Old love: Zaroon and Kashaf Ss

The much awaited confession

He stepped out looking for her. He had almost searched all the corners of the banquet hall but she was no where to be found. 

"Kaha chali gayi yeh ladki?"

He said in a low tone.

"Shayad woh garden area me ho?Haan ek baar check kar leta hoon."

He made his way to the garden and soon spotted her on one of the benches. He took a deep sigh and looked towards the Almighty as if expecting some help from him. Before he could approach her, something struck his mind.

"Par main usse kahunga kya? Kya woh meri baat samjhegi? Kya woh sach much mujhse mohabbat karti hai? Maria ne saaf saaf to nahi kaha par uski baaton se to aisa hi laga. Kya mujhe usse baat karni chahiye? Nahi iss baar mujhe kar ni hogi baat usse chahe uska jawab haan ho ya na. Is baar main dair nahi kar sakta."

He took a deep breath and tried rehearsing his lines

"Kaise kahun? Kaise kahun? Haan yeh theek rahega."

He cleared his throat and said

"Kashaf main Maham ka pappa banna chahta hoon."

He closed his eyes and hit himself on his head.

"Aise to woh yeh sochegi ki main Maham ko adopt karna chahta hoon aur meri jaan lene me woh do second bhi nahi legi.Kuch aur sochna hoga.Haan."

"Kashaf kya tum meri begum sahiba banoge?"

He closed his eyes again with irritation.

"Is baat pe to wo mujhe do thapad maregi. Aur yeh kaha ki 60s ki line keh raha hoon main.Kuch soch Zaroon kuch soch. Kya karun direct keh doon?

"Kashaf I love you. Will you marry me?"

He waited for a minute and concluded

"Haan yeh sahi rahega. Simplicity always wins."

He slowly moved towards her.

Kashaf was still in her thoughts.

FLASHBACK

Sahir had left the house and it was late at night that he returned to find Kashaf in the same position and Maham crying beside her. He picked Maham in his arms and spoke

"Tumhe talaak chahiye na. Woh main tumhe dedunga. Tum mujhse mohabbat nahi karti lekin main toh tumse beyhad mohabbat karta hoon. Main tumhe baandh ke nahi rakh sakta. Tumhe ghut te huye nahi dekh sakta. Tumne mujhse yeh baat pehle hi ki hoti toh baat yaha tak nahi pohnchti. Par Kashaf zindagi me tumhe kabhi bhi ek dost ki kami mehsus ho, koi kaam ho tum mujhe sabse pehle yaad karna. Tumhare saath bitaya har ek pal mujhe yaad rahega aur main uske sahare jee lunga.Par Mera dil itna bada nahi hai ki main Allah se yeh dua kar sakun ki tumhe Zaroon ka pyaar mil jaye par main tumhari khushi ke liye humesha dua karunga."

Flashback ends

Kashaf's eyes were filled with tears. She did not love that man but had immense respect for him. She never met him after her divorce for he shifted to London but he always makes it a point to know about her whereabouts. Love, really doesn't always need reciprocation. She always wondered why couldn't she be this strong. Why couldn't she accept reality like Sahir did? 

"Kashaf"
Spoke Zaroon softly.

Kashaf immediately wiped her tears and turned around.

"Maham mujhe dhund rahi hai kya?"

"Nahi filhal to woh so rahi hai aur Maria ke paas hai."

"Maria bhi ayi hai?"

Her face lightened a bit.