ASYA (KaBhi) Four Shot: Rising (FINAL PART/13) - Page 9

I have no idea what I have written in my tired condition last night after work. Anyways, here is the final chapter to this story with the epilogue. Thank you so much for your wonderful comments and supporting this story. I had no idea how I was going to execute anything. But I hope this chapter is loved as much as the rest of them. And finally, much love to you guys. Thank you for giving me motivation to write when I don't even know what day of the week it is in my head. Love you all <3

Rising: Chapter Four (Final)

"I love you Zoya Farooqui" Asad let out a sigh, his eyes shut and his hold against her as tight as the feelings running wildly through every vein in his body. Zoya's eyes remained wide open, her hands by her side as tears rolled from the side of her eyes willingly. Love. Asad loved her. After everything she told him?
"Wrap your hands around me and accept me Zoya." Asad whispered softly, Zoya closed her eyes whimpering into his neck hearing him pleading for her to accept him. Never did she ever think that anyone would beg to be in her life, it was her who always yearned to be accepted seeing so much rejection in her life. She had never thought anyone would allow her to be in their life. And Asad. Asad wants to be in her life. Her broken and tainted world. "Hold me Zoya" He pleaded as if he needed comforting more than her. His heart was beating frantically inside of him, his feelings for her mixed with rage for those who tried to harm her grew every second. He wanted to hold her in his arms away from this world, protect her and love her. And he wanted her love. Just her love. He wanted to be her world. He wanted every broken piece of her to be his. Because every piece of her deserves to be loved.

"Asad..." Was all Zoya could manage pressing her tears away, his hold tightened further. Zoya's hand slowly moved up his back before wrapping it around him jumping onto her toes. Asad lifted her placing a soft kiss on the side of her head. She broke down in his arms, allowing everything she held inside of her go knowing that he would make everything alright, his arms her safe haven. Every insecurity, every doubt, every guilt, every bitter feeling was replaced with an intoxicating feeling. She could feel his love filling her heart and spreading over every inch of her body. And suddenly, all she could feel was him against her. That fragment of her memory of her attacker was replaced by his sweet touch. His hand moved up her back to her neck before slowly pulling back, his hands cupping her face. He met her tear filled eyes that were reflecting his own. He brushed her tears away with his thumb before placing a soft kiss on her forehead. Zoya's hand went over his, her breathing shorter and harsher trying to steady her racing heart. Her eyes lowered onto the floor holding her head down at him, he adjusted her face upwards.

"Look into my eyes Zoya" He asked her, she lifted her eyelashes. "What do you see in them?" His eyes went over her quivering lips. Asad lifted her hands placed them on his cheeks, he held his hands over hers to stop them from shaking and falling off. He stepped closer to her, she didn't move back.

"Asad..."

"Tell me" He held onto her gaze.

"I have never felt safe anywhere like the way I do in your arms" Zoya whispered truthfully, her heart holding no more secrets from him. "Your arms feel like home, a home that my heart has yearned for since the day I was put into that Orphanage." Asad watched her as she took a step forward towards him without removing her hands off his face. He moved his hands and placed them on her shoulder before slowly brushing them down her arms. Zoya closed her eyes allowing her skin to familiarise his touch against her skin and lock that memory in her heart, mind and soul. A small smile crept on the side of her lips; she didn't open her eyes relishing his touch against her skin. She couldn't remember the last time she allowed herself to feel such emotions, even then, whatever she was feeling was beyond anything she has ever felt. His touch screamed passion but she could feel love and care in those soft touches.

"Zoya" Asad spoke softly; she opened her eyes slowly to look into his waiting ones. "I am here, I will always be here..." He comforted her; she stared at him with her big almond shaped eyes threatening to overflow again. "I will be as close to you as your heartbeats are to your heart." Zoya crashed against his chest embracing him tightly, Asad stepped back to balance himself before wrapping his arms around her. He rested his chin on the tip of her head looking into the sky. "You will get your justice Zoya. You will get all the happiness that you deserve. Your tears are priceless Zoya, every tear that you shed will be accounted for. I promise to hunt down everyone that tried to harm you and I will make sure they are punished." Zoya sighed into his chest; her heart had finally found peace in his arms.

"I trust you" Her voice was quiet but loud enough for his ears to hear her. A smile formed on his lips letting out a contented sigh. He slowly pulled back moving away from her, Zoya watched him finding his hand in front of her. She looked up at his face that was now beaming at her, she placed her hand in his without hesitating and followed his lead. He made her sit down on the chair before kneeling down beside her on the floor. She tried to protest for him to get up but he held her in place grabbing something from below the table. She watched curiously as he pulled out a round silver coated mirror and placed it on the table in front of her. Her eyes moved from the mirror back to his face questioningly. He tilted her chin towards the mirror; his eyes admired her as she stared at her reflection. Her hands went over her face, her fingers trailed on her red lips. She doesn't remember the last time she had applied red lipstick. He moved his eyes towards her reflection lifting his face towards her and placing a peck on her cheek. Zoya's hand shot towards her cheek while Asad smiled smugly seeing her expression. He held his cheek nearer to hers joining her reflection in the mirror.

"What do you see Zoya?" He asked her.

"I see us" She whispered back to him. Asad moved his eyes towards her face, his fingers trailed over her soft skin. Zoya watched him in the mirror.

"I see the most beautiful, the most pure hearted girl in the world." He said softly, his voice sounded sexy to her ears. Zoya was embarrassed at her thoughts, her mind registering his sweet words. "I see my world in front of me..." Zoya faced him instantly, blinking at him. "I see this strong woman who doesn't know the meaning of losing. You are living, you are fighting, you are breathing... and you have a beautiful future ahead of you. I know you don't need me to fight your battles, but I will always stand by you as your strength. I am not sympathising with you nor am I feeling sorry for you, I simply love you yet my love is not simple. I promise I will never leave you" The last sentence was an oath he was taking, to love and protect her until his last breath. He will not abandon her, he will not succumb her to darkness and loneliness. He will pull her out of this and he will help her rise.

"I am not worthy of you" Zoya shook her head unable to breathe; this man was going to make her lose her senses. He was everything she wanted as a young woman who dreamt of finding love and her perfect prince charming. He was all of that and more. She didn't realise how or when he had crept into her heart and become a part of her life. When she bumped into him that day, she was running away from her attackers. Maybe, she was running towards her future. Maybe this was what her chacha jee wanted for her. Maybe he directed her towards him.

Asad held her hand and pressed it before bowing his head down in front of her. She stared at him startled; he got up pulling her towards him. Zoya flew up from her chair shrieking but he had his control over her balancing her by holding her waist with one hand and the other hand held onto hers. She blinked at him trying to figure out what just happened. She watched the side of his lips move trying not to smile. He moved his face closer to hers and blew her hair off her face. Zoya shivered in his hold feeling his breath over her face. She watched as he tried to stop himself from smirking feeling her body react weirdly in his hold. He was enjoying every moment of this. And that's when she realised she could never push him away. Because he would never let her go.

"You are precious Zoya" He brought his lips to her ears and whispered. Zoya felt her knees waiver, Asad's grip on her remained as if he knew her state. He brushed his cheek against hers moving his head back, he pecked it softly. Zoya remained in her frozen state trying to keep herself from melting into a puddle of goo. "Do you understand?" He nodded at her, Zoya was about to shake her head in a no but seeing his face closer towards her made her nod along with him. "Good." He spun her, Zoya gasped finding his hand on hers guiding her around the serene beach before abruptly stopping her half way in the air, his hands on her waist. Zoya's eyes opened wide as saucers staring up at him, breathless. She watched his hand caress her face tucking her hair behind her ears.
"I am so madly and deeply in love with you Zoya Farooqui" Asad lifted her slowly; she stood diagonally leaning against his hands, her nose touching his. "I cannot spend a single moment without you..." A smile spread across both of their faces, their eyes closed.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Goodnight" Asad kissed her forehead as she lay flat across the bed; his hand went over head watching her eyes slowly close, a smile plastered on her face. She squeezed his other hand before letting go, Asad turned the lamp off and walked out of the room. Asad closed his eyes finding his mother leaning across the staircase, her arms crossed and a smirk on her face. He tried to ignore her and head straight for his room but she coughed, Asad froze with his foot mid-air. He pressed his temples turning around robotically. She nodded towards the kitchen.

"I'll get the kettle on" Dilshad smiled. Asad let out a nervous laugh and nodded at her. Dilshad breathed out before rushing towards him and hugging him tightly. Asad wrapped his arms around his mother, no matter how old he got, he will forever remain a kid to her. And he knew that she knew.

Zoya opened her eyes slowly feeling something different inside of her. She grunted at the peeking sun rays attacking her eyes, she sat up against her bed. Last night. Her mind wandered off to last night, and the beautiful moments she spent with him. Those precious moments have been imprinted on her heart in such a way that she cannot think of anything else. It was a beautiful dream she didn't want to wake up from but it was real, he is her reality. And for the first time in a long while, Zoya had dreams instead of a nightmare. She didn't dream of that incident last night, she dreamt of Asad.

"Asad" She said softly leaning her head back and closing her eyes with a smile on her face. He was making her want things she hasn't wished for in many years. He was making her dream of a happily ever after that used to exist in her books. He was giving her hope that this does exist in real life, except Prince Charming does not come dressed as a Knight on a white horse. They come as Asad.

She got out of bed and ran towards her bathroom to freshen up. She could spend hours in bed thinking about her night with Asad, she froze splashing water onto her face. Did he tuck her into bed? She grabbed a towel and wiped her face realising he did, she was so tired she couldn't stand on her feet. Zoya stood in front of her wardrobe wondering what to wear; she hasn't felt this conscious about what she wore since her university days. She ran her fingers through her hair, frustrated. Her eyes fell on something wrapped in white tissue paper. She pulled it out and stared it, her eyes filled up at the memory of her dear chacha jee. He brought her this but she had never touched it. It was a long, half sleeved maroon chiffon dress. She held it in front of her. How much he wanted to see her dressed as the girl he had always seen her as. She paid no heed to his words, she always convinced him to stop talking about dresses and girly things. She held the dress against her chest and sighed.

"I miss you so much Chacha Jee" Zoya brushed her tears away and got changed into the dress. She tied her hair into a pony tail and stared at her reflection wiping her forehead and face. Right, she looks okayish. She was feeling really anxious; she didn't know what he saw in her to be able to love her like the way he did. She took a deep breath and stepped out of her room with a smile on her face. Her heart warmed to the sight of Najma and Dilshad in the kitchen, they looked up at her surprised. Najma waved with a goofy look on her face while Dilshad admired her. She slowed down and stopped in the middle of the leaving room finding it odd.

"How was your dd" Najma's voice trailed off hearing Dilshad cough, "your party" She corrected. Asad stopped outside his door hearing Najma's question. He looked from Najma to Zoya who was dressed in an elegant maroon dress; he stole a few moments to admire her. He watched her lip twitch,

"It was okay" Zoya coughed straightening herself up. She tensed watching from the corner of his eyes as he came towards her. Dilshad got busy in the kitchen, Najma got comfortable in her seat. Avoid eye contact Zoya. Breathe. Breathe. Bre- shit, she was holding her breath. Zoya breathed out, her stomach twisting inside of her. Damn these stupid butterflies. Her hand shot towards his arm feeling him loosen her hair tie and letting her hair out. Her eyes grew small; he mimicked her expression creasing his forehead. He moved his eyes towards her hand on his wrist, she followed them and let go instantly. He waved her hair tie at her before placing it inside of his kurta pocket. She watched with an open mouth shaking her head in disbelief. He tapped under her chin with his indent finger to close her mouth and moved towards the dining table grinning. Najma looked up.

"Zoya, come on. Breakfast is getting cold." She motioned with her hand. Zoya snapped out of her thoughts and nodded. "Wait, wasn't your hair up?" She went into deep thought making that adorable face she always put on. Usually Zoya would want to pull her cheeks but today she wasn't finding them adorable. Najma looked towards Asad, even he nodded at her thoughtfully before placing his hand under his chin and looking at her. Zoya turned pink, red, fiery red in seconds, her cheeks were burning hot. She gulped.

"Come on Zoya, you look pretty" Dilshad called her to come. Zoya awkwardly walked towards the dining table and sat down on the seat next to Asad. It would have been odd for her to pick the end seat away from them all. She tucked her hair behind her ears fully aware that his eyes were on her.

"Good morning Zoya" He said in a low voice while Najma and Dilshad conversed on the other side. Zoya looked up at him, he winked at her. She moved her eyes off him instantly feeling her cheeks go for a second round of playing red. Asad watched amused, she looks beautiful every time she blushes. He picked up the plate of bread before she could and served her. She took her hand back to her chest slowly looking up at him, not knowing whether she should be mad or happy that he is taking care of her, teasingly. She didn't know whether she was enjoying these small moments because of how her insides were behaving.

"Did you manage to keep the saree up?" Dilshad asked Zoya whose eyes shot towards Asad. "Sorry I fell asleep early last night..." She continued glancing at Asad hiding his face behind his hand.

"Yes." Was all Zoya managed to let out. Asad tried not to smile behind his hand. "It stayed up." She forced a smile towards Dilshad and took a bite out of her sandwich.

"Was the party good?" Dilshad questioned. Zoya burst into a coughing fit, bits of the sandwich tickled her throat. Asad jumped up and was by her side within seconds. He rubbed her back and held the glass of water to her lips. Zoya took a sip of it brushing away her tears, her eyes locked on Dilshad's face. She had an expression on her face that she couldn't quite read. It's as if she was teasing her.

"Thank you" Zoya looked up at Asad's concerned face and nodded in assurance. He went and sat back down on his seat.

"So?" Dilshad continued. Asad shook his head at his mother trying to stop her from embarrassing them both, more Zoya than him.

"It was dull, didn't enjoy it" Zoya bit into her sandwich shrugging her shoulders. Asad raised his eyebrow at her, Dilshad burst out laughing.

"Okay, okay, Asad must have bored you. Don't worry, I'll take you to parties with me from now on, they are much more fun" Dilshad got up, Zoya's mouth opened wide to speak but then shut again deciding against it. Asad covered his eyes. "I'm just going to go over to Shelima's house. I will be back soon. She is unwell." Dilshad grabbed her purse from the kitchen counter and left the house.

"Tamater, I will clean it up. You have an exam, go ahead and revise. Don't worry about all of this" Zoya pressed her eyes.

"Only I can call her that!" Asad told her off.

"What? Did you say something?" Zoya looked at him blankly. Najma shook her head and ran upstairs leaving them to it. Zoya got up only to have him grab her arm and pull her towards him. Zoya leaned over the table, her face inches away from his. His thumb brushed over her skin knowing he shouldn't have grabbed her so suddenly.

"I said, good morning Zoya." He whispered. Zoya pressed her lips to contain her laughter. "I said a whole lot of other things that I am still waiting on..."

"Good morning Asad" Zoya said softly. Asad's lips curved into a smile letting her arm go; Zoya stood upright in front of him and crossed her arms. She blew hair from the side of her mouth.
"I don't like my hair out" She told him.

"I love it" He reached up to tuck her hair back. Zoya was beyond surprised, or even shocked to see this side of him that makes her heart want to jump out of her. He is so charmingly perfect. She sighed not removing her eyes off him. Asad creased his brow. "What?"

"What?" She shrugged her shoulders. He got up from his seat and faced her properly.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" He asked her.

"No, why are you looking at me like that?" She pointed to his face.

"Zoya, it's you giving me that look" He circled her face, Zoya made a face.

"What look?" She asked confused. She breathed out realising he was trolling her. She went towards the sink but he held her shoulders to turn her to face him.

"I was admiring you. I have to stop to look at you, take in every bit of your presence" He caressed her face. Zoya pressed her lips together, how does she handle all of this? Everything was overwhelming her, this feeling inside of her. For this beautiful man in front of her, who looks at her like he will never tire of loving her. This is beyond anything she could have imagined for herself.

"I er" She looked into his loving eyes, "I was doing the same" She said awkwardly moving away from him feeling her cheeks turn hot for the third time this morning. She placed both of her hands over her cheeks turning her back towards him, Asad stood rooted to his spot with his hands in the air before turning around and ruffling his hair. He knew she was having a hard time handling all of his teasing, but he wanted to fill her heart with these moments. He wanted to get rid of her every bitter memory because they were making new memories. He walked towards his room glancing her a look as she tried to avoid looking in his direction, he grinned at her.

"Hello, Saleem. Any news?" Asad spoke into his phone closing the door behind him. He has given the responsibility to Saleem, a good friend of his working in Miami to look into Zoya's past. He was a private investigator and deals with incidents similar to Zoya's.

"All I can say is Asad, there was definitely someone who tried to bury the whole incident. Everyone knows about a girl that was harassed but no sign of rape. No indication that someone was raped." Saleem informed Asad while he crazily looked through all the paper work in front of him. "I'll be getting a few names of the young college boys who were rebuked for this incident emailed to me. Can she-"

"No" Asad stopped him before he could continue, "I don't want her to know about it yet... She has been through an ordeal, she only just smiled, I don't want it to leave her face" He explained staring out of the window.

"You love her a lot, don't you Asad?" Saleem paused his work to ask him.

"I want to pull her out of this darkness so badly. I want to give her the justice she deserves. I took an oath Saleem" Asad told his friend knowing he would understand. "Do not contact her relatives or go anywhere near them. I don't want them involved in this. Just find me those culprits Saleem" Asad voice was firm but there was also desperation in his voice. Saleem understood him better than anyone else; he lives through these incidents every single day. Asad loves Zoya and he was desperate to give her justice and her happiness back to her.

"I promise to do everything in my power to give Zoya her justice. I promise" Saleem reassured Asad. He put his phone away into his pocket staring ahead of him at the trees swaying in the back garden.

"I will do whatever it takes Zoya." He heard a knock on the door just then. He turned around to find Zoya entering cautiously.

"Erm, there is a parcel at the door for you. He's not letting me sign for it" She said meekly. Asad chuckled walking towards her.

"Why do you look so nervous Zoya?" He teased walking past her; Zoya clawed her own hands looking up at the ceiling. Get a grip on yourself Zoya. Stop acting like an idiot. She stood upright and followed behind him. She watched him glare at the delivery man for not letting her sign the parcel. Zoya awkwardly waved at him watching the man look over at her before Asad closed the door. He turned around holding the parcel out to her. She looked on confused. He walked over towards her and placed it in her hands.

"What's this?" She asked him.

"It's for you." He said softly. She placed the box back in his hands and started opening it. He smiled watching her.

"Phone? What am I meant to do with a phone?" Zoya asked him. She had left her gadgets behind because she wanted to, she didn't need a phone.

"You call people with a phone Zoya" He said in a voice that made her glare at him.

"I know what you do with a phone Asad. But I don't need it, I don't have anyone to call" She casually shrugged her shoulders closing the box.

"This is for you to call me" He stepped closer towards her holding the box in front of him; she gazed up into his eyes.

"The only time you will be away from me is when you are at work" Zoya whispered to him.

"Then that is when you are going to call me" Asad smiled.

"Your work..."

"You!" Zoya shivered at his tone of voice as goose bumps appeared over every inch of her body.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Ayaan, what do you want?" Shireen asked, annoyed.

"These police officers have stopped me for speeding, Ammi do something. I can't be arsed with this... I'm still near the airport" Ayaan spoke frustrated, he glared at the police officers through his aviators.

"You sort this mess out yourself, I told you before. No more bailouts for you!" Shireen slammed her hand on the table beside her.

"You're meant to be my mother" Ayaan screeched down the phone.

"Even then, I have done too much for you. You get yourself out of this! Get your dear brother to help you." She hung up on him. Ayaan stared at his phone angrily wanting to smash it across the floor. He raked his hair letting out an exasperated sigh. He dialled his brother's number.

"What did Najma want again?" Asad asked Zoya while she fussed with the phone in her hand.

"She needs a new I-pad and some essentials" Zoya replied without looking up.

"Essentials?" Asad questioned looking at her.

"Women stuff" She faced him, "Asad, both hands on the steering wheel please" She chided him.

"Oh" He looked away awkwardly and concentrated on the road ahead of him. "You're safe don't worry."

"I know but still..." Zoya sighed. She passed him the Bluetooth finding his phone vibrate violently.

"Hello? WHAT?" Asad snapped into his Bluetooth. "You only just got back and you're already in trouble?" He wasn't shocked. "I'm coming, but know this Ayaan, one day you're going to get yourself in some sort of trouble that neither of us will be able to get you out of." He warned his brother. Zoya looked at Asad confused worried about his behaviour. He was majorly pissed off. He threw the Bluetooth out of his ear, Zoya budged in her seat. "Sorry" He whispered towards her, suddenly realising he was scaring her. His rage evaporated seeing her face.

"It's okay, everything okay?" She asked.

"Yeah and no. Is it okay if we take a detour? My brother is in trouble, I need to sort this out" Asad looked over at her.

"Yeah don't worry. Do you want to me to come or drop me off here or..."

"No, I'm coming shopping with you. And you're coming with me" Asad looked at her reassuringly. She nodded back at him, his expression she couldn't quite read. He has seen how warm he is towards his sister, but hearing "brother" from his mouth, she didn't see those same emotions from him for his brother. What has happened?

"That airport road looks very busy Asad" Zoya tried to look ahead of her as Asad stopped on one of the side roads.

"Okay, do one thing you wait here. I'll try sorting this out quickly" Asad removed his seatbelt.

"I'll be over there" Zoya pointed towards some roadside stalls, everything looked so pretty around here. Since she has come to India, she has never really explored anything beyond her locality. She looked at his face and waved her phone. "I've got this" She saw a faint smile on his face. Despite everything, he was worried for her.

"Don't go too far." He got out of the car and walked around to help her out. He placed his hand over her cheek.

"Yes boss" She saluted him playfully. Asad chuckled, that's his girl.

"I will be right back" Asad ran off towards the main road. She sighed watching his back; her eyes went over his vibrating phone inside the car. She hit his forehead dramatically. She squinted her eyes to see who the caller was, Saleem? Zoya shrugged her shoulders knowing there was no point of her picking it up as she doesn't who that is. She was familiar with only a hand full of people in his life, his PA Prasad popping into her mind. She walked over towards the market with excitement.

Zoya admired the pretty ornaments in front of her, her hands went over them. It has been a long time since she has actually come out to shop for herself. She only had Asad and Dilshad to thank for this. They were insisting on her coming out to do a bit of shopping, Asad left all his commitments behind to spend the day with her. She heard bells in the background; she turned on her feet to see where the noise was coming from. She found her feet taking her towards the pretty building; her eyes fell on Asad's back in the distance arguing with someone. She watched from afar as the young male tried to calm him down, she tilted her head sideways to have a look at him. She stumbled back a few steps seeing this young male hug Asad forcefully, his chin rested on his shoulder, a smirk playing on his lips. That look on his face and all her memories of that horrid night name crashing back to her. Her chest felt heavy as she felt her body go numb with pain. Her hands went over her mouth; she rushed to hide behind a wall and leaned her back against it. She couldn't breathe. Asad's brother? She felt faint, she felt her hands over her wet cheeks. She was crying. She jumped into the nearest taxi to get the hell away from here.

"No no" Zoya closed the door to her room and collapsed against it. Her pain knew no bounds as she burst into a heart wrenching cry. Everything was too good to be true. Ayaan... Her attacker Ayaan, was Asad's brother... the man she has fallen in love with. Her prince charming was her attacker's brother. The man that took her out of this darkness was related to the man who put her into darkness. He was Asad's family. How would Asad react knowing the truth? How on earth has this happened? Was she having a nightmare? Was it time for her to wake up and embrace her reality? Her eyes ran over the familiar room that had become home for her. She took her shaky hands to her pocket and took out the ringing phone. It was Asad. She threw the phone on the floor scared to pick it up. She gathered her knees and shook back not being able to understand what her eyes had seen. She didn't know what to do anymore. She had gone back to where she started.

"Why me, Why?" She questioned no-one in particular. Her heart was aching. Everyone she loves, always go away from her some way or the other. Was she that bad? Was her life that miserable? What is wrong with HER? "There is something definitely wrong with me. I am wrong for people. I deserve loneliness. I WHY" She burst into another cry, her lips quivering as she tried to speak to herself but failed.
"Asad..." She whispered not being able to bear it any longer. She felt something sharp pierce through her heart. She jumped up onto her feet grabbing the suitcase from the side of the bed and threw everything inside not caring what she left behind. She brushed her tears with the back of her hands and opened the door to her room. She was horrified finding Asad run in through the front door, his face showing concern and worry for her. She met his eyes that calmed meeting hers; he rushed towards her as did she until she froze finding him coming in through the front door. Asad halted seeing her face go pale looking past him; he grabbed her into a hug.

"Where did you go without telling me? Why aren't you picking up my calls?" He held her tightly, his voice shook. "I was so worried" He told her. Hearing no response, he pulled back and cupped her face. "What's wrong?" Zoya's eyes remained on Ayaan's now disturbed face seeing her in his brother's home. Asad followed her eyes towards Ayaan's face confused. Zoya threw his hands off her face.

"He is your brother" She said accusingly in a defeated whisper. "I" Her lips trembled finding him walk inside of the house, his face showed no remorse. She clutched tightly onto her suitcase handle.

"Why have you got your suitcase? Zoya, tell me where are you going... what, my brother" He stared at her face trying to understand what her expressions were conveying before turning around towards Ayaan and he knew. "WHAT?" Asad gritted his teeth, his eyes turned wide in shock, he turned towards his brother fisting his hands, his building rage burning him from the insides. Ayaan stumbled back a few steps holding his hands.

"I didn't do anything" He defended himself, his voice held no guilt.

"He is your brother" She repeated again before running out of the house throwing the suitcase back. She had just about enough strength to carry herself away from here. Asad was startled hearing her run through the door, his fisted hands fell to his side running behind her. No, he wasn't going to let her go.

"ZOYA! WAIT... ZOYA, PLEASE DON'T GO!" He shouted behind her, pleading for her to stop. Zoya brushed her arm over her face, her eyes blurry from crying. She couldn't see anything in front of her.
"Listen to me, I am here. I will not let anything happen to you... I will protect you" He continued yelling behind her.

"ZOYAAA!" Asad's voice thundered, everything around him came to a standstill watching Zoya crash against a minivan and go flying across the road. His mind hadn't registered anything until he saw a pool of blood gather around her head on the ground, her lifeless body lay still on the floor. Asad rushed towards her lifting her up into his arms. She wasn't running anymore. She wasn't afraid anymore. She wasn't going to cry anymore.

Epilogue

Zoya slowly opened her eyes only to close it shut feeling the sharp light attack her eyes. She breathed sharply through some wires inside her nose. Every breath she took was painful. She opened her eyes again; she tried to move her hands. Everything felt numb. Her eyes cleared, the familiarity of the room comforted her. She tried to move her fingers, Asad shot up. His face appeared over her, his state no better than hers. He delicately brushed his hands over her face mindful of the wires on her.

"Finally" He breathed out, "Finally, finally... you have opened your eyes" He said as if his life was depending on it, which it was. Zoya blinked at him not being able to move a single muscle in her body. "Nurse" He shouted behind him. Zoya couldn't look up towards the door, she saw a woman, who she assumed was a nurse stood over her with a smile on her face.

"How are you feeling?" She asked her. Zoya tried to speak but no words came out of her mouth. Asad rushed forward worriedly, he placed his hand on hers, his other hand went over her bandages on her forehead.

"Don't worry; she has been in a coma for three weeks. Everything will take a bit of time to settle. I have paged the doctor, he should be round soon" The nurse spoke to Asad. Zoya desperately tried to speak; she didn't know what was happening. She moved her fingers.

"It's okay. Shhh" Asad comforted her. "I'm here, it is fine Zoya." He held her hand against his cheeks, warm tears creeped out from the side of her eyes. He brushed them away. Her lips quivered, Asad's thumb went over her lips. He reached forward and pecked her lips. Zoya closed her eyes. "I love you Zoya. I love you" He repeated placing his forehead next to her head on the pillow.

"Marry me Zoya" He whispered into her ears, Zoya was startled feeling his breath over her neck. She was sat outside on her wheelchair trying to get a bit of fresh air. She didn't realise when he got home. She looked up at him. He nodded at her before kneeling on the floor beside her.

"Asad get up, what are you doing?" Zoya reached for his shoulders, he grabbed her face in his hands.

"Stop it Zoya, don't you dare cry." He warned her seeing her eyes threatening to overflow any second.

"Your br-" He placed his hand over her mouth.

"We have been over this Zoya. No, I don't care who it is... your justice means more to me than anything else. He has committed a sin and this punishment for him is not enough. Just because he is my brother, that will not change my feelings for you. I love you Zoya and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. That chapter of OUR life has been closed and any bitter memories erased. You are going to be making new memories with me that we are going to share with our children... we are going to build our future together now. We will rise together. Nothing will be able to bring us down now." He held his forehead against hers.

"Are you forcing me to marry you?" She whispered.

"No, I wouldn't say force" He shrugged, "I am just marrying you. Period."

"What if I said no?" She closed her eyes smirking.

"You're not allowed to." He kissed her forehead.

"Asad..."

"Hmm?"

"I love you" She said softly opening her eyes.

"Finally" He scooped her up into his arms and cradled her. "One more time"

"I love you" Zoya placed her hand on his cheek before wrapping her arms around his neck. He held his forehead against hers walking back inside their home.

AND they lived happily ever after.

XOXOXO

Originally posted by: Nitya_Suresh

I loved it!!! It was beautiful... I feel so much right now.. Sad for Zoya.. That moment when she saw Ayaan.. Anger for Ayaan.. And so much respect for Asad.. Love his character.. Beyond belief...
Amazing story buddy.. So in love with everything!!

Originally posted by: -ABI-

Originally posted by: kritz4ever

Loved it

Awesome work

Originally posted by: MisHumptyDumpty

tell me.. tell me how did u manage to write? Like it has not been even 24 hrs since u said i haven't written a word and baaam here's more than let me guess 4K words framed perfectly in sync with each other, and U r done! LIKE HOW?? TELL ME!!

Well. this has been very very very amazing. very emotional and painful yet very loving and romantic.

Thank U for giving us such a treat , a sumptuous meal for the heart which rekindled it. Thank U! ❤️