Unpredictable Lives: Link to T2 Page 152 - Page 84

Zoya felt bad that Asad and Ayaan had to keep taking turns to take her to college and pick her up, she insisted on taking the bus or even a taxi but they were having none of it.

Zoya spend a lot of her time in her room, the last thing she wanted to was intrude on his personal space too. She had managed to learn a lot about Asad, just by observing him and the little chit chats they had whenever they managed to come together in the living room or on the balcony, which fast was becoming Zoya's favourite spot.

'Come in' Zoya shouted out through the bathroom as she came out Asad walked into her room 'hi' 'hi...I...um Zoya, you really don't have to stay in your room all the time, you can come out...promise I won't bite' Zoya started blushing out of embarrassment 'bite...I mean...yeah sure...to be honest I thought that it would be better...you know if I stayed out of the way' Asad folded his arms and stood firm 'better...how?' he was intrigued to know exactly what was going on in Zoya's head. 'Mr Khan you have to admit we are not the best of friends, actually you couldn't stand the sight of me...I probably caused you more trouble than all of your criminal friends put together and now you have the very same person living under the same roof as you, please don't get me wrong I am extremely grateful but I don't want to push it, hopefully I will be able to go back in a day or two...so I thought it would be better if we remained civil...or at least I didn't cause you any trouble' Zoya said the last part averting her gaze. Asad listened carefully to her reasoning but it had no relevance to where they stood today, he appreciated her thinking, quite mature for someone like Zoya he first thought. Asad stepped closer to her 'in all of what you said the one word that totally changes everything is the word couldn't Zoya...I wouldn't go as far as saying I couldn't stand the sight of you but still, COULDN'T...it's a past tense...so doesn't count...so instead of over thinking too much why don't you just come out and be normal...would make everything a little more easier'.

Zoya looked at Asad as he walked back out 'Ya Allah, is he really the Akdu Khan I first met...maybe he suffers from multiple personality syndrome...or is schizophrenic...what is he about?' she said to herself trying to figure this side of Asad out, she was so used to him being him that this new side was beginning to scare her.

'Mr Khan, it's been quite a few days now, I think it would be safe for me to go back' 'yes it has been quite a few days but that doesn't necessarily mean that it is safe Zoya, what Dev Raaj wanted to do was scare you, and he succeeded, but what if you had been in the room, the story would have been a whole lot different'. 'I agree, but I can't live in fear Mr Khan, I need to go back I have just over four months left here, I need to get back to my work, to make sure I not only complete the year but also pass it, it's what I have worked so hard for and I can't let him back me into a corner and give in...and besides I can't stay here for ever'. In all of what Zoya had just said to him the only things that stuck were the time she had left in India and that she felt she couldn't stay here forever.

'You really only have four months?' Zoya nodded 'yeah, it's March now and I finish at the end of June, we have to be out of halls by the first week of July' 'and...then what?' 'Then Mr Khan, I go back...back to America to complete my last year, once I have graduated I will start applying for various posts and hopefully will get something I want'.

Zoya looked at Asad intently his eyes and facial expressions looked as if he was searching something, like he was talking to himself but not really understanding what he was saying. 'Are you ok? You seem a little lost?' Asad looked at her, he realised that his inner thoughts must be playing out on his face so he quickly straightened himself up 'yeah...totally...well I suppose...good luck, I hope it all works out for you' he said with a straight face to which Zoya just smiled.

Zoya had managed to catch up with all her friends; they spent the whole day together. Zoya managed to catch up with her assignments and was able to meet with her tutor to go over her dissertation 'so far so good Zoya, keep up the good work' he said 'thank you sir'.

'Najma, Ayaan is picking me up today, I am at the NIA tomorrow so I won't see you until Thursday' 'Zoya, this sucks...no seriously it does, can you not come back, I am sure the extra security within the college halls is sufficient enough...I hate you being so far away...that Asad of your has you all to himself' Zoya started laughing 'first of all he is not my Asad and no he does not have me to himself, I hardly see him, it only in the morning or in the evening...and yes I will be coming back soon, I will talk to him again and ask to move back by Monday'. Najma started smiling 'cool...by the way what is it like living with him...I mean if I was living with one of Allah's best creations I wouldn't know how to control myself' Zoya raised her eye brow 'do you really want me to repeat that in front of Rehan?' 'What...I said one of Allah's best creations...my Rehan is one too you know' 'I don't know...I haven't really thought about it...I mean it was weird...still is a little but I think it is safe to say that we are friends'. Najma started jiggling her eyebrows and doing a happy dance 'friend today...boyfriend tomorrow?' Zoya hit Najma across the arm 'will you stop it...' taking in a deep sigh Zoya looked at Najma a little more seriously 'not that I am saying that I like him like that or anything...but even if I did or if we were to become more than friends, you forget we go back in July and then it would be over anyway' 'you ever heard of long distance relationship?' 'Yes they don't work...now drop it...let's go'.

At the same time Asad was having a very similar conversation with Ayaan back in their office 'Bhaijaan, I am going to pick Zoya up, do you want me to bring her here or take her straight to your place' 'you can take her home, I have a lot to do...and Ayaan thanks' Ayaan looked at Asad 'Bhaijaan, you forget she is my sister, so no need to say thanks, actually it should be me saying that to you...I spoke to her earlier, I think she really does want to move back to her halls now'. Asad put down the file he was holding and leaned against the edge of his table 'yeah, she mentioned going back a few days ago...I don't know if it is wise though' 'I think it would be ok, if worse comes to worse she can always stay with me and Ammi or with Humera, it's not as if she doesn't have any options...I am sure you would want her out your way anyway' Asad looked up at Ayaan 'and why would that be?' smiling to himself inwardly Ayaan started to play on Asad's words 'because you don't really like her...you never have so I am sure she must be an inconvenience...'

'She is no inconvenience...' Asad stopped as he realised what he was about to say if she wants to go she can...it was my duty to offer help, I did and now she doesn't need it so it's cool she can leave...she is going anyway so what difference does it make?' 'Going...going where?' 'Back to the States...in July and then I will never see her again so...' Ayaan had to clear his throat to stop him from laughing out loud, stepping closer to the door to make sure he got a quick getaway Ayaan said something to Asad that not only took him off guard but made him think. 'Bhaijaan, if you like her why don't you just come out with it...and please don't go all macho on me and say it's nothing like that...the way you are with her, what you have done for her you have never done for anyone in your entire life...you like her more than a friend, if that is what you are referring her to as' Asad stood up, his whole body went rigid 'I do not like her Ayaan' he said in an angered tone. Opening the door a little more Ayaan turned around 'no of course not, what was I thinking Bhaijaan...you don't like her you love her' and with that Ayaan ran out leaving the door to close on a very irate and confused looking Asad.