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

Everyone was seated around the dinner table except Asad. Phupi and Najma patiently waited but soon got restless as half an hour passed. Zoya on the other hand was extremely calm. She knew why he wasn't here. He probably did not want to see her face.

"Phuphi, are you sure Mr. Khan did not leave a message that he would not be here for dinner?" asked Zoya, pushing her plate away from herself. She had lost her appetite after her encounter with Asad, but stayed for Phupi's sake.

"No beta, and I checked his room a while ago. Maybe he's in the garden. But he's never late for dinner." Said Phupi, pondering over thoughts of where Asad could be.

"Um Ammi, I'll go look around the house. Zoya why don't you go try calling him on his phone." Volunteered Najma, as she stood up and pushed her chair back in.

Zoya opened her mouth to protest but gulped and stood up, walking towards her room. Should she call him with the house phone? Because if she called him with her cell phone then he might not pick up. Zoya absentmindedly walked to the living room and picked up the cordless. She sat on the sofa and slowly dialed Asad's number, which she had memorized ages before.

Zoya counted the rings that went before someone picked up the phone. Zoya let out the breath she was holding and said hello. She heard silence from the other side and knew that if she didn't say anything then Asad would hang up.

"Look Mr. Khan don't hang up, Phupi is waiting for you and she is getting really worried. I think you should come here as soon as possible. How could you be so careless? She was just sick this afternoon Mr. Khan? You better be here in less than 10 minutes. I'm warning you Mr. Khan, if Phupi stresses then I'll make you regret this!" snapped Zoya and hung up without waiting for his reply.

Zoya panted a little and wiped the sweat of her forehead. That had taken more of her than she let out. She fumbled back to the table and found Najma and Phupi waiting for her expectantly.

"Mr. Khan is going to be here in ten minutes Phupi." Said Zoya with more confidence than she felt.

"Oh, Thank Allah, main toh dar hi gayi thi. He's never done anything like this before. Except if he's really angry or broken."

Zoya smiled a little at Phupi and continued clutching the napkin in her hands. What if Mr. Khan did not show up. What would she tell Puphi? As the minutes passed by, Zoya heartbeat got out of control. She could hear it thumping in her ears and her guts were filled with all sorts of motion.

All three ladies looked at the door with a smile when they heard a creak and saw Asad coming in. The smiles immediately faded when they saw the state he was in though.

Asad dropped his briefcase on the sofa and walked to the dining table. He took his coat of and hung it behind his chair. Without a word, he washed his hands in the kitchen sink and then took his place on the table. Knowing his OCD tendencies and hygience issues, all three of them gaped at Asad. They all knew something was wrong but only Zoya knew that she was the reason behind it.

"Asad, where have you been beta? We were so worried. You could have called you know?" Phupi shook her head and served Asad.

Hearing no reply from Asad made Zoya furious. Who does he think he is? She nudged Najma with her elbow and looked in Asad's direction. Najma got the point and cleared her throat, "Bhaijaan, seriously where were you? And why are you not talking? Is everything okay?"

Asad still did not say anything and Zoya had enough. The water was going above her head and she would not take it anymore. She slammed her fist lightly on the table and sat straighter.

"Mr. Khan we are asking you something here? You think being all quiet and mysterious is making you look cool. Phupi here is getting worried. Do you care about her health or not? If you do then at least show some decency and answer her."

Asad's silence was killing her. She did not know why but it just was. "Look here Mr. Khan."

Zoya said it with so much fervor that Asad could not help but look up. "What is your problem Ms. Farooqui? Can you not mind your business?"

"This is my business! Phupi is my business!" snapped Zoya, standing up a little.

"Before being your Phupi, she's my mother! I know what's right for her and she knows me well enough to understand my silence. Maybe it's you who's dying to know what's wrong, that's why you can't stop probing me with your stupid dialogues and questions! But I don't find it necessary to share my personal problems with strangers."

"Asad! She's your fiance! Not a stranger!" screamed Phupi and glared at him.

Asad's whole body was burning. He was so tempted to turn the table over, but for Ammi's sake he kept quiet and killed his dinner with the fork in hand.

Zoya who felt she had enough of the day, sat back down and controlled the tears threatening to spill all over her food. She bit the insides of her cheek to stop herself from saying anything back either.

Why is Mr. Khan doing this? What had she done to get so much hatred from him? When she realized she had no answers, Zoya left the table and went into her room, promising herself that she would not cry. Atleast not for him. Never for him.

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Asad knew that he had gone overboard with his argument with Zoya, but he couldn't help himself. He wanted her out of his life not pondering over where he went and what he was doing. She isn't my goddamn wife! She needs to leave as soon as possible. But whenever Asad thought of her leaving, his heart tugged at him. He remembered all the moments they had shared together. All the intimacy. All the innocence. All the l-love. Was it love? he asked himself. He groaned and pulled at his hair. No. No I will never betray my family or our name. She is a Siddique. Always a Siddique.

He knew he had to tell Zoya about her father, he couldn't be so unfair. As he got up to leave the room, he heard Ayaan's loud footstep. He shook his head as his little brother jumped in through the windows and stepped on to the bed. Asad gritted his teeth and pulled him off.

"Just how many times do I have to tell you to not step on my bed!"

"But Bhaijaan, I removed my shoes by the window sill today!" Ayaan complained.

Asad felt a small smile forming on his face and he pulled Ayaan into a tight hug. Ayaan hugged him with equal eagerness and all tensions left both their minds.

They both sat by the edge of the bed and Ayaan immediately started his chatter. He's so similar to Zoya, thougth Asad. Urgh he muttered. Not Zoya again. He tuned back to what Ayaan was talking about and smiled as he reenacted all the scenes of the drama going on in his house.

"But Bhaijaan, I have a question? Do you think there could ever be anything between you and Mona darling?"

Asad looked at his brother and tried to hide the shock that was seeping into his face.

"What are you talking about Ayaan? Tumhari tabiyat to thik hai na?" asked Asad, feigning mock concern and touching his forehead.

Ayaan brushed his hands away and laughed. "No Bhaijaan. It's just this feeling I got when I saw you both. You know your story seems like the love-hate one." He saw Asad's glare and added, "If there is one I mean."

"No Ayaan, there is none. In fact, I can't stand her."

"It starts like that Bhaijaan." Ayaan wagged his brows at him and grinned.

Asad remained quiet. How could he tell his brother that he had passed that stage long time ago. That there was no hate ever. That he loved everything about Zoya but he could just not accept it, nor to himself or to anyone else. He only knew how to hurt her and now that he had found her truth out, he used it as an excuse.

"Bhaijaan, is everything alright?" asked Ayaan, looking at him sideways.

"Yes, everything is fine. How's Humeira?" Now it was Ayaan's turn in the spotlight. He felt himself blush a little and simply nodded his head.

"Yah Allah, what are you a teenage girl, blushing like that?" asked Asad, with a laugh in his throat.

Ayaan turned to face him with the most serious look Asad had ever seen on him.

" I-I don't know Bhaijaan, but after the Rajni incident, it seems I just have changed so much. I realized the value of love Bhaijaan. Humeira kept pouring me with it but I kept turning my back on her. And then whoosh-like a gust of air- she was gone. That's when I realized the importance of her and her love. Without it I felt so incomplete that I just wanted to let all guards down and bring her back to me no matter what it took. Why is it that we always realize the value of something when it's taken away from us? I was lucky to get her back, I'm sure not everyone is so fortunate. I may be young and nave, but I know I can't live without Humeira. I thank Allah everyday Bhaijaan and I will do so until the day I die."

Asad looked at his brother with awe and tears in his eyes. He was so proud of his that his chest constricted and he wrapped his arms around Ayaan. They both remained silent for a while before being interrupted by a knock on the door. Ayaan bid Asad goodbye and jumped out the window.

Asad slightly annoyed at whoever ruined their brother moment, slowly opened the door.

Dilshaad stood there with a bowl of kheer in her hand and a smile plastered on her face. Asad found the smile contagious and gave her a little one of his own.

Stepping in, she handed the bowl to Asad, who ate it up greedily. He had not eaten dinner properly thanks to all the drama at the table. Dilshad watched her son with adoration. He had grown in front of his eyes. From that innocent, jovial child to a man who hid all his emotions and feelings. Couldn't he see that his mother could read them all from his eyes. His confusion, his anger, his love.

"Eat slowly beta" she reprimanded him as he coughed a little.

"This is so good Ammi!" he stated, taking another spoonful and stuffing it into his mouth.

"Yes, it must be. My hone wali bahu made it after all!"

It took all of Asad's strength to swallow the bite in his mouth. His appetite was totally gone. Zoya made this? She knew how to cook? He kept the empty bowl on the table and sat beside his mother.

"Asad I need to talk about what happened today. What you did with Zoya was absolutely unacceptable. You can't have temper tantrums Asad, you are not 10!"

"Ammi, you don't see the way she talks with me!"

"She was genuinely worried about you and me Asad." Keeping her voice low, Dilshad put her arms around his shoulder.

"Who are you trying to fool Asad? We both know how much you like Zoya. I can see it in your eyes Asad. When are you going to stop fighting with yourself? Let me tell you one thing, just because your mother's story was not a happy one, it does not mean no love exists in this world. Give it a try Asad. Learn to love. It's the most beautiful thing in this world."

Dilshad kissed his forehead and sat back, waiting for Asad to say something.

"How can you accept Zoya as your bahu Ammi?" asked Asad without looking up.

Dilshad laughed full heartedly and pulled his chin to face her. "Because Zoya brought back light into this world of darkness we had enclosed ourselves in. Did we ever laugh this much? Did we ever talk this much? No. It's all Zoya's doing."

"But Ammi, how can you accept her so blindly? You know nothing about her or her past!"

"I know enough Asad. And you know what, I would still accept her even if she was a Siddique."

Asad's eyes were wide as saucers. He couldn't believe his eyes. Had his Ammi really said that? His shock was so great that no words came out of his mouth. When he finally mustered some guts he heard Dilshad holding her stomach and laughing.

He looked at her in confusion and saw her flailing her arms around, trying to stop her laugh.

"Ha-ha I was ha-kidding. Kidding. Oh, the look on your face Asad!" Dilshad simply could not stop her laughing spree.

Asad felt as if his heart had stopped beating. The relief he had felt that second was so immense that now when he found the truth, his heart felt too burdened to carry on. So his mother would never accept a Siddique. Even if it was Zoya. He knew that all along.

"Ammi, I think you should go sleep now. You need to rest remember?" said Asad, ushering his mother out of the room and locking his door. He took many deep breaths but when that did not work he decided he needed fresh air.

Without once thinking about it, Asad stepped onto his window sill and jumped down.

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As soon as Zoya saw Dilshad exit Asad's room, she ran to the garden and slept on the bench. She knew Asad would come and she would make it seem like she had fallen asleep waiting for him. Yes, Zoya could be evil sometimes.

In less than five minutes, she heard a quiet rustle in the grass. Zoya was finding it hard to control her urge to just sit up and face Asad, but kept mum and continued acting.

Asad was surprised to find Zoya's sleeping form on the bench. Why was she sleeping out here? Then it struck him that she had asked him to meet her here. He felt guilty for leaving here for so long. How could he have forgotten? He took slow and careful steps towards Zoya, admiring her angelic form glowing in the moonlight. The wind had blown stray strands of hair onto her face and Asad took no time in anchoring it behind her ear, caressing her cheeks on his way. He sat on the ground beside the bench and watched her peaceful face.

When he could not stop himself, Asad dropped a small kiss on Zoya's forehead. Zoya who was finding it difficult to control herself, muttered a little and shifted.

Asad backed off and stood up. He turned to leave but saw Zoya shiver as a hard gust of wind hit them. How could he leave her in this state?

He bent down and gathered Zoya's petite figure in his arms and started walking towards her room. Zoya could not hold herself together anymore. Her eyes fluttered open and she admired the rough looking man who carried her like she weighed nothing.

She slowly put her arms around his neck as they neared her room. Both Asad and Zoya looked at each other. Asad questioningly and Zoya asking for permission. None backed down. Both were lost in each other's orbs but finally Asad's intense stare was enough to make Zoya look away. She let one hand hold onto his collar and the other hand slowly entered through his unbuttoned shirt and went to grab his neck. She needed to touch his skin. She moved her finger in circular motions around his neck and back. She nuzzled closer to his chest and suppressed the moan that threatened to leave her lips. The sensations were killing her.

It was like both of them were in a trance. Nothing that happened before mattered at the moment. Right not it was just their overpowering passion's time.

Asad could not stop her. He was dazed by her in his arms and her slight touches around his body.

Zoya sensing no reluctance grew bolder. She unbuttoned his first button and ran her hand through his slight chest hair. She skimmed all over his hard form and slowly unbuttoned the second button, creating more free space. This time she twirled her fingers around his hardened peak, slightly pinching it. Asad groaned lightly and held onto her wrist, stopping her from this torturous act.

Zoya shook her head, complaining but Asad kicked the door shut and set her on her bed. He tried to pull away put Zoya was holding tightly onto his collar. Asad raised his brows and looked at his collar, indicating her to let him go. Zoya shook her head once again and pulled him closer. Their breaths mingled and caused havoc to their senses. Asad rubbed his stubble across Zoya's cheek, dropping wet kisses all over her face. When he felt her grip on his collar loosen, he abruptly pulled away, smirking a little. Zoya groaned in protest with a pout on her face. Asad turned away and huskily said, "Good night Ms. Farooqui."

Zoya smiled into her pillow and whispered, "Good night Mr. Khan." It felt like ages since Zoya went to bed with a smile adorning her face.

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God I'm shamless.

Anyway, no proofread. Blerp too lazy.

Please comment and like :)

Pretty Please with whip cream and chocolate chips on top 😳

Buddy for PMs.

<3 Ruchika