Chapter 46
Zoya was first to open her eyes and found herself confined between strong arms. She smiled gently just watching the serenity of his face and stroked his hair. He looked like a baby when slept like that. Last night they slept with a big realization. They could not stop their grin as the more they thought about it. Asad had fallen asleep in no time but she could not. It was dawn still but she woke up. She jolted up from the bed but felt a tug; looking downward she detangled the hem of her kurta from his fist. She smiled again. She got refreshed and came to the kitchen. She made coffee for herself and take a tour of their house. Today it became more lovable, cozier to her. She was happy, she was content. She never thought she could be loved by anyone or she could love anyone in her life. But now she knew, he was/is/will be her destiny. She smiled broadly and made her way to the roof top.
She came to the roof and inhaled the fresh morning air. The sun was rising, birds were chirping. Morning has its own charm. She remembered Asad had said her once. She shook her head dizzily; all her thought was ending with the same person. Last night was a perfect night for them and they slept remembering all bitter sweet memories of togetherness.
She settled on the huge swing at a corner of the beautiful rooftop. Everything was looking more beautiful than usual.She started to sway a little and tried to absorb all the beautiful feelings she had experienced last day. It was amazing to be felt that she was the only one he loves. She did not take that girl as his but she felt a pang in her heart every time he remembered her. She was aghast last night when he remembered her again; her beautiful world had turned upside down for a moment. She had doubted him for a second then may be he loved her still. It broke her heart for a moment. Then she braced herself with new found happiness that he gave her the night before. He created beautiful memories in exchange of her horrible past that night and she accepted all of it. Unadulterated passion and desire of his for her. But when she actually realized the girl was no one but her, it gave a new meaning of her life. She was unknowingly loved by him and this made her elated. This elation made her sleep away from her. She sighed loudly, already missing that person more now. She embraced herself with her arms as the morning gentle chilly wind blows.
Allah Miyan! Why I am feeling so relieved after knowing that the girl was me? She shook her head and took a sip of her coffee.
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Asad observed her from the door and walked silently towards the swing. Zoya was so much engrossed with his thought that she did not realize the fact that he was already sat beside her. She realized only when she heard "Good morning" from a sleepy voice.
"Why are you up so early?" He was amused but successful to settle her in between his legs. She got relaxed in no time and placed her back over his chest. He sighed, nuzzling her hair. "Good morning." She whispered back. Asad took the coffee mug from her hand and took a sip from there. Her eyes widen and she looked back at him with surprised eyes. "Hey! That was my style coffee and you don't like that."
"Who told you?" his voice was raspy and he again took a sip. She wanted to answer back but no mood now for this. "You know what I liked it very much from when I realized I love you." Asad ran his hand through his hair. For the first time he is trying to talk normally with her. Normally! Yes like normal couple. In their journey they don't have time with themselves, they were always trying to protect each other or other people who are endear to them. They never talk about their life together, nor about their likes, dislikes. In this 6 months they do made a journey for each other but not for together. Now the time they would know about each other feelings clearly. So he took the step and Zoya whipped her head to him again. He turned her head to the front again, placing his chin over her shoulder. "Remember those nights of the hospitals? I loved to watch you asleep with me. Then when I came home and you were not there for me, I missed you and one day I realized that I had fallen for you terribly. My dreams were replaced by you rather than the girl I thought I love, who was actually you I know now. Then the case time in Mumbai I was sure about it and I had almost passed the whole night consuming those unhealthy pizza, diet coke and milky coffee. I was afraid to name those feelings as love moreover you were dispassionate about me that time.Your composed form made me afraid that may be you only found me as a friend." Zoya giggled while listening to the pizza part of the story and by the end she was silent again. Asad sighed heavily after completing of his confession and sided her hair over her other shoulder.
Zoya's breath hitched when she felt his lips over her neck and she unknowingly arched back. "I realized it the day you got stabbed. I felt that time that if something had happened to you I would also die." Asad stopped kissing and stared at her back. "Why did not you tell me?" He asked. Zoya finally turned to him keeping her mug on the floor."I heard that you loved a girl then which was none other than me and now I know it" She whispered but contended smile was appeared on her lips. "This is amazing Asad. We love each other before we knew ourselves. You are my savior that day." He sighed again; they have spent so much time just to confess. Zoya again leaned over him, giving him access for what he was doing before. This feeling was amazing. She just could not get over it. Asad wrapped her with him. They sat there silently only to feel and absorb each other presence.
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Two days later, Morning, Khan Villa
They were already half lying over the swing, Asad's head was over the support of the swing, legs were stretched over the floor, he was rocking the swing using his foot and same as Zoya but her head was over his chest. Both were looking at the blue, clear sky and sharing their feelings. It was their routine after that day. They came to the roof after their morning prayer and enjoyed the calmness and beauty of the morning with their coffee. Zoya's morning sleep was out of the windows. She was enjoying the most. She loved her life this time more than anytime. Carefree, with love, pamper and much more. "Let's go to down, I am hungry." Zoya blurted from no where. Asad who was playing with Zoya's hair unknowingly and lost looking at the blue, clear sky looked down at her. His eyebrows knitted together, mischief's were clear in his black orbs. Zoya became red by realizing the double meaning of her line. She smacked playfully at his chest. Asad's had become serious after that.
"I need to tell you something" Asad said sheepishly this time which made Zoya to whip her head towards him.
"I...woh...actually...I ...I..I mean...woh..." Asad tried badly to explain.
"Allah Miyaan! What's wrong with you Asad? Even today you can't go without your woh actually?" Zoya admonished him.
"Zoya I...I went to a psychiatrist some days ago and I shared our problem with him." Asad stuttered and looked at Zoya. She could not understand what he was trying to say. She gave him an incredulous look. Asad explained her all and Zoya was all silent. She was angry, he knew it. That's why he did not want to share this with her. But at the same time he could not just kept her out of it. Zoya suddenly stood up from the swing, saying they needed to hurry up otherwise they would be late for office. Asad sighed heavily and followed her.
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Two days later, Noon, Dilshad Construction
Asad was pacing like a caged lion. Why? After that morning's conversation Zoya was giving him cold shoulder, she was talking less to him. Even in the home she was not looking at him. He was frustrated. He can never be happy for long time. Any how his happiness was snatched in either way. He tried to talk to her many times but she was not responding. She did not even coming to office with him. Today he did not see her till now after she entered the office. Any how she was busy. Asad could not resist it anymore and made his way to her cabin.
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Zoya had a presentation today and this would be her first presentation here as she was going through it without Nazma. Nazma had gone for her honeymoon and here she was stuck with her work alone. She was feeling lonely. Moreover she was not on the talking term with that Akdu. So she decided to discuss with their new client, about the meeting which would be holding in the following afternoon. She settled in her cabin while waiting for her client. There was a knock on the door and she stood to greet him.
"Assalam-O- Alaikum" he greeted first.
"Waaleikum Assalam" Zoya answered back but her eyebrows were wagging with uncertainty. The man stared at her for a moment then shrieked with joy. "Zoya Farooqui, you are here, Ya Allah! What a coincidence. What you are doing here in India?"
Zoya was startled at first then a smile came to her lips as she went near to him for a hand shake. "Nice to meet you Riyaz Rayhan"
Riyaz was grinning like a fool. They were from the same department and she, Zerin and Riyaz had passed quite good times in their university life. Riyaz shook hand with her but after that pulled her for a hug. At the same time Asad barged in her cabin and rooted at the door watching a smiling Zoya within the arms of their new client. His hand balled into a perfect fist, he wanted to kill that man who was hugging his wife as if his life was dependent on her, anger flushed through his eyes. He saw green and his nostrils flared. Just at that time Zoya looked at him, sensing his presence, she was still in his embrace.Her smile immediately wiped out when she met his gaze. Something was wrong. She never saw him this much angry. She tried to free herself but Riyaz was not giving her the space. He was going on and on. Asad squeezed his eyes shut before leaving them; she saw his retreating back then to his balled fist. Zoya again tried to free herself from Riyaz's embrace and this time Riyaz realized what he was doing and mumbled a sorry after leaving her.
"Why you are saying sorry?" Zoya asked.
"You don't like hugging. Zerin once told me that but I am so happy to see you that I could not resist myself" Zoya's eyes whipped to the cabin door again. She did not feel intimidate when she was hugging Riyaz. She did not remember Zahid fiasco nor did she feel awkward. That means Asad was right again. He actually freed her from all the bad memories. Her eyes filled with ushered tears and she wanted to go into Asad's waiting arms. She knew she did wrong to him again but she was enraged when she knew he actually avoided her all those days as per doctor's advice. She knew he did it for her but she was going to insane without seeing him, knowing that he did not even come after her. This had hurt her feelings, so she was acting like that. But now all those hurt feelings again failed to prove themselves infront his love. How could I be so much lucky to have him?
"Hey I said sorry then why you are crying?" Riyaz's concerned voice made her to come back to the reality.
Zoya flicked away the errant tears as she shook her head in negative and she turned to collect her necessary files. Riyaz was on the phone. She was hurrying, before meeting she needed to talk to Asad. As she made her way to the door, somehow she toppled. She tried to hold the door knob in order to prevent the hitting but before that she felt a pair of arms firmly hold her waist and she relaxed for a moment just happy to avoid the disaster but her happiness was short lived as Asad had again barged into the cabin and saw them in that position. He was angrier than before; he wanted to knock out that man right there.
"Are you okay?" Riyaz asked. His concerned gaze made Zoya uncomfortable this time. Riyaz felt that and hastily straighten themselves. Zoya looked at Asad, who was burning with rage. Asad said in a calm yet gritted tone "meeting had started 5 minutes ago." She opened her mouth to introduce him with Riyaz. But before she could say something Asad left them.
Riyaz went hastily to the conference hall and Zoya was trying to arranged those scattered papers, when she was leaving she saw Asad was coming out from his cabin too. She again tried to call him but he did not stop. She was feeling bad now. He is really angry. But wait not only angry, he is jealous.She thought and an evil thought came to her mind. Wait. He made her jealous some days ago with Rayan. Now it was her turn to make him jealous. Wait and watch Mr. Khan. I will show you how it feels to be jealous. Zoya entered the semi dark conference hall and watched for the empty chair. She saw both Asad and Riyaz had empty chairs beside them. She went to sit beside Riyaz just opposite to the Asad. In the dark she can realize Asad's glare at them. Riyaz gave her a small smile. He helped her to unload those files. She gave him a bright smile and thanked him. She had held Riyaz's hand for some reason just to make Asad jealous and it worked. Asad was boring her with his glaring. She suppressed her smile watching it. How it feels now Mr. Khan? Asad had moved his gaze from them after sometime as he was discussing something with Prasad.
The next was Zoya's presentation and suddenly she was feeling nervous. She tried to make an eye contact with Asad, but he totally ignored her. Dejected she made her way to the front, just at that time Riyaz squeezed her hand and mouthed a best of luck. Her eyes again drifted to Asad. She saw a vulnerable look this time from Asad. She had enough of this revenge. After the presentation she would clear everything to him. She started her presentation and was only looking at Asad; Asad gave her an encouraging smile when he realized she was nervous. She got her strength from him and went on her presentation with full throttle. A huge round of applause in the semi dark room welcomed her at the end of her presentation. She felt proud, held her head high and made her way to her seat but this time was going to right direction, beside Asad. But Riyaz again pulled her to him, with excitement he hugged her. Three hugs from a stranger that too within an hour! This made Asad livid. He left the conference hall without saying anything to her. Riyaz without any doubt confirmed the deal.
Zoya was searching for Asad when she finally was out of the praising session. She was running towards Asad's cabin but again Riyaz stopped her. He offered her to celebrate her success with him and also for their reunion. Zoya bit her lower lip and then turned to him. "Sorry Riyaz, I cannot go with you. With all these chaos may be you not noticed that I am married. See my name" She ushered her hand to her cabin door which was bearing a proud "Zoya Asad Ahmed Khan." Riyaz eyes went wide and he gave her a wide smile.
"I heard your name as Zoya Asad Ahmed Khan but forgot because of excitement. Ah! Finally you are married, that too with Asad Ahmed Khan. Wow that is really huge news. Congratulations. But wait it was you who rejected me saying you would never marry. You are giving me heart break Zoya. I waited for you this long time but look at you" Riyaz dramatically clutched his aching heart and feigned his cry. Zoya laughed out loud this time. "Just shut up Riyaz, You proposed Zerin too and if I remember you proposed all the girls in our class" She giggled. "Yeah, yeah laugh at me now. What would I do if anyone did not say yes to me?" Riyaz pouted. Suddenly his cell blinked and he left saying he had some urgent work. He said he would sign the contract next day and gave a quick hug to Zoya.
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Zoya made her way to Asad's cabin. She just took a glimpse of his room and gasped. His neat, clean room had turned upside down just in a few minutes as if there had been a tornado. She gulped down and entered cabin. She locked the door and went to Asad carefully avoiding the broken glasses. Asad was looking outside through the broken window. She kept her hand on his shoulder and he jerked it away. "Leave me alone" his voice sent a chilly shiver down to her spine.
She again tried talk but this time he dragged her to the door. Her eyes then drifted to his hand as she was feeling wet there. His hand had a deep cut by the broken glass. Zoya grabbed his hand and examined his wrist where the glass had cut him. He roughly pulled his hand away.
"Don't you hear properly? I asked you to leave me alone." He hissed.
She again caught hold of his hand, ignoring his angry look and dragged him to the adjacent rest room of his cabin. She sat with him on the couch and began cleaning his wound gently with an antiseptic. After a while, he gave up and stopped trying to pull away. As she was dressing the wound, she asked in a low voice.
"You are acting like a child, Asad. He is only a friend. Why are you acting like this? Are you jealous Asad?"
"Jealous my foot" He bristled in ager and tried to pull his hand away again but Zoya clasped it firmly this time.
"Don't. I am not finished yet. I am sick of with this cat-mouse game" Zoya said with a dismissing tone and slumped back on the couch.
"Me too, If you want, then you can go, I will not try to stop you." He also said with a whisper. Zoya's eyes fluttered open, she glared at him and pulled him by his collar and abridged their distances. "Where will I go? What you are trying to say? Say it clearly." She was having hard time.
"Home" He replied looking at her intently. "We will go together" she smiled a little and fused her lips with his.
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Later that night, Khan Villa
"You know I was just trying to break your wall. That night when I heard you are accusing me as Zahid. I swear I was devastated. Although I was acting brave but it killed me. I am not that selfless Zoya that I could be acting sane being compared with that moron. I was just wanted my existence there Zoya, not others. I desired for you like crazy and I want you be that for me too. Was that very much to ask for? I could not break your fear despite of living with you, waiting for you almost 6 months. I was broken Zoya. I could think nothing that time. I was hell bent to make you mine. I was selfish and I hurt you too. But what could I do? I tried every possible way; I could not just wait more. So I went to that psychiatrist and told him everything. I did everything that he asked me to do so. Believe me Ammi and Didan gave me every update about you and I was not in peace either. Every night I wanted to scoop you in my arms. I also became insane in those 14 nights Zoya. I did not know that I would be so lucky that it would take only 14 days" Asad was explaining to Zoya, unknowingly making pattern using his thumb pads over her bare back. Zoya nestled closer to him.
"You know what; I don't need any explanation now. I realized it just in the afternoon that why it was necessary. Actually I was not angry at you for the psychiatrist. It was just that you knew I was hurting and you made me to go through that. But now I know if you did not take that step, I would never come out of my fear, I would never realize that I can also desire some one and live a normal happy married life. I need to thank Riyaz for that." Zoya sensed Asad stiffened as she mentioned Riyaz. His hold tightened around her waist and his eyes had shut with irritation. Zoya eased his brows and kissed his eyes.
"Don't be upset now. I told you he is just a friend." He gave a weak smile. "But I was feeling very special when I saw you were jealous" She winked at him. "Now I am thinking I should take his offer for the date" Zoya sighed. Asad gave her an incredulous look. "Never, you will go out only with me.I will break his nose if next time I see he is hugging you" He growled. Zoya giggled like a child. Asad swooped over her; he was no mood to waste time to mark his territory and showing Riyaz his position in Zoya's life.
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Three days later, Khan Villa
It was Sunday morning, Asad was engrossed in his book after the breakfast and Zoya was busy for preparing lunch. Asad got a call from Habib; he gave him some information about the case. Asad thought to tell Zoya everything about the progress he knew. He actually was so much busy with other things he did not tell her anything about the case. Zoya was humming a song when Asad came to the kitchen.
"Hey you need something?" Zoya asked him happily.
"No, where is Ammi?" Asad asked. Dilshad had returned from Indore just the night before.
"She went to her friend's house. She will return by the evening." She answered back.
"Okay, I just came to inform you that we are going out after lunch" Asad stated.
"Where?" Zoya inquired.
"You will know eventually" He said. Hearing finality from his voice she shrugged and was back to her work. Asad made his way to their bedroom and sat on the couch when he noticed the wrapped gift box on the side table. There was a note in which his name was scripted. He could recognize the hand writing, it was Zoya.
He slowly opened the gift box out of curiosity and was very happy to find a latest watch of his favorite brand there. He had a bad hobby of collecting watch of same brand. No one knew about his passion. He remembered eyeing the watch when they were gone for the engagement shopping for Nazma. But he did not bought it that time. He smiled realizing how he had been caught. Zoya knew small details about him. She did realize that he liked that watch. Then he brought out the second thing, it was a second hand, old book that he was looking for sometimes. He did not find it anywhere, but she found it. His smile widened to see the third gift; one was a collection of songs of Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and other was the collection of his favorite instrumentals- violin. His smile could not broad either. The forth one is a football. He frowned looking at it. "Football! How it is related to all these gifts?" He muttered to himself while opening another note which was lying beneath all the gifts.
I thought to find you out in a different way. All the time what you do is work. You are always taking care of all. You always are fulfilling other's wish but not yours. I tried to find out your passion. So these gifts are here for you. Hope you will like these. You must be thinking why I gift you a football. This is because I could not bring your childhood but I could give you childhood memories. So, new memories are on the way...
Yours
Zoya.
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"Allah Miyaan! What's wrong with him.Why he has to be like this? He did not even tell me that he likes those gifts or not. Jahapanah Six packs" Zoya was mumbling. A pair of hand snaked around her waist and and pulled her back to a hard rock chest.
"I love those, Mrs Khan. This is the first time that anyone giving me something considering about all my passion. Those are unique gifts and I love you for those" He sealed her lips with his after that.
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Same day, Afternoon
Asad went for the first time in the graveyard with Zoya. Zoya was crying silently, Asad held her hand and led her to her parent's graves. She knelt down and brought her hand out to pray for them. Asad followed her suit. She prayed silently and tears flew from her eyes as she started to pray for her parents. Asad squeezed her hand trying to give her strength. She silently conversed with her parents then "Ammi and Abbu meet him. He is Asad Ahmed Khan, my husband. He is the best gift Allah has bestowed upon me after you and Appi-Jiju. He takes care of me. He pampered me, moreover he loves me like no one. I know you are always watching me from where you are and keep blessing me. Now please bless me that I can make him happy like he does for me" She composed herself after sometimes and after that they left.
Asad explained everything about her parent's case to Zoya, what he knew about. She knew Asad had given the case to Habib. She was not at all surprised when Asad said that it was a murder case. Zoya remained silent but tears were flowing.
"Thank you, Asad" Zoya said with a hoarse voice. Her head was over his chest and he was patting her head lightly. They were sitting on a bench of the lake.
"It is okay Zoya. Now just compose yourself. I can't bring them to you but I will bring justice to them. I promise." He said with his determined voice. Zoya looked at him.
"You will never leave me na?" Zoya asked with her expectant eyes.
"Never." Came his determined answer. "Only death will make us apart." He vowed.
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One month later
Zoya was waiting for Asad. It was past midnight but he was no where to be seen. He called her in the afternoon only to say that to go home after office. She obeyed his order without any objection. Now his cell was unreachable and she was going to die with panic. She was pacing in the living room, observing frantically the watch now and then.
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Asad went to talk about the case and he got the shocking news from Habib. How could that be possible? He raked his hand through his hear after knowing the truth and left hastily. He wandered here and there and went to the lake. How would he tell Zoya about this? He could not even imagine how all this could be related. Why was he so ill-fated? Whenever he was happy, something wiped his happiness somehow. How would he face Zoya now, after all these? He cried silently. Past one month was like dream came true for them. Zoya and him, they relished every beat of happiness of their marital life. They just returned from their farm house the night before, They spent a mini honeymoon there. They were happy, content. But now...! He sighed when his eyes went to his watch, Zoya's gift. His eyes widen. It was past midnight. He did not realize he had passed so much time just thinking about their life together. He made his way to his house. He needed to tell Zoya everything.
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"Where were you? Why your cell was unreachable? How you became that irresponsible" Zoya shot at him when he entered the home but stopped immediately looking his puffy, red eyes. She immediately reached out for him. "What happened?" She knew something was very wrong. Asad winced a little when she cupped his face.
"Asad you are scaring me. Is everything okay? Tamater! Is she okay? Appi? Jiju?" She panicked. Asad gave a small nod and went to the room. "Then what is it? Why you are so tensed?" Zoya again asked. But there was no answer.
He had changed and sat on the bed. Just then Zoya came with the tray. "I am not hungry." He said with a broken voice.
"You have to take food, if you want to fight with life's disagreement" Zoya said and took a morsel of food near his mouth. Asad looked at her with surprise.
"What? Take it. I don't know what happened to you. But I know you will share it with me when time will be right. In these months I have learnt to deal with you. It was not easy though" She spoke softly. He took the food. They were silent after that. He tried to tell everything but he could not. He was in misery.
That night Asad had clung fiercely to her and she held him in her arms and made love to him. He crushed her possessively to him and burying his face in her hair.
"Zoya"
She wrapped her arms around him, whispering sweet nothings to his ear but her heart was hammered with worry.
"Do you trust me Zoya?"
She had stroked his forehead with her hands while raining small kisses over his face.
"More than me, more than anything in this world, Asad, I love you and I am right here with you. I will not let anything happen to you."She promised over and over again. Her hand soothed over his racing heart. She knew he would tell him when he was ready. But right now he needed his alone time to deal with the problem. She would be waiting for him with open arms and make him to her again.
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Next Morning, Khan Villa
Zoya was making breakfast. Dilshad had gone to vegetable market and Asad went to his jog. Asad said that he had some important things to tell her. She was hell worried. Not for the matter but for Asad. She always seen him facing every problem of their life bravely but this time he was vulnerable. He was just like a frightened child as if he was again went to his 11 year old self. Suddenly it hit her was the problem is about his father.Does he do anything wrong again. She thought while flipping the parathas.
The bell rang and she frowned. Dilshad was not at the door for sure because she only left 10 minutes ago and it was not for Asad's returning time either. With doubt she opened the door and gasped loudly to see a livid Rashid Ahmed Khan at the door. She tried to greet him but he brushed her off and shouted for Asad.
"He is not in home. He has gone for morning walk" She replied to him without acknowledging their relationship. Before she tempted to call him Abbu as in her whole life she wanted her Ammi-Abbu with her but after knowing what Rashid had done with her Ammi and Asad she just could not call him "Abbu."
Rashid looked at her angrily. "You have no manners. You don't know how to behave infront of elders" He screeched. "That's none of your business. Asad is not here now you can go." She was harsher too. She was enraged.
"Just because of you Asad took a dangerous step today" Rashid gritted through his teeth. Zoya's eyes widen with fear but she masked it infront of him. She could not founder without hearing the whole matter.
"What did he do?" She asked. Her voice trembled a little. "He filed a case against me under the cause of the murder of Gaffur and Zainab Farooqui." He blurted. "But he has no proof. I know" He laughed.
Zoya's feet gave away and she knelt down at the floor with the sudden information. Her life became a mess. Rashid killed her parents! Whole world she found none to love but the son of her parent's murderer. Her whole life became a lie. Tears made their way to her cheeks.
"Well that was the right thing to do. We will see you in the court." Zoya's eyes shot up to the voice over from the door. Dilshad was standing there. She forgot to take purse and she returned to pick it up. She had heard almost everything between Rashid and Zoya. Almost! as she had to make a quick call to the police station. Rashid's eyes immediately soften to see Dilshad at the door. He reached to her and held her hand saying "look, what Asad had done again. He had mistaken Dilshad. He is doing it intentionally. Just for taking reve..." He could not finish his appeal.
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Asad returned from his jog, just to find a distressed, weeping Zoya on the floor. His eyes flew over to his mother's flushed face and that man. He ran towards Zoya, hugging her fiercely. He realized she had known already what he wanted to tell her.
Zoya gripped his collar whispering hysterically "Asad, tell me is it true that he killed my Ammi-Abbu." Asad remained stilled. "Don't shut me out Asad, tell me." She yelled forcing him back from her. Asad landed on the floor. Staring at nothing, his hand dug deep in his palm, his knuckles became white. He tried to compose himself but failed terribly. "Asad just tell me damn it" She demanded. Before Asad could talk Rashid rushed to her, grabbing her by her elbow he shouted "This is all because of you." He was going to hit her when Asad held his hand and jerked him away.
"You know what? This is all because of you. You are a coward, selfish, greedy man. Because of your one wrong decision you ruined Ammi, Nazma, mine, Zoya and her parent's life." Asad roared making Rashid stumbled back. This was the first time Asad was totally fearless and accusing him openly infront of Dilshad.
Rashid turned to Dilshad and said sarcastically "see Dilshad he is doing it intention...again he could not finished it as Dilshad had slapped him hard. "You know what Rashid. I believe and support every bit of it what had Asad said and done." Asad looked at Dilshad. Dilshad stared him back and gave an assertive nod.
"But Dilshad...I" Again Dilshad slapped him. "Don't you dare accuse my son, he was right every time. I was a fool that I did not notice over my love. And you are a murderer, not only Zoya's parents but also us. MOREOVER YOU TRIED TO KILL ASAD THAT NIGHT YOU HAD BETRAYED ME. One more thing Asad did not file that case against you, I did" The trio looked at her with shock.
"Yes I know that now. Amreen Khala had told me, she heard Asad crying that night and went to ask but she heard you both. She said to me all when we were in Indore." Dilshad cleared to it to Asad-Zoya then she returned back to Rashid.
"Asad never tried to defame you Mr. Rashid Ahmed Khan. It was you who defamed me, us each and every time. When I found an old picture of your business trip with Zoya's father yesterday, I tried to know the deep down of this matter. Zoya told me that Habib was handling the case. So I called him and he confirmed me the news. I wasted no time and filed the case. You did not even listen to your informer properly Rashid. That was Dilshad Ahmed Khan not Asad Ahemd Khan" Dilshad dropped the bomb.
Rashid sat on the floor dejectedly. Asad gathered both the women in his embrace giving them support. Zoya was crying badly. Dilshad was asking forgiveness from her on behalf of Rashid.
"It was actually an accident." Rashid said with a small voice. The trio again looked at him.
"I swear! I did not know they were in the factory then. I was informed that the factory was empty. I did not even know the whole plan. I was only ordered to set up the fire and for that they made me rich for the lifetime." This time Asad reached near him only to stop by Dilshad. But Asad was no mood for hearing. He fisted his collar "I loved you despite you did all wrong to us. I yearned for your love despite knowing that you wanted to kill me. You know what you do not deserve my love. You are not worthy of it. You are saying you did not know. But that is not lessening your burden Rashid sahib. You are a worst human being. I don't know why my mother fell in love with you but I am ashamed of you. You tried to kill my Zoya and for that reason I will never forget you. I will make sure that Zoya get justice. I am not going to be weak this time" He roared. Police entered the Khan Villa just at that time and Dilshad told him to arrest Rashid.
"May be you did not know that they were there. But you also buried the whole accident and bribed people to hide your sin. You knew or not you killed them Rashid and you have to pay for it." Dilshad dismissed Rashid.
"And I accused you as a murderer of Tanveer too. She died just because of your doing" Asad concluded.
"Dilshad please" His voice was low. All his adamancy was gone; he was just now a defeated criminal. In his whole life he tried to forget it, but at the end he could not save himself.
"Please officer, take him from here. I don't want a criminal in my house for a moment and Rashid prove yourself that you were innocent. May be that will lessen the burden of your sin." Dilshad finished.
Police take them away. Asad went with them.
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Same Night, Khan Villa
Asad entered the house after completing all the formalities in the police station and also with Habib. Rashid had pleaded him but he did not listen to him this time. He wanted justice for Zoya and he would do it no matter what. He went to Dilshad's room and found she was praying. She smiled a little after finishing her prayer.
"I am sorry Ammi. I should have told you before. How are you feeling now?"
"Yes you should, but honestly speaking I could not believe you then before Nazma's engagement" Dilshad spoke softly stroking his hair.
"Why you did not tell me that you knew about him?" Asad encountered.
You also did not tell me Asad. Anyways we need to stop talking about him. The more we will talk the more he will haunt our memories. So let it is. What happened happened but from now promise me you will not go through all the pain only. What is family for? You will never hiding anything from me now. You know what, Asad. I am not feeling heart broken also. May be last eighteen years I was feeling heart broken that's why. When I discovered the truth I felt nothing. If a man who deceived his love for 11 years, then he again left her broken, tried to kill his own child, then what he could do to others I can imagine that. I am a fool Asad. Despite of all these I did not believe you Asad. How insensitive I was that time. You thought I would be devastated but I am assuring you that I am alright. My love for you three, no now four made me strong." Dishad explained, a lone tear made its way from her eye.
Asad was visibly tensed to listen to Dilshad. "Ammi what if Zoya does not want me in her life after all the revelations" He was pensive.
"Well why don't you ask her by yourself Asad? If she does not want to then you can't make her to stay with you forcefully. Do you?"
"I will die Ammi, without her." Asad choked. He did not want to face her. If he would meet her then Zoya would announce her decision. He just could not hear that decision. She did not talk to her whole day today.
"Asad you cannot ran away from your problems, can you? Go face her. Ask about what she had decided." Dilshad tried to suppress a smile and Asad missed that too.
He dragged his feet to their room. With every step his fear of loosing his life dreaded him. He was going to beg tonight. He could not just let her go.
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Zoya was sitting on the window pane looking at the dark sky. Asad came infront of her, she stood out hastily, and keeping her hand over her tummy in reflex.He knelt down without any warning "please don't leave me Zoya. I know it is hard for you and I am asking a lot more but I can't live without you."
"Asad I am..."
"Please Zoya...please I am begging. I know I am being selfish but. Please don't do this to me, us" Asad was unstoppable.
"Asad...ASAD!!" Zoya shouted.
Asad stared at her for a moment. Both remain silent for sometimes. But when Zoya was again wanted to say, he cut her off.
"Okay. I got it. I know I am being selfish. It is obviously hard to anyone to forgive all this and I will act like same" Asad left her hand but Zoya clasped it firmly. "Are you asking me to leave my house?" She asked. Her innocent look made him more confused.
"It is true Asad that I can never forgive your father. But I have no problem with my child's father as I know my child's father is not like his father." She bit her lower lip suddenly became flushed and feeling a little shy. Asad stared at her blankly. He was trying to process what she meant. Zoya placed his hand over her tummy and said. "I am one month pregnant Asad. We are going to be parent soon." She again confirmed it to a dazed Asad.
He rubbed his hand lightly over her tummy. "Our child" his eyes were misty, absorbing the warmth of the feeling of being a father he said that. "Huh!" Zoya was confused. "You said My Child.' You should have to say our child'. He corrected her. She nodded acknowledging her mistake.He hugged her fiercely by her waist then placed a light kiss there "We love you. You will never be alone like us. We will protect you from every bad thing" He mumbled.
Today Zoya was complete. She got justice for her parents, after long eighteen years. No matter who the killer was, he will be punished.She got her Ammi in a true meaning. She got a family in a true meaning. She found her Asad again. She was awed to watch them to fight for her that morning. When Rashid told her first she was devastated. She was in dilemma what she would do. Then she saw they fought for him. She decided then that she could never leave them. Then when the doctor confirmed her pregnancy in the afternoon, she felt another invisible bond with him. She was not going to denied what Allah had given to her. She smiled back to her Asad through the teary eyes placing her hand over his, which was placed over her tummy. He squeezed her hand to reciprocate the same emotion.
They would not deny what they had given by Allah.
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A/N -
So this is the official ending of this story. I will try to give you an epilogue. But I can't promise you exactly when. I know it took a long time to end this story. This story would end a long ago if Karan was there in the show. After his leaving, I was heart broken and actually lost all the inspiration to write anything on AsYa. But I just could not left my sweet readers in the middle. So I continued it and I wanted to end it quickly. But luck was not in my favor too. I have to face some unusual problems and the last was my accident. For all those delays I am sorry to everyone and also for that if I hurt anyone with my writing, speaking or anything. I am really very lucky to get you all as my sweet readers. I want to thank all of you who encouraged me through their likes and comments. 😳
Thank you all so much for loving this story. 😊
Lots of Love🤗
Swapno
Edited by swapno - 11 years ago
Cricket
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