AsYa FF: Raabta Chapter 12(Updated 28/8/13) Pg. 33

Chapter 1:

"Phoopi!" screamed Zoya as she ran down the stairs, skipping a step at a time.

"Yes Zoya, I'm here in the kitchen. What happened?" replied Dilshad with a small smile on her face as she turned to find her future daughter-in-law.

"Nothing Phoopi I was wondering if I could go to a friend's house today? Zoya asked as she grabbed an apple and munched on it with great force and excitement.

Dilshad continued stirring her batter and said, "Of course you may, but may I know who this special friend is that you are getting so excited about?"

Zoya jumped and sat on the counter facing Phoopi and cleared her voice. With a dreamy look she spoke about the person she was dying to meet. "Phoopi, my friend from New York is here! His name is Imran. His family lives here so he comes here to visit them once a year. So I was wondering if you would allow me to go see him at his house?"

Dilshad turned to see Zoya's hopeful face with an expectant pout. "I'm sorry Zoya, you are going to be my bahu, I can't let you go to any man's house alone, even if he is your friend." But seeing Zoya's face falling into a frown, Dilshad quickly added, "But you may take Asad and go visit him" Zoya's face brightened for a second before she took in what Phoopi had just proposed. How could she go with Mr. Khan? He absolutely abhorred having to change his plans and routine for her sake. And she had made him do such things too many times before. She hesitated before telling Phoopi, "Uh-h Phoopi I don't think that's a great idea. I mean you know Mr. Khan. He'll never agree and I absolutely don't want to force him to take me." Phoopi noticed the tension in the air as Zoya spoke and took her hands in hers. "Zoya beta has Asad said something?" Dilshad asked with concern.

When does he not say something to me Phoopi, Zoya thought with scorn but she simply shook her head and looked down. "Is this Imran someone special whom you want to meet alone?" Dilshad probed. Zoya furiously shook her head and jumped of the counter. "No Phoopi, he's just a good friend. And don't worry about it. I'll just skype with him or something. It's no big deal!" Zoya replied trying to smile but instead she grimaced.

A bang brought both of them out of their discussion and they turned to look at the source of the sound. Asad had dropped all his files and instead of stooping to pick them up, he simply massaged his brows with his trademark frown. Dilshad hurried towards him and picked up the papers whereas Zoya and Asad also bent down to help. Zoya stole a glimpse of Asad and decided that she would never ask him to take her. Just a look at his face and it was obvious that he was in no mood. But for some reason, Dilshad did not think so. As she was handing the papers back to Asad she asked him if he would do her a favor. Asad sighed deeply and asked her what it was. But before Phoopi could even open her mouth Zoya intervened and shouted, "No! Phoopi, aap dekhiye na. Mr. Khan kitne pareshaan lag rahe hai. Why should we bother him?"Zoya tried to convince Phoopi with her eyes.

Dilshad got the hint and left saying she was going to rest and Asad should too.

Just as Zoya was about to turn, Asad said, "Ms. Farooqui?"

Zoya stood rooted at the spot. She could not understand why did she get so affected by the way he called her name. Like he was caressing it. Like it was the most beautiful thing in the world.

Zoya broke out of her thoughts when she heard him calling her name again and turned to face his dark brown eyes. Eyes that reminded her of the best chocolates. God she could think of food anywhere.

"Yes Mr. Khan? You need something? Zoya asked folding her arms.

"Yeah, do you know what Ammi wanted? I mean koi pareshaani toh nahi hai na?" Asad asked with serious concern. "Does she need something or is she hiding something. Is it about the nikaah? Because I hate what we are doing with our lies"

Zoya melted seeing his caring eyes. How could a man be so loving and caring at one moment and a stone-hearted freak at another. Why did she never get his affection? Why did he hate her so much? But why did she care so much that he hated her? Why was he so judgmental? Why were they getting married if there was no love? Why did she hate it so much that there was no love?

Moving out of her trance, Zoya decided to tell him the truth. Consequences she would face later. Stepping closer Zoya said, "Mr. Khan I was the one who needed the favour." Zoya immediately noticed how the concern left his face and his fingers once again found his brows. This made Zoya boil with anger at how if she needed something it was a pain in the arse for him. Biting her cheek she stood her ground and looked straight at Asad.

"Mr. Khan I want to go to meet a friend, Imran, but Phoopi thinks it's inappropriate because I am getting married to you and should not go meet other men!" Zoya screamed with enough fervor to make Asad drop his hands and look in her eyes. His eyes shone with something inexplicable and Zoya feared he would once again scream at her for not having tehzeeb and tameez. So she took a deep breath and waited for his reply. But Asad simply looked at her and asked, "When do you want to leave?" Zoya gaped at him in shock and asked, "Are you freaking serious? Allah Miya, yeh kaise din dikha rahe ho? Main toh bihosh ho ke gir ne wali hoon." Asad taking her outcry seriously stepped closer and wrapped his arms around her waist cautiously. Zoya closed her eyes as she felt a shiver run down her spine at his touch. She hoped her face showed no reflection of her fluttering heart. Asad cleared his throat and asked, "Ms. Farooqui, have you really fainted?" He shook her a little and Zoya stepped out of his arms feeling her heated face. God why does he have this effect on me? Zoya thought bitterly.

"How about you rest a little and we leave in an hour?" Zoya asked pleading a little and dodging his eyes.

"Why are you in such hurry, is he leaving soon or something? Asad inquired.

"No Mr. Khan, I'm just really excited to see him! He was one of the bestest friends I could ever ask for. So supportive, understanding, caring! Nothing I say defines him to the max!" Zoya sighed with a twinkle in her and she did not notice that there was a twinkle in Asad's eye too but for a whole different reason.

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Should I continue it?