AsYa FF Something Changed Thread#1 (Updated Chp 23 Pg 107) - Page 6

Your writing is really good and I love how you are progressing the story. I am still in the middle of it but am gonna finish it the first chance I get.

Do PM me when you update and continue soon.

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Chapter 7

The wind caressed their faces as he drove , windows all down and her long luscious black shiny hair was blown along with the wind. Asad stole glances at her, praying not to be caught red handed. She looked amused and enjoyed the drive. She had no idea where they were headed but all she knew was that there was no place she would rather be. She had to make sure Mr Khan was fine. She had to admit, though, that her heart was more excited than her! Mr Khan and I alone? On a long drive? Allah miyan when did this all happen? How? Especially after our big fight. Her thoughts had her caught up when suddenly the car came to a jerking stop, breaking her trance.

She looked around and realized where they were. She would never forget this place. 'Mr Khan , this is the same place where I came to see the meteor shower! And you too ended up here. Do you remember?' she said in and excited voice, almost childlike.

'Haan. How could I forget?'

'Is there another meteor shower tonight? Is that why we are here?

'No. I just love this place. I was here earlier on today, as well, when I left. And, well before you decided to accompany me, I had already decided to come back here'

At the mention of earlier that day, Zoya's face dropped . She was brought back to her previous state of hurt and anger. She was worried for Asad, which was why she didn't make an issue of it before but now, it was different. She couldn't let it just pass to the side. Asad did not miss Zoya's reaction and did not hesitate to follow her out of the car when she abruptly sighed and came out.

With folded arms, she looked up at the vast dark sky. The moon hung over them , shimmering iridescent light with a blanket of stars. It was truly a sight to behold, as both Zoya and Asad remembered their encounter at this place. Their once again petty fight. Their wishes for each other. The feeling of her in his arms. The feeling of being held by him. She quickly dismissed her thoughts and broke the silence.

'So why did you want to come here?'

'Oh. I.. It's very peaceful here. It's a great place to think' a startled Asad replied.

'Yeah, you're right. It is very tranquil and quiet here. Unlike your house. Well, at least with me in it, right?'

'No, Zoya, I didn't mean that.' Asad replied instantly, not to mention, the absolute, tenderness with which he uttered her full name that caused Zoya's hairs to raise. This earned him a slightly melancholic smile from Zoya.

'Besides,' he went on, ' I always come here when I need to take a break and assess myself. When things just seem wrong and I can't think of any way to fix it. When I am frustrated and I need to clear my mind. When I've done something I regret.' He ended on a bitter note.

'Does it help then? Coming here?'

'It usually does. I always find a way out of my situation no matter how helpless I am. Until..'

She looked at him expectantly.

'Since you came into our lives, everything has changed. I have never had anyone to question my way of doing things or my beliefs and practices. With you around, though, I visited here less than I used to. Even with more problems at hand, I take them one at a time, weigh them out and eventually everything works out. I haven't been here for a while before today. Seems strange right? I still can't figure it out. But today, I had no other option. I had to come here. And that still didn't work. I still don't know how to mend my problem.' He ended bitterly.

Zoya's affliction died down slightly seeing him like this, and recollected her harsh words to him. Even if he was wrong, she still felt guilty about what she had said.

'Im sorry. I shouldn't have called you that'

They were on pins and needles for the new few minutes. The tension between them was overwhelming throughout the awful silence and stillness. It was as silent as the grave. Thank Allah for the sound of the wind, Zoya thought. It was almost as a pressure building on them to continue the conversation but Zoya wouldn't budge till Asad replied to her apology, while Asad himself could not get the right words to come out.

Zoya retired to the park bench. Asad then realized that this was his cue to speak. Once and for all he made up his mind and began.

'Zoya, I.. I am sorry. I should not have spoken to you like that. I crossed all my limits then and I know I was wrong. You apologized for calling me my father's son and I accept your apology. I was very hurt but I don't blame you. All I have done is hurt you. I don't have sufficient words to tell you how much remorse I have for the way I have treated you.'

Zoya felt victorious for a moment and enjoyed it until Asad picked up on it. 'That doesn't mean though, that I agree with everything that you do. Like your messy eating, for one thing, is something I absolutely..'

Seeing her pensive expression and her eyes squinted and sensing that her erratic behavior might follow, he stopped. 'I just should not have reacted the way I did. For that I am terribly sorry. I guess I really am like him. I keep hurting the ones close to me.' He felt no need to take back his last line, because he knew he could not deny that Zoya was very close to him. She herself knew it, even if his actions showed something else.

Zoya could feel the pain in his voice talking about his father and stood up, placing her hand on his arm, as a comforting gesture.

'Mmm. Asad, stop. I.. Forget I even said those words and moreover stop believing them. I crossed my limits by saying that. I was enraged because of the way you spoke to me but I honestly didn't mean it. Yes you are hurtful, a clean freak, coldhearted and so judgmental! You always misjudge me and threaten me. But anyways that's not the point. You're not that bad after all and not like him.' She tried to comfort him, but still not letting him off that easily.

He scoffed.

She continued on a more serious and meaningful note. 'I'm serious. I'm surprised that you even apologized and I know it was sincere. That itself proves you are nothing like him. But I still find it hard to forgive you Asad.' She felt all the torment and distress resurfacing . It seemed as though all her wounds were opening as she spoke true to her heart. 'Your words have hurt me and I know I hurt you too when I brought up your dad's name. I guess I did it to get back at you because you questioned my parents and upbringing. That's where you drove me up a wall. You always bring up my parents every time we get into a fight, that's where you push my buttons. I mean Allah miyan, what's wrong with you? Who do you think you are? Why do you do that? Not just you have family problems Asad. I told you what happened with my parents, not for your pity. But at least I wished that you might understand me better, and certainly not blame them for the way I am. Every day I question why I was left here alone. I feel as if I have disappointed my Ammi every time you say something like that. Do you know how much it hurts me?' She stopped for she knew if she continued, her tears would outrun her voice.

He turned around and met a sight that he could not withstand. He was the cause of this. He had broken her. Her tears kept coming and coming. He did not know how to stop them. His heart sank for he had not a clue how to make Zoya feel better, more so if she would welcome his efforts. He felt his eyes getting moist before cupping her face.

'Zoya, please, forgive me. I don't know how I would live with myself if you don't. I promise you, I will never speak like that to you again.'

'It's not just that Mr Khan.' She between her cries.' You all are strangers so it's okay I guess for you to treat me the way you want. I considered Phupi and Najma to be my family. And in turn I expected the same from you. But I was wrong. Allah had made my destiny as such, that I have no family. I shouldn't have claimed rights on something that wasn't mine in the first place. . I am living in a stranger's home but expecting the love and warmth of a family. Your family is the closest thing to what I would ever have and maybe that's why I like to get your attention too with all my crazy antics. Because not just with Phupi and Najma, but I want to feel like I belong somewhere and am loved by my family.I don't even know if I would find my Abbu. I have no one. I just feel so lost.' Zoya knew there was no turning back now. She was having the worst breakdown of her life. She was devastated and needed to vent. Her lamentation and sniveling make Asad's heart break. This was the second time he had seen a woman bawling and sobbing like this, first with his Ammi, and in that moment made it his goal to console her.

He took her in for a hug. An embrace like no other. She rested her head on his chest and cried her eyes out. She sought refuge in the comfort his arms offered while he rubbed her back gently, in an attempt to soothe her. She clinged onto him as if her life depended on it. He felt a mixture of pain and anger. His pain, her pain and anger at the fact that life had been so unfair to her. He held her more tightly as he felt a tear or two escape his eyes. They stood like that, engulfed in each other's arms for what seemed like an eternity, not that they complained and would have had it any other way.

Zoya broke the hug first, his arms still on her, one on her shoulder and the other on her back which still rubbed her unconsciously. A strand of hair was over her eye and Asad was tempted to move it. Her loud outburst and cries had ceased but the silent tears were there still and Asad once again pacified her.

He slid his hand from her shoulder to her face and slowly moved that lock of hair to the side. The touch of her skin was smooth and silky, he felt as though he had to rip his hand off her forehead. He didn't fail in noticing her breathing take pace and felt contented that he had this effect on her. The touch of his fingers sent shivers down her spine and she was sure if it were any other situation, she would have been red by now.

'You are wrong ,Zoya.' He gained a 'What's new look from her'

He went on to explain.' You are wrong. You don't live in a stranger's home. You live in your own home. You are not alone. I am with you. I mean Ammi, Najma, we all are with you. We are like your own. Our home was not a home without you. It was just a house. You came and you taught Ammi and Najma to smile again. To live again. You even taught me that. To live again. To see the brighter side of things. To laugh again. To lov'To enjoy life.' He quickly altered what he was going to say, but Zoya heard it anyway. 'I can't promise you anything about your Abbu. As much as it seems hard, it's the truth. But what I can promise you is that no matter what happens, if you find him or not, you can stay with us. You welcome never dies out as you belong to our family now. Even if you decide to go back to New York, Ms Faruqui, you will always be wanted and missed here. We all love you very much. Najma and Ammi love you very much.'

She couldn't help but smile. Never did she think that Mr Akdu Ahmed Khan could offer someone so much comfort and care. She flung her arms around him drastically, he jerked back. But soon after he reciprocated it. Both melted in the relief and solace they drew from each other. He silently wished he didn't say the last sentence while she somehow or the other could tell exactly what he meant. This time Asad drew back first.

'Thank you, Asad. If it weren't for you I probably wouldn't have been in this emotional mess' she laughed and he pouted.

' But I wouldn't have gotten out of it either. Thank you for being here for me' She continued honestly.

'And I forgive you.' Her forgiveness awarded him great comfort and his shoulder relaxed.

She then stepped back out of his arms which did not want to lose hold of her as Asad looked on with bewilderment accompanied with some disappointment. She extended her arm.

'Friends? I am fed up of our small fights over nothing. And maybe that won't change but at least we can be nice to each other once in a while and not pretend that we don't get each other at all. And not randomly fight for nothing but instead confine our fights for the sake of friendship. Only our principals are a bit different but that doesn't mean we can't be friends, right?... So.. friends?"

With a smile, he clasped her hand and shook it. They held hands as they looked into each other's eyes and met with a mutual knowing look. Knowing, in that they both understood the meaning of the word friends and what they had just become. They knew the difference. They had become 'friends' in the same place they had indirectly wished to fall in love with each other. Friends was an understatement and this was not unknown to them. They soon after left, with lighter hearts than when they had arrived.

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Next : Chapter 8