And Here I am...Late...So So so very late...But Dang it...I couldnt write...to save my life...It was just not in me any more...It was an uphill battle to fight the block...to write again...but I fought..and here I am...with an update...hopefully the kind that you like...I cant say anymore...I have been out of touch for too long...so without further adeiu...here you go Peeps...(More me babbling at the end)
Ch20
Stolen Glances
"For after all, the best thing one can do when it is raining is let it rain."
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Her eyes never left him.It followed his every moment, his every sound, trying to hold on to the emotion that lulled the demons within herself. Ever since Dilshaad and Ayaan revealed about Najma and what Rihaan did, everything within her being changed.The invisible hands that held Zoya from acknowledging her emotions, her true hearts desires no longer held her captive;It set her free.This revealation changed her, or rather brought her back to her old self. More than many times since then, she would find her self smiling, day deaming and letting her heart get lost in the dreams and desires of love she had kept buried within. She was in love, for the first time in her life, and she was in no ways willing to deny that realization.
As the days went by, her life became a routine of events. Helping Dilshaad around the house, working along Ayaan, and waiting to catch a glimpse of Asad.Asad, she couldn't help but accept, had stayed away from her ever since that night.The revealations,had pushed him in his shell. He invested long hours at work, kept to himself and rarely came out of his room, when he was home. Zoya tried to get around it, waking up early and staying up late, just wanting nothing more than to talk to him, to say thank you and maybe share his burden. But he never gave her a chance,leaving her in a constant state of turmoil.Everyday she tried to fight her own personal demons, the images of what had happened, the constant nagging of her inner being. It taunted her for her mistakes, it poked her with the choices that led her here. Adding onto it were the thoughts of her father and what such news, the news of her death would have done to him.She wanted to see him, but everytime she insisted, Ayaan would advice against it.
It's for the best'. He had said. We'll have something solid against Rihaan pretty soon, and then we can all put this behind us. Asad is doing all that he can to keep things right. So far he has a firm hold on things and Rihaan seems to be plying his part of a widowed husband. But soon,in a matter of a week when your father will have to hand over the company to your husband, that's when we'll know our next move. So until then its important for you to stay dead'.
The words had stung but she had kept her cool.She knew it was for the best. A guy like Rihaan needed to be punished. So without resisting their request she did what she was told to do.
~~
Asad came home a little early then usual, frustrated with what was going on in the company.Rihaan had covered his tracks pretty well and Asad was running out of time and options. Everywhere he looked was a dead end.Whatever he did, however close he got, at the last minute things would fall apart. To add to his miseries, his heart was way out of his reach,pulling him into thoughts and ideas he didn't want to entertain. Zoya, she was a constant reminder of what he was trying to run away from. His emotions for her were starting to take over his thoughts, urging him to do something.There were times when he would wake up in the middle of the night, wanting to see her face, wanting to make sure she was alright.But after sneaking up to her room in the middle of the night a few times, he stopped. He couldn't let himself go there. No, he couldn't allow his heart to dictate what he was to do. He couldn't fall in love with her. Ever since that night, when the word love came into his mind, he pulled away.He needed distance from her, he needed to distract himself from the turmoil that was chewing him up from the insides.So he retracted to his work and finidng something against Rihaan. He avoided Zoya on each turf, leaving before she woke and coming home late. Not matter what his mother or brother said, he didn't listen. They knew the reasons for his actions.They didn't support him. His mother made that apparent.
You can only run for so long Asad, he recalled her saying one night. It will all catch up to you, and you wont be able to fight it. Loves happens, you have no control over it. And no matter what excuses you give yourself, it will only keep growing with the distance you maintain. Listen to me, listen to your heart and accept it. You're falling in love with Zoya, and she with you. Don't think about what is not right. Yes she is married, you have used that excuse a million times, but she won't be for long. Look who she is married to and what she has been through. Your rejections and the way you avoid her is only making it harder for her to move on. I see it in her eyes everyday when she tries to ask about you. She needs you, she craves your presence to heal'.
Mom please I don't want to hear about it'. Asad had tried in vain to avoid this topic.'Ms Farooqi is doing just fine. I have checked in with Ayaan.Her wounds have healed and she has already regained her strength. She seems to be doing good. I no longer need to worry about her anymore. Soon she will be back where she belongs, to the life she left behind. And I will move back home, put this all behind me and start fresh. So there's no use of dragging Ms Farooqi along.
Listen to yourself.I cant believe you are running away form what you truly desire.
I am not running away from anything. I am just stating the facts.
No your not. you are trying to bury the emotions that you feel for Zoya.You are denying yourself the love you feel for her..
Mother please, I don't want to discuss this. I have a lot to worry about and Ms Farooqi is the least of my concerns.
Asad you can lie to yourself but I have seen it.The look in your eyes when she is suffering, the way you hold her and pacify her. The way she seeks you and only you when everything in her world is crumbling.I have seen it all and I know you two are meant for each other. I can see how you haven't been able to sleep for the past few days, sneaking into her room to check on her. I see it all the time.All I wish now is for you to open your eyes and see what we all see and accept it. You love Zoya and she loves you.
The conversation still rang in his mind, disturbing him,challenging him to deny his mothers words. Not wanting to dwell into it any further than he had already slipped he stood up.
He needed a shower; he needed to get these voices in his head washed away from his mind.Grabbing a change of clothes he walked to the bathroom and started to undress.
He undid his shirt and slipped out of his pants and turned around. His eyes fell on the floor just as he was about to pull out of his boxers...
Zoya...
He forgot everything and rushed onto the floor where, where Zoya lay. Dressed in her pajamas, and his old t-shirt he had lended to her a while ago, Zoya seemed to be sleeping soundly on the floor rather then being unconscious.
Asad flipped her around and tried to shake her.His hands reached up to her face on instinct, brushing of the loose strands of hair that seemed to be bothering her.She sighed as his hands caressed her cheek in the process and it made him stop..
Asad she almost moaned, her lips forming a soft smile.
Zoya open your eyes, wake up...are you alright? He asked...concern apparent in his voice...
Hmmm..she sighed again, trying to get closer to his bare body...
You smell like...ummm...like something real good...like...spices and cologne...She brought her nose up to his neck and inhaled..I missed you.
Asad took in a deep breath trying to keep his cool...Her close proximity to his almost naked body and the feel of her in his arms, inhaling his scent was doing nothing for his resolve.And on top of it she said she missed him. He was once again finding himself getting pulled into her presense and her thoughts..
Taking in another breath he pulled Zoya out of his embrace and lifted her chin up, to look at her properly..
Are you alright?? He asked, studying her intently..
She nodded...rubbing her eyes and slowly lifiting them to meet his..
I just fell asleep waiting for you..she responded..
In the bathroom?? Asad raised his eyebrow in question.
She nodded, her eyes dancing with mischief...
She looked into his eyes and locked their gaze,staying quiet as she let the moment sink in...
I was just trying to catch you...You have been avoiding me for a week now..I had to find a way.I don't like you avoiding me...
Asad didn't know what to say.His eyes held on to her gaze as he let her word sink in.
No matter what he did to get away from her, she always found a way. She always had something up her sleeve to mess up his equilibrium, taking him by surprise.
Get up, he managed to say, grabbing her arms and pulling her in a standing position.
Zoya obliged and stood up, her hands resting on his bare chest.
Reaslisation dawned in Asad's mind and he looked down...He was wearing only his boxers...
Zoya's eyes followed Asad's and her hand covered her mouth trying to control the burst of laughter that threatened to erupt.
Her eyes took in his bare body, a blush a warm as his presence creeping up to her cheeks...
DAMN...you're hot...she muttered...covering her mouth in an instant realizing what she had just said.
She looked up and met his eyes...They were in a state of shock...
Asad didn't know what to do. He was stuck...He looked at her and saw her holding her laughter...That did it...He snapped...
ARRRGGGhhh...he muttered turning around and pulling the towel around his waist...
What's up with this...he said to no one in particular...Turning back to Zoya...he continued..
How is it that of everyone around me...its always you that ends up with me...in a situation less then ideal...
Zoya...bursts out laughing...she can no longer hold on...
Her reaction annoys and amazes Asad...Damn this girl...she would be the end of his sanity...
He shakes his head trying to find his footing again, but listening to her laughter...he cant help but smile himself...
The voice inside him speaks again.
Who are you trying to fool...you are in deep with this girl it pokes...Asad shakes his head once again, trying in vain to silence the voice..
He focuses his attention back to the hysterical gal standing besides him in his bathroom, laughing like there's no tomorrow..
Ms Farooqi...he calls
Its Zoya...she says between laughs...'Only Zoya..Call me Zoya and I'll acknowledge you..
Ms Farooqi...he grits his teeth at her stubbornness..
Its Zoya..she counters..
Why...he questions...
Because, I want to hear you say my name...
Why...
Beacause I like the way you say it...it feels like home...Her laughter dies down as her eyes meet his..There's an array of emotions flooding through them...Slowly, without hesitation she takes a step towards him, bridging the gap between their separated bodies. Merely an inch away...she reaches out her hand and gently caresses his face..
Asad's body jerks in reaction, but he doesn't move, something in the moment has him rooted to the spot, holding on to her gaze, trying to sort through the emotions that are running through her eyes. They seem to mirror his own inner turmoil.
I miss you...she says, feeling his face in her hands...'I miss being around you, listening to you, scolding me, pacifying me. I miss the way my nightmares seem to fade away when you hold me close. Asad...she weighs on each syllable as she embraces the sound of his name in her voice...
Asad's heart skips a beat hearing her say his name.A warm gush of emotions gush thorugh his being,waking his dormant heart...
I cant help it anymore, or rather I don't want to keep my heart bounded by my fears, my situations or the ill memories of my life. Asad...she continues...'I want to set myself free, I want to listen to what my heart has to say, and it says....She pauses looking deep into his eyes, waiting to see if he stops her...when he doesn't react she closes in the last inch and leans into him, her lips almost brushing his...
It says...she repeats...'that Zoya you're in love with this man. The man who took with him a part of you the very first day you kissed him by accident. It says...when your lips met his...she ever so lightly stand up on her tip toes and brushes her lips to his..as if demonstrating the moment in time.. and then continuing her confession.. you were no longer yours. He owned your heart from that very moment. You just didn't know. Coming down she looks up, Asad's eyes are staring at her. There's raw emotions in them, a blazing torrent of unspoken words...
She no longer felt the fear that was surrounding her soul, she just felt free...She wanted to tell him everything in her heart...and she did just that...
From that day, my heart says, I was no longer mine..I gave you my all...You saved me, took care of me and gave me a new life. You allowed me to be me, however bad that part of me was, you gave it room to express itself...When you could have walked out, you didn't, you took it all in and treated me with respect and dignity. You were always the true gentleman,you were always the perfect man, the one who rescued me and brought me back from my bleak, self loathing existence. I love you...and I am not afraid to say it... I love you for all that you are,for all that you have done for me and for all that you make me feel when I am with you...For a girl who lost all her dreams of finding love, when her mother passed away, for that girl who did all that she could to ruin her life and her chances at love, just because she was mad at the universe for taking away her mother, you were the one who smacked me back to reality. You changed me without chaning me, you gave me back the one thing that everyone needs in order to go on in life, Faith.You made me start beleiveing in miracles and second chances and the desire to rebuild my life my way...Mr Asad Ahmed Khan...you brought this Zoya Farooqi, the one who had been locked inside for the past 10 years back to life. I don't know what you feel for me...though my heart says you feel the same, but despite that..I have fallen...deeply...madly...and everlastingly in love with you...I no longer hold me or my being...that...is all yours...my heart...my soul is all yours...do what you choose to do with it...and I wont resist...I love you...and that's all that matters to me now...You have set me free...and you have took me back to love...
She stepped back...and held his gaze, giving him a smile...as she started to turn away...
You should'nt have told me...Asad finally says...blinking out of his stupor..
I am not sorry for confessing in my heart...Zoya...looked him in the eye and retorted..
You shouldn't have...he repeats...
I am still not sorry...and I never said anything about you feeling the same.This is what I feel, and I am not ashamed or afraid of accepting my love for you. No, infact I feel blessed. I have been given the chance to experience love. Not many people find a person they can give their all to. I am lucky to have found you.
Zoya...his voice is pained...
She smiles...her eyes getting a little teary...
Thank you she manages to say...
For what...his eyes search hers...
For saying my name...for giving me a chance to find you and fall in love with you...
Please...he almost begs...closing his eyes, as if trying to calm the battle within...
Good night...Asad... And Zoya turns away...
Cliffy of sorts I know..but worry not...It will be worth it in the next update..which will most likely be the last...followed by an epilogue...We'll see...
So how was it...Meh??? or readable...do share...its been a long time..so do tell..if I still have it in me to write or not..this one still is a lil off but its not as bad as I thought it would turn out to be...so ur vote of confidence is much needed...
Other than that...I'll catch ya later...
Wat I have been upto for so long u ask...
I have been travelling and going bezerk reading love stories...all the time...and I mean ALL THE TIME.. Also I am planning to start writing on this website called WATTPAD...all the original stories I can..so stay tuned for that...
Other than that...life is a lil upside down these days...so its hard for me to be more into writing but with this..atleast I have re started...hopefully soon..I'll have more ideas turning into stories..so Stay tuned and cya soon...
And thank you all for not boycotting me..😳
Edited by -StarsLinedUp- - 10 years ago
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