OS: A Mothers Promise...Continued

It had been almost a week since their nikah and things couldn't be stranger. In the space of a few days they had managed to form some kind of a routine. Being fully aware of Asad's OCD tendencies Zoya had kept most of her belongings in her room, to ease off any kind of embarrassment or feelings of uncomfort Zoya carried on getting changed and showering in her own room too. Dilshad who had been witnessing them found it odd but she never questioned them if nothing she understood that it would take time or them to adjust.

After Asad left for work Zoya slumped herself on the bed 'Ya Allah...what is all this being a wife about?' On any given day Zoya was just about able to look after herself and now she had another whole person attached to her, she didn't have a clue, what did it mean to be a wife? The whole week past by with minimal conversation, there was a lot of looking and smiling but no real talking 'this is going to take forever' she said to herself huffing in frustration. Zoya wasn't the only one who missed talking to him Asad felt a void too but it just didn't seem so simple anymore, both of them acknowledged that there was a problem, there may not be a quick fix to this but they needed to take steps to try and make sense of of it, they were married and despite the circumstances under which they came together they fully accepted one another so before things spiralled out of control they needed to sit down and start by simply talking.

Asad took the easier option of texting Zoya instead of calling her, that just seemed too difficult. 'I'll send the driver to pick you up at seven, be ready we need to talk' Zoya looked at the message and raised her eyebrow, it didn't take her long to reply 'if that is your idea of asking your WIFE out to dinner, the try again Mr Khan!!!!' Asad read her message and rolled his eyes, which was soon followed by a smile, he could just imagine her replying to his message he could almost sense his old Zoya making an appearance. Wait one minute when did she become his Zoya? But then again was she not, after all she was his wife. Coming out of his thoughts he messaged her again 'firstly it's Asad not Mr Khan...secondly Mrs Zoya Asad Ahmad Khan please be ready for 7, I would like you to join me for dinner, the driver will come to pick you up' Zoya couldn't help smiling at how he had addressed her she really was Zoya Asad Ahmad Khan. 'I will be ready and waiting'.

Asad stood up as he saw Zoya walking into the restaurant she looked stunning, she was wearing a black and silver saree that his mum had given her a few months back 'hi' she said smiling at him nervously Asad couldn't help looking at her from top to bottom he was totally mesmerised, feeling his gaze Zoya started to fidget 'd...do I look ok...I mean I'm not over dressed am I?' she said as she started to look around to see what others were wearing. Coming out of his trance Asad shook his head 'no...not at all...Zoya you really look...amazing, I don't think I have ever seen you in a saree before' a slight blush started to spread across Zoya's cheeks 'please sit down...do you want something to drink before we order?' Zoya nodded 'a pineapple and lemonade please'. Asad called for the waiter and ordered their drinks, as they waited they exchanged a few smiles 'Asad' 'Zoya' they both called out at the same time 'you first' Zoya said quickly as she silently sighed in relief, Asad cleared his throat as he prepared himself for what was probably the most difficult dialogue of his life.

'Zoya, I called you here because I wanted to talk to you alone and away from home' Zoya picked up the glass the waiter had just placed in from of her and gulped a quarter of it in one go Asad looked on as she sat trying hard not to fidget, Asad knew he wouldn't be able to talk to her like this he leaned forward and stretched his arm over the table and placed his warm hand over her very cold ones. Zoya head shot up as soon as his hand came into contact with her, he held on to her gaze and gently stroked the back of her hand with his thumb as she visibly started to calm down Asad continued 'Zoya are you ok?' Zoya nodded 'Zoya I know this is as hard for you as it is or me, we did this for Ammi, we both know that we may have never really been each others first choice of spouse but here we are. Zoya, you said the that this wasn't a temporary arrangement and I agree, we are married husband and wife. We decided to take each day as it came and decided together that we would start of by being friends...but Zoya a whole week has passed and we have hardly spoken...how will we over come this?'

Zoya looked at Asad wide eyed she was sure that they were going to pop any minute 'since when did Mr Akdu Ahmad Khan become so logical...so sensible' she thought to herself. Asad looked at her intently waiting for her to respond, after a few moments he applied a little pressure on the hand he was holding 'Zoya' he called out 'umm...sorry...Mr Kh...no...I mean Asad, firstly can I thank you for being so upfront and truthful, I don't think I would ever see the day you would so willingly talk to me so openly' Asad raised his eyebrow at her 'Zoya are you thanking me or having a dig?' Zoya started giggling 'no I am being serious...anyway seeing that we are here to do what we both avoided doing the whole week I may as well speak up. Asad you want to know the truth...I am petrified, I have no idea what it means to be a wife yet alone a good one, I know you but I don't know you, from the moment I walked through your front door we were at logger heads and today I am sitting in front of you as your wife, I know I said we should start as friends but Asad I don't even know how to be that not with you. If it was just Zoya Farooqui sitting here trust me you wouldn't have a chance in hell...but it's not Zoya Farooqui it's Zoya Asad Ahmad Khan...you tell me what I need to do?'

Zoya hadn't realised when she had entwined her fingers with his and held on to his hand for dear life. Neither of them saw this day coming, nor the fact that they would ever sit and talk without any inhibitions. Asad appreciated Zoya's honesty 'Zoya we are friends..and today we did what friends do...talk to each other and be honest. I know there will be days that wont go so smoothly but as long as we remain civil and hear each other out I am sure we will pull through'

Zoya looked at Asad what he said made perfect sense but she didn't want to just pull through nor did she want to be just friends. Zoya had somewhere started to recognise her feelings for Asad although she remained confused most of the time. The one thing Zoya was pretty sure about was that she could never tell Asad exactly what she felt as he did not and would not reciprocate her feelings in any shape or form.

After reaching home Zoya went to her room to change every word that she and Asad had spoken replayed in her head 'Ya Allah I don't know what you have planned for me, but if my future is to remain in his house as Asad's wife then Ya Allah please help me and guide me, please bring us to accept each other completely'. Zoya went back into their room to find Asad already in bed as she lay down Asad turned around to face her 'you ok?' Zoya smiled 'yes...perfect, thank you for dinner...good night Asad' 'good night Zoya he whispered back.