AsYa FF : Life As We Know It (Chap5 -Updated)

It was blissful to see the sunrise slowly from the horizon. It truly was a great feeling. Asad sat outside in his balcony watching as the sun rose upwards. 'I have to do it. I cannot be nervous. This is my first shot at getting what I've always wanted, my first deal as the owner of a company, "Dilshaad Constructions". The anxiety is killing me and my nervousness is way beyond control..' Asad moved on his chair, uncomfortably. He shuffled and was back to wear he was sitting. He couldn't sleep all night. His heartbeat was so loud that he just couldn't shut it out. But while he was thinking about all of this, there was not a flinch on his face, not a single sign of awkwardness. Nothing. How could anyone read him? It was almost impossible, but one person did.

"Asad, what are you doing up so early in the morning?" Dilshaad asked placing her hand on his shoulder. "Ammi, I just can't get any peace of mind. Today is my first deal and I have to get it, this company cannot start on a negative note." Asad confessed to his mother. "Failure is the roadway to success, remember? Its okay to fail, not that I'm saying you will, but its okay. All you've got to make sure is that you give your best." Dilshaad explained. She was a wise woman. She had a soft nature and was very respectful of everyone. She was humble and very generous. She had always been proud of the fact that she was Asad and Najma's mother. They never disappointed her. "Ammi, I really want this. I want Najma to have a better future. I want to earn so much money that I can buy everything in this world. Money. Huh. This was the reason he left you, didn't he? This is going to be on his face!" Asad barked with disgust. "Asad.. don't say that. He is your father at the end of the day. Just let it be. Do something because you want it not because you want to rub it into someone else's face!" Dilshaad explained. "I know Ammi.. I wam doing it for myself. I will do it right. Hopefully." Asad said as he went to make some coffee for himself.

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Zoya's eyes were fixed on the sun as it set. She shut her eyes and felt the breeze against her face. She stood in the balcony on the terrace and looked out. A huge garden surrounded her house and she looked down at the two german shepherds barking. "Stop it Crazzo! Zorro move away let Crazzo go in!" Zoya commanded. She loved them both. Dogs were her only companions as Shoab remained out for most of the day now. But today her eyes were set on he road waiting for Shoab to come back. In the morning she had pleaded him to let her go to India, but he had said nothing more than 'We will see in the evening'. Zoya wanted to go to Bhopal; she wanted to see the place where her mother was born, where her parents got married and maybe, just maybe crash into a man who resembled her, or rather, whom she resembled.

Zoya broke out of her trance as she heard the horn sound and the large gates opened letting in a white jaguar. Zoya ran down the stairs and opened the gate as Shoab entered. Shoab smiled as he looked at her. He remembered the old Zoya. Everyday when he came back from work she would wait at the terrace and run down to open the door when he came. She would hug him and give him a kiss on his cheek. His little Zoya still did the same thing, but only when she wanted something. "Hey, how was you're day abu?" Zoya asked. "It was fine, but I'm tired, do we have to argue about Bhopal now?" he asked exhausted. "You can g freshen up, I'll get you some juice and then we can talk about it!" Zoya said marching off into the kitchen. Shoab shook his head, loosened his tie and made for is room. Zoya was very good at making people do what she wanted. She would make those puppy dog eyes and Shoab would have to give in. Their bonding was great.

"Zoya, there is a reason why I don't want to send you to Bhopal alone.." Shoab tried to explain.. "Abu, I'm old enough now. I know karate and I can take care of myself. Please let me go. It's important for me. My mother was from Bhopal. I'm sure she'd want me to visit! Please? And I will be back soon. Maximum a month, I won't be later than that." "Zoya, but—"Pleasee" she begged. "Alright. Alright. But you have to listen to me then. You will not go anywhere without our driver. I will send your driver with you and he will get a car there. You will come back the minute you are done ok? You are the only family I have left Zoya… that's why I'm extra protective.." Shoab admitted. "YESSS" Zoya said and hurried to pack her suitcase. She could leave tomorrow itself. She loved the fact that she had her own jet ;)

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"Abu, you called us?" Ayaan asked entering Rashid's room. "Yes ayaan, I have something important to tell you kids." As Nuzrat and Nikhat came, Rashid began, "Look, this may come as a shock but I didn't seem to find the right time to tell you all. I hope you all will understand what I want to say. You.." he took a long sigh, "have siblings who you don't know about!" "WHAT?" All three of them shrieked in chorus. "Relax, please, hear him out." Shireen said to lighten the mood. "Their names are Asad & Najma, they are the kids of my first wife." Rashid said it, out loud. This was it. He loved his children and he didn't want them to hate him; he wouldn't be able to take it. He was so so sorry. He couldn't even express it properly. The bluntness with which he said it made it sound all the more bad. He was so upset. Dilshaad had warned him before coming back to town that it was time to tell his kids. Whenever he thought of dilshaad tears scrolled down his cheeks. He had wronged her and she should never forgive him for that but still she warned him. He was pleased as well as grieved by the fact that he had left her at the time she needed him the most. He would never forgive that long night…

"Abu what are you saying?" Ayaan argued. "Ayaan, they just moved back from New york, I wanted to tell you before someone else did." "Abu you could have just told us earlier we would have understood. Poor souls, who do they stay with? And when did their mother die?" Ayaan asked. "AYAAN! She is very much alive!" Rashid barked. "WHAAT?!" Again ayaan's voice rose. "Then why did you marry ammi?" he asked. "Its complicated son, I can't tell you everything now. This is all I have for you now.." "Abu, youcan't just tell us half of the matter!" Nikhat retorted. Rashid was shocked. Nikhat was the quiet one, the silent one. She never questioned him before. Rashid could see it all falling in front of his eyes. But this was inevitable. He had to manage the mess he created and this was going to be hard, really hard.

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Asad entered his small office and switched on the PC. He sent an email to his friend who was linked with the newspaper. He needed an advertisement for two employees who would be efficient in small office jobs. He sent a quick email and then sat down to review his presentation for the 23^rd time. He was making sure it was the best. There was only a couple of hours before he would have to give this presentation. He shut his eyes and tried to bring his breathe in control and his heart rate to decrease. Starting a new business was a big risk. The loan from the bank had helped and so had is savings. Asad had saved money for this small business for the past 10 years. Since he was in 7^th standard. Now the time had come for the 'do or die'. He needed this deal to survive. The bank had his only flat mortgaged and he had to sell his bike. One big deal and he could get a new bike for starters. Or maybe get Najma into a better college. Or buy his ammi a new salwar, or… There was so much to do. These thoughts took Asad into another wrld, where it was him against all odds. He knew he had it in him. He just had to step forward and do it. But, there was a fine line between confidence and over-confidence.

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Hey guys, Hope you liked the first chapter. Do give some feedback!