Unpredictable Lives: Link to T2 Page 152 - Page 37

Twenty

Zoya let's move further up' Rhea insisted no...really I am ok here...but you guys go ahead...Humera you can too if you like' Humera shook her head 'why would I leave you behind, and besides you told Ayaan we would be here so its ok'. As Rhea continued to insist Najma stepped in knowing only too well why Zoya was keeping her distance 'Rhea its ok, let her stay back we can go ahead' Najma looked back at Zoya and winked at her Zoya smiled and blew her a kiss as a thank you.

As the night grew darker the music got louder, Zoya and Humera sat comfortably to the back and watch as each firework illuminated the night sky with its beautiful colours. Humera kept looking around in search for Ayaan 'I tell you by the time that man gets here it will be all over' she complained 'he will be here, don't worry...hey look, looks like my brother has a long life, there he is' Zoya said having spotted him to the right of where they were sitting, what Zoya didn't see was the person who was standing behind him, as Ayaan approached them Asad came into focus and the minute Zoya saw him she automatically stopped breathing.

'Look away...Zoya Farooqui I order you to look away' she kept saying to herself, she couldn't tear her eyes away from him. When Asad realised that Zoya was sitting with Humera he stopped in his tracks 'Ayaan, you go ahead...I am going to go further up...just make sure you take Humi home yourself' not realising what was going on Ayaan just shrugged his shoulders ok, I'll see you tomorrow'. Zoya saw Asad stop and then walk away, leaving her feeling a little disappointed, trying not to give it much thought she greeted Ayaan 'Where did Bhaijaan just got?' Humera asked 'I am not sur...hang on...I do know, Bhaijaan must have seen Zoya here hence he done a runner, I think maybe after that day, he may not be up to seeing you again' Ayaan said honestly. Zoya stood up here 'why don't you sit down with my bhabi for a bit I'll be back' the word bhabhi made both Ayaan and Humera smile from ear to ear.

Zoya consciously went looking for Asad, even though what he had done had hurt her so much she still wanted to see him, after having spoken to Humera, Zoya felt she needed to reach out to his human side, it may be that he would push her away, but then at lease she knew that she had tried. With it being so dark and being amongst so many people Zoya couldn't see him anywhere, soon Zoya started to get lost within the crowds, there were so many people pushing she felt she had no control over which direction she was going in. Zoya started to panic as she struggled to move through them, it was then she felt a firm hand around her waist that pulled her, letting out a gasp she turned around in a fit of fury at the audacity of whoever it was who dared to hold her so intimately but the minute she saw his face everything faded away. Zoya eyes were fixated on his face, she let herself be held close to him without and reservations, as Asad pulled her out of the crowd he let go of her, where Zoya was still looking at him Asad refused to give her any eye contact.

Asad had seen her get caught up and the panic that spread across her face, he had instinctively moved towards her knowing that she needed help, but after the last interaction they had he couldn't find himself to look at her, so he did what he knew best to turn around and start walking away. As soon as Zoya realised what he was doing she spoke up 'thank you...and its ok' Asad stopped and then turned around, he got what the thank you was for but was the second part for? Zoya stepped closer to him 'thank you for helping me out of there...and its ok...something maybe I should have said when you came the other day...when you sa...said sorry' Asad felt a cold sensation wash over him instead of feeling content that Zoya was ok and accepted his apology he started to feel irate knowing he was very capable of saying something he will go on to regret Asad chose to stay silent. Zoya waited for him to speak, say something but there was nothing, not even a twitch in reaction.

Asad took a step back and then turned on his feet and walked away leaving Zoya stumped. As much as she hated to admit it Asad affected her more than anything, his presence whether in his physical state or as a thought conjured up so many emotions, emotions that Zoya was not able to decipher, in her confused and rather upset state she went back to Ayaan and Humera. 'Where did you go off to?' Ayaan asked as he stood up to give her seat back 'nowhere...just hanging around' 'well you're just in time for the last display...come sit down'. The last display really was spectacular the Festival couldn't have ended on a better note, and for Asad and his team, what they had learnt and stopped was also very praise worthy.

Zoya was up and ready at the crack of dawn, it was her first day at NIA and was as nervous as hell, not because of the works she had signed up to do but at the prospect of being in Asad's face, if they shared anything close to a normal relationship it would not have been so bad, but her relationship with him was as unhealthy as a burger and chips for breakfast laced with anything toxic.

Zoya met with Ana in reception, who then showed her to the desk that Arjun had arranged for to be at for her duration here. Zoya managed to learn quite a bit about how things ran in their team from Ana, by the time they had finished their chat and Arjun arrived they had gone through their third cup of coffee. Arjun greeted Zoya and then sat down with her going over possible files and data she could have access to, although Zoya had signed a confidentiality agreement, there were still files and databases that were restricted. 'Zoya we have a meeting set up today for half nine, Mr Roy wants some of the teams to work in collaboration on a few cases, you are more than welcome to attend' 'that would be great...is it ok if I make notes?' it should be, but ask Mr Roy just to be sure'.

As zoya settled at her new desk, she took out her laptop and started to form a number of questions she was going to use as part of her evidence and research gathering. 'My sexy lady' a loud voice came from across the room Zoya looked up to see Haroon, walking towards her with his arms wide open and the cheesiest grin she had ever seen 'Ya Allah...first Akdu now this clown' Zoya smiled back politely 'firstly, you can put those hands down there is no way I am hugging you and secondly sexy lady...like seriously?' Haroon started laughing 'oh come on now Zoya...we are team mates, a little love is allowed' Zoya nearly choked 'love?...you seriously need help, this is the second time I am meeting you...dude, you don't even fit into my friend category' pretending to be hurt Haroon stated to punch at his chest 'ouch...that hurt' he said, shaking her head in amusement Zoya started to walk past him 'come on lets go...apparently we have a big meeting with Mr Roy...and I for one don't want to be late'.