Please see below for chapter 14. A big thank you to all of you you have taken the time out to read this and comment. Hope you like it
Fourteen
Asad spent most of the night looking down at the lights of Mumbai, much to his own annoyance he couldn't stop thinking about Zoya 'why do I care so much...the nuisance won't be working with me or be anywhere near...just in the same building...walking past with Arjun...' Asad's internal monologue took him all over the place, he really couldn't comprehend what was going on, all he knew was that he didn't like the idea of Zoya being a part of the NIA in any shape or form'.
'Personally, I think you're pissed off because she really isn't working with you' Ayaan said 'get real man...do you know what I really don't care, who is she to me anyway...come on lets go'. Asad and Ayaan had managed to physically obtain a lot of information from Victor's man, where Ayaan was diplomatic and liked to use dialogue to obtain information Asad usually just used his fist, which normally worked quite well. According to the information obtained Victor was scouting for possible recruits, he needed more people on board to deliver his goods around various cities, people that were young and didn't fit any kind of profile. Victors first target was the city's Youth Festival. The Festival was truly one of a kind, it brought together seven of the biggest colleges from Mumbai to put together a four day event, where students and staff members put on a number of displays and shows to promote not only their colleges but also raise money for local charities.
'The Festival starts next week, we need to put together a large surveillance team, I want every man or woman suspected of dealing, recruiting or anything to do with Victor or his gang arrested' Asad said as he looked through the planned layout of the area being used. At this point in time what Asad and Ayaan over looked was that if the rich middle class kids didn't play ball, it didn't really matter to Victor as he was easily able to pick up (with force if necessary) any girl from the slumps and use as a mule but since the Priya Naik fiasco, Victor changed his tactics.
Dev Raaj, was one of the key players in making sure that he met the demands of the youth. Him and his gang were going to have a strong presence at the Festival, this was one time that Asad and his team could probably catch him red handed.
Zoya, wasn't interested in standing behind a display board and being part of any kind of promotion what she wanted to do was capture the Festival on tape, she wanted to be part of a team that went round, interviewing the people who made up the Festival as well as those who attended. Jai and Rehan both were doing their dissertations on subject related to entertainment and youth culture, so were more than happy to have Zoya work alongside with them.
There was still a few days left to the Youth Festival, Zoya had asked Mr Roy if she could come in to meet with Arjun and his team, to form an acquaintance as she wold be working with them for a few months. 'Assalam O Alaikum, how are you?' 'I am very well, how have you been, I thought we were meeting up for lunch?' Humera asked 'I am so sorry, I have just been caught up with studying...are you free now, I am going to NIA, I thought we could go together and grab Ayaan for a quick lunch too' Zoya didn't need to convince Humera when it came to Ayaan. Zoya met Humera outside her house, who then drove them to NIA. Humera was seeing Ayaan after a few days, but could easily have felt like a few weeks, the minute she saw him she ran into his open arms, that swiftly scooped her up and swung her around I have missed you' she whispered in his ear as he put her down me too' he replied shamelessly kissing her cheek in front of everyone.
Ayaan fisted his hand and hit against Zoya's as his way of saying hello, something that always made Zoya laugh. 'I hear you are coming to join us soon?' 'yes...only for a day or two a week, am going to be meeting with Arjun's team...what is he like?' she asked scrunching up her little nose 'don't worry he is a little less intimidating than Asad, if that's what you are worried about' 'you seem to forget Mr Ayaan, your Akdu Khan does not intimidate me, he is just ...annoying'.
'Talk of Mr Annoying, look who just walked in' Ayaan pointed towards the door. It didn't matter how many times Zoya saw him she was bowled over every time for her perfection didn't define Asad but he himself defined perfection. Zoya quickly shook her head to stop herself from drooling any further does he ever smile, laugh...you know do normal human things?' Ayaan and Humera started laughing at Zoya's question 'Zoya, if he did act normal we would be extremely worried' Zoya never got a chance to respond as Asad was now standing in front of them. He greeted everyone with a simple salaam purposely not looking at anyone in particular you coming or going' he asked Ayaan going, we were just going out for a quick lunch, Zoya here has a meeting with Arjun' Zoya saw Asad's face stiffen, as he clenched his jaw and fisted his hand the minute he heard about her meeting. Zoya tried to look through his sunglasses but couldn't, the one thing she hated was talking to someone wearing shades, she always needed eye contact. Bhaijaan why don't you join us, we won't be too long' Humera said I really don't have the time...I need to work...' Humera placed her hand over his arm 'Bhaijaan, please...for me, I haven't seen you since New Year's' Asad and Zoya looked at each other as memories of their dance and accidental kiss came flooding back. Zoya quickly looked away as she could feel her face go red um...ok but just for a bit'.
The four of them sat in a small caf not too far from their work place what would you like?' Ayaan asked as he read through the menu could I just get a black coffee' Zoya said not liking anything on the menu don't you want anything to eat?' No...I am not that hungry' you sure?' Yes, thank you'. Ayaan finished giving the orders to the waiter and then turned to the others who were sitting in total silence you are allowed to talk' he said giving everyone a funny look, but the direction that the conversation took and how it ended he wished he had never said anything. Humera intrigued by knowing that Zoya was working with NIA asked her what she was doing; who confidently answered all her questions and showed a little more enthusiasm than Asad was prepared to deal with. As Zoya spoke Asad continued to mumble something under his breath, the first few times Zoya managed to ignore him but then it just took its toll. Mr Khan if you have something to say, say out loud' she said frustrated.
Asad finally took off his glasses and placed them on the table what exactly do you know about what we do, you NRI's think you can waltz in and be part of something you have no knowledge of, do you even realise how dangerous those streets are out there, it's not like you haven't had a taste of its ruthlessness already. You want to work with our teams and have no idea of what kinds of problems you are going to cause...' Bhaijaan...' Ayaan tried to stop him but Zoya interjected 'no Ayaan I want to hear this let him continue' Asad notched up his tone 'you think this is a joke, we face the possibility of death where ever we go, we can't babysit you and work at the same time, you want to do research go to the public library don't get yourself involved with something you don't understand the ins and outs of, this is real life Miss Farooqui not a one of those glamorised movies you watch...what would you parents think if they knew what you were doing, mixing yourself in the world of crime and drugs, where is the decency in that?' Humera and Ayaan looked on at Zoya who was boiling and was ready to topple over. Zoya was just about to give him as good as she just got but was interrupted by the waiter who had brought their food and drinks.
To quickly change the subject Humera stepped in 'Zoya, your coffee' Zoya picked up her bag I'm sorry, I have to head back, I'll call you later' she looked at Asad who refused to look back at her, she was so angry she could feel tears sting her eyes, it wasn't so much what he was saying but the last comment about her parents upset her more than he could ever realise.
As Zoya started to walk off Humera called after her but she refused to stop 'Bhaijaan was that really necessary, Mr Roy already told you that she is not working with us...or you so what is your problem?The girl is only going to be there for two days a week' Ayaan felt really bad for Zoya, he really didn't understand why Asad went off like that. Humera came back to the table 'what the hell was that all about?' she said in an angry voice, something that Humera never got was angry, but today she was. 'Humi, just let it be, you won't understand, that girl is a trouble magnet'. 'Bhaijaan, how much do you know her to pass such judgments, you were totally out of order' Humera was right Asad didn't know anything about her apart from the fact that she was an international student studying journalism and now was going to be a pain by working at NIA. As Humera continued to talk to Asad Ayaan kept grabbing her from under the table trying to get her to stop. Asad stood up 'I'm sorry to have ruined your lunch...Ayaan I'll see you back at the office'.
As much as I love him, Bhaijaan can be such a moron' Humera' Ayaan reprimanded her 'What? It's true, the man has serious issues'.
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