AsYa SS: The Bitter Truth: Epilogue Pg. 33! - Page 14

Originally posted by: goingreen

Can't believe I missed out on reading the second part until now ): very exciting! Can't wait to see what happens next (:

Originally posted by: Noe123

Part 2

Dream sequence was very well done. Nice throwback to Tanveer's entry scene. Zoya's subconscious would connect Asad's so called betrayal to that day of accident. I wanted Asad to kick out Tanveer, but I guess his first priority is Zoya and we will see Tanveer getting her due in last part. Make sure she gets punishment that she deserves!

Originally posted by: stereohearts200

That was awesome! When I was reading the part where zoya has the fire nightmare again and asad left her, I nearly started crying, u described it so well! And I also loved all of the imagination scenes. I can't wait for the part where asad meets zoya. Also, the banner was really nice. Continue soon.

Originally posted by: kabhiasya4ever

update it yaar its so interesting

This post is especially dedicated to Ankie, aka MisHumptyDumpty. Hope this fulfills your want of a Mangalpuri Asad 😃😃😃

The woman Asad had met at the meteor shower spot, was none other than the same one that had taken Zoya in a month ago, Natasha. As she travelled in the car of this man, who was looking for her desperately, she thought back to the day she first met Zoya. How she had come with nothing. No phone, no money, no clothes, no place to stay. Only an indescribable pain, and enough tears to fill a river. She wanted for nothing. No money, no compensation. Just to help. To be busy. To consume herself into some sort of monotonous action that would keep her from thinking about her past. Natasha felt helpless. Day and night she prayed for this poor soul to regain her strength. To have Allah return to her what she had lost. But alas, it didn't happen. Until now.

She turned over to look at the man next to her. He was in quite a state, himself. His eyes were bloodshot, as if he'd been crying for days, and he had bags under them, too. His hair was a mess, his beard unkept and his clothes casual but drenched in sweat. Clearly, he'd been searching for her for a long time. She knew as soon as he mentioned their nikaah, that he loved her deeply. It was easily read in his eyes. But she still wondered what it was that could've separated them, and caused Zoya, and apparently him as well, such immense pain.

It had already become dark by the time they reached their destination, as Asad had been searching for Zoya all day. He was surprised when the woman told him to stop at an old orphanage. He smiled ruefully. It was so like his Zoya. Selfless to the core. Even in grief and anger, she found solace in helping others. He couldn't believe that someone so pure, so selfless had been a part of his life.And will be again, he silently promised.

* * * * * * * * *

As Asad and Natasha got out of the car, Tanveer was preparing to sneak into the orphanage through the back. She waited until Asad and that other woman with him both entered the building's main entrance, and swiftly opened the door of the boot. She jumped out and carefully carried the jug of kerosene out with her, along with a small box of matches. She tied the matches into her dupatta's corner and proceeded to tip toe towards the orphanage, from the backdoor. She wasn't sure how to find Zoya, but she knew that Asad wouldn't have come here with some strange woman, unless it had to with her.

* * * * * * * * *

Natasha motioned Asad to follow her. She knew Zoya would most probably be praying around this time, as she did everyday. Asad walked behind Natasha, anxious yet scared to see Zoya after so long. He felt his heart beat increase with every step he took, he could feel her presence. She was so close to him. Natasha led Asad to an isolated room, a few feet away from the entrance to the kitchen. Natasha went ahead of of Asad, and knocked on the door.

"Zoya beta? Kya mein andar aa saakti hoon? Mujhe tumse ek baat karni hai." She asked.

"Jee... aiye," replied a lifeless voice.

Hearing her voice, after a month, Asad's eyes brimmed with tears. It was Zoya. His Zoya. His love, his life. He still couldn't believe it. But was it really his Zoya? Who's voice was this? The voice he heard was devoid of life. It was dry, defeated, numb. His heart broke all over again, but his pain soon turned to anger. Tanveer, you will pay for this. I don't care if you were my friend at some point, that sentiment died the day you tried to hurt the most important person to me. He balled his fists, his anger getting the best of him. But as he thought of Zoya, and the reason he was here, he closed his eyes, and took a deep breath, calming himself down.

Natasha noticed this play of emotions in his eyes, and his body language. Once she was sure he'd composed himself, she put her hand on his shoulder.

"Jee, aap yahan bahar rukiyega, mein usse baat karke aapse milwa deti hoon," Natasha explained.

Asad nodded, and sat down on the bench near the kitchen. His mind and heart were racing. Would she believe me? She's always forgiven me, but can she ever forgive me for not trusting her? If I had, if I had listened to her. Just once. Then none of this would've happened. Today we'd be happily married. He cursed himself yet again for putting Tanveer, over his Zoya. Tanveer, who was after him as a husband. Tanveer who tried to confuse him about his feelings. Tanveer who tried to harm Zoya, his Zoya, his LIFE.

He decided to stop thinking about it, as he knew he'd burst. And in order to talk to Zoya, he needed to be calm, and thinking with a clear head.

* * * * * * * * *

Zoya folded her prayer mat and adjusted her dupatta on her head. She made her way to the door and opened it a little.

"Jee?" she asked in a small voice.

"Beta," started Natasha, swiftly making her way into the room, keeping Zoya's view from Asad. "Tumse koi milne aya hai," she finished, looking Zoya in the eyes.

Zoya stiffened. Her mind immediately went to Mr. Khan. "K- kaun hai?" she managed in her daze.

"Koi ladka hai, Asad Ahmed Khan," Natasha confirmed.

Asad Ahmed Khan. Asad Ahmed Khan. Asad Ahmed Khan. Asad Ahmed Khan.

Zoya's eyes moistened, as she digested the news. Mr. Khan... yahan hai? Kya, woh... She smiled through her tears, for a split second before the images of that night plagued her. Her tears increased, as her pain gave way. Why is he here? I don't want to see him. There's nothing left to say. Nothing he can do. How did he find me? Ya Allah, give me strength.

Natasha noticed the play of emotions that had earlier appeared in Asad's eyes, mirrored now in Zoya's. They were both longing for each other, but for some unknown reason, were miles apart.

"Mein..." managed Zoya again, "mein unse nahin milna chati hoon, khala. Mein, mein kisi se bhi nahin milna chati hoon. Aap, aap please usse kahie ki woh chale jai. Aur, ainda, koi bhi, mere baarein mein puche, to unse keh dena ki mein yahan nahin rehti hoon."

"Lekin Zoya-"

"Please," she pleaded. "Meine aaj tak aapse kuch nahin manga hai. Aaj pehli baar mang rahi hoon. Please meri yeh quahish puri kije. Please," Zoya finished, her voice cracking.

Natasha's heart broke. What evil was done to this poor soul to break her so? Still, she couldn't disrespect her wishes. With great regret, she went back outside to face the man who so desperately wanted to see her, to break the news.

"Mr. Khan bohot zidhi hain. Lekin mein bhi kaam nahin. Mein unse hargis nahin milungi. Aur milungi to kiya hoga?" She paused her inner monologue. "Mujhe yahan jaana hoga," she said to herself. And with that she started devising a way to leave undetected.

* * * * * * * * *

Asad had heard her. He wondered what was going through her head when she heard his name. But her dismissal pierced his heart. His couldn't blame her, though. After all, she didn't know that it wasn't true. How badly he wanted to barge into the room, crush her into his arms and scream at the top of his lungs that he didn't betray her. That he was wrong, but not about this. To hold her tightly and never let go.

"Dekhie-" Natasha started, but Asad cut her off.

"Mein jaanta hoon. Woh mujhse nahin milegi. Mein jaanta tha." He chuckled. "Meri Zoya hain, zidhi. Lekin agar woh zidhi hai, to hum bhi kum nahin. Koi baat nahin. Dekhie, kya aapke paas ek kamara hoga, taaki mein aaj raat yahan reh sakoon?" he pleaded. He knew Zoya wouldn't talk to him so easily. But he wouldn't give up. Now that he knew he hadn't betrayed her trust in him, he would make sure she understood that he now knew the kind of trust she truly deserved from him from the beginning.

"Janab, iss madaras mein hum bahaar ke log ko nahin reh ne dete hain. Humme mauf kijega, lekin hum aapko kamara nahin de payenge. Aap chahe to aap kal subha aa sakte hain." Natasha replied, grateful to see someone trying so hard to not give up on her.

"Koi baat nahin, hum bahar intezaar karlenge. Aap chinta mat kije. Usse sirf itna khiega, ki, ek baar. Bas ek baar woh mujh par phirse bharosa kare, aur sab theek ho jayega."

Natasha nodded, surprised, yet intrigued by this man. As he disappeared out the door, she smiled. Kitna pyaar karta hai. Ya Allah, inn dono bachon ki khushia wapas lana.

* * * * * * * * *

Tanveer had overheard Asad's side of the conversation and was seething in anger. Why would he say that? Something's wrong. I need to get rid of Zoya before he knows more than he should. Sorry, Jammy. Lekin Zoya tumpe bharosa to kya, tum par chila bhi nahi payegi. She smiled evilly, as she went on to put her plan in motion.

Behind the orphanage, there was a small shack, big enough for storage and in the shape of a small gazebo. Tanveer made her way there and doused the place in kerosene. She covered every nook and cranny. She would not fail this time, she thought. Agar aaj meine Zoya ko Alvida nahin kaha, to mera naam bhi Tanveer nahin.

* * * * * * * * *

Asad walked out to his car, and sat in the driver's seat. Mein rukunga Zoya. Lekin aaj tumse zaroor baat karoonga. I have made many mistakes before. I have taken too much time to say things. But not today. Today I will tell you the truth. I will get rid of your sadness, and I'll will you to live again. He smiled sadly, remembering her lifeless voice. How much pain she'd been through for no fault of her own. As he thought of her, he looked down, when he noticed the truck door light was flashing, indicating it wasn't properly closed.Strange. I don't remember opening it. I didn't even put anything back here. He got out of the car and walked towards the trunk. Opening it, he saw it was empty. He was about to turn away, when he spotted a stain out of the corner of his eye, along with a fallen earring.

He touched the stain, and brought his finger to his nose, trying to figure out what it was. Kerosene? Why would there be... But his voice trailed off as his eyes shifted to the earring. His mind flashed back to when Zoya found an earring exactly like it and it belonged to...TANVEER. Asad's heart stopped. Realization hit him. Tanveer came in his trunk! But she wasn't here now, and she had kerosene... Ya Allah! ZOYA!

* * * * * * * * *

Zoya packed what little belongings she had, and made her way out of her room. Grateful for it's proximity to the entrance, she tip toed her way towards it. But before she could make it, she felt a soft cloth on her mouth. She tried to free herself, but soon unconsciousness consumed her and everything went black.

* * * * * * * * *

Tanveer smiled to herself. She let go of the end of her dupatta that she'd dipped in the sleep inducing drug, and grabbed Zoya by the arms. She snaked her own arms under Zoya's shoulders, and dragged her out to the gazeebo like shack. Laying her down in the middle of it, she walked back to the entrance. She turned back and looked at Zoya.

"Alivda, Zoya. Agar tum yahan se door chail jaati, to mujhe yeh sab nahin karna partha. Kher, ab mujhe koi nahin rok sakhta. Aaj ke baad, sirf aur sirf mein ban paungi, Mrs. Asad Ahmed Khan!" she finished, as she let out an evil laugh. Taking out the matches that we're tied into her dupatta, she lit one and threw it at stack of hay next to Zoya, and watched as flames spread around her biggest musibat. Soon to be ex-musibat, she thought smirking. She took a few steps back, and reveled in her inevitable victory.

The fire spread in a fury, engulfing every bit of the shack around Zoya. She winced in pain, even while unconscious, and coughed from the building smoke. Soon the smoke and heat became too unbearable and Zoya woke up with a start. Tears formed in her eyes as her worst nightmare because true. She was in a fire. Just like her dream. Just like the dream she always feared would come true.

"Bachao! Aag! Bachao!" She didn't know why she was screaming. Allah had taken every thing from her. Her life wasn't worth living. It had no purpose. And yet, she had a gut feeling, that she didn't want to die. That there was still hope. That hope, that had always

manifested itself in the forms of her hallucinations of Mr. Khan. More tears blurred her vision, as she thought back to him.

"Mr. Khan..."

* * * * * * * * *

Asad ran to the front door of the madaras. He knocked on it repeatedly, he heart in his throat, dreading what could be happening.How did I not notice someone in the trunk! I led her right to Zoya!As he knocked on the door, his nose twitched. He smelled smoke. Ya Allah, the kerosene!

He ran to the side of the house and froze. There were flames. Orange, blue and yellow flames blazing from the back of the orphanage. His eyes started tearing. He couldn't lose her now, not after all he'd found out. Not when they had a chance of a happy life together. Not now. Flashes of Mangalpur came back to haunt him, as he remembered the feeling of having lost her. Of her body lying there on the ground, lifeless.

"ZOOOYAAA!"

* * * * * * * * *

Zoya's ears perked up and she stopped her tears. Mr. Khan? He's still here!? Allah miya, aapka lakh lakh shukar hai!

"Mr. Khan! Aag! Bachao! Yahan, Mr. Khan!" Her tears resurfaced as a new found hope compelled her to will herself to stay alive. She caught sight of a small window, and noticed someone standing there: Tanveer.

Zoya's face went pale. All she could think about was her dream. And soon after, she saw her Mr. Khan approaching the sight of the fire.

"ZOYA! ZOYA! Rukho! I'm coming, Zoya!" Asad bellowed, as he sprinted towards the now clearly visible gazebo, ablaze with heat. He could see a glimpse of Zoya's face, her body frozen in one spot, tears streaming down her face. Her dream had come true. Mr. Khan, Tanveer, the fire. Would He leave her again? Would he let her burn and stay with Tanveer?

No. He wouldn't do that. Mr. Khan can't do that. He couldn't. She willed herself to believe it. She prayed to Allah to give her strength. Zoya coughed some more, as the massive beads of sweat ran down her back and forehead, the heat becoming unbearable. She tried moving to the entrance of the shack. But as soon as she took a step in it's direction, a piece of the roof caved and landed directly in front of it, blocking her only exit. Her eyes brimmed with more tears, her face wet from the sweat and tears.

Asad stopped as he reached the shack. Tanveer. He saw her standing there, her arms crossed, her lips curved in a knowing, smug smile. His blood boiled. Asad's teeth clenched. His eyes blazed with anger and rage. He stomped towards her and turned her around. Tanveer was startled by his sudden movement. When she saw Asad's seething face, she froze.

"Jammy... aap, aap," she stuttered at first. "Dekhie uss aag mein koi hai! Please, Jammy, unne bacha-" But couldn't finish her word. The sound of a loud crackle echoed as loudly as the flames in the background as Asad's hand flew across her face. He glared at her, his eyes about to pop out of his face. He was about to slap her again, when he heard Zoya's feeble voice.

"Mr. Khan... Bachao... Mr. Kh-" But Zoya didn't finish. The lack of oxygen and excess of smoke taking it's toll, she lost consciousness. She fell to ground of the burning shack, her dupatta next her. She had tried to put out some of the flames with it, but alas it was too thin. And as she fell, it touched a portion of the flames, and caught fire. The flames we're now all around Zoya, gently caressing her skin.

Asad panicked. Tanveer tried to stop him. She'd be damned if Zoya lived after all the trouble she had gone through to exit her from her and Asad's life. But Asad paid no heed to her pleas. Instead he looked at her, giving her another deadly glare, grabbed her hands off of his, and violently shoved her aside.

"HAATH MAT LAGANA MUJHE, TANVEER!" he roared at the top of his lungs.

"ZOOOYAAA!!!!!" He ran to the shack. Seeing the entrance blocked, he looked around the shed. He noticed Zoya was now lying on the floor, unconscious, through the window.

"ZOOYAAA!!!" He screamed louder, his fears growing by the second.

By this point, many of the residents and children in the orphanage had been woken up, and had rushed to see what all the commotion was about. Natasha was the last to come, and when she saw the flames, and heard Asad bellowing Zoya's name, her face was drained of all color.

"Suniye! Sab suniye! Hume aag ko bujaana hai! Jaldi! Sab ke sab ek balti pani lao! Chalo!" She instructed, her voice full of fear and worry. Everyone scurried to do as they were told.

Asad's panic was growing. There has to be something I could use to get her out. Something. Anything! He thought, as he frantically looked around with his eyes. Finally he caught sight of an axe. He grabbed it and sloppily swung it at the entrance.

"ZOYA! Mein aa raha hoon, Zoya! ZOYA! UTHO! UTHO, ZOYA!" He continued his raging pleas, as he hacked the rubble in the door of the shack. Little by little he was able to clear a path. By this time, all the people in the orphanage were slowly arriving with their respective buckets of water.

Asad dropped the axe and took long strides into the shack. He kneeled down next to Zoya and took off his jacket. With it, he patted her body, putting out the flames on her clothes and around them. He could feel water being splashed around him, and on him and Zoya, and was grateful that the fire was being put out.

"Zoya. Zoya, utho. Dekho aag buj gayi. Koi aag nahin hai. Zoya, mein yahan hoon. Tumhare saath hoon. Please, Zoya, aankhein kholo," begged Asad.

But Zoya wouldn't move. Her breathing was almost inaudible, her chest barely moving. Her skin felt cool, as if the warmth had left her body all of a sudden. Her body was covered in burns, and sweat. Asad's eyes watered, and tears freely streamed down his face. He held her in his arms, patting her cheek, willing her to wake up, again and again, and again.

Everyone watched, Natasha especially, with a heavy heart, as Asad tried to wake her up. He carried her in his arms, and stepped out of the shack. He took her to the nearest bench, and carefully lay her there. He held her hand, and sobbed loudly, willing her again and again to wake up, to look at him to scold him, to scream at him.

"Zoya, please, tum mujhe chorke nahin jaa sakti ho. Abhi to bilkul nahin. Zoya mein begunna hoon, meine tumhara bharosa nahin toda. Mein kisi aur ke baarein mein soch bhi nahin sakhta hoon. Please. Utho. Apni aankhien kholo. Mujh par chilao. Allah miya kaho. Kuch bhi karo lekin, Khuda ke liye, mujhe chorna mat!" He broke down, as he continued his pleas.

"Jammy..."

Asad blinked. That voice... His blood boiled once again. He looked up, his eyes blazing. He slowly turned towards Tanveer. He gently let go of Zoya's hand, and stood up. He took long but measured strides towards her. She tried to back away, but Asad stopped her. He grabbed hold of her right arm.

"Tum, yeh sab, sab tumhari wajese hua hai," he bit out, tightening his grip on her arm. He saw her wince.

"Jammy, yeh aap kya keh-" but again she couldn't finish her word, as another stinging slap made it's way across her face in the same spot.

"ASAD. Mera naam, ASAD hai. Vaise bhi, tumne mera naam lene ka haak khoya hai. TUMNE, TUMNE Zoya ko maarne ki koshish ki. Uss par hamla kiya. KYUN!? Taki tum mujhse nikaah karsako? Tumne soch bhi kaise liya!? Ki mein Zoya ke alawa kisi aur ke barein mein soch bhi sakta hoon!? I trusted you, blindly! I put you above all, even, even Zoya." He turned to look at the lifeless lying on the bench, tears streaming down his sculpted cheeks. He turned back at Tanveer, his eyes raging once again.

"Meine sab sun liya. SAB. Mein tumhari jaal jaan chuka hoon. Aur mujhe aphsos hai, ki mein kabhi tumhe apni dost mana." His tears grew. "Aaj tumhari wajese, Zoya..."

Tanveer knew he knew everything now. There was no point in hiding anymore. But she'd been successful. Zoya was gone. She started laughing sardonically.

"Haan! Meine kiya! Meine aag lagai! Meine kitne koshish ki is kambhahat Zoya ko is mulk se bahar nikal ka. Lekin woh wapas aati rahi, tumhare wajese. Aur aaj, aaj to woh chahakar bhi wapas nahi aa sakhti hai." Tanveer laughed some more, but felt another stinging pain on her cheek, as her contact flew to the ground, along with her.

"Tumhe apni gunnaon ki zaza zaroor milegi. Nahin to mera naam Asad Ahmed Khan nahin!" Asad roared. He grabbed her by the shoulders, and turned her around, for everyone to see her stone eye. He dragged, kicking and screaming to the road, and tied her mouth with his handkerchief. He called the police and called for a few of the residents of the orphanage to keep her in place, and quiet until the police came. They all obliged.

Asad ran back to Zoya. He looked at her scars, now multiplied as a result of being in the fire too long. He held her hand again, and held it close to his heart.

"I'm sorry, Zoya. Mujhe mauf kardo. Agar meine tumhara pehlese yaakein kiya hota, tum par bharosa kiya hota, to yeh... yeh sab nahin hota. Please, Zoya, Khuda ke liye, mujhe chorkar mat jao. Tumhare bina, mein mar mar kar jee raha hoon," Asad kissed her wounds, as his tears resurfaced and fell on Zoya's fresh burns. He picked her up carefully, and took her to his car, to rush her to the hospital.

* * * * * * * * *

After hours of pacing, crying and praying, Asad was restless to know how Zoya was. He saw the doctor come out of the double doors, and immediately ran up to him.

"Doctor, Zoya kaisi, hai? Usse kuch hua? Please hume bataiye. Kya woh theek ho jayengi?" he let out in one breath."

"Dekhie, unke zakham thode se ghere hai, aur woh bohot waqt se behosh thi." Asad's heart stopped hearing this. What did he mean... He couldn't be saying...

"Lekin Allah ke fizul se, woh bilkul theek ho jayengi. Aapko chinta karne ki koi zarurat nahin hai. Unne aaj raat yahan, hospital mein rehna chaiye, aur kuch dinno ke liye bed rest. Don't worry, Mr. Khan. Aapki biwi bilkul theek ho jayengi." The doctor smiled at him, as he saw the relief in Asad's face.

"Kya mein unse mil sakta hoon?" He asked in a small voice.

"Jee zaroor. She's a little groggy, but she's been asking for you."

Hearing that his heart swelled. Zoya was fine. She was alive. She was ok. Tears of joy formed in his eyes, as he slowly made his way to her room.

So was it above, below, or right at your expectations? Huh Ankie? 😆

There will be an epilogue as well, which will have Dilshad's reaction, reconciliation and Tanveer's final punishment. But that won't be a few days. Hence the LONG update this time 😃

Hope you liked it! Please comment and like 😃