Chapter 8
"I love you Zoya"...
Waking up to Asad's voice was one of the best moments of Zoya's life. Zoya felt the sun rays warming her back. She sank her face deeper into Asad's chest. Asad had held her close all night. Granted their intertwined limbs were making things a bit uncomfortable but he was not going to rush things. God knows how much he wanted her. But for right now having her in his arms was everything he needed. Asad did not get much sleep. He was too busy memorizing every line of Zoya's face and every contour of her body. He smiled when she talked in her sleep "Go to sleep Asad," she said in her sleep and then she turned. Her hair on his face, Asad took that as a sign of leaving her alone. But she pulled his hands tighter around her just as he was about to turn. Asad smiled at that memory and nuzzled more into her hair. Zoya was awake also now. She didn't want to move. They both knew that the sun would come up and they would have to get back to reality. Zoya moved her hand over Asad's chest slowly as if memorizing every contour. Zoya knew Asad was awake when she felt his heartbeats increase under her palm. Torturously Zoya moved her hand under Asad's kurta. Asad was really still. Zoya could feel him tense under her hand. She got a little braver and began tracing her hand along his waist band of his pants. Asad quickly caught her hand and flipped over her so he was now on top of her. Zoya was in hysterics now. Asad was so lost in her smile. "You know Asad" giggled Zoya "I have wanted to do that from the time I walked into you in the bath" giggled Zoya. Asad was so lost in her eyes and tinkling laughter. "You were whistling Jaane kyun log pyaar karte hain" smiled Zoya as her hands traced Asad's pecs "I was so flustered, I didn't know what I was saying "continued Zoya. Asad and Zoya smiled at the memory.
Asad continued to stare into Zoya's eyes absently tucking away her hair behind her ear both Asad and Zoya was drowning in each other's eyes. Meanwhile Zoya let her hands roam; she had never felt such a shoulder. She remembered all the times she held onto it. Hard, firm muscle rounded over the top of his arm, Zoya's hand curved around his muscle, digging her fingers in. When her hand closed over his arm, he leaned in closer, his body pressing against hers. Zoya's hand slipped to his back and under his kurta and began exploring his back contours. A slight moan escaped from Asad. Putting on hand behind her head he turned her to side and began to kiss her with all the passion they missed. He kissed her the way she has always wanted to be kissed, they way he had dreamed of kissing her, kissed her the way fairy tales were suppose to end, the way all the books say a kiss should feel – the way no one has even been kissed before. Asad moved his thigh between Zoya's much smaller one, Zoya's arms went fully around Asad's neck pulling him closer, pulling him as close as he could come to her. Moving his mouth away from hers, he kissed her neck, kissed her ear lobe as his hands moved down her back, he moved her so that she was on top of him now. They were both breathless by the time they pulled apart they needed air. Zoya was totally flustered. Asad wanted more, he grasped for Zoya but she was on top of him laughing. Asad reached for her again, she pushed him away and said "No Mr Khan, it's time to start the day" teasingly said Zoya and kissed him full on the mouth. Zoya was too quick for Asad, she quickly got off and run into the bathroom. Asad put his head back on the pillow and smiled like an idiot. Asad starred at the ceiling thanking god for giving them this chance. He rolled of the bed and made his way to his room. Only to be caught by Najma who smiled cheekily. "Who is the tamatar now bhaijaan" she teased. Asad smiled and shook his head and entered his room.
When he made his way to the breakfast table, he was quite surprised to his ammi at the table. Zoya was busy preparing breakfast whilst Najma was helping ammi. They looked like a picture perfect family. Asad smiled and made his way to the table and took his seat. Zoya gave his coffee just the way he likes it. They exchanged smiles, this did not go unnoticed by Dilshaad who smiled at son. Her family was finally complete as she looked around the table. Zoya placed the breakfast on the table and made her way to her seat, and that is when Asad noticed Zoya, she was wearing a white anarkali. She looked like an angel. He was once again lost in her beauty. It was at that point when Tanveer entered to catch Asad and Zoya lost in each others eyes. Tanveer was fuming she had to do something quick. Tanveer said "salaam" a little too loudly snapping Asad and Zoya out of reverie. Asad dreamy look turned to one of disgust as soon as he saw her. But he quickly looked at Zoya gesturing him to calm with her eyes. "Where's Aakeer" asked Asad. Tanveer smiled sweetly "He is still asleep. He had quite a rough night, he is so used to sleeping with you – he didn't sleep well last night" . Asad felt a little guilty, Tanveer saw that and decided to add more guilt "I brought him to you this morning, but you were not in your room". Asad choked on his coffee. Zoya blushed – Tanveer caught all of these reactions and so did Najma and Dilshaad. "I went out for a jog" snapped Asad. Zoya looked at him and gestured with her eyes again and continued to help Dilshaad eat. "Tamatar, I know today is your day off, will you please help ammi with her physio today. I have to be somewhere urgent" asked Zoya to Najma. "Off course bhabhi" teased Najma. Zoya looked confused and looked at Asad, who was blushing behind his newspapers. Tanveer who was watching the exchange was furious now. She had to do something quick. Zoya gave Dilshaad her meds and helped her to the living room. "Zoya, I think khala would be more comfortable in her room" said Tanveer sweetly. Asad and Zoya cringed. "No Tanveer, ammi has stayed prisoned in her room for too long, she needs to be free. After all this is her house. And I have told you before, what I do with my family is none of your business, you are a guest in this house so act like one" replied Zoya. Asad was so proud of his wife. He smiled at her. Asad picked up his bag and jacket and kissed Dilshaad on her head and said good bye. Zoya watched the exchange and smiled, Asad caught her smiling. He smiled back and walked out the door. Zoya was just about to walk away. When her phone beeped...
"Hey wifey.. ;) Wish I could have said I proper good bye to you as well. Btw, do you need help with what you are doing today. Your detective skills can get you into trouble"
Zoya smiled as she read Asad's message and quickly responded...
"Hey hubby..Our day will come too J No thanks, I am quite capable of doing this by myself, it's something I have to take care of. Ha-ha, you so funny. You forget Zoya Asad Ahmed Khan can do anything..xoxo"
Asad was now sitting in his 4x4. His phone beeped and he smiled reading Zoya's message. And quickly responded...
"Zoya Asad Ahmed Khan, that sounds perfect. I love you and please be careful. PS : what's xoxo??"
Zoya was smiling like a school girl when she read his message. Zoya typed her response...
I love you too..and don't worry I have my pepper spray, lol (that's means laugh out loud, jahanpanah, you belong to the 17th century)...xoxo means hugs and kisses..
Asad actually laughed this time at reading Zoya's message, he thought of a moment and then typed..
"will show you just how it's done, in the 17th century when I get home tonight, LOL - Well in that case xoxo times infinity..have a good day. I love you"
Zoya kissed her phone and typed.."I love you always and forever, now go make some money"
Dilshaad and Najma heard Asad's 4x4 finally leave. They both laughed at Zoya blushing. Zoya was so happy she hugged the both of them. Tanveer was watching all of this from upstairs. "Be happy all you want Zoya, all that will change in a few hours. Asad himself will throw you out this house" Tanveer said to no one in particular and went into her room as she heard Aakeer cry. Zoya took Dilshaad's hand in hers and said "Ammi, today I am going to exhume my abbu's grave – I need to find out if that is really him. Please take care of yourself. Najma" looking at Najma "Najma, ammi is not to have anything from anyone. You keep her in your eye sight all the time. Be with her always. I will be back as soon as I can." Zoya went to her room, picked up the exhumation papers and iPad and bag. She repeated her instructions to Najma and kissed them both good byes. Tanveer watched Zoya leave and quickly rushed downstairs with her bag "Najma, Aakeer is asleep will you keep and eye on him please, I will be back soon" and without waiting for Najma to respond Tanveer was out the door. Najma heard Aakeer crying and went up to get him. When Najma opened the door, Aakeer had tear stains on his chubby cheeks like he was crying for ages. Najma checked his diaper. His diaper felt liked it was not changed all night. Najma quickly changed his diaper and took him downstairs to Dilshaad. Dilshaad's heart broke when she saw Aakeer's red eyes and tear stained face. Najma told Dilshaad about his diaper and how she found him. Dilshaad hugged him tighter, this little innocent baby did not deserve all this. She rocked whilst Najma got his breakfast. Aakeer eat greedily like the poor child was starving. Dilshaad cried at the child's state. Allah, you are seeing everything. Protect this child prayed Dilshaad.
Zoya had reached the grave yard and did all the formalities. She stood silently watching the man dig up her abbu's grave. She was scared of what she might find, but she had to know the truth. She remembered the day so clearly when Asad brought her to see her dad. Zoya recalled how she broke down and how Asad supported her. He was always her silent pillar of strength. She was so lost recalling all the moments of that day, when then put the chuddar together and prayed together for the first time. "Memsaab, memsaab," she heard and slowly turned around to scared to look at what she would find. " I am done" said the little jumping out of the grave. Zoya slowly looked into the grave. "Allah Miya, this is empty. Where is my abbu then" asked a shocked Zoya. "Tsk tsk, bechari Zoya. Did you really think you would find your abbu here" Zoya turned around furiously to see a smirking Tanveer. "What are you doing here" questioned Zoya. Tanveer smiled and put her hand on Zoya's shoulder which Zoya shrugged off "I am here to support you Zoya, after all I am your friend" said Tanveer fakely. "Oh really" said Zoya sarcastically. "A friend who repeatedly tried to kill me, a so called best friend that ruined the one true friend she had. Who is harming the one woman who welcomed you into their home and treated you like a daughter, you are trying to harm her." Zoya crossed her arms over her chest. "Yes Tanveer I know all about the arsenic, I know about the property papers. Is it always been about money for you? Did you not care who you were hurting? Have you no conscience? What kind of a woman are you?" Zoya asked. If Tanveer was shocked she hid it well "Well, well, not just a pretty face. Yes Zoya Asad Ahmed Khan, it was always about money. I will have money and Asad will not be too bad either, after all he is quite the catch, he will be quite a piece of arm candy" smirked Tanveer. "Tanveer!!" Shouted Zoya. "Do you really think I would just stand by and watch you destroy my family. I know of all the bad things you have done, I know that Asad is innocent. I know firsthand what you are capable" shouted Zoya, Zoya took a step closer and roared, "I, Zoya Asad Ahmed Khan will let you win this time". At first Tanveer was shocked at the sheer force Zoya had threatened her. Tanveer quickly recovered as Zoya began walking away, "Not even for your abbu Zoya Asad Ahmed Khan?" smirked Tanveer. Zoya stopped dead in her tracks and faced Tanveer. Tanveer smiled "Yes, Zoya my dear, I know who your abbu is..."
Cricket
Kumkum Bhagya
