Unpredictable Lives: Link to T2 Page 152 - Page 64

Zoya threw her book across the bed, she had been starring at the same page for over an hour 'I need to get out of here' she said as she jumped up grabbed her jacked and walked out of her room, and made her way out of the building. The halls were pretty much empty majority of the student body had ventured out on dates, double dates and blind dates 'what is with everyone and their over active love lives...like there isn't anything else left in the world that is more interesting than looking into some moron's eyes all bloody night' Zoya continued to mumble to herself, she couldn't decipher her own mood, was she angry, upset, hurt, scared, lost or just lonely? May be all of these at the same time but the most irritating part of her mental functioning at this moment was Asad. The one man who seemed to have become the bane of her life was the one man she couldn't stop thinking about, it didn't matter what he did, how much he hurt her, angered her or made her cry every part of her still went running back to the memory of him. Most girls would run, avoid, walk away from such an arrogant ill-mannered man but Zoya couldn't even bring herself to stop thinking of him, it was like she wanted to meet him, call out to him even though she had no idea of what she wanted to say.

'A lot of good that was, Bhaijaan just put the phone down on me...next time you want him to come somewhere invite him yourself' Ayaan said folding his arms across his chest. Humera had suggested that Ayaan invited Asad to dinner, after everything that happened in Goa and Delhi she didn't like the idea of him being on his own. 'You know it would have been perfect if both Asad and Zoya had agreed to come' Ayaan rolled his eyes in and let out a heavy sigh 'Humera, trust me no matter how much we will try these two are never coming together...I don't know what possessed me to think otherwise...I mean after what happened in Delhi Zoya and Asad Bhaijaan...I don't think so' 'well you may want to give up but not me...I agree they spend more time wanting to kill each other but behind all that there is definitely something between them...and you know what...' Humera jumped up and started screeching in joy 'calm down woman...what is wrong with you' Ayaan said trying to tame a bouncing Humera 'Ammi...' 'Excuse me...where did Ammi come from?' 'No Ayaan...if anyone can get them to see eye to eye or even sit in one place like civilised normal human beings then it's your mum...I have a plan, you tell Bhaijaan that Ammi is not too well and to come and stay with her and then call Zoya and say that Ammi wants to spend some time with her' Ayaan looked at Humera as he scratched the back of his head 'I think your dad was right...I really am no good for you...coming up with dumb ideas is normally my job...where the hell did you just cook that up from Humera, it will never work and you forget Bhaijaan will kill me'. Humera hit Ayaan across the arm 'stop being stupid...it will work...just do as I say...and then we can finally go out ourselves...now come on hurry up'.

The plan seemed to have worked both Asad and Zoya had agreed to go and spend time with Shireen, the only thing left to do was fill Shireen in on the plan. 'Beta don't worry, by the time that these two leave here they will have kissed and made up...umm may be not the kissing part but definitely will have become friends' Ayaan starting laughing 'ok Ammi...me and Humera are going now...good luck and Allah Hafiz' Allah Hafiz beta, have fun'.

Both Asad and Zoya were grateful for the distraction, Zoya quickly went up to get her bag and made her way to Ayaan's and Asad also jumped in his car making his way to see Shireen. Zoya reached first as Shireen answered the door to her she embraced her in a loving hug 'thank you so much for coming Zoya, Ayaan told me about what had happened I was extremely worried for you, I thank Allah for bringing you back safely' Zoya hugged Shireen again thank you aunty'.

Zoya had made herself comfortable, her and Shireen spoke about so many things, Zoya got to know more about Ayaan's dad and older brother 'they normally come home once a year, I am hoping they will be here before Ramadan this year' 'you must really miss them?' 'Yes I do...but they keep in regular contact, and then again I have Ayaan, he is still childlike, keeps me occupied'. Tell me about your parents, you must miss them too, will they be coming to visit you?' Zoya's face fell a little at the mention of her parents; she felt her lips quiver as she tried to speak. At the same time the doorbell rang 'I'll get it' she said quickly jumping off her seat 'no beta its ok, you sit I will see who it is'.

Asad walked inside with his Shireen his arm wrapped around her shoulder 'Ammi how many times have I asked you to call me directly...you know what Ayaa...' Asad stopped as he saw Zoya sitting on the sofa. As soon as Zoya saw him she stood up, her body had turned as cold as ice, Asad cleared his throat 'sorry Ammi I didn't know you had company...I'll come back later' Asad was about to turn around when Shireen held on to his hand 'you are going nowhere, you are staying right here with me and with Zoya...' Asad turned back around and walked inside, he could feel heat spread all around his body, but he didn't know if it was because he was angry, frustrated or just anxious at seeing Zoya. Both Asad and Zoya stood on opposite sides of the table looking at each other 'Zoya, you know Asad don't you?' Shireen said breaking their eye lock 'yes, of course I do...Assalam O Alaikum' Zoya said nervously 'Wa Alaikum Assalam' Asad replied 'you two sit down I'll get some more drinks' Shireen said before she scurried out of the living room. Hiding behind the kitchen door Shireen peeked to see what they were doing 'Ya Khuda, itni achi shakal hai dono ki...thori si akal bhi de do (O Lord, they both have been blessed with such good looks, please bless them with some sense to)...come on you two, one way or another I'm going to make sure you walk out of here as friends...but please Allah make it before Ayaan gets home'.

Asad and Zoya kept stealing glances at one another as they sat waiting for Shireen to come back. The silence between them was far from just being awkward, the atmospheres was filled high with so many unsaid words, unexpressed emotions that any knife would slice right through it. Another ten minutes had past and to sit there any longer was really pushing their boundaries, testing the limits of their patience. Simultaneously both Asad and Zoya stood up, as they looked at each other questioningly Shireen came back in the room with some more drinks and snack 'where are you two off too?' 'Huh...um nowhere...I was just coming to see if you needed any help' Zoya quickly said. Shireen looked towards Asad 'and you?' 'Oh...um ...was just going to use the bathroom'. Shireen couldn't help smiling at them, what she really wanted to do was laugh out loud but had to remind herself that she was the mature adult.

Shireen had moved Asad and Zoya out to the Garden, when Asad came back from the bathroom he joined them outside. Shireen had purposefully placed them so they were sitting on chairs that were merely a few inches apart. To break the silence Shireen started talking 'Zoya, you were going to tell me about your parents...when Asad came...please continue' Zoya swallowed the air that she had just taken in with great difficulty she looked over to Asad and then back at Shireen Aunty...there really isn't a lot to tell...can we please change the subject'. 'Why' came his voice Zoya looked at him 'What do you mean why?' 'I mean why do you want to change the subject, what is wrong with talking about your parents...' Zoya took in a deep breath and let it out again to help maintain her calmness 'because I chose not to talk about them, some things are better left private...and at the end of the day they are my parents...' 'private' Asad scoffed Zoya Farooqui...you're a budding student of journalism the word private doesn't exist for people like you' 'my personal life has nothing to do with my work or study...and it certainly has nothing to do with you' Shireen could see how quickly this was escalating so stepped in 'its ok beta, no need to get upset we can talk about something else...actually you two can, I have just seen the time I have to pray, will be back soon'.

Zoya folded her arms gruffly across her chest 'I am so going to kill that Ayaan...I bet this is all his doing' she mumbled to herself 'did you say something?' he asked 'not to you I didn't' she replied back coldly. 'Do you know, I really can't be doing this...I need to go can you let aunty know I have gone' Zoya stood up and picked up her bag 'no...you can tell her yourself, don't you think it its rude to just get up and leave...sorry forgot you don't think you just do whatever you want without a second thought' 'Ya Allah, of all the places in the world I just had to come here and of all the people in the world I had to bump into him...' Asad stood up to meet her eye to eye 'you talking to me...or is this a new habit of yours, where you just keep mumbling to yourself' Zoya looked at him with narrowed eyes she felt like she was going to explode 'Mr Asad Ahmed Khan you stay away from me, you don't talk to me you don't look at me and if I have the misfortune of being of any kind of trouble you definitely stay away...I don't want your help, your sarcasm or anything else...even if I am on the street dying you don't come near me you understand'. Asad felt the pressure within him rise, his eyes darkened, he stepped forward and took her by the arms 'how dare you...do you really not think before you shoot your mouth off...people like you take life for granted...what are you a spoilt little rich girl from America, who probably gets her parents to do anything for her at the drop of a hat...you don't value life...don't you ever talk about death so lightly Zoya'.

'Let go of me' she hissed as she pushed him back 'what is your problem...why can't you just...' Zoya's sentence was cut short by Shireen calling her name out Zoya quickly put her bag down and brushed her hair back, trying to compose her raging self. 'Aunty if you don't mind, I should really get going, I have an early start tomorrow' 'Zoya, its Valentine's day and you want to go home to be by yourself, at least stay for dinner, Asad is here too' Zoya couldn't bring herself to saying no to Shireen 'Dinner is almost ready I'll just have it served'.

Zoya bent down to pick up the tray which still had their coffees in, giving Asad a stern look she turned around only to get her foot caught on the edge of the table. Not being able to balance herself properly the tray slanted making the hot coffee spill on her arm. Zoya screamed in pain as the hot liquid burnt her skin 'Zoya' Asad screamed out as he stepped up to her 'shit...' Asad held on to her arm as she winced in pain, he dragged her to the bathroom and turned on the cold tap 'here put your arm under here' Asad tried to lift up Zoya's sleeve and as he did Zoya snatched her hand back 'No...don't' Asad looked at her not understanding her reaction 'Zoya, give me your arm, you need to put it under cold water...you will end up with blisters' as he tried to grab her arm again she pulled back, this time with tears in her eyes 'Zoya...is it hurting...please give me your arm' he said he was not only panicking but was extremely worried for her 'please Mr Khan...' Closing his eyes in frustration Asad grabbed her arm and forcibly pulled back her sleeve leaving them both stunned.