This OS is post Mangalpur incident when Zoya comes to know about her miraculous recovery and the tragic death by being buried alive. Dilshad and Najma still are in dark about the entire incident. And Asad is also having a hard time coming to term with what happened but he told Zoya about everything.
The week had started like any other week in Bhopal for Asad and Zoya. At least that's what they both thought but they were in for a roller coaster ride. Their little stint at Mangalpur had had its ripple effect and that's what they were about to witness that day. Post that incident Asad had come to know one truth that for his sanity and him to survive he had to be away from Zoya for she was a drug that consumed him completely and utterly and no matter how much he denied it, that fear of losing her devoured his days and nights alike. He had decided to avoid her like plague and did everything in his capacity to not listen to her or cross pathways with her.
And he was doing pretty good for himself at least that's what he thought until those times when he stole glances at her when he thought she wasn't looking and especially at night when everyone was asleep, and he had those bone chilling nightmares about not being able to find her at the right time and some even worse when he couldn't revive Zoya back to life, Even in dreams he felt as if his own life was draining so even though when he woke up and promised himself to stay away from trouble or Zoya, for him nothing had ever troubled him so much in his life as Zoya did, he ended up obsessing about her, or her safety at least that's what he told himself.
On the other hand was Zoya who after learning about what truly had transpired in Mangalpur had surprisingly shown a brave face and was behaving as if nothing was wrong and she was perfectly alright, but Asad knew better for if that incident was having such a hard time on him, he could just imagine what she must be going through. In a way he was kind of impressed by her resilience and courage that she was showing but he feared for her. He had even suggested counseling but she had refused any kind of help whatsoever.
So that night when everyone excused themselves to bed Asad realized that sleep eluded him since he didn't want to witness those nightmares of loosing Zoya again so on the pretext of office work he stayed up late going through paper work but around midnight he decided to sleep, it had been two hrs of relentless tossing and turning and finally he gave up and went to the window, opened it to inhale some fresh air and then decided to get himself some water, when nearing the kitchen he had to pass through Zoya's room and heard some noises.
Now normally he wouldn't enter a girl's room without permission but at this hour he was probably sure, Zoya was sleeping and probably having a nightmare so he just went inside and his worst agony came true, Zoya was restless in her sleep and tossing and was breathing hard, it didn't take a genius to realize that she was reliving that same scenario and was deeply upset, so Asad decided to hold her hand and sooth her fears, he wasn't up to waking her up so he just said some words to calm her and sooth her fears, and it was like Zoya was searching for him in her dreams for the moment Asad held her hand, Zoya breathed a sigh of relief and uttered in a distressed and tired was, " Oh thank u Allah Miya, finally I found Asad, now everything will be fine, he'll protect me." The moment Zoya said those words Asad knew that now he won't be able to leave so he sat down beside Zoya on the bed and holding onto her hand told her that she needn't worry as everything will be just fine. He told her that what he liked about her was that she was that brave girl who was fearless and since they were together no evil could touch them. Little did he know those soothing words had a balm like effect on Zoya's subconscious mind and she went into a deep peaceful slumber where she was close to Asad who was sweet and nice to her, who not only rescued her but wouldn't let any harm come to her.
At that hour of the night two people who avoided looking at each other or abhorred the idea of spending time in each other's company, who lied to even worrying about each other, had let down their guards and in their most private time were being honest to each other. Ironically what they were lying about the whole time was their hearts deepest desire which was to be by each other.
In the morning Asad woke up with a start and realized he was still holding onto Zoya's hand and somehow her head was on his chest and she was almost purring. She looked just so innocent and adorable that time, that Asad was rooted to his spot but finally deciding against his judgment he adjusted her head on the pillow and got down to go to his room giving her a last glance. He said a quick prayer to Allah to protect this special one from all harm and then left.
When Zoya's alarm went off she almost threw the clock for she didn't want to wake up and did her best to hold onto her dream where she was with this amazing version of Asad. She even pretended to sleep a little more so her brain would take the signal and continue with the dream but as the dream was fading, Zoya became agitated for she didn't want to part ways with this Asad. It was as if she would have gone sleeping just to be in the crook of his arms and feel safe again. It was her own safe haven but then she heard Phupi's voice for breakfast and the dream went away. When she was finally up she realized that after a long time she felt as if she had had a goodnight's sleep, though she remembered vaguely those nightmares coming but what she remembered most was Asad being there and that warm and safe feeling that she had. With that thought in her mind she went out to join everyone on the breakfast table.
That day Asad had also decided to work from home since he just had some conference calls to make but secretly he wanted to be near Zoya where he could make sure she was fine. Little did he know that his unknowing decision to stay behind would be a wise one as around the time he was having breakfast with his Ammi and Tamatar, they announced that they had to go visit some cousin and they'll be late returning home.
After that Asad went inside his room to attend to his conference calls, Zoya was doing something of her own on her Ipad when she heard some noise out in the garden area, so out of curiosity she went out thinking that maybe it was Asad's brother who might have come to meet him in absence of his mother. But she was in store for a shock for she came face to face with Mariyam, Asad's cousin from Mangalpur whom she had helped elope. It still disgusted her knowing that her own parents wanted her to marry her rapist. But more so looking at her she knew that she had to tell Asad for looking at Mariyam had brought her fears to surface and in times of trouble she just remembered one face so she took Mariyam to Asad's room and knocked his door.
What they both weren't admitting to each other in their conscious states their lying hearts were giving it away in such moments. Now Zoya knew that everything from there would be fine since her knight in shining armor was there with her.
…………….Trouble times coming ahead but fear not, they are together😊😛…….
Ishaani
Cricket
5