Chapter 5

She stroked his head slowly as he slept, surprised when he turned into her touch in his slumber.

"Zoya!"

"Shh!" She hushed Najma as she rushed in with Dilshad hot on her heels.

"Zoya, is he okay? I shouldn't have gone out!" Dilshad said as she sat down next to Asad and touched his forehead.

"Don't worry, Phuppi. He's fine; the doctor said he has a few burns but nothing that will not heal. He inhaled a lot of smoke, more than his body could stand," she said, the last part coming out as a whisper as he fidgeted in his sleep.

"Zoya, I don't know how to thank you," Dilshad said looking up at her. Zoya shook her head.

"I did what I had to," she whispered, reaching up to squeeze Najma's hand reassuringly as it rested on her shoulder.

"Jammy!" A voice said.

"Tanveer, where were you?" Dilshad asked.

"Khaala, forgive me. I told Jammy that I needed a few things from the storeroom. I was going there myself but then I had to make an important call," Tanveer said. Her eyes fell on Asad and a gasp escaped her lips. She rushed forward, pushing Zoya away in the process, and took his hand in her own.

"Jammy! Oh God, what happened? I'm so sorry, Jammy. I shouldn't have gone! If I had stayed then all this wouldn't have happened," Tanveer said as she gently took his hands in her own.

"One minute, Tanveer. You were at the house weren't you?" Dilshad asked as Tanveer looked up at her.

"Where were you, Tanveer?" Najma asked.

"I was in the kitchen, I had a call and then I remembered that I had put something on the stove so I went to che-,"

"You weren't in the kitchen, Tanveer," Zoya perked up. Tanveer's eyes snapped to her.

"Of course I was!"

"No, you weren't. I went to get the fire extinguisher and you weren't there," Zoya said. Tanveer spluttered as she looked around the room, thankfully she was saved from Asad's groan. Zoya was the first to reach him, shoving Tanveer out of the way.

"Well, he seems to be in good hands. Najma, come help me make something for him when he wakes up," Dilshad said, standing up. Zoya smiled weakly at her and her attention turned back to him almost immediately.

"Tanveer," Zoya called as Tanveer opened the door. Tanveer turned to face Zoya, who stood up slowly and turned to face her.

"There was no need to lie. I know you weren't in the kitchen," she said.

"Zoya, believe me. I saw you rush in but before I could say anything you were rushing out," Tanveer said.

"I may have been in a rush, but I was aware of everything around me," Zoya said folding her arms in front of her chest.

"Zoya, I-,"

"Don't give me crap, Tanveer. I know you weren't there. Once Mr. Khan wakes up, trust me. I will find out how the fire happened," she said and without waiting for an answer, she shut the door in her face.

* * * * *

Zoya waited for nearly an hour before he gained consciousness. She was at his side in an instant and his hand found hers on the bed.

"Mr. Khan?" She asked softly.

"Ms. Farooqui?" He said, his voice was still hoarse.

"Shh. Don't say anything. I'll tell Phuppi, now that you are awake you should eat something," Zoya said, standing up. She yelped when she was pulled down next to him.

"Don't leave," he whispered to her.

"You need to eat something," she said, trying to get herself off of him. His grip on her tightened and it was only then that Zoya became aware of the close proximity between the two.

"Please just stay with me," he said to her. Zoya's eyes snapped up to meet his.

"But you ne-," Her protest was cut short when his strong arms enveloped her small frame. The smell of his musky cologne filled her nostrils and Zoya felt her head swirl.

Even in his semi-conscious state, Asad couldn't help but wonder how perfectly she fit into his arms. Almost as if they were two puzzle pieces, meant to be together. He buried his nose in her hair; so soft and silky.

Zoya felt his fingers brush the base of her neck; she was surprised when the slightest touch of his was enough to cause several goose bumps to erupt on her skin. Her arms slowly lifted themselves up and wrapped them around him gently. Her eyes fell shut as she let his grip on her tighten; his grip was tight even in his moment of weakness, Zoya mused. She could feel the cotton material of his shirt against her skin but her mind was more aware of his fingers that were trailing up and down her arm. All coherent thoughts and words vanished when his lips pressed against the top of her head.

"Why do you do these things?" He murmured. Zoya glanced up at him.

"Things like these make me confused. Don't do these things. I can't handle the growing confusion. I only wanted to tolerate you, I didn't want to fall in lo-," Zoya looked up at him and saw his face contort in pain as another spasm racked his body.

"You need food," she said, grudgingly lifting her head off his muscular chest.

"I need sleep," he replied. Zoya could hear the drowsiness that laced his baritone voice. His eyes fluttered close and a deep sigh escaped his lips. Zoya watched him as he slept. Long dark lashes rested peacefully against his high cheekbones and dark brown locks fell onto his forehead. Her hand involuntarily reached out and brushed the strands of hair away from his face. There was no doubt that this man looked as if he had been carved out of marble. Zoya stood up to leave but was stopped when she felt something pull her back. Looking back she saw that her own hand was gripped tightly in his. Not wanting to disturb him, she sat down again and watched him sleep, not aware of the time and when or how her eyes fell close and she joined him in the sweet and serene Land of Nod.

~ End of Ch. 5 ~