AsYa FF Something Changed Thread#1 (Updated Chp 23 Pg 107) - Page 12

Later that night, Zoya stomped up and down her room. Her tears flowed but she wasn't sad. She was furious. How could he do this to her? She was more angry at herself for thinking that after everything, Asad wouldn't say such mean things to her again. Weren't they friends? She let out an exasperated sigh and went to the kitchen for water.

She heard some strange noises on her way to the kitchen and immediately turned her Bond mood on. Arrey where is this sound coming from. The light is not on in the kitchen! Ya Allah, I hope it's not a thief! She grabbed the broom that was nearby and advanced towards the dark figure that was near the table. She was about to strike when she felt a strong hand on her shoulders and one on her mouth.

She Tried to hit him with the broom in vain.

'What the HELL !' Asad bellowed.

Zoya stopped fiddling and struggling upon hearing his voice. He dragged her toward the switch and put on the light.

'Get your hands off of me' She threatened before waving the broom at him.

He simply let go and sat back down at the table where he was apparently eating.

'Allah miyan! What's wrong with you? You almost gave me a heart attack! Why are you eating like a thief in your own home? Wait, is that the food I made? Oh so you bad mouth my food yet sneak out to eat it? You shouldn't eat it. You might get food poisoning, after all I made it. There must be something wrong with it. Do you even remember the crap you told me earlier? Hmph'

Asad tried to intervene but let her have her way, seeing that she was not going to stop till she said what she had to. ' What the hell is wrong with you Asad? Is this the way you treat a friend? One minute you're hot next you're cold. And no, im not talking about your biceps, triceps or six packs! I'm talking about your attitude towards me. One moment you're being kind and next you're spitting out insults? Its all my fault. I don't know why I am acting like this. I should have never expected you to change. At least not your behavior with me. After all who am I to you? Just a friend' Her teeth gritted as she said the last three words. Enraged was an understatement for the way Zoya felt.

'And now you stand and look at me like you don't know what I'm talking about! Great! See you're not even saying anything'

'Chup! If you keep talking then how do you expect me to say something, Miss Faruqui!' He argued with equal venom.

He saw a flicker in her eyes as he said Miss Faruqui and a feeling of dejection washed over her. He had confirmed she was 'just a friend' or even less by saying 'Miss Faruqui'. He was done for.

'So I am back to Miss Faruqui.' She said in a low voice, and felt her eyes stinging. 'I should have never said anything. Good night Mr Khan. Sorry for bothering you' She said sarcastically yet she knew she she truly felt as though she was just a bother to him. She turned around hoping her tears would wait till she would get to her room.

Asad sighed. Why did they always have to fight? Ughh.

'Wait.' He said, hastily holding onto her hand.

'Leave my hand, Mr Khan.' She tried to get out of his grip, but it only tightened and he pulled her to face him.

His heart broke as he saw her teary eyes. He placed his hands gently on her neck and wiped away her tears.

She tried to leave again. As much as she wanted to be held by him, she still had her pride.

She was successful in breaking out of his grasp and was about to run off.

'Zoya'. Please'.' He said those words, overweight with emotion, causing her to turn around. He approached her.

'I am sorry, Zoya.'

'I thought my name was Miss Faruqui' she replied coldly.

'That was when we weren't friends' To this, she scoffed and said 'So what happened just now? You know what, just forget it!' and was more than ready to continue walking but Asad didn't give up.

'It was a slip of the tongue. But we are friends, aren't we?' he asked in an innocent tone '. .. More than friends perhaps.' He added hesitantly.

Her eyes widened and she looked up to meet his. He sighed and resigned to telling her the truth.

'I wasn't going to tell you anything, because I didn't want to hurt you or for you to get your hopes up but I guess no matter what I do for you, I hurt you. Today I did some research concerning your Abu. I found the address of the location you were supposed to check, It was the home for the mentally unstable. I know this all sounds strange but it was the information I received. And I was really happy that I could assist you in any way because I know this must be extremely hard for you. And I decided to visit it without telling you anything. But upon arriving I got into an argument with the receptionist who wasn't allowing me to have any information because their head wasn't in town. I guess I was disappointed and frustrated and once again I took it out on you and hurt you. Especially because you did so much for me today, and I couldn't even help you with this one small thing.' He ended off dejectedly.

He went forward to brush off her tears and extended his hand but stepped back and turned to leave. Zoya replayed everything he said. He really did care about her.. didn't he? no matter what I do for you, I hurt you'.. because you did so much for me today, and I couldn't even help you with this one small thing

'Just like that? You say all this and I don't even get a chance to reply. What you did was' she didn't get to finish.

'I know what i said was unforgivable.'

'Allah miyan! When did I say that? You .. What you did'.. Thank you.'

Asad looked up at her. She walked towards him, a thousand words desperate to come out. Yet all she could have done was embrace him. She held onto his waist while she smiled. 'Today you have done for me what no one else could have ever done. And you're upset? You did so much for me. I'll never be able to thank you enough.'

She pulled away. 'But oh come on, you were doing so much for me and then you come and ruin it for yourself! Hmph you'll never learn to control your impulsiveness and anger na. But still, I appreciate that you would even think of helping me this much and definitely didn't expect all this. You don't need to feel guilty about it. This is the closest I have ever been to finding my Abu and it's only because of you.' She was beaming, wiping her tears while Asad stared at her amazed. How could she be so generous. So quickly she forgave him.

'You don't need to say thanks. I didn't do all this for your thanks. I did it because I wanted to do something for you. You yourself said that we do things for those we consider our own that we don't usually do. I am sorry I hurt you.'

'Asad listen. How many times are you going to blame yourself for hurting me? I know .. well you kinda do hurt me but let go of the mentality that you are like him and you would always hurt your loved ones. Well I mean the people around you. You can get me mad, but you can't hurt me the way you think you can. I know you can't. And even if you do, that does not make you like him. Because you can pacify me. Just like you did just now.' She felt the need to reassure him this. She had no idea what was going on in his mind about her and them but couldn't think of him ever hurting her so deeply. And even if he did, only he could be the one to make her happy again.

'Okay. Forget that. Waise bhi your puris are not so bad after all. Maybe they're a bit burnt and possibly square shaped, with countless holes' He teased but was cut off by a pouting Zoya who hit him playfully. 'If you like complaining so much then why are you eating it mm?'

'I don't believe in throwing away food na, iss liye I was trying to see if my stomach would digest your creations' Asad joked.

'Allah miyan!'

Before she could launch into another argument he pacified her.

'Acha theek hai. Actually you're not that bad. At least they're cooked right?'

'That's exactly what I thought!!!!' Zoya replied enthusiastically.

'But really they taste good. And the paneer? Wah! The best paneer I have ever eaten.'

'Very funny Jahanpana six packs. Okay stop it now. I am not that foolish. Hmph.'

Asad laughed at that and sat down to resume eating. He motioned Zoya to sit with him. Together they had a late dinner. Of course they teased each other and disagreed for everything they spoke about I mean come on it was Asad and Zoya. But now they were truly understanding to respect each other's differences.

Before heading off to their rooms, they wished each other good night.

'And Zoya?' Asad stopped her.

She turned around and replied. ' Mhm?'

'This suit'. Looks good on you.'

She blushed and thanked Allah that in the darkness her flushed face wouldn't be noticed by him. But who were we kidding? Asad miya notices everything about Zoya. She skipped off to her room.He half smiled and went to his room.

He thought about her for the whole night. Could he really let go of his fear of hurting her? He recalled her words.

You can get me mad, but you can't hurt me the way you think you can. I know you can't. And even if you do, that does not make you like him

Maybe Zoya was right. Maybe, he was wrong. He felt hope swell through him and smiled. He felt as though the constant ache in his heart that was trying to hide had disappeared forever. Sleep caught up with him, Zoya in her white suit being the last thing he remembered seeing as he closed his eyes.

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Next Part : Chapter 12