He woke up. He didn't knew how much time did he sleep. He was not having migraine right now but his shoulders were still having pain. What is the time ? He thought. He took out his cellphone it was 4 in the morning. How is it possible ? He switched on the side lamp and looked at the wall clock which said 4:02 am and his train has to leave at 1:00 am.
He missed the train. How will he go to Naples now ? His meeting will start at 8:00 am. He called the receptionist for help.
'Sir you have to book your seat in advance in Euro star or Alta Velocita.' She told him about the trains which are the fastest one.
'Ok then I will book the ticket. When is the train leaving ?'
Receptionist called him after 25 minutes again and said that Eurostar is leaving at 6 but there is no seat available and Alta Velocita is leaving at 8 in the morning. He was really tensed he has to be there at 8:00 am anyhow. He called Roberto but his phone was unreachable. He must have left for Venice with his family, he thought.
There is no one else he knows in the city. This is not his country nor his language. Language reminded him of someone who is not his friend but he can ask her.
'Maybe someday you are interested in painting and you want me to make a painting for you. So keep it. '
Where did I keep her number ? He started looking in his room. Then he remembered it is in his wallet. He took out her number and started dialing. He will ask her for any other way he can go to Naples. No one was picking up the phone. He disconnected the call. It was not right time to call someone she must be sleeping and besides that how can he ask her for help after what happened in the evening.
His phone was ringing. It was Zoya calling him back. He picked up the call. She was saying something in Italian.
'Hello Miss Farooqui. Its me Asad Ahmed Khan.' He said softly.
'Oh its you. I got a call from unknown number I was not in the room. I called back to know who is calling at this time.' She said normally.
'I am sorry I called you at wrong time.'
'Its ok. I was not sleeping. Is there any problem ? 'She was not even angry at him.
'I have to attend a meeting in Naples at 8:00 am but I couldn't catch my train on time. Tell me how can I go now and reach there on time ?'
'You have to go to Naples. . . . .hmmm' She started thinking.
'You cant go throught flight. It will take an hour to reach at airport from here and after that when you will reach there. You will have to drive to the city which will take an hour. You wont be on time. You will have to book your ticket in advance to go from train.' She was thinking about different options.
'By road.' She said suddenly. ' You should go to Naples by road. Its not even morning yet there won't be so much traffic and if you have got a driver like me than you can reach there in two and a half hour.' She said while laughing.
He was going to say something but she again continued. 'Tell me your hotel name. Get ready I am coming to pick you.' He just wanted to ask her opinion. This was getting more than that.
'No Miss Farooqui. I can. . . .' He stopped. There was no other way he can go. He can't drive himself. He is not aware of the roads. Even the sign boards were in Italian.
'Its ok Mr Khan. You have to be there on time. This is the only way so get ready.' She was right he told her his hotel name to her.
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She was there in 15 minutes. Was her home nearby ? or maybe she drives that fast. He came downstairs. He was guilty about his behavior. He sat in the car and she started driving.
'Ciao' She said with a smile on her face.
'Ciao' He said softly.
'I am sorry. You have to come with me but I don't have any other option.' He was feeling guilty.
'Its ok Mr Khan. You are Roberto's friend, he is not in the city so its like my responsibility to help you.'
'Why were you not sleeping ? ' He remembered she said on the phone that she was awake.
'I was in my studio. You may be don't know any artist but we are like this we don't care about day or night when we are working.'
He didn't say anything. He was looking at her. She is beautiful and her smile was the most precious thing on her face. Her dimples were so cute. Her eyes were beautiful, almond shaped. He realized he is looking at her more than usual and in a different way. He looked out of the window thinking that how can he look at her that way.
'How are you feeling now ? You were having headache right ?' She said when he was busy thinking.
'I am fine.' He said while looking outside.
'I don't think so.' She said and looked at him. He didn't answer her back. He didn't like talking about his problems. He thought he should change the topic.
'I am sorry I misbehaved with you yesterday. Actually I was upset on something else.'
'And then I came infront of you and you got angry.' She continued. 'Its ok I didn't mind that. I knew you were upset on something else. Anyways, why were you upset ?'
Again a personal question. Why is she trying to interfere in my life ?
She could feel that he didn't like the question.
'You don't want to tell me. Its ok but don't do that again or else you dont know me, Mr Khan.' She said. He also smiled on her for the first time. He looked away to hide his smile.
'Are you having pain in your shoulders ?'
'Yes, maybe because I was not sleeping in the right pose.' He lied to her but she was satisfied.
'If you want you can take some rest or you can sleep at the back seat.'
'What do you paint ?' He ignored her concern for him.
'Mostly landscapes, still life and portraits.' She told him.
'You live in Doha, right ?' She asked.
'Yes'
'Your family also lives there ?'
'Its better you shouldn't ask me any personal questions.' He said in a serious tone than he remembered she is helping him and he is in her car. 'I am alone. I don't have any family.'
'You are so rude but the good point is that it suits you.' She said. He smiled while dialing a number. She was driving fast for him. He was sure he will be there on time.
'Are you driving fast just because of me ?' He asked her after talking to someone from his office.
'No, I always drive like this. Infact fast driving is the sign of Italians.' She said proudly.
'You must be tired now. You want me to drive ?'
'No I am fine. I enjoy driving. You can take some rest.'
'No I am fine.'
'What places you have visited in Rome ?'
'Nothing. Just saw a few places from via Balberni to via Veneto while going to office.'
'What ? You are in the eternal city. All the tourists in the world love this place and you are here and you have saw nothing ?' She was surprised.
'Ya I was not having time and I am not interested aswell.' He said normally. Zoya was speechless on his thoughts.
They were in Naples on 7:45.
'Welcome to Naples, the birth place of pizza.' She was so happy to be there.
'And organized crime' He said. She looked at him angrily. She really loved the whole Italy.
'Did I say something wrong ?' He said mischievously.
'Well if this is the birth place of pizza then crime also started from this place.' He was now in Naples so he was enjoying irritating her.
'Yes but people here are safe. Naples is just having a bad reputation.' His meeting was going to start at 8:30. He was thankful to Zoya. He will give her a thank you gift while leaving for Doha, he thought.
'Thank you so much Miss Farooqui. Because of you I am here on time.'
'Why are you thanking me now. When we will go back to Roma than you can thank me.'
'You will stay here ? But why ? look, my seats were already booked in the train. I will come in the evening you can go.'
'No I can't I have drived too much I will take some rest. We will leave in the evening. I am scared that what if you miss the train again ?'
She said while opening the door of the car.
'Come lets have some breakfast.' He quietly came out of the car. They were in a bar. He has lived in America for a long time where bar meant dancing and drinking. But in Italy bar is a place where people come for breakfast or coffee. It was like a cafe.
They were done with the breakfast when he said.
'You can go back whenever you want. Don't wait for me. I have no idea when will I be done with my meeting. '
'Mr Khan I am not leaving. Dont make that face. I am here after so many years. I will look around some places. Will visit some art galleries and eat Napoletana pizza.'
She was giving him different reasons to stay. He can't order her. She dropped him to his office.
'When you are done with the meeting let me know.' She said while starting the car.
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Itti Si Khushi Sab TV
