a ring in it. The girl kissed his cheek and slipped the ring in his hand too. Soon the wind started blowing and everything seems blurry but still I can see the kids had intertwined their hands and though the winds tried to drift them apart, they stood strong and then... I don't know as I always wake up at this particular point. I don't know whether it's just a dream or something that happened in my past life. Whatever it is, it gives me a strange sensation...like something is still amiss in my life. Some broken piece of this puzzle that my life is...
At the same time my crazy yet adorable roommate snaked her hands around my waist and hugged me from behind. "Good morning Zoya! You up again? That dream?" I just hummed in response and she nodded.
Najma, my roommate, a plump 18 year girl is just as crazy as I am. She compliments me in every way...despite the age difference we bond so well. She is in first year while I am about the complete my graduation. She is from India and me from New-York...she is shy and I am bubbly but when we get together there is no escaping us. We're devils in disguise...like our friends call us.
I quickly get bathed and dressed and wait for my sweetheart to come and pick me up. It has been 3 years since we have been together yet he never leaves any stone unturned to flatter and pamper me. I hear a car screeching to a halt outside my apartment and run downstairs after kissing Najma. My crazy boyfriend waves at me and then blow a flying kiss towards me. I just blush and look around to cnfirm no one has seen his insane act.
"Hey baby!" he greets me and I hug him as he opens his arms for me.
"Hi Irfan! Let's get going..." I hopped up into the car and we drove off. He stealthily held my hand and kept it engulfed in his warm palms. I smile at how perfect we are...so much in love.
As we reach the college every head turned towards us...we were the hottest couple of the college as our friends told us. We walked to our class hand in hand while the whole lot of students oohed and aahed behind our back.
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FEW DAYS LATER
"Mumani, it's not what you think...I mean it is but I wasn't doing anything wrong." I cried while my monster Mami shooted daggers at me. She had caught Irfan trying to kiss me when she'd paid me a surprise visit this evening. Since then I am trying to explain the situation to her. Stupid irfan! He hadn't kissed me ever but he got this very moment of this day to try and kiss me when my Mumani came.
"I like him Mumani but we never crossed our limits..." She cut me off and began her own rant.
"I saw how inside your limits you were!! I don't know anything...you are getting engaged to him. Your parents left you to us and I don't want any shame to our family." She announced.
"I will do as you say..." I agreed knowing that there will be no point arguing with her as I know she'll win ultimately.
She called my Mamu and they were reaching here tomorrow and then they'll meet Irfan's parents and get us engaged. I should be happy right? But I am not...there's a nagging feeling somewhere deep inside like something is wrong but I still convince myself saying that it was just the fast-paced progress in our relation that is making me nervous.
While I am lost in my thoughts, there is something going on in my Mumani's head (which I wasn't aware of then). She had planned to get me married so that she can marry her own daughter Humeira to Asad, who'd turned into a very influential and really handsome man.
(Zoya doesn't remember any of the happenings in India except her parents' death as her Mamu and Mumani told her only that her parents passed away when she was small and then they adopted her as she'd no one in India and brought her to New York)
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A WEEK LATER
I am getting engaged to Irfan today. I am sitting with my would be in-laws while he's winking at me. Mamu, Mumani and Humeira are talking in low voices. Soon the time comes and I am made to sit beside Irfan...I swear this is my first time then why do I feel that I have undergone this thing before. As he held my hand slipped the ring I felt something churn in my stomach. I ignore it and slipped the ring in his finger. It is not feeling good yet I am doing it...maybe I am missing Najma. Oh yes! She isn't here...her brother is getting some sort of best businessmen award and so she went to India.
Mumani is extra happy today while Humeira is blushing...hey! Wait!? I should be the one blushing...why am I not? I don't know...maybe I have gone crazy.
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Months passed like this and I settled into my routine. That same dream still wakes me up and I still hang out with Irfan. Though I find him less interested now...he even skips picking me up sometimes. Is that what people mean by saying that marriage destroys the love that couples have?!! I feel like we're drifting apart...
I walk into the college and feel suffocated. It's giving me some negative vibes. I think I am over-exerting myself. I hear a girl shouting like a mad girl and I head towards the crowd.
"Oh my God !!! Irfan gifted me flowers for my b'day. I am so happy...i am...blah blah blah..." she carries on while I sigh. He has no time for me now a days while he's spending all his time on his friends or other girls. This is not the first time that he had gifted any other girl anything in last few months. He is bonding with everyone except me. And God damn me!! Why am I not sad?? I feel like running away...I decide to skip the college and walk out to go to my place.
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I told this to Najma while she held onto my sobbing form. She kissed my hairs repeatedly like my mother would have. She tells me to come to India with her as the summer vacations are approaching. I deny but no, she's very stubborn sometimes...she somehow convinces me and I give in. I am frustrated... I want to move out, maybe my decision to get engaged to Irfan...hell...to even love him was all wrong!! I have to finish it before I go with Najma. I donno whether it's right or wrong but it is what my hearts tells me to do and I never deny my heart.
The same evening I reach Irfan's farmhouse where I have been told by his parents that he's partying. I am just about to step in when I hear something that make me go numb.
"She was just a pass-time but don't know how the tale reached my parents and they got me engaged. I just used her to be more popular...ya know, she was the hottest and the most beautiful girl of the college!" I heard Irfan's voice and I felt like puking...all that was a farce. Past few years of my life felt like a nightmare. I bang opened the door and threw his engagement ring on his face and ran out of the house as fast as I can...not even turning to listen what that sick-excuse of a man was shouting behind me.
😉 PART 2- PAGE 2
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