7
“Jo Khwaab Dekha, Tujkho Dikhane La Raha Hoon”
Sometimes she wanted to have a magic wardrobe that made the decisions for her. Zoya looked at the options frustrated.
How on earth was she supposed to do this when Asad gave her no context for locations. Also, she was kinda hoping to be surprised again – it had become their thing – so she refrained from texting him.
She settled on indo western casual. A pair of her favorite jeans with a pink kurti and sneakers.
For all I know, the man could take me hiking. Gotta be prepared.
Rushing to get ready, it was an hour later, when she heard a knock on the door. Zeenat and Anwar pretended to not hear it knowing the visitor on the other side.
Aapi cast an appreciative look at the sprinting Zoya. Good to know, I look good.
She took a deep breath, straightened her kurti, flicked her hair back and opened the door with a smile…
…becoming a lovesick puddle instantly.
Asad in casuals was a vision to behold. He sported sneakers too – she thanked her decision-making skills – with a pair of jeans and a black button-down tucked in.
“Flowers for me, Asad Miyan?”
Zoya looked at her Aapi squinty eyed.
“Jee…Voh actually”
Anwar’s laugh cut him. He hid behind his newspaper to stifle it. Zoya could see a hint of smile on Zeenat’s face and bit her lip to stop the giggle.
Thank god, Aapi was teasing six packs, not grilling him.
“Shukriya” she told him quietly as they closed the door behind them, stepping into the hallway. She took a sniff of the ruby red roses and hugged them closer.
He jogged lightly to open the door as they reached the car and Zoya ate up the chivalry.
Wined and dined by Akdu Khan. Who would have thought?!
Their destination seemed out of city, because Asad swerved the car onto the main highway. Settling in comfortably, she switched on the radio.
She had to admit, like so many things, driving also seemed effortless to him. He drove one-handed with his other hand resting on his lap.
Zoya wanted to hold it.
A tormented Rafi was signing about his lover, when Asad turned the volume down a little.
“How was your day?” he asked.
Zoya looked at him surprised. She still wasn’t used to him making conversation. “Good, it was an eventful morning” He looked at her quizzically before turning attention back to the road.
“Well, Jeeju persisted on baingan ka bhartha again, and we had some yesterday and the day before that…so Aapi went on a strike and refused to eat that for breakfast…” Zoya made a face and continued “…then Jeeju had to come through and make breakfast aka aloo paratha which are Aapi’s favorite, meanwhile I sat and watched the whole ordeal…oh yes and also googled recipes for Jeeju. Our suite kitchen is a mess and I’m pretty sure the hotel staff hates us. How was yours?”
Asad was amazed she stopped to take a breath. But he wouldn’t have it any other way. A happily talking Zoya was the best kind.
“A little less eventful. We had the usual breakfast, I attended a couple meetings, then came home early to come get you.” His voice had a tinge of softness to it when he said the words ‘come get you’, and it gave her butterflies. She could swear she saw his hand move towards her.
Zoya tried to surreptitiously clean the sweat off of hers, rubbing them on her blue jeans.
Just in case.
They drove in comfortable silence for the rest of the trip occasionally talking. Sometimes about family, sometimes about nothing. Asad had insisted on leaving around five in the evening, so they caught the sunset on the way. The hypnotic orange cast in the vast sky reflected on their faces.
Zoya noticed him looking in her direction more often than not. Sometimes he would gaze at the setting sun, sometimes he glanced at her – her face, her hair blowing out the windows.
Something to her seemed familiar about the road they were on. But she kept the questions to herself.
It was almost seven when they reached the destination, dusk taking over the dark cloudy sky.
“Looks like it’s going to rain” Zoya said stepping out of the car.
Asad smiled a secret smile.
Zoya frowned.
But it disappeared as they reached the main door, realization hitting her.
“Are you serious, Jahapanah?” she exclaimed.
He just nodded putting both hands behind his back, visibly a little uneasy on his feet.
“How did you even?... Or wait are we sneaking in like last time”
“Of course not” he said almost offended “I talked to the gate-keeper, the owners live abroad and we came to an agreement”
“Really? They weren’t mad at you after we trashed their place with bhaang ka pakoras and you broke their door like the Kool-Aid man.”
“Kool-Aid man?”
“Yeah, it’s an American thing, a commercial actually where he breaks through walls but forget about that, tell me more about the agreement”
“Miss Faaroqui, why must you insist on knowing all the details?”
“Mr. Khan, in case you haven’t noticed, you hate confrontations, so forgive me if I want to know more about it”
Asad half smirked at – both hands on hips reprimanding teacher – posture.
What a cutie!
“Well…it was kind of an agreement.”
“Kind of? You kidnapped the owners?!”
“What…Zoya, what’s wrong with you?”
“It’s the way you said it, toh what should I assume” she said as a matter of fact.
His hand found its usual place on the forehead “No, I did not kidnap anyone. I just talked to the gate keeper and…made an arrangement”
Her mouth was beginning to form similarities to that of a trout. “You bribed him?”
He rushed to explain “It was much needed, his family could use it.”
Aw, Akdu Ahmed Khan, even bribing with usool.
He unlocked the door without further explanation, and led her in.
🌼🌼🌼
It looked same but so different. The living area had remained untouched, but it was the backyard that left her mouth agape.
This is what they call pulling out all stops.
Zoya knew Asad was trying his best, but this was beyond her imagination of his capabilities.
The round gazebo stood adorned with fairy lights twinkling all over. Walking into the dream, it was so much more beautiful than she remembered.
A single rose lay at the table awaiting her presence; white curtains attached to boundaries of the small hut afloat in the wind.
She found herself getting emotional and looked at him like she was falling in love. He flew in love.
Zoya studied her exhibit a little longer and then leaned into him ever so slightly, quietly stating “Thank you, this is MA”
He wanted to say something corny like ‘no you are’ but stopped himself in time “You are welcome”
“How did you even come up with this idea?”
His demeanor changed. It was serious “This was the last day before a misfortune came into our lives and made it complicated. A lot went wrong between us and I think we both know why. It wouldn’t be a fresh start if not from here.” He paused to take her hand into his. His fingers were tentative on hers. “Also, this was the last time in a long period I was true to myself, to you, without any walls, any pretenses. I guess, I got greedy to relive that.”
She could kiss that mouth. Her gaze slid down to his lips and he followed. Clearing his throat, he stepped back removing any physical touch and led her to the table.
“I guess it wouldn’t be too bad if it started to rain” Zoya added cheekily.
“No, it wouldn’t” he replied with just as much suave. “Wait here” he added and left to retrieve something. Zoya took it all in and let the winds flirt with her hair; eyes closed she could almost smell the incoming rain.
A thump on the table alerted her and she opened her eyes to an Asad wrestling with plates and food containers.
“Here” she said helping “Wait…you got pakoras? Are these?”
“No, no they are not”
“Are you sure, Mr. Khan? Because you know last time…”
“Yes, I am sure because… I made them.”
Zoya almost dropped the plate in her hands from the shock that consumed her. Who was this man?
“You cooked?!” Her voice rose several octaves. Asad had to flinch back.
“Why are you yelling?”
“I don’t know. Why are you cooking?”
He averted his gaze and started serving.
Zoya popped one in her mouth instantly, dying of curiosity and made a pleasurable sound. “Wow, these are amazing”
He finally smiled again “Shukriya”
“Vaise kehna toh nai chahiye, kyunki you handmade these pakoras and all but agar chai mil jaati na toh…” Her speech was stalled by the kettle he held in his other hand.
“Ammi sent some for you”
He read the question in her eyes.
“She just saw me making the pakoras and offered to make tea, she doesn’t know about the…bhaang adventures.”
Zoya released a relieved breath. Imagine the embarrassment.
“So, what else do you have planned?” She said a while later after they finished eating; taking the warm cup of tea between her fingers.
Asad put his down and walked to a small shelf. Zoya strained her neck to look in his direction. She was half kidding but seemed like she was in for more wonders.
“Dance, Miss Faaroqui?”
🌼🌼🌼
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{Song in title: Dheere Dheere by Shankar Mahadevan}
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8
“Main Aur Tum”
She heard the click of an old school radio and looked at him absolutely stunned. This time the thought voiced itself “What happened to you?”
Asad grinned shyly looking at the floor as he walked towards her.
Her heart seized.
He offered her his hand “May I?”
She couldn’t speak even if she tried. The thunder rumbled as she placed her hand in his. She was sure it would pour soon.
It was a similar melody, one they had moved to before. She was standing now, walking in step with him; suddenly moving in sync with the music, she might be smiling, pretending she was not affected by his brown eyes that she’d always hoped smiled just for her.
They moved together like poetry, love letters and lyrics cascading down the center of a page. He took her by the hand to step off the platform and directly under the stars. They were far and few for the rain filled clouds took their place. Zoya looked at him tiddly, and a smile spread across her face when Asad twirled her into his arms.
He couldn’t stop staring at the kohl-lined eyes. Feelings surging, everywhere their hands touched, his fingers tingled in delight.
He wasn’t intoxicated like last time; but he was more than ever.
Raindrops hit the floor then, when the sky opened and started to pour. Giggling, Zoya pulled him under the roof by the hand, her mind, her heart in a dream-like state.
Their bodies acted on their own, no chains to hold them back. As the song came to an end, he drew her close to his chest and she wrapped her arms around his neck.
Her damp hair moved with the strong cold breeze and fell over her eyes. She began to withdraw her hand to brush them away, when his hand clutched onto hers. Delicately tucking a lock behind her ear, his eyes twinkled back at hers.
“Why are you doing this?” She set her hand on his shoulder again and his found a way back to her waist.
“Describe this” his voice mimicked hers; a whisper.
“This dance. The food. Yeh jagaah. Main. Aur aap.”
“Aap…jaanti hain” He stopped swaying for her eyes still held a question “Because you deserve it. I know it’s still hard for you to forgive me.” A frown appeared on her face but she said nothing to deny “Your eyes talk more than you know. And how could you? Nor the short time permits healing, nor my past actions so small they can be shunned. All I can do is tell you aapki har khwaish mere liye kitni zaruri hai.”
Zoya sat with his words for several moments before asking “Khwaish?”
Rain drenched the garden like worry did Asad. He didn’t want to lie but he wasn’t ready to tell her either.
“I…happened to read your list” He settled on the truth.
“What list?” She was puzzled more than ever, until, the comprehension seeped in. Excruciating discomfort clouded her senses. He noticed.
“It was an accident. I promise, I was just going to put the paper back in your cupboard but then your writing caught my attention and well… I do really believe that it was for the best. I mean after all, aapki sab wishes poori karna meri zimmedari toh hai.”
Zoya didn’t know why but she’d felt really sensitive since the morning. Maybe it was their conversation about broken childhoods from last night, maybe it was Asad finally showing up and telling her she matters or maybe it was the approaching wedding. But the tears sat on the brink all day and now they were drizzling out.
“Hey, I am so sorry Zoya, I didn’t mean to upset you. Look I…we can just forget the wishlist if it doesn’t make you feel comfortable.” his hands helplessly fluttered.
“No, no it’s not that” she sniffed. He handed her his handkerchief. “It’s just so sweet that you saw it and tried to do this and I don’t even know why I am crying right now” She dabbed tears streaking her eyes, turning inconsolable by the second.
“Saans leejiye”
“Huh”
“Ek lambi saans leejiye” She followed his instructions.
He placed both his hands on her shoulders, looking in her teary eyes. “We don’t have to do anything if it makes you feel like this. I was serious when I said, I’d wait as long as you’d like. The set date means nothing. The distributed cards mean nothing. People mean nothing. And I speak for Ammi, when I say this Miss Faaroqui. The last thing I want to do is make you cry” his voice was soft and comforting; his eyes gentle, swimming with love.
She noticed.
“It’s complicated, isn’t it” Zoya responded in a small voice.
Asad sighed “It doesn’t have to be”
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She observed the raindrops race each other on the window. It had slowed down outside, more a quiet lullaby than a thunderstorm. Zoya could relate.
He was driving them back, inching close to the hotel. Asad had chosen to – silently and firmly – hold her hand in his throughout the drive. She didn’t object.
Zoya hadn’t said much on the topic of the upcoming nikaah date and he didn’t how to ask her again without being terrified of the answer.
“You know, this one could be counted a little as cheating” She broke the silence not wanting to end on a gloomy note because of her imbalanced emotions spinning out of control. They did have a good time rest of the night.
“Jee?” He was relieved to watch her speak.
“Of course I am going to be impressed if you dig up my sixteen-year-old self wishes to make them true. That’s cheating, Mr. Khan”
“How is that cheating when I never knew of the list until last night”
“You didn’t know until last night? You did all that in less than 12 hours?”
Asad couldn’t guess if saying something or being quiet was the best decision here.
“Fine, since you went to such lengths, your cheating is forgiven. I’ll give you that much credit, it was a beautiful surprise”
Asad turned to watch her speak like the last hour hadn’t happened. It told him how expert she was hiding her true emotions. Better than him. It hurt him just the same “If it makes you happy, then I will cheat anything.”
Silence surrounded the car, only the working wipers mixed with the rain played a tune of their own.
Zoya started snickering a moment later and Asad settled on frowning. What was so funny?
“Aap par aisi baatein bilkul suit nahi karti, Jahapanah, that was so corny” her dimple appeared.
He couldn’t resist the contagious laugh and joined in. It was corny and I don’t care!
The car halted to a stop then, as they reached the destination and climbed to find out an aggravated looking Zeenat.
Uh oh!
“Aapi, what are you doing out here?”
Zeenat spoke directly in the direction of Asad “Taking care of Zoya is your responsibility, but it is also making sure that we know her whereabouts at all times. Why is your phone switched off?”
Zoya cut in “It died, Aapi. Mine too. It was a long car ride. Why are you being like this?”
“Well then bring a charger with you. I was worried. Dilshad aapa said you were travelling out of city. Did you not see the weather a couple hours earlier. It was pouring. Your safety is always my concern, whether or not you are married.”
“Allah Miyan, relax Aapi, we are fine” Zoya spoke softly.
Zeenat calmed down but only visibly “Your hair is all damp, go dry it off before you catch a cold”
Zoya looked at Asad knowing it was a failed battle arguing with her and said a quick goodbye before heading in.
Looking at her disappearing figure into the hotel lobby, he said as soon as Zoya was out of sight and earshot. “Aapi, I apologize, we didn’t wish to make you worry”
“Oh, I am always going to worry, Asad. Which is why we should talk”
His body tensed.
“I might not know the details but I am pretty certain you must be planning elaborate dates to take Zoya to. I am not saying there is anything wrong with it. I am happy that my child is happy…but…if this is something channelled out of your guilt or desperation because of societal pressures, then you need to come clean now. For your own good and hers. I speak out of care for you as well, Asad” her voice became gentle “The honeymoon phase will last you only so long. Without trust and integrity for both in a relationship…” She left it at that not wanting to complete it.
Asad saw the love and protection in Zeenat’s eyes for her sister. He wasn’t threatened or upset. He was somehow relieved that Zoya had been loved right.
He spoke with confidence in his voice “I have not only wronged Miss Faaroqui but in the process you and Jeeju as well, Aapi. And I am truly sorry for that. I can assure that nothing I did, am doing or would do warrants any kind of guilt. That guilt only stays for me, so I can remind myself who not to be.
The…love…for Zoya has never and will never stem out of it.”
With that he signalled his leave politely and left a thoughtful Zeenat outside the hotel.
🌼🌼🌼
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{Song in title: Itni Si Baat Hai by Arijit Singh}
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How did two chapters happen, I have no idea!
Next week is kinda hectic so there might be no updates but we shall see…. 💖🌸☺️
As always, Happy reading✨
Edited by Vintage_flow - 1 years ago
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