Unpredictable Lives: Link to T2 Page 152 - Page 19

Thirteen

Zoya was up and ready way ahead of time, her eagerness had got her to NIA HQ a whole half an hour before her scheduled meeting with Mr Roy. Zoya sat patiently in the reception area, she observed various employees walking in and out, the way her eyes gazed over everyone, and you would wonder if she was looking for someone in particular.

Zoya' a voice came from across the security barriers Zoya looked up to see Ayaan, who then made his way to her Hi, what are you doing here, did Bhaijaan ask you to come in?' Zoya stood up no...I am here to meet Mr Vishal Roy, its regarding my project...have you just come in?' Ayaan started laughing no...I am just leaving, have been stuck here since yesterday' oh...you must be tired, well you go ahead...umm Ayaan is Asad here too?' Ayaan mentally smiled at himself No, he went home yesterday, under strict medical orders' Zoya looked at Ayaan m...medical, is he ok?' Bhaijaan always is, he sustained a few injuries during a raid yesterday...he was lucky not everyone walks away after being hit by a passing car'. Zoya felt her body go cold, she broke out in goose bumps Ya Allah...is he ok, where is he?' she asked in a little panic no need to worry, he is at home, but if I know him right he will be in soon enough...' As Ayaan continued to talk a young girl came up to them and called out to Zoya ma'am Mr Roy is ready for you' Zoya smiled at her then looked back at Ayaan I'll speak to you later, take care'.

Zoya stood before Mr Roy in full confidence; she gave him her proposal along with a copy of the risk assessment form she had filled out for Mr Anand. Mr Roy read through every word he put down the file Zoya gave him and stood up to walk around the table to where Zoya was sitting Miss Farooqui, I am not one to be easily impressed, but I give it to you, your topic area, proposal and risk assessment is quite up to the mark, you have definitely thought of everything, I don't think there is a stone you have left unturned. But my main concern will be your safety, as long as you are in here you are safe but there are no guarantees out there. Life on the darker streets of Mumbai is quite unpredictable it may take you down a route that you may not be ready for' Zoya took in every word that Vishal Roy spoke she stood up to meet him face to face and eye to eye I appreciate what you say sir, and thank you for your concern, but I didn't come here uninformed, I decided to become a journalist knowing very well it is not a nine to five sugar coated career, I want to do this not because I believe in truth and justice it's because I believe in change, no matter how small but every step we take is one towards betterment and it might not change overnight but at least I will know that I was amongst the people that fought to make it right. I have only been a little over three months and have seen so much happen before me, and it is because of what has taken place that I decided to change my project. I can only promise not to be a hindrance and make sure that I have what I need and be out of your way as soon as possible'. Mr Roy smiled at Zoya he held out his hand in that case all I can say is...welcome to the NIA Zoya'. Zoya shook Mr Roay's hand, she couldn't remember being so happy, she finally was going to do something that she really wanted to and that to with authority.

'Mr Roy I would like to start off by looking into the case of Priya Naik, if that is ok with you?' 'Certainly, I will get Raj to give you access to whatever you need, but just remember Zoya what you read you leave here, confidentiality is a given, I will arrange for your id badge so you are not stopped at every door, and also get a contract drawn up just a security precaution' 'of course sir'.

Zoya spend a good two hours with Raj, he went through everything you could think of from security to fire escapes, from breach of confidentiality to where to get your coffee from. Zoya was given her id badge, it felt so official even if it was temporary and had student written on it. Mr Roy has asked you to send in a copy of your college timetable so he can work out your working pattern here, we will need to inform the officers working on any of the cases you touch upon' I will do, thank you for your help Raj'.

Zoys stepped outside the building to be greeted by a cold downpour 'perfect...get ready to get drenched Zoya Farooqui' she said to herself as she wrapped her arms around her. This was Zoya's first real experience of rains in Mumbai, she had missed the monsoons as she came in just as soon as September started, Zoya stepped out into the rain and was soaked through within what felt like seconds, the cold wind didn't do her any favours, her face felt like it had been frozen over. She managed to make her way to the bus shelter, where there were a heap of people waiting for the same bus 'Ya Allah, this is going to take forever' and she wasn't wrong three buses had gone past and the crowd stood as it was an hour ago, the buses were overcrowded and the drivers were not letting anyone on.

At the same time Asad pulled out onto the main road, Mr Roy had sent him away, telling him to take the day off to rest and not to come back until tomorrow. As Asad drove past the bus stop he stopped, he first thought it may have been a figment of his imagination but it wasn't it really was her. He pulled his car up and took out his phone to text her, as Zoya's phone vibrated she took it out of her pocket to see a message from Asad making her smile involuntarily, something that Asad did not miss. She opened the message

The black car to your left...jump in

Zoya started to look around and saw a smart looking black sports car parked up, she squinted her eyes trying to see through the heavy rain fall, when her phone buzzed again

You could continue to stare and get wet or you can get a lift home, what will it be?

Zoya sprinted to the car, Asad leant over to open the door for her, as soon as Zoya jumped in she froze, Asad had a huge bruise across his face 'Zoya...' He said pointing behind her 'huh' 'the door, you might want to close it' Zoya quickly pulled the door shut 'I'm sorry...and thank you...' Zoya couldn't stop staring at his face 'are you ok?' he asked 'no...no I mean yes...but you...your face' Letting out a little laugh Asad shook his head 'it's only a little bruise Zoya...but if that was you asking if I am ok, then yes I am fine...now is it ok to take you home?' Zoya just nodded.

The journey was filled with an awkward silence, Asad was itching to ask her what she was doing here but managed to refrain, convincing himself that it wasn't any of his business. Sitting in silence was probably the hardest thing for Zoya to do so naturally she was the first to start up a conversation 'I take it you are off work?' 'Unfortunately, my boss keeps throwing me out the building, so now I have to find something to do with myself'. Asad pulled up outside her college gate 'thank you, I guess I was lucky you saw me' she said honestly Asad nodded 'I guess you were...well ...' Bye' she quickly said before she jumped out of the car.

Asad sat in the car watching her walk through the gates, Zoya didn't hear his car so knew he was still behind her, just before she entered her building she turned around to find him starring straight at her, and before she knew what she was doing her hand raised up to wave bye and before he could gauge his own reaction he found his hand raised up waving back, it took them a few seconds before they realised what they were doing and as soon as they did their hands fell flat, Zoya turned around You idiot' she mumbled before she hurried in you fool, what the hell is wrong with you?' Asad cursed himself before driving off.

It wasn't until later that evening that Asad came to know why Zoya was in the vicinity. Mr Roy had debriefed Ayaan, who contacted Asad as soon as he found out. Asad was more than just pissed off; he put the phone down to Ayaan and went straight to meet with Vishal Roy. You can't be serious' he said as he barged into his office serious about what' holding his hand to his head Asad tried to take in a deep breath 'about this student...Miss Farooqui working with us...you know what it is like out there, I can't babysit as well as do my job...and why wasn't I consulted...I am telling you Sir, she is not working with me or on any of my cases'.

Mr Roy let Asad finish his rant before he spoke 'firstly, this is my decision so there was no need consult you or anyone else. You don't want her working on any of your cases, don't worry she won't. She wants to be part of the Priya Naik investigation and if I remember correctly you passed that case onto Arjun's team...now you can relax, no baby-sitting anyone' Asad looked at Mr Roy wide eyed and a little flustered, he had come prepared for a heated debate, but Mr Roy had answered and sorted out all his issues. 'Regardless of what team she is in, it is not safe, she is an international student, what does she know about Mumbai other than the tourist hotspots?' 'Asad, I really don't see what your problem here is, I have told you that she will not work with you, I have read through her proposal and think it's really good. Arjun has agreed to take her on...so now if you have finished your unnecessary dialogue I have a meeting to go to and you have a bed to get back to, I'll see you tomorrow'.