Chapter 11
For the remaining part of her holiday Zoya kept herself busy with her studies she managed to complete her assignments and submitted them electronically, she had now almost completed her essential reading for her various subjects. Zoya had two more days before she went back to Mumbai somewhere deep down she was looking forward to it, she missed Kiran even though she had been calling and texting her every day.
'What have you planned for the new year?' Zaynah asked 'I don't really know I haven't thought about it, I suppose I will see what everyone else is doing' 'Zoya if your friends plan to go out, then go with them, the last thing I want is for you to begin the New Year on your own'. Zoya held her sister's hand 'you know I don't go to clubs...but if they do anything on campus or in halls then I promise I will go...happy' Zaynah kissed Zoya on the forehead 'happy'.
Zaynah was just about to shout out to Zoya when nearly stumbled forward Ya Allah, Zoya are you feeling ok...Zoya you're actually ready to go.. without having me shout out to you' she said in an over dramatised way 'ha ha very funny, now shall we make a move I don't really want to miss my flight'.
Zoya has asked Kiran to come and pick her up from the airport, she didn't fancy going back to halls by herself. Zoya searched through the crowd for Kiran 'where are you missy?' she said to herself, walking up a little further she heard Kiran's signature screech 'Zoyaaa' she saw Kiran running towards her waving her hands like a mad woman. Zoya hugged Kiran not quite being able to reciprocate the force she bestowed upon her 'Kiran...I need to breathe let go' Kiran jumped back 'oh I am so glad you are back...I have so much to tell you...come lets go' Kiran grabbed the trolley out of her hands and started walking ahead, leaving Zoya shaking her head in amusement.
Kiran had miraculously been able to fill Zoya with every detail of what had happened at the party and what had been going on in her absence. Zoya seemed to only hold on to what she was saying when she mentioned Karan, she had totally missed the part where she told her that her and Rohan were finally together and she was head over heels in love with him.
Back in halls Zoya had just finished unpacking when Aliza came in to see her, after a short catch up session with her they decided to go to the canteen to get a coffee, it was exactly what Zoya needed after a long morning. The Canteen was pretty much empty not everyone had returned from their break, Aliza and Zoya took their seats 'have you finished your assignments?' Zoya asked 'yes managed to get them done a few days ok, how about you?' 'I submitted one yesterday, I have nearly finished with the second one so hopefully will be lable to submit that before the deadline'.
'How was the party, who did you go with?' 'I went with Zack, he is so sweet...um...Naveen went with Rimi and Abdul went with Sam, and Yash with Sofia, you know it turned out to be a really nice evening, we really missed you Zoya, I really wish you had been able to come'. Zoya smiled at Aliza 'I know...maybe next time' Zoya thought back to what Aliza had said, the one thing she had noticed was that she never mentioned Karan, but it wouldn't have taken a genius to work out that Karan had probably taken Indu as his date.
'Well the next time is not too far away we have a new year's party, this year C.M.D.F.A are hosting it and have invited NMC students, am looking forward to it...you will come won't you?' Aliza asked reluctantly but silently hoping that Zoya would say yes. Zoya was about to answer but someone answered for her 'of course she is coming, and there are no two ways about it...right?' Zoya looked up to see Karan standing there looking down at her with his eyebrow raised, Zoya felt goose bumps spread over her she smiled at him 'hi, how are you?' Karan pulled up a chair and sat in between them slightly turning towards her 'I am good, and now that you are back am that much better' Zoya felt her cheeks go red, Aliza started laughing 'please Karan your flirtatious charms will get you know where especially with our Zoya...right Zoya?' she said winking at her.
After a few moment the three of them were joined by Rohan and Kiran, they walked in hand in hand, they really did look cute together.
'You guys all set for the New Year? Can't believe how quickly it's come' having just said that Kiran grabbed at Rohan's arm 'oh my gosh you just reminded me I need to go and pick up my dress...Zoya please come with me, it's not far we will be back by half five' Zoya looked at her friends over dramatised face 'come on lets go' Zoya stood up 'I'll see you all later' she looked at Karan and smiled before she left with Kiran half dragging her out the door.
As Kiran and Zoya walked back in Zoya saw Karan standing outside with Zack and Aliza. seeing Aliza and Zack so close Zoya wondered if there was something more going on between them two. Zoya walked towards them whilst Kiran went up to drop her dress off. 'Hi Zoya, good to see you back, how was your visit home?' 'Good thanks, how have you been?' Karan kept his eyes on Zoya as she continued her conversation with Zack, he could see that she had dark circles around her eyes and she looked pale, he wondered if her trip home had gone as well as she had been saying. Even though they had become good friends there was still a lot they didn't know about each other or even understood, according to him he wasn't hard to figure out at all, almost like an open book, but Zoya disclosed very little, leaving him second guessing most of the time.
'Zoya you are coming...I mean for New Year's' Zoya turned towards Karan and was just about to reply when Leya came barging in she placed herself between Karan and Zoya almost making Zoya stumble forward 'oops sorry' she giggled before she diverted her whole attention towards Karan. Zoya looked at Karan and suppressed a laugh at seeing his face, he narrowed his eyes as if to say 'don't start' and 'not funny'. Feeling tired Zoya managed to excuse herself and went upstairs to rest, she had been on the go since morning and felt the day catch up with her, it didn't take her long to fall asleep.
Zoya had slept straight through the evening and the night she woke up to the warm rays of the sun prickling her skin, looking over to the other side of the room she saw Kiran still fast asleep,not wanting to disturb her Zoya decided to go to the gym, she hadn't had a workout since she hurt her leg. The grounds were quite she saw a couple of students walk towards the canteen , the gym much to her surprise was totally empty, remembering her last session Zoya made a point of taking It easy, she only spent half an hour on the treadmill spending the rest of her time doing floor exercises.
Zoya stood up to stretch herself when she felt someone grab at her shoulders and shake her, Zoya screamed and jumped back, she turned to see Karan laughing at her 'got ya'. Zoya felt as if her heart had jumped out her throat his tight grip and the loud noise he made shook her to the core. Karan stopped laughing on seeing her terror ridden face, her eyes had welled up he quickly closed the gap between them he raised his hand to reach for her shoulder but she moved back. Karan quickly fisted his hand and slowly withdrew it 'I'm sorry Zoya I didn't meant to scare you, it's just you were standing there and I couldn't help myself...I didn't mean to...' Karan felt his stomach constrict as tears escaped her eyes 'Zoya' he whispered out to her. Zoya didn't know what to say to him her erratic breathing made her head spin, she took slow steps backwards to distance herself from him and when she was no longer standing straight in front of him she ran out leaving Karan standing there feeling like a total idiot.
Zoya ran up to her room and locked herself into the bathroom she fell to the floor shedding the remaining tears that had been filling her eyes. She knew she may have over reacted and to Karan it may have been a joke, but the fear she had felt at that moment was very real. She remembered when she had started high school and a group of local boys taunted her because of her head scarf, one afternoon when she was returning home from school when two of them grabbed her from behind shaking her violently before pushing her to the ground, Zoya had experienced a lot of violence and abuse at the hands of people she didn't know, for reasons she didn't understand. As much as she wanted to escape her past and move forward she always seemed to slip back making everything so much harder.
Kiran heard Zoya sobbing, she banged on the door relentlessly but it was no use Zoya refused to open the door. Not knowing what to do she quickly called Aliza 'Zoya please open the door, Zoya what's wrong...please come out' Aliza pleaded but to no avail. 'What happened Kiran?' Kiran looked at Aliza flustered 'I don't know I was reading when she came running in and slammed the door, then all I heard was her crying and she hasn't stopped...what do we do?' 'Call one of the boys...call Karan he will know how to get her to come out' Kiran quickly called Karan and told him what had happened, not caring for rules and regulations Karan ran into Maple High and made his way to their room. 'Where is she?' he asked as he flung open the door Kiran pointed towards the bathroom 'Zoya...Zoya it's Karan please open the door, I'm so sorry Zoya I didn't mean to scare you' as Karan tried to get Zoya to open the door Aliza and Kiran looked at each other confused, was he the reason for Zoya's current state.
On hearing his voice Zoya froze was he really here, what was he doing here, does he not realise he could face a disciplinary for coming in to the girls halls. Zoya almost immediately forgot what was going on with her and started to panic for him. 'Karan what did you do to her? is she like this because of you' Kiran asked him in a raised voice Karan looked at her annoyed 'not now Kiran '. Karan turned back towards the door 'Zoya if you don't open this door right now I swear to god I'll break it down' Zoya stood up in panic; she quickly wiped her tears and unlocked the door. On hearing the latch Kiran moved forward to go in only to be stopped by him 'I need to do this, give me a few minutes' Kiran stepped back letting him go in.
Karan walked in and closed the door behind him, as he saw her he felt his whole body stiffen on seeing her red shot eyes. As she met his gaze she felt an uncomfortable churning in her stomach, his eyes spoke volumes, in the short silence that took place he expressed every word that showed just how sorry he was. As he stalked closer he carefully placed his steps, not wanting to scare her any further 'Zoya' was all that he managed to whisper before Zoya crashed into his chest and wrapped her arms around him. At first Karan wasn't sure what to do but as he felt Zoya's hold on him tighten he pulled up his hand and hugged her back, he gently stroked his hand on her back trying to comfort her 'I'm so sorry Zoya...I didn't mean...' Zoya stepped back to look at him, she shook her head 'no please don't be, I should be the one apologising, I over reacted...it's just that...I am sorry Karan' Zoya lowered her head, she felt extremely embarrassed 'you must think I am a total idiot...a total weirdo'
Karan cupped her face and gently lifted it so she could meet his eyes 'no I don't...I have managed to understand that there are things that have happened that still effect you today, I am not asking you to tell me what those things are but Zoya you need to stop bottling yourself up...please talk to me' Zoya smiled through tears she placed her hand over his 'one day...thanks Karan...I think we should get you out of here before anyone finds out...I can't believe you came here' Karan lowered his hands 'how could I not come Zoya...after all what are friends for?'
Aliza helped Karan get out before anyone saw him whilst Kiran sat with Zoya trying to find out what the hell just happened. Kiran hugged Zoya 'its ok you know we are all here for you, and I promise you no one thinks you're silly'. Kiran was the only one who knew of Zoya's past so she understood everything Zoya did and felt 'thanks Kiran, I wish I had a few more people like you in my life when everything turned sour for me'.
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Salaam All
There you go, a double update as promised with the new Thread.
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Edited by Saima-Syed - 11 years ago
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