Chapter 33 page 65
Chapter 1 Zoya goes to India
Zoya was sitting having dinner with her sister and bro in law. It was a quiet evening and kind of unusual because Zoya was extremely quiet. Her sister Zeenat kept staring at zoya and signalling her husband that something was wrong. Her husband Zaman was not understanding her actions as usual, because he was busy with his phone. Suddenly Zoya got up from her seat and said, "Ive decided that Im going to India to look for my dad." Zeenat looked shocked and this brought Zaman's eyes out of his cellphone. He looked at Zoya and said, "no way in hell are you going to that country." Zoya looked at Zaman and said, "I have to. I need to look for Abu and I need to find out what happened to Ammi. You understand that don't you?" Zaman said, "I understand that but what you dont seem to understand is that you are going alone and where will you stay and how will you manage when you have never been there. That's it, then I am going with you." "no. you cannot go with me. Appi is almost in her last trimester of pregnancy and you cannot leave her here alone like this. I will manage." "alright, I know that you have made up your mind and no matter what I say you will not listen so I have just one condition and you have to accept it otherwise I will not let you go even if that means I have to chain you to your bed and dont say anything about calling the cops because I know you won't do that." "Fine, Ok, whats the condition? asked Zoya. "I will find you a good muslim family to stay with during your stay there so that you are not alone." said Zaman. Zoya agreed thinking, wow, that was an easy condition.
In a couple of days everything was arranged and Zoya would be staying with Dilshad Ahmed Khan who had a daughter Najma who was a couple of years younger that zoya and a son Asad, who was 5 years older than zoya and owned his own companies. Zoya was nervous and excited about her trip. She had this fire inside her that she wanted extinguished. She had this need to find out what happened to her parents. Dilshad Phuphi sounded really nice on the phone and so did Najma and zoya knew she would have no problems. She asked Dilshad if she could call her Phuphi and Dilshad was happy when she heard that, thinking that even though Zoya lived in new york, she seemed very cultured and mannerly on the phone.
When Asad came home Dilshad approached him and told him about zoya's visit. She asked him to pick her from the airport. He said he would send the driver. He was not too happy as he did not like his household routine changed and another person at home meant more chaos and more chitter chatter. "Anyway, how difficult would this girl be". thought Asad.
The day arrived when Zoya touched down in Mumbai and waited outside the airport. Someone offered to carry her bags and zoya was touched that people were so friendly. The next minute she noticed the man running away with her bag. She picked up her other bag and ran behind him and knocked him down and took her bag. Her elbow hurt when she fell but oh well atleast she got her bag back. She looked at the time and realized an hour had elapsed and no sign of Asad Ahmed Khan. She decided to get a taxi but realized she did not have the address for Phoophi's place. As she was about to step off the footpath, someone grabbed her arm and shoved her into a car. She started screaming and pushing away but this person was strong. She decided to save her energy for when she found out why she was being taken away. They reached the destination and she was taken inside a house. There was a lot of women and lots of chattering going on. She started screaming for help and got a slap instead. Everyone just stared at her. She was taken to a room and locked there. She started banging the door when a hand touched her shoulder. She turned around and was shocked to see Akram, her ex-fiance. She smiled and said, "thank god you are here. How did you get here? Anyway, get me away from here. i dont know who these people are." Akram looked at her and smiled evilly, "you think I am here to save you, you are wrong. I have not forgotten how you ditched me at the altar and ran away. I am here to take revenge. You will marry me, no matter what. NO ONE ever refused Akram anything." Zoya looked at Akram with disbelief. She did not know what to do. Akram called someone and said, "get her ready, I am waiting downstairs. This Nikkah will happen." He then looks at Zoya, touched her face and says, "you will be mine in an hour, sweetheart." He then left. Zoya had goosebumps all over her. How was she going to get out of this mess?
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