Chapter 17
He kept knocking on the door and requesting her to open but nothing happened. She wouldn't say a word from inside. Asad felt terrible! He shouldn't have done that. He had just lost himself in emotions...which can never happen again. Emotions weren't something that were supposed to become part of his life. He wasn't that lucky, and probably never be. On the other hand, Zoya was having an emotional battle. He just kissed her. Does that mean he had feelings for her? But, he hasn't said anything. Kya har baat bolna zaroori hota hai, her brain questioned. Nahi...par yeh baat bolna toh zaroori haina. Especially Asad keh saath, joh mujhe khabhi samaj nahi aate, her heart contemplated. She heard him banging on the door now. "Zoya please, darwaza kholo," he called out. She didn't know if she could open that door and face him. "Zoya please. I am sorry. Mujhe galti hogi. Gusse mein paata nahi maine kya kardiya. It was a stupid mistake, open the door dAmmit," Asad said. Hearing his words, Zoya felt her heart break into million pieces. A mistake? That is what it was for him. Tears stung her eyes and she covered her mouth to stop the cries from escaping. "Zoya, agar tum darwaza nahi kholugi toh I am breaking in," he warned. Just then, one of the employees walked in. "Sir, aap yaha? Kuch chahiye?" she questioned. "No! Main yaha Ms. Zoya se baat karne aaya tha. Aap jayiye," Asad stated. The employee was confused but nodded, and left. Asad was about to knock on the door again when it opened and she came out. Her eyes were puffy and red, and Asad felt horrible for doing this to her. "Zoya...I...," he tried to explaining when she intervened. "Mr. Khan, please mujhe akele chodijiye," she firmly stated. "Zoya, meri baat," Asad said. "Please Asad, I just want to be alone for some time," Zoya pleaded. He just nodded and left from there. Zoya sat on her seat, trying to control the storm building inside her. He hadn't kissed her because he liked her or had feelings for her. He just kissed her because he wanted to prove to himself that she was his? What was she to him? Some property that was his? Why did she raise hope every single time only to have it crushed? Why was she so foolish? Why did she think that he would like her? How could she forget that he had explicitly told her that she would never be a fit in his life? She was just someone who had been chosen for him? And now, he had to keep tabs on her? Like he did with his business projects. How long was she going to fight for this relationship? Alone, she thought sadly. Someone knocked on the door and Zoya wiped her tears. "Come in," she called out, in her choking voice. Aanchal walked in looking worried. "Zoya, tum theek ho? I mean Sir abhi aise gaye aur kuch awaze bhi aarahi thi," she asked. "Yeah, everything is fine. Woh maine hi kuch galti kardi toh as...Mr. Khan bas gussa hogaye," Zoya explained. "Oh I am sorry to hear that. Sir jab gussa hote hai toh kuch bhi bolte hai. Are you ok?" Aanchal questioned. "Yeah, I am fine," Zoya lied. As Aanchal left, Zoya felt her beautiful orbs fill with the pain that was burning her heart. She closed her eyes trying to contain the tears inside.
Asad left work and went to a deserted road. He needed some fresh air. Being in that office was making him felt suffocated. Her pain filled eyes kept flashing in front of him. How could he? How could he hurt her like that because of his own anger? Was it anger? He didn't know what it was he felt seeing her with someone else? Was he jealous? What? Never! Asad Ahmed Khan didn't get jealous, he tried to convinced himself. But, the truth was that he had hurt her? What about that? "Paata nahi hamesha bina chahte huwe bhi main Zoya koh hurt karhi dehta hoon," he thought, angry at himself. Getting into the car, he drove back to find her.
Hour later, Asad barged into the house. "Zoya...Zoya," Asad screamed through the house but received no response. "Zoya...kaha h...," he stopped when he saw his mother walking down the stairs. "Asad...kya hua? Tum aise chila kyun rahe ho?" Dilshad asked, concerned. "Ammi...Zoya ghar aayi hai?" he questioned. Asad had returned to the office only to find out that she had left. He had been calling her since but her phone was going straight to voicemail. "Ha...woh toh...," And her son was gone before she could complete. "Aabh kya hogaya inn dono koh," she thought worried. He walked into the room and was about to scream when his eyes fell on her. She looked like an innocent child, cuddled up in the blanket, sleeping. He moved closer and her face only radiated brighter. He kneeled next to her and took her soft palms in his. "I am sorry Zoya, I am so sorry," he whispered in the darkness. "Paata nahi kyun har baar tume hurt karhi dehta hoon. Humara rishta itna complicated kyun hai? Jitni sorry maine tumse boli hai utni sorry toh main kisiko nahi kaha hai. Khabhi nahi," he said, with a slight chuckle. "I apologize, I am really very sorry," Asad told her. Later, he changed for the night and went to bed. But, sleep was far away from his eyes. Each time he turned towards her, all he could see was her tear stricken face. If this was the Asad that had met her the first time on the road, and hated her...maybe he wouldn't care. Or maybe he did and never admitted. But in the darkness of the night, he had to admit to himself that he cared. He cared for her! He cared about her! He didn't know when it happened or how, all he knew was that his heart clenched with agony every time he saw her in pain. And he couldn't, disregard that truth anymore.
The next morning, Zoya sat up with a headache. Crying to sleep obviously wasn't a good idea. She rubbed her tiring eyes and looked up and almost jumped. "Asad, aap?" she said, surprised to see him sitting on the bed so early in the morning. "Woh mujhe...woh actually," he said. Seeing him struggle, "It's ok Mr. Khan, I am fine. Joh bhi aapne kaha woh gusse mein bola tha. Hamesha ki taara, aapko maaf kiya," she told him. Zoya got off the bed and was about to walk away, when she felt his hand on her wrist. "Asad please, subhe subhe mujhe ladayi nahi karni," she told him. "I don't want to fight either, mujhe baat karni hai," he said. Zoya sighed. No matter how hard she tried to be upset with him, it didn't work. It never did! When he looked at her with those guilty eyes, her heart melted. "Boliye," she said helplessly. "Dekho, kal joh bhi hua, I am really sorry for that. I never wanted to hurt you, it just happened," he explained. "Its ok Mr. Khan, late horaha hai. I should go and get dressed for work," she told him and left quickly before her emotions took over her. Zoya ran into the bathroom and shut the door. "A mistake...that was what it was! A mistake in his life! Was she a mistake too? Was their marriage...no! She couldn't do this to herself. Why were things so complicated? Allah miyan, meri zindagi toh bahut hi sorted and fine thi. Paata nahi, jab se Mr. Khan meri zindagi mein aaye hai, tab se jaise sabh. Jaise unki car toofan bankar aayi thi, woh bhi mere life mein toofan bankar aaye hai," she thought sadly. Zoya was puzzled. Every day, she tried to open this tangle of a life she was in. But, it was only getting worse. More and more knots were being put in her life, and only tighter. "Ek problem solve hoti hai toh paata nahi kitne aur aajate hai," she told herself. Composing herself, Zoya took a shower and got dressed in a black formal pants and an orange blouse.
As she sat in front of the mirror, lost in thoughts someone was captured in her beauty. He had returned to the room to grab a file but everything was forgotten seeing his wife. She looked angelic, with her wet hair trailing down her back. But the sadness on her face bothered him. She hadn't even noticed that he had walked in. "Zoya," he called out. She broke out of her trance and looked up. "Jee?" she asked. "Tum ready hogayi ho...toh office chale?" He asked. She felt her heart race thinking about being alone in the car with him. She didn't know if she could handle herself. "Actually Asad, mujhe thoda late hoga. Aap jayiye, main aajaungi," Zoya told him. "But why? I mean hum saath jasakthe hai. I will wait," he offered. "Nahi nahi! I am fine. Aap jayiye, main office aajaungi," Zoya said. Asad had a meeting to attend and he couldn't afford to be late. "Theek hai, I will see you in the office," he said. She just nodded and he left. She took a sigh and sat down. "Allah miyan, main saach mein pagal hojaungi," Zoya said to herself.
After she finished getting dressed, Zoya walked out to leave. "Zoya, kaha jarahi ho beta? Nashta nahi karna?" she heard Dilshad call out. She smiled slightly, "nahi Ammi, mujhe bhook nahi hai and I am getting late," Zoya replied. "Aise kaise? Kaam hota rahega par at least thoda khalo. Asad koh toh hamesha kaam mein hi dihaan rehta hai aur aabh tum bhi?" Dilshad lovingly scolded. "Asad ne nashta nahi kiya?" she asked concerned. "Nahi! Kitna bola maine but Asad kaha sunta hai. I am not letting you go, sit and eat," Dilshad ordered. "Par Ammi," Zoya started when Dilshad interrupted. "Mujhe kuch nahi suna hai. Aabh kya mujhe tume khilana padega?" she asked making Zoya laugh. "Theek hai," Zoya agreed as she took a seat at the table. Once she was done, Zoya took a paratha and wrapped it in foil. Bidding Dilshad farewell, she left for work. Reaching the office, Zoya debated how she was going to give the paratha to him. "Its not that hard Zoya, just go and give it to him," she encouraged herself but that didn't help. As she stood in the hallway contemplating, she felt someone tap her shoulder. Zoya turned around to see Vijay. "Great...what a wonderful start to the day," she thought. "Kya hua? Mera intezaar horaha hai?" he mocked. "I think mere paas aur bhi behatar cheeze hai karne ko," she retorted. "Of course, I know. Ooo, yeh kya hai? mere liye?" Vijay asked looking at the foil wrapped object in her hand. "I am sorry, yeh tumare liye nahi hai," Zoya said. "Ha ha, main itna special thodi hoon. But, can I have it please?" he questioned. "Dekho Vijay, yeh main laayi hoon. Agar tume chahiye toh main kal ladungi," she told him. Zoya was getting annoyed but she knew she couldn't act out in the office. So, she was trying really hard to keep her cool. "But, mujhe toh tumari banayi huwi cheez aaj hi taste karni hai," he said, snatching the roll out of her head. "Vijay, what are you doing? Give it back to me," Zoya said, as she tried to retrieve the paratha. "Oh...possessive, woh bhi ek paratha kehliye," he joked. "Dekho Vijay, it's not funny, just give it back," Zoya said. "Try and get it back," he said walking away. "Allah miyan...what's wrong with him?" she said, angrily. "Hey Zoya, what happened?" Aanchal asked, as she was also walking into office. "Yaar, yeh Vijay...iski problem kya hai? He is so...," Zoya said, upset. "Hua kya?" Aanchal wondered. "He took my paratha that I bought from home," she replied. Aanchal giggled, "Zoya, iss mein itni baadi baat kya hai? Paratha hi toh hai," Aanchal said, confused. "It's not that, main woh as...I mean apne liye laayi thi," Zoya told her. "It's ok yaar, no big deal. Vijay thoda flirty type hai. Tume breakfast chahiye toh main kuch order karoon?" Aanchal offered. "No, it's ok. Thanks," Zoya said, and left from there.
It wasn't about Vijay taking the food, it was about how he was behaving with her. When she had started, he had been so sweet and polite. "Paata nahi suddenly kya hogaya keh aise stupid baatein aur harkatein karne laaga, mujhe Asad koh baatana padega," she decided. Zoya changed her path and went towards his cabin. Without even knocking, she opened the door and froze. Crap, she thought seeing the meeting table full of people and with all those eyes towards her. Say something, her brain kept telling her but she felt her tongue stuck at the bottom of her mouth. As her eyes met hi s, he could see that she was embarrassed. "I am sorry, I am really sorry," he heard her shivering voice and the next moment, she disappeared. "How can you be so stupid Zoya? Itne saare log the waha par and you just barged in? Mr. Khan bahut gussa karenge...aaj toh main gayi. Allah miyan, save me!" she was talking to herself with her back towards him when he entered her office. "Main tum par chilane nahi wala hoon," she heard him say. Zoya turned around hearing his voice. "I am really sorry Asad," she said, feeling guilty. "Zoya, its fine. Tum theek hona? I mean you look tensed?" he asked, worried. "Nahi...kuch nahi...woh bas aise hi. Main baad mein baat karlongi," Zoya told him. "Are you really alright?" Asad asked, unsure. "Yeah Mr. Khan, aap waapas jayiye. Aap ki meeting haina," she reminded. "You are more important," he blurted. Zoya looked at him questioningly and Asad was surprised at himself. What was he saying, his brain retorted. "I should go...meeting," he mumbled and quickly left from there.
Asad returned back to the meeting but he just couldn't focus. Her gloomy eyes and worry filled face kept flashing in front of his eyes. It was almost lunch time and he hadn't gotten even a glimpse of her. He picked up the phone and ordered PrAsad to check on his wife. Minutes later, PrAsad came into the cabin. "Sir, Mam toh kaam karahi hai. She hasn't left the cabin since morning," he informed. "Aur lunch?" Asad questioned. "I don't know sir," PrAsad replied. "Ok, you may leave," Asad said. He was really going crazy! This has never happened that he had left his work, his clients, and was focusing on...on her. Why was he concentrating on her? He had so much work, and here he was worrying about his upset wife. He was turning into a typical, husband! Thinking about her, his mind returned to a moment in the past. One night, he had returned from work to see the house empty. Good...he needed peace. His head was really paining that day. Just then, his peaceful bubble of a world was broken hearing laughter from the one room he despised the most. "There goes my quiet evening," he thought angrily. Reaching her room, he saw the door was half ajar. As he slowed pushed the door open, his eyes laid on her. She saw dressed in a loose maroon and white salwar kameez, sitting on the bed, eating like she always did. Half the food was going on the bed and the rest in her mouth. "Come on Tamatar, thoda toh khalo. It's so good!" she exclaimed. "Nahi Zoya, you know I gained back 2 kgs, I have to lose it. Main khana nahi khasakthi,"Najma stated. "Najma, khana nahi khaungi toh weight gain nahi bahut saari problems hojayengi. Aur waise bhi, who doesn't love Chinese? It's the best food in the world,"Zoya said, as she took a bite. Najma smiled, "careful," she said as Zoya dropped one of piece of carrot on the bed. He couldn't take it anymore! "Yeh kya horaha hai yaha?" Asad said, barging into the room. "Mr. Khan...you want dinner? It's delicious chicken fried rice," Zoya offered, innocently. "Najma...clean this up right now," he ordered. "Jee bhai," Najma said, as she quickly started to pick up the pieces of food that were scattered on the duvet. "Mr. Khan, aap itna over react kyun karahe hai? It's just food," Zoya said, only making him angrier. "Ms. Faroorqui, maine aapko kitni baar kaha hai keh aap jab tak yaha hai theek se khayiye," he screamed. "Aap chila kyun rahe hai?" she pouted. "Aap hi ne kaha keh main table mein mess karti hoon toh main apne room mein kharahi hoon," Zoya told him. "Aap kahi nahi khayengi," he yelled. "What?" Zoya said shocked as she stood up on the bed. "Aap mujhe khana nahi denge? Bhooka rehna padega," she sulked. "Shut up Ms. Farooqui! And get down," he ordered. She did as told. "I am sorry Mr. Khan. Main khabhi phir mess nahi karungi but please don't deprive me of food," Zoya pleaded with a pout. At that moment, he almost wanted to smile. But, all he did was walk of the room. Sitting in his office, his lips curved into a smile recalling the incident. He knew what he had to do!
Zoya didn't know what else to do so she did the only good thing she could, focus on work. Her hands constantly typed and her eyes flickered from one point on the screen to the next, but she was frustrated. She was trying to find out the person behind the security breach. Whoever it was, they were very clever. They had hidden themselves pretty well. She had to find out what was going on, she thought. Zoya felt her stomach rumble. I am starving, lunch time hogaya and I don't even have food, she thought sadly. Just then, someone knocked on her door. "Yes, come in," Zoya called out. The secretary walked in, "Mam, yeh aap kehliye aaya hai," she informed. "Yeh kya hai?" Zoya wondered, taking the package in her hands. "Delivery guy aaya tha, aap kehliye diya hai," the secretary said. "Oh great, thanks," Zoya told her and the person left. "Maine toh khana order nahi kiya, phir yeh," Zoya thought. At that moment, her eyes fell on the receipt attached to the packet. "I hope you enjoy your favorite, tumara shohar - A," Zoya felt her jaw drop to the ground. "Her husband sent her food? That too Chinese? And with a note," she felt her heart flutter. Zoya kept staring at the piece of paper in her hand. Was it really for her? Was she dreaming? A little while later, Asad returned to his office and saw a note on his desk that read, "I came to find you in the office but you weren't here. Thank you for lunch, your wife - Z." His lips curved in a smile reading the note. At least, she was speaking to me again, he thought thankfully. He wanted to see her. Should he go? His heart kept debating but his feet already started on their own accord. Asad reached her office but before he could go in, he heard the laughter echo from her room. Her laughter made his heart fill with this pure sensation of peace. He didn't want to spoil it! He didn't want to take it away again. So, he stood there for a moment to admire her laughter and left from there.
It had been a week since the incident and Zoya wasn't able to overcome what happened. She tried to steer out of his way as much as possible. She knew that if anything like that happened again, she might not be able to gather herself back up again. Asad noticed the changes in her over the past week. The way she got anxious every time his hand touched hers, even by accident. Or how she tried to ignore him in the car when driving to the office. At work, his wife was confined to her room. She never left her cabin unless she absolutely had to. He checked up on her to ensure that she ate on time. He never stepped into that cabin but the food always reached her and he had Prasad inform him about anything that occurred. One night, Zoya was working in her cabin when she saw him walk in. "Hi," he said. She just smiled and looked at him questioningly. "Woh mujhe kuch kaam hai toh main jaraha hoon. Aap ghar chale jaana?" he said. "Yeah Mr. Khan, that's fine," Zoya replied. "Bye," Asad said, and left in a hurry. "Asad toh hamesha mera wait karte hai. Wonder...aisa kya hogaya keh itni jaldi mein jarahe hai," she wondered and went back to her work. Zoya was becoming frustrated with the person who trying to get into the system. She had tried to trace him but was unable to. The email that she had sent was still not opened so she couldn't track the hacker that way. Now, she had another idea. And it was only going to work if no one knew about it. She will tell Asad once she gets home that way no one from work can hear them. Zoya was waiting for a taxi when she heard his annoying voice again. "Allah miyan, why do you love me so much?" she mumbled sarcastically. "Can I give you a ride?" he offered. "Vijay, tume aur kohi kaam nahi hai? Get lost," Zoya said angrily. "Seems like you have someone more important to spend time with it?" he questioned. "Why do you have to poke your nose into everything? Mind your own business," Zoya stated as she waved down a taxi. "It's not your lucky day," Vijay flirted. "Go to hell," Zoya said, as she got into the car and drove away.
Reaching the Khan house, Zoya had decided that she will tell Asad everything. She was done with Vijay's stupid antics; Asad needed to know. Zoya paid the taxi and turned around to see the house was pitch black. "Yeh ghar itna adhera kyun hai? Aur Ammi aur Asad," she thought. As she walked inside, Zoya called out for her husband or her mother in law but there was no response. Reaching the room door, she found a note stuck on the door. "Meet me upstairs in the terrace," it read. "Upstairs? Why?" she thought out loud. Zoya carefully went through the stairs and opened the balcony door. Her heart skipped a beat seeing what was in front of her. There was a canopy set up with comfortable mattress on the ground. It was decorated with lights and strings of lilies. And she saw her husband waiting. "Mr. Khan, yeh sabh kya hai?" Zoya questioned, unsure. As much as heart fluttered with hope and her stomach twisted with anxiety, she wasn't going to assume anything until he actually said something. Dressed in a black kurta pajama, looking devilishly handsome, she saw her walk up to him. "Aaj raat hum yaha rahenge," Asad informed. "Why?" Zoya said confused. "Woh kya haina...hume joh khogaya woh doond na hai," he told her. "Doond na hai? What did you lose?" Zoya wondered. "Pichle daz dino se tumari joh muskurahat ghoom gayi hai, woh doond na hai," he said, his eyes fixed on hers. Zoya felt her heart race as she recalled what happened more than a week ago. "Asad, mujhe neeche jaana hai, Ammi is probably waiting," Zoya said. He encircled his hand around her wrist, "Ammi nahi hai ghar par," he informed. Zoya looked up at him shocked. That meant, she was alone with him; that they were alone. She tried to loosen his hold and leave from there. He tightened his grip and pulled her closer. "Why are you running away from me Zoya?" Asad asked. She looked away not having any response to his words. "I know I messed up but you also know keh main hamesha bina kuch chahiye bhi kuch na kuch galat karta hoon. I am sorry Zoya, give me a chance. Hum dost hai na aur shayad tum mujhse behtaar ek dost ho but give me a chance to be your friend, please," Asad requested. "Say no Zoya and get out of here! Say no and leave," her brain forced but her heart wouldn't let her lips move. She just silently nodded in agreement. Asad held her hand in his and took her to the canopy. They both took a seat. Asad was glad that she had agreed. When he had come up with the idea, he had been nervous about whether she will agree or not. Zoya, on the other hand, was telling herself that she was absolutely insane. Why had she agreed? "Jab bhi Asad keh saath akele rehati hoon toh kuch na kuch hota hai, Allah miyan please help me," she prayed.
The clock ticked as they both sat in silence, waiting for the other to speak. She sat with her knees against her chest and looked at the beautiful night sky. The nightly sky with the glittering stars, the shining moon always made her happy. Looking up, she felt closer to her Allah miyan. Asad too sat silently admiring his wife who was lost in her own world. She looked angelic with a slight smile and sparkling eyes as she distantly looked off in the darkness. Deep inside, he felt himself fill with peace. "Tume bhook nahi lagi?" he asked, breaking the silence. "I am starving but khana kaha hai? Ammi toh ghar mein nahi hai," Zoya said. "I ordered some dinner, ruko," Asad said and left from there. Minutes later, he returned with a box making Zoya happy and jumping with joy. "Pizza!" she screamed as she got up from the bed. Asad chuckled seeing her. Zoya took the box from him and started munching on her favorite. "I can't believe keh aapne mere liye pizza laaya, thank you," she said happily. Asad smiled and took a seat next to her. She offered him a slice but he refused. He felt content just looking at her eat with so much joy. Zoya was starving and getting her favorite was the best thing that she didn't think about anything else. "Tumara favorite color kya hai?" he asked. She almost choked on her morsel. Asad quickly patted her and offered her some water. Gulping down the fluid, she looked up at him. "Aap mujhse pooch rahe the?" Zoya said, surprised. "Tumari complaint thi keh main tumare baare mein kuch nahi jaanta toh I am trying to solve that problem," he replied. "Par achanak kyun?" Zoya said. "Mere paas kohi waja toh nahi hai. But bas yeh jaanta hoon keh mujhe jaan na hai," he stated. Zoya was stunned. He wanted to know about her? What was going on? Why has he done all this? "Zoya, jawab nahi dohgi?" Asad asked. "Huh?" she said, still in her own daze. "Favorite color?" Asad reminded. "Oh...blue," she replied. "Why?" he asked. "Because the sky is blue. Bachpan se hi asmaan bahut pasand tha. Upar dekhti thi toh lagtha tha keh apne saath hai," she explained. "Favorite movie?" Asad stated. "Nahi Mr. Khan...agar ek sawaal aapka hai toh ek mera," Zoya said. "Ok fine, ask," he told her. "Main yeh toh jaanti hoon keh aapka favorite color black hai par yeh nahi jaanti kyun?" she questioned. "Because the sky is black. Tume uski subhe ki khoobsurti pasand hai aur mujhe uska raat ka andhera," Asad replied. Zoya knew he was talking about his childhood and what had happened. It must have been hard to live without a father, she thought. "I am so...," Zoya began to speak when he interrupted, "Please don't apologize, it's not your fault." "Favorite movie?" Asad said. "Meri list bahut lambi hai. Saare Salman Khan ki movies meri favorite hai. You know I just love Salman! Woh itna handsome hai, uska face itna handsome hai aur uski body...," she stopped herself before blurting out anymore. Asad saw his wife shyly bite her lower lip and smile. "Tume joh bhi bolna hai bolsakthi ho," he suggested. "No, I am fine," she said, a pink tint filling her cheeks. "Aap boliye, aapka favorite actor aur movie kyon hai?" Zoya said, trying to divert the topic. "Main movies nahi dekhta," he replied. "What? Aap movies nahi dekhte? Kyon sa normal insaan movie nahi dekhta?" she exaggerated. "Main," Asad firmly stated. "Aap bilkul bhi normal nahi hai Mr. Khan," Zoya accused. "Excuse me?" Asad said, getting angry. Zoya saw the pulse trump against his temple. "I mean...I am sorry. Tum chup nahi reha sakthi Zoya," she said, mumbling the second part to herself. Brushing his anger off, "Tumara favorite cuisine?" He questioned. "Chinese, pizza, chaat, desserts,...everything actually. I just love food! Bachpan se main...," Zoya told him happily but suddenly stopped feeling him move closer to her. "I can tell," he whispered as his thumb touched the corner of her lips. Zoya closed her eyes in bliss and her breaths increased in pace. Asad smiled as he wiped off the pizza sauce. His eyes fell on her soft, pink lips. He recalled the taste of them against his own. Her eyes opened and looked into his coffee brown orbs. Asad felt something ignite within him. A fire that he could feel filling up inside him. But, he was afraid that this fire would destroy him, destroy them both. Asad jerked back and moved away from her.
Zoya felt the warmth disappear and her heart yearn. How she wished this warmth stayed with her forever. She saw the uneasiness creep up on his face and knew that he wasn't ready. He wasn't ready to commit to her like that. But, why was she feeling bad? Weren't they just friends? Isn't that what this was supposed to be? "Kaha kohgayi?" Asad said, snapping her fingers in front of her. "Kahi nahi. Aap pochiye," Zoya probed. "Tumne computers kyun choose kiya?" he said. "I don't know. I think mujhe puzzles bahut pasand hai toh computers kahi na kahi puzzles ki taara hote hai. I like putting the pieces together and making it work," Zoya replied. "Aapne construction kyun choose kiya?" she wondered. "I guess same reason. Mujhe chote chote cheeze milakar kuch baada banana accha lagtha hai," Asad told her. She smiled. "Agar aapke bachpan keh baare mein poochongi toh gussa honge?" she asked, unsure. Asad nodded negatively, "Jab Abu saath the toh mera bachpan bahhut hi accha tha. Lekin jab woh gaye," Zoya saw him become stiff and struggle to find words. Zoya took his hand into hers, and intertwined their fingers together. He paused looking at their joined palms, and that seem to make him feel better somewhere deep down. "Unke jaane keh baad kahi na kahi mera bachpan bhi koh gaya. Ammi koh kaam karna paada taaki woh mera aur Najma ka khayal rak sake. Phir maine bhi kohi na kohi kaam karna shuru kardiya so I can help Ammi. Saari zindagi maine sirf yeh chaha hai keh meri Ammi aur behen koh woh sabh deh sako jiske woh haqdaar hai," Asad said sadly. "You have done very well for them, aaj yeh sabh aapki wajase toh hai," Zoya said, as her eyes shined with pride. A small smile crept up on his lips. "Your childhood should have been fun! Being the only child and all," he teased. Zoya's smile faltered and she debated about telling him the darkest secret of her life. Should she? But, she had promised that she would never bring this up. In that moment, Zoya made a decision. She wouldn't break her promise...never! "Of course, best childhood with the best parents. I didn't have siblings but I had a lot of great friends. Agar hum khabhi bhi New York gaye toh main aapko unn sabh se milaungi," she said with a grin. Time ticked away and they talked about their childhood, about life, about their future. Nothing seemed to stop them today. Evening turned into night and night became dawn but their conversations didn't seem to end. As the sun came up in the horizon, "look...sunrise!" Asad pointed. When there was no response, he turned to see his beautiful wife snoozing. A huge smile creeped up on to his lips as his fingers traced the strand of hair behind her ear. "This is definitely the best sunrise of my life, thank you Zoya," Asad whispered. The next moment, he bent closer and placed a kiss on her forehead. He felt her snuggle closer to him and Asad too became comfortable as sleep took over him.
Hey guys,
I know I have been MIA for a long time but I had to go out of the country for school purposes and we really didn't have stable internet where I was. Just got back a week or so ago and had finals. I am really sorry for keeping you waiting. Hope you guys like the chapter, looking forward to your comments 😃 Edited by asyasahil928 - 9 years ago
Bigg Boss 19
Bade Achhe Lagte Hain
124