Unpredictable Lives: Link to T2 Page 152 - Page 96

Thirty Seven

Still feeling heavy from the night before Asad left early, he asked Kaki to let Zoya know and to tell her that Ayaan would be coming to pick her up. Zoya had been awake since her morning prayer, she had heard Asad get up and leave, she couldn't help the upset she was feeling, not being able to control her emotions was not something Zoya was accoustomed to, she was always in control. This whole situation was getting from bad to worse; all she wanted was for everything to go back to normal.

Ayaan met Zoya downstairs, the minute she slumped herself into the car he knew something was wrong. 'Is it ok to ask what is wrong or is it a girly thing and you want to talk to Humera?' Zoya looked at Ayaan 'just tired...nothing to be worried about...honest' she said as he looked at her not really believing her. Not being able to stop himself Ayaan started to probe some more 'did Bhaijaan say something to upset you...did you two have a fight?' Zoya turned slightly to face him; she took in a deep breath before she unleashed all she felt on to him. Ayaan slammed on the breaks as he couldn't believe what Zoya was saying, she may not have explicitly said anything but it didn't take a genius to read between the very obvious lines.

'Ayaan, are you crazy...you can't just break in the middle of the road' she shouted out as she went flying forward 'Ayaan...' She said punching his arm. Ayaan shook his head and then pulled up on the side 'what you just told me...is it true?' Zoya thought back to what she had just said 'huh...I never told you anything...well not so dramatic as you are making it out to be' Zoya carried on looking at a baffled Ayaan 'you going to sit there like a buffoon or you going to take me to college?' Ayaan shook his head 'I knew it...you and Bhaijaan...it was meant to be' Zoya looked at like he had gone crazy; Zoya raised her hand to his head 'did you hit your head this morning?' Holding her hand in his he started shaking his head 'Nooo...Zoya what you just told me...don't you see, don't you get it' 'obviously I don't Ayaan...will you just come out with it' Zoya said getting annoyed.

'Zoya, please hear me out before you start bashing me...' Ayaan went told Zoya how he always thought that she would always be perfect for him, and he and Humera knowingly tried to create as many situations for them to come together but he knew that with how Asad was he would never give in, never succumb to his heart's desire. Ayaan told her as openly as he could '...it's not just something I think sis, I truly believe it, whether you or Bhaijaan accept it or not you love each other...' Ayaan carried on in his over excited manner, the more he spoke about the prospect of them being in love and being together the more his eyes sparkled. In all this Zoya sat there looking at him totally dumbfounded, she could just about bring herself to breath yet alone respond to anything he was saying.

Half her brain screamed out that Ayaan had gone insane and it was the most ridiculous thing she had ever heard and then there was the other half that was really taking on board what he was saying, was Ayaan right, what she felt for him was it love, did he love her? A million and one questions started shooting around making her feel light headed. 'Ayaan...stop...please just stop' in the end the loudest half of the brain won 'you have lost your mind...can you just stop with your ridiculous hypothesis and guessing game and get me to college now' 'but Zoya...' 'Ayaan, either you start driving in total silence or I jump out and make my own way'. Not being able to say anymore Ayaan started pouting, he turned back to face the front and drove Zoya to meet with Najma and Rhea. Just before Zoya got out the car she turned to him to say thank you 'Zoya, my mum may not have given birth to you but you are my sister, I would never wish anything bad for you...please think about what I said, I know there is something between you two but neither one of you are willing to face the truth' Zoya smiled at him 'thank you...I will stay here as long as I can, I will call Mr Khan to come and pick me up' not waiting for him to respond Zoya jumped out the car and closed the door. It was only after Ayaan drove off Zoya grabbed hold of her stomach and breathed out painfully, something was happening to her and she really needed to know what.

Zoya was more than over joyed to see Rhea and Najma, they really had a good time catching up, it had only been three days since she last saw them but it felt like a life time, so much had happened, stuff that Zoya chose not to share with them, she knew Najma would over react and the last thing she wanted to do was spend her time convincing her not to call Zeenat.

In their girly conversations Zoya took it upon herself to subtly ask them questions about what it was like to be in love, how they knew that it was love. Najma who knew Zoya too well became all the more curious 'Zoya, since when did you ever become interested in the world of love and relationships?' 'I am not...just was asking...you know generally' not convinced with her reply Najma probed some more 'your general curiosity doesn't have anything to do with a particular Asad Khan does it?' she said giggling. Zoya looked at her wide eyes and then at Rhea who was also looking at her a little too attentively, Zoya thought for a second, she knew she wasn't going to be able to play Najma in any shape or form so it was in her best interest to come clean. She told them what had been happening since she moved in with him and then her whole conversation with Ayaan.

To Zoya's surprise Najma kept calm, she looked at her 'Zoya if the answers to any of the following questions are yes then Ayaan is right' Wh...what questions'.

1. When Asad is not with you all you do is think about him, his thoughts make you restless

2. When he is with you, you feel the need to be closer to him, you stomach, your heart all flutter at the same time

3. It bothers you when he doesn't pay you attention

4. You look forward to meeting him, seeing him, like your day isn't complete without him

5. You feel like you are in the safest place in his presence

6. It doesn't matter how he behaves with you, you always see past his exterior, even if he is angry you still feel like you can't be angry back at him

Zoya thought about what Najma had just asked her 'Zoya answer truthfully' Zoya's eyes moistened as she sucked in a breath 'the answer is yes Najma...does that mean that I ...' Najma's eyes widened, Zoya was finally seeing everything for what it really was. Najma clapped her hands together and screeched with excitement yes...it means you love him...Ya Allah, I never thought I would see the day when Zoya Farooqui would fall in love... Allah thank you so much' as Rhea and Najma sat there looking like they had just one the biggest prize Zoya looked perplexed, she was finding it hard to come to terms with the fact that what she felt for Asad, all these mixed emotions and weird thoughts that she had was because she loved him.

Zoya stood up and walked away from them trying to think, everything seemed hazy. 'Rhea, do you mind giving me a minute with her' 'not at all' Rhea left Najma to talk to Zoya whilst she went to see Soniya. Najma walked up to Zoya and placed her hand on her shoulder 'Zoya, you can close your eyes to the things you don't want to see , but you can't close your heart to the things you don't want to feel...you can fight it all you want, spend the rest of your time here in denial but the truth is that you have fallen in love with him...I know it's scary and everything seems as if it is as clear as mud but the sooner you accept it the better it will be for you'.

Zoya turned around to face Najma 'did you just quote Johnny Depp?' She asked as what Najma just said replayed in her head. Najma rolled her eyes 'Ya Allah, here we are talking about the biggest moment in your life and your asking me if I quoted someone' Zoya started laughing and as soon as she did she hugged her 'I don't know what to say, what to think...wh...what if this is love and...Najma what if he doesn't feel the same, it will only make this harder for me...I need to move back...I need to leave his place' Najma cupped her friends face 'running away isn't the answer, and from what you said I doubt it if Asad will let you leave so soon, if there is anything that I am sure about is that he himself feels for you but will never admit it...Zoya you have to make him...make him see that he loves you as much as you love him'.