Unpredictable Lives: Link to T2 Page 152 - Page 12

The girls met Rishi and Jai in the canteen for Christmas breakfast, which could have easily been a full three course meal. Najma had taken the privilege to also invite Aarav, who didn't live to far from them, Rhea's revelation yesterday gave her goose bumps and being a romantic at heart there was no way she was not going to try and get them together.

Aarav met everyone and comfortably sat beside Rhea and Jai 'did you guys her about the hit and run yesterday?' the girls exchanged glances 'yes...we were there...I mean we didn't see the hit and run but we saw the girl and were there until the police came and dispersed the crowd' Rhea replied 'but there is one more thing' Zoya continued from where Rhea had stopped 'Aarav, she is the same girl we saw in Moti Mahal, the one that those guys were chasing and bumped into us' Aarav thought back for a second and then remembered 'oh boy...' Before he could continue Soniya stopped him 'people it's Christmas please do we need to talk about things so bleak?' Aarav nodded and soon indulged into his breakfast.

Zoya had promised herself that she was not going to set foot outside her halls, she didn't trust her luck, her run ins with Asad were becoming a bit of a ritual and the last person she wanted to come face to face with was him. But Zoya was right, she didn't trust her luck and luck was not on her side. Zoya can you please pick up your phone, it's been ringing for ever' Najma shouted, Zoya came running out the bathroom and picked up her phone Zoya, its Ayaan. How are you?' Ayaan' Zoya said wondering why he was calling her yeah I am ok, is everything ok?' Zoya I wanted to ask you a few questions with regards to the accident yesterday, seeing you and your friends were there...' yes we were but we didn't see anything we got there much after what had already happened and just joined the crowd to see what was going on' oh ok...well thank you...' Ayaan, wait...actually there is something but am not sure how relevant it may be' Zoya even the smallest bit information is always useful and relevant...if you don't mind can you pop into our main head office, I can have a car sent for you, being Christmas public transport isn't at its best' ok, I'll be ready in around...twenty minutes'.

Zoya stepped out of the car to face a glass structured building, the surrounding were immaculate, nothing she imagined the NIA to look like; she always pictured it to be a grim looking red bricked building. Zoya followed the officer who had come to pick her up, he asked her to take a seat Officer Salim will be here soon'. Zoya looked at her watch for the third time, she had been waiting for fifteen minutes and there was still no sign of Ayaan come on where are you?' Right here' a voice startled her Zoya looked up to see a smiling Ayaan. Zoya stood up sorry didn't realise I said that out loud' Ayaan chuckled it's ok, sorry I got caught up, didn't mean to make you wait so long...come up, we can go into my office'.

Zoya walked into Ayaan's office but soon realised that he did not have it to himself the other desk on the opposite side didn't leave her guessing who it belonged to the name plate pretty much gave it away. The minute she looked at his name she rolled her eyes making Ayaan laugh I promise you he isn't that bad' no he isn't he is worse...and what I don't get is why I have to keep on bumping into your Akdu Ahmed Khan' letting out a sigh of frustration Zoya sat on the chair Zoya, about the girl, you said you knew something' Yes, me and some of my friends got permission to film in Moti Mahal for one of our projects, on the second day we were there, this girl came running towards us and bumped into me, she was scared, she kept asking me to help her, when we looked back there were two guys chasing her, we tried to argue with them to leave her alone. I recognised one of them as Arvind Shinde's men, and just then Tony another one of Shinde's men came, he was our main contact for our duration there. He came to the girl and asked her leave once he had taken some kind of package from her. The girl...she was shaking so much. When I saw her lying there yesterday I couldn't think, it is so weird, even though I didn't know her, I still did, even if it was for a few minutes...my heart went out to her'.

Zoya what you have just told us is crucial to this investigation, the girl, her name was Priya Naik, a girl that got caught up with gangs, she was used as a mule, a transporter of drugs and other illegal substances between gangs that operate on this side of Mumbai, we believe that a drug deal went wrong and she became the victim of it' Zoya closed her eyes Ya Allah...at such young age, how did she get trawled into such a dark world' it not uncommon for girls to be gang affiliated, it's just never really heard of...Zoya thank you once again' no...I mean it's no problem...if that's all do you mind if I went back' Ayaan stood up of course, I'll drop you myself...um I didn't get a chance to offer you a coffee, would you like one before you go?' No thank you, we had a big breakfast, the college had arranged one for the students on campus...umm if it is ok, do you mind if I have a little tour of your office building' not at all, come'.

Ayaan started showing Zoya around, introducing her to various other officers and members of staff Zoya come round this way I'll see if Mr Roy our commanding officer is in, you can meet him' Zoya smiled and followed Ayaan around the corner and as soon as she turned she bumped into him making his folders fall to the floor I'm so sor...you' she said wide eyed not being able to believe that yet again she had bumped into him what are you doing here?' she said angrily, fisting his hand at her tone I work here...I should be asking you that question' feeling a little silly Zoya bent down to pick up his folder, it was fine until Asad decided to the exact same thing at the exact same time as they both leant down they head butted one another ouch...' Zoya shouted rubbing her head what is your problem?' Asad picked up his folder and stood up my problem is you Miss Farroqui' before Zoya could respond Ayaan stepped in Zoya, let's go...Bhaijaan I'll catch up with you later...come on Zoya' he said grabbing at her hand and pulling her away.

Ayaan do you mind taking me back, I can meet your Mr Roy another time' sure, give me two minutes; I'll just grab my keys'. Walking through reception both Zoya and Ayaan stopped upon hearing his name being called out from across the hall Ayaan turned around to see Humera, as soon as he did a big smile adorned his face Humera' he whispered and then started pacing towards her. Humera came running into his arms hey beautiful...how are you?' he asked rubbing the tip of his nose with hers I am very well, just missed you so much...where are you going?' Ayaan turned around and pointed towards Zoya Humera this is...' Zoya' she finished for him and then walked towards her, Zoya and Humera hugged and started talking leaving Ayaan looking confused. 'Hang on one minute, Zoya...Humera how do you know each other?' Zoya and Humera explained how they had met what a small world, I can't believe you and Ayaan are together, that is so sweet'.

On their way towards Zoya's college Ayaan and Humera filled Zoya in on their little love story Zoya my parents are coming back before the new year, and we are having a New Year's party, please you have to come, Ayaan will be there too' Zoya didn't know what to say I...I don't know my friends may have something planned too...it's just that...' Zoya you can bring them too, we have one every year...please' Zoya smiled in that case yes, of course I will come...and Humera thank you...Ayaan I'll catch up with you soon' she said as she exited the car.

Asad sat in his office thinking about Zoya, he couldn't think of a time where he had come across someone so insolent, but what frustrated him was that if she was so insolent and annoying why was he constantly thinking about her, his thoughts were cut short as Ayaan walked in with Humera Assalam O Alaikum Asad bhai' Humera greeted him Wa Alaikum Assalam...how are you Humi' Asad considered Humera as a little sister and out of affection called her Humi. Ayaan, what was Zo...I mean Miss Farooqui doing her?' I called her in, seeing she was present at the scene of the accident yesterday I wanted to ask her a few questions?' Letting out a scoff and what could she possible have said that was remotely useful, the girl is nothing but a...' Ayaan cut him off as Humera nudged him raising her eyebrows as if to ask what's up with him.

Bhaijaan...' Ayaan went through Zoya's statement leaving Asad a little dumbfounded, he remembered back to her short film that was screened, he had certainly been impressed, and then to the time when he first met her, which was not too far from Moti Mahal, he could almost feel the warmth of her sweet breath across his face as he did that day Bhaijaan...you ok' Asad quickly cleared his throat and stood up yeah why wouldn't I be...umm you sure she identified the two men as Shinde's?' Out of the ones that were chasing Priya Naik only one of them the other one was Tony who came to take the packet away from her'.

I need to speak to Zoya...I mean Miss Farooqui, we need to get a copy of their film...the unedited version, maybe we can pick something up from there' Asad said as he picked up the phone to inform Mr Roy. Ayaan went to drop Humera home Aunty is staying with her friend today, do you want to come by later, I don't really want to be on my own?' Humera said pulling a sad face of course I will, or if you want you can stay with Ammi until I get home, I have a feeling that Bhaijaan is going to make me work a little extra tonight...' Ok, wait here then let me get a few things and you can drop me off to your place'.