AsYa SS - An Unexpected Love Part 6 Page26 - Page 3

'Zoya where were you? I was so concerned. You left so suddenly after everything. Aap jante hai, bhaijan was so worried.'

'Woh, Najma.' Zoya eyed Asad.

'Najma,forget all that. Now Zoya isn't going anywhere.' Asad said.

Both Asad and Zoya were back at the hospital and came face to face with a worried Najma. Najma was surprised to see her bhaijan walking hand in hand with Zoya, after their face off earlier and the slap. She took it that they had sorted their matters out and dismissed her thoughts and focused on her Ammi.

Asad, observing how tensed Najma was, gave her a comforting hug, assuring that their Ammi would be fine and God will definitely answer their prayers. He himself tried his best to believe and have faith on his own words.

Zoya began tearing up at the sight of the brother sister duo. How she wished she had someone in her family to be there with her. She felt Asad looking at her and ignored her sudden feelings of loneliness. She gave him a smile but he saw right through it. He pulled her in with one arm for a hug, the other around Najma. The trio hugged each other, praying to Allah to spare Dilshad's life.

They stood for a while before retiring to the seats outside Dilshad's room. Impatience and restlessness took them over as they waited and waited for the doctor to come to give them some update. They sat in an uncomfortable silence as they hoped for the best. Najma had fallen asleep due to excessive crying and only Asad and Zoya were awake when the doctor finally came.

Asad jumped up frantically.' Doctor, Ammi theek hai na? Doctor, tell me'

'Mr Khan, calm down. Thanks to Allah, your Ammi is out of danger. She is still unconscious but now she is stable. She can regain consciousness anytime, and after that you may take her home. You can meet her if you wish.' He then left.

Relief pulsed through him as he exhaled deeply. He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Zoya looking at him with her bright smile.' See Mr Khan, I told you na, that Phupi will be fine' He felt his eyes watering and drew her close for a hug. Zoya could vividly see how traumatized he really was over the whole incident and patted his back rhythmically. Zoya then broke the hug, which in any other situation, would have been followed by an awkward silence. They then woke up Najma and went inside the room.

Asad could see how exhausted his sister was and after meeting Ammi, he ordered her to go home to rest. At first she protested but gave in knowing that she couldn't win against her bhaijan. She couldn't deny that she was very much exhausted as well.

'Zoya, you too go with Najma.'

'But I want to stay'

'Bhaijan, I can go by myself. And I can handle myself at home. Zoya can stay here'

'I know you can handle yourself at home but I don't want to send you alone. Zoya make sure she reaches home safely. And you too stay at home. You get some rest and then you can come again in the morning. I will stay here with Ammi.'

Zoya felt a slightly happy and swayed that Asad trusted her that much and then turned to leave with Najma after they both touched Dilshad's hands and bade Asad goodbye.

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Upon reaching home, Zoya carried Najma to her room and stayed with her. They talked about the whole incident and shared their opinions. They were very grateful that Dilshad was safe and thanked God. Najma apologized on her behalf for what Asad did to her, to which Zoya revealed that Asad had apologized to her already. This made Najma curious and she went on to question Zoya about where she and Asad had disappeared to. Zoya eventually revealed most of the happenings at the dargah to which Najma was blown away. She could not believe Asad could be this tender and caring. Especially to someone other than herself and her Ammi. Zoya was glad to have Najma distracted instead of getting worried about Dilshad. She herself reflected on her interaction with Asad today. She could not comprehend what it meant and decided not to dwell on it. She was thankful though, that they had reached this far and were able to console each other. She loved seeing this new side of him, and felt her heart soar even higher upon hearing that he was hardly like this with anyone else.

'Zoya, bhaijan hasn't called yet.' Najma broke out of her trance.

They had told Asad to call once Dilshad woke up but they hadn't received any call yet. Zoya began to worry for Asad. She wanted to go back to the hospital with him. She knew that he would be troubled and frustrated just waiting and waiting.

'You're right. But don't worry, everything is fine. Very soon, Phupi will be back home with us.' She reassured, trying to hide her concern.

Najma realized how on uneasy Zoya was. 'Zoya, kya hua?'

'Woh. Actually, I wanted to stay back at the hospital but.. never mind it's okay.'

'No, Zoya I can manage, really. Bhaijan sent you with me so I can reach home safely and he wanted me to get rest. You can go back if you like. In fact I would prefer for someone to be with him right now. You go, I'll be okay. I'll get some rest and come early in the morning again.'

'Are you sure, Najma?'

'Haan, and anyways I know that you would want to go with him' Najma replied trying to lighten the mood.

'Najma what are you saying? I was just'

'Okay okay, sorry. But don't worry I'll be fine. You go.'

She made sure the doors were all locked and Najma was settled before leaving for the hospital. She hoped that Asad wouldn't be mad at her for coming back, after he had sent her home.

She quickly paced through the corridors in the hospital. She then stopped by a vending machine to get something hot for Asad to drink. She was about to get coffee but thought twice and instead got him hot chocolate milk , and for herself, her specialty, diet coke and chips.

Asad sat on the chair next to Dilshad's bed, holding her hand, almost falling asleep on himself. The sound of approaching footsteps had startled him and made him turn his head. He thought his weary eyes were deceiving him but his blurry image became clear as Zoya came closer to him.

'You? Here? I thought..'

She cut him off. ' Yes, me, here. I wanted to stay back remember. I took Najma home. Don't worry she all safe and fine and she too agreed that I should come here and stay with you and Phupi.'

'There's no need for that. You should get some rest' he said in a cold tone.

'Yes there is need Mr Khan. And you shouldn't talk. You should get some rest too. You look so very tired and drowsy.' She retorted.

'I am not' He argued back.

'Whatever. Anyway, I brought this milky hot chocolate. Drink it. It will help you to get some rest and relax' She replied.

'You should've brought coffee. If I drink this chocolate I would definitely fall asleep. I don't want it.' he said abruptly and he felt he was being rude.

He got up and sat on the sofa near his Ammi's bed, and Zoya too joined him.

'Allah miyan! I brought this for you and now you're giving me attitude? Hmph. Mr Khan now that I have brought it, you will have to drink it!

'Ms Faruqui! I told you already that I don't want it. I need to stay awake for when Ammi wakes up. What if.. Whatever. I just don't want it.'

Zoya softened up a bit as she realized why he was acting this way. Just from his tone and those two word What if , she could tell. She stretched out an unsteady hand on his shoulder.

'I can understand, Asad, but if you tire out yourself like this, who will take care of Ammi and Najma tomorrow.'

At that, he looked at her and she realized what she said. ' I mean Phupi' she corrected herself.

'Drink this, and get some rest. Phupi will be fine. Doctor said that she was out of danger, right. There's no need to worry. Drink this while its hot'

He took the cup slowly while he wondered how it was possible for Zoya to know how he felt when he hadn't even told her. It was as if those darkly, lined eyes pierced through his faade.

'I'm afraid that if I fall asleep, if I close my eyes on her, she .' He stopped and sighed, feeling there was no need to continue.

'I know. But She is right here and she is not leaving you. Nothing will happen to her.' She said it in such a reassuring yet hypnotizing way, Asad felt he was forced to believe her.

' And anyways if you fall asleep , main hoon naa. When she wakes, up I'll wake you up. Even if it means throwing cold water on your face.' She continued on a much lighter note, earning a half smile from him.

'He sipped it and Zoya gave him a victorious smile. He rolled his eyes and smirked. She offered him chips, which he refused as politely as he could.

Both sat together, completely taken up with each other's company as they waited for Dilshad to regain consciousness. It was a comfortable silence and both seemed to draw strength from each other as they remained seated impatiently.

Asad had no idea when his sleepy eyes gave up on him and he leaned onto Zoya's shoulder.

Next : Part 4