Unpredictable Lives: Link to T2 Page 152 - Page 10

Nine

Zoya managed to get zero sleep over the next few days as the event of that night kept playing back, although he angered her beyond belief she had to be thankful that Asad tuned up when he did. Not joining in any festivities Zoya started working on her dissertation, she had spent most of the day in the library, which was still open to students.

I should thank him...after all it is the right thing to do' she said to herself no...what am I thinking... after the way he behaved the man doesn't even deserve recognition yet a lone a thank you' another voice interjected. Zoya threw her head into her hands I can't believe I am debating with myself over that arrogant, rude, obnoxious, very nice looking...quite sexy...Ya Allah stop Zoya' not being able to tolerate her own company Zoya left the library to find some real human company. On her way out she bumped into a girl making all her books and papers go flying Ya Allah...I am so sorry' Zoya said she quickly helped the girl up and started to pick up her books I really didn't see you' Zoya said looking embarrassed its ok, I wasn't paying much attention either...hi I'm Humera' she said holding out her free hand, Zoya took her hand and shook it Hi, I am Zoya...I haven't seen you around, are you new?' Oh no, I am not a student here, my dad's sister is a finance officer based here, she forgot some of her files at home...are you a student here?' Yes, I am here on an exchange programme, I am originally from New York...here let me help you, I can walk you up to your aunties office'. Zoya walked through the college grounds with Humera; they indulged in polite conversation via which they managed to find out a lot more about one another. It was really nice meeting you, if you are ever here again please give me shout I am staying in room 404' Zoya shook hands with Humera once again and said good bye.

The little distraction didn't last long Asad came rushing back Ya Allah...Zoya get a grip...ok fine' she said to herself as she pulled out her mobile she was about to dial Ayaan's number but then decided it would be better to text, just in case he was busy.

Salaam Ayaan, I hope you are well. Could you please forward me Mr Khan's number, I didn't get a chance to thank him for his help the other day'

Ayaan saw Zoya's message and started smiling what are you smiling at?' Asad said looking at him umm...nothing...just a...' Please I don't need to know what soppy messages Humera is sending you' Ayaan quickly replied to Zoya before he started getting the third degree from Asad.

Wasalaam, I am well thank you. And seriously no need for formalities Asad is just fine lol. His number is 0700787236'

Ayaan found his perfect chance to start playing cupid. The only thing that Ayaan ever felt bothered about was Asad's take on personal relationships. According to him they made you weak, and in the line of work that they did there was no room for weaknesses. Asad did what he did fearlessly because he knew that no one could get at him by using his weakness against him, he wasn't against Ayaan for being with Humera, he had a good relationship with her, but it took him a long time to accept her, the one thing Asad never tolerated was a lack of focus and to him girls were exactly that, an over the top emotional distraction, someone who would easily make you lose focus.

For the first time Ayaan himself had come across a girl he felt would be able to take Asad head on and that girl was Zoya, there was an obvious physical attraction, something he was going to play on. Asad, it's Christmas Eve tomorrow, our teams have moved out making sure the hotspots have been well covered, I have asked Raj to come with me to watch over the Lagoon today'. Asad nodded in response to Ayaan's update once you are back from the Lagoon I need you to come with me, one of our informants wants to meet us .

As Ayaan walked out he heard Asad grab his vibrating phone, he smiled at himself knowing very well who the message would be from. Asad picked up his phone to see a message from a new number, it was only as he read on that he realised who it was.

Salaam, I hope you don't mind me texting you like this, its just I never got the chance to thank you the other day...so thank you. Zoya

Ayaan...you fool' Asad said in frustration as he knew no one would have given his number out, especially to a girl. In his frustration Asad was about to send back a not so nice reply but then something stopped him no...she said thank you...so let it just be, no need to start any kind of conversation with her' he said to himself. Zoya spent the next hour staring at her phone waiting for a response but there was nothing the man doesn't know the meaning of common courtesy...he should change his name from Asad Ahmed Khan to Akdu (arrogant/stuck up) Ahmed Khan' Zoya mumbled to herself as she put her phone away.

Coming from a Catholic background Soniya had invited the girls to attend a Christmas Eve Mass that was being held at St Mary's Catholic Church. Wrapping up warm they made their way to the church, something Najma and Zoya were really excited about, the last time they ever stepped foot inside a church was when they were on a religious studies excursion at high school. To say the church was beautiful would have been an understatement, there really was not one word that Zoya could think of that would have justified its beauty, once inside the church, the beholder was forcibly struck with the display of skill of its structure, its beauty and grandeur, and the taste displayed in its adornment. The church echoed with the heavenly voices of young people singing in a choir. As the girls sat down, Soniya went forward to lean before Christ and pray for her and her family it really doesn't matter what name you give Him, he is there for everyone' Rhea said as she held her hands up to pray too. The two hours they spend in the church brought certain calm within them a tranquility that they hadn't felt for a long time; Zoya thanked Soniya for inviting her this really was an amazing experience Soniya'.

On their way back they stopped at a small caf, the weather was getting a lot more chillier during the evening and Najma was craving a strong desi (traditional) masala tea, something Zoya detested, she was more of a black coffee no sugar person. Najma and Soniya broke out into a conversation about boys and relationships something that made Zoya roll her eyes over and over again. You serious, there isn't anyone who you have ever liked you know like that?' Rhea asked Zoya unable to fathom how she couldn't have had a crush on anyone it's true the girl is as dry as you can get' Najma said I am not dry, I just value other things in life more than boys...I am not ready to be in a relationship with anyone...' more like no one will be insane enough to deal with you' Zoya threw her spoon at Najma shut it...Rhea what about you?' Rhea started to blush, there wasn't anyone...but now...' Soniya, Najma and Zoya all gasped and leaned forward in excitement you mean you like someone now...who is it?' Soniya asked come on pleeease tell us, does he know, have you told him...' Najma started throwing a million question at her making her blush profusely ok ok I'll tell you, but please I haven't said anything to anyone and to answer your question Najma, no he doesn't know at the moment it's a one sided thing...' oh for the love of God woman...just tell us who it is' Soniya said making everyone laugh out loud at her impatience its Aarav' Zoya started squealing Ya Allah, that is so cool, another couple amongst us...you should tell him' No way, what if he doesn't like me I don't want to embarrass myself, I have to get through the rest of the year with him'. The girls carried on teasing Rhea coming up with absurd ideas and plans to get them together or at least find out if Aarav liked Rhea.

Finally walking down the straight path that led towards their college they saw a large group of people gathered around, they could her voices of someone crying, the girls ran up to see what was going on, pushing through the crowd they managed to get a glimpse of what was going on, Najma quickly grabbed hold of Zoya's shoulder and turned her head around with her eyes closed shut. There was a body of a young girl who had been hit by a car lying in the arms of someone who looked like her mother Ya Allah, what the hell happened' Zoya asked the persons she stood next to, when the man looked at her in confusion she realised that he hadn't understood a word she had just said, Zoya's Urdu was not brilliant and the last thing she wanted was to make a fool of herself Najma ask him what happened' she whispered nudging Najma off her shoulder. Kya hua yahan?' (What happened here?) Najma asked in a shaking voice yeh larki yahan ke kuch gangs ke liye drugs transport karti thi...koi galti hogi hogi toh ura diya uno ne' (this girl, she worked for a few gangs transporting drugs for them, she must have done something wrong so they blew her off)Zoya didn't need Najma to interpret what he had just said Zoya please let's get out of her, I don't think I can carry on seeing this' Najma said pulling on her arm Zoya was about to walk off when she took a second look at the young girl who lay their lifeless and it was then realisation dawned on her, she had seen her before, she knew who this girl was Rhea...the girl, isn't she the one who ran into me when we were filming in Moti Mahal?' Rhea looked more closely and as she did her eyes widened oh my gosh, Zoya you are right it is her'.

As Zoya and Rhea stood there in shock the police and ambulance had made their way through and started clearing the area. Police officers dispersed the crowd and started asking questions if anyone had seen anything. Najma and Soniya pulled Zoya and Rhea as they moved away from the scene and walked across the road they were stopped by a white SUV that stopped before them, Zoya didn't need to look up to see who it was. Asad jumped out of the car looking like a million dollars he took off his sunglasses and stood before them with Ayaan not far behind are you some kind of trouble magnet, I mean is there ever a place where there hasn't been an incident and you haven't been present?' Zoya looked at Asad with a right mind to knock that stupid, sexy frown of his face what the hell do you mean by that' Zoya straightened her back waiting for him to say one word and she swore by her lord that she will unleash herself on him, but before anything could go down Asad was called by an inspector Asad, you go ahead I will talk to Zoya' Ayaan quickly said Asad gave Zoya one last look before he walked past her. Ayaan, what on earth is his problem...like seriously, every time I have the unfortunate pleasure of bumping into him he starts with his unnecessary and extremely rude and aggressive behaviour' Ayaan cleared his throat it's not like that Zoya, he ...he is just having a bad day' yeah, well it seems like every day is a bad day for him...I mean if I had to wake up to myself as Akdu Ahmed Khan every day so would I' Zoya walked past Ayaan with Soniya, Najma and Rhea following her in tow, leaving Ayaan smiling to himself yep...perfect for Bhaijaan'.