SS - Life's Little Cruelties - Last Update Page 49 - Page 33

Aww!! Zoya's face fell when Asad had to go to work!! and happy to know Zoya had a memory back again!! but poor girl!! She fainted again!!

'What is taking him so long...I should go in' Asad said as he paced the length of the living room 'Asad wait, Dr Rao will come out when he is ready, when he is sure Zoya is ok...' Dilshad had managed to calm her son down but the truth was that she herself was becoming impatient.

'Think about what I said Zoya, it is worth a shot...what do you really have to lose?' 'I will doctor, thank you'. Zoya rested back against the pillow as Dr Rao walked out, she had spent a good hour with him and for the first time she saw the light at the end of the tunnel, talking to Dr Rao not only helped her come to terms with what was going on and what she remembered but it also helped her to be strong mentally, to prepare her for what was to come so she wouldn't pass out again.

'Mr Khan, I have no qualms in saying that Zoya is grounded and truly on the road to recovery, she actually remembered something, and I know that from this minute onwards she will continue to remember. The time you have spent with her, the talks you have had has helped her immensely but my belief is that by being in your room is what really impacted on her ability to remember. I have advised her to stay there, to move back in and once again make it her own, being in the same environment the same surroundings as she was just before you left will help her. I have prescribed some more tablets for her, if there is anything further please call me straight away'.

Asad looked at Dr Rao with eyes that expressed happiness and relief as he shook Dr Rao's hand to thank him Dilshad raised her hands to her lord thanking him for the added glimmer of hope that her Zoya was going to be ok. 'Dr, it's ok to go and be with her?' 'Yes, but you may want to wait a while, I left her much to think about'.

Zoya went and stood by the window, she wrapped her arms around herself and starred out into nothing. Asad wasn't able to hold off any longer he needed to see her so went in to see her standing in the corner by the window. He closed the door behind him and walked up to her, he looked at her with a longing to turn her around and embrace her into his arms, Zoya knew he was standing there but couldn't bring herself to turn to him, it didn't make sense but she almost felt guilty for not being with him, for not having loved him all this time. 'Mr Khan, is it ok if I stay here...I mean if I...in your room' Zoya's voice stammered as she spoke, becoming conscious of her own hesitations Zoya turned her body further away from Asad.

Asad moved closer to her, he placed his hand on her shoulder and made her turn around to face him 'first of all this is not my room Zoya, it's our room, so you can come, go, stay, do whatever you like and secondly, the day you came into this room as my wife I became...' 'You...you became As...Asad...you were no longer Mr Khan' Zoya finished for him. Asad cupped her face as he smiled through his own tears 'yes...I became your Asad...so no more Mr Khan'. Zoya looked deep into his eyes and it was at this very moment she truly felt the emotions she saw within him 'I love you Zoya...so much...' As his words hit her ears Zoya felt a pull towards him, she felt something dip into her stomach, she closed her eyes to release the tears that had been swimming in her eyes. Zoya looked at Asad and without letting mind over matter take form she only listened to the beat of her heart 'I...I love you too...I know I do...' Asad could believe what did had just said his mouth opened as he let out a breath, fresh tears formed in his eyes 'wha...what did you just say?' He asked not quite trusting his hearing, Zoya pulled down his hands from her face and rested herself against his chest 'I love you too'. Asad held Zoya as tightly as he could, the happiness he felt right now this minute knew no bounds, his Zoya was finally finding her way home.

Zoya lay on the bed her whole body slightly shaking out of nervousness, Asad came and sat on his side 'are you ok...I mean if you are not sure...' 'No...I'm sure, I want yo do this, I want to be here' satisfied that she was ok Asad also lay down facing her, both of them smiled at each other nervously neither one of them talking, but their silence today wasn't filled with awkwardness, their eyes spoke a thousand words, it was like they understood exactly what the other was feeling or wanting to say. Zoya subconsciously slid her hand out towards him, Asad imitated her move and before he knew it he was holding her hand in his, feeling a sense of contentment Zoya smiled at him and then closed her eyes letting sleep take over.

In the morning Zoya started to wake up, she smiled as she stirred the warmth she felt wasn't allowing her to open her eyes, she was only too happy to stay as she was. As her senses started to wake up she soon realised that the happy place that she was, was in Asad's arms. Zoya snapped open her eyes to find herself leaning against him her head softly placed I between his arm and chest 'Ya Allah how did I get here' she whispered to herself, lifting her head slowly Zoya managed to move back without waking Asad up, she quickly rolled over and got off the bed hurrying towards the bathroom.

Asad who had been awake opened his eyes and smiled at her retreating back. Zoya closed the door and leaned against it holding on to her heart, finding herself in that position may have startled her but it felt right, she could still feel his warmth against her, thinking back to how she found herself Zoya started to blush. After a long ten minutes Zoya finally came back outside to find Asad sitting up as he saw her emerge from the bathroom he stood up 'morning...um did you sleep ok?' Zoya smiled and then nodded 'I...um need to get...I mean my clothes, I'll just go and get ready' she said before she quickly sped past Asad.

Zoya found herself waking up in pretty much the same position everyday, and as always Asad would let her move away without letting her know he was awake. Zoya's comfort level around him and bring in their room grew with every passing moment, she had been able to recollect small but significant memories that she had kept buried, some that made her laughter others blush profusely.

Zoya walked in to their room to find Asad standing with his back to her shirtless 'Ya Allah' she exclaimed Asad turned around to see her facing the other way 'Zoya...what happened are you ok?' He genuinely asked 'um...yeah sorry I didn't mean to walk in on you' it took Asad a good few moments to realise what she was talking about. Smiling to himself he picked up his tee shirt and put it on before he went and stood in front of her 'you can open your eyes now...I'm decent' Zoya looked at him with rosy red cheeks 'I just came to tell you that Phoophi and Najma have gone out...' 'Really...' Asad said with a glint of naughtiness in his eyes.

Zoya stopped as she realised that she was moving backwards, for every step Asad took towards her she took one back. She then noticed that Asad wasn't really paying attention to what she was saying, she saw a new intensity in his eyes, Zoya soon ran out of floor to walk on, she hit the back wall and came to a halt, her heart started to flutter and her lips quiver as her nerves started to get the better of her 'Mr...Mr Khaa...' Zoya stopped as Asad shook his head 'uh uh not Mr Khan Zoya...it's Asad' Zoya started blushing she looked down to avoid his gaze that was so intense she couldn't breathe. Asad placed his hand under her chin and lifted her face, he the placed his hands on either side of her making it impossible for her to escape. Zoya felt his scent and his warm breath take over her senses, feeling like her legs were about to give way Zoya quickly placed her hand on his chest to support herself. Asad smiled as her hands that lay gently on him, he lifted his right hand off the wall and cupped the side of her face, keeping his eyes locked with her her inched forward 'I love you Mrs Zoya Asad Ahmed Khan' his whisper echoed not only in Zoya's ears but also her heart, Asad lifted his head slightly and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. The second he pulled back Zoya wrapped her hand around his neck and buried herself against him.

Zoya managed to compose herself and run out of the room leaving a smiling Asad desiring more, but he knew more than ever that he needed to give her space and time, he would wait for Zoya to extend her hand to finally close the gap between them. Zoya who wasn't very talented when it came to cooking made simple sandwiches and a cup of coffee and laid it on the table, when Asad came out she looked at him apologetically 'I didn't know what you wanted...hope this is ok' she said nervously, Asad walked up to her and held her hand 'this is more than ok, thank you'.

Najma and Dilshad came back home to find Asad and Zoya sitting at the table engrossed in conversation 'Salaam beta, how was your morning?' Zoya stood up to hug Dilshad 'it was good Phoophi, did you guys finish what you needed to?' 'Yes...everything is done, I can't believe that my baby will be engaged' she said holding Najma close to her. Najma wiped her tears and then ran away blushing, Zoya placed her hand on Dilshad's shoulder 'don't worry Phoopi, Najma's engagement will be perfect, me and Mr Kha...I means Asad will make sure that everything goes well and to plan' Dilshad kissed Zoya on the forehead 'as long as I have you with me Zoya I know I will never have to worry about anything' Dilshad left an emotional Asad and Zoya at the table.

That evening Zoya and Najma settled in front of the TV whilst Dilshad and Asad went over the guest list and last minute details for the engagement.'Najma you're making my head spin, can you just choose one station' Zoya moaned as Najma continued to flick through the channels. Settling for a feature film Zoya and Najma started to become engrossed, watching the movie Zoya soon started to feel uncomfortable, what she saw on the screen was really beginning to disturb her, where Najma sat on the edge of her seat Zoya started to feel a sense of fear take over, there was something about the scene that was causing her to react so indifferently.

As she saw the mans car swerve around the bendy road of the mountains she felt as if she was being taken on the ride that was bound to end in fatality. She couldn't understand what was happening, as sweat started to cover her face she felt her heart beat hit hard, Najma who was oblivious to Zoya's worsening condition was enjoying the car scene a little too much. As Zoya saw the car go out of control, how it went over the edge and plunged into nothingness Zoya got up and screamed out 'Asad...nooo...' Najma jumped up 'Zoya...what happened...' Najma tried to calm a hysterical Zoya. Upon hearing her screams Asad and Dilshad came running down the stairs. Asad grabbed Zoya who was still crying out 'Asad...please nooo' 'Zoya...I'm here look at me Zoya...Zoya' he shouted out, he himself panicked seeing her in such a state.

Zoya felt her body being shaken and a voice that was her own. Zoya stopped and looked at Asad, her Face expressed shock, relief and confusion, she grabbed his face and started caressing it, her hands travelled over his shoulders and arms as if she wasn't quite believing that he was standing before her. 'Asad, it's you...you're ok...you're here...' Zoya broke down in tears as she held on to him tightly 'where did you go...do you know how worried I was...' Asad looked up at Dilshad who had tears in her eyes but also adorned a smile, Zoya was back, Zoya finally remembered.

Asad held her back as tightly as he could 'it's ok Zoya, I am ok and so are you...please stop crying'. Zoya pulled herself back to look at him, the confusion she wore was not unexpected, Asad held onto her hand and led her to their room. Asad sat on the bed holding Zoya close to him, he started of slowly trying to explain to her what had happened, Zoya was too stunned to respond, her whole body had turned ice cold. Her eyes questioned everything Asad said and without having uttered a word Asad answered every single question. Zoya hugged him even tighter and in her cry she called out to her lord, how much she had gone through how much pain and suffering Asad had to face, why, what for?

Asad held onto her until she calmed down he let her fall asleep before he lay her down and then went out to join Dilshad and Najma. Dilshad hugged an emotionally drained looking Asad 'she is ok Ammi, Zoya is ok...Allah has given us our Zoya back' Dilshad smiled through her tears and nodded 'I don't know how to thank Him...Asad life tests us, we will always find life's little cruelties cross our paths but what you need to do and remember is that no one is above Him...above Allah, in the end it is our faith, our perseverance that helps us'.

Asad walked back into his room with a glass of water he saw Zoya sitting up holding the picture frame from the side table in her hand. Asad cleared his throat to gain her attention. Zoya stood up as soon as she saw him. Asad walked up to her, he placed the glass of water down and then held out his hand, which Zoya took without a second thought 'I must have caused so much drama...I am so sorry' she said looking down. Asad didn't know whether to laugh or cry at what he could only describe as his wife's innocence.

Asad held Zoya close 'you Mrs Zoya Asad Ahmed Khan have a lot of making up to do for the trouble you caused' he said smiling 'really...and exactly how do I begin to do that?' She said smirking back at him 'I am sure I can think of a number of things but before any of that there is something I need to do' Zoya looked into Asad's eyes, which were dipped in desire, a passion and a longing for her. Asad slowly moved forward and placed his lips on her soft ones, Zoya immediately hitched a breath at his intimate touch, Zoya let Asad hold on to her as he continued to kiss her and after a few moments she kissed him him back, their little hesitant kiss soon turned into a passionate embrace. For Asad Zoya was truly home, exactly where she belonged.