SS Once Upon a Time Thread II CH9/10 Updated!!! Pg 122/127 (11th July) - Page 35

She said she would finish this and concentrate on EB... she was supposed to start writing after lunch..

Originally posted by: Divya.S.R

She said she would finish this and concentrate on EB... she was supposed to start writing after lunch..

where is she?? 😕

Yaar ek ghante se, me stalking.. please! 😳

Aashna don't make me catch a flight to Canada.. 😡

Oh Freak!! I don't have a visa for that..

Originally posted by: Divya.S.R

Aashna don't make me catch a flight to Canada.. 😡

Updating in an hour or so😉 so save ur money for something better...no need to fly up here😛

Originally posted by: -StarsLinedUp-

Updating in an hour or so😉 so save ur money for something better...no need to fly up here😛

Originally posted by: -StarsLinedUp-

Updating in an hour or so😉 so save ur money for something better...no need to fly up here😛

Here you go peeps...

Ps Not edited!!!

Chapter Siete

Questions I have ,I wish you answer them

I have a lot to share with you So will you Carpe Diem?

Day 2

So anything with this rockstar I have to tell you is the farthest away from predictable. I was ready for another day spent in in impressive mansion, which I must tell is the complete opposite of what you would imagine a rockstars abode to be.Its sleek, sophaticaed and with a lot of class. I will see if he allows me to share a span of his place.So fingers crossed on that. But getting back to my assumption, I thought it would be a regulare day at his place hanging out, talking and getting to know him. But No, it was the complete opposite. I found myself seated with him in his very own Maserati driving off to the derby.

Gotta tell you guys, this man is an enigma. I cant help but wonder how many new facets of his personality will I be encountering during the course of the week. He's also a very busy man, but nonetheless, very cooperative. He let me tag along, let me take up all the spare time he had, in between his meets, to give me my required dose of QnA's. He infact even nursed my injured foot..Now now girls, please don't be jealous, he was just being nice, and no I am not exxagaratting. It did happen.I you want to know the details, well my lips are sealed ;p.

So shall get to all the amazing questions he answered for me?? Yes I hear? Then lets get to it.

So here we were at the derby when I got his 15 minutes and I decided to dig a little deeper, get to know his likes and dislikes, how he finds his inspiration, his family, his thoughts and ideas...

I started with this questions

Me-So a derby huh?? Seems like you have varied tastes, any random things you would like to share?? Things that you enjoy doing??

Him- Ya a derby, actually it was one of my exe's she introduced me to this sport.At first I was bored out of my wits, but with time and her unwavering enthusiasm, I found myself enjoying it. And you know what it's a great place to meet for business.Business and pleasure. And as for the random things that I like to do, I like sports for sure.I have always been into Soccer,tennis and swimming. Infact I was a level shy from being entered into the regional swimming competition. I also enjoy the occasional backpacking into the wilderness and camp in the open spaces, campfire, good company and the night sky above.

Me-You truly have very varied tastes, is this what inspires your music as well??All the experiences and the things you enjoy doing?? DO you write out of personal experience or divulge into fictional fantasies??

Him-Whatever I do has a back story.Why I like what I like has a lot to do with my upbringing. My father was always an adventurous person, my mother she was the most versatile female. She was a multitasker and she enjoyed the domesticated life as well as the adventures.So I picked up a lot from them.I used to camp with the family every summer and seems that continued well through my adulthood. Yes my music is definitely inspired by the experiences I have. Starry night was inspired from the trip I had at the Yellowstone national park in 2008, Wanderer also courtesy to my many travels. Even when I write love, it has some connection with what I have been through with love. I embellish my songs at time, maybe to take in a fans request or to create a song specific to a movie or an event, but other than that, I don't imply assumptions.I like to keep it real.

Me-Anything else that inspires your music??

Him- My culture, my beliefs, and my ideas of the ideal world I would like to live in.

Me-So do you consider yourself and idealist??Or more on the real side?? How bout a romantic??

Him- I'd be lying if I said I am a realist, cos I am not.i like to get lost in my world.Not many people know who I truly am.They all know the persona that protects my true identity.They assume that's me.But I am far from it. Its just cos my life is so public. Who I am dating, how many I have dated, breakup, hookup,triumphs and failures,everything is out in the open.So all I have to keep me sane is this part of me that no one knows. This part of me is a romantic, this part of me hasn't ever fallen in love and is still looking for the one.This part of me has this hazy image of a girl long lost it wants to find.But this part of me seldom sees the light of the day,its too paranoid to reveal itself to the world.So its mostly in my thoughts and not in my actions.

Me-Youre deep...That makes me wonder about such things aswell.How much of out true self do we really let out. But this is your interview so we'll stick to you for now. Do you read? Do you like to stay connected to the world and know what's going on??

Him-Yes I do read.I read facts, I read inspirational, and I read the occasional rom com fictions my sister forces me to read and maybe act in their screen adaptation, just so her friends can.You know what that's not the point. I do like to stay connected, but not on the negatives. I'd rather focus on the progress the world is making and not the failures of humanity. I believe we become what we focus on.

I stop here, pondering on his words realizing the depth they inherit.They make me think, they make me reconsider my opinions I had on this guy a decade ago. I realize he is not that guy, actually he might very much be the same guy, but I wouldn't know cos I never actually knew him for real.What I knew of him was what people talked about.Yes I knew there was more to him than just his looks, music and persona, but I never knew what that more was. Now I was starting to know that more. And I have to be honest, this more is more overpowering than my teenage knowledge of the illusion that I had made of Asad Ahmed Khan. Listening to him speak has me falling for him, falling for the man and not his idealist image. His ideas,his point of views makes me want to know him more,makes me want to pursure him, but as an adult.I want to know him I want to know the real 28year old Asad Ahmed Khan.But I cant cos he is not talking to me.

I am in San Diego, my hometown, in a hotel room on the outskirts of the city, writing about the man who I know nothing of.And to make matters worse I have no reasons for being mad at him.For him leaving me here and taking off someplace, telling me the shoot isn't happening until later in the evening. No I cant be mad, cos I bought this onto myself. I am foolish, I thought my fictious knowledge about him that I had collected in my hormonal haze was enough to get me through this interview. I am stupid to not do my research. And I am a coward for chickening out from goggling him.

I cant take this self loathing anymore and I decide I need to get out of my room for a bit. I grab my purse and step out and just then I see him walk to the adjacent room, ready to unlock and get in.

Hi I manage to say...He nods

Uh when will be a good time to...I don't know how to ask for the interview now he knows I was winging it all along, and I have no where to hide.

We can do it at dinner.My shoot starts in 30, you can tag along if u'd like.its just a few blocks away by the lake.He says, his eyes looking intently into mine, trying to find something.

I am confused, whats going on in his head. Should I say yes or no??? Would any of it go against me??

I risk it, I say ok

Cool I'll cya in 15 and he walks into the room, just as I tell him I'll see him in the lobby.

Soon I find myself running back to my room and rummaging through my bag to find me something to wear..

I grab the black satin blouse and Black pencil skirt and rush through dressing myself up.

Thankfully I am a fast dresser and I am ready in 10. With the red heels in my hand and the lipstick ready to be applied in the elevator I make my way to the lobby.

~~

She is waiting for me, looking spectacular in black, looking fresh and sexy, and I cant help but feel the need of pulling her close to me and take over my sanity.

I remember what I have just found out and a million questions start to nag. I am conflicted as I continue to walk up to her. I like her this much I know for sure now, but the extent of it, I am afraid to venture into.

I nod and I tell her to follow.She complies.

Her phone buzzes and there she is al chirpy and happy, talking to someone.

Why didn't she tell me???I wonder, why??

Her laugh breaks my thought and the next moment we are seated in the car, she still on her phone, completely unaware of me.

I drive as she chats away.

No Mindy, its not like that,I also want to meet you, maybe next weekend. I'll be done this assignment till then...Maybe we can hang out.I hear Jackson heights has a summer carnival happening.O I would love to meet our old teacher..Yes deal...Next week it is then.

So what I was told was right.It is her, it is her the girl I can't just forget and can't completely remember.

I drive into the parking lot as the conversation I had 2 hours ago plays in my mind.

~~

Is he mad at me?? Will it cost me my job??? Why is he so quiet? Damn how am I going to break the ice??

A butt load of doubts plague me as I see him walk ahead of me, his body language clearly very rigid and angry.

He is greeted by the team already there.A girl comes and gives him a hug.He hugs her back and lifts her off the floor. She giggles he gives her a smile...

I looking at this, am burning into flames. I don't like what I see. No NO NOOO...

I want to be mad, I want to tell him to stop, but what right do I have??I am just a girl who Once upon a time had a crush on him, who Once upon a time invested a complete year trying to find out as much as she could about him.Who took another year to get over him and the fact that he no longer lived in the city and had another girlfriend she couldn't match up to. What chances did she ever have with him.How was she to compete with those 5'10" Sexy, skinny models that lingered around him all the time. How was that to happen. He never noticed her in school, and she vey well knew, he wouldn't notice her now as well.How?? Telling him she crushed on him at 15, now was that going to help?? I don't think so. I shake my head as I see myself spiraling back into old habits. He had this over me even back then, the ability to make me lose my senses, to make me feel insecure, to make me pine in the corners as he busied himself with another girl in his arms.

I shake my head yet again and start walking past the car, into the direction he just walked.

And that's Zoya, I hear him tell the gal and the rest of the team members.. She is following me for the week, interviewing me for VIVID..

Hey I wave at them all, and they do the same. Half smiles, and awkward introductions later, we are headed to the spot of the shoot.

I follow him, contemplating if I should clear the air and apologise, make sure my job is still intact. Taking a deep breath I jog up to match his pace..

Mr Khan I whisper, do U have sec??

He stops and looks at me waiting for me to say something..

I am sorry..

For what??

For not doing my research, for not following your work, for anything that might have hurt you. But you see, I really have worked very har do tget this particular column started, and I couldn't let it get away. This, I mean interviewing you was what was offered as the challenge that would land me the comumn, so I took it. Please tell me, I can still interview you...I uh I Don't want to miss this chance. I pppromise I will do my research and all...

~~

What the hell is she talking about?? Is she for real?? Cant she not get it?? How the hell does she think I am mad at her, heck I am mad at me, for not noticing her sooner, for not realizing she was that very girl I've been thinking about. I should be the one apologizing; I should be the one trying to find out about her.

I shake my head to clear my thoughts and look back at her. She looks so forlorn; she seems kinda scared of my answer. I want to yell at her, for thinking I would tell her to leave, and I am offended to know she is here only for that frigging column and not for a slight chance to meet me, her highschool crush. But I cant do that and that's frustrating me.

Its all good Zoya, I am not mad, I manage to say.I just have a lot going on in my head. We should be don't this shoot in 3 hrs and then maybe if youre not tired, we can go over your questions during dinner, Alright?? Now if you'd excuse me, I need to get changed. You know what how bout we do it like yesterday. You are here, and I will have time in between shots, you can ask me then...Ok??

She nods and steps out of my way. I nod back and start walking to my vanity to get changed, peace being far off, my mind wrapping up my focus with the conversations I had with Mindy, Zoya's bestie, when I visited my old high school.

~~

As I continued to drive I wanted to laugh at her ignorance.She didn't know anything about me..It was refreshing.It made me feel like a normal person.It gave me the chance to introduce who I was to her. I kept looking at her, enjoying her flustered state, wanting nothing more than to pull this along a little longer.I was starting to think of something to do, find a way to get to know her.And not talking to her was the only distraction that was fruitful enough for me to be able to think.Talking with her just messed with my head,the good kinda mess. When she was talking I wasn't thinking, I just found myself too intent in listening to her.

Coming up to the conclusion I kept mum. I dropped her at the hotel and made my way to the city. I needed some time alone to think things through to get the answers to the nagging questions relating her. In the next 30 minutes I found myself driving by my school, and old memories latched on. I turned my car and drove up to the parking lot. My old spot was vacant. I parked my care right there and smiled. Good ol' days...I sighed remembering the many afternoons I spent by this very spot chatting away with my boys..

I walked into the building, thankfully the school had just gotten over and there were no lingering kids that would yell at my presence. Silently I skimmed through the corridors, looked at the pictures on the walls and reminisced. Just then I hear a shrill shriek..

I tunred and I saw a girl walking upto me..

Are you for real??? She squeaked...

Asad Ahemd Khan???

Yes...and you are???I was confused...maybe she was a fan.

Oh me hey..I am Mindy...you used to study here right???

I nodded...

Me too...I was a freshman, when you were a senior, now I am a teacher here, Biology...She shared with utmost glee..

Oh nice, vvery nice to meet you...I just dropped by to have a look, you know for old times sake...

For sure sure...I mean look at you...cant believe you are such a big star now...our very own highschool rockstar is now breaking a million more hearts, with his charm, looks and awesome songs...I was a big fan and still am...

Thank you very much...I am flattered...I didn't know what to say..

Boy...My friend used to be crazy about you...she continued to chat away...

Pardon me...

My highschool bestie...Zoya..OMG cant even tell you how big a crush she had on you...She knew everything about you, when you came, what time you left, where you sat, who you hung out with, your songs, your girlfriends.everything..I tell ya she was crazy about you... and I was the one who had to listen to her day dreaming about you all the time...

Zoya??? What the hell was she talking about...Strangely...an image passed my mind. A side profile...a deep dimple, long wavy hair... Pink pants and white top...I looked at this girl...and she smiled at me..

Yes Zoya, Zoya Farooqi, she was with me...and if I am not wrong she was in the English class with you as well..She just loved writing, and had enough credits to take advanced English courses. And you knw what..

What??? I was just too confused and shocked to respond...what was she talking about?? Zoya...was it ..her next sentence cleared it all..

She got her dream job at VIVID...she always wanted to write and I am so happy for her...

Zoya Farooqi, from VIVID??? I double checked...strangely my heart was getting alittle frantic on hearing this..

Yes her...I tell ya she was mad about you,..It took her a year just to get over you..and she had barely talked to you...I dont know what would have happened to her if...Anyways...leave it be...Sorry I got carried away..I was just so excited to see you...and I don't know how I got myself into talking about Zoya and her crush on you..Sorry about that...anyways I gotta go, I see my bus down the corner...Cya bye...nice meeting ya...

And she was gone...leaving me with the biggest surprises, shocks..call what may...

Zoya Farooqi, the girl that was interviewing me,the one that was making me fall...the one that had me reeling in her thoughts...was the very same girl that I couldn't place in my mind, who even without ever talking to me for more than a sentence or two..had left such a powerful impact in my heart and mind that I still thought about her. She was the very same girl, the girl with the binder full of love quotes, the very binder that lay in the box tucked under a shelf in my bedroom closet.. That Zoya and this Zoya were the same...

I was left speechless...

That's all...Like and comment...and I shall update soon...Again...just cos I am not stating the amout of likes and comments doesnt imply I dont wish for 100 and more...so do u thing peeps..make me a lil happy😃

Cya soon!!!