AsYa SS~PreysOfBiwitchingFortune~Ch2-Pg4Completed - Page 2

Chapter-2

THE WORLD IN PERFORATED LINES

We are never so defenceless against suffering as when we love.

~Sigmund Freud

"TARIQ?... Allah miyan! Whats wrong with this boy!"

"Allah miyan! EVERYTHING!" he grunted as he threw his tie recklessly on the floor while poor Zoya picked those dirty socks thrown away with a set of his other belongings there. How could someone be so messy?

"What's the matter with you today Tariq?..."

"DON'T!" Zoya protested, as she saw him ready to fling his sports bag this time.

"GO AWAY ZOYA!" He dashed to the bathroom.

Zoya sighed. Atleast, he had stopped the throwing business. She looked at the wall. 5.30 PM.

She had two hours on her hand before she left for the date.

DATE? Yeah right! Her alter ego remarked sarcastically.

SHUT UP! I would call it whatever I like.She snapped at the other voice while she, continued to arrange the room, keeping Tariq's belongings, in their proper places. She was suffering from a severe headache, she realized later when she finished organizing the last of the articles in his room and slumped herself on the living room couch, massaging her head.

Zoya had worked double shift the other day to compensate for her absence today. She had spent the whole Friday morning lazing around, and afternoon making preparations for their annual party 'her company was hosting and she was in charge of! However, in the whole process, she had plainly ignored the pain. She should have slept more, Zoya admitted grudgingly to herself. Anyways, now wasn't the time.

She would push it back for a few hours, for now! Pain killer would be her thing at the moment. Making her mind she decided to get one.

"Here!" she looked up to find Tariq standing there with a glass of water and a pain killer. Where did he popped out from? Zoya smiled despite of herself.

"Hmm..so the evil twin left you finally?" She raised a brow as she took the pill drowning it down her throat with water.

"Not really" Tariq made a face when he saw her smirk, "but she decided to take a break"

"Oh really Mister? And why is it a she?" Smiling, she made an attempt to ruffle his hair; while he simply backed off in time, passing her- The Look.

She chuckled at his irritation, reminded of someone. He had that same irritated look on his face; whenever, he caught her doing something she wasn't supposed to do. And she loved to annoy him to irritate him all the more; thus she was always finding more reasons to annoy him. It was her trick to catch his attention.

"Cause being grouchy is a girls job. Men don't possess it"

"Manners Tariq! This is not the way to speak about..."

" You should have slept today" he interjected. She saw him eye her seriously. Was he really just 13?

"Though, I.. I understand why you couldn't...I mean work getting too much..yeah?" He stuttered when he said that. She opened and closed her mouth a few times unable to respond. He was too serious and too perceptive for his age, but she hoped he was really talking about work and not what she thought he was!. May be his past had forced him to grow up too soon!

An awkward silence fell between them. Zoya was the first to break it.

"Why were you so cranky back then?" She shifted herself sitting Indian style this time.

"Aman pissed me. Again!" The boy copied her actions, giving her a rueful smile.

"What did you do Tariq?.."

"What do you think Zoya?" The boy smirked, while a helpless Zoya frowned.

"Tariq!!... Darling.. How many times have I ..."

"Why does he wants to meet you this time?" She was interrupted again by his sudden query. Tariq was doing exactly what he did the best- distract her and in some way he had succeeded, cause his question had immediately put her into thinking mode! Wasn't this the question she was asking herself since the last night when he had phoned her? When she had enquired about his reasons & motives for the meeting, he had plainly avoided them & simply pleaded her to meet him. She hoped everything was fine! Last time she had talked to Phoopi, it had been 2 months & there hadn't been any new development anywhere. She knew her Phoopi and family were living under same roof now everyone was doing well, busy in their lives.

"Don't think you can fool me by changing the topic Tariq. And since when did you start taking such interest in him? Last time I remember, you hadn't left any stone unturned to drive him out of this house." She lashed in anger. Anger at herself more than him. This boy was getting more rebellious with every passing day& she couldn't do anything to knock any kind of sense into that stubborn brain of his. She felt so helpless! Being a single parent was hard, she was coming to accept the fact now...grudgingly!

TING-TONG

The door bell rang breaking the sudden silence. She threw one last glance in his direction, found him lost in his thoughts with frown on his face, while she went to get the door.

"Mandy is going to be with you until I get back. So BEHAVE!" She warned and turned to open the door.

Hi Man...uh...AAP? Tariq turned in his seat when he heard her shriek.

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Asad Ahmed Khan sitting in her living room couch reminded Zoya Farooqui of the lion who sat in his den! His position screamed command, his eyes focussed, yet easy when he gazed at the screen in front, his hands strong & firm on the keys, while his moves were swift and buttery as he pressed the right buttons on time, causing Tariq's soldiers to collapse one after another, while they continued to play on the psp!

He made such an adorable sight when he was with kids, she thought. To make it worse he looked all raw and brawny even though he was handsomely dressed in that business three piece suit, and fully covered! And if this wasn't enough he was clean shaved today, looking all prim & tidy. Lord save her, she was losing focus! She had to talk to him now!! Ask him what it was all about? His sudden phone call & sudden visit now...Did something happen? Was phoopi alright? Allah miyan! What was it that had compelled Mr. Khan to come down to her place so urgently? Zoya wondered while she prepared the famous- Black & Bitter coffee for her jahapana.

When she had found him on the door instead of mandy, she had been shocked at first. He hadn't told her anything about his visit except that strange call last night. This was so out-of-character for Mr. Khan! He had always been a stickler for accuracy! She was actually expecting a detailed phone conversation with him before he decided to show up. This was the ritual they had always followed for the last two years whenever he visited. He would inform her the appropriate day, date and time of his arrival & pre-planned departure; and he always followed his time-table religiously, without fail.

"OH YES BABY!" Tariq cried out loud enough when he probably won the set, startling Zoya while she was about to place the mug-ful of coffee on the side table. The action caused her to spill a little portion on the table. Horrified she immediately looked up in Asad's direction to gauge his expression, and reading herself for the onslaught that was to follow! She had stayed with him for enough time to know how much of a cleanliness freak he was! She hadn't been stranger to his OCD's.

It still amazed her that despite of being a guy, his bedroom was absolutely neat & tidy. However, she realized she had nothing to worry for, as, he remained seated in his position without flinching and fixed her with a cool gaze, passing her a half-smile instead. She chuckled mentally as she recollected how he had always given her that irritated look, when she messed around his house with her 'things' lying recklessly everywhere. Zoya allowed her heart to flutter for a moment, thinking of the past-'their past' before she broke the gaze and went to collect the napkin to clean-up. When she entered the kitchen, she held the balustrade for support while she tied to control her fast breaths.

She shouldn't go there! Those memories were beautiful & cherishable, yet, they were just that -Memories! She must think practical & her practical side told her to let go!

"ZOYA?" She turned to find him standing in the door way with the coffee mug.

"I..I meant Ms.Farooqui?"

"Yes Mr. Khan?"

"May I come-in?"

He silently walked in as she gave a small nod, busying herself in cleaning the counter top, while he washed his hands in the kitchen sink. Allah miyan everything was so messy here? Mr.Khan might get a fretting attack any second now!

"Umm..I'm so sorry Mr.Khan..Just give a moment. I'm almost done here. Umm.. You can wait outside if you want. Mein bas do minute mein aye," she rolled off, thinking he might feel uneasy standing in her kitchen. Correction. Her messy Kitchen!

"No- it's fine!" And he motioned forward to occupy one of the high chairs that was placed near the kitchen island to her right.

"I hope mein aap ko pareshan nahi kar raha Ms.Farooqui. "

"Bilkul nahi, Mr.Khan...I was just here to get some napkins to clean up," and she got back to work while Asad stole glances.

" Zoyaa.." A pretty girl -about Zoya's age, with wild curly mane walked in right that moment singing her name. Zoya grinned and went to hug her right away!

"Hey Mandy. When did you came? I never heard the bell?"

"Thats cause I have a duplicate key to your apartment hon!" The girl giggled.

"Oh yeah! Main bhi na! Waise why are you so late?" Zoya asked.

"Oooh! Someone is eager about her Date huh?" Mandy teased, hitting her shoulder with Zoya's as she giggled.

"Shut up Mandy!" She scolded pretending to be annoyed with her though in reality, she wasn't. She was so used to it! Mandy just need a reason to tease her every now & then. However as annoying as the girl was, she was her bestie now.

They had started with their job on the same day, and were in the same group. Zoya being new to Bangalore had been a bit nervous despite of the excitement she had felt about her new job, however with Mandy around she had felt like she had found a soul sister! After Najma, if there was anyone she had felt that sister connection with, it was Mandira Iyer a.k.a Mandy!

"Ahem.."Zoya was brought back to present when someone cleared their throat uncomfortably; and she then realized with sudden embarrassment- they weren't alone!

Oh! I'm so sorry Mr.Khan, I totally forgot about you. Uh..This is my friend Mandira Iyer -Mandy in short. Mandy this is Mr.Asad Ahmed Khan urf Jahapanah," Zoya tried to tease him, yet coloured visibly, as she made the introductions.

He was staring- so intently at her and Zoya almost felt, his eyes were able to look through her soul. But she wasn't able to read them. Or maybe, she had stopped trying to! It was a useless task. They had always misguided her, given her false hopes & an incurable heart-break! Reading them would only mean- building air castles, and she had saved fairytales for the dreams at night!

"Hi!" She heard Asad speak, his eyes finally shifted away from her flushed face to greet her friend.

"Oh.My.God! You're HOT! Hotter than how Zoya mentioned!! Are you sure he is six-pack Zo? I'll bet my Louisvuitton he is an eight!...OUCH!" Zoya dug her sharpened nails deeper into her shoulders to stop Mandy from embarrassing her any futher! The girl was out of her senses or what? How could she say all that in front of him?

Saying she was embarrassed was the biggest understatement of the year! Zoya found it difficult to look at him, but she was sure about one thing right now. He was staring at her. And that made her heart beat faster.

"Umm..Did I mess up?" Mandy asked her innocently, while Zoya sighed exasperatedly.

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"So? How's everyone. Phoopi? Najma? & others?" She refrained from mentioning his Father, she knew the equation between the father-son. She may have moved out of Bhopal two years back, but Phoopi had always kept in touch & she was kept well updated of all the developments- be it the family re-union, Asad's return back home to stay with Phoopi & Najma again after that ugly fall-out of theirs, her Dost's new business venture, Nikhat's pregnancy or Phoopi's bride hunt for Asad! She remembered the last time Phoopi had told her about Asad's prospective bride & how she was exactly the kind of girl Asad had wanted his bride to be, but he had plainly turned down that proposal too- like all the former ones! However, despite all the development, one aspect was still in the stagnation mode, & that was Asad's relationship with his father! Asad hadn't been able to let-go his hurt & anger towards his father. She wished someday that their equation changed.

"They are all doing well. Ammi & Najma miss you a lot!" she glanced at him knowing perfectly well what she wanted to hear from him would never come!

"OK! I'm done here. We could head out & continue the conversation." She told him as she finished with her cleaning. The kitchen was now sparkling & clean for his taste, she thought, however it wasn't a place to discuss some serious matter that she was sure Asad was here for!

"NO! I..I mean it's fine here. And I need to speak to you privately!" Well he was right there. They could hear Mandy & Tariq, arguing over remote control in the living room. There was NO way they would be able to speak peacefully or without being interrupted there!

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"But Mr.Khan, have you considered the possibility that may be Najma is happy with your decision? Did you consult Phoopi about this? She could talk to Najma & I'm sure Najma would confide into her.

Zoya tried to reason with her jahapanah one more time, despite the man refusing to be convinced. His paranoia didn't surprise her, however his refusal to have faith in his own decision did! She couldn't believe she would live to witness this day! Asad Ahmed Khan who believed that his decisions were authority, was unsure of himself? Allah! Where was world headed? Zoya wondered quite exaggeratedly.

She considered what he had told her by far, while mentally connecting the dots! Phoopi had mentioned earlier in passing, she was searching for a suitable match for Najma too along with her son. However, like her elder brother, Najma, had successfully avoided the marriage concerns of their family till date. Now, according to Asad, the invincible Najma had finally given her consent to her Ammi a month back, only after the repeated attempts from her Ammi. But her condition was that she would only marry the guy her- Asad Bhaijaan approved! Fast forward to last week, Phoopi had managed to get a hand on a suitable match. Asad had taken all the necessary measures & finally given his approval. Now the marriage was to be fixed. However, now suddenly he was having second thoughts about getting his little tamatar married! Typical brother, Zoya thought. He was just worrying without reasons.

Asad, on the other hand was completely on a different page. Like any other brother he wanted to be sure that his tamatar was happy! Her happiness was more important to him than his pride. He wanted people to make decisions for themselves, not just bend to his wishes. He has stopped taking decisions for others a long while ago. He had done that a lot in past & had plainly regretted it!...His Ammi had been pestering him to take things forward, but Asad had given it a deaf ear, cause he had observed a sudden change in his tamatar, last few days. He felt something off, inspite of her refusal to acknowledge it when he had confronted her in person, that worried him. And now Ammi had given him an ultimatum. He was to take some action within a week or she was going to take charge! He knew he had to do something before things got out of hands here, but he couldn't do it alone here. He wanted someone to support & believe in his theory & that person was sitting across from him right now!

"No Zoya, I haven't consulted Ammi. I know Najma won't confide in her. If she wanted, she would have done it by now & believe me Zoya I can feel something wrong here. Please help me out here. I'm relying on you here."

Zoya sighed as she saw that pleading look on his face and resigned, "Fine Asad. I'm in! What do you want me to do?" They were on first names, really? That was her random thought.

And Asad smiled at her. That full dimpled smile, while his eyes reflected his gratitude!

(Whitney Houston -Try It On My Own)

I'm wiser now
Im not the foolish girl you used to know
So long ago
I'm stronger now
I've learned from my mistakes which way to go
And I should know
I put myself aside to do it in your way
But now i need to do it all alone


And I am not afraid to try it on my own
I don't care if I'm right or wrong
I'll live my life the way I feel no matter what I'll keep it real
You know
Time for me to do it on my own


It's over now
I can't go back to living through your eyes
To many lies
And if you don't know by now
I can't go back to being someone else
Not anymore
I never had the chance to do things my way
So now it's time for me to take control


And I am not afraid to try it on my own
I don't care if I'm right or wrong
I'll live my life the way I feel no matter what I'm gonna keep it real
You know
Time for me to do it on my own


Oh, I start again go back to one
I'm running things in my way
Cant stop me now I've just begun
Don't even think about
It there aint no way about it
I'm taking names go down the line
Yes I'm gonna take my turn
It's time for me to
Finally stand alone
Stand alone


I am not afraid to try it on my own
I don't care if im right or wrong
I'll live my life the way i feel no matter what I'm gonna keep it real
You know
It's time for me to do it

See I am not afraid to try it on my own
I don't care if im right or wrong
I'll live my life the way i feel no matter what I'm gonna keep it real
You know
It's time for me to do it on my own

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A/N- Finally finished with the chapter 2. Happy Reading:-)

Grace,

-Ada