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"Phupi, I was wondering.. if it's okay for my colleague to meet me here?" Zoya asked, slightly uncertain.
Her eyes were red around the rims and her hair was in a messy pony tail. One look at her crestfallen face and Dilshad knew something was wrong.
"Zoya of course you can! Why the formality?" She brushed her hair back in a motherly gesture and continued, " This is like your house, how many times have I told you that?"
She smiled lightly and gave her phupi a hug. Her mood considerably better at the prospect of meeting a friend.
"You're the best phupi!" Her smile didn't quite reach her eyes but her disposition was certainly less gloomy all the same.
Zoya snap out of it. Stop thinking about that Akudu Ahmed Khan. He is not worth it.
But his harsh words still rang in her ears. Why did he have to be so judgemental? More so, why did it bother her that he judged her wrong? He never gave her the benefit of doubt, always jumping to conclusions. All because she dared to speak her mind and wore what she liked?
Asad Ahmed Khan was everything Zoya Farooqui despised in a man - narrow minded, chauvinistic and judgemental.
And yet, for someone who always put men in their place, she cared a bit too much about what he thought.
Zoya was a lot of things, but not dumb. She knew she had a crush on Mr Jahapanna Six Packs.
A love-sick fool. I'm 25 not 15 and I should damn well remember that. This man doesn't care about me. He wants a puppet who heeds to all his whims and fancies. Someone like Tanveer. A nasty voice in her head added.
Zoya snap out of it.
As she repeated her pep talk in her head she collided with the devil himself.
"Are you so clumsy that you can't even walk straight Miss Farooqui?"
He was looking at her with that same indifferent, holier than thou attitude and damn if that didn't piss her off.
A smirk lined her face.
"Mr Khan, I was perfectly poised. But I understand with that big head and ego of yours, it's easy to lose balance. So really I forgive you."
If he thought that he could just put her down and walk away like he owned the world, well he had a another thing coming for him. The moping had gone on long enough; it's time for some sass.
She gave him a breezy smile and walked off.
Two can play this game Mr Khan.
She walked into her room, determined. She was going to enjoy her evening with a good friend and there was nothing anyone could do about that.
No Jammy or his childhood friend was going to ruin her evening.
She looked idly at the mirror and gasped at the refection that stared back at her.
She was a mess.
I look like a moron and a beaten down dog. Allah miyya, what's wrong with me?
She took a quick shower and opted to wear some decent clothes that did not scream ; hey look at me I'm sulking.
Blue always looked good on her. So she wore a blue kurta over her brand new black jeans, lined her eyes with khol and brushed her hair, leaving it loose.
You clean up good Zoya Farooqui.
With a contended nod she looked at the clock, as if on cue the door bell rang.
With a spring in her step she went to get the door. But someone got there earlier. Someone whose face she really didn't want to see. She glared at the back of his head.
A New York accent snapped her out of her mini glaring session.
"Does Zoe live here?"
"Yes, and you must be her coll.."
"JJ!" She ignored him and enveloped her friend in a warm hug.
"Zoya! My computer geek, how have you been?"
She continued to ignore Asad's shocked expression and took JJ inside. Chatting about the New York weather and the latest computer technology.
It felt good to be appreciated again. JJ always admired her computer skills and constantly reminded her of how good she was.
Everyone needed a bit of flattering once in a while and JJ always provided that in plenty. Someone who appreciated her humor and acknowledged her talents.
The clock ticked by and she laughed and talked like she hadn't done in many days. The clock finally struck 9.
"Look at the time Zoe! I think I've overstayed." JJ grinned sheepishly.
She smacked him upside on the head, "You can't leave without eating!"
"Zoe, hate to break this to you but this isn't your house." He patted her head like she was a child.
"Fine, we'll go out to eat."
"Like a date?"
"You wish."
"Everyday."
"Flirt"
"Ah, but you love me."
She grinned. They stood up, ready to step out.
"Miss Farooqui." A cold voice interrupted her from the background.
"Mr Khan."
"Where are you going?"
"Excuse me?" It was JJ who spoke up.
She gave JJ a light smile and rolled her eyes.
Asad was seething, livid and all those other adjectives you associated with red hot rage.
"I have told you plenty of times Miss Farooqui I cannot be responsible for your..uncouth.. actions."
An incredulous sigh escaped from JJ.
"Is this guy for real?" He whispered in Zoya's ears.
"Unfortunately." She said, loud enough for Asad to hear.
She gave Asad a cool look and turned to look at JJ.
"JJ I promise we'll have dinner some other time. You'll be here for a few days right?"
"Right." He leaned in to hug her and met Asad's stony eyes glaring at him.
"If you need me to fist fight anyone, I'm a phone call away. Okay?"
And that's why JJ was the best friend anyone could ask for.
With one last wave, JJ left. Suffice to say the tension in the room intensified ten times over.
Zoya walked past Asad, ignoring him.
"One minute Miss Farooqui."
She turned about giving him a raised eyebrow.
"You said it was a colleague."
"Really Mr Khan I'm not in a mood to answer your weird questions tonight. I'm tired and I just want to sleep."
"You were fine and ready to step out just a minute ago."
Her eyes snapped to his accusing ones.
His nostrils flared, "Such indecency will not be tolerated in my house, all the touching and flirting, aapko shram nahi aatii?"
Her eyes widened at what he was implying.
"You disgust me." She bit out.
They stood staring at each other. His eyes mostly held anger but something more as well.. traces of hurt? Surely not?
"He's a friend Mr Khan. And even if he's something more that wouldn't be any of your concern now would it ?" She gave a perfectly polite smile and turned to walk off.
But a steady hand gripped hers. She stood there in shock, without turning back. His hands were steady but not tight or demanding, warmly enclosing hers.
Her heart beats increased their pace and she bit her lips.
"Is he something more?"
She knew she didn't owe him an answer.
It was none of his concern and he was way out of line.
But, "No he isn't.", she answered in a low voice.
His hands tugged at hers urging her to look back at him.
She tilted her head sideways looking at him from the corner of her eyes and then her eyes snapped to their interlinked hands. His eyes moved down to them as well.
He let go, almost achingly slow.
"Good night Mr Khan."
"Good night Miss Farooqui."
She walked one way and he walked the other way.
He wasn't sure why, but a relieved sigh escaped him.
She wasn't sure why, but a smile lined her lips. One that reached her eyes and lit them up.
*****
A/N- Hello everyone! My first AsYa OS and first post on this forum as well! The point of this OS is of course that I wanted Zoya to get a new pair of jeans. Yep pretty much the only reason I wrote the OS. 😆 Also I just wanted a Tanveer less scene and eye-sex obviously. A jealous Asad never hurt anyone as well. Ta-da this OS.
So a warm welcome? That means a like or a even a comment? Please? 😳
Also I don't know if this has a zillion grammatical errors. If there are, my profuse apologies! It's late
~Shriya
PS- The title, yes usually i like to have meaningful titles. Alas this one doesn't have much of a backstory other than the fact that emotions are involved and that they are err bare and naked? Yes I know very smart of me. NOT.
PPS- JJ is mine! Kapeesh?
Itti Si Khushi Sab TV
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