Chapter-7 She is the One

Sagar's POV

I told Sagarika to tell mom that I won't be home for dinner as I am going out with a friend. I reached the diner which Abdul told me and I called him to ask where he was sitting. As I entered I saw him stand up and wave his hand from one of the tables at the back. What I was not expecting was Ayaan to be here, I wonder if he is also joining us for dinner. I don't know why but this guy seems a bit weird. I noticed the way he was looking at Zuby today and then the way he showed concern for her. Is there a reason or maybe I am overthinking. Anyway I join the boys and give a bro hug to Abdul and shake hands with Ayaan. I decided to ask Abdul the reason for this sudden meet up….

"So Abdul…Wassup? Why did you call me all of a sudden for dinner tonight? You seemed worried on call. I hope everything is fine buddy"

"Yes everything is fine with me and thanks for coming on such a short notice. Actually Ayaan wanted to talk to you about something important or should I say he needs your help." I was confused… wonder what can I help Ayaan with?? Anyhow I turned to face Ayaan but before I could say anything the waiter interrupted…

"Sir are you all ready to place your order?" We all looked at each other and Ayaan was the first one to speak this time…in fact this was the first time he spoke since I arrived…

"Let's order dinner first then we can continue with our talks" Abdul and I nodded in agreement and we placed our orders. I decided to have Chicken Tikka (a kind of roasted chicken) while Abdul asked for Chicken Fried Rice with Manchurian. Ayaan on the other hand settled with a Chicken Kathi Roll (a kind of Wrap). We also ordered soft drinks and with that the waiter left informing us that our food will be served in 15 minutes. We were sitting on a round table with me in the center and Abdul on my right while Ayaan on my left. I moved my chair a bit towards right so that I am facing Ayaan properly and then I asked him…

"How can I help you Ayaan?" He looked a little hesitant but answered me anyhow…

"I need to talk to you about your friend Zuby" I was taken aback on his reply and looked at him with a raised eyebrow. His answer meant that I was not wrong when I noticed his behavior towards Zuby.

"What about her? Has this got to do with her boutique?" Though I was sure this is not about business and he has to discuss something personal but I took a chance.

"This is not about business Sagar. I want to know something about her, about her background." I narrowed my eyes at him as I was not actually sure where this was leading to, he did understand I might not like what he is about to say but he continued…

"Don't take me wrong Sagar, actually I have been looking for a girl with the same name and I just want to be sure if your friend is the same Zuby I have been searching for nearly two decades now" I was shocked at 'two decades'

"Two decades??" I almost screamed "How old are you man that you have been looking for a girl for two decades?

"I am 25 and I know all this sounds weird but I have been in love with a girl named Zuby and I am having this feeling that your friend is the same girl." I really didn't understand this man sitting in front of me… I am sure he is a nut case; anyhow I questioned him further…

"What exactly are you trying to ask me Ayaan? To be honest I am not understanding your motives" I said whatever came in my mind. And why does he think that I will give him information about my best friend? For god's sake he is just a stranger to us.

"I can totally understand your concern but trust me I mean no harm, but if she is my Zuby then I need to know…. Ok to make things clear first tell me since when do you know Zuby? I am sure this is not something to be kept a secret" 'my Zuby' what is this man…and I can see that he is already running out of patience. Well there is no harm in answering this question…

"We have been together since grade 2, I, Zuby and my twin sister Sagarika have been friends since then. In fact Zuby and Sagarika were even together in college, but why are you asking that?" he seemed to be thinking about something and then spoke after a couple of minutes…

"Was she in Dubai before she became your friend?" how the hell does he know that? I was quiet and he asked me another question…

"Did she have dark brown curly short hair?" I was taken aback on this question, though I haven't seen Zuby's hair since she started covering her head but I do remember that she had dark brown hair. And I also remember that her head was full of thick curls till she grew her hair longer. But man how he knows all this?

"How do you know all this? And please I want to know exactly who you are and why have you been looking for Zuby?" I wonder how much Ayaan heard my question but he has this really disgusting silly smile on his face. He was looking at Abdul with hopeful eyes and smiling like a complete idiot and then suddenly he turned to me and spoke…

"Because I love her" what the hell?? Is this man crazy or what? On one hand he is telling me that he has been searching for a girl since twenty bl**dy years and on the other hand he is telling me that he loves her.

Ayaan's POV

"Because I love her" Sagar looked at me as I spoke some foreign language. I decided to explain him and told him my whole story. He heard me very patiently and then spoke at last…

"I must say I am not surprised but shocked to see that a 5 year old can be so much in love with someone that he would wait and even search for his love for years. I respect your feelings brother, but I just want to say one thing...her life is already messed up and she is about to get married soon, please don't mess her life even more." Why is her life a mess? I wanted to know everything now…

"What do you mean? Is she in some sort of problem? I want to know everything about her, please Sagar I need you to help me" I was getting desperate…

"I respect your feelings Ayaan, but you should understand that she does not remember you. I know her since years and we share everything. In fact she never spoke of her life in Dubai, it's not that she has also been waiting for you and I can help the two of you to be together. She has already gone through a lot since her parents passed away, if you really love her just leave her with the little peace she has." I didn't know how to explain him that I never expected her to remember me and that my love is enough for both of us, Sagar anyhow continued…

"Only today she has chosen the guy she will be marrying, her marriage is the only hope in her life. I really wish she gets the best life partner who will truly take all her pain away." I can see the concern in Sagar's words, he was definitely worried for his friend but I still want to know what is so wrong in her life, I better ask who she has finalized…

"Whose proposal did she accept?" if she accepted Arhan's proposal then I am sure my path will become a little easy…

"There is this guy Sahil Ali Khan, he owns a restaurant" I leaned back on my chair and closed my eyes; I was not sure what to do next. I have never felt so helpless before, I have found my love after years but I can't make her mine. I guess I still have a long way to go, when I opened my eyes I noticed that the waiter had already placed our food on the table. My appetite was long gone, but I preferred staying quiet for a while so that all three of us can finish our dinner. I did eat my roll because I hate wasting food. Once we all finished our meal I couldn't stop myself from asking Sagar…

"What is so wrong in her life Sagar? Trust me when I say that I want to be the one to take all her pains away" He looked at me straight in the eyes as if trying to figure out how true I am then said…

"It's not my place to tell because it's about her life, all I can say is that her uncle and his family are not what they portray themselves to be" It was enough for me to understand that her uncle and his family might me troubling her, but to what extent is something I have no idea to. I was about to ask more but stopped because Sagar got a call on his mobile, he looked at me and told me it's Zuby calling, then leaning back on his chair he received the call…

Third Person POV

Sagar received the call…

S-"Hey Zuby! Wassup?? How come you are still awake?"

Z-"I am fine, was about to sleep. I just thought of telling you that I told Uncle that I chose Sahil and I am glad none of them asked me any further questions"

S-"That's good, I am glad they did not create another scene."

Z-"Hmm…but one thing was not good, Ashfaq is home"

S-"Not again….Where are you right now?"

Z-"I am in my room, as I finished dinner immediately I came back to my room"

S-"That's better, just stay away from him and make sure your door is locked"

Z-"Don't worry I have already done that"

S-"I will ask Sagarika to pick you early morning tomorrow and till then you should not come out of your room"

Z-"I already spoke to Sagarika, she will be picking me early morning in fact I will be staying with you people over the weekend"

S-"Ok good…See you tomorrow"

Z-"By the way I got a message from Mr. Ayaan, he told me that he took my number from you and was asking about my arm"

S-"Hmmm…yes I gave him your number"

Z-"It's ok…Good night now I am really sleepy"

S-"Good Night"

Throughout the conversation Ayaan's full attention was on Sagar's replies and the moment Sagar kept his mobile back Ayaan asked him…

"What's wrong? Is she alright? Why did you sound so worried? Why did you ask her to stay locked up in her room? Who is there?" he asked all questions in one breath, Sagar sighed and answered him…

"Her cousin Ashfaq is home, he is a sick bast*** and that's why I asked Zuby to just stay away from him." Ayaan understood exactly what kind of a person this Ashfaq is since a girl is being asked to stay locked up in her room in his presence. Before Ayaan could say anything else Sagar got up and paid for his food then requested Ayaan…

"Look Ayaan I can see it in your eyes that your feelings are true but please stay away from her. I am sure she does not need any more drama in her life." Sagar shook hands with Ayaan and Abdul but when he was just about to leave Abdul asked him…

"Which restaurant does Sahil own?"

"Yum Fast Food" that's all Sagar answered and walked out. Ayaan looked at Abdul thinking why did he ask the name of the restaurant all of a sudden and Abdul just gave him a mischievous grin and said…

"You never know when you want to pay him a visit" Abdul winked at Ayaan and they both also walked out of the diner after clearing the bill.