Bakht- Pt 6

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One thing that every human had in common was the need to blame.

The need to find someone to hold responsible for a thing gone wrong, for an action of deadly consequences, for something that had been damaged.

But the loophole was that we often tend to disregard the person responsible for it all- especially when the person was the closest to you- and find someone else. Someone whom you know nothing about but just the fact that they are guilty according to your judgment.

Sameera did the same.

She overlooked her mother's words and actions and instead, found Zoya to hate, to blame, to degrade. She had nothing to do with the fact that Zoya had no idea what the little family fight was about or whom it was about.

All she knew was that she was the only member Sameera didn't feel attached to and blaming her wouldn't hurt.

"Did I ask you to do something for me?"

Haider's question was empty of any emotions. He stood in front of Zoya, blocking her view from his sister and his once warm eyes blazed with an underlying fury as he glared at Sameera who was momentarily taken aback by her brother's expressions.

"You didn't. Lekin bhai, she-"

"Did she know anything about the girl? Mama's words, her actions? Did you not bother asking me for once whether I have told her the incident or not?"

So calm was his voice but so threatening were his eyes.

Sameera bit her tongue at the string of questions. She hadn't bothered questioning herself in that way nor did she realize that the concern she had for her brother's life might not be needed after all- and especially not if it was in such a fierce and guilt free manner.

"Kuch pucha hai, Sameera. Jawab do."

Haider tried to control himself from lashing out at her. He knew her intentions were pure but everything had a proper way to be done. Words weren't as simple as they looked to be. They could scar someone for ages and heal wounds in seconds. And all of it depends on the way it's delivered- spoken.

"I-I didn't."

"Then who gave you the right to hate her for nothing at all? To mock her among strangers? To make fun of her dignity?"

Haider was seconds away from snapping. His fists were clenched, clearly in an attempt to stand where he was and not do something stupid. Temper had never been an issue for him but today seemed to be a particularly testing one.

"Your concern for me makes me love you, lekin the way you blindly lashed out on my wife, without asking or thinking of the many scenarios that could possibly happen is a sign of irresponsibility. I'm disappointed in you, Sameera."

The words hit like shards to Sameer's heart.

Never had her brother said something as such. Never had Haider hurt his sister, no matter what she had done but everything has a limit and Sameera had crossed a sensitive boundary this time.

"I know you're angry with the way everything happened. But you and I both know whom your anger is directed to, phir kyu Zoya ko beech mein la rahi ho? You're angry with mama, then talk it out to her. No one gave you the right to question my feelings for my wife- that too in my absence, behind my back- and then make her feel like she's nothing? She's a part of me now, Sameera. Zoya is under my name. Zoya Haider Razdani. You disrespect her, you disrespect me."

Haider didn't wait to hear any response from his sister. Taking hold of Zoya's hand who had stayed quiet through it all, he walked with her out of the house.

Samra had just been returning after seeing the many guests leave when her eyes fell on her fuming son and utterly pale looking Zoya. Concern overpowered the joy she had been feeling for so long as she quickly made her way towards them.

"Haider, beta kaha ja rahe ho itni raat ko? Kya hua hai?"

Her tone was alarmed and sharp as she looked between her son and daughter-in-law. Haider closed his eyes for a few seconds, trying to calm the anger at the tip of his tongue in fear of saying something that might hurt his mother. Taking in a sharp breath, he could only frame a sentence that made Samra pale in an instant.

"I think we all need some space, mama."

And with that, he walked into the garage and helped Zoya into the car. Driving out of the house, he kept a firm grip on the steering wheel while the other held her hand in hopes of calming down his temper.

"We'll stay at my apartment for a few days. It'll be the best for everyone."

And Zoya didn't have the energy to argue.

*****

No words had been exchanged between the two for what felt like ages. Zoya had changed into one of Haider's shirts since she didn't have clothes of her own in the apartment. She had worn beige legging under the lehenga so it was a relief that she needed only a change of the top.

She sat on the edge of the bed, braiding her hair. The events from an hour back wouldn't leave her alone nor would Sameera's words. She tried not to think of it, she tried to focus on the way Haider stood up for her but couldn't.

"Zoya?"

Haider had changed into a casual outfit. A grey coloured tee and sweatpants. He had been busy making a cup of tea for the both of them, thinking of it as the best way to start a conversation- to start what he was about to say.

"Zoya, look at me."

Haider placed the cups of the drawer, making sure they didn't fall as he made his way to his wife who was clearly lost in her thoughts- none of which seemed to be pleasant by the look on her face.

"Jaan?"

The endearment held every bit of concern and warmth. Haider stiffled a smile when she finally looked at him albeit a little hesitantly. Her cheeks didn't dip themselves in pink like they usually did and he held himself from feeling like the biggest failure.

Taking a seat beside her, Haider took hold of her palms that felt unnaturally cold to his touch. He kept his hold on them when she tried to pull away. He could sense the turmoil going through her head, the sense of dejection and sorrow.

Zoya bit the insides of her cheek when she felt him raise her chin. Her eyes felt misty and when they clashed with his, they were already blurry. She tried to close them, to break the hold he had on her but to no use did her efforts come.

Haider sighed upon seeing her tears. Pulling her to him, he gently lifted her in his arms and placed her on his lap. His thumb caressed her cheeks, wiping away the tear that had fallen and one by one, there was a trail of water being sacrificed due to a misunderstanding.

"Shh, jaana, roh toh nahi. Hear me out, please."

He coaxed her into calming her tears down but they fell every now and then. Her fingers had gripped the back of his tee as she snuggled into his hold and Haider could only smile when he felt her taking refuge in him, trying to rid her sorrow via him, making him a sense of tranquility for herself.

Zoya wanted to ask something. To ask him about the woman he had been so desperately in search of but the determination and courage for it was yet to overpower the hurt she was feeling.

"A year back, I was the co-pilot to the flight flying from England to Vatican city. After the plane had landed, me and a few other flight attendants were walking past the airport shops. I was busy searching for a proper gift for everyone in the family when I saw a girl holding a small album in her hand. It was a premium collection from a known photographer and hence was pretty costly- But come on, everything in the airport shops are costly."

He expected a chuckle, any signs of amusement but was met with none. Instead, he felt the grip she had on his tee tighten just by a little.

"Anyways, she kept looking at it for a good few seconds and I honestly was a little worried about her. Not minutes later, the lady in charge of the section came to politely ask her if there was an issue and in reply to the question, the woman clearly stated that the pictures she held were plagiarized."

Zoya felt a frown appearing on her features. A similar incident had been knocking at the back of her mind but she couldn't exactly remember when and where.

"The in-charge of course denied the accusation, said that all the pretty albums were premium, one of its kind and that she might be mistaken. The lady didn't budge from her words though. She did something on her phone and showed a picture to the in-charge. I'm not sure what the picture was of since I wasn't too close but my wild guess would be that she was showing her the proof."

Zoya bit her tongue, trying to imagine his sayings and the details only made her more agitated. She could bet she knew a similar incident but from where?

"The in-charge at first accused the woman of the crime but when she didn't accept it, security was called. It turned into something very serious in seconds. The woman was alone from how much I had registered and didn't look like a native of the country either, so it could create serious trouble for her. I decided on intervening but held myself back when the woman made a few calls. A few documents and authorization later, it turned out that the photos were actually clicked by one of her friends and were illegally sold to make money. Since the photos were uploaded on an app that helped people share their pictures and see a painted version of it, it didn't entail the owner's name and could be copied easily."

Haider paused when he felt her still form. The hold she had on his tee was long forgotten as Zoya looked at him with eyes filled with disbelief. She moved a little away from him, clearly in denial or maybe, she was having a hard time accepting whatever Haider had just said.

"You- I- no..."

Zoya shook her head in confusion. A conflicted look marred her features and Haider cupped her face in between his palms. A small smile danced on his lips as though aware of what Zoya felt and his eyes twinkled in delight, somewhat pleased and somewhat amused.

"Yes, jaan, it was you. I didn't know when and how, but seeing you fight for something that wasn't even yours but someone you were close to made me want to know you more. The loyalty you have to your work, to the group that you've made using the web of networks, allowing people from all around to showcase their talent that many deem as cheap and unworthy made me proud. How, when, mat pucho but at some point after that incident, I realized I wanted to know more about you."

Haider caressed her skin that was retaining some of its colour. Zoya sat still in his hold, waiting for him to say things that she hadn't known.

"Days passed by as I tried searching for you, maybe something as much as your name. I tried looking for the app too but seeing so many people engaged at the same site, I didn't know where to start. It took a while to look into every profile and find the person. On the morning of our nikah, I got a notification from the app. It said that the famous photographer Darya Radwan had added another beautiful painting to the famous artist, Zoya Mir's collection. And that was all it took for me to feel like I had the stars in my grasp."

Zoya didn't know she had been crying until he wiped the fallen tears. Her heart felt too full that it seemed tough to even breathe with all the emotions trapped inside. Haider kissed her cheeks and the tip of her nose, smiling through it all.

"The search had turned into something that I felt I needed to put my best in. Days and nights were spent trying to find you, something about you and on one of those days, I came to accept that I had fallen in love. I had fallen in love with a girl I barely knew anything about. Lekin kehte hai na, dil ki aarzoo agar ibadat ban jaye toh use pure hue der nahi lagta? I met you again as my wife. Imagine my happiness that I couldn't bring myself to say anything to you. Too deep into the questions of whether you were real or was I dreaming?"

A sob was heard amidst his speaking and Zoya threw her arms around his neck. Her tears were no longer that of sorrow but of disdain. A part of her felt guilty for ever doubting him even though she knew it wasn't her fault. She sat on his lap, her legs on either side of his waist while he rubbed her back, trying to console her sobs while placing occasional kisses on the crown of her head and her shoulder.

"Never doubt me, jaana, please. I've been in love for as long as I know and it has always been you. It'll always be you. I'm far too deep in your beautiful trap to ever be free again."

Zoya rubbed her cheeks against his stubble at his confession. She'd tear up again if she tried to speak anything at the moment. Her mind was a maze of thoughts, all of which ended with him. She couldn't yet confess that she was in love but maybe, she was near to saying it someday.

Haider pulled away, creating an inch of gap between the two. Her eyes had turned red from the crying and he placed a kiss when she closed them for him. His lips trailed down her cheeks, a subtle kiss on her jaw and after a wait long enough, he brushed his lips with hers.

Zoya held onto his shoulders when he covered her lips with his completely. The touch was feathery at first before turning into something more firm, more fierce. Haider held her captive in his arms while his lips ravaged hers. Now that he had confessed himself, left his heart bare for her to accept, he felt far more vulnerable and with a need to be closer to her.

One of his hands sneaked into the shirt that she wore. His warm skin came in contact with her bare cold ones and Zoya felt her shiver at the unexpected touch. Her body had slipped from the reigns of her mind and was now resting in his. Haider gently laid her down on the bed, hovering over her with his lips still making love to hers.

Pulling away when the need to breathe kicked in, Haider let go of her lips and gently glided his down her jaw to the junction of her neck, giving the sultriest bite to her collar bone. His hands played with the hem of the shirt she wore, half of which had already been raised.

"May I?"

He asked with every bit of restraint in him. His hands stopped themselves from raising the material any higher and Zoya almost whined at the loss of warmth.

"Sirf aap, Haider. Just you."

If winds held the ability to blush, the room would've been surrounded by carmine, drenched in the sounds of love and touches so sultry. Skin to skin was far more low to be compared to the string that was attached from one heart to another. Two bodies were bound together just like the souls who had surrendered to the long yearning.

(A/N: Pass me that cold cup of tea please.)

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*Peeks from behind the curtains*

Soo, are we on good terms with where all that ended?

P.s. I just realized that I've not included Ayaan and Amal's scenes in almost all the chapters. Haye, my bache must feel so neglected but koi nahi, the next chapter will be about them!

Now, about Haider and Zoya, batao mujhe it was good enough warna I'll cry a bucket of tears. So, who's crying knowing that he's not real? Sachi mein, I feel like opening a factory to bring these fictional men to life....

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