Chapter 26
The next morning the boys woke up with heads that were not only sore but throbbing in all directions. Kiran and Zoya made them some fresh lime juice and gave them a pain killer each to help their hangovers.
Zoya remained quiet for most of the morning, Karan knew something was up with her; she had avoided talking to him and wouldn't even sit with him at breakfast. Karan followed Zoya out to the balcony 'Zoya what's wrong, you have been avoiding me all morning? Zoya felt her hands moisten with a nervous sweat; she didn't know how to tell him but knew she had to 'Karan...I...' Karan placed his hand on her shoulder looking worried 'what is it Zoya please tell me' 'Karan do you always drink...I mean alcohol?' she said trying to avert his eyes. Karan instantly knew what she was trying to get at he realised that it could not have been pleasant for her to see him in such a way. 'Zoya did it really upset you that much?' 'Karan I don't want you to think bad of me, I...I found it hard, and it is something that is not allowed, well for me anyway and I have never been in the company of anyone who has been drinking, I know there a lot of differences between us I don't want you to think I am being...'
Karan put his finger on her lips to stop her from blabbering on 'Zoya it won't happen again, I promise you that I won't drink again, ever...' 'you would really do that for me?' she asked wide eyed, Karan kissed the back of her hand and then pulled her in holding her from the waist 'Zoya this is nothing compared to what I am willing to do for you...I love you and if this is something you are uncomfortable with then I promise you I will never touch another drop of alcohol again' Zoya smiled she kissed him on the cheek and hugged him tightly. As she did it dawned on her what she had done, it was the first time she had herself kissed him and that on the cheek too. She squeezed her eyes shut as the blush reappeared.
Time moved on swiftly the New Year came and went and everyone dived back into their books before they knew it Easter was here. Zoya was going to go back to Delhi to see Zaynah, it had been too long since she last went home, Kiran asked to join her she had never been to Delhi before and wanted a break from Mumbai. Karan contemplated going back with them but he knew that Indu was heading home for the holidays too and there was no way he was going to put himself into through what he had experienced the last time. He didn't like the idea of Zoya being away from him for more than a day yet a lone a whole ten days. 'Do you really have to go?' He asked pulling an exaggerated sad face 'yes I do and I will be back before you know it, and besides you will be busy with your last project for the year and you also have that trip coming up so am sure you will be too busy to be missing me' Karan put his arm around her shoulder and let her rest her head in the crook of his neck 'what time is your flight?' 'Seven, and you are not going to see me off Zack is coming with us' 'why not?' 'Because you have to submit your proposal for your project tomorrow morning, and the last time I checked you hadn't even started'. Karan couldn't argue with that he knew she was right.
Kiran and Zoya met an over joyed Zaynah she was so happy to see them, as they sat around the dinner table Kiran told Zaynah about all the sites she wanted to see, luckily Anwar had taken a few days off so was more than happy to be their personal tourist guide. As promised Zoya called Karan every night, one topic took over most of their conversations, Karan wanted her to tell Zaynah about them, he didn't think it was right that she should hide something so important from her, but Zoya was reluctant she wanted to give it more time, she wasn't ready to let Zaynah know 'Karan please I can't not now' 'then when Zoya, don't you think she will be more upset knowing you hid this from her for so long?' 'Yes but I can't ...how about I tell her in the next holidays, I will tell her in the summer, I can't deal with the stress right now I have too much going on and I really don't know how she will react' 'ok fine...are you having fun with Kiran?' 'Too much fun, the girl is totally crazy...but seriously I wouldn't have her any other way...I miss you' 'I miss you too, but only a few more days and then you will be back'.
Kiran and Zoya came through customs and looked around 'are you sure you gave them the right time?' Zoya asked as her eyes searched through the crowds. 'There they are' she said pointing to Karan and Rohan. Kiran ran up to Rohan and embraced him into a hug as she pulled back she kissed him on the lips not caring about all the disapproving eyes that looked at them. Karan cleared his throat loudly to get them to break apart 'you two are impossible' Zoya came and stood by Karan wanting to crush him with a hug too but did the next best thing, she held his hand and entwined her fingers with him gently squeezing his hand, their eyes did the rest of the talking.
Karan followed Zoya into her room, in one swift motion he lifted her off her feet holding her tightly against him. Zoya had her arms around his neck she placed her forehead on top of his and took a moment to take in the warmth of being in his hold. 'There is no way I am letting you be away from me for this amount of time again Dr. Zoya' he said as he rubbed his nose against hers. They decided to spend the rest of the afternoon and evening together before the mayhem starting again.
Indu stood outside the main entrance of the college waiting for some of her friends, as she waited she saw Karan's car pull in she felt her lips curve up into a smile, it had been a long time since she last saw him. As his car came closer her face dropped making her smile vanish instantly, what took over took in it's place was sheer anger. Karan parked up and she saw Zoya come out of the passenger side, Indu couldn't believe it, Karan had never let any girl sit in his car, not even her so how dare she. Not being able to control her anger she walked up towards him 'what the hell is going on?' she almost screamed out making Zoya jump.
Karan moved himself to stand in between the two of them 'what's wrong now Indu?' 'what do you mean what's wrong...she is wrong, what is she doing in your car you never let anyone sit in your car so how does she get to sit in there?' Karan shook his head in disbelief how childish and immature can one really become he thought 'Indu grow up...seriously, you come full of all this angst just because Zoya is sitting in my car, are you for real?' 'I don't know what you are up to Karan but I am not letting you get away with it, you broke off the deal for this sorry thing hiding behind you...wait until I talk to Vickram uncle'. 'Don't you dare...you point another finger at Zoya or say one more word against her Indu and I swear you'll regret it' Indu looked at him in shock was he really threatening her for Zoya, she gave him a stern look before she walked away. Karan turned to face Zoya she had her head lowered 'Zoya take no notice of her...she is just childish' Karan cupped her face and made her look at him 'tell me you are ok' Zoya smiled 'I'm ok...I will see you later tonight...I might be late I have an extra lab class' 'don't worry I'll come to pick you up'.
Over the course of the last semester Zoya started to become distant, she kept herself locked up in her room most of the time, putting it down to the stress of her exams. No one really questioned her as they found themselves in a similar situation. Karan did feel slightly neglected as any opportunity that they could have had to spend some time together Zoya would always decline. The apartment was pretty much empty the boys had gone on a field trip for three days as part of their course. Zoya, Kiran and Aliza made the most of the boy free zone they had, after a hard day's work they would relax and pamper each other. The three of them had really become close; it was a time when they promised to always stick by each other no matter what.
Zoya had retired to her room when the boys returned from their trip, they looked absolutely exhausted not taking much of their time Kiran and Aliza let them go and get their much needed rest. Rest was the last thing on Karan's mind all he wanted to do was see Zoya, he had missed her so much. Karan went to her room to see her sleeping, he walked up to her and sat beside her she looked so beautiful her face was filled with innocence she looked like an angel. Karan did feel a wave of guilt as he sat their totally mesmerised by her, Zoya didn't have her scarf on her hair fell around her, her fringe sat across the side of her face he was so tempted to push it back but refrained. Karan closed his eyes 'I'm sorry' he said before he walked out. Zoya opened her eyes managing to catch a glimpse of his back as he walked out the door.
Zoya sat up she rested her head on her knees as she brought them up to her chest, she took in a deep breath after the last incident with Indu all her insecurities had returned the reasons she had doubting her relationship came rushing back, not being able to figure out her own feelings her own thoughts she started to keep herself away, but no matter how much time she gave herself nothing became clearer the only thing that remained and was most prominent was the fact that she loved Karan more than anything, she prayed and prayed that her love for him would give her the strength that she needed to face any wall any barrier that she was going to have to face. Feeling bad that she had kept him away from her deliberately Zoya got out of bed and decided to go and see him. She opened the door to see all the lights out everyone had got an early night as she walked towards his room she could see the dim light of his lamp seep through the crack in his door.
Zoya didn't knock she opened the door to see him standing with his back to the door. Karan was unaware of her presence in the room it was only when Zoya wrapped her arms around him from the back he realised. Zoya stood still holding on to him tightly Karan could almost feel her heart beat against his back 'I missed you' she whispered.
Karan turned around to meet the eyes of the most stunning girl in the world, and she was his girl. Karan pulled her towards him he made her sit on his lap as he sat on the bed he leaned on her should as she rested her head on top of his. 'Zoya...are we ok?' he asked with genuine concern. Zoya knew why he was asking she had given him reason enough to be worried, she felt guilty she shifted in his lap and made him look at her. 'We are more than ok Karan and we always will be I'm sorry I have been so distant, there was a lot going on in my head and...' 'and you felt that you needed to deal with it alone, Zoya why didn't you talk to me am I not part of you' Zoya felt a pang in the pit of her stomach 'I'm sorry Karan...' Karan put his finger on her lips and gently stroked them making her shiver she slowly caressed her face with his hand before he gently brought it closer to his what he really wanted to do was capture her soft luscious lips with his but he knew that this level of intimacy was not something Zoya was ready for, he brushed his face against her and kissed her on her cheek 'Zoya please don't shut me out' Zoya shook her head 'I won't' 'I love you' he whispered in her ear before he wrapped her in his arms again.
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Edited by Saima-Syed - 11 years ago
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