~Mujhmein Tera AKS~
Part 6
The Hall was full of Malliks and the Khans sitting together. There were different styles of snacks, drinks etc served with servants frequently doing to and fro from the kitchen to the hall.
Altamush: So Iqtiaar, your Nani was telling me that you are here in India only for a couple of months?
Iqtiaar: Yes Uncle, Actually I would love to spend more time with all of them but work keeps me quite busy.
Altamush: I sure can understand that, it's a wonderful feeling to hear and read about you on television and in newspapers.
Iqtiaar smiled slightly.
Uzma: Qutub, it's been so long since you have come to our social circle parties. What is keeping you so busy?
Qutub smiled: Nothing Mrs. Mallik, it's just that I don't enjoy these parties any more plus age is taking a toile on me, I guess.
Shazia: Not at all Aunty, I remember I last saw you on Iqtiaar's 18th Birthday party, I think and I must say you still look just the same.
Qutub: Thank you Beta! She said smiling at Shazia.
Just then Iqtiaar's phone rang and he excused himself from everyone.
Nani: Qutub, where is Razia?
Qutub: Oh! She's in her room. I'll just call her.
Qutub moved to call Razia when Nani stopped her.
Nani: Ah! Qutub, just one minute. Altamush, I would like to request you something?
Altamush and Qutub exchanged a look. Altamush: Please?
Nani: I... if you don't mind, Iqtiaar wanted to meet Razia alone. I hope it will be okay with you?
Altamush sighed a relief and smiled. Altamush: Of course we don't mind. We know Iqtiaar since he was 16 years old. And any ways going with today's generation I too feel it's important for both of them to talk separately. Qutub why don't you take Razia to the terrace? I think Iqtiaar too is upstairs to attend his call.
Qutub: sure! She replied smilingly and went to Razia's room.
***
Qutub went to Razia's room and asked her to go the terrace to speak to Iqtiaar. On hearing this, her body shivered a bit. She smiled nervously and nodded. Her mom kissed her fore head lovingly and left. Razia climbed up the stairs smiling to herself and remembering the last 12 years of her life that she had spent dreaming about the man waiting for her upstairs. Even the thought of him waiting for her was affecting her in ways she had never experienced before.
Iqtiaar: I said JUST SHUT UP!!
Razia heard Iqtiaar shout like never before and froze in her tracks on reaching the terrace door. He was standing with his back towards her and his pitch was even higher than she had heard that night.
She neither knew if she should go towards him or should go back downstairs. She was really scared to approach him right now.
Iqtiaar: Don't you even dare try and threaten me ever again or else I'll make sure that you spend the rest of your life behind the bars.
Razia shivered hearing the conversation on the phone and a sudden fear of losing him held her. Tears formed in her eyes as she kept looking towards him. Iqtiaar turned back towards the door to see the most beautiful girl he had ever seen in his life. Though he had seen her before he felt as if this was the very first time he had noticed the woman in her. Was she the same girl he had met that night? The girl whom he thought to be a complete weirdo to be completely lost somewhere in her own world? And today she pulled him into that world. The attraction he felt towards her at this very moment wasn't a one he could deny. The blowing wind caused Razia's dupatta to slip but she held it in place using her other hand. He was already breathing heavily and knew that she would notice. To control his suddenly urging desires he looked away but couldn't control for more than a second and looked back at her. Was she the same girl whose beauty he had very disgracefully diminished to prostitution? He hated himself for saying all that to her. She looked like an angel and he was surely living a fairy tale. The fact that she was here for him was multiplying her effect on him like some zillion times at least.
Iqtiaar: Ah! Hi.
Razia immediately removed her tears using he hand and whispered Hi' back smiling slightly at him. Iqtiaar noticed her tears. He moved a two steps towards her but Razia was very scared at the moment after hearing him shout and also the conversation on the phone. She moved back away from him.
Iqtiaar: Are you alright?
Razia nodded her head still looking towards her feet. There was a long pause and none of them said anything. Razia kept fidgeting with her fingers looking straight at the ground and Iqtiaar kept looking in different directions occasionally stealing glances at her. Finally he broke the silence.
Iqtiaar: Are you still upset with me? He said looking straight into her eyes. Razia looked back at him quite surprised. She didn't expect him to ask her that. Even though she wanted to say no or to at least shook her head she couldn't move an inch seeing the desperation for an answer in his eyes. Did she really matter so much to him?
He slowly moved towards her and stood right in front of her. He took her left hand in his right and using his other hand caressed the wound she had got during the accident. Razia closed her eyes feeling him so close to her. Even though she had pain in that hand, the sweet pain she could feel because of him had overcome all other pain.
Iqtiaar: Razia, Do you know why I am here?
Razia nodded her head with her eyes still closed.
Iqtiaar: Then you have to answer my question. Are you still upset with me?
Razia slowly opened her eyes filled with tears and looked towards him. There was so much that she wanted to tell him today. Tell him that she could never be upset with him. She knew all his anger was just because he was really worried about her that night and didn't know anything about her. She knew he was guilty about what all he had said to her and felt apologetic. But the fear was stopping her from saying anything. All her life she lived with the fear that she would never be able to receive his love. He will never be hers. And today when destiny had finally tied them both together, the thought of losing him again after hearing that threatening call, she had lost her voice to say anything. A tear rolled down her eye while she looked at him.
He moved his hand and using his thumb removed the tear off her face.
Iqtiaar: I am Sorr...
But before he could say anything Razia stopped him by keeping a finger on his lips and shook her head for a no looking in his eyes. Iqtiaar kissed her fore-head lovingly without saying anything and Razia closed her eyes with a feeling as natural as she never felt before.
***
Iqtiaar looked back at Razia with his one hand still cupping her face. He was hesitating to say something. But he had to tell her that no matter what. Their family members were carving out their future together and she had all the right to know everything about him; especially what he was about to tell her now.
Iqtiaar: Razia there was a reason why I wanted to meet you alone today. He said softly. Razia opened her eyes, curious to know what the reason was. Wasn't it because he thought she was still mad at him because of the other day?
Razia: What is it? She said innocently in the same calm voice that he loved to hear. He smiled warmly at her.
Iqtiaar: I don't want to hurt you in any manner but...
He was about to say when they heard a knock on the terrace door. Shazia stood on the door smiling at Razia and the smile washed away from her face the moment her eyes met Iqtiaar's.
Shazia: Do you both plan to talk everything tonight or is there anything left for the future? She said with a wide smile on her face as she walked up to them.
Razia was blushing the darkest shade of red whereas Iqtiaar looked helpless. Shazia came up to both of them and hugged Razia.
Shazia: everyone's waiting for you both downstairs. Qazi Sahab has come. And you better stop troubling my sister-in-law. She said waking Iqtiaar on his hand.
Iqtiaar: Aapi please!
Shazia: what please? You do remember what I told you in the afternoon in the room right? She said meaning each and every word.
Iqtiaar looked back straight in Shazia's eyes where as Razia looked confused with what were the siblings talking about.
Shazia: Anyways, come quickly before Mumami becomes overactive and decides to come upstairs herself. She trailed back downstairs smiling at both of them.
Razia turned towards Iqtiaar to see him lost in some thoughts of his own. Even though Shazia had tried her best to avoid the topic which Iqtiaar was about to talk to Razia, she had not forgotten it. His words and conversations were always on a priority than any other damn thing in the world.
Razia: You were saying something?
Iqtiaar: Huh? Ah! Nothing I'll tell you some other time. Razia nodded agreeing to him.
Razia: Shall we? She asked if they should proceed downstairs.
Iqtiaar: After you. He said smiling to her.
Razia started to move towards the door when Iqtiaar called her from behind.
Iqtiaar: Razia?
Razia: yes? She said turning around towards him.
Iqtiaar: you look really beautiful!
Razia looked away smiling and shying when Iqtiaar came up to her and slipped his hand on her waist.
Iqtiaar: shall we?
***
The couple was welcomed by both the families in the Hall and everyone took seats as Qazi sahab looked at both Iqtiaar and Razia's birth-chart to fix a suitable date for the wedding.
Uzma: Qazi Sahab please make sure the wedding date is auspicious.
Everyone smiled at her.
Qazi: there is one very auspicious date for both of them, three months from now.
Qabacha: three months? But Iqtiaar is only here till the next month.
Qutub: Ah! Will this not be very quick for both of them? I think we should give them both some time to at least get to know each other.
Nani: I agree with you Qutub. But Iqtiaar is in India only for a month or two every year. Not getting them both married now would mean to wait for one whole year.
Shazia: And that ways also, they would hardly get a chance to really know each other.
Altamush: I think they are all right Qutub. We should do as they say.
Qutub smiled half-heartedly.
Qazi: There is a date for 10th. He said looking at Iqtiaar.
Uzma: But that would be just a week away?
Qabacha: Uzma! Let us first ask Iqtiaar. It should not disturb his schedule.
Iqtiaar: That would be fine with me; I have to be back in London on the 12th.
Shazia: Perfect!
Altamush: And Qazi Sahab, what about the engagement?
Qazi: just a minute! He looked back again in there charts and announced that the suitable date for the engagement was the day after.
Zaroon: tomorrow?
Shazia: TOMMORROW?
Uzma: TTOOMMMOOORRROOOWWW?
The three literally shouted in excitement one after the other, increasing the pitch of their tone.
Nani: Uzma! She scolded lightly
Altamush: But tomorrow is too early qaazi sahab!
Qazi: Khan Sahab, if the wedding is a week later then the engagement should be tomorrow.
Nani: Don't worry Altamush! We'll handle everything. And the engagement anyways takes place at the groom's place, so you need not worry.
Altamush: But...
Nani: Just bring Razia along with you. She said smilingly.
Iqtiaar turned to look at Razia while the family members were busy discussing the preparations. He was quite surprised that Razia hadn't even said a word yet and just sat there quietly. Was she not happy with this marriage? She looked tensed and uneasy. Did she not want to get married to him? No, he was mistaking in reading her expressions again. May be everything was happening quite fast for her, like her mother had said. He smiled to himself thinking how less he knew about her and how much there was for him unwrap. He wanted to read her like an open book. Know everything about her. And he knew that one day he will. He will know everything about her and she will always be his. She will always remain committed to him.
After discussing the necessary plans of action the Malliks got up to leave.
Nani: Accha Altamush! We'll take our leave now.
Altamush: Salaam walequm!
Iqtiaar and Razia took the blessings of their respective in-laws and Iqtiaar was about to leave when he crossed Razia.
Iqtiaar: you sure, you are okay? He whispered in his husky deep voice.
Razia smiled back at him and nodded her head.
***
Razia sat on her dressing table worried about her tomorrow. Wedding? That was her biggest fear. If there was one thing she never wanted to experience in life, it was her married life. Her parents failed relationship had left a deep mark on her mind and heart. Every girl wishes her husband to be like her Dad. But not even in her worst dreams could she imagine a married life like her mom's for herself. She believed happy married lives to be a part of just fairy tales. But love was something she had faith in. She had seen Nizam Chacha madly in love with his wife and vice-versa and they were extremely happy in their married lives. Maybe it was just love marriages that worked fine or may not even those. But Iqtiaar didn't love her. She knew it deep down in her heart. Maybe he liked her, but love? No.
Just then there was a knock on her door. It was Qutub. She peeped inside the room and Razia smiled seeing her mother's reflection in the mirror.
Qutub: May I come in?
Razia: Of course mom.
Qutub: Hmm, so my doll is getting engaged tomorrow? She said trying to control her tears.
And will get married in a week's time. She said breaking down. Razia immediately hugged her.
Razia: Mom!
Qutub broke out of the hug and looked into Razia's eyes.
Qutub: Are you scared?
Razia nodded her head. Qutub smiled between her tears.
Qutub: Come sit with me. She pulled Razia on to the bed and Razia lied down keeping her head in her mother's lap.
Qutub: Razia, life teaches us a lot of things. And there is always a reason behind it. Happiness and sorrows go hand in hand beta. I know you have gone through a lot in life. But, trust me don't be scared of this relationship Razia. People are not so lucky as much as you are. You have got what you have always wished for. You have loved him all your life Razia.
Razia: But he doesn't love me mom. Even my married life would become like yours. Even he'll believe Rukn-ud-din. After all he is his best friend. Why would he even try and understand my feelings? She said on the verge of crying.
Qutub: No sweetheart. Look at me. She said making Razia face her.
Qutub: I see a strong man in Iqtiaar. A man who doesn't just believe in what others tell him like your father does. He is a man who has the capability to judge people well and who can fight for his loved ones if needed. He's not like Altamush. Her voice held pride and conviction.
Qutub: Now will you promise me, never to doubt Iqtiaar.
Razia: I promise I never will. She said smiling at her mom.
Razia: Oh My god! I forgot that Chanda is coming from Manchester today. I had to go pick her up. She hurriedly tried getting up from the bed.
Qutub: There's no need. I had already sent a driver. She will be here any minute. Just then the bell rang.
Razia: Looks like she's here. Razia ran out of her room downstairs to welcome her best friend.
***
Iqtiaar was swimming in his pool when Shazia cameto him.
Shazia: Why were you telling her that, when I asked you in the afternoon to not say any of it.
Iqtiaar: Because she deserves to know.
Shazia: Right! She deserves to know it. But she doesn't deserve to pay for it.
Iqtiaar: Aapi she is going to marry me. She too will have some expectations from me and she has the right to know if I could fulfill them or not. I don't want her to have any kind of false hopes from me.
Shazia: She's not keeping any false hopes. What she wants are probably some basic expectations like any other girl would demand from her husband. And that is LOVE. But you not wanting to ever love her and still demanding commitment are NOT an expectation BUT condition. DO YOU UNDERSTAND???
Iqtiaar: No I don't. I don't understand any of it. I can never understand an emotion as low and cheap as love. All I understand is that I will always keep her happy. And love is not important for it.
Shazia: How can you keep her happy without loving her? Please move forward in your life Iqtiaar. Please.
Iqtiaar: I will and I know she'll always be mine.
Shazia: And you expect her to be happy when you tell her that you don't love her?
Iqtiaar: No. But if she believes in love then I expect her to accept me for who I am.
***
Razia ran down the stairs to see Chanda and flung her arms around her in a tight hug.
Razia: I am sooo happy to see you here today Chanda, I can't explain it to you.
Chanda: See, I promised you I'll be there before your wedding.
Razia: How did you know that I am getting married?
Chanda: Best friend knows everything! She said imitating Qutub.
Razia: Mom told you! She hugged Chanda again.
Chanda: Common! Let me freshen up and then we'll talk about your Iqtiaar-ud din- Mallik. She said winking at her.
***
Chanda came out after taking a shower and saw Razia sitting in the verandah praying. Chanda knew a lot about Razia's family but still not everything. Razia had found her comfort in Chanda who was Razia's friend since school and shared most of her feelings with her.
Chanda: so?
Razia: huh? What?
Chanda: So you are happy!
Razia smiled. I am very very happy!
Chanda: I always knew that one day you'll be able to tell him that you love him and then he wouldn't even take a second to say yes to you.
Razia: Ah! Actually I haven't said anything to him yet.
Chanda: What?
Razia: yes! Our family planned it all. Its ARRANGED!
Chanda: No way!
Razia: yes way!
Chanda: Razia you both are getting engaged tomorrow. How can you not tell him that you are in love with him for the past 12 YEARS????
Razia: Fine Fine Fine, I will tell him tomorrow. Okay?
Chanda: You Better!
Chanda went inside the house leaving Razia getting lost again in her dreams.
***
Iqtiaar stood looking in the sky remembering his meeting Razia early in the morning when he saved her from the accident. It was purely magical for him. And tomorrow, he was getting engaged to her.
Iqtiaar: Unbelievable. He murmured to himself.
But the dilemma was still there. His mind asked if he will be able to take it if she doesn't understand his expectation. And the heart said that somewhere it knew that the innocent girl he saw earlier in the day wasn't like any other girl. She was made for him and will always understand him.
Two individuals with completely opposite stands on love and relationship wished for each other. What they didn't understand was that words such as love and commitment meant different for different relationships.
***
NEXT: The engagement😳
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