Part 15:
Asad couldn't sleep once he'd gotten into Zoya's hospital bed with her. He held her and watched her until she fell asleep. He couldn't describe how he felt knowing that Zoya was here... safe with him, in his arms... where he knew she belonged. But he also couldn't rid his mind of the image he had walked into when he had gone to save her. The memory of her lying there, limp and lifeless caused a shudder to ripple through him, and his eyes to well up. He gently stroked her cheek. What had she been thinking? She stirred under his touch and smiled at him. "Hey..." she whispered. He was silent... still lost in his thoughts of how she was willingly going to leave him.
"How could you, Zoya?" he asked in a broken voice, pulling her closer to him. He could tell she wasn't responding to his question, but he felt her heart beat faster. She knew this was coming. She knew she'd have to explain herself to him... why she did what she did. But still, she said nothing. "Do you even realise what would've happened if I had been even 5 minutes late? How could you think leaving me would help me? You know I can't live without you, Zoya... why would you do that?" he asked, pulling her closer and closer with each question he asked and each declaration he made. He froze as he heard her sniffle. He hadn't wanted to make her cry. He just needed to know what exactly had she been thinking. Had she been thinking at all? "Zoya, baby?" he asked softly, dropping a kiss on her head as she ducked her face closer into the crook of his neck. "Asad... I'm so sorry... but Abbu, he said... he had these men... he threatened you Asad... if I didn't marry...he threatened to kill you! I couldn't marry anyone else... I couldn't afford for you to be hurt. I didn't feel I had any other option. I wouldn't willingly leave you. Never!" she spoke in torrents, clearly letting him know how alarmed she had been... how helpless she had felt. He began stroking her hair to soothe her as he felt his shoulder become wet from her tears. "Ssshhh, it's over now..." he whispered, kissing her in between his words. He lifted her chin so she would look at him and she blinked her tears away. "No one can hurt me Zoya... not the way you think... not like if you had..." he said, not able to finish his sentence. "I'm sorry" she whispered.
She looked at him properly then. "What the hell happened to you?!" she shouted, tracing the bruises on his face. He told her about what had happened when he'd gone to get her on the Sunday night. Her hands flew to her mouth. "How could he do that?" she whispered, almost to herself.
"Is it over now, Asad? Really?" she asked. He nodded, thinking of his proof against Gaffur. He didn't dare speak, lest the rage he felt in that moment made its way to the surface. "All over" he said confidently after a while. Zoya shook her head. "But Abbu?" she asked. Asad straightened and made his way to sitting up. He adjusted Zoya so that she was comfortable and took a seat at the edge of her bed while holding her hand. "There's something I need to tell you" he said softly and she looked at him questioningly. Asad went on to reveal how he'd hired a PI when he got back. At first, it was for revenge... a way to clear his father's name and bring Gaffur down. But now... it had worked to do something else. To keep his Zoya safe with him and his family, in her home, where she belonged. Zoya was in awe. "Why didn't you tell me?" she asked, squeezing his hand. "I didn't think I'd ever need to use it" he shrugged. Zoya was fully awake now and wanted to know everything that had happened from the time he got to her. Her hands flew to her mouth. Gratitude... wonder... love, shone in her eyes for her husband and his, no - *their* family. She smiled, safe in the knowledge that if Asad was by her side, she could face anything.
Thinking so, a fresh set of tears spilled from her eyes. "What happened?" Asad asked worriedly, flicking the tears away. "I'm so sorry... I should've had more faith... in you" she hiccupped. He leaned down and kissed her forehead. "Let's not talk about this anymore" he said and she nodded. "I love you Zoya. No one can take you away from me. Not even you" he whispered. A glint formed in her eyes. "You love me?" she asked innocently and he nodded, smiling. She pulled the duvet back, and reached for his collar, pulling him to her. "Show me..." she whispered and Asad's eyes widened. "What? Here?" he asked incredulously and she nodded. "Zoya... the nurse could walk in anytime" he said but he could feel his resolve dissolving as she jerked him forward to kiss him. "Please...?" she whispered as she broke away from him. He got off the bed and she gripped his arm. "I'm not leaving. Just going to close the door" he whispered and she let him go, a knowing smile playing on her lips.
She needed this. She knew it was risky, and that they could be disturbed, but she needed to be with him... feel him close... know that she was truly here with him. Asad lay down in the small hospital bed next to his wife and held her close before planting his lips on her. She responded almost instantly, kissing him back with fervour, trying to pour all the love she felt for her husband into that kiss. Zoya was unstoppable, clutching at his shirt as she moved closer to him. "Zoyaaa" he groaned as he felt his own body respond in the most primitive way. He felt his way up through her nightie and held her firmly by her hips, grinding his hardness against her. She moaned softly as she started losing herself in her need for him. But then there was a knock at the door and they broke apart hastily. "Mrs Khan?" a female voice called. Asad jumped off the bed and walked into the adjoining bathroom, motioning for Zoya to answer the nurse.
"Yes, come in" Zoya said, her voice a little raspy but high pitched due to the shock of almost getting caught. The nurse walked in and looked askance at Zoya's more than dishevelled appearance. "Just woke up" Zoya said and smiled self-consciously, realising she must look like a hot mess right now. She certainly felt it. "Mrs Khan, there is someone here to see you. I did say that visiting hours is only in few hours, but he it's your father. Shall I let him in?" the nurse asked kindly. Zoya's eyes widened in terror. "No... no" she said and the nurse looked confused. He was here. Gaffur was here. "Asad!" she shouted and he ran out of the bathroom in panic. He hadn't heard what the nurse said. Asad went to Zoya. "What is it?" he asked, noticing Zoya's panic-stricken look. "Abbu... he's here... he wants to see me. Oh my God Asad. He's going to..." Asad placed his finger on her lips, effectively shutting her up before she could panic any further.
"I will go talk to him" he said calmly. Zoya held his hand and squeezed it. He almost winced at her strength, even in her current state. "Relax Zoya. Like I said, he can't touch me. He wouldn't. And besides we're in a hospital. Relax baby. I'll be right back" he said, kissing her lightly. There was no way he was going to let Gaffur anywhere near Zoya. She was no longer Gaffur Siddiqui's daughter - he had lost the right to call her that. She was Mrs Zoya Asad Ahmed Khan and no one could change that fact. She was his now and he would do whatever he had to, to protect her. She waited in bed wringing her hands as fear gripped her. She would only calm down when Asad was back in the room with her.
Asad walked into the corridor, following the nurse quietly. He caught sight of Gaffur sitting dejectedly in the waiting room. He walked past to the other side of the door and stood against the wall, breathing heavily and clenching his firsts. He had to calm down before speaking to this man, otherwise... who knows what he would do. Taking a deep calming breath, Asad stepped into the small waiting room and looked directly at Gaffur. Gaffur, feeling the presence of someone in the room, looked up startled. He wasn't expecting him. He had been expecting a nurse to come in to let him know he could see his daughter. He had felt truly remorseful after Asad had taken Zoya away. Seeing her in that state, knowing that it was him to put her in that position, tore through his heart. He wanted nothing more than to see her, make sure she was alright and most of all, tell her he was sorry.
Things at home had been a mess after Zoya had been taken away. The groom and his family had thrown their toys and insulted Gaffur, Razia and Zoya. They were completely affronted at the treatment they'd received at the Siddiqui's. In the end, when Gaffur had nothing to say to answer for his daughter's behaviour after Razia had openly taunted him in front of all the guests, the groom and his family had left and the rest of the guests filtered out thereafter, casting pitying glances at Gaffur. He sat in a corner clutching the envelope that Ayaan had given him. Hours later, when the house had been cleared up, Razia finally went to him and snatched the envelope from his hands, ranting about the information that had shut him up like the coward he was. But when the papers were pulled out... her hands flew to her mouth. Photo after photo of Gaffur with different women in compromising positions fell from her hands. It wasn't like she didn't know where he would go to late at night... One night he had come home stumbling in, drunk and she had been shocked. When she'd repeatedly asked him where he had been, he had admitted it. She had tried to stop him, but when the late night outings became more frequent, she had just given up. Still, it was difficult to have the proof right in front of her.
And still, she kept going through the papers. When her eyes landed on official documents from almost twenty years ago, her eyes grew wider. She couldn't believe it... here was proof that Gaffur was embezzling from his and Rashid's company. "I thought you had burnt all of this. How could you be so foolish! How did Asad get his hands on this?" she had screamed. Gaffur had just about had enough of her. "Enough!" he'd bellowed. "Get out. Out of my house... out of my life. You've done everything you could to ruin it... just get out now" he'd said in a more defeated tone. Clicking her tongue, she'd looked at him. "You sorry excuse for a man. You are nothing without me. If it hadn't been for me, Rashid would be the sole owner of your company now. You're useless. Useless!" she'd screamed before rushing to their room. She'd silently left thereafter. He didn't even know where she had gone to, but for the first time in years, he felt lighter. He'd sat up all night, thinking of what he'd allowed her to put his daughter through... how he had agreed with her at every turn. Then at 6am, he could take it no more. He got into his car and made his way to the hospital.
Gaffur stood up, but still looked down. "What do you want?" Asad asked in a cold but calm voice. Gaffur looked at him finally. "I-I just... want to know that she's ok..." he said softly. Asad's eyes hardened and it took every ounce of strength in him to not grab Gaffur by his throat and squeeze the life out of him. "Why?" he asked instead. "Isn't that what you had wanted? To kill me... to keep us apart? Except, you didn't expect Zoya to do that, did you? What did you think old man? That she would silently sit back and marry someone else? Shows how very little you know her" Asad said.
Gaffur took a step forward. "Asad beta" he called, with an arm outstretched. Asad deftly took a step back. "Don't call me that" he spat out. "You did this, you know that? You forced her to take such a step. Do you know she wants nothing to do with you? Your own daughter!" he said very loudly this time. "I'm sorry" Gaffur said. "I know now... how my actions have hurt her. I just... is she ok?" Gaffur pleaded. Asad took another deep breath and then nodded. "Very well. She is just fine now. But she doesn't want to see you and I would never force her to do anything she didn't want to, so don't bother trying to get me onside" he said. Gaffur nodded solemnly. He stepped forward again and this time, Asad didn't step back.
"I am sorry to you too. For everything. Everything I put your family through. I can't believe how easily that... that woman swayed me" he said, closing his eyes for a minute before continuing. "And I want to thank you. It's taken me a long time to admit this... but I don't know what's best for her. I never have. You do... I hope it will always stay that way. I-I don't even know how you got married... but... she is your wife now. I hope you can give her everything I never could" Gaffur said. Asad closed his eyes. He felt the sincerity in Gaffur's voice. He didn't want to, but he had felt it. He had promised himself that he would keep this man away from Zoya, but what if... what she wanted to speak to him. He wanted to protect her, but he knew he wouldn't be able to say no to her.
"Zoya is ok now, and you don't have to worry. I will take care of her forever. She is my life, she always has been. I made a promise to myself that I would never let you near her. But I am not the kind of person who takes away her choice. I will speak to her. If she wants to see you, then you can come back during visiting hours" Asad said and Gaffur reached out to Asad, patting his shoulder. Asad removed his hand and nodded, making his way out of the room. He stopped at the door and turned back. "Keep the envelope in mind. I have only told Zoya about the proof of embezzlement. I was not joking when I said I would make it "ALL" public if you try to hurt her or anyone in my family. I still don't trust you old man. I may be Zoya's husband, but I will never be your son-in-law" Asad said quietly and walked out of the room and back to Zoya. Her eyes were glassy and unfocussed when Asad walked in. Her head snapped to him. "What took you so long? Do you know how worried I was?" she almost shouted and he smiled. "Baby, I told you there was nothing to worry about, but we do need to talk" he said, pulling her to him when he sat next to her on the bed.
On his way back in, the nurse told him that Zoya could be discharged later that afternoon, which she was ecstatic about. She looked at him warily. "That's not what you wanted to talk to me about, is it?" she asked and he shook his head. "It's about your Abbu" Asad said and told Zoya about what Gaffur and he had spoken about. He felt her body stiffen beside him as he spoke about Gaffur wanting to see her. "You believe him?" she asked softly. "Hate to admit it, but I do..." Asad said reluctantly. She shook her head. "I... I don't want to see him. I am over my childhood and everything they have done to me. The fact that he has said sorry to you, and that you feel you believe him, is more than enough for me. He knows I'm alright... that also, is more than what he deserves. I can forgive him too Asad, but I can't forget. I'm sorry. I don't want to see him. Please don't make me" she cried, holding onto Asad's arm. Asad breathed a sigh of relief. He wasn't expecting this. He had thought that Zoya would want to meet Gaffur, clear up any misunderstanding; perhaps forge a new relationship. That had scared him. But now... Zoya didn't even want to see him and despite himself, Asad felt pleased.
"Baby, I would never make you do anything you didn't want to" he whispered in her ear. He'd excused himself to call Gaffur while Zoya went to the bathroom to freshen up. Gaffur nodded on the other end. Just like Asad, he hadn't been expecting that. "Very well" he had said, then disconnected. "How did he take it?" Zoya asked when he walked back into her room. "Surprisingly well, actually. If you ever change your mind, Zoya... I'm ok with it" he said, taking her hand. She smiled at him. "I know... but I am not sure I will ever change my mind Asad" she said. Asad's phone rang then. He saw it was Humeira and smiled, handing the phone to Zoya. He excused himself to get some coffee and let her talk to her friend.
"hello?" Zoya answered smilingly as she watched Asad walk out of the room. "What hello? Don't you hello me! I am so angry with you, Zoya! What the hell were you thinking?" Humeira screamed into the phone. "Humeira... listen to me..." Zoya tried to but in but was cut off by Humeira again. "Don't tell me to listen! I don't want to listen to you. Asad told me to not shout at you yesterday, but today... today you are in trouble Missy!" she continued her rant.
Zoya smiled and let Humeira get it all out. It would only be a few more minutes of screaming before the crying started. "How could you do that, Zoya?" Humeira sniffled. Zoya stayed silent. And the crying has begin. "Do you know how worried we were? Asad had just about lost his mind" she cried. "How could you go get married too? I mean, I'm happy for you and everything, but I would've liked to be there" she said.
Zoya rolled her eyes. "Ok Humeira, stop now. I am fine. Everything is fine. Come over later and I will explain everything, ok?"
"Fine... Zoya, are you really ok?" she asked softly. "More than ok now. I will see you later, ok?" she said and they disconnected. Zoya handed Asad's phone back once he came back into the room.
He checked his cellphone for the time. "Another 4 hours until visiting hours..." he said huskily before walking to the door. Zoya tilted her head and watched him as he walked out of her room, only to come back in a minute and close the door behind him. "What?" he asked her. "Where did you go?" she asked. He motioned for her to move aside so that he could get in next to her. "Oh that. I just told the nurses that we need to have a serious talk and not to disturb us. I told them we will call them if we need" he said wickedly and Zoya's eyes widened. He nodded, before pulling her in for a passionate kiss that left them both breathless.
"Asad... what-are... you?" she panted out as he kissed her neck, while stroking her bare thighs under her nightie. She was still hot and bothered from earlier and now very, very excited. "Finishing what we started earlier..." he whispered, biting down on her neck as he slipped his finger inside of her. She bucked her hips as he swivelled and swirled inside of her and Zoya's moans were muffled as he kissed her. Their furious hands ravaging the other's body, their mouths doing something similar. Zoya had her hands in his hair, tugging at it roughly. Knowing they could get caught and knowing they needed to be quick only added to the sexiness of the situation. They'd faced death and now they needed to feel alive. Zoya writhed wildly under his ministrations and reached down to cup him, swallowing hard as she felt him grow harder beneath her touch. "Now Asad, please" she begged. With one last look towards the door, Asad flipped Zoya over and thrust himself inside of her. She had wanted to cry but it stuck in her throat. She was close already. He went harder and faster as she clawed at his shoulders, biting down on it as her body spasm'ed in the ultimate pleasure. He pulled her to him then, and kissed her quickly. "I could lie like this with you all day, but... well, we can't" he said, looking down to where Zoya's nightie was hiked up around her waist and he was in a state of partial undress himself. She giggled as she straightened her clothes up. "What's funny, Mrs Khan?" he called out to her from the bathroom. "Nothing. That was just so... wow" she said. He walked out smiling. "You are wow" he said lovingly, kissing her again and sitting up next to her as she snuggled closer to him.
Dilshad and Najma arrived during visiting hours and had brought clothes for Zoya to change into for when she left the hospital. Asad sat on the couch in the corner of the room and watched his mother and sister fuss over his wife. Zoya had looked at him uncertainly when they'd first walked in, but when Dilshad had kissed her and told her how happy they were for Asad and her, her uneasiness melted away. She giggled as Najma went on and on about how romantic it was that they had eloped but then she'd caught Dilshad looking down sadly. Her own eyes welled up with tears as she reached out for Dilshad's hands. "Ammi, I'm so sorry" she said, her tears spilling over. "Zoya, why?" Dilshad asked worriedly. Even Najma quietened and Asad sat up straighter, putting his phone aside. "For... I made Asad do it. He didn't want to get married, without all of you present... but I made him-" Dilshad smiled a genuine smile at her, cutting her off. "Zoya... I have explained to Asad already. Rashid and I are not angry. It doesn't matter how it happened but now you are part of this family. We are happy that you are with us" she said, before kissing Zoya's forehead. Zoya looked to Asad who was smiling at her encouragingly. "Thank you Ammi" she said softly.
Dilshad clicked her tongue dismissively. "You can thank me by agreeing to a function in a few days" she said and Zoya scrunched her face up. "Function?" she asked. "Walimah... for you and Asad. I want to show my beautiful bahu off to all my friends and our family" she said. Zoya laughed, relieved. "Of course Ammi, anything" she said. Asad excused himself to sign the discharge papers and asked Dilshad to go with him. While doing so, he told her about Gaffur's visit. Dilshad patted his arm. "She's such a strong girl..." she said. "She is Ammi" he replied. Najma helped her get dressed and they made their way home after one last check by the doctor. The doctor had stopped to speak to Asad on his way out. "I know of a good psychiatrist I could refer your wife to, Mr Khan" the doctor had said kindly. Asad smiled and thanked him politely, but gave him a quick rundown of the situation. So you see, my wife isn't depressed... she was... forced into this situation, but all is fine now" he explained. The doctor was shocked, but said he understood.
When they got home, Zoya stood outside the door with Asad by her side. Looking inside to where Dilshad was putting on the kettle and Najma was putting away the bags, Zoya smiled. "You ok?" Asad asked, confused at her not going in. "I am perfectly fine, Asad. I'm finally home..." she said, her voice full of emotion as she took his hand and walked in with him.
A/N: Last part L
But don't worry - you will get an epilogue J ...Some time this week.
Thank you all for loving this story and all your wonderful comments and encouragement. It means so much to me and I appreciate every one of you.
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