The Past : part 1
(Year 1995)

A crowd of curious students gather around the college gate to check out the Porsche that halted outside. Their eyes glued at the backdoor that opened and a tall muscular guy in super expensive and stylish clothes stepped out. His hazel eyes glowed in the sun and his dusky front parted hair like that of Leonardo DiCaprio. His entire being resonated arrogance and that smirk on his face that said, 'you can never be better than me' had all the girls around swooning and guys frowning.

His threw his bag over his shoulder and gazed around, his smirk growing. With one hand pompously in his pocket and another around the strap of his bag, he began to walk towards the college building when....

"Haider! Oye Haider! Wait for me yaar!"

He turned around towards the source of the voice shaking his head.

Another handsome guy was running towards him waving at him from a distance. His face split into a huge grin, his honey colored eyes sparkling with liveliness and excitement and his deep black hair all puffy like that of Sharukh Khan. His clothes seemed average but his handsome face and boyish charm made up for that.

"You're late again today, Ashfaq? And why are you covered in sweat like you ran mile?" Haider raised an perfect eyebrow at him scrutinizing him from head to toe.

Ashfaq chuckled throwing his arm around his friend who was half an inch taller than him.
"That's because I missed my first bus.... and then.... I had to run from the bus stop to college." He explained while catching his breath.

"The bus?! Seriously! Your father bought you a car just last week. If he finds out you took the bus again, he'll be pissed."

"Comeon!" Ashfaq said with a casual wave of hand.
"He won't be pissed with something he wouldn't know. Infact, when is he not pissed with me." He made a face.

"If you start acting more like the son of a successful business and not some middle class boy from a chawl, then he won't be pissed at you." Haider snapped at him to which Ashfaq shushed him.

"I want to lay low." He whispered.

Haider rolled his eyes and they both walked to their class listening to Ashfaq's adventures of riding the bus on the bumpy roads and meeting new people.

They were both friends since their school days and were both the only sons of the upper-class households. Both their father's were rich businessman and someday these son's of theirs were about to take over the family businesses. That's why they had both joint IIM mumbai for MBA and today was the first day of college. The day when their lives were about to take an interesting turn....for better or for worst.

The beginning of the end....

Ashfaq watched as almost all the girls had their heads turned towards both of them, especially gawking at his best friend.

"The ladies man as always huh?" Ashfaq nudged Haider.

"Well, if you've got it then why hide it?" Haider smirked and then looked at the  small group of girls who were waving at him. There weren't many girls of course. In the time and age when girls their age chose to get married and have 5 kids, these handful of girls from rich families were here probably to find another rich husband or to pass their time.
"I think I won't be going home tonight." His smirk grew.

Ashfaq made a face.
"That's why you'll end up in hell. There's still time, make amends and come on the right path." He whispered to him.

Haider chuckled.
"Yaar, there's just one life and it's to have fun. Of course, a virgin like you wouldn't understand."

"Hah! Yes, I'm a virgin and I take pride in that. Jokes on you!" Ashfaq snapped sticking out his tongue at him.

Haider rolled his eyes
"You'll always be immature."

While Haider was enjoying the attention Ashfaq sank his head on his palm gazing around casually when his eyes stopped at a particular person.

Among the few girls in their class who were all dressed in modern skirts and short clothes, following the 90's fashion trends, there was this one girl in the beginning of the row dressed in a simple sky blue and white salwar kameez and hair simply tied up with a ribbon. The bangles in her hand falling down her thin wrist as she lifted her hand to tuck back the free strand of hair behind her ear. She was all alone with no friends and had all her textbooks arranged beside her.

'A studious one, eh?' He thought amused.

He tilted his head to see her face but he just couldn't as she was quite far away from where he sat. For some reason, he was quite intrigued by that simple girl while everyone else seemed to ignore her.

Just then, the professor arrived and began the class. The class was quite enlightening, however, again and again Ashfaq's gaze would wander at that simple girl who seemed quite engrossed in the lecture and busy taking notes.

Right in the middle of the lecture, one by one the professor picked the students to answer the basic questions about the current economics scenario. They were basic questions that anyone could answer. However, when he picked the girl in front, he began asking her a couple complicated questions. It was aplaulding how she was answering them all but of course, she was a human and just a student, so, when he asked her a extra complicated question, she seemed tongue tied and couldn't answer. It was such a complicated question that even Ashfaq nor Haider knew the answer of as it was related to WTO which was newly established that year.

Ashfaq noticed the trimphant smile on the professor's face and he frowned.
'So that asshole was trying to insult her!' He thought.

"You cannot even answer a simple question, huh young lady and you think you can come to IIM and occupy the seats of students more deserving than you? Ha! Don't make me laugh. You're here on a scholarship I've heard Miss Sheikh. I didn't knew IIM Mumbai's standards dropped soo low as to admit such students in the MBA program for free.
If you cannot even study then go home, get married and handle the management of your home. A woman's place is in the kitchen. Huh! As if someone like you could ever manage a business. Stupid middle-class people."

Everyone one around was snickering at her, however, Ashfaq could feel his blood boiling at the racist and sexist remark.

He raised his hand and the professor noticed him.
"Yes?"

Ashfaq smiled his ever so charming smile.
"Sir, the question you asked just now, I have to admit such immense and impressive knowledge you have on such an hot topic of WTO even though it was newly introduced. Wah!!! That's what is expected of a professor of IIM. We ordinary students couldn't even dream about surpassing that knowledge. Wow! Please, an applause for our Professor everyone. Come on."
Ashfaq was clapping, making everyone clap too and the arrogance that reflected on the pompous professor had no bounds.

"Sir, why don't you grace us with your knowledge and answer this question for us?"

At this, the professor's face went pale and he went silent.

A smirk made his way on Ashfaq's lips
"What's wrong sir? We're waiting."

The professor himself didn't knew the answer, by now that was clear to the students so now the sneakering and chattering were for making him wipe his sweat.

"Sir, if as a professor you couldn't answer the question, how could you expect a student, who's still learning to answer the question for you and humiliate them based on their gender?" He questioned him calmly and the girl was startled hearing that response 
"Today, there is no such thing as men being better than women, it never was. Women were always equal to men. And as you said that a woman's place is in the kitchen...then sir, Indira Gandhi would've never been the Prime minister of India, nor women would've been in the Olympics, or members of the WTO that you were just talking about. Infact, it's applauding how these women can be multitasking, handling their homes and the outside world with the perfect balance. We men certainly cannot do that now, can we?
The world is changing sir ....so should we." 

Haider smirked leaning back, clapping his hands at Ashfaq's speech and soon everyone else joined him making the professor red with fury and Ashfaq red with embarrassment and he was scratching his nape shyly.

His eyes went on the girl who had now turned towards him and...for a second there, his heart skipped a beat.

The professor stormed out of the class unable to bear the insult to his pride.

After the cheering died down, Ashfaq couldn't hold back and he walked down towards the girl who had her head hanging low. As he got nearer, he realised she was crying. He felt bad for her and took out his handkerchief, holding it in front of her.

She looked at the handkerchief and then turned towards him. For a minute there he just froze admiring her beauty. Her milky fair skin, deep black orbs like the starless midnight, her plump glossy pink lips and long neck. It made him gulp and become tongue tied.

"Oh, you're that guy..."

Her voice was like honey dripping to his ears and she smelled like jasmines. He couldn't remember the last time he was soo captivated by a girl.

"Um..." She looked down at the handkerchief and then at him.
"Excuse me?"

Asfaq was pulled out of his daze.
"Uh.... I thought you were crying soo...uh...."

However, now that he was seeing her closely, there was no sign of crying or red eyes or nose or whatever. Just her kajal a bit smudged.

"Oh, I wasn't crying actually. My kajal got smudged a little due to the heat. I was just fixing that. Why would I cry over something like that? It was clear from his very first question that he was a sexiest pig."

Then he noticed the small mirror on her lap.

"Oh.... I see. That's good then." He chuckled nervously. That was embarassing. However, her fiesty words made him smile even more.

"Thankyou for what you did there. I'm glad to see a feminist like you." She smiled and Ashfaq almost held back from fainting.
Her smile was like that of an angel, especially those dimples like Preeti Zinta.

"Uh...it was nothing." He was soo tongue tied. "That professor was just being a jerk."
"Btw, I'm Ashfaq." He stretched his hand hoping she wouldn't ignore it.

She giggled.

"I'm Nagma. Nice to meet you, Ashfaq." She accepted his hand shaking it slightly and bringing a huge smile on his face.

#####
Laying on his bed, Ashfaq looked up at his hand. He couldn't stop thinking about the girl he had just met on the very first day of college. Her deep eyes were like an ocean he could feel himself drowning in and those dimples on her cheeks were just soo cute! And the way she took his name....he had never loved his named soo much until that moment.

He sighed looking up at the ceiling but all he could see was her beautiful face. He bit his lip trying to stop his goofy smile that wouldn't leave his face.

It was too late. He was already in love.

####
After that day, Ashfaq came up with one after another excuse to talk to Nagma and they eventually became friends. Sometimes studying together or just hanging out.
Nagma too loved the company of her new goofy friend that never failed to make her laugh. She was from an upper middle class family with her father working in a bank, a well paying govt job. However, she had no idea who Ashfaq really was. To her, he was a simple middle class boy with big dreams and honest ambitious that she felt attracted to.

Haider on the other hand was enjoying his college life and even girls from other colleges, even younger girls came along to flirt with him and he became the ultimate playboy and heartbreaker of the college.

Haider noticed how his buddy, who hardly even talked to girls was hanging around this particular girl every chance he got and that peaked his interest in her.

She seemed like simple girl with no sex appeal what so ever. Still, there was something about her that was intriguing to him.
He was curious as to what kinda girl had managed to steal the heart of his saint of a friend.

That was until, he actually met her, because, that was the trigger....

####
Nagma stepped out of the library with some books and business magazines in her hands. They were too big to fit in her bag so she had to carry them in her arms.
'Should've atleast brought a cloth bag or something'. She mentally facepalmed.

Waving her friends goodbye, she turned towards the opposite direction when she bumped into a tall figure and all her books fell on the dusty road, making her jaw drop with horror.

Any damage to the books and she had to pay for them. The books were expensive too. But it was her fault so she immediately muttered an apology and bent down to pick them up not caring who she bumped into. However, the person in front got down too picking the books and handing them to her.
When picking the last book, when she tried to take it from the person, the hand held onto it tight, making her pull harder but to no avail, making her look up at the person and the hazel orbs that were scrutinizing her, made her eyes widen.

"Ex...cuse me?"

He let go of the book and resting his elbow on his knee and his chin over his palm he watched her intently. His gaze was making her uncomfortable now, so she got up and turned to leave.

"What does he see in you?"

His words made Nagma hault in her steps and she turned towards him frowning. She had recognised him. He was Haider Malik, son of the famous businessman Anwar Malik and a terrible play boy who enjoyed playing with and breaking the hearts of beautiful girls.
He was Ashfaq's friend but this was the first time she was actually meeting him.

He stood up too, his tall figure towering over hers and she literally had to tilt her head up a little to look at him. That sinister smirk on his face was annoying her even more.

"Anyway I see, you're not attractive in any way. Then what did Ashfaq see in you to be soo crazy about you?"

Her frown only grew deeper.
"What are you talking about? Ashfaq and I are just friends." She said straight.

At this Haider threw his head back and was laughing.
"

Friends? Don't make me laugh. A man and a woman can never be friends."

"Yes they can!" She snapped.

"Oh~" He raised an eyebrow at her fiesty tone. He was really enjoying talking to a girl who was soo immune to his charm.

"I have to catch a bus." She rolled her eyes and turned around to leave but Haider grabbed her wrist and pulled her to him turning her to face him. Their faces were just inches away from eachother as her shocked gaze met his mischievous ones.

"So you want to be friends with a guy huh?" He whispered in a deep voice.
"Then how about we become friends too ....or maybe friends with benefits?"

Slap!

Haider froze like a statue holding his jaw as his face turned to a side at the impact.

"I need to wash my wrist 7 times with zamzam water as a despicable person like you touched it! Do you think all women are your play things? Who do you think you are?! You say you're Ashfaq's friend! Huh! Don't make me laugh. Ashfaq is a billion times better than you."
She raged at him with such abhor and turned to her heels.

Haider chuckled watching her leave. No girl had ever dared to say no to him let alone hit him. He licked his lip watching her disappear.

Maybe there was something attractive about her....and he wanted that.

####
After the tedious lecture, Nagma collected her bag and turned to leave when....

"Aaahhhh!"

Her breath of relief turned into a scream as a scary mask right at her face. Hearing her scream and seeing her frightened face, the person behind the mask was laughing uncontrollably bringing a deep scowl on Nagma's face. She knew that voice.

"Ashfaq! I'll kill you!" She ripped off the mask from his hands throwing it somewhere and was hitting him mercilessly while he just kept laughing shamelessly.

"Ok sorry...sorry ...ow ow Nagma...hahahaha....."
He somehow managed to grab both her wrist while she struggled, however, doing so brought them physical quite close, close enough to feel eachother's body heat and once they realised that, they both froze looking at eachother, stunned. The honey colored orbs locking with the midnight black ones.

After a minute or so, they both snapped out into reality and Ashfaq immediately let go of her wrist stepping back, both looking around embarrassed, hearts thumping.

"Uh...right, Nagma, I got 2 tickets for today's 3 pm show of Sharukh Khan's new movie Dilwale dulhania le jayenge.   Will you uh...watch it with me?"
Ashfaq asked hesitantly but his eyes full of hope.

"Um....sure. I wanted to see that movie." Nagma said blushing slightly but trying to be cool, bringing a huge smile on his face.

"Oooo...you two are going on a movie date?" One of the classmates popped up from behind Ashfaq teasing them. At that both of them turned red like tomatoes.

"What? No! We're just going to that movie like friends. Nothing else. No date or anything." Ashfaq defended and Nagma nodded with him.

"Then let us come too. You'll buy our tickets too right?" Another classmate popped up, then another and another spoiling Ashfaq's mood altogether. However, he realised, he was in no position to say no.

#####
"Oh shit! I tried reallllly hard but the movie is housefull so I could only get you all seats which were faaaaaar away from us. Sorry!"
Ashfaq said feigning innocence.

"You did it on purpose, didn't you?" One of his friends asked raising an eyebrow at him suspiciously.

Ashfaq threw his arm around him taking him to a side, especially away from Nagma.
"Try to understand.... I'm trying to make a future for myself here." Ashfaq whispered winking.

That guy looked over his shoulder at Nagma and then at Ashfaq.
"Oh...ohhh.... I knew it! Don't worry. We understand~ You have our full support. Go for it brother! Dilwale dulhania toh le hi jayenge~~~" He teased Ashfaq overexcitedly while he was a blushing mess.

The movie was about to start and Nagma noticed their friends weren't around.
"Ashfaq, where is everyone?"

"Far away from us..." He murmured.

"Huh?"

"I mean... I told na, that the show was housefull? So I couldn't arrange the seats together." He shrugged.

Nagma looked around and pouted.
"Ashfaq....our entire row is empty."

Ashfaq followed her gaze innocently.
"Is it? Oh, I didn't notice. Did the ticket person made a mistake?"

She narrowed his eyes at him and opened her mouth to speak when...

"Look look, the movie is starting!" He exclaimed pointing ahead as they had their balcony seats.

Nagma shook her head giving up and Ashfaq was struggling to control his smile.

Nagma was too engrossed in the movie, smiling and laughing at times, nodding her head at the songs even but forgetting about the movie, Ashfaq was just busy watching Nagma, smiling to himself.
Their hands were too close resting on the hand-rest and his fingers were tingling wanting to inch forward to her soft hand. His heart was pounding and his palms sweaty. He gulped as the back of his hand brushed her knuckles but she was too busy to notice.

It was making him more nervous now  and gathering his courage he hooked his pinky finger with hers gently. Nagma finally noticed it and their eyes met exchanging unspoken emotions.
Being brave Ashfaq brushed his fingertips over her palm entangling his fingers with her's, looking straight into her eyes as he could see them when the screen's light flashed over them occasionally. He was afraid she might pull away, but to his surprise and joy, she too closed her fingers to his immediately looking away as heat rose to her cheeks and her heart matching the beats of his heart too.

The goofy grin was back on his face as he held on to her hand tighter. Both feeling tingly inside and giddy with excitement and shyness as they stayed like that until the whole movie ended.

####
There was a party at the college and the students were given a formal theme to dress up in. So, naturally, the guys wore suits and the girls downed their best saris.

As usual Haider was surrounded by all those beautiful girls. However, his widened eyes were fixated on the elegant girl wearing a pink and golden chiffon saree hugging her curves perfectly, her hair falling open behind her in soft waves, her fair skin glowing like the bright moon, golden jhumkas brushing the sides of her long neck, her dark eyes lined with kohl making them look darker and mesmerizing, the thin pink bangles adorning both her wrist and plump lips shining pink.

Haider was completely awestruck by her beauty and it took him several minutes to realise.....it was none other than Nagma.

Leaving the crowd of girls around him, he walked towards her in his own mesmerizing daze. His eyes roaming up and down her body lustfully.

'How was she hiding something soo amazing all this time?' he wondered.

But, before he could reach her, her friends had already stolen her, taking her away leaving him cursing under his breath.

Ashfaq looked at his watch for the 15th time as he was waiting for Nagma. It was evening by now and not once had he seen her. He kept searching for her all day but as it was an intercollege function, there were many girls from other colleges who were her friends and were stealing her away.

His heart was thumping uncontrollably inside his chest as today was when....he had planned something special for his beautiful angel.

"Ashfaq!"

His face split into a grin as he heard Nagma's voice calling him. Finally, his wait was over and he took a deep breath before turning to her. However, when he did, his heart almost stopped as he felt like an angel had flown down from the heaven and was walking towards him.

His mouth was hanging open as he just gaped at her enthralled.

"Um.... Ashfaq....hey....are you there? Hello~ ...."

Nagma snapped her fingers twice in front of him yet there was no response but then she shook the bangles of both her hands near his face, that's when he got out of his daze.

"Is it possible.....for someone to be soo beautiful?"

Nagma's face turned a shade of red. The reason she had taken soo much efforts in getting ready was all for his sake after all.

"Do I....look that pretty?" She questioned shyly tucking back the strands of her free hair behind her ear.

"No.....you look like a fairy." He whispered taking her hand in his gently and bringing it to his lips as she watched him in awe.

He was no less either. In that black suit and white shirt inside. He truly was a site to behold too.

Her heart was thumping in her chest as she couldn't even hold his gaze.

"You made me wait too long Nagma." He smiled his charming smile that always warmed her heart. She didn't know when and how, but, she had already lost her heart to him too.

"Sorry....my friends held me back, so. I wanted to come to you sooner too." She blushed harder as she admitted that.

He leaned closer to her ear whispering softly. "Oh really? Were you eager to see me too?"

She dreaded her cheeks would explode.

"Did you....wanted to say something?" Her voice breathless, changing the topic. She finally looked up at him and he nodded.

Taking her hand, he walked her to a flower bed. It was a beautiful view under the orange and red horizon of the setting sun. However, what was more beautiful was the man who got down on his knees in front of her holding both her hands ever soo gently while gazing straight into her eyes with his mesmerizing honey orbs that seem to shine even more brighter than ever under the soft rays of the setting sun.

"Nagma...."

"Yes...."

"I know it's just been a few months since we met and there are soo many things I feel right now.....that I cannot even find the words to speak. But one thing is for sure..... You've stolen my heart .....I love you Nagma.
I'm somewhat an old-fashioned man and that's why I believe in courting my woman with the promise of marriage instead of being in a hollow relationship and just fooling around.
That's why, when this is all over and I become a successful person worthy of you ....will you marry me?"

Nagma's hand flew to her mouth from his grip, tears weiling up in her eyes. The love in his eyes that she could see for herself....was too overwhelming for her that she couldn't even speak.

So she just nodded bringing a hopeful smile on his face.

"Is that a yes?" He asked curiously....a bit fearfully.

She nodded again.
"Y....es...." Her voice broke.
"Yes... Ashfaq.... I....love you too."

His happiness knew no bounds as he jumped to his feet oozing with excitement and not knowing what to do with himself.

Nagma giggled with tears seeing his reaction and hearing her musical voice overwhelmed him too and all of a sudden he just pulled her into his arms startling her.

Still, she smiled and embracing back the man who was the tranquility of her heart, enjoying his warmth and the giddiness of the love she felt.

However, while being lost in their own happiness, the couple hadn't realised that someone's evil eye had already fallen on them....

_____________________________________

Assalamualaikum Everyone!

Are you liking this new track?

Do you ship Ashfaq and Nagma?

Well, this was just the beginning, a lot is about to happen in the next chapters as we are uncovering the truth layer by layer.

I know this chapter was kinda lengthy and slow but I really wanted to show the starting of their journey in detail. But don't worry, the upcoming chapters will be better In Sha Allah.

Fun facts: Did you know a lot of interesting things happened in India in the year 1995. I just randomly picked this year for the story but doing a bit of research I realised how remarkable this year was. It was literally a turning point for our country.
1- Internet was officially introduced to the public but for rs15,000 and just for 40 minutes per day usage on 14th August.
2- Nokia mobile was launched.
3- DDLJ movie was released on 20th October.
4- India joint WTO.

And now, I've tried my best to use all this in my story 😉

Crazy right?! Pat my back. I'm soo smart 😆

See u next Thursday