AsYa FF: Destiny Comes Calling *CH 20* 11/11/13 Pg 134 - Page 74

"When Asad stepped out of his room, ready for the day he was surprised to find Zoya missing" OMG I love it when he notices her presence or absence

"Asad who was passing by had heard the last bit of the conversation between his sister and Zoya and was once again touched by her story. He decided that he would try to help her as much as possible with her search" YAY!!!! SCENES! SCENES! We get more AsYa scenes? yes we do 😃

"She had heard about corruption in India, but was not prepared to see it happen right in front of her own eyes" 🤣 I have no idea why this cracked me up but it did! 😃

Hello people. I know a lot of you are waiting for the update. I am really sorry but I am blaming the current QH episodes for the lack of inspiration I am facing. Despite spending time on the update I have been able to only come up with half a chapter in one week.

Once I am inspired I will start posting updates regularly. I promise.

Rivs

in a little bit.😃

Happy Diwali to all. Here is the new update. Thanks for the patience.

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Chapter 18: Clues

The next morning, Asad had to go drop off Rukhsaar and her parents to the airport and hence he could not accompany Zoya as planned. So it was decided that they meet up later in the day to finish the work at the newspaper offices.

After breakfast, once everyone left, Dilshaad was finally free to sit down with Zoya and have a heart to heart. Between the guests and wedding, she had not been able to spend any time with Zoya or even check on how she was coping with the recent findings. Zoya, too needed to discuss about the jeweler with Dilshaad, and so asked Najma to leave without her.

Zoya told Dilshaad all that she had found out so far and what her future plans were. Dilshaad on the other hand informed her that this particular type of earring was being made and sold at the gold shops near the Badi Masjid, which was the main shopping area in some 20-25 years ago. Zoya made a note of this information and asked Dilshaad, if there were any chances of her finding the information on the purchaser of this particular design.

"Apparently, back in the day, the jewelers put a marking or code of some type to identify pieces that were made/sold by them. So there is a good chance we may be able to find the shop. But I am not sure if they note this down in their records against their purchase receipts. That is totally a matter of luck. But there is no harm in trying."

"Is that so?"Zoya turned her mother's earring over to see if she could find the code that Phoopi mentioned.

"But there does not seem to be a code on this earring, Phoopi?" she said.

"That is because it is not visible to the naked eye. Let's go to the shops today. Isi bahane meri bhi sair ho jaayegi. [I just need a reason for an outing.]"

"Ohh, lekin aaj nahi jaa paungi mein. [Oh, but today I cannot go there.] I have to go to the library and then meet Mr.Khan."

"Asad? Why do you need to meet him?" Dilshaad asked confused.

"He offered to accompany me to the newspaper offices since I was unable to get any information yesterday by myself. You know Phoopi, I was just heading home yesterday when I ran into Mr. Khan. Just a strange co-incidence. When I told him about what happened, he offered to come with me and see if we can try again." Zoya expressed her surprise and left uot the other part of their conversation, unsure if Phoopi would want to know the more business minded side of her son's personality.

"Is that so?" Dilshaad was surprised at this innocent revelation from Zoya. She promised Zoya that they will go to the shops tomorrow and asked her to get going as she was getting late.

Zoya played with Jaan for a little bit and then hurried out the door promising him a nice long walk later in the day.

XXX

At the libraray, Zoya had already arranged with the librarian to keep all her stuff aside so she would not have to go hunting again. Once she had everything sorted by dates, she started with the accident reports to see what was reported. None of the newspapers, reported anyone drowning or being swept away in the river. Also the list of the dead people did not include a girl child of of 2-3 years of age. She then started looking for missing people's advertisements to see if she can find any that would resemble her. She was not yet done when she heard from Mr. Khan that he was waiting for her outside. It would need her another day to finish going over the remaining papers.

Once Asad accompanied Zoya to the various offices things became easier for her. They all asked her to return in another week or so in order to give them enough time to look into their records.

On the way home they discussed her findings from earlier. It definitely looked like either there was some misunderstanding with regards to her family and why they did not look for her or there was a bigger game in play here where she was deliberately kept away from her father. But the question was who would do anything like this on purpose?

A headache had started to bother Zoya by the time they reached home and Zoya decided to take a quick nap before Anwar and Zeenat called her for their daily chat. Asad had some paperwork to go through and so made his way to the home office.

XXX

The family had just sat down post dinner to catch up with some TV, when the door bell rang. They were not expecting anyone so late in the night, and were in for a surprise when they answered the door. A big swish of black had whirled into the living room and flopped itself again on the lounger just like last time.

"Arrey Chaand? What are you doing here at this time? And alone without your entrouage?" Dilshaad asked when everyone else looked at her to begin.

Zoya, ran to bring a glass of water remembering the drama from the last visit. Just as Zoya placed the glass of water in front of Bi, she pulled back her veil.

"Chaand...Azam...hmmm... yeh...what?" Dilshaad was in shock, not knowing how to address him, and kept looking at Zoya who wore a bemused smile on her face.

"Don't worry Khala she knows. She found out during the sangeet, or so I think. Anyways now she knows for sure. But are you guys okay? I was so worried about you?" Azam looked around the room worry ectched on him face.

"What are you talking about Azam?" Dilshaad asked for clarification.

"Woh, I saw these two" he said pointing to Zoya and Asad "in the city today near the Times office. They both looked worried and since it was a busy road, I could not stop to check. I was busy all day so could not call to check either. Now that I am finally free, I figured it would be better if I just stopped by."

"Like this?" Asad asked, staring intently at his stubbled face, devoid of his Chaan Bi make-up.

"Haan woh time nahi tha." Azam tried to laugh it all.

"So why the burkha? You know you can come here as yourself too. Infact, we prefer it that way" Asad asked, starting to sound annoyed. The last bit barely audible.

"Well...out of habit I guess?" Azam gave Asad a sheepish look and then turned his attention to the ladies who were not settled on the sofa. "So what happened? Nothing to worry about, as it seems obvious now. I guess I just jumped the gun." He paid special attention to one face in particular since it had been haunting him for the last few nights.

"Nothing really happened Mr...?" Zoya started.

"Azam...call me Azam" Azam offered.

"Oh ok. Azam it is then. I had some work there and Mr. Khan was just helping me out."

"What??? Asad and away from his work? Now that is serious. Are you okay buddy? Khala doctor ko bulau? [Aunt, should I call the doctor?]" He winked at Dilshaad causing her to burst out laughing and Asad to grunt audibly.

"Nahi Azam, woh bilkul theek hai. [He is perfectly fine] Why do you needle him when you know he does not like it? Ab to bade ho jao, kab tak bachapan ka khel khelte rahoge? [You need to grow up, how long will these childish games continue?]Chalo I will go make us all some coffee and then it will be just like old times. I have missed your visits so much Azam. I still don't understand or agree with your insistence on putting on this charade, but I think we have had this discussion enough number of times. Today, let's just enjoy the time we have together. Theek hai?"

"Ji Khala. Aapka hokum mere sar aakhon par" He grinned back at her as he made himself comfortable sans the uncomfortable burkha.

"Ammi mere liye mat banaiye please [Please don't make any for me]. I have to go work on my project."Najma who had been awfully quiet this whole time, finally spoke up, completely avoiding Azam.

Zoya noticed the change in Najma's demeanour after Azam had arrived and wanted to get to the bottom of the problem.

"Nope tamatar. Please stay, work on the project tomorrow. Please." She grabbed Najma's hand and did not let it go.

Dilshaad came back with the coffee and Najma helped her pour. Zoya could tell that Dilshaad was extremely fond of Azam and loved to have him over. They looked very comfortable with each other, as if they were used to these family nights. However, Mr. Khan as well as Najma both seemed a little stand-offish. But once the talks veered towards childhood memories, they were all laughing and talking all at once. Zoya could tell that they had spent a lot of time together once upon a time.

Zoya was surprised that despite being so close, she had not seen Azam before the sangeet and even then she could not tell that the Khan's were this close to him. Not even, when he was here last time as Chaand Bi. It was all very confusing and she figured she could talk to Najma or Phoopi later. She did not want to pry infront of Mr. Khan, the shouting she had received from him the last time was still fresh in her mind. Plus, they were just beginning to be polite to each other, and she did not wish to ruin it. She was not fond of being at odds with anyone.

MyJaan who had joined them had immediately hit it off with Azam. Azam too was extremely playful with him. Zoya could not relate this aspect of Azam with the stiff looking man she had encountered before. There was more to him than met the eyes and she was sure of that.

Once Azam left, the family also dispersed for the night. Mr. Khan informed his mother that he will be travelling for work the day after tomorrow and will be gone for atleast a couple nights.

XXX

The next morning, once Asad and Namja left for work and college respectively, Zoya and Dilshaad also headed out to the Badi Masjid area. They wanted to be there early so that they could approach the shopkeepers before they got busy with the other shoppers.

After going to about half a dozen shops, they finally found one which could possibly be the shop that sold the earring. Ofcourse there was no way he could find out who purchased that particular piece, but he was sure that back in those days, most of his clientele was local from around that area. Zoya showed him the picture of her parents but he could not recognize anyone from that picture.

Dilshaad and Zoya spent sometime window shopping and enjoying some street food before heading back home. Zoya also considered showing around the picture to some of the older shops to see if it would trigger anybody's memory.

XXX

"Anwar, main tumhari baat samajh rahi hoon. Lekin aisa bhi to nahi ki who koshish nahi kar rahi. Asad aur main bhi uski madad kar rahe hain. Agar who pura mahina rehna chahti hai to rehne do, aur agar ziyada rahegi to bhi mujhe koi aitraaz nahi. Tum itni fikr mat karo. Woh ek suljhi hui ladki hai aur apne aap ko ache se sambhal rahi hai. [Anwar, I understand what you are saying. But it's not like she is not trying. Asad and I are helping her too. If she wants to spend the entire month her, let her be and if she needs more time, I have no problems with her staying here. She is a very sensible girl and is taking good care of herself.] " Dilshaad spoke to Anwar in her room. Anwar was starting to worry for Zoya since she was constantly meeting dead ends. He was worried for his daughter, afraid that she will be dishearted when she is not able to trace her father or worse comes across unpleasant facts.

"Ji Anwar. Tum fikr mat karo. Main khayal rakhoongi uska, aitbaar rakho mujh par.Tum Zeenat se bhi kaho, mein uski bachi ko apne bacho ki tarah sambhaloongi.[Yes Anwar. Yo don't worry. I will take good care of her, trust me. And tell Zeenat also that I will take care of her daughter just as I would of my own children.]"

"Allah Hafiz. Call karte rehna. [Good bye. Keep calling.]" Dilshaad had a smile on her face as she put down the phone. She was proud of her baby brother (cousin) and how they had accepted and loved this girl who had suddenly come into their lives.

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Rivs