Chapter 2

                                                                   Chapter 2

Zoya sat devasted in the garden bench questioning all her life choices that lead to this moment. Is it her fault she had no parents? Is it her fault she was a bit clumsy and messy? She shook herself mentally. No. NO. She will not think that way. Even if she is not calm/patient or any of the other things Mr. Khan liked in a woman, she knew her heart is in the right place and she is not a bad person. So she’s going to cry, mourn her crush and move on, as any self-respecting woman should. She had liked him for his love for his family. It made her feel like wanting to be a part of them, but looks like the feeling wasn’t mutual and he could only look at all the bad parts of her. Zoya shivered, got up and went to her room.

Asad was watching her from the balcony and sighed.It hurt him to see her that way. But in his heart he knew that he just can’t reciprocate her feelings as he would only end up hurting her. “You are doing a great job of that already”, his inner voice said. He felt conflicted with all these emotions and hoped it will go away soon.

After a few days

Zoya and Asad avoided each other the next few days. Dilshad and Najma could sense something was off but they just brushed it off as one of their fights. Finally Zoya was able to get hold of her emotions, that is, not start bawling whenever she looked at Mr. Khan and act like nothing happened. Two can play this game.

Later, everyone sat watching a movie in the living room when the door bell rang. Asad went to open the door and saw a man standing there, decked up in a bulky jacket and sunglasses giving him a wide smile. “As Salaam Alaikum”, he said brightly. “Walaikum assalam”, Asad replied. “May I know who you are”, Asad asked. “Oh sorry where are my manners”, he chuckled and said ,”My name is Zayn and I am here to see Zoya, I believe she is staying here", he said good-naturedly. “Oh, please come in she’s inside”, he said still not sure what to make of the newcomer. 

Asad just then noticed the luggage behind Zayn and wondered what was going on. Zayn tiptoed into the living room and shouted, “Zoey”, the ladies at the couch yelped surprised and Zoya spilled her coke everywhere of course. Asad pinched the bridge of his nose exasperated.

 Then to everyone shock Zoya jumped out of the couch ran to Zayn and threw her arms around him, “Zayn! Zayn! OMG I can’t believe you are here”, she exclaimed jumping excitedly like a child. Zayn laughed heartily and spun her twice making her screech, “Oh stop it!”, “Now you know I’m real”, he said grinning. Zoya huffed.

Dilshad and Najma were exchanging confused glances with Asad and finally asked, “Zoya, who is this?”, Zoya broke off the hug but kept her arms around him and said happily, “Phupi, this is Zayn, Jeeju’s brother and most importantly my bestest friend in the whole universe”, she exclaimed with elaborate hand gestures. “Oh really! I don’t recall agreeing to that”, Zayn said with a raised eyebrow at Zoya. She slapped his arm playfully, “I don’t need your consent you idiot”, she told him. He just laughed and pulled her closer in a side hug. Dilshad and Najma had a feeling with them both together disaster is bound to happen, but it should be fun. Asad on the other hand felt a uncontrollable sense of anger the minute Zayn hugged Zoya and didn’t like the closeness between them.

After all the introductions were done everyone settled down for some coffee. “Zayn why didn’t you tell me you are coming”, Zoya asked. “Well for one, it would ruin the surprise and the main reason is I needed more time to beg for your forgiveness for not attending your Nikaah, that thank god you ran away from, before Aapi and bhai gets here”, he said giving her a puppy dog look.

Zoya huffed and tried to look angry, “When Aapi suddenly told me I’m getting married I really wished you were there to support me and make her understand, “ she said sadly. Zayn sighed then put his arms around her shoulders and said, “I know I’m sorry Z, when I did come to know what had happened it was too late and you had already run for it. As soon as my work was done I flew here”, he said lightly looking distant.

Zoya couldn’t stay angry at him for long since he had been in a another country helping out someone and didn’t know what Aapi was planning. They both thought it was just a trip to India. To the others who were looking confused she said, “When we came to India, Zayn couldn’t make it because he was doing some volunteer work near Siberia”. “Oh”, exclaimed everyone and fell into a comfortable conversation mainly with everyone laughing at stories of Zoya's antics as a child.

“So where are you staying?”, Zoya asked Zayn. He got out a bunch of keys and said, “Since Bhai and Aapi will be coming next week we have rented a small house so we can all stay together”, Everyone’s face fell at the thought of Zoya leaving. Zayn noticing the change in the mood said, “Don’t worry everyone, I made sure to find a house closer from here so you people can see each other whenever you want”, he said cheekily. Everyone were surprised and Zoya felt overwhelmed and squeezed his hands mouthing a thank you.

“Bhai told me how much you guys have taken care of Zoya. She’s not everyone’s cup of tea so I am really grateful to you all”, Zayn told everyone with Zoya exclaiming, “Hey!”, offended. “You can stay with us Zayn”, Dilshad offered, “At least till your bhai and aapi comes”. Asad looked unhappy at the suggestion but held his tongue. 

“It’s alright aunty, I have to clean out the house and take care of something for bhai so staying there would be better. Besides you already have your hands full with this trouble maker”, he said ruffling Zoya’s hair. Zoya slapped his hands away and said, “I will come with you Zayn, we can stay together”. Asad spluttered on his coffee. “No”, he told Zoya when he stopped coughing. Zoya was confused, “Why not, I can help him out with whatever he needs as he's new here”, she said.

“No, a girl shouldn’t stay with a guy alone”, Asad said firmly. Zoya looked ready to lecture Asad when Zayn stopped her. “Z, he has a point, this is not the US, I don’t want people talking badly about you especially when you get married. Besides, you can always come over, it's only three blocks away”, he said jokingly. 

Zoya felt unsure about how to react but conceded in the end. “Fine, but you have to have lunch with us and rest for a while before you go. You look like a puppy that went through the dryer”, “Hey! Take that back! I am always handsome”, he informed her proudly. “In your dreams”, Zoya countered. “In my dreams, Katrina…”,“That’s it, let’s go eat”, Dilshad said breaking the two bickering people apart. Tanveer was watching everything and didn’t like the look Asad was giving Zoya and the new comer. It looked like jealousy and she cannot afford that now. The sooner Zoya leaves the better she thought to herself.

Zoya sent Zayn to freshen up in her room. Asad insisted he use his room. Zoya gave him a look that said, “You don’t like anyone using your washroom, what are you getting at”. Asad fell silent after that. Zoya went to cook Zayn's favorite dish. 

When everyone had settled down in the dining table, Zayn came in wearing a light tee and joggers looking fresh, “Aww my puppy is here, look what your owner made for you”, Zoya said happily to Zayn holding out the plate to him, “Is that what I think it is?”, Zayn asked wide-eyed. “Yes my sweet puppy, it’s your favorite gobi parathas”, Zayn looked at her and walked into her room without a word.

 Zoya and everyone looked confused. Zayn came back and held out a pizza box and diet coke to Zoya looking satisfied. “Allah Miya!”, Zoya exclaimed happily taking the box and hugging Zayn, “Gosh no wonder I love you!”, she chirped, “I love you too owner!”, Zayn laughed hugging her back. All the Khan family members laughed at their antics except Asad who felt a stab in his heart hearing Zoya say those words to someone other than him.

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Hello guys!

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