Winding down with Zoya - pt23 updt pg 60 - Page 9

Part 10 - Trouble and beyond.

Asad Ahmed Khan was a tall and a big man. The cyber cell's office made the man feel caged. Especially the medium sized tables and the practical chairs. There weren't many 6 packs around he thought completely out of context. " Ya Allah..please end this soon..."he prayed, he had a busy day since he left home. He went straight to Harish's office after he checked into a hotel at the other end of the city. Whatever the Police had uncovered gave him cause to cheer, Zoya had gleaned a substantial amount of information and now it was simply a question of tightening the noose and the culprit would be out.

Harish too had a busy day, it was never easy being what he was at 27 among the elite group of cyber crime sleuth's with the Government; his day was never predictable. His concern for Asad had it's roots in the respect for the man. He grew up mostly juxtaposing his happy, carefree life with that that of Asad's responsibility ridden one. Harish always had a lot of respect for the way Asad handled tough times in life. One day he hoped he would have a marriage as strong as Asad's.

Zoya in the meanwhile spent most of her day in silence.She was teased about her missing Asad and managed some spattering conversation with the family. She was good at deducing and although she knew Asad would never bring it up she knew where the trail for the missing funds was likely to end. It was of course a suspicion but it rose from her gut and she was usually right with that!

Asad continued to have trouble with his stomach. Luckily it was not something that would grind his day to a halt. So he had it all under control and carried on with whatever had to be done - containing the fire and ensuring that his competitors did not get a wind of it; in his business reputation was vital and rumour mongering cancerous. So he had his day full. The day ended better than it began. Harish offered to stay, take him out for dinner more to be of support than company. They were both tired ended up having a quick meal and Asad headed back to his hotel.It felt weird sleeping away from Zoya.

"Zoya" he sighed as he leaned on his cot and tried to read. He would wait a little longer and speak to her because she would worry why he was turning in so early. His mind driftted to the past. The trouble at Siddiqui's place, Razia... and importantly the nightmare with Tanveer. He recollected how he felt that night at Humeria and Ayan's Nikkah. Zoya had moved out of Asad's home and into her father's home. Razia was furious and had everything planned out to eliminate her. Tables turned when it was revealed that Tanveer was pregnant, and Razia thought Bilo Rani has Asad on her side and was beginning to be a thorn in Razia's flesh. Zoya knew about Tanveer's pregnancy and about father of the child that but she was shocked that Asad who was supposedly engaged to her did not know. Zoya looked the other way when she heard this because she felt it was a personal matter that was mutually resolved. It knocked the daylights out of her when Tanveer accused Asad going back on his commitment because Zoya learnt that Asad broke the engagement with Tanveer. He caught on to her bunch of lies but was still in the dark about her pregnancy. Tanveer turned venomous accused Asad with a fake DNA report and importantly questioned his upbringing and a shattered Asad was rendered speechless. Zoya stepped in wrung Asad out Tanveer's clutches. Warned Razia and Tanveer of consequences if they chose to continue with their false accusations and manipulation. She grabbed Asad by his arm and marched out of the paternal home. Razia insisted that Zoya sign her rights off the family's property. She nodded off Asad's protests signed off her property and personal relationships with her Abbu and his family. Rashid stood a pained mute witness who could not support his son. The bride and the groom - Ayaan and Humeria however were unaware of all that had happened while the occasion of their Nikaah.

Asad was still trying to get a handle on all that happened. Zoya walked to the Hotel reception booked a room for Mr and Mrs. Asad Ahmed Khan for the night. She knew Asad was in no state to be left alone. Asad simply followed her. Once in the room her held Zoya's hand and asked her " Zoya do you trust me ...I'm not respon..."Zoya shushed him sat him down on the couch. She moved his legs apart stood as close as she could and hugged him to her with all her might. He had been there for her through her search for her roots, took all that came after that, she couldn't care for his " tehzeeb" tonight. Asad needed her and she would be there for him. Asad crashed into her and cried for all the hurt...that he faced to today and all that he had heaped on Zoya. " Zoya" he said tearfully ...a few times before Zoya put him out of his misery and asked him to spend the rest of his life with her. Zoya Farooqui had just proposed to Asad Ahmed Khan like it was a natural extension of where they were!!! Asad thought wryly..the day was the worst for him in all his life, the night promised to be euphoric. That was the first time they came together as man and woman. He could still feel her lips on him and her body under him. He still felt her fingers on his face wiping away tears and the solace her bosom offered.

He had speak to her. "Zoya" he said into his phone..."Asad" she replied he felt the anguish in her voice..." I think I know Asad , i think i know why you need to be away tonight." He could hear no more ..."no" he said"...that's not it..you have it wrong.." " Asad then" she said softly, wriggling her fingers , sick with worry as she wondered what storms this would unleash in their lives. "Come back I need you as much you need me"..." Yes Zoya" he said "Wait up for me" he replied. Asad shut the door behind him and left he was home after an irritatingly long ride. He came home to an unsure Zoya..Her looked into her fear filled eyes, that fragmented him.

"Zoya I was wrong. I thought I was protecting you and I left it unsaid about your Abbu. I now know that nothing is more important for us than this ..our lives together" he said haltingly and kissed the palm of her hand, tucked it under his cheek as they fell asleep looking into each other's others eyes, giving and drawing strength. Zoya the giver he thought and she felt the same about her Mr.6 Packs.

Today they came together as soul mates. All the crises in real life deserved a place outside their door, nothing mattered here, together they would deal with it.