Please see below for Chapter 8. Please like and comment when you get a moment.
Eight
Rhea and Jai had chosen to go to nice Chinese restaurant, which they were all looking forward to. Luckily for them it was not too far from their halls of residence which meant they could walk the distance. The one thing that Zoya and Rhea could not get used to was the horrible smell of taxi's, it almost made them want to puke out, so anywhere they could walk to was a good option.
The dcor of the restaurant was very traditional and the atmosphere very oriental. Nice...but don't you think we look a little out of place' Najma said looking around, all she could see were couples who were finely dressed, and here they were a loud bunch of college students dressed in all things denim. As they took their seat the six of them started looking through the menu's and then placed their orders. Respecting Najma and Zoya's wishes the others refrained from drinking any alcohol around them for the evening. Rehan did not drink but unlike Zoya and Najma he did not have a problem with it, he had seen his father drink himself senseless on too many occasions for it to bother him. Rehan was from a mixed religious and cultural heritage; his father was half American and half Indian and his mother was a Pakistani Muslim who met his father when she came to the US as a student. Rehan didn't consider himself as a Muslim, Hindu or Christian, he was just Rehan, he respected every faith and celebrated every festival, he believed in a supreme power that watched from above but never gave it a name, and when it came to life he followed the rules of humanity.
What the hell is he doing here?' Aarav said in a loud whisper, everyone looked up at him who?' Jai asked Dev Raaj...look over there by the back counter' they all looked to where Aarav had indicated to see Dev standing with two of his gang members talking to who looked like a very scared manager'. Zoya's eyes widened as she saw the ugly long haired guy who threw his drink on her, she could feel her whole body go rigid as anger consumed her that little ugly piece of crap...he is the one who grabbed me and...uuugghhh I am going to kill him' Zoya attempted to stand up as there was no controlling the rage that was building up only to be stopped by Aarav who held her down with both of his hands Zoya are you crazy, do you even know who they are, you don't want to start messing with them' Zoya looked at Aarav who was looking at her with genuine concern I don't give a shit who they are, I am going to get him back for what he did to me, how dare he...' Aarav took in a deep sigh Zoya, stop with the I am not scared of anyone and can take on the world attitude, I am telling you to stay away, just let it be...we are here together to enjoy a meal now just turn around' Fine' Zoya said sharply before she turned her back them.
On the way back from the restaurant everyone decided to have a quick ice cream seriously, you guys go ahead, look it's only a few more minutes from here, I will be fine' Zoya said trying convince the rest of them, she wasn't much of an ice cream person and after having seen that buffoon she wasn't in the mood. Zoya left the group standing by a mobile ice cream stall as she casually walked towards her halls of residence. En route she met a few familiar faces from college who she politely smiled at, half way down she saw a red sports car speed past her and then come to a sudden halt in the middle of the street, thinking it was some show off Zoya paid no attention and continued walking. It was only when she came to pass the car that the door swung open making her jump, clutching at her heart that had just picked up a few extra beats her eyes began to widen as she saw the three guys pull themselves out. It was Dev and his two sidekicks, Zoya stepped back as they came towards her that's her, she is a feisty little bitch' the long hair guy said as he rubbed the cheek that Zoya slapped well well well, who do we have here?' Dev said as he came to stand before her. Dev raised his hand towards her face and as he did Zoya took a step back don't you dare come near me' Dev started to laugh and soon the other two joined in, if it were any other girl she was sure to be scared out of her wits but not Zoya, she stood her ground and kept her back straight, yes her heart was beating at a hundred miles per hour and her throat was becoming dry but she was not going to let fear over take her right now she had to be ready to either fight or flight.
I think you owe my friend her an apology' Zoya looked at him wide eyed you must be joking, you want me to apologise to that piece of crap?' the long hair guy moved forward clenching his fist but was stopped by Dev Raghu, you have had the pleasure of her touch...now let me' Dev said as he walked further towards her Ya Allah...help!' she whispered to herself as Dev took another step towards her she pushed him with all her strength and ran as fast as her legs could take her. In all the panic of being chased Zoya paid no attention to where she was going, she ran through alley after alley and street after street until she could run no more. Hiding behind the wall of a small shed Zoya tried to catch her breath, she looked around and when she saw no one she took in a sigh of relief. Zoya quickly pulled out her mobile phone to call Najma come on ...pick up...he...hello Najma its Zoya...Najma I need...hello Zoya looked at her phone to find that it had just died damn you' she cursed how the hell am I going to get out, I don't even know where I am...Ya Allah please help me'.
Checking to see the coast was clear once more Zoya stepped out and as she did she heard voices that were quickly approaching her, although they were not yet in sight Zoya froze, he mind went blank she felt her legs go limp as she tried to move them just before they came into sight Zoya felt a firm hand grab her arm and pull her back, as she felt herself being pulled back she opened her mouth to scream only for it to be covered, she closed her eyes and let whoever was holding her push her up against the wall. She could feel her heart beat bounce of whoever was holding her she opened her eyes slowly to see Asad standing over her, her whole body had been covered with his large muscular frame, he kept his hand over her mouth while his eyes searched far out to see if Dev and his friends had gone or not'.
Zoya wriggled in his hold her voice was muffled by his hand, it was only when she started moving so much that Asad reverted his eyes back to meet hers, she looked scared shocked and relieved all at the same time. Asad quickly moved his hand back as soon as he did Zoya gasped for air holding onto his forearms Zoya's head fell on to his shoulders as she tried to calm herself down. Asad looked down at her head resting against him, her eyes that looked at him so intently, her face that looked so pale flashed before him, he raised his hand to place on her back but then stopped as soon as he realised what he was doing.
They have gone' came his cold voice Zoya looked up to see his face that was as cold as his voice Zoya quickly let go of his arms and stepped back what on earth are you doing around this part, do you not know it is not safe for a girl to be out on her own' Zoya swallowed the lump in her throat I didn't come here for a midnight tour...I was stopped and chased by them on my way home' And what did you do to piss them off' Zoya couldn't believe what he had just said her mouth opened wide and her eyes narrowed in anger she was just about to shout back at him for his unwarranted comment when Ayaan came running up to them Asad...' He stopped a few steps away when he saw Zoya Miss Farooqui...tho...those guys they were chasing you?' Zoya nodded Ayaan turned to Asad Asad it was Dev Raaj, Raghu and another man from his gang, I couldn't see his face clearly...' looking back at Zoya Miss Farooqui why were they chasing you?' Zoya looked at Asad and then back at Ayaan I...I was going back to my halls...when their car pulled up beside me, R...Raghu recognised me from the Lagoon, he was the one I slapped when he threw his drink over me...I just ran to get away from them I didn't know where I was going, I ended up here' Asad fisted his hand and felt a little bad for having voiced his last comment.
Officer Salim, can you please tell me how I can get out of here...please I need to go home my friends will be worried' Ayaan looked at Asad who nodded of course, come with me I'll drop you off'. As Zoya walked away she turned her head to see Asad standing in the same place looking at her, actually it was more like staring, in the few moments their eyes met neither of them looked away nor did they blink, as if they didn't even want to miss millisecond of one another.
Once Ayaan had dropped Zoya back to her halls of residence he joined Asad back outside not too far down the road. The drop off was made at Little China, the manager called as soon as they left...it was lucky we were on their trail and you were there, it makes my skin crawl to think what would have happened if they had caught up to Zoya' Asad raised his eyebrow at him Zoya? What happened to Miss Farooqui? Ayaan smiled oh we are on first name basis now, I even gave her my number...you know just in case she ever needs anything...after all I am a public servant' he said with a wink public servant hey...let see what Humera thinks of your public service' Asad said walking away with a satisfactory smile As...I mean Bhaijaan...I was joking you really don't need to tell Humera...please' Ayaan shouted out as he chased after Asad.
