OS: First Kiss

'Lab pe aati hai dua tamana ban ke...ke aye mere maula kabhi na kabhi to Asad ko Zoya se mila de...wah kya baat hai' Najma said as she tried to contain her laughter, Zoya looked at Najma with narrowed eyes 'Najma, yeh dua mang rahi ho ya apne Bhai ke liye buddua? You know that's not possible' 'why buddua Zoya you're not that bad and isn't it what you want also?' Zoya sighed as she slumped herself on the bed 'more than anything I have ever wanted, but you know Asad better than me Najma he doesn't see me like that, to him I'm just his sisters friend who is immature and a nuisance to have around, face it the man doesn't like me how on earth can I ever expect him to reciprocate even a fraction of what I feel for him' she said dejectedly.

Najma put her arm around her best friend 'like you said I know my brother and I promise you he likes you more than he would like you or anyone else to know...look why don't you come and stay with us over the holidays, it will be fun' Zoya gave Najma a sarcastic laugh 'fun...like the last time when me and your brother were on the verge of killing each other...you know I don't get it, no matter what I do or say there is always something wrong with it, no matter how much I try to change...just once Najma I want him to say something nice, to acknowledge me in a positive way but its never going to happen is it?' 'Zoya, no matter what other people think and that includes my brother, Allah made you the way you are for a reason so be yourself' Zoya raised her eyebrow 'really Najma and what possible reason could that be?' 'To live up to the meaning of your name Zoya, I have never known anyone so full of life, someone who only thinks about the happiness and well being of others someone goes out of her way to bring happiness and joy into people's lives...Zoya you have been through so much in life yet you stand here smiling like there's no tomorrow...I tell you and believe me you are one courageous girl' Zoya hugged Najma tightly 'thank you Najma that means a lot...you are the best friend anyone can have'.

After a lot of persuasion Zoya finally gave in and decided to spend he summer holidays with Najma, she didn't really want to stay in halls all by herself. Najma and Zoya met three years ago when they both started their first year at the National College of Media and Arts. Najma was studying Media combined with Photography and Zoya Fine Arts with Photography, Zoya was an international student, she had come from America not knowing anyone she befriended Najma on their first day and since have been joined to the hip. Over the years Zoya became very close to Najma's mum Dilshad, she became a regular visitor, living on her own in halls was not always fun. During her time and visits to Najma's house Zoya got to know Asad, Najma's older brother. To begin with their interaction were minimal, polite and very formal but with a personality such as Zoya's that was short lived, Asad was not the average 22 year old, he was very quiet, conservative, with very clear cut ides about what was acceptable and what was not, in Zoya's terminology Asad was rigid, arrogant and extremely boring and also someone with severe case of OCD. Asad quite quickly started to lose his patience with Zoya, his tolerance for Zoya's loud, out and out personality, her care free persona and never ending chatter irritated and frustrated the hell out him, she questioned him, argued with him and pushed all he wrong buttons according to him there was never someone who was so insolent, so rude and so stubborn.

They may be poles apart two very opposite sides of anything comparable but there was no denying the intense and sometimes very obvious attraction they had towards each other. Where Zoya gave in to her feelings about Asad, he continued to live in denial and fight off every thought or feeling he ever had. Zoya never openly told Asad how she felt but her changing behaviour, her little gestures, her comments were enough for Asad to understand. Zoya was right Asad only saw her as his sisters friend, she may only be two years younger than him but sill someone who was off limits. If Zoya was right then so was Najma Asad did like her a lot more than he would ever let anyone know and more than he was willing to admit to himself, there was this unknown force a pull that he felt towards her. Yes her antics drove him crazy but it was her very unpredictable, live for the moment lifestyle that attracted him. Her beautiful smile, her cute dimple, her mesmerising eyes that spoke a million words, that held emotions that delved deep captured him, no matter how much he fought himself he would always find a way back to her. Asad became more and more angry not because of her but because he had lost all control of his emotions, he needed to remain in control, there was no way he could let his inner desires pave the way for him, according to him the heart was foolish, he needed to let his mind take over. Because of his ongoing battle between the two most important organs within him Asad did what came naturally to him and that was to be angry and lash out, if anything it kept Zoya at a good distance, one that he felt safe in...or so he thought.

Zoya knew Asad wasn't overly keen on her western attire so she made an effort and wore a simple white shalwar kameez suit that Dilshad had given her last Eid. Zoya had finished unpacking her bag and went to join Dilshad in the kitchen. 'Aunty can I help?' 'Yes, by standing here and giving me company' Dilshad said as she stroked her cheek. 'Zoya what have you got planned after you graduate, you only have a year left?' 'Umm to be honest I haven't really thought about it...I mean I can easier stay on to do my masters or return back to the States' 'but I thought going back wasn't an option for you?' 'No it's not and I don't want to...you know what I had to live through whilst I was there, but if I can't find anything safe and suitable here then I may have no choice' Dilshad put her arm around Zoya 'you know beta this is your home as much as it is Najma's you are welcome to stay here when you finish and for as long as you want' Zoya hugged Dilshad and secretly wiped the tear that had it escaped 'thank you aunty, that means a lot'.

As Zoya continued to entertain Dilshad in the kitchen Asad returned from work he walked into the living room and froze in his tracks. Firstly he was shocked to see Zoya, Najma never mentioned that she would be coming to stay, normally he would get a weeks advance notice just so he could mentally prepare himself, after the initial shock of seeing her he gradually started paying attention to his heart that had picked up quite a few extra beats, a small smile adorned his lips as he saw what to him looked like an angel that had just descended from heaven, clad in a beautiful white traditional outfit with her hair open, swaying to her animated movements captured his entire being. Asad stood there staring at her not realising that a pair of eyes were staring at him from the side. Najma looked at her brother carefully, she ran her eyes up and down his face and then onwards his upper body 'what is wrong with him, the man hasn't blinked once...is he still breathing?' She bought to herself. Najma walked up to him and called his name only for it to fall on deaf ears 'bhaijaan' she said louder as she shook his shoulder 'huh...what...Najma hi...I mean Assalam O Alaikum...how are you?' Asad finally managed to string a sentence together 'I am ok bhaijaan but what happened to you?' 'Oh nothing...um what is Zoya doing here?' Najma was about to answer when he heard her voice 'Zoya is here to stay for the summer...but don't worry this time I won't get in your way' Asad felt his heart dip as he looked into her eyes he knew why she was saying what what she did, during her last visit Asad had been extremely rude and unnecessarily aggressive towards her, he had made her cry after which she quietly left and returned to halls. Asad inevitably regretted every word, he was sorry but his regret and apology never reached Zoya, even now he wanted to tell her how sorry he was but after so long did it matter, would it count?

Zoya continued to hold his gaze their eyes held their own little conversation but it wasn't long before they were interrupted 'Asad, Najma asked Zoya to stay for he summer...so seeing she will be here for the next three weeks I expect you...and you Zoya to be on your best behaviour...understood?' Dilshad said in a teasing tone 'yes Ammi' 'yes Aunty' Zoya and Asad said in unison.

As much as they tried to keep apart the more they kept bumping into each other. Najma played her own little tricks trying to play Cupid..well for Asad anyway. 'Najma you need to stop doing that...if Asad gets mad I swear...I'm going to...um going to make you sleep in the bathroom' Najma couldn't stop her laughter 'is that a threat...Zoya seriously the bathroom is that all you could come out with' Najma was practically falling off the bed dying of laughter whilst Zoya looked at her with her hands folde across her chest trying to remain serious 'well it's all I could think of...and that's not the point' over the last week and a bit Najma had created enough situations where Asad and Zoya had little choice but to be together, although Zoya liked being around him she was overly aware of Asad's feelings, he was uncomfortable and he made his discomfort very clear.

'Asad we are sitting in the garden, why don't you join us the weather is really nice?' Asad looked at Zoya and smiled at her innocent request he was about to say no when Dilshad came in 'that's a great idea, Zoya you and Najma make he coffees Asad will meet you outside' Zoya smiled and left 'Ammi was that really necessary?' 'Yes it was, give her some slack Asad I don't understand why you always have to be so cold toward her...she only has a week left so be civil at least...after this year she may return back to America' Dilshad left leaving Asad stunned, was she really going go 'good...I won't have to deal with her' he told himself but he knew they were just word without any meaning but how would he come to admit that he never wanted her to go?

Zoya and Najma held cups of coffee in their hands as try walked towards the garden, considering the hot weather, the evening was much cooler the fresh air, gentle breeze was a god send. As Zoya came out she saw the candle stan Asad was sitting next to fall over, as the candle rolled across the floor it stopped a against Asad's kameez setting it alight. Zoya gasped she quickly placed the cup on the table and picked up the water canister and before Asad could gauge her reaction she threw water at him soaking him from top to bottom. Asad looked a her in a fit of rage.'You are impossible, when will you ever learn and grow up Zoya is this what you patents have...' Asad stopped as soon as he realised what he had just said hi fisted his hand and closed his eyes.

'I'm sorry I didn't...' Zoya held her hand up to stop him she held back the tears that stung her eyes 'you know someone once said to me that I should never waste my time trying to explain myself to those who are committed to misunderstanding me...and you not only misunderstand me but are also committed to hurting me and time and time again showing me...letting me know how much you hate me...what do you want from me Asad an apology...sorry for ever coming into your life, into your home, for making friends with Najma, for coming to India or for being born...which is it Asad?' Zoya screamed in a tone of voice she never knew existed. Asad looked at Zoya in shock, he had never seen her so angry so upset 'do you know what, forget it...it's my fault' saying that Zoya walked back inside and locked herself in her room leaving Asad outside with Najma 'bhaijaan she wasn't being childish or silly, the candle stand fell and your kameez caught light that's why she threw water over you...look' Najma pointed at the fallen candle and his kameez that had been burnt 'I'm...sorry...I didn't realise..' It's not me you need to apologise to bhaijaan it's Zoya, you know what happened to her parents and yet you still brought them up...I convinced Zoya to come and stay with us, she has no one but I promise you one thing...I will never ask her again' Najma wiped her tears and ran back inside.

Asad knocked on Zoya's door after a few knocks and still no answer he opened the door and walked inside. Zoya was packing her bags 'Zoya, what are you doing?' Asad said as he walked up to her, Zoya ignored him and continued taking her clothes out of the cupboard Asad closed his eyes how was he ever going to make it ok between them he grabbed hold of her hand to stop her and turned her to face him. Zoya's eyes were swollen 'what do you want Asad?' She said in a cold voice 'Zoya look at me...I'm sorry I didn't mean to say...I didn't realise, Najma told me about the candle...' Zoya looked up to meet his remorseful eyes 'it doesn't matter what I do or why I do anything, I will always be wrong for you, since I have known you all you have ever done is shown hatred towards me, you have made me feel unwelcome and have hurt me...I know I can be loud and sometimes I don't know when to stop...but is that reason enough Asad? Can you please tell me what I did so wrong?' Zoya's tears, her broken voice, her trembling body made every part of Asad erupt in pain there were no words to express how he felt, he didn't hate her, he couldn't even if he tried. The truth was that he loved her, loved her beyond measure and that is what scared him, it was a feeling an emotion he was alien to, he didn't know how to handle it, he though that being the way he was would make it all go away make it better, what he didn't realise was how much harder it was to do this to continually hurt her to see her broken and in floods of tears.

'No...nothing...you have done nothing Zoya...it's me, it's my fault and I'm truly sorry for...for everything I didn't mean to hurt you so much' 'then why Asad...why? Is it because you know how much I lo...' Zoya stopped as she realised what she was about to say, she knew as well as Asad the true extent to her feelings towards him but did Asad know? Asad held her hand in his and pulled her towards him, it was now or never, he couldn't do this anymore not to her and not to himself 'yes I do know, I have known for a very long time' his low voice made her heart tremble it started racing she kept her eyes locked with his Asad lifted his hand and cupped her cheek, his warm touch sent a tingling sensation down her spine 'but what you don't know Zoya is that I feel the same' Zoya's tears spilled over as Asad felt the drops against his hand he pulled up his free hand and placed it against her other cheek, he shook his head as he wiped away her tears 'I'm sorry Zoya all his time I was fighting a losing battle within myself, I though that if I ignored my feelings, if I pushed you away everything would be ok...I didn't mean to hurt...not like his...ever.' Zoya held onto his forearms as she felt her legs give way 'Zoya I don't want you to go...please you only have a week left...and I want to spend that week with you' Zoya truly felt like she was dreaming, was this really happening, the lump in her throat wasn't allowing her to speak so she nodded Asad smiled and then did something that totally bowled Zoya over for six Asad pulled her face forward and gently placed a kiss on her forehead before enveloping her into a hug. Zoya couldn't breathe, so many emotions combined exploded within her, there was disbelief, relief, happiness she was a little scared of what was to come but most of all she was thankful that she had finally step foot towards somewhere she could really call home.

Asad spent the most beautiful week of his life with Zoya, he had called in and spoken to his mum and Najma about Zoya, who were over the moon, there were no bounds to Dilshad's happiness. Before Zoya and Najma retuned to college Dilshad spoke to Zoya about Asad and asked her if all went well would she consider marrying him. 'Zoya, will you...I mean not now, after your graduation or even masters if that is what you want' Zoya's heart expanded two fold with love and respect for Dilshad 'Aunty, I have no one...you know how I feel about Asad, I leave it up to you to decide' Dilshad placed her hand over Zoya's head 'it's not Aunty Zoya from now on its Ammi...and if I am to decide then I want you to focus on your studies...you and Asad will get married after your graduation'.

Asad came to Zoya's room 'you ready to go?' 'Yes just one more minute...' Asad walked up to Zoya and took her in his arms Zoya leaned her back against his hold 'I can't believe you're going back already' Zoya giggled 'I am not leaving the country I am only twenty minutes down the road' 'then why can't you stay...Najma travels in everyday too, you don't have to be alone there you can stay here...I can be with you everyday' Zoya turned around an wrapped her arms around Asad's neck she gently rubbed the tip of her nose against his 'you know why, plus I have already booked the room, and this way I won't be distracted by you...' Asad looked at her with his mouth open 'are you calling me a distraction?' 'Yes Mr Asad Ahmad Khan I am...now come on we need to go' Zoya pulled back only for Asad to stop her he curved his arms round her waist and closed the gap between them 'not so fast Zoya' Asad held the side of her face and gently leaned in to place his lips over her soft ones he kissed her with care and showered every ounce of love e had in that simple embrace. Zoya who was holding her breath felt her heart skip a beat she held on to his shoulders for support Asad looked at her, her eyes were still closed, she looked so childlike so innocent 'now we are ready to go' he whispered in her ear Zoya blushed as she looked into his eyes. Asad and Zoya had just shared their first ever kiss.