Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai Sept 2, 2025 Episode Discussion Thread
Bigg Boss 19: Daily Discussion Thread - 2nd September 2025
ABHEERA IN JAIL 2.9
UMAR KHAYID 1.9
What’s the upcoming track??
Bacha chor is such an incompetent lawyer🤦♀️
Mrunal Thakur Called Mean Girl
I wanted Abheera’s fate for Akshara
Janhvi Kapoor In Talks For Chaalbaaz Remake
In this gen Cliff wali legacy maut will not happen
Anupamaa 02 Sept 2025 Written Update & Daily Discussions Thread
Real Woman Power Farhana
Jee Le Zaraa Is Happening
CHAPTER SEVEN
Asad takes a threatening step into the room, eyes glittering like burning coals, drilling into Zoya. She sits up very straight and takes a deep breath. Najma shifts so she's half-hidden behind Zoya.
Zoya clears her throat nervously. "Did you knock?"
Asad sucks his breath in on a sharp hiss. He looks from Zoya to Najma. "Are you okay, Tamatar?"
Najma nods, still shielded behind Zoya. "I'm fine, Bhaijaan."
Asad looks back at Zoya. "Who is Raabert?"
Zoya doesn't meet his eyes. "Just a friend."
"Oh, really?" Asad crosses to the bed. "We barely got rid of your last friend and now you have a new one. Tell me, will this one pull a gun on you, too?"
"Malak did not pull a gun on me!" Zoya protests. "In fact, he tried to protect me from the people who held me at gunpoint."
"And we all know how that ended," Asad shoots back.
Zoya jumps up from the bed. "It wasn't Malak's fault. He thought he was helping me."
Asad snorts. "You need more help than any of your half-witted friends can provide."
Zoya puts her hands on her hips. "There you go calling me an idiot again."
"I'm not calling you an idiot!" Asad snarls. "I'm calling you musibat. Your friends don't understand how much trouble you really are." He leans in so their noses nearly touch. "And they don't know how to handle you!"
"Handle me?" Zoya repeats, not backing down a single inch. "No one needs to handle me. I take care of myself. I can handle things just fine on my own!"
"No, you can't!" Asad roars. "While well-intentioned, your escapades always get you in trouble. You're a musibat magnet but you're not made of steel! You're only flesh and bones and you get hurt all the time! Why don't you understand that?"
"Asad!" Dilshad appears in the doorway. "What's going on here? Why are you screaming at bechaari Zoya?"
"Ammi, she's not a bechaari," Asad snaps. "She's a disaster waiting to happen."
"Asad Ahmed Khan, how is that to talk?" Dilshad scolds. "And what's so urgent that you couldn't wait until morning to discuss it in a civilized manner?"
"Ms. Farooqui was having a call with her friend Raabert." Asad takes a deep breath and steps away from Zoya. "I merely asked her who he is."
"And I answered that he's just a casual friend," Zoya adds. "Then you said I was an idiot."
"Asad!" Dilshad admonishes.
"I did not call her an idiot, Ammi," Asad denies vehemently. "I only pointed out that she has poor luck picking out friends."
"Poor luck?" Zoya gasps. "It's Malak who had the poor luck. He spent three days in the hospital having his kidneys flushed and his broken kneecap reset. He suffered that protecting me."
"He didn't protect you!" Asad snarls. "I did!"
"That's enough!" Dilshad steps between them. "We all agree that Malak's situation was terrible. He had the best intentions when he came here. Unfortunately he ran into some very bad people. He tried to protect Zoya but he didn't understand the extent of their greed. But Asad, you wouldn't have been able to deal with it, either, if Zoya hadn't been clever and composed enough to reach you. You all were in the same terrible situation and you came out of it together. That's what matters, right?"
Dilshad looks from Asad to Zoya and back. They both remain silent, bodies turned away from each other. She looks to Najma, sitting statue-still on the bed, her eyes wide as she watches the exchange. Dilshad sighs.
"We'll discuss this in the morning." She takes Asad's arm. "Come, Asad. Let them sleep."
Asad nods but then abruptly turns back. "Najma, do you know this Raabert?"
Najma blinks and her cheeks flush. "Bhaijaan, I hadn't heard the name Raabert until Zoya said it a few minutes ago," she answers honestly.
Zoya crosses her arms and raises her eyebrows to Asad, daring him to say more. Asad sets his jaw and stalks out of the room. Dilshad follows after him but pauses at the door.
"Good night, girls. Sleep well." She gives them a warm, affectionate smile.
The girls wish her good night and remain very quiet until she leaves. They wait another minute to make sure Dilshad has gone into her own room.
Finally Najma releases her breath on a heavy sigh of relief that leaves her limp. "Whew, that was close. Zoya, I don't know if I can do this. I'm not used to hiding things from Bhaijaan."
"Najma, you have to focus on the big picture." Zoya comes to sit beside her. "We need to protect Phupee. Nothing's more important than that, right?"
"Right," Najma agrees.
"Then this is what we must do. We'll tell your Bhaijaan everything when it's over, I promise. He'll probably be mad at us. Well, he'll be mad at me," Zoya amends. "But wouldn't he do the same thing if he was in our place? Wouldn't he do anything necessary to protect Phupee?"
Najma stills. "Bhaijaan and Ammi have always sacrificed for me. They think I was too young to remember the hardships but I do. Ammi used to take in sewing from other people to make ends meet. I'd fall asleep watching her work then wake up the next morning and she'd still be sewing. Bhaijaan carried me to school because our shoes were worn and he didn't want my feet to hurt. I know they both skipped meals so I didn't go hungry." Her eyes fill with tears. "I remember it all. How can I forget things like that?"
Zoya's eyes also fill with sympathy. "Najma, they did the right thing. Back then, you needed them to take care of you. But you're not a helpless little girl anymore. Now it's your turn to be strong. Your Ammi needs you." She takes Najma's hands and squeezes them. "Are you with me?"
Najma blinks and the tears spill onto her cheeks. Even so, her eyes are focused and her jaw is locked and determined, displaying the fierce resiliency both she and Asad inherited from Dilshad. "Yes, Zoya. I'm with you. I'll do whatever it takes to protect our family."
***
The next morning, Zoya walks downstairs, still warm and sleepy-eyed from sleep. Asad throws open the front door just as she turns the bend in the staircase. He's sweaty from his run and glances down to check his watch. He stops and looks towards the staircase, as if sensing her. She stops, too. They both stare at each other but neither speaks.
Asad starts walking again and Zoya resumes descending the stairs.
"Zoya, I need to take care of a few matters," Dilshad calls down. "Are you okay making breakfast by yourself?"
"Of course, Phupee." Zoya half-turns to answer her. "You know that Zoya Farooqui can do anything!"
Asad snorts as he passes her. She turns back to glare at him and loses her footing.
"Oh!" She throws her hands in the air as she stumbles down the last few steps.
He turns back but she has too much momentum for him to stop her. She lands against his chest and put her hands on his shoulders to brace herself. They both fall to the hard marble floor but Asad takes the brunt of the impact. Zoya lands on top of him, forcing the air out of both their lungs. Her eyes are wide and still sleep-softened. His eyes are clear and very dark. Her hair tumbles around her face and flows over him, veiling them in a sweet-scented curtain. He tilts his head, just enough to run his cheek against the silky strands. Gasping for breath, their gazes lock and the world melts away.
"Zoya?" Rohan's bedroom door opens. "Would you like me to help you with breakfast?"
Zoya and Asad spring apart, scrambling to their feet with pink color staining their cheeks. They turn to see Rohan in the doorframe, dressed in a pristine white kurta. He grins but there is nothing taunting or malicious in it. He looks like a little boy who's just stumbled on a secret. Zoya self-consciously smoothes down the front of her kameez.
"Thank you but I can do it. You relax and get ready." She smiles at him. "I know you have a long, busy day ahead of you."
"No, I have time." Rohan comes to join them. "What are we making?"
"I'm going to shower and dress." Asad turns for his room. He stops with his hand on his bedroom door. "I won't be long."
Zoya nods, already heading into the kitchen. Soon she has coffee brewing and the atta prepared while Rohan uses his amazing cutting skills to prep vegetables. Najma wanders down, still half-asleep. She inhales deeply.
"Good morning! Do I smell coffee?" she asks hopefully.
"Good morning." Zoya reaches for the coffee pot. "Yes. I'll pour you a cup."
Najma catches her hand. "You're doing it again, Zoya." She smiles warmly. "May I pour you a cup of coffee?"
"Sorry, Najma. It's just that we all like taking care of you." Zoya laughs. "Thank you. I'd love a cup."
"Rohan, would you like coffee, too?" Najma takes a tray of mugs out of the cupboard.
"Thanks, Najma." Rohan glances up from his cutting. "I take my coffee with--"
"Enough milk to remove the bitter edge and two spoonfuls of sugar," Zoya and Najma chorus together, grinning at each other.
Rohan laughs. "You guys are amazing. I've only been here for two days and you already know me so well."
"Not completely." Zoya opens the refrigerator door. "But we will."
She and Najma share a significant look as Zoya passes her the milk. Najma nods subtly.
"You're our guest." Najma pours coffee into three mugs, filling them only part-way to leave room for milk and sugar. She smiles very sweetly at Rohan. "We're going to learn everything about you."
Asad's bedroom door opens. He dressed for work in a dark suit with matching vest, shirt and tie. Najma pours coffee into a fourth mug, filling this one all the way to the top.
"Good morning, Bhaijaan," she calls out.
"Good morning, Tamatar. I'll get the newspaper." He glares briefly at Rohan. "Hopefully we won't have any surprises in today's edition."
"We won't," Rohan says confidently, the knife moving so fast it's only a blur of motion. "I told my agent absolutely no new composite pictures. And no new risque images, no matter what."
Asad goes out to get the paper while Zoya and Najma exchange glances. Najma takes Rohan his coffee.
"Was that where you were yesterday?" she asks with sweet sympathy. "Stuck in meetings with your agent?"
The knife slips and Rohan snatches his hand away from the cutting board.
"Rohan!" Najma and Zoya crowd around him. "Are you hurt?"
Rohan holds out his hand for them to see. They all inspect the tiny nick on his index finger.
"What's going on?" Asad shuts the front door behind himself, newspaper in hand.
"Rohan cut himself," Najma explains.
"It's nothing." Rohan gently extracts himself from the girls. "I know how to use a knife."
"Yes, you do." Zoya's eyes narrow in suspicion as she watches Rohan wash his hands. But she smiles brightly when he turns back to them. "All the prep work is done. Why don't you shower and dress while I finish making breakfast?"
"Are you sure?" Rohan looks uncertain.
Zoya nods. "Of course. Najma can help me."
"Yes, Zoya. I'm free." Najma hands a cup of coffee Zoya.
Rohan nods and goes into his bedroom. Asad takes his coffee and sits down at the table, checking the newspaper page by page. Once he's satisfied there are no salacious images of Rohan, he neatly reorganizes the paper and turns to the business section.
"Najma, will you set the table for me, please?" Zoya calls out as she efficiently rolls out the atta into neat, symmetrical circles.
"I'll do it." Asad puts his cup down.
He half-rises from his seat but stops when he sees Najma's hurt expression. Quickly he sits back down.
"On second thought, Tamatar can do it." He smoothes out the paper. "I want to finish this article."
"Actually, I need your help, too, Mr. Khan. Would you please get down the big platter?" Zoya nods to the refrigerator. "It's on the top shelf above the fridge."
"Why did you put it all the way up there?" Asad grumbles.
Zoya shrugs. "It seemed like a good idea at the time."
She winks at Najma. They grin as Asad retrieves the platter. Najma sets the table and brings out condiments. Zoya concentrates on making breakfast. Soon the whole house is filled with the fragrant aroma of parathas sizzling on the tava.
"Mmm, that smells wonderful." Dilshad comes down to join them. She looks lovely and beautifully put-together, as usual. She looks around. "Where's Rohan?"
"I'm right here, Dilshad-ji." Rohan comes out to join them, dressed in a crisp white shirt and elegant dark dress pants. His hair is still damp and he glows with his usual good health and star presence.
"Perfect timing." Zoya washes her hands. "Breakfast is ready."
Everyone takes their usual seats while Zoya brings over the platter piled high with crisp, hot parathas. Rohan takes a long, deep sniff and smiles in appreciation.
"That smells great, Zoya."
"Thank you. In your honor, we're having mixed vegetable parathas." She smiles at him. "Since you did all the hard work of cutting the vegetables."
"It was my pleasure. I hate cooking alone but it's fun to cook together." Rohan looks around the table. "Does everyone take their parathas differently?"
"Yes." Zoya laughs and serves Dilshad. "Phupee likes them very thin and crispy, with the vegetables rolled into the atta." She goes around the table to serve Najma. "Tamatar likes them well-stuffed so I have to put the vegetables between two rotis." She comes over to Rohan. "You also love vegetables so I made more of the stuffed parathas for you."
Rohan looks at Asad's empty plate. "And Asad is having his cold cereal and protein drink again?"
Asad looks up from the paper. His eyes meet Zoya's and darken noticeably. He gives her a small smile and reaches for the yogurt bowl. Zoya smiles back gently.
"No, he likes my parathas." She says softly. She jerks, as if coming out of a trance, and hurries to Asad's side. "Here you are. Medium thickness, lots of vegetables but not stuffed and basted with olive oil."
Asad murmurs his thanks as Zoya serves him. She smiles in return and sets the platter in the middle of the table.
Asad glances briefly at Rohan. "Olive oil is a healthy fat, the atta is full of fiber, the vegetables provide important minerals and the homemade yogurt is rich in protein and calcium. This is a healthful, well-balanced meal."
"You're a smart man, Asad." Rohan grins at him. He glances at Zoya then looks back at Asad. "You found a way to balance both your health and your heart."
Rohan gives him a sly wink. Asad stiffens, his mouth set in a grim line. Dilshad, unaware of the undercurrent between them, smiles warmly at Rohan.
"A healthy heart is the key to a healthy body," Dilshad says blithely. "You cannot have one without the other."
"No," Rohan agrees softly. "I'm beginning to see that."
He smiles at Zoya as she takes her place at his elbow. Asad puts down his coffee cup with a sharp rap. Everyone turns to look at him. Najma reaches for the coffee pot.
"Would you like more coffee, Bhaijaan?"
Asad calms himself and glances at Najma. "No, thank you. I'm fine for now."
"Rohan and I have a very busy day," Dilshad announces. "We're going to the orphanage first then Rohan has to go back to the cricket stadium for another showing and a full afternoon of events."
"Ammi, how do you get to the orphanage without everyone finding out Rohan is staying with us?" Najma asks. "Wait? How is it that reporters haven't surrounded our house, waiting for you to lead them to Rohan?"
"We can thank Commissioner Reddy and the Bhopal police for that," Dilshad answers. "They've been very aggressive in patrolling our neighborhood and keeping the area clear. Plus Rohan and I aren't seen arriving or leaving together."
Zoya hurriedly swallows her bite. "What do you mean?"
"Rohan will duck down in the car when we leave," Dilshad explains. "Then, when we're far from our house, he'll take a separate car and come from a different direction."
"Is that how you keep people from following you, Rohan?" Najma asks innocently. "You hide in the backseat of your car?"
Zoya looks up at her and nods approvingly. She sees Asad watching them and quickly ducks her head over her plate. Rohan isn't aware of the exchange between the girls and smiles at Najma.
"That's part of my strategy, Najma. I also take a different car every day so no one can follow a specific vehicle," he explains. "My agent even employs different drivers each day. That way no one can bribe my drivers into giving away my location."
"I see." Najma nods. "But how do you keep your drivers from telling anyone where they drop you off?"
"They only drop me off at public venues so it's doesn't matter." Rohan serves himself another paratha. "Dilshad-ji's driver is loyal so he doesn't tell anyone he sees me here. Plus my agent brought me home yesterday. No one else has seen me coming to the house."
Dilshad sighs. "That's a blessing. I don't know how you cope with people staring at you and following you around all day."
"It's not normally like this," Rohan assures her."People in Bhopal see me because they're looking for me. Most of the time I throw on a cap and no one notices me, because they don't know to see me, if that makes sense."
Zoya nods. "It does. You hide in plain sight by not being who people expect you to be."
"Right." Rohan grins at her. "Clever girl. That's what makes you so unique, Zoya. You filter and process information better than most people."
"I'm an only child," Zoya explains softly. "I spent a lot of time by myself, just observing the world."
"Why were you alone?" Rohan asks. "What happened to your parents?"
Zoya pulls her scarred right arm, fully covered by the sleeve of her kurta, closer to her body. "My Ammi died when I was three. My Abbu..." She trails off and bites into her lower lip.
She ducks her head. Her hair falls around her face to hide her expression but the tip of her nose turns red, a sure sign that she's about to cry. Najma sucks in her breath with a distressed gasp. Asad slams his coffee cup down and Rohan looks at him in startled shock. Asad glares at him and pushes back from the table but Dilshad puts her hand on his arm to stop him.
"Zoya, I left my medicine in my room. Would you get it for me?" she asks calmly.
Zoya nods and flees the table. For a moment there is complete silence then Rohan clears his throat. Asad continues to glare at him while Najma looks at him with dismay but Dilshad remains calm. She gives Rohan a reassuring smile.
"I'm sorry, Dilshad-ji," he says quietly. "I should have figured it out sooner."
"Figured what out?" Asad snaps.
"That Zoya is an orphan, too." Rohan shakes his head. "She's so sweet and happy, it's hard to believe that she's had a hard life."
Dilshad sighs. "Zoya hides a lot behind her smile. We try not to probe too much because we know it hurts her."
"What do I do when she comes back, Dilshad-ji?"
Dilshad meets his gaze. "Pretend nothing's wrong. That's what Zoya does to get through the bad times. We must allow her to have her coping mechanism."
***
Later that morning, Zoya and Najma are getting ready in their room. Dilshad comes in.
"Rohan and I are leaving now," she announces. She observes them artfully dodge around each other as they gather up their belongings. "You two have adjusted well to sharing a room."
Yes, Ammi, we love having the time together," Najma agrees. "But it's hard to share a washroom. We're in each other's way then."
"And we need more storage space." Zoya throws her kurta pajama on top of her open suitcase. "There's nowhere to put anything."
Najma kneels down to fold the kurta and place it neatly in Zoya's case.
Zoya giggles. "And Najma can't stand how messy I am."
Najma straightens. "I don't mind, honestly. As long as you don't mind me following after you, making things neat again."
Dilshad pats her shoulder. "It's only for a few more days. Rohan will only be with us until next Sunday." She sighs. "It's been nice having him here, nah?"
Najma and Zoya exchange glances.
"He's been a wonderful help with the cooking," Zoya agrees.
Najma giggles. "And he does more chores around the house than I do."
"That's only for two more weeks, Tamatar," Zoya threatens. "Then I'm going to sit back and relax while you take over the cooking and running the household."
"No, you won't," Najma counters. "You'll be busy performing your computer magic in Bhaijaan's office."
"Magic?" Dilshad asks.
"Zoya's almost finished computerizing all of Bhaijaan's records," Najma explains. "Then she'll be able to run programs that tell him how every paisa is spent and even identify projects where he's losing money."
"Wow. I'm impressed." Dilshad smiles at Zoya. "It's amazing what computers can do these days."
"I'm sure Bhaijaan will be thrilled with the results," Najma says.
"The results of what?" Asad appears in their bedroom doorway.
"Zoya's computer program," Najma explains. "I was telling Ammi about the jadoo of Zoya's new program."
"More like voodoo than jadoo," Asad grunts. "Everything Ms. Farooqui touches starts whirling out of control."
Zoya stands very still, hurt clearly evident in her dark eyes and downturned mouth. "I thought it helped you the other night. You were able to retrieve files without going back to the office."
Asad massages his brow and sighs. "I didn't mean it like that, Ms. Farooqui. I understand there's a lot of chaos in creating a new system. It's just that it's been hard on my staff."
"That was your fault, not mine," she snaps, her voice quivering with outrage. "I didn't delete those files."
"I know. I haven't forgotten that." Asad's voice is a low, frustrated growl. He shuts his eyes, regaining control of himself. When he opens them again, his eyes are clear and focused. "I'll find out who did that. I promise you, it will never happen again."
Zoya sucks in her breath at the fierce intensity in Asad's eyes. Something passes between them, too fleeting to catch, but sharp enough to raise the hairs on their arms. Dilshad and Najma exchange glances.
Dilshad looks between Asad and Zoya. "I don't understand."
"It's a work problem, Phupee. Mr. Khan said he'll fix it." Zoya speaks to Dilshad but continues to look at Asad. "I trust him."
Dilshad frowns, motherly concern wrinkling her normally smooth brow. But she turns to Najma without further comment to them.
"Najma, it'll take my driver longer than usual to get back. There's always a large crowd surrounding the orphanage now that people know that Rohan comes there every day," Dilshad explains. "But he should be back in plenty of time to take you to college."
"There's no need, Ammi," Asad assures her. "I'm free today."
"You are?" Dilshad looks at his suit. "You aren't going into your office today?"
"I'm going but my morning meeting was cancelled. The building inspector unexpectedly got tickets to the cricket club for today's performance. Why does no one have strong work ethics anymore?" Asad frowns. "What is it about Rohan that makes people so crazy?"
Najma and Zoya giggle while Dilshad ducks her head to hide her smile.
"Alright. I'll let you take care of the girls today," Dilshad agrees. "Will you take Zoya to the office with you after you drop off Najma?"
"Yes," Asad says.
"No," Zoya says at the same time.
They look at each other. Asad crosses his arms behind his back.
"And what plans do you have for today? Do you intend to meet your friend, Raabert?"
Zoya clears her throat. "Ahh, actually, I was planning on working from home. It's easier for me to concentrate when it's quiet."
"I'll make sure the conference room is quiet," Asad assures her. He turns to Dilshad. "Rohan is waiting for you, Ammi."
Dilshad nods and takes his arm. Asad looks back at Zoya but allows his mother to guide him out of room. Najma waits a moment before speaking.
"What are we going to do, Zoya?" she asks, her voice just above a whisper. "You're supposed to go with Ayaan Bhaijaan to follow Rohan and his agent."
"I'll try to get out of it but I'm not sure I can," Zoya whispers back. "Your Bhaijaan is too suspicious. We'll have to trust Ayaan to do it on his own. I already sent him Arun Sharma's picture so he knows who to follow if he loses Rohan." She pauses thoughtfully. "Speaking of pictures, may I look at the images from your digital camera again?"
"Sure." Najma reaches for her laptop. "I downloaded the files onto my laptop and put a copy on a USB drive for you. I'll also sync it to your iPad when I have a break at college."
"Thank you." Zoya pockets the USB and starts scrolling through the images on Najma's laptop.
Najma watches over her shoulder. "What are you looking for?"
Zoya shakes her head. "I don't know. Just something to help us figure out how Rohan manages to evade the entire city. He said himself that people are looking for him."
"Then you said he hides in plain sight by not being what people expect him to be," Najma points out. "He must put on a disguise."
"Yes, that makes sense but look at this." Zoya grabs her iPad. "I downloaded video clips of Rohan from his matches." They both watch Rohan's speed and grace on the cricket field. "Look at him, the way he controls his body. Every move he makes is so fluid and elegant."
Najma nods as they continue to watch. The next clip shows Rohan removing his shirt and throwing it into the crowd.
"See the play of muscles across his back and shoulders, the way his whole torso stretches out? I've never seen anyone so perfectly proportioned." Zoya sighs. "How can anyone hide such a body?"
Najma straightens away from the computer and grins. "You know, Zoya, Rohan isn't the peak of perfection. Don't we know another guy with an even better body than Rohan's?"
Zoya looks up and her eyes soften. "Yes, we do. Rohan is lean and balanced but he's not powerful. His body doesn't have the muscular strength and control that makes a girl think he can withstand anything."
"True," Najma agrees. "Like you said before, Rohan focuses on speed and flexibility, not strength."
"And he doesn't have those gorgeous brown eyes," Zoya continues dreamily. "Other girls may prefer Rohan's pale blue but I love those beautiful brown eyes. Every time I look into them I feel like I've drowned in a pool of warm, rich, melted sweet chocolate."
"Oh, really?" Najma's brows lift. "I didn't know you had it that bad."
"And those abs!" Zoya sighs deeply. "Every time I look at those abs, I want to grab a shirt and scrub it along his torso to see if I really can wash laundry on that perfect six-pack."
Najma falls on the bed laughing. "Then go for it!"
Zoya's smile dies. She blinks and looks around, as though coming out of a daze. Longing brings tears to her eyes but she ruthlessly suppresses them. She shuts her eyes briefly before forcing herself to smile again.
"Najma, don't be silly." She deliberately lightens her voice. "That's not possible."
Najma raises her eyebrows. "Why not?"
Zoya's laugh is too high-pitched to be real. "Because Mahendra Singh Dhoni is already taken!"
Najma blinks. She opens her mouth to respond but her eyes shift past Zoya and she gasps. Zoya turns to look. Asad is in their doorway, jaw locked, dark eyes flashing fire. There is absolute silence for a moment then Asad shifts, breaking the stillness.
"Get ready," he snaps. "We're leaving in ten minutes."
"So soon?" Zoya protest. "Najma's class isn't for another two hours."
"It's okay, Zoya," Najma soothes, seeing the fury in her brother's eyes. "I...I can study at college just as well as at home."
Zoya stands firm. "I have things I wanted to do, too."
"What things? You haven't finished gushing over Dhoni's body?" Asad's eyes drill into her, brittle suspicion in their depths. "Or do you need to make plans with Raabert instead?"
"So what if I do?" she challenges. "My plans are just as important as yours."
Asad snorts. "I don't have time for your nonsense, Ms. Farooqui. Call your friend and tell him you can't see him today. You have to go to work."
"I can work from home!"
"You can but my office staff can't. You still haven't finished clearing out my conference room or uploading the newest files." Something dark and angry passes through Asad's eyes. "I know my needs don't matter to you but at least have some courtesy for my staff."
Zoya gasps in outrage. "That's not what I meant and you know it!"
"No, I don't know what you meant." Asad steps closer to her. "In fact, I don't understand you at all. You're intelligent but you have no common sense. You throw yourself into situations without ever considering the consequences. People are hurt by your actions, Ms. Farooqui. Don't you ever think about anyone but yourself?"
Zoya stumbles back as though his words are a physical blow. Her mouth drops open but she's unable to speak. Sharp electricity crackles in the air. Najma looks between them in dismay. She reaches out to Asad.
"Bhaijaan, please..." she begins but Zoya puts her hand on her arm.
"It's okay, Najma," she says softly. "I already know what Mr. Khan thinks of me."
Asad stiffens and his face pales slightly. He takes a step towards Zoya but his cell phone rings, stopping him. All three jerk in reaction. Asad sighs and rubs his brow.
"Ten minutes," he repeats gruffly then leaves the room to answer his call.
Zoya looks down, biting into her lower lip, her nose reddening.
Najma touches her arm. "Are you okay, Zoya?"
Zoya takes a deep breath and straightens, a dimpled smile fixed on her lovely face. "Of course, Tamatar. Why wouldn't I be?"
She smiles but her eyes are dark and achingly sad. For just an instant, Najma can see the enormous effort it takes Zoya to slide back behind her mask of a happy, care-free young woman. But it's just a mask.
They both know the real Zoya is crying behind the smile.
Author's Notes: As always, all mistakes are mine and made accidentally. This story is not intended to hurt anyone's feelings, culture or beliefs. Much thanks to my wonderful beta readers for their support, assistance and endless patience!
Also, thank you to everyone posting replies, sending me friend requests and wrote private messages. I don't normally respond to posts unless you've made specific points I want to address or if you ask me direct questions. I want everyone to feel free to post their responses, no matter what the feedback. Please know I read all you posts and treasure every one of them. Feedback nourishes a writer's soul!
Due to the upcoming holiday weekend the next update will be January 6, 2014. I hope and your families have a safe, happy and prosperous holiday season.
Thank you,
Paly
[NOCOPY] Hello everyone! Happy to be here. I was searching for an opportunity to be here with all of you as a member after a long time as writer...
Asya FF: Rendezvous with Honor Asad Ahmed Khan is the prodigal son. All the tabloids say so. Coming from an affluent family in Bhopal, he's done...
This was one of the entries I has written for the Valentines QH Contest. Please read and leave your feedback! It always encourages me. Theme:...
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
Kabhi Neem Neem Kabhi Shahad Shahad
46