AsYa FF ~ Mere Jazbaat ~ T#1 ~ Link to T#2 Page 1! - Page 60

After everyone finished their breakfast, the ladies all headed out for their shopping trip. Zoya bid them all a half hearted farewell. As Dilshad was coming to say bye to her, Zoya turned away from her.

"Kya hua Zoya? Tum hamein bye nahin kahogi?" asked a concerned Dilshad. I know you're mad at me Zoya, but one day, you'll thank me for not letting you be stubborn.

"Phoopi aap jaanti hai ki main Mr. K-... Unke saath vakqt nahin guzaarna chaati noon. Phir aapne hi kyun aisa kiya? Mujhe laga aap meri feelings ok samaj sakte hain," insisted a hurt Zoya.

"Zoya, tumne bhi mujhse vaada kiya tha ki tum Asad se milo gi ek baar. Mere khatir. Tum aapna waada nahin nibhaogi?" retorted a sly Dilshad. Who knew this request and promise would be the answer to her prayers. Otherwise, she had already anticipated Zoya emotionally blackmailing her to free her from spending the day with her son. Allah ka lakh shukar hai.

Zoya opened her mouth as if about to say something but stopped. How could she argue with that? She had promised and knew she couldn't get out of it. She had to bear the judgmental akdu for a whole day. Allah Miya, what's wrong with you? Why are you making this harder for me than it already is?, prayed a defeated Zoya.

"Theek hai, Phoopi. Lekin iske baadle mein aapko kal phirse kheer banani paregi." Zoya smiled mischievously. Might as well take advantage of the time I have with her. She can only stay so long, thought Zoya sadly.

* * * * * * *

Asad paced back and forth in his room. While the idea of having Zoya all to himself for a whole day was exciting, he was also dreading it. Why? He didn't know how to act around her. He was happy because he had realized her importance in his life and how she completed him. How she had brought light into his dark and lonely existence. A smile starting playing on his lips as he reminisced about his epiphany.

But it was soon replaced by a frown as he remembered what brought him to that realization. He felt a piercing pain through his heart. He'd hurt her. Repeatedly, cruely and unjustly. How could he be normal around her with that guilt. He shook his head. Normal's been out the window for a while now. Just her scent drives my up a wall, he thought, rubbing his forehead.

But now the guilt was playing a part as well. I can't fight with her without being afraid of hurting her, and teasing her might seems insensitive. UGH! Why is this so hard? It's one day! Then again, when is anything simple when it comes to Ms. Fa- I mean Zoya, he mentally corrected himself.

He chuckled. He's a grown man, and he'd dealt with her before. Hadn't he? But that was before he'd made the biggest mistake of his life. He sighed. I guess I'll know what to do when I see her. Once again, the thought of having her in front of his eyes brought a smile to his face, as he made his way out of his room.

* * * * * * *

Zoya stood in front of the mirror, looking herself up and down. Do I look ok? Should I change? I don't know if this top... Allah miya! Whats wrong with me? Why do I care how I look? It's not like this is a date. Or... is it? NO! Zoya's thoughts were berating her. She didn't want to be alone with him. Yet somehow the prospect of having him follow her around all day sent the butterflies in her stomach into a frenzy. Stop it, Zoya. He hurt you, remember? And, forget about regretting it, he hasn't even apologized, reminded her brain. She decided to stick to what she was wearing: a frilly, long sleeved purple top, dark navy skinny's and a silver chain link belt. Zoya grabbed her purse and unwillingly (or so her mind tried to convince her), headed towards the stairs leading to the door of the apartment.

As soon as she stepped into the hallway, Zoya felt herself crash against a wall of muscle and lost her balance. But as always, before she could fall over she was engulfed by his arms yet again. She mentally chided herself for enjoying his touch and shuddering to it. She opened her eyes, and took in the sight before her.

Asad was wearing a black buttoned down shirt, grey faded jeans, and an off white blazer. He looked... HOT, thought Zoya. Snap out of it, Zoya!, her mind screamed at her. But her body seemed to have a mind of it's own. She admired his physique, as his scent intoxicated her. Is that after shave? And the two open buttons of his shirt made her imagination run wild with thoughts of what she could do to-

Realizing where her thought were going, she snapped out of her revere and steadied herself back to her feet.

"Mr. Khan, aap kabhi bhi chalte chalte dekh nahin sakhte? Har waqt mujhse takra kaa tein hain," she huffed, annoyed.

"Aapko bhi-," started Asad with his usual anger, but decided against it. He didn't want to start off their day together with bickering. There will be plenty of it later. No reason to dive into it right off the bat, rationalized Asad. "Shayad aap theek keh rahi hain. Aagay se dihaan rakoonga," he replied politely, half a smile on his lips. "Chalien?"

He walked past a bewildered Zoya, and made his way down the stairs. With every step he took, he memorized the image his eyes had just witnessed: a beautiful, blushing Zoya, in his arms and increasingly affected by his touch. He smirked to himself.

Zoya stood rooted, her mouth an "O" and her eyes wide with disbelief. She composed herself, and followed him downstairs.

Once they both reached the door of the apartment, she noticed a small smile playing on his lips. Oh! So he thinks this will be a fun outing. Fine then. Let him. A evil smile spread across Zoya's lips, as an idea (or ideas, rather) struck her. Smile. Smile all you want, Mr. Khan. Because this will be a day that you'll never forget, but will not want to remember.

Asad looked at her intently, confused. Why is she smiling like that? I should be happy, she's smiling after all. But something's off. He decided to let it be. Whatever it was, he'd find out sooner or later.

As they walked out of the apartment, and into the elevator, both Asad and Zoya remained quiet. Both of them plotting out the next move of their respective plans: Zoya to make this an unforgettable day for him, and Asad on how to finally apologize to her.

Lost in thought, neither realized that their hands were brushing against each other. They both felt a tingle. Zoya looked at her hands, and blushed, looking away. Asad saw this and looked at her, even after she turned away. He admired her now pink facial features, and remembered the bruise on her cheek. How he wished to kiss away her pain. The thought of the bruise reminded him of Razia slapping her. He cringed. His hands started balling into fists, and he gritted his teeth in rage. That woman, how dare she... how could a low life like her touch someone as pure as my Zoya... She sla-. But his thoughts remained incomplete, his guilt too overwhelming.

"Aapka... gaal... ab kaisa hai? asked Asad, quietly.

Zoya was surprised by his tone. His voice was once again filled with concern and... fear? This was the second time she'd heard worrisome Mr. Khan speak to her. But she still couldn't tell if it was genuine worry, or out of guilt and pity.

"I'm a strong girl, Mr. Khan. I've been taking care of myself for a long time. Aapko fikar karne ki koi zaroorat nahi hai," she replied, annoyed at her own confusion.

"Zaroorat hai, Ms. Farooqui. Aapko uske baad bhi itna sehna para, aur woh... meri wajah se... I'm sorry," he looked her square in the eyes, as he spoke those last two words. He registered the shock on her face, and her eyes brimming with unshed tears.

Asad couldn't take it anymore. He couldn't see her in pain. He took a couple steps towards her. He was so close, that their noses were but a centimeter apart. Zoya's breathing hitched, his sudden proximity making her heart skip several beats. Asad brought his right hand to her bruised cheek, and caressed it as gently as possible. Zoya closed her eyes, the pain apparent. He winced.

With his left hand, he took her hand in his. He entwined their fingers together, and gave hers a gentle squeeze, to which Zoya responded by opening her eyes again, the shock and confusion in them growing with his every move. He brought up their entwined hands to his heart, and let his right hand travel from her cheek to her neck. He slowly tilted his head, leaned in and gave her a soft peck on her wound. She shuddered under his touch and felt a tingle in her cheek, both from a dull pain and the feel of his lips on her skin. A touch she never expected to yearn so much.

He looked into her eyes to see her reaction, and after sensing no resistance, he leaned in to give her another soft peck in the same place. This time Zoya closed her eyes as he kissed her, and her free hand travelled to his chest. As Asad pulled back, they looked into each other's eyes, both filled with so many unanswered questions.

What is this feeling, wondered a confused Zoya. Why do I react to his touch this way? How can one kiss of his soothe the pain that ointment or make up can cover up?

Their moment was interrupted by the sound of the elevator reaching the ground floor. Zoya was the first to recover, as she quickly jerked her hands from his and his heart. Asad blinked, realizing what he'd done. His eyes started darting from side to side from embarrassment. He felt a dull ache in his left hand, where her fingers fit perfectly with his. He had kissed her for the first time and it felt... right. But her sudden jerking away, left him yearning for her touch once again. He pushed the thought away, knowing it would a long time before that was really possible. But he would wait. For the girl that had turned his dark room into a room of glass and sunshine, he could wait an eternity. He'd do whatever he could to bring back that smile to her face, that spark in her eyes and her love of life.

Neither of them spoke as they walked towards the building entrance. Zoya's thoughts kepts running wild. Mr. Khan ne mujhe iss tara... iss tara chooa kyun? Aur mujhe galat kyun nahin laga? If felt... like home. But a different, like our hands belong together... Why did it feel like he had the right to touch me that way? A right no other man holds... ALLAH MIYA! Whats wrong with me? This is wrong! We're not even a couple! What does he think of himself! A kiss on my bruise and all my hidden scars will disappear? Her eyes moistened. She quickly blinked back her tears. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction. He didn't deserve anymore of her tears.

Once outside the building, Zoya spotted a sign and her evil smile from while back manifested itself again. This is a good start. Let's how much the OCD Jahapana likes New York City, thought Zoya to herself, slyly.

Precap: Zoya's World Famous NYC Tour: Especially for her Akdu Jahapana Six Packs 😆