AsYa FF ~ Mere Jazbaat ~ T#1 ~ Link to T#2 Page 1! - Page 100

Chapter 22: "A Change of Heart"

Zoya stretched her arms over her head, her legs out on to her bed. She fluttered her eyes open, taking in her surroundings and sat up, as she tried to remember why she was sleeping in the middle of the afternoon. Her conversation with Asad flashed before her, and she recalled her words to him.

Sure he had been rude to her. Sure he had hurt her. And indeed he said something quite hideous to her. But she didn't need to be so rude right? She stood by what she said, not necessarily how she said it. Maybe, maybe she could've made him understand, instead of accusing him like that.

She sighed. She was becoming as complicated as this exasperating man. His soothing words, and the feel of his arms around her protectively lingered and made her feel warm. How could the very person who had hurt her to the point of wanting to run three thousand miles away from him, be the same person to soothe her age old wounds?

Deepak's words had always hurt her, and his sudden reappearance had made her realize why Asad's words hit her so hard. But, she could tell Asad was sorry. He truly was remorseful. Perhaps it was time to let him off the hook.

But she wouldn't go back. She couldn't. She understood he was sorry and realized his mistake. And made a great effort to make her see it. But the truth remained, that the root of the problem was his lack of trust in her. And that was something that you either had or you didn't. In this case, he didn't seem to have it.

Zoya was distracted from her thoughts, when she heard his deep husky voice. He's, singing!? She got out of the bed, and walked towards the railing on the second floor, looking on to the first floor of the apartment. Her eyes searched for him. She slowly went down the stairs, looking here and there, trying to figure out where his voice was emanating from.

As she reached the kitchen, she noticed some movement in the balcony, and she saw him... dancing? Akdu Ahmed Khan was dancing! And singing! Flashes of his intense dance with her in his living room, their breathing mingling, chests heaving, and their close proximity, manifested themselves before her eyes. She felt a shiver go down her spine, as she recalled his husky words.

"Dance isse keh the hain, Ms. Farooqui."

Zoya closed her eyes, and enjoyed the sound of his sensuous and husky voice singing. It took her a second to recognize the song, and her shock grew. Mr. Khan knows this song? She smiled, despite herself, shaking her head at the irony. The only English song she'd ever heard him sing, and it happened to be her favourite one.

She watched him intently, as he seemed to wrap his arms around the thin air in front of him, and caress it. Who is he imagining?, wondered Zoya. She couldn't help but giggle when he almost fell over, as if waking up from a day dream. He shook his head, and smiled a little, as Zoya felt herself go weak at the knees. If smiles could kill, Mr. Jahapana Bond would certainly be the top assassin the world would ever know.

Zoya shook her head, half digesting the sight before her, and half preparing herself for what she was about to do next. She walked up, one step at a time, to the balcony doors. She leaned on them, watching him smile some more. If he looked good in his Akdu mode, he looked like Adonis himself when he smiled. That gorgeous dimpled smile of his reached his eyes, and he looked like even more like a Greek God.

Zoya shook her head, as she realized where her thoughts were heading. She cleared her throat, alerting him of her presence.

* * * * * * *

Asad blinked, and turned towards the balcony door. His face drained of all color when he noticed a smug Zoya, leaning on the doors. Did she hear me? Oh God. She must have seen me... He looked down, rubbing the bridge of his nose, embarrassment overtaking every cell in his body.

But a light bulb went up in his mind. She was smiling. Zoya was smiling. Though smugly, she was actually smiling. At him. He looked back up at her, to make sure it wasn't another day dream.

"Um, woh, actually... mein..." he started, unsure of how to react to her sudden amusement.

Zoya's smile faded, as she sighed in frustration. But she found herself chuckling. This man may have been able to put his ego aside, but some things never change.

"Allah miya! What's wrong with you Mr. Khan? Aapne abhi abhi itna sab kuch bola tha, bina hich kichahe. Aur ab? You're back to square one." She shook her head playfully, as another smile crept up her lips.

Asad couldn't help but smile at her remark. Indeed he had his moments, but his nervousness at expressing himself would always be there.

Seeing him smile, Zoya decided this was the time. She's tortured him enough. And by nature she was a forgiving person. She would never admit it to him, but she couldn't see him in pain either, just as she noticed he couldn't see her in pain. Why else would he have come all the way to New York?

"Mr. Khan," she said quietly.

Asad's eyes shot up, as he heard the seriousness resurface in her tone. Zoya, please don't shut me out again, his eyes pleaded her. She smiled, a smile that reached her eyes. And he relaxed a little. How he had missed her smile.

"Mein, mein aapse baat karna chati hoon," she continued. Zoya stood up straight, and took a few steps towards him. She stood in front of him, looking intently into his eyes.

Asad shifted nervously, imagining all sorts of scenarios, while her scent intoxicated him. How he wished to kiss every inch of her beautiful face. To take her in his arms, caress her dimples and her lips with his thumb. But he stopped himself, trying to decipher what it was she wanted to tell him.

Zoya wrapped her fingers around his wrist, causing his eyes to widen in shock, and gently pulled him to sit on the swing in the balcony. He continued to stare at her, a dozen questions plaguing him, as he followed her lead.

Zoya sat down next to him, and slowly retracted her fingers, very much aware of the soft current coursing through her body.

"Mr. Khan, mein jaanti hoon, ki aapko aapki kahi hui baat par pachtawa hai," she said, noticing that he looked down at the mention of his cold words. She realized, after this day's incident, they didn't bother her that much. And the sole reason, was that she knew, now more than ever, that Mr. Khan understood the weight her past held for her. She didn't have the heart to continue punishing him.

"Aur jahan tak bharosa ka sawal hai..." she trailed off. What could she say about that? It still hurt that she didn't trust her. But she could no longer ignore how desperately he wanted to show her that he did. Maybe he did. Maybe after all this he did. But she would never know, until she gave him a chance, would she? And why she was giving him a chance, she still didn't know.

Asad looked at her, his eyes filled with gratitude. Once again, her pure heart had been able to forgive him. And she was giving him a chance. Though he still wasn't sure what kind of chance. He thanked Allah, once more, for allowing him to realize his feelings. He remembered his mother's words. That love was the feeling of someone's importance in your life consuming you so. Indeed it was true. His every breath, his every emotion, every thought, every worry was about Zoya. His day began and ended with Zoya now.

"Zoya, I'm sorry." Zoya's eyes widened a little, as she heard him call her by her first name, again. "Mera yakeen kije, aaj ke baad mein aisi harkat nahin karoonga. Mein jaanta hoon, aapko lagta hai mein aap par bharosa nahin karta hoon. Kya karoon, adaat se majboor hoon. Magar aaj ke baad, aap dekhie, aisa nahin karoonga." He held her hand, his thumb unconsciously tracing circles on the back of her palm. Zoya's breath hitched. The currents his touch sent coursing through her body never ceased to amaze her. She felt tingly, and her stomach fluttered with butterflies. She smiled at him, and his lips curved into a small smile in response.

There they sat, mesmerized by the other. Their eyes spoke for them, as was customary with these two stubborn and complicated souls. Zoya was still unsure of her feelings. But she could see a new resolve, a new determination and, hope in his eyes. Asad could see the confusion in Zoya's eyes. But he could also see warmth. And knowing that warmth was for him made him want to go on the streets of her beloved New York and shout to the world that he loved her. He mentally laughed, at how her impulsive antics had rubbed off on him.

The sound of the doorbell broke them both out of their trance. Asad loosened his grip on Zoya's hand. They both laughed a little, and looked down, they're eyes darting nervously from side to side.

"Chaliye, Mr. Khan. Phoopie aur Najma wapas agay hongay," chirped Zoya. Asad nodded in response and motioned for her to go first.

* * * * * * *

"Ammi, New York mein shopping kitni achi hai na!," squealed a happy Najma. She beamed as she swung her shopping bags one her arms, thrilled with her purchases. Dilshad smiled at her antics, content that her daughter was so happy.

"Haan, vakai, aaj khub maza aaya. Zeenat, kya kya mila humein! Tumhe to sare jagay ki malumat hai." Dilshad beamed at Zeenat. Though their initial purpose was to leave the love birds alone, they actually managed to have a good time.

Zoya joined them in the living room with a few glasses of water on a tray. She went around and gave one to each of them and paused when she reached Asad. He looked up at her, and gave her his rare half smile, and absentmindedly took the glass from her. Their fingers grazed each others' and they felt the same pleasant current yet again. Their eyes locked, as they got lost in each other, and forgot about their surroundings.

Zeenat, Najma and Dilshad all watched the scene before them, like high school fangirls. They smiled hugely, seeing their plan working, and Dilshad and Zeenat shared a knowing look.

"Zoya yeh dekho!" squealed Najma, causing both Asad and Zoya to snap out of it. But because their hands we're touching, the glass slipped and ended up drenching Asad's shirt. Zoya closed her eyes, waiting for the inevitable scolding.

But it never came.

She opened her eyes and looked in his direction, only to see him smiling like a buffoon. Did I miss something? What happened to his OCD? Allah miya why is he smiling!?

Asad couldn't stop himself. Sure his shirt was ruined, but he didn't care. Zoya was smiling again. She was smiling and being her chirpy, bubbly and clumsy self. And he loved it. How he had missed her constant blabber, her messes and even her nonsensical shayari. He never wanted to go a day without it. And he would make sure his wish came true.

Zoya gazed on, dumbfounded. Was this the same man she had left in India? The OCD-ruled, Akdu and angry man who hated messes was now sitting in one, and laughing.

Asad noticed her reaction, and this caused him to smile even bigger. Her confusion was amusing to him. She had no idea the effect she had no him. And that made him love her even more.

He got up off the sofa and shook his head, still smiling.

"Sorry Mr. Khan! Aap mujhe aapki shirt de dije, mein chutki mein isse dho le thi hoon aur sukhne ke liye rakh thi hoon!" Zoya let out in one breath. But as soon as the words had tumbled out of her mouth, she bit her tongue. Did I just say that!? Allah miya! I basically asked him to strip in front of every one! Zoya looked down, embarrassed, and played with end of her silver belt.

Asad smirked. "Aapka kya matlab hai, Ms. Farooqui? Mein samja nahin." He enjoyed watching her squirm uncomfortably, while trying to explain herself.

Dilshad, Zeenat and Najma looked on, slighty bemused. Dilshad smiled. At least they were back to their regular bickering. No silence, no tears, no sadness.

"Nahin! Mera woh matlab nahin- I mean aapka shirt geela hai, toh- Matlab mein usse sukha- Lekin aap pehle change kije. Mein aapka shirt lene aati hoon," she finished, finally, stumbling over her words.

Asad grinned some more, and took one last look at a flustered Zoya before leaving for his room. He shook his head at her nervous behavior as he removed his shirt, and hung it to dry on the window sill of his bedroom. He went into the bathroom to dry himself off, and was greeted with the most adorable sight he ever saw.

Zoya was standing at his door, nervously fidgeting with her hands, and looking around his room. He assumed she was looking for his shirt. He smirked and walked out of the washroom, clad in only his jeans and shoes. His six packs were displayed in all their glory.

Zoya's eyes widened as she took in the sight before her. She gulped. How was this man human? He was a Greek God, as far as she was concerned and he very well knew it. But when she saw his smirk, she knew. He was doing this on purpose. Well then, two can play at that game.

"Mr. Khan," she purred, earning a raised eyebrow from him. She walked up to him, until she was mere inches from his bare chest and his glorious six packs. Their breath hitched, both aware of how close they were to each other. Their eyes locked, for the umpteenth time, as they slowly closed the distance between them. Asad's smirk was long gone, and Zoya's eyes once again showed the same innocence he'd always seen in them when they looked at each other intently.

Zoya took one small step forward, but ended up stepping on the lace of her flats, and tripped forward, her hands landing on his hard rock chest. Asad instinctively snaked his arms around her waist, and they stood there, in a slightly awkward, but intriguing embrace. Zoya looked up, trying to make it a little less awkward, but felt herself drown in his brown orbs once again.

Asad lifted one of his hands to push a stray lock of hair behind her ear, and allowed his hand to linger on her cheek, a little longer than necessary. Zoya closed her eyes, reveling in the feeling of his skin on hers and the current. He smirked again, aware of his effect on her, now more than ever.

The sound of a horn from the open window made Zoya snap her eyes open, and she looked into his eyes as hers grew wide. She looked down and slowly untangled herself from his arms. Asad crossed his arms across his chest and looked at her, a smug smile on his face.

Zoya glared at him, and turned to see the source of the culprit that broke their blissfully beautiful dream. As she did, she noticed his shirt on the sill. She marched to the window and grabbed, huffing as she made her back towards him.

"Ms. Farooqui, aap hi ne kaha tha ke mein dhekne layak cheez hoon, to phir problem kya hai?" he asked, another smirk gracing his lips, making his right dimple quite pronounced.

Zoya's eyes grew wide as saucers with embarrassment. She looked down, and to the sides. Anywhere she could to avoid looking him in the eye. And despite all of this, she found herself smile a little. She bit her lip, hoping he hadn't seen her smile, and turned to leave his room.

But as she took a step towards the door, she felt a tug on the shirt in her hand. She stopped, and slowly turned her head. She gasped, as she felt his chest and six packs pressed up against her back.

"Waise, ek baat kahoon," he whispered hoarsely into her ear. She nodded. "Aap bhi dekhne layak cheez hai." And with that he let go, as he watched her run away, a small blush creeping up her cheeks.

Zoya ran into her room, and shut the door. Leaning against the door, she put her hand on her chest, in an attempt to calm her erratic heartbeat. She smiled, her ear to ear full dimpled smile, as she relished and relived the feeling of his Adonis-like abs flush against her back. The current she usually felt had been magnified to lightening. What was this feeling? Why did she suddenly feel very shy and tongue tied around him?

What was going on with Ms. Zoya Farooqui?

A/N:

Next update again won't be until the weekend, so bear with me. But might so an OS in between, at the behest of Kiran mata 😆.

Like and comment if you enjoyed it! 😃