OS: Every Ounce of Truth

'Zoya, I...I want you to leave' Asad tightened his fist he felt suffocated only he knew how hard it was for him to say what he just did. Zoya stood up and stared at him, she wasn't shocked because she knew exactly why Asad had just asked her to leave, she wasn't even angry, after everything that had happened she had no anger left to vent all she was now was heart broken, she had never felt so defeated the pain that she felt was excruciating, her heart, her soul, her reason for existing had all been shattered, how was Zoya ever going to walk away from this and survive, where was she going to find the strength to carry on living without him.

Zoya went and stood in front of him forcing him to look at her 'I am not going to ask you why Asad, that would be to easy. But I am not going to leave without you having heard every ounce of the truth. You know the day I walked through that door you wanted nothing more than for me to walk straight back out again, every day Asad every-single-day you almost went out of your way to make me feel unwelcome, that I was inadequate, irresponsible, disrespectful, someone who had no understanding of culture or religion, someone who would never fit anywhere or with anyone. Even though you made me feel all those things, even though you hurt me over and over again I never said anything to you, it wasn't because I couldn't it was because I was convinced that behind all that anger all that abuse that you so willingly showered me with was a man who loved me, no matter what you said and did Asad your eyes never lied to me they were my strength, I could see the care, the compassion and love that they harboured for me and I wasn't wrong was I? It may have taken us the best part of a year but we finally came together, you told me how much you loved me how the thought of living even a day without me kills you. The trust the love the bond that we had built was so strong Asad then why...why all of a sudden is that all gone?'

Asad looked at her guiltily his face clearly portraying the hurt, the anguish and turmoil he felt within, he knew that he had wronged her in every way, caused her more pain than anything or anyone could ever cause. He knew that no matter what she never lost faith in him, what truly happened that night only Allah knew, Asad had no recollection he only remembered waking up next to a half naked Tanveer and a broken Zoya who looked on to see the worst thing imaginable. Even then she believed differently, believed that he was innocent and was willing to put it all behind her, Zoya was the owner of a heart that was full of love, forgiveness and innocence, Allah had truly blessed her with a pious soul. No one was worthy of her, not even him.

Asad found himself in the worst predicament, the worst twist of fate and test of life anyone could ever be faced with, Tanveer had revealed to him that she was pregnant with his child...his child, so how could he turn away from her. Asad had no reason not to believe her, even though he remembered nothing everything he woke up to was enough to convince him he was guilty. He had no choice, he had to marry Tanveer, the thought alone pierced his heart, ripped violently through every vein and muscle he had, how he was going to go through with it he didn't know. His life as he knew it was over, the betrayal, the shame and the ultimate downfall was never going to let him live. He looked at Zoya with tear filled eyes, there was nothing he could say that would even come close to making it ok.

Zoya felt her heart rip again as she mentally collected herself to continue with what she was saying. 'You said to me that you will love me until your very last breath, and I believe you Asad, even now when you have come asking me to leave. But when will you ever believe, in all of this what has broken me more than anything is the lack of faith, the lack of trust, the lack of belief you have in yourself, in me and in us. How can you doubt yourself so much, how can you so blindly follow and believe her, why does logic escape you when it comes to Tanveer? You believe that you slept with her that night even though you don't actually recall a single thing...fine ok so lets just say you did, but then he can you believe what she has just told you, that she is expecting your child?' Asad looked at her in shock 'h...how do you know...Tan...Tanveer hasn't told anyone...how Zoya?'

'Because I know Tanveer and I know who she is, what she is capable of doing...it's funny she is your childhood friend and yet you know nothing about who she really is, you only see and believe what she has laid out in front of you'. As Zoya was about to continue Dilshad came in with a suitcase 'Zoya, beta your bag' she walked past Asad totally ignoring his confused gaze, Dilshad cupped Zoya's face with both hands she wiped her tears and kissed her on her forehead 'I will never be able to forgive myself for what you have had to endure whilst living under my roof...' Zoya quickly placed her hand over Hers 'no phoopi...please never think that, the respect and love that I have for you, Najma and this house will never falter or lessen in anyway. If anything I should be the one apologising, I came as a guest one that created a lot more havoc than anything else...phoopi I'm sorry that my love wasn't enough...enough to win...I know it's not about winning or losing as I have something that she will never have and that is Asad's heart, his love, that only belongs to me.' Asad looked at Zoya his lips curved a little into a faint smile, how true it was, Asad had only ever loved one person and that was Zoya.

Zoya went and stood next to her suitcase 'Asad I knew what was coming, after what she had told you and after you believing it there was no way I could've stayed, I had asked phoopi to pack my belongings...I am leaving...how ever hard it is I am going Asad but before I do I need you to open your eyes and see the truth for what it really is' Zoya's voice had started to break she found it extremely hard to contain her tears and ultimate breakdown. Asad looked at her dejected state, the biggest lump formed in his throat he couldn't breathe, she was really going 'Zoya...I...' 'No Asad, I don't need you to say anything' Zoya picked up a file and handed it to him 'hopefully the will make you see, make you believe...I don't know what one is supposed to say when departing in such a way...but I can only say what is in my heart. I love you Asad always have and always will, I maybe going but I will forever remain a part of you, one that I pray you will not give up on and one day come to bring back...take care Asad' Zoya hugged Dilshad one more time before she left. Asad helplessly looked on at her retreating back, there were no words left to describe what he was feeling, he felt as if his heat had been trampled on a million times, his life being sucked out of him in the most sardonic way. Asad closed his eyes letting out the tears that had painfully gathered, he knew that his suffering was never going to end, without Zoya he had no life he had no reason to live.

Holding the file in his hand barely being able to look at his mother in eyes 'Ammi, what is this?' Dilshad wiped her tear stained face 'it's he truth Asad, every last bit, every ounce of truth that you need to open your eyes to, they say seeing is believing I pray that Allah makes you see what you have been blinded by...and one more thing I trust you to do what is right...and that is bringing Zoya back' Dilshad walked away leaving Asad standing staring at this file. Asad went to his room he sat down and opened it, as he flicked though and read every page his eyes turned red, anyone would have thought they were bleeding, his whole body froze, anger and rage in its worst form overtook him. He couldn't believe what he was reading, he failed to understand how someone could be so manipulative, so dishonest and so conniving. Asad held in his hands a number of documents that clearly highlighted Tanveer's catalogue of lies and deceit amongst it all was a medical report according to which Tanveer was three months pregnant, if she was carrying Asad's child she couldn't be more than seven weeks, but according to this she was at he end of her first trimester. Asad picked up the folder and ran towards his mothers room 'Ammi...did you know...this report...Ammi how can she...how could I have...' Dilshad walked up to her shaking son she put her arms round him 'we needed to do this Asad, for you more than anyone else. Now you know, Tanveer came here with one intention and that was to marry you, she didn't realise that she would have to come up against Zoya' 'how could I have been so stupid Ammi, Zoya believed in me more than even I did...I need to bring her back...Ammi where is she where has she gone?' Asad started to panic 'Asad calm down, don worry about Zoya, the first thing you need to do is oust Tanveer out of our home beta, she can't stay here' Asad felt rage build up again, he shook his head and walked out.

Asad had all of Tanveer's belongings packed up and put outside the main door, as Tanveer returned from another one of her mysterious outings she stumbled across her things 'what...what are my things doing out here?' She felt her heart race she quickly went inside to see a visibly angry Asad and Dilshad standing in the living room. Giving him a nervous smile she inched forward 'j...jammy, what's going on...my stuff...' 'It's Asad...Asad Ahmad Khan not Jammy...I took the liberty of having your things packed up for you I am sure you will find everything is there...' Tanveer was taken aback by his tone 'I...I don't understand...' 'Really Tanveer, you don't understand, well let me explain it to you...you're leaving this house right now, I want you to pick up your belonging and get the hell out, I want you away from me and my family' Tanveer felt as if the walls were crashing down around her 'Jam...I mean Asad...why...I just told you that...' Asad didn't let her finish 'that you are pregnant, yes Tanveer how could I forget but what you did forget was to mention that you were over three months pregnant...so how could that be mine Tanveer, you deliberately and maliciously used me and my family for your own gains, you took advantage of our unconditional love and trust we had in you...you made me believe that I committed such a hideous crime, you created a situation in which I was forced to break Zoya's heart...the same Zoya you knew is my life, the sole reason for my existence, as a friend you betrayed me Tanveer...I want nothing to do with you, just pick up you things and get out' Asad wasn't able to contain his voice, his anger seeped through ever word every inch of his body shook with fury. Tanveer had little to say, her months of planning had failed miserably, she did what he had asked her to do she picked up her bag and left without saying another word.

Asad stood by his window looking out to the star filled sky, his mind went back to some of the most memorable moments he had spent with his Zoya, images would flash by making him believe she was right here with him. He saw Zoya's reflection in the window he stroked the glass as if he was caressing her face 'I'm so sorry Zoya, please come back...I love you so much' Asad blinked his eyes to release the tears that had formed 'I love you too Asad' came a voice Asad looked up to the window then swung round 'Z...Zoya is it really...' Zoya stepped forward and placed her hand on his cheek to wipe the tear away 'yes Asad it is...really me' Asad wrapped his arms around her with every bit of strength he had, Zoya cried her heart out, but they were not all tears of sorrow they were mixed with tears of happiness. 'Im so sorry Zoya...' Asad cried into her hair 'shhh it's ok Asad, it's all over and now we will be together...I love you' Asad pulled back her placed a soft kiss on her forehead 'I love you too Zoya'.