In The Shadows
Chapter 1
The alluring Asad Ahmad Khan dressed in a blue designer sherwani,
briskly walking towards the stage fully decorated with flowers, with all eyes
in the hall after him. All the girls forget to breathe where all their guys
look for oxygen masks..lol.. he seats himself on the divan, his face
expressionless.
Dilshad
comes near him and puts her hand on his shoulder. He looks up. She gives him an
encouraging smile. He doesn’t smile back instead his eyes are searching for
someone desperately. Najma comes from behind and whispers in his ears, “She is
here... bhai jaan.”
Asads eyes
immediately fix on her. The bride, she is donned in a royal blue lainga with
thick silver embroidery around the edges, her arms loaded with bangles of the
same combination, a diamond ring elegantly shining in her ring finger. A heavily
embroidered dupatta covering her face like a ghoonghat(veil). Two ladies walk beside her, holding her arms
gently as if she isn’t capable of coping up with her 7 inch stiletto heel. She walks
gracefully towards the stage and seats herself besides Asad. Who is still
expressionless. She places her clutch besides heron the divan where her hands
touch Asad’s accidently for a fraction of a second. To her surprise he pulls
back immediately as if electrocuted. Anger flashes in his eyes for the
slightest moment. His eyes are again searching for someone but they return back
unsuccessful. His face muscles tense a little in frustration but anyone hardly
notices.
Dilshad
calls for the Qazi. In no time he is here. The proceedings begin and Asad gives
up his search. He hears the Qazi calling out to the bride,
“Do you
accept Asad Ahmad Khan as your husband?”
To which
she replies, “Qubool Hai!”
Everyone rejoices.
Najma Hugs Dilshad happily.
The same is
repeated twice more after which the Qazi calls out to Asad,
“ Asad
Ahmad Khan do you accept Tanveer Murawat( don’t know her full name) as your
wife?”
Asad’s face
tences but he is silent......
The Qazi
repeats again.... no answer.
And
again...... Asad is still silent. Everyone including the bride is tensed. Soon all
release their breath when they finally hear him say.....
“Qubool
Hai!”
.....................................................................................................................................................................
Zoya wakes
up with a jerk. Her cell phone falls on the floor with a thud breaking into pieces.
She is breathless, a few drops of sweat on sparkling on her forehead, her
features tensed. She realises it was only her dream. Tries to relax and
supports her back with the crown of the bed. Closes her eyes thinking to
herself....
“Allah..... whats wrong with me? Why am i
having such dreams....... how horrible it was seeing him accept someone else as
his better half....... and that too Tanveer...... the one womwn i desperately
want out of his life...”
The thought
of it stung her heart which was still thumping loudly.
“I accept
that i can’t seem to like her a lot, there is something about her that bothers
me..... something is out of the way..... something wrong ..... but what?”
She couldn’t
think of any appropriate reason for now. She realised her throat is dry. She looks
for water on the bedside table but the jug there is empty. She makes her way to
the kitchen and pours a glass of water. In three gulps the water was down. She doesn’t
feel like sleeping anymore so goes to the main hall, slides the slider aside
but doesn’t go outside. Instead leaning against the slider she gazes at nothing
in particular. A gush of wind blows strands of hair from her face. The fresh
air soothes her and she closes her eyes. Someone’s voice echoes in her mind.
“I am sure he is the man who can tell you
about these people in the photograph.”
So she had
finally found the path that leads to the final staircase. Tomorrow she will
finally be able to put two and two together. Her heart raced as her thoughts
ran wild....maybe she has already seen him, or maybe he had......maybe they had
crossed each other.... after all they were in the same city for the past few
months.... who knows?
How would
he react? How will I control my feelings? Will he accept me? .... He has to I
am his daughter.... he has already punished me for 17 years for no sin. He will
have to be answerable.
Her eyes
well up with tears. A crystal runs down her cheek.
She feels someone’s
presence behind her.....
Chapter 2
She cleared her eyes immediately, rubbing the tears from the
back of her hand.
“Miss Farooqi?” she hears him calling.
“Yes Mr. Khan?” she said with a shaky voice turning towards
him. He looks at her intently where she isn’t making any eye contact with him.
“Is something
bothering you?” Asad asks concernedly
She looks up at him, there eye meet for a while but then she
looks away remembering the last time she had opened up to him and told him the
reason for her stay in Bhopal how he had just left her midway, broken and
crying. But then he is the one because of whom she was going to meet her abbu
soon. If Asad had not taken her to that old building that day.
Then she remembers how he had blamed her for everything the
very other day and left her alone. The very day Tanveer had entered her life.
Nothing has been any good since. You
can’t just call it mere bad luck.
‘No not this time. I won’t let you break me this time. I am
not that mirror you can break again and again. Each time into a million more
pieces. I know I forgive soon but there is a limit to everything why should I
open up to you every time, when you can’t console, when you can’t understand.’
Asad is deeply studying her facial expressions as they
switch from grief to anger and then back, trying to figure out whats going on
in her mind. He could guess that he wouldn’t be trusted this time. That he had
hurt a lot.
“I don’t know. Maybe my dilemma.” Zoya says in frustration
and leaves.
He felt like somebody just shot an arrow in his heart. Grief
is visible on his face. Pressing his temples he sighs.
‘Why can’t I have any control on my feelings towards her? No
matter how much I deny she does affect me a lot. Its not only your dilemma Zoya, its mine too,
one side of me wants to forget everything and accept you while the other half
wants to run away.’
Asad paces towards his room, frustrated and then slams it
shut.
While Zoya on her way back to her room, sees her i-pad on
the center table in the lounch. She grabs it and makes her way back to her
room. While turning towards the lobby that leads to her room her right ankle
twists, she loses her balance and lands
on the floor awkwardly. She places her hand on her mouth to control her scream.
Obviously, she din’t want to wake everyone up at this time of the night. A
strong pang rises in her foot. She holds it tightly with one hand to minimize
the pain. A while passes. She tries getting up with the support of the wall
when she realizes that she hears someone talking. It’s a woman’s voice. She is
standing besides Tanveer’s room.
“Razia…. Why are
you calling at this time?” a sleepy Tanu asks probably to someone on the phine.
A pause………
Something clicks in Zoya’s mind and she immediately launches
the video option in her i-pad and tries to fix the camera on Tanu, herself
hiding behind the curtain so that Tanveer is unable to see her.
“You don’t need to
worry, no one in the house has any idea that I changed the recording in the
doll, not even Asad. He is still mad at Rashid for everything. By the way you
have been quite successful in creating distances between the two. And now after
watching today’s news, Asad thinks that it is Ayan who has leaked this news to
the media. He thinks he lost his brother too. Poor he.” She smiles with an evil
grin.
She hears from the other side for a while before starting
again…..
“I know that I’ll get
my share of the game but not as you said.
Its way too less a reward for my hard work. After all who would want to
take in her very dear childhood friend? But money is a appalling necessity. And
so I want it doubled or else you know……. I still have the recording on a memory
card. Asad, my beloved childhood friend, he trusts me blindly, I can make up
any story and it won’t take him a second to believe.”
She threatens. Another pause…….
“Don’t worry darling, as soon as I get the money, the card
and all other proof is all yours.But mind you I am not leaving anywhere so
soon, there is still some work to be done here.” She cuts off the call and
smirks to herself.
Shock is visible on Zoya’s face. She forgets the immense
pain in her ankle. Before she can think of anything else she sees Tanu coming
towards the door. Zoya immediately makes for an escape , limping because of the
pain. She locks the door behind her, panting.
‘So this is what she is here for…. How can she betay her
childhood friend for some mere pieces of paper. She has no right to destroy
others’ peace of mind for her own benefit. Asad will be so depressed when he
finds out. His trust would be shattered’ he trusts her blindly. How could she
deceive him like that? Whom is she working for? Wjo was this Razia? Was just
money the sole reason for this cheapness? Can money buy someone’s faith so
easily? Is it soo cheap? Was this betrayal
so easy for her?’
Zoya’s head was spinning with a dozen questions.
‘ I need to tell all this to Mr. khan right away. He needs
to know.But would he believe me? No, he certainly wouldn’t, not under these
circumstances. I need to gather up more evidence. But eventually he needs to
know. He would have to believe me only then can he see the true colours of his
best childhood friend.
Zoya fights back the tears in her eyes and limps to the bed
her ankle in awful twinge.
The next morning Zoya wakes up early.
‘Today is a big day. All my problems might just be sought or
they might just start. It all depends on my luck. Ya Allah Please be with me.
This sould all end up good.’
As they say….The only thing predictable about life is its
unpredictability. Zoya, unaware of what lies for her in her future, plans her
day with a heavy heart and sour eyes.
Chapter 3
Zoya changes into an ashen color upper and black jeans with
a high pony tail for a change. A chess patterned scarf around her neck. She
wore her sneakers loosely as her right foot was slightly swollen.
She waited for everyone to go for the breakfast in the
dining hall and then silently makes her way to Tanu’s room. The lady James Bond
lover was on a mission yet again.
Tanu isn’t inside…….
‘I only have 15 minutes, and I need to find something that
will make Mr. Khan believe me. She searches in drawers of the dressing table,
under the bed and then finally opens the cupboard. Luckily she finds the card
in the first drawer shee opens, placed on top of a few papers. She picks it up
immediately, copies it in her i-pad with the help of a card reader and places
it back. Turns back and suddenly stops.
Opens the drawer again this time her hands go for the papers
under the card. She stares at them shocked.
“What?” she exclaims….. “Tanu is pregnant?”
She checks the name again to confirm but they were indeed
her reports. Soon reality dawns at her she realizes that this was the reason
she had left her in the hospital that day pretending to attend a call. But how
come she is expecting when no one had any idea that she was married or Zoya
didn’t want to think about the other option. She would have puked right there
and then.
Zoya closes her eyes trying to absorb the reality. She
hurriedly takes a snapshot of the reports. Places them back. Her mind brimming
with a million questions. So many questions she had no answers to.
She checks everything to be in their original condition
before leaving.
She approaches the dining table where everyone is already in
the middle of their breakfast. Tanveer peacefully jamming a toast probably for
her jammy, who trusted her blindly. For a moment Zoya thought that Tanu might
just have poisoned the jam but then shook her head. It was hard for Zoya to
believe that Tanu could be so serene even after committing such a hideous act.
Dilshad sees Zoya coming. She observes that she is slightly
limping. She worriedly inquires,
“Zoya what happened to you?” all eyes in the room shift
towards Zoya. “And tumhare chehre ki
itni hawaian ku uri hui hain?”
Zoya completely lost in the recent shift of events snaps out
of her thoughts and looks at Dilshad in bewilderment.
“What phuphi? What
happened to me?” and checks herself that whether everything is in order or not…
“No, I mean why are
you limping?”
Asad’s eyes suddenly fill with concern as they intensely
stare at Zoya.
“oh that……. I just twisted my ankle last night….
Accidently.” She added
“come show me.”
Dilshad asks concernedly.
“No, seriously phupho
I am fine. Please don’t worry. I’ll apply some ointment after the breakfast.”
“Okay…” Dilshad
replies still worried.
Zoya seats herself, pours some milk in her bowl of cereal
adds some sugar but is again distracted, her mind lost in thoughts again. She
forgets to eat.
Najma as Asad is eyeing her curiously asks…
“Why aren’t you eating Zoya?”
She again snaps out of her thoughts, smiles a fake smile and
says, “nothing”
Tries to concentrate on her breakfast this time.
Soon Najma leaves for college, and Dilshad leaves for her
room reminding Zoya to put on an ointment.
A while later Tanu also excuses herself. Now it’s only Zoya and Asad.
Zoya to herself…. ‘Maybe I should tell him now.’
Asad folds his newspaper. Looking at her, admiring her new
hair style and attire today. He wants to ask her about her ankle before
leaving. He stands up but before he begins zoya interrupts.
“Mr. Khan I need to talk to you….. if you have time?”
Urgency is obvious in her tone. She looks at him intently waiting for him to
reply.he looks at his watch as if remembering something.
“Iam sorry….. but I
have an important meeting…. Can it hold? I mean whatever you have to say…”
Zoya’s face loses all its energy. ‘Stupid, stupid, stupid
meeting’ she mutters to herself.
“Fine I’ll catch you
later.”
She says anyway. Maybe it was better to talk to his in his
office and not at home.
‘you can have some more time trusting your bachpan-ki-dost.’
She collects her stuff and rushes towards the main door. After all who had all
day to think about a sick Tanu. There were other way more important things for
her to do.
Asad’s eyes follow her until she is out of sight. He to
himself… ‘Why the hell din’t I ask her about her ankle? Damn she wasn’t even
walking properly….. and she didn’t even apply any ointment, I could hae asked
her or atleast asked to drop her wherever she was going…… how will she manage
in such a condition.’
He slams his hand angrily on the
table. The utensils rattle….
Zoya pulls down the glass as she reaches the desired
location. Pays the driver a 100Rs. Bill and jumps out of the cab.She takes out
he paper on which she had noted the address from her purse. It’s the same
place.
Within 15 minutes she of searching she is face to face with
the man she wanted to meet. He was old and wrinkled but kind and friendly.
“Why do you wish to know about these people in the
photograph my child?” he asked studying her face intently.
“I am in search of someone.” She tells him.
“How are you related?” he inquires.
“One of them is my father…… I lost him 17 years back.” She
replies sadly.
“I see…… I don’t
think I can help you much but all I can tell you that this guy here is my
cousin.”
He points towards a bearded man in the photograph.
“He lives a street
away from here….. I’ll give you his address and contact info ……I am sure he can
help you out.”
Zoya’s eyes sparkle as a ray of hope breeds inside her.
Within no time she is at the old man’s cousin’s house. She
introduces herself and tells him the reason of her meeting. The man is silent
for a while as Zoya waits desperately.
He then says, “I knew your father.”
Her eyes well up with tears, she didn’t know whether to be
happy or sad but ‘What did he mean by he knew my father….. is he……?’ She left
her chain of thoughts midway, frightened but then relaxed as he continued.
“But as you told me…….. I wonder why didn’t your Appi or
Jeju tell you anything about your dad….. I bet your Appi’s mother knew well
enough about your mom and dad.”
Zoya is silent not knowing what to say.
“Anyways don’t worry
beta……everything happens for good…….(a pause)…. Long time back me and your father
were business partners….. soon we developed strong bonds of friendship between
us. He was a happy man with a loving wife and a cut daughter, probably you. The
only problem in his life was his second wife. He had married her due to family
pressure because your mother was his choice and his family wasn’t ready to
accept her as a family member at any cost not even after knowing about your
birth.
“he didn’t leave you or your mother even after his second marriage.
But things started getting worse for him…… on top of that one day the news
floated that the doll factory we both owned caught fire and everything was
burnt to ashes. We later came to know that your mother had died in that fire.
No one knows why or how your mother was caught in that fire or what the purpose
of her visit to the factory was that day. No one even knows about you since
then.”
He pauses again trying to fight back some heartrending
distant memories. Zoya is in a trance remembering her blurred memories from the
past and the fire in her dreams. He continues…..
“Your father knew
that his second wife was somehow involved but couldn’t prove it. He used to cry
a lot. He was very heart broken. He even tried to find you but to no use. His
family didn’t want to accept you and so he lost all hopes then…….. believe me
he is an incomplete man since then. ”
He again continued after a long silence……….
“as all my money was lost in the doll factory we were no
more together in business soon our bond also weakened and gradually we stopped
meeting eachother. I don’t know what happened after that. But a few years later
I heard that he was blessed with another daughter from his second wife.”
Zoya’s face was drenched in tears but she still manages to
ask in a broken voice…. As if it was coming from a deep ditch. “You didn’t tell
his name.”
He pointed towards a man in the photograph.
“this man here next to me is your father… ‘Siddique’.”
Zoya stares at the picture. Even though the photograph is
quite old but she still can easily make out the features of the man who she now
knows as her father.
“He is now a successful business man… lives here in Bhopal….
You won’t find any difficulty finding him. Anyone in the city can guide you to
the head office of Siddique Group of industries.”
Zoya leaves after that. Tears rolling down her cheeks. She
walks aimlessly on the roads for a long time.
‘It took me so long to finally know who my father is…. I
want to fly to him this very moment.’
She rubs away the tears smiling sadly and starts looking for
a cab.
Lehroon Mein Kahin..Doob Jane Do...
Lehroon Mein Kahin..Doob Jane Do...
Mujhse Kahe....Ik Jal Pari...
Doob Jane Do....Jal Mein Kahin..
Woa....ha....(Alaaps)
aaa..woa...woa......a..a..a.aaa..(Alaaps)
So... Jane Do..Chup.. Jaane Do..
Lehro Mein Kahin..Doob Jaane Do
Shor Na Karo Yaro..Aankh Hai Lagi
Behl Jaane Do Yaar....
Jal Mein Kahin.....(Backing)
Jal Mein Kahin......(Backing)
Jal Mein Kahin.....(Backing)
Jal Mein Kahin......(Backing)
Oaaa...oaaa....aaaa...(Alaaps)
The boy is very dedicated he again starts pulling the cards into another pyramid. Again it settles on the ground when it was about to be complete.
Oo Re Piya.........................Re.................Re....Re........Re(Alaaps)
Oo Re Piya.......... Piya......ooa...Piya..........Piya.........(Alaaps)
Oo Re Piya...........aa...Kehta Jiya.....Tu Hai Kahan........Mein Hoon Yahan......
Jal Mein Kahin
Jal Mein Kahin...
Jal Mein Kahin...
Jal Mein Kahin
Ooaa....ooaaa..(Alaaps)
More Piya..................Re...Piya.........Re....Piya.....Piya Gham Diya.......Ore Piya.... Re Gham Diya..........
Piya Re Piya Re (Backing) X 4
Piya Re Piya Re (Backing comes forward) X 3
Piya Re Piya Re (Backing Stops)
Pawein Jaan Mein Jaan Menu Tere Te Maan..Karle Pachaan..Tere Dil Te Jaan..
Pawein Jaan Mein Jaan Menu Tere Te Maan..Karle Pachaan..Tere Dil Te Jaan..
Dil Majboor..Mera Ki Kasoor..Jadein(Jaanay) Hoozoor...Meray Hoozoor
Dil Majboor..Mera Ki Kasoor..Jadein(Jaanay) Hoozoor...Meray Hoozoor (Music Slows Down)
Sehni Nai Jodai..Naio Hu kamai...Janay Khuda...Yak Deer Na La
Sehni Nai Jodai..Naio Hu kamai...Janay Khuda...Yak Deer Na La (B
Meray Soreinya(Soneya) Meray Meherbaan...Meray Haadiyan(Haaniya) Meray Diljaandiyan(Diljaniya)
Meray Soreinya(Soneya) Meray Meherbaan...Meray Haadiyan(Haaniya) Meray Diljaandiyan(Diljaniya)
Tu Mera Dil... Tu Meri Jaan...Jaanaienyja....Meherbaaan...
Tu Mera Dil... Tu Meri Jaan...Jaanaienyja....Meherbaaan...
Samaarain(Samanay) Tu... Baithaa Rahway...Har Wale Mein Takti Rawan....
Tu Mera Dil... Tu Meri Jaan...Jaanaayja.......aaa.......aaa....woooo........Jaaanay....Jaaaa.............oooooo....oo
A cute dainty smile spread on Zoyas face. Her feelings an amalgamation of blithe and melancholy. So life was now going to show her the colors of love.
Ooo..Re...Piya......
Kehta Jiya
Tu Hai Kahan........
Mein Hoon Yahan...
Jal Mein Kahin..(Backing)
Jal Mein Kahin..
Jal Mein Kahin....
Jal Mein Kahin...
Woooaa...aa...........aaaah(Alaaps)
Chapter 4
Her heart is thumping loudly as she enters the main
building. She almost runs towards the receptionist and asks her for an
appointment with Mr. Siddique. The receptionist replies politely,
“I am sorry Ma’am but Sir is not available. He is out of
town. In fact he just left this morning. ”
“When is his expected
arrival?”
“I don’t have any
information for now but if you leave your contact info I can inform you as soon
as he is back.” She offers smiling.
Zoya, who is very disappointed,thinks for a while before
asking the receptionist,
“I appreciate that
….. but if you can kindly give me his residential address…. You see it’s very
important.”
“Sure ma’am.”
Zoya leaves…….
‘ I’ve come so far…… I can wait for some more time, its only
a matter of time and I know I will find you Abbu. Its only a few days before my
visa expires and you have to meet me before that. I am not going anywhere
without meeting you.’
The phone on the reception starts ringing. The receptionist
picks it up.
“Hello…. Siddique Group of Companies.”
The ma on the other side informs her,
“The meeting has been
cancelled. Sir is coming back today, in fact he is on his way back. Please
reschedule all his appointments accordingly.”
“Fine Sir.”She puts
the receiver back on the cradle. Her eyes search for Zoya, who is just about to
exit from the main entrance. She calls out,
“Ma’am”
But by the time Zoya is already out. Her hard luck.
She places the
address in her purse when her i-pad reminds her of the events which took place
yesterday and in the morning.
‘I think I should tell Mr. khan
everything now….. it’s high time and he needs to know about his Tanu.’
Asad hears the knock on the door. He looks up to find a
tired Zoya standing on the doorway. He nods signaling her to come in. his heart
is filled with different emotions. Still he tries to hide them and shifts his
attention to the file in his hand.
“Have a seat.” He
orders.
Zoya walks rather limps towards the seat. Asad realizes this
and is filled with emotions again. Fights them back again.
“Mr. Khan I wanted to
tell you something really important.” Zoya starts.
“I am listening.” He replies eyes still on the folder.
Shifting the papers uselessly.
Zoya takes a deep breath before finally starting. She
ralised that it was’t going to be the leat bit easy.
“Your friend Tanveer
in stabbing behind your back.”
Asad looks at her
bewildered.
“What do you mean?”
“Mr Khan….. just last
night I heard her talking to someone about the recording in the doll. Yes, she
changed it deliberately so that you never come to know about the reality…. I
have the actual recording and Mr. khan….. Mr. Khan she is also pr… ”
Asad interrupts,
“Stop it…. Stop it
rightnow.”
He says through his teeth. Aggression radiating from his
existence, his muscles tensed.
“Mr. Khan…. You don’t believe me?” Zoya says disbelievingly.
“Wait… I even have the proof.”
She starts taking out her i-pad
Asad stand up glaring at her, his jaw clenched.
“I don’t want any
proof….. I don’t believe you….. you are making all this up.”
“Mr. Khan you have to
believe me… I am not lying. And why would I make up any damn story. “
Her volume increases as she stands up to face him.
He grabs her by her shoulders aggressively and glares at her
as if he would tear her through his eyes.
“I’ve known her since
I was 7… I can bet on my life that she can’t betray me….. and you, why should I
believe you when its not even 7 months since I,ve met you….. and you want me to
believe you. You? Whom I’ve never even considered any mature, who land into
trouble every time she thinks of doing something. You know what Tanu is way
beter than you in any way Miss Zoya Farooqi.
And I’ve told you not to interfere in my life but you pay me
no heed and now you have come up with a fake story to prove me wrong. How low
of you miss Farooqi.”
He is yelling at full volume at her. Her eyes are stinging
with tears, she angrily pushes him away and yells back at him,
“How dare you call me a liar……… Mr. Khan you want to keep
this blind fold on your eyes and trust that witch…… do it…. Your will…. In the
end you have to face the consequences….you have gone to far Mr. Khan….. this
belief of yours which can’t accept you to be wrong will drown you in life…..
You are wrong. You
are wrong. You are wrong…… I’ll say that till my last breath…but remember that
no one will there to support you in the aftermath….. not your tanu and not even
me. You’ll have to face it all alone because you created it all alone. ”
His grip on her loosens. She tries to regain her balance as
he pushed her away.
“I don’t want to see your face again…… just…. Just get out
of here…. Get out of my life.”
He says through his teeth.
Zoya looks at him in shock….
“You are hopeless Mr.
Khan … hopeless…” she says in disbelief.
“Get out ” he yells
again. Zoya leaves without saying a word more.
She walks out of the office her face drenched in tears and
heart stinging with venom Asad had just injected. Every tear drop is like a
waterfall. She had never cried so much in life, nothing had hurt so much
either. She walks aimlessly on the roads for God knows how long before finally
sitting on a bench. Unaware of her surroundings she cries and cries until no
more tears come out. She never knew life would be so hard on her.
A song is being played in a nearby stall. (For those
interested. The song is Jalpari by Atif Aslam the Coke studio version. It is
one of my personal favorite. Please do listen while reading. Here are the
links:
OOooo(Alaaps)
Soo.......Janay.... Do.........
Ruk.........Janay...Do..........
Soo.......Janay.... Do.........
Ruk.........Janay...Do..........
A begger boy is sitting
across the road where Zoya can easily see him. The speeding cars block her
vision but she is scrutinizing him strangely.
Lehroon Mein Kahin..Doob Jane Do...
Lehroon Mein Kahin..Doob Jane Do...
He is making a pyramid out of cards. Each
time he is about to complete and place tha last few cards at the top a gush of
wind exterminates it. At the same time
Asad’s harsh words echo inside her mind.
Mujhse Kahe....Ik Jal Pari...
Doob Jane Do....Jal Mein Kahin..
Woa....ha....(Alaaps)
aaa..woa...woa......a..a..a.aaa..(Alaaps)
“You are immoral, you can’t even respect
any relation in life. Maybe that’s why you don’t have any. You don’t deserve
them.”
So... Jane Do..Chup.. Jaane Do..
Lehro Mein Kahin..Doob Jaane Do
Shor Na Karo Yaro..Aankh Hai Lagi
Behl Jaane Do Yaar....
Jal Mein Kahin.....(Backing)
Jal Mein Kahin......(Backing)
Jal Mein Kahin.....(Backing)
Jal Mein Kahin......(Backing)
Oaaa...oaaa....aaaa...(Alaaps)
The boy is very dedicated he again starts pulling the cards into another pyramid. Again it settles on the ground when it was about to be complete.
Asad’s voice over “I don’t want to see your
face again. Just get out of my life.”
Oo Re Piya.........................Re.................Re....Re........Re(Alaaps)
Oo Re Piya.......... Piya......ooa...Piya..........Piya.........(Alaaps)
Oo Re Piya...........aa...Kehta Jiya.....Tu Hai Kahan........Mein Hoon Yahan......
Jal Mein Kahin
Jal Mein Kahin...
Jal Mein Kahin...
Jal Mein Kahin
Ooaa....ooaaa..(Alaaps)
The boy starts again. It again slacks down.
He starts again.
There is something about the boy….
Something on his face is missing. What is ita? Zoya tries to figure out……
yes….. the boy is immune to disappointment. He isn’t lamenting on his failure,
rather each tie he starts afresh with the same blithe. With the hopes that this
time he will succeed.
More Piya..................Re...Piya.........Re....Piya.....Piya Gham Diya.......Ore Piya.... Re Gham Diya..........
Piya Re Piya Re (Backing) X 4
‘why am I so disappointed. Tragedy and
comedy are twin daughters of life. Everyone has to face both the flavors of
life. Life is a pendulum betweet tears and smiles. Its not always giving to
someone and not always taking from someone. A time to get and a time to lose.
Piya Re Piya Re (Backing comes forward) X 3
I’ve never felt so hurt. May be when people
you love the most don’t trust you, it’s the most hurtful thing in life. It
injures your soul, pierces holes in your heart, shatters your existence.
Piya Re Piya Re (Backing Stops)
Pawein Jaan Mein Jaan Menu Tere Te Maan..Karle Pachaan..Tere Dil Te Jaan..
Pawein Jaan Mein Jaan Menu Tere Te Maan..Karle Pachaan..Tere Dil Te Jaan..
Her own voice echoes in
her mind…
“The people you love the
most.”
“The people you love the most.”
“The people you love the most.”
Realization dawns at
her. what had she just accepted to herself? Her jaw drops in shock.
Dil Majboor..Mera Ki Kasoor..Jadein(Jaanay) Hoozoor...Meray Hoozoor
Dil Majboor..Mera Ki Kasoor..Jadein(Jaanay) Hoozoor...Meray Hoozoor (Music Slows Down)
Sehni Nai Jodai..Naio Hu kamai...Janay Khuda...Yak Deer Na La
Sehni Nai Jodai..Naio Hu kamai...Janay Khuda...Yak Deer Na La (B
“What?” she exclaims.
She looks up in the sky
and says aloud,
“Allah….. why him? Why
on earth only him? That’s not fair. I’ve fallen for a guy who considers me a no
one. Why?why o why ” her eyes bein to water again as she wailed and wailed.
Meray Soreinya(Soneya) Meray Meherbaan...Meray Haadiyan(Haaniya) Meray Diljaandiyan(Diljaniya)
Meray Soreinya(Soneya) Meray Meherbaan...Meray Haadiyan(Haaniya) Meray Diljaandiyan(Diljaniya)
Tu Mera Dil... Tu Meri Jaan...Jaanaienyja....Meherbaaan...
Tu Mera Dil... Tu Meri Jaan...Jaanaienyja....Meherbaaan...
Her eyes shift on the
boy again. This time he was successful. His eyes are sparkling like a crystal.
Samaarain(Samanay) Tu... Baithaa Rahway...Har Wale Mein Takti Rawan....
Tu Mera Dil... Tu Meri Jaan...Jaanaayja.......aaa.......aaa....woooo........Jaaanay....Jaaaa.............oooooo....oo
A cute dainty smile spread on Zoyas face. Her feelings an amalgamation of blithe and melancholy. So life was now going to show her the colors of love.
Ooo..Re...Piya......
Kehta Jiya
Tu Hai Kahan........
Mein Hoon Yahan...
Jal Mein Kahin..(Backing)
Jal Mein Kahin..
Jal Mein Kahin....
Jal Mein Kahin...
Woooaa...aa...........aaaah(Alaaps)
Finally the damsel in
distress found her knight in the armor. But is this feeling mutual. God Knows.
Chapter 5
Asad in his office, his head in his hands, his eyes red.
‘may be I’ve said too much….. but what she did wasn’t right
either…. How could she blame Tanveer for all of this when I am so sure she is
innocent. How can Tanveer double-cross me? We have been together in times of
difficulty, I’ve always stood beside her in her times of trouble.’
Most importantly they call each other friends. Friends never
go for treachery or deception. What did Zoya have in her mind when she said all
that ridiculous stuff? He is completely baffled and stupefied.
‘I should have cleared her misunderstandings.’
He tries calling her but her cell phone is switched off.
‘Why sometimes my rational mind stops working. Kia stupidity
hai?’
It’s
almost twilight. All the birds are making their way home. Soon the night will
prevail. Zoya thinks of informing Dilshad that she will be home soon. She
remembers that her cell phone is out of order as it had fallen the other day.
She sighs heavily. She sees the boy with the cards packing up. She decides to
give him some reward as he had taken her out of her anxiety. She gets up. There
are hardly any vehicles on the highway. She crosses the road.
The
driver opens the door of the car as Mr. Siddique seats himself inside.
The driver asks,
“Sir, ghar jana hai?”
“Nai, pehle Head
Office chalo.” He orders firmly.
“yes sir.”
The car is zooming on the highway.
Asad
reaches home. Najma and Tanveer are watching some program on the television,
while Dilshad is dialing some number on the cordless. His eyes search for Zoya
but she is nowhere to be found. Dilshad looks up at him and asks,
“Asad did you talk to Zoya today?”
Asad suddenly looks very vexed and distressed. His face loses color. He asks,
“Why? What Happened?”
Dilshad a little worried replies.
“No. Nothing. Just
asking. She ain’t home yet and her cell phone is switched off. I’ve been trying
to call her for a while now. I am a little worried you know. She was quite
upset and miserable today. On top of that her sprain in the ankle. You know her
she wouldn’t even tell if she’s in a problem. Thinks she can solve everything
on her own.” Dilshad shares shaking her head.
A pained expression overtakes Asad, he is ill at ease. Takes
out his cell phone and starts dialing her number. The cell is still switched
off. He tries again but to no use. Many disturbing thoughts start clicking in
his mind, he tries to ignore them. He presses his temples hard as his head is
heavy with all the days events. They start flashing in his min. he gulps down a
glass of water to calm down himself but to no use. Something tells him to be
ready for a calamity. He was breathing
heavily probably because of the adrenaline rush.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zoya on the other hand, gives the
boy a hundred Rs. Bill, he looks at her with sparkling eyes. She smiles back.
While putting the wallet back in her side bag a piece of paper flies away and
lands in the centre of the road. She runs towards it awkwardly and picks it up.
Reading it she smiles. It wasn’t a paper but Asad Ahmad Khan’s business card.The
very moment she hears a speeding car dashing towards her. She looks up in
desperation. She wants to fly to the other side of the road, vanish from the
scene, somehow stop the car but couldn’t get a chance. I
have read that there are two fears that cannot be tainted out of us; the
startle reaction upon hearing an unexpected noise, and vertigo. I would like to
add a third, to wit, the rapid and direct approach of a known killer.
Her mind stops working, she hears a
loud horn, someone shouting but she is jammed on the road. She sees the car
crashing into her with an earsplitting reverberation. Her whole existence is airborne
before landing on the road heavily. There
are many shrieks and shouts, she hears her own scream too. There is a lot of
noise, too much for her to bear. She sees a pool of thick blood beside her on
the road. Thick red blood. Deep red blood. Pain… there is soreness… a lot of
pain everywhere. Her lifeless hand falls beside her and the card which was now
somehow formless rolls on the road. Bright lights from a cars headlights fall
on her face. It becomes hard for her to keep them open. The night has prevailed
and through the headlights she sees and old bearded face lowering over her. She
thinks she recognizes it but her eyes are not permitting a clear look. The last
thing she hears is someone yelling “Take her to the hospital.”
After that there is darkness, pitch
darkness, no sound, no noise, no feelings, no pain.
The beggar boy stood there still
and motionless, his existence not allowing him to move. He stands there traumatized
at the repulsive scenario. He sees someone picking up the lifeless body of the
girl fully drenched in blood. The girl, who just gave him the money to feed his
family’s stomach for tonight. The girl for whom his heart was bleeding as she
was hit by the ruthless soul.
They take her somewhere, probably
the hospital. He is still jammed on the pavement, his eyes now focusing the
pool of blood on the road, deep red blood. Soon people who had gathered go
back. The thoroughfare is now clear. He unknowingly walks towards the spot
where a few minutes ago the girl had been fighting for her life. He slumps
there, his eyes still on the pool of blood. He sees the shapeless card, its one
end dripping in blood. He picks it up, straightens it but is unable to read. A tear
rolls down his cheeks. He looks up at the sky and prays
“Please Great God Almighty Allah save her.”
Asad, Najma and Dilshad walk here
and there with their worried faces.Tanu on the other hand is sitting peacefully
on the couch waiting for this drama to get over so that she can slip into her
bed. After a while when there seems to be no end she silently slips from the
scene, making her way to her bedroom.
Its almost 10. There is still no
news from Zoya. Asad has even informed the police. They are out in search as
well. Dilshad’s cell phone starts ringing. She immediately picks it up. Asad and
Najma look at her desperately.
The voice on the other side asks
Dilshad, “Am I speaking to Dilshad Khan.?”
“Yes.” Dilshad replies.
“Ma’am I am speaking from the City Hospital,
can you please tell whether you are somehow related to Miss Zoya Farooqi?”
Dilshad’s heart starts thumping
loudly . she gathers up the courage to answer her.
“Yes I am her Phupho… is she alright?”
Asad and Najma run towards her.
“I am sorry ma’am but you need to report to
the hospital immediately. Miss Zoya Farooqi had a terrible accident and…..”
The cell phone drops from her hand.
Her heart stops beating, the blood is drained out of her face, she forgets to
breathe even though its involuntary. Asad and NAjma give each other a worried
look.
“Ammi
what happened?”
Asad asks anxiously. She doesn’t
reply. Her eyes are welling up with water. Asad shakes her shoulders gently,
“Ammi please tell me what happened
? what happened to Zoya? Is she alright? Where is she?” he is yelling at the
top of his voice in melancholy.
She looks at him in desperation,
trying hard to move her lips which felt like oce at the moment.
“Who theek nai hai Asad….. she is in the
hospital.” She whispered in a husky voice.
Asad felt as if the sky has fallen
on him, his face white, drained out of blood. As if a knife is pierced in his
heart. It becomes difficult for him to stand, like the ground wouldn’t accept
him. There was sock, shock and only shock.
(Lines from ‘life of Pie’.
I myself cried writing this chapter it was very difficult to
put our lovely Zoya in Pain and Asad too even though he deserves it a little…. And
by little I really mean a little only. Keep waiting for the next part.)
Chapter 6
Her mind is lost in the darkness,
pitch darkness….. in some blackness, in a murkiness, without color, without any
iridescence or intensity, without any vibration, resonance, intonation,
modulation or movement. It’s a silent darkness. Darkness in darkness. A curtain
on a curtain.
Her consciousness isn’t bound to
any place or reservation. Its flying, floating on water, swimming in the clouds,
somewhere between the sky and the ground, in a cloud. slowly the cloud gets a
jerk and bursts into pieces, it vanishes in the air.
Soon there is brilliance
everywhere, a brightness, light. A sharp clear and glimmering light. Its like a
flood of light. An ivory yellow light.
She gently opens her eyes. A
blurred vision is seen. White walls, white ceiling, a fan hanging from the
ceiling. Its wings rotating slowly, spinning, spinning, again and again. She
stares at it for a long time.
‘Who am I? Where am I? why am I?’
She glares at the ceiling with
empty eyes. Then starts looking here and there. There are white walls all
around her. A couch to her right. The fragrance from the fresh flowers on the
side table grasp her nose.
The blinds of the windows are open
through which she sees the sun shining brightly. Soon dark heavy clouds prevail;
the room is now dimly illuminated. Strong winds make the trees dance in joy.
The birds chirp and sing happily.
She pressurizes her elbows in an
attempt to get up but it’s like her body is lifeless. Maybe she is very tired.
She gives up trying. She can feel a tube connecter to her nostrils. She looks
down at her arms; there are also many tubes and wires connecter to different
machines to her left.
‘Perhaps it’s a room in a hospital
and I am…. Perhaps… no surely I am Zoya.. Zoya Farooqi.’
How can one forget himself? Soon
all memories started bouncing in her mind, one after the other, one face after
the other. She remembers all.
She closed her eyes exhausted.
‘What was the last thing which
happened? Which brought me here? Maybe an accident.’
All incidents are flashing in her
memories, slowly and gradually.
‘I was crying, walking aimlessly,
there was this boy with the cards, I crossed the road, something falls on the
road, I pick it up, something hits me, there was blood, shouts cries, a some
what known face, a card on the road…card… Asad’s card…’
Remembering the card she cries…
“Asad!” she opens her eyes and then looks here and there but there is no one in
the room. She is all alone. She is again searching the room for him when the
door opens.
A nurse in a white uniform, a
medicine tray in her hands is walking towards her. She stops dead in her tracks
the moment she sees Zoya.
She gasps. “Thanks God.” She says
astonished. She goes back almost running out of the room.
Zoya in complete chaos and
bewilderment stares at the door for a while and then starts looking out of the
window. The clouds would start showering any moment.
After a while a doctor comes in
with the nurse. He is young, handsome with intelligent looks. He smiles and
seats himself on the stool beside the bed. The nurse helps her to sit straight.
“How are you?” he asks pleasantly.
“I am fine.” Zoya’s voice is hoarse and broken. She clears her throat.
The doctor holds her wrist in his
hands and checks her veins. Then he checks her eyes. The light he throws in her
eyes is stinging. He then asks her to breathe heavily while he checks her chest
through stethoscope. He takes some points on his writing pad and then addresses
the nurse.
“Did you inform her family?”
“Yes sir.”
‘So no one was here yet. She feels
bad. The doctor read her mind.
“Don’t worry they will be here any minute.”
He encourages her. The same moment
the door slams open and she recognizes Dilshad in the doorway. She rushes
towards Zoya and embraces her in a hug. Crying.
“Zoya….. Zoya my baby.”
The doctor and the nurse leave.
Dilshad asks hysterically , “Zoya
can you see me? Hear me? Do you recognize me?... kia tum bol sakti ho?”
Tears, like a waterfall pouring
down her face.
“Of course phupho… why won’t I recognize you? ”
Dilshad cups her face in her hands
and kisses her forehead gently.
“Zoya I am so happy you are fine, awake
and……I’ve informed everybody they will be here any minute.” She continues after a while….“Tum kitni
kamzoor ho gai ho Zoya.”
Zoya smiles and asks shaking her
head “itni jaldi kamzoor kaise ho sakti hun phupho?”
The smile on
Dilshad’s face fades a little.“Let me talk to your doctor… I’ll be back.”
After she leaves
Zoya leans back on her pillow and closes her eyes.
‘Something is out
of place.’
Asad parks his car
in the hospital parking. Jumps out of the car and starts running like a mad
man, rushing through the people who are getting annoyed. Taking two three steps
at a time he climbs the staircase as if running for his life. Finally, he stops
at the doorway panting. He gazes at Zoya’s weak and fragile existence.
Different emotions take over him. He calls out “Zoya”
Zoya’s eyes
flutter open. She sees Asad in the doorway. Her eyes fill with tears as she
stares at him. He in his wayfarer glasses and light beard looked a little
different from the last time she saw him. She cries, “Mr. Khan.”
Asad runs towards
her and takes her into his embrace. Both close their eyes. Zoya starts weeping
loudly where a tear drop rolls down Asad’s cheeks. He caresses her hair gently.
Zoya cries, “mr.
Khan.”
“Shhhhhhhhhh!” Asad quitens her. “Everything is fine.”
He pulls her back
after a long time, fixes the lose strands of her hair which were trickling on
her face. He rubs away the tears from her face. They look into each other’s
eyes for an eternity.
He breaks the eye
contact and straightens himself as Dilshad enters the room.
“Oh! Asad you are here.”
Asad is sitting in
the bed so she seats herself on the stool. She holds Zoya’s hand in hers and
rubs its back.
“Zoya do you remember everything?” she asks
slowly reading Zoyas’s face intently.
Asad’s eyes are
also fixed on Zoya.
“Gee phupho…. I
was crossing the road when a car hits me and…..”
Dilshad interrupts
her, “No…. I mean everything after
that.”
“After that?” Zoya asks in bewilderment.
“Yes everything I
said to you when you were here in the hospital? Do you remember any of that?”
Dilshad asks
Zoya is lost in
thoughts.
‘Yesterday I was
hit by a car, then brought here… I don’t remember Dilshad talking to me…. What
did she say?’ she shakes her head.
“Nai phupho…. I din’t hear anything… all I
remember is that yesterday I was hit by a car… and then I wake up today in the
hospital. What did you say to me anyway? ”
Dilshad and Asad
exchange a anxious look before their eyes fix on Zoya agin. There is a long
silence as Zoya waits for Dilshad to reply. Finally Dilshad says,
“It wasn’t
yesterday Zoya……it was…. It was two years back.”
