Part 100-Season Finale(part 2)

As narrated by Aara:

The After Party was a bit too loud and over crowded…and I had so much to tell Uzair! So after meeting and greeting everyone, both of us decided to just chill outside.

Me: (sitting on the bonnet of Riza’s car) so anyway, you know what happened tonight with Zoheb right? (Blushing) I couldn’t believe it Uzzi! But what did you speak to him about because I saw you too talking…

Uzair: (running his fingers through his hair) What us guys talk about is non of your business (wink) But since you and Zoo seem petty close, I…err….well don’t get mad and shoot me…. I kinda gave him advice… and my blessing.

Me: Uuuuuz you gave him your blessings? (Ripping) you do know that he’s older than you?

Uzair: Exactly! He’d older than me AND he still wanted my approval! (laughing) You’re just jealous I get along with Zoo! (wink) But who cares about what I think (nudging my shoulder against hers) I’m not the one he’s in love with doll… (raising an eyebrow) 

Me: what’s with the zoo thing? (Smiling to myself) no one has ever done that for me…ever…and honestly, I could see it in his eyes that he meant every word that he said. (Laughing) taking your “approval” was just cute! But I’m scared…Uzzi remember I told you that I was once in love with Nemo..and he never saw it…Uzair I see it now…he’s trying to tell me something I ..I act ignorant but I’m not…I’m scared of what he is going to say…if it is what I think it is…I don’t know..I don’t know if I have it in me anymore to try. And then there’s Zoheb, who I can be free with in the sense of …I don’t have to worry about him he will worry about me…am I making any sense at all?

Uzair: (pulling me into a hug) I know Aara… I know. You’ve been hurt before by Nemo, and you’re unsure if he’ll hurt you again. But isn’t that what life’s all about? Its about change and taking risks and giving people second chances. I cant decide for you what only your heart can decide. With Nemo you have to have faith in him. You have to give him a second chance. And with Zoheb, you have to reciprocate the feelings he has for you.

Me:(holding onto Uzair)Uz when I brought him back I also brought back with me a responsibility…and it was hell…it was horrible..but I did it…I didn’t give anyone a chance to point a finger at him…we were both broken and Nemo lost his will to try again…Uzair (tears falling from my eyes) my heart was in a million pieces and the only way I could have helped him was if I thought like 6 year old Aara who loved him as a friend and not 20 year old Aara whose heart he broke over and over again…and I had to kill the Aara whose life was Nemo just so Nemo could live….after almost 3 years how do I love him again? That’s if he feels the way I think he does…wait…you spoke to him too!

Uzair: (stroking my hair) Shh… Aara don’t cry doll. Look at you, you did it! You saved Nemo. You gave him a reason. For all you and I know, you could be the reason. The love and support you gave him, the love and support that you still give him. You saved him Aara. You are the most selfless person I know, you know that? You sacrificed your feelings so that you could save him. That is something amazing (in a nemo voice) ‘sweetheart’.  You’re amazing, and if Nemo finally realised that and if his feelings are true, do you still love him?……. and yes, I spoke to him as well (wink) 

Me: (wiping my tears and smiling softly) the Aara standing infront of you is not” in love” with Nemo…if he’s in love with me I don’t know…then again…it’s only when Zoheb came in the picture that he started acting up and giving me all these signals…how do I know if Zoheb goes away and the threat is removed that Nemo won’t become the old Nemo again?You see, its a tough tough spot to be in..

Uzair: (stroking his chin as if deep in thought) Hmm….. well you have a point there sister. Ever heard the saying ‘you never know the true value of something until its gone’. Maybe Nemo never realised how much you meant to him until Zoheb came. Nemo might spiral out of control if Zoheb went away, he might not. Zoheb might give you your happily ever after, he may not… (putting his hands on my shoulders) Doll, as much as I want to advise you on what you do, you need to listen to your heart. I can sit here giving you pro’s and con’s of Zoheb and Nemo, but at the end of the day, its about who YOU love. 

Me: but…(Running my hands through my hair and eventually getting it stuck into the hair grip that held it together- bad idea) ok I get it bro that’s your trademark…that’s where you come in. I know whatever they told you they told you in confidence but since it’s about me…please tell me what they told u?

Uzair: (laughing so hard he nearly fell over) Trying to steal my trademark eh Aaroo? I think you should stick to being the feisty one (with ease, running his fingers through his hair) Well, what do you want to know? We talked about a LOT of things, so you going to have to specify doll. And if we going to have this conversation, can we at least talk about this over some dessert or ice cream or something?

Me: (making eyes at Uzair) wait till I get my own trademark!!…look at me..I’m really something else…laughing then crying then laughing again..and now I’m craving for chocolate cheesecake because of you! As long as I get all the info I need out of you…I’ll treat you. There’s this place that Zoheb took us to that has the most devine chocolate cheesecake you have ever eaten!

Uzair: Ooooh la la! Zoheb took you’ll there (wink) Ouch don’t pinch me so hard! I’m just kidding around Aaroo (linking my arm through hers) Lead the way doll….

**And so we drove to the place where it sort of started…our fancy group date…the food, the flowers, the cheesecake..the night Nemo cried and asked me for forgiveness **

While waiting for our order…

Me: two months ago, we were right here…Zoheb gave me flowers at this very place…a red,a yellow and a white (and a small smile began to dance on my face) Nemo and I had a fight…he admitted that he was jealous of Zoheb and he waited outside my flat until I got home…that night felt like one of those long nights after I had brought him back from Durban…in a flash I had seen a glimpse of the past and it scared me…

Uzair: Aara you need to dig deeper. You need to tell me how you felt, what you felt when Zoheb gave you those flowers, or when you saw Nemo waiting outside your house. Look into yor heart and tell me what you felt. Has Nemo acted out like that since that night?

Me: Uzzi…that night…when I saw Nemo sitting outside my door…it felt like 2 years ago all over again…even when I did speak to him I could hear it in his voice. And when he cried and asked me for forgiveness I realised that even though he is trying…he’s still holding onto too much…it’s almost as though he depends on me to be there for him-just for him…but is it because of Zoheb or not? Where do I fit in? Is there a place for me as a person inbetween all his insecurities? Zoheb knows as well…whatever happens in my life…Nemo will always have a place in my heart and life and there’s no two ways about it

Uzair: Nemo is scared. He’s scared he’s going to lose you because you’re what brought him back the last time he went off the rails. You were his saviour and ever since then he became… dependant on you Aara. (giving me hand a reassuring squeeze) If he was sincere which he sounds like he was, could you love him again how you once did? The guy you end up with should not be insecure nor should he doubt you. Its about faith and love 

Me: now let me answer your question about Zoheb…. Zoheb…(Small smile) would you believe how obnoxious he was when we first met him! I couldn’t stand him Uzzi…he was a pain he made me walk on a hot tarred road…barefeet!!! Okay but for like less than a minute and then he made me stand on his shoes and walked me back to our picnic spot…I stuck two tomatoes onto the backglass of his car did I tell you that? (ℓ☺ℓ) the flowers…were the first of many gifts from him…the night he gave me the flowers..it was…it was something new….I didn’t have to ask…I didn’t even think about it but here he was…giving me flowers. I didn’t know what to feel except surprise…and then because I didn’t eat much he bought me food and cheesecake to take home…(Laughing) he bought me a “beach-in -a-bottle” when we were in Durban and told me his hearts deepest secret when we were sitting in my mothers garden…even in Cape Town he took me out on the “date” of a lifetime…hired one of my favourite cars AND let me race it…took me to a place I’ve never eaten at before nor the likes of the food there either and you know me and my food…and he bought me 2 bracelets online that I told Laeeka about and that he overheard us talking about…even last night…you know I was just kidding when I told him to stand on a car and sing (ℓ☺ℓ) because I wouldn’t do that for anyone…but HE did it! (Laughing again) and the night Issey and Rids saw us in Umhlanga…me dancing on Zohebs feet…that was the night I told him part of mine and Nemo’s history and he still stayed Uzzi…I even told him bits of Nemo and my story in CT…but Uzzi…(Sighing and smiling) he STILL stayed…why…any other normal person would run!!

Uzair: The dancing on the car thing only you would come up with something like that (laughing to himself) eish i’m going to catch him later and interogte him. Why he hurt my  poor Aaroo’s feet?! 
(Exhaling loudly) Aara you’re telling me all these things but you have to look beneath the surface. Do you… Can you… I mean, do you like Zoheb? Do you like how he gives you gifts and pays you attention? Do you like how he stuck around even after what you told him about you and Nemo? 
Because if you told him and he stayed… That means he stayed for you. 
And excuse me madame?! I thought I was the only one you danced with?! (pouting and batting his green eyes)

Me: exactly! And to be honest bro I know it wouldn’t be like this if Zoheb wasn’t in the picture. It would be normal, I’d be going about my life the way I always did, Nemo would have no “pressure” and I’d always be left wondering…if something could have worked even though, no I’m not in love with him now. And even then, if Nemo by some stroke of luck,told me he loves me, I’d still be wondering if he really meant it…I didn’t know Zoheb…but he’s come like a whirlwind of happiness and an element of surprise in my orderly world…

Uzair: (raising an eyebrow) A whirlwind of happiness…. (checking my forehead) You got a fever? Who are you and what have you done with my Aaroo?! (laughing)  Aara life is about taking risks and chances. Who knows, maybe if Zoheb never came into the picture, Nemo might have confessed his love… maybe not. We can’t really guess matters of the heart doll. Zoheb, he has to be substantial, his love has to last, do you think it will? 

Me: Uzair…Uzair…Uzair!!! I got it!!! He gives me gifts its sweet very sweet but Uzzi( big smile and falling backwards against my chair and laughing) Uzair!!! Guess what!!???!!

Uzair: Aara… Aara…. Aara! Please.. enlighten me?!

Me: Uzair!!!!!! (Jumping across the table and holding and kissing Uzair’s head—err a few times) I love your head! :-p Uzzi…he stayed..through everything…he stayed…this is what love is…no expectations…give without the expectation of receiving..do even the most crazy thing because the one you love asked…being there…just being there…through good moments and through…weak moments…no one…not even Nemo has ever done this…it’s not about comparing no…its not about the way he feels…I’ve been avoiding it for so long but Uzair…Uzairrrrr….he’s the one!! O MY GOD he’s the ONE!!!

Uzair: (how mouth hanging in a big O) Umm… (his eyes wide open in shock!) Aara… I hate to rain on your parade, but are you SURE? Like 110% doll? I don’t want to see you getting hurt… again… (holding my hand) I love you and your happiness is my happiness and if Zoheb makes you happy and if you love him….. (smiling his genuine Bobat smile) then I’m happy. But I’ll ask you this once, are you sure?

Me: I love you too (tears in my eyes and laughing)no I’m not 110% sure (laughing) but I’m sure enough to take a chance…I know I’m not IN love with him yet but Uzzi I’m definately falling….maybe for once I just need to put myself first…and thinking about myself now..and in now only…I’m thinking about Zoheb’s words “close your eyes and who do you see?” And I see him!

Uzair: (smiling so wide it looked scary) God I’m so happy for you Aara! (pulling me into a rough kinda hug) Finally! You’re doing something for your self, its about time (wink) Take a risk, take a chance, follow your heart wherever it may lead you. I’ll be here every step of the way…well over Skype, not physically here (smiling half a smile)  No crying (wiping away the tears) You going to tell him? Poor guy must be wondering what’s going through your mind after the whole sing song episode 

Me: ummmm I’m not going to tell him YET (sticking my tongue out) I just want to take it slow and easy…okay maybe I’ll tell him because keeping him hanging would just be so wrong…I’m feeling so much lighter now…I mean Uz I love Nemo he’s my best friend and I’m not ruling out anything…but right now…this feels so right…wait I should probably phone Zoheb don’t you think? Let’s phone him!

Uzair: Well when you do tell him, make sure I’m there (wink) I’d pay good money to watch you ‘confess your feelings’! (Laughing) I wont be surprised if you had his number on speed dial (smirking)

Me: (unable to control my clownish smile) no not on speed dial (laughing) let’s put it on speaker….

Zoheb: hello

Aara: hi

Zoheb: hi

Aara: hi

Zoheb: hi

Uzair:(screaming into the phone causing everyone to look at us ) Wazzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzup Zooooo!?!? 

Me: (looking around and giving Uzair the “are you mad?” look) Uzair!

Zoheb: (laughing out loud!) Wazzup brother

Uzair: Save me bro! This girl is getting jealous you and I get along. (winking at me) Aww, doll don’t pout. I’ll get Zoo to make it all better (winking again)

Zoheb: with pleasure…I’ll just take her away then you and I both will be saved!

Me: (at a loss for words and turning beet red)

Uzair: (laughing so loudly the attention was once AGAIN on us!) If ONLY you could see how RED she is gone Zoo! And I don’t think she likes my nikname for you (wink) She’s getting too possessive

Zoheb: (laughing) I wish I could be there! You could just take a pic Uzair!

Me: errr…remind me again WHY we phoned him Uzair? Because the conversation is so drifting away (pouting)

Uzair: (Smirking) You’re right, I could just take a picture (flashing out his phone) SMILE! (click captured and sent to Zoheb) Okay okay I’m done troubling my Aaroo….I think I’ll give you two a moment. I’ll meet you in the car doll 

Silence…silence…

Me: hello?

Did he cut the call on me??? How rude!!! Forget it I’m not calling him again!….maybe it was the network? Whatever. I sat there for maybe another 15 minutes huffing and puffing before I stomped out!

Uzair had been a sweetheart and settled the bill on his way outside.

I was irritated and I was talking to myself again (showing the hand). He cut the call on me! He bloody cut the call on me!

I spotted Uzair leaning against my car busy fighting with his phone. *sigh* Uzair and his candy crush.

Me: he cut the call on me!!!

But Uzair ignored me, grinned to himself and carried on with his phone.

Me: Bobat did you not hear what I said? He CUT the call on me!! So bloody rude man! What’s the use singing that lovely song and smiling with those frikking cute dimples if he can be so rude!

Uzair was laughing to himself but he still ignored me!!!

“Errr I cut the call so I could surprise you in person”

I looked up at Uzair, I didn’t want to turn around omg….Uzair was beyond ripped!!

This was one of those moments where you just wanted the earth to open up and swallow you whole!

Uzair walked towards me, held my shoulders and turned me around to face Zoheb! My face was probably as red as a ripe tomato!

Uzair: (whispering in my ear) It’s now or never Aara. Follow your heart, wherever it may lead you. Remember I’m here every step of the way..

He gave my hand a tight squeeze, got into my car and drove off.

I looked down as Zoheb came towards me…
———————————————————
As narrated by Zoheb:

Me:(standing infront of Aara and trying to suppress my smile) so I’m rude..no wait I’m bloody rude with frikking cute dimples?

She smiled to herself but didn’t look at me.

Me: and now I’m so ugly too that you don’t want to look at me?

She still didn’t look up…

Me: you need me to start singing again?…because I will…

Aara: (laughing) I’m so sorry…I didn’t mean it…okay no actually I did mean it but..not anymore

Me: (taking a deep breath) Aara..I’ve bared my heart infront of you..you know how I feel..I will never push you or force you into anything..I just want you to know that you have my heart..always

A tear rolled down her cheek and I caught it with my finger..

Me: heyyyy

Aara: there’s things that you don’t know and things that you should know…

Me: do you want to know anything more about my past?

Aara: no…because it’s in the past

Me: exactly…Aara I want you now, for all that you are, for all that you were and for all that you will be…besides the fact that I’ve never met anyone like you, it’s everything about you that draws me to you…your laugh, your smile, your fiesty nature, the way you are so posessive about your friends, your dedication to everything you put your mind to, your innocence…your naughtiness, your big mouth and your beautiful heart…something happens to me whenever I look at you, whenever I hear your voice and my heart falls more and more everyday…I know what you said about a relationship being for keeps that’s why it’s got to be the right one…it’s got to be worth the chance…the chance of a lifetime…that may unlock a world of happiness…so…this is me…(Going down on one knee)..asking you….please Aara…will you give me the chance of a lifetime?…I am hopelessly and madly in love with you…

Aara: (swallowing hard)…if there ever is anything…you will ask me before judging me?

Me: I promise

Aara: you will always be honest and faithful?

Me: I swear on my life that I will

Aara: you will always overlook my shortfalls?

Me: (small smile) you have no shortfalls…

Aara: (side smile) you will always smile for me..

Me: (my dimpled smile coming across my face on its own) as long as you’re with me..

Aara: you will always be the way you are…

Me: as long as you are always the way you are…

Aara: (tears falling from her eyes as she knelt down infront of me) then give me the chance of a lifetime please?

My heart was overwhelmed with emotions as I stared at her as tears streamed down both our faces….and I impulsively took her into my arms and hugged her. Never ever wanting to let go…I kissed her on her forehead and wiped her tears…

For the first time in my life…I was truly in love. A love that was honest and pure…free from any expectation…it was just love and nothing else.

I didn’t know then, that the start of my love story would be the end of his…that my dreams that were flying high…meant that his dreams would come crashing to the ground…that my heart joining with Aara’s would mean his heart breaking into pieces…but that’s the irony of life…in the words of Khalil Gibran ” Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars”

And what seemed like the end…was only just the beginning. The three of us…our lives were meant to be joined…..forever.

——-END OF SEASON 2——–

100 episodes down! اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّهِ
It’s been amazing, thank you all for reading LLD *hugz*

A special thank you to Dubain01, my special chika;)…thank you for Uzair and for all the hours you sat up with me writing the combined posts…through all our laughter and fun~we have created memories that will last us a lifetime:) *big big hugz to you* You’re an amazing person&an awesome writer! ∕Ɩ∕Ɩω∂h

I will spoil you guys before two weeks is up with a bonus post إن شاء الله 😉

Until then, be safe, be happy and keep it real:)

Much Love,

Shazia