Asya SS-'The 8:00AM Class' **Put on Hold** A/N-Page 21! - Page 5

Part-3

Asad rushed through the college campus as fast as his legs could decently carry him..unwanted thoughts racing through his mind.What was wrong with Zoya..was she trying to..?no!his mind screamed at the thought of Zoya avoiding him for this damn project.If that was the case,he would back-out,he decided.He cannot simply ruin a friendship that hasn't even started properly because of some stupid project.Wait,when did his equation with her become more important than his studies?!What?!Did they even have what they call an equation'?!Asad was confused to no end.But one thing was sure,he needed to make sure that Zoya was fine,for his own sanity.Then he would clear up this mess once and for all.

The dorm in-charge was just about to go for lunch when Asad walked in."Yes?Are you looking for someone my boy?",she asked politely.

"Umm..yes..Zoya..I mean,can I meet Ms.Farooqui please?",Asad replied,unsure of his approach.

"Zoya?Are you her relative?"

"No..fr..classmate.I am her classmate",Asad wanted to say friend',but he wasn't sure if he was one.

"I am sorry to inform you this my dear,but Zoya has been very sick for the last two days and she has been shifted to the emergency clinic we have here.You can meet her there",the in-charge said sympathetically.

Asad's heart sank.He wanted to punch himself for even thinking that Zoya was trying to avoid him.She would never do that.Here,she was sick and he had been thinking like a jerk.Guild-ridden,Asad walked towards the emergency clinic.

In the clinic,Zoya was frustrated as hell.It has been two days since she got trapped in this clinic suffering from some kind of viral fever.Allah Miah,whats wrong with you Mr.Viral Exanthem?Couldnt you get to me some other time?!She exclaimed aloud.She seriously didn't have time for this stupid nonsense when all she wanted to do was spend some good time with Asad.A little smile came on her face as she thought about him.What if he thinks I am trying to avoid him?!Allah miah whats wrong with him?How can he even think like that?does he have no common sense?Doesnt he know me or what?!Zoya pouted.She wished she had taken his number when they got paired up for the project.

Her incoherent thoughts were interrupted with a startled yet familiar voice calling,"Zoya"

Nothing could have prepared Asad for the sight that greeted him.There she was,sitting on the bed pouting like a small kid,huge red rashes all over her face.It was swollen and her usual big eyes looked small and were bloodshot.

The very first thing Zoya did when she registered it was Asad at the door was cover her face with the blanket.Allah miah,whats wrong with you?!Aap kyun mere piche pade hue hai?Here,I am looking like a pig aur ye chale aaye muh uthaye Zoya Zoya karte hue!Tears of embarassment strated to spill out from her eyes.

Asad was beside her in a second."Zoya kya hua hai ye tumhe?",he asked in a worried tone.

Zoya just shook her head under the blanket.

Asad rolled his eyes at her antiques as he pulled out the blanket from her clutched hands.His heart broke when he saw her crying.

Without even thinking,he pulled her into a hug."Shhh,don't cry.Whatever it is,it will go away,ok?You will just make it worse by crying Zoya",he said as he ran his hands down on her back.

Zoya pulled away from him after some time.As it was getting really embarrassing for Asad to look at her eyes after the moment they just shared,he decided to see if she had these rashes elsewhere on her body.He saw what he feared,her entire body was red with rashes.Zoya followed his inquisitive gaze and when his eyes came back on her face,she said,"Its Viral Exanthem"

Did she just say something in Hebrew?! "Viral what?!",Asad blurted out stupidly.

Despite herself,Zoya smiled seeing his reaction."Its one kind of viral fever Asad,with allergic rashes",she explained patiently.

Asad nodded."How bad is it?What do the doctors say?"

"Well,it was much worse than what you see now.But I am recovering,the doctor here said I can be discharged tomorrow.It will take time to go away completely"

"So,who is coming from your home to take you?"

Zoya looked at him strangely."I don't have a home Asad.It is the hostel that I live in"

"Yeah I know that.But someone from your family must be coming to take you or stay with you right?You cant stay alone in this state",Asad said decisively.

"I don't have a family,I have always been alone in life",Zoya said calmly.

Asad just stared at her.As her words sank in,he realized how strong the girl in front of him actually was.He always blamed his fate for snatching his father away from him,but what he didn't value was that he still had his Ammi and Najma,but Zoya..she had nobody to call her own.She had nobody at all to take care of her when she was sick.His heart ached for her.He swallowed the lump in his throat and managed to say,"But you cant stay alone when you are discharged Zoya.You need to be taken care of"

"I know Asad,I am still very weak to take care of myself.But you don't worry,I'll manage",she replied smilingly.

Suddenly an idea popped in Asad's mind.Before any second thought could invade,he said,"Zoya I know some people here who can look after you for a while.They are my relatives.You could stay at their place for a few days and I could also meet you there.Will that be ok?"

Zoya was awed at his concern..but she could not accept this proposal."Mmm Asad,thank you so much for your concern,I really appreciate it.But you see I have never stayed with anyone,so I don't think it will be a good idea to stay in someone's home in this state"

"Try and understand Zoya.I seriously cannot let you be alone in this condition of yours.And the family I am talking about,they are very good people.They wont let you feel like an outsider..I assure you",Asad coaxed pleadingly.

Seeing his child-like innocent face,Zoya couldn't say no.She finally agreed and Asad gifted her his rarest dimpled smile.

The next morning,Asad came at the clinic to pick up Zoya and take her to the house she was to stay in until she was completely fine.Asad had thought Zoya would ask about the place he was taking her to,where it was or how were the people.But she remained silent in the car and he didn't bother her.The car came to a halt as a serene and beautiful white house came into view.Zoya was mesmerized by its sheer elegance.She started to get out as Asad held the car door open for her,but her head spun and Asad caught her just before she could fall.

"Tum theek to ho?",Asad asked out of breath.

"Yeah,must be the effect of having high dosage of medicines",Zoya smiled nervously.

Without a word,Asad scooped her up in his arms muffling her words of protest and walked through the front door of the house.

The tray fell from Dilshaad's hands with a loud thud and Najma's hands went to her mouth in shock,as their oh-so-prim and proper' Asad walked in carrying a girl in his arms.

So,how was it?Please leave me some love if you liked it.And for those who didnt get it yet,it was ME who got that stupid viral exanthemsocha kyun na woh Zoya ko de doon😆see you in next update..till then,keep the comments rolling in pretty pleeeaaassseee😛