Dilshad grinned knowing who Asad was looking for.
"You are up early, Asad", said Dilshad. "Do you have an early meeting this morning?"
"No, Ammi" said Asad absentmindedly, still not looking Dilshad. "I just happened to wake up early. Actually I'm planning to work from home today".
Dilshad teasingly: "Asad, the person you are looking for is still asleep." Asad, blushed and said,"Ammi, no...woh...actually".
Dilshad continued with a grin, "Ya. Ya, I understand. I also thought you had some important meetings today. Chuti diya subko at the office?"
Asad, looked away embarrassed saying nothing.
Dilshad - "Anyways, the person you are anxiously waiting for, let her sleep for a while more. She looked like she was crying before she came into my room. She needs time, Asad, to get over the last couple of weeks. Give her that. I feel that there is something more that is troubling her. Meanwhile, Asad, I would like to speak with you. Why don't you sit down and let's talk while I make breakfast. Okay?"
She looked at Asad expectantly.
Asad agreed and sat down at the dining table.
Dilshad, "Asad, I don't want to know what, how and why Zoya was at the other house in the first place. I know you did this for your sister. It's all good. But Zoya is your future, your life. She should be your first priority, even over Najma, your other siblings and even me. She had no one else but you. A woman, as independent as Zoya does not really need a man in her life. But she fell in love with you. She did whatever she did to make you happy and only you. Not Ayaan, not Nikhat, just you, Asad. I'm sure you know that. You are aware of that, right, Asad?" Dilshad looked at Asad. Asad nodded.
Dilshad then continued, "My feeling is that Zoya is now insecure about your love for her".
Asad protested: "But, Ammi... how can she be insecure? She knows I could not live without her. I was missing her. I've told her that time and again. She's even told me that she trusts me."
Dilshad: "Yes Asad, I don't doubt that. I'm sure you would have repeated time and time again to her that you love her, that you missed her. But remember actions speak louder than words. Why wasn't she back after Nikhat's wedding. No, I am not looking for an answer but Zoya would need one. You will need to sit down and talk to Zoya when she is ready. Asad, you would need to prove to her that she is your first priority before anybody else. Saying it is not enough". Dilshad walked up to Asad and gave him a hug and ruffled his hair. She smiled at him and said,"In about an hour, breakfast should be ready. I'll call you then".
Asad stood up, nodded at Dilshad and left for his room. He sat by the window, twiddling his thumbs. He was disappointed. He had woken up early hoping to see Zoya. Having been away from her for so long, he did not want to spend even minute away from her. He hated the nights as the nights keep him away from Zoya.
He jumped up and slowly opened his bedroom door. He slowly started walking towards the stairs hoping that Dilshad would not notice him. He made his way up the stairs to Dilshad's room where Zoya was sleeping. He slowly opened the door and walked in. Zoya was still sleeping. He sat down beside her. He pushed back some errand hairs from her face. Zoya grumbled in her sleep for having been disturbed but cuddled upto to Asad and flung her arm around his waist. Asad took a deep breath but was delighted. He waited for Zoya to settle down before letting go of his breath. He then sat there just looking at her.
Dilshad having finished preparing breakfast called out to Asad, but no answer. She walked to his room and saw that his room was empty. She checked his bathroom, that was empty too. She smiled. She knew where to find him. She climbed the stairs to her room and slowly opened her door and what she saw in front of her made her smile with happiness.
There was Zoya who had one arm flung over Asad's waist and had her head on his chest and there was Asad with his arm under Zoya's head and holding her tight and was asleep with a smile on his face.
Dilshad to herself "Breakfast can wait a while longer" and left the room.
HALF AN HOUR LATER
Zoya slowly woke up. She was feeling nice and warm and fuzzy. She tried to move. But the arm around her tightened. She turned her head and was shocked to see Asad beside her. She was confused.
"When did this happen?" She thought to herself. "When did I get to Mr.Khan's room? Is this Mr.Khan's room? She tried to look to around. With every movement she made, Asad's arm around her tightened.
"Allah Miyah, what's wrong with you, Mr Khan?" she shouted. Asad woke up startled and almost fell of the bed.
"What are you doing on my bed, Ms.Farooqui?" Asad shouted too. "And will you stop screeching into my ear?"
"Me, In...Your...Bed" Zoka poking Asad on his chest with her index finger. "Look around you. Is this your room? This is my room. What are YOU doing here in my bed."
Asad looked around and then smirked.
"This is not your room too. This is Ammi's room." Said Asad not realizing that he was deepening the hole of embarrassment he was already in.
Zoya remembered. "Ya, I remember I came here in the middle of the night to sleep with Phupi. But I came here first. What excuse do you have? And please let me go. You are suffocating me."
Asad only then realized the position there were in and that he was hugging Zoya to himself tight. He was embarrassed.
He went "Who... actually... Ms Farooqui... I" and tried to pull his hand away. "I can't move my arm. It is trapped under your head."
Zoya rolled away. Asad jumped off the bed and walked out the room as fast as he could, his face all red with embarrassment. He hoped that Dilshad was nowhere around. But as he came down the stairs, Dilshad was standing at the foot of the stairs having heard the commotion upstairs.
Dilshad teasingly, "Asad, where did you go? I was looking for you high and low to tell you that breakfast is ready. What are you doing upstairs by the way?"
Asad looking everywhere else but at Dilshad, "Ammi...woh... actually...Zoya...woh.." He then gave up trying to explain and tried to get away.
Dilshad: "So is Zoya awake?".
Asad, "You did not hear her. I think my eardrums have burst with her early morning screech. Please can you teach her to speak softly in future." and then without giving Dilshad a chance said "Ammi who bechari nahi" and walked away with a smile.
Zoya coming down the stairs at that moment had heard the every bit of the conversation and shouted "Mr. Khan, what do you mean... Morning screech!!!... is this the way you talk about your future wife? Phupi, please can you teach him how he should talk with his wife in future. Mr.Khan, I am speaking to you".
Asad, smiled to himself and quickly escaped to his room. He shut the door and leaned against it. His heart leapt when he recalled Zoya's words "Your future wife... His wife". He scrunched his eyes in pleasure.
Zoya walked to her room in frustration. "As usual, Mr. Khan had no answer for me. I will not let him go. After I freshen up and after some breakfast, I will confront him again".
Dilshad was happy with the bickering between the two, "As long as these are at loggerheads with each other, then all is ok." Then loudly so that both Asad and Zoya could hear. "We are going to have breakfast in 15 mins and I want to see both of you at the dining table by then" and she walked towards the kitchen.
Zoya went about her room getting ready for the day in semi-anger, banging and putting away things with a force. "I'll show Mr.Khan what real screeching is about. Then let him complain about his ears. How dare he?". She opened the door of her bedroom and shut it with a mild bang and walked towards to dining table. She saw Asad at the table and marched towards him with a scowl. Asad upon Zoya seeing got up and waited for her to reach the table.
Zoya confused slowed down and sat beside Dilshad on the left side of the table. Asad went to her, held her hand and asked her to get up.
Zoya looked at Dilshad all confused. Dilshad shrugged and shook her head saying "I don't know anything".
Zoya stood up. Asad tugged at her hand. Zoya looked at him and with his eyes motioned her to follow him. Asad then lead her to the other side of the table beside him and said, "You will sit here from now on. This is your place." And then added softly "Please... for me" and looked at her pleadingly.
Zoya to herself, "Ya Allah! How can I resist Mr. Khan when he looks at me with that puppy-dog expression".
Zoya blushed and nodded.
Asad pulled Zoya's chair back with his free hand, waited for her to be seated and pushed her chair forward using his body and his free hand. Zoya tried to tug her hand free but Asad tightened his hold. Zoya looked at Dilshad in embarrassment but Dilshad pretended not to notice. Asad sat down and looked at Zoya. <MITWA MOMENT>
Dilshad coughed. "Are you two planning to sit here the whole day? Let me know. I have a lot of chores to complete."
Asad in embarrassment, shook his head and said, "No Ammi". And using his left started to serve Zoya and himself.
Dilshad started laughing, "Asad, since when did you become left-handed? Don't you need your right hand to eat or is Zoya going to feed you?".
Asad quickly let go Zoya's hand and both Asad and Zoya blushed. They ate their breakfast from their respective plates in silence. Asad and Zoya kept stealing glances at each other.
Having finished her breakfast, Dilshad got up to go saying, "I will be going out at 10:00 and will be back only by 3:00 pm today. I have prepared some light lunch and all you have to do is heat it up. You are OK with this?"
And then she added, "I want you two to behave yourselves".
Asad spluttered on his coffee and in protest, Ammi..."
Dilshad "Kya Ammi, Ammi... and, Asad, Zoya ka kyal rakna. Zoya bechari hoon aur Zoya ko tang mat kar" and left the room.
Asad "Woh bechari nahi hain...". Zoya smirked.
Asad got up to leave the dining room too and then did a 360 back.
Asad to Zoya, "Do you want help to clear the table?".
Zoya shyly, "No, I can manage". Asad nodded, smiled and left the room.
AT SIDDIQUI MANSION
At the breakfast table, Humeira placed a glass of orange juice in front of Ayaan. Ayaan looked up with a bright to say thank you but stopped for a moment when he saw it was Humeira. Ayaan had a flashback of the time when Zoya served him some juice.
Humeira was beginning to get agitated when Ayaan looked up again and smiled a thank you to Humeira. Humeira calmed down. But Ayaan began to feel restless. He decided that he would go see Asad after breadkfast.
AT KHAN VILLA
Asad decided to get some urgent work done so that he could spend some time with Zoya. As he was settling down to start to work, he heard some noise by the window and saw Ayaan trying to get in.
The moment Asad saw Ayaan, he had the flashback of Zoya taking care of Ayaan. He pursed his lips in irritation.
Asad in a curt voice, "What are you doing here this early in the morning?"
Ayaan surprised stopped halfway through and jokingly, "Why are you so angry this morning? Are you angry with me or with your musibat? Are you already tired of her?"
Asad in anger, "What rubbish are you talking?"
Ayaan jumped on the divan, jumped to the floor and made a move to hug Asad. Asad hesitated before hugging.
Ayaan, "So are you busy this morning? If you are, don't worry, I wont disturb you. I can spend some time with Zoya".
Asad without realizing went menancingly close to Ayaan and said, "Zoya sirf meri hai, understand?"
Ayaan stepped back, "Ya, of course, Bhaijaan. Why are you so irritated this morning?"
Asad was surprised at himself too. He could not understand why he had reacted as such. He just shook his head and was about to answer when there was a knock at his door and a loud "Mr.Khan, Mr.Khan..."
He went to open the door and Zoya fell in. He put out his arms to stop Zoya from falling and then he pulled her close. He brushed her hair off her face.
Ayaan did not like this and he came closer to them and ahemed. Hey don't forget I'm here too."
Zoya: "Ayaan, when did you come in?"
Asad held on to Zoya and said, "He was just leaving, right Ayaan?"
Ayaan, "Nahi toh. I was thinking of spending some time with you and Zoya. But since you are busy, I will spend the time with Zoya. We wont disturb you."
Zoya tried to break free from Asad's embrace, but it seemed to have got tighter. "Mr.Khan... aap..."
Asad let her go.
Zoya, "That's great Ayaan. I was beginning to get bored. Mr. Khan is busy with his work and Phupi has gone out for the morning. Come lets go to the living room. Mr.Khan you can now do your work without any disturbance from me. I will call you for lunch once it is ready. 12:30pm would be fine for you?
Asad nodded not knowing what else to do. He definitely did not like Zoya spend time alone with Ayaan. He needed to something drastic quickly.
Just as Zoya and Ayaan was about to close his door. He went into a violent bout of coughing. Zoya rushed back in fear.
"Mr.Khan, kya hua?" Zoya asked frantically and held on to his shoulder.
Ayaan from the other side of Asad asked, "Bhaijaan, kya hua?" He tried to get Asad to lean on him, but Asad grabbed hold of Zoya's shoulders and leant on her and slowly started walking towards his bed all the time coughing.
Ayaan, "Zoya go get some water, while I help Bhaijaan to his bed".
But Asad held on to Zoya even tighter.
Zoya in panic, "Ayaan, I help Mr.Khan to bed. Please go and get the water".
Ayaan left to get water. Zoya managed to get Asad to his bed and made him sit down. Zoya asked to lie down but Asad said "Paani" and made Zoya sit beside him. He then rested his head on her shoulder. Zoya kept rubbing him on his back and pushing his hair back, frequently asking him, "Aap teek hain na, Mr.Khan. I must call the doctor."
Asad, "No don't I'll be OK".
Ayaan came back with the water. Asad had the glass of water and Zoya asked him to lie down. Zoya then tucked him in and sat beside him.
"Mr.Khan, I think I should call a doctor" said Zoya.
Asad shook his head.
Ayaan, "Zoya, I think we should let Bhaijaan rest. Lets go and wait in the living room so as to not disturb him".
Zoya, "No Ayaan, I stay here beside Mr.Khan. What if he needs something?"
Ayaan, "Do you think he can rest with you sitting there beside him? You are bound to make a noise or something. Think sensibily."
Zoya looked with worry and felt that Ayaan is right. She got up to go and Asad went into another bout of coughing. Zoya quickly sat back and held his hand.
Ayaan not knowing what to do said, "I'm going now. I'll call later to check on Bhaijaan. Call me if you require any help".
Zoya without looking at Ayaan nodded. Ayaan left the same way he came.
Meanwhile, Zoya just sat there staring at Mr.Khan wondering what to do. Should she call the doctor or not? Everytime she made a move to leave, the grip on his hands got tighter and she finally gave up.
Her eyes started getting heavier and heavier and as her eyes were getting heavier, her head was slowly drooping on to Asad's chest. She, finally rested her head on Asad's chest , gave a contented sigh and fell asleep. Asad was happy he managed to chase Ayaan away and a bonus, he also had his Ms.Farooqui close, real close to him...
