AsYa SS - After the Darkest Hour - Page 4

Originally posted by: Scarlettkevin

nice start . please continue soon👏

Originally posted by: Enchantress

Good start , do continue soon!!!

Dee

Chapter 2

Zoya was late to breakfast. Well, late wouldn't be the right word. She skipped it completely, Asad noticed as he and everyone else finished theirs. Tanveer was sitting right next to him, after Dilshaad had spoken to her this morning, and not uttered a single word to him. Not that it was a problem. Tanveer always knew how to control her emotions in front of people. Unlike Zoya. And again, the comparison between the two began.

He let out a low sigh, his eyes searching around, waiting for a glimpse of her. After their argument the previous night, he had not seen her at all. Well, not that he had expected to see her, in all honesty. The broken, defeated look she'd given him swarmed through his head, making him swallow guiltily. Whatever kept pulling him towards her had to stop! And he would make sure it did. Wasn't that why he picked Tanveer as his bride? At that point, his gaze landed on Tanveer who was picking up the things from the table.

"Zoya hasn't had breakfast yet." He found the words slipping out of him before he could hold them back.

"Yeah, Jammy." She smiled shyly. "But you know how she is. She'll probably get herself something from the kitchen when she's hungry. How long will the food be laid on the table for?"

See. That was what he was talking about. Tanveer was perfect for him! Her thoughts, her actions, all matched his. This compromise between them had the potential to last a lifetime without any major problem. But then why on earth did he feel a stabbing feeling inside himself whenever he thought of Zoya? Whenever she cried her heart out, why did he want to hold her in his arms and never let go?

"Phoopi," A voice called just as everyone was about to make their way out of the dining hall. Bingo! Here's what he was looking for! His head instantly shot round to see her holding the pinkish red dupatta she had adorned the previous evening, in which she had looked gorgeous. He saw her vision scan the place before coming to rest on him for a short while. Just one deep, expressive look from her was enough to make him uncomfortable in his own living room! The absurdity of this hit him and immediately, he looked away.

"Phoopi, I came to give this."

She handed the beautiful red stole to Dilshaad however, the older woman refused to accept it.

"No Zoya. You keep it. It looks lovely on you. I know I got it made for Asad's bride," Dilshaad said, smiling at Asad and Tanveer, "but you are like a daughter to me anyway. And I want you to have it instead."

Zoya looked at her 'phoopi' deeply touched. How on earth did this woman hold so much love for someone like her? While her son kept calling her a 'misfit', kept judging her on everything and having a go at her, questioning her upbringing, her morales, her thoughts and beliefs, she had accepted her with an open heart without a single word of complaint! She'd shown her what it was truly like to have a mother and for that, Zoya would never ever be able to be more grateful to her! In that instant, she took the extra step forward and hugged Dilshaad tightly, knowing that no words would be enough for her to express her true feelings right at this moment.

"You considered me as your own. That's all I need. I think this," she held up the stole again, "belongs to Tanveer."

Asad once again couldn't help but look at her then at Tanveer. Tanveer's head was bowed, as Zoya was about to walk towards her near the table. His mother stopped her once more, and said,

"Zoya. Please keep it. It suits you a lot! Right Asad?"

Dilshaad looked for the only male opinion in the house, and now that he was in the spotlight, Asad found himself tongue tied.

"Asad?" Dilshaad urged, as she watched her son silently glance at Zoya. Zoya on the other hand knew what to expect. Either he wouldn't give an answer, or just say he wouldn't know and walk away. How on earth could she have fallen head over heels for a such a complicated man, she wondered? But what difference was it going to make now? He was going to be someone else's in ten days' time. And the thought of it drove a knife right through the middle of the gut, forcing her to grimace silently in pain.

Asad guiltily watched emotions play across her face. She had never been able to hide anything for people. But that was how she was, he concluded. She did everything from her heart. Laugh, cry, shout, support, you name it. She gave her all in everything. Then why was she failing miserably here? His mother repeated her question.

"Asad? What do you think? Didn't she look beautiful in it last night?"

He stayed mum for a while longer as his mind drifted back to the previous night. The white suit, red stole, her open hair. The glint in her eyes and the shine on her face. So very beautiful.

"Yes." He whispered suddenly, just when everyone had given up hope of expecting an answer from him.

Zoya looked back up at him, startled out of her wits. Now, she wanted more. She wanted to know exactly what was going on in his mind! First, he insulted her. Then he proposed to her at the airport in front of the whole world. Barely an hour later, he called it all a drama and asked her to keep her mouth shut at his relatives' wedding function. However just before that, he'd rushed to save her from electrocuting herself and hugged her like she was the most dear thing to him. Yet when he had to pick a bride, he picked Tanveer, although when she tried to give the ring back before going to bed the previous night, he stopped her! And now..!

But before she could corner him and have a good go at him about everything, he'd turned his back and walked away. A frown adorned her face momentarily, as she sighed mentally in frustration. Confused guy!

"We have a lot to get ready, Tanveer. The wedding is in ten days and I need to start as soon I can." Dilshaad voiced, calling Tanveer to her room. Zoya looked at the clean tiled floor beneath her, her heart dropping right down to her stomach. This man would one day kill her!

* * * * *

5 days to the wedding

Can someone feel their heart shatter to pieces? Not the pain of it happening, but the actual action? How was it? Like your life would end the same moment? Like the ground beneath your feet was snatched away from you cruelly? Like you wouldn't dare breathe, in case it hurt? But what was the point anyway, because agony that followed a moment later would be so excruciating, it left you wondering how you were still able to able to function! And had anyone experienced it constantly every minute of every day?

Zoya watched Asad as he left the breakfast table clad in his three piece suit, ready to go to the office. She examined Tanveer getting up with him and following him to the door. There, she called him back and walked up to him, close. Too close for Zoya's liking. She then put out her hand and straightened his tie.

"You should look smart wherever you go." The sugary voice reached Zoya and she'd had enough. Looking around the table to distract herself with someone, she realized no one was there. Maybe that's why Tanveer was so bold today. Involuntarily, her eyes drifted to the couple at the door, and met a pair of chocolaty brown ones gazing at her intently.

She could feel him calling out her, begging her to be the one who was there in front of him. And boy did she want to be in Tanveer's place. But hadn't he been the one who picked Tanveer? Hadn't he the one who said Zoya was not suitable for any family? His harsh words slashed through her forcing her eyes to pool up in sheer angst. No, she had no business wishing she was somewhere where she never belonged. Scraping her chair back, and leaving everything on the table, she got up hurriedly and rushed to her room. Enough!

Asad watched her half walk, half run across the room. He felt something inside himself churn at the sight of her unshed tears. He wished he had the courage to tell her real reason he picked Tanveer. He wished he had the guts to call off the marriage. He wished he'd had the strength to pick her in the first place. But the truth was, even though he'd said a million times she was unsuitable for him, he was the one with the problem. He was the 'misfit'. Oh how he wished, more than ever now, that he had never been Mr Rashid Ahmed Khan's son.

Later on that day, Zoya was busy preparing for the engagement that was to be held that night. She didn't have to, everyone knew that. But no one knew the heart break she was going through. Well one person maybe, but he didn't care. Never did, apparently. So she busied herself in the preparations for the wedding. That way, her 'phoopi' got enough help and her mind was constantly occupied. Well, sort of. And it might have been better if the preparations weren't for Asad's wedding. For the past few days, Zoya found herself wondering why on earth it was him she had fallen for in the first place. Why? Was it his care? Was it his looks? Was it the soft heart beneath that hard exterior which no one could break through? But she never had a pin point answer. Because if she did, she would easily undo it. And then she wouldn't be the depressed soul anymore.

Not that she showed it. Well, Najma had asked her a couple of times if she was fine. Zoya had just mentioned something about her father there. And because Najma was the sweet, miniature image of her mother, she left her alone as needed. She could not have asked for more. Tanveer had also shown concern. But after being told that it was indeed, nothing, she gloated about how she'd never thought her childhood dream would come true. Childhood dream of getting married to Asad. Oh, Zoya found herself thinking sarcastically, these two were definitely made for each other. What bugged her however, was not the dream. It was the fact that Zoya constantly got to hear about 'Jammy' whenever they were alone. She constantly got to see public display of affection from Tanveer's side, if it was enough to be termed affection in a romantic way, whenever the three of them were alone. And yet, whenever she, Zoya, looked from afar, she could see nothing between them. Just a compromise. And rubbish one at that, by the way!

"Miss Farooqi.." the voice rang inside her head as she stood on the stool and screwed the last of the numerous bulbs on to it. Darkness was about to fall, and in an hour or two the guests would arrive. She had to get this done before then.

"Miss Faroo..Zoya!" He almost shouted right behind her when she wobbled dangerously on the stool. Putting her hand on her chest and giving a sigh of relief, she slowly got down and turned to face him. His jaw was tight and he was glaring at her in disapproval. Oh great, what had she done now?

"What were you doing?" he questioned. She had just done some brilliant piece of work. Well, the idea was hers, and therefore she was adamant she should see to it wholly! True, everyone else had gone to get ready and the guys who were hired to help had left, so Zoya had to do it alone. It had been quite a tedious task, but now that she was done, she couldn't wait to see its effects.

"Wait Mr Khan, see what I did." She replied with joy and ran towards the switch at the edge of the living room that had been emptied off the normal furniture. Sure that Asad would be frowning at her, she quickly switched off the other lights, encasing them in darkness momentarily, before pulling the main switch. Immediately, dim, coloured light flooded the edges of the room, while the yellow brightness focused on the centre, right underneath the chandelier. Grinning at her work, she walked right up to Asad who was basked in the intensity of the light.

"Nice isn't it?" she asked smiling from ear to ear, exceptionally proud at what she'd achieved.

She saw his gaze soften towards her.

"I knew you'll like it. This was all my idea. I always thought when I get engaged, I'll be the centre of attention with my fianc. Only during the whole ring exchange part, mind it." She chattered away. "I mean it's such an important ceremony and we'll be only ones that matter for that small moment."

Her smile faded slightly as she realized who she was talking to and what about.

"But then obviously," her head bowed down. "You don't understand all these things. I thought I should do it for you nonetheless. At least Tanveer will have that feeling." She almost choked out the last sentence. The pain that had been taken away by how well it had all worked out returned, probably ten times worse. Her throat clogged up as she realized something. She would never win.

"Miss Farooqi."

She looked up, ready for an earful after that stern voice.

"Why were you doing this yourself?" He questioned.

"Well, it was my plan. And no one was around. Everyone was busy."

He frowned. A straight answer from her, again? She was so silent and sullen in front of him, except a moment back where she was looking at the results of doing what she loved, whereas, she spoke normally to Najma and his mother! It hurt him to see her snubbing him like this.

"You were alone. What if you fell from the stool?"

Zoya did a double take. What if she what..? Was he actually angry over something that didn't even happen?!

"Allah Miyan! What's wrong with you Mr Khan?" She stared at him incredulously. "Instead of thanking me for doing all this, for you, you're getting angry at me for something that didn't even happen?"

"It could have." He replied obstinately, looking away.

"But it didn't. And even if it had, I would have got back up and continued with my work. Unless I fell really badly. Why would it matter to you anyway?" She demanded, her eyes spitting fire. He turned his head and locked his eyes with hers. As soon as she saw his expression, her own facial expression immediately softened up.

It mattered to him, he was screaming! It mattered a hell lot to him! Even a scratch on her would send him in frenzy! But then why? They were just less than a meter away from each other, and still she refused to let her gaze linger away from his. Lest she'd been betrayed and whatever she could see was untrue.

But he was the one to break the connection this time, by looking away.

"Look after yourself, Miss Farooqi." He whispered, and walked away, leaving her all alone once again, with a radius of at least a meter of brightness around her, but no one to share it with. She swallowed another lump that formed in the middle of her throat, shut her eyes and breathed in deeply. She had to get through this. Zoya Farooqi just had to get through this whole wedding! Maybe then, it would be easier. Maybe then, she would be able to breathe freely.

Originally posted by: mochhug

res

zoya my baby... :( I could literally feel the lump in her throat. Poor Zoya :( Stupid Asad. But then I can't be mad at him either. Sigh.

Beautifully written hun :) you have a talent. Please update soon! Can't wait! This was one of the scenarios I had imagined when they were making us wonder who Dilshad will choose. You brought it to life so perfectly. It's heart wrenching but sweet as well. All in one :) Keep it up!

Originally posted by: janestone6

This is so sad im mean look at the b*t** playing with our Zoe's feeling. Tanveer needs to die. Love how Zoe is being strong. BEAUTIFUL SS