FIVE
As Zoya settled into work Aman came and placed four large folders on her desk, Zoya looked up looking at Aman 'um...Zoya, Asad has asked for you to put these papers in date order, and once you have finished these he needs to start working on a new batch of designs, we have our international clients coming in on Friday' Zoya continued to stare but her stare was a lot lessless friendlier. 'You can take these files and pass them on to the admin I am not doing it' she said in a stern voice, she stood up and continued 'you can tell Mr Asad Ahmed Khan that I have been employed as a designer not as an admin worker, and if he has forgotten he can look over my job description' Aman's face started to lose colour he had never seen Zoya speak in such a tone. Aman picked up the folders and started walking back. As Zoya sat back down she saw Asad standing at the bottom of the stairs that led up to his office. His eyes looked as if they were about to explode he wore a deep frown across his head, which was becoming a permanent fixture. He clenched his fists and started to walk up to Zoya. 'Pretend you didn't see him Zoya, get up and move' she said to herself frantically knowing that he was getting closer and closer. Zoya got up from her chair and without looking at him started to walk off in the opposite direction. 'Wait' he almost screamed his voice was deep and full of rage Zoya automatically stopped and slowly turned around to see him standing right in front of her. 'In my office NOW' he shouted almost having to force his body back as if he was going to jump on her. Zoya gulped, his rage filled voice startled her but she didn't lose eye contact, as he turned to walk back up to his office Zoya followed with her heart pounding.
As he slammed his door open he turned around 'How dare you Zoya...how dare you refuse to carry out a task I have set you' Zoya looked directly at him 'that isn't my job to do' she said trying hard not to let her voice break 'You will do whatever I ask you to do, you work for me' 'Yes I do, but you seem to have forgotten you hired me as a designer not as your admin worker, you wanted me to look at a new batch of designs for Friday I am more than happy to do that but I am not doing something that is not part of my work' Zoya could hardly believe what she was saying and none other than to the monster with every word she felt her insides lighten up. Asad looked on at Zoya in total disbelief if he was angry before he was in a total fit of fury now. 'If that's all I have a lot of work to do' she said turning away from him as she walked towards the door 'Don't you dare walk away from me I have not done talking with you yet' Zoya turned to face him to find him inches away from her he grabbed her by the shoulders making her jump she tried to free herself from his tightening grip, he looked her straight in the eye, she had never seen so much hatred 'let go of me you're hurting me' she said but Zoya's words were falling on deaf ears as his grip didn't loosen, she muscled up the strength to push Asad back for him to let go. Zoya looked down at her arms that had been left marked with his tight grip, Zoya looked up at Asad who was standing there in total shock. He could not believe what he had done. Zoya's eyes filled up with tears she turned and ran out of his office Asad reached out after her but it was too late.
Zoya put on her cardigan to cover up the redness and sat down at her desk. She was so angry and upset 'who the hell does he think of himself, how dare he treat me in such a way' she said to herself. Asad was motionless still trying to understand what had come over him, why had he become so angry. 'I should...I should' Arnav could not even come to say the word apologise to himself. The great Asad Ahmed Khan had never apologised to anyone.
It was Thursday afternoon Zoya was in deep concentration she had all these designs to finish before tomorrow and she didn't want to stay behind after work again. Asad had not been in all day, which actually helped her get her work done faster. 'Hi Zoya' Zoya looked up to see Humera 'hey, what you doing here' she said with a warm smile let me guess, lunch date with Ayaan?' Humera went all red 'of course what else' she laughed. 'Where is he? Have you seen him?' Zoya shook her head 'No, actually haven't seen him all day' as she said that Asad and Ayaan both walked in. 'Humera' Ayyan called out smiling like he had just won first prize all over again, it was amazing to see them together they were flawless as a couple.
Asad walked up to Humera with Ayaan he acknowledged Humera's greeting with a nod, he then turned to Zoya, his eyes were a lot softer, his expression as though he had let his guard down a little, Zoya looked up and then immediately looked away. 'Why don't you join us' Ayaan said looking to Zoya 'no thank you, I let you two love birds enjoy your lunch, I have a lot to get through before tomorrow' as she spoke she could see Asad continuing to stare at her from the corner of her eye. 'Ok, but Zoya please make sure you have something to eat, you have not had anything since last night' Humera said hugging her before she left. Zoya turned around still smiling at seeing Humera and Ayaan walk off hand in hand, Asad was still standing there staring at her 'why does he stare like that?' she thought to herself Zoya started to feel uncomfortable and cleared her throat to get his attention. As Asad was about to turn to walk away he turned back towards Zoya struggling to speak. 'Stop staring at her and say something you idiot' he said to himself Zoya remained standing looking at him a little confused. 'Is there anything I can get you?' she said to break the uncomfortable silence and forever staring. Asad looked down for a quick second before he met her gaze again, 'No...umm just bring me in the designs when you have finished'.
As the office started to empty out Zoya looked up at the clock it was nearly six O clock. Zoya had not eaten all day and started to feel ill. She walked up to Asad's room and knocked gently on the door 'yeah, come in' he said Zoya walked in to see Asad looking intently through a file, he hadn't noticed it was Zoya standing in front of him hurry up, 'I haven't got all evening' he said still not looking up, Zoya paused before she called out his name 'Asad' she said in the most softest of voices Asad immediately looked up at her and stood up 'Zoya, you ok?' he asked. 'Did he just ask me if I'm ok' Zoya looked onto him in disbelief 'Umm yes...actually no, I am not feeling a hundred percent is it ok if I go home and finish this off tomorrow?' Asad looked at her, she looked so angelic, being totally lost in what he saw Asad failed to respond. 'Asad' she called out again in a slightly raised voice to get his attention huh' was all that came out as he tried to recall what she had just said 'Um I would a like you to complete
it before you leave as the delegation arrives at eight instead of nine' Zoya had little choice she nodded and started to walk back to her work station. It was now eight forty, Asad and Zoya were the last two people left in the office. 'Ya Allah...I'm so hungry' Zoya rubbed her forever growling stomach. She got up to get a glass of water and stumbled holding onto her desk she managed to stand herself up a little 'watch it dizzy head' she said. As Zoya was walking back she felt her head spin and without any control she fell to the ground passing out.
Asad caught her just in time before she hit the floor. 'Zoya...Zoya wake up' he kept calling out to her trying to wake her up, he slightly tapped her check she looked so pale and was ice cold as he called out her name he didn't fail to notice how beautiful she was Asad was drawn in by her beauty, he was completely mesmerized. He consciously moved back a strand of hair that had fallen over her face 'Zoya' he said softly, he looked around and managed to get the glass of water out of her hand, which still had some water left and started to sprinkle her face with drops to bring her round. 'uuugh' Zoya groaned as she started to come round, she lifted her hand to her head and as her vision came into focus she realized she was lying on the floor in Asad's arms. Zoya jumped up pushing herself away from him 'what happened? How did I get here' she asked not being able to meet his gaze. 'You passed out' Asad said as he stood up looking down at her. Asad held out his hand to help Zoya up, Zoya looked up at him, she couldn't read what he was thinking his body stood tall and his eyes frowning Zoya slowly extended her hand out and allowed him to pull her up. 'Are you ok?' he asked, Zoya who was still feeling light headed didn't trust herself to speak so just nodded.
'I have finished the new designs, would you like to see them before you go?' she asked hesitantly. 'No, I will be in early tomorrow and look through them then'. Zoya started to gather her things and was soon following Asad out towards the exit. Zoya who was just a few steps behind Asad was trying to keep her balance, concentrating so much on her step Zoya failed to realise that Asad had actually stopped in his tracks and stood facing her 'ouch' she screamed out holding her forehead, Asad didn't say anything, he just kept staring until Zoya stepped to the side and started to walk past him. 'I'll drop you home' came his voice making her stop, not quite trusting her hearing Zoya turned around to look at him did he just offer me a lift' she said to herself in total disbelief, stepping forward Asad stood beside her waiting for a response 'I...it...its ok I can get a taxi from here' she managed to get out. Asad's eyes narrowed 'you are not feeling well and its quite late, I'll drop you off' He said walking straight past her, Zoya stood there for a few seconds before she hurried out the door after him.
Asad stopped as soon as he pulled out of the car park 'where do you live' he asked her looking straight ahead. 'Nu...Noor Palace Apartments, New Delhi Road' Zoya's mouth dried up as she sat in total disarray; she nervously played with her beads twisting them in and out her fingers not being able to say a single word. The whole journey went in silence, Asad slammed on the breaks bringing Zoya back from her distant thought, Zoya looked at Asad wondering why he had just suddenly stopped, it was then she realised they were parked outside her apartment. Zoya quickly undid her seatbelt and opened the door, before she closed it she looked at Asad 'thank you' she said with a low broken voice Asad turned his head slightly to meet her gaze, he didn't respond just looked at her blankly, his face was expressionless, Zoya gave him a nervous smile before she closed the door and walked away.
The day's events kept playing back in Zoya's mind as she tried to sleep. Why is he the way he is she wondered, Zoya carried on talking to herself trying to decipher this person 'he is so hard to figure out...seems so complicated' she frowned 'I swear he has a split personality or something' Zoya rolled over trying to blank her mind, she did manage to fall asleep but it was whilst she was still thinking about Asad.
Bade Achhe Lagte Hain
Real Estate
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