Hello, I am Reya *waves* š. Some of you may recognize me, many of you won't. I use to, still do write on the Geet forum. Obsessed with another 4Lions couple: ASYA. One can't love Asya and not write an piece on them. This idea has been in my head for a long while and finally penned it now. This one's for my Soni ā¤ļø..you better keep your end of the deal...lolš
Hope you all enjoy itš³
ASYA OS - Blessed
"I love you..I love you so much that sometimes I don't even know what to do with the amount of love I have for you."
Her words still haunted him day and night, her voice echoed in his ears continuously. Sighing, he rose from his bed; it was useless to attempt sleep nowadays. Asad Ahmed Khan was now a certified insomniac, sleep invaded him every night but when it came, it came with dreams filled with Zoya.
He made his way thru the dark house towards the kitchen. His Ammi and Namja were already fast asleep. Giving the wall clock a glance: 3:00 am. He figured he could bury himself in work for a few hours but no, this was his time to spend with Zoya: the memory of Zoya Farooqui.
He made two cups of coffee: one black and bitter and one milky and sugary. Carrying the two steaming hot cups of coffee, he made his way to their bench in the garden. He sighed and sat down. They had spent so many late nights here; this place truly had made them friends. They had come to understand one another; they had shared their secrets, their inner fears. Asad craved for Zoya's presence, he missed her, he missed her so much it hurt. From her hearty laughter, to her pathetic yet endearing shayaris, he missed Zoya Farooqui and her ability to understand the complex man that he is.
He had no one but himself to blame, he had driven her away. She went away from his life because he was too scared to love, too scared to become Rashid Ahmed Khan.
Flashback
Zoya Farooqui came from New York on a quest to find her birth father. Her Appi and Jijju had requested Dilshad if Zoya could stay at their house as a guest for a couple months. Of course, Dilshad had happily obliged and since then, Miss.Farooqui had turned both his life and house upside down.
Asad avoided Zoya like a plague nowadays. Whenever he saw her, his heart picked up at an odd rate and his eyes seemed fixated on her and his ability to think coherently dropped to zero. Hence, the best solution was to avoid her. That seemed doable. He went to work early before she woke up and tried to return home late past her bedtime. The silver lining in this torture was he gave himself a few minutes every night to watch her sleep. Standing a few feet away at her partially open bedroom door, he would gaze at the angelic woman sleeping like a princess.
But his mastermind plan lasted only for a few days before his Ammi began to question his prolonged absence at home. He brushed her concerns off with heavy workload and new clientele. But she was his mother after all, and she didn't believe him for a second though she let the matter go. But one day Zoya cornered him and all hell broke loose.
Asad had forgotten an important file at home in the morning because he had been too busy daydreaming about Zoya while he was prepping for work. He had called home as he always did in the afternoon and casually asked about everyone. Dilshad had told him that both Namja and Zoya were out shopping. Thankful that he wouldn't have to face Zoya, Asad had rushed home and spent a few peaceful moments with his Ammi. He made his way to the room and grabbed his file and was about to rush out when he heard her musical laughter. He sighed and closed his eyes to cherish the sound. His mastermind plan had deprived him of many things he loved so much; her laughter was one of them. Zoya Farooqui laughed straight from the heart and he adored her laughter, though he would never admit to her.
"Allah Miya, what's wrong with you Mr. Khan? Why you standing there like a statue ?", he heard her voice, which was far too close for his liking. He snapped his eyes open and saw her standing in his room just a few feet away. She was holding a coffee cup and trying her best to hold her laughter in.
He felt embarrassed for getting caught in a weak moment but he chose anger as his defence, as he usual did when he had to deal with Zoya. "Ms,Farooqui, how many times I have I told you to knock before coming in my room ? But what can one expect from such a manner less girl ?"
"Oh really ? well, in that case, I am not dying to be in your room ,Mr.Khan. Phuphi told me to bring your coffee for you." She marched up to him and glared before holding out the cup.
Their fingers skimmed each other's as Asad reached out for the cup, and Asad felt like staying in that moment forever. Their fingers touching over the warmth of the cup, their eyes locked with one another, gazing at one another with such intensity that even words wouldn't be able to define it. Soon they were so absorbed in each other; they didn't realize when the cup slipped from their grasp.
Asad snapped back from his trance as the cup cluttered on the floor and hot coffee slipped all over. "Ms.Farooqui, can't you do anything right ?", he angrily glared at her if the coffee spill was all her mistake when in reality , he was furious with himself. Furious for losing himself in those beautiful doe like eyes of hers, furious at himself for wanting to hold her hand forever, furious at himself for wanting to love Zoya Farooqui whole heartedly.
He marched towards his walk in closet to choose another suit. Some of the coffee had spilled on his pants too, though he had barely registered the heat. If Asad was the short-tempered lion, then Zoya was no less than the lioness herself. She stomped towards him in full anger.
"Allah Miya, what's wrong with you, Mr.Khan ? Why is everything always my fault ? Is it my fault you let go of the cup because you were too busy staring at me? Is my fault that you are avoiding me ? Is it my fault you feel this strange pull towards me that I feel towards you ?" With every question she stepped closer to him, and he backpedaled until she had him trapped against the closet. " Tell me, Mr.Khan. Is it always my fault?"
He stared at her. Being so close to him, Asad's heart began to beat at a new rhythm . Her body was merely inches away from his, he ached to reach out and wrap his arms around her waist, to hug her close and to tell her he loved her. Zoya's eyes softened and the anger melted away as they gazes locked. She reached out tentatively to touch his cheek when Asad snapped out of his daydream. He couldn't get close to Zoya. He would hurt her like he always did.
He put on an angry front and brushed past her, "Just stay away from me, Miss.Farooqui."
"Why should I stay away, Mr.Khan ? I am not a coward like you.", she retorted back. In a heartbeat, Asad closed the distance between them and pinned her against the closet, clasping her upper arms almost painfully.
"I am not a coward, Miss.Farooqui, I am not a coward." He whispered harshly. " Stop trying to rile me, Miss.Farooqui and go away."
"Why should I stop it ? I don't run away from my feelings. I can look you in the eye and tell you that I love you; I have fallen hopelessly in love with you. I love you..I love you so much that sometimes I don't even know what to do with the amount of love I have for you."
Shocked at her bold confession, Asad let her shoulders go as if suddenly burnt, at a loss of words. He couldn't tell her he loved her back that he never planned to love her but she had barged right into his heart and taken over.
He walked out of his wardrobe area and into his bedroom, massaging his forehead, racking his head for an answer. He couldn't tell her the truth but yet he didn't have the strength to look into her eyes and lie to her. So he turned his back to her and lied for one o the few times in his life, "I don't love you Miss. Farooqui. I don't feel anything for you remotely close to love. Please leave."
He had heard her sniffles but yet she had kept her pride. "I am not sorry for voicing my feelings, Mr. Khan. I live in the moment and do what I feel is right. You may not love me but I hope and pray someday you will find a woman you can love and trust, but even more so that you can let someone love you because It's a blessing to be loved, simply a blessing"
And then without a backward glance, she had walked with a straight back out of his room, house and life.
*****
But in some ways Zoya Farooqui was still here. She was still in his heart, still present in his imagination and he found some peace in that. Needing her presence, he drifted his eyes close. "Zoya"
Just as her name escaped his lips, he felt a hand enclose around his. He fluttered his eyes open and saw the woman he came to love so much. She smiled her breathtaking smile with her killer dimples as she picked up the coffee he made for her. "Hmm, it's perfect", she said gesturing with her cup. "You finally got it right, Mr.Khan." He smiled, a true smile in response.
She settled her head on his sturdy shoulder as they both sipped their coffees in contented, comfortable silence. The breeze blew softly around them as they cocooned themselves in each other's warmth.
"I miss you, Zoya. Please come back.", he whispered softly, hoping she would hear the plead in his voice.
"I know. I miss you too, Mr. Khan but we both know I can't come back.", she whispered lifting her head to look at him. They eyes locked with one another and a silent stream of tears descended down Zoya's cheeks. Asad reached out to wipe them but Zoya disappeared. Zoya was gone, she was gone and he was all alone once again with just the bench as his companion.
He reached up to wipe the tear that managed sneak out from the corner of his eye. He picked up the two still full coffee cups and dumped the coffee down the drain before he washed and dried the dishes leaving the kitchen spotless.
*****
At 7:00 am sharp, Asad rose from bed thankful for the few hours he had rested that would get him through the day.
Showered, dressed in a classic black Armani suit paired with a white collared shirt, Asad was just about ready to go. He doubled checked his files for the day, he had a important meeting with an international client and he had to nail it.
There was just one more thing he needed to do before he could take the day on. He needed to see Zoya. He went to his wardrobe and opened the top drawer. He picked up the earning, it was a rare cherished trinket he had left of her. He caressed the earning gently gazing at it for a few moments.
"Mr.Asad Ahmed Khan, you are going to be late."
Startled at the voice, he whipped his head around to see her. Zoya, she was here.
He smirked as he saw her standing near his bed with her hand on her hips trying to look intimating. "No Miss Farooqui, you are wrong. Asad Ahmed Khan is never late."
" Oh really ? Then, I guess Mr.Perfectionist doesn't need my good luck either."
"Oh no, that I need.", he said as he slipped his arms around her waist, keeping her in a light embrace. She smiled and adjusted his already perfect tie and pecked his cheek.
"Good luck, My Jahanpana Six Packs"
*****
Asad quietly opened the front door and entered. He had put in a long day at work and he was sure his Ammi and sister were both asleep. When his Ammi had called two hours to acquire when he would be getting home, he had told he would be late and asked her to sleep.
He made his way thru the silent and dark house towards his room. Just as he was about to enter his room, he heard her laughter. Her sweet, melodious laughter he loved so much. He looked around, Zoya was no where in sight. Then he realized that the sound was coming from upstairs. Was Zoya back? Could she be back?
He ran up the stairs following the sound until he stopped at his mother's room door. He watched from the ajar door what his Ammi was smiling at. It was old home video of Namja's birthday. The family was gathered around the dining table with a chocolate cake Zoya had spent hours baking herself. The cake hadn't tasted perfect but it was the gesture that his sister had loved.
"Allah Miya, what's wrong with you Mr.Khan? Come on , sing na." She had moved the camera towards his face so fast that everything blurred. "Sing Mr.Khan, it's your sister's birthday." He gave her a stern glare in return silently telling to stop her childish antics.
He saw his mother and sister when she shifted her camera focus back to them. "Come on Bhaijaan, sing me a birthday song". Asad was to fulfill his sister's request until Zoya spoke.
He sighed, "Tamatar, you know I don't like all this noise but I will---"
At that point, there had been a juggle of hands as Dilshad took the camera from Zoya fearing it would soon end up on the floor at the rate Asad and Zoya were going at it with each other. Now Zoya and Asad were in the frame.
"Forget it, Tamatar, we don't need Mr.Akhu Ahmed Khan's pathetic singing voice anyway."
"Oh please, at least my singing is much better than your pathetic excuse of shayaris."
Zoya's mouth hung open, " You called my shayari pathetic. How dare you ?"
She made a dash for the cake she was planning to throw at him. Dilshad had stopped recording at that point because they had been too busy trying to stop Zoya from caking Asad.
Asad softly chuckled at the sweet memory; Zoya had made the peaceful Khan villa so noisy but yet so lively at the same time. He had been livid at the time about the mess she had made with the cake every time she missed her target but now that he thought about it, he had failed to notice the fits of laughter his Ammi and sister were having at their expense. They had actually been encouraging Zoya to cake Asad despite his protests. And though he hadn't admitted at that moment, he had fun running around the house with her on his heels. Zoya had spread happiness in the Khan villa like a magic wand and now that she was gone, so were the happy days. They only had memories left. He slipped away silently out of the house. Today was a meteor show and he was hoping to see Zoya there.
*****
Asad came back to the same spot where they had once fought and wished unintentionally for each other. Asad sighed into the silent night. He spread the blanket out and sat down eyeing the bright-lit starry sky. There she was, the brightest star in the sky, his Zoya
"Hi beautiful."
Flashback
It had been five days since Zoya left the Khan Villa and Asad was just plain miserable. Everything returned normal: no mess, no noise and no Zoya Farooqui. And the truth of the matter was that Asad came to loathe this 'normal'. He wanted the 'Zoya normal' in his house, he would be able to bear any kind of mess, but he just wanted her presence back. Of course, as emotionally challenged as he was would never be able to tell anyone that. But his mother saw right thru him, she didn't need his words, she understood perfectly with his actions. She was well aware that her son was in love with Zoya and her absence was eating him slowly from inside.
It was a Sunday, a rare day he tried to spend at home. It was different story that he was still buried in his work in his room. Dilshad slowly opened his door and was surprised to him sitting on the futon with his head buried in his hands.
"Asad", she called out.
Asad raised his face to meet his mother's eyes. Broken up by his tear stricken face, Dilshad hugged him close. He could hide his emotions from the world but not his mother. So he hugged her around the waist, letting his face rest on stomach as he cried his heart out. Dilshad stood silently, her heart clenching painfully at her son's sobs but she held him tightly and let him cry all his sorrows away. Her son had become her pillar of support seventeen years ago, growing up overnight after his father's betrayal. He had denied himself so much in life because of his family, but she wouldn't let him deny himself of true love and the happiness only Zoya brought him.
"You love her, Asad. Why are you doing this to yourself?"
Asad shifted away, wiped his tears with the back of his hand and stood up. "Ammi, I will hurt her more than I will ever love her. After all, I am Janab Rashid Ahmed Khan's son." His fists clenched in anger at the thought of that spineless man. "More than the fear of becoming him, I have the fear of Zoya becoming another Dilshad. I won't able to forgive myself if I hurt the woman I love so much and make her become a shadow of my mother."
"No Asad, you are not Janab Rashid Ahmed Khan's son, you are my son. You may carry his blood but I have faith in my upbringing. I brought you up to be a man any mother would be proud of. My nurturing is stronger than the color of your blood. You are Dilshad's son, and if there is one thing I have taught you but never seem to learn is to love from your heart. Love a person the best you can without trying to be perfect. We all have flaws, but when one loves, they accept the person the way they are."
"But Ammi, I won't be able to keep her happy.", Asad ran a frustrated hand through his hair turning to face the window.
Dilshad turned him around and cupped his face tenderly. "Life isn't about being happy all the time, Asad. It's about going through the ups and downs with your life partner and still loving them through it all. You love Zoya, Asad. She is your happiness."
"I drove her away, she will never come back now, Ammi." Defeated, Asad sunk down on the futon again.
"She will, of course she will. She loves you Asad. I spoke to her earlier today, she was going to go by the Badi Masjid today to look for her Abbu. Go there, Asad and tell her how you feel"
*****
Asad came to the area of the Badi Masjid and frantically searched for Zoya. He showed her picture to numerous people asking if they had seen her. A kindhearted man pointed to a girl who had just crossed the street. From afar, Asad recognized the open hair, jeans and blue kurti Zoya was wearing.
'Zoya !!", he called out to her as he tried to cross the busy street, avoiding the cars. "ZOYA!!", he screamed her name this time with all his strength,her name said as a desperate plea.
She stopped and turned around, shocked to see him. Her eyes filled with unshed tears as she stared at him. A slow smile touched her lips."Mr.Khan.", she whispered softly.
She took a hesitant step or two towards him before her eyes widened and she ran full speed towards him. "Mr. Khan ! "
Unable to understand the urgency in her voice, he stood there unable to move an inch. He was in a sort of trance, afraid that she would vanish if he blinked his eyes. "Mr. Khan !"
Then, out of nowhere, she pushed him to the side with hulk like strength. He landed on the side of road and a spilt second later; a truck came slamming towards Zoya knocking her off her feet. Asad watched helplessly as Zoya flew a few meters up and hit the ground with a thud.
Scrambling to his feet unsteadily, he ran to Zoya, and pushed at the crowd that had gathered around.
As she came to view, he only saw red; a pool of red rapidly growing. She lay there, motionlessly "Zoya !!" he raced to her, cradling her head in his hands, taking into his arms, "Zoya, look at me..look at me. Zoya, please open your eyes." She was bleeding so profusely he wasn't sure where the blood was coming from. His hands were wet with blood as he cradled her head. She was loosing so much blood , every second was precious. "CALL THE AMBULANCE !"
Her eyes slowly drifted open, a small ghost of a smile touched her lips, "Asad", she whispered weakly.
"Nothing will happen to you, you hear me ? Nothing will happen to you. Just keep your eyes open and look at me.", He stared down at her, desperate for her to stay awake. His vision blurred every few seconds with tears. "SOMEDAY, CALL THE AMBULANCE !"
She weakly reached out for his hand and he gave it to her, holding it tightly. "I love you, Asad."
"I love you too, Zoya. I love you so much. I won't let anything happen to you."
She reached out and Asad understood, guiding her hand to his cheek, "Then I am blessed." With those words, she closed her eyes to the world forever.
*****
Asad let the tears flow, embracing the memory. Destiny had brought them together but tore them apart at the same time. Zoya may have left the world but she lived in Asad's heart. She still loves him from above and he is a blessed man. Zoya's words still echoed in his heart, "It's a blessing to be loved, simply a blessing."
The End
Over to you all, how was it ? Like or comment to let me know.š³
Much love,
Reya <3
p.s if interested in more..hop onto
Asya OS: The red hat girl: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/qubool-hai/3794148/asya-os-the-red-hat-girl
ASYA Drabble: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/93745819
SS
a simple story of love: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/qubool-hai/3707666/asya-ss-a-simple-story-of-love-lcompleted
Four Seasons : https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/qubool-hai/3856817/asya-kabhi-ss-four-seasons-ch-9-pg-41-note-pg-48
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