OS: When The Time Is Right

OS: When The Time Is aright

'So all good thing come to those who wait? Exactly how long is the wait supposed to be?' Zoya questioned Najma 'Zoya, what is the rush..what is meant for you will come when the time is right' Zoya let out a frustrated sigh 'Najma, it's been nearly six weeks and still that Akdu brother of yours is keeping mum...why does he have to be so complicated?' Najma couldn't helping laughing. Zoya had come to live with her and her brother over a year ago, where Najma and Zoya hit it off instantly and became very good friends the equation with Asad was a lot different. For the most part of her time here in the beginning they were at loggerheads, they didn't need an excuse to argue just by being present in the same room as was reason enough for them to start irking one another.

Najma played the happy medium between them trying all she could to keep the peace between them, some days she managed to do quite well other days she failed miserably. Zeenat, Zoya's sister and Dilshad, Asad and Najma's mum were business partners, Zeenat had just moved to India from overseas, initially they stayed at a guest house but eventually ended up moving in with the Khan family. Being away on various business trips meant that Asad, Zoya and Najma were left on their own for long periods of time.

In all their bickering, constant run ins what started to develop between Asad and Zoya was a bond that neither of them were fully aware of. As time progressed their fights subsided, they managed to see above and beyond their egos and accept each other as a permanent feature in their lives, they also managed to have more than one civilised conversation. It took a long time but the two managed to shake hands and become friends, they began to understand one another and most of all appreciate each other's presence. It wasn't so long ago, six weeks to be exact that Zoya realised what she felt for Asad was more than just the conventional notion of 'we are just friends'. Zoya wasn't reserved in any way, she was out spoken and lived in the moment, she was new to the whole concept of relationships and feeling associated with it, which is why she first confided in her best friend Najma.

'Najma, will you stop smiling like that...this isn't easy for me and you looking at me with puppy dog eyes and a smile that's about to break your face isn't helping' Najma couldn't help it, she had to pinch herself twice just yo make sure she wasn't dreaming. Zoya had just told her how she felt about Asad, and to Najma it was music to her ears, what more could she want her best friend and her brother together. Straightening her face a little she looked at Zoya as seriously as she could to continue talking 'I know you are worried...ok shit scared but you need to say something Zoya' 'Najma, what if Asad doesn't like me that way, I will end up making a fool of myself...I mean it took us long enough to become friends...I don't want to lose that too' 'but what if he does...What I mean is what if he feels more for you too' 'yes but how do we find out...he isn't exactly the vocal type...he would never tell me...and call me old fashioned but there is no way I am telling him first, if he likes me like I like him he has to be the one to make the first move' 'hmmm, ok what if we get him to somehow come out with it, you know say or do something that will a hundred percent confirm his feelings for you' 'ok Einstein...what did you have in mind?'

Zoya sat there going through some of the most ridiculous ideas Najma threw at her 'Najma, these are never going to work' she said becoming frustrated, Najma looked down as she pondered some more 'I have an idea' she suddenly said radiating a 240 volt light 'what now?' 'Distance yourself' Zoya looked at Najma confused 'what do you mean distance yourself, Najma we are supposed to be thinking of ways of bring us together not separating us' Najma stood up 'hear me out first Zoya' 'ok...shoot'.

'Someone once said to me that we should distance ourselves from people around us, if they truly care for us they will notice and come running to you and if they don't...well at least you know where you stand with them' Zoya couldn't believe what Najma just came out with 'Najma, I know he cares he cares a lot what I don't know is if behind that care there is something more...like love'. 'Do you know what, enough of all this I am just going to ask him right out...I mean at the rate we are going you are still going to be standing here wandering what Bhaijaan feels for you and over there he will be getting hitched to someone else'. Najma was about to walk off when Zoya stopped her 'are you crazy...please don't...' Zoya wasn't sure if she was upset at the thought of Asad finding out from Najma or the thought of him being with someone else.

'I'll do it...I will tell him...maybe not directly but will make it more than obvious...and we can just take it from there' Najma didn't miss the specks of tears that had moistened her eyes 'I know my brother Zoya, and I promise you that he will love you the same'.

Over the next six weeks Zoya with the help of her personal Cupid Najma created more than hundred situations during which Zoya tried to convey her hearts message. In all their antics Asad always stood back thinking that the both of them had lost it, especially Zoya. 'Zoya are you ok?' He asked wearily 'me...yeah why wouldn't I be?' 'No, it's just that you have acting a little weird for the past week or so' Zoya felt a little embarrassed but the good thing was that he noticed. Not wanting to continue the conversation she shot back a short reply and ran back to her room.

Not being able to keep her over active mind at bay Zoya decided to cook to keep herself occupied. 'Maybe Najma is right, I mean this whole being old fashioned isn't helping, I'm a girl of the modern world, I can tell him..I mean why can't I there is no rule book is there?' As Zoya continued talking to herself she forgot that food she had on the cooker, which started to burn. As soon as the smoke and smell brought her out of her reverie Zoya looked at the cooking pot wide eyes 'Ya Allah' in a panic Zoya grabbed the sides of the pot not realising how the handles would be. Zoya dropped the pot and let out a scream as her hands burnt. Asad came running out 'Zoya' he shouted as quickly came to her side, he grabbed her hand, they were red and swollen. Zoya winced in pain and as she did Asad's heart felt as if it had been gripped, he quickly led Zoya to the sink and ran cold water over her hands 'Zoya, look at me' he said as she still had her eyes squeezed shut. Zoya opened her eyes, as she did tears that had built up from the pain she felt escaped, running down her cheeks. Seeing her tears made him hitch a breath, he raised his hand and cupped the side of her face wiping her tears with his thumb 'don't cry...' His soft touch against her skin instantly took away any pain she felt all she could feel now was his warmth from his hold, his concern he ad on his face and the care he held in his eyes.

Asad applied some balm and bandaged her hands 'are you sure you don't want to see a doctor?' He asked again 'yes, I am fine...why do I need anyone when I have you' Zoya looked at him, she saw how his eyes widened a little and his pupils dilate, his face looked like it had lit up and it was at that very moment that she knew that Asad Ahmed Khan also felt something for her.

It had been six weeks since Zoya first told Najma about how she felt and six weeks since she was pursuing Asad in her own silent way. What had changed was the dynamic of their relationship, Asad had increasingly become very over protective of Zoya, there wasn't a time where she could think of when the two of them weren't together every free moment they had they spend in each other's company, it was like their day was incomplete if they didn't meet.

'If I can read Bhaijaan then I am sure you can too...Zoya it's so obvious he loves you' 'then all he has to do is tell me and I will fall into his arms and be his forever' Zoya said opening out her arms. 'I can't do this waiting game, it's no fun...' 'You claim to be old fashioned right? Then write...send him a letter, write down everything you want to say in a letter and give it to him...it will be an old fashioned method with a modern twist...of course the twist being you telling him first'.

Zoya thought about what Najma had said 'not bad Najma...ok a letter it is'. Zoya took the longest time to write what she wanted to tell him, she was sure she just killed a dozen trees with the amount of paper she just wasted. After a long few hours it was done, satisfied with the end result Zoya crept in to Asad's room and placed the letter on his bedside cabinet 'Ya Allah please don't let this fail'

That evening Dilshad and Zeenat had called saying they would be returning in a few days 'finally, the two are coming back, don't they ever tire gallivanting off every few weeks?' Najma said as she slumped herself on the soda 'Bhaijaan if you want food...then help yourself' she shouted out as Asad went towards his room 'lazy bum...get up and get it ready' he shouted back. Asad got changed and lay on his bed to relax a little, with his mum away he always had a lot more to do in the office, while he was chilling out across the hall Zoya was pacing her room only too aware that he was back and could be reading her note, too scared to go out she kept herself locked up praying for the best.

Najma called out to Asad a gain 'Bhaijaan if it gets cold I am not reheating it' she shouted before she retired to her own room. Asad forced himself off of his bed as he stood up he noticed a piece of paper with his name on it. Asad picked up the note and back down to read it.

Asad read and re read the letter as many times as he could, his heart had just expended ten fold, he really felt like he was floating and this was all a dream. Not being able to sit a minute longer he ran out of his room and went straight to Zoya. As he opened the door Zoya jumped up seeing him standing there with her letter in his hand. Her heart beat spiralled out if control, she felt like the room had no air left in it for her to inhale, Asad saw her body shake, her eyes were focused on him but her quivering lips and fisted hands told him how nervous and scared she was. Asad took slow steps towards her he lifted the letter up 'you had known for two months and you tell me now' Zoya looked at him, she couldn't read his expression, was he annoyed? 'I d...I don't understand' Asad stepped closer and held her by the top of her arms 'Zoya you really meant what you said that you...that you love me?' Zoya who was finding it hard to breath couldn't find her voice so just nodded. As soon as she nodded Asad eyes moistened, she loved him, she really did, Asad moved his hands up to her face, which he gently held 'I'm sorry I never had found the courage to take the first step Zoya, but I am more grateful than ever that you did...I love you too...I love you too' Zoya started smiling through her own tears, her body was still shaking first in fear of what Asad might say and now in disbelief. Asad leant forward to place a soft kiss on her forehead before he enveloped his arms around her embracing her into the warmest hug ever.

Najma was right, you always get what you are destined but only when the time is right.