AsYa{KaBhi} : Asad Ahmed Khan Ki Dulhaniya Completed - Page 3

Chapter 14 a)

Noor and Sabreen now knew the entire truth of Asad and Zoyas relationship. The truth came from none other than Zoya herself. She had realized her true feelings for Asad and now wanted them to have a marriage in all senses. Dadis promised to help herwhich made Zoya extremely happy. "Thank you! Thank you!! Thank you!!! Dadis, the two of you are rockstars. Dadi thank you so much for everything. For being friends since kindergarten, for wanting to be a family and for your undying will because of which the two of you finally became a family when you got Asad and me married. Thank you." She excitedly kissed Noor and Sabreen. Zoya was acting like a small child promised a trip to Disney Land. Noor and Sabreen very well understood what Zoya was so excited about. They decided to sit her down and have a long chat with her. "Zoya sit down, relax and listen to us. We need to speak with you." Zoya thought they already came up with a plan and was super excited. "Yes dadis so what's the plan?" Zoya was now too eager to being a married life with Asad. "We have not come up with a plan, at least not yet. First we need to speak with you about Asad, you and your marriage."

Zoya became sad as there was no plan made by dadis yet and whole 5 mintues had passed since she told them everything. Dadis were too slow for Zoya who wanted to fast forward and go to the moment where she would begin her marriage with Asad. "Dadi what's to talk about? I told you the truth about our marriage and also that nothing is happening in our marriage." Zoya once again stressed on her and Asad's unexisting sex life. "Zoya, do you know what a marriage is and how it works?" Sabreen looked at her and Zoya was not comepletely lost on the subject bas she was a little confused. "Zoya marriage is not just the sex life and having children it is much more." "I know that." "Then why are you bringing up your and Asad's sex life again and again." Noor and Sabreen asked her. "Because I thought you wanted that from our marriage. You send us for our Suhaag raat to the hotel then you sent us on our honeymoon. You did not like it when we came back early as you were expecting us to come back with chotu AsYa baby in my tummy and that suhaag raat wala milk you gave me to to give to Asad last night." Zoya said in one breath and it left Noor and Sabreen shocked.

They lightly smacked her on the head. "Ouch! What was that for?" "For being such a jhalli!" Noor and Sabreen both exclaimed. Sabreen began. "Who planted these ideas in your head?" Zoya blinked as she thought whether she should tell dadis Dilshad, Raiza, Asad and her own name. They understood her dilemma. "It's ok Zoya I know iske peeche it is your ammi my bahu." Noor said. "Noor it is not only Razia also my bahu and Asad's ammi." Sabreen added. "Yeah ammi's were pareshan when you sent us to the hotel and also were sending us on the honeymoon. You know what they did? They gave me BCPs." Zoya told on Dilshad and Razia.

She paused for a second then sheepishly looked at the two grannies. "Wo when no one came to pick us up at the airport I thought you guys were angry with us for coming back early as you were expecting us to come back with chotu AsYa baby in my tummy and last night wo suhag raat wala milk that was your grandson Sabreen dadi and your grandson in law Noor dadi. Asad told me that it was suhaag raat wala milk." Zoya too could not keep her mouth shut. Noor and Sabreen were irritated as they were surrounded by not one sane person but all bonkers. "Abbu and Rashid abbu too thought the same so your sons are sailing on the same boat as us." Zoya did not spare dadis' ke ladle bte too. "Ya Allah, we asked you to bless us with our children ye pagalon ki fauj de di humaare ghar. Zoya now listen to us and us only." Noor and Sabreen became serious. "Zoya do you know why we got you and Asad married?" Noor asked. "Yes because the two of you wanted to be family since your childhood." Zoya said like a smart 5^th grader. "Haan Zoya we did want to become a family and it was our dream of many years but do you really think we would get you and Asad married if we did not think you were right for each other? Zoya do you really think that your dadis are that selfish that we would give our dreams priority over our grandchildrens' happiness?" Sabreen and Noor waited for Zoya's answer.

Zoya smiled at them. "No dadis. I know and you know what even your bahus know that you will never do anything that is wrong for Asad and me. Wo bas your timing wrong ho gayi." Noor and Sabreen shook their head. "No beta our timing was right. Asad came back from London. He must have met so many girls and you too are in college..." "We thought that the exposure to the outer world would take the two of you away from each other in the direction of a wrong partner." Sabreen completed Noor's sentence. "So you got us married so that we would not fall for the wrong person then end up in a bad marriage and then separate. You knew that Asad and I were perfect for each other and we would eventually find our way to each other. You just wanted to save us from everything wrong in between. You wanted to save us from that heartache hai na?" Zoya smiled at dadis. "Yes." Noor and Sabreen affirmed her theory. "But the two of us always fought. Why did you think we were right for each other?" Zoya asked confusedly. Noor and Sabreen smiled.

"Zoya yes the two of you fought with each other but when there was someone from the outside troubling either of you, the two of you teamed up or you stood up for each other. You two fought amongst yourself and wanted the other to disappear but if you did not see each other you could not bear that too. In life especially with your life partner it is the small things that count not the big ones. You used to get Asad in trouble and once he also ended up going to the hostel but you were the only one who had fought Rashid so much after Asad was gone." Sabreen remembered the fierce Zoya who like a tigress had pounced on Rashid as he sent her Asad away. "The only way you let him go was when he promised to take you every weekend to meet Asad. Asad too used to ask about you when he called up every night but when nthe two of you were face to face you two did not even speak with each other or maybe you did not need words. Bas the two of you used to sit for hours with your backs stuck to the others. When we used to leave form the hostel Asad used to stand there till our car could no longer be seen and you too would stick out your head from the window and look at him but neither of you waved goodbye to each other. I guess you two did not want to say good bye. Good byes are painful to say." Noor too remembered those days. Zoya smiled as those days were as fresh in her memory like the freshly baked bread from the oven.

In a few minutes her smile faded and there was confusion on her face. "Accha so you got us married because we were right for each other. Wo samajh mein aa gaya and also that you are in no rush to see our babies then why did you send us for our suhaag raat and honeymoon." Noor looked at Zoya and saw the newly wed Razia's face in her. She wanted to knock some sense into this jhalli like she had done with Razia. "Zoya the first night after the shadi it comes only once in your life. That night is the most special night of a couple's life. We sent you to the hotel to spend some time alone with each other and not to consummate your marriage. Haan if you two wanted to then that was a different thing but we knew that you were not ready to take that step as before the nikaah you told us that the walima will be only after you graduated and we know what that means." "Haan beta see the first night like they show in TV and movies it is not at all necessary to consummate your marriage on that night itself. The newly weds need time to spend with each other. You and Asad knew each other but now you two were husband and wife. You two needed to spend time with each other. Get to know each other in that way and also make decisions as a married couple about your life. You need privacy for it and wo ghar par nahi milti. Zoya we sent you on the honeymoon for that same purpose and we gave you this house too for that. You were to begin a new life and Mr. and Mrs. Asad Ahmed Khan. If you would live at SK mansion the two of you would be your parents' children and our grand children. Husband wife kab bante? You would not be able to grow as man and wife. You would not be able to observe, understand and resolve problems if they arised as your parents would do all that for you. A married couple needs that space to grow together. The night at the hotel, the honeymoon and this house was for that purpose." Sabreen and Noor both saw that it was slowly sinking into Zoya's head. She finally understood the motive behind Noor and Sabreen getting Asad and Zoya married sending them to the hotel and also their honeymoon.

"Ok one last question." Zoya smiled sweetly. "Now what?" Noor and Sabreen were tired of explaining things to this jhalli. "Suhaag raat wala milk from last night? You know Asad does not drink milk... Toh bhi you told me to make him drink it and you told me too to drink and you threw away that packet so that I would not come to know but Asad is very smart he came to know everything and he told me." Zoya was very proud of her smart husband. "Smart nahi over smart hai wo just like his mother." Sabreen never thought that her grandson would think of something so dumb. "What do you mean? And why are you saying like this about Asad. Me no likey." Zoya pouted. "Zoya we know that Asad does not like plain milk so we made masala milk for him. He had not eaten his dinner properly. The masala milk would fill his stomach. About us asking you to have a sip or two... You know na ek doosre ka jhoota khaane se ya peene se pyar badhta hai. And before you ask anything else we threw away the packet because it was one use sachet. One sachet makes one glass. There is nothing like suhaag raat milk. It is this same masala milk and anyone can drink it. Now are your questions done?" "Yes." Zoya smiled. Noor and Sabreen finally were relieved. Now they could get to the main topic. "Zoya listen baccha you have asked us to help you with our marriage. You will have to do as we tell you to. Before Asad and you can begin your married life you two need to spend time together." "Dadis, how will we spend time together? Our days go by at the college. When we come home we do our work and then we have dinner and go to our own rooms." Zoya looked at them. "You leave that to us." Noor and Sabreen smiled. Zoya too began to smile as she knew that now everything would be well.

Zoya spent the entire day with Noor and Sabreen talking about her and Asad. Asad was supposed to come home late that night as he had a staff meeting. Zoya would have waited for him to come and have diner with him but he have given her a call and told her that after the meeting the teachers were going out for dinner. He told her not to wait for him even if daids told her to. After dinner Zoya changed for the night and came to Noor and Sabreen's room to do some planning. "What are you wearing?" Noor asked. "You wear this in front of your husband?" Sabreen asked too looking at Zoya's floral print PJs. Zoya looked at herself. "Haan toh what else should I wear? I can't sleep in salwar suit or jeans and t shirt and Asad does not want me to wear the kind of nightwear I have." Noor and Sabreen went to her room and saw what she had. "Tch obviously Zoya he would not want you to wear something like this in front of him abhi as he thinks you are not ready." Zoya looked at Sabreen. "But that does not mean that you have to wear these PJs." Noor had a naughty smile on her face. Zoya looked at her grand mother and grand mother in law. They were so cool. They did not mind the kind of nightwear she had. "Zoya get your I-pad." Zoya did not know what they wanted it for but she turned it on. "Hmm now let's do some shopping." Sabreen smiled as she loved shopping. They helped Zoya shop for some nightwear which satisfied both criteria. They were sexy yet comfortable and also of the length Asad could not mind. Zoya was very happy with dadis being at her home.

"Dadis this nightwear will toh come in a day or two but till then kya? How do I get close to Asad?" They smiled at Zoya's eagerness. "Hmm I think I should tell you what I did when Farookh used to be miffed at me and would not talk to me. You could try that." Zoya was waiting impatiently for Noor to tell her the secret. "When Farrokh used to be miffed at me he would do all his work on his own. He would lay down his clothes before going for a bath. I would cut the button of the shirt he laid out and closed the almira. He would have no choice but to call me either to open the almira or to sew the button on his shirt, he always prefered the latter." Zoya looked dreamily at Noor. "Haye dadi, TV serial wala scene. How romantic! Tch dadi it will not help me. I don't know how to stitch a button. Asad knows it he will do it on his own." Sabreen smacked her on the head. "Jhalli! You can learn how to stitch a button. It is not that difficult and even if Asad knows it how will he put it if he does not know where the sewing kit is and chalo even if he does know it then why fear when dadis are here. He will not be able to say no in front of us." Zoya made a face like a small child. "Dadi I want a private moment." "And you shall have one." Noor and Sabreen laughed.

Asad entered the house and saw the three of them smiling. He suspiciously looked at them. He knew that they might have been upto something especially dadis giving gyan to Zoya on how to be an acchi wife. He greeted them and then went to the bedroom. He had come home quite late. It was way past dadis bed time so they went to her room. Zoya came to the bedroom picked up her pillow. "Zoya what are you doing? Where are you going?" "Asad I am going to sleep in dadis' room tonight." "WHY?" Zoya smiled. "You don't want me to go Asad? You want me to sleep on the bed with you? You want me to roll in my sleep and settle on your chest Asad? You like it? You like me?" Zoya teased Asad. He was blushing crimson. "Theek hai jee, if you want me to sleep here I will sleep here. I will not go to dadis' room. Jee shall I switch off the lights?" Zoya teased him more. Asad got irritated. "Jee nahi jee I don't want you to be here. Go and sleep in your dadis' room. Do as you wish." Zoya wished him good night. Asad looked at her thinking Yeah right as if my night is going to be good without you by my side.' Zoya closed the door behind her. "Asad I know aaj raat there is judaai but kal we will be close and it will be a plesant surprise for you." She went to dadis' room.

**

Noor and Sabreen woke up on Sunday morning and saw Zoya on the couch in their room. They smiled, pecked her on the forehead and covered her with a comforter. They wanted Zoya to sleep peacefully but she woke up. "Oh no I went to sleep dadis. Ab kya hoga?" Zoya got off the couch and went to her room. Asad had gone for his morning jog. Zoya had her bath and got ready for the day. Asad returned home from his jog and saw that Zoya was too happy and excited. He went to the room. "She stayed the night away from me and dekho toh she is so happy and excited." Asad opened the door and looked at Zoya. She did not look at him nor did she come to him. He shut the door. "She did not even lay out my things for me. Ek raat mein she changed so much." Asad on Zoya's face said that he did not like it when Zoya laid out his things for him but he wished that she did those wifely things for him. Confusion hi confusion hai solution kuch pata nahi was both Asad and Zoya's condition. He went for a bath. Zoya quickly went to the room and laid down Asad's clothes. She was then in the kitchen waiting for him to call her. "Tch dadis Asad bhi na he is taking so much time to have his bath. Girls take so much time. When will he come out when will he call me." "Zoya sabr ka phal meetha hota hai." Noor and Sabreen told her.

Zoya was impatiently waiting for Asad to call her but he did not. Zoya's mouth formed a perfect o when he came out of the room. "How does the sabr ka phal' taste dadis?" Zoya stood with her hands at her wiast and looked at Noor and Sabreen. Asad came to the breakfast table. "Dadis Zoya I am going to SK mansion. I met abbu on my way home. Abbu and Gafur chachu want to speak with me about some new project. I'll have my breakfast there and haan he also told me ki jab tak the two of you are living with us we will have Sunday lunch wahan." Asad was leaving. "Asad, why did you wear this T shirt? I laid out your clothes. Wo kyun nahi pehene?" Zoya stood in front of Asad. "Zoya peeche se awaaz nahi dete. Dadis, why don't you teach her good things like this?" Zoya stopped Asad from leaving. She gave him a glass of water. "Here have a sip. Now it is ok for you to leave but first tell me why did you wear this T shirt and not the clothes I laid out for you?" "Zoya, what's the big deal? You know na on Sundays and whenever I am at home I do not wear formal clothes and you had removed a shirt for me. So I did not wear that shirt." Zoya was sad that Asad did not wear the shirt. "Accha I promise I will wear that shirt to college tomorrow. Now smile." Zoya smiled and Asad left to go to SK mansion.

Both families together spent a good Sunday. The entire day dadis did make small attempts for Asad and Zoya to spend time together. At night they told Asad and Zoya to get paan for everyone. "Dadi I'll go alone Zoya ka kya kaam?" Asad thought it was not necessary for Zoya to accompany him to the paanwala whose shop was at the corner of the lane. "Asad I'll come with you. Wo kya hai na the whole day I ate kuch zyaada hi I need to go for a walk." Zoya whispered in his ear. Asad and Zoya walked slowly taking their own sweet time to and from the paanwala's shop. They did not say a word in that time but they were happy to have given that time with each other.

**

Zoya woke up early on Monday morning. She got ready before Asad came back from his jog. She was helping dadis fix breakfast when he came home. He saw the same happy and excited Zoya. Zoya was counting every passing minute and then finally he called her. "Zoya!" "Haan." Zoya went to the room. Asad was wearing the shirt she had removed for him to wear the previous day. She saw him looking for something and knew exactly what he needed. "Zoya where is the sewing kit? It is not in its usual place." Asad asked without looking at her. "Sewing kit? Why do want the sewing kit Asad?" Zoya asked innocently. "Zoya, tum bhi na just blindly do what dadis ask you to do. You laid out my clothes but you did not check the buttons. See the first button is broken. I want to stitch the button iss liye sewing kit chahiye. Ek toh der hoi rahi hai and ye button. I will wear another shirt." "But Asad you promised me." Zoya said is a cry baby voice. "Theek hai I will wear this one but give me the sewing kit so that I can sew the button." Zoya went to the kitchen and brought the sewing kit. She left the door of the bedroom open. "Thanks ab jao I will stitch the button." "Asad you will remove the shirt then stitch the button then wear the shirt nahi before that you will have to re iron it then you will wear it... kitni der ho jaayegi." "So what do you suggest? Aise hi chala jaaoon? Oh haan dadi could put it for me." Zoya stopped Asad from calling one of the dadis. "Asad I know you think I am not a good wife but at least don't advertise the same. If you will call dadis toh what will they think of me? Socho socho. They will think I can't do such a small thing for my husband." Zoya said in a very bechari way. "Toh what shall I do?" "Main hoon na." "You want me to watch Main hoon na?" "Arre baba main hoon na I will stitch the button for you."

Asad looked at Zoya and laughed as if she had cracked a joke. "Asad, why are you laughing at me? I will do it. I know how to stitch a button. Koi shak hai?" Asad stopped laughing looking at Zoya's roni soorat. "Zoya I have no doubts you can do anything you set your sights on but see there are something only a few can do if someone else tries they might fail and Zoya I don't want you to fail at anything." "I will not fail I know how to do it." "Zoya button toh baad mein lagaogi first you will have to thread a needle. Kar paaogi?" Zoya gave a wide smile to Asad. She then removed a needle threader from the sewing kit and threaded the needle. Asad was proud of her and also clapped for her. Zoya got the confidence boost she needed. Zoya narrowed her eyes and was looking at Asad's shirt. "What are you looking at Zoya just stitch the button." "Asad I am checking the threading pattern to see if it is parallel or criss cross. Hmm parallel hai." Asad was amazed at Zoya's button stitching knowledge. Zoya began to stitch the button. "OUCH!!!" Asad screamed. He glared at Zoya as she had not listened to him and insisted on stitching the button. "Zoya ye kya kiya? You pricked me. I had told you earlier, jiska kaam usi ko saajhe aur kare toh buddhu baaje." Zoya did not like Asad scolding her. She threw the needle and was leaving. "Zoya, where are you going? Cut the thread." "No Asad I can't cut the thread. Main toh buddhu hoon na what IF I cut you instead. There is a pair of scissors in the sewing kit cut it yourself. Itna toh aata hi hoga na Tailor Master after all you are a master at stitching." Zoya slammed the door behind her. Asad could not find the scissors in the sewing kit as the missing scissors was a part of Zoya's master plan. She would cut the thread with her teeth by which she would experience closeness with Asad.

Noor and Sabreen saw an angry and hurt Zoya crying in the kitchen. Asad too came out angry and cut the thread with the kitchen scissors. They both exchanged angry looks and then looked away. Asad and Zoya were quiet at the break fast table. Dadis realized that something went wrong. "Zoya, if you are ready toh college chalen?" Asad broke his silence. "No I can't go with you. I have to pick up some notes from a friend. From her place I will come to the college." Beofre Asad could say that he will take her to the friend's place and then to the college Zoya reminded him that he was getting late. After Asad left dadis asked Zoya what had happened between her and Asad. "Zoya kya hua between Asad and you? Why are the two of you angry?" "Dadi Asad is so mean he called me buddhu." Sabreen was very angry. "What he called you buddhu? Let him come home I will scold him itna ki he will never say anything to you." "Sabbo just a minute lets get the whole story. Zoya bacche tell us everything." Zoya wiped her eyes and her running nose.

"Dadis Asad called me buddhu. First toh he was not ready to allow me to stitch the button then I finally managed to convince him to let me stitch the button. So I started stitching the button bahut acche se but then..." Zoya made a cute face. "Kya hua?" Noor and Sabreen waited for Zoya to come clear the real reason behind the anger. "Wo dadis I pricked Asad with the needle." "Hai Allah ladki you don't do that to your husband." Noor scolded Zoya. "Dadi even you are scolding me. I was not at fault it was Asad's fault." "How so?" Noor asked. "I was stitching the button so I had to concentrate on the button but Asad should have concentrated on me na? Like in the TV shows he could have maroed chance on me." "Haan." Noor and Sabreen replied. "Wohi toh he was not checking me out instead he was checking his mails. I looked up and got lost in checking my male bas nazar hati durghatna ghati and by mistake I pricked him. Do you know what he told me then? Jiska kaam usi ko saajhe aur kare toh buddhu baaje. He called me buddhu." Zoya popped her eyes and cutely pouted. "One more thing why does he always have to say that you make me do things so I do it. Mera mann nahi karta kya to do things for him. I am his wife not your puppet." Zoya made a sad face and left from there. Noor and Sabreen had had enough of Asad's thinking that Zoya does things for him because they ask her to. They had a plan to make him realize this.

Chapter 14 b)

"Zoya! Zoya!! Zoya!!!" Noor and Sabreen came out of their room on hearing Asad's voice. They saw Asad who had just returned from the college frantically search for Zoya. "Asad, what's the matter?" They asked seeing him worried for Zoya. "Dadis where is Zoya? Did she come home? Has she called you? Do you know where she is? She was not there after college. I waited for her for an hour but she did not come to our ususal meeting place... wo no one knows about us at the college so Zoya does not get in the same car with me at the college. Dadi I am feeling scared kahin kuch... In the morning I know she was angry with me as I said that proverb dadi sach mein I was not calling her a buddhu... it was just a proverb... I don't know where she is and she is not even picking up her cell phone, maybe she does not want to speak with me bas ek bar keh de that she is fine..." Asad was pacing while filling in Noor and Sabreen with the latest happennings. "Asad relax." Sabreen tried to calm him down. "Kya matlab relax karo? How can I relax when Zoya is missing? Should I not worry for my missing wife?" Asad snapped at Sabreen who was taken aback by Asad's behavior. "Asad beta Sabreen did not mean that when she asked you to relax, wo Zoya had called us up and told her that she was going to go study with the same friend at whose home she went in the morning. Umm kya naa tha uska naam, oh yes Priya."

Asad was shocked in hearing Priya's name. "What? She is at Priya's home? She went to Priya's home in the morning? Dadi that girl lives two buildings away from the college. If Zoya was going to Priya's place then why did she not go with me in the morning? Tch Zoya bhi na she is miffed with me for such a small issue. Zoya bhi na why did she have to stitch the button on my shirt when she does not know how to." "Enough Asad! Qadar nahi kar sakte toh badkadri bhi mat karo Zoya ki. Do you have any idea..." Sabreen said in a stern voice. "Sabbo calm down. Asad's worried about Zoya. He hasn't even had a glass of water. We will speak with him. Asad jao beta freshen up I'll get coffee and snacks ready by then." Asad went to his room. He was confused about Sabreen, Noor and Zoya making a big deal out of a small thing like sewing a button. Asad changed and came out to the dining area. Noor and Sabreen were waiting for him. He sat there silently. He did not touch his coffee or the snacks. Sabreen put a white cloth in front of him. Asad picked it up and saw 5 columns of stitched buttons. "Dadi what's this?" "Asad this is something Zoya stayed up the whole Saturday night to do. She did not know how to stitch a button so she learned. The first column she practiced to stich two wholed buttons, then she practiced how to parallel and criss cross stich four holed buttons. The same way she used to fill worksheets as a kid when she practiced pattern and cursive writing. Uski fingers swell ho gayi but she did not stop."

Asad kept on looking at Zoya's hard work. He caressed the buttons and appreciated the hard work she put in to learn how to stitch buttons. He was proud of her as she was a good learner and she never gave up until she achieved her goal. He then had a confused look on his face. "Hmm... Tch dadi why did she have to learn how to sew buttons? She knows I know how to do it and would stitch the broken buttons on my own so she did not have to learn it." Noor got up from her chair. "Dadi, where are you going?" Noor smiled. "Beta I am going to soak almonds for you. I suggest you eat soaked almonds everyday in the morning." Asad was confused. "Asad Zoya knows that you know how to sew a button but beta she wanted to learn. She wants to do these things for you." Sabreen gave Asad hints about Zoya's changing behavior. I know she wants to do these things beacuase of you and Noor dadi. I am sure the two of you must have taught her these things.' Asad was thinking. He could not say this on Noor and Sabreen's face. "Dadi but why does she want to do these things for me? She already does so much for the home and me, ye sab kyun?" "Noor kindly soak 5 more almonds for Asad." Sabreen wanted to head smack Asad and make him understand.

Sabreen and Noor asked Asad to have his coffee and snacks but he refused. He asked them to have it. "Umm dadis I need to ask a favor from the two of you. See Zoya jo hai jaisi hai she is perfect for me. Please don't tell her to do wifely things for me. If I am not wrong ye button idea must have come from you. Dadi I liked it that she put the button but then dekha na kya hua I faltu mein got angry and she was hurt. Look at this cloth, she has sewn so many buttons and you said that her fingers swelled up. Dadi I don't want her to hurt. She already has her college work, her house work upar se additional duties being my wife... Dadis her exams are coming up, she has projects too. I don't want her to be burdened by anything else. Please stop asking her to do things for me. Once she finishes her college and has time before she joins her job you can train her to be a winner at the Wife No. 1 and Home Maker No. 1 contests I will not say anything but abhi ke liye please don't make her do things for me." Asad left to go to Priya's home to pick up Zoya.

Zoya was waiting at the college bus stop to take the bus home. Asad stopped his SUV in front of her and opened the passenger side door for her. She had not expected Asad to come pick her up after the way she had behaved with him the whole day at the college. "Zoya get in." Zoya did not get into the vehicle. She stood there waiting for one more of Asad's scolding or calling her buddhu or childish as he had come to know that the friend at whose house she went in the morning was Priya. The proverb jiska kaam usi ko ssajhe aur kare toh buddhu baaje', Asad had said in the morning she had taken it too personally. The entire day in front of him she behaved like a buddhu on purpose. She gave wrong answers when he asked the questions. She was his self appointed TA and she did mistakes in her work as his TA too. Asad had not scolded her the entire day so she was waiting for his outburst. "Zoya please get in the car." She still did not get in. Asad got off the vehicle, picked her up. "What are you doing? Let me down now, Asad. Nahi toh?" "Nahi toh? What will you do Zoya?" "I will scream and will tell people that you are kidnapping me." Asad looked at her and smiled. Zoya was shocked seeing him smile. "Ok fine you can scream and call people but let me correct you I am not kidnapping you." "Than what are you doing?" "Wife napping." Asad placed her on the passenger seat. He also put the seat belt for her as she was going to continue her buddhu act. A slight smile came to Zoya's lips when Asad put the seat belt but she hid it from him. On their way home Zoya continued with her maun vrat which Asad tried many a times tried to break but was unsuccessful. Noor and Sabreen observed Asad and Zoya's behavior before, during and after dinner. They did not speak with each other and very little with Noor and Sabreen. Noor and Sabreen had had enough of Asad and Zoya's bewakoofiayaan. They had to put their plan in action. They had to make Asad realize that Zoya does things for him out of her own will and not because she is asked to. It was 10 pm Asad was in the living are watching 24 ghante 24 reporter on ABP news. Zoya was in her room. In the next three weeks she had to submit her dream project and so far she was not getting any ideas. On top of that her finals were a month and a half away and she had to come up with a concept for the finals project. Zoya was not getting any good ideas and she needed to clear her mind. She went to the kitchen, it was already cleaned by the maid and she had also done the vessels. Zoya began to wipe them dry. Asad heard some noise and looked in the direction of the kitchen. "Dadis what is Zoya doing?" "Asad she is drying the utensils and putting them back on the shelves. Let her do it." "Dadis it is not her work. The maid will do it in the morning na. Do you have any idea how much hard work Zoya does all day upar se ye ghar ka kaam. Why don't you stop her?" "Arre bhai it is her home she wants to do it so how can we stop her we are only guests." Noor took the remote from his hand and changed the channel. "Haan if you are concerned about her go and help her or stop her yourself. Accha chalo now don't disturb us Asad it is time for our favorite show." Sabreen made him get up from his place and shift to the side sofa. Asad kept on staring at them. How can they not be concerned for Zoya? How mean of them!' Noor and Sabreen were enjoying watching their show. "Asad after Zoya finishes her work tell her to get us some chips and haan chai bhi de de." Asad's mouth formed a perfect o. He was really pissed with dadis for doing atyachaar on Zoya. He stomped his feet and marched to the kitchen.

"Zoya go and get some rest I will do the remaining." Asad tried to take the napkin from her hand. "Nahi I will do it aap jakar news dekhiye." Zoya did not look at him. "Dadis are watching their show and you know I don't like to watch news in the bedroom. Go and do your college work I will do it." Zoya looked towards the living room and then without loking at Asad said, "Oh toh dadis are watching their show so you came here to help me. I am sure dadis must have told you to help me. So if dadis were not there at our home you would have not come to help me." Asad was amused by Zoya's remark. "Zoya dadi did not send me I came on my own unko toh fikar bhi nahi hai tumhaari. Also what do you think I will do things for you only if dadis asked me to?" Zoya looked at Asad. He saw that they had tears in them. It finally dawned to Asad that just like he said that he did not need dadis to tell him to do something for her even Zoya did not do things for him just because dadis asked her to. She did them willingly. "Zoya..." Zoya threw the napkin at him and ran to the room. "Zoya! Zoya! Zoya!" Asad kept on knocking on the door but she did not open the door. Asad looked at dadis and they were looking at him too. He saw a smile on their face.

Asad took a packet of plain salted chips and went towards them. "Dadis here you go a packet of plain salted chips wo kya hai na all the spices you used up. Why did you do it? Don't try to deny it I know it was your super plan to make me realize that Zoya did the things she did for me was out of her own will and not because you asked her to. Did you really need to do it? You could have just told me na." Noor and Sabreen looked at him. "Asad, would you have believed us if we told you that?" Sabreen looked at him. "I don't think so beta some realizations one has to come on their own." Noor smiled at him. "Tch but see na what you two did I know you wanted to do good but see ab naraaz ho gayi mujhse." Asad was sad that Zoya was miffed with him. "Naraaz hai toh mana lo." Noor and Sabreen smiled and went back to watching their show. Asad once again knocked on the bedroom door. Zoya did not open the door but she had unlocked it. Asad entered and saw her lying on the bed. He locked the door and sat near her. "Naraaz ho?" "Shouldn't I be?" Zoya did not look at him. "Hmm you should be. I am sorry Zoya I should not have assumed that you did everything at dadis call." Zoya sat up and looked at Asad. He was very sad. "Waise toh bade intelligent bante hain then why did you do this bewakoofy?" "Abbu..." Asad looked at her with tears in his eyes.

"Asad what does Rashid abbu have to do with any of this?" Zoya did not understand. Asad was getting up but Zoya held his wrist and stopped him. She made him sit next to her. "Asad don't you think of me as worthy enough for you to share it with me. If you don't want to then it is ok." "Zoya, abbu and I never had a good relationship and you know that. He used to scold me, punish me when I was wrong especially when I troubled you. He loved you so much and I thought he loved me too." "Asad of course he loved you. You are his child how can he not love you?" Zoya had no idea that Asad could ever think of of such a thing as Rashid not loving him. "I know that now but when I was a child I did not know it Zoya. He sent me away to the hostel. I did not want to go Zoya. The first week over there I cried myself to sleep every night. Every weekend the family used to to come to meet me and so I did not get to come home." Asad looked at Zoya and she smiled. "I know the first time you came back home for a long time was during the Diwali vacations." "I was on my best behavior during that time. I did not trouble you."

"Trouble me? Asad you did not even look at me or speak with me." "I thought abbu would notice it and not send me back to the hostel. Zoya during that vacation, every day I used to wait for abbu to come back from the office and spend time with me. Sundays ko I thought he would take me out or play a game of basket ball or cricket with me but aisa kuch nahi hua. 2 weeks passed and then suddenly he changed, he began to spend time with me, he took me out, he played with me... we began bonding like father and son. I was very happy but..." Zoya wiped Asad's tears. "...but what,Asad?" "The night before I was supposed to go back, I overheard dadis' conversation." "What were they saying Asad?" "They were glad that I was happy and that abbu and I had bonded. It was a good decision that they had taken when they told abbu to spend time with me. They had told him that a growing up boy needed his father more than anything. He spent time with me because they told him to not because he wanted to and so..." "So when I began to do things for you after dadis came to stay you thought the same thing." "Yeah... I thought after the talk I had with abbu on our wedding day that little boy had gone from inside me but he was still there..." Zoya wiped Asad's tears and hugged him tightly. "Asad..." He hugged her back. "Asad did you ever stop and think that Rashid abbu did not spend time with you initially because he knew he would have to send you back. He did not want the two of you especially him get used to you being at home. Asad he never said anything but the silent tears that flowed down his cheeks said how much he missed you." "I know that now." Asad said like a 5 year old. Zoya ran her fingers through Asad's hair till he fell asleep.

**

The next morning Noor and Sabreen gave Asad the soaked almonds. He felt embarrassed. Noor and Sabreen laughed at him. Zoya was confused and clueless. "Dadis, why are you giving Asad almonds and not me?" "Zoya, college chalen?" Asad asked her before the dadis would tell Zoya anything about the almonds and she too would join them in teasing him. Zoya looked at him. "Zoya, you will let me drive you to and from the college right? Ab toh you are not angry with me na?" She smiled at him. "Gussa aur aapse? Never." They were on their way to the college. "So Priya is your new friend haan?" "Haan. Wo after you told me about her I began observing her and took baby steps to befriend her. She is a really nice girl and intelligent too. Ab tak I used to top the class but now that she is her real self she is gonna go for the no. 1 position. Did you know she is very competitive when it comes to her grades? Oh my I will have to study so hard." "What's your final's project about? Also the dream project that you have to submit kuch socha?" "Tch nahi na nothing is coming to my mind." "Zoya idhar udhar ki sochne ke bajay concentrate on your work." "Professor Sahib we are not at the college as yet so save the lecture." Asad smiled as Zoya turned on the FM. A beautiful song played and Zoya got the idea for her dream project. She did not share it with Asad.

At the college Zoya went and registered her dream project idea with her interiors professor. During the break TEAZE were in the canteen. Her friends were shocked when they came to know about her dream project. Atif's dream project was a house. "Wow Atif dream house! BTW do you have a dream girl to share that dream house with you? Agar ho na toh take her input too as it is going to be her dream home too." Her friends praised Zoya's idea. Atif smiled at his clueless saali sahiba and thanked her. It was a good day at the college for both Asad and Zoya. She had been a good student and a good TA.

After college Asad went to their usual meeting place. Zoya was there. When they were returning home Asad turned the vehicle to go in the opposite direction of their home. "Asad, are you wifenapping me again?" "Koi problem?" "No." Zoya was happy to be wifenapped by Asad. Asad could not stop smiling on seeing Zoya happy. "Asad, where are we going?" "Surprise hai." "Asad please tell me na where are you taking me?" "Zoya have patience." "Nahi tell me." "I am taking you shopping and then kuch khane ke liye." "Shopping and khana ek liye, why? As far as I can remember today is no special day." "Zoya tum bhi na, baki husbands ki wives would jump up and down if they were surprised like this. Why does it have to be a special day for a husband to surprise his wife? Can't a husband take his wife out on an ordinary day and make it a special one?" Zoya smiled. "Accha, where are you taking me?" "Sabr karo Zoya, haven't you heard sabr ka phal meetha hota hai'." Zoya looked at him and prayed that this time the sabr ka phal better be meetha. Zoya loved surprises and Asad was sure that she would love this one. Asad turned his vehicle towards Bhopal's famous chat gali. A happy Zoya hugged him as she knew he was going to stop at her favorite chatwala. A cheap date' some might think. Asad would have loved to take her to a fine dining restaurant but she loved it here so he got her here.

Suddenly an idea struck to both Asad and Zoya. They spoke simultaneously. "Let's go for shopping first." They laughed. Asad took her shopping at the nearby street market. Asad was schoked to see the way Zoya shopped. At every stall she saw 10 things out of which she liked one thing and then bargained for that. Even after the vendor reduced the price she bargained more or walked off without buying that thing. "Zoya buy whatever you want. You need not worry about a thing especially the prices of things." "Asad we do have a money plant in your home garden but on the money plant leaves grow and paise nahi. Asad this is the actual fun when we shop in street markets. Bargaining has to be done. You should learn." "Theek hai bargain if you want to but 250 rupees ki item you are asking for 100 rupees. It is embarrassing." "Asad wo 100 rupees mein bhi they have profit. Chup now let me shop." Zoya loved to bargain and he was amazed at her bargaining skills. Asad saw that Zoya was very happy. She got the stuff she liked at the price she wanted. Zoya was walking giving Asad tips about shopping in street markets. "Asad say something. Asad?" She turned to look at him but he was not with her. She turned back and saw Asad managing the shopping bags. She came back to him. Asad thought she would take a bag or two instead she hooked her arm with his. "Asad kya hua? Why are you walking so slowly? Hurry up." Asad walked and Zoya talked. They had a good time shopping together.

They came to the chat galli. "Zoya, what is this? Why do you wifes think of your husbands as your personal coolie when you go shopping? Here carry your own bags." "Haan toh theek hai waise bhi I am not some abla nari who can't life her own bags. I am a woman of today." She took the bags from Asad. They came to her favorite chatwala. "Memsahib, you can keep the bags with us. Collect them after you finish eating." "Nahi bhaiyya I am fine." "Zoya, don't give him the bags. Chori ho gaye toh?" Asad whispered in her ear. "I know that is why I am not giving him my bags." She whispered back. Zoya had bags in both her hands. "Sahib, how will memsahib eat with the bags in her hand? I have an idea." The chatwala smiled. "Memsahib, sahib could feed you with his own hands." Asad and Zoya both looked at him. This chatwala thinks I eat grass everyday? This was my intention in the very first place. That is why I gave Zoya her bags. Her fingers had swelled up learning how to sew a button toh even I should do something for her na. I want to feed her with my own hands.' Ye chatwala, he thinks he is too smart. What an idea sir jee! Jaise he is smiling. I too had this same idea. I also want lovey dovey moments and so I want Asad to feed me with his own hands. Am I some lallu not keep the bags with the chatwala today like I always do. Jaan ke kiya hai. I want Asad to feed me.' Asad and Zoya looked at each other and then looked away as they knew that their words may not be understood by the other but their silence was well understood.

They were going to have fun time at the chat gali. They decided to eat lots of chat and also matka kulfi. It had been a long time since Asad had eaten street food. Zoya had to control her laugh when Asad asked the pani poori wala if he made the pani using mineral water. "Haan haan Asad mineral water mein banate hain." Zoya lied to London returned babu jee. Asad fed Zoya with his own hands and they both enjoyed the moments when his fingers touched her lips. Every stall they went to Asad checked if they wore plastic gloves, used mineral water and that the area near the stall was litter free. "Asad stop acting like a firang you are spoiling the fun of eating at road side stalls." "Zoya you have to keep check of these things. Don't forget a month and half later you finals begin." "Asad I will not fall sick and even if I do I will reappear." "Tch Zoya, don't say such things." "OK fine I wil not say if you get me an ice cream." "OK." Zoya was near the vehicle waiting for Asad to come with the ice cream. She still had the bags in her hands. Asad put the ice cream cone in front of her mouth and she began to lick it. Then Asad jerked his hand and the ice cream smeared on her nose. "Asad!" "Oh come on Zoya. Itna toh banta hai. I have been good since we came here. I have a reputation to maintain." Asad removed the tissue box from the car and wiped her face. "Waise we could have kept the bags in the vehicle and then gone to the chat galli." Zoya said. "Yeah we could have but you know na it is the two of us, the very silly two of us." They both had sly smiles playing on their lips.

While Asad and Zoya had been enjoying themselves Atif was at the library. It was a Tuesday and Humaira was not going to come to study there but he requested her to as he needed some help. Humaira had no idea about Atif's reason for calling her. "Atif it is your dream house. How can I be of help?" Humaira was surprised when Atif asked her to share her ideas of a dream house and help him in the project. She was hoping that he would say because I want to make that dream house real one day and live in it with you. But Atif... Well boys will be boys and they are all tube lights. Atif and Asad were similar in this matter. He too like Asad who did not understand Zoya's feelings for him, did not understand Humaira's feelings. "I know it is my dream house Humaira but I am a guy and ghar toh guy and girl dono ka hota hai so if you could give me your inputs." She had no choice but to help him as a friend. They shared their ideas and many were similar. "Indoor and outdoor both pools should be there." Humaira said. "Exactly, I had told this to my dad but he just got us an outdoor pool. What about the monsoons? Baarish ke mausam mein swin karna ho toh? But dad bhi na." "Atif." Humaira reprimanded him as the way he was speaking of his father was not the way she approved of. They talked about the master bedroom, the guest bedroom and also the childrens' room. Atif wanted one children's room. "Atif bas ek baccha? No we should have two children. You have no idea how lonely a single child feels. We will have two children's room and guest room you suggested what about ammi abbu's room? Atif let me be clear with you I will not live separately from my in laws." Atif and Humaira finalized the number of rooms of their dream house, one master bedroom, one bedroom for Atif's parents, two bedrooms for the children and two guest bedrooms. "Humaira kitchen ka tum socho." "What do you mean kitchen ka tum socho? Hello! You will have to help me in the kitchen." After planning the kitchen they planned the garden and also an outdoor play area for the children. Atif had noted down everything they discussed. It was a beautiful home on paper. "Humaira I will make all the sketches and show you. If there a re any changes and also model banate waqt will you be with me." "Sure after all it is my dream home too." It was almost 9 pm so he dropped her back at her home.

Asad and Zoya entered the home almost 2 hours after they were supposed to be home. They were very happy when they had come back home. Noor and Sabreen saw that the young couple was glowing. Well the kids had fun now it was their time to have fun. "Asad, Zoya where have you been? Do you have any idea how worried we were for the two of you? Ek phone nahi kar sakte tum dono?" Noor scolded them. "Sorry dadi wo I had no idea itna late hoga. Wo Asad took me for a surprise and then time just flew by." Zoya gave an explanation to Noor. Asad looked at her in shock. "What are you apologizing for? You were with your husband and we have to right to spend time alone. Haan mana we should have called but dadi why are you scolding her?" Sabreen sternly spoke to Asad. "Asad what is this way of speaking with your elderly? Apologize now." "Sorry." Asad mumbled and went to the room. Zoya was still feeling sorry. "Maza aaya?" Noor and Sabreen asked her. "Huh?" "Did you have fun?" "Yeah." "Good." They smiled and Zoya understood that they were pulling Asad's leg. "Dadis." Zoya had complaint written all over her face as she did not approve of them doing so as it troubled Asad.

Zoya wanted to rush to Asad but dadis wanted details. They were proud of her when she told them how she got Asad to feed her. "Good chalo now at least you have begun using your head too. Nahi toh we thought how come our Zoya is so dumb." Noor pat her on the head. "Dadis let me go na." "Tch tch tch kya zamana aa gaya hai Noor, now that Zoya can plan on her own she does not need us. Just look at her she is such a hurry to leave us all alone." "No dadi if you want I will... Sabbo dadi! Don't tease me ye kaam aapke pote ka hai." Noor and Sabreen stood there looking at Zoya. Zoya giggled and ran towards the room. In the room she saw Asad sitting on the bed. He did not like being scolded. He had a cute sad pout on the face. Zoya stood in front of him and was smiling. "You are smiling after hearing dadi scolding me. I did not expect this from you. You are all badi badi baatein. All those promises you made to me when dadis were going to come here to stay. They were all dangling carrots weren't they?" Zoya was shocked. "Asad what false promises did I make? Dadis aayi hain tabse you are getting your favorite food made every alternate day." Asad looked at her. "You had also promised that I would get head massages. Miley? Nahi!" Zoya smiled at her cute hubby. "You want a head massage from dadi, abhi?" Asad's eyes gleamed. "Yes I would really enjoy one. Do you have any idea what a professor goes through? You students kitne bakwaus answers likhte ho." Zoya stood there admiring him. "Asad abhi nahi it is too late Saturday ko?"

Asad took a promise from her that on Saturday he would get a head massage. There was a knock at the door. "Jee dadi." "Noor stood at the door with a parcel in her hand. "Zoya this came for you in the afternoon. The online order you had made." Zoya took the parcel and thanked Noor. She shut the door and was smiling. "Zoya what's that?" "Kuch nahi." Zoya went to her cupboard and put the contents of the packet in the cupboard. Zoya went to change for the night. Asad was picking a book to read when Zoya came out of the washroom. For a second Asad lifted his eyes and looked at her. She looked elegant and sexy. Oh so THIS (Click to see Zoya's nightwear) was in the packet ND gave her.' Zoya looked at Asad and smiled. One look at him and she knew he would not ask her to change. His eyes followed her as she walked towards the dressing table. She was at the dressing table applying her cream. He smiled. He could not take his eyes off of her. He was facing his book but was looking at her from the corner of his eyes. Zoya saw this in the mirror. She got off from the dressing table ottoman stool and sat next to him. "Asad..." "Hmm..." "I didn't know that you could read upside down." "Huh?" Zoya took the book from his hand and turned it upside down. "Here you go." Zoya smiled and Asad, well he turned crimson. She settled next to him on the bed. "Asad I am in no mood to read anything and I am not feeling sleepy. Could you read the book aloud?" Asad began reading the aloud. It was an interesting book but still Asad's soothing voice made Zoya fall asleep. Asad tucked her in and went to sleep too. "Zoya shift to your side." Asad woke up in the middle of the night. He tried to make her sleep on her side but could not. He lay there wide awake taking in the lavender scent of her hair. "Zoya your hair smells so nice. Do you know how difficult it was for me when you were stitching the button on my shirt? I had to pretend to check my emails to control myself. Else I have no what I would have done." Zoya's fingers were clenching his kurta. He looked at them and then began to caress them. They were not swollen now but they were once. Slowly he drifted off to sleep with lavender scent filling his lungs.

Chapter 15 a

Asad and Zoya were growing together as a couple. Their unspoken feelings for one another grew with every passing moment. All was well between them. Asad was getting ready for college and Zoya was with Noor and Sabreen telling them about the latest developments in her and Asad's relationship. She wasn't leaving anything out. Zoya's phone beeped and she saw the schedule alert she had set a couple of weeks ago. At first she became sad and had thoughtful expresions on her face which then changed to that of excitement. Noor and Sabreen did not understand her changing emotions. Zoya once again looked at her cell phone and blushed.

"Zoya? Kya hua?" Sabreen asked her. "Dadis, day after tomorrow we have saree day at the college! I'm so excited." They did not understand her excitment. "Zoya, so what if there is saree day at the college? Waise bhi you don't know how to drape a saree." Noor thought this would mellow Zoya's excitement.

Zoya's eyes grew as big as saucers, "Wo hi toh dadis! I don't know how to drape a saree. If I don't know how to do it then I will need help and who will be that lucky one who will get to help me?" Zoya moved her eyebrows up and down rapidly and repeatedly. Noor and Sabreen understood the meaning behind Zoya's excitement. "Zoya you don't have to tell us everything, besharam kahin ki!" Both Noor and Sabreen exclaimed. "Dadis haven't you heard jisne ki sharam uske phoote karam'?" They smiled and also did feel embarrassed as Zoya told them in signals what her plan was. She did not need to tell them now they would have to go out of the house and let their grand kids be alone. Zoya began to dance free style repeating the same words. "Yay! Parso college mein saree day hai." Asad heard Zoya's voice and came to dadis' room. He saw her dancing and chanting, Yay! Parso college mein saree day hai.' "Hello! Is this the Insitute of Mental Health and Hospital, Agra?" Zoya stopped dancing at once. She stomped her feet and came towards Asad. "How rude!" She said like a cute kid and then went to her room.

Asad at the moment did not understand Zoya's excitement for saree day. "What the hell are you doing, Zoya? Couldn't you lock the door?" Asad turned 180 degrees as soon as he entered their room in the evening on returning from college. "What am I doing? Nothing Asad, I am just practicing to wear the saree. By the way if I did not lock the door you too did not knock on the door." Zoya paused the How to wear a saree' video on youtube she was watching on her laptop. "Why do I need to knock on the door it is my room." "Wohi toh Asad how can I lock the door of your room. I can't lock my husband out of the room. What will dadis think of me?" Zoya said being all innocent. "OK let's agree to disagree about locking the door but if you are learning how to wear a saree, where is the saree?" Asad asked without looking at Zoya who was standing there in her choli and underskirt. "Asad before draping the saree I need to wear the underskirt and choli properly. I was able to get the first two hooks but can't get the other two, please come and help me." "Who me?" "Yes you." "Why me?" "Asad, you have to do it for me. After the wedding a husband helps the wife to do these things." "I'll go call one of the dadis to help you." "Stop. Asad you can't go call them for help. Waise bhi they are not at home and if they were what will they think if you tell them you are there but I need them to put the hook? They will be worried that we have either fought or we have bedroom problems. Asad they will be worried and I don't want them to be worried. Do you?" Zoya knew the answer to her questions. Asad would not want to worry them.

Asad slowly step by step approached her. Both Asad and Zoya felt currents run throught their body when his fingers touched her back. Zoya was losing control and she was falling back towards Asad but he composed himself and fixed the hooks. "Done." He said and stepped back. "Asad you did not tie the dori of the choli. Who will do that?" Asad was trying to tie the dori. "Asad, I asked you to tie the dori not to play with them." "I am not playing I am trying to tie it." "Asad it is as simple as tying the shoe laces. Yaad hai sometimes you used to tie the shoe laces for me." Asad gave her a khadus look. Does she not understand the difference between me tying her shoe laces when we were kids and now tying the dori of her choli when I am her husband?' He closed his eyes and imagined that he was tying her shoe laces. A wide smile came to his face as he was done in half a minute.

"I just don't get it what is so excting about Saree day?" Asad asked on seeing Zoya's excitment. Asad bhi na, he is such a bholu. What's the excitement about Saree day? Wasn't what just happened exciting for him? Mere liye toh tha.' Zoya did not speak out her thoughts. She just kept on smiling as she knew what she was planning on next. He thought that the torture was done with. He was going to freshen up. "Asad, where are you going? I need help to drape the saree." "Zoya I am going to freshen up and please call dadi for help. Mujhe saree pehenana nahi aata." "I hope he knows how to do the opposite of it!" Zoya mumbled. "Kya bola?" Asad asked glaring at her. Zoya palm shut her mouth. Then in a low voice she spoke. "Nothing. I just said that I need help and if you don't know how to do it you should learn after all I too learned how to stitch a button." Zoya was also being frustrated with Asad not coming close to her as he was with her making him come close to her. He anyways could not back out from helping her. "OK now tuck this in." Zoya gave Asad the upper border of the saree. He looked at her. "Zoya you can do it on your own. I will help you with the pleats and the pallu." Something is better than nothing.' Zoya reminded herself. Asad helped her drape the saree. Zoya admired herself in the mirror. "Nahi I did not like this one." Zoya removed the saree threw it which fell on Asad as he came out of the washroom. "Zoya!!!" "Asad please don't shout. I did not like that saree. Accha see I have these picture which came along with the sarees tell me na which one should I wear on saree day." Zoya showed Asad some pictures of sarees and also how they would look after being draped.

He took them and asked her to go change till he picked one out. Zoya went to change. When she came out of the washroom Asad was not in the room. She searched for him in the house but he was missing.

Zoya, Noor and Sabreen had asked at the main house of Asad was there but he was not. Zoya tried calling up on his cell phone but he had forgotten it at home. She was worried sick for him. He came home after an hour or so. "Asad where were you? Do you know who worried have we been for you? Zoya had been worried sick foryou. She has been crying non stop. You forgot your cell phone at home. Haddh hoti hai laparwahi ki." Noor and Sabreen both scolded Asad. Zoya heard dadis scolding and came out of the room. She ran to Asad and hugged him. Asad tried to console her but she was not letting go of him. After a few minuted when she was sure that he was fine she let go off him and began slapping his upper arm. "Where were you? I have been calling up every one we know to find out about you. Aisa bhi koi karta hai. I was so worried for you but you do not care for me. I am kutty with you. I will not speak with you." Zoya went to the room and threw his pillow out on the floor. She pointed at the pillow, then Asad and then to the couch. Asad gave her a smile and then showed her a shopping bag. He thought she would take it but she slammed the door. He left the bag at the door. After a few minutes Zoya opened the door and snuck her head out of the opening. There was no one in sight. She picked up the bag and quickly shut the door. Zoya loved gifts and especially as this one was from Asad. She tore the gift wrap and saw a saree box. "Asad bhi na, he is so cute. He had come tired from the college and even then he went out to get a saree for me. Haye!" She opened the saree box and her expressions changed. "Oh toh this is what Asad Ahmed Khan got for me. Don't worry hubby dear, if you are Asad Ahmed Khan toh main bhi Asad Ahmed Khan ki dulhaniya hoon. Wait and watch." Zoya smiled naughtily. Asad had asked her if she liked his gift and she gave him a positive reply.

**

The sun rays crept in to the room and filled it with a warm glow. Asad reluctantly opened his eyes. The view was fuzzy so he rubbed his eyes to clear the vision. Her skin on her bare back radiated from the sun rays creeping into the room. His eyes moved up to her slender neck and then down the bottom of her sari scanning every detail, burning each one in his mind. He lay there enjoying the view. She saw him looking at her and their eyes met through the mirror. "Oh Asad, it's good that you are awake." She turned to him and began to speak. He was just not hearing the words as he continued to admire his beautiful wife dressed in a turquoise pre-stitched sari gown with gold pitta embroidery on sheer net bodice. It had a fitted silhouette and cowls in the hip area. The saree gown did justice to her figure.

Zoya snapped her fingers in front of his eyes. "Hello Earth to Asad! Earth to Asad!!" Asad did not like being disturbed when he was admiring Zoya even if it was she herself to disturbed him. "What?" He asked annoyed. "Asad I am going to SK mansion. Wo kya hai na I don't have matching earrings for this saree gown. Ammi has this beautiful this pair of cobalt blue clear crystal and diamond teardrop silver dangle earrings, I know too much detail and you won't understand but Asad meri kabse nazar thi unpar and even Humi wants them but now I have the chance of getting it and then I am not giving them back. OK bye, erm I have set out all your things so get ready and I will be back in some time." Zoya was at the door of their bedroom. Asad was admiring her. Suddenly he came out of his la la land. "Zoya stop!" "Kya hua?" "Zoya you can't go to SK mansion or anywhere else wearing this saree gown!" "Why not?" "Zoya it's backless! Pecche kuch bhi nahi hai." "Oh come on Asad don't be a child. Waise bhi it is not backless, there is a sheer net bodice. Look closely there is a net and net is type of a clothing material." "But Zoya..." "But wut kuch nahi. I will wear it Asad after all aap itne pyar se mere liye laye hain."

Asad regretted getting her the saree gown inorder to escape helping her in draping the saree. He was feeling trapped in his own plan. "Zoya, please don't wear this saree gown and go to SK mansion or to college." Zoya hid her smile. "Asad toh main kya pehnoo?" Zoya asked innocently. "Zoya you have so many sarees wear one from them." "But Asad you know na if I wear a saree you will have to help me. I know you did not want to help me that is why you got the saree gown but now..." Asad jumped out of bed. "Arre nahi Zoya, it is not like that wo toh I wanted to get something special for you na so I got the saree gown. I don't have nay problem helping you get dressed. Ab dekho you would tie the knot of my tie for me if needed to hai na? Toh why can't I help you wear your saree and also with your choli hooks and doris. After all I am your husband and this is one thing that a husband must do for his wife. Help her out in every situation. I will help you get ready."

Asad was ready to do anything to get her out of that saree gown and for her to wear another saree with not much revealing back. "Hmm what should I wear?" Zoya stood in front of her cupboard. "Zoya may I pick out a saree for you? Wo kya hai na the ones you are looking at can be worn to a party or some other function. College mein itni bhari saree nahi pehente." "You want to pick out a saree for me?" "Why can't I? You decide the clothes I wear daily so for once could you wear my choice of saree." "Ok." Asad picked out a beautiful off white embroidered saree for Zoya.

The saree would accentuate her femininity. He went to freshen up till she got changed into the choli and underskirt. He helped her drape it. The currents which ran through their bodies at the time were enough to provide electricity to a house.

Zoya, Humaira and Najma were all going to go to the college together. Asad had the first two lectures free so he thought of taking care of a very important work.

Dilshad and Razia were done sending their respective husbands and daughters off for the day. Feeling relaxed they were sipping their tea when Asad entered through the main door of SK mansion. "Arre Asad beta, how come you have come here? Aaj bade dino ke baad rasta kaise bhool gaye?" Dilshad sweetly asked Asad. "Asad beta betho, will you have some tea?" Razia offered to make tea for Asad. He stood there staring at his mother and his mother in law. They too looked at him. He was clearly frustrated and they had a calm peaceful smile on their face. "Thank you Razia chachi I will not have tea. Ammi, chachi I need to speak with the two of you." Dilshad and Razia tried very hard to conceal their smile. "Haan bolo beta koi problem?" Asad looked around. "If the two of you don't mind can we speak in either of your rooms? I need to speak with you in privacy." Asad, Dilshad and Razia went to Razia's room.

"Ammi, Razia chachi I want you to call dadis back over here. It has been a month that they have been living in our house and ..." A frustrated beyond measures Asad looked at Raiza and Dilshad. They sat there listening to him vent out his frustration. "I know Asad with Ammi and Sabreen khala being at your place..." Razia looked at Dilshad and she continued. "Asad we can understand what you and Zoya must be going through. Trust me we are going through it even now. I know them being there is affecting Zoya and your privacy." Asad looked at his mother and smiled. "Exactly it is a matter of my and Zoya's privacy." Asad ran his fingers though his hair. "I knew it ye ammi and chachi will not give our bacchas any porviacy." Razia commented and Dilshad agreed. "Ek minute, you two think we are not getting privacy?" "Haan." "Actually it is the opposite of it. We are getting too much privacy. Ok I need to come clean with you guys because I know Zoya will not as she does not understand the gravity of the matter." Dilshad and Razia were all ears.

"Ammi Zoya and I are not planning to make the two of you grandmothers so soon and so we have not done anything in that matter." Asad tried to tell them that he and Zoya had not consummated their marriage. "Haan beta we know." "You know?" Asad was pleasantly shocked. "Oh right Zoya must have spoken with you." "Zoya kya kahegi she is one duffer that is why we got her a prescription for BCPs." Razia said. Asad was sipping water and spat it out when he heard about BCPs. "BCPs?" "Asad, birth control pills." Dilshad educated Asad with the full form of BCPs. "Why does she have a prescription of birth control pills?" Asad looked at them like he was a dead man walking. "Oh so you take care of the precautions. Good boy. Dekha Dilshad this is today's generation. They know that taking care of such things is not just the wifes duty but also theirs." Razia praised her son in law. "Arre, precaution toh we will need when we do something na?" Asad was now frustrated. "Zoya aur main dono kuware hain." Dilshad and Razia both were confused. "Asad tum dono shaadi shuda ho kuware nahi." "Arre not that kuware I mean we are both virgins. We have not consummated out marriage. We had decided to wait till after she graduates. That is why we said walima after she graduates. Ab samajh mein aaya?"

Asad knew that it was a bit of a shock for both Razia and Dilshad. He kneeled down in front of them and took their hands in has. "Ammi, chachi dadis living with us has helped Zoya and I come closer on an emotional level. I am greatful for that but ammi it is difficult for me to be so close to Zoya and be away from her. Zoya and I did not share a bedroom before but now we share a bed. Ammi, chachi I need to tell you all of this I need to share it with someone. Zoya rolls in her sleep and she sleeps almost on me... She sews the buttons for me and it has an effect on me but I have to ignore it... parson aur aaj toh hadh ho gayi she made me help her wear her saree... I would not mind doing it if we would have confessed out love but right now it is very difficult for me to control myself and it is becoming hard with every move which she makes towards me. I have made a promise to myself and her that we will wait. I don't want to break that promise. I can control but I am a man afterall. How much self control do I have left in me? Ammi, chachi please understand my situation. I know your life has been easy with dadis at our place but please can you call them back? I know the two of you have been living in peace for the last whole month but please call them back." Razia and Dilshad promised Asad that Noor and Sabreen would no longer live with him and Zoya. They had a full proof plan to call Noor and Sabreen back to SK mansion, a plan would never fail.

**

"Zoya, ye ammi ke ladle yahan kya kar rahe hain?" Asad asked Zoya on coming out of his room when he saw Rashid and Gafur at his home early Tuesday morning. Zoya slapped him on the upper arms. "Asad, one of them is your father and the other is mine. One of them is your father in law and the other is mine. Tameez se baat kijiye." "Hello, if I would have gone to ammi this early in the morning then even abbu would have called me the same. What are they doing here? Wo bhi in this condition! Devdas lag rahe hain dono. Actually more than devdas they look like PPP." Asad was enjoying seeing Rashid and Gafur in a bad state. "PPP wo kya hota hai?" Zoya had never heard this abbreviated term before. "Patni peedit pati." Asad explained. "I don't know what the exact matter is but yhey are here to convince dadis to go back home with them." Zoya said sadly. "Oh really! Oh really?" Asad was excited but then changed his tone and faked sadness. Asad and Zoya went to the living room. Noor and Sabreen were both sad of leaving Asad and Zoya but they had to put their ladle above all.

Noor and Sabreen decided to go home. Zoya went to help them pack their things. "Abbu, Gafur abbu what happened? I have never seen the two of you like this." Asad was curious. "Asad, let me be clear I was not wrong. Yeh toh bas jaise gehu ke saath ghun pista hain just like that I am suffering along with Rashid." Gafur looked at Rashid who hid his face in his palms. "Abbu, hua kya?" "Arre, ye bhi koi baat hui? It was just a small issue and your mother made a mountain out of a mole. First of all, she was the one who came up with the idea and then she is making me suffer."

Asad was frustrated at Rashid. "Abbu, kya hua? What did you do? Did you fight with ammi?" Rashid felt offened as he felt Asad's tone to be accusatory. "I did nothing wrong. Gafur bhai and I just played antakshari with your ammi and chachi." "It was Razia and bhabhi's idea. You and Zoya don't live at home. Ammi and khala are also here. Najma and Humaira don't have time. Ab the four of us thought that we will have some fun so were playing antakshari." Gafur told Asad. "OK." Asad looked at Rashid for more details. "I had to sing with m' and I..." Asad's eyes popped. "Abbu, tell me you did not sing that song!" Rashid nodded without looking at Asad. "Abbu, there is a golden rule of playing antakshari. You never sing that song when the wife is around." Asad could not believe that his father was that brave or that foolish to sing that song in front of his wife. "Which song?" Zoya asked on hearing about some song. "Nothing, koi song nahi." "Asad tell me na kya hua?" Zoya was pulling Asad's sleeve and asking him. "You have to know everything kya?" "Yes, I have to after all it is about my family."

"My ammi abbu and you ammi abbu were playing antakshari males vs females and abbu sang a song jisko sunkar..." "Which song?" Zoya asked. "I am not mad to sing that song in front of you. Abbu aap bhi na..." Asad, Gafur and Rashid exchanged looks. Zoya wanted to know the song but she knew that Asad would not tell her. She left for a moment and called up Dilshad. "Hello, ammi, Zoya here. Ammi kya hua? Are you alrght?" Dilshad tried to be calm. "Haan beta I am fine." "Ammi am I not your daughter? Can't you share your troubles with me like you woulds with Najma. Bataiye na kya hua? Rashid abbu sang some song for you... what did he sing?" Dilshad told her the song that Rashid sang and then hung up. Zoya could not believe it Rashid sang that song. "Abbu how could you?" Rashid looked guiltily at Zoya. "I sang it but Gafur bhai was the one who prompted the song to me." Zoya now looked at her father. "Mujhe meri biwi se bachao... Abbu is this the kind of songf to sing for your wife? How ouwld you feel if ammi sang main kya karoon Ram mujhe budhha mil gaya'?" Asad pinched the bridge of his nose. He knew that the tremors of the earthquake that came at SK ansion would not be felt at his home.

"Zoya stop making them feel guilty. Think about a solution, ammi ko manana hai." Asad took her aisde. She began thinking and so did he. They looked at Rashid and Gafur then burst pout laughing. Rashid and Gafur had the expressions of a kindergarten going kid. Sabreen and Noor heard Asad and Zoya laugh. "Why are the two of you laughing at the sorry state of our sons?" "Dadis if you would ome to know what they have done..." Zoya covered her mouth to muffle her laughter. "Dadis they were playing antakshari with ammi and chachi and abbu sang mujhe meri biwi se bachao'..." Asad began to laugh. "Rashid! Did you really sing the song?" Sabreen was angry. To everyones surprise scolded Rashid and not isde with him saying haan my bahu is such that my beta needs saving from her'. "Ammi..." "Kya? Rashid Dilshad I my bahu and we have that relationship where we can say things about each other but I will not tolerate you teasing my daughter in law like that. Maafi maango uss se! Manao use!" Noor agreed with Sabreen and also tol Gafur to do the same in Razia's case.

Asad send away Noor, Sabreen and Zoya to do the packing as their glares were making Rashid and Gafur feel bad. "OK, now abbu, chachu I agree with dadis and Zoya. Ammi and chachi ko manana hoga." "How?" Rashid and Gafur both looked at Asad. Gafur and Rashid both had their own ways but this was time for that extra special touch. "OK first, abbu you go to the florist and get ammis favorite flowers. She loves choclates but also worried about her weight so get her diet special chocolates but make sure that she knows you got it out of love and care for her and not because she needs to diet. To say sorry hold your ears and do situps! Abbu she will not let you do situps, she loves you too much and she knows about your bad back, maaf kar dengi aapko." Rashid began to smile. "Balloons add karoon? She loves them. When we were dating in college she used to make me buy ballons for her. At first I used to feel ashamed walking with her when she a college student had balloons in her hands but then her smile made me want to buy her more." "See wasn't so difficult." Asad smiled. "Mera kya?" Gafur too wanted help. "Chachu aap toh chahi ko waise manao jaise main chachi ki beti ko manata hoon. Flowers, candles, khana aur gana." Gafur and Rashid left happily with confidence that they would bring a smile to their respective wifes faces.

Asad and Zoya were drop dadis at the home in the evening. Najma and Humaira sent an all is well' signal to Asad and Zoya. They along with daids reached at SK mansion in the evening. Asad and Zoya were to have dinner with the family. Everything was prepared to Razia and Dilshads liking. They had a nice family dinner. It was time to have some fun now. "OK ok ok everyone listen up, dinner shiner ho gaya now it is time for fun." Zoya stood on the couch and announced. Asad brought a stuffed heart from Najma's room and also arranged for the music system to be put near the area they were seated. "It is time for passing the parcel." Everyone was sitting in a circle. Najma and Humaira went and sat between their parents. Najma and Humaira were doing as told by Asad and Zoya. Now that all was well between the couples they did not want any rukawat between them. "Why are you sitting in betwwn us?" Rashid asked Najma. "Haw dekho toh abbu I am a product of yor and ammis love and today you think I am a rukawat between you too." Najma faked a pout. "I agree with you Najma, the looks abbu si giving me... I never thought that this day would come. Mujhe nahi khelna." Humaira too continued with the drama.

"Oh humaare babies, come and sit between Noor and me." Sabreen made Najma and Humaira sit between them. The moment they got up from between their parents, they moved each other. "Arre, hawa se kya dushmani hai tum chaaron ki? Let it pass from between you." Noor teased the couples who had just made up. Everyone had fun at the couples' expense. The teasing continued and so did the game. Asad and Zoya had made chits for punishmentwhich they picked. Najma and Humaira got out one after the other. They were made to do crazy things. Najma had to keep quiet for 10 minutes and Humaira had to sing a song. The families were stunned on hearing her beautiful voice. For Gafur they picked a chit and told him that he ahd to say something romantic to Razia.

"Pal mein guzar jaye wo mohbbat kaisi,
Hum to jindagi bhar tumhe chahenge,
Saat janam mein guzar jaye wo kasam kaisi,
Hum to sadiyo tak tumhara sath nibhayenge."

Everyone clapped and Razia felt shy. Soon after Gafur got out Razia too some how got herself out. "OK ammi your chit says that you have to tell the happiest moment in your life which abbu had brought." Zoya hid this chit too like the one she had hid when Gafur got out. "There are many but he would agree that the happiest moment in my life was when he walked in the hospital room when Zoya and Humaira were born. At both times he placed my new born baby girls in my arms and smiled at me with pride and I knew we did not need a son to carry on our name." Humairanad Zoya both hugged Razia. Dilshad got out and Asad picked the chit for her. "Ammi your chit says say 5 good things about your husband." Dilshad was in a dilemma as Rashid had too many good qualties. She was being timed so she randomly without putting much thought picked out 5 qualities of Rashid. "Rashid takes me out on long drives; Rashid can fix anything that is broken (She meant her heart or her strength); Rashid loves gardening and the beautiful rose bushes are proof of it; Rashid never lets me cry he always stops the over flow from my aasooon ki tanki and he loves me very much." Dilshad and Rashid exchanged smiles. "So ammi you in short you are saying that abbu is a good driver, plumber, carpenter, gardener..." Asad asked a naughty question with a straight face. "Lover, Asad the main one pehle bolna chahiye." Dilshad pulled Zoya's ear.

After Dilshad, Noor and Sabreen got out of the game. Noor had to say her 17 times tables. She was poor at mathematics so did not like the punishment. Sabreen was given the punishment to recite her favorite poem from nursery. Zoya got out after Sabreen. "OK Zoya aapi your chit says that Asad bhai can ask you any question and you have to answer truthfully." Uptil now Asad and Zoya picked chits and gave punishments as they wished and not what was written on the chits. Humaira put Asad and Zoya in a situation. "Haan bhai ask bhabhi anything you want." Najma teased them too. "I don't want to ask her anything." "Ye kya baat hui." Everyone spoke in unison. "OK I will ask." Everyone were waiting for Asad to ask Zoya a question. "What are you looking at me for? The chit says ask a question it does not say when I have to ask. I will ask when I want." Najma and Humaira were the most disappointed because they wanted to have more fun with Asad and Zoya Q & A round. Now only Rashid and Asad were left. Rashid got out which made Asad the winner of the game. Asad picked a chit for Rashid. He hesitated. "Abbu, your chit says to sing a song from m'." Everyone looked at Dilshad and Rashid. "I want to see that chit." "Why abbu?" "Because I know you and Zoya are giving punishents apni man marzi se." "Fine." Asad showed him that chit. Rashid checked the chit and that was the punishment. "Abbu you are singing from m' na? In case you want help I can help you with a song. Mujhe meri biwi se abchao...' It is a god song. Wanna sing it?" "Asad!" Asad ran and Rashid followed to beat him. Rashid finally got hold of Asad and smacked him on the back of the head. Rashid sang Mere rang mein rangewali...' for Dilshad.

While singing the song Rashid took Dilshad to their room and also Razia and Gafur disappeared. Najma and Humaira were snet to their rom. Noor and Sabreen too left. Now only Asad and Zoya remained in the living area. They could still hear Rashid sing. "Zoya, where are you going?" Asad asked as he saw her moving towards Rashid and Dilshad's room. "I want to make sure that they have made up." Asad palm smacked his forehead. "Zoya they have made up. Chalo! It is embarrassing to stand outside a couple's room." Asad was pulling her away from there but she fought him. "Asad I want to be sure that all is ok. Sunte hai na. What if they made up in front of us but are fighting inside?" "Zoya they are not fighting. Chalo please." "How do you know that they are not fighting? Koi awaaz nahi aa rahi." "Zoya please I beg of you chalo, after some time you will hear sounds which you wouldn't want to nor should you hear." Asad pulled her away from there. "Why what will they do?" Zoya asked naughtily to tease Asad. "Ghar chalo batata hoon." Asad too replied naughtily. "Sacchi?" "Yeah, there are many sites where you can see what they are gonna do." "Chee!" Zoya hid her face in her palms.

After a fun filled time Asad and Zoya were walking back to their home. "Asad, maza aaya na?" "Hmm." Asad held Zoya's wrist. "Accha now put the fun aside and tell me about your dream project and the one for the finals. I can ask you a question so I am asking this now." Zoya turned to face him. "Dream project batana nahi dikhana hai wo baad mein. First I will tell you about my finals project." "Ok fine." Zoya took his hand and was taking him some place. "Zoya, where are you taking me?" "Just a minute." Asad and Zoya's eyes moistened on seeing the scene in front of them. There was a street woman feeding her young child who was studying under the lamp post. "Zoya ye..." "Asad this woman, a mother has inspired me. Asad she is living on he streets, works all day and has minimalist resources but still she is educating her child. We have grown up with everything. Our mothers had all the resources at their hands and did so much for us and when their hands were tied they did come up with ideas to get us what we wanted. This woman this mother always has to with minimum resourses try to do the maximum for her child. M.U.M.S' Maximum Usage of Minimum Spaces Furniture Line that is my project for the finals. I am dedicating it to mothers who provide maximum advantages to their children with the minimum resources they have." Zoya was very proud of her idea.

"Resource furnitures, it is a great idea Zoya." Asad looked at her with pride. "Asad I know that we have branded and imported Resource Furniture line in India but it is all for the people who can afford it. Middle class and lower middle class people can't afford it. A young newly married couple can't afford it. Sochiye if we did not have the help of our family would we be able to afford it? I think not. Abbu and chachu's construction firm makes buildings with small apartments for small families but when guest come unko problems hoti hongi or what if a couple can afford to buy a 250 sq ft flat which is one room and kitchen space but then their family expands, how will they manage? I want to make resource furniture which is less expensive but the same quality like the imported or the big brands. There are many people with small house and small budgets but that does not mean that they can dream big, they can't want things that rich people have. I want to make it affordable for them. I don't want them to stand in front of brand shops and sigh ki kaash we could have it', I want them to smile and say yes we can have it'. Asad it could make a huge difference, right?" Zoya looked at him for his approval. "Zoya, not just the furniture line but also the thought behind it is beautiful. It is a beautiful project. Main abhi aaya." Zoya saw Asad go to the street woman and gave her a card. He called a rikshaw and sent them somewhere. "Asad, where did you send them?" "I have a friend Imran Qureshi, his NGO runs shelters for woman and children. I sent them there. The NGO provides work for the women and the children go to school on campus. They also get a place to live there. It is a good place and good work is done there." Zoya and Asad exchanged smiles and headed home.

The kind of homes Zoya wants to design also

Chapter 15 b Part 1

Noor and Sabreen had shifted back to their home SK mansion from AsYa Villa. Zoya had told Asad about the finals project and he agreed that it was one beautiful concept. Little did he know that her dream project was far more beautiful than the one she had already told him about. Asad was curious to know about her dream project as she had told him a few days ago that she would need his help for it and could not do it without help from him. She had only 2 more days left to submit it and Asad was worried if there was enough time. He wanted her to succeed in everything in life. He could not wait to know about the dream project so on reaching home Asad once again asked Zoya about it. "Oh! Asad, why are you so impatient? Kindly go and freshen up till then I will prepare to tell you about my dream project." Zoya pushed Asad towards their bedroom and went to the other room. Asad freshened up and changed for the night. Zoya was still locked up in the other room. "What is she doing in the other room?" Asad tried to see throught the glass in the door but could not see anything. He also called out to her but she did not reply. After knocking twice more Asad gave up and went to the kitchen. He was in the kitchen drinking water when Zoya came out of the room. On seeing her Asad spat the water out of his mouth. "Zoya? What is this?" He stared at her with eyes popping out of their sockets and his mouth opened wide as a tunnel. Zoya smiled at him. "Why? It is the conception of my dream project."

"What do you mean Zoya? Why do you have a round cushion tucked under your T shirt?" Asad stared at Zoya's tummy. "Asad, is this some Indian telly show that I would tuck a cushion under my T shirt?" Zoya was amused by Asad's questions. Suddenly a dreadful thought came to Asad. "Zoya did you cut my basketball in half?" Asad asked running out of the front door. He came back smiling as his safe and sound basketball. He could not get his eyes off of Zoya. "How? Why?" He was confused and wanted answers. "Asad, come here, come to me Asad." Asad approached Zoya slowly. She took his hand and placed it on her belly. Asad out of nowhere felt an insurmountable joy. He had a wide smile on his lips and tears of joy flowing from his eyes. "You love babies don't you?" Asad looked at Zoya. "I can't wait to be a father." "Accha jee?" Zoya gave him an amazed look. "I mean when the time is right and Allah wishes for me to be a father I will become one. But Zoya your belly... I mean how did you get a pregnant belly?" Asad fell in love with the pregnant look of Zoya and he could not wait for that day to come for real but right now he wanted answers. Zoya too could not wait to give Asad this joy which she now knew would be one of the greatest joys of his life, Zoya being in his life and together them bringing in another life in their life. She was admiring Asad admire her pregnant belly. "Zoya, what have you tucked inside your T shirt to get the pregnant belly?" She lifted her T shirt and Asad was shocked. She did have a pregnant belly for real but how? "Asad it is a silicon pregnancy belly. I had ordered it online the day I came to know about the dream project assignment. This is my dream project Asad." "To get pregnant?" "No silly! Asad this was my dream house where I wanted to live with my dream man and make a family with him. I got my dream house and now I want my baby dream." "What about your dream man? Did you get him too?" Before Zoya could reply her phone began to ring. She went to take the call.

Asad sat there on the couch thinking about Zoya's answer. Will she say yes? Am I her dream man or if I am not then her dream is shattered. I want all her dreams to come true Allah. Please let her answer be a yes.' Zoya came and sat next to Asad. "Haan toh Asad I was telling you about my dream project. I had a dream that I along with my husband would design the nursery for our baby in our dream home. I wore this belly belt because I wanted to get the feel of being pregnant. Aapko pata hai when a mother is carrying she can think only of her child and so I wanted to think about the baby when I designed the nursery. You are my husband so you will be the father of the child I carry and so you have to design the nursery with me. My dream project is now ours." Zoya spoke in one breath and had completely forgotten about Asad's question about her dream man and not once she said that he was her dream man. Asad too let it go. "Zoya? Kiski call thi?" "Your favorite student your baby Humaira had called. She needs you to help her with her song. Asad, I don't get it on the last day of our final exams the annual function is also going to take place." "Yes and the results will be declared in 2 weeks from the day the exams get over and also the graduation party is on the night of the declaration of results." "Why the rush? Do you know something?" Zoya asked. "Hmm there is a portion of the main building that is going to go under repair that is why they want to rush things." "You mean I will graduate 2 weeks after the exams get over that means in a month and half I will graduate?" "Haan baba haan. Graduation ki excitement ko side par rakho and now let's talk about the dream project. You umm we only have 2 days to get it done." With Asad reminding her of the dead line Zoya went to the store room and got things which needed for designing the nursery.

"Oh! Hello! Why did you bring blue things? Meri beti hogi, she will be my princess, daddy's little girl. There will be nothing blue in her room. We will need all things girly for the nursery. Wait a minute I will get the things of the right colors." Asad went to the store room and from his stock got all things required to make the model of the nursery. Meanwhile Zoya got all the things required to make the sketches. Asad came out of the storeroom and saw her pushing a drawing board stand. He dropped the things in his hands and rushed to her. "Zoya what are you doing?" Asad spoke to her sternly taking charge of setting the drawing board stand in the living room. Zoya saw him bring the heavy drawing board and set it on the stand. He was giving her khadus looks while doing the heavy lifting. "Relax Asad, I am not really pregnant." Zoya smiled. "I know you are not pregnant but that is not the issue. I will do all the heavy lifting. If you hurt yourself everyone will scold me. I am doing this to save myself from scolding, tumhaare liye nahi kar raha." Asad went to get the stationery they would need to make the sketches. Zoya imitated Asad's khadusgiri and then blushed shaking her head. She was already dreaming of one day carrying Asad's baby and now she knew that Asad would be there every step of the way to make that time easy and comfortable for her.

"OK everything is set. Let's begin." Asad was very excited for Zoya's dream project. Zoya poked him on the shoulder. "Asad, first we need a theme to design the nursery." "Zoya, we know we will have a baby girl, yaad hai I told you daddy's princess. So what better theme would suit the nursery for my princess' nursery than a fairytale/princess theme? We will make a wall mounting castle inside which her cot wil be placed. On the walls we will get a beautiful garden painted with Disney princesses and their cute animal friends..." Asad would have gone on speaking if he did not see Zoya lost in thought. "Zoya, sun rahi ho ya nahi? What are you thinking about?" Asad did not like when she did not pay attention to him and didn't like it more because he was speaking of his little princess. "I was just imagining when our daughter your little princess will begin to crawl, she will be on the floor with you close by and while crawling she will try to get away from you but you will hold her protectively." Asad could see a clear picture of what Zoya had just said.

"Haan so what is wrong with being protective of your child?" Asad defended his action which would happen in the future. "Asad, she will be your princess but you can't make this house her castle and build a moat around it. You have to let her venture out into the world. Haan you can make sure she knows that you will be there to catch her if she falls, you will be there to guide her if she loses her path and assure her that you will always check for monsters under her bed no matter how old she gets. You have to let her free, you have to let her fly, use apni zameen aur apna asmaan khud dhoondhna hoga." Asad just looked at Zoya. "How many almonds have you eaten today? Badi smart baatein kar rahi ho. Who taught you these things?" "No one taught me. When I was going to start college, I was scared of stepping into the outside world as I had always been protected but college life is different. Tab ammi told me that she and abbu had had the same talk. She also told me that on first day of my KG abbu sat outside our school in the car the entire time I was inside." "Really?!?" Zoya felt something strange about Asad's tone. He was scared and relieved at the same time. "Asad, what are you not telling me?" Asad looked at her sheepishly. "Allah ka shukar hai your abbu was sitting outside the school and not your class, nahi toh..." "Nahi toh?" "I would get scolding because of you!" "How?" "On that day, ammi had told me that Zoya is starting school from today and you have to look after her. So..." "So?" "So, you had KG for 3 hours and in those 3 hours I came 6 times to your class, looked in through the glass and made sure you were fine." Asad told Zoya what he had never told anyone. "Aww... Cutie. Uff, how will I stop you from going to our daughter's class every 15 minutes or worse... from sitting in her class?" Zoya teased Asad and he blushed.

Asad and Zoya after the talk agreed on the theme of the nursery. It would be a fairytale/princess themed nursery. The nursery would be divided in 4 parts, the first the baby's sleeping area, the second her play area, third would be her walk in closet /changing area and the fourth would be her activity area where she would learn fun things. Asad and Zoya both contributed ideas to make the nursery beautiful, child friendly and most important safe. They were both making notes. Everything was now ready on paper. It had got quiet late and they were both tired so they decided to take a break and continue the next day. "Zoya what are you doing?" Asad got away from her a little. "Asad, we should sleep with our head touching each others, aise na we will get the same dreams. I know now you will dream about your moments with the baby and I want to know what you dream about." Asad looked at Zoya and thought that she was too cute. "Zoya, who told you if the heads of two people touch while sleeping, they see the same dreams? Aisa nahi hota. Do you know what happens in that case?" "What happens in that case, Professor?" Zoya did not like Asad's party pooper avatar. She was frowing so he decided to make her smile. "The joo from your hair will come in mine." Asad teased Zoya. "I don't have joo."

Zoya turned away from Asad waiting for him to apologize to her. Sometime passed but Asad did not apologize. So Zoya turned to fight some more but she saw Asad sleeping peacefully. She smiled on seeing him sleep. "Asad, we don't need to join our heads to see the same dreams, I know that our dreams are the same and we together will make them real." She caressed his cheeks and then went to sleep. After Zoya closed her eyes, Asad opened his and looked at her. He smiled as he had heard what she said to him about their dreams and making them come real. He felt it was a little silly but gently placed his head on hers and went to sleep.

The sunrays crept into the room thought the curtains and fell on Zoya's sweet face. She unwillingly opened her eyes. A smile came to her lips on seeing the beautiful father daughter bonding scene. Asad was holding their little one in his arms.

Abbu Asad and his princess, Zoya smiled on seeing them. She remembered the joy Asad felt when he took their child in his arms for the first time. She lay on the bed remembering Asad's joyous tears when they had their first sonogram and he saw that tiny fleck inside her womb. He was proud of the miracle they had created. Zoya had wiped his tears and he thanked her for the joy she had given him. She came out of her thoughts when she heard Asad make funny voice and the baby giggled. She too giggled and that is when Asad noticed that she was awake. "Baby, look who's awake?" The baby made some happy noises. "Mamma, were you spying on baby and me?" Asad sat next to her on the bed and pecked her on the forehead. "No meri itni jurrat? I was just enjoying one more beautiful morning of the many I have and I will. Waking up to seeing the two of you spending secret time when I am sleeping, it is just beautiful." Zoya smiled at Asad. "Baby, come to mamma." Zoya put her hands out and but the baby did not come to her. Zoya pouted and Asad whispered in the baby's ear. The baby then came to Zoya. "Accha jee, daddy ki dum, mamma passh tabhi aayegi jab daddy bolenge!" Zoya showered the baby will light kisses and Asad clicked their pictures.

Zoya woke up from her sleep with a wide smile when she heard a sweet little baby voice. "OMG it was such a sweet dream. I know this dream is going to come true." She saw that Asad was not lying next to her. She once again heard the baby voice. She rubbed her eyes and saw that Asad was standing near the window with a baby in his arms just like she ahd dreamed. "Asad! Ye kiska baby hai?" Asad turned to her and smiled. "Humaira ka." Zoya eyes popped and her mouth opened as big as a tunnel. "Asad you stole her baby? She is going to cry." "Relax, I left a note for her that her baby is with us. BTW why should she mind if the baby is with us? After all she is your bride doll and my superman's daughter." Asad sat next to Zoya. "Asad, why did you bring her here?" "I have promised myself to make all your dreams come true." "O really and how did you come to know that I dreamt of seeing you with our daughter first thing every morning? You joined your head with mine to see the same dream hai na?" Zoya teased Asad. Asad placed Humaira's talking doll in Zoya's arms and scratched his head. "Man I knew it was a bad idea. See tumhaare baal ki joo mere baal mein aa gayi." "Asad!" Zoya hit Asad and he ran out. Zoya freshened up. "Ye Asad kahan hai? He has not even said sorry for teasing me last night and this morning aur ab yahan se gayab." She was going to the kitchen to make the breakfast but Asad entered with a bed table. "Zoya, breakfast in bed."

Zoya sat on the bed and Asad put the table in front of her. There was a silver platter and cloche. Zoya lifted the cloche and saw a gift. Zoya unwrapped the package and and inside was a beautifully decorated photo journal. "Liked my apology?" Asad whispered in her ear. "Loved it." Zoya gave Asad a beautiful smile. "Asad this is so beautiful! When did you make it?" Zoya kept on looking at the coverpage of the photo journal. "Zoya, I had a blank photo journal and I decorated the front page. I wanted you to have something where you can document and keep the pictures of all the beautiful memories of the beautiful moments that I share with my princess." Asad smiled at Zoya taking away the bed table. "Haw! Only the memories of you and your princess, what about me?" Zoya felt bad as Asad cut her out of the beautiful moments which would come in their lives. "Zoya, you too will be involved in those moments, we will be creating them and you will capture them in your camera. You know that I don't like to click pictures. I just love to get my pictures clicked. After all I am so good looking and my princess will be just like me. We will be two beautiful people making their beautiful memories." Asad teased Zoya. "Asad, aapki na Ganga ulti behti hai, every man wants his daughter to be a spitting image of his wife but aap hain ki you want our daughter to be like you." Asad was ready to take the teasing to another level.

"What else would I want? If she takes after you she will be one drama queen. Jee nahi thank you very much I don't want her to be like you." Asad teased Zoya. "Why not? She will be my daughter too so she should be just like me." Zoya folded her hands at her chest. "Zoya, if she will be like you bechari meri bacchi will not get admission in any school ab pehle jaise times nahi rahe." "What do you mean? I did so good at the interview that the principal gave me on the spot admission." Asad laughed as Zoya did not remember the story of how she got the admission. "Zoya, you did not get the admission because you gave a very good interview. You seriously do not remember right? Zoya, the principal asked you your name and you spoke so softly that she could not hear. When she asked you again you spoke softly again but the third time you got so irritated that you screamed your name and ran away from the princi's cabin. You got the admission because the princi knew our family and of course my spotless record was an added bonus. Seriously Zoya, you had such a strong personality at that age that you shouted at the princi." "See I had a strong personality even at that age so what is wrong if our daughter has a strong personality like me. She will achieve great things if she will be like me."

"Zoya rehem karo humaari bacchi par. She will be rusticated from KG if she will be like you." "What do you mean?" "Zoya, what should you do if the teacher punishes you to stand you outside the class?" "You should do as the teacher says." "Haan but do you know what you did?" "Asad I was never punished in school." "You were Zoya, you were punished in KG for talking in class. Last period mein the teacher punished you and told you to stand outside the class. Chachi ammi had come to pick you up on that day. She did not find you in the class so she asked the teacher. The teacher told you that you were standing outside the class but when they checked you were not there. Do you know where did they find you?" "Where?" "In the canteen, you were in the canteen drinking strawberry flovored Energy. Zoya, tum bhi na even after hearing all this you want our daughter to be like you?" "Haan. At least she wil not be boring like you or waise bhi who punishes a little KG going girl?" Asad and Zoya had a cute little nok jhok session while working on the project.

Suddenly Zoya stopped working and looked at Asad. He was busy making the colored sketch of the sleeping area of the baby. She had that naughty glint in her eyes. "You are absolutely right Asad. Our daughter should be just like you." The colored pencil from Asad's hand fell on the ground. He turned to look at Zoya. She was smiling and he was shocked. "Zoya, are you alright?" "Haan mujhe kya hoga?" "Nahi you just said na that our daughter should be like me... So I was just wondering... Why did you change your opinion?" "Asad it will be so exciting if our daughter will be like you! Just imagine humaare ghar ke saamne ek lambi line lagegi." Zoya was very excited all of a sudden. "Why will there be a line in fornt of our house? Is this our house or a milk depot? Is this our house or a ration shop? Hmm will we collect electric or telephone bills in the future? Why... nahi tell me why will there be a line in front of our house if our daughter is like me?" "Asad aapke sawal mein hi aapke sawal ka jawab hai. If our daughter will be like you toh humaare ghar ke saamne line toh lagegi na, ladkon ki just like there used to be a line of girls outside the family home waiting to catch a glimpse of their Asad. Meri beti, she will be so beautiful that she will have a huge number of admirers." Zoya was having fun teasing Asad. She saw that he had a horrified father of a girl look on his face. She poked him to get him back to the present. Asad tried to have a calm look on his face. "Zoya, ye kya meri jaise tumhare jaisi laga rakhi hai, she will be our daughter so thodi mere jaisi thode tumhare jaisi. What say?" "OK." Zoya agreed but inside she was laughing hard at Asad's condition.

After getting ready for the day Zoya and Asad made breakfast together. Zoya saw that Asad had not got ready to g for college. "Asad? Aren't you going to the college today?" "Nahi." "OMG Professor Asad Ahmed Khan is going to bunk college?" "Jee nahi Husband and to be father Asad Ahmed Khan is taking a leave to be by your side and help you in your assignment." Asad and Zoya exchanged smiles. After breakfast they continued to make the colored sketches. After the sketches on paper were done Asad and Zoya divided the work and drafted the 3D images of the nursery using the designing software. Hours flew by as Asad and Zoya continued to work. "Zoya, it's almost lunch time. What do you want to eat? I am placing an order as we can't waste time cooking." "Asad chat order kijiye na!" Zoya's mouth started watering. "Chat? That too for lunch? Have you lost it? Look Zoya I am telling you from now on you will not pass on this bekar ka chaska of chat to our daughter." "Oh hello! Like mother, like daughter... ma beti dono chatori hongi. I will take her to have chat when she becomes a little older. We will go alone we will not take you because you will take out all the fun out of chat eating." Zoya ordered lunch and chat from a nearby restaurant. Asad sat there imaginging their little baby in Zoya's arms and she asking her, "Mela baby kaunsha chat khayega?"

After having their lunch Asad and Zoya took a break from work. Zoya was in the bedroom studying for her tests. Asad was in the living area. He came to the room to pick a book when he saw Zoya opening her Ipad and doing the password dance. He stood there smiling. An idea came to him. He picked up his diary and went back to the living area. Asad was pouring his thoughts in the diary. A couple of hours later Zoya needed a break form studying. She came to the kitchen and made coffee for Asad and her. She saw that Asad was busy in writing something. She tip toed and stood behind him. She began to read what he had written. "Asad!!!" Asad almost fell off the couch. Zoya was glaring at him and he was cutely smiling. "Asad you are so mean! Is this all what you will share with our daughter? These are the beautiful moments you were talking about?" Zoya had tears in her eyes. "Zoya, I saw you doing the password dance and bas I thought... aao na come let me read it out to you. Accha lagega tumhe." Zoya sat next to Asad and he read out to her a moment he had thought would come in their lives.

Asad walked in the room. There he saw his and Zoya's little angel on the bed. He settled next to her. She had a shocked expression on her face.

"Abbu ka baby, what are you looking at?" she did not respond to her abbu and continued to look in the direction she had been. Asad too looked in that direction. Asad saw what rather who the baby had been looking non stop at.

She then was looking at her abbu for answers. She seemed a little disturbed by what she had seen. Tears were forming in her eyes.

"No baby, don't cry. Nothing is wrong with mamma. She is perfectly fine. Actually if she had not been doing this then we should have been worried. Ye kuch nahi hai, mamma not gone pagal this is bas her pagalpatni. Abbu aapse ek seclet share karen? Abbu has been seeing mamma like this since she was as old as you are now and was in her diapers just like you. Mamma is fine. Baby, abbu is telling you na mamma not gone pagal this is bas her pagalpatni, chalo now stop crying." Asad picked the baby in his arms. "Mela baby itna cry kiya I think baby lost some weight. Abbu and baby, mamma ko ye idea de?" Asad was making cute faces at the baby to make her smile. "Asad Ahmed Khan! Is this what you talk to kids about?" Zoya stood there with her hands on her waist glaring at her hubby dearest. "Uh-oh abbu ki toh ab khair nahi!" Asad made a cute scred face and the baby giggled. "Abbu is in trouble and you are giggling! Mamma ki beti mamma pe gayi hai." Asad pouted. "Koi shak!" Zoya raised her brow. Asad looked at the baby then shook his head in a no.

Asad closed the diary and looked at Zoya. "Toh is there a problem if something like this happens in the future?" "Jee nahi because you said mamma ki beti mamma pe gayi hai. Asad it was a really cute moment you thought of. Aise hoga?" "Koi shak?" "No." Asad and Zoya both laughed. They were lost in their little world dreaming of the future they would have with their baby. After a short break they went back to the dream project. Zoya typed all the written work and the discussion they had done while planning the project. Asad connected the laptop with the TV so view the nursery on a bigger screen. It was beautiful. The nursery was divided into four parts. "Zoya come one now let's go through the images once more and if in case we need to make any changes we should do it now you have to submit the project tomorrow." "Haan, I have done the notes typing and also have put all the sketches and the blue prints in the folio.

"Zoya, I really loved the idea of the castle as her sleeping area. When a child sleeps it needs to feel safe and it feels the safest in his or her home so..." "I agree and Asad I must say you have designed it really well too." "Mm. Not I ... we have designed it." "Haan toh main aur aap alag thodi hain. I really love the way the window of the castle is situated." "Haan I wanted the moonlight to stream in though the window of the room and enter the window of the castle and fall on our baby's face. It would take her into sweet sleep and the same way the sun would wake her up in the morning." "Yes Asad it is truly amazing." Asad and Zoya were proud of their accomplishment. They then clicked on the play area for the baby.

As soon as Asad clicked on the play area file, a beautiful carriage appeared on the screen. Next to the carriage was a small tea table and many toys were placed on the floor. "Asad, are you sure the carriage is enough as our baby's toy chest? I mean she will be the first child of the next generation. Dadis ki great grand daughter, ammi abbu, chachi ammi, chachu abbu's grand daughter and above all she will be your princess so I can imagine that she will be pampered and be recieveing toys every day. I was just wondering..." "Zoya it will be enough and if more space will be required toh we will manage. Waise bhi we will get her toys according to her age group so when she grows out of them we can donate them or store them away for the other babies of the family. I loved your idea of a carriage as the toy chest and haan she can even play inside it and it also has a mini slide at the opposite side from the ladder." "Tch Asad a princess lives in a castle and she obviously needs a carriage to go play with her friends. Princess/fairytale themed nursery can't be without a carriage. BTW Asad I loved the the painting of the wall in the play area. Princesses and their friends learning while playing. We are too good." Asad and Zoya high fived. Then Zoya clicked on the next file which was to reveal the dressing are and the walk in closet.

"Tch Asad, this file is curropted. Walk in closet ka image dikh hi nahi raha." Zoya became very sad. "Zoya, don't worry I have a back up of the file." Zoya was not convinced. Asad thought of changing her mood. "Accha tell me why does our little girl need a walk in closet from that age?" Zoya was shocked. "Asad! It will not only be a walk in closet, it will also be a changing area. It will have a good length. After our baby will become 3 years old then the two of us will ramp walk and have our own personal fashion shows. I will make her hair in various styles and have fun trying on differnet dresses. It will be so much fun to have a baby girl Asad, I can dress her and make her hair and put fancy clips etc. Aapko pata hai she will want to carry a purse or wear heels like I do..." "Hmm so mera idea accha tha na about us having a princess." "Yes!" "Good to see your smile, accha here now click on this file name. I have transferred the file to the lap top." Zoya clicked on it and there was a beautiful walk in nursery closet image.

In the learning area of the nursery, there was the alphabet on the wall and numbers till 20 on the carpet. It had shelves where learning toys and books were shown stored. There were many learning toys which could be placed on the baby mat in her infant years and later could be fixed on her walker, stroller and also on her cot. "Zoya, I will read to her from the time she will be inside your womb, they say that the baby can hear you and waise bhi you like it when I read to you na so she will like it too." "Nahi. She will not like it Asad, she will love it. I will do coloring with her and haan Asad we have to have a palm print of all of us on one paper and frame it." "Haan Zoya we will see what interests her and then encourage her to go ahead in that direction. We will let her make her dreams and aspirations come true... baki parents ke jaise hum uspar apne dreams aur aspirations nahi thopenge." "Agree."

Asad and Zoya then once again went through all the images of the nursery and they were happy with what they had planned and how they had executed it.

"Asad, it's evening now, coffee please." "Lawn mein." Asad went to make the coffee and Zoya went to the lawn. Asad and Zoya were sitting on the swing in the front lawn. A sweet smile came on Asad's lips was simling as he looked at Zoya. He saw that she too had a cute smile on her face. "Zoya?" "Hmm." "Why are you smiling?" "Why can't I smile just like that without any particular reason?" "Of course you can actually your smile will brighten up every moment of our lives. But there is something about this smile. It is somewhat sheepish. Kuch toh hai, will you not share with me?" "I will but then you will make fun of me so I am hesitating." "I will not make fun if you. I promise." "Pinky promise?" "Pinky promise." Asad smiled at her childish ways. "Asad, wo kya hai na when we will go for our first family picnic with the baby toh don't trust me with the cold drinks." "Kyun?" Asad was eager to know as he knew that Zoya was about to reveal something really cute and funny.

"Promise kiya hai aapne, pinky promise so you can't laugh at me. I was in the 2^nd standard and was newly introduced to cold drinks. We were going for a school picnic to Kamla Nehru Park. I loved cold dranks you can say ki mujhe chaska lag gaya tha so I told ammi that I want to take Thumbs Up in my water bottle instead of water. She refused but you know na..." "You must have held your breath." "Yeah... so she had to. We were going for the ppicnic after the short break time but... I just could not wait to drink the cold drink when we went for the picnic so I made excuses and finished the cold drink in the school itself." "What?!" "Yeah, then I thought what will I drink at the garden so I filled it with water. We were enjoying at the garden but then... when we were to have our snacks..." "Kya hua?" "There was a huge swarm of flies near our water bottles and snack packs. Our picnic was cut short and we had to come back to the school. All the children were sad. Thank God I was not caught." Zoya looked down like the naughty child she had been on the day of the picnic. "Zoya, you are right I am not gonna trust you with the cold drinks. Sample ho tum!" Asad tried to control his laugh but he could not. Zoya went inside the house as Asad broke the promise.

Asad went inside the house to make up with Zoya. There were many dresses on the bed and she was in front of the mirror checking out a dress to see if it looked good. "Zoya what are you doing?" "I am selecting a dress." "What for?" "Dinner ke liye. I am going out for dinner na." "Who's taking you?" "You are." Zoya gave Asad the obvious look and once again began to try on dresses. Asad lay on the bed and closed his eyes.

Asad was taking Zoya and their baby for an outing. A jean clad Asad was lying on the bed holding a diaper clad baby. They had both being waiting for their chance to get ready. Zoya had been chosing a dress to wear from quiet sometime. "Baby mamma is taking so much time to get ready! Aapko mamma kab tayyar karengi? And who will help abbu get ready?" Asad made a cute face and the baby was shocked.

"I am a baby so mamma needs to get me dresshed. Abbu is sho big even then he needsh help to get dresshed." Asad heard a voice and opened his eyes. Zoya was standing in front of him dressed in a beautiful white designer kurti and black jeans. Asad was looking at her with a blank look. "Asad, don't give me that I'm so innocent look. The moment you saw me selecting an outfit I knew what moment you would imagine with our baby. Maine jo boila na our baby will think the along the same lines. Now please get ready and take me out for a casual dinner." Asad and Zoya went for a casual dinner, ice cream treat and a long drive.

They returned home at around 1 am. On returning home Asad and Zoya were sitting on the bench talking about the dream project. They spoke for a long time and slowly drifted off to sleep on the bench itself. At the crack of dawn Zoya opened her eyes and saw that Asad was sleeping on the bench with his head on her lap. "Asad, wake up its morning." Zoya tried to wake Asad up. Once again she repeated her words and a naughty smile came to Asad's lips. She saw the smile and hit him hard. "Ouch! What was that for?" "Seriously Asad, subah subah! How could you even think of that joke?" "How can you tell I thought of it?" "Go and see your face in the mirror, then you will not ask me the question again." Zoya was walking into the house when Asad held her hand. "Accha, tell me one thing, you have thought so much about the baby toh uska naam kya hoga?" "I did not decide on a name. Jaise I would plan the nursery with my husband I had thought that we would decide the name together. Do you have a name that you like?" "I don't have a favorite but the past couple of days that we have been talking about the baby. We will begin a new phase of our life with her. Zoya humaari har raat use hogi aur subah bhi... Kal almost sari raat uske bare mein baatein karte hue we welcomed this morning. So how about Seher'?" "Seher? Seher Asad Ahmed Khan, it sounds good!" "Seher Zoya Asad Ahmed Khan, it sounds even better!!! Ek aur baat, I want her to be just like you." "Kyun?" "Koi tumsa nahi." Asad gave Zoya a sweet smile and walked into the house. Zoya sat there on the bench with a wide smile on her face thinking about what Asad had just said to her. There was nothing teasing about it, only romantic.

15 b Part 2.1

Asad and Zoya woke up on a beautiful morning after discussing their baby dreams. "Zoya, tum ready ho jao then we will leave for college and haan don't forget to pack everything related to your project. Abbu had called me I need to go meet him." Asad instructed and informed Zoya. He then went to the main house where he saw Humaira rushing out. "Bacche! Where are you going in such a hurry? Suno toh. Bacche!" He tried to stop her but she did not. He ran after her but saw her getting into an auto and going away. He called her up and asked it everything was ok. She assured that it was and she was just going to meet an unwell friend.

In the ourskirts of Bhopal, Humaira got out of the auto and in front of her was royal haveli. She was just staring at the majestic residence. "House? This is his house? How can this be a house? This is sort of a palace. He lives here?" Humiara checked the address which had been sms'd to her. It was the right address. She rang the door bell. The guard came to the iron gates. He asked her whom she wanted to see. "Main Humaira hoon. Atif se milna hai." She replied. The guard made a call and after receiving a confirmation he opened the iron gates to let her in. He showed her the way towards the main building. Humaira was lost in the grandeur of Atif's home. She then saw the beautiful lawn and the potted plants on either side of the pathway. Lost in the beauty of the various flowers Humaira was walking towards the main building. "Ouch!" She banged into something round and soft. As she was about to fall back a plump hand grabbed her hand and helped her balance. "Shukriya." She spoke in the softest of voices. She saw a plump man in his 70's. "Mali kaka, I am... sorry, main Humaira hoon, Atif ki dost. Wo beemar hai na?" The plump man turned and looked at Humaira. "Atif beemar hai?" "Haw! Aap kaise hain? Aapke Atif baba beemar hain aur aapko pata hai nahi? Aapko pata hona chahiye. Mujhe bataiye kahan hain wo mujhe unse milna hai." Humaira was appalled as the help at Atif's home was not at all caring about him. The gardener smiled at her and then signed her towards the main door. Humaira moved towards the main door, then turned at the gardener and gave him a slightly disappointed look who was still smiling.

Humaira gently opened the carved wooden door and peeked in. She saw a couple engaged in conversation. "May I come in?" She asked softly. "Yes you may." replied the elegant lady. Humaira assumed that they were Atif's parents and she was right about it. She was face to face with Atif's parents.

Atif's parents Husna and Aslam

"Aunty, I am..." "Humaira, the guard had given us a call." Humaira was feeling very nervous in the meet the parents' situation and it was not even exactly that situation. "Wo...actually Atif had given me a call and asked me to come over, wo unki tabiyat theek nahi hai na and he has to submit the project today so... main aa gayi. I hope it is ok." "Atif beemaar hai?" Humiara was shocked that Atif's prarents too did not know that he was not feeling well. Bechare Atif no one cares about him.' Atif's mother was lost in thought she then smiled. "Oh yes Aslam, yes he is not feeling well. That is why we cut our trip short and came back home." She raised her brows and Aslam too went along with her. "Oh yes beta, he is not feeling well. Kuch toh hua hai mere bte ko kuch dino se." Atif's mother then smiled as her smart husband understood her ishara. "Of course it is ok beta, you can go and meet Atif. You need to walk to the end of the corridor and take the stairs up. His bedroom is on the 1st floor, the 2nd door on your left." Humaira gave them a nervous smile and went to Atif's room.

"Husna begum, since when do we allow girls to go up to Atif's room? Have you forgotten that we have certain rules in this house?" Atif's father Aslam questioned his wife's decision to send Humaira to Atif's room. "Aslam, yes I do know that we have certain rules about girls being in Atif's room but way before that rule was made I had some rules laid down but your son never follows them. Jab ghee seedhi ungli se nahi nikalta ungli tedhi karni padti hai." Husna smiled and tapped her fingers on the handrest of the sofa. A confused Aslam looked at his wife. "Husna, what are you up to?" Husna smiled at her clueless husband and then she decided to explain it to him. "Aslam, how many time as per your knowledge have I told Atif to keep his room neat and tidy?" "I have lost count." "Exactly, Aslam I have noticed something about this girl. I think she is Atif's someone special and when she sees the condition of his room..." Aslam's eyes popped as he knew what Atif would do if Humaira saw his unkept room after all he is Atif's father and Atif has taken after him. "Begum you are so smart. So from now on we will have to get used to seeing Atif's room neat and tidy. Where did you get this brilliant idea from?" "I got this idea from your mother." "Matlab?" Don't you remember what happened on the day I first came to your room all those years ago? Who do you think sent me to your room?" Husna gave Aslam a naughty smile. He looked with shock at his mother's photo hanging on the opposite wall. "Amma bhi na!" Aslam understood that his mother had pulled on one him many years ago as he too did not keep him room neat and tidy as she had asked him to. The moment Husna had seen his untidy room it was never the same ever again.

Humaira knocked on Atif's bedroom door. Atif itne beemar hain ki he can't even say come in.' She did not get any response so she slowly opened the door and entered. The moment she entered Atif's room something wet but fragrant landed on her head. "Eew!" She screamed as she tried to take it off of her head. "Towel? Eew! Who throws the towel like that?" She looked up and there in front of her stood Atif looking gorgeous as water dripped form his wet locks onto his bare chest, correction chisled bare chest. At first she drooled over him like she would on an ice-cream on a hot summer's day then she came to her senses and turned her back towards him. Atif loved the effect he was having on Humaira, it was the perfect mood setter for what he had asked her to come to his home. He walked towards her and slightly brushing her upper arm, picked up his T shirt from the chair. "Humaira, you can turn around now." Humaira turned around and looked around Atif's room. It was as though a bomb had been thrown in the middle of the room. There was a mess everywhere, shoes and socks lying in the middle of the room, clothes on the bed. The blankets not folded, chairs lying in between the piles of books, clothes from the cupboard thrown on the chairs, wire cables lying on tables and guitar/instrument lying between the room ...

Atif felt a little embarrassed. "Wo... I was cleaning my room." Humaira tried to control her laugh. "Is it so?" "Don't you laugh! Don't you dare laugh!" "I'm not. I promise." Atif quickly tried to clear the mess but ended up making more of it. Humaira saw him run from one end of the room to the other picking up his things. "Atif, stop! It is not possbile to clear it up in one day." Atif felt relieved. "Humaira, what are you doing here?" "What do you mean by asking what am I doing here? You were the one who called me saying that you were not feeling well... ek minute you are perfectly fine then why did you call me here?" "I asked you first, what are you doing here? Not in my home in my room. Humaira there are rules in my house, no girl can come into my bedroom. If my mom will come to know..." "She knows, in fact she is the one who sent me here." "What my parents are at home? When did they come back? Uno momento, she sent you to my room? This is so sneaky of her." Atif was pacing in his room thinking about his mother and her sneaky ways.

Humaira did not know what kind of family drama she had landed in and she did not care! She blocked Atif's way. "Atif, will you please tell me why have you called me here actually you lied to get me to come here and that too when you knew or thought that your parents aren't at home." Atif knew that Humaira was no nonsense kind of a girl. She was not the other type who would be flattered or feel special if a boy like Atif asked them to come to their home to meet them akele mein. He knew that it was a bad move and it could land him in trouble but he anyways went for it. "Why do you think I called you here to meet me aklele mein?" He winked at her. She gave him an angry plus disgusted look. "I don't believe it! Maine socha tha ki aap baki ladkon se alag honge but nahi all you boys are the same. I made the mistake of not recognizing you or your intentions of me." Humaira was in tears by then. She was leaving but Atif held her hand. "Leave my hand, Atif." "Bas itna hi bharosa hai mujhpar?" Humaira did not reply and tried to wriggle out of his hold. Atif pulled Humaira's arm and she twirled in towards him.

Humaira stepped back. She looked into Atif's eyes. "If I did not have complete trust in you, toh kabhi aapke ek baar kehne par yahan nahi aati." Atif took her hand in his. "Trust me once more when I tell you this, yes I did call you in the absence of my parents but mera koi aisa waisa iraada nahi tha behind calling you here." "Toh kaisa iraada tha?" "Nek, bahut nek." Atif smiled. He put his hand out and asked Humiara to place hers in his. He took Humaira's hand and led her out of his bedroom. They walked to the other end of the corridor. Atif opened a door and there was darkness. Humaira was scared of the dark. She tightly clutched onto Atif's arm and her nails dug in it. Atif gently placed his hand on hers and assured her that he would take care of her. Humaira felt Atif leave her hand and heard a flick of a swtich. A spot light switched on and fell on Humaira's right hand side. Humaira's eyes moistened and a huge smile came to her lips.

She saw that Atif had got down on one knee and put forth a ring box. Humaira could clearly see the expectation and love in his eyes. Her joy knew no bound. Atif was prospoing to her. She had not even confessed her feelings. She too like any other normal girl dreamed of this moment and Atif was making her dream come true. The man and the ambience are so perfect for this moment but I am so under dressed for this occasion.' Humaira thought. "Humaira? Humaira!" "Hmm?" "The box, look at it." Humaira calmed her heartbeats and looked at the box. She could not believe her eyes so she looked closer. "Key? Atif ye toh key hai!" He saw her smile vanish. "What were you expecting?" He asked in a teasing voice. "Main kya expect karoongi? Waise bhi who am I to expect anything from you." Humaira was disappointed. Atif took her hand and placed the key in her palm. He then moved the spot light to the centre of the room. Humaira saw the model of the dream house that she had planned along with Atif. There was a tiny lock on a tiny gate of the house. "Humaira, this is the house that you helped me plan. This is not just my dream house, or yours, tumhara ya mera nahi humaare sapno ka ghar hai ye. Ye key sirf iss ghar ke main gate ki nahi balki humaare khwabon ki humaare khushiyon ke chaabi hai. I want to make all our dreams come true in this house. I love you and want to make a life with you."

Humaira's eyes spoke her heart. She was too in love with Atif. She was surprised with the proposal. Atif was still waiting for her reply. "Humaira?" "We are getting late for college. Chalen?" Humaira was leaving but Atif caught her hand. "Humaira?" Her heart was beating very fast. She slowly turned to face Atif. The answer was written all over her face, the lowered eye and the slight shy smile on her quivering lips. "Kya abhi faisla karna zaroori hai?" Atif realized that his surpise was a pleasant yet a shock for Humiara. She needed time and he was ready to give it to her. "No. Bas ek baat ka khayal rakhna whenever you reply make sure ki jawab mere... humaare haq mein ho." Humaira looked at Atif. She smiled and blinked. Atif had proposed to her in a special way so she too wanted to say yes in a special way. It was what Atif deserved.

Atif and Humaira very carefully brought the dream house down to the main hall.

Atif and Humaira's dream House

"Humaira, come have a seat beta, you have come so early I am sure breakfast bhi nahi kiya hoga. Please have breakfast with us." Aslam invited Humaira for breakfast. "Dad, we are getting late." Atif did not want Humaira to have breakfast with his parents as it was their favorite time pass to talk of all things embarrassing about their son with his friends especially his female friends. Atif took Humaira's hand and was leaving. "Bittu!" Humaira heard Atif's mom's voice and stopped. "Bittu! Atif you have a sister? Aapne kabhi nahi bataya. I always thought that you were an only child." At that moment Atif wanted the floor to part and for him to be buried inside. "Humaira, Bittu aao come, bacche have your breakfast and then go to college." Humaira looked at Atif and understood that his nickname was Bittu. Atif looked at Humaira. "Don't laugh, don't you dare laugh!" "I'm not. I promise." Once again Husna called out to her son using his nickname. "MOM!!!" "OK Atif Aslam Karimullah, Humiara pehli baar humaare ghar aayi hai, we can't let her go without having something. Chup chap aao aur breakfast karo. Humaira, please come."

Husna, Aslam, Humaira and Atif sat at the dining table. Humaira saw that the breakfast was not being served as Atif and his parents were waiting for someone. Then she saw an old roly poly man in his 70s come to the dining area. He was dressed in a white pathani suit. Humaira did not recognize him at once but then she paid attention and realized that it was the gardener. She was confused about him being at the dining table. She saw Atif get up form his chair and hug the old man. "Daddu! Where have you been? I want you to scold these two mujhe pareshan kar rahe hain!" Humaira now felt like the floor should split and she should be buried in it. She was feeling embarrassed. On seeing her condition Atif's grandfather laughed loudly. No one understood why he was laughing. "I am sorry, daddu." She spoke softly. "Humaira, why are you apologizing to daddu?" Atif asked as Husna and Aslam looked on. Humaira told them the entire incident. "Humaira! How could you?" Atif scolded her and she was almost in tears. As she got up from her seat to run away, the entire Karimullah family laughed. She was then told that it was a misunderstanding which was common for them. Atif's grandfather loved gardening and this hobby of his many a times had him confused as a gardener. After breakfast Atif and Humaira went to the college.

Chapter 15 b Part 2.2

Asad kept a 55cm American Tourister Lollydots purple spin case on the bed and unzipped it. Zoya sat on the chair with her hands crossed watching Asad. She was angry at him. "You have to go home Zoya, and I don't want to hear one word about it." Asad told Zoya. "Zoya, make sure you take all your notes and books. I don't want you to forget anything. Haan if you forget anything mujhe bata dena I will get them to you. I don't want you to waste your time by coming here to get them. I'll do one thing I'll pack all your books and notes. You can pack the clothes. It will be ok if you don't pack many clothes, ghar par hain tumhaare clothes. You need to take all your books and notes." Asad had a pile of books in his hands. He turned and saw that the suitcase was closed and zipped. He placed the books back on the study table and came near the suitcase. There was a little opening in the zipper. Asad peeped in from there. "Zoya, are you in there? What are you doing in there?" He unzipped the bag and Zoya sat up cross legged inside the suitcase.

Asad sat on the chair facing Zoya. "Zoya, aisa kyun kar rahi ho? I am sending you home. You like travelling na? Yaad hai how you used to not like it if your abbu or both your parents or anyone from the family went out of town leaving you at home? You used to get inside the bag just like you have now so that they had to take you with them." "Haan, that was because I love to travel." "Haan so you are travelling!" "Isko taravelling nahi bolte, you are sending me from this home to that one." "Zoya, why are you doing this? Why aren't you listening to me?" He asked in a tone her parents used when she was a child. "I will not go home. I want to stay here Asad." Zoya continued to sit in the open bag thinking Asad would not be able to move it. Asad picked her up by her waist, like he would pick up a small baby and put her on the bed. "Zoya, exam's sar par hai and I want you to do your best. If you will stay at home toh ammi and chachiammi will be able to take care of you. You will have no household chores and you will have more time to prepare for your exams." Asad tried to reason with her. "Haan I will not have any household chores there but aap bhi toh nahi honge na. I will not go!" "Zoya, I will come there." "Sacchi?" "Of course! Who else will help you do your revision or give you mock tests?" Zoya saw him as if he stole her ice cream.

"I will not go! I will not go! I will not go!" Asad sat on the chair as he was pareshan with his wife and her ways. "Fine, I will not send you home but you will do as I say." "Okie dokie." "Accha jao and put your bag in the store room and come back here." Zoya happily wheeled away her suitcase. When she returned Asad told her that she will not do any house work or any work for him. Zoya agreed. He had prepared a time table for Zoya. She was to function according to it and only it. Asad called up at the family home and told Razia and Dilshad to send the maid and the cook to AsYa Villa. Zoya's final exams were to begin in 2 weeks. She had a study break. Asad was helping Zoya prepare for them. He set question papers for her and took her timed tests in all the subjects. He corrected them as strictly as possible. Zoya had been studying really hard. She thought of doing maximum of her stuydying when Asad was at the college so that she would get time with him when he returned but nothing like that happened. Asad used to take her revision, make her solve question papers of previous years and also give her designing and construction assignments.

Zoya was sick and tired of studying all the time. "Asad, itna toh maine boards ke liye bhi nahi padha! I want a break." Zoya was making a sketch according to the specifications Asad had provided. She put her pencil down and went to the living are where Asad was. Zoya saw Asad playing with building blocks. He was lost in making a beautiful apartment building with garden, children's play area, parking and pool using building blocks. She went to her room stomping her feet. "Hello!" She said in a grumpy voice. "Hello!" her sister replied in a singing happy voice. "Asad is such a ... such a ... urgh!" "Aapi don't say anything against my Asad bhai." "I am not saying a word against your Asad bhai I am doing kudkud about my husband." Zoya replied angrily. "Kya hua, aapi?" "Humi, you have no idea what Asad is doing! He is making me study for long hours and khud he is playing with building blocks." "It is obvio aapi, you have to study because you have to appear for the exams. Ab Asad bhai thodi na padhne baithenge just so that you have a study buddy. Don't give him a hard time and go study!" Zoya disconnected the call as there was no point in complaining about Asad to his chamchi!

"Zoya!" Asad opened the door of their bedroom at half past midnight. "Zoya, aao I have another assignment for you." "Asad!" "It is really fun! I am sure you will have lots of fun doing it." "Yeah right!" Zoya did not want to go but went anyways. She saw the construction Asad had done using building blocks lying on the kitchen table. She looked at him. "What is the assignment?" "You have to find the flaws in this construction and come up with ways to make them right." Zoya laughed naughty evilly and Asad smiled seeing her happy. Zoya pulled out a chair and took seat. She rubbed her palms and was ready to point out all the flaws. She stopped before starting. "Zoya kya hua?" She rubbed on her tummy. "I am feeling hungry." "OK I'll make you a sandwich." "Nahi sandwich will be too heavy. I will feel sleepy if I will have a sandwich." "Toh what do you want?" "Sev, kurmura and puri." Asad looked at her and then at this watch. "Zoya, kaunsa bhelwala abhi milega?" "This is why you should have stayed at home. Asad there is always a dabba full of sev kurmura puri at home." "Alright I will get it for you." Zoya got up to go with Asad but he signed her to stay put.

"Oh shit! I forgot the gate keys." Asad was at the back gate of SK mansion. He did not have the time to go to the front door nor could he go home empty handed. He climbed over the boundary wall. He entered the house through the back door. He did not want to disturb anyone. Asad went to the kitchen making sure he did not make any noise. After switching on the lights in the kitchen he began searching the dabbas for the snack Zoya wanted. "Rashid, Rashid wake up." Dilshad whispered. "Umm Dil, sone do na." "Rashid! Wake up kitchen mein koi hai. I was going to get water when I heard some noises and the light is also on." "Tch! Toh main kya karoon. Go and jo bhi ho use pooch kya chahiye!" "Rashid it is not a family member! I think koi chor hai." "What should I do it is a thief? Tum jao you can handle a whole gang of thieves without my help. Woman power zindabad!" Rashid rolled over and pulled the blanket over his head. Dilshad pulled the blanket with force and whacked him on his buttocks with a ruler. "Ouch! Dil you are more dangerous than a chor!" "Get out of the bed Rashid and come with me to the kitchen. Chor ko pakdo." Dilshad and Rashid came out of their room and saw Razia and Gafur too walking towards the kitchen. Asad had found what he was looking for so he switched off the light and was coming out of the kitchen. "Ouch!" he screamed as he was hit by something. "Ouch! Good very good! Aur le!" Asad heard Dilshad and Razia's voice as they whacked him once more. "Ammi! Chachiammi!" He screamed. "Asad!" The light was switched on. Asad was standing there with a dabba in his hands. Razia had a hangar and Dilshad had a ruler in her hand.

"Uff! Kya hai? Kya shor macha rakha hai tum logon ne?" Noor and Sabreen came to the kitchen. Humaira and Najma too were woken up by the commotion. They all looked at Asad. "Zoya, was feeling hungry and she wanted to eat sev kurmura puri so I came to get it. Ammi and chachi ammi thought I was a chor so they beat me up." Rashid and Gafur after giving Asad a khadus look went to their respective room cribbing because their wives woke them up for nothing. Humaira had a lovey dovey look on her face. "Asad bhai! You are so cute. Aapi wanted to eat sev kurmura puri so you came here at this hour and also got beaten up for it. How romantic and ek aapi hai all she does is kudkud because you make her study hard." "She does what?" "Asad, chalo now go home." Dilshad told him to go. "Ammi, chachi ammi could you please..." Razia and Dilshad stopped him from completing the sentence. "Asad, we will make some snacks and send them tomorrow to AsYa Villa. Asad went home and the residents of SK mansion to sleep.

Asad used to stay up at nights while Zoya studied. She could not wake up early to study so she studied all night. She used to sleep when Asad was at the college. He used to come back from the college make hot beverages for both of them and wake up Zoya. They had the same schedule everyday. As Zoya used to be a good girl and study hard, Asad took her every alternate day for an ice cream treat. He also gave her a head massage as she demanded it. He took care of her, himself and the house. The only thing she had to do was study. Two weeks passed by and it was the first day of Zoya's examination. Asad woke her up after he had prepared the breakfast. She got ready and they had the breakfast and left for the college after a quick dtop at SK mansion to take blessings from the elders and pick up Humaira and Najma.

Humaira and Najma went to their respective examination halls after wishing each other and Zoya All the best' for the exam. Zoya and Asad too wished them. "Zoya, get out of the vehicle and go to your class." Zoya put out her hand. "What?" Asad asked her when he saw her hand gesture. "Bread butter jelly jam, best of luck for your exam." Asad you did not wish me for my exams. Asad matching his fingers with Zoya and they twisted their hands in the opposite direction and shook hands as Asad recited the best of luck lyric. Zoya went to her examination hall after Asad asked her if she had al the things she needed. This went on for a week and half. Zoya had four tests which were on every third working day. "Finally, Asad aaj mera last paper hai. You will come for the annual function at night right?" "Of course I will, Zoya. Aaj Humaira ki performance hai. Finally she is going to sing in front of everyone." "Asad I will go home after the test and then come back in the evening for the function. Is it ok?" "OK. Erm but you will have to go home and come back on your own. We are going to start correcting the papers from today itself." Zoya went to give her exams.

In the evening, all the students and teachers were present in the amphitheater of the institute. The event began with the speech from the principal thanking all the teachers for their year around services and wishing all the students the very best for their results. Humaira had requested her performance to be kept at the very last so that she could practice. Two hours of celebrations passed and it was finally time for Humaira's performance. The lights were switched off on the stage. Dim lights were switched on and there was a smoke effect on the stage. From amidst the smoke appeared Humaira. She looked like and angel amidst the clouds. She was sitting on the piano stool.

She began playing the tune of the song she was going to sing. There was pin drop silence as she sang the song.

bahot pyar karte hai tumko sanam

Chapter 16 a)

Zoya had realized that she loved Asad and was also in love with him. She had waited long enough to confess her love and also for Asad to take her first step which he did not. Now she did not want to waste another minute, pehle aap pehle aap' mein the Nawab's of Lucknow had missed their train. She did not want to miss the love train which she definitely would if she kept waiting for Asad to confess. If he would not then she would, as it is there is no rule that the man has to confess first, she was aaj ke zamaane ki nari. She wanted to tell him that she loved him more than life itself. He, their marriage and falling in love with him was the best thing that had ever happened to her. She wanted to tell him that he was her dream man, her Mr. Khan. She wanted to tell this to him when he had asked hwe when they were talking about the nursery assignment but could not as Humaira's phonecall had interrupted them. Now she would tell him everything, har baat har jazbaat. She wanted them to begin the beautiful journey of marriage in all terms. She had made preperations to confess her love to Asad in a beautiful way. She was waiting for him to come home but her wait never ended. Zoya was worried all night and she kept on calling Asad but his phone was switched off. A tired, worried Zoya fell asleep on the couch in the living area.

Zoya heard some noise and opened her eyes. The brightness of the sunlight hurt her tired eyes. A blurred figure stood in front of her which slowly became clear. Asad was home. "Asad?" She got off the couch and hugged him tightly. Asad loosened her grip and made her stand a little far from him. Zoya was worried and also angry at Asad's carelessness. She knew that he knew that she worried for him if he goes missing. "Where have you been? Main saari raat aapka intezaar ka rahi thi. How long does it take to make one phonecall? Aapka phone bhi band tha. If you were not going to come home you should have informed me. Main kitna darr gayi thi. Asad where were you? Aap theek toh hai na?" She worriedly asked. Asad did not say anything. He was going to his room. Zoya caught his hand and looked at him. "Asad, what is this? What is this lipstick mark doing on your collar? Where were you? With whom were you?" She looked at him demanding an answer.

Asad looked in the mirror and saw the the lipstick mark on his collar. He removed Zoya's hold off his hand and went to the bedroom. Zoya wanted to speak with Asad but he had locked the room from inside. She knocked on the door but he did not let her in. "Asad! Open the door. Asad please, I promise main kal raat ke baare mein nahi poochoongi. I am already tensed mujhe aur pareshan mat kijiye. I want to tell you something. Asad please open the door. Let me in." Zoya was knocking the door when Asad opened it she almost knocked on his nose. "Asad..." "Zoya, I too want to tell you something." Asad had a serious look on his face. He hand gestured Zoya to come with him to the living area. "Asad, what is it that you want to tell me?" "Zoya, please sit down. Zoya, please shaant dimaag se meri baat sunna. I have to tell you something very important something that I should have told you and everyone else a long time ago. It will change our lives for ever and that too for the better. You were right, Zoya." Zoya was confused. She did not understand what Asad was trying to tell her and what it had to do with him staying all night out and returning with a lipstick mark. "Asad, please saaf saaf bataiye, what is it that you want to tell me? What was I right about?" She looked at Asad for answers.

Asad looked away from her. "You were right about Tanveer." "Tanveer?" Zoya could barely speak up. She felt like she was struck by a lightning bolt. She had not heard this name in a long time and she had also forgotten that a witch named Tanveer existed in Asad's life. She was right about Tanveer? She had thought so many things about Tanveer and ... that she wanted to trap Asad. She was right about Tanveer and her intentions about Asad. The lipstick mark... did she succeed in trapping him. Did he? With her?' Zoya's head was spinning. "You were right about Tanveer Zoya. Yaad hai on the first day of our Mumbai trip you thought that she was my girlfriend in college. You were right about it. We were madly in love. After we graduated from the institute we went to London together to do our internship. I had returned to India to tell the family about our relationship and that I wanted to marry her but dadis..." Asad was standing with his back towards Zoya. He could not face her. She was sitting there like a statue. Asad's words were falling on her ears but she could not believe them. Asad was expecting some reaction from her but did not get any so he turned to face her.

Asad sat on the single seater sofa. "Zoya?" He moved his hand forward to touch her but retracted it. "Zoya, we both know that we agreed to this marriage only for the sake of dadis but Zoya we can't stay married for their sake. Saari umar iss majbori ke rishtey ko bojh ki tarah dhona that is not right for either of us and also for Tanveer. What is her fault if she fell in love with me and if I did not speak up for our sake and agreed to marry you..." Zoya sat there not responding. "Zoya, look we have become really good friends and so I am telling you this. I hope you will understand me and Zoya you too deserve to be with someone you love and who will love you back but Zoya wo main nahi hoon. I don't love you and you don't love me. We have given this naam ka rishta more than 3 months of our lives bas ab aur nahi. Zoya in 2 weeks your results will be out and my temp period at the college is going to end. I wanted to work in London and main wohi karne wala hoon. I am going to London with Tanveer. Once I go there I will call up ammi abbu and tell them the truth about us and I will also... Hum alag ho jaayenge." Asad bit his tongue as he said the last words.

"Zoya, kuch toh bolo." Asad did not understand her state. "London jaakar kyun? Why can't you finish this relationship here itself and then go to London? Yahin par mujhe de de..." Zoya too like Asad could not say talaak'. She was fighting hard with her tears which were ready to expose themselves to Asad. "Zoya, agar abhi kisi ko pata chala toh they will try to make us understand and tell us to compromise. They will not let it happen. Humein pehle ki tarah kasamon mein baandh denge. It is best that I will... from London." Asad walked out of the front door and Zoya's life. She had heard every nonsensical word that came out of his mouth but she found the words to be hollow. She did not believe them. She tried calling him up but he did not answer his call. She ran out of the hosue and got into the car. She tracked his GPS on the mobile and drove madly after his car. She saw his car stop outside a small bungalow. She wanted to get out of the car and drag him back home but she could not move. The door opened and there she was... Tanveer. Tanveer smiled at him and he hugged her. Zoya saw them speak a few words, he went inside her house and the door closed. Asad walked out of their home and walked into her house. Zoya had no choice but to believe what she saw.

She returned to an empty house, it was no longer the home she had made with Asad.

**

"Asad what is going on? Why did you hug me like this? Maine tumse kaha ki leave me Zoya is seeing us toh you tightened the grip. Have you lost it? What will she think of us? I want you to go home right now and clear her misunderstanding which I am sure use hui hogi. Asad! Say something damn it." Tanveer confronted Asad. Asad looked at her and she saw his tears. She sat next to him and put her hand on his shoulder and pressed it. "Asad, kya baat hai? I am your best friend. Mujhe nahi bataoge? Pareshan lag rahe ho." Asad looked at her and took her hand in his. "Tanveer, I need a friend right now. Bina kisi sawal mera saath dogi? Let me stay here for some more time. I promise I will not be a burden on you thode time mein chala jaaoonga." Tanveer looked at Asad. He was very much troubled. She had enver seen him like this. "Asad, you are my friend and I will stand by you every time you are in the right bina koi sawal pooche. You are not a burden dost bojh nahi hote. You can stay here for as long as you want and jab you feel like sharing your troubles I will be here. Listen tum shayad raat bhar soye nahi ho, guest room mein jao freshen up and rest for some time main kuch khaane ko and chai lekar aati hoon." Tanveer left to get some tea and eatables for Asad.

Asad was in the guest room. He removed his phone and looked at Zoya's picture. He caressed the screen as if her were caresseing her sweet face. All the moments which they had post marriage together flashed before his eyes. Was he wrong? Had he read her wrong? He had seen his pain in the form of tears in her eyes, her smile was related to his happiness, the bigger his happiness the wider her smile used to be... He lied down with his phone held close to his heart. He wanted to feel the moments when she used to rest her head on his chest.

Hmm hmm hmm hmm... ... ...

Tune jo na kahan main woh sunata raha

Khaamakha bewajah khaab bunata raha

Khaamakha bewajah khaab bunata raha

His eyes were closed but he was not sleeping. He was revisiting the incident that took everything that took Zoya from him. Zoya, his wife, his life, and his love confessing her love to another man. She was ready to run away with another man leaving him all alone. She loved someone else and not him. He could no longer stay in Bhopal the place where he lost his love before getting her.

Jaane kiski humein lag gayi hai najar

Iss shehar mein na apana thikaana raha

Door chaahat se main apani chalata raha

Khaamakha bewajah khaab bunata raha

He had already lost Zoya and had thought that she left with Atif but when he saw her at Khan Villa he was once again reminded of the shackles around her ankles. He promised himself to free her from it so that she could freely fly and be with the one she loved. He did not question her about her betrayal because he did not consider it a betrayal, she had the right to fall in love and she did, just not with him. Everything had changed between them. From the moment he saw her confess her love to Atif she was not his. He could not even touch her as she was someone elses. He could not even tell her that he loved her and ask her to give him and their marriage a chance.

Dard pehle se hai jyaada, khud se phir yeh kiya waada

Khaamosh najarein rahe bejubaan

Ab na pehli si baatein hai, bolo toh lab thartharaate hai

Raaj yeh dil ka na ho bayaan

Ho gaya ke asar koyi ham pe nahi

Hum safar mein to hai humsafar hai nahi

Dur jaata raha paas aata raha, khaamakha bewajah khaab bunata raha

Hmm hmm hmm hmm...

He wanted to think of his Zoya but all he saw was Atif's Zoya. All night he had wandered the streets of Bhopal trying to find a solution to the problem and he came up with the only one. He had to go away from her life taking all the blame of the failure of the marriage. He wanted to give her everything she wanted and in which her happincess was. He would free her from the marriage taking all the blame so when she told the family about Atif they would gladly accept the relationship.

Aaya woh phir najar aise baat chidane lagi phir se

Aankhon mein chubhata kal ka dhuwaan

Haal tera na hum sa hai iss khushi mein kyun gum sa hai

Basane laga kyun phir woh jahaan

Woh jahaan dur jisase gaye the nikal

Phir se yaadon ne kar di hai jaise pehal

Lamaha bita huwa dil dhukhaata raha

Khaamakha bewajah khwaab bunata raha

He once again went back to thinking about Zoya and the happiness she had given him till date. It was enough for him. He would live with her memories and the pain of losing his first and only love. The moments they had spent together in the months they were married especially the ones they spent while planning the nursery. His dreams of a family and life long happiness with Zoya went up in flames right in front of his eyes and he could do nothing about it. All he was left with the ashes of the dreams. He had lied to Zoya about going to London but now he decied that he should go as far as possible from her and that too as soon as possible.

Tune jo na kahan main woh sunata raha

Khaamakha bewajah khaab bunata raha

Jaane kisaki hamein lag gayi hai najar

Iss shehar mein na apana thikaana raha

Dur chaahat se main apani chalata raha

Bujh gayi aag thi daag jalata raha

There was a knock on the door. Asad wiped his tears. "Asad, chalo kuch kha lo." Tanveer took him to the dining area. She had heard Asad's phone ringing and being disconnected after 2 rings. Once again his phone rang but he did not answer it. "Asad, kiski call hai and and why aren't you answering it?" "It's Humaria." Asad sighed and kept the phone on the couch. "Asad, if it is Humaira then why aren't you speaking to her. She must be troubled as you are not responding, baat kar lo uss se." Asad hid his face in his palms. He then took a deep breath. "Kaise? How do I speak to her? Kya kahoon uss se? How will I ever show her my face?" "Asad, I am getting confused, khul ke baat karo." "Humaira, she is my bacche, she was really young and had asked me for a balloon, I got it for her. That day she ahd asked me Asad bhai will you get me everything I want and I had promised I would. All her life I gave her whatever she asked for and now, I took away her biggest happiness from her. I separated her from her first love. Mera khuda jaanta hai, if it was in power I would have united her with her love par aaj main selfish ho gaya. Today I thought of what would make me happy I did not think of her happiness. How will I face her now?" Once more Asad's phone rang and it was Humaira once again. Asad disconnected the call and switched off his cellular.

Tanveer was confused. "Asad, mujhe kuch samajh nahi aa rahi. You are not making sense. Khul ke bolo hua kya hai?" Asad sipped some water and then told her everything. "Tanveer, Humaira is in love with Atif..." "Toh? Asad you can't stop her from falling in love and if the guy also loves her you can stand in their way. Use uski khushi de do." A tear trickled down his cheek. "Kaise de doon? Atif is not only her happiness but also Zoyas and you know ki Zoya ki khushi mein meri khushi hai so maine I took Aitf from Humaira and gave him to Zoya. Main unn dono ke beech se nikal aaya hoon. I am going to London after 2 weeks and wahan jakar Zoya ko..." "Asad shut up! Not another word. How can you doubt Zoya that her happiness is with someone else? Tum mardon ko ek pal nahi lagta na shak karne se pehle. Chee! How can you think that your wife is unfaithful?" "Tanveer tum mujhe galat samajh rahi ho. I am not making allegations against Zoya, main use kabhi bewafa nahi keh sakta na main use bewafa manta hoon. She is in love with someone else. I saw her say it. I heard her say it. Main bas use uska pyar dena chahta hoon. Humaira ko koi aur mil jaayega but Atif he is only Zoyas."

Tanveer looked at Asad and did not believe that how could he not see that Zoya loved him. She knew it she saw it in Mumbai and even when she was watching them from her car. Her tears and the pained look told Tanveer how much Zoya loved Asad. She thought the two needed to speak and clear the misunderstanding and for that Asad had to go home. "Asad, get out of my house. I don't care what you think is going on with Zoya but she certainly thinks that something is going on with us. I don't want her to think that I am a home wrecker. If this news spreads tumhe andaaza hai meri kitni badnaami hogi? I can't let you stay here. Ghar jao ya kahin bhi aur jao but I can't let you stay here." Asad understood what Tanveer was trying to tell him about her name being dragged through the mud in all of this so he thanked her and left. Asad left from Tanveer's palce but he did not go home. He drove around all over the town. After Asad left Tanveer, sat on the janamaz and began praying for Asad and Zoya. She asked Allah to show Asad the right path and there was only one which was right the one which would take him straight home to Zoya.

After driving all around town Asad apllied the car brakes in front of Khan Villa. He was surprised to see the lights on. He opened the main door with his set of keys and went to his bedroom. Zoya wasn't there. He opened the other bedroom and there she was sleeping. He entered the room and kneeled in front of her.

Chapter 16 b)

Humaira poured her feelings for Atif in a beautiful song confessing her love for him in front of almost the entire college. Zoya unaware of this budding love was surprised when she realized that her best friend,Atif was in love with her baby sister, Humaira and that both of them kept it a secret from her. She played a prank on them to teach them a lesson for keeping things from her. Unknown to Zoya Asad had witnessed the prank she played on Atif and had misunderstood it for her true love for Atif. After Zoya revealed her having knowledge of their love Atif felt relief. He could never imagine hurting Zoya his best friend and his love Humaira's sister. She was very happy for the two of them and now wanted the same happiness for Asad and her. She asked Atif to drop her home as she wanted to confess her feelings to Asad. Atif dropped Zoya at AsYa Villa.

"Atif, you are going in the wrong direction. My home is in the next lane. Aage se U turn lekar you could have dropped me at home." Humaira was nervous as she was alone with Atif after confessing her love for him. "Who said I am taking you home?" Atif gave her a naught smile. "Matlab?" Humaira's eyes popped like head lights. "Matlab, you are not gonna get off the hook so easily. I confessed my love to you akele mein and so you too have to. I love you bulwane le ja raha hoon." Atif smiled. Humaira was feeling shy and nervous. Confessing her love in front of everyone was easy for her but when she would be alone with Atif. Her hands were cold. Atif noticed it and took her hands in his hand.

Atif hailed from an influential family and had help on his fingertips. Soon after Humaira poured her feelings in the form of a song he had decided to take her out on their first date. He made a few calls and planned a magical night for their first date. He had chosen the mood correctly at a terrace restaurant overlooking the lake. The view was breath taking, stars twinkling up in the dark sky and candles flickering on the white marble floor. It created an environment which would be unforgettable. Soothing, relaxing music played in the background. He knew she loved desserts so skip all the courses and cook the best desserts was his order to the pastry chef. A beautiful bouquet of her favorite flowers awaited Humaira at the entrance of the restaurant. Before taking her to the table, he blindfolded her and walked her slowly to the dinner table. He then took out the blindfold and whispered I love you' in her ear. She was mesmerized by the beautiful arrangements in front of her. No one had ever done something like this for her. He and only he could make her feel special in this way. The only special thing she could do for him at this moment was to say those three magical words to him on this magical night. "I love you too." Humaira twirled and hugged Atif.

Humaira had known of love but romance was a new feeling for her. She was feeling shy when Atif fed her the dessert and asked her to do the same. There was no one around yet she was feeling shy. Atif loved seeing a new side of Humaira. Time flew by and suddenly she remembered something. "Humaira, whom are you calling?" Atif did not like her attention being diverted away from him. "Atif, I forgot to call Asad bhai and tell him about us. Bas unhe hi call kar rahi hoon." Atif plam smacked his forehead and snatched her phone. "Atif what are you doing?" "What are you doing? Pagal ladki, Zoya is going to tell Asad sir what she feels for him and then he will tell her how much he loves her and then..." A naughty thought came to Atif's mind. "Then? Then what?" "Then they will do what we can't because we aren't married but they can because they are married." "Do what?" Humaira asked irritatedly as Atif was not letting her speak to her Asad bhai. Atif stared at her as she was being so innocent or she really was. He jerked his head twice and pursed his lips and the expression on his face... "Eee Atif, you are speaking of my aapi and jeeju." She finally realized what he meant. "OK I will not call him up abhi but kal subah the first call I make is to him. Tab toh koi problem nahi hogi na?" "I don't know day or night or both whatever suits them..." Atif shrugged his shoulders. Humaira shook her head. What has she gotten herself into?

It was way past the time Humaira was supposed to be back at home. "Atif, bahut der ho gayi hai. Please take me home." Atif and Humaira reached the main gates of SK mansion. Atif got out of the car and opened the passenger side door for Humaira. She was hoping that no one from her overprotective family was waiting for her in the lawn. Having read many romantic novels and seen a few first date movies Humaira knew what happens when a boy says goodnight to a girl at her door. She wondered if it would happen between them. Her heart was beating fast. She was very nervous. Would Atif kiss her tonight? Was she ready for it? No she was not. He took her hand in his. He only ventured a quick, nervous glance in her direction. She tried her best to show that she was ready but she wasn't. She flashed him a beaming smile and squeezed his hand to let him know that she was happy with the turn of events. He wanted to make the first move, but needed to be sure that she was open to it. This was her first date with Atif they were in love and had already confessed it. She was not sure she wanted this kiss to happen and so Atif decided in his head and heart that it would not.

She turned and looked up at him. She thanked him for another lovely date. "So maybe we could go out again tomorrow?" he asked. He looked at her hopefully, and then turned away and trying to play it cool. She decided to not be cool and let him know that she definitely wanted another date. "I was hoping you would ask me out again on a more proper first date. Of course I'll go." she said. Her response seemed to have the effect on his confidence she wanted, because he smiled broadly and stepped closer to her. "So maybe you'd go out with me the day after that, too?" he asked. "Maybe even the day after that." she said.

Atif put one hand on her shoulder, and the other around her waist and pulled her close. Humaira's heart started pounding. His arms were stronger than she'd imagined, and he seemed entirely less shy. He'd changed from cute to practically movie star sexy. She did not know how to react. Should she give in to him? Or should she tell him that she is not ready. He lowered his mouth to hers, and she closed her eyes. "Atif, I am not ready." She said nervously at the same moment she felt his soft, sweet lips against her forehead. She smiled and felt his lips curve into a smile against her forehead. It was perfect. "Someday when you are ready Humaira it will happen. You don't need to tell me, I can ready your eyes but that does not mean that you will not be open with me." He whispered in her ear. He pulled away, and looked into her eyes. He was smiling and so was she. "So you're my girlfriend now, right?" he said. "Right," she answered. Her smile broadened even more. "See you tomorrow, then," he said as he stumbled away. "Okay," she said instantly wishing she'd thought of something cooler to say, but then she realized he didn't mind. He was practically skipping back to his car. She turned to let herself into her house, and then looked back and saw him wave good bye. She waved at him, closed the door, and then ran to tell her best friend, Najma.

While Humaira and Atif were enjoying themselves and their new love Zoya was waiting for Asad to come home and Asad was wandering on the streets of Bhopal thinking about his lost love. When he returned home in the morning, the beautiful world that he and Zoya had created shattered due to his misunderstanding about Atif and Zoya. He further increased the problems when he told Zoya a big fat lie about being in love with Tanveer and prenteding to leave Zoya for Tannu his one true love. Zoya did not believe him at first but when she saw him walk into Tanveer's home she had not choice but to. A heartbroken Zoya came back to the house which was till that morning her home with Asad. She closed the door and collapsed on the floor. "Zoya?" She heard Asad's voice. She looked up and began searching for him in the house. She heard his voice only but could not find him. How could she? He was not there. She went to their bedroom and sat near the side table where Asad's picture was placed. She caressed his face in the photo.

Pehle pyaar ka pehla ghum,

Pehle pyaar ka pehla ghum

Chapter 17

Galat fahmi logon mein duriyaan badati hai,
Ye duriyaan na chahkar bhi unki majburiyaan ban jati hai,
Dua karta hoon ki kisi ko galat fahmi na ho,
Kyunki galat fahmi mein dil ke paas kareeb shakhs bhi door lagte hai.

Asad smiled sarcastically as he read the shayri in the daily shayri update on the urdutimes.net. It fit perfectly on him and his situation. He was still under the impression that Zoya was in love with Atif. He also thought that he had convinced Zoya that he was in love with Tanveer and wanted to move on in his life with her. On the other hand all the misunderstandings in Zoya's mind were cleared. She knew that Asad was in love with her and only her. She also came to know that Asad too had become the victim of the prank she had played on Atif. He loved her so deeply that he was ready to leave her for her happiness. Zoya's happiness was elsewhere and now with him.' Only Asad Ahmed Khan could get such a silly pooh idea. She was out of this world happy that Asad was in love with her but she was also angry with him for not clearing the misunderstanding and creating more by using Tanveer. She got an evil idea to punish him first and then she would shower her love on him.

Zoya shared her plan with Atif and Humaira and the two of them were shocked. "But Zoya how can we do this? I mean how will it be possible in such a short time? We have only 2 weeks." Atif was stumped as Zoya was asking to make possible which was impossible for him. "Haan aapi, Atif sahi keh rahe hain. How can we do all of this in 2 weeks?" Humaira too was worried for the same. "Atif, Humaira nothing is impossible. Impossible and possible mein sirf I M ka difference hai. I M there na to remove that difference and waise bhi you two are the root cause of this problem so you two have to help me execute this plan." Zoya stood with her hands at her waist. Atif and Humaira looked at each other. "Accha chalo what are the two of you still doing here? Chalo utho go begin the work on the plan." She pushed Atif and Humaira out of her home.

Zoya sat on the couch with a huge smile on her lips. The weight of the world had been lifted off her heart. She knew that her plan to make Asad pay for his foolishness was a little too evil but he deserved it. No mercy. More than Atif and Humaira she had to work for their plan. She had to prepare for both to shock and surprise Asad. She could not wait for Asad to come home. 2 weeks was a long time. She had not been away from Asad for a day after their marriage. "2 weeks? Kaise katenge ye do hafte aapke bina Asad?" Zoya took Asad's photo in her hands and asked. She could not wait for him to come home. She turned on the FM radio and the perfect song played which fit her situation well. She looked up and thanked Allah Miya. "Thank you, Allah Miya, aap toh dilon ka haal jaante hain ye ishara aapka hi hai ki aapko mere dil ha haal pata hai." Zoya turned the radio on full blast and began to do her daily chores. Asad was not there to stop her from doing the work of her own home. She loved to do the work as a woman loves to take care of her own home.

Intezaar intezaar intezaar intezaar

Intezaar intezaar intezaar intezaar

Meri subaho ko teri shaamo ka, meri shaamo ko tere vaado ka

Meri raato ko tere khvaabo ka, meri neendo ko teri baaho ka

Mere jazbo ko teri chaaho ka, bahaki-bahaki si kuchh khataao ka

Khubsurat se kuchh gunaaho ka

Intezaar intezaar intezaar intezaar

She waited for him day and night. The days and nights she spent away from him seemed longer that they actually were. Time was passing by slower than usual. She remembered their nikaah ceremony. The dreams she had seen of her Mr. Khan. The blurred face of her Mr. Khan was now very clear. It was Asad her Asad. All those times she had fought with Asad, all those moments she lived with Asad flashed before her eyes. She imagined the moment when she would clarify Asad's misunderstandings and confess her love. Then the sweet moments they would live. A shiver ran down her body when she imagined Asad's touch. She waited for their happiness, their relation, and their dreams all of it to come to life.

Apne dilbar ka apne hamdam ka, apne jaanam ka intezaar

Surkh phulo se mahka rasta hai, dil to mera magar zard patta hai

Paas aankho ke sabz manjar hai, dil ka mausam to phir bhi banjar hai

Mahaki-mahaki si kuchh hawaao ka, bheegi-bheegi si kuchh ghataao ka

Intezaar intezaar intezaar intezaar

Asad was everything to her. He was her friend, he was her first and only her love, and her husband, he now meant the world to her. Her life with Asad would be a bed of roses. She knew that Asad would never let any harm come to her or their happy life. He had and he would fulfill her every dream. Her life without Asad would have no color no joy. Asad's love would fill her life with the fragrance of a multi floral bouquet. She was waiting to enjoy every day every season with him. She was waiting for him.

Apne baadal ka apni baarish ka, apne saawan ka intezaar

Apni dhadkan ka apni saanso ka, apne jeene ka intezaar

Koi badli kabhi is tarah aayegi, pyaas sadiyo ki pal me bujh jaayegi

Tujhko lauta ke meri aaghosh me, dekhna vaqt ki nabz tham jaayegi

Aisa hoye ke kuchh duaao ka, umr bhar jo mile un panaaho ka

Intezaar intezaar intezaar intezaar

Tere aane ka tujhko paane ka, phir na jaane ka intezaar

Tere aane ka tujhko paane ka, phir na jaane ka intezaar

Intezaar intezaar intezaar intezaar

Asad was like a cloud which would rain love on her. He was the heartbeat of her heart. She longed to be in his arms. She waited for time to stand still while they silently confessed their love to each other. She waited for all those moments to come back the time they had missed or ever had. She was in wait of Asad, to be with him, to be his. She just waited for Asad every day and night.

**

It had been a week, and it seemed to Zoya like a lifetime had passed. She took care of all of Asad's things even in his absence. Zoya was setting Asad's clothes in his cupboard. She picked up his shirt and smelled it. Asad's fragrance she could smell it. She hugged his shirt and kissed his shirt. Zoya shyly smiled. She looked at the shirt. "OMG!" Zoya clasped her mouth with her hands. Asad's shirt dropped from her hands. She picked it up and looked at it with wide shocked eyes. "Ye nishaan! Lipstick ka? Oh teri!" Zoya remembered he lipstick mark on Asad's shirt collar. Everything had sorted out but that mark had been a mystery for her. Zoya had not thought of it but today when she saw the lipstick mark she remembered about it and realized whose lipstick mark it was. It was her lipstick mark! She remembered that she loved taking in Asad's frangrance from his shirts. That morning too she had done the same. She got ready before Asad and when he was in the shower she had hugged his shirt and taken in his fragrance. That is how the lipstick mark came on the collar. She sat on the bed looking at the shirt. "Agar Asad ko pata chala ki wo lipstick mark mera tha toh... Zoya teri toh khair nai!" She cutely pouted. "Ek minute! Meri khair kaise nahi khair toh Asad ki nahi! He took advantage of my lipstick mark to spin the tale. He has no rights to be angry with me. Gussa toh main hoon aur professor sahib ko lesson bhi main hi sikhaoongi." Zoya wore Asad's shirt.

**

Asad was standing at the door of AsYa Villa. He rang the doorbell and waited for Zoya to open the door. She did not open the door. Asad shook his head. "Asad, you are a fool. What did you expect? That Zoya would be here waiting for you after you claimed to be in love with another woman. After you told her that you would divorce her soon. Accha kiya that she went home. I did not know how I would face her. Pata nahi kya sochegi mere baare mein. She deserves to be happy with the man she is in love with. Aur main..." He was about to open the door with his set of keys.

"Asad beta! What are you doing here?" Asad turned to see who it was. It was Kamran uncle, their elderly neighbour. Asad smiled and greeted him. "Uncle I just got back from a business tour. But why did you ask me what am I doing here in such a tone?" Kamran smiled, "Arre, ghar par jashn hai aur ghar ka beta yahan obviously I had to ask." "Jashn?" "Haan, the whole haveli is decorated like a dulhan jaise shadi byah par kiya jaata hai. Gafur bhai had met me in the morning and he told me that his daughter's rishta is fixed. Pyar karti hai uss ladke se. So they have gladly fixed the alliance. Accha chalo beta I shall take your leave. Mithai zaroor bhijwana." Kamran left. "Humi ka rishta pakka ho gaya! She did not even tell me. Abhi khabar leta hoon uski." Asad came to SK mansion. What he saw shocked him.

Zoya? Zoya and Atif? Asad stopped at the main door of SK mansion. He saw Zoya dressed in a beautiful green colored bridal gharara, Atif too was dressed in an Indo western wedding suit. They were sitting on a floral decorated two seater sofa. The inside of the haveli was too decorated like it was decorated on his and Zoya's wedding day. He saw a couple and an elderly gentleman conversing with dadis, Gafur and Rashid. "Ye shayad Atif ke parents aur uske grandfather hain. WTH is going on? Zoya and Atif are getting engaged? Zoya told everyone the truth about her and Atif! Ye mere ghar wale hain ya mere dushman? Meri life meri shaadi barbaad ho rahi hai aur ye log happily meri biwi ki engagement kisi aur se kar rahe hain." Asad stood there feeling bad for him self but then he saw Zoya smile and that gut wrenching feeling disappeared. Her happiness meant the world to him. He wanted her happy at any cost even at the cost of his own happiness.

"Asad, you're home!" Dilshad saw Asad and exclaimed in happiness. Asad looked at the glow Dilshad's face. Meri duniya ujad rahi hai and ammi is so happy.' Asad then mentally smacked himself. Asad, for ammi Zoya is just like her daughter, so her happiness is in whatever her daughter Zoya wishes for. You can't blame her for your misfortune, you can't tell her not to be happy when you yourself are happy that Zoya will get her real happiness.' "Asad! What are you doing standing here? Jao go and get ready. I have had such an elegant Jodhpuri designed for you. Chalo jaldi karo! Sagai mein der ho rahi hai." Asad stared at his mother. Ammi you are happy and can show it but you know that I love her thoda mera dard mehsoos karke hi you should have told me about it. I would not have come home.' "Asad?" Dilshad shook him. "Where are you lost? Jao go and get ready. Sunayi nahi diya go." She ordered him to go and get dressed.

"Ammi, aapka dimaag chal toh nahi gaya?" Asad whispered in annoyance. Dilshad glared at him. "Asad, how dare you speak to me like that?" "Arre, Dilshad beta aaya hai toh beti ko bhool gayi kya?" Razia came smiling. "Asad beta you can speak with ammi later and keep on complaining that why did we not tell you about the engagement before hand but beta abhi ke liye tayyar ho jao. You are my good son right?" Razia chachi aap bhi? Why not? Zoya is her own daughter it is obvious she will be happy for her own child.' Asad stood there like a statue looking at Zoya who was extremely happy. He saw Atif and Zoya say something to each other.

{Atif and Zoya's conversation}

"Zoya, Asad bhai is here. I am getting scared. Zoya please tell him the truth. He will kill me at any moment." Atif whispered. He was scared enough of Asad to wet his pants at any moment. "Chup! Phattu kahin ke. Atif you better smile nahi toh jo tum soch rahe ho ki Asad karenge wo main kar doongi. Asad should not have an pounce of doubt about what is actually going on. Smile kar Atif warna..." Zoya threatened Atif and he flashed a wide but nervous smile.

Razia was looking for Zoya. "Where is this Zoya? Ye dekho, this girl she will kill me one day! Zoya? Zoya! Come here." Asad continued to look in Zoya and Atif's direction. She was showing no interest in coming to meet him and Atif was also not letting her go. Asad could not understand his expressions. He was feeling nervous when he saw Atif first but now that man was scared to death. "Zoya!" Razia called again and this time she came.

This time Zoya got up and came. "Zoya, haven't you noticed that Asad is back? Beta your husband is back after 2 weeks kuch chai pani poocho. Ask him how his trip was. Do one thing take him to your room and after he gets ready tum dono ko Humaira ko yahan lana hai." Razia at first scolded Zoya for being a bad wife then gave her clear and strict instructions. Asad was confused when he heard Humaira's name. "Humaira?" "Haan, Asad aaj Humaira aur Atif ki sagai hai. Beta we had to do everything in a hurry. Wo kya hai na that Atif's grand father needs a heart surgery and he is being taken to the US of A so they asked if we could get Atif and Humaira engagened in Karimullah sahib's presence. He can go hapilly na. Waise ek baat batao why did you not tell us about Atif and Humaira? Ye toh jkab rishta aaya that time Zoya told us about the two of them and also that you were fully aware of it and wanted to speak to us about their rishta." Asad did not hear one word Dilshad said. He was just looking at Zoya. "Accha ab apni pyar biwi ko taadna band karo and go get ready. Zoya take him." Razia and Dilshad left to do some work.

Asad went to the room to get ready but Zoya did not take him there like she was instructed. She went to Humaira's room ignoring Asad. Asad came out of the shower and saw Zoya pass from in front of their room. "Zoya!" He called her. She came to the room but covered her eyes and turned away on seeing Asad. Asad shut the door. "Zoya open your eyes." "No." "Why?" "Because you are only wearing a towel." "Yeah so? As if you have never seen me like this." "Haan but tab baat aur thi. You were my husband but ab aap kisi aur se pyar karte hain, unke saath apni nayi duniya basana chahte hain, mujhe divorce dena chahte hain and the man who wants all this is a paraya mard for me. So I can see a paraya mard like this na?" "Zoya, Biwi no. 1 ke dialogues bolna band karo and open your eyes." Asad was now getting irritated. Zoya did not open her eyes so Asad held her wrists and gently forced her hands behind her back. He kept his hold on them.

"Zoya, wo... actually... I wanted to tell you something about Tanveer. Wo... actually... aisa nahi jo maine kaha tha... wo... mein... I don't want to do what I had told you at home that day. Tum meri wife ho aur humesha rahogi!" Zoya opened her eyes. There was anger in her eyes. Asad let go of her hands. "What do you mean I am your wife and will always be and you don't want to do what you said that day? Aap kehna chate hain that I will be your biwi no. 1 and Tanveer biwi no. 2! You mean to say that I will live here, aapke naam par baithi rahoongi and you will go to London with Tanveer. You will support me financially and visit me once every four years!" Asad was shocked to hear what Zoya said. "Nahi wo... actually... I wanted to say that aisa kuch nahi hai between Tanveer and me..." "Aisa nahi toh kaisa hai?" "Aisa... waisa... kaisa bhi nahi hai. Zoya she is my best friend and..." "And she is your other best friend Imran's wife. She is the mother of a very cute young boy Rehan jo ab pata nahi mujhse kitna darta hoga!" Zoya moved forward and Asad moved backward. He was pretty scared of her right now like every husband is of an angry wife.

"How did you know all of this?" Asad asked. "I went to Tanveer's home to ... urgh! There I came to know the truth. Asad how could you spin such a tale? Aapko iss baat ka ehsaas bhi nahi hua ki kya hota if I would have come crying to the family. What would have happened to Tanveer's reputation if anyone would have come to know about all of this? What would have happened if she was not married to Imran and some other guy? Wo use iss jhoot ko sach maakar tallaq de deta! Her life would have been ruined Asad. How could you have been so childish? Jawab dijiye!" Asad's back was now pressed to the wall. Zoya was furious with him. He looked to the left to escape but she blocked his way with her arm. He looked to the right to escape, Zoya blocked that way too with her arm. Asad was now pinned to the wall and his excape routes were blocked by Zoya.

"Zoya don't you think ye scene kuch ulta ho gaya hai?" Asad tried to make the moment lighter. "Joke tha? Funny nahi tha!" Zoya glared at him. "Zoya, actually wo... that night at the college I saw... I heard... wo... tum... Atif... love confession... running away... toh maine socha..." "Socha? Asad Ahmed Khan what did you think? Actually you know what you did not think kyunki sochen ke liye na brains hone chahiye. I was wrong... that day I sang main kya karoon Ram mujhe Buddha mil gaya, I should have sung main kya karoon Ram mujhe buddhu mil gaya..." Zoya was standing with her hands at her waist and Asad was shivering like a dry leaf. "Zoya, I thought your happiness was with Atif so I did all of that. I did not think that I would go that far and I had no idea how I would free you but wo lipstick mark that gave me the idea. Sab jhoot bola main but haan there is also one truth that I swear I don't know anything about that lipstick mark." Zoya kept quiet. This was not the time to reveal the truth about it. Right now Asad was the camel and she was the mountain. She could make Asad do anything because if he would come to know that the lipstick mark was hers then the situation would reverse. He would be the mountain, she the camel and she would be under him. She thought for a moment and naughtily smiled in her head actually that was also not a bad thing she under him... Zoya focus!

"Zoya, I am really sorry that I doubted you. I thought that your happiness was not with me but with someone else. I was wrong. I should be punished. Tum jo saza dena chaho mujhe do but please mujhse naraaz mat ho. I will not be able to take it." Asad was holding his ears like a school kid. Zoya slightly smiled but then again made a strict face. "Asad aapko na itni badi bewakoofi karne ke liye wo angrezon ke zamaane mein jo saza dete the na wo milni chahiye. Make you wear a dunce cap and make you sit for an hour facing the corner. But we don't have time. So I have thought of something else. You take an hour to get ready aaj half time lijiyega and take this." Zoya gave Asad a notepad and a pen. "Iska kya karoon?" "Impostition likhiye." "Imposition?" "Yes. I want you to write a 100 times, aankhon dekha aur kaano suna humesha sach nahi hota." "100 times?" "Kam hai?" "No I will write it." "Good boy." Zoya gave Asad his Jodhpuri suit and told him to get ready. "Give me a call when you are done. We have to take Humi for her engagement." Zoya was leaving when Asad caught her wrist. "Zoya?" He said sweetly. "Kya hai?" She was still being a theekhi mirchi. "Neatness ke liye kya milega?" Zoya heard naughtiness in his voice. She turned and gave him a stare. Asad smiled naughtily Zoya blushed and ran away.

Atif and Humaira got engaged in the presence of the family. Asad and Zoya were happy for them but happier for themselves. The families were having their dinner. Asad took Zoya to an isolated corner of the main hall where he gave her the notepad. After Asad left Zoya opened the notepad and saw that Asad had actually completed his punishment that too in handwriting as beautiful as pearls. There was also a little note after the 100th aankhon dekha aur kaano suna humesha sach nahi hota. Asad was with everyone waiting for Zoya to join him for dinner. He looked at Zoya. They had an intense eye lock. Zoya smiled bashfully. She joined everyone for dinner too. After dinner the families had a nice chat over coffee. Atif and Asad too had some funny moments where Atif was scared of Asad because of the misunderstanding Asad had. Asad also told Atif to take care of his younger sister Humaira or else. To which Atif replied that Asa would never have to think about or else as he would try to keep Humaira as happy as he has kept Zoya.

In the absence of his family Atif would now be left in the care of the Khans and Siddiques. Atif- Humaira and Asad-Zoya stole glances at each other. Atif and Asad could not wait to be with their respective partners. Atif would have to wait longer but Asad's wait would be over soon.