FF - The Colour of Love - Link to #2 Page 148 - Page 42

Zoya and Humera waited impatiently for their parents to arrive, they had not seen them for a good part of six months. 'There they are' Humera screamed they both ran towards them crashing into their embraces. 'Aaah Ammi...Abu it's so good to see you, how are you how was your journey?' Humera was on a roll, 'calm down Humera, we are fine let's get home and you can do your questioning then' Humera's mum said cupping her face and gently placing a kiss on her forehead.

Finally reaching home Humera and Zoya helped Razia and Ghaffur unpack and settle in before they started to get ready for the big dinner.

Ayaan had sent a car to pick them up. Humera wore a beautiful pink saree that her mum had bought her and Zoya a luscious red and black one. The pair of them looked stunning Razia could feel her eyes well up at the sight of her beautiful daughters.

Humera and her family were given a very warm welcome, they were showered with love and a lot of respect. Ayaan's mum was overly excited at having met Humera, she made her sit with her and started talking to her endlessly. Naani was sitting with her parents talking about future plans. Zoya sat on the edge of the sofa, her leg twitched involuntarily as she was constantly scanning the room and looking up towards the stairs, she was more nervous than anyone, she kept thinking about him and his recent behavior towards her. Najma came in with Ram who was carrying refreshments for everyone. Najma noticed Zoya on edge 'what's wrong Zoya' as soon as Najma asked everyone turned around to look at Zoya, feeling the heat of everyone's gazes she nervously got up 'oh nothing, um I need to use the loo' she said walking of quickly.

As she walked back to join everyone she immediately stopped, Asad was walking down the stairs, her heart picked up an extra beat, she clenched the sides of her saree and forced herself to move forward, as she came in full sight Asad looked up and nearly lost his balance. She looked stunning, no she looked more than that, he had never seen her in a saree she looked so elegant. He was totally mesmerised, her radiating beauty was hypnotic he couldn't bring himself to look away. Zoya slowly reentered the seating area fully aware that his eyes were following her every move. 'Asad why are you still standing' Naani asked gesturing for him to sit down. As everyone engrossed themselves in conversation Asad moved so he would be sitting directly opposite Zoya where she would be in full view. Naani, Razia, and Najma were in full speed planning the engagement ceremony whilst Ayaan and Ghaffur were lost in conversation about politics. Zoya tried to engage in the conversations that were going on but found it hard to speak when he was staring at her so intently. She wanted to turn around and ask him what his problem was but was unable to so she just kept looking in the opposite direction hoping he would take the hint.

'And what about your parents' Razia asked Najma. Asad quickly shot a look towards them his eyes all of a sudden narrowed and his body stiffened. 'Um...Aunty...um my parents' Najma struggled to finish the sentence, Naani put her hand over Najma's to comfort her 'they passed away many years ago' 'I am so sorry I didn't know, I didn't mean to upset you Najma' Razia said as she could see Najma's eyes moisten. Zoya was a little surprised as she had no idea, she looked at Asad whose facial expression had changed dramatically he got up and walked off, clearly letting everyone feel his annoyance. Najma looked at Razia and Ghaffur apologetically 'Asad has never been able to deal with our parents passing, he finds it hard to be part of any conversation when it comes to them, he doesn't mean to be rude'.

Zoya felt a dull pain developing in her chest she started to become concerned for him, wondering if he was ok. Maybe I should go and see him' she thought to herself. She got up reluctantly and walked towards his room. she saw him standing by the pool she walked up to him slowly wondering what she was going to say to him, maybe she didn't need to say anything.

Asad sensing someone behind him looked back he saw her standing there but did not respond he just turned away from her and was about to walk off when she called out to him 'Asad' she barely managed an audible whisper. Asad stopped and slightly turned his head 'what do you want Zoya?' He said angrily. Zoya took a step forward, she didn't really know what she was doing, she raised her hand and gently touched his shoulder making him flinch a little before turning around to face her. His stare wasn't as soft as it was before she could almost see the pain the hurt seeping through. He looked straight at her waiting for her to say something, Zoya could feel her mouth dry up she finally plucked the courage to say something 'Asad, I am really sorry I never knew...ab...about your parents, I can understand how hard it must be for you' Zoya had just about finished what she was saying when Asad leapt forward taking he by the shoulders and almost crushing her to the wall behind. His anger was beyond anything she had seen Zoya flinched as he took hold of her and let out a gasp, she couldn't understand his reaction. 'How dare you Zoya, how dare you. You think you can come in here and sympathise with me, you think you know what it feels like to have lost your parents, what do you know...Nothing' he shouted at her, her eyes filled up and tears began to flow she tried to speak but she couldn't she winced under his tightening grip, she tried to get him to let go 'As...Asad you're hurting me' she said trying to pull his hand away. Asad pushed her back and quickly turned around clenching his hands into fist 'Just go Zoya, I don't want your false sympathy and understanding, you understand nothing' he growled at her, Zoya who was unable to control her tears started to walk back towards the door but before she did she turned to say 'You are wrong Asad, I understand more than you know'. Zoya frantically tried to wipe away any signs of crying as she went down to sit with her family.

Dinner was a pleasant affair; Zoya didn't eat much but made an extra effort to engage with conversation. It was finally time to say good bye. Humera's parents thanked everyone for a wonderful evening. Everything had been set for the ceremony on Saturday, Najma walked up to Zoya and Humera giving them one last hug before they left.

'Aaah that went really well I think, they are such lovely people, Ayaan, seriously I am so happy for you, you have definitely picked a fine partner' Najma said rather pleased with tonight's dinner and events. 'Thank you Baji' Ayaan said with a smug smile. Asad finally decided to come down 'Asad, where were you' Naani asked him in a serious tone Asad did not respond 'Asad, I am talking to you, if you did not want to join us for dinner you could have at least come to say good bye, did you not know how important tonight was for Ayaan' Asad looked up at her with a blank expression. He did not feel the need or want to respond to his Naani, he continued to walk past ignoring the whole family. Najma came up to Nanni trying to calm her down; she could see she was becoming increasingly angry. 'I'll talk to him Naani; you know what he gets like whenever there is a mention of Ammi and Dad'.

Najma went out to join Asad in the garden she quietly sat down next to him and reached for his hand. She held it with such tenderness and love 'I know it's hard for you Asad, but sooner or later you will have to learn to let go, I am not asking you to forget Asad, I just want you to accept that they have gone, you live with this pain every day, stop torturing yourself..Please' Najma's voice started to break as she pleaded with her brother. Asad didn't say anything he couldn't he had never been good at expressing his feelings, he was used to bottling everything up, he had this tough exterior - I am in total control persona he didn't know any different. Najma didn't miss the single tear that escaped wiping it away she placed a kiss on his temple he then slowly lowered his head placing it on his sisters shoulder for comfort.

'You know Asad you can never tell just by looking at someone how much pain and suffering they have had to endure' Asad lifted his head to look at Najma not quite sure what she was talking about I mean Zoya, I didn't know until today, did you know that Razia Aunty, and Ghaffur Uncle are not her real parents and Zoya is not Humeras real sister?' Asad's eyes began to widen 'what do you mean...I mean how? Where is her real family?' Asad looked at Najma who took in a deep breath 'Baji...Please tell me' Najma looked at Asad she is an orphan Asad, her parents died in a horrific car accident when she was just a child, Humera's family adopted her, they are the only family she has' Asad felt his insides explode, he couldn't believe what he was hearing, why did he not know, this he quickly got up recalling what he had said to her and done to her then he heard her voice 'You are wrong Asad, I understand more than you know'. Asad closed his eyes and his jaw tightened and his hands balled up he tried so hard not to let out the raging scream that was building up inside of him. How could he have been so insensitive, he had no right to lash out at her, Asad turned to Najma and quickly excused himself. He ran to his room he ran his finger through his hair he held on to his head as havoc built inside damn it' he screamed to himself. Her tears, her trembling voice kept playing back in his mind he was trying so hard to calm himself down but it was futile there was no controlling the anger the regret he had towards his own behavior.