Unpredictable Lives: Link to T2 Page 152 - Page 40

Twenty One

Forget wanting to be late the second Zoya walked into the main conference room, she wished she had never agreed to come, in all his sexiness Asad stood right in front of her, if it hadn't been for Ayaan who came up to greet her she probably would have totally lost herself. 'Hey sis, good to see you' Ayaan stepped up to her and then hugged her from the side 'hey...am glad you are here...feel a lot better now' holding her hand Ayaan led her to where he was sitting 'come and sit next to me...this side of the room is a lot more interesting' he said winking at her. Asad took a step back to let her pass as she took the seat next to Ayaan, taking in a much needed breath Asad moved to the other side but before he could pull out the chair and sit down Haroon jumped in 'sorry mate...this seats taken' Asad fisted his hands and if he clenched his jaw anymore he was sure to crack a few teeth. Walking off in frustration Asad went and sat opposite Zoya, in all of this Ayaan was having the most fun, watching Asad and Zoya lock eyes and then look away was quite amusing.

Turning his body towards Zoya Haroon gave her an exaggerated smile 'so how comes he get a hug and I don't?' Zoya looked at him not really knowing what to say, the fact that Asad was staring at her was making her to conscious of herself. Putting his arm around Zoya's shoulder and pulling her in towards him Ayaan spoke up 'that's because I can hug my sister whenever I want...so you Mr Haroon Darr back off'. Haroon was about to respond when Mr Roy entered the room, after which everyone was on their best behaviour.

'Ok let's get this going, firstly I would like thank everyone for making this at such short notice and also before I start I would like to congratulate Asad and his team for their work during the Youth Festival, we had a good result. From the intelligence gathered over the last week or so, we have come to know that a new product was launched by Victor; he somehow managed to bring thorough his consignment undetected, which is something we are currently investigating. The reason I have asked all of you here today is for two reasons, one, we have good reason to believe that Victor's main man Arvind Shinde is holding the majority of this Sandal Wood in Moti Mahal, and secondly this is closely linked with the Priya Naik case. But it doesn't just stop there, a number of girls have been by choice or by force been roped in as was Priya Naik to transport this drug in and around Mumbai...' as Mr Roy carried on talking Zoya felt a cold shiver down her spine, her whole body had come up with goose bumps. She remembered the time she met Arvind Shinde and Priya Naik. It was scary to think that she and her friends were in the middle of all of this and didn't have a clue.

'I would like Asad and Arjun to collaborate on anything you have planned, we need to be extremely cautious...I want no mistakes made. And finally, before you all go I would like to officially introduce Miss Zoya Farooqui, she will be with is for a couple of months conducting research for her dissertation, I hope I can rely on you all to make her feel welcome and assist her in anything she needs...Zoya as the two teams are joining on this I would like you to work under the supervision of both Asad and Arjun' 'Yes sir' Zoya smiled at him nervously, she could still see Asad staring at her but this time instead of ignoring him she looked straight back at him 'two can play at this game Mr Akdu...let's see how long you can hold my gaze now' she said to herself. As the conference room emptied Zoya and Asad sat there motionless, it was only when Ayaan nudged Zoya she broke away 'I could let you stare at Bhaijaan for the rest of the day...but I don't think it will sit well with Arjun seeing it's your first day here' Ayaan started laughing at the evil expression Zoya just gave him 'not funny...I'll see you later' Zoya picked up her notebook and walked off towards her office.

The rest of the day went pretty well, she was able to keep Haroon and his over friendliness at bay by brushing him off and giving him as much sarcasm as she could.

'Ana, I am off...thank you for all your help today; I guess I will see you on Friday' Zoya said bye to Ana and rushed out of the office before Haroon had the chance to say anything to her. Sprinting down the corridor Zoya made it just in time to catch the lift and it was only once she stepped inside she realised who was standing directly behind her, closing her eyes she took a deep breath 'Ya Allah why...?' She moaned to herself. One by one people exited the lift until there was only the two of them 'perfect...can this get any better?' As Zoya continued talking to herself Asad stood there contemplating whether he should say anything but every time he attempted to speak his mouth failed to open. Not being able to bear the silence Zoya turned around to ask him exactly what his problem was when all of a sudden the lift came to a halt and the light went out.

'Shit...not again' Asad moaned out loud 'wh...what the hell just happened...?' Zoya asked in a panic 'the lift stopped...' came the sarcastic response 'genius...even I know that...but why?' 'Isn't it obvious...there has been a power cut' 'Ya Allah...how long will it take...I can't stay in here' 'well feel free to leave' letting out a low growl Zoya turned towards him, or she thought it was him in the darkness she couldn't tell where he was standing 'what is your problem...can you not answer like a normal person just once?...where is the Alarm button on this thing?' Zoya started pressing the illuminated buttons on the side but to no avail 'you can push all you like...nothing can be done until the power comes back on'.

Zoya stepped back into the wall 'Ya Allah what is it with this country and power cuts?' Asad took out his phone to bring some light as his phone came on he looked up to see Zoya's face her eyes were tightly squeezed shut and her lips were trembling even in the state of fear she looked flawless he couldn't bring his eyes to tear away from her, he had an urge to cup her face and tell her that its ok, I am here. Closing his eyes in annoyance at his own thoughts Asad asked her, 'are you ok?' he knew it was a dumb question but he had to say something Zoya didn't reply all she did was shake her head 'Zoya open your eyes' thinking how does he know I have my eyes closed Zoya opened her eyes to see a small light that illuminated his face form the second her eyes met with his she started to relax.

But it didn't last for long, the light on Asad's phone faded out bring them back into darkness, letting out a fear filled gasp Zoya leapt forward and clung onto Asad 'Mr Khan...please do something I am no good with dark confined spaces, please...' If Zoya had just said something it washed completely over him all his mind and body were doing were taking in the fact that Zoya's body was stuck to his and her arms wrapped around his neck, she smelt heavenly all he wanted to do was drown in her thick luscious hair. Unknowingly Asad raised his right hand and placed it around her waist 'it's ok Zoya, there is no need to be scared...move back let me try and put my phone on again' Zoya's arm tightened 'no...please don't let go'. In all the panic Zoya really didn't know what she was doing, but whatever it was made her feel safe. 'I won't...I promise, give me your hand' Zoya loosened her grip from around his neck and let her hands slide down his chest until she found his hand and when she did she entwined her fingers with his and held on tightly. Asad pressed his phone and the small light returned 'thank you' she said innocently and sincerely Asad was just about to respond when the lift jolted making Zoya fall against him and the power came on.

Still holding her in his arms Asad couldn't bring himself to let go, it was like he was transfixed 'Mr...Khan...the light...I mean the lift...the power is back...I am ok now' it was only when Zoya wriggled in his hold did he realise what he was doing and then quickly let go of her. Turning his body to the side Asad started to feel more than just a little awkward and Zoya stood there blushing so profusely that anyone would think that she had just applied a blob of red paint to her cheeks. They both sighed a sigh of relief when the door opened, Asad was the first to exit, actually more like run out the lift and he didn't dare look back.

Zoya was grateful for the cold air that touched her face, she took in pockets of fresh air that she needed so desperately. Zoya made her way to the bus stop, as she waited for the bus her mind went back to her little close encounter with Asad, it was like she could still feel him, his warmth against her. Zoya's pleasant reverie was short lived as loud music caught her attention, she looked across the street and froze it was Dev Raaj, Raghu and another guy sitting in a car with music loud enough to deafen anyone. Zoya slowly slid behind a few people who were also waiting for the bus, hoping that they had not seen her. Zoya's eyes followed Dev's car that came to a suddenly came to a halt a few hundred yards down, she saw Raghu jump out and talk to a girl who he then forced into the car.

Zoya's eyes widened and her mouth opened in shock, she couldn't believe what had just happened and that in broad daylight too. Fumbling through her back Zoya took out her phone and called Ayaan 'come on...pick up pick up...damn' she cursed as Ayaan's phone went to voice mail, she quickly dialled Asad's number 'hello...Mr Khan' Asad recognised the panic in Zoya's voice what's wrong' Mr Khan, I am at the bus stop...can you please come' Asad ran out as fast as he could, his tyres screeched around every corner as he raced towards her. Zoya stood out from behind the bus stop as soon as she saw his car, Asad jumped out and ran to her grabbing her by the shoulders 'are you ok...what happened' Zoya looked at him totally confused by his reaction 'Mr Khan...nothing happened to me...but if we don't hurry something definitely will to that girl' Asad let go of her arms 'what girl Zoya?'. Zoya explained to him what had happened 'did you see where they went...do you recognise the car...the girl?' Zoya nodded but she wasn't entirely sure get in'. As Asad sped off with Zoya he called Ayaan to give him the heads up and to see if he could find out anything about what was going on.

It had been fifteen minutes and there was no way of knowing where they could have gone 'damn it...so close and yet he still gets away' Asad said banging his fist against the steering wheel. Zoya had not said a single word to him she had stopped breathing from the minute he had started to race his car, she was holding on the side of her seat so tight that her skin had turned white. Asad who was oblivious to her state drove Zoya back to her college it was only when he pulled the hand break up did Zoya let out her breath 'why do you look like you have seen a ghost?' huh' shaking his head Asad just pointed behind her you're home...you can get out now' Zoya looked behind her and realised that she was back at her halls, unbuckling her seat belt she looked up to meet his eyes 'thank you' to which Asad just nodded. As Zoya stepped out and closed the door Asad drove off leaving her to carry her wobbly legs back to her room, a day that was full of so much drama and it was only her first day.