Unpredictable Lives: Link to T2 Page 152 - Page 60

Twenty Seven

Ayaan had called Humera to let her know they were on route home and also for her to let Zoya's friends know that she was ok Ayaan bring her straight here, she can stay with me for a few days, I will make sure I look after her' Humera said only too happy to hear that Zoya was ok and on her way home.

The whole journey was engrossed by a deadly silence, not even Ayaan spoke, and at a time like this he would always be the first one to crack a joke or lighten the mood. Zoya looked at Ayaan questioningly when she found herself outside Humera's house Humera asked me to bring you here, you need to rest and be taken care of...and no one is taking no for an answer' Zoya didn't say anything, she just followed him in.

Inside Humera and Najma were sitting with Humera's parents; they all hugged Zoya and thanked Allah for her safe return. 'Humera, Najma please take Zoya upstairs, I will send some food in a bit' Humera's mum instructed. Once the girls had left she diverted her attention to an extremely tired looking Asad and Ayaan you two look exhausted...come in and rest for a while'. Once Najma and Humera had settled Zoya in they came downstairs to join the rest only to walk in on Asad talking out angrily about how irresponsible Zoya was and how she is a danger not only to herself but everyone around her.

Listening into what Asad was saying Najma felt herself boil over 'with all due respect Mr Khan...you have no idea of what you are talking about...you don't know the first thing about Zoya, so how dare you make a judgement' Asad turned his body towards Najma 'the girl has been in this country for six...maybe seven and caused more problems and ended up in more trouble than the whole of Mumbai put together...your friend doesn't know when to stop...what business did she have following those people?' 'Zoya is not amongst those who will close her eyes to or walk away from someone in need of help, that does not make her stupid or a trouble magnet...it makes her selfless...someone who has the courage to stand up and say you are wrong, without caring for her own safety she pushed Humera away making sure she got away and didn't even care what was going to happen to her'. 'Fine then what kind of an idiot stands in the middle of a fire and refuses to move...we could have died'. 'Yes you could have but you didn't...' Najma screamed back with equal vigour 'do you know why she froze...did it even occur to ask her once...no obviously it didn't...I'll tell you why...' 'No' a loud voice interrupted, everyone looked to the top of the stair to see Zoya standing there in tears 'Najma...no...please...stop'.

Holding on tightly to the banisters Zoya made her way down and all the way she kept her eyes locked with Asad's. Both their eyes reflected emotions that hid their inner turmoil. For Zoya it was the pain of having gone through such an ordeal, the pain of having have relieved something she suffered so many years ago, pain and upset that the man who saved her thought of her so badly. And for Asad it was anger at the thought of what could have been, seeing Zoya being thrown to the floor and hurt pained him more than anything and he didn't know why, even now the tears that streamed down her face bothered him, he wasn't able to see her in such a state.

'Zoya what are you doing downstairs, you should be resting' Humera said running to her side 'I'm fine...Humera if you don't mind I need to go back to my halls...please...let me go'. Everyone noticed how Zoya had started to shake again 'Zoya you are in no condition...just look at you your whole body is trembling' Humera said as she put an arm around her. Zoya removed her arm 'I am fine...I just need to go back...Najma please take me from here'. Humera looked at Ayaan and communicated something he was able to understand, he walked up to Zoya and took her into his hold 'let me drop you off' Zoya just nodded against him.

After Ayaan had left with Zoya and Najma, Asad excused himself and was ready to go when Humera called after him 'Bhaijaan...I know you are angry and upset and it's because this could have all gone horribly wrong, but you have to believe me it wasn't Zoya's fault, she was only trying to help that girl, and when we realised what was going on we turned around to get help but got caught...Zoya saved me once again Bhaijaan, Najma was right, she didn't care what happened to her just as long as I was ok...please don't be angry with her...she has been through so much in life...' Humera started to hiccup as she cried talking to Asad. Asad place his hand over her head its ok 'Humi...if it makes you feel better, I promise I won't say anything to her...whatever information we need I will get Ayaan to ask her'.

As he drove back to his apartment Asad's mind went back to everything that had happened over the last twenty four hours, it was no less than a crazy never ending rollercoaster. What bothered him more than anything was Zoya 'I can't believe that girl jumps in without thinking once about the dangers or consequences...Ya Allah what if something had happened to her, what if I didn't find her in time...and then the fire...' Thinking to what Najma and Humera had said he really did wonder what Zoya had gone through, he felt the need to know more about her, he wanted to talk to her but the question was how the only thing Asad had ever succeeding in doing up until now was hurting her with his uncontrollable tongue.

Zoya had spoken to Mr Roy and informed him that she would not be coming in for the rest of the week. She then went to meet the rest of her friends 'I am sorry, just because of me your whole trip got ruined...I don't even know how to make it up to you' Zoya said as she lowered her head feeling really bad Aarav looked at Rhea, who then looked at Najma 'are you for real Zoya...seriously you have nothing to apologise for, what you did was so brave, you went out to help a total stranger, who the hell does that in this day and age...and as for the trip we can all go at the end of the academic year...but...if you really want to make up for it you can, it Valentine's day today and we are all going out for dinner so join us' Zoya looked at Najma like she was crazy 'Najma please...my head is not in the right place, and I really don't want to be the odd one out...you guys go ahead...honestly I will be fine'. Not wanting to argue with her too much Najma let it be 'ok, well just make sure you rest then...we will see you later' InshAllah'.