ASYA TS : The Flower Girl
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Shot One
It had been more than a week that Zoya had seen her, her most regular customer and the only one to have seen in her something or rather someone more than just a flower girl. She wondered what went wrong that the only person that she was able to build a bond with had suddenly stopped coming to her shop, was it something she'd said or done to have upset her only friend. She had been feeling dejected that she didn't notice the lights change at the crosaing and was still walking when she heard the sudden blaring cars. Startled with the sudden noise of the numerous cars honking and the traffic almost coming onto her, Zoya froze in her tacks her eyes widening as the consequences of her mindlessness registered. She screamed with all her might when she felt a strong hand gripping her wrist and then felt herself being pulled forwards, the bunch of yellow Lillie's falling all around them.
She fell with a loud thud but didn't feel any pain. Her fall was cushioned by another body. She found herself sprawled on top of another person. Her wrist still gripped in one hand, her other hand rest against a man's chest she knew and she could feel his muscles rippling underneath his shirt. Feeling embarrassed she tried to pull herself together trying to get up when she fell right back against his chest. She felt his arm going around her waist to steady her and then felt him loosening his hold on her wrist. With both his arms around her waist, she felt extremely awkward and uncomfortable with a stranger holding her petit waist in the most intimate way. As she looked up she felt herself drowning in the most intense hazel eyes that she has ever seen. She felt herself being drawn into them and forgetting where she was. Her body betraying her, she felt herself melting into the warmth of this stranger. She was pulled out from her mesmerized state when she heard him.
"Are you OK?" Zoya looked on not knowing what he meant until she felt his arms loosen around her and then with a gentle push she found herself under him as he rolled them to reverse their positions. He got up and extended his hand for her to take. Only then did she realize that she had still been laying atop him. As she saw him extend his hand, Zoya held on to it and felt this stranger pull her up. Coming back to standing on her feet she dusted her clothes and looked up when she heard him again. "Are you OK?" Looking back at him she nodded her head "Yeah! Am ok." "You should watch where you're going. Crossing the road in a daze like this can cost you your life. Haven't your parents taught you the basics of road safety? You could have gotten killed." She heard him scold her as if she was a small child.
She looked at him still dusting her clothes and said under her breath "I know and I've been taught alright! But no one cares now... no one who would be waiting for me to return home." "What?" "Nothing." Trying to forget the reality of her life she smiled at him. "Thank you for saving me. I know I was careless but was thinking about someone very important." "Nothing and no one is more important than you". As Zoya heard that her eyes widened hearing him and her head snapped in his direction "Excuse me!". Realizing the true meaning of his own words his eyes widened too and he looked back at her, mirroring her shock. "I didn't mean it the way it sounds. What I meant was that you should be careful and that nothing and no one is mooe important than your own life... not to me... but for your own self". Understanding his words she nodded her head and thanking him once again she turned around and walked in the direction of her home. Unaware to her, the stranger stood there looking at her retreating back, his heart gone with the girl whose innocent eyes had mesmerized him. "Take care Lady. Stay safe" said Asad as he saw her walk away.
Zoya walked into her empty house feeling worse than what she had in years. The five minute interaction that she had with this stranger had her body, mind and soul craving for him. She had never felt this way and didn't know what to do about these strange sensation that she felt coursing through her body. No matter how hard she tried to forget the intensity of those eyes, she couldn't remove their image from her mind. Whenever she closed her eyes, she could see them looking back at her, could feel them looking deep into her soul as if seeking for something she didn't know there was. Feeling frustrated with us self she walked into the shower wanting to wash away these feelings that tugged at her heart leaving her body with goosebumps.
Not too far away, another being felt the same sensations within him. For the first time ever, Asad felt himself drawn to the sadness in the eyes of another woman. Never had he felt this drawn by the loneliness that her eyes had expressed in those few minutes. He felt a pull towards her as if her soul was reaching out to him asking him to take her out of the darkness that surrounded her innocent heart. He spent a great deal of time that night thinking about the woman whose soul seemed to be calling out to him. He spent the night tossing and turning in his bed unable to fall asleep as her eyes kept hunting him through the night. With the break of dawn he prayed to The Almighty, promising himself to find The Flower Girl and to help her come out of the darkness that she had let engulf her. He walks out of his room to find his mother in the kitchen preparing breakfast for both of them. Walking up to her he greeted her.
Dilshad could instantly see that's her son had not slept well. "Haven't you slept well? What kept you awake all night?" Asad smiled as he knew his Ammi would know in an instant. He looked at her wanting to tell her about yesterday and how he felt after his interaction with that stranger but then decided not to, as he himself was confused and didn't have any explanation for these weird feelings. "Nothing Ammi, just the usual, office work". Asad lied to his Ammi well aware that he couldn't explain anything to anyone when he was confused himself. He left for office, still trapped in the thoughts of his stranger, her eyes and their innocence not leaving him alone. As the days went by, Asad knew that he had to find this stranger, had to know the reason behind her sadness and so began his quest that led him to trace his steps back from that day. He went back to where he had first seen her, living every moment of that interaction, standing by the road he relived every moment. He remembers seeing her for the first time and walks up to the same point where he had seen her for the first time. He looks in the same direction as where she had come from and longingly looks at the street wishing for her to appear again but it didn't happen. He feels dejected that this was the closest he could be to her, he walks back to his car and drives back home.
It had now been close to two weeks that Zoya had last seen her. She missed Dilshaad terribly and her absence for so long had only left Zoya anxious and deeply worried about her health. She had been ardently praying to the one above for the safety and good health of Dilshaad. She felt helpless as there was no way she could know if everything was ok with Dilshaad until it struck her and she ran for the feedback books that were kept in the back of the store. Frantically she flipped through pages trying to find the only entry Dilshaad had ever made. Zoya knew that she would find her contact details there. After spending a good part of the afternoon Zoya managed to find it. Feeling elated she quickly dialed the number and waited with baited breath for the phone to be answered. She is completely taken by surprise when a man answered the phone.
"Hello!"
She removed the phone from her ear and looked at it completely confused when she heard the man again. "Hello!" "Hello! May I speak with Mrs Dilshaad Khan?" Asad's eyes furrowed as this was a very young girl he could make out who was asking for his Ammi. Zoya waited for a few seconds before she spoke again"Hello?" "Yes! Yes! Of course. May I know whose calling". Zoya thought for a moment and said "The Flower Girl. She would recognize me with that." As Asad heard her, his heart skipped several beats before he responded "OK" in barely a whisper.
As he walked towards his mother's room, his thoughts rushed towards HIS flower girl. He couldn't stop his heart from wishing that this was the same girl but his mind chided him for expecting too much and being so childish. He shook his head bringing himself out of her thoughts. "Ammi, there's a call for you." He said walking into her room. Dilshaad smiled at him taking the phone from him. Asad looked on as his mother spoke, her eyes shining with happiness. He walks back out of the room looking over his shoulder once to see his Ammi genuinely happy for the first time in the last fortnight. Smiling to himself Asad thanks 'The Flower Girl ' for making Dilshaad smile. With the minor accident, she was now restricted to her bed that had made her very grumpy and only Asad knew how he was keeping his cool to watch his Ammi throw tantrums like a 5 year old. He knew that Dilshaad had been feeling extremely lonely since the time of her accident that had forced her to stay home. She was a very independent woman who didn't like to sit at home. She loved the daily routine of her walks, her running around to do her every day chores and her indulgence of watching plays. But now had no choice as her son wouldn't listen to her one bit and was always around to keep an eye on her.
Dilshaad thanked Zoya for her concern and assured her that it was only an ankle sprain but that her son was overreacting and being over protective. While they are still in conversation, Asad notices how his Ammi's eyes twinkle and wishes that she always stays as happy as she looked now. As her phone call ends Dilshaad notices him standing by the door and motions for him to come in. "What were you thinking Asad? You had a far away look in your eyes" "Nothing! Was only thanking HIM to have returned your smile". Dilshaad shook her head smiling at his concern and then to tease him said "I will see how concerned you will be about Me once you get married or even fall in love. Then am sui will be second on the list with someone else grabbing the first spot". Asad shook his head vigorously "Not gonna happen Ammi. You will always remain Numero Uno for me".
Not too far away, in her shop Zoya heaves a sigh of relief after her small phone call with Dilshaad. Ahe was happy to know that her most favorite customer was well. She had missed the warmth that she always felt in Dilshad's company. Not havinga mother of her own, Zoya had always felt a strange pull towards Dilshaad that told her that this is what a mother is like. The warmth that radiated from her never failed to warm Zoya's heat and that is what had led them to get acquainted on a personal front too. Zoya had found a mother figure in Dilshaad. She didn't know if this meant anything more to Dilshaad or not, by she was happy to know that Dilshaad was alright. In her dazed state, Zoya made a bunch of flowers just the way Dilshaad liked them. She hit herself on the top of her head as she lovingly looked at the beautiful yellow Lillie's. Not knowing if it would be appropriate to send them or not Zoya placed them in the vase on her desk. It had become a ritual for her to do so every day as it made her feel connected with Dilshaad. She closed her eyes and prayed for her speedy recovery. Like Zoya, Dilshaad too missed their little interactions. With Asad always busy with his work, unknowingly, she had found in Zoya the daughter that she always wanted.
On the other hand, Asad had been thinking about His flower girl. He could still feel the softness of the petals against his skin as they had tumbled out of her hands and fallen his cheeks as she had pulled her out of harm's way making her fall on him. He could still vividly remember the softness of those flowers. How she had looked on, completely scared at first and then the sudden change in her eyes that had gone from scared to bewildered to shocked finally settling on to sad in only a couple of seconds. He wondered what it could be that had caused so much sadness to her. He felt a strong pull towards her, as if the sadness in those eyes pulling him in and asking him to relieve her of all the sorrow that she had bottled inside her. Knowing what he was feeling and exactly what he wanted, Asad decided to re- trace his steps from that day, wanting to find his Flower Girl.
The next morning, as Zoya opened her shop, the first thing she did was prepare the same bouquet. But this time instead of keeping it with herself, she decided to send it to Dilshaad. She wanted to surprise her and make her happy; and that is what the flowers did. They did lift Dilshaad's mood and brought to her lips a smile that Asad had not seen since the accident. As he sat for breakfast he asked her "What made my ammi smile like that? What is it that made you so happy and brought this dazzling smile on your lips? What is it that did this? Something your own son couldn't do?" Shaking her head and smiling at how he looked jealous and curious atbthe same time, Dilshaad pointed in the direction of the flowers that she had placed next to the couch in the living room right across the room.
Asad is more shocked than surprised seeing exactly the same bunch of flowers in his house. Unconsciously, he got up and walked up to the them. He caressed them and as of on cue, his eyes closed of their own accord and he could feel their softness against his face and the thoughts of his Flower Girl drowning him completely. He was brought out of his reveire when he heard Dilshaad call his name. Smiling at them he went back to the table and as he ate he found himself asking Dilshaad about the flowers. "Ammi, who sent those flowers?" "Zoya, the girl who called the other day. She's got a beautiful flower shop nearby. That's where I first met her and it became my habit of sorts to go to her shop every day. Buying flowers was just an excuse to meet her... she's a beautiful soul, so giving, so selfless, so pure that you feel only positivity around her. She's been like therapy for me, bringing me happiness always" she finished off with a far away look in her eyes and a soft smile on her lips.
Asad was too intrigued by what his Ammi had told him and had decided to go meet this girl who it seems had a spell on her. He was extremely curious to know and to experience it himself for all that his Ammi had said about Zoya. So the next morning, Asad took the address of her shop from Dilshaad and made way to meet this girl. He drove barely a few minutes and across the street saw the name of the shop on a big board written in beautiful calligraphy. He realised that this was the same route he took to office and back every day and that how ignorant he has been to have never noticed this beautiful shop ever. He sat in his car looking at the initial hustle bustle of the market as the shops started opening for the day. His attention is diverted when his phone rings and he gets busy with a call from his assistant at work. But soon his eyes catch some familiar colors and his eyes fix on to the girl who walked passed his car with the same yellow Lillie's that she had been carrying the other day. His eyes fixed on her, Asad sees her smiling wide at every passersby not bothered who reciprocated her smile and greetings and who didn't, her smile not fading for even a fraction of a second. He watched her, captivated by her innocence, by her simplicity and the positivity that seemed to be pulling him toward her.
He waited for her to open her shop and as soon as she turned the sign to open, he got off his car and locking it he walked straight into the shop. As the door shuts, jingling the bells letting her know there was a customer, he heard her call out "Good Morning! Will be out in a moment". He looked around the shop noticing how she had done up the whole place. He could make out the difference between this shop and the other flower shops that he had been to. He could see small details here and there that must have been her personal touch when doing up the shop. He had just turned around when he saw her enter from a back door smiling her warm smile. "Good morning, how may I help you?" She said but suddenly her smile faltered and a dash of recognition flashed in her eyes. "Hey! I know you! You're the same person who saved me the other day." She said smiling wide at him and her eyes shining with gratitude. Asad felt as if he'd been caught red handed and opened his mouth to say something but only managed to nod his head.
She thanked him once again for saving her that day "Thank you for your help the other day, I'm sorry that I wasn't careful. I had been caught up in my thoughts about a dear one." Before he could stop, he heard himself say "I know." Zoya looked at him curiously and saw his eyes widen as he realised what he'd just said. "How do you know?" She asked getting suspicious. "Aa... that.. that I remember. You'd said the same thing that day" he said, quickly covering up for the slip. Zoya nodded thinking back, trying to remember. After a moment she shook her head and with a bright smile she asked him "OK! That was that day, how can I help you today?" Asad sighed softly, letting go of the breath he was holding onto and looking around said "I guess am here to pick flowers." Zoya laughed at his response and lightly hitting herself on her forehead said "Of course. Which ones would you like." Asad knew what he was looking for but pretended to be selecting from the hundreds that she had. Then spotting the yellow Lillie's pointed towards them. Those, I'd like a bunch of those."
As she saw what he wanted her head snapped back in his direction and she felt her heart picking up pace. "Does he remember that day so well? Is there a hidden meaning to him asking for the same flowers or am I reading too much between the lines? How did he find my shop? Is it a coincidence or a deliberate attempt he's made? Why is my heart beating so fast? Why do I want to believe what my heart is thinking and not go with what my brain says? What is my mind telling me? Am I even listening to it? Is it even saying anything or is it too in a mess like my heart?" Zoya found herself getting lost in her own thoughts when she heard him snap his fingers in front of her eyes. "Are you ok? You seemed to have zoned out completely" "Aa... Yes! Am fine! Am fine! You were saying... oh yes! You wanted the yellow Lillie's. How many in a bunch would you like Mr..." she trailed off realizing she didn't know his name. She looked up only to find him staring at her intently.
"Khan! Asad Ahmed Khan." Feeling flustered under his intense gaze, Zoya quickly mumbled an "OK" and turned around hurrying towards the basket to prepare the bunch. "I'd like a dozen in that bunch". She heard him call after her and nodded her head for acknowledgment. Quickly preparing the bunch she handed it to him "You have a great choice in flowers, these are my personal favorite too". She said while lovingly caressing them. Asad looked up at her and very softly said "They are my favorite too". She looked at him her eyes searching his, for what, she couldn't understand herself. All she knew was that here was a man, who only a few days ago had saved her life and ever since had been invading her thoughts. There had not been a spare moment when his thoughts had not crossed her mind, when she had not intentionally thought about him. How she had been drawn towards him from the first moment was beyond her. She knew there was more to them but how, where, when and what she couldn't tell. All she knew was she had fallen head over heels for this man and at this moment there wasn't anything more that she could ask for. Yes she knew nothing about him, but she didn't want to find out anything either , she wasn't planning on doing anything about her feelings. She knew she was alone but never had she thought about a relationship and a partner, she was so toed up in her daily routine that he thought of a partner never crossed her mins. Currently, she was happy that he came in today and all she hoped was that he would drop by again. She would pray for that she knew.
Collecting the flowers and making the payment, Asad strode to his car. As he ignited the engine He looked out the window watching her look back in his direction, her eyes fixed on his car. His heart picked up pace anticipating that she felt the same pull as he did. He sat there a couple more moments watching her look back. His heart hoping for a lot more than just this one meeting, a lot more than just this little exchange, a lot more than just flowers between them and a lot more than just this distant silent exchange. With a little hope in his heart he drove off towards his office with the flowers he had purchased, to be placed in his cabin as a way to stay connected to the girl who seemed to have struck a chord within and since the day that he had laid eyes on her all he did was think about her. But every time her words rang in his ears about thinking of someone special, his heart would dip causing it to ache with fear, uncertainty and want.
P.S. The drill guys. Please let me know what you felt reading this one. Have I lost touch as a writer? Was it too long? Do I need to make any changes to my style? Uff! So may questions that are running in my mind and I would love to get replies for all of them. Please do hit the like button if you liked it and give me suggestions to improve if that's the case. Love you all ... Mwah!!!!
Edited by ChocoBerry - 9 years ago
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