Thinking to himself, about Zoya.
That girl, whom he actually hated. That girl, who annoyed him the most.
But something always pushed him towards her. Why?
If he hated her so much, what was that, which would resist from separating from her?
He didn't know. He really didn't know.
Asad closed his eyes and tried to forget the emotions that were flooding his heart.
The more he tried, the worse it became. Every single moment with that girl came into his head.
Those moments, which were impossible to forget.
Pained by those countless memories, he opened his eyes.
Just as he turned his head, he caught her.
She stood far away, yet so close.
His eyes didn't move away. They looked at that angel who was busy chattering with his little sister, Najma.
After a hearty laugh, she turned to see Asad looking at her.
Why? Why was he giving her those intense looks? She was tired of them.
Zoya wanted him to talk. To tell what he actually felt.
But, it was stupid for him to talk. She herself didn't know what she felt.
In that case, she had no right to demand him about his feelings.
Zoya continued to look at him.
He stood far away, but she felt as though he were right in front of her.
Najma caught the two, and decided to spice up the evening.
After all, It was their sangeet. The typical, Indian sangeet.
But with people like Asad and Zoya, who refused to even talk to eachother, the sangeet would become a total bore.
"Chalo na, bhabhi. Aaj nahi toh kal aapko bhaaijaan ke saath dance karna hi padega" said Najma, winking at Zoya.
Zoya quietly sighed to herself, remembering what Asad told her that afternoon.
"Ms.Farooqui, kuch bhi ho jaye. Hume sach batana hi padega ammi ko. I really can't joke around like this anymore."
Najma nudged a lost Zoya.
As Zoya came back to reality, something made her widen her eyes. The typical, shocked Zoya Farooqui eyes.
There was Asad Ahmed Khan, on his knees. His hand out, asking for a dance with his "wife-to-be".
Before she asked him a thousand questions on why he was acting and all that, she decided to seize the moment and not let go.
After all, who knew whether she would get such a chance later.
Her dream was coming true now, it seems.
Installing a convinced smile on her face, she gently slipped her palm into his.
He took her to the centre. Right in the middle of all the guests.
The lights were out, and a soft focus light fell on the two "lovebirds".
Asad twirled her away, and she smiled to the butterflies that flew in her stomach.
She was actually dancing, with Asad Ahmed Khan, you know.
And then he pulled her towards him, with her hair brushing his face.
He smelt that. Again. The same thing that he felt when her dupatta was stuck to his salwar.
Asad held on to her waist, as tight as he could. He didn't want to let go.
Zoya felt his breath hit her face. His warm, soothing breath.
Never did both of them enjoy each other's company. And this one? It was turning out to be the complete opposite.
But suddenly, Zoya realised that this wasn't real. It was to show everyone.
It wasn't for themselves.
She let go of him and began to walk away, dejected.
But he pulled her back.
Zoya once more came to him. He buried his head in her silky hair.
Their hands found eachother without further question.
They closed their eyes and swayed to the soft music that played behind.
Najma and Dilshad behaved like schoolgirls, adoring these two.
"Najma, tumne kabhi itni pyaari dance dekhi hai kya?" she said resting her head on her daughter's shoulder.
With her mouth open and eyes popping out, she replied.
"Nahi ammi, nahi dekhi."
Zoya turned around to look at Asad.
She wanted to know why he was doing this. Was it for real? Why did she feel it was out of pure desire?
Her heartbeat grew faster to the thoughts that were coming in her head.
And there in his eyes, she saw a sparkle, that spoke a thousand words.
A tear rolled down Asad's eye.
Zoya's heart was melting. This man was brutally murdering her with his emotions.
Slowly she placed her hands on his chest, and instantly, he caught hold of them.
Their eyes met. They spoke to eachother.
"Zindagi ab tum hi ho"
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