She felt weak and tired, and her body was aching like someone has walked on her body for hours. Her nose was red from blowing nose, her eyes were teary and her head was heavy. She couldn't keep her eyes open due to tiredeness. It was predictable to fall sick, she caught Asad's cold. She smiled inwardly realizing that they shared everything, even the cold now. She chuckled at her silleness, how love make her feel really like a teenager. She felt sick in the wrong moment, she had so many thing to do, the date of their wedding was coming close. In three weeks, once the school will be close for summer holidays, they were supposed to get married and she will be Mrs Zoya Asad Ahmed Khan. She was excited and nervous day after day, she can't wait. Both of their families were happy for this union and planned a huge wedding. Asad and Zoya has no words to add, as their families said, they will be just here to enjoy the party and the rest was for them. She was on bed for 3 days, and it looked worst than what Asad caught days ago and as expected, Asad took care of her and the children. He didn't let her leave the bed and when she tried, he held her and put her back on the bed. He only allowed her to watch and to supervise everything. So she only kept admiring her man doing all the thing while she was taking rest.
However, as much as he can be perfect, he didn't know how to brush girl's hair. He wasn't use to, he has a son and it was easy, but a long hair, it was a difficult task for him. He stood behind her, looking seriously at her hair, scratching his chin. He tried to visualize the hairstyle that he wanted to do. As an architect, he knows how to play with lines, measures and perspective, but he was not on paper but hair. Sarah followed him from left to right, she didn't know what he was doing. He took a paper and started to draw, scanning her from time to time. Once he finished, he smiled widely and felt satisfy. He cracked his fingers and lifted his head from left to right, preparing himself for the challenge. He wanted it to make pigtails, he took the comb and started up making an opening in the middle, he was methodical and thorough. He had a little trouble with the hair got tangled in his fingers, after some difficulties to break free of her hair, he finally separated in two, but it didn't seem to be a pefect line. Then, he closed it made two tails on each side. He took the mirror and gave it to Sarah.
-Do you like it? He asked, obvious that she will say yes
-uncle, I m not 3 years old, I can't go like this, she said firmly
-but what do you want, sweetheart?
-mmh, braid, she said excitely
-braid? He scractched his head, he didn't know how to do it, but he liked challenges, ok, let go for a braid.
He freed her hair and started to part in three part, but it was confusing for him, he couldn't part them in three equal portion, once he slidded one part on the other, he lost the other part or mixed some lock with the wrong one. He restarted many time and after many try, he finally finished the braid, who was looking like a braid after waking up from bed than one who was freshly made. And in the front, it was not better either, some locks were here and there, and nothing was in the good place. He put them behind her ears and the other, he adjusted them with the comb. When she asked for the mirror, he only said that they didn't have time and they had to go, lucky he was that she didn't insist to see his creation. They all went to Zoya's room to kiss her goodbye.
Zoya was reading a book, she was getting bored being in bed. She couldn't focus and spent many time fixing the same page, however, she tried to stay straight and strong. She hated being ill and weak. She was not used to relax, having Asad in her life, make her realize that she spent most of those past years running and never took time for her. She felt blessed to have a man who can take care of her and her family. The kids barged into her and jumped to the bed and kissed her on her cheek. She laughed at them holding each of them on her arms, she was again lucky to have such a beautiful kids.
-Miss farooqui, how do you feel? Asked Salim
-I'm much better soon I will be back at school, she replied caressing his hair and kissing his forehead. She then turned to see Sarah and noticed something wrong on her hair. Sarah, did you do your hair alone? She was confused
-no, it's Asad uncle, she said pointing to him. Asad turned his gaze, innocently. Zoya pursed her lips to suppress her smile. She found cute from Asad to help Sarah with her hair, but she can understand that he was not used to girl, he had a son and he did as he can.
-it was really good, Sarah, Zoya said looking at Asad who rolled his eyes, knowing that she was teasing him. But Baby, you don't want you ammi to do it in her way, I hope Uncle Asad will not mind, hai na Asad? She smirked
-not at all, please, go ahead, he said annoyed.
Zoya opened her hair and adjusted perfectly the braid. Asad looked closely to her movement, and was impressed that Sarah's hair not to stick to her hand, everything was neat and well assemble. Asad sighed sadly, sitting next to Zoya, he was not good enough and he felt sad because he was about to do everything and not to tire her.
-Kids just go away , I want to talk to Asad.
Both of the kids left running, and Zoya looked at Asad. He smiled briefly at her, expected from her to tease him. However, he was taking back with her gesture. She lay on him and kissed him longely on his cheek. He smiled looking quizzically at her
- what that kiss was for?
-because you are too cute.
-yeah, you can laugh at me, it was ugly, he said in defeat
-you can't be perfect Asad, she teased him
-but I want to be for you
-you are my perfect one but I m glad that you need me a bit, or I will feel useless
-you are never useless, sweetheart, you push me to be better
-and you push me to be happy, she kissed his lips this time, softly.
-I promise next time, I will do it better
-I know but you have to train a bit before. She looked naughtily at him
-will you be my model? He held her by her waist
-I m really expensive for you, Mister Khan, she wrapped her arms around his neck
-I m ready to pay any price to have you, he came closer to her lips
-mmh, it will cost you a lot, Mister Khan. She smiled on his lips. When they were about to finally merge, Salim yelled at him.
-Abbbuuu, we are going to be late.
Asad rolled his eyes and looked at her, he smacked her lips and left.
-I m coming, he yelled back, I m coming back soon, give me one hour , call me if you need anything, he winked at Zoya and left. Zoya shook her head and laughed at him. She sighed loudly, she can't be happier than this and soon, they were about to be husband and wife, she can't wait.
Two hours later
Zoya threw her book time ago and didn't want to read anymore. She was getting bored, turning and tossing on her bed. She was not used to be inactive, she wanted to work. And Asad was getting late. She was in the kitchen preparing some hot chocolate. She was taking away from her thought when she heard the door ringing. Asad has the keys she thought, but then she smacked her head, he might have forgotten to take the keys, it was the third time, this time for sure she will teased him.
-don't tell me, that you forget...She said opening the door preparing herself mentally to tease him. Her eyes fell on him, but it wasn't Asad. Her breath trapped in her troath and her heart bumped in shock. Her eyes widely opened in panic and her smile fade away. She couldn't believe her eyes. Her hands fell from the wrist of the door like a dead body.
-Suf..., she couldn't finish
-Hello Zoya, no I didn't forget, he said soflty, smiling gently at her.
The darkness knocked at her door today, and it enveloped her eyes too. She couldn't handle this and she fainted. He called her, looking horrified, this was the only thing that she saw before closing her eyes. He held her before she could fall. He knew that it will be a huge shock for her, he expected this. He expected also that she will rejected him and he will have to be really patient if he wanted to tell her what he came for.
He hold her in his arms and put her on the couch. He looked at her, staring at the line of her face. He found her beautiful like the first time he saw her and it seems that time has spared her face, she even looked more beautiful than before, he knew her when she was yound but today, she looked like a woman. He removed some locks from her forehead and touched her cheek with the back of his hand. Her skin was still the same, he remembered her, after all this years. She was his years ago. He retracked back quickly, she was not his anymore, they were divorced today and she maybe already married. His eyes fell on her hands inconsciously and saw her wearing a ring. He smiled sadly, he came late, he thought. He messed up everything with her, he separated her from her family, he left her pregnant and he only came back after 6 years. He felt ashame and he wanted to tell her how sorry and idiot he was. She stirred from her unconscious and mumbled incoherent word.
-Zoya, he shook her shoulder, wake up, are you ok?
-no, no, she was debating in her sleep, Asad, Asad, don't leave me, she was hyperventilated
-Asad? He repeated, who's Asad? Maybe her husband, he thought
-Zoya, wake up, he increased his voice this time.
Zoya jerked from her deep sleep, her eyes brimming with tears and her breath erractic, she looked lost and her eyes wasn't focus, she was not here with him. He called her but her eyes were moving quickly, she looked panick, he touched her cheek to wake her up from where she was. Zoya looked up and saw him, he was here with her, she didn't dream, he was real. She threw his hand from her forcely and looked at him angrily, all her body was shivering from anger.
-Zoya
-how dare you? She said in low and dangerous voice
-Zoya listen to me, I...
-Go away, she repeated grinding her teeth together, she pulled away from him, she can't be next to him, she can't stand seeing him or being around him.
-Zoya, please, I underst..
-I SAID GOOO AWAY, she yelled hysterically
He stood up raising his hands in surrender and he stepped back, he knew that he didn't have to insist, he had to give her space before anthing.
-ok, I m leaving, Zoya, I m leaving, calm down
-GO AWAYYY, she rasped , she clenched the sheet of the couch hardly, she shrudders in anger, in fears and in despair. He finally stepped back slowly and left her house. She ran to the door and closed it quickly, she wished that closing this door, will erase for the eternity this moment, like it never happened. She wished that it was just a dream, but she couldn't believe that her worst nightmare came true. It can't happen now, she was about to get married, why was he here? He wanted to take Sarah away from her? He wanted to snactch all her happiness and put her again in the darkness? She can't let be, she can't return back to those years of pain, he has no right, she was stronger and she had Asad.
-Asad, she whispered
She needed him, he was the only one who can heal all her fears and pain. She searched for her phone, she forgot everything about her illness, her body was full with adrenaline, she threw all the stuff in the lounge, searching for it in the drawer. She couldn't think straight, she was loosing her mind. She cried and cried calling Asad like a mad woman, she went to her room and found it next to her bed. She dialed his number, her fingers were shivering. The phone started to ring, but then she froze, what was she going to tell him? That Sufian is back? That her past was about to tanish their happiness? She cutted the call and fell on the floor. She spent years building a wall all around, being strong days after days, standing on her own feet and all of this went in one second, all her shield trembled due to one person. The woman that she became, diseapeared to give place to the girl that she was years ago. She lay down on the cold floor, her eyes pouring their pain out, he made her feel weak, she felt herself coming back years ago, the same day that he left her. She felt weak, so weak...
He finally came back, but he was late, the meeting went longer than he expected. He even missed her call, he was so upset, he drove as fast as her can, he tried to call her but she was not responding, she might be sleeping, he though. He went to buy some flowers for her to apologize for his delay. He opened the door quietly and tiptoed but he stopped brusquely in his track, everything was upside down in her apartment, his heart started to beat erractically. He let down the bouquet and called her worried.
-Zoya, Zoya.
He went to the room and it was strangely quiet, she was not on her bed and he scrubbed his hand in his head in frustration, where was she ? He was about to get away when he heard a moan behind the bed.
-Zoya, he walked toward the bed and found her sleeping on the ground, in foetus position. She looked agitated during her sleep. He bent down and held her in his arms, her fever was higher than when he left this morning. He put her on the bed and tried to wake her up.
-Zoya, wake up baby, he rubbed her cheek, kissing her forehead longely.
She jerked when she sense someone next to her and she debated hitting him ferociously.
-leave me alone, leave me alone, she cried desperately
-Zoya, ZOya, calm down, it's me, Asad, he grabbed her wrist and blocked her on the bed. Look at me, look at me, Zoya, he gripped her chin and forced her to look at him.
Her chest was moving up and down deeply and when her eyes locked with him, she softened and she started to relax, smiling sadly at him.
-Asad, she cried
-yes, it's me, Zoya, he didn't know why she looked in pain, he felt restless. She threw her arms around his neck and hold on him as thigh as she can. She couldn't hold and let her tears flowing on his shoulders. He didn't know what happened when he wasn't there, but it seemed that she was deeply affected. He rubbed her back trying to ease her tears. Slowly, his words and touches calmed her and her cries stopped. She finally breathed slowly and her body relaxed under his touch. Both stayed silent.
-Zoya, are you ok? She just nodded suppressing her new born sob. You want to talk about, she shook her head in no. He looked up into the sky and sighed. Was it a dream? She nodded in yes. Ok.
He lay her down but she didn't loose her grip around him.
-don't go, stay with me, Asad,
-I won't go anywhere, I'm just here, and he reassured her. He took the blanket and covered both of them.
One week later
7 days has passed and Sufian didn't come back. Days after days, she was getting tensed and Asad could feel it but she brushed it with her illness, and usual, he didn't force, he waited for her. She felt guilty for keeping such a big thing secret to him, but she didn't want him to know, maybe because of shame or because of protecting him from her past. She didn't want to make him upset, she wanted to keep his sky always blue like he did for her. She felt strong with him and she wanted to face it alone. Her life came back to ordinary, she came back to school and her morale was high. Like usual, she welcomed the children who looked very happy to see her back. She smiled at each of them, she felt so alive, she wanted so much to come back to school.
-hi miss farooqui, came a male voice from behind
-Mister khan, she said seriously but with a smirk
-how are you today?
-quite fine, thank you and you?
-well, I am fine, starting a day with your face, is always a pleasure, Miss Farooqui, he teased her.
They acted discretly in front of everyone, and they didn't tell about their relation, it belonged to them. Asad came closer to her, looking longingly at her.
-now what ? She said half amuzed
-mmh, nothing, I was just wondering if you will give me my morning kiss ?
-here? Are you mad ? She said blushing looking everywhere but not him.
-well, I guess, my cheek will be orphan of your touch, he said dramatically and she rolled her eyes. He sighed loudly. Well, who's there with Sarah ? He pointed behind her back
-where she turned off and looked at the direction that he pointed, her heart skipped a beat, she thought that Sufian was next to Sarah. But she felt a brief smack on her cheek. She turned away and saw Asad stepping back, waggling his eyebrows.
-I got my morning kiss, he said happily
-you...she pointed at him angrily, you...
-I know, see you beautiful, he ran from her, laughing loudly and proud of himself. She just shook her head
-ya Allah from this man, she smiled in turn
-Zoya
-not again As...She stopped when she saw who was talking to her. Her smile fade away, he was there again. What are you doing here ? I told you to go away. She said annoyed
-Zoya, I need to talk to you, it's really important
-we have nothing to talk about, you already choose your life, Sufian, please stay away from me, I have a new life now.
-Zoya please, I really need to talk to you
-Goodbye Mister Quereshi, she turned her heels
-I won't stop to come until you talk to me, Zoya, you know how I can be stubborn. She huffed and replied.
-just 5 minutes, he smiled in relief, meet me in the coffe shop next to the school at noon. He nooded and she left. She didn't know if it was a good idea, but she just wanted him to vanish from her life, and what was 5 minutes? Nothing she thought.
In the coffee shop
Zoya and Sufian were sitting in front of each other, he was looking nervous and anxious, while she was just tapping her feet nervously, she wanted him to talk and to finish this meeting asap. He gave a soft smile but she looked emotionneless at him.
-I order the coffee as you used to love, cream and sweet, he tried to point that he was still remembering what she used to like
-Sufian, spare me this stupid game of I remembered everything about you and I missed you, cut the krap and tell me what do you want ?
-Zoya, I know that you are angry, she let out a mock laugh, and you are totally right about. I am here to ask you for forgiveness, I made a huge mistake by leaving you alone that day.
-you didn't leave me, alone, Sufian, you left US alone, do you remember that I was pregnant?
-I remembered well that day and I am feeling really guilty each time your face came into my mind. Zoya. The word of sorry won't be enough to express my regrets but I am really here to tell you how much I am sorry.
-perfect, so now that you say what you want, everyone can go from different ways
-Zoya, I know that you will not forgive me easily but I want to make it right, I want to take care of you and my child. Please, give this chance to do it.
-Sufian, I have someone in my life that I am in love with and we are going to get married soon
-so it means that you are just engaged but not married yet
-what do you mean, Sufian?
-I mean that destiny brought me at the right time, Zoya, he held her hands, I want you to come back into my life, I want to create all those dreams that we used to talk when we were together, I propose you again a perfect picture of family, with you, with our child and with me.
-Sufian, she jerked from his touch, I told you, I have someone and I am going to get married, I don't need you in this picture, I have everything I need and YOU, are out of this picture of future.
-Zoya, I am not anymore the Sufian that I was, totally irresponsible, selfish or self-centered. I am a new person and I want to correct all my mistake with you, by my side, Zoya.
-Sufian, why did you came now ? It has been 6 years now, why did you came back now? Why ?
-Zoya, if I am still alive it's just because of you, she frowned, yes, 2 years ago, I met with a fatal car accident, I was the only survivor between all my friends, but with a big damages. While I was going to the darkness, I heard your laugh and I saw your beautiful face and it gave me enough courage and strength to step back from my darkness and to fight for life. When I woke up, I couldn't talk or walk, and for 1 year, I was in hospital, recovering slowly. I looked for you for 6 months now and I found you finally. And I promise myself the day I will find you, I will bring you back, to ask for your forgivness, and if I have to wait my entire life to have it , I will ask for it.
-Sufian, I am really sorry for what happened to you, but you have to understand that I have someone, his name is Asad Ahmed Khan and in two weeks, we are going to get married, she showed him her ring. Sufian, what did you expect ? That I will wait for you my entire life and you will only need to tell me sorry and to tell that you regret and that I will come back to your arms. No, I am really happy with what I have now and I will not change it for anything in this life, not the painfull past.
-Zoya, please think about it once, you have the chance to write a new story, we have the chance to erase our past and to write our love story.
-Sufian, there is not anymore a love between us, you are from my past and the past is the past. I am looking straight now and all I can see it's my new life with Asad.
-Don't you think that if destiny has bring me back to your life before your wedding, it's a sign. Don't you think that I came back just for you ? For us ?
-For who ? Us? You signed the end of us the day you left this apartment 6 years ago, Sufian. You can throw and break something and came back thinking that it will still the same. Feelings are not a game.
-I know, Zoya, but I still love you, really. You are the one who saved me from death.
-Sufian, it's only that Allah gave you another life, I save nothing at all, she sighed desperately.
-see, even you say that I have another life, and you are my life, Zoya
-really ? New life? But you are forgetting quickly, I am not alone now. Did you ask me about your child? Did you the name? the gender? Color of the eyes ? If he was like you or not ? I am not alone, do you still remember about him? She said hurt and dejected
-no, I am sorry, I want first to ease his mother, he pouted but she didn't move, I guess it's a boy ?
-no a girl, her name is Sarah and she is really sweet and nice little girl
-Sarah, it's really beautiful, can I see her? He said hapilly and she gulped.
-maybe, but not now, she said nervously
-then when ?
-I ...I don't know Sufian, I ...
-you didn't tell your fianc about me yet ? he asked surprised but she looked away. You didn't trust him, right ? He smirked, maybe you have doubt about this engagement afterall.
-NO, I have no doubts about him. I just didn't want to involve him it details.
-but I am big detail that you can't hide easily Zoya. If you really love him as you pretend, you would have told him about me earlier. He felt some joy, he saw some hope that she may back to him. Zoya felt trapped, he was true, she should have told Asad about him. She felt low of herself. Zoya, he held her fingers softly, do you still have feelings for me ?
She looked up at him, she felt herself hypnotized by his eyes, like years ago. It was the same look that he used to adresse her when he wanted to soothe her or to seduce her, the same sensation when she felt in love with him. She was lost for seconds, she closed her eyes, she can't let him go inside, she had to resist.
I love you Zoya...I won't let you alone
She heard his voice, his words of love and she smiled. Yes, Sufian was not anymore going to affect her, because she found stronger than his magic and it was her love for Asad. She opened her eyes and smiled at him.
-I only love Asad, only him. I have to go. She stood up and ran outside the coffee shop. She had to tell him how much he did for her and how lucky she was to have him. She felt light but suddenly she blocked, Sufian grabbed her hands and pulled her to him.
-Zoya, we didn't finish, I know you are lying, I saw it in your eyes, you have feeling for me.
-Leave me, alone, I don't love you, Leave me ALONE, she yelled at him. But he was like deaf, he was still trying to convince her when he felt himself been caught by his collar.
-Don't you hear her, she told you to leave her, Asad hold him by his collar, he was in rage.
He came earlier to see Zoya during her break but they told him that she went to the coffe shop, he wanted to surprise her when he saw her under the grip of man. He saw red and took him by his collar.
-Asad, stop it, Asad, please, leave him. Zoya tried to come in between but Asad lifted him from the ground.
-leave me, leave me NOW, Sufian shouted at him but Asad didn't care.
-I will teach you how to treat woman, he roared, Zoya's ears whistle in panic, she had to interpose.
-Asad, leave him, it's Sufian, Asad, this is Sufian. She cried loudly.
-Sufian ? He was stunned, you mean... She nodded at him. He loosened his grip and his face was still in shock. He didn't expect to see him, he was surprised. Asad suddenly smiled and adjusted Sufian's collar, oh, I am really sorry, buddy, I didn't know. Zoya, you should have told me before, her eyes were wide opened aghast. Yes, you can't imagine how I am happy to see him.
-Happy ? She replied totally taking back with his behavior.
-I am sorry, I should have welcome you differently, man
-it's ok, I am fine, you didn't know, Sufian replied amazed by him.
-Sufian, you know what I have to apologize for my behavior and I have something for you
-For me? Sufain smiled naively and Zoya for a second froze and then she panicked
-No, As.., but it was too late. Asad punched Sufian on his face hardly, he fell on the ground, his nose was bleeding.
-this is for all the pain that my Zoya has gone throught because of you, moron. Asad precised his gesture. He then turned to Zoya who placed her hand on her mouth in shock. He came to her but he was pushed by Sufian and Asad flattened on the ground. Sufian hitted Asad's face and they were now fighting each other, Sufian on the top and Asad struggling under his grip. Asad was more impressive than Sufian and he was taller than him also, but Sufian was quicker. Asad kept him in distance holding his collar with his tensed and long arms, he pushed Sufian's face while Sufian tried to untight his grip. Sufian tried to beat Asad again but Asad was quick enough to escape his attack.
-you are puncking like a girl, Asad challenged him
-I will show you who is punching like a girl, you idiot, he tried to touch his face, but he hitted the ground, ouch, he winced in pain holding his fist. Asad pushed away from him and slapped him this time.
-STOP IT, JUST STOP BOTH OF YOU, Zoya yelled at him but both were engrossed in their fight like to baby boys. Asad puched his stomack while Sufian touched Asad's face now, each of them sucessed in touching the other.
-STOP IT OR I LEAVE...NOW, both froze but their grip were still in the other. Stop it now, I won't repeat.
Each of them jerked the other and Sufian touched his face. Asad looked at him and spat on the floor the blood in his mouth.
-Are you both serious ? What are you doing ? Are you mad ?
-He started, Sufian pointed to Asad
-He deserves it, Asad replied back
-I don't want to know, I feel like I am with two kids who should be punish, ya Allah, she held her head . You, she waved at Sufian, you go away. I told you what I have to told you , so the discussion was over. And YOU, she pointed to Asad, we have to talk.
-Zoya, both said in unison
-Shut up both of you, you go there and you the opposite way.
-But my way is the side, Sufian pointed to the opposite way
-and my way is here, Asad said the same
-UGHH, JUST MOVE ON NOW, they were playing with her nerves like two spoilt kids. Sufian passed Asad's path looking at him in defiance and Asad didn't lower his gaze. Once, Sufian left, Asad turned to Zoya.
-Zoya
-not now, I have to go back, but I want to see you tonight we have to talk. She left her body was shivering from anger, and Asad sighed in defeat.
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CID
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