AsYa SS: Light Years Away Part 6 on PG23 - Page 8

Asad looked up at the sky where he could see moon and stars. He figured the direction and used the starry guide to locate where his home planet is. He missed his home, his parents. But being a youth of his kind, he couldn't help but to come on this mission. It was his life time waiting and what he wished for till now. And when he atlast got his wish granted, he only realized that his one wish cost many humans their lives.

While Asad was immersed in his thoughts, not far away, Stephani was standing and looking at the emotions pass through her brother's face. It was not every day she could see her brother like that. Infact she never saw him like this. Call it a motherly concern or sisterly concern; she decided to enquire what's haunting him. As she asked him about what's wrong with him, she expected him to cut her off. But instead, he chose to answer her with another question, which surprised her.

"Steph, I can't understand these humans. They are shedding tears even if they are happy and smiling when they are sad. Why is that?"

Stephany couldn't help but to chuckle at her younger brother's question.

"Asad, that's why they are humans silly. They are unpredictable. So don't get involved with them much. Be away from them a little bit. It will help us to finish our duty as soon as possible"

Asad could swear he had felt an underlying sarcasm in her voice. And he could also vouch on the part that Stephani was looking at Zoya when she mentioned stay away from them'. He rolled his eyes at his sister's antics. He hated it when his sister plays the protector part. True, she is elder than him, but it doesn't give her the right to decide his each and every move. He was about to back answer her, when Zoya came into picture. Asad kept his mouth shut as he saw Zoya nearing them. She stopped as she approached them. He scrunched his eyebrows in confusion.

"Sorry to interrupt you guys. But we have a serious situation here. Everybody is hungry and some are badly hurt. If they didn't get any food and medicines, then..."

Her voice trailed off as she spoke. She didn't have to complete her sentence to make them understand. They could understand very well what comes after the then' part.

Asad: "That's really an important issue. I hope my friends also needs some food"

Zoya was flabbergasted will be an understatement.

"What? Will you eat human food?"

Asad: "We have our own food. But we can eat your food too. You see, our body is prepared for living everywhere"

Zoya was awed by the new information. Her baby brown eyes went wide as she tried to digest the information.

On the other hand, Asad was intrigued by her question. She was soo innocent. The way she questions, and the way her baby brown eyes went wide, drove him crazy. It took his all self-control to divert his attention from her face. He excused himself and went to speak with his friends as he needed a distraction badly.

After a few minutes of discussion, he came back and announced to everyone.

"Listen everyone, you will be safe here. I am going to get food and medicine for us. Don't worry, Stephani, Luco and Ayaan will be here"

His words brought relief in everyone's face except one, Zoya. She was scared with the fact that he is going alone.

"What's wrong with you Zoya? Why are you feeling bad?"

Her rational part of brain screamed at her.

"He is going alone. The monsters are still out there."

Her heart tried to reason.

"So what? He is trained to fight those monsters. And God knows how many experiences he has fighting them."

Her brain argued back.

"May be. But still... He doesn't even know from where he can get food and medicines."

Her heart fought back.

"Oh Girl, Don't even think about that. You are not going out. Your life will be at risk"

Her brain tried to show her torch to reality.

"Then what about his life? He is doing this for us, how can I let him go alone? I don't care if my life is at risk. I don't want anything to happen to him...or others... I am going and that's final"

Her heart declared with a sense of finality while her rational part of brain failed in front of the stubbornness of her heart.

Asad was all set to go. He gave instructions to his mates as to what should be done in his absence. He could feel that his sister is not happy with his decision of going alone. But being the leader he knew, more than him, the humans needed them. He gave an assuring look to his sister and walked towards the door. He hasn't crossed the door when he heard someone calling his name. He turned around only to find a slightly nervous Zoya. He raised his eyebrows in confusion.

Zoya was really nervous to put forward the proposal of her going with him. She could feel that he had purposefully avoided his friends to go with him, then how will he agree her accompanying him... with all the strength she had, she called him. As he turned around, she could see his raised eyebrows and she forgot the small ounce of confidence she had. She started stuttering.

"I...Wo...Can I...umm... come... come with you?"

She could see the various emotions playing in his face, from shock to disbelief then to something which was beyond her comprehension. Before he rejects her proposal, she mustered the courage and spoke.

"I want to come with you because... because I know the place where we can get food and medicines. Look, my office is nearby. Office canteen has huge stock of foods and we also have a pharmacy there. I can help you. Please... let me help you..."

She said all this in one go and closed her eyes not wanting to face his anger. Slowly she opened her one eye and peeked at him

Asad looked at the mere mortal in front of him, disbelief written all over his face. The way she closed her eyes showed him that she was afraid of his. He couldn't help but to smile at that innocence. Before he even realized, he nodded his head in yes'.

Her joy knew no boundaries as she saw him nodding his head. She flashed her million dollar smile at him and followed him outside.

The atmosphere outside was eerie. The shadows of buildings casted upon the street and the dead silence send chills down Zoya's spine. She instinctively crossed her arms across her chest hugging herself. She was feeling cold, there was no doubt about that. She had lost her jacket in the morning when she was running from the monsters. She didn't felt the need for it till now, but now... she looked at Asad who was walking cautiously. The way he was eyeing surroundings showed that he was vigilant. His one hand was gripped around the gun like weapon in his belt. The dim moon light falling upon him gave a divine glow to him. Her breath hitched as she drank in his figure. Clad in that outfit, he looked no less than a prince from movies. She came to reality as suddenly he turned to look at her and their eyes met. She broke away, embarrassed for being caught checking him out. She tightened her grip around herself.

Asad was walking vigilantly. One mistake and it will end both of their lives. He even doesn't know why he agreed to her in the first place. For that one moment inside, he felt that he want her to be with him, and the next moment when they stepped outside, a strange fear engulfed him. He was scared for her, for her safety. His thought process was broken as he felt a warmness filling him. Turing around slowly, he looked at her. For the brief moment when their eyes met, he knew, it was her gaze which filled warmness in him. He smirked seeing her looking away embarrassed. He was about to turn around when he saw her hugging herself. He felt like a jerk for not realizing sooner that she was feeling cold. He walked closer to her. Her eyes shot up at the sudden closeness. He looked at her eyes which were sparkling in the moonlight. Slowly, he raised his right hand and placed it on her right shoulder holding her close to him, all the while his eyes locked with hers. He waited for any resistance, but it never came. Don't know why, but he felt happy. He felt happy that she doesn't flinch away from him and she does trust him. With this new found happiness, he held her more closely and took steps towards their destination.

Zoya sighed as she felt contended in his arms. Even though she was shocked seeing his gesture, she couldn't help but to admit that she felt safe in his arms.

Their journey was uneventful as they reached her office canteen undetected. To their happiness, there was a lot of food stock. Zoya helped him to pack those foods neatly. That's when one thought crossed her mind.

"Asad, I will go and get medicines."

"No Way... you are not going alone..."

"Please understand Asad. I have knowledge about medicines. We need to split our work. Otherwise, we won't be able to reach back on time before sunset."

Asad knew she was right, but the mere thought of leaving Zoya alone caused the suppressed fear to rise. He argued with her but had to give up in the end. She gave him a victorious smile and took a deep breath. Gathering all her courage she turned to go when she felt a tug in her wrist. Sighing she turned around to face Asad. He tightened his grip around her wrist pulling her closer to him. Her breath hitched at this sudden proximity. He took hold of her both hands in his hands and squeezed it.

"Be safe Zoya. Take care of yourself... For me..."

A treacherous tear dropped down from her eyes at his sweet gesture. Wiping it she turned around and walked towards the medical store. He stood there looking at her with unfathomable expression in his face.

Khubsurat sa ek pal kissa banjata hai,

Jane kab kaun zindagi ka hissa banjata hai,

Kuch log zindagi me milte hain aise,

So How's it? i know its not upto the mark. but i am sure, you will love the coming chapters, if not, atleast the ending😃

PS: the shayari is not my own😳