CHAPTER TWO
Later that evening, Zoya and Najma are in the kitchen of the Khan Villa. It's full night and the girls speak in low voices. Najma is on her knees in front of an open cupboard.
"Do you like this one?" She holds up a slim white glass pitcher with a curved lip.
Zoya crouches down beside her to study it. "No, I think it's too small and the curled design at the top might make it too feminine for Rohan."
"You're right." Najma puts the jug away and takes out another one, this one with ridges along the length and a simple, rounded top. "How about this one?"
"That's it!" Zoya nods so vigorously that her hair falls into her face. "It's large enough to last the whole night and has the perfect shape and color." Her voice rises with her excitement. "It's exactly right for Rohan."
"What are you two talking about?" Asad growls from above them. "And why are you on the floor?"
Zoya turns to him so quickly she loses her balance. Asad lunges forward and cups the nape of her neck, cushioning the impact as she falls back into the cabinet.
"Zoya!" Najma reaches out for her. "Are you okay?"
"Yes, I...I'm fine." Zoya touches the back of her head, her fingers lacing into Asad's.
She looks up at him and their gazes lock. Her mouth opens slightly and his eyes soften. Their connection is broken almost instantly when Najma puts her arm around Zoya's shoulders. Immediately, Asad withdraws his hand and steps back.
"What are you two doing?" he demands, his voice a little rougher and lower than usual.
Zoya gives him the water jug then jumps to her feet. "We were picking out the perfect water pitcher for Rohan." She reaches down to assist Najma.
"Yes, Bhaijaan." Najma stands and smoothes down the front of her dress. "We didn't want to give him one that was too feminine or too small."
Asad sighs deeply and looks heavenwards, as though asking for divine guidance. Then he sweeps his hand out to the dining table. "What's wrong with using the water jug and glasses we already have out?"
"Glasses!" Zoya turns to Najma. "We haven't picked out the perfect drinking glass."
Najma's mouth rounds and she brings her hands to her plump cheeks. "This jug doesn't have matching glasses. We have to choose again."
Asad reaches past her and shuts the cupboard door. "No. Rohan doesn't need a matching water jug and glasses."
"But Bhaijaan, we can't give him mismatched glassware," Najma protests. "What will he think?"
"He'd better think we're not frivolous enough to waste money on unnecessary dishes." Asad plunks the jug down on the counter. "If he thinks anything else, he can say it to my face."
Asad's shoulders are very straight and his mouth flattens into a hard line. His eyes glitter with his annoyance. Zoya and Najma exchange glances. Their enthusiasm dims considerably.
"Really, Mr. Khan. I don't know why you don't like Rohan." Zoya takes the water jug to the sink. "He was so nice to you at dinner."
"In fact, he was so nice about everything." Najma follows her. "He said such sweet things about Ammi and her work at the orphanage. He complimented our house, our dcor, the dinner Zoya made and he gobbled up Ammi's kheer as if he's never eaten anything tastier."
"He even had three servings. It's amazing how he can eat like that and still maintain that perfect body," Zoya marvels.
"Ms. Farooqui!" Asad snaps. "Well-behaved young ladies do not comment on men's physiques."
"Then well-behaved young men shouldn't take off their shirts in front of well-behaved young ladies, should they, Mr. Khan?"
She looks at him from over her shoulder and raises her eyebrows meaningfully. Asad flushes as they both recall the event in his office. His hand goes to his neck. He's fully dressed in suit vest, tie and business shirt. Still, he smoothes down his vest self-consciously.
"Rohan was very nice to you, too, Mr. Khan," Zoya continues, speaking louder to be heard over the running water. "He was so interested when he found out you designed this house yourself and so complimentary during the tour."
"But did he have to see everything? Why did you take him upstairs?" Asad snaps. "There is a no reason for a man to see ladies' bedrooms."
"He barely glanced at our rooms, Bhaijaan." Najma wraps the clean water jug in a towel and dries it. "But he couldn't say enough nice things about the balcony and the glasswork."
"Both of which you designed." Zoya looks around. "Speaking of glasswork, which glass should we give Rohan?"
Asad releases his breath on a sharp hiss, his hands tightening into fists. "Ms. Farooqui, do not start that again."
"We'll give him a glass from the table set," Najma speaks up quickly. "It will match the five remaining on the table."
"I'll get a tray," Zoya offers.
Asad glares at her, his eyes as focused as lasers. Zoya rolls her eyes and puts her hands up in a soothing gesture.
"A simple one," she assures. "In fact, I'll just give Rohan the first one I touch."
Asad nods. He crosses his arms and watches as they assemble the tray and fill the water jug. Dilshad comes down, already changed into her sleeping clothes.
"Why aren't you ready for bed?" she asks. "Najma, you especially need proper sleep. Your mind needs to be well-rested to prepare for exams."
"Yes, Ammi, we'll only be a minute." She carefully wipes down the sides of the pitcher. "We're preparing a tray for Rohan."
"How sweet of you." Dilshad hugs the girls. "Thank you for working so hard to make Rohan feel welcome."
Najma holds up the tray. "It's our pleasure, Ammi."
"We really enjoy having Rohan here," Zoya adds. "He's so friendly and so nice." She looks at Asad from under her lashes. "Unlike some people."
Asad crosses his arms but Dilshad doesn't see their exchange.
"He is nice, isn't he?" She smiles lovingly at Zoya and Najma. "And you're both making him feel right at home."
Zoya and Najma exchange pleased smiles and snuggle into Dilshad. Asad sighs heavily but they ignore him.
"Do you like this water jug, Ammi?" Najma asks.
"Yes, it's very nice," Dilshad approves.
"There's a water drop right there." Zoya points to the offending bead of moisture.
"Oh, there's a fingerprint smudge on the glass," Dilshad adds.
"I'll clean it, Phupee," Zoya offers. "Let me grab a tissue."
Zoya turns for the table to find Asad in her way, arms crossed over his chest and a dark frown on his face.
"Is this necessary?" he demands.
Dilshad, Zoya and Najma all stop to stare at him, mouths open. Asad clears his throat and drops his arms. The ladies glance at each other.
"Is this Asad Ahmed Khan asking if it's necessary to present a clean, smudge-free glass?" Zoya's eyes are wide open as she feigns shock.
Dilshad smiles and looks away. Najma shifts behind her, hiding her grin in her mother's shoulder. Zoya raises her eyebrows meaningfully. Asad's face flushes.
"I...I mean, why can't Rohan just share with the rest of us?" He gestures to the table. "He doesn't need special service."
Asad does a double-take and frowns at the table setting. He adjusts a glass so they are all in a perfectly straight line. Zoya makes a smothered sound somewhere between a giggle and a snort. He turns back to see the ladies still staring at him. Dilshad, Zoya and Najma sneak peeks at each other, trying hard to hide their amusement. Zoya goes so far as to press her fingers over her mouth. Asad shakes his head and walks away. The ladies burst into giggles.
Asad sits down on the living room sofa and picks up his laptop. "I'm still here."
"Yes, Mr. Khan. How can we possibly ignore your presence?" Zoya swallows the last of her giggles and raises her hand. "In fact, it brings a couplet to mind. Would you like to hear it?"
"No," Asad groans. "I wouldn't."
"Asad!" Dilshad shoots him a quelling look then nods to Zoya. "Please, share with us."
Zoya nods and clears her throat dramatically.
The tiger is quick and clever, the warning should be heeded
As a predator there is none smarter
Alas, his brains and his brawn are not needed
We just want to give our guest a jug of water
"Wonderful!"
"Superb!"
Dilshad and Najma clap as Zoya returns her hand to her hip. She smiles at their praise. Then she looks expectantly at Asad. He rolls his eyes and turns his attention back to his laptop screen.
"I'm not a tiger," he mutters.
"And sometimes you're not quick and clever," she shoots back.
He looks up at her, his eyes narrowing.
"The tray is ready!" Najma breaks in. "Shall I take it to Rohan?"
"I'll do it," Zoya offers.
Asad puts his laptop aside. "I'll take it."
Zoya picks up the tray. "I don't mind."
Asad crosses the room in three large strides. "I do."
"You're working. I'll take it." Zoya tries to maneuver around him.
"You're musibat." Asad steps into her path. "I'll take it."
Zoya's mouth drops open. "I am not."
Asad tries to pull the tray from her but Zoya holds on. They tussle and jug tips, splashing water onto Asad's shirt and vest. Asad freezes while Dilshad and Najma gasp.
Zoya releases the tray and hops back, avoiding the liquid. "Okay, you take it."
Asad glares at her, standing very still as water soaks into his shirtfront. Najma straightens the jug and takes the tray. Dilshad pats Asad's chest with a dish towel, blotting up some of the liquid.
Asad takes the towel from his mother, murmuring his thanks, but his gaze never leaves Zoya. She squirms under his glare. He takes a threatening step closer to her. Dilshad puts her hand on his arm, stopping him in his tracks.
"Zoya, Najma, off to bed," she orders. "Asad, change your clothes. I'll deliver the tray."
Zoya and Najma take one look at Asad's dark expression and hurry upstairs.
***
Zoya punches her pillow and shifts again, dislodging the bed covers. Najma snuggles in beside her, more asleep than awake.
"Zoya, stop tossing," she mumbles, her voice thick and drowsy. "I can't sleep with you constantly moving."
"I'm sorry." Zoya presses her hands together. "I'll try to stop."
"Thank you," Najma mummers, her voice fainter. "Good night."
"Good night," Zoya whispers back.
She remains very still, her head turned to watch the moon shining brightly through Najma's balcony doors. After a moment, Najma's breathing becomes light and even, indicating that she has fallen into deep sleep. Zoya sighs and creeps quietly out of bed.
"I need a distraction," she whispers. "Something to relax my mind." She looks around the moonlit room. "Now, where is my iPad?" She thinks for a moment. "Oh, it's still attached to the charging station downstairs."
Moving soundlessly, she creeps out to the hallway. She blinks when she sees the lights are still on in the living room.
"Mr. Khan must have forgotten to turn them off when he went to bed."
She moves quickly and quietly down to the first floor, her bare feet making no noise. Asad, now dressed in his white sleepwear, is sitting on the living room sofa, laptop and papers spread out on the coffee table in front of him.
"You just missed him," Asad says without looking up from his work.
Zoya looks around. "Missed who?"
Asad gives her a knowing glance. "Mr. Oh-so-nice."
"His name is Rohan."
"Oh, I forgot." Asad goes back to his papers. "I must have gone into a sugar coma from all his sweetness."
She crosses over to him and puts her hands on her hips. "You didn't forget. You're being deliberately annoying."
"Remind you of anyone we know?" Asad shifts to his laptop and presses a series of keys.
She glares at him. "Very funny, Mr. Khan. What did Rohan need?"
"He wanted a glass of water."
"Water?" Zoya frowns. "But we gave him water for his room."
Asad smirks. "Maybe the pitcher was too feminine after all."
Zoya looks at Rohan's bedroom door. "Maybe I should check to see if he needs anything else."
"No, you won't." Asad jumps up as though the sofa is on fire. "Well-behaved ladies do not go around knocking on men's bedroom doors in the middle of the night."
Zoya rolls her eyes and exhales deeply. "He's our guest, Mr. Khan. He's too polite to get things for himself. We have to be gracious and offer amenities. He's trying to be respectful."
Asad raises his eyebrows. "A guest who is polite and respectful? I've forgotten what they're like." He leans close to her. "We haven't had one of those in a long time."
She narrows her eyes and tries to go around him. He steps in her path. She goes the other way and he matches her. They dance around each other until Zoya stops and puts her hands on her hips.
"Allah miya, what's wrong with you, Mr. Khan?" she demands. "I just want to make sure Rohan is comfortable."
Asad crosses his arms. "He's fine. He's also an adult who came out of his room when he wanted something. He'll do it again."
She takes a step closer to him. "What if he needs something after you've gone to sleep?"
He matches her step. "I'm not going to sleep for several hours. I have too much work to do."
She raises her eyebrows. "You usually work in your room at night."
He matches the gesture. "I'm working in the living room now."
They stare at each other for a moment, the air thick with electricity. Then Zoya takes a step back.
"Allah miya, what do you think I'm going to do?" Her voice is high with her annoyance.
"I don't know," he snaps back. "Maybe you'll forget it's not your room and sleep in the wrong bed. You've done that before."
"That only happened once and it was an accident. I didn't know it was your room at the time." She waves her hand to dismiss the event. "You threw me out of bed, remember?"
"That will never happen again."
They both freeze at his words. Zoya's eyes widen and Asad's face flushes. He takes a step back and clears his throat.
"I mean, now you know it's my room," he clarifies. "And I know you. I'm used to you barging into my bed."
Zoya's mouth falls open.
"My room," he corrects quickly. "I'm used to you barging into my room." He turns away and hurries to the sofa. "And why are you still up?"
Zoya takes a deep breath and looks around, as though trying to get her bearings. "I came to get my iPad. Is it here?"
Asad picks up his laptop, refusing to look at her. "I haven't seen it."
Zoya walks around the living room. Asad remains quiet, his focus glued to his laptop screen. Finally she gives up searching.
"It's not here. Where did it go?" she asks.
"Where did you see it last?" Asad still looks down at his laptop screen.
"I left it on the side table on its charging station." She points to the different electronic components on the tabletop. "I make sure it's charged every night. Najma uses it as a second monitor to prepare for her exams."
Asad finally looks up. "Maybe Najma took it upstairs with her."
"No." Zoya shakes her head. "I put it on the charger myself before dinner."
"Najma might still have taken it. Perhaps it's in her school bag," he suggests.
"Maybe."
She's about to leave when she sees Asad's computer screen. She leans in closer. "Is that my file storage system? Are you accessing files?"
He nods. "Yes. I just got the good news that our bid was accepted. I wanted to review our proposal tonight so I can get a running start on it tomorrow."
Zoya's smile lights up her face. "I knew you'd love it once you got used to it. See how easy and efficient it is? And it saved you an unnecessary trip to the office."
Asad grunts in response.
Zoya refuses to let him get away with it. "Admit it, Mr. Khan. You like my system."
Asad gives her a sideways glance but finally nods. She laughs gleefully and sits beside him. He types in the search criteria and brings up a series of image scans. Her mouth drops open.
"Mr. Khan, is that the Center Park bid?"
Asad goes very still. He swallows audibly before he nods. "Yes, it is."
He turns to her, his eyes dark and fathomless. Their gazes lock and for a second it's only them. Then Zoya blinks, breaking their connection. She stares at the computer screen, a film of tears clouding her vision. Asad watches her helplessly.
They both flash back to the confrontation in Asad's office.
"I need it now," Asad screams. "This presentation is for a huge contract on very prime real estate. I have to have my bid in by 1:00. Where did you put that file?"
Prasad and the secretaries stand frozen, eyes wide as Asad's temper escalates. Zoya sees them staring and her eyes fill with tears of humiliation.
Her voice shakes. "I can't find the file now. Your staff destroyed my filing system."
"Don't you dare blame my staff for your incompetence," Asad snarls. "That file was my top priority. That's why I wanted my active files in my office. And that's why I wanted Prasad to bring them in and not you. I knew you'd screw it up just like you always do!"
The tears spill out of Zoya's eyes. "Please, Mr. Khan. I can still get the presentation files. They'll be on the server. I'll retrieve it. I just need some information about the account."
"You want me to give you another chance to destroy my business?" Asad screams. "Are you trying to ruin me?"
"Of course not, Mr. Khan, I'm trying to help you."
"Ms. Farooqui, I...I..." Asad's voice is low and hesitant. "About the things I said that day..."
Zoya blinks rapidly to push back the tears. "Where did they come from?"
Asad swallows again. "I know I have a temper and...and I sometimes react without thinking. I didn't mean-"
"No," she interrupts him. "Where did the image files come from? They weren't there when Prasad looked for them."
Asad nods. "Yes, but it didn't matter. I had the finished presentation in my briefcase."
"It does matter. Look at the date and time stamp when the files were created." She points to his screen. "This is when I scanned the files into the system, two days before the bid was due. I knew I entered them but when Prasad couldn't find them, I-"
She stops abruptly as she has a flashback to her conversation with Prasad.
"But that was a current file, one that I scanned into the system this week. Why wasn't anyone able to retrieve it?"
"I looked for it, Ms. Farooqui, using key sequences just like you taught me," Prasad says. "I even manually checked the directory folder but it was empty."
"Wait, are you sure there was a directory folder?" Zoya's brows knit together.
Prasad nods again. "Yes, the folder was created two days ago but it was empty. That's why we searched for the paper files. We wouldn't have done that if the folder had the files we needed."
"Did you check the backup server?"
Prasad stares at her. "I don't know how to check the backup server."
Zoya shakes her head. "That doesn't make sense. My system automatically creates a directory folder when it recognizes a new key sequence."
Asad frowns. "What does that mean?"
"It means that a directory folder wouldn't exist unless the system found a file to store in that directory." She looks at them. "So what happened to the file that triggered the folder?"
"Ms. Farooqui, are you okay?" Asad's voice brings her out of her reflection.
He touches her arm. Zoya jumps up and begins pacing, his hand falling to the sofa seat she's just abandoned. He presses his hands together, ducking his head to hide his hurt and guilt at her unconscious rejection.
"It had to be the RAID. The reboot caused the RAID to realign itself."
"What raid?" His brows knit together in confusion. "No one raided our offices. The police only searched the K7 Enterprises office after your attempted kidnapping."
"Not that kind of raid." She continues to pace. "I mean a redundant array of independent disks. It's the backup system I built. It allows the Dilshad Construction server to store the same data on multiple drives. So if one drive becomes corrupted, another drive will have the same data and can pull the required information." She clenches her hands into fists. "I took down the server last week to protect my hacking codes. We brought it back up the next day, after verifying the file structure integrity. That was a forced reboot. The RAID automatically made sure all files on all drives matched once the server came back online."
Asad's mouth hangs open as he tries to follow her explanation. "What does that mean?"
She stops pacing to look at him. "It means that someone deliberately deleted those files. Someone is trying to hurt your business or..."
Asad waits but she doesn't finish her thought.
"Or?" he prompts.
She draws in a shaky breath. "Or someone was trying to hurt me."
"No," Asad responds instantly, his voice hard and certain. "No one working for me wants to hurt you. Why would you say that?"
"It has to be someone from your office, Mr. Khan. The files disappeared the exact day you needed them. The entire office worked on that presentation in some way or other. Everyone there knew I had created the storage and retrieval system. And," she takes a deep breath, "your temper isn't a secret, either."
He looks away. His jaw is locked in a hard, straight line but the vein twitches madly at his temple.
"Anyone who knows you would know how you'd react to the lost file," Zoya continues softly. "It wouldn't be hard to guess how I'd respond to being attacked like that, either."
Asad closes his eyes as a tremor passes through him. His mouth twists as he brings himself back under control. He opens his eyes and meets her gaze.
"No. My entire staff loves you. They all pitched in to help you reorganize after..." His voice is rough and he pauses to clear his throat. "After that day. No one in my office would target you, Ms. Farooqui. My retaliation is as well-known as my temper." His voice drops, becoming thick and dangerous. "They know I'll destroy anyone who hurts you."
His eyes are dark and intense but the sincerity in them shines clearly. Zoya takes a step back, unnerved by the depth of his emotions. She draws a deep, shaky breath.
"Okay, if you don't think someone is trying to hurt me, then why delete those files? It wasn't an accident. The system is read-only. It takes special logins and additional steps to delete a file. Were they trying to sabotage your bid?"
"I don't know." Asad is quiet for a moment, staring at the evidence on his screen. Then he looks up, his features hard and set. "Regardless of their intentions, you were hurt that day. That won't happen again." He stills, the heat in his eyes chilling to glacial calm. "I'll find who did this and I'll take care of them - my way."
His words ring out in the silent room, a solemn and unbreakable blood vow.
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 keeping me on the straight and narrow.
Also, thank you to everyone who posted replies, sent me buddy request and wrote private messages. I hope I've added everyone who wants PM's to my buddy list. Please feel free to join if you would like me to let you know when new chapters are posted.
Remember, this story and WEB OF LIES are stand-alone adventures but also setup for GHOST IN THE MACHINE. Keep these details in mind! I'll post flashbacks of major plot points but I expect you to remember the small details. Here is the link to my summaries if you would like to understand how ALL THE RIGHT MOVES fits into my overall story arch:
https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/qubool-hai/3510217/ff-palygirls-upcoming-mysteries-updated
For those of you following my original-character novel, the story with expanded backstory can be found here:
https://palygirl.livejournal.com/
I've locked the actual story postings since this is original work and not fanfiction. You will need to sign up for a free account if you want to read that story. It's my first true romance so I'm a little nervous writing it!
I hope you're enjoying my work. Thank you for reading.
Paly
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