Inferno-A FF by Arabflower. Chapter 19 page 36

Title: Inferno

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction adapted and based on other works of fiction .I only hold the copyrights to my imagination

Characters: Asad / Zoya / OC (Other Character)

Genre: Romance/ Drama

Summary: Love is ignited and so is anger, but when the latter stirs the former suffers. Both emotions create and both destroy but for how long can one blame their love for their anger.

Authors Note (A/N): This does not follow the Current Track and Characters will be slightly OOC (out of Character)

A/N 2: The current track has both infuriated and astounded me, I had wanted to post this earlier but had to fight the war every student wages with exams, now that I have emerged victorious my imagination is free to roam. I don't speak Hindi, so majority of this story is in English (apologies for this). Comments and criticism are welcome. So without much further ado, here's chapter one...

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CHAPTER 1:

The slap resonated throughout the house. This one action, done in anger, had robbed this home and its occupants of happiness making the path clear for pain, sorrow and anguish to set in. After the slap's echo had died down, a new sound had taken its place which (in its own way) caused more harm than the slap.

Dilshad: "I regret bringing you into this family..."

Dilshad Ahmed Khan, looked at the girl whom she had welcomed into her home, the love and care in her eyes replaced with anger and disappointment. A little voice in her head had screamed at her saying that her anger and disappointment is not merited, deep down she knew that Zoya would never hurt or disgrace her and her family but Tanveer had shown her the reports, which bore the name Zoya Faarouqui' the reports which caused her to raise her hand on the girl who brought nothing but happiness into Khan Villa, her daughter Najma was in tears and somehow from her daughter's sobs Dilshad realised that whatever Najma was saying had matched that little voice in her head. Both Najma and the voice had said that Zoya is innocent' but Dilshad had ignored both the voice and her daughter's tears as her rational mind became clouded with emotions. The report laying on her living room floor informed its reader that one Zoya Faarouqui' was pregnant but if Dilshad had listened to her daughter and that voice she would have known that the Report was a lie and that its bringer, her son's Childhood friend Tanveer, had forged the report but Dilshad placed her faith in the wrong person and stared into Zoya's eyes. When the younger woman lowered her gaze, it was the confirmation that Dilshad's rational mind needed to conclude that the girl was guilty. Her son, Asad, was both angry and hurt but what he had said next would've caused his mother to slap him in any other situation but his mother's anger had clouded her judgement causing her to agree with her son.

Asad: "I'm glad that your parents aren't alive to see this day otherwise they would have died with shame and I'm sure that they are grateful that God had taken their lives before their daughter could humiliate them, I expected something like this from a despicable and uncultured woman like you, take your illegitimate child leave this house..."

For those who knew Asad Ahmed Khan, they would know that he often said such things in anger without thinking or knowing the truth and that he, once he knew the truth, would curse himself for being so harsh but in this moment he regretted loving Zoya and he had hated himself for loving her and why his sister was defending Zoya was a mystery to him. Najma is probably in denial' he thought. However both Dilshad and Asad were too blinded by their anger to realise that they were playing right into Tanveer's evil hands. If both of them had listened to Najma they wouldn't have to curse themselves later for hurting the one person who had done nothing but help this family.

Zoya remained silent, not because of guilt but because of shock, I could never do this, I am innocent' her mind had screamed her innocence to her but her voice was silenced upon seeing the hatred in her phupi's eyes, the woman who treated her like a daughter had abhorred her presence and Zoya didn't want to hurt Dilshad further with her presence. She heard Najma's sobs but couldn't do anything to wipe the tears from her Tamaatar's eyes. Her body had moved, of its own accord, towards the guest room of the Khan Villa and mechanically she began to pack her belongings.

Zoya Faarouqui had left the Khan Villa that morning, as lonely as she was when she first entered and returned to her home country oblivious to the fact that the occupants of Khan Villa needed her now more than ever...

Title: Inferno

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction adapted and based on other works of fiction .I only hold the copyrights to my imagination

Characters: Asad / Zoya / OC (Other Character)

Genre: Romance/ Drama

Summary: Love is ignited and so is anger, but when the latter stirs the former suffers. Both emotions create and both destroy but for how long can one blame their love for their anger.

Authors Note (A/N): This does not follow the Current Track and Characters will be slightly OOC (out of Character) I have technologically repellent so it's taking me sometime to figure out how to use this site... I will PM once I learn how and if anyone can help me I'd be very grateful...

A/N 2: Firstly I am no poet, so I don't know how exactly I'm going to incorporate Zoya's Shayari into the character and story but I'm working on this. Secondly the Title is completely random as I based the title on my understanding of the word Inferno'. The word Inferno' loosely translates to Hell' and therefore has associations with the element of fire. Love and Anger are both emotions that are ignited' like fire and can consume its bearer resulting in a tumultuous adventure and thus Inferno' is really the only way to properly encapsulate the magical love saga that is AsYa.

N.B: For those who are interested, I imagine the Faarouqui Penthouse to resemble the Waldorf penthouse from the T.V show Gossip Girl. For those who do not watch the show I have included some pictures below. I have no idea what Zoya's lifestyle was like in New York (as it is hardly mentioned on the show) so I am taking liberties with the details. I would imagine that the Faarouqui's were affluent and able to cater to Zoya's every need (we can see from the show that she is the apple of her jeeju's eye and that he gives in to her every whim) and since Zoya has been given a Princess like' status amongst some of her fans I thought it would be appropriate to portray her life in New York as one living amongst New York's elite on the Upper East Side.

Picture 1: The Foyer/ Living Room

Picture 2: The Dining Room

XXX

CHAPTER 2:

She had cried on her journey to Bhopal airport, on the plane during the extremely long flight and on the taxi ride through the streets of New York City to her apartment in 5^th Avenue. Now standing outside the building where her childhood home was situated, Zoya could not bring herself to go in. She didn't want her aapi and jeeju to know about what had happened in Bhopal and she didn't want to burden them further with her problems. Being an expert at hiding her emotions, Zoya dried her tears; pulled herself together, plastered a smile on her face and decided to go in and surprise the people who raised her.

The ding of the private elevator had taken Zeenat and Anwar Faarouqui by surprise, they were not expecting anyone but the happy shouting of their maid and Zoya's old governess Esmerelda had told them that their angel was home. Both had rushed out to greet the life of the double story penthouse apartment and after the mandatory hugs were exchanged, the tears of happiness shed and questions such as: "how was your flight?" were asked and answered, Zoya felt glad to be home. Her Aapi had a particular radiance about her that Zoya could not put her finger on and her Jeeju was grinning from ear to ear. After settling in to her room on the second floor, Zoya ventured downstairs to catch up' with her family. Once downstairs, Zoya had found her Aapi and Jeeju deep in a hushed conversation, which had suddenly stopped the moment she had entered the room. This type of conversation had only occurred in situations when Zoya was either in trouble or about to be surprised with good news and after the hell she'd been through in Bhopal Zoya was really hoping that whatever her Aapi and Jeeju wanted to tell her was good news. In the gentlest of tones Zeenat Faarouqui had addressed Zoya

Zeenat: "Zoya, sit down..."

Following her Aapi's instruction, Zoya had taken a seat and waited for her parental figures to continue, her Aapi and Jeeju seemed to be tensed

Allah Miyan! Have they found out about what happened in Bhopal?' Panic began to rise in Zoya once this thought crossed her mind but before she could speak up and voice her defence her Jeeju's voice had stopped her

Anwar: "Usually it is custom to wait three months before informing others but we didn't want you to find out from someone else..."

Three Months? I'm confused... why would Jeeju have to wait three months to tell me something? I was in India; surely he could've Skyped me and told me?' Zoya's brain began going into overdrive, trying to figure out what exactly her Aapi and Jeeju were trying to tell her.

Zeenat: "now that the first trimester is over..."

Trimester? Ok now they lost me...Zoya just listen don't jump to conclusions, that's how you get yourself into trouble...' Zoya mentally slapped herself and began focusing on the conversation

Anwar: "What we're trying to say Zoya is that... there's going to be a new addition to our family"

Before Zoya could process this new bit of information and come to the conclusion herself her aapi blurted out in excitement

Zeenat: "I'm pregnant!"

After the statement had sunk in and Zoya's brain had processed it, shock had set in, then disbelief, then amazement and finally euphoria. I'm going to be an aunt!!' was ringing in Zoya's head and with that she got up from her seat and hugged Anwar and Zeenat, happy that they were going to have a child and that they had not and will never know about what happened to Zoya in India.

Maybe a Niece or Nephew is exactly what I need to get my mind of Bhopal' and with this thought Zoya began looking forward to becoming an aunt

*4 months into Aapi's pregnancy*

The Faarouqui's were glad to have Zoya home, and being the doting aunt Zoya had decided to document each and every moment of Aapi's pregnancy by creating a video diary for the little one. So far Zoya and Anwar had been victims of Aapi's mood swings and had to endure the late night cravings but each welcomed them happily eager for the arrival of the newest Faarouqui

*5 months into Aapi's pregnancy*

Zoya resumed her post at the Family empire, Faarouqui Industries', as its main IT consultant and member of its Board of Directors, keeping busy with work and aapi's pregnancy was preventing her mind from dwelling across the world to the family she had left behind in Bhopal, she thought about them regularly but couldn't bring herself to call or email them, she had drafted an email to Najma once but broke down before she could hit the send button. These breakdowns were becoming a frequent affair; she had a mission keeping them from Aapi and Jeeju. "They're so happy, I don't want to take this from them by telling them my problems" Zoya had once told this to her oldest friend, Arbaaz, after one of the many breakdowns which had caused Zoya to flee from her office and seek refuge in Central Park, crying her eyes out. When Arbaaz had found her, Zoya had broke down and told him everything and after a long chat, some coffee and a warm embrace Arbaaz had decided to not only keep this from Aapi and Jeeju but help his dear best friend overcome this grief and finally be happy

She deserves a little happiness after all she's been through...' he thought as he watched Zoya's retreating figure headed into her apartment building.

*6 months into Aapi's Pregnancy*

It's been three months since Zoya's return and she had returned to a semi normal state, well normal for Zoya at least. The breakfast table was once again filled with Shayaris and laughter with Arbaaz becoming a regular feature at the Faarouqui penthouse much to Anwar and Zeenat's delight. If the people of Bhopal had insisted that Tanveer will grow up to become Asad's wife then the residents of the Upper East side were determined that Zoya will grow up to become Arbaaz's bride. Arbaaz belonged to another wealthy Indian Muslim family and many had speculated that his and Zoya's bond went beyond friendship. Anwar and Zeenat had discussed the union amongst themselves many a times but wouldn't dare mention it to Zoya because the moment Zoya heard the words Zoya' and marriage' she would first exclaim Allah Miyan!! What's wrong with you?!' then would make up all sorts of excuses as to why she wasn't ready for marriage. The Muslim community of New York and many of the Faarouqui's friends on the Upper East Side were now aware of Aapi's pregnancy and as a result people kept dropping in to visit. Being an Upper East Sider had its perks though, the glamorous parties, the riding around in town cars, bottomless bank accounts and access to luxuries that most would only dream of meant that almost every week there was some soiree or Gala dinner that required the presence of the Faarouqui family. So being busy with the various soirees and work Zoya had pushed Bhopal and her loved ones in that city into the recesses of her memory and began building her life in NYC.

*7 months into Aapi's pregnancy*

More parties and work, Zoya and Arbaaz were getting closer and Aapi was officially annoyed with Zoya documenting every single thing about her pregnancy.

But aapi, this way your child will be able to see how excited our family was for its arrival!' Zoya whined, and this was her response every time she yelled "Get that camera out of my face" to an extremely excited Zoya. The video diary, now an innocent and childish thing would become very useful much later on

*8 months into Aapi's pregnancy*

Zeenat and Anwar were discussing the idea of Zoya settling down and both deciding that Arbaaz is the ideal man for Zoya. Aapi's friends had thrown her a lavish baby shower and as the due date drew nearer the excitement grew with everyone eagerly awaiting the arrival of the newest Faarouqui.

It was late one dreary Tuesday, Anwar and Zeenat had gone for one of their pre birth exercise classes for expectant mothers, and Zoya was leaving the office going to pick them up in the Faarouqui Limo. It was on days like this which proved that although the Faarouqui's have the Midas touch when it came to wealth, they were extremely unlucky in the family' department. Tragedy after Tragedy would befall them tearing the family apart over the years, first it was the death of Zainub Faarouqui (Zoya's Mother) in India and baby Zoya's disappearance but what was to come nearly destroyed this family.

After picking her Aapi and Jeeju up, the Faarouqui family was making its way home when a drunk driver had lost control of his vehicle and crashed into their limo, Zoya was forced through the limo's windows and onto the street, her aapi and Jeeju were still trapped inside the car. The drunk driver and the limo driver died upon impact. Once the emergency services arrived they began extracting the survivors from the wreckage, Aapi had gone into labour and since the impact was on Jeeju's side he was knocked unconscious and sustained some severe crush injuries. Zoya watched in horror as after the emergency personnel had extracted her family from the wreckage, the cars exploded engulfing the deceased in flames. She heard Zeenat's strained and panicked cries which brought Zoya back to reality, she snapped up and working on pure adrenalin rushed to her aapi's side and joined her as the Paramedics rushed the Faarouqui family to the Hospital.

She clutched her aapi's hand in the delivery room as the doctors bustled around them, the latest addition to the Faarouqui family, a baby boy, was birthed but the delivery had taken its toll on a weak Zeenat causing the doctors to force Zoya out of the delivery room to conduct an emergency operation, before Zoya left however Zeenat asked to speak with her.

Zeenat: "Zoya, promise me that you will take care of Maahir..."

Zoya: "Don't worry Aapi, once you get better you, Jeeju and I will be able to take care of him together..."

Zeenat: "No, Zoya promise me now, if anything happens... you'll take care of him...promise me?"

Zoya: "I promise Aapi..."

Aapi's funeral was held and once again Zoya had lost someone who regarded her as a daughter. Between the loss of a mother figure, the numerous operations Anwar had to undergo and taking care her infant Nephew Zoya had no time to properly grieve or console herself as others had taken priority but on the day that Zoya Faarouqui had buried her Jeeju a year and a half after losing her Aapi she had came to a realisation

Every person who is a parent to me meets with a terrible end. Maybe I'm jinxed? Maybe? Come on Zoya you are definitely jinxed first your Ammi, then Aapi and now Jeeju.' But Zoya your Phuphi is still well and alive the rational part of her brain had tried to reason with her but then the emotional part of her brain had retorted Phuphi is alive because she threw you out of her life before you could ruin it' and with that Zoya had resolved to never let anyone become a parent like figure to her to protect themselves from falling victim to the Jinx' that is Zoya Faarouqui and to protect Zoya from the heart ache of watching another parent leave her.

Title: Inferno

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction adapted and based on other works of fiction .I only hold the copyrights to my imagination

Characters: Asad / Zoya / OC (Other Character)

Genre: Romance/ Drama

Summary: Love is ignited and so is anger, but when the latter stirs the former suffers. Both emotions create and both destroy but for how long can one blame their love for their anger.

Authors Note (A/N): This does not follow the Current Track and Characters will be slightly OOC (out of Character).

XXX

CHAPTER 3:

Time is supposed to be a healer of wounds, but for occupants of Khan Villa, it had only added to their anguish. Nearly Two years had passed since that dreadful day and in this time the Khan Villa had returned to its state prior to Zoya's arrival, a home devoid of laughter, happiness and cheer. In fact it didn't deserve to be called a home because a home implies warmth and happiness which have now disappeared since Zoya's departure, the Khan Villa had returned to being a House which merely sheltered its occupants. The only person who gained some joy out of the family's plight was Tanveer. Her plan had succeeded; she had gotten rid of Zoya and was well on her way to becoming Mrs. Asad Ahmed Khan. The only person who seemed to hate her presence was Najma; her would be sister in law. Najma was convinced that Zoya was innocent and that Tanveer had set the whole thing up.

One would think that in the time that had passed Tanveer would have brought her plan to fruition but something had prevented her from graduating to the Ahmed Khan Daughter in Law' and to say that Tanveer was furious was an understatement. She had aborted her child, once it had served its purpose, to further her dream of revenge on one Razia Siddiqui but sadly (or happily- depending on how you look at it) she remained a guest in the home of Asad Ahmed Khan. Neither Asad nor his family could forget Zoya and this fact had made Tanveer livid.

*Flashback*

2 years ago at the Local Hospital, the OB/GYN (obstetrician) ward

Nurse: "Congratulations Ma'am, you baby is healthy. I just need your details for the Hospital records"

The woman sitting before her had taken the form and filled it in, she had filled in the boxes asking for the patient's contact details correctly but entered another's name in the box where her own was to be placed. After handing back the form, the Nurse looked it over to check if everything was in order.

Nurse: "Ok Zoya, both you and the baby are healthy, here is the date for your next appointment and the pregnancy report will be mailed to your home"

Tanveer had smiled at the first phase of her plan being completed without any glitch, she exited the Hospital happily

Tanveer (to herself): "I'm sorry Zoya, It's nothing personal, but if I have to pretend to be you to get what I want then so be it. Now all I have to do is wait, then all my dreams will come true"

*Flashback ends*

Tanveer is brought out of her reverie by the sound of footsteps coming towards the breakfast table; Dilshad Ahmed Khan had made her way to the table. She had not changed in the slightest and continued to age gracefully. Her daughter Najma followed, it was the same Najma from two years ago, the only difference was that her smile and positive attitude was missing, her naivet had been replaced by a sheer determination to prove her best friend innocent but no matter how hard Najma had tried, she could not prove that Zoya was innocent and that Tanveer was guilty. Last to arrive was Asad, a handsome man with chiselled features but the last few years haven't been kind to him. After Zoya's betrayal' he had become even more strict, sullen and bitter than before, something most people thought wasn't even possible.

Zoya's departure had only one benefit, Najma was brought closer to her step brother Ayaan and her father Rashid because both of them, like Najma, believed that Zoya is innocent. The three had set out together to prove Zoya's innocence but Tanveer had outsmarted them at every turn and now after two years of attempting to uncover the truth, their resolve began to waiver.

After a quite breakfast they dispersed, each one preparing to meet the new day.

*On the other side of the World*

It had been hours since she crawled into bed, but sleep had once again eluded her. Her nightmares had once consisted of a burning building and an infant's cries but now there was a new addition to this terror, the hurt and disappointed face of Dilshad Ahmed Khan had snaked its way into the dream with the voice of her son booming and echoing all around her "I expected something like this from a despicable and uncultured woman like you" his voice then replaced with that of his mother "I regret bringing you into this family..." the flames, which were always at an arm's length, engulfed her Aapi and Jeeju (who had suddenly appeared) and snatched them away...

At that moment Zoya Faarouqui had jerked awake, drenched in sweat and trembling from her nightmare. It took her a while to realise that her Aapi and Jeeju had both passed on and that she was neither in a burning building nor where her Phuphi or Mr. Khan anywhere near her. "They're still in Bhopal" her brain reminded her. Zoya turned to her side, prayed to the Almighty and listened to the bustling sounds of her home city, it was nearly midnight here but New York was the City that never slept and at this moment Zoya craved nothing more than a dreamless sleep. The Park Avenue penthouse apartment of the Faarouqui family was quiet and Zoya had no desire to wake its other occupants. Fortune had not favoured the Faarouqui family with fate taking away Zoya's Aapi Zeenat Faarouqui in a horrific accident, a year and a half prior and the demise of Zoya's Jeeju Anwar Faarouqui, after succumbing to his injuries a year after his wife's passing. Zoya remained, probably to return the favour bestowed upon her by those who raised her. The other occupants of the Faarouqui penthouse consisted not only of the live in servants but a One and a Half year old baby boy. Maahir Faarouqui, the son of the late Zeenat and Anwar Faarouqui was sound asleep in his crib when Zoya had crept into his nursery, settled herself in the chair next to the central crib and drifted into a deep slumber the kind that only being close to her Nephew could bring her.

*Bhopal*

Najma walked through the crowd, craning her neck, her eyes searching for her partners in crime, if you could call one's step-brother and father one's partners in crime' that is. In the last two years Najma was brought closer to her father and step brother, another thing she had to be grateful to Zoya for because these three individuals are united by blood but separated by circumstance so their shared goal of proving Zoya innocent is a starting point to bridging the gap. Najma had spotted her father, Rashid, laughing at something her step brother Ayaan had said and made her way towards them. Her father had insisted on meeting in a public place, "it makes it difficult for someone to overhear us..." was his reasoning I guess living with people like the Siddiqui's forces one to learn some of their tricks...' thought Najma as she hugged her family.

Rashid: "Najma, a friend of mine over at the hospital was kind enough to pull the security footage from the day that Zoya supposedly went in for her check up and just to be safe I asked him to pull all the footage from the time Zoya had arrived in Bhopal."

Najma: "so now we have a bunch of tapes to watch?"

Rashid: "No, after careful analysis, we can conclude that the only time Zoya ever went to that Hospital was when Dilshad was shot other than that she never set foot in there..."

Najma: "So then who used her name?"

Ayaan: "Well on the day that the test was supposedly taken, camera's placed in the hall of the Obstetrician ward picked up an old friend of ours...Tanveer."

Rashid: "I just can't believe that Tanveer would do this, I remember people in the neighbourhood always saying that she will one day marry Asad but I didn't think she'd be so affected by their comments..."

Ayaan: "Thank Allah that Bhaijaan said Zoya' when the Maulvi asked him what the bride's name was..."

Najma: "So that's what the joke was..."

Ayaan: "We were discussing the fact that even though Asad may be angry with Zoya, he could never stop loving her. That and the fact that he couldn't spot a trustworthy person if they stood in front of him waving a sign in his face..."

At this Najma and Rashid burst into side splitting laughter, but something had stopped Rashid from continuing this enjoyment, his jovial expression suddenly turned into one of disappointment.

Rashid: "Asad is really a bad judge of character and in some way that is my fault, I just can't believe that Asad would do that..."

Ayaan and Najma: "Do what???"

Rashid: "This stays between us but the day that Dilshad was shot, whilst she was in theatre Asad had raised his hand on Zoya..."

Ayaan and Najma were shocked. Their morally upright Bhaijaan would never do such a thing but with the way Asad had treated Zoya whilst she was in Bhopal didn't work in Asad's favour.

Rashid: "Najma this footage of Tanveer isn't the only one we picked up, after Zoya left Bhopal we found another set of footage showing Tanveer speaking to a doctor, they were making a deal and the deal looked pretty sketchy, I have a suspicion that Tanveer was pregnant, used Zoya's name during her own pregnancy test to hide the fact that she was pregnant and if this got rid of Zoya as well, then two birds, one stone.."

Ayaan: "but what I don't get Abbu is why Tanveer would be paying a doctor off..."

Najma: "because abortions are still frowned upon here especially in a conservative city like Bhopal our Muslim community would not tolerate an abortion if it was not for any medical reason and to top it off Tanveer is unmarried, plus as the pregnancy progressed someone would have figured out that Tanveer was pregnant and not Zoya and then her plan would be foiled..."

Rashid: "Exactly, now we have the evidence, the question is... How are we going to present it?"

Najma: "I think we should give it to Ammi... Bhaijaan is biased towards Tanveer; Ammi is the only one who would look at this objectively."

While Rashid had begun to deliberate the matter; his children had broken into a spirited debate over who should be told first. Ayaan, ever the strong advocate for his Bhaijaan, reasoned that Asad should be told first because Tanveer had played this trick to trap Asad, Najma had rebutted that her Ammi was the head of their family and even if Asad was told ultimately it was going to be Dilshad's decision. Both of their arguments had merit, but somehow Rashid had found himself leaning towards Najma's reasoning and after voicing his decision and much pouting from Ayaan Najma headed home to have a long chat with her Ammi.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Once Najma had reached home, she made a beeline for her mother's room. Seeing her mother get ready for dinner, Najma had shut the room door and approached her mother

Dilshad: "Najma beta, what's the matter?"

Najma: "Ammi remember when I was younger and you had always told me to stand by the truth..."

Dilshad: "yes... but why do you want to talk about this now?"

Najma: "Ammi, I stood by the truth and today I want to tell the truth to you..."

Dilshad: "Najma what are you saying? I don't understand anything..."

Najma: "Ammi, two years ago..."

Before she could continue, she was cut off by her mother's glare... and in anger Dilshad spoke

Dilshad: "Najma, don't remind me of that horrible time. That despicable girl had destroyed our lives...I was wrong to bring her here..."

Najma: "Haan Ammi, you were wrong but not because you brought Zoya here but because you threw her out..."

Dilshad: "Najma, after what that girl has done I can't believe that you are going against your own Ammi and defending her..."

Najma: "Ammi, Zoya wasn't pregnant... She was set up and I have proof."

Najma had pulled out her laptop and played the security footage that Rashid had acquired and whilst the footage was playing Najma was telling her mother everything that she had discovered. It was lucky that Dilshad was seated when Najma began playing the footage because had she have stood she would have certainly crumbled to the floor.

That Slap and her words "I regret bringing you into this family..." were playing on loop in her head.

Ya Allah! What have I done? I punished the innocent and sheltered the Devil? And Asad! I let him speak so rudely to Zoya! My conscience was right! Ya Allah! Why had I not listened to my conscience that day! Zoya had helped my family and I threw her out? How will I face her? How will I face the Almighty now that I have hurt someone with such a pure heart? I have to find Zoya... I have to bring her home... I have to apologise..."

Dilshad Ahmed Khan had no idea when she had begun crying, but now that the first tear had trickled down her cheeks, there was no stopping it. She broke down on her daughter's shoulder and seeing her Ammi weep so bitterly had caused Najma to cry as well. Dilshad had begun second guessing everything from that day... the report, Tanveer, Zoya's expression, Asad... "Ya Allah! Asad! Does he know that Zoya was framed? Does he know that Tanveer lied to him?"

Dilshad had dried her tears and voiced these questions to her daughter and when Najma had negatively replied to both questions Dilshad's heart sank. If she was feeling bad about what she had done that day, then surely Asad will feel worse about his actions once he learns the truth. Getting up, Dilshad and Najma had made their way out of the room and began searching for Asad. Once they were downstairs they had found Asad at the dinner table and Tanveer serving him. This sight was enough to enrage Dilshad, who stalked over to Tanveer and, without warning, slapped her across the face

Dilshad: "That was for lying to my family..."

And without hesitation she lifted her hand and struck Tanveer again

Dilshad: "That was for taking away our happiness..."

Asad had stood up in shock he hadn't even registered the first slap when his mother had dealt out the second. He had only remembered his mother being this angry on two occasions, the first was when his mother had slapped him for getting Rashid Ahmed Khan arrested and the second was... That was when she threw Zo-, Miss Faarou-, no when she threw that girl out..." He was so furious with Zoya that he couldn't even take her name properly, even in his subconscious. His was brought out of his thoughts when his mother had raised her hand to administer a third blow to Tanveer, which had struck his childhood friend harder than the rest...

Dilshad: "That Tanveer was for framing Zoya!"

At the mention of Zoya's name, Asad's head snapped up and looked at his mother. His mother, through her sobs had begun revealing everything that Najma had said to her, his mother was crying and so was Tanveer, who was going on about her innocence and that she was being wrongfully accused', but the only thing that Asad had registered was Zoya is innocent! She was framed... I hurt her again! I hurt her, broke her heart... I need to apologise, will she forgive me this time? Have I run out of chances? She hates me...I made her hate me... I... I... I love her...' He trusted both these women blindly, he turned to the third woman in the room for guidance and when Najma had walked over and stood beside her mother, Asad realised whose story was true, his mother would never lie to him and in that moment he had also realised that Tanveer had poisoned his mind. She had nearly turned me against my own mother!' and with that realisation a new rage built up within Asad, He turned Tanveer towards himself and once she was facing him, he struck her hard across the face

Asad: "You! How could you do this! I called you a friend! I sheltered you! I helped you in your time of need! I threw the woman I love out of this house because you did not trust her! You destroyed my family and tried to turn me against my own mother! Is this what our friendship means to you?"

Tanveer: "Jammy... I-"

Her attempts at justification were all Asad had needed to convince himself of Tanveer's guilt.

Asad: "pack your things and get out..."

Tanveer: "Jammy please..."

Asad: "MY NAME IS ASAD!" he roared "and don't you dare forget it! Now get out of my house and my life before I throw you in Jail..."

Seeing his rage, a new fear had awoken in Tanveer; she quietly went to her room and began packing. Asad had stormed off to his room and began throwing things in anger, he destroyed his pristine room so it could reflect his shattered and broken state. His mother had rushed to his side and taken him in her arms, both had sank to the floor and began to cry...

Asad: "Ammi, I hurt her again..."

Dilshad: "Asad, Tanveer had lied to us, it wasn't our fault..."

Asad: "Ammi, I said such horrible things to her..."

Dilshad: "Asad we can't change what happened, but we can make amends..."

Asad: "but Ammi, will she accept..."

Dilshad: "I'm sure she will..."

Asad: "I'll call the travel agent... we must leave for New York immediately..."

Dilshad: "Haan Beta... let's bring her home..."

Title: Inferno

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction adapted and based on other works of fiction .I only hold the copyrights to my imagination

Characters: Asad / Zoya / OC (Other Character)

Genre: Romance/ Drama

Summary: Love is ignited and so is anger, but when the latter stirs the former suffers. Both emotions create and both destroy but for how long can one blame their love for their anger.

Authors Note (A/N): This does not follow the Current Track and Characters will be slightly OOC (out of Character)

A/N: I do not speak Spanish but Google Translate does!

XXX

CHAPTER 4:

Once the arrangements were made, the essentials packed, the apologies rehearsed and the house secured, the Ahmed Khan clan had headed off to bring their happiness home. On the way to New York City each member was caught up in their own thoughts. Najma was excited to see her BFF again, she had also promised Ayaan that once they meet Zoya there will be a reunion of the epic schemers Mona and Raabert'. Like Najma, Ayaan had missed Zoya and both were eager to have her back. Next to Najma, Dilshad Ahmed Khan was remembering all the times that Zoya had spent with them and chuckled to herself.

She baked Asad's presentation into a cake, thought that Asad was depressed and tried to set him up with Elena, ran away from her own Nikah, took Najma to a cricket game, covered up Najma's haircut, beat up some boys and got arrested... oh Zoya! Sure your methods may be wrong at times, but your heart was always in the right place... please, please forgive your Phuphi..." Dilshad had begun to silently cry, and through her tears she had began to pray for herself and her family. On the other side, her son Asad was gazing out the window. Like his mother, he was also remembering all the moments spent with Zoya, but one must take the good with the bad... his mother had seen the funny side of all Zoya's antics but all Asad remembered from those times was yelling at, insulting and hurting Zoya. His mother was as uneasy as he was as both dreaded having to face Zoya after such a long time, she was silently praying and he did not wish to disturb her. His sister, however, was extremely excited to see Zoya again and Asad couldn't blame her. Najma was the only one who believed Zoya; she had not wronged Zoya in any way like her mother or brother so it was only natural that she would be eager to see her BFF again. The hours it took to reach NYC were closing in and as the plane had begun its decent onto the runway at JFK Asad had begun to feel his heart flutter, he was going to see Zoya again, she was in the same city as him, he will apologise and make her belong to him...she was his, and only his...but before he could become too comfortable with that thought, a new thought cropped up you hurt her Asad, you are a monster who can only hurt those he loves, you're just like your father...' but before his inner demons could take over a voice in his subconscious had shielded him from them, that voice which now sounded strangely like Zoya's filled his subconscious Mr. Khan, fight it, you are nothing like your Father, stay strong Mr. Khan if you hurt me then you also saved me, from Akram, in Mangalpur... Mr. Khan do not lose hope... you're so close to me now, don't give up now..."

Asad: "I won't give up Zoya... I'll bring you home..."

Asad did not realise when he had spoken out loud but once he started he repeated the phrase like a mantra his mother had seen his determination and smiled, she knew Zoya will surely come back to Bhopal, if her son had anything to do about it...

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

After going through baggage claim, the hired car had driven them to one of the best hotels money could buy but there was no time to settle in, after dropping off their bags and freshening up, the Ahmed Khan clan had hired a town-car and set off on their mission. Dilshad did not have the address, so she had asked the concierge to find the address of Anwar Faarouqui. After much digging the concierge had produced the last known address of Anwar Faarouqui, a 5^th Avenue penthouse apartment on the Upper East Side. The ride to 5^th Avenue was slow, with numerous traffic jams along the way delaying them from reaching their goal. Whilst confined to the car, once again each member had become lost in their own thoughts. Najma had mentally began planning all the fun she was going to have with Zoya once she met her, Asad was repeating his mantra from the plane and his determination to make Zoya his grew with each passing moment and as a result he couldn't wait to see her, take her in his arms and make her Mrs. Asad Ahmed Khan. The only person who was now dreading the re union was Dilshad Ahmed Khan, she had suddenly realised that this reunion not only meant facing Zoya again but also meant seeing Zeenat and Anwar again, and they were sure to be angry with them for hurting Zoya. Asad had noticed his mother's uneasiness and spoke up

Asad: "Ammi, what's the matter?"

Najma: "Yeah Ammi, we're going to see Zoya again, you should be happy..."

Dilshad: "I am happy it's just... Anwar and Zeenat, they will be angry at us for hurting Zoya..."

And with that thought, the car ride ended, they were now outside the apartment building, their destination before them but none could find it in themselves to put one foot in front of the other and go inside. Excitement and determination had now turned into nervousness and dread. Three people stood frozen outside one of the most luxurious buildings in the city, it nearly nightfall and the bustling sidewalk with New Yorkers hurrying to get from one place to the next had drowned out the presence of the Ahmed Khans. Suddenly, everything seemed to slow down there was stillness in the air and the sounds of the city faded into the background and in this altered sense of time, Dilshad Ahmed Khan had heard a sound that used to announce mayhem, havoc and happiness in her life and home. The sound was footsteps, at first faint but grew louder as they neared. Dilshad had moved her head to find the source of the sound and to her right she saw her. She had changed in two years, her jeans and tops were swapped for office formal wear, her once clumsy/ cute/adorable nature was swapped for one that exudes authority/ respect/ prestige but some things had remained the same like her kind eyes, warm smile and her voice. Dilshad had not heard that voice in two years and she began moving towards its speaker, Zoya was oblivious to the elderly woman moving towards her since she was so wrapped up talking to her companion. She turned to bid her companion farewell while Dilshad had made her way towards Zoya, whose back was turned unaware of the curveball that life was about to throw her way. Zoya had relished her ignorant state for a few seconds before she felt it. A hand was placed on her shoulder, the touch was familiar No, it couldn't be... it's your mind playing tricks on you...'thought Zoya. The touch was soft, gentle as opposed to the harsh sting which accompanied Zoya's last encounter with this touch. Suddenly Zoya was afraid to turn around, she didn't want to look back or she couldn't look back. Her past had come to torment her but it is possible that you are over reacting, what are the chances that Phuphi is here? In NYC?' But then she heard something that made her heart stop and inside churn. Her own name had never tormented her before I guess it's time to face your past Zoya' her rational mind had won out and she slowly turned around.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Dilshad made her way through the sea of people and placed her hand on Zoya's shoulder, Zoya had frozen at her touch and this unsettled Dilshad. Still she waited for Zoya to turn around so she could see her face but Zoya refused to move, so it was time for something a little more drastic

Dilshad: "Zoya..."

After a few seconds, which Dilshad could only assume was hesitation; Zoya had turned around and faced her. Unable to control herself she had taken the younger woman into a very tight hug which was unreturned. At this moment her children had wondered where their mother had gone and after a quick scan of their surroundings had seen their mother embrace someone and knowing who that person was they had made their way over.

Najma: "Zoya!"

After Dilshad had broken away from the hug, Najma had taken her place and embraced her BFF but unlike the warm hugs she was used to, this one felt distant and in some way cold. Najma had broken away and looked at her friend.

Zoya had definitely changed but it would be idiotic for Najma to assume that Zoya would remain the same after all that she'd been through. Her mother had caressed Zoya's face tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. Dilshad was about to say something to Zoya when a drop had fallen between them, the clouds grew darker, threatening to burst and drenching the world below

Zoya: "Storms on her way... come on in..."

As the droplets began to fall the Ahmed Khans made their way into the apartment building and with Zoya they piled into the private elevator and ascended towards the Faarouqui penthouse. Typically one would assume that there would be some quirky elevator music to lighten the mood but there was nothing typical about this reunion, so music was replaced by awkward silence and tension one could cut with a knife. They were put out of their misery when the elevator dinged announcing their arrival at the penthouse. Footsteps made their way across the foyer and towards the private elevator. An elderly Latino woman's face came into view as the elevator doors opened; she was carrying a baby boy in her arms who became extremely excited when he saw Zoya.

Zoya: "Gracias Esmerelda, l ha tomado su siesta?" (Thank you Esmerelda, has he taken his nap?)

Esmerelda: "todava no se ha" (not yet)

Zoya: "Voy a ponerlo abajo, Esmerelda mostrar a nuestros huspedes a sus habitaciones" (I'll go put him down, Esmerelda show our guests to their rooms.)

With that Zoya had taken the child from the arms of the Latino woman and went up the grand staircase to where, Najma could only assume, the bedrooms were located. She like her mother and brother were startled to find a child there, and the heat radiating from her Bhaijaan had clearly indicated that he was furious. Still standing in the foyer Asad Ahmed Khan had turned his sister around, his eyes showed his hurt but his body shaking with rage, his mother was confused but more rational than her son was, after all Zoya was not the only female occupant of this penthouse...

Asad: "I can't believe this... Tanveer was right!"

Najma: "Seriously Bhaijaan? You still think that Tanveer was right after what you had seen?"

Asad: "Then you explain it Najma... The timeline fits, the child should be around two or two and a half, that's around the time Zoya left..."

Najma: "just because it fits it doesn't make it true..."

Asad: "You had me fly half way around the world for nothing!"

Najma: "I thought you loved her! And didn't you promise that you would stop jumping to conclusions and wait to have all the facts before you did anything, because if I remember correctly your jumping to conclusions is what landed us in this mess in the first place!"

Dilshad was surprised upon seeing the child, but that little voice in her head had told her that he was not Zoya's child and after being wrong the last time she ignored it, Dilshad had listened to the voice but her children's bickering was not helping her think

Asad: "I'm going back! This was stupid; Zoya can raise her child..."

At this Dilshad had opened her mouth to stop her son and raised her arms to restrain her daughter, who looked as though she might punch Asad if her mother hadn't stopped her. The Ahmed Khans had forgotten the presence of a fourth person, who had decided to let her presence be known, they were saying all these things about her Zoya, and Esmerelda was certain that these people were the reason Zoya had returned from India all sad and grief-stricken. Clearing her throat she began to speak

Esmerelda: "Maahir no es el hijo de Zoya (Maahir is not Zoya's son). He not Zoya's..."

Asad: "Not Zoya's?"

Najma: "See, told you Bhaijaan..."

Dilshad had turned the elderly Latino woman to face her and asked

Dilshad: "Esmerelda, whose son is he?"

Esmerelda: "l es el hijo de Zeenat y Anwar Faarouqui (He is the son of Zeenat and Anwar Faarouqui). He Zeenat's son..."

Oh thank Allah!' thought Dilshad; she knew that there was a rational explanation for this and the moment Esmerelda had said Zeenat's name Dilshad's suspicions were confirmed.

So Maahir is Zeenat and Anwar's son, but where are Zeenat and Anwar?" Dilshad was about to pose this question to the elderly Latino when she realised that the woman's grasp of English was as poor as her grasp on Spanish and without a translator it was going to be difficult. Someone in heaven was probably smiling down on her because as soon as Dilshad had realised that there was going to be a language problem, a younger Latino woman had approached the Foyer, who Dilshad could only assume was Esmerelda's daughter because the resemblance between the two was striking. The younger Latino had turned to the elder Latino and began to converse in Spanish

Isabella: "Mam quin es esta gente" (Mum who are these people)

Esmerelda: "Isabella estos son clients de la India" (Isabella, these are guests from India)

Isabella immediately understood what the problem was so she turned to Dilshad and introduced herself.

Isabella: "Hello I am Isabella De la Vega, Daughter of Esmerelda De La Vega, Welcome to New York City"

Dilshad: "Hello, I am Dilshad Ahmed Khan and this is my son Asad and my daughter Najma..."

Isabella: "Ahmed Khan... Ahmed Khan, India... are you from Bhopal?"

Dilshad: "Yes, how did you know?"

Isabella: "Well for my term paper Mr. Faarouqui suggested I write about the ruins there... please come in."

She had lead them into the apartment, the luxurious sitting area with its warm and inviting couches, a roaring fire place, piano was placed in the corner of the room had lead one's eyes to the grand windows and gorgeous French doors leading to the balcony providing one with a breath taking view of the Manhattan Skyline. Every inch of the Penthouse screamed opulence but there seemed to be something missing... Once they were all seated and refreshments were served Dilshad decided to speak up

Dilshad: "This apartment is beautiful..."

Isabella: "yeah, it used to be a speakeasy during the 20s, kinda explains the ostentatious columns, grand piano, balcony and farm style kitchen but then it was abandoned for quite some time but suddenly Zoya's mum bought it off, did the place up and it's been like this ever since..."

Najma: "Zoya's mum designed this place?"

Isabella: "yeah aunt Zainub did... She also brought Mama over from Spain to be Zoya's nanny; I don't know aunt Zainub though... she passed away before I was born. Then Zoya disappeared somewhere in India and this place was about to go on auction when Mr. And Mrs Faarouqui stepped in and saved this place and aunt Zainub's legacy."

Asad: "So where are Zeenat Aapi and Anwar Jeeju?"
Isabella: "They passed on, Mrs. Faarouqui about two years ago and Mr. Faarouqui just about a year ago, the adorable baby boy, Maahir, is their son and Zoya's taking care of him..."

If Dilshad and Asad did not already feel bad about what they did to Zoya all those years ago, then the news of Zeenat and Anwar's deaths had made them feel worse.

Isabella: "So how do you guys know the Faarouqui's?"

Dilshad: "Well I know Anwar, he's my relative's son and Zoya had stayed with us for some time when she came to India..."

Isabella: "Oh yes... now I remember why your last name is so familiar, Mr. Faarouqui used to Skype Zoya all the time and used to tell me how much fun Zoya used to have staying with you...I was so jealous of Zoya, trust me if I wasn't in senior year then I would have met all of you sooner..."

Najma: "So are you still studying?"

Isabella: "yup, I'm a sophomore at NYU and afterwards I've got a job at Faarouqui industries waiting for me... Zoya had mentioned you a couple of times...it's so nice to finally have a face to put to the name..."

Asad: "umm, where IS Zoya?"

Isabella: "She's probably tucking Maahir in so that might take some time, he just lights up whenever Zoya is around and that's not as often as it used to be..."

Najma: "Why?"

Isabella: "Well ever since she took over the reins at Faarouqui industries, she is gone before he wakes up and returns long after he's fallen asleep."

A butler had walked in and whispered something to Isabella, she nodded and then dismissed him

Isabella: "the guest rooms have been made and we have taken the liberty of having your luggage brought in from your Hotel..."

Another Servant had appeared and Isabella had gestured towards him and spoke

Isabella: "Alfred will show all of you to your rooms, please make yourselves comfortable and freshen up and later please join me in the dining area, Dinner is served..."

Dilshad: "oh, we wouldn't want to impose..."

Isabella: "Nonsense, you guys are family... Oh and Alfred please take Mrs. Khan's luggage to the Master bedroom..."

Dilshad: "no I think a guest room would be fine...besides if I shift into the master bedroom, where will Zoya go? I'll be fine in a guest room..."

Isabella: "I insist, besides you are Zoya's aunt and she would want you to have the master bedroom, besides Zoya has her own room here... trust me it's no problem."

Isabella had lead them from the seating area to the grand staircase in the foyer which lead to the private quarters of the Penthouse, the architect in Asad was scrutinising every detail and he was really impressed, the ornate and beautiful design was indeed breath taking and while Isabella giving them a quick tour before they all retired to their rooms Asad was constantly thinking about one thing... and it involved beautiful dimpled woman whose apartment he was currently in and the baby boy in her arms.

"Asad and Zoya Ahmed Khan and their baby boy Maahir...it's a wonderful thought I can't wait to have my family together again..." Asad's mind had wandered to watching Maahir go off to school, playing cricket with him, both father and son ganging up on Zoya... he had begun to dream and his dreams were a sure sign that he had already accepted Maahir as his son. Before his mind had wandered off to far, his mother had walked in pulling his mind out of his fantasies and back to the present.

Dilshad: "Asad beta, we're on our way down..."

Asad: "Ammi, I accept..."

Dilshad: "Accept what?"

Asad: "Maahir Ammi, I accept him as my son that is if Zoya will forgive and marry me..."

Dilshad: "I'm so happy Asad... but let's not get ahead of ourselves, first we'll get our Zoya back then we take her home..."

Asad: "Sure thing Ammi..."

Title: Inferno

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction adapted and based on other works of fiction .I only hold the copyrights to my imagination

Characters: Asad / Zoya / OC (Other Character)

Genre: Romance/ Drama

Summary: Love is ignited and so is anger, but when the latter stirs the former suffers. Both emotions create and both destroy but for how long can one blame their love for their anger.

Authors Note (A/N): This does not follow the Current Track and Characters will be slightly OOC (out of Character)

A/N 2: I do not speak Spanish but Google Translate does!

^*Constance/ St. Judes is a fictional Prep School in New York City found in the Gossip Girl series, I just borrowed the idea from Cecily Von Ziegesar...

XXX

CHAPTER 5

They are here in New York! Why are they here in New York? When did they arrive in New York? What could they possibly want? Maybe they are here to take you back...' a small voice in her head had spoken but the voice of her scepticism and fears had squashed that thought before it developed further Even if you want to, you can't go back. You have to think of Maahir as well now...' her mind was in turmoil as she placed a drowsy Maahir in his crib and before her inner demons could further torment her, a servant had approached announcing that Isabella was chatting to the guests and if the guestrooms were to be made, after giving him a positive reply Zoya had then told him to have their luggage brought in from the hotel they were staying in. I should at least return their hospitality, Aapi would not be happy if I don't play the gracious hostess.' After listening to his instructions the servant left leaving Zoya to her thoughts once again. She looked at the crib and saw her adorable nephew smiling up at her already eager to get out; there was no way that he was going to sleep without seeing his parents so Zoya had walked over to the dresser, pulled out a small laptop and placed it on the table. She then removed her nephew from what she called his baby cage' and made her way over to the couch near the table. She had seated herself and placed Maahir on her lap, she then found the required file on her laptop and pressed play'. The screen had changed to an image of the Late Anwar Faarouqui who, armed with a paint brush donning workman's overalls was busy painting the very room that Zoya was sitting in... Zoya had stared at the screen lost in her memories while Maahir had recognised the figure on screen, pointed to it and called out... "Abbu"

Zoya: "Yes Maahi, that's your Abbu... let's watch and see what he's up to..."

The video recorded version of Anwar had turned to the camera and spoken

Anwar: "Zoya, your Aapi said we must work together to finish the nursery..."

Zoya (Who was not seen in the frame because she was behind the camera): "We are working together Jeeju, you are painting and I am supervising... By the way Jeeju why are you painting the room light green and white?"

Anwar (Who was chuckling at Zoya's reasoning): "Well it's a beautiful colour and it will look nice whether the baby is a boy or a girl..."

Zoya: "So did Aapi decide on the shade of green?"

Anwar: "No not really...I thought I'd surprise her"

Zoya: "So if she doesn't like it, we get to have front row seats to another pregnancy tantrum?"

Anwar: "Yeah Kinda..."

The On screen Anwar was oblivious to the fact that his noticeably pregnant wife had appeared behind him and was watching along lovingly as he decorated the nursery. Off-screen their son had noticed her presence and began happily pointing to the screen as if telling Zoya that the woman was his mother. The onscreen Zoya had spoken again...

Zoya: "I'm sure she'll love it..."

Anwar: "How would you know?"

Zoya: "Coz, she's standing right behind you and she only cries like that on happy occasions like when I graduated from high school and MIT..."

Onscreen Anwar had turned around and put down the paint brush just in time to take his wife in a big hug, the screen stayed on them for quite some time until it swivelled around finally letting the person behind the camera be seen, on screen Zoya had now addressed the viewer, who she had assumed at the time the recording was made would be her niece or Nephew.

Zoya: "Ok little one, let's give them some privacy. But on the bright side your new room is really taking shape and I can't wait to get to meet you..."

But before the on screen Zoya had continued, off screen Zoya had noticed that Maahir had dozed off, so she shut off the laptop and carried Maahir to his crib and settled him in. After kissing him goodnight Esmerelda had walked in to the nursery

Esmerelda: "Nuestros huspedes son refrescarnos, cena est lista" (Our guests are freshening up, Dinner is ready)

Zoya: "Gracias Esmerelda..." (Thank You Esmerleda)

Esmerelda: "Zoya, te conozco desde que eras una nia, algo te molesta" (Zoya, I've known you since you were a little girl, something is bothering you...)

Zoya: "No es nada" (It's nothing...)

Esmerelda: "Pas algo en la India" (Did something happen in India?)

Zoya: "s, pero fue hace mucho tiempo que he pasado en" (Yes but it was a long time ago, I have moved on...)

Esmerelda: "Venga vamos a ir a cenar" (Come let's go for Dinner)

Zoya: "Ha comido Maahir?" (Has Maahir eaten?)

Esmerelda: "S. Yo le daba de comer antes de que llegaras" (Yes. I fed him before you arrived)

And with that both women had exited the nursery and made their way down the Grand staircase to the dining area.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Dinner was interesting... The only person who remained silent was Asad. Zoya was openly laughing and joking with Najma and Isabella while being civil to Dilshad (there was a certain distance that Dilshad was still not comfortable with...) Asad, she had not said a word to, she just gave him a nod in acknowledgement and left it at that. Asad on the other hand was mesmerised with Zoya and was hanging on to her every word, waiting for an opportunity to ask for forgiveness.

Najma: "Wow Zoya, I had no idea you spoke Spanish..."

Isabella: "Well Mama taught her when she was little..."

Dilshad: "So what other languages are you fluent in?"

Zoya: "Well I studied French and Italian at Constance^* and picked up Japanese from a foreign exchange student at MIT..."

Najma: "That's pretty cool, no wonder you never had time to learn Urdu..."

Dilshad: "How did you manage? I mean isn't Cambridge quite far from New York City?..."

Zoya: "Yup somehow Jeeju talked Aapi into getting me an apartment in Boston, the commute to campus was easier..."

Isabella: "I don't know if Mrs. Faarouqui was more upset at seeing Zoya go or the fact that she might become a Red Sox fan..."

Dilshad: "Red Sox?"

Zoya: "It's the baseball team in Boston; they have a longstanding Rivalry with our baseball team the Yankees..."

Isabella: "So which is the baseball team in Bhopal?"

Najma: "Baseball is not popular in India, Cricket is..."

Isabella: "oooh, Mahendra Singh Dhoni is sooo hot right!!"

Najma laughed, clearly living with Zoya had rubbed off on this girl and Najma really enjoyed her company, they had begun chatting about sport which had lead to schools with Najma, Zoya and Isabella comparing the Differences in the education systems of India and America

Zoya: "So, how's college Najma?"

Najma: "Going great, one more year before I graduate..."

Zoya; "That's nice. Maybe your habits can rub off on Isabella; she seems to have taken my approach to studying..."

Najma: "And that is not studying at all..."

They all burst out laughing; turning slightly red Isabella had begun to defend herself

Isabella: "Well Zoya you used to leave everything to the last minute and things worked out fine for you... I swear we all thought you cheated on your SATs..."

Zoya: "I did not cheat... it just comes naturally to me so I don't have to work as hard as everyone else which tends to give me a lazy persona..."

Isabella: "Said the top graduate of MIT, do you still have your class ring?"

Zoya: "probably, its lying around here somewhere..."

Asad who was listening intently to the conversation could not believe that Zoya was so highly qualified, his surprise might have stemmed from all the crazy ideas and schemes that he was subjected to while she lived with him in Bhopal since he always knew that Zoya was well educated but today he got a glimpse of what Zoya's life was like and from what he had seen, it was poles apart from what his life was like. The evening drizzle had turned into a full blown storm by the end of dinner, and while staring out the window at the tumultuous winds and dense rainfall Asad had begun to reflect on his and Zoya's relationship. Sure it looked bleak and dark now but like the storm, it will be bright after it is over. We're going through our storm phase and after this is over we can finally be happy together...' his thoughts were encouraging his fantasies but Asad Ahmed Khan should know better than to expect things to be easy, after all a love as epic as Asad and Zoya's will not be complete without some sort of drama but as the night progressed, Asad was being lulled into a false sense of Security... She'll forgive me, Zoya will forgive me. She said it herself that she can't stay angry at someone for long...besides I'm her Mr. Khan...She can't stay mad at me...' but little did Asad know that even though he was her Mr. Khan', Zoya was no longer his Miss Faarouqui'.

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Dilshad Ahmed Khan could not sleep, she kept tossing and turning because of a feeling she could only identify as guilt. Zoya's civility at dinner was unexpected and although the younger woman was civil she still kept Dilshad at a distance which told the Ahmed Khan Matriarch that Zoya had forgiven and forgotten but something else was making Zoya keep her distance and this frustrated Dilshad to no end. Millions of explanations for Zoya's behaviour had swarmed through her head throughout the night but at dawn her mind had landed on the notion that maybe Zoya didn't trust her Phuphi anymore and this unnerved Dilshad, she felt like she was losing one of her children and she had to do something to stop it. With this new resolve and realisation that sleep will be eluding her, she got out of bed and prepared for the day. After getting ready she ventured downstairs and did a little exploring while the other residents were asleep. The grandness of the penthouse clearly showed how different Zoya's lifestyle was but even though the girl was materially wealthy she was poor when it came to family so unlike Asad' Dilshad thought because while they were poor while Asad and Najma were growing up at least they had each other but Dilshad had admired Zoya's resolve and her ability to adapt to any situation. Zoya had become like a second daughter to her and then it suddenly struck Dilshad by throwing her out, I took away a family from her... she probably doesn't want to open herself up again because she's afraid of getting hurt...' this saddened Dilshad, Zoya deserved to be happy and it was time she had her share of happiness and with this Dilshad had decided to put Zoya's fears to rest and bridge the gap between them. While thinking she had wondered into the kitchen, and suddenly she remembered how much Zoya had loved the Kheer she used to make. Perfect...I'll make some Kheer for her, she'll like that besides the weather calls for something nice and hot...' she smiled as she began withdrawing the ingredients for the sweet dish, as she began making the dish Esmerelda walked in, looked at her and then the unfinished Kheer said something to her in Spanish and walked away immediately after Isabella walked in with a confused expression on her face.

Dilshad: "Hello... How did you sleep?"

Isabella: "Fine thanks and you..."

Dilshad: "Not so well, so I decided while I'm up I should make something to help us get through this horrid weather..."

Isabella: "So then why was mama telling you not to bother because Zoya won't eat?"

Dilshad: "that's what she said? I think you might have to teach me basic Spanish..."

Isabella: "Not necessary, mama can speak English..."

Dilshad: "What??? She hasn't spoken to me in English since I arrived..."

Isabella: "Interesting... She only interacts with someone in this manner when she's angry with them... I remember this one time when Zoya helped me sneak out with my friends after curfew, she refused to speak to Zoya for a month, unless the conversation was in Spanish... I don't understand why but Mama just does it..."

Dilshad: "So she's angry with me?"

Isabella: "I know weird right? Mrs. Khan you just arrived, what could you have possibly done to offend mama?"

Dilshad: "I have a vague idea... how close is your mama to Zoya?"

Isabella: "Put it this way... Zoya is like mama's first born... she's the favourite... but she's also a cool Big sister... why?"

Dilshad: "because I think your mama is angry with me because of Zoya..."

Isabella: "but Zoya is not angry with anyone... ok maybe with Arbaaz for not being here... but other than that she's not angry with anyone..."

Dilshad: "Zoya may not be angry but she is hurt and probably that's why your mama is angry with me..."

There was something in Isabella's statement that sent Dilshad's mind reeling... it was a name, Who is Arbaaz?'

Dilshad: "umm Isabella who is Arbaaz?"

But the younger Latino had already left the kitchen and the servants had piled in to make breakfast, Dilshad had finished make the Kheer and carried it out to the dining area where her son was reading the paper, her daughter animatedly chatting with Isabella as the both simultaneously cooed over Maahir and Esmerelda supervising the place settings. There was no sign of Zoya. Najma was enthralled with the youngest Faarouqui an Isabella seemed to be equally attached to the youngest Khan, both were comparing their escapades with one Zoya Faarouqui trying to determine whose stories where more outrageous. Dilshad once again began scanning the room for Zoya and judging by her son's eyes peeking over the morning Newspaper, Asad was doing the same. Zoya walked into the kitchen dressed in business formal, something Dilshad and her children were clearly not used to. She grabbed some toast, placed some coffee in a thermos, kissed Maahir on his forehead, greeted said her goodbyes and left. To say Dilshad was disappointed was an understatement but she took it in her stride she probably didn't even see the Kheer' was what she thought to console herself, Asad however was livid at Zoya's snub. His eyes turned dark with rage and once again he let his anger get the better of him.

Asad (mumbling to himself): "Ill mannered girl..."

Dilshad: "Asad, leave it..."

Asad: "Ammi how can I just leave it... she blatantly ignored you..."

Dilshad: "She was probably in a hurry..."

Asad: "Don't defend her Ammi..."

Dilshad: "Asad please..."

Asad: "how can she just snub you like that?"

Suddenly Najma spoke up, her anger rising but not at Zoya but at her Bhaijaan.

Najma: "just like how you threw her out all those years ago..."

Isabella was watching the Khan family argue, and decided that her presence was not needed so she picked up Maahir and discreetly left the dining room and even though she was intrigued by what was happening she knew that Zoya must have kept this from her for a reason.

Asad had turned to face his sister, his anger increasing

Asad: "Najma how dare you side with Zoya? Doesn't Ammi mean anything to you?"

Najma: "Bhaijaan, Ammi means everything to me but once again you are only seeing what you want to see, if Ammi doesn't have a problem with Zoya's behaviour then why are you so worked up?"

Asad: "What Zoya did was wrong-"

Najma: "No Bhaijaan, what you are doing is wrong. Or did you forget why we are here? Zoya was probably rushing to get to work..."

Asad: "in this weather?"

Najma: "So? You don't stop working if there's a little rain so then why should Zoya?"

Asad: "Najma..."

Najma: "Please Bhaijaan stop making a mountain out of a molehill."

Asad: "I'm not; Zoya shouldn't have treated Ammi like that..."

Najma: "If Zoya did that to Ammi today Bhaijaan, it's because of you..."

Asad: "What?"

Najma: "Yes, if you didn't constantly hurt her while she lived with us then maybe she would have been more forthcoming of our apology, instead she's distancing herself from us because she's afraid to get hurt again. There's only so much a person can take and by you constantly hurting Zoya you finally pushed her to her limit so because of your constant mistakes Ammi is being harshly punished for her first. You would think that after all those times you had hurt and nearly lost Zoya you would display some sort of learning curve..."

Asad had opened his mouth to argue but slowly realised his sister was right...'I did hurt Zoya...Did I push her too far? Will she ever forgive me? And when did Najma become so insightful?" Asad is about to say something to Najma but she got up and left the room.

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Najma had ignored him for the entire day, his Ammi had busied herself with something or the other in the kitchen and occasionally both the Ahmed Khan women had played with Maahir. The youngest Faarouqui sure knew how to hold one's attention with his adorable smile and cuteness and as the day subsided Asad resumed daydreaming about his future with Zoya. He was on the balcony of the Faarouqui penthouse, looking at the Manhattan skyline, the clouds were once again overcast but something about this had added a certain beauty to the concrete jungle of Manhattan and Asad was just admiring this when his mother had interrupted his thoughts.

Dilshad: "She hates me Asad..."

Asad: "No she doesn't Ammi... she's just angry"

Dilshad: "This is all because of Tanveer... if Tanveer hadn't done that I wouldn't have slapped Zoya and threw her out..."

Asad: "Ammi I'm also to blame, I took Zoya for granted and now I'm losing her..."

Dilshad: "Najma was right all along...but it's not going to be easy to win Zoya over, but let me make this clear to you Asad, I need Zoya back in our lives and in our home... promise me that you will do whatever it takes to bring her back home, where she belongs..."

Asad: "I will Ammi, I will"