AsYa FF: Only in the darkness can you see the stars THREAD #1 - Page 24

loved ur work

Originally posted by: kritz4ever

loved ur work

can u plz pm when u next update sent u buddy request

Originally posted by: -HoneyBunch-

Hey!

I am finally here on this story! *Going to read now*

Thank you so much for the pms!

Originally posted by: ankitabaran

Plz update.

Originally posted by: halima123

osum

A/N: Hi guys! 😃

Ready for the next part? I hope you all like this chapter. It has some revelations, and hopefully answers a lot of questions!😆

Chapter 7: Graceful dancing

Asad entered the house a little after midnight. The meeting had been excruciatingly slow and long, but it had gone well and they almost had the deal. It was just about the formalities and legalities now. He ventured straight to the kitchen and scrounged up some midnight snack. Dinner had been too long ago and his stomach was growling and demanding food again. He was tired and drained, but the evening had been worth it. If only he did have to miss Aadil's Friday night routine. But oh well, life happens.

He finished up his sandwich quickly and put the dishes away. He made a beeline towards the stairs and went up to Aadil's room and peaked inside. He face split in a grin when he found his son curled up in his bed, his comforter thrown off the bed. Shaking his head at his son's monkey like acrobatics, even while asleep, Asad went in and tucked him back in properly. Aadil snuggled into the covers and released a sigh.

Asad brushed his hair away from Aadil's forehead and bent down to gently peck him and mummer a gentle Good night'. He tuned and shut the door. As he was passing the living room and was on his way towards his room, his eyes caught something white in the backyard, or rather someone in white in the backyard.

***

Zoya's mind was spinning and making up scenario after scenario.

"No, I don't really know my Abbu - not my real one."

His words kept repeating over and over in Zoya's head. What did he mean "not my real one"? Zoya had gone quiet after Aadil's revelation and before she could ask him anything, Aadil had slumped and fallen asleep on the couch. Zoya had turned off the television and carried the sleeping child into his room and had tucked him in.

Now, hours later, she could not sleep. She had ventured out to the backyard to get some fresh air after trying to fall asleep but couldn't. She knew that it was none of her business to pry but honestly, who would not be bursting with curiosity after a statement like that? She was deep in thought and was wondering how and when she should approach the topic when a voice sounded from behind her.

"Couldn't sleep, Ms. Farooqui?"

Zoya was startled and jumped up from the bench she was sitting on. She pressed her hand on her thumping chest. His sudden appearance had scared her.

Asad gave her a sheepish smile, "I am sorry. I didn't mean to startle you. You looked like you were trying to solve a difficult problem in your head. Algebra, maybe?" he teased her.

She rolled her eyes and sat back on the bench and scooted down. Asad took that as a cue and sat down on the bench next to her.

"I didn't hear you get in. When did you return?" Zoya asked him.

"Not that long. Just came in and polished off a quick sandwich and checked on Aadil. So I guess fifteen minutes ago? I didn't check the time." he estimated.

She nodded at him and asked him about his meeting. After a few more minutes of random chatting, Asad could tell that there was something that she wanted to ask him or tell him, but was hesitating. He decided to stop beating around the bush.

"Ms. Farooqui? What is eating you away? Did something happen while I was gone? Was Aadil alright? You can tell me, please don't hesitate." He tried to gently pry it out of her.

Zoya sighed and said, "Aadil was perfectly fine, Mr. Khan - jumping and chatting away the whole time. We baked cookies." She smiled

Asad laughed, "I should have known that he would talk you into baking him a batch. He likes to believe he is a cookie monster. Ammi has been trying to curb his intake." He shook his head and chuckled and continued, "But that is not what is troubling you, is it?" he asked Zoya.

"No, it's not." she hesitated again, "Um, he had gone pretty somber as the evening ended. And he said something that really startled me and I am really confused."

Asad looked at her with an imploring expression, "Please tell me. What did he say?"

Zoya took a deep breath, bit her lip and finally got it out, "He said that you are not his real father."

Her revelation was met with silence. After a few moments of deafening silence, Zoya turned and looked over to Asad, expecting anything but the look that was on Asad's face. His eyes were closed, eyebrows furrowed, a pained expression on his face and hands clenched on his sides.

Does it mean it's true? Zoya's eyes widened at the possibility. As much as she was dying to know what the truth was, she sat there quietly and waited for Asad to say something.

It was a few minutes later when Asad finally opened his eyes and looked at Zoya. His eyes were misty and red-rimmed. He looked so vulnerable and it made Zoya want to take him in her arms and never let him go.

"I love him so much, Zoya." He whispered so softly that she almost did not hear. But she did hear it and also acknowledged the fact that he had called her by her name for the first time.

She nodded at him to tell him that she knew how much he loved that little boy. It was obvious in his every action that his world revolved around Aadil.

"I met Tanveer, his mother, in college, but I already told you that. She was my best friend. I cared so much for her; she was like family to me. All I wanted for her was to be happy and safe. She did not listen to me when she got involved with Imran. I had bad feelings about him. He was new and we knew nothing about him, really. But she was so enamored with his charm and mysterious outlook.

"It wasn't long before she would spend all her time with him and I hardly ever got to see her. I knew that relationships require time and work so I never pushed her. But I was still so worried about her." He took a deep breath and Zoya scooted a little closer to let him know he had her attention.

"She came to me one day. We were almost done with college and graduation was only two months away. It had been months since I had I talked to her so imagine my surprise when she came to me, nervous and trembling. She was pregnant and Imran had outright refused to have kind of relation or responsibility with the baby."

Zoya's eyes filled with tears for the girl she had never even met. Asad continued.

"I was ready to rip his head off. I was so angry. But Tanveer did not want me to go anywhere near him. She had realized what he actually was; what kind of a person he was. As hurt as she was, she wanted the baby and wanted Imran away from the baby. She told me that she would ask him to sign off his parental rights once the baby was born. At least he didn't deny that the baby was his." Asad scoffed.

"I was angry at her too. So much, but I did not let her know that. And I did punch that douchebag's face and broke his nose." Zoya giggled at that. Even Asad cracked a smile.

"Ammi asked Tanveer to come live with us. Tanveer was an orphan and had no family. We were the only ones that she could call her own. The day she went into labor...," his voice broke, "It was so early that it was a shock. There were complications in her pregnancy which she had never told anyone of us. I was SO angry at her. So enraged. They got the baby out safely but Tanveer, she...she was so weak.

"She made me promise her that I would take care of the baby as my own and will never let anything happen to him; never let Imran even cast his shadow on his life. Imran had gladly signed off his rights. She wanted to name him Aadil Asad Khan and wanted me to sign as his father on the birth certificate." Tears were now flowing down the cheeks of both Asad and Zoya.

"She passed away a few hours later. Aadil was in the NICU and she never even got to hold him." He choked on his words. It was all that Zoya could take and threw herself around Asad and held him. They held each other as they let out all the tears and pain.

After a few minutes of tears and sniffles, Zoya looked at Asad with a new light. Asad really was a great person. He did not have to take in a newborn when he was only 22 and fresh out of college with entire world to explore. But he did, he honored his friendship and his promises.

She looked at him softly and said, "I am so sorry, Asad. No one deserves so much pain. To have to lose your best friend like that. And Aadil! To know something like that! I can't even imagine what he must have gone through."

Asad nodded at her, "I had made a promise to myself that he will know his mother. Tanveer loved him more than anything and I did what I could to keep her memory alive. He had an allergic reaction to peanuts last year and had to be tested. He is a very inquisitive child, Zoya and wondered why he had the allergy and not me. I could have told him Tanveer was allergic but I just could not hide it from him."

Zoya smiled at him through her tears, "You have done a marvelous job raising him, Asad. He is such a sweet boy. You did so well on your promises, Asad." She smiled at him.

He looked down and said, "I don't know about that. I am so scared."

She frowned and said, "Of what?"

He looked so lost and in pain and said, "Imran Qureshi wants to meet his son."

Describe the pain
That choked your reality
It's all in your mind he said it
Instead you go graceful dancing

- Graceful Dancing by Blue October

A/N: There it is!

How was it?

Please leave a comment if you liked this update!

Much love,

Simi

loved the update❤️

Res
Unres

Hey Simi, Loved the update. Am happy that Asad was not involved with Tanveer but was just her best friend. It now becomes easier for both Asad n Zoya to fall in love with each other as they both have never been in love before.

It really touched my heart to read how well Asad has been keeping his promise. You've beautifully described his inner turmoil and the way Asya are bonding. Its very subtle n not like they both are desperate to spend time with each other or to be close to each other.

Thanks for the pm n please update soon n please pm me the next part.

nw plz get imran killed...lovd d chapter to d core..asad is soo good...and he no more feels zoya as a stranger...