AsYa SS: T.L.C. Chap 16, pg 100 - Page 47

Originally posted by: Aditi_sweetie

Phew! finally my exams r over and i got time to comment😆

this was just sooo cute wonderful update👏

p.s. U know i hv read this entire SS 3 or 4 times till now😆 there is something the way u write that makes me want to read it again n again😳

plz continue soon😳

Chapter 14: The unwelcome guest

The weekend was finally here. Zoya stood at the porch, and looked nervously at her watch. Anytime now, she expected to hear from Ayaan. His flight from New Delhi should have landed a while ago. Ammi had said he'd booked himself into a hotel. Maybe he'd freshen up and call. He'd stayed with family in New Delhi for a day or so; probably wouldn't be jet lagged.

Asad and Najma sensed her unease. Najma went to get some water, while Asad stayed be her side.

"Zo, it will be ok... he'll get here fine," Asad said. What was she so worried about?!

He stepped closer and hugged her, hoping it would make her feel better. She snuggled, letting his body warmth soothe her frayed nerves.

The thud of something heavy distracted them. As they broke apart, Zoya turned first to where the sound came from and found Ayaan at the gate, his bags at his feet.

"Ayaan!" she exclaimed.

Asad turned his gaze towards a tallish, lean man in hipster clothes. He didn't like him already. Such a wannabe! He continued to hold Zoya's hand as Ayaan approached them.

The two men sized up each other as Zoya introduced them. Ayaan outstretched his hand first. Asad looked at him, poker-faced, and said a gruff hello as he shook hands.

Sensing the animosity between the two, Zoya quickly started a conversation with Ayaan, all the while holding on to Asad, to reassure him of her loyalty.

Asad realized her intentions, and smiled to himself. He needed a calming influence in his life. Given a chance, he might have punched Ayaan for treating Zoya so badly. But she seemed to be so composed. He'd take the cue and let him be.

***

Dilshad welcomed Ayaan cordially, like she did every other guest. AS they were finishing lunch, she offered, "Ayaan, beta, I heard you've reserved a room already but in case you change your mind, you're welcome to stay here."

Then realizing she should have asked Zoya and Asad first, she added, "I mean if Zoya would like that."

"No Phuphi," Zoya jumped at the opportunity. "I think it's best he stays at the hotel." She didn't want him around here!

Ayaan's defiant look meant he was going to be tenacious about Zoya. "Thanks aunty. I'd love to take up that offer. Zoe is upset with me, but I think in time, she'll forgive me."

"How presumptuous!" muttered Asad under his breath.

Najma heard her brother and stifled a giggle.

Ayaan looked up at her and smiled. Najma straightened up and blushed.

Asad didn't like this guy one bit! Just a moment before, he'd been wooing Zoya and now he was making eyes at his little sister! He excused himself from the table and headed to his room.

***

"Ayaan, we need to talk," Zoya said as they settled themselves on the lawn chairs. She figured this was the best place to have the conversation she so hadn't been looking forward to. But it had to be done.

Asad watched from his window, which overlooked the garden. The body language gave them away. He didn't need to listen to the words - Zoya leaning forward, sitting on edge, looking nervous as she spoke; Ayaan's change in expression... from the initial resting pose, the furrow in his brow and brisk hand gestures and then him reaching out for Zoya!

Asad nearly jumped out of the window, but Zoya seemed to be better prepared for Ayaan. She stood up and moved away, before Ayaan could touch her. Asad turned away, and slammed his hand into the wall. Ayaan wouldn't be here too long, if the scene downstairs was an indicator. Asad figured it was better to invest his energy in finding Zoya's dad instead of stalking them.

He logged on to his laptop and started looking up news archives, and information about the old city. There wasn't much. He'd need expert help. He punched in an enquiry number he found online and waited for a response.

***

Ayaan looked at Zoya's defiant stance. It was over and he'd screwed it up! He had no one to blame but himself. But the game wasn't over yet!

Realizing he'll make no headway with Zoya, Ayaan figured he had to resort to playing dirty if he had to.

"Ok Zoe... I'm going to back off. If you like Asad and it's mutual, I don't want to mess things up for you," he said. "I'm sorry that things turned out the way they did."

Zoya looked at Ayaan, "Me too. What are you going to do now?"

Ayaan gazed at her. "I'm tired. I think I'll get some rest. Is it ok if I crash out here? Will head back to hotel in the evening."

Zoya nodded and they headed back indoors. Najma showed Ayaan to his room and Zoya went in search of Asad.

***

She found him in his room, talking on the phone. He gestured, asking her to come in. He was pacing the room and every now and then, noting something on a writing pad.

Zoya settled on the couch, waiting for him to finish his call. Her mind was at ease. Ayaan seemed to have finally got the message. And this evening, he'd be out of here. He'd taken the news surprisingly well. She sighed and let sleep overcome her.

Asad glanced in her direction after hanging up the phone and found her curled up, fast asleep. He smiled and walked out of the room, excited about the information he had gathered. There was so much to tell her! He'd done some research of old houses in Bhopal based on her description and the photos she had shared. A family friend had directed him to a historian who was documenting Bhopal's old homes. And the gentleman had narrowed the search down to two homes in the old part of the city, and shared the addresses. They seemed to be in luck!

As he walked down the stairs, he found Ayaan seated by the bay windows overlooking the backyard. He wanted to ignore him but Ayaan called out.

"Asad... could we talk for a few minutes?"

Asad turned to him and nodded. "Where? Do you want to go to my library? Or here?"

"Somewhere more private for sure," Ayaan replied.

Asad guided Ayaan to a room on the ground floor, and shut the door, behind him.

"So... tell me. What did you want to discuss?" Asad trained his gaze on Ayaan, who was settled on a wide, cosy chair, but looking most uncomfortable.

"Well... I guess you know Zoya and I spoke. I just wanted to congratulate you," Ayaan answered.

Asad nodded. There was something about Ayaan's expression that was insincere. He wasn't convinced this guy had taken it well. His eyes belied his words.

"Thanks. Is that all?" Asad replied curtly.

The flash of anger in Ayaan's eyes was not lost on Asad. "Not really. I also wanted to commend you on your liberal thinking. I mean for a conservative man like you, from what I've heard of course... it must be tough taking someone else's leftovers. I don't know if Zoya told you, but she's been there, done that... a several times with me. After all, we were going to be engaged."

Asad was fuming now, but he kept his anger in check; a poker-faced expression hiding every little emotion raging inside him.

Not realizing, Ayaan went on. "So, happy to let you have her. She's a dented woman of dubious stock. Not sure, you know - but her parentage isn't known."

Asad inhaled deeply. He was so glad Zoya had come to her senses before getting engaged to this man.

"Ayaan, you're a guest in my house. So I'm not going to pick a fight with you. I just wish you'd realized that you're a guest before speaking up about the woman I care about so deeply."

He paused and then walked to the door, opening it. "It's such a pity you think of women so disrespectfully. So much for your liberal thinking! Zoya is pure at heart and in her mind, and her past doesn't matter, her present and future does. Whether she was intimate with you, or someone else, it is all in the past. She is with me now. And you can go back to where you belong... her past."

Ayaan stood up shame-faced. And his expression turned to horror as he looked at the door. Zoya stood there, breathing fast, trying to control her tears. She seemed to have heard Asad's conversation and figured what had conspired between the two.

She looked at Ayaan hatefully and then turned to Asad, who was walking towards her.

Ayaan followed. The guilt in his eyes and voice was evident. "Zoya... I didn't mean those things. I just wanted you back in my life, and I thought if Asad let you go..."

Zoya's silence spoke volumes. She turned and walked away.

Ayaan knew it was over.

He turned to Asad. "Please thank your mother and sister for me. I think I'd better head to the hotel now."

Chapter 15: Reboot

Originally posted by: delena90

hey dee!!! I absolutely adored this chapter. I love how you brought out the fact that being modern is more than wearing hep clothes. I also loved how Asad didn't care whether Zoe was a virgin or not. It rightfully should not matter and it didn't!! Loved it!!

Originally posted by: --Kriti--

pleaseee continue naaa

Originally posted by: adeeti10

Thanks Del for pointing out the two things I wanted to do with this chapter! 😃 🤗

It's sad that western attire is often confused with liberal thinking.

And the other thing that gets my goat is the expectation that a woman should be a virgin while a man can play the field! You're right - it shouldn't matter! A real man or woman will accept you for who you are... the past won't matter.