Unpredictable Lives: Link to T2 Page 152 - Page 76

Thirty One

Ayaan spend a couple of hours with Zoya going over every piece of detail from the minute she sat on the bus to Delhi to the time they landed back in Mumbai. Asad made a conscious decision not to be present he wasn't sure whether it was to make her feel comfortable or the fact that he didn't have the heart to re live it.

'Thank you Zoya, I know it can't have been easy for you...but at least now it's over and done with. You can hang out here; I just need to get this to Mr Roy' Zoya sat on Ayaan chair waiting for him to come back, she felt too overwhelmed to want to go straight back to her desk. Asad came back into his room to find Zoya sitting with her head rested against her arm on the table 'are you ok?' he said worried to see her like that 'huh' Zoya lifted her head up 'oh...um yeah am fine, was just feeling a little tired after all that...' Asad looked deep into her eyes and it was for the first time that he saw how vulnerable she really was, behind that no nonsense, hard girl exterior she was just a girl who despite having fought so much in life was still vulnerable 'would you like to go out' when he saw Zoya's eyes widen he realised what he had said 'I mean out...as in I need to pick up something...you know just to get some fresh air' Asad started kicking himself how bloody cool was that?' he thought to himself. Zoya stood up 'yeah sure, fresh air would be good...let me just let Ayaan know' Asad nodded 'I'll be in the reception area...see you down there'.

Asad stopped the car a few bus stops away from Moti Mahal 'what are we doing here?' she asked 'wait here I'll be back in two minutes' was all Asad said before he jumped out the car. Zoya looked at him through the side mirror, she saw him stand by the bus stop as if he was waiting for the bus 'what is he doing?' she questioned herself. Just then she saw a man wrapped in a shawl holding a stick come and stand next to him, it was only because she was looking so carefully did she notice the man give a package to Asad from under his shawl and then walk away. Asad came back and sat in the car 'he was one of our informants...we had news that Arvind Shinde was holding Victor's drugs in Moti Mahal, but since everything that happened in Delhi and Goa, the stuff has been moved out' 'oh...do you know where it is being held now?' Hopefully the information our informant just gave me would provide me with a better clue...'

On their way back to NIA HQ Asad stopped outside a caf, the very same one that he unnecessarily shouted at 'Zoya I think I owe you a coffee...seeing as the last time we were here I didn't actually...I mean it wasn't very pleasant' Zoya smiled inwardly at his gesture 'coffee would be great'. 'Two black coffees no sugar' Asad ordered 'if I remember correctly that is what you ordered the last time...right' Zoya smiled 'yes, am surprised you remembered or even paid attention considering your frame of mind that day' Asad gave her a lopsided smile and averted her gaze.

Both started to ask one another little things about their work, study and life in general, Zoya was more than interested in Asad's stories of successful missions and shoot outs 'you're not very girly for a girl are you?' he said musing at her over enthusiasm 'and what does a girl who is girly look like Mr Khan?' she said raising her eyebrow, not quite sure of the answer himself Asad started smiling you should do that more often' 'what' 'smile...it suits you' Asad cleared his throat and sat up 'I do smile...I am human you know' pretending to look shocked Zoya started to laugh 'really...Mr Khan you...' All of a sudden Zoya stopped talking and froze, he eyes widened and pupils' dilated, she looked almost scared. Asad put down his cup and followed her eyes to find Dev Raaj standing behind them with Raghu and two other young guys.

As they stepped closer Asad stood up as did Zoya 'Officer Khan...nice seeing you...and your little friend' he said slanting his head to get a good look at Zoya. Asad moved to position him right in front of her 'what do you want Dev?' oh nothing from you...but form her quite a bit...you see she has caused quite a stir...I mean first here in Mumbai then all the way in Delhi...you seem to get around Miss...sorry what was your name again' Zoya grabbed hold of Asad's top from behind as she started to tremble. Turning more than angry Asad looked at 'Dev I am warning you...' 'Hold on officer Khan...calm down...no need to increase your blood pressure...we were just leaving' before he did walk off he looked at Zoya one more time 'you and me sweetheart...we will me meeting...soon'.

Asad clenched his jaw the veins in his hands were about to burst out as he fisted his hands hard, all he wanted to do was knock Dev Raaj out of his senses once and for all. Asad could still feel Zoya's grip on his top he turned around to see her look at him, her face had lost all colour, before he could say anything Zoya wrapped her arms around him and held on to him as if her life depended on it. Asad could feel her body shake, he quickly held her back and rubbed her back gently trying to calm her down its ok 'Zoya...don't worry...there is nothing to be afraid of, the man is all talk...come let me take you back to the office' for that moment it wasn't what Asad was saying that was calming her down it was being in his hold and the hearing the softness of his reassuring voice that helped her regain composure. Keeping her hand held in his Asad led her back to the car and drove her to the safety of the NIA.

Zoya met Najma and Rhea in the canteen for dinner, it was always nice to indulge in some light hearted chit chat, even their sickly love stories didn't bother her now, she welcomed the distraction, she truly was happy for them especially Rhea. 'I am stuffed...shall we go, I could do with an early night' Zoya said as she stretched her arms out taking in a yawn. As the girls walked back up they wished each other good night before they walked towards their respective rooms. Zoya stood outside her room and saw her door was open, thinking she was clumsy enough to have forgotten to lock it she open the door to find the whole room had been ransacked. Zoya let out a scream, within moments Rhea, Najma and a few other students ran to her side 'Ya Allah...Zoya what the hell happened' Najma said as she covered he mouth looking shocked. 'We need to call the police...and let Mr Anand know...how the hell did anyone get in the building to do this?' Rhea retorted, she held on to Zoya's arm as she looked at her room that had been turned inside out.

The police had come in with Mr Anand and took charge, they asked Zoya questions she did not have the answers to she kept thinking why and who would do something like this to her as she racked her brain it soon came to her, how could it not be him it had to have been Dev Raaj and his fools 'He knows where I live...he will come back for me' she whispered to herself. 'Mr Anand, nothing seems to be missing so who ever done this did so to scare Miss Farooqui, it may not be safe for her to stay here' 'yes inspector...but Zoya where will you go?' 'She will go with me' Zoya froze on hearing the voice that just came from behind her Zoya looked to the door to see Asad and Ayaan standing there. Ayaan stepped forward and took Zoya into his arms 'are you ok?' Zoya nodded against his chest not being able to speak.

'Mr Khan, good to see you. We are not sure how this has been possible, the watchman said he never saw anything, and we have no reason not to believe him, in the history of this college nothing like this has ever happened' Mr Anand explained 'it's ok...we have a good idea of who it might be...in the mean time it is not safe to have Zoy...I mean Miss Farooqui anywhere near here' 'Bhaijaan we can take her to my place, she will be safe with Ammi' Ayaan said 'No Ayaan, I will not put Ammi under the spot light, if they find out that Zoya is anywhere near you or even Humera they won't think twice about trying something again' then...where will she go?' 'with me...for now the safest place for her to be is with me, she can come and stay with me' Zoya looked up at Asad and then Ayaan, she wasn't sure what to say, she couldn't think everything just seemed a blur 'Zoya, Bhaijaan is right the safest place for you to be is with him right now...come, let's go'.

Zoya hugged Rhea and Najma and then picked up what she could before she followed Ayaan and Asad to the car. Ayaan saw tears roll down her cheeks 'Zoya...please don't worry, we won't let anything happen to you, that bast**d will have to pay for this'. Zoya pulled back from his hold and gave him a bleak smile and then sat in the car. Ayaan dropped Asad and Zoya off outside his apartment 'Bhaijaan, I'll take the SUV; I'll pick you guys up tomorrow morning'.