FF - The Colour of Love - Link to #2 Page 148 - Page 30

'Zoya I'm so happy for you, it's a shame you won't be working for AAK Designs anymore you have been a great asset to their design team Ayaan told me how our international clients have liked your work. You still have a few days before you start so please will you not reconsider, for me please please' Najma was trying to get Zoya to do a painting for her. 'Najma, you know I would never say no to you but I have so much to do before I start, and you know I didn't leave on the best of terms with Asad, I will feel weird' Zoya said, she was in no way going to go to that monsters house and have to face him. Zoya felt bad as Najma was a good friend of hers and she had never really asked her to do anything. 'What if you come after he leaves for work and go before he comes back? That way you won't have to see him' Zoya was running out of excuses 'ok ok fine I'll do it, how can I say no now' 'Yay...thank you sooo much' Zoya could almost imagine her jumping up with joy saying that. I'll be there in half hour' Zoya said disconnecting the phone, she took a deep sigh she felt a pang in her stomach the thought of seeing him again pained her but she couldn't figure out what the pain was for, was it because she was scared, was it because somewhere deep inside she wanted to see him but knew that it would be hard after everything that had happened. Images from the night of the cocktail party ran through her mind it was like she could almost feel the heat of his touch now she shook her head and got ready to go to KM.

'Assalam O Alaikum Naani' Zoya walked up to Naani greeting her as she entered. Naani hugged Zoya and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. 'How have you been dear, you look like you have lost a lot of weight are you ok' she asked with genuine concern Zoya smiled 'Yes, Naani I am fine, I have been busy preparing everything before I start my Masters' 'Yes Najma told me, congratulations I am sure your parents must be very proud of you' Zoya's smile started to disappear and her eyes welled up, it had been a long time since anyone mentioned her parents. She mentally composed herself and quickly asked for Najma.

Najma gave a Zoya a big hug and thanked her again for agreeing to do this for her. She took Zoya up to the terrace, Zoya has asked to work somewhere away from everyone so she could focus on her work, it was more of a protective measure so she wouldn't bump into Asad. 'Thanks Najma, I think I have everything I need' 'Umm Zoya does Asad know the real reason for your resignation? It's just that when I tried to ask him he clammed up at first then started to get a little angry, he said that you left because you couldn't handle the pressure of working for him nor had the competency' Zoya's eyes widened, she began to fill with anger 'What did he say?' she asked not realising how coarse her tone was Najma saw Zoya's facial expression change and in her defense told her that she didn't believe him and said that there must be another reason. Zoya sighed 'No, he doesn't know, I didn't think I needed to tell him, you know we are not the best of friends. I spent less than a month there and all I endured was his never ending anger towards me. You know when you told me he was your brother I nearly passed out, why is he like that?' Zoya looked at Najma, whose eyes began to moisten and tears glistening 'I'm sorry Najma, I didn't meant to upset you after all he is your brother I shouldn't have said anything' Zoya held on to Najma's shoulder trying to pacify her. 'No Zoya it's not that, Asad has been through a lot he wasn't always like this, ...he is not very open about his feelings and is a man of few words he often locks himself away closing himself off from the world. I know he comes across as an angry young man, someone who is emotionless and heartless but believe me he has a heart of gold, if you really knew him Zoya I can honestly say you would love him' Khushi dropped her hand and grabbed her stomach that pang in her stomach hit her like a thunder ball 'Love him' she said to herself how could that even be possible. For the first time someone had described Asad in a human way - so he wasn't a total monster or he wasn't always one. 'I'm so sorry Najma, I...I' Zoya tried hard to say something but failed Najma smiled at her 'its ok Zoya you get started remember you have to leave before he gets home.'

Zoya started working on her canvas the sun was at its peak, she absorbed the warmth around her as she let her brush take the lead, Zoya wasn't very methodological with her paintings or her designs it was as if they came to life and led her all she did was stand back and admire the finished product.

Zoya had totally lost track of time, Najma came up to see how she was getting on and also to tell her to go home. 'Wow...Zoya that is so amazing' Najma exclaimed holding her hands up to her face not being able to believe what she was seeing Zoya smiled 'it's not finished yet Najma it's a long way off yet' she said covering the canvas with a cover sheet 'No more peeping until it's done' Zoya said folding her arms and standing in front of her covered canvas. Najma started laughing 'Ok ok no more peeping, Zoya, its nearly five thirty you should go Asad will be on his way home soon' Zoya's face turned to panic 5.30, 'Ya Allah I didn't realise it was so late, Najma I have to go' she quickly started putting her things together in her bag and headed towards the stairs, the thought of Asad coming home made her head spin. She marched towards the front door not even stopping to say bye to Naani 'Zoya slow down' Najma shouted after her trying not to laugh, Zoya refused to stop, she around to reply 'I'll see you tomorrow'. As Zoya turned back to continue walking she crashed into something hard, she went flying back and landed on the floor screaming. 'Ouch' she yelled as she started to rub her behind. She looked up and froze all she could see were these two big black fierce eyes fixated on her. Najma ran up to Zoya and helped her up, Zoya massaging her wrist stood up, not being able to look away from him her heart started to accelerate, you could almost see it jump through her top. 'Are you ok Zoya' Najma asked holding her from the back Zoya wasn't able to answer. ' What the hell is SHE doing here?' Asad asked not taking his eyes off of her. His voice made Zoya jump, she tried to control her involuntary nervous shake, she was glad Najma was still holding her as she was sure her legs would have given way. Zoya quickly looked at Najma 'I have to go, I'll see you soon' Najma nodded, Zoya turned around and slowly started to walk past Asad she could hear his low growl and see his gaze follow her from the corner of her eye.

'Asad, there was no need to be so rude, have you forgotten Zoya is my friend' Najma snapped at Asad annoyed with his tone of voice. Asad clenched his fist and walked past his sister. He hadn't seen her for almost over a week he never thought he would bump into her in his own home. He walked in his room slamming the door behind him he threw his bag on the bed damn it' he tried to get a grip of his escalating anger whilst trying to decipher his emotions it was obvious he was angry but why? And what was this other thing he was feeling this dull pain in his chest, he vigorously paced his room he kept seeing her face flash before him, her eyes as they enlarged seeing him her quivering lips as he looked down on her, then he remembered how she was massaging her wrist she must have hurt herself what if its sprained he thought he flinched at the thought. All of a sudden he needed to know she was ok, but how? More importantly why?

Asad went down to join his family at the dinner table Ayaan was talking to his mum about wanting to introduce Humera to them, Naani and Najma were excited at the prospect. Ayaan's mum was willing to meet Humera but wanted it to know if this relationship was actually going to head anywhere. How serious are you Ayaan?' His mother asked 'Ammi, we have been together for some time now, Humera's parents know about us and have not objected...what I am trying to say mum is that I am very serious and I ... I think I want to marry her' Ayaan said the last part trying to hide his reddened face. Everyone at the table screeched with happiness 'have you proposed to her?' Najma asked in sheer excitement 'No Baji, I haven't ... but I will' Najma looked at Asad who obviously was not sharing the families excitement 'Asad isn't that good news, just imagine our little Ayaan going to propose and marry the love of his life' Asad looked up at his sister and gave her hearted smile 'yeah, that's great, Humera's a really nice girl' and just then it dawned on him Zoya was Humera's sister and instantly his half smile quickly changed into a thin line.

'Baji did you know Zoya got her scholarship at the Art Academy' Ayaan said turning to Najma. Najma's smile faded a little, she looked at Asad from the corner of her eye knowing full well what his reaction was going to be. 'Yes I did' Najma said hesitantly she could feel Asad watching her intently. Asad looked to Ayaan what scholarship' he said oh, didn't you know, that's why she resigned, she got a scholarship at the Art Academy to do her Masters, and she starts next week' Asad's eyes drew closer together why didn't he know about this? He turned to Najma 'Baji, what was she doing here?' Asad asked trying not to sound angry 'she...she...like I said she is my friend and she doesn't really need a reason to come, she came to see me' Najma gave Asad a quick smile and excused herself from the table, before she got any more tangled in her brothers never ending questions.