ASYA FF - Battle of Memories *Complete* Notes on Pg 90 - Page 45

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Part 24

Episode 25

"Zoya, what are you doing here?"

Zoya turned to face her mother-in-law.

"Aunty...woh...actually"

"I know you are married to Asad. You need not prove it with your woh...actually"

Zoya blushed, "I'm sorry, aunty. I had food poisoning," not knowing if she should tell her of her current state.

"Oh dear, are you alright now? When Asad said you were staying the night I thought he had planned something romantic. Where is your room?"

"I'm fine, aunty. That's my room. Why are you here?" Zoya asked walking towards her room.

"Nikhat started having false pains," she said as she followed Zoya into the room.

"Is she alright now?" Zoya asked, settling comfortably on her bed.

"Han Zoya," she replied, sitting on the visitor's chair near the bed.

Then, there was silence. To pass the awkwardness, Zoya spoke up, "Aunty, can I ask you something?"

"Sure, Zoya. Anything."

"Was...was yours a love marriage?" she asked feebly.

Dilshad smiled, "No Zoya. Mine was a perfect arranged marriage. In fact, I saw him only after my nikkah."

"What? Didn't you want to know about him before that?"

Dilshad chuckled, "It was like that those days. After 9 months, Asad was born and..."

"After 9 months? ...hm...didn't you want to get to know him better before you...you know," suddenly feeling awkward for this discussion.

Dilshad raised her eyebrow, but nevertheless smiled, "After my parents left me on my wedding day, he put his arms around me and squeezed my hand and said, "Don't worry. I will be there for you always". That minute I knew I had never felt more safe or protected ever before. All it takes is one minute to realise your feelings."

Zoya folded her legs listening attentively as she felt a warmth settling over her. She could somewhat relate to it. She did feel safe and protected around Asad.

"We were very happy. That was until...Asad's sister was murdered," she added gravely.

Zoya gasped, "Aunty?"

"Asad was 12. She was 10. After that incident, their father distanced himself blaming himself for her murder. He was also a police officer. For years, he searched for her killers. And one day, when Asad was 16, we heard they were murdered and after that we never heard from him."

"So...Asad's father is still missing?"

Dilshad nodded gravely before continuing, "Asad was already a mess with his sister's death. With his father not being there to support him, he had a hard time. And after his father left for good, he was totally broken. Even I was working and couldn't give him proper care. But, when he was in college he met his childhood friend's again and slowly came out of depression. When he was in police training, he was almost back to normal. But, he vowed never to marry because of his father. Six months back, I threatened him to marry or I would die. He asked me sometime so that he could ask a friend. When he didn't respond, I called him saying I'm sick. And the rest you know."

Zoya simply nodded, closing her eyes to stop the tears that were threatening to fall, not knowing what to say. Those 10 days they had spoke so much, but only about his favorite things, his sport's day, his roles in school plays, etc. But nothing so grave. She suddenly ached for him. She wanted to hold him and tell him that she would be always be there for him and that she...lo...loved...loved him. Her eyes shot open the realisation. She clenched the bedsheets, gasping for air.

She loved him.

"Zoya, are you ok?" asked Dilshad, noticing the sudden change.

Zoya nodded smiling through her tears, "Yes, aunty. Yes. Aunty, I need to see Asad. Can I have your phone?"

"Sure," she said, before handing over her the phone.

Zoya took the phone before rushing outside leaving a bewildered Dilshad in the room.

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"Pick up...Pick up...Pick up..."

"Hello?"

"Hello, Asad?"

"Zoya?" he asked a little puzzled.

"Asad. Asad. Where are you?"

"Zoya, are you crying?"

She brushed off her tears as she smiled.

"Asad where are you?"

"At the pharmacists. A couple of blocks away."

"Asad, come back soon."

"It's raining. So, I'm waiting..." he said twirling the bag in his hand.

"Asad, please."

"Ok! Stay there!" he said before cutting off the call.

Why was she crying? Well, it was only fair, considering what he had done. He had thought, she needed time alone to think. Why was she calling him? She was sounding desperate. How he wish he knew. He would soon find out. He walked through the rain with his own turmoil, fully drentched and ignorant of a car that was speeding his way.

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She couldn't stay. She rushed towards the entrance and looked towards the gate. The streetlight which was flickering snapped shut. He hadn't come yet.

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He was near the gate.

Wait a minute! She had called from his mom's number, right? How was that possible? His turmoil continued as he continued walking and scrolled the call log through his phone.

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How was she gojng to tell him?

I love you?

Wasn't that a bit cliched?

She started biting her nails as she contemplated on deciding what to tell him.

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Rashid hated driving in the rain, especially in the night. But, he had to get to them. It has been 7 years and he missed his family dearly. He had avenged his daughter's death. He had served his penance. Now it was time to get back home. To his Asad. To his Dildhad.

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One minute he was walking. The next minute he felt a sharp pain on his hips as he fell forward, as he shielded himself with his hands on hitting the lamp post before he fell down on the murshy road. The only mistake on his part the frantic honking of the car he had missed a minute ago.

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There was no streetlight there and the rain was dense. It was in the last minute that he noticed the person in front. He had honked. In a fit of panic, he had raced the accelator instead of the brake. It was all over in a minute. He heard a scream. He braced himself, cluching the steering as he slammed into the breaks.

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It happened in a blink. She had looked with joy at the appearance of Asad. He wasn't looking her way. In a flash, a car slammed forward hitting him as he fell forward, hitting the lamp post before falling down.

She stood there legs not coperating with her.

"Asad...Asad...ASAD!"

"ASAD!"

She ran.

She ran through the rain, getting fully drentched.

She ran and kneeled down in front of him, before taking him in her lap.

"Asad! Look at me!"

Her tears washed away by the rain.

"Asad! Don't you dare die on me!" she cried holding his face and shaking him.

His eyes were trying to stay open.

"Asad! I love you!"

He gave a small smile before closing his eyes to darkness.

(To be continued)

Part 26

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