~ The Sunshine of My life ~ AsYa FF||Part 14 Page 129 NOTE PG 140 - Page 59

"Zoya?" Asad yelled on the phone, understanding that she was in some sort of trouble but what it was he couldn't decipher. "Zoya talk to me, kahan hai aap?" Asad asked slowly trying to calm himself down so he could calm Zoya on the other end who was panting furiously unable to speak coherently.

"Mr Khan..wo... woh mai.." Zoya spoke through her sobs unable to string two words.

"Ok ok first calm down Zoya, close your eyes and take a deep breath, just breath.." Asad whispered gently encouraging her.

He heard Zoya breath a few times and involuntarily a smile crossed his face realizing how innocent she was.

"Ok now just tell me, are you inside this old library where you told me to meet you?" Asad prodded and earned a monosyllabic answer," Yes.. please aap..." she mustered courage to plead to him to reach to her.

"Just calm down, keep breathing, I am coming alright? "Asad held onto the phone and kept talking to her to keep her distracted. Asad ran into the building, into the vast hallway and looked around. There were various doors that lead to rooms. Asad frantically searched through each of them and found Zoya nowhere. He climbed two steps at a time leading to the floor above. As he climbed up he sniffed as he smelt smoke, making him race up faster. His eyes darted towards a door where he could see smoke erupting from and could hear Zoya's sobs more clearly.

"I am here Zoya.. I am here don't worry." Asad knew she was trapped inside that room but he didn't want to scare her by questioning her at that time. He walked towards the room and tried opening it only to find it jammed. He cut the call and pocketed his phone, removing his coat he took a few steps back and ran to push the door with force. The door shot open revealing thick orange flames that surrounded it. Asad looked around anxiously searching for Zoya.

"Zoya?" He called out loudly, but got no response. He waded through the flames as he pushed away the furniture in between that was on flames burning his hands a little in the process.

He moved towards the other end of the room and found Zoya crouched on the floor, almost hiding behind a shelf of books placed in the corner. She looked petrified and was crumpled into a heap as she hugged her knees and hid her face in them. She was trembling out of fear and mumbling inarticulately. He immediately squatted down next to her.

"Zoya? I am here, sshh calm down..I am here. Nothing is going to happen to you, I am going to get you out of here!" Asad spoke as calmly as he could.

Asad had expected her to respond to him, look up at him in relief or probably hug him for support, but she continued to hide herself, trembling awfully. Asad saw the flames rising and diverted his attention to getting Zoya out of there safely. He placed his arms around her shoulders and pulled her up as she leaned lifelessly on him not supporting herself on her feet. He gazed at her face, it was pale, eyes hollow as if they had been socked as she scrunched them shut as tightly as she could. Asad knew she was in no condition to understand anything he would say. He put his coat around her shoulders and covered her securely. He picked her in his arms, while she snuggled closer hiding her face in his chest, evading even a glimpse of the flames surrounding them. He held a trembling Zoya as he dodged the fire surrounding them, kicking the objects in his way to break out from the room.

Asad held Zoya securely as he lead her out of the room, didn't stop in his way even once as he walked out of the building. He placed Zoya in his car gently as he ran to buy some water for her.

"Zoya here have some water.." Asad offered her the chilled bottle of water he had got for her even as she sat completely dazed and unresponsive.

Asad stared at her closely, gauging that he had completely underestimated the effect the incident had had on her. She didn't just look scared, she looked like she had been to hell and back. Her eyes, her face were devoid of any emotion and that frightened him.

He opened the bottle of water and holding her chin up he made her drink the water he hoped would unnerve her a little. He wet his handkerchief with the water and gently wiped the dirt and sweat on Zoya's face. Caressing her matted hair that spread all over her face, he reclined her car seat a little, so that could relax.

His phone rang and he moved back to answer it as he thought of what to tell his Ammi as he saw her name flash on the screen.

"Asad? Tum aur Zoya kaha ho beta, me and Najma need to leave!" Dilshad reminded him. They had to leave for a wedding that was at the end of the town and were going to be away for the night.

"Uh Ammi aap thodi der rukiye mai Ayaan ko ghar bhej deta hun, who Aahana ka khayal rakhega, hum dono ko aane mai shayad thodi der lag jaye.."

"Kya hua Asad sab theek hai na?" Dilshad questioned as she realized Asad sounded different.

"Sab theek hai Ammi you don't worry. Ayaan will be there in a while. You and Najma take care okay?" Asad reassured his mother not wanting to worry her over Zoya's state.

As Asad dialled a call to Ayaan he glanced at Zoya who had dosed off and gently shifted her head on the seat in a more comfortable position. After telling Ayaan to rush home to Aahana and briefly explaining what had happened, he drove back home.

Asad got out of the car as they reached home and walked over to Zoya's side. He picked her up carefully as she unconsciously coiled her arms around his neck. He entered the house, welcomed by loud wails from Aahana and a harrowed Ayaan wondering how to silence her. As Ayaan saw Asad enter the house he rushed to him with Aahana in his arms.

"Bhaijaan, what happened?"Ayaan asked him puzzled totally lost to what was happening. He had been called by Asad in such a hurry that he had left his house in a rush amidst all the tension pertaining to his father's health. But he could never refuse Asad Bhaijaan anything, not even his own life.

"I'll tell you everything Ayaan let me take her to the room first,"Asad spoke in whispers not wanting to disturb a sleeping Zoya. Asad's attention tossed between Zoya and Aahana, as his baby leaned over from Ayaan's arms wanting to hop onto his. He could see she was sleepy and demanded his attention.

Asad lay Zoya down on the bed and mechanically turned to Ayaan taking Aahana in his arms as he sat next to Zoya on the bed with Aahana now wound to him as she hid her face closer in his neck, yet crying.

"Ssh stop crying Abu's here now okay?" Asad patted her lovingly trying to put her to sleep.

"I've stood on my hand and feet to calm her down, and it takes you two seconds and one hug to do that?" Ayaan exclaimed dramatically making Asad roll his eyes.

"Bhaijaan inhe kya hua hai, is she okay?"

"Pata nahi Ayaan, I found her trapped in a room that was on fire, she was obviously terrified, but she's just been motionless and unresponsive ever since. I am glad she's sleeping now, maybe she'll be better when she wakes up." Asad informed Ayaan.

"Thank you so much Ayaan, ki tum yaha aa gaye, I didn't want to trouble Ammi or worry her. Waise Ammi aur Najma?"

"They both left as soon as I reached, they've left safely and would be reaching there now already." Ayaan informed Asad cutting through his questions.

Asad nodded and sighed leaning back on the headboard, tired from the day's events as he continued patting Aahana to sleep.

When Aahana seemed calmer Asad placed her on the other end of the bed next to Zoya placing a pillow on her right so she wouldn't move. He noticed Zoya shifting in discomfort and placed his palm on her forehead finding it warm.

"She's running fever, I think I should call the doctor. I have a feeling the effect of this incident is deeper than it seems. Mujhe ye bhi pata nahi hai ki unke saath exactly hua kya tha, was it just a fire or..?" Asad spoke more to himself than Ayaan.

As he picked his phone to ring the doctor he asked Ayaan to get a bowl of cold water with some napkins, which Ayaan did immediately.

"Bhaijaan now that you're here with the both of them, allow me to leave? Woh kya hai na Abbu ki tabiyat theek nahi hai, Ammi rah dekhti hongi...toh mai"

Asad's movements came to a halt when he heard Ayaan speaking about his Abbu .his expressions becoming indifferent.

"Of course Ayaan tumhe iss waqt ghar hona chahiye, tumhare Abbu ko tumhari zaroorat hai, tum jao I'll manage." Asad assured without meeting his eyes.

"Poochenge nahi unhe kya hua?" Ayaan pointed out uncertainly.

"I would have asked if I cared Ayaan. Anyway thanks for coming, maine tumhe pareshaan kiya.." Ayaan shook his head and stopped him in his rant.

"Bhaijaan ye kya baatein kar rahe hai aap. I would leave anything for you, this was my duty. When you've been with me like a shadow all my life, can I not do this much for you and Aahana. Actually mai aapse maafi mangna chahta tha."

"Maafi?" Asad questioned.

"I had thought you wouldn't want to see my face after what I joked about the other day. I am sorry Bhaijaan." Ayaan apologised indeed feeling guilty for hurting his brother knowing how sensitive he was in such matters.

"It's okay Ayaan, mai jaanta hun tum mazak kar rahe the. But you know how important Aahana and Ayesha are in my life. I have never even thought on the lines you spoke about that day, and I can never even do so. You put me and Miss Farooqui in a very embarrassing situation, aur tab mai tumse bahut gussa tha. But it's okay I am glad you realise your mistake." Asad smiled at his younger brother lovingly as he got up to escort him to the door.

"Mai phir aaunga aapse milne." Ayaan promised as Asad nodded him and hugged him warmly. Asad rushed back to Zoya's room. He sat next to her on the bed and placed the wet napkin on her forehead hoping the fever declined.

As Asad tended to her, she occasionally shifted in her sleep mumbling softly,"Ammi.." she croaked. Asad assumed she missed her mother, who wouldn't in such a state.

The doctor arrived minutes later and asked Asad to wait outside for a while.

"She's fine, no deep injuries, just some bruises. But she seems mentally scarred after what you've described to me. It is possible that she is just really scared after the incident, or that she had a phobia of fire. I've injected her right now so she should have fitful sleep, make sure she eats well when she is awake. And here are some medicines you could give her if she complains of pain or burn. And Mr Khan please remember, she is fine physically, but I am not sure how much that applies to her mental state, so you'll have to deal with her very tenderly." Asad heard the doctor carefully promising him to take good care and inform him of any changes if there were.

Asad went to the kitchen to check if there was any food made and was glad to find two plates prepared for himself and Zoya. He was hungry after a long exhausting day but his heart didn't allow him to eat food when he knew that Zoya was ill and hungry. He warmed some milk for Aahana and walked back to Zoya's room.

He noticed Aahana shifting in her sleep, occasionally moving around the bed. He feared she would hurt Zoya in her sleep and picked her up in his arms as she slept on. Asad spread the cover around Zoya tucking her in properly and left the room with Aahana, leaving the door slightly open. He went out in the living room and sat down on the floor on Aahana's quilt leaning his back on the sofa as he placed Aahana on his lap and fed her milk from her sipper.

He shut his eyes and thought about the last few hours. The Zoya he had gotten to know over the last few days through the time they spent during their drives was so different to the Zoya he had encountered today. Her eyes had this weird sense of hollowness that he had witnessed even that night when he had confronted and hurt her. He couldn't help but think that what Zoya showed herself to be wasn't what she really was. He didn't know why he was so concerned, why his heart went out to her. But over the last few days they had formed a bond, something that could not be named and he would dare not name.

He didn't realize when he dosed off but he was woken up shortly by some screams. His eyes jerked open as he looked around his vision hazy from sleep. It took him a minute to realize that those screams were Zoya's. He rose up unsteadily with Aahana in his arms, placing her in her chair car that lay near the couch he ran to Zoya's room. He walked into see an extremely restless Zoya tossing on the bed, almost screaming in her sleep.

"Ammi, fire.. someone save.. save her!" He heard her call out. He realized she was having a nightmare. He sat next to her on the bed and tried to wake her up.

"Zoya, it's just a nightmare calm down. There is no fire, and you're not alone I am here." Asad spoke out loudly intending to jerk her awake. He held her shoulders as she trembled in fear again, calling out for help loudly.

Her eyes sprang open and she noticed Asad sitting next to her holding her hand tightly. It was just a nightmare she thought, one of the many she had been getting from years. As she thought of the nightmare, flashes of the fire she had been trapped in earlier that day came back to her. Tears seeped out of her eyes as she broke out into soft sobs.

Asad squeezed her hands tighter when he realized she was crying."Everything's fine Miss Farooqui, you're safe, nothing's going to happen to you." Asad whispered softly reassuring her.

Zoya nodded slightly even as her heart thumped against her chest in fear. She tried getting up but it took too much effort and she lacked the strength. Asad came and sat closer and holding her by her shoulders pulled her up and leaned her against headboard.

"You're wet, wait a second."Asad got up to fetch her a towel, but she held his arms preventing him to leave.

"Please Mr Khan don't go, please be here, what if something happens, what if this room catches fire too." Zoya stammered as her eyes screamed of the ordeal her heart was going through.

Asad immediately sat next to her and put his arm around her to calm her down, "Nothing will happen Zoya I am right here, I am just getting a towel for you to dry yourself. And something for you to eat, you are not well, you've been running slight fever too." Asad spoke tenderly as if dealing with a baby.

"I don't need anything Mr Khan just don't go anywhere." Zoya pleaded softly.

"I won't." Asad replied firmly, caressing her shoulder a little as she leaned on to his side. As he felt her shivering subside he moved apart a bit looking at her.

"Zoya, do you want to talk about what happened?" Asad asked gently not wanting to make her feel he was coaxing her.

She looked at Asad and sighed, she knew he would ask her and he had every right to know what had happened even though she knew he was giving her an option to refuse him.

"Mr Khan mai kisi kaam se uss building mai gayi thi, it's an old library as you know. It was almost empty with very little staff. I found some material which I needed and sat down to read it. Mujhe realise hi nahi hua ki woh building kab khaali ho gayi and when everyone left. The door was jammed and while I was trying to find a way to get out of there, waha short circuit ho gaya, since there were just books all around, poore room mai aag lag gayi, aur.." Zoya's voice croaked as flashes of the flames that had surrounded her came back to her making her cry again.

Asad put his arms around her again as he hugged her to calm her down, "It's okay we're at home now, aur yaha sab wires sealed hai koi short circuit nahi hoga. Aur mai hun yaha mai aapko kuch nahi hone doonga." Asad cajoled her as if he was convincing Aahana, telling her details about anything in the house she was worried would catch fire.

Zoya smiled to herself realizing he was trying hard to make her feel better and felt thankful. She had expected him to question her after he had witnessed her spine chilling screams while she was asleep. But he was pretending nothing had happened, making her feel better about the situation.

"Aap mujhse poochenge nahi ki maine aise react kyun kiya, I just woke up from.."

"No Zoya, there are certain things none of us like talking about. There are so many things in my life, so many feelings I have never spoken about, that I fear talking about. So I understand that this might be something in your life you wouldn't want to disclose and I won't force you. But I want you to know that whenever you decide to speak about it, I'll always be there to hear you out. After all what are friends for right?" Asad asked her his lips twitching into a slight smile.

Zoya was taken aback at the term friends'. Were they friends? As Zoya thought about what he had called them she definitely agreed to it. The last few days had really broken the ice between them. The hostility had taken a back seat and even though their differences yet persisted, they had definitely got along enough to talk decently well. She realised that even though Asad yet stuck to being himself she had seen a new side to him every day. So yes he was a friend and what warmed her heart was that even though she had given him every reason to question her today, he seemed undeterred by any of it. He was consciously trying his best to make her forget the accident rather than question and trouble her.

"You need to eat something Miss Farooqui, I am not sure if you've eaten well today. A good meal always helps." Asad explained as he shifted on the bed moving apart from her when he realised how close they were.

"Mr Khan I am not hungry, I'll be fine."

"Arey normally you're always hungry, I've found you hogging pizza's at the oddest hours of the day. Ammi has left food for us in the oven, mai lekar aata hun." Asad coaxed her.

She was about to sulk and refuse him when she realised he had said Ammi had left food for the BOTH of them, which meant even he hadn't eaten.

"Mr Khan have you eaten anything?" Zoya asked in a whisper.

"I wanted to, I almost did but then I thought I would end up eating both our shares once I started eating, that's how hungry I was, so I stopped myself." Asad answered smartly making Zoya chuckle slightly as she looked away suddenly engulfed with warmth.

"Miss Farooqui?"

"Hmm!" She looked up.

"Bahut bhook lag rahi hai, khaana laun?" Asad asked almost frowning to show how hungry he was.

Zoya smiled and nodded as Asad smiled back and went to get them both their dinner.

Asad first went and checked on Aahana and found her sound asleep. He went and placed her in her crib in his room and carried the baby monitor with him leaving the door open.

He heated food for himself and Zoya and carried the tray laden with food to her room hoping that the meal would lighten up her a bit. He was used to seeing her badgering around the house noisily and the sudden silence was unsettling for even him.

As they ate in silence Asad realised Zoya was barely eating, and was only pecking on the food.

"Zoya I know that I can't expect you to forget whatever happened, and maybe I don't even know the extent of turmoil you are going through, but thinking about it is only going to make it worse. So just try and erase whatever happened out of your mind and distract yourself. Ammi ne itna acha khaana banaya hai and if I am not wrong it's almost all your favourite dishes aur aap hain ki kha nahi rahi hai."

Zoya smiled and nodded, thankful for all his concern. She concentrated on the food as he tried to make small talk.

"Aahana kahan hai, I didn't even ask about her. Meri wajah se aap usse time bhi nahi de par rahe."

"Don't worry Zoya, she's already fast asleep, woh theek hai."Asad replied touched by her concern for Aahana even in this state.

After having their dinner, Asad went for a shower and returned with Zoya'd medicines and offered it to her as she ate it without any argument thankfully.

"I think you should sleep Zoya, you've had a long day." Asad persuaded her. Zoya stared back at Asad sharply at the mention of sleep. She knew she would be left alone in the room and even if she managed to dose off she would only be troubled by nightmares.

Asad gauged the fearful eyes staring back at him,"I'll be taking the couch, I am not going anywhere, so don't worry you won't be alone."

Zoya smiled with gratitude, "Par Aahana?"

Asad smiled and gestured towards the baby monitor in his hands as he settled on the couch. He looked back at Zoya and saw her staring endlessly but not shutting her eyes to sleep.

"Zoya!" Asad said almost exasperated.

"Mr Khan..woh I am scared to sleep, the nightmares,"Zoya spoke shortly hoping Asad would understand her.

Asad sat up nodding in understanding, "You know Miss Farooqui there have been times when I thought my reality was better than the dreams I was going to sleep to. I didn't want to sleep because I didn't want Aahana away from my eyes even for a minute, fearing something would happen to her, someone would do something to her when I was deep in my slumber." Asad explained, as Zoya heard inertly.

"I would sleep with Aahana in my arms, because I knew if I was the only who could protect her, she was the only one who could keep me assured too. Her presence has taken away every pain and replaced it with multiple the amount of happiness in my life." Asad smiled proudly talking about his girl.

He walked out of the room only to walk back seconds later with Aahana in his arms, who was half awake by now. He came towards Zoya and sat next to her on the bed, gently placing Aahana in her lap. Zoya smiled flashing her dimples that had been missing the whole day.

Aahana who had been in the warmth of her Abbu's arms instantly recognised the difference and looked up. She stared at Zoya with her sleepy eyes as Zoya hit her forehead with Aahana's lovingly and let it rest there. Aahana was sleepy but having played and spoken with her friend for so many days even she could make out that she wasn't herself. She looked around while Asad and Zoya wondered what she was searching for.

"Ahh ahh.." she mumbled patting at Zoya's shoulders and pointed at Zoya's iPad that lay on the side table. Zoya looked at it then back at Aahana and laughed when she understood what Aahana implied. She picked up the ipad and bought it near Aahana,"Aahana wants to dance?"

Asad looked on in amazement at their interaction, surprised at the level of understanding between them. Zoya switched on Aahana's favourite music as she kicked her feet in excitement making Zoya laugh and jiggle herself. Asad smiled wide looking at both Aahana and Zoya dance, laugh and enjoy their time. He was glad he had gotten Aahana there, at least she had managed to do what he couldn't.

"Party over guys, it's time to sleep." Asad announced after allowing them to play around for a while. He took the Ipad from Zoya's hand and switched it off.

"And Hitler strikes back Aanu." Zoya whispered to Aahana who chuckled even without understanding what had been said. Asad rolled his eyes and got out of the bed walking towards the couch as Zoya looked on confused.

"Mr Khan, Aahana?"

"She'll sleep with you." He told her as he got some pillows and placed it around Aahana as he rested her next to Zoya. He held the covers up and gestured for her to get into bed so he could tuck them both in. Zoya smiled in awe and lied down as Asad covered them both with the duvet and switched off the lights.

"Good night Mr Khan!" Zoya whispered as he walked over to the couch.

"Good night." He replied as he flashed one of his rare smiles at her, warming her heart. She turned towards Aahana and got her closer to herself. As she caressed her soft tufts of hair, pecking it softly, she concluded how the day had been memorable for more than one reason. She shut her eyes feeling peaceful for the first time after long, and her last thought was about her new found friend' Mr Khan.

NOTE - So here's the part. I had wanted to write more but thought it wouldn't do justice if I wrote it with the rest. I hope you guys like it anyway.

Just a heads up,the story regarding Rashid is almost as same as it is in QH. He left Dilshad for another family and more wealth. But he wasn't trapped, and has nothing to do with Razia and Gaffur in MY story, even though the latter two characters definitely exist and will come in the picture soon

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