AsYa OS: Accepting Reality

Zoya ran her finger tips softly against the rugged and burnt skin upon her arms. Her breath was steady but she could not tear her eyes off of what she thought looked like a gruesome part of her body.

But the only thought that enveloped her thoughts was the fact that she did not know how to tell Asad about these scars.

She shut her eyes remembering her childhood where children her age would not play with her because she had a "gross arm." Her heart broke at the thought of imagining the younger version of herself going through such a terrible time. Nonetheless, she found a way to hide it from the rest of the world and avoided every possible situation that required her to wear shorter sleeves.

Zoya suddenly snapped her eyes open and heard heavy footsteps making their way toward her door.

She quickly draped her duppata over her arms and fixed her hair so it would not look like she was not ready.

Zoya gulped and thought, " I should not have agreed to wearing this...he won't accept this part of me..."

What would Asad say to her? Would he be a typical narrow minded male and not accept this part of her that would stay with her for the rest of her life. Zoya did not know and she almost wished that she would not have to see his reaction.

Zoya stood silently until she heard Asad knocking, " Ms. Farooqi, are you ready?"

"Ji Mr. Khan," replied Zoya with a slight tremble in her voice.

Asad entered and he locked his dark brown eyes with Zoya's. He walked towards her and noticed her body tensing with each step.

He stood in front of her and frowned, " Why are you tense?"

"N..No..Nothing Mr. Khan," replied Zoya as she stood trying to look normal. She mentally slapped herself for acting like a complete moron.

Asad then noticed her duppata draped against her and frowned at the thought of her covering herself as if she was hiding a flaw.

She did not normally drape her duppata like this and then stepped closer to her. Zoya almost stumbled back until Asad held onto her arms.

"Ahh.." hissed Zoya. Asad frowned as he felt a rough texture of skin against his fingertips. He looked into her eyes and he took his hands off of her arms.

Zoya almost felt offended at him taking his hands off of her, but he had the right to know and it was not his fault if he reacted negatively.

She slowly slipped her duppata off of her gruesome-looking skin and Asad looked at her badly burnt arm.

His heart broke at the sight of her gruesome past that scarred her for the rest of her life. Now he knew why she hesitated in wearing shorter sleeves and often wore long sleeved blouses.

He raised his fingers and softly ran his fingers against the rough skin. He looked up at Zoya and little tears streamed in her eyes.

Now he felt the pain raging in his chest as he thought of how his Zoya might have felt all her life. He had a whole level of respect for her as she kept it as a badge of why she should cherish her moments in life by laughing and smiling.

"Aren't you disgusted...?" asked Zoya with her lips trembling.

Asad felt guilty at the thought of him constantly putting her down for her choice of clothing. But these clothes did not make her who she is; it made him who he is. It made him realize for the first time of his life that life should be spent respecting others and not judging others.

Asad wiped her tears and looked her scars again. He raised her arm and kissed the burnt skin.

Zoya gasped and tears slipped out of her eyes and Asad kissed the skin again which sent shivers down her spine.

He looked at her again and pulled her closer to him.He listened to her steady breath and replied, " Not at all..."

And there, she tried to crack a smile, but her tears were getting ahead of her. " I'm sorry..." whispered Zoya.

"Don't ever say sorry for this...Zoya..." whispered Asad. And there she softly gasped at the sweet sound of her name upon Asad's lips. His husky voice made her shiver once more.

Suddenly, they were interrupted by Dilshad who knocked at Zoya's door. Asad and Zoya quickly separated and Zoya wiped the rest of her tears.

"Aayiye Phuppi," called Zoya. She quickly draped her duppata over her arm and Dilshad entered with her usual smile.

"Arey Zoya, you look great...!" smiled Dilshad. She walked over and hugged Zoya, " Bohot khoobsurat lag rahi ho"

"Thanks Phuppi," replied Zoya in her usual warmness with Dilshad.

"Main chalta hoon, " said Asad quickly as he exited out of Zoya's room. Dilshad giggled, " So what was happening here?"

"Nothing, the usual Mr. Khan, " said Zoya as she smiled and bit her lip.

"Hmm... acha, " replied Dilshad with a chuckle. She excused herself to change out of these clothes and into her normal ones.

*******

Asad and Zoya's Mehndi Day

Zoya draped her duppata over her head and smiled at the thought of the event, as fake as both her and Asad thought it was, it was more real to them than anything.

Dilshad helped her downstairs where all the ladies were singing and dancing in joy. All attention went to Zoya as she felt her cheeks flush a complete crimson.

Najma and Dilshad seated her on the platform of pillows and silk carpet. They began all the rasams and Zoya laughed as Najma spoke to her.

Asad watched from the side where he stood conversing with his business colleagues. Suddenly, the women who applied mehndi came to Zoya and began to apply mehndi. Asad looked at Zoya's expression change as she became tense.

"Lift up your sleeves a little, " said one of the women. Asad watched the interaction and saw that his mother and sister were busy with the food preparations.

"No.. please, just put it until my wrists, " said Zoya. The ladies laughed and began to lift up Zoya's sleeves until Asad came to her rescue. He made his way to her and the ladies looked up at him in awe.

"Arey Khan Saab... Bohot Mubarak Ho," said one of the mehndi ladies.

"I would like it if she does it up to her wrists, " softly added Asad. Zoya looked at him in relief and met his eyes.

The ladies nodded and teased him a little. Zoya relaxed a little more and Asad softly nodded at the relief spreading through her eyes.

Zoya then realized, that Asad, despite being everything that was contrary to her beliefs, was perfect for her and he would protect her and love her for the rest of her life.

"I love you...Asad" said Zoya softly and she smiled as he watched from a distance again as she wrote his name in her hands forever...