AsYa FF ~ Mere Jazbaat ~ T#1 ~ Link to T#2 Page 1! - Page 51

What the hell was that!? thought a confused Zoya, as she made her way back to her apartment. Why does his touch paralyze me like that? Ugh. I need to stay away from him. But I promised Phoopi I'd meet him tomorrow. I met him now, though. Doesn't that count? She sighed. Of course it doesn't. Her Phoopi was smarter than that. She wouldn't let Zoya off the hook so easily.

Zoya got home and went straight to her room. She started pacing, back and forth. She plopped herself on the bed and grabbed a pillow to hug. Resting her chin on it, she rewound the last 24 hours in her head. Her Phoopi and Najma had shocked her. They were in New York. But, she grudgingly reminded herself, so was he.

Allah miya, whats wrong with you? Aap kyun usse mere paas late reh the hain? Jab woh samne aate hain, to mujhe unki karvi baatein yaad aati hain. Aur to aur, jab woh mujhe choo the hain, to mujhe kya ho jata? Mein theek se soch bhi nahi paati! What's going on? Nahin. Bohot ho gaya. Mr. Khan, aap mujhse door hi rahiye. Yeh mera ghar hai. Aap nahin chate the ki mein aapke ghar mein rahoon, to aap bhi mere ghar mein hargis nahin aaein gay.

* * * * * * *

Back at the hotel, Asad was also pacing back and forth. This is ridiculous!, he thought. She won't even let me talk! She drives me mad! *sigh* But I deserve it, I guess. How could I have said those things to her... What came over me?

He was brought out of his thoughts when the room door opened.

"Asad," called Dilshad.

"Ji Ammi?"

"Apna samaan pack kar lo. Ab hum yahan nahin rehain gay," she announced.

"Par ammi, yahan nahin rehain gay, to kahan? Raste par?" he asked sarcastically, confused.

Dilshad simply smiled mischievously at her son. Asad looked at her, then at Najma who was also smiling beside her, bewildered. When understanding dawned on him, he couldn't help but smile.

* * * * * * *

Zoya got up and decided she needed to eat. She made her way to the kitchen and opened the fridge. How I wish I could have Phoopi's kheer, she thought, as a smile spread across her face. At least she could ask her Phoopi to make it for her. Mr. Khan ko bhi kheer bohot pasand hai. As soon as she thought it, she mentally chided herself.

Anwar saw her in the kitchen as he passed by, and could see she was lost in thought. Zoya, Zoya, Zoya, he thought to himself, shaking his head. Tumhi usse emotionally challenged kheti ho, aur tum khudhi challenged ho. He smiled at his own joke. Lekin mujhe saaf dikhai deh raha hai. Tum usse pyaar, yani mohabat karti ho. He decided he'd let her be, as that evening would be quite an eventful one. For all of them.

A few hours later, Zoya was sitting in the living room. After having concocted a snack for herself she was watching one of her favorite shows, Gilmore Girls:

"Ok I can't take this anymore. Rory put that cup of coffee down. You still have a chance. You do NOT want to be like your mother," said Luke mockingly.

Rory looked at Luke innocently. She smiled, as she turned to her mom. "Too late," she answered, her smile growing bigger.

Lorelai looked at her daughter proudly. Indeed, they were identical in every way. And she was happy that her daughter agreed and was proud of her mom as well.

*credits*

Watching that last scene, Zoya smiled sadly. The show was about a single mother and her daughter, and she loved watching the close knit relationship they shared. Like sisters almost, but with several moments when the mother's adult and protectiveness manifested itself. She couldn't help but wonder if her's and her mother's relationship would've been like that. So close, so open, so loving and full of banter. Kash, Ammi, kash aap aaj mere saath hoti. To aap mujhe bata sakthi, ki mere dil aur dimaag mein kya chal raha hai. Ab mere paas Abbu ko milne ki humeedein bhi nahi bachi.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the doorbell. We're not expecting anyone, who could that be? Allah miya, what's wrong with my New York today? Everyone wants to come to Zoya Farooqui's house. She chuckled at her own joke.

"Issi baat pe ek sher arz hai:

"Sona, chandi, aur ghene nahi hai hamare paas,

Sona, chandi, aur ghene nahi hai hamare paas,

Phir koi to humme bataiye, iss ghar mein hai kya itna khaas?

Shukriya, shurkriya, shrukriya"

She smiled, proud of her shayari. She jumped off the sofa and walked towards the door as she heard the doorbell a second time. So impatient! I'm coming!, she thought to herself with irritation.

As she opened the door, she froze. Her mind went completely blank.

"Hello Ms. Farooqui," said the figure before her, with a smirk.

Am I dreaming... no because this is not my dream. This is a nightmare. WHAT THE HELL IS HE DOING HERE!?

"A- aap..." stuttered Zoya. She mentally slapped herself and regained her composure. "Hello Mr. Khan. Kya mein jaan sakhti hoon ki aap mere ghar mein kya kar rahe hain?" she asked frigidly.

He cringed a little at her change from surprise to disgust. Ya Allah, inne manane mein bohot waqt lagega. Lekin agar woh zidhi hai, to mein bhi kum nahin.

"Aapke Jeeju nai aapko bataya nahin?" he asked, amused at her ignorance. This should be fun.

Zoya was confused. Were they supposed to come over for dinner, too? This must have been her Jeeju's idea. What with him insisting she loved him. The thought! Jeeju, mein aapko chorungi nahi!, she thought, annoyed.

"Jeeju!" she called him. Anwar rushed to the door, knowing fully who had come. Here we go. Allah, mujhe meri Zoya se bacha lije. Such sunne ke baad, patana nahi mera kya haal kar legi.

"Dekhie kaun aaya hai. Mr. Khan bol rahe hai ki aapko mujhe kuch batana tha? Aisi konsi baat hai, Jeeju? Mr. Khan yahan kya kar rahe hain?" As she said this, she glared at Asad, seeing a small smirk playing his lips still. Why that little...!

"Woh, actually... Zoya..." began Anwar, hesitantly.

"Allah miya! What's wrong with you, Jeeju? Aapko bhi yeh 'woh' aur 'actually' ki bimari par gayi? Ghuma phirake mat boliye. Saaf saaf bataiye. Mr. Khan yahan kya kar rahe hain." Men. All the same. Now Jeeju is getting contagious!

"Zoya, Dilshad meri bari behen jaisi hain. To uss nate, Asad mera apna hua. Aur woh sab New York pehli baar dekhne aa rahe hain. To mein unne hotel mein kaise raine deta?" He said the last line in a smaller voice, and saw the color drain from Zoya's face as the words sunk in, and understanding struck her.

"AAPNE UNNE YAHAN RAINE KE LIYE KAHA!?" she screeched, while glaring at Asad furiously. But immediately regretted it, as she noticed Dilshad and Najma behind him.

"Kyun, Zoya? Apni Phoopi aur behen ko apne saath aur nahi chati ho tum?" complained Dilshad, with feigned sadness. She knew that proximity to her son was the only guarantee that Zoya would forgive him quickly, and realize her own feelings for him. She also missed her terribly. And though there was a slight air of selfishness to her actions, she knew that Asad also needed to see Zoya in her natural habitat, if you will, for him to truly understand her and trust her. As blindly as Zoya did him. And will again, she assured herself.

"Nahin, Phoopi, aisi koi baat nahin hai." Zoya sighed. She just couldn't refuse her Phoopi or make her sad. Well played Mr. Asad Ahmed Khan. But things will not be that easy. I was an unwelcome guest in your house. And now you're my guest. And trust me, you are FAR less welcome to me, than I was to you. Still, Zoya felt a tiny part of her heart dancing at the thought that he had come all this way for her, and that he would be near her again. No!, screamed her mind in response. He... he hurt me too much. And I won't give him the chance to do it again. Never, ever, again.

Hello's and welcome's were exchanged for the next few minutes, and everyone's rooms and sleeping arrangements were assigned. Najma was put in Zoya's room, which Zoya was ecstatic about, and Dilshad and Asad got their own rooms, as there were two guest rooms. If it had been up to Zoya she would've wanted Mr. Khan to sleep in the hallway, outside the apartment. She smiled evilly at the thought. But alas, her Jeeju and Aapi's presence forced her to be civil.

After dinner, the children retired to their rooms. Zoya was excited to share her room with Najma, as she had so much to talk to her about and wanted to plan her trip. After all, she couldn't let her leave without showing her New York City, and it was yet another way she could both avoid Mr. Khan, and keep her head from thinking too much about him. Asad was disappointed that he didn't get to see her for more time, or get to be with her alone, but he let it be, as it was only his first night in that house.

I'm not going anywhere until you forgive me, and now the tables have turned, Ms. Farooqui. Indeed I may be your guest this time around, but we both know that I am not an unwelcome guest, as I so insensitively referred to you as before. Or at least, if I am now, I will make sure to become more than that, as I know I hold a place in your heart.

Asad was surprised by how openly his heart was defying his mind in the last 24 hours. But he liked it. He felt more at ease. He still feared that he didn't deserve her, but he had to at least try to get her to forgive him. And then, only then, would he know what the future truly held for them. He smiled to himself, and made his way to his assigned room. He didn't know why, or how it was possible, but despite being in another country, he already felt more at home in this room, than in the immaculate hotel room he left behind not long ago. But then how could he not feel at home, when his Zoya was so close to him.

Once the elders (Dilshad, Anwar and Zeenat) were sure their children had retired to their rooms, they went out to the balcony to talk.

"Anwar, tum jaante nahin tumne hamara kaam kitna aur asaan kar diya hai. Jab tumne yeh idea diya to mein to ujal pari. Mein sochne lagi, ki yeh baat meri maan pehle kyun nahin ayi?" said an exicted Dilshad.

Flashback:

(Hotel Lobby, a few hours earlier)

"Anwar? Kya hua? Tumne mujhe neeche kyun bulaya? Aur Asad aur Najma ko batane se inkaar kyun kiya?" inquired Dilshad.

"Shaant ho jayaie, aapi. Aisi koi baat nahin hai. Bas mujhe aapko Asad, aur... Zoya ke baarein mein baat karna hai," he explained.

"Acha." Dilshad smiled. "Toh yeh baat hai."

"Ji. Meine dekha hai, aur mujhe pura yakeen hai, ki Zoya Asad se mohabat kar ti hai. Lekin kya Asad...?" He didn't complete the thought on purpose, waiting for her to jump in.

She understood immediately. "Haan. Asad bhi usse bhi imtehaan mohabat karta hai." Dilshad's smile faded. "Lekin un dono ke beech bohot misunderstandings hue hain. Asad ko laga ki Zoya ne Ayaan ki sagaai mein jaake kuch garbar ki thi. Lekin aisi baat thi nahin. Aur iski wajah se, Asad ne usse kuch karvi baatein sunai. Yeh sach hai, ki halad kuch aise the ki uska dimaag usse theek se soch ne nahi deh raha tha. Lekin Asad bhi na. Jab usse gussa hota hai, to kuch bhi bol deta hai. Aur un karvi baaton ki wajah se, Zoya hamaare ghar se chali gayi." Dilshad's eyes started tearing up as she thought of the letter Zoya had left her.

"Lekin, Asad ne usse roka nahin? Woh yahan tak kaise ponchi?" Anwar started to understand. That's why Zoya was so keen on staying away from him. But then, why didn't he stop her? Why did he have to come all the way here?

"Darasal, Zoya ka visa expire ho raha tha. Aur..." Dilshad hesitated. She hadn't realized how childish their plan to keep Zoya in India was until she thought about it after Zoya left.

"Aur?" asked Anwar, anxiously.

The hell with it. If they were to get anywhere, he had to now everything. She took a deep breath and began her saga. "Hum nahin chate the ki woh jai, to Asad ko idea mila ki hum un dono ki sagaai wali baat se usse rok dein. Lekin Zoya ne apane josh mein uss immigration officer ko sab sach bata diya, aur uno ne Zoya ko deport karliya." She looked at him, dreading his response.

"Kya!? Zoya India se deport hui thi? Matlab woh wapas nahin jaa sakhti? Ya Allah!" Anwar thought for a second. Ok. So she was deported. Well, at least she's here, and he's here now. He sighed. "Kher ab jo hua so hua. Ab aap yeh bataiye, ki un dono ke beech kya haal hai?"

"Yehi to problem hai. Ab Asad ko to meine iss baat ka ehsaas dilaya hai ki woh Zoya se kitni mohabat karta hai. Lekin Zoya lagta hai ab bhi bhi usse naraz hai. Bohot mushkil se meine usse Asad se milne ke liye raazi kiya hai, lekin mein jaanti hoon. Zoya koi na koi bahana banake usse milegi bhi nahi. Ab tumhi socho. Tum usse sabse ache se jaante ho. To tum batao hum usse manane mein Asad ki madat kaise kar sakhte hain?"

Anwar thought for a few minutes, and then an idea came to him. "Agar woh dono saath mein rahein, to ek dusre se baatein karenge. Hai na?" Dilshad nodded, not sure where he was headed. "Toh jaise Zoya aapke ghar mein reh pari thi vaise-"

"Vaise Asad tumhare ghar mein reh sakhta hai," said Dilshad, finishing his thought, with a huge smile on her face. "Meine yeh pehle kyun nahin socha! Theek hai. To phir kal hum tumhare ghar par aayeinge."

"Nahin, aapi," Anwar disagreed. "Aap log aaj raat hi aaiye. Jitna jaldi in dono ko ek dussre ke saamne layenge, utni hi jaldi yeh problem khatam ho gi."

"Tum sahi khe rahe ho. Theek hai, Anwar. Hum kuch ghanton mein ponch jayenge. Allah Hafiz."

"Allah Hafiz, aapi."

Present day

"Acha woh sab choriye, aapi, aap ye bataiye, ab hum kya karein? Aur aap yeh baat Asad se bhi kyun chupa rahe hai?" wondered Zeenat. She couldn't believe that her Zoya was in love. And moreover, that they had to scheme to get them together. She mentally laughed at the fact that they were hiding like criminals in their own house.

"Agar Zoya ko pata chala ki hum Asad ki madat kar rahe hain, to woh hum se bhi naraz ho jayegi. Issi liye meine Asad ko bhi kuch nahin bataya. Ab humein un dono ko har moka par akhele chodna hai. Taaki unko baat karna pare. Khaas kar Zoya. Manzur hai?" asked Dilshad, excitedly.

"Manzoor hai!" agreed Anwar and Zeenat at the same time. "Let the games begin," Anwar said, smirking.

So how was it guys? I hope it made up a little for being late. I know there aren't any proper Asya scenes, but I will in the next one PROMISE❤️