A week after the meeting
Numaan and Vikram were sitting in a restaurant. They were looking at the door constantly. They were waiting for someone it seems.
" Are you sure she would come", asked Vicky to Numaan.
" If the matter was related to Riya would you go", Numaan asked back with a question of his.
" In a heartbeat ", said Vicky.
" Then she will definitely come. Have patience ", he said. " Did you and Riya start talking".
" On phone about unimportant things but I am scared to talk about the kiss. And she pretends like it never happened ".
" A push is what she needs", said Numaan. " Congratulations by the way. Manav told his father he can't marry Riya and asked for his help to break the engagement. He told everything to me", said Numaan.
" That is wonderful news", said Vicky.
" Sonia was the ace we needed", smirked Numaan.
They high fived.
At about that time a young girl entered the place. She wore a simple green cotton anarkali with leggings, dupatta and bangles. She nervously looked around as if searching someone.
" Aasma over here", hollered Numaan.
She let out a sigh of relief. Giving them a smile she walked towards them.
" Salaam walekum bhaijaan", she greeted Vicky. " Salaam Numaan".
" Sit down Aasma", said Numaan affectionately.
She sat down obediently.
" I called you here for a reason ", said Numaan.
" What is it", she asked.
" I want to break our fake engagement ", he said.
" Fake"?
" Do you love me Aasma", asked Numaan.
" No bhaijaan".
" Good", he said. " Do you want to marry Salman "?
" Yes", she said shyly." That is why you said it is about arrangements our mothers made".
" Yes", said Numaan. " Meet my friend Vicky who will help us".
" Salaam bhaijaan", said the girl.
" Salaam sister", said Vicky.
"What do I need to do"?
" I try to keep Zoya away from him. You try to be around him. For starters we can do that", said Numaan.
" Okay".
" Also in a subtle tone let him know how rebellious and unorthodox she is".
" What can I tell"?
" She lived her most of the life in England. She is so British. Invent Aasma. You know better than me".
" What if Salman gets angry"?
" We have to take that risk Aasma", said Numaan.
" Okay as you say".
" Good. If you get any incarcerating information on Zoya pass it to me. This will end in your favour", said Numaan.
" I would not have hurt her if she didn't snatch my Salman from me", said Aasma.
" Do as I say and you will be fine", said Numaan.
" Deal". They made plans and she left.
" What is her story", asked Vicky aftrr she was gone.
"Our mothers were cousins. They married brothers. We grew up together. But then on the day Aasma was born her father remarried a rich girl for property. Naaz. My aunt was heartbroken. So my mother promised Salman to Aasma".
" Then Salman and Zoya", asked Vicky.
" A forced arrangement by her greedy father to usurp her property".
" How"?
Meanwhile
Zoya was reminiscing her past.
A boy and a girl in a college. Girl teasing him. Boy running after the girl. They reached a park. He caught her. In a tussle they fell. Him over her.
" Zoya my love", said Numaan.
" Numaan oh Numaan ", she hugged him.
Yes it was Numaan and Zoya in love.
"Zoya I met Robert and Naaz today. They are fabulous couple. "
" You did", she said with nervousness. " What did Robert say"?
" That he loves you. And approves of our relationship. He welcomed me in your family", said Numaan.
" Yaaay".
" But what about your mother. She hates mummy"" she asked.
" She hated what happened to her sister. But over a course of time she realized Naaz is a victim too. She knows about you amd gives her bessing".
" Then we will marry and settle here. I love England ", said Zoya.
" Absolutely ", answered Numaan.
" Always love me Numaan ", said Zoya.
" Till death do us apart", he said sealing her lips with hers.
Present
Teaers flew from her eyes. Her true love was not so true after all.
Restaurant
" Its called parent sabotage. Thats what happened. My mother and her father plotted behind our backs. She hates Naaz and Zoya. And he wanted her grandfather's money. The only ones who really supported us were Naaz and Robert", said Numaan.
" Her mother and stepfather ", asked Vicky.
" Yeah. Absolutely nice people", said Numaan "Had fate been on our side they would not have been claimed by that fatal accident. Miss them". He made symbol touching his heart.
" What happened then"?
" Zoya returned India with her father. He did not let her marry me. She was just 18 then. I did not trust him. But my mother said the same", said Numaan.
He took a swig of beer.
" I agreed. But my mother started plotting. She put the idea in Zoya's mind that I hate her and am on some kind of vendetta against her as her mother cheated my aunt. An insult here and there. Zoya tried to adjust but she could not. On the other hand her father asked me to join family business. I did. I got busy with it. We were asked to keep our relationship secret as Aasma, Salman and Ibrahim were unmarried. We were duped Vicky".
Tears came out from his eyes.
" Numaan ", Vicky was concerned.
" She believes I cheated on her", he said.
" For a lpng time I believed she left me for a better prospect with Salman. Our parents did it".
" But how come your mother agreed for Salman and not you", asked Vicky.
" Greed my friend", said Numaan. " Her maternal grandfather was a rich goat. He transferred everything to Naaz and she to Zoya. After she accused me of being womanizer I started digging. And their plan is surely devious", said Numaan.
" What is it", asked Vicky.
" Get her riches. Then throw her out . Salman is their pet. He will believe anything. I would have never left her", said Numaan.
" Is Salman in their plan", asked Vicky.
Numaan sighed.
" No Vicky. Salman is an upright man. Those two are spoiling his life. He would have been happy with Aasma. But now he is in love with that brat. I have to break his heart. And I feel bad about it", he said.
" I am sorry for the complexities in your life", said Vikram.
" It is what it is", said Numaan. Then he hugged his friend. " Its your confidence in me that I am determined to win her back".
" Yup love team rules", said Vicky.
" It does", said Numaan. They clinked glasses.
" Cheers".
Can Numaan and Zoya have their love back? Only time would tell..