AsYa FF: Destiny Comes Calling (suspended) #2 *Note* 3/12/13 Pg 26 - Page 7

Good good...I saw ur PM. I am responding now..

A number of you asked me about the conversation that caused the Asad/Azam fight. I will bring that up later...but just remember this was when they were 18-19. Their thoughts, words everything was very teen like. Now they are adults. 😛

Also as you read this update, keep in mind, this flashback is what Zoya is thinking. So what Asad was thinking or what was going on in his head, is not reflected here. It will come later.

Chapter 22: Bitter Sweet

---Flashback continues---

A knock on the door brought her out from her walk down the memory lane.

"Ms. Farooqui, are you still awake?" she heard the familiar deep voice.

"Ji Mr. Khan." She opened the door as she answered.

"I thought maybe you fell asleep, woh...you had a rought day... so... you know...due to the the stress from today. Hmm... it was getting late and I did not see you with Jaan in the backyard so I came to check." He scratched his forehead as he spoke, avoiding eye contact. It was evident that he was uncomfortable broaching the topic of this afternoon, but it was sweet of him to be so considerate of her and MyJaan.

"Oh yes. It had comepletely slipped my mind. I will get to it right now. Thanks." She said as she turned around to grab her stuff and Jaan who was dozing at the moment.

"Ermm. Ms. Farooqui." She heard him call from behind.

"Don't worry Mr. Khan. I will not leave the backyard. Promise." She responded, not bothering to turn around.

"Not that, yes don't but not that. Woh...actually...I was wondering if I could join you for the walk." Came the response which was so soft that had it not been for the still of the night, she would have totally missed it.

"Really? Sure" Zoya wondered how this man always behaved so unexpectedly.

They stepped into the backyard from his office, instead of the main door and took a seat on the bench, allowing Jaan to explore on his own and get to his business. They had barely been there for a couple minutes when a sudden downpour took them by surprise.

Zoya saw Mr. Khan run to find shelter in the house, as expected, but she continued to sit on the bench, turning her face upwards to face the pouring skies. She had always loved the rains, but these sudden outpours were her favorite. She loved the surprise and excitement that came with them. She stretched out her hands to collect the drops of rain enjoying the feel of it all.

As the rain fell down on her, it felt like it was easying out the tension and worry that had built inside her over these days.She was enjoying the rain, lost in her fun, chasing MyJaan out from under the bush he was hiding under.

She noticed Mr. Khan from the corner of her eyes, as he stood by the door, watching them.

"Hello? Mr. Khan? Come out and enjoy the rain." She called out to him, waving her hands wildly in front of him.

"Ermm. woh...actually... I am fine here Ms. Farroqui. I think you guys should also come inside now. You shouldn't be out there for so long anyways." He said as he abruptly turned around and went inside.

Zoya knew he was right, it was cold and she was starting to feel the chill in her bones, being thoroughly drenched as she was. She picked Jaan up and was trying to figure out how to get into the house with making making a huge mess, when she saw Mr. Khan approach the door again with towels in his hand.

"Thanks Mr. Khan. I will try to not be too messy. Ooh is that coffee I smell?" She took the towels as she entered the room.

"Aap itni jaldi towels aur coffee kahan se le aaye? [How did you manage to get the towels and coffee so fast?]" she asked as she watched him rub Jaan dry with another towel.

"Woh... actually...I didn't need to leave the room, everything was right here. This room is designed such that I can stay in here all day without the need to leave, not even for a coffee." He looked around the room with pride.

"Look, back there is the shower and my spare wardrobe. I have a tiny kitchenette in that closet, where I can brew some coffee or heat food if needed. The sofa serves as a pull out." He pointed out various things to Zoya as she looked around in amazement. The first time she was in the room, she had noticed the dcor, but she had not realized how much thought had been put into making it perfect for his needs. No wonder this man spent so much of his time in here.

"Wow, I am impressed Mr. Khan." She flashed him one of her most genuine smiles and received a half smile in return and a nod.

"I think I better go get changed. But I will be back for the coffee in a bit." Suddenly conscious of her wet state, Zoya ran out to her room for a change.

As she changed, she thought about the look on Mr. Khan's face when she had praised the room. Something about it had made his shiver. Not the one that is in reaction to a cold, but a different one. Which is why she exited from the room hastily.

By the time she came back, she was surprised to see two cups of steaming coffee ready with sugar and milk on the side. She wondered why Mr. Khan had been going out of his way in being polite to her today and even sought her out, but her curiosity did not last long. He apparently wanted to talk to her about the conversation they had at the PI's office. He wanted to tell her how he was impressed with how she handled herself and also make sure that she was certain that she wanted to go ahead.

But more than the conversation they had, what had surprised her the most was the easy comraderie that Jaan shared with him. They were so much at ease with each other and in the room as if they had been doing this forever.

---Flashback Ends----

Zoya was leaning her head against the window of the car as the events of last night flashed before her eyes. But in the midst of it all she found herself staring at Najma. She rubbed her eyes to double check and for sure, it was Najma in the car that she had just passed. She turned around in her seat to confirm her doubts.

What was she doing here on this stretch of backroad? Who was the guy with her? Why was she in tears? Who was the guy trying to wipe them off?

She tried hard to get a good look at the guys face but could not get more than the back of his head. He was facing Najma and hence his back was to her. She tried to get a good look at the car, maybe which would give her a clue. But before she could notice many details, her car had gone far ahead and she could barely spot the car that they had left behind.

XXX

Najma returned late that night too, just in time for dinner and not giving Zoya enough time to corner her. However. Zoya knew she was not going her go. She would pry the truth out of her, if she had to.

At dinner, Zoya noticed that Najma was picking at her food, not really eating much. But the gloom that had shadowed her eyes was gone. She was more thoughtful today. Once dinner was completed, Zoya quickly helped Dilshaad clean up and then made her way to Najma's room.

She had just raised her hand to knock when she heard. "Yes. I promise to consider what you said. But that is all I can promise." Zoya continued to knock, not wanting to eveasdrop anymore. Allah, please excuse me this one time, but I need to know what's going on with this girl she sent a quick prayer come apology to her almighty as she entered the room.

Zoya noticed Najma hang up her phone as she entered, a big smile plastered on her face.

"So, how was your day, tamatar?" She asked as she plopped down on the bed.

"Good." Najma smiled back.

"So did you turn in your project? All relaxed now?" Zoya asked as she gestured for Najma to take the seat besides her.

"Jee. Haan." Najma eyed her weird. Something about Zoya was right today, she seemed to be smiling a lot more tonight and seemed extra fidgety too.

"Zoya? Aap theek ho? Aap kuch zyada hi khush nazar aa rahi hain. [Are you alright? You are looking very happy today.]" Najma asked her.

"Mein? Mein to ekdum theek hoon sab kaam ab PI jo karega. Tum batao? Tum theek ho? Sab kaisa chal raha hai tumhari zindagi mein? Theek hi hoga, aaj bade dino baad tum tanao mein nahi deekh rahi Kya baat hai? [Me? I am perfectly fine now that the PI is going to do all the work. But you? Are you fine? How is everything going in your life? Must be fine, you don't look as tensed today. So what happened?]"Zoya asked her, wiggling her eyebrows.

"Haan mein to theek hoon. [Yes I am fine.] Finished submitting the project and report today so obviously I am a little relieved." Najma smiled still trying to figure out why Zoya was behaviong so strange today. Usually she would just get to the point.

"That's it? So tell me why are you late today? Extra classes again?"

"Yes" she paused before speaking again "MQ...what is going on? Why are you interrogating me?" Najma finally gave up and decided to tackle the bull by the horns.

"Interrogating? Who me? I am only doing small talk, tamatar. Now if I were to interrogate you, I would ask questions like -What were you doing at Shartri Road in the middle of day? Why were you bunking college? Who were you with? Why were you crying? Why do I not know about this mystery guy? Just some examples of the questions I could ask, you know?" Zoya watched with satisfactions as realization dawned upon Najma and her eyes went wide like saucers.

"Matlab MQ..." Najma was barely able to string the words together when Zoya gave her a smug nod.

"I saw you Najma. And I saw the changes in you too. You barely ate. You were thoughtful, but not sad and gloomy anymore. So can I please know what's going on? And you are so so lucky that I declined Mr. Khan's offer to go with me today, else you can guess what would have happened." She gave her a knowing look.

"Oh! Where do I start?" Najma could not find the strength to hide things anymore. As it is it was making her life difficult.

"Beginning is always the best. But first is he your boy friend? Coz I clearly remember you denying it before." Zoya countered.

"Hmm...no...that is... I don't know MQ. That's the problem." She whispered.

"Please explain." Zoya moved closer to Najma, seeing how she was looking like on a verge of a breakdown. She even felt bad about being harsh with her, but sometimes bitter medicine is the only way out.

"He proposed to me the day I turned 18, he said he was waiting for this day. I always had the biggest crush on him, so you can imagine my joy. But then in a few months, he called it off and walked away. No reasons, no explanations just some vague niceties. And now he wants back...just like that."She explained, her hands nervously playing with her scarf.

"And what do you want?" Zoya asked sympathetically.

"I am so confused MQ...I have never in my life felt this confused. When he left, I thought it was forever. When I saw him the few times thereafter, I felt my heart break a million times over, but I got over it. I hardened my heart against him. But now, he is persuing me, following me around, and I am just so lost." her big eyes brimming with tears.

"Do you love him?"

"With all my heart."

"Despite everything that happened?"

"Unfortunately yes. He is the only guy I ever loved."

"Hmm...that's serious. What about him?"

"He says he loves me too. Always has, just did not have any other options at the time."

"Can you trust him? Trust what he is saying?"

"I...I don't know. I don't want to because of everything that has happened, but I can see it in his eyes, that he is not lying."

"Hmm...complicated."

"Yes...very...welcome to my life." She smiled through her tears which had started to descend as soon as she had started narrating the story.

"So...what now?" Zoya finally asked, just as confused as Najma. Najma only shrugged her shoulders and sniffed with earned her a big hug from her dearest friend.

"What's his name?" Zoya asked, her voice muffled against Najma's hair.

"Umm..." Najma looked at Zoya sheepishly just as they heard Dilshaad's voice from the other side of the door.

---

Rivs

I just totally loved Zoe's flashback...your Asad is very nice and sweet😊...great update

Mazaa kahan in sab ka if I tell u the name...

But pretty much everyone has guessed it...so watever

Oh wait till u meet the other side of AAK...He was sweet here...coz he saw what the truth did to Zoe first hand...don't forget he is judgmental...😆

As long as he is judgmental but caring and sweet, it can be handled...problem starts when he becomes a dumb wimp...😆

I like Asad's characterization in your story...very few on this forum can tread the fine line between his intense aggression and soft heart😳...my baby AAK is very nice😳😆