Chapter 6: Ensnared
Zoya was trapped in a vortex of emotions - yearning, apprehension, disbelief and the fear of getting caught. But most of all, she couldn't suppress the flame of desire that Asad had ignited her. What they'd shared in the room had been phenomenal, or so she'd thought, but with this life-altering kiss, Asad was set on proving her wrong.
Carried away, Zoya bit his lower lip, as Asad deepened the kiss. He jerked in response. She pulled back from the kiss, horrified. "Uh oh, did I hurt you, Mr. Khan?"
Asad ran his lip over the red bruise that was beginning to form where her teeth had sunk in, a tad harder perhaps. His gaze fixated on her anxious eyes, Asad couldn't help but smile.
"Naah... though I might have some explaining to do tomorrow," he responded, and started laughing as her skin flushed in embarrassment, and she looked away, trying hard to avert his gaze.
"Ice! Yes ice, Mr. Khan. That should help the pain. Let me get you some!" she pondered aloud and tried to wriggle out of his arms.
Zoya the problem solver was back at it! Asad didn't let her go. He laughed harder, amused.
She looked at him, confused and then irritation simmered. What was so funny?!
"Ice - yeah, but not for my lip, if you know what I mean," he said finally, his eyes teasing hers. He smiled, and her heart skipped.
The inference was not lost on her! Zoya smiled and bit her lip nervously. Girl, get a hold of yourself, this is Asad Ahmed Khan, where's your mind wandering and what are you doing in his arms!
She stepped out of his embrace, using her hands to entangle herself from Asad's strong arms. She didn't want to but she had to. Pretending to stifle a yawn, she mumbled, "I'm sorry, just feeling a wee bit tired. Think I'll head to bed, good night Mr. Khan."
Asad let her go without protest. He could sense her emotional withdrawal. The pensive look on her face was a dead giveaway.
"Oh sorry, Zoya... How insensitive of me! You should be taking it easy, and here I am, literally on the... uh... offensive," said Asad, stepping back, raking his hair with his hands. "Good night, and take care. You go ahead and rest. I'll clean up around here."
Zoya smiled weakly and retreated to her room before either of them could change their minds.
She needed space, physical distance. This whole evening seemed surreal; like she had woken up in a parallel universe where Asad and she, who were normally at loggerheads, now couldn't keep their hands off each other.
Zoya fluffed up the pillows, reminiscing about her pillow fight with Asad and found herself taking a deep breath as she hugged the pillow Asad had been holding. Her body tingled as she remembered his hands on her, and she snuggled under the coverlet, pillow in hand.
What was wrong with her?! She was fantasizing about Asad Ahmed Khan!! Fine, he was a gorgeous specimen of manhood, but that didn't mean he wasn't judgmental and really difficult to live with. Not to forget, he had such a low opinion of her... but that hadn't stopped him from getting intimate. Yet, he'd gone all out to be considerate and had taken care of her, never overstepping boundaries.
"Stop this Zoya! You're getting obsessed now!" she muttered softly.
She was angry at herself, and irritated with Asad but she couldn't get him out of her mind. Why? What was it about today? Her fragile state of mind, the tenderness with which Asad had cared for her when she was in gut-wrenching pain? Or the passion that had exploded after?
Either way, he was getting under her skin and knowing she had the same effect on him, made feigning indifference a whole lot more difficult now.
***
Asad settled on his couch with a book, but he couldn't concentrate.
He had to process this. How else was he going to face her tomorrow... he'd admitted to feeling something for her, he'd kissed her senseless and had out of compassion, helped her. Would she read too much into this? Was there something to read into this?
As he turned to return the book to its rightful place on the shelf, he couldn't help noticing the angry red bruise on his lip, a reminder of Zoya's innocent passion.
Heck! He'd just complicated his own life.
***
Dilshad and Najma readied the table for breakfast as Zoya sauntered in, in a sunflower-yellow, flowing maxi dress.
"As Salam Alaikum Zoya," Najma chirped. "Looking lovely in - that color suits you!"
"Wa Alaikum Salaam Phuphi, Tamaatar," Zoya replied and smiled a little too brightly. "Lovely na... I love it because it makes me feel bright and sunshiny," she added before swirling around, her hands outstretched, the long sleeves fall away gently as the hem of the skirt kissed her ankles.
Dilshad and Najma smiled. Zoya was a breath of fresh air, a bright ray of sunshine in their lives.
Their little tableau came to an end when Asad strode, head buried in with the morning's paper, and collided with Zoya. The newspaper flew, as Asad reached out to steady Zoya but it was too little too late, and the two of them landed in a heap, in each other's arms.
Asad recovered first and saw his mother and sister peering down at them, their mouths in a perfect O, the surprise in their eyes obvious.
"What happened to your lip, Bhai jaan?" Najma queried, her finger pointed at Asad's bruised lip.
As Asad and Zoya helped each other up, he pretended not to hear the question till his mother followed up, "Yes Asad, what happened to your lip?"
Zoya blushed and stepped away, but Asad continued to look at her as he answered the women in his life, "Got stung by a bee I think," and settled down on his chair for his cup of coffee after rescuing the paper.
"A bee?! How?! Whe.?!" they both yelled in unison but stopped midway as the stern expression on his face silenced them.
Najma scurried away, but Dilshad stood her ground and continued to hold her son's gaze. His gaze softened and she smiled. Her hunch was right... something was up!
Chapter 7: Complicated
Edited by adeeti10 - 12 years ago
Kabhi Neem Neem Kabhi Shahad Shahad
Shiv Shakti
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