Unpredictable Lives: Link to T2 Page 152 - Page 6

Six

Clad in her Levi's Zoya borrowed a more glitzy top from Soniya who was more her size, the group of seven walked into the club which was known as the Blue Lagoon, but most commonly referred to as the Lagoon by the students. It was jam packed, luckily Aarav had thought ahead and booked them a table in advance, where they sat had a good view of the dance floor, which was crowded with dancers; the music was so loud Zoya could just about hear herself think. Rehan and Jai brought everyone their first round of drinks, all of them seemed to indulge in alcohol now and again, Zoya and Najma ordered soft drinks and a few snacks, they knew this was going to be a long night.

Rishi pulled Soniya up for a dance and the rest followed pursuit Aarav took Rhea and Jai made acquaintances with girl who was sitting on the table next to theirs Najma...Rehan you can go you know its ok, I'll be fine' Zoya knew that Rehan wanted to take Najma up but didn't want to leave Zoya by herself you sure?' he asked of course I am...now go'. The night was going really well up until a group of boys entered the club causing havoc as soon as they walked in, everyone seemed to know who they were as they started to step back off the dance floor Zoya looked at them, all clad in black leather jackets, as if it was uniform.

One guy who looked like the ring leader ordered himself a beer, not that he needed anymore alcohol in his system he seemed high on whatever he had already taken. Pushing their way back on to the dance floor they started to misbehave, a few girls walked away and others hid behind their guys. Zoya saw the look on Najma's face as a few of them cornered her and Rehan, she immediately went and stood by the edge of the dance floor Najma...come we are ready to go' she shouted, not sure how well her voice carried over the loud music and noise. Najma and Rehan made it back to Zoya safely but another couple were not so lucky, when they started to misbehave with the poor girl a fight broke out, not even the security were able to control the situation. Being shocked to the core and totally scared Najma, Rhea and Soniya stood back with Zoya, Rehan, Aarav Rishi and Jai standing in front of them.

In the brawl things started to get out of hand we should get out of here before this gets nasty' Aarav said who the hell are these people, and why were they even allowed in' Zoya complained the guy with the red tee shirt on he is Dev Raaj, the son of one of Mumbai's most influential families, he is well known for his notorious behaviour, he thinks he can get away with anything and normally does'. Zoya followed the rest of them towards the exit but got separated as other students too started to quickly walk out. Zoya turned as she felt a pull on her top where are you going sexy...you and me...we need to dance' said an awful looking guy who came in with Dev. Zoya yanked herself back how dare you touch me...I don't need to do anything with you...move away' she said seething with anger 'ohhh so much attitude' he said as he stepped forward 'would you like a drink?' he grinned holding his glass up to her 'no...get away from me' Zoya turned around to move away from him only to be pulled back and as soon as he pulled on her arm he threw the glass of bear over her. Zoya froze in utter shock her eyes narrowed and her heart raced, the anger the disgust she felt was something she had never felt before 'you bas***d' she screamed, Zoya lifted her hand and slapped the guy that stood in front of her with all her might. Covering his cheek with his hand the guy started to see red 'you bitch...how dare you' as soon as he was about to grab Zoya a member of their gang screamed out police and they all started to disperse.

In the mad rush Zoya tried to find her way out and her friends, as she ran out she hit a hard standing body making her jump back when she looked up she saw two very familiar but very angry eyes piercing back at her 'you...what...' Asad stood there not being able to think clearly seeing Zoya there angered him beyond belief. Not letting her finish he grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the way into a side corridor, Zoya looked at him as he led her away aggressively let go you are hurting me' she said as she tried to pull back her hand bringing her to stand in front of him Asad looked down at her 'what the hell are you doing here...what kind of a girl...no let me correct that what kind of a Muslim girls comes to a place like this and soaks herself with alcohol?' Zoya looked up to meet his eyes she was absolutely flabbergasted. Straightening her back she matched the look he had on his face I can ask you the same question, or is it one rule for men and another for women, how dare you point a finger at me or my character...and who the hell are you anyway' Asad could feel himself lose control he banged his fist against the wall inched away from her face making her skip a beat as Zoya continued to look at him Rhea and Aarav came running towards her Zoya...Zoya are you ok...come on lets go' she said Asad moved back letting her go but not moving his gaze of her retreating back.

Outside stood a number of police cars and a car that Zoya instantly recognised; it was the same SUV she saw Asad standing by outside the pizza place. Police officers had gathered people around, some had been arrested and others were being questioned. Rishi, Rehan and Najma were giving an officer their statements when Zoya came out. Ayaan recognised Zoya and walked up to her Miss...' Zoya looked up at the man who stood in front of her, not being in uniform she didn't know he was an official, Ayaan read Zoya's expression and quickly introduced himself sorry I should introduce myself, my name is Ayaan Salim I am an NIA Officer I just needed to ask you a few questions' Zoya eased herself as she was ready to put up another fight. Sorry officer Salim...I didn't know...I mean my name is Zoya, Zoya Farooqui' Ayaan smiled ok Miss Farooqui can you tell me what happened?'

Zoya explained what had happened in the Lagoon, how one of the guys grabbed her and threw his drink over her can you see the person who did that amongst those people?' Ayaan asked Zoya looked towards the crowd of students that were standing on the opposite side, when she spotted the guy she nodded there the one with the long hair' Ayaan looked to where Zoya had indicated and wasn't surprised at all. Ayaan noticed Zoya's eyes well up are you ok Miss Farooqui' Zoya shook her head for someone who has never stepped foot in a night club or been in the presence of alcohol before just look at me...officer if you don't have any further questions I would like to go home please'. Ayaan looked up to see Asad standing a few feet behind, Asad nodded at him giving him permission to let her go. Ayaan looked back at Zoya Miss Farooqui you may leave, but if I need to ask you anything further where would I be able to contact you?' I am a student of National School of Media and Art, I live in the college's halls of residence, and my mobile number is 073596464' Thank you, are you ok getting home or would you like a lift?' No, thank you. I have my friends with me'.

Once Zoya had left Ayaan looked towards Asad who was looking in anger towards the guy Zoya had pointed out and instantly knew that guy was a goner, very few managed to escape the wrath of Asad Ahmed Khan.

After spending over an hour in the shower washing and re washing the whole of her body Zoya finally hit the sack and fell asleep. Zoya was rudely awoken by a loud and constant banging on her door whoever it is this had bloody be good' she grumbled as she went to open the door. As soon as she opened it Najma came flying in making Zoya jump oh my god...Zoya look what I found' Zoya looked at Najma waving a newspaper in her hand. Zoya closed her door and walked up to her you woke me up to show me a newspaper...are you for real?' No Zoya not just any newspaper look at the front page' Zoya took the paper from her hand and turned it around

Zoya looked at Najma wide eyed 'he...he is a narcotics officer...Ya Allah. And here I was thinking is a rude, arrogant knuckle head with double standards...well he still is but now it all makes sense' Najma didn't miss the little sparkle in Zoya's eyes as she spoke 'are we impressed Miss Farooqui?' she asked in a teasing tone 'im...impressed why would I be...all I am saying it just makes sense for him to have been there, because...you know he doesn't look young enough to be a student...and he was also at our film screenings...but still do you know how rude he was to me look what he did to my arm' Asad had left a nice print of his fingers where he had grabbed her, having sensitive skin was no fun, it meant Zoya bruised quite easily. Zoya carried on babbling trying to hide the fact that she had almost been caught out, but Najma knew Zoya too well, this was probably the first time Zoya had paid any guy the slightest bit of attention.