Chapter 6

Asad "Don't die, Zoya."

They hear voices from the centre of the boat.

Matthew "Oh no. It's the Rika."

Arjun "They have attached us from behind."

There is a sudden bump on the ship and Zoya slips from the rope ladder.

Asad "Zoya!"

Zoya hears his voice as she falls deep into the sea.

--

Zoya "Cough.. cough..."

Zaroon Phew... you took some water, but you seem to be ok."

Zoya (Zaroon is looking at my face with a worried look.)

Zoya "Er, I..."

Zaroon "You fell into the sea from the impact."

Haider "Thank God! I was worried. I thought you both were eaten by the sharks."

Zoya "Both?"

Asad "What are we gonna do with this puny kid? Not even enough to feed a shark."

Arjun "You are crazy jumping into the sea in the middle of the night. You both could have drowned."

Matthew "Arjun's right... You should thank Asad for saving your life."

Zoya (He saved my life.)

Zaroon "I was kind of shocked for Asad to risk his life to save you."

Zoya "Asad, I don't know how to thank you. I..."

Asad "Losing you is a big loss for our ship since you work hard."

Zoya (He was trying to help me escape before.)

Zaroon "Zoya, can you get up?"

Zoya "Oh, yes! I'm ok!"

Zaroon "But you're lucky it was Asad who found you. He's a first class swimmer."

Zoya (Asad... he has had no expression on his face for a while...)

Captain Jack Sparrow "Rika was just teasing us, weren't they?"

Arjun "Screw them! They started shooting at us soon as they found us!"

Haider "Captain! Our boat was knocked away by the impact."

Captain Jack Sparrow "Did the boat have any rum?"

Haider "No."

Captain Jack Sparrow "Then is not a problem."

Zaroon "The Dutchman went away as soon as the Rika attacked."

Arjun "What about Riya? She had gone inside."

--

They go inside the main cabin and find Riya there.

Arjun "You alright?"

Riya "Yes."

Arjun "Why didn't you go home?"

Riya "I have not given your birthday gift yet."

Captain Jack Sparrow "You want to stay on board?"

Arjun "She can't."

Zoya "You can't throw her into the sea."

Captain Jack Sparrow "What can you do for us?"

Riya "I can entertain you all and help around."

Captain Jack Sparrow "She can stay then. Hope no one's got any objections."

Arjun opens his mouth to protest but immediately closes it.

Haider "Where will she sleep?"

Asad "Well captain won't share with anyone. Haider's room is small and staying with doc is not possible. Zoya is staying with me already that leaves just you and Matthew. And since you don't seem interested, I guess she can stay with..."

Arjun "She will stay in my room."

Captain Jack Sparrow "Let's continue the party then."

Zoya (Arjun is enjoying a lot in Riya's presence though he won't admit it.)

Zoya laughs seeing how Riya is trying to make Arjun talk.

Asad "You're laughing now... you were whining like a baby earlier."

Zoya (He's right. I had never imagined that I would laugh on this ship.)

Arjun finally cuts his birthday cake and everybody claps for him. Everyone eats the cake and praises Zoya.

Riya "Zoya, teach me how to bake too please."

Zoya "Of course!"

Zoya (I am glad everyone is happy. Especially Asad who's been gobbling up the cake.)

Zoya "Asad, you like sweets, don't you?"

Asad "What's wrong with that?"

Zoya "It is kinda cute."

Asad "You really want me to throw you into the sea, don't you?"

Zoya "Is that why you rescued me to throw me back yourself?"

Asad "You are being cheeky now. That's a good beginning."

Zoya (Today was one heck off a day but looks like I have finally settled in a bit.)

--

*Three Days Later*

Zoya and Riya have got along a lot. Arjun has avoided Riya for most of the time but the concern shows on his face. Matthew has become a little softer and talks a bit more. Haider has become like Zoya's brother now. Zaroon of course is always ready to help out. Asad is a little softer but still threatens Zoya about throwing her into the sea. The captain is just the captain.

--

Zoya and Riya are now hanging the laundry together.

Zoya "It's nice today, isn't it?"

Riya "Hmm..."

Zoya "You seem off today."

Riya "Arjun really doesn't want me here. My presence is hurting him inside."

Zoya "That's not true. You know that he loves you."

Riya "I know and I love him too. I should respect his values."

Zoya "I am sure he will one day ask you not to leave his side ever."

Riya "That is the only hope that keeps me going."

Zaroon and Haider come on the deck to join them.

Zaroon "Girls, what's up?"

Zoya "Just working and talking."

Haider "Zoya, you seem to have gotten used to the ship."

Zoya "I love the sound of waves and the cool breeze touching my face."

Asad "Zoya..."

Zoya (Asad! When did he come?)

Asad "You can talk later. Give me a hand in cleaning the main cabin."

Zoya "All right!"

Zoya starts moving towards the room and Asad follows her. She almost slips but Asad keeps her from falling.

Asad "Careful... the waves are rough here."

Zoya "Ok."

Asad "Hold on to my arm tight."

Zoya grabs his arm.

Asad "Ow... don't dig your nails in."

Zoya "You said to hold on tight."

Asad "You a wild cat or something."

Zoya (He talks roughly to me... but, I feel safe being with him.)

--

Asad "Clean the floor first."

Zoya "Yes."

Asad "Polish the bar with a rag."

Zoya "Yes."

Asad "and, turn three times and bark."

Zoya does as told.

Asad "Stop doing whatever I say."

Zoya suddenly realises what happened and stops.

Zoya "I have never seen you crack a joke."

Asad turns the other way around.

Zoya (Is he shy? Well I think I should better get back to work.)

--

Later that evening everyone gathered in the main cabin for a meeting.

Captain Jack Sparrow "We are now headed to Magic Islands'."

Zoya "Magic Islands..."

Captain Jack Sparrow "You heard about them?"

Zoya "I think it is a place you never come back from..."

Zoya (I wonder why are we headed there then.)

Zoya "There are many dreadful islands, right?"

Arjun "Yes. Monster Island, Fortress Island and Scorching Island are among them."

Captain Jack Sparrow "And we are going to Ice Island."

Haider "Ice Island?"

Zaroon "It's a glacial island."

Asad "Nobody ever got close to it cause the temperature goes down to -40F"

Zoya "And that's where we going to land?"

Captain Jack Sparrow "The map to the treasure sits there!"

Zoya (So pirates do really look for treasure.)

Captain Jack Sparrow "I want one of you to go an explore the island of death'!"

Zoya "Why one? Why not all?"

Arjun "We got to keep the damage minimum."

Zoya (Why does someone have to go to such a dangerous place alone?)

Asad "I'll go."

Zoya (Asad?)

Captain Jack Sparrow "So, Asad is our man."

Zoya "I want to go too."

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