Unpredictable Lives: Link to T2 Page 152 - Page 91

Asad first called Ayaan to see if he and Zoya had reached home, once he got his confirmation Asad made his way to NIA, for the first time Haroon Darr was going to face the wrath of Asad Ahmed Khan.

Asad first went to Mr Roy to report to him what had happened, Although Asad had managed to take down two people and destroy the drugs he was still unhappy 'you always put yourself at risk Asad, I have told you so many times, you go in to do something like that you take backup, I can understand why you sent Ayaan away but why Haroon?' Asad tensed his body 'for his own safety, the frame of mind I was in I wouldn't have hesitated pointing the gun at him' Asad said coldly, Mr Roy looked at him wide eyed 'sometimes you are too honest for your own good, you stay away from Haroon Darr, I will fill Arjun in. I think I need to have a meeting with Zoya and Mr Anand, her working her is not proving to be safe for her, either she stays within the four walls of the office or she doesn't come her at all' Asad nodded 'as you wish sir, I will bring her back in the evening'.

Asad entered his apartment to find Ayaan sitting on the sofa 'where is she?' Ayaan stood up 'in her room, she still a little shaken...what happened?' Asad gave Ayaan a rundown of what went on 'Bhaijaan, do you have to be so impulsive...' 'Ayaan please save me the lecture...you head back, I'll meet you there'.

Asad knocked on Zoya's door and waited for her to respond, when she didn't he opened the door to find her standing by the window. Walking towards her he came and stood directly behind her 'I know what you are thinking, that I am irresponsible, always get myself in to trouble...what is it that you call me? A trouble magnet, but I assure you I didn't know Haroon was taking me to Moti Mahal, and even when I did I asked him to leave...' Asad stood still as Zoya continued to talk, when she stopped to take in a breath he realised that she was crying. Asad placed his hand on her shoulder making her turn around to face him 'are you ok?' she was a little surprised to see calmness in his expression, she was expecting to get the third degree from him. 'Mr Khan, I would like to go back to my halls' Asad's eyes narrowed 'you know it is not safe for you...then why...' 'I need to go back, I can't stay here...when I came to India on this programme I never thought once that I would land myself in so much trouble, and cause trouble for people around me...I don't want to burden you any longer'. Hearing the word burden angered Asad, he grabbed her by the top of her arms and pulled her towards himself 'burden...you think you are a burden? No Zoya...annoying, irritating, impulsive and irresponsible Yes...but not a burden. Zoya, your safety is my repsonisbility, I can't let you go back, not right now' Zoya looked at him intently, she couldn't figure out if he was saying what he just had out of anger or concern, the more she thought about what he had said the more she became confused 'responsibility...why...who am I?...I am no one to you...other than a nuisance' she said looking down. Asad let go of her arms making her jolt back a little, she shot her head up to meet his eyes, if she was confused by his emotions before she was sure that he was angry now. Asad could feel his insides tremble with anger, but what he didn't know was why he was getting so angry, without saying anything Asad walked out Zoya's room leaving her dumbfounded.

In the evening Asad took Zoya to meet with Mr Roy, the journey was filled with a silence that irked them both, but neither one was prepared to be the first one to talk. Zoya's mind was occupied with thoughts that tried to understand what Asad was really about, she couldn't understand his one minute hot and next minute cold personality and Asad, all his mind kept going over was the question Zoya posed, she had asked him who she was to him and he seriously didn't know, the question was creating a whirlwind of irrational and illogical thoughts and feelings within him. The more he thought about it the more tangled his thoughts became, who was she to him, why did he feel so compelled to protect her, be with her all the time. They were questions he needed to answer for his own sanity if nothing else.

Asad refrained to sit in with Zoya and Mr Roy, he asked Arjun to attend the meeting instead. Zoya had agreed to what Mr Roy had proposed 'I only have two and a half months before I have to hand it in, and then in July I will be going back...I am thankful you are letting me continue, even if it is office based sir' Zoya got up to leave when Mr Roy called her back 'Arjun, I just wanted to have a quick word with Zoya in private' Arjun nodded and left the room 'Zoya, I wanted to ask you something...actually more like advise you' 'of course sir' Mr Roy smiled at her 'I know you might find this a little awkward, but it's for your own safety...Zoya I want you to continue to stay with Asad...just for a little while longer, I have spoken to Mr Anand, who has agreed' Zoya felt a cold breeze wash over her 'Mr Roy...I can't...I mean...' 'Zoya, I can understand your reservations, but I assure you that it is what we all want including Asad, it would give us all a piece of mind knowing that you are safe and well with Asad' Zoya let out exasperated breath 'ok sir, I will...thank you'. She wasn't angry, just felt like she couldn't continue to stay on somewhere where she didn't feel like she belonged, she owed Asad a lot for letting her stay with him but she went back to her original question who was she to him, why did he care so much?

Zoya stood by the coffee machine when Haroon came up to her looking what could only be described as guilty. 'Zoya...I am so sorry, I didn't mean to put you in such a compromising position, if I had known I would never have taken you' Zoya appreciated his sincerity 'it's ok...I am just glad that Mr Khan was there' Haroon held out his hand 'friends?' Zoya looked at him with reservation, making him laugh 'I promise to behave' Zoya smiled and shook his hand, giving her a devilish smirk 'now that I have your hand in mine, there is no going back my lady love' Zoya narrowed her eyes and pulled back her hand 'you are impossible' she said then broke out into a laugh. On the other side of the corridor Asad stood cringing at their interaction, walking up to them in long strides Asad stood tall looking directly at Haroon 'Asad' he said as his way of acknowledging him 'Zoya...I guess I will see you next week' Zoya gave him a nervous smile and nodded before he walked away.

Zoya looked at Asad who was still standing in the same position 'Mr Kha...' if you are ready, I will drop you back' he said in a cold voice not letting her finish what she had started. this side of his personality always made Zoya gulp not trusting her voice, all she did was nod.

Zoya was itching to ask Asad if it was him that spoke to Mr Roy about her continuing to stay with him but didn't know how to approach the subject. Zoya silently followed Asad into the apartment, not paying attention she went banging into him not realising that he had stopped mid-way. 'Ouch' Asad turned around to face her, he couldn't help smiling at her animated face 'you hungry?' he simply asked 'a little' 'ok, you go and freshen up, I'll get something ordered' 'no' she said a little louder than expected, Asad raised his eyebrow at her 'I mean no need to order any food...I can cook...it's the least I can do' Asad carried on looking at Zoya in amusement 'cooking...and you?' Placing her hands on her hips she looked straight back at him 'and what is that supposed to mean? I am quite a good cook I have you know' taking a step back to give her way Asad smiled 'the kitchen is that way'.

Thirty Six

Asad changed into his jogging bottoms and a tee-shirt; he casually walked around his apartment as Zoya got busy in the kitchen. She rummaged through the cupboards to see what she could find, and it wasn't a lot does this man not eat...like where is everything?' although Zoya had been staying there for some time now, she never went into the kitchen, as Kaki always did everything for her.

Zoya finally managed to pull a few ingredients together 'what the hell am I supposed to make with this?' she thought to herself. And just then she had a brain wave 'Chinese' as she got busy Asad walked towards her curious to know what she was making 'you need any help' Zoya shot her head up 'ouch' she screamed as she sliced her finger instead of the carrot. Asad ran to her and held her hand. Zoya winced in pain as her finger bled profusely 'what the hell is wrong with you Zoya...you hell bent on self-destruction or something' Asad led her to the kitchen sink and ran water over her hand. The stinging pain was so much that she grabbed on to his arm with her eyes squeezed shut, Asad stood there admiring her child like face, behind that beautiful face, that heavenly figure she was just like a child. Asad switched off the tap 'come and sit down, I'll get the first aid box' Asad gave her a towel to wrap round her finger before he went to get the band aid for her.

Asad pulled out the other chair and sat opposite her; he gently took her hand into his and started to clean the wound with cotton wool before applying a plaster over it. Zoya looked at him as he attending her; she felt her stomach set off a few butterflies her mind zoned into the softness of his touch, his concerned face, a face that under any circumstance looked as hot and sexy as ever, Zoya was so lost in her thoughts of him that she didn't hear him call out to her 'Zoya' he said again shaking her hand a little 'huh' you do know that you are a little crazy right?' Zoya narrowed her eyes at him 'it's done...your hand, you will survive' 'oh...um thanks' Zoya stood up and turned back towards the kitchen 'and where do you think you are going?' 'To finish cooking' she said hesitantly 'I don't think so...you sit I'll finish off what you started'.

Zoya sat up on one of the work tops as Asad started cooking, she couldn't get enough of his presence before her, it may have happened before subconsciously but today Zoya consciously checked Asad out and she liked every bit of what she saw, it wasn't just the physical attraction she felt something towards him that she had never felt before.

Asad walked up to her and stood in front of her what?' she said after a long staring session 'I need more salt...you're in the way...so move' 'move please' she said making him smile 'ok...move please'. Zoya jumped of but only to land in his arms as her hand slipped off the surface. Asad held her by the waist as her head rested against his shoulder, neither of them making an attempt to move back 'I could spend the whole evening holding you but that won't fill our stomach's' Zoya shot her head back to look at him, seeing him smile a smile that radiated of his beautifully constructed face made her melt. Feeling her cheeks go red Zoya moved back and let him take the salt 'I...I'll just go and sit down inside' Asad nodded and then watched her retreating back as she walked out of the kitchen, the comfort level for him was slowly increasing, he was actually enjoying having Zoya around.

Dinner surprisingly was a pleasant affair, with no mishaps and tempers flying, Asad and Zoya sat there enjoying light chit chat and each other's company. She was more surprised at his cooking skills than anything else 'with your cooking skills...you Mr Khan will make your wife very happy...' As soon as Zoya mentioned the word wife Asad's face dropped a little, before now he had never thought of any girl yet alone about the prospect of being with some or being married. Zoya didn't fail to notice the change in his expression 'I'm sorry...I didn't mean to offend you' she quickly said concerned that she might have put her foot in it again. Asad shook his head 'no...not at all, it's just I have never thought about marriage...my life, my work has always taken priority and my beliefs are such that I couldn't never be involved with anyone' Zoya looked at him she would be lying if she said she didn't understand, she herself never paid any attention to the opposite sex and was never interested in guys to form a relationship with.

Where Asad still stood his ground Zoya was fast being swayed by her own emotions. Asad would never compromise the lives of anyone he loved or was close to him, and as he always believed that relationships make you weak, fearful, he would never walk down that road no matter how much his heart compelled him to. Or would he?

Zoya joined Asad in the balcony 'you still awake?' he said looking straight ahead 'I couldn't sleep...and plus it's the weekend so I think I am allowed one late night' Zoya looked at him as he stared ahead into the horizon 'Mr Khan...I wanted to go and spend some time with my friends...can I go?' Asad looked at her 'Zoya I am not your keeper, you can spend all the time you like with your friends. The only reason I wanted you to stay here was because I was...I mean I am concerned for your safety, you have become involved in something you can't even begin to understand, the potential danger you face when you are out there is beyond measure...I need you to be safe...when I know things have settled you are more than welcome to leave...I won't stop you'.

'Why?' Asad looked at her quizzically 'why what?' 'why do you need me to be safe...of all the people in all of Mumbai you bump into me and now you are forced to protect me' Asad closed his eyes, letting out a sigh he turned around to face her 'I am not forced to do anything Zoya, you just happened to be in the midst of everything that was happening, you were there in front of me, how could I walk away, it is not in my nature not to help...to walk away' Zoya kept hold of his gaze 'so I could have been anyone and she I would still be standing here in front of you' Asad looked at her, he took his hands out of his pockets and folded them across his chest 'he knew that no one could ever be standing in the place that Zoya stood, but he couldn't bring himself to say it, he had seen a change in Zoya and he was old and wise enough to recognise what the change was 'I would have helped anyone in your situation Zoya'. Zoya felt a pang in the pit of her stomach, on the one hand it was good to know that Asad would always go out of his way to help someone but on the other hand she felt saddened that she was just anyone to him. Zoya forced a smile and then took a step back I guess I'll see you in the morning' she said turning away from him.

Asad clenched his jaw becoming increasingly annoyed at himself 'get a grip of yourself Asad...you can't let this happen to you'. Zoya sat on her bed and swallowed the lump in her throat, her stomach churned as his face kept flashing before her 'why the hell are you getting so upset for...it's not as if you have a claim over him, he is just someone who helped you...someone who always does above and beyond his call of duty...come on Zoya sort yourself out' she said to herself. Both Asad and Zoya spent a long time talking to themselves almost convincing themselves that there was nothing to what they were thinking or feeling, it was something that was going to go away, little did they know that it was never going to go away.