Chapter 14
Asad and Ayan slept in his room while Zoya and Najma slept in the guest room...
Ayan and Najma were both fast asleep... Of course anybody would be at 2 in the midnight, except for Asad and Zoya who were troubled by weird feelings, which had no name.. may be they never acknowledged it as the beginning stages of Love or may be Attraction probably... Attraction was the right name... They just shared their first kiss, anybody would feel this way... especially if it happens when your not sure of and when it wasn't expected...
There was tension going on between them, i rather call it physical tension... No doubt both were attracted and drawn to each other, and this first step..'the kiss' they shared changed every possible thing.. every time they looked at each other, it reminded them of the moment they shared.. whether they wanted to or not, their mind involuntarily ended up ' in that moment'.
It was getting hard for them to ignore all of this.. they were not in a relationship, nor in Love... Now this was awkward.. they were confused at their reactions... they did enjoy their little moment.. but why?? that question was troubling them...
They couldn't even ask the other person, simply because they were not sure of what they felt...
Asad was totally confused, why does he act differently around her, why did the moment they shared seem so real and it dint seem wrong... He felt it was right...He blushed at that thought... He was the kind of man who would not even look at women, but Zoya drove him crazy.. He simply made a conclusion that it was merely a physical attraction and nothing much... He wanted to be away from her, but at the same time, the decision seem to hurt him.. He just decided to stop thinking ahead... he just closed his eyes and went into the dreamland where all he could see was Zoya...
Zoya was battling with the same feelings as Asad... Why was she sweating thinking of him... her heart pondered at his thoughts and his closeness affected her to that extent that she kissed him back...She enjoyed her first kiss?? She shook her head.. there was no point of thinking too much.. She was confused, Does Asad have feelings for her?? His eyes, thinking of his eyes, her heart fluttered... It did speak volumes.. why did he want her to read his eyes, was he implying on something... He always saved her.. and yesterday.. he even followed her... What conclusion should she come up with... Was he really her Knight in Shining Armor?? She thought dreamily...and she very well knew he would turn the tables the very next day.. his actions always contradict, confusing her... once he saves her and the very next moment he acts like he cares less... She just rolled her eyes thinking about his akdu side.. there was lot to learn about him... She decided to let it go and think of her mission... that is to find her phupi...
She went under the sheets and forced herself to sleep into dreams, which had him..
They woke up next morning with a wide smile... It was a new morning with newly found feelings.. though they never accepted those...
Asad wanted to rush to office as soon as possible avoiding Zoya, but his heart wanted something else.. he decided to follow his heart.. he cannot run away from her anyways, she was staying at his house, so there was no point in running, he decided to deal with it anyway..
They sat on the Dining table and as usual avoided looking at each other...
Najma and Ayan looked at each other signalling as to something was definitely wrong with these two, and they had to figure it out...
Ayan the smart brat came up with an idea, the same dirty trick Jealousy
'Hey waise aaj Najma college nahi jaa rahi hai.. and im free so why not we three spend some time.. what say... ' Ayan said while asad shook his head.. 'not again' he thought...
'ya... cool.. I have no issues' Zoya said with excitement
' So what should we do... hey, why not a pool party..' Najma suggested
'Pool party??' Zoya asked confused..
'Ya.. we'll have lunch at the pool side and then get into the pool.. ' she said with excitement... While Asad rolled his eyes and concentrated on the news paper.. Ayan looked at Asad confused, why was he silent now.. he is int reacting..
'and ya Zoya, if at all you have problem with swimming, there is no need to worry.. Ayan is here to help you with that' he said winking...
Asad looked up from his newspaper ' Are you out of your mind Ayan' He said angry visible in this tone...
'What's wrong Asad...' He asked shrugging his shoulders... while Zoya looked at Asad with confusion..
' Koi tehzeeb tameez nahi hai.. Ladkiyon se kis tarah se baat karte hai, ye bhi nahi pata' He said looking at Ayan..
'jaise aapko pata hai Mr Khan.. aap bhool gaye, aapne kal kya kiya' she blurred out without realizing what she said, while Ayan and Najma were trying to read between her lines..
Asad was embarrassed, he turned red... he just got up and walked towards his room without a word, slamming the door.. while Zoya bit her lips as to what she just said.. now what would she tell Najma and Ayan, who were staring at her for an answer.. she simply got up and ran to her room...
'Seriously Ayan, something is fishy... Something happened yesterday... ' Najma said patting her index finger on her forehead..
'ya Najma something happen..'Ayan said smirking.. Najma smacked his hands...
'Dont run your imaginations wild... these two are very slow in accepting their feelings and your thinking all wild..Not even in your dreams' She said stuffing her mouth with food
'just think about their future Najma... they might probably get children after you have your grandchildren...' he said laughing loud..
'Shut up Ayan... I think we need to leave these people to themselves... lets trap them.. now will you find a way to stop bhaijaan from going to office...'
'Ohw.. Mr workaholic.. No ways.. i just tried my luck a few minutes ago, seems like he's unaffected.. you deal with that..'
'Okay.. i will'
Asad sat on his couch...
'Why is Ayan after Zoya.. even after i told him to stay away... He's so impossible... i think ill have to stay back.. i will not be able to concentrate on work anyways.. i should work from home... ' he called up prasad and informed... Najma heard him speak to Prasad and did a happy dance.. she had to do nothing to stop him... She ran to Ayan and told him about this and they were dancing like they just had a victory..
Najma and Zoya were collecting the dishes to settle it near the pool area for their lunch while Asad kept observing them from time to time getting out of his room every other minute giving them excuses of thirst and some time for his coffee and sometime he acted like he heard some voice... all this while Asad and Zoya avoided looking into each other...
Najma dint have to force Asad to join them for lunch at the pool, he simply agreed..
Lunch time was full of talks and laughter... especially from Ayan and Zoya... Asad was quiet as usual, his eyes were glued onto Zoya... he loved it when she kept talking...he was admiring her, which was noticed by Najma, Ayan was obviously into his talks... After lunch was done Asad got up to leave to his room... He decided to timely check on them...
'Bhaijaan.. you just had your lunch.. cant you spend little more time with us.. please..' Najma pleaded.. He agreed without protesting... Zoya was uncomfortable with Asad staying back...
'Zoya.. come lets change into our costumes.. the water looks so welcoming.. i want to jump into the water..' Najma said pulling her...
Asad was in a confusion whether to stay back or go away... Swimming costume?? he thought... He got up and picked his novel and came back to the pool area and sat there reading his novel... Ayan saw this and Sighed angrily...' Some things never change' He thought...
Najma and Zoya came out wearing their swimming costumes, he dared not to look up.. he just concentrated on reading..
'Hot' Ayan said, while Asad lifted his head... Ayan was actually referring to the heat.. the weather was quite scorching in Bhopal..
Asad's eyes travelled to where Zoya was standing.. She was dressed quite decently.. she was well covered... only thing was that her curves were revealing... She looked so petite.. and beautiful with her hair tied in a loose bun... She felt his gaze on her, she gulped and walked towards the pool not looking at him...She sat on the edge soaking her feet in the water
Asad shook himself and sat there going back into his novel...
'Bhaijaan.. you have to get into the pool today.. Come on.. please '
'Najma.. not today.. im not in a mood..'
'No excuses, come on bhaijaan, you always do this, now be a good man and join us... ' She pleaded.. Ayan just walked over to Asad and pulled him up holding his hands and pulled out his shirt...'
'Ayan what the hell are you doing..'
'Do you want to get into the pool with your shirt on Asad... this is your favorite tee right...' He said laughing and moving away from him...
His well toned body was exposed.. Zoya saw him shirtless for the first time... 'Six packs' She whispered to herself..with her mouth forming an O shape.. she was surprised... He was so fit, she thought... As soon as Asad saw her, she turned away making him blush, he turned away and started walking back... Najma held him..
'No bhaijaan...'
'let me change and come Najma'
'bhaijaan.. you'll take all day.. what's wrong.. you have a perfect toned body.. unlike Ayan's bulgy stomach... nothing to hide.. come on' She said while Ayan came upto her holding his stomach in...
'Look.. now, does it look toned he asked' While everyone laughed at his silly antics..
'Come on Asad.. we've always jumped into the pool with our boxers.. Now what.. acting all shy' He said while Asad pinched the bridge of his nose in embarrassment
Ayan and Najma winked and the pushed him into the water, while the water splashed on Zoya too...
They slowly came upto Zoya and pushed her into the water, and they both jumped into the pool...
Asad looked Hot.. firstly he was all shirtless and now he was wet, making him look even hot.. now it was Zoya's turn to admire him... Asad saw her from the corner of his eyes and smirked...
Asad and Zoya maintained distance.. both looked so hot and there was tension in the air, so they avoided each other for the best..
Ayan and Najma excused themselves for some time and got out of pool, Asad was busy swimming so he dint realize, Zoya had no option but to stay back.. Now it was getting hell awkward...
Asad looked for Ayan and Najma...
'where are they' He asked Zoya
'They went to get some drinks and snacks'
"we just had lunch' he said resting on the side of the pool, with his elbows resting on the edge...Zoya was all alone in the pool, she went next to him.. keeping distance.. it was so embarrassing, she mentally cursed Najma and Ayan for doing this... She had to break the silence which was killing them...
'Mr Khan, um.. when did you learn swimming' He looked at her
'When i was about 8 years old.. ammi always made sure, me and Najma participate in all sports.. she wanted us to learn everything..'
'that's nice Mr Khan, even i learnt at a young age..and even i was into sports.. we at least have this one similarity' She said sarcastically..
'Huh.. i was wondering, how did you become all nice.. you had to get sarcastic' He said shaking his head
'Excuse me.. what do you mean Mr Khan, am i always Sarcastic.. im not like you at least.. i say out things.. unlike you.. say one thing, mean something else...' She went on and on
'Oh, no.. she started off' he thought... he went close to her and blocked her with his hands... he was holding the edge on both her sides with his hands, while she was in between his hands.. She gulped lookin into his eyes, her heart started beating faster.. she started feeling dizzy.. he was so close to her...
she pushed him ' Allah miyan.. what's wrong with you.. again.. you... trying to stop me with...' She said, while he rolled his eyes
'Relax, i wasn't trying to kiss you... i was trying to cover your mouth with my hands.. ' he said... ' not my lips' he whispered.. while Zoya heard that..
'I wasn't expecting it anyways... okay' she yelled
'really' he said smirking
'listen... im not dying to kiss you...'
'Im not either' he said
____
'Do you think they'll get a doubt on us..' Ayan asked munching on some chips
'I don't think so, after a few minutes, they'll forget that we got disappeared' Najma said giving Hi Five to Ayan, they were sitting on the kitchen counter munching on snacks
He got off the pool while Zoya also got out and started walking... she slipped and Asad held her immediately.. since there was water all over, both slipped, and fell down, Zoya falling on top of him...
Asad's hands were on her waist and Zoya's were resting on his chest, they were drawn to each other... they stared into each others eyes.. he lifted his hands and tugged her hair behind her ears and caressed her cheek...
She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, Asad lifted his head brushing his lips on her soft ones... she shivered..
she pulled away from him..
'I thought you weren't dying to kiss' She said rolling her eyes and got up from his hold while he mentally smacked himself for losing his senses again...
he got up and rubbed his forehead in frustration...
She just glared at him and walked away...
She went into the house to find Ayan and Najma sitting on the Kitchen counter with snack spread across, they were munching along with some stupid talks, Zoya sighed and walked upto them..
' Allah Miyan.. you two are here... i thought you went away to get some snacks and you guys are munching all by yourself' She said resting her hands on her hips...
'oh.. sorry.. here have some they said handing out the snacks box to her...'
'Actually, thanks.. im going to change now.. im tired...' She said walking back to her room...
Asad came in and directly walked into his room without even acknowledging them..
'Ayan.. these two are really weird, when ever they are left alone, the 'After' consequences are bad, they start avoiding each other and us also... something is really weird... i think we both will end up in a mental aslyum ' She said adding her dramatic expressions...
'You buddhu... this is what we want.. let them avoid as much as they want.. im going to trap them... wait until tomorrow.. ill make sure we'll go out and lock them up somewhere... lets see, how they'll escape...' He said singing ' hum tum... ek kamre main bandh ho, aur chabi kho jaye'
'nahi actually chaabi ayan le jayega... hahahah'
' Ya right, and how are you going to execute this plan.. this is a utter failure Ayan'
'Wait.. anyways our parents are out, they'll reach tomorrow, so why not lock them up today...'
'What?? are you out of your mind??' She shouted
'Relax... just wait and watch.. Asad wont get a doubt on us... Its me who's planning, not you, so chill baby, the plan is IN and it will work'
'What ever, if bhijaan gets to know, your dead.. remember that.. '
'only if he gets to know right... what if he doesn't.. Be positive Ta-ma-tar' He said grabbing the snacks and ran away from her...
Zoya sat on her bed after having a shower...
She touched her lips, she could feel his lips on hers 'why did i stop him' She said and realized what she said and covered her mouth in a shock
'Ya Allah, what am i thinking...' ' I should stop this before we end up into each other...'
'Why do i get lost into him... Why cant i control myself.. This man is driving me crazy' she said running her fingers on her hair...
'Im here for something else and im into something else, im just diverting myself to him, if this continues, i'll never find my phupi... and razia ammi will find me and get me married to that moron, Akram... What if she finds me out, even if she gets a hint that im in India she will not take time in guessing that i must be in Bhopal, after all i was born here and its my Abbu's birth city too... I should talk to Mr Khan... infact ill make sure i avoid him.. Ya Allah, all this while i tried avoiding him but everything went down the drain... He attracts me like im a piece of magnet, ill talk to him tonight and clear out things between us, i cannot think of getting closer to him, after all i have so much behind me.. my ammi is after me, im after finding my phupi and im just a trouble magnet and i don't want to involve him.. I have to find my phupi before its too late'
She was determined... she would talk to Asad and make things straight...
Here Zoya decided to end this off while Asad had different plans, He was more than sure that this was not just attraction.. thankfully, he at least realized, and decided to accept them instead of running away from his feelings...
He sat on his bed after his shower... He remembered the lines Zoya said...
'you knw what Mr Khan, you will never change... by this kind of behavior, you will only lose people.. this is not the way to deal with people... Your just too egoistic,..'
hell no, He cannot lose her, that thought made him stiffen.. He will not let her go away..
' Ill talk to her tonight... This is not just attraction, not love either, but its definitely more than attraction... I think we should start afresh.. We can start being friends first.. that's the first step in a relationship' He said blushing... He was glad he acknowledged his feelings unlike his usual self... she had the power of changing people for good..
' I will not force her into this... ill make sure to find out what she wants... Even if she rejects' he stopped at the thought of Rejection.. he hadn't thought about it...'how am i going to deal with it.. Should i give her some more time, so that i can read her actions before taking a step at least'
'No, ill talk to her tonight, i cannot wait and have sleepless nights, i should clear this out' 'Every time we end up into compromising positions'
Najma and Ayan were busy thinking about their next plan.. Ayan gave her a suggestion while she smiled and Hi Fived... 'Lets get it into Action' they said together
In the evening Najma was sitting in Zoya's room...
'Najma, i should publish the add again.. for next sunday... Ya Allah, another 5 days to go... i cant wait Najma' Zoya said
'But its better to publish on the weekends Zoya, especially the add segments, its better on sunday.. if its on the main page, you will attract a lot of attention, that's why i suggested you to post in in the add mags..and its published only on sundays '
'yeah, so we'll go on Friday then..'
'Cool',
Dinner was a silent affair.. Najma and Ayan could sense the tension, the decided not to push further
Asad kept looking at her while she just ignored.. She could feel his intense gaze on her which made her shiver.. She silently had her dinner and walked away to her room...
Ayan and Najma were sitting in Najma's room...
' Ayan, dint you observe Zoya, lets not push them too much.. And bhaijaan's eyes were glued on her all time.. She dint even look at him Ayan...'
'Najma, trust me, she does have feelings for him.. Cant we see it in her eyes... the way they behave around each other...She was purposely avoiding him... may be they had a tiff... we should let them deal with it... after they come back to talking terms, we'll think of another plan.. wait, let abbu come, ill make sure he arranges for a trip... only us... four of us, Asad wont disobey my dad... '
'That's a good one but Ayan Zoya will definitely back off'
'but why'
'she's here for a reason... i cant tell you the reason though.. but she's here for a very important thing.. so until she gets successful we wont travel'
'Oh... i wish she gets success as soon as possible'
'okay Ayan, im tired now.. i want some rest'
They called it a night.. Zoya decided to talk to Asad before it gets late in the night.. Najma slept off at 9 since she was tired after all the activities...
Ayan and Asad were in Asad's room, while Ayan was busy on his phone chatting with his girlfriends..
Suddenly the power goes off.. Zoya, who was lying down on the bed, got up, She hated darkness, it scared her... From the time her abbu passed away, she hated darkness, since he used to spend most of his time in the dark room, she connected the darkness to his death..
Najma was peacefully sleeping, Zoya used the light from her cell and moved upto the windows and opened them so that there is some wind inside, Najma was sleeping so peacefully that Zoya dint want to disturb her... She tiptoed to the garden area and sat on the bench looking up the starts... she cried remembering the old days, they were so perfect...
Ayan was busy on his phone, while Asad went upto the backyard to check the fuse... there was some problem in them, he fixed it and he walked back... he could see Zoya sitting on the bench.. He smiled and decided to talk to her...
He went back to his room and told Ayan that he would be back in some time... and asked him to sleep instead...
He sat next to her, She just wiped her tears and sat in silence, Asad noticed her tears, he wasn't sure how to react...
He held her shoulders and turned her to face him...
'are you okay' He asked with concern
'yeah.. im fine..' She said and pulled away from his grip and sat straight... She was in no mood to talk to him right now...
there was silence for a while and Zoya's eyes were dripping with tears...
'Zoya.. ' He called out looking at her tearing...
'Mr Khan, please leave me alone.. Please' She said turning away from him...'
He was hurt by her behavior, he got up and turned to leave, he wanted to be with her... He turned back to her and sat next to her... He lifted his hands to wipe her tears away.. Zoya was in a vulnerable state, she buried her face in the crook of his neck and cried her heart out...
'Shh.. Zoya.. stop crying' He said patting her back...
He pulled away from her and wiped her tears gently...
'Do you want to share' He asked hopingly...
'I miss my Abbu Mr Khan' She said crying harder, He pulled her towards him and hugged her...
' Mr Khan, i hate Darkness... it reminds me of my abbu... He.. he..' She choked...
'Zoya.. shhh.. If your not comfortable sharing it, its okay.. just remember, im always there for you.. Humesha...'
After few minutes she continued ' Mr Khan, Abbu took his last breath in his room.. his dark room, which had no traces of light.. he would always spend time in that dark room.. you know why Mr Khan... He missed Ammi.. He lost ammi when i was born... ' Asad had tears in his eyes, he held her tight, rubbing her back... She continued telling him about Razia and how her dadi passed away... Before she told him about finding her phupi, she was uncontrollably crying... Asad stopped her...
'Its okay Zoya... Relax...shh' he said calming her,,
He placed his lips on her head...
He only knew Zoya escaped from Razia and came to India, he was not aware that she was here in search of her phupi... She suddenly realized her position and sprung up... She moved away from him and sat straight... she thought of clearing all this... This was the right time
'Mr Khan... from the time i came back here, things are not going fine between us..'
He smiled at what she was referring to..
'I mean.. what ever happen between us... lets just forget it Mr Khan.. im here only for aunty... and i found a friend in Najma... i cannot hurt them... Im sorry if i have behaved wrongly... ' He looked at her with shocked expression...
'All that happen, just happen... it means nothing... it becomes difficult for me to even face you Mr Khan'
He was deeply hurt... his eyes were red... He fisted his palms controlling his hurt..
'Lets just end this... right here. right now' She said.. and finally looked at him for an answer, he looked hurt, she could see that... he just stood up and walked away.
He walked into his washroom and banged the wall with his hands, his worst fear came alive.. He felt rejected.. He stood under the shower calming himself with cold water... He ran his hands on his hair looking up soaking his face.. washing away all his pain...
he re winded her words 'it becomes difficult for me to even face you Mr Khan'
Today he saw a different side of Zoya, how brave she was to come all way to India just to save herself from her step mom... He felt really bad for her situation, he had no rights over her, nor he had rights to share her pain...
___
She walked back to her room... She felt his pain.. 'Did he really have feelings for me' She thought... 'was it a wrong move... Ya Allah, i even told him about my past... how could i tell him, i cannot put him into my pain. But after he knew my past, he still consoled me, he still cared about me, What do i do now... Did i hurt him by saying those words, His eyes... i saw pain.. anguish in them... Ya Allah, please show me the right way, i wanted to go away from him only because of my background'
'Mujhe madat Kijiye Allah miyan'
___
his first ever love... the man who never believed in love, never looked at a girl had fallen in love with a women who never loved him back...
'i wish i could take away your pain Zoya, but you find it difficult to stay around me.. am i causing you pain?'
'You wont see me again Zoya, it wont be difficult for you to stay here anymore...'
' Your step mom will never trace you, ill make sure your safe here' he said to himself and walked out of the washroom...
Kumkum Bhagya
Tum Se Tum Tak
Sampoorna
Jhanak
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