This is my first AsYa OS! Just a try! 😃
Things had finally settled down in Khan Villa. Najma and Imran's marriage had been fixed and Asad and Zoya's nikah was going to happen before that. Farhan had arrived from New York and turned out to be Zoya's college friend. He would frequently visit Khan Villa and AsYa, Imran-Najma, and Farhan had been bonding a lot. Farhan was very similar to Zoya. Outgoing, outspoken, and was coming up new ways to entertain everybody. But Asad hated him. He hated how Farhan would hug Zoya whenever he came to visit. He hated them chit-chatting, cracking jokes, and bonding. One such day Farhan and Imran had come over for dinner.
Zoya dressed in a beautiful pink churidar suit Asad gifted her and came running to open the door as soon as the bell rang.
"Hey Zoe!" before Zoya could greet him he engulfed her in a bear hug. Asad had just stepped out of his room to witness Zoya in Farhan's arms. He had had it. Enough was enough. Clearly his death glares were not enough.
Clearing his throat he almost forced them to break up the hug. Farhan and Imran greeted everyone else as Dilshad invited them into the living room.
As Zoya was about to follow them, a strong tug pulled her back. Asad held her by the arm and took her to the corner.
"Shukriya Ms. Farooki!"
"Kisliye Mr. Khan?"
"Aapne mera diya hua suit pehna" Zoya blushed and decided to tease Asad.
"Mein kaise lag rahi hoon Mr. Khan?" Asad gave a half smile and before he could respond Zoya added, "Waise pink Farhan ka favorite color hai toh meine socha aaj mein yeh hi pehen leti hoon"
"Toh aapne yeh suit Farhan ke liye pehna"
"Aap jealous ho rahe hai Mr. Khan?" asked Zoya with a smirk.
Asad was irritated now and he had had enough he pulled Zoya closer by the waist and held her close to him and in his deep voice said, "Mujhe jealous hone ki koyi zaroorat nahi hai. Aap meri hai sirf meri." Zoya's face was burning red now. They got lost into eachother's eyes only for Asad to get distracted by Farhan yelling, "Zoe!! Where are you?"
To say Asad was upset would be an understatement. Zoya responded, "I'll be there in a minute Farhan"
Asad turned to walk away only to be pulled back by Zoya.
"Mr. Khan?"
"Kya Hua"
"Aapne mere sawal ka jawab nahi diya, mein kaise lag rahi hoon"
"Aap yeh Farhan se kyun nahi poochti"
"Allah miya whats wrong with you Mr. Khan, jiske liye mehne yeh suit pehna usse nahin poochungi toh aur kisse poochungi" Zoya bit her lip realizing what she said.
Asad smirked and came close to her, he pushed her hair behind her ears and whispered "Bilkul pari jaisi, meri pari!" And he turned to walk away sending chills down Zoya's spine.
As Zoya came joined the rest of the people, she walked in on Dilshad telling everyone to proceed for dinner. Zoya sat next to Asad and Dilshad sat next to Zoya. Farhan sat opposite of Asad and Imran and Najma on the other side of the table. Dinner was a loud affair with Zoya and Farhan chatting away reminiscing about their college days. Asad stole glances at Zoya every now and then but was happy that she was sitting far away from Farhan.
As soon as dinner was over Zoya and Najma helped Dilshad with the dishes and Farhan stepped outside. He told everyone that he had a surprised planned. Imran and Asad sat while the ladies finished with their work in the kitchen.
Farhan popped in and called everyone out. His surprise was ready. Imran and Najma walked out first followed by Dilshad who carried a tray of home made kheer and Asad and Zoya followed behind her. Farhan had set up a campfire surrounded by enough chairs for everyone.
As soon as Asad saw the fire he turned to look at Zoya. But it was too late.
Zoya had seen the fire and fear, terror, and blankness took over her face. She stood there staring at the fire as she got flashbacks!
"Ami bachao, ami bachao" is all Zoya could here as she placed her hands on her ears to block the sounds
Asad held her hand firmly and turned her around so that she was no longer facing the fire. Tears rolled down Zoya's cheeks as her memories haunted her. Asad held her shoulders and pulled her in his arms. He could feel her tears through his shirt. He whispered into Zoya's ears.
"Zoya kuch nahi hua, mein yahan hoon, look at me Zoya!"
"Zoya beta tum thik ho...Zoya!" Dilshad exclaimed.
Asad turned his head around and yelled, "Aag bhujao, put out the fire!"
He firmly held Zoya in his arms and kept rubbing her arm. Zoya finally snapped out.
"Mr. Khan woh aag, who building"
"Kuch nahi hua Zoya tum thik ho...humne aag bhuja di hai, mein tumhare saath hoon...aapko kuch nahi ho sakta"
"Zoya beta darne ki koi baat nahi hai, kuch nahi hua...sab thik hai" Dilshad tried to reassure her.
Zoya was visibly shaken and the fire kept flashing in front of her face.
"Ammi mein Zoya ko andhar leke jaata hoon"
Asad held Zoya close to him and led her inside.
He made her sit on the chair and poured a glass of water. He knelt down in front of her and helped her drink it.
"Thank you Mr. Khan and I am sorry meine aise react kiya"
"Zoya aapko sorry bolne ki koyi zaroorat nahin hai, isme aapki koyi galti nahi hai...aur yeh mera farz hai! Mein humesha aapke saath hoon" He wiped the tear that had rolled down Zoya's cheeks.
Najma and Dilshad came in and asked Zoya how she was doing.
"Najma, Zoya ko uske kamre mein le jao, usse aaram ki zaroorat hai!" said Dilshad and Najma followed.
As Farhan walked in, Asad shot an angry glare at him.
"Yeh kya behuda mazak hai. Tum toh Zoya ke dost ho, tumhe itna nahi pata ki Zoya ko aag se kitna dar lagta hai."
"Mr. Khan aap galat samaj rahe hai, I am sorry, mein Zoya ke phobia ke bare mein bhool gaya tha...or waise bhi woh kab tak bachon ki tarah aag se darti rahegi."
Asad had had it now. "Tumhara matlab kya hai...tumhari himmat kaise hui Zoya ke emotions se mazak karne ki...agar tumhari wajah se meri Zoya ko kuch bhi ho jata toh khuda ki kasam mein tumhari jaan le leta Farhan...agli baar aisa behuda mazak karne se pehle das bar soch lena. Please yahan se chale jao. Imran apni bhai ko yahan se lekar jao."
Imran and Farhna walked out and Asad paced the room in anger. Dilshad placed her hand on Asad's shoulder.
"Fikar mat karo Asad...Zoya ko kuch nahi hoga.."
"Lekin ammi, Farhan aise kaise keh sakta"
"Chinta mat karo Asad...Zoya thik ho jayegi...aur hum sab hai na uske saat. Jao ab tum bhi jaake aaram karo"
Everyone retired to their respective rooms. Asad was still disturbed by Zoya's reactions and extremely worried about her. Just as he was about to go to bed he heard loud screams.
"Bachaoo!!! Ammi please bachaoo"
The sound came from Zoya's room. Asad's heart skipped a beat as he rushed to find Zoya tossing and turning and disturbed in her sleep. Asad turned the lights on and shaked Zoya's shoulders.
"Zoya utho...kuch nahi hua...tumne bura khwab dekha hai..wake up Zoya...come on wake up"
Zoya woke up and sat up sobbing. Asad pulled her close to him and held her firmly in his arms.
Dilshad and Najma walked in to see Asad holding Zoya tightly. Dilshad knew she did not have to worry and her and Najma turned away. She sent a silent prayer up to Allah asking him to give Zoya peace and always keep Asad and Zoya together to comfort eachother.
Asad consoled a sobbing Zoya who was more than frightened. Zoya finally regained control and pulled away from Asad.
"Zoya aap thikh toh hain?"
"Ji Mr. Khan...maine wapas woh bura khwab dekha"
"Chinta mat karo Zoya... I am here. Aapki fikar karne ki koi zaroorat nahi hai"
Zoya smiled through her tears and placed her head on Asad's shoulder.
Asad wrapped his arms around Zoya and rested his head on hers. He was not going to leave Zoya. She would not go through this alone.
In his arms Zoya felt secure and safe and she went back to sleep.
Only after he made sure Zoya was asleep, Asad closed his eyes and went to sleep himself with Zoya in his arms. Zoya slept the rest of the night peacefully. And for Asad, he felt content to see Zoya in peace once again, safe in his arms.
As long as she was with Asad, no past could haunt her and no dream could bother her. And as long as Zoya was at peace, Asad was!
Udne Ki Aasha
Anupamaa
Cricket
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