AsYa FF Something Changed Thread#1 (Updated Chp 23 Pg 107) - Page 20

Chapter 13

All were tensed. It was getting later and darker. Zoya still had not reached home. Asad tilted his head to see the clock in the living room. 8:30pm. Where was she? Dilshad and Najma didn't know who to console, themselves or Asad. They were both worried like hell with Zoya but seeing Asad's state, they felt he was worse off. Najma rested her hand on his shoulder. ' Don't worry , bhaijan, Zoya will be fine.'

Najma tried to reassure Asad but could tell it had no effect on him. He needed to see Zoya in front of him, in full form and only then he would be satisfied.

'I should have just left her at home. Had I known she would have done this, I would have gone and found out everything myself. She is so immature. She did not once think about how her actions would affect us. How could she.. Forget it' He snapped, completely peeved yet at the same time he seemed so sullen and his eyes were reflecting nothing but concern and fear. He paced up and down and continued muttering, ready to bite off someone's head. Frustration took him over. He felt empty and hopeless inside.

The sound of the door footsteps broke him out of this, and he looked around to see her, the source of his worry. Dilshad and Najma rushed to her.

'Thank God, you're okay. We were so worried!' Dilshad and Najma fussed over her and tried to comfort her in their own way. Zoya just faked a smile, and a 'I'm fine' and hugged them both, her eyes peering up at Asad.

'Are you sure? Zoya you can talk to us. We know everything now. We are here for you, dear.'

'Sach Phupi. I'm absolutely fine. Today was really a long hard day, but now I'm fine' she said, smiling and taking them in for another bear hug. Asad's emotions doubled up. How could she fake smiles after such a tragic discovery? He himself was in so much pain. He felt hurt that this world was so cruel to Zoya. In one instance he wanted to crush her against him, bury her in his arms and take all her pain away yet he felt like reprimanding her for hiding her feelings and screaming at her for leaving him and making him go through hell the entire day.

He knew if he stayed any longer he would have ended up arguing with her and since she was trying to avoid the topic, he did not want to break her down right then and there and hence he stoically made his way to his room, slammed the door, leaving the three women stunned, after saying' It's late, we should get some rest'

Zoya sighed out of relief as she knew only he had it in him to see through her facade and talk about her true feelings. Even though to Dilshad and Najma it would seem obvious that Zoya would not be a hundred percent okay after everything, her smiles and reassurance could do the trick. But Asad, hell no. She then complained of being tired, buying her way into getting to bed early. She fibbed that she wasn't hungry, when her Phupi told her she should eat, not bothering to brush the bangs away from her eyes for she knew they would betray her.

As she closed her door, she sank to the ground. All the faking was over and she was left to face it. The tears started falling, and falling and falling. She had no idea what she felt in that moment, but her tears said it all.

She hugged her knees, gripping onto them. Eyes tired of crying, she began feeling a bit suffocated and went outside for some fresh air holding on to the hope that the winds would blow away her pain. She knew she was the furthest thing away from sleep.

Asad, having calmed down decided to check on Zoya. He didn't even bother trying to get in bed as he knew his mind and heart would not be at ease without making sure Zoya was okay. Well, as much as she could be. He came out of his room and started towards hers when the muffled sounds of sobbing alerted him. He stopped and turned to look at the direction of the sounds, and found Zoya sitting out in the garden area. What a heart wrenching sight. His eyes reached out to her as he went closer.

He carefully sat beside her and gazed. She tilted her head down and quickly wiped her tears. She thanked god for her haircut, otherwise today they would have seen her tears.

'Can't sleep , Mr Khan?' she managed to get out.

He said nothing. The silence was becoming unbearable and Zoya knew she couldn't hold back anymore. Asad lightly touched her chin, turning her towards him.

'These fake smiles and bangs can't fool me.' He said raising his hand to move them out of her face.

Her eyes welled up as she looked at him. His eyes pierced through her soul, sharing in her emotional trauma. He gave her a knowing look before taking her into his arms.

He stroked her hair gently in an attempt to take the sting out of her. Her silent tears turned into louder cries and she grabbed onto him, bawling her lungs out. Asad shed a few tears seeing his Zoya in this state. He had no idea how to appease her, and hoped his arms and warmth would be enough.

'Why?' she questioned. 'Why , Asad? Why did this happen to me?' she coughed out between tears.

'After everything I've been through, all the time I spent here, just to find out this? I have no one. NO ONE!!' She gasped for breath. 'I feel so alone. So unnecessary. So insignificant. That day, we would have gone to the factory for me, because my parents wanted their little Zoya to have a good time and look. Look at what happened. Everything is ruined. And I'm left to suffer. Now what will I do. Go and be a burden once again to my Appi and Jeeju? Now everything is over. They love me but it's not their responsibility to take care of me. What would I tell them? Now my mission's over and I have to return. My visa is expiring soon. I don't even want to go back there. I feel as though this whole world has conspired against me I barely remember my father but still, I do have a right to be sad at his loss, don't i? Or do I not? After all that trip to the factory lead them to their death. I don't deserve to live, Asad. I don't''she began coughing again as her voice broke.

'Don't you dare.' Asad reprimanded her, pulling her out of his embrace and rubbing her back.'Don't ever say that, Zoya.' He wiped her tears. 'Don't blame yourself and please don't ever say that you don't deserve to' I can't stand it.'

He took her back in his arms, caressing her hair. 'You may not have your family but you have my family. My family is yours. You aren't a burden to your Appi and Jeeju, Zoya. Neither to us. Najma, Phupi, we are all here for you. Yes, you do have a right to feel sad. You have every right to be angry, to be sad but don't ever think you are alone. And if you don't want to go back, don't, please.' He said please with such and urgency that Zoya looked up to him. 'In fact we all want you to stay. You have become a habit for us, a need in our home ,for it to truly be a home. Stay here, with me. With us. Your new family, in your new home.' He spoke in such an elaborate and convincing manner that Zoya was almost forced to believe him. ' I promise I'll try not to scold you too much and not to be such an Akdu Ahmed Khan' He added with a slight laugh, and was relieved when he earned a small smile from her. A genuine smile, in the presence of pain though, but genuine.

'Sach?' she questioned him, breaking the hug and peering up with large, glistening eyes as if she were a little child.

'Sach' he confirmed and ruffled her hair. He gave her a tight squeeze and kissed her forehead. Zoya eyes widened in realization and Asad pulled back upon sensing her reaction.

'Woh'. I'm sorry. Actually' he blushed and stuttered, failing to complete his sentence.

Zoya actually began giggling at his expression. 'Arrey.. Why are you blushing and being so shy like a girl, Mr six pack abs? Yeh pehle bar toh nahi, hain na?' She winked.

Asad felt scandalized. He stood up at once.

'No, what nonsense are you saying? I ''

He was cut off by Zoya's soft snickers. He softened up seeing her laughing. He felt like the happiest man on the earth. This was the way he wanted her to be. Always smiling, always laughing, always happy.

'This is what suits you. You shouldn't waste your tears when you have such a beautiful smile. That dimple.' He said in a daze. 'That embarrassing laugh!' he added with a grin.

She smacked his arm playfully but soon became very serious, almost scaring Asad. He had tried so hard to get her all jolly and cheery; he hoped she wouldn't breakdown again.

'Thank you, Asad. If you weren't here then i' You have helped me so much and I'm just a guest here. It really means a lot. I don't know what I'd do if you weren't here.'

'You aren't a guest. You're family' He replied, gazing at her intently.

Zoya smiled a bit. His words truly made her feel she was part of their family. She had her Phupi who was like her new found Ammi, her sister and best friend, Najma and her'. Friend, Asad. What more did she need. She knew she had her Appi and Jeeju but she had found a home, a place where she belonged.

'Now I know you haven't eaten so come, let's get you something to eat.'

'Yeah you must be hungry too.' She replied and started walking towards the kitchen. She stopped and looked back at Asad who was stunned.

'What? You think I don't know you as well as you know me? Let me remind you , Zoya Farooqui knows everything!' she crooned, earning a smirk from Asad.

Both then had a late night snack.

When it was time to part ways, Zoya felt her tears resurfacing as Asad bade her goodnight.

'What happened, Zoya? Just a while ago you were fine.' He said, concern pouring out of his voice.

'Woh.. I don't want to sleep. The nightmares'' she started and then stopped, trying her best to avoid another crying session. Asad draped an arm around her shoulder, reassured her and walked with her to her room.

He tucked her in bed and was about to leave when Zoya held his hand.

'Please, don't leave me alone' she pleaded.

He turned around and knelt beside her, sitting on the cushion on the floor. He leaned to kiss her forehead; she closed her eyes at the sweet tenderness of his kiss. In that moment, she knew that what Asad and she shared was special. He would never abandon her. He would always be there with her. He stroked her forehead, putting her to sleep. After some time she fell asleep, still holding onto his other hand preventing him from leaving. Not that if she wasn't, he was going to leave.

He made himself comfortable by leaning his head on her bed, drifting to sleep.

The two spectators to this entire scene were teary eyed. From the beginning they knew there would be something between Asad and Zoya. But tonight, they were sure that Asad and Zoya were made for each other.

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Next : Chapter 14

hope you guys enjoyed this was really a major chapter, please leave your comments.. Pm will be sent later. 😊