ASYA/KaBhi SS: Red, the colour of love Final Part/ Page 19 - Page 5

""You deserve a lot of happiness" Asad spoke over her.

"All that from one interaction?" Zoya brushed off his praises,

"All that for your sacrifices." Asad looked at her, "If I could give you the smallest bit of happiness, I would consider my life meaningful." Asad smiled walking away."

Emotional endearing!

"Aleem, I carry baba's ring with me, Mr Khan could complete the ceremony with that until we get him the ring we picked out for him"

"He removed his hand and brought it forward, Zoya unknowingly slipped the ring on his finger without realising what she was doing."

"In the spur of the moment, he just slipped the ring on her finger as if it was the most normal thing to do."

Profoundly symbolic - Amazing!

"His eyes caught the end of the saree that was becoming loose, his hands went forward and tucked it back in. Zoya was startled by his touch; she turned quickly brushing her wet hands over his face. She registered his face and stumbled back falling backwards, Asad's hand wrapped around her waist and held her up. Zoya blinked at him trying to figure out what just happened, Asad stared into her eyes, Zoya shivered in his hold seeing the intensity of the emotions that were pouring out of them. Her heart beats were going frantic in his hold, a weird feeling ran through every vein in her body. She watched his hand come up to her face and brush her fringe out of the way."

Mesmerizingly beautiful! This was exceptionally conceptualized.

The sibling bond remains outstanding. Aleem and Zoya were endearing together.

Stunning read. This comment doesn't justify the chapter due to the time frame of the read and the detailed comment. - Simply charming!

Red: The Colour of Love

Chapter Three

"Thank you for the lift Mr Khan" Zoya looked up as he opened the car door for her. He hesitantly put his hand forward; she placed her hand in his to support herself getting out of the SUV.

"It's my pleasure" Asad tried not to meet her eyes. They both stood in silence for a few moments not knowing what they should do or say.

"Goodnight Mr Khan" Zoya smiled, he nodded at her before watching her walk towards her front door. Asad sighed as she turned around to close her door; his hand went up to wave at her before awkwardly bringing it down. Zoya smiled at him clutching onto his jacket waving back at him before slowly closing the door. Asad stared at the closed door before his eyes moved towards the ring, this was her possession. He had no right over this ring; this belonged to her future... Asad's heart felt heavy. He wrapped his other hand over the ring and closed his eyes. His heart was wrong in wanting this to be right... wanting this ring to be his.

"Goodnight Miss Farooqui" Asad whispered softly stepping inside the SUV. He glanced at the house before driving off feeling confused and empty. He was engaged to Aaliyah... Zoya's sister. Why the hell did that not sound right? He was going to start a new life, with a girl, who had all the qualities he wanted in his future wife. Aaliyah was perfect for him; would you be able to keep her happy? His heart questioned him.
"Of course I can..." He told himself. Would you ever be happy?
"Does it really matter?" He questioned staring ahead onto the empty roads. Would you be able to love her?
"I have never fallen in love... we'll get to that after marriage" Asad nodded trying convince himself. Zoya?
"That's Aaliyah's sister" He blinked holding onto the steering wheel tighter cursing his heart for interrogating him. Isn't she your sister in law as well? Asad held his breath.
"We haven't formed any sort of relationship... yet" He whispered. Then what made you so protective in the kitchen today?
"I did that for the sake of... I mean, every woman deserves to be respected... protected" Asad answered putting a stop to the twenty questions his heart and mind were playing with him. He rested his forehead against the steering wheel parking up outside Khan Villa.

"Why am I growing attached to something that is not in my destiny? This ring... I have to give it back" Asad told himself, his breathing was heavy over the steering wheel. He didn't want to go inside, he didn't want to sleep, because the moment he closes his eyes... she will appear. She will make him restless; his yearning to meet this woman would grow. He'd be doing wrong to Aaliyah. He should be thinking about Aaliyah and his future. He needed to sit down and talk to her, get to know her... Zoya?
"Shut up!" Asad grunted as his heart and mind fought with each other.

-

Asad groaned feeling the first rays of sunlight streaming in through the loose curtains and caressing his face, he twisted with the duvet wrapped around him before shooting upright.

"Meeting" Asad's eyes widened, he looked towards the alarm clock annoyed; stupid thing didn't go off. He picked it up and observed it for a few minutes with his tired eyes. He didn't turn it on. Asad hit it against his forehead before rubbing the spot. He reluctantly dragged himself out of bed and stumbled towards the bathroom. This was not like him; Asad Ahmed Khan was time efficient, he sleeps well, yes, with those dreams that he has, but today... something changed in him. As he stared at his reflection in the mirror, he realised he didn't dream about her last night. This was weird, the girl that was haunting, no, the girl that was mesmerizing him every night, for the past two years... she failed to come into his dreams last night. How can that be possible? Are you missing her?
"Of course not" He muttered, but he couldn't help but wonder why she didn't appear. You're engaged that's why his heart told him. Was that the solution all along his mind teased him. Asad ignored whatever his insides were discussing; he freshened up as fast as he could before rushing out of the bathroom. He opened his wardrobe and quickly got changed into his usual three piece suit. His eyes fell on the charm idly sat on his handkerchief. As he touched it, images of the girl he bumped into flashed before his eyes. He stumbled back a few steps feeling as if he was electrocuted, he stared at his reflection stunned.

"That girl was Zoya?" Asad tilted his head at the reflection, his eyes being able to clearly see her face. His eyes ran over his hands, he remembered feeling a weird sensation all over his hands after crashing into her that day, he felt the same last night. He shook his head placing the charm back inside his cupboard. "You have an important meeting Asad, focus" He breathed out glancing at his watch; he was late. He grabbed his briefcase and rushed out of his room.

"Asad, Asad..." Dilshad's voice fell deaf to his ears, "Asad?!!" She shouted behind him, he halted in the middle of the living room. He looked at her, "Breakfast beta."

"Not today Ammi, I'm late for meeting" Asad shook his head pointing to his watch.

"This boy" Dilshad shook her head, "He only got engaged yesterday" She sighed.

"He is a man now Ammi" Najma spoke in between her attempts at biting as much of the toast as she could in one go.

"Hello, what happened?" Zoya spoke into her phone as she clutched onto her folders closing the car door with her backside.

"Where are you? Don't tell me you've gone work?" Aaliyah questioned on the other side. "I'm so sorry I overslept, not overslept but forget that. Was he nervous?"

"Sorry baby. I have a big order going out today, and an important meeting too. So I had to rush, and Aleem was smiling. He was confident don't worry. I fed him the sweet dish on your behalf; he knows your love and prayers are with him. You have no tuitions today, so try and relax. I'll see you when I get home."

"Okay, don't overwork yourself. I'll take care of Samiha when she gets back from school. What do you want to eat today?" Aaliyah asked her nibbling on the muffins her sister had baked in the morning.

"Anything you want. Bye sweetheart" Zoya hung up entering her factory. "What the... What happened?" Zoya spoke shocked seeing the sight in front of her.

"A few boxes have been left behind from today's orders. The truck left two hours ago, this idiot didn't check properly" One of the workers replied smacking the other one's head.

"He's delivering to a few places, I mean this one is in Bhopal, I'm sure he could take these..." Zoya checked the labels on the boxes.

"Well that's the thing... There's at least 5 orders today, he's delivering in the opposite direction, he's going to drop these off and then head out of Bhopal ermm..." His voice trailed off.

"Ermm which means he's done this delivery and they already must have found out by now. Crap" She looked towards her office. "I'll give them a ring now don't worry. What's happening with the sample tie dyes? Are they ready?" Zoya asked him going through yesterday's batches of clothing that were dyed. "This needs to be a darker shade of blue Sophie!" Zoya pointed. "One more shade."

"The ones for today's meeting are ready. I'm still trying to get the colours right for tomorrow." He replied.

"Thanks Ahmad" Zoya smiled walking up to her office. She held her head seeing the mess in her inside; she really needed to organise some time to fix this. She glanced over a few faxes before calling up the company whose boxes were left behind.
"Don't worry; I'll personally come deliver those Mr Ghai. I apologise, it was an honest miscalculation from our part. We take full responsibility. Thank you again, bye" Zoya sighed placing the receiver down.
"You'll get through today Zoya, you will. For your parents... you will" An exhausted Zoya repeated over and over again the same words she had for the past so many years when she felt like she was going to crumble due to the pressures in the workplace, she kept going for her parent's sake. This tie dye factory meant everything to her father; this was what he loved to do- spread colours into everyone's lives. His obsession for the colour red started when he first saw it spread over her mother, their love was colourful. He fell madly and passionately in love with her mother. She wanted something like her parents. No she didn't crave for it, she had responsibilities she needed to fulfil, she didn't want to fall in love and neither did she want anyone to fall in love with her because she would never be able to give them what they want; a relationship. But there was a faint desire, to have someone spread their colour of love on her, she wanted the kind of love her mother and father had for each other until their last breath. That kind of love was hard to find in this day and age, a guy who would spend every moment of the day thanking the Almighty for having you, who would do whatever it takes to keep you happy... it may not always be like a fairy-tale, but with each new morning, he promises to try to give you the happily ever after before the sun sets again.

"Baba, you wanted to see us grow up and achieve great things. Aaliyah has completed her degree baba, Aleem has completed his studies and got an engineering job, you had faith that he would be able to do it. He has done it baba. Samiha is doing well in school. Your children are doing great baba. We miss you both very much. Your loving hands over my head every night when I used to come home tired soothed all my stress, stress" Zoya laughed, "Was that stress baba? Not being able to solve my maths problems, complaining that the English teacher did not give me enough homework. Whatever they were, you used to make it all go away. Pata nahin kyun, but Aaliyah, Aleem and Samiha search for the same magic you used to have in me. They're pagal baba; I could never give them that peace that your presence used to have. But I feel at ease knowing that you may have left some of your strength inside me, hence the reason I could bring them. I could never bring them up the way you would have, but I tried baba. I tried to teach them the same values and love you and mama have taught me. It's your blessings, you would be very happy to know that they turned out to be amazing human beings, full of love and care... exactly how you wanted them to be." Zoya sighed.

"What about you beta?" A voice came from behind. Zoya turned around and smiled.

"How are you daada?" Zoya looked at the old man standing near the doorway; he was her father's eldest employee.

"I am good beta, how are you?" He walked over towards her and caressed her head. Zoya nodded the same pressing her eyes. "What about you beta? Mr Farooqui's eldest daughter sacrificed her whole life for her siblings. Now beta, how would your father feel knowing that whatever he wanted for you-"

"Nahin nahin dada, don't say that. I have sacrificed nothing. We all have suffered. But with your support, we made it. I studied as much as I could; I managed to run this factory all these years with your help. This is what baba wanted, for me to become responsible. I have gotten whatever was in my destiny." Zoya spoke smiling.

"Your baba wanted you to be happy..."

"Which I am" Zoya completed his sentence. Her dada sighed with defeat; he could never explain anything to this girl.

"Your destiny has much more in store than this, a lot of happiness... and love" He kissed her forehead. "I pray for that every day. I have always believed that whatever you give, you get thousands of times more in return. You have given your everything, I pray for love to find its way into your heart and give you the world full of happiness. Aaliyah agrees with me" He tapped her cheek before walking out of the room. Zoya shook her head. He always comes to make her cry.

-----

"Allah Miyaan, it had to happen today right?" Zoya cried kicking her tyre. She held her head before hitting her forehead against the car again and again, like a mental health patient. "I.want.to.cry and I am having the worst morning ever!" She told herself. She pulled herself together and went towards her boot yanking it open. She removed the heavy boxes one by one before pulling the bottom compartment open. She stared into it for a few minutes hoping a tyre would miraculously appear. "Here goes the order and my meeting" She walked back towards the tyre and kneeled down. She punched the type hoping it would fix itself.

"Prasad, I'll try to be there in ten minutes. Don't worry. Yes-" Asad stared with wide eyes driving past a troubled Zoya. He screeched the car to a halt almost hitting his forehead against the wheel. "Prasad, see if you can cancel the meeting" Asad spoke into the Bluetooth to a confused Prasad. He removed his seatbelt and stepped outside the car. He fidgeted with his tie slowly walking towards her; she was dressed in a pair of wash blue jeans and a white blouse. He stood over her kneeling figure; Zoya noticed the shadow over her and almost fell back. She stared at him with her big brown orbs, blinking at him trying to recognise his face.

"Mr Khan, what are you doing here?" She blinked again supporting herself against the ground. He put his hand out towards her; she placed her hand in his allowing him to pick her up. She wiped her hands on the back of her jeans whilst he watched her removing a handkerchief and wiping his hands.
"Sorry" She apologised quietly staring at his hands as if he was trying to disinfect it.

"Is everything okay Miss Farooqui?" Asad followed her eyes to his hands, "Sorry, OCD" He shrugged his shoulders casually. He felt weird at how easily he could speak to her, he didn't stutter, and he most definitely has never accepted to anyone that he has OCD.

"Cleanliness freak" Zoya muttered softly,

"What?" He pretended he didn't hear what she said.

"I meant that means you're very organised, I guess you have everything sorted out both professionally and personally, I know a few people who have OCD, they usually know what they want in life" Zoya smiled at him. He remained silent for a moment.

"Yeah" Asad answered softly. Yeah right his heart and mind laughed at him.
"Is everything okay?" Asad tilted his head to look at the car.

"That stupid tyre, I've got a delivery to make and an important meeting that won't happen today" Zoya held her hand against her forehead suddenly stressed again.

"I er could give you a lift" Asad offered instantly.

"No Mr Khan, I don't want to trouble you. I'm sure you have enough urgent work pending that need your attention" Zoya shook her head.

"I have nowhere important to be" Asad lied. What are you playing at... his mind questioned.

"Mr Khan, honestly... I'll be fine..." Her voice trailed off seeing him on the phone asking for a mechanic. He moved towards her boot and opened it.

"These?" Asad pointed, Zoya had no choice but to nod. She came around to help him but he put his hand out to stop her. She couldn't help but admire his etiquettes; he definitely was a gentleman, no doubt about that. Zoya watched as he removed his jacket and placed it over the car before carrying the boxes to his car. She smiled towards his back before grabbing her folders along with her keys and the samples she needed for the meeting. "Is that everything?" Asad asked grabbing his jacket, Zoya nodded at him. He gestured for her to sit inside the car, she glanced him a look of gratitude.

"Thank you so much for this Mr Khan, I'm sorry I trouble-"

"Thank you and sorry in one sentence?" Asad joked settling inside the car.

"Should I say it in two sentences?" Zoya gave him the eyes, Asad burst out laughing. Zoya watched him, her heart warmed up at the sight of his laughter. Her forehead creased before she looked away, what the hell was she thinking?

"It's my pleasure Miss Farooqui, like I said, if I could be of any help in decreasing your worries, I will consider myself useful" He smiled at her driving off. "Where is your delivery due?"

"Ghai Textiles" Zoya replied, before she could thank him again, he nodded at her. "My sister is very lucky Mr Khan." Asad's heart stung. "You really are the perfect gentleman."

"Are you not considering getting married?" Asad asked the question hidden in the deepest part of his heart.

"I have responsibilities." Zoya answered.

"That doesn't mean you cannot get married." Asad looked at her.

"It means I want to be there for them when they need me, see them happy" Zoya stared ahead of her.

"You will be, and they are" Asad replied. "Are you?" Zoya closed her eyes.

"More than anything" She whispered. "Have you ever fallen in love Mr Khan?"

"I don't know" He replied. It seemed like a trick question, he was getting married to her sister, damn that still didn't sound right, why does she want to know if he's ever fallen in love?
He was confused. He didn't know what he felt this instant. All he knew was that this woman in front of him was the only person he could think about since he has laid eyes on her. The woman in his dreams stopped appearing. What the hell does all that mean? "Have you?" He choked.

"I won't" Zoya replied, he was confused by her answer, this wasn't what he wanted to hear. "Love comes with expectations, one of those being marriage. Marriage is a huge responsibility. I have promised myself that until I see them settle down, which is my biggest responsibility, I won't be able to take on any other responsibilities and do justice. I might sound selfish Mr Khan, but I don't want to give anyone false hopes. I don't know if I can give them the happiness they deserve." Zoya explained, she didn't meet his eyes. He didn't want him to judge her. Asad admired her.

"Love is not a responsibility Miss Farooqui" Asad told her, not knowing how he understood love without falling in "love". "Love shares all burdens and responsibilities. Love is like marriage, it's a promise to stick by each other no matter what happens." Asad parked up in front of the building. "True love will wait for you" He moved his eyes towards her. "Anyone who doesn't will be selfish." Asad got out of the SUV before opening her door. She allowed her hair to cover her face so that he couldn't see what she was thinking or how she was feeling. Asad carried the boxes inside with Zoya following feeling bad for making him carry such heavy boxes like he was her worker. Asad Ahmed Khan was very humble she thought to herself.

"Mr Ghai, sorry about this" Zoya apologised earnestly, Asad stared at her. He didn't know why but he didn't like seeing her helpless.

"Mr Khan" Mr Ghai looked at him surprised ignoring Zoya and went up to him to shake his hand. Asad and Zoya passed each other a look; he moved his eyes to Mr Ghai to rip him to shreds. "What a pleasant surprise, you should've said you were coming"

"Sorry Mr Ghai, I'm here as Miss Farooqui's assistant. Couldn't have let such a wonderful but delicate lady like her carry such heavy boxes, what kind of men would we be?" The sarcasm in his voice made Zoya shake her head; he really was the perfect gentleman. "Now if you'll excuse me, Miss Farooqui has a meeting she needs to attend. We'll take your leave" Asad nodded while Mr Ghai looked on stumped.

"Is everything okay with the order Mr Ghai? And I'd like you to do another count, just in case" Zoya smiled at him. Her eyes fell on Asad's disappointed face; he doesn't deserve your kindness. Mr Ghai nodded at her. Zoya walked out on Asad's gesture while he followed behind her.

"I don't like him" Asad spoke childishly sitting inside the car.

"Like him or not Mr Khan, he's a client. Work ethics, baba would not be happy" Zoya explained.

"Did you see the way he ignored you?" Asad looked at her with wide eyes, he was clearly offended.

"Who wouldn't when one of the most famous business tycoon is standing in front of them? That too carrying such boxes, I am er noth" Zoya froze seeing his looks, he wasn't going to hear her criticise herself.
"I'm a woman Mr Khan, and that too in jeans, running a business that should be run by a man" Asad's expressions changed, "Some men are judgemental, but I can't stop living" She shrugged her shoulders. Asad nodded at her going over his male-chauvinist minded views.

She wears jeans, his mind told him. Aaliyah is perfect for you, she wears traditional clothes.

Aaliyah has the values Zoya has taught her. It's all about what you are as a person inside, not how you dress on the outside... his heart argued.

Asad Ahmed Khan... you are unbelievable his mind spoke shocked. Asad used to think it was women dressed in traditional clothes that had the perfect values which made them the perfect wife. He was clearly wrong in Zoya's case.

"Mr Khan, I'm sorry for wasting your time. Honestly, you don't have to take me to this meeting, I'll be fine. I've delayed you as it is, I don't know how long this meeting will be... honestly just drop me off here somewhere..."

"It's okay, I'll wait for you" Asad smiled at her.

-----

"How was your day?" An exhausted Zoya hugged Aleem who had gotten soaked just before getting into the house.

"Tiring" Aleem replied closing his eyes. Zoya held his hand and supported him towards the sofa. She took the towel off Aaliyah and dried his hair. He placed his hand over hers, "This feels so good, honestly your hands, magic" He placed a kiss on her palm. Zoya laughed.

"You're crazy" She walked around and sat down next to him. He threw his shoes off and picked his legs onto the sofa lying down on her lap. She brushed her hand over his hair and massaged his forehead.

"My hardworking bacha" Zoya smiled. Aleem closed his eyes. Aaliyah brought three cups of steaming hot tea and placed it on the table.

"Hawww, I didn't get a massage" Aaliyah cried.

"She's my sister" Aleem answered without opening his eyes.

"Aapi, guess who came today?" Samiha came out of her room.

"Who beta?" Zoya asked, Aaliyah shook her head at her.

"Chachu" Replied Samiha settling on the sofa next to Aaliyah. Zoya looked at Aaliyah with questioning eyes, pushing Aleem back down onto her lap.

"That guy needs to give it a rest. What did he say?" Aleem's calm but dangerous voice took over the silence. Aaliyah sighed.

"He's after this house" Aaliyah told them what they already knew.

"He's not going to get it!" Aleem gritted his teeth.

"Calm down Aleem, he won't get it; this house belongs to all of you. I'd never let him take it" Zoya assured him. Aleem sat upright.

"What else did he say?" Aleem looked at Aaliyah knowing there was more to it.

"His usual rant" Aaliyah whispered, everyone knew what that meant. He insulted Zoya and warned them about her taking all their rights. Zoya sighed; she wasn't going to give up. She wasn't going to give away her parent's home and leave her siblings homeless. She doesn't care who he is, he is no more a family to them. "He's after the business as well... he is so selfish. For money aapi. I cannot believe we're related to him by blood."

"Ignore him; he cannot take what's yours aapi. You've worked hard, for this house and for baba's factory. They're both your rights, he can never take them away. He'll never be able to turn us against you. What does he think he'll achieve from all of this, stupid idiot!" Aleem rested his head on her shoulder. Zoya's eyes remained on Aaliyah as Asad's face flashed before her eyes.

"She will steal all your rights. Dekh lena"

Her chachu's voice rang in her ears. Zoya shook her head, what was she thinking? Why was she thinking about Asad? Why was she repeatedly reminded of her chachu's words? She caressed Aleem's cheeks as he was seeking comfort in her hold, would his words ever ring true? Would she take away her sibling's rights? Zoya's heart broke, she would never do that to them. Everything she has done, it was for their happiness.

-

"How was your meeting beta?" Dilshad asked from the sofa as Asad walked in through the door.

"Er, it was cancelled. I er, I met Miss Farooqui today" Asad told her, he didn't want to hide anything. Dilshad looked back at him surprised, waiting for him to explain. "Her car broke down before a meeting, I offered her a lift"

"Which led to you cancelling your meeting?" Dilshad connected the dots. Asad brushed his hands over his face. That was his mother after all.

"I'm going to freshen up" Asad paced towards his room leaving a thoughtful Dilshad behind.

"Well it's not a surprise that Zoya is the only person he doesn't stutter in front of. She really is amazing" Dilshad smiled relaxing against the sofa. She was perfect in every way.

"You cancelled your meeting for her" Asad gave himself a reality check. "An important meeting." Asad sat against his bed trying to figure out what was happening. He closed his eyes, vivid images flashed before his eyes. A woman, covered in white, running past him, he could hear her melodious laughter as she got splashed by red paint of some sort painting her red from head to toe, he could see her eyes. Asad's eyes shot open, this wasn't like his dream. This was different, these images seemed real. He pressed his forehead trying to remember properly.

-----

"Are you sure you're okay with me going?" Aaliyah knelt down in front of Zoya and held her hand. Her friends shook their heads watching as they stood above both of the sisters.

"For the hundredth time Aaliyah. I am fine with you going. You'll be getting married soon; I don't know when you'll get the opportunity to spend a few days with your friends. Stop pouting, I'll be fine... I need a few days rest away from you all" Zoya held her head playfully. Aaliyah hit her knee.

"Bhaijaan isn't here either though aapi. He's gone for his press conference, you'll be all alone!" Aaliyah shook her head. The girls rolled their eyes, her suitcase had already been packed but this girl was still asking for permission.

"I am a big girl, almost a buddhi. Trust me, I'll be fine. You guys enjoy yourselves. Amelia, you make sure she does that!" Zoya kissed Aaliyah's forehead. She got up and went towards her bedroom returning moments later with an envelope. "Take this, and please stop worrying. I'll be fine. You guys are coming back in a few days. Enjoy this trip!"

"But Samiha..." Aaliyah started but shut up seeing Zoya's expressions. Zoya fixed her duppata before caressing her face.

"Samiha is having a blast whatever she is doing on her school trip. She was so excited to leave, could you please show the same?" Zoya laughed. Aaliyah hugged her tight.

"You take care of yourself. Eat properly, don't work too hard. Don't go out if you don't have to. Call me every hour; I'll call you every hour!" Aaliyah ranted.

"Give me some peace woman!" Zoya rolled her eyes. "Enjoy yourself baby." Zoya kissed her cheeks. Aaliyah nodded at her sister before picking up her suitcase.

"Aapi, I'm going only for a few days. What is this?" Aaliyah asked.

"Essentials" All the girls said at once. They all burst into a laugh dragging a reluctant Aaliyah out of the house, she has never stayed away from her sister for so long.

"Bye, love you!" Zoya waved blowing her air kisses. She sighed turning around to go inside when her eyes fell on an anxious Saniya trying to look inside. "Aleem is not at home!" Zoya shouted laughing to herself before closing the door. Her eyes went over the empty house; she was missing all of them already. She convinced them to go, but her heart did not want to let them go. Now she understood how her father felt when she used to throw a tantrum to go on trips, away from home, away from them. Her loud sneeze shook the empty house; she lazily walked towards the tissue box and blew her nose. Her head felt heavy.
"Please don't tell me I'm going to fall ill, at least the kids are away, they won't catch it" Zoya headed for her bedroom and opened her cupboard. Her eyes fell on Asad's jacket, she pulled it out and stared it for a moment. Her thoughts went to her father's ring, "It wasn't for me" She told herself. She grabbed an old woolly jumper, her father's jumper; she wrapped it around her and settled on the bed.

"I wish you were here baba. Everything would be so much simpler and clearer. I am confused, my heart and mind are wanting two different things, what are these unknown feelings taking over me, making me forget my responsibility towards them? I could never accept these feelings, not if they take me away from them. I don't know what to do or think baba; I don't know how I feel." Zoya closed her eyes. "I wish you were here" Zoya clutched the jumper tightly, feeling her father's presence in the jumper. "I miss you so much."

-

Asad leaned against his bed, with his arm over his face as his fingers played with his engagement ring. He was baffled along with stressed, worried, anxious and scared about his emotions, about his feelings. He didn't know what was wrong with him. What has happened to him in the last two years? This wasn't the Asad Ahmed Khan he knew. This new one, he didn't recognise. He had many questions racing on his mind, one after the other, driving him nuts. He honestly felt like he was going crazy, this restless feeling, his heart and mind fighting inside of him... he didn't understand what to do to fix this, but there was nothing broken to be fixed.

Why does this woman appear in his dreams? Why does he feel weird seeing Zoya? Why has this woman in his dreams suddenly gone after seeing Zoya? What were these flashbacks he was having? What kind of attachment does he share with Zoya? He only just met her, though he had heard about her before they met and was already in awe of the woman she was but how can he feel this strongly towards her... what was happening to him? Why does everything start and end with Zoya?

Are you stupid? His heart questioned him.

What? His mind asked.

Asad shot upright on his bed, his breathing suddenly heavier than before.

"I am in love with Zoya" Asad finally admitted as if it wasn't the most obvious thing ever.

-----

Sorry ignore any mistakes. Sorry for beating around the bush. Sorry if it bored anyone. I kinda don't have a plot guys loool! I'm just writing about Asad and Zoya. HA, we'll see how this goes! Laal dupatta song, still very much obsessed. I have a weird habit; will be very much sticking to the title! Ha again!

Thank you for your wonderful comments and support my lovelies. Love each and everyone one of you.

P.S. No updates on this or ek nikaah until after 11^th August, I have wedding madness starting soon! I need the time away! Sorry guys!

P.S.S. I might pop up with OS's, short OS's every now and then in between if I get any free time. (Abbu sequel prologue will be posted later, I've been blackmailed I'll be spammed so delaying it! lool)