Scene 1 -
Even as Zain tried to comprehend what had just happened, the evening dusk had grown into a dark unforgiving night. "Zain...gaadi mein baitho...Zain... ZAIN" , Fahad was calling out to his brother, as he just stood there... very alone... at the cross roads.
Rehan had just declared his new relationship with Aliya, before he walked away earlier that evening. Zain hadn't a word more to say to anyone since...including those waiting for him at the Barkat Villa. His hope to find love again, just one second chance to correct his mistake...were cruelly stolen by honorable men and women in the name of god. Those mighty proclamations of never giving up, never letting go...and yet... Aliya was gone... Zain couldn't do a damn thing about it.
He walked past Suraiyya and Nafeesa, indifferently acknowledging their presence, as they anxiously looked at him for answers. Zain glanced at his father's picture, as he walked...with his characteristic chin up...seemingly pensive. Perhaps a hint of a smile touched his face...or was it a frown that traced his brow? He took in his father's image with a deep breath and proceeded onward to his room. Aliya had just signed away their relationship for a new one ... this very place moments ago.
Where, only a few months ago...they had made love...
Zain's eyes glistened with tears, as he closed his eyes overwhelmed ...and he just...fell...collapsed down by the side of his bed. What lay ahead...he didn't know! What to do, what to say, who to go to, who to ask... unanswered questions, shattered dreams, hopes of living life with the one he loved...
all destroyed...just like that... in one single flash.
Was that all that it took for moving on? That easy? One signature on a dotted line... "Yes I do" to another man... for all the world to see your honor...but none to listen to your heart? And then ride away into the sunset with a new man, to a new home, a new relationship...Was that all that it took? Should he try like Aliya too..maybe it works? Should he sign on a dotted line to see how that felt...Zain took a pad of paper and furiously started to write names against his...and he signed and he signed and he signed ...hundreds of pieces of paper...before he broke down and sobbed "no no no no no"
...every single name against his was just... "Aliya"...
Zain just lay there for a long time...god hadn't really listened to his prayers so far...those were reserved for the righteous, the kind that never made mistakes... But perhaps god could answer a question... was honor more important than love? What is honorable? are rules more relevant than one's conscience? Does god know? Does god feel? Does god see? Does god hold your hand? Does god forgive...he's supposed to...Zain hadn't exactly been in touch with the world he was living in...his knowledge was quite limited as he learnt a really cruel way...everyday this past year. And he just looked up in prayer what else was there anyway ...maybe god would hold his hand...find him the will to live...find him strength to survive the one mistake he made.
There were no instant answers from his prayers..but...Zain decided he wouldn't humiliate Aliya any further...and made up his mind to leave. Almost as a reflex he called his hotel's travel desk...and asked the manager to "please book a ticket for Zain Abdullah...next available flight taking off from Mumbai to London" as he paced his room; picked a few things and walked out to his car. Before he boarded his flight to London, he left a few voice messages including one to Rehan.H.Khan, his legal advisor and on the board of directors for the Barkat Group.
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