Hello peeps,
Here's the next update. I really am so sorry for not replying to all the lovely comments and feedback that I get. I promise am reading each comment. Just a couple more weeks and then surely will reply too. I hope you like what I wrote this time.
Chapter 10
The day seemed to have crawled by for both Asad and Zoya, they had been together all day with Zoya showing him around the office and introducing him to every senior member of the organization they met. All through the day they could feel their hearts race at every accidental contact their hands made or every time one bumped into the other or every time their elbows touched. Both had been fighting hard to keep their emotions under control. Where, all Asad wanted was to get rid of the awkwardness between them and get her to behave normally with him, Zoya on the other hand was struggling to keep her emotions in check. Every time their hands brushed and every time they bumped into each other her body would break into goosebumps. All she would remember was that one hug they had shared three years ago. She felt tortured at the hands of fate, her mind warning her against the growing emotions, the weakening resolution and to stay away from him, her heart and body aching to be with him, to be held in his arms.
By the time it was evening Asad had completely lost his patience with her. He just couldn't ignore his frustration anymore and as soon as Zoya entered her cabin he walked right in and in a swift move pulled at her arm making her crash against his chest. He held her by her arms and said "Why? Why are you doing this?" Zoya was aware of what he was saying but didn't have the heart to hurt his feelings anymore. But she knew that she couldn't acknowledge it either cause she had her Ammi to look after. Zoya looked in his eyes with as much confidence as she could and said "I don't understand what you're saying". Asad tightened his hold and pulling her closer he said " You very well understand Zoya, its in your eyes, I can see it but what I can't understand is the reason why you are behaving like a stranger with me... After the friendship that we had shared, after the bond we had created and... And after that promise that we'd made...how can you say you don't understand? " Asad whispered to her, pain and hurt evident in his voice.
Only when he heard a little hiss from her did he realize that his grip was very tight on her arms. Immediately loosening his hold he rubbed her arms to soothe the pain he had caused. Zoya looked at him and saw how his eyes pleaded with her. Taking a deep breath and bringing her focus back to what her resolution was, she took a step away from him and said "Look Asad, all that you're saying happened three years ago... THREE. YEARS" she said emphasizing the two words. "That's a long time for things and circumstances to change and more over we had known each other for only 5 days... So what sort of bond and connection are you talking about?" As much as she hurt him with her words, Zoya felt her heart break too with every word that she spoke with such bitterness. Only her Allah knew how hard it was for her to push away the only man she loved, to hurt him this way and to see the pain that she was inflicting on his heart so clearly visible in his eyes.
Asad looked at her with shock and then smiled a little. Not understanding the reason behind his smile she asked him "Why are you smiling? Do you find all this funny?" Shaking his head in the negative he said "I know that what I have seen in your eyes in the last two days isn't something that I'm imaging, I know what you feel for me, I can see it. But why you're doing all this, pushing me away, trying to look as if there's nothing, as if those 5 days meant nothing to you... Its all a lie, a facade. For what, I don't know, but I will get to the bottom of it all and I will make you confess Zoya". As he spoke those words he took a couple steps backwards and stood there watching the expression in her eyes change from shock to confusion to panic. Zoya looked at him not understanding how he could be so confident. She looked at him as he turned around and walked out of her cabin.
Zoya watched him walk away from her and all her heart wanted was to run towards him and wrap her arms around him, not letting him go. But she knew that she had to control her feelings and not give in to them. She turned around and slumped onto the chair. She closed her eyes tight trying hard not to let her tears fall but soon one after the other soft sobs escaped her lips and shook her body gently. Zoya didn't know how long she sat there crying but when she did look up she realized that it was dark outside her window. Quickly walking toward it and looking at her watch she realized she had been in here for over an hour. She dumped her belongings into her bag and almost ran out her cabin and down the stairs.
As she was about to exit the building she was stopped by the guard "Zoya ma'am. You're still here. I thought you left at your normal time, its almost 8 now" he said in a shocked voice. She smiled at his concern and replied "Yes I was working on an important file and didn't realize what time it was". "But its quite late now, it will be difficult getting transport at this hour". Zoya hadn't realized that and did feel unsure of what she should do now. But gathering all her courage she smiled at the the security guard and said "Don't worry, it isn't so late and am sure I will manage something". " OK ma'am. Am right here in case you need any help ". Thanking him Zoya exit the building and walked onto the main road looking out for any empty cabs.
It had been almost 15 minutes that she had been standing alone when a car pulled up in front of her. Being the cautious self that she had become in the last three years, she took a few steps back making sure there was sufficient distance between her and the vehicle. She looked on to see who was inside when she heard the door unlocking and then the window slide open. She bent a little to peep in when she heard the familiar sound of Asad's voice. "Get in Zoya, I will drop you" "What are you still doing here?" Asad knew this was his chance, he had promised himself to make her confess and so had decided to be as open about his feelings for her as he could. He knew that if he showed her what he truly felt for her, only then would she open up about her feelings too. Though there were chances she would clam up first, but this was the only solution he could think of.
"You were still inside, how could I have gone without seeing you leave for home?" He sincerely said looking right in her eyes. As she heard that her heart fluttered and she felt her heart skip a few beats. Leaning toward the passenger door he opened the door for her. Zoya stood there watching him, not sure if she should take the ride back with him. All her mind screamed at her right at this moment was that she should create as much distance between them as she could, it warned her that this growing interaction between them would result in a lot more than she wanted. It kept warning her of the danger lying ahead. But her heart pulled her towards him, telling her that yes! This is it. This is what you have been waiting for and here it is.
The tussle that her heart and mind were in was clearly visible in her eyes and Asad could see it clearly. Unbuckling his seat belt he got out the car and walked around to her side. "Why are you thinking so much? Its just me... I have been patiently waiting for you to get a Cab but after seeing you struggle for so long, I couldn't stop myself. Now please get in, its getting late, I will drop you home".
Reluctantly Zoya got in and buckled herself up. She saw him walk back to his side and then get in. Faintly smiling at him she thanked him. Asad ignited the engine and waited for her to give him either her address or the directions to her home. He looked over at her and saw her looking straight ahead clearly trying to avoid any eye contact with him. He cleared his throat and she looked at him. "Where do I take you Zoya?" She looked at him as if he'd just grown two heads and rolling her eyes said "Home! Where else?" Asad smiled at her absentmindedness and said "Of course! But you are neither telling me your address nor giving me directions. So do you want to go to my home?" He chuckled as soon as he said that. Her eyes widened with shock and she smacked her forehead and apologized "Sorry sorry! I didn't realize I hadn't told you anything".
As those words left her lips she looked up to see him looking at her with the same intensity and befor he could control himself he heard himself saying " Exactly... You didn't tell me anything... " the words left his lips in a whisper. Both falling in an awkward silence which was broken by the sound of a roaring bike that had just sped past them. "Address" is all Asad's could say and this time Zoya gave it to him. As Asad started to drive, the silence in the car was deafening. Asad looked at her and saw how she was engrossed in her own thoughts. He wanted to break this silence between them so decided to talk to her, to know exactly why she was behaving like the way she was. But before he could say anything she spoke up. "Mind if I play some music. I can't travel without music, I tend to fall asleep otherwise". Asad felt the corners of his lips twitching, he wanted to smile wide at her cuteness but controlled and just nodded his head for her to go ahead.
Zoya fumbled with a few buttons on the console and finally was able to get a channel on their local radio station that she knew would be playing the latest Bollywood numbers at this hour. She sighed in relief as the music filled his car, the silence between them was killing her too. Every now and then she would give him directions too and then would fall in the same silence letting the music be the perfect shield to hide behind. She was well aware of his gaze that ever so often would land on her, but she tried her best to look as unaffected as she could. As one of her favorite songs got over, from the corner of her eyes she saw him looking right ahead, his complete concentration on the road.
Asad looked in her direction wanting to talk to her, to know why she didn't come meet him when she was in the same city but as soon as he opened his mouth the next song stopped him in his tracks Asad too breaking the car in the middle of the road.
Paas aaye..
Dooriyaan phir bhi kam naa hui
Ek adhuri si hamari kahani rahi
Aasmaan ko zameen, ye zaroori nahi
Jaa mile.. jaa mile..
Ishq saccha wahi
Jisko milti nahi manzilein.. manzilein..
Rang the, noor tha
Jab kareeb tu tha
Ek jannat sa tha, yeh jahaan
Waqt ki ret pe kuch mere naam sa
Likh ke chhod gaya tu kahaan
Hamari adhuri kahani..Hamari adhuri kahani..
Hamari adhuri kahani..Hamari adhuri kahani..
Khushbuon se teri yunhi takra gaye
Chalte chalte dekho na hum kahaan aa gaye
Jannatein agar yahin
Tu dikhe kyon nahin
Chaand suraj sabhi hai yahaan
Intezar tera sadiyon se kar raha
Pyaasi baithi hai kab se yahaan
Hamari adhuri kahani..Hamari adhuri kahani..
Hamari adhuri kahani..Hamari adhuri kahani..
Pyaas ka ye safar khatam ho jayega
Kuch adhura sa jo tha poora ho jayega
Jhuk gaya aasmaan
Mill gaye do jahaan
Har taraf hai milan ka samaa
Doliya hain saji, khushbuein har kahin
Padhne aaya Khuda khud yahaan..
Hamari adhuri kahani..Hamari adhuri kahani..
Hamari adhuri kahani..Hamari adhuri kahani..
Neither of them realized when their eyes had locked, emitting the pain of separation that was mutually felt. The song, as had played, had conveyed their inner most feelings for each other alongside describing perfectly the situation that they were in. They didn't realize how long they had been sitting there with their eyes locked, As if time stood still. Zoya was the one to realize what they were doing and feeling awkward she cleared her throat and looked away. Asad too felt a little embarrassed so quickly he changed the gears and started driving in the direction Zoya had given him. A few minutes later Asad saw the name of the road she lived on and steared the car towards it. He stopped in front of her apartment, both sitting silently not wanting to part again.
Slowly he looked toward her and saw her lips trembling, a clear sign that she was crying. He immediately unbuckled his seat belt and moved closer to her gently placing his hand on her shoulder. As soon as Zoya felt his touch she wrapped her arms around him crying bitterly. Asad who was taken by surprise took a few moments but finally wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer to himself. Holding her close to himself Asad let her cry, understanding that the way he was affected due to the time they had lost and whatever that was happening now was affecting her too.
They sat there for a long time grieving for each other. If Zoya had been crying openly, Asad to had been shedding silent tears. Watching her in so much pain was making his heart twist in pain too. All through that he was holding her in his arms he kept stroking from her head to her back whispering softly for her to calm down, that he was here with her that he would not let her go again. As Zoya's sobs subsided she realized what she had done and with a jerk she pulled out of his arms, shocking Asad. He looked at her with hope but Zoya closed her eyes letting her tears roll out of them. Quickly opening her eyes she grabbed her bag and stepped out of his car almost running into the building.
Asad was quick to follow her and grabbed her by her hand before she could walk too far away. Pulling her into him and wrapping his arms around her tiny waist Asad held onto her for dear life. "Zoya please... Please stop running away like this every time. You don't know what I have been through in these three years... Not once... Not once was I able to remove your image from my mind, not once was I able to take a breathe without taking your name with it, not once was I able to sleep without you invading my dreams... Please don't do this to us... Please..." He pleaded.
Zoya stood there listening in shock. Never had she thought that her feelings of three years could be reciprocated with equal intensity. She wrapped her arms around Asad clinging onto him, trying to pull him closer. There was no stopping her tears now as she realised that Asad too loved her as much as she loved him. This confession left her speechless and relieved. But her relief was short lived as images of her crying Ammi flashed in her mind. Slowly and unwilling she loosened her hold on him and in between her sniffs she started whispering small words that initially Asad didn't understand but as she moved away from him he could hear her clearly but didn't understand why she was apologizing. Just a few moments ago the way she had held him was proof that she too had the same feelings as him. But her soft apologies were something he didn't understand. Slowly letting him go Zoya took small steps away from him. Asad again grabbed her hand his tears too flowing freely now pleading with her to not run away again.
Zoya shook her head in the negative and pulling her hand from his hold she said "So.. Sorry... Sorry... But we can't be ... Please... Asad... Please don't make it more difficult for me... I can't be with you... With anyone... Please..." With her eyes still pleading him she turned around and ran into her apartment building. Asad stood there watching her run away but so much confusion in his head that he couldn't move a step ahead to stop her, her words ringing in his ears "Please don't make it more difficult for me... I can't be with you... With anyone... Please..." Asad stood there watching her disappear, his eyes shedding his pain but his mind working in overdrive, trying to understand the meaning of her words.
P.S. I hope this update will be liked too. I know its all been very emotional until now, but promise that things are going to change from henceforth. After all Asad has to keep his promise too 😉. Lol 😛
Guys please hit the like button and do leave your feed back behind too. That's what encourages me to write more 😳. I know am not being fare by not replying but still asking for your comments. But as I said it will soon settle 😳
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