Asya ff In The Shadows Chapter 25a page 94 3/11 - Page 2

good one...hope zoya is able to face whatever life throws at her...

For all those who want Pms please send a budy request.

Chapter 3

Zoya changes into an ashen color upper and black jeans with a high pony tail for a change. A chess patterned scarf around her neck. She wore her sneakers loosely as her right foot was slightly swollen.

She waited for everyone to go for the breakfast in the dining hall and then silently makes her way to Tanu's room. The lady James Bond lover was on a mission yet again.

Tanu isn't inside…….

'I only have 15 minutes, and I need to find something that will make Mr. Khan believe me. She searches in drawers of the dressing table, under the bed and then finally opens the cupboard. Luckily she finds the card in the first drawer shee opens, placed on top of a few papers. She picks it up immediately, copies it in her i-pad with the help of a card reader and places it back. Turns back and suddenly stops.

Opens the drawer again this time her hands go for the papers under the card. She stares at them shocked.

"What?" she exclaims….. "Tanu is pregnant?"

She checks the name again to confirm but they were indeed her reports. Soon reality dawns at her she realizes that this was the reason she had left her in the hospital that day pretending to attend a call. But how come she is expecting when no one had any idea that she was married or Zoya didn't want to think about the other option. She would have puked right there and then.

Zoya closes her eyes trying to absorb the reality. She hurriedly takes a snapshot of the reports. Places them back. Her mind brimming with a million questions. So many questions she had no answers to.

She checks everything to be in their original condition before leaving.

She approaches the dining table where everyone is already in the middle of their breakfast. Tanveer peacefully jamming a toast probably for her jammy, who trusted her blindly. For a moment Zoya thought that Tanu might just have poisoned the jam but then shook her head. It was hard for Zoya to believe that Tanu could be so serene even after committing such a hideous act.

Dilshad sees Zoya coming. She observes that she is slightly limping. She worriedly inquires,

"Zoya what happened to you?" all eyes in the room shift towards Zoya. "And tumhare chehre ki itni hawaian ku uri hui hain?"

Zoya completely lost in the recent shift of events snaps out of her thoughts and looks at Dilshad in bewilderment.

"What phuphi? What happened to me?" and checks herself that whether everything is in order or not…

"No, I mean why are you limping?"

Asad's eyes suddenly fill with concern as they intensely stare at Zoya.

"oh that……. I just twisted my ankle last night…. Accidently." She added

"come show me." Dilshad asks concernedly.

"No, seriously phupho I am fine. Please don't worry. I'll apply some ointment after the breakfast."

"Okay…" Dilshad replies still worried.

Zoya seats herself, pours some milk in her bowl of cereal adds some sugar but is again distracted, her mind lost in thoughts again. She forgets to eat.

Najma as Asad is eyeing her curiously asks…

"Why aren't you eating Zoya?"

She again snaps out of her thoughts, smiles a fake smile and says, "nothing"

Tries to concentrate on her breakfast this time.

Soon Najma leaves for college, and Dilshad leaves for her room reminding Zoya to put on an ointment. A while later Tanu also excuses herself. Now it's only Zoya and Asad.

Zoya to herself…. 'Maybe I should tell him now.'

Asad folds his newspaper. Looking at her, admiring her new hair style and attire today. He wants to ask her about her ankle before leaving. He stands up but before he begins zoya interrupts.

"Mr. Khan I need to talk to you….. if you have time?"

Urgency is obvious in her tone. She looks at him intently waiting for him to reply.he looks at his watch as if remembering something.

"Iam sorry….. but I have an important meeting…. Can it hold? I mean whatever you have to say…"

Zoya's face loses all its energy. 'Stupid, stupid, stupid meeting' she mutters to herself.

"Fine I'll catch you later."

She says anyway. Maybe it was better to talk to his in his office and not at home.

'you can have some more time trusting your bachpan-ki-dost.' She collects her stuff and rushes towards the main door. After all who had all day to think about a sick Tanu. There were other way more important things for her to do.

Asad's eyes follow her until she is out of sight. He to himself… 'Why the hell din't I ask her about her ankle? Damn she wasn't even walking properly….. and she didn't even apply any ointment, I could hae asked her or atleast asked to drop her wherever she was going…… how will she manage in such a condition.'

Zoya pulls down the glass as she reaches the desired location. Pays the driver a 100Rs. Bill and jumps out of the cab.She takes out he paper on which she had noted the address from her purse. It's the same place.

Within 15 minutes she of searching she is face to face with the man she wanted to meet. He was old and wrinkled but kind and friendly.

"Why do you wish to know about these people in the photograph my child?" he asked studying her face intently.

"I am in search of someone." She tells him.

"How are you related?" he inquires.

"One of them is my father…… I lost him 17 years back." She replies sadly.

"I see…… I don't think I can help you much but all I can tell you that this guy here is my cousin."

He points towards a bearded man in the photograph.

"He lives a street away from here….. I'll give you his address and contact info ……I am sure he can help you out."

Zoya's eyes sparkle as a ray of hope breeds inside her.

Within no time she is at the old man's cousin's house. She introduces herself and tells him the reason of her meeting. The man is silent for a while as Zoya waits desperately.

He then says, "I knew your father."

Her eyes well up with tears, she didn't know whether to be happy or sad but 'What did he mean by he knew my father….. is he……?' She left her chain of thoughts midway, frightened but then relaxed as he continued.

"But as you told me…….. I wonder why didn't your Appi or Jeju tell you anything about your dad….. I bet your Appi's mother knew well enough about your mom and dad."

Zoya is silent not knowing what to say.

"Anyways don't worry beta……everything happens for good…….(a pause)…. Long time back me and your father were business partners….. soon we developed strong bonds of friendship between us. He was a happy man with a loving wife and a cut daughter, probably you. The only problem in his life was his second wife. He had married her due to family pressure because your mother was his choice and his family wasn't ready to accept her as a family member at any cost not even after knowing about your birth.

"he didn't leave you or your mother even after his second marriage. But things started getting worse for him…… on top of that one day the news floated that the doll factory we both owned caught fire and everything was burnt to ashes. We later came to know that your mother had died in that fire. No one knows why or how your mother was caught in that fire or what the purpose of her visit to the factory was that day. No one even knows about you since then."

He pauses again trying to fight back some heartrending distant memories. Zoya is in a trance remembering her blurred memories from the past and the fire in her dreams. He continues…..

"Your father knew that his second wife was somehow involved but couldn't prove it. He used to cry a lot. He was very heart broken. He even tried to find you but to no use. His family didn't want to accept you and so he lost all hopes then…….. believe me he is an incomplete man since then. "

He again continued after a long silence……….

"as all my money was lost in the doll factory we were no more together in business soon our bond also weakened and gradually we stopped meeting eachother. I don't know what happened after that. But a few years later I heard that he was blessed with another daughter from his second wife."

Zoya's face was drenched in tears but she still manages to ask in a broken voice…. As if it was coming from a deep ditch. "You didn't tell his name."

He pointed towards a man in the photograph.

"this man here next to me is your father… 'Siddique'."

Zoya stares at the picture. Even though the photograph is quite old but she still can easily make out the features of the man who she now knows as her father.

"He is now a successful business man… lives here in Bhopal…. You won't find any difficulty finding him. Anyone in the city can guide you to the head office of Siddique Group of industries."

Zoya leaves after that. Tears rolling down her cheeks. She walks aimlessly on the roads for a long time.

'It took me so long to finally know who my father is…. I want to fly to him this very moment.'

She rubs away the tears smiling sadly and starts looking for a cab.

Chapter 4

Her heart is thumping loudly as she enters the main building. She almost runs towards the receptionist and asks her for an appointment with Mr. Siddique. The receptionist replies politely,

"I am sorry Ma'am but Sir is not available. He is out of town. In fact he just left this morning. "

"When is his expected arrival?"

"I don't have any information for now but if you leave your contact info I can inform you as soon as he is back." She offers smiling.

Zoya, who is very disappointed,thinks for a while before asking the receptionist,

"I appreciate that ….. but if you can kindly give me his residential address…. You see it's very important."

"Sure ma'am."

Zoya leaves…….

' I've come so far…… I can wait for some more time, its only a matter of time and I know I will find you Abbu. Its only a few days before my visa expires and you have to meet me before that. I am not going anywhere without meeting you.'

The phone on the reception starts ringing. The receptionist picks it up.

"Hello…. Siddique Group of Companies."

The ma on the other side informs her,

"The meeting has been cancelled. Sir is coming back today, in fact he is on his way back. Please reschedule all his appointments accordingly."

"Fine Sir."She puts the receiver back on the cradle. Her eyes search for Zoya, who is just about to exit from the main entrance. She calls out,

"Ma'am"

But by the time Zoya is already out. Her hard luck.

She places the address in her purse when her i-pad reminds her of the events which took place yesterday and in the morning.

Asad hears the knock on the door. He looks up to find a tired Zoya standing on the doorway. He nods signaling her to come in. his heart is filled with different emotions. Still he tries to hide them and shifts his attention to the file in his hand.

"Have a seat." He orders.

Zoya walks rather limps towards the seat. Asad realizes this and is filled with emotions again. Fights them back again.

"Mr. Khan I wanted to tell you something really important." Zoya starts.

"I am listening." He replies eyes still on the folder. Shifting the papers uselessly.

Zoya takes a deep breath before finally starting. She ralised that it was't going to be the leat bit easy.

"Your friend Tanveer in stabbing behind your back."

Asad looks at her bewildered.

"What do you mean?"

"Mr Khan….. just last night I heard her talking to someone about the recording in the doll. Yes, she changed it deliberately so that you never come to know about the reality…. I have the actual recording and Mr. khan….. Mr. Khan she is also pr… "

Asad interrupts,

"Stop it…. Stop it rightnow."

He says through his teeth. Aggression radiating from his existence, his muscles tensed.

"Mr. Khan…. You don't believe me?" Zoya says disbelievingly. "Wait… I even have the proof."

She starts taking out her i-pad

Asad stand up glaring at her, his jaw clenched.

"I don't want any proof….. I don't believe you….. you are making all this up."

"Mr. Khan you have to believe me… I am not lying. And why would I make up any damn story. "

Her volume increases as she stands up to face him.

He grabs her by her shoulders aggressively and glares at her as if he would tear her through his eyes.

"I've known her since I was 7… I can bet on my life that she can't betray me….. and you, why should I believe you when its not even 7 months since I,ve met you….. and you want me to believe you. You? Whom I've never even considered any mature, who land into trouble every time she thinks of doing something. You know what Tanu is way beter than you in any way Miss Zoya Farooqi.

And I've told you not to interfere in my life but you pay me no heed and now you have come up with a fake story to prove me wrong. How low of you miss Farooqi."

He is yelling at full volume at her. Her eyes are stinging with tears, she angrily pushes him away and yells back at him,

"How dare you call me a liar……… Mr. Khan you want to keep this blind fold on your eyes and trust that witch…… do it…. Your will…. In the end you have to face the consequences….you have gone to far Mr. Khan….. this belief of yours which can't accept you to be wrong will drown you in life…..

You are wrong. You are wrong. You are wrong…… I'll say that till my last breath…but remember that no one will there to support you in the aftermath….. not your tanu and not even me. You'll have to face it all alone because you created it all alone. "

His grip on her loosens. She tries to regain her balance as he pushed her away.

"I don't want to see your face again…… just…. Just get out of here…. Get out of my life."

He says through his teeth.

Zoya looks at him in shock….

"You are hopeless Mr. Khan … hopeless…" she says in disbelief.

"Get out " he yells again. Zoya leaves without saying a word more.

She walks out of the office her face drenched in tears and heart stinging with venom Asad had just injected. Every tear drop is like a waterfall. She had never cried so much in life, nothing had hurt so much either. She walks aimlessly on the roads for God knows how long before finally sitting on a bench. Unaware of her surroundings she cries and cries until no more tears come out. She never knew life would be so hard on her.

A song is being played in a nearby stall.

(For those interested. The song is Jalpari by Atif Aslam the Coke studio version. It is one of my personal favorite. Please do listen while reading.cant paste links as am a newbie anyways please search Atif Aslam Jalpari Coke studio Version.)

OOo(Alaaps)
Soo...Janay... Do...
Ruk...Janay...Do...

A begger boy is sitting across the road where Zoya can easily see him. The speeding cars block her vision but she is scrutinizing him strangely.

Lehroon Mein Kahin..Doob Jane Do...
Lehroon Mein Kahin..Doob Jane Do...

He is making a pyramid out of cards. Each time he is about to complete and place tha last few cards at the top a gush of wind exterminates it. At the same time Asad's harsh words echo inside her mind.

Mujhse Kahe...Ik Jal Pari...
Doob Jane Do...Jal Mein Kahin..
Woa...ha...(Alaaps)
aaa..woa...woa...a..a..a.aaa..(Alaaps)

"You are immora, you can't even respect any relation in life. Maybe that's why you don't have any. You don't deserve them."

So... Jane Do..Chup.. Jaane Do..
Lehro Mein Kahin..Doob Jaane Do
Shor Na Karo Yaro..Aankh Hai Lagi
Behl Jaane Do Yaar...
Jal Mein Kahin...(Backing)
Jal Mein Kahin...(Backing)
Jal Mein Kahin...(Backing)
Jal Mein Kahin...(Backing)
Oaaa...oaaa...aaa...(Alaaps)
The boy is very dedicated he again starts pulling the cards into another pyramid. Again it settles on the ground when it was about to be complete.

Asad's voice over "I don't want to see your face again. Just get out of my life."

Oo Re Piya...Re...Re...Re...Re(Alaaps)
Oo Re Piya... Piya...ooa...Piya...Piya...(Alaaps)
Oo Re Piya...aa...Kehta Jiya...Tu Hai Kahan...Mein Hoon Yahan...
Jal Mein Kahin
Jal Mein Kahin...
Jal Mein Kahin...
Jal Mein Kahin
Ooaa...ooaaa..(Alaaps)

The boy starts again. It again slacks down. He starts again.

There is something about the boy…. Something on his face is missing. What is ita? Zoya tries to figure out…… yes….. the boy is immune to disappointment. He isn't lamenting on his failure, rather each tie he starts afresh with the same blithe. With the hopes that this time he will succeed.

More Piya...Re...Piya...Re...Piya...Piya Gham Diya...Ore Piya... Re Gham Diya...
Piya Re Piya Re (Backing) X 4

'why am I so disappointed. Tragedy and comedy are twin daughters of life. Everyone has to face both the flavors of life. Life is a pendulum betweet tears and smiles. Its not always giving to someone and not always taking from someone. A time to get and a time to lose.

Piya Re Piya Re (Backing comes forward) X 3

I've never felt so hurt. May be when people you love the most don't trust you, it's the most hurtful thing in life. It injures your soul, pierces holes in your heart, shatters your existence.

Piya Re Piya Re (Backing Stops)
Pawein Jaan Mein Jaan Menu Tere Te Maan..Karle Pachaan..Tere Dil Te Jaan..
Pawein Jaan Mein Jaan Menu Tere Te Maan..Karle Pachaan..Tere Dil Te Jaan..

Her own voice echoes in her mind…

"The people you love the most."

"The people you love the most."

"The people you love the most."

Realization dawns at her. what had she just accepted to herself? Her jaw drops in shock.

Dil Majboor..Mera Ki Kasoor..Jadein(Jaanay) Hoozoor...Meray Hoozoor
Dil Majboor..Mera Ki Kasoor..Jadein(Jaanay) Hoozoor...Meray Hoozoor (Music Slows Down)
Sehni Nai Jodai..Naio Hu kamai...Janay Khuda...Yak Deer Na La
Sehni Nai Jodai..Naio Hu kamai...Janay Khuda...Yak Deer Na La (B

"What?" she exclaims.

She looks up in the sky and says aloud,

"Allah….. why him? Why on earth only him? That's not fair. I've fallen for a guy who considers me a no one. Why?why o why " her eyes bein to water again as she wailed and wailed.

Meray Soreinya(Soneya) Meray Meherbaan...Meray Haadiyan(Haaniya) Meray Diljaandiyan(Diljaniya)
Meray Soreinya(Soneya) Meray Meherbaan...Meray Haadiyan(Haaniya) Meray Diljaandiyan(Diljaniya)
Tu Mera Dil... Tu Meri Jaan...Jaanaienyja...Meherbaaan...
Tu Mera Dil... Tu Meri Jaan...Jaanaienyja...Meherbaaan...

Her eyes shift on the boy again. This time he was successful. His eyes are sparkling like a crystal.

Samaarain(Samanay) Tu... Baithaa Rahway...Har Wale Mein Takti Rawan...
Tu Mera Dil... Tu Meri Jaan...Jaanaayja...aaa...aaa...wooo...Jaaanay...Jaaa...ooo...oo
A cute dainty smile spread on Zoyas face. Her feelings an amalgamation of blithe and melancholy. So life was now going to show her the colors of love.

Ooo..Re...Piya...
Kehta Jiya
Tu Hai Kahan...
Mein Hoon Yahan...
Jal Mein Kahin..(Backing)
Jal Mein Kahin..
Jal Mein Kahin...
Jal Mein Kahin...
Woooaa...aa...aaah(Alaaps)

Finally the damsel in distress found her knight in the armor. But is this feeling mutual. God Knows.

brilliant updates...asad can be such a blockhead at times...hope zoya is reunited with her father soon and expose razia and tanveer's actions...

finally find ur ff

excellent ff. Looking 4ward 4 more

Chapter 5

Asad in his office, his head in his hands, his eyes red.

'may be I've said too much….. but what she did wasn't right either…. How could she blame Tanveer for all of this when I am so sure she is innocent. How can Tanveer double-cross me? We have been together in times of difficulty, I've always stood beside her in her times of trouble.'

Most importantly they call each other friends. Friends never go for treachery or deception. What did Zoya have in her mind when she said all that ridiculous stuff? He is completely baffled and stupefied.

'I should have cleared her misunderstandings.'

He tries calling her but her cell phone is switched off.

'Why sometimes my rational mind stops working. Kia stupidity hai?'

The driver opens the door of the car as Mr. Siddique seats himself inside.

The driver asks,

"Sir, ghar jana hai?"

"Nai, pehle Head Office chalo." He orders firmly.

"yes sir."

The car is zooming on the highway.

Asad reaches home. Najma and Tanveer are watching some program on the television, while Dilshad is dialing some number on the cordless. His eyes search for Zoya but she is nowhere to be found. Dilshad looks up at him and asks,

"Asad did you talk to Zoya today?"

Asad suddenly looks very vexed and distressed. His face loses color. He asks,

"Why? What Happened?"

Dilshad a little worried replies.

"No. Nothing. Just asking. She ain't home yet and her cell phone is switched off. I've been trying to call her for a while now. I am a little worried you know. She was quite upset and miserable today. On top of that her sprain in the ankle. You know her she wouldn't even tell if she's in a problem. Thinks she can solve everything on her own." Dilshad shares shaking her head.

A pained expression overtakes Asad, he is ill at ease. Takes out his cell phone and starts dialing her number. The cell is still switched off. He tries again but to no use. Many disturbing thoughts start clicking in his mind, he tries to ignore them. He presses his temples hard as his head is heavy with all the days events. They start flashing in his min. he gulps down a glass of water to calm down himself but to no use. Something tells him to be ready for a calamity. He was breathing heavily probably because of the adrenaline rush.

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Zoya on the other hand, gives the boy a hundred Rs. Bill, he looks at her with sparkling eyes. She smiles back. While putting the wallet back in her side bag a piece of paper flies away and lands in the centre of the road. She runs towards it awkwardly and picks it up. Reading it she smiles. It wasn't a paper but Asad Ahmad Khan's business card.The very moment she hears a speeding car dashing towards her. She looks up in desperation. She wants to fly to the other side of the road, vanish from the scene, somehow stop the car but couldn't get a chance. I have read that there are two fears that cannot be tainted out of us; the startle reaction upon hearing an unexpected noise, and vertigo. I would like to add a third, to wit, the rapid and direct approach of a known killer.

Her mind stops working, she hears a loud horn, someone shouting but she is jammed on the road. She sees the car crashing into her with an earsplitting reverberation. Her whole existence is airborne before landing on the road heavily. There are many shrieks and shouts, she hears her own scream too. There is a lot of noise, too much for her to bear. She sees a pool of thick blood beside her on the road. Thick red blood. Deep red blood. Pain… there is soreness… a lot of pain everywhere. Her lifeless hand falls beside her and the card which was now somehow formless rolls on the road. Bright lights from a cars headlights fall on her face. It becomes hard for her to keep them open. The night has prevailed and through the headlights she sees and old bearded face lowering over her. She thinks she recognizes it but her eyes are not permitting a clear look. The last thing she hears is someone yelling "Take her to the hospital."

After that there is darkness, pitch darkness, no sound, no noise, no feelings, no pain.

The beggar boy stood there still and motionless, his existence not allowing him to move. He stands there traumatized at the repulsive scenario. He sees someone picking up the lifeless body of the girl fully drenched in blood. The girl, who just gave him the money to feed his family's stomach for tonight. The girl for whom his heart was bleeding as she was hit by the ruthless soul.

They take her somewhere, probably the hospital. He is still jammed on the pavement, his eyes now focusing the pool of blood on the road, deep red blood. Soon people who had gathered go back. The thoroughfare is now clear. He unknowingly walks towards the spot where a few minutes ago the girl had been fighting for her life. He slumps there, his eyes still on the pool of blood. He sees the shapeless card, its one end dripping in blood. He picks it up, straightens it but is unable to read. A tear rolls down his cheeks. He looks up at the sky and prays

Asad, Najma and Dilshad walk here and there with their worried faces.Tanu on the other hand is sitting peacefully on the couch waiting for this drama to get over so that she can slip into her bed. After a while when there seems to be no end she silently slips from the scene, making her way to her bedroom.

Its almost 10. There is still no news from Zoya. Asad has even informed the police. They are out in search as well. Dilshad's cell phone starts ringing. She immediately picks it up. Asad and Najma look at her desperately.

The voice on the other side asks Dilshad, "Am I speaking to Dilshad Khan.?"

"Yes." Dilshad replies.

"Ma'am I am speaking from the City Hospital, can you please tell whether you are somehow related to Miss Zoya Farooqi?"

Dilshad's heart starts thumping loudly . she gathers up the courage to answer her.

"Yes I am her Phupho… is she alright?"

Asad and Najma run towards her.

"I am sorry ma'am but you need to report to the hospital immediately. Miss Zoya Farooqi had a terrible accident and….."

The cell phone drops from her hand. Her heart stops beating, the blood is drained out of her face, she forgets to breathe even though its involuntary. Asad and NAjma give each other a worried look.

"Ammi what happened?"

Asad asks anxiously. She doesn't reply. Her eyes are welling up with water. Asad shakes her shoulders gently,

"Ammi please tell me what happened ? what happened to Zoya? Is she alright? Where is she?" he is yelling at the top of his voice in melancholy.

She looks at him in desperation, trying hard to move her lips which felt like oce at the moment.

"Who theek nai hai Asad….. she is in the hospital." She whispered in a husky voice.

Asad felt as if the sky has fallen on him, his face white, drained out of blood. As if a knife is pierced in his heart. It becomes difficult for him to stand, like the ground wouldn't accept him. There was sock, shock and only shock.

(Lines from 'life of Pie'.

I myself cried while writing this chapter it was very difficult to put our lovely Zoya in Pain and Asad too even though he deserves it a little…. And by little I really mean a little only. Keep waiting for the next part.)

😭 😭 😭...pls hurry asad...hope zoya r not in danger zone!!!!pls update soon dear!!!😉

Dont make me wait too long for the next chapter
I was rooted to the spot while reading this!
Omg my poor Zoya 😭
You write really well and give nice longgg chapters too. I LIKE that!!