ASYA/Kabhi SS: Bittersweet Revenge Ch.10/Page.14 - Page 7

I am so sad to announce that I am going back to work on Monday. *cries and has a mental breakdown* Sighs. Two updates today and it may be the last ones this week until next weekend. We shall see. Thank you for your wonderful comments, haven't replied to them individually yet but know that I have read each and every one of them and I appreciate it. Much love <3

Chapter Seven

"Hi, Mr Khan" Zoya stretched her hand forward with a casual smile on her face. Asad took her hand and shook it firmly. Dressed in a pair of black smart trousers, white shirt and black blazer, there was something different about her. He met her eyes, where he once saw spark, today he saw emptiness. He brushed off his thoughts and put his hand out for her to walk inside. He was so happy to see her after six long months; there wasn't a single day where he didn't think of her and that night. This girl had impacted him a lot, he felt bad not meeting her before he left for India. That one day and night has plagued his mind.

"How have you been Miss Farooqui?" Asad walked side by side.

"I've been okay." She looked over at him, "How are you?" She asked him, the formality in their voice made things awkward.

"I've been okay too." He replied. Their conversation ended there with her nod. They walked towards the mansion slowly, in silence. Zoya halted coming face to face with Ayaan who had a childish grin on his face. Ayaan's attention moved from Asad's face to Zoya, his heart skipped a beat. This girl resembled Humeira from head to toe. Zoya... His brother's Zoya was Humeira's sister. He stepped forward only to be pulled back by Najma who raised her eyebrow at him.

"Bhaijaan's guest. Don't even think about it" She whispered to him, Ayaan was too stumped to even reply to her joke. Zoya stared at Ayaan before looking over at a woman dressed in a bluish green Asian suit, with a pink scarf over her shoulder walking towards her with a warm smile on her face. Her dusky brown hair made her face glow. Zoya quickly glanced at Asad who scratched the back of his head, nervous for what was about to come. This woman grabbed Zoya into a hug making her cringe with agitation, her eyes darted towards every corner of the house as the seconds caged in this woman's arms felt like hours. She let go and held Zoya's shoulders.

"Welcome Zoya. Make yourself at home beta." Dilshad caressed her face, Zoya nodded.

"Thank you" She spoke softly, not used to so much touching and loving words at once.

"Ammi" She heard Asad say.

"Hi" Zoya smiled.

"That's Najma, my younger sister. And Ayaan, my brother." Asad introduced, she waved at Najma who had the cutest smile on her face. She frantically waved back. She then ran her eyes over Ayaan whose face went pale from seeing her.
"Hi Ayaan, how are you?" Zoya asked, he nodded at her. She moved to the side finding the driver bringing the suitcases inside, before she could grab them, she found Asad's hand over them both. She shook her head in a no but he refused to listen to her and took them both into his hands. Zoya looked back at his family members, Asad sensing her discomfort stepped forward.

"Follow me, I'll show you to your room." Asad motioned with his head. Zoya nodded before smiling towards everyone standing in the living room staring at her as if they had never seen a girl before.

"That went well. Come on, let her freshen up and make herself comfortable. Najma, come to the kitchen beta, Ayaan did you get that package" Zoya heard them get busy in the background. She followed Asad, her eyes went over the walls and it's every detail capturing everything in her eyes. She didn't realise when Asad stopped until she bumped into him, she moved back brushing her hand over her forehead.

"Are you okay?" Asad was about to put his hand forward but she stepped back away from him, she nodded.

"Sorry, my fault." Zoya avoided eye contact with him. Asad put the suitcases to one side before pushing the large double wooden doors open, Zoya's breathing hitched staring into the room adjoining the balcony. She took a step forward into the room, her eyes going over the littlest details in the room. She wondered around the room not realising that she was doing it before stepping onto the balcony overlooking the garden.

"I hope you like your room." She heard him say. She took a deep breath and turned around to face him. He stood in the middle of the room observing her.
"You seem different..." He smiled.

"Everyone changes." She replied. No witty response, no urge to fight... just a simple answer. Asad nodded in agreement.

"It has been six months" Asad told her. The expressions on her face remained the same. She took something out of her handbag before taking slow steps towards him without breaking eye contact with him. She looked down at her hand, Asad followed her gaze.

"I have something that belongs to you Mr Khan" She held out his phone to him.

"You shouldn't hav-"

"I don't like keeping things that do not belong to me" She cut him short before placing it in his hand. "Thank you." Asad blinked at her.

"Why?"

"Your phone." She smiled. Asad nodded at her.

"It's fine" He held the phone in his hand tightly. "You freshen up and rest. I will see you later" He smiled back to her before walking towards the door. He turned around and faced her. Without moving his eyes off her, he closed both of the doors. Zoya breathed out heavily before running her eyes over the room and falling back onto the bed.

"I'm here without you Simpleton" A lone tear escaped her eyes.

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Zoya sat on top of the balcony wall, one leg on top while the other swung on the side. She looked into the sky, the stars and the moon glistened back into her eyes. She let the air caress her face and blow her hair back.

"Why have you gone silent?" The voice on loud speaker questioned.

"I am just admiring the sky Mark" Zoya replied.

"You and admiring the sky?" He laughed. A faint smile appeared on her face.

"Yes. I like the way the stars brightens up the sky" Zoya leaned against her hand.

"Are you feeling okay?"

"Never been better Mark, never been better." She grabbed the phone and headed inside. She stood in front of her open suitcase. She heard a knock on the door. "I will speak to you later, Mark."

"Take care doll." Mark sighed. Zoya ended the call and threw the phone onto the bed.

"Come in" Zoya shouted grabbing a camel coloured coat from her suitcase and putting it aside. The doors opened the next second and Asad walked inside with a tray.

"Ammi sent coffee." He took a step inside and waited for her reply.

"You shouldn't have bothered Mr Khan." She said tucking her hair behind her tears to look at him. He stepped further into the room and placed the tray on the glass table before his eyes fell on her coat.

"We don't have weathers cold enough here for that coat" Asad pointed out. Zoya shook her head.

"It's not for here; it's for my trip back in 2 weeks."

"What, you're going back in 2 weeks?" He asked quickly trying not to sound too shocked. He regret asking her about the coat. "I thought you would stay longer..." Zoya laughed but he noticed the strain in her laughter.

"Yes, I have come to India for a fresh start. I am only at your home on your insistence; I will leave once the project finishes to my new home. And I have a few important things to do hence I will be back and forth from LA." She faced him completely and explained.

"You're going to settle in India?" He asked her, his insides reacted weirdly.

"I have come to India to give the child in me her childhood back" She looked him in the eye.

"What about your sis-"

"Anyways, I have got that folder you wanted. Do you want to look at it?" She coughed trying to regain control of her emotions. He nodded at her eagerly.

"Are you sure you don't want to rest?" He spoke concerned.

"I am fine. The quicker we start, the quicker we can get to the actual work and finish." She opened up another suitcase and rummaged through it for folders. Asad nodded towards her back.

"Shall we go into the study room?"

"Yes. One minute" She held her hand up before grabbing a shawl and wrapping it around her. She grabbed the folders and held it against her chest. "Do you mind grabbing the coffees?" She stood next to him. He picked up the tray and walked out of the room with her following behind him. He stopped coming in front of a large wooden door with beautiful carvings running over it. He pushed it open and led her through a small dim passageway to an enormous study room. It was much larger than a normal study room; it looked like a library in here. Zoya shook her head trying to steady her breath. She watched him place the coffees on the table.

"Make yourself comfortable" He pointed towards a mahogany leather couch. Zoya took her seat without a word and placed the folders on the table while he grabbed his laptop from the large desk at the farthest corner of the room.

"I forgot my laptop" She got up but he stopped her.

"It's fine. Use mine" He passed it to her before picking the folders up and going through them. He looked up at her from the opposite couch, there was definitely something different about her. She was too calm. He silently watched her remove the shawl off her and pick her legs up onto the sofa trying to get comfortable. The silence in the room made them both uneasy.

"No insults for me today?" Asad asked suddenly, Zoya looked up startled. His gaze made her feel uncomfortable. Asad has not forgotten that night and their dance. And he was hoping neither did she.

"What are you talking about Mr Khan?" Zoya creased her forehead not having the faintest idea what he was talking about.

"Have you stopped drinking lime juice?"

"What?" She gave him a look.

"Lime juice? Stop pretending you don't know what I am talking about" He leaned back against the sofa and a smile appeared on his face. Zoya looked down at the laptop.

"No idea what you are talking about Mr Khan. You have lost the plot" She started typing on the laptop. Asad shook his head.

"There it is. I was getting worried for a second." His teasing tone of voice wasn't helping Zoya feel any calmer.

"What?" She raised her brow.

"I have lost the plot" He chuckled opening the folder and trying to concentrate on it. She reached for the coffee mug and took a sip from it.

"EWW" She spat it back out. She made a distasteful face, her forehead creased and her tongue went over her lips. "This is bitter." She shook herself.

"That one was mine." Asad informed her with a smug look on his face.

"This is disgusting. You need sugar in your life Mr Khan" She placed the mug on the table trying to get rid of the bitter taste.

"I'm thinking of adding it into my life" He looked directly at her.

"Good thing, you need it" She replied, unaffected by his piecing gaze on her.

"I think you need it more than me Miss Farooqui." He pretended to get back to work. But she didn't reply. And that affected him. What has happened in the last six months that this girl changed so much? That one day he thought he started knowing her but today, he wasn't so sure. She wasn't fighting back. This bothered him beyond anything.

"I think I left a file, I'm just going to go grab it." Zoya said getting up and walking around the table. Asad took a deep breath before jumping up and grabbing her hand. Zoya felt a pull and stopped dead in her tracks. She twisted her hand in his hold before turning around and trying to push him off with her other hand but he grabbed it against his chest.

"What are you doing?" She questioned annoyed and frustrated. He took a step forward and slowly pushed her towards the wall. Once her back touched the wall, Zoya tried to lash out at him but both of her hands were in his hold stopping her from moving. Her breathing shortened trying to avoid looking into his eyes.

"Where is Zoya Farooqui?" He whispered softly. He adjusted himself moving closer towards her, Zoya closed her eyes looking away feeling restless under his hold. Her chest waved against his, his proximity making her body react in all sorts of ways. "Where is Zoya Farooqui?" He leaned forward and whispered into her ears. She slowly looked up into his eyes.

"Let go of me Mr Khan" She tried fighting him but could not move an inch with his tight hold against her.

"Where is Zoya Farooqui?" He whispered again. His eyes not moving off her face watching her every expression trying to read her.

"Mr Khan let go of me or else..." She threatened looking into his eyes.

"Or else what?" He spoke in the same tone as her.

"What do you want?"

"You already accepted defeat without a fight. Why?" He asked her.

"What do you want?" She asked again, narrowing her eyes. She watched his face come closer towards hers; his warm breath over her face made her fist her hands in his fold.

"Where is Zoya Farooqui?" He asked her again.

"She.is.right.here" Zoya spoke word by word before pushing him off with every bit of force left within her. Asad loosened his hold on her knowing she would fight back. He went stumbling back a few steps. Zoya struggled to breath against the wall, her eyes widened.

"Thank you for coming back." Asad brushed his hair back with a smile on his face. Zoya stared at him confused.

"I think you have gone mad Mr Khan. We will do this tomorrow, I am going to rest." Zoya ran out of the room without sparing him another glance. He brushed his hand over his face. What on earth did he attempt to do?

Zoya splashed water onto her face before looking up at her reflection; her red eyes stared back at her. She grabbed a towel and wiped her face with it before exiting the bathroom and heading towards her bed. She threw everything off her bed and climbed into it not wanting her mind to think about anything but her sister and sleep.

"Goodnight Simpleton..." Zoya whispered turning the lights off. But her eyes remained wide open. She wouldn't be able to sleep tonight like every other night. Her heart was heavy and her eyes will never dry. She felt alone.

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"Good morning" Zoya greeted everyone coming down the stairs with Najma who went up to call her for breakfast. She stopped on the last stair finding a woman with a yellow scarf over her head turn her head towards her. Her eyes were dark and fierce. She smiled at Najma and walked towards Dilshad who waiting for her. She was about to sit down but she heard someone cough behind her. She turned around to find a man, in his late forties, dressed in a black suit with a blue shirt underneath, a thick tie black tie completing his business look. His full beard gave him a more serious and respected look, his eyes resembled Asad's.

"Asalaamu Alaikum" The man greeted her.

"W- Walaikum Asalaam." Zoya hesitated in her greeting. She put her hand out. "Zoya, Zoya... Farooqui." She smiled; her eyes went over the woman in the yellow who was staring at her like she was going to eat her.

"Rashid Ahmed Khan" He took her hand and gave it a firm shake. Like father, like son. "Asad's father." He motioned for her to sit down next to him. Zoya nodded and took her seat with Dilshad showering her with love through her eyes. It made her feel uncomfortable. Humeira used to give her those looks. Zoya's eyes fell on Asad coming down the stairs dressed in a pair of casual blue jeans and a white figure hugging top, his muscles on show. Damn India's heat.

"Good morning" His eyes went over Zoya's head as she concentrated on her food without looking up at him.

"Good morning beta." Dilshad kissed his forehead as he bent down for her. "Come on, eat. Where is Ayaan?" Zoya looked up at her, Asad smirked seeing her try her best not to look at him.

"He isn't in his room. I think he may have gone out for tennis or squash." Asad took out the chair next to Zoya.

"Bhaijaan, that is my seat" Najma whined.

"Tamater, I don't think-"

"Mr Khan, give her seat back." Zoya spoke through her teeth.

"Haha" Najma put her tongue out towards him and took the seat. Asad played his hands over her hair making her hit his hand away, annoyed. Asad took the seat opposite his father on the other end of the table.

"Make yourself at home Zoya. If you need anything, Najma and Asad will assist you. Don't be shy. I hope your stay in India is pleasant." Rashid took a sip of his tea and took out the newspaper.

"Thank you Mr Khan." Zoya showed her gratitude with a nod. He smiled his rarest smile for her. Zoya's eyes went over everyone on the table who looked surprised seeing him smile. "What?" She mouthed to Najma.

"Abbu smiled for you. He likes you." Najma whispered into her ears. Zoya's eyes widened.

"Oh, okay" She awkwardly went back to her coffee and toast.

"When is bhaisab returning from his trip?" Rashid asked Razia whose eyes were still glued on Zoya. Zoya looked up at her, her face blank without any emotions. She took a bite out of her toast unaffected by her gaze.

"In 2 days" Razia replied finally moving her eyes off Zoya.

"Oh. Right okay." Rashid went back to his newspaper.

"Zoya, this is bhabiejaan. My cousin brother's wife." Dilshad introduced them finding Zoya's eyes on Razia.

"Hi" Zoya waved like a school child. Asad suppressed his laugh.

"Make yourself at home. I'm guessing you have never come to India before." Razia's tone was unusual eyeing Zoya's white cotton blouse and jeans.

"I will do. Thank you, you're very welcoming." Zoya smiled. "And I was born in India actually." She continued to bite her toast and sip her coffee. Razia's eyes went over Asad whose full attention was on Zoya.

"Excuse me. I have a few things to do." Razia got up and left the table.

"I am going to give you a tour of our home." Najma clapped excitedly finishing her cereal in one breath and smiling sheepishly at Zoya. Zoya admired her.

"I would very much like that..."

"Tamater" Asad said without looking up.

"I would very much like that tamater" Zoya smiled at Asad. "Can we go now?"

"Yes, let's go." Najma jumped up and grabbed her hand before pulling her. Zoya laughed following behind her.

"Be careful Najma" Dilshad shouted behind them shaking her head. She sighed at Zoya's retreating back. "Asad?" She clicked her fingers, Asad snapped out of his thoughts. She played her eyebrows. "What happened?"

"Nothing" Asad shook his head. He glanced back towards the right exit, "I'll be back" He grabbed his coffee mug and walked off.

"Asad?" Dilshad called behind him.

"Yes Ammi?" He turned back.

"Take care of her." She smiled. He nodded at her.

Chapter Eight

"Tamater... do you mind if I call you that?" Zoya asked removing her phone from her jeans pocket.

"Of course not." She smiled widely.

"You have a cute smile tamater. You remind me of someone I adore." Zoya smiled back at her. "Can I take some pictures, if you don't mind..." Zoya asked hesitantly, her eyes going over the beautiful white building in front of her.

"No you may not!" Came a voice from behind. Zoya stumbled forward a step before pressing her temples recognising the voice.

"When will you stop sneaking up on me?" Zoya turned around, annoyed. Asad sipped his coffee, coolly.

"I did not sneak up on you. Tamater, you have college. I will finish the tour." He smiled.

"Oh shoot, in all the excitement I forgot. Sorry" Najma held her ear.

"It's fine. You go and study hard" Zoya winked. Najma ran off towards the house.

"Where would you like to start with the house?" He stepped closer towards her. Zoya rolled her eyes.

"No thank you Mr Khan, I'll wait till your sister comes back. I'll just enjoy this garden view for now." She turned her back on him.

"I know that curiosity is killing you right now. Stop acting stubborn and follow me" He didn't wait for a response and headed for the house. Zoya stared towards his back for a moment before reluctantly following behind him.

"Don't!!!" Zoya joined his side and grunted. He looked at her innocently.

"What did I do?" He shrugged his shoulders.

"Don't you have work to do?" She muttered.

"If I do, then so do you Miss Farooqui. We're taking a break today. I'll show you the office tomorrow." He entered the house.

"You're going to take an off for that too now are you?" She spoke sarcastically, her eyes going over the inside of the house. He took her towards a long empty hallway before pushing the doors open. She tilted her head and stared into the room.

"If you want me to act less formal with you, then yes I could" Asad spoke to her back. Zoya ignored him and entered the room; her eyes went over the walls with paintings.

"Abbu"

Zoya spun on her feet.

"What happened?" Asad went closer towards her seeing her restless face, her breathing uneasy. Her eyes frantically searched every inch of the room she stood in. He placed his hand on her shoulder, her eyes moved to his face. "Is everything okay?" She nodded forcefully.

"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" She smiled. "Can I take a picture? It's a b- beautiful room" Zoya turned her back to him. "For Mark and Aileen." She stepped forward towards the royal chairs and sofas.

"Yes, of course. Go ahead." Asad watched her go around the room and admire its every detail.

"There is so much history in this room..." Zoya spoke thoughtfully looking over the paintings.

"Yes, there is. But no one uses this room as a living room. It has been empty for a while; me and Ayaan come here every so often." Asad told her. Zoya touched the fireplace. "There used to be a carving on this wall. I cannot remember what it was; I was quite young when everything in here was re-done."

"Abbu, catch me"

Zoya's head snapped backwards, Asad's followed her eyes towards the other side of the room. She shook out of her thoughts and smiled at him.

"Why does no one use this room?" She questioned, she noticed that he was following her every movement.

"I don't really know. Everyone got accustomed to the main room. There are too many rooms in this house that no one goes into. Some due to mumani locking them up and some because no one ever had the time of the day to visit them." Asad explained.

"Ammi, Abbu hahahahahahhaha"

"Thanks, shall we move on?" Zoya closed her eyes and walked out of the room, all sorts of noises echoing into her ears.

"Yes, Miss Farooqui." Asad followed behind her smiling. Spending the day with her today should be interesting.

"Does that lead somewhere Mr Khan?" Zoya pointed towards one of the covered walls.

"Yes, there was a passageway there that leads to one of the upstairs room. It has been blocked off a few years back." Asad stood over her. Zoya stepped away from him and turned around to walk the opposite way.

"10,9,8...2,1 I'm coming for you"

"That room is being renovated for mumani's niece who is away studying at the moment. She's going to be staying over the holidays." He pointed towards one of the rooms.

"You missed out all the numbers in between, no fair!!!!!!!!!"

"I don't know them."

Zoya fisted her hands trying to keep a straight face.

"That is the store room. A lot of history in there." Asad chuckled.

"Is your non-annoying side locked in there?" Zoya crossed her arms. He shook his head.

"My childhood is in there" He smiled.

"Ohhh" Zoya smirked. "I think I need to go in there and find out whether you were like this since you were a child or something went wrong along the way" She walked off. This girl.

"You know I wish you were drunk right now, I much like that other side." Asad shouted behind her. He heard her fake a laugh. He followed behind her.

"Which room is this?" She stopped coming front of a white door.

"Why don't you go inside and find out?" He motioned with his head. She squinted her eyes at him trying to read the expression on his face.

"What's in there?" She asked slowly.

"You will only find out if you go in there" He shrugged his shoulders. "Don't you have the guts to go in there?" She breathed fiercely through her nose.

"Six months later, your voice is still the most annoying voice ever." She threw at him and pushed the door open storming inside. She froze standing in the middle of the room. This was his room. He kicked the door close behind him with a smug look on his face. She rolled her eyes.
"And I was wrong, nothing interesting here." She spoke casually before looking over at the slide doors. She went over towards it and stepped onto his balcony. She breathed in the fresh air admiring the beautiful flowers blossoming under the sunlight. She turned around only to fall back against the wall finding him in the way.
"Would you stop doing that?" She held her hand against her chest.

"Do you need lime juice?" He asked her. Her eyes grew small. Stop it.

"You really need to make your mind up" She snapped.

"Regarding?"

"You were asking me where Zoya Farooqui was. I am here. But now, you're..." She trailed off, her eyes went over his jawline, his lips, and then his captivating eyes. She straightened up against the wall and stepped to the side. He blocked her path, she took a step the other way, he blocked that path too. "What?" She looked at him with incredulity, not understanding what he was doing.

"Are you okay?" He asked her softly.

"Of course I am, why wouldn't I be?" Zoya avoided looking into his eyes. This man, sexy man, needs to stop coming close to her.

"I want Zoya Farooqui to look into my eyes and tell me she is fine" He took a step back; Zoya's eyes followed his footsteps.

"Mr Khan, the project-"

"Don't think about changing the topic." He warned her, she looked up at him, who an earth does he think he is? Zoya fought every single feeling inside of her and the urge to punch his face. Her hands fisted and hit the wall. This man was extremely testing.

"I am fine" She looked into his eyes breathing out softly. "Mr Khan" She straightened up, "Don't you dare threaten me like that" She poked his chest but then froze. That smirk on his face. "Eurgh, I will give myself a tour. I will see you in the back garden for some proper work." She nodded and walked around him. She halted finding Razia in the hallway, who also froze finding her there.

"What are you doing here?" Razia tried not to sound too rude. But her eyes and her tone said otherwise. Zoya stepped closer towards her.

"I was giving myself a tour" She smiled widely.

"Be careful. You don't want to get lost." Razila smiled back.

"Oh don't worry, I'll find my way. I'll see you around" Zoya walked off with a wide grin on her face, her eyes familiarising the four walls of the home.
"Stupid Asad Ahmed Khan" Zoya muttered to herself trying to keep calm. She needed to stay the hell away from him.

"Hey Mark, I haven't decided anything in regards to a specific site. I did do some research work back in LA, but I have no idea what they will actually be like. I'm leaving that one on Mr Khan" Zoya held her phone against her shoulder trying to organise the paper work. She was sat under an umbrella in the beautiful green garden trying to catch up on work, but the sun was out and she was absolutely drenched in her own sweat.

"You only just got there. Breathe woman! Give yourself a break." Mark advised her.

"Not happening Mark. I am dead serious about this project. You know why I am here" She paused and looked up to find Dilshad coming towards her with a tray. "Everything okay? What's the update?"

"Everything fine. It will all be shifted to India over the next week or so. That apartment is still being refurbished, sorry it is taking so long." Mark apologised.

"No, you have done a lot for me. I owe you one."

"You just take care. We miss you."

"I miss you all too." Zoya put the phone down and focused on Dilshad who had made herself comfortable on the seat next to her.

"I thought you might be feeling hot out here. You're working very hard; hopefully juice and snack should keep you going." Dilshad smiled pouring the juice into the glass. "Asad said you loved lime juice." Zoya closed her eyes and hid her face behind her hand. She's going to kill him. "I still think you should go inside."

"Thank you. That's very kind of you." Zoya said in her sweetest tone. Simpleton would be so happy right now seeing her smile and speak sweetly. "You shouldn't have troubled yourself. I am fine, trying to enjoy as much of India as I can in your back garden." Zoya looked down not being able to reflect the warmth in Dilshad's eyes.

"There is so much of India that you need to actually go out and explore. Give yourself a break and enjoy. You have time." Dilshad suggested pouring herself a glass and drinking the juice.

"Unfortunately Mrs Kha-"

"Aunty" Dilshad said looking at her.

"Au..." She fussed with the paperwork, "Aunty. Your son doesn't want to do any work. Someone has to fill the gaps while he is on his break" She smiled forcefully.

"You don't know my son then Zoya" Dilshad laughed. "He is a workaholic; it is just recently he has started relaxing. He did not get a wink of sleep last week trying to sort everything out for this project. He has taken everything under his control; he had to cancel his London trip." She told Zoya with a smile on her face. Zoya's eyes darted to her laptop. Damn this man.

"Ohh..." She could not think of anything else to say. And then she pressed her eyes close finding him pacing towards them both. Breathe Zoya, Breathe. You only just got here, you need to remain calm.

"Miss Farooqui, we have a few plots finalised for the project." He informed her. Zoya opened her eyes and looked up at him surprised. "We will need to have a look at them. What? Did you have a site in mind?"

"Erm not really. I did do a bit of research but eventually was going to leave that decision up to you. I have no idea" She answered truthfully. "I have almost drafted the first plan; there are quite a few things that we need to go over. But, we need to finalise a site first. That means we need to find some time to actually go and have a look at them. I'll skip the office tour tomorrow and try and finish this. You can go in and wrap up your work. I know this isn't the only project you have in your hands at the moment." She was clicking her pen non-stop. Asad sat down opposite her.

"I am going to leave you two. I have no idea what is happening right now." Dilshad smiled at the duo before getting up. "Make sure you drink your juice and keep yourself hydrated." Her hands went over Zoya's face who tried not to blink. She forced her head to nod.

"I needed to go somewhere tomorrow Mr Khan, can you please tell me where this place is." Zoya removed her phone and then held it out to him. It was a picture of a broken mud house and trees.

"This helps so much" He spoke sarcastically. Zoya took a deep breath.

"I think it's Shantina Nagar." Zoya made a face pronouncing it.

"I don't think it is that." Zoya reached forward and swiped the picture. "Okay, this is in Bhopal. It's an hour drive from here. I don't know the name of the exact place." He looked up at her. "What's there?"

"Nothing, I needed to find someone." She replied casually taking her phone back.

"I'll take you" He volunteered.

"No it's fine. I'll manage. You go-"

"I don't think so. You're not going to this place alone. And we will schedule to look at those sites tomorrow as well after your visit. And right now, this project is my priority. So no, I am not going to office tomorrow."

"Why did you cancel your London trip?" Zoya asked him. He looked at her surprised.

"What London trip?" He shrugged his shoulders. "Oh that one, I had quite a bit of work pending here. It was too much, I sent Prasad alone." He explained.

"Pending work with this project?" She asked him.

"Nope."

"You have all the work sorted out, haven't you? No wonder you're so calm. Why am I even stressing out here alone." Zoya jumped up.

"Miss Farooqui, sit down. No I haven't. I have got draft plans and sketches ready. That is all, the rest we are going to work together to complete. Together." He spoke softly. Zoya sat back down.

"Then why did you-"

"Miss Farooqui, the sites" He eyed the paperwork in front of him. Zoya took them from him and read over them stubbornly. He watched her amused.

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"Ayaan!" Asad shot up from his seat finding him come through the front door. Zoya glanced at the clock on the wall, it was 2 a.m. "Where have you been, I have been trying to reach you all day. Why were you not picking up?" He rushed towards him and embraced him. "Are you feeling okay?" He held his brother's shoulders. Ayaan looked into his brother's eyes and nodded. "Stop doing this to yourself Ayaan, stop it. Get a grip on yourself, don't go back into that state again" Asad said softly.

"Where is Ammi?" Ayaan asked him.

"Bed. I told her you were out with your friend. Ayaan, don't do this to me. I swear..." His voice trailed off seeing his brother nod. Ayaan looked past his shoulders at Zoya sat on the sofa trying to focus on her work.

"You go up and freshen up. Get some rest. Go" Asad pushed him towards the stairs; Ayaan looked over his shoulder at Zoya. Asad faced Zoya running his fingers through his hair. He needed to do something before Ayaan loses it again.
"I didn't realise the time. I think you should go up and get some rest." Zoya looked up from her folder and nodded. She got up and gathered her paper work running her eyes over the stairs.
"I'll grab those, it's fine." He walked over towards her and picked up the laptop along with the rest of the folders and followed behind her. He placed everything on the table in her room.

"Goodnight" Asad whispered softly behind her back. Zoya spun around, her hair flicked over her face.

"Good- Mr Khan, you have ink on your hands" She pointed. He looked down at them and inspected it. He grabbed the papers that caused his hands to stain and held it up to her. Zoya ran her hand over her face. "Great. I'm sorry Mr Khan, my fault. I didn't realise how I mixed them. I will fix them in the morning." She held her ear.

"It's okay" He smiled as she apologised cutely.

"Wash your hands otherwise it will go over your clothes and the door handles." She pointed towards the bathroom; he nodded at her before walking into the en suite. Zoya took a deep breath and opened more of the door for the balcony to allow the fresh air to come into her room. Her head shot towards the doors to find Ayaan entering her room and then closing the door behind him. Zoya raised her brow and crossed her arms.

"How can I help you Ayaan?" She ran her eyes over his emotional state; he looked like he had broken down many times over.

"Humeira, where is she?" Ayaan questioned; desperation in his voice clearly visible.

"You loved my sister, didn't you Ayaan?" Zoya asked in her calm voice, not breaking eye contact with him.

"I still love her" Tears formed in his eyes, he brushed his hand over his face.

"Do you?" Her tone turned cold. His eyes started overflowing with tears, his body was shivering.

"Where is she? I haven't heard from her in six months... Please tell me she is okay." He begged her for answers. Zoya turned around, her chest constricted with a familiar pain. She stared out into distant mentally calming herself down but the pain inside of her made her flinch. Asad walked out of the bathroom to find Ayaan standing a few metres away from Zoya staring at her back.

"Humeira is... no more" Ayaan felt his breath hitch stumbling back a few steps in disbelief. He couldn't believe a word that came out of her mouth. Humeira no more? That is not possible.

"No, you're lying" Ayaan choked out in defence.

"You believe whatever you need to believe Ayaan." Zoya stepped forward onto the balcony. "I am not going to stand here and convince you anything." She spoke in a tone that made Asad shiver. Ayaan slowly faced Asad, his shocked face unable to utter a single word. Ayaan stopped his brother from coming forward and shook his head. He opened the doors and rushed out of them as fast as he could.

Zoya pressed her lips together, her hands fisted beside her as she shook on her feet trying to keep her emotions locked inside of her. She moved her head in agitation, her eyes running over the dark garden in front of her. No, she isn't going to cry. He deserves to cry. He deserves the pain for abandoning her sister. Asad noticed her behaviour; he took long strides towards her and stood beside her silenty. He watched as she fought with herself, her knees waivered. He placed his hand on her shoulder; she hit it away instantly without looking at him. He grabbed both of her shoulders and tried to turn her to face him but she resisted his pull and forced her body the other way. His hands went down her arm; she started fighting him finding his arms confining her.

"Let go of me" She pleaded, her eyes still staring into the distant while she struggled in his hold. Asad's tight grip refused to move off her, he pulled her in against his chest. She tilted her head back refusing to lay it on his chest; one of his arms went around her body tightly while the other pushed her head against his chest before wrapping both of his arms around her holding her securely against him. She squirmed uncontrollably in his hold before going completely still, out of breath from fighting him. She closed her eyes, her lips against his warm skin while tears flowed from her eyes. But she didn't make a sound.

"It's okay." He whispered softly.

Wow...just perfect
You write beautifully...
Loving Zoya...but there's definitely history in that house...
Zoya has some memories of it for sure...
Razia is evil no doubt

Looking forward to reading on

Beautiful update dear

Ohh dnt make her die yar let hr be in coma nd all tht plsss

Im speechless

Awesome 👍🏼
Very very very beautifully written ...
Loved it ❤️

Very Good and Interesting part..
Now this story looks completely diff from what all we had been reading since ch.6.
Humeira is Dead.?...& this has changed Zoya to the core even more cold..
So she is here to revenge Ayaan.., Asad yaa whole family..
& By the looks of it...this house also is looking like her own palace..
Very interesting part..
Continue soon.