|AsYa FF| Destinies Intertwined Thread # 3

A/N: So I didn't even remember the Imran dude properly. I saw his photo and then sat down to write this update 😆 I hope you like him because he is NOT bad in my FF. Not even the tiniest bit 😆

Anyway so here's Chapter 17 and it's not short! 14 Pages are quite a lot, acha? I think I've spoiled you people too much *sigh* 😆

Happy Reading! 😛

CHAPTER 17:

Asad leaned back into the TV room sofa as he randomly flipped through different channels. He sighed exasperatedly, punching the remote repeatedly on finding nothing good.

"When you don't have time, there are hundreds of good things airing and when you're free, there's not a single damn thing worth watching." He muttered darkly.

"Right you are, Bhaijan." Ayaan's cheerful voice came out of nowhere and the next moment, he flopped himself on the sofa next to Asad.

"When are you going to learn to SIT on a sofa, Ayaan?" Asad asked him in a rather annoyed tone.

"What did I just do now, then?" Ayaan asked confused.

"You COLLAPSED on the sofa." Asad stated and Ayaan grinned cheekily.

"What can I do, Bhaijan? It's an old habit."

"All your habits are old and all of them are annoying." Asad said, pinching his temples.

"Stop whining Bhaijan. By the way, why are you in such a bad mood? And so was Bhabhi all day today. What is wrong with you two? Did you both fight again? Who won?"

Asad looked at him incredulously. "What do you mean who won?"

"Ha! I knew it! I knew you two fought this morning!" Ayaan exclaimed enthusiastically, happy at making Asad admit it without realizing.

"It's very refreshing to see your love for violence, Ayaan." Asad told him drily.

"Okay, I'm sorry but what was the reason behind the fight?"

"Why in the world would I tell you what happens between me and Zoya?!" Asad asked incredulously.

"Oh right. Why would you tell me what happens between you and your darling wifey?" Ayaan repeated nodding.

"Stop calling Zoya my darling wifey!"

"Okay, I'll call her my darling Bhabhi then." Ayaan shrugged simply and then added. "And you stop fighting with her, Bhaijan!"

"Excuse me?" Asad asked in an amused voice, sitting up straighter.

"You heard me. Bhabhi was so quiet today. I mean she tried to act happy and I think she did a pretty good job but there was just this sadness in her eyes that I couldn't help noticing." He told Asad in a quiet, serious voice.

"Ayaan, do you think I like fighting with her?" Asad switched the TV off and turned towards his younger brother irritatedly, massaging his forehead out of habit. "But she just gets so irresponsible at times that I can't take it."

"It's not like she WANTS to be irresponsible, Bhaijan. It's just in her nature. Like how many times have you told me to act responsible but no matter how much I try, I can't! I think it's the same with Bhabhi."Ayaan argued reasonably.

"Ayaan, since when did you start siding with your Bhabhi, instead of me?" Asad switched the TV on and began flipping through the channels again, indicating that he was not in the mood to pursue this topic.

"I'm saying all this because Bhabhi is an extra-ordinarily nice girl... I doubt anyone has as much experience with girls as I have and trust me when I say this - girls like Bhabhi are not easy to find. Why do you think I'm still single? Because I still haven't found any girl who is not only beautiful on the outside but on the inside as well. You, on the other hand found Bhabhi without any conscious effort so don't take her for granted."

"I don't Ayaan."

"Good. Bhabhi is definitely one of the nicest girls anyone could wish for. And the sooner you realize this Bhaijan, the better it will be for you." He said in a quiet intelligent voice and standing up, he left without saying another word and Asad was left staring at his retreating back, surprised by the sudden bout of wisdom that was rarely displayed by Ayaan.

***

Asad raised his gaze from the laptop and saw Zoya quietly folding the laundered clothes and placing them in the cupboard. Even before Ayaan had pointed it out, he had noticed himself how serious she had been today, which was very much unlike her. He presumed she was still probably angry with him for yelling at her but he was still adamant on the fact that the fault was hers and his anger was justified. Then why did he feel bad on seeing her tears, he had no idea. He did not know why her tears affected him so much. Probably because those pearly droplets always made him remember the night, he had found her in the bathroom and discovered her scars. Just thinking of the sadness in her big brown eyes overwhelmed him...

"Mr. Khan?" Her quiet voice broke into his thoughts.

"Yes?"

"Look, I'm really sorry for not telling you about that meeting. I should have. I'm sorry." She repeated.

He looked at her for a while speechless, unarmed by her confession once again. Here he thought she was quiet because she was mad at him and turned out she was still feeling guilty. A wave of guilt washed over him for yelling at her over something she was already feeling so bad for.

Moreover, he really appreciated how she had the courage to accept what she did wrong and apologize for it. Not many people could do that, including him. He admitted grudgingly.

"Miss. Farooqi," He began slowly. "Work and office are very important for me. I can't compromise them on any stage. And I know I shouldn't have... behaved with you like that... but like I said, it was a very important meeting and due to your carelessness, I thought I was losing another contract."

"You thought you were?"

"I didn't." He smiled gently. "Though I reached the office late, thankfully Mr. Ghaus Qureshi was late too, he got stuck in traffic. So no harm was done."

"I'm glad." Zoya told him with a small genuine smile, looking relieved.

Asad smiled a little wider in return, feeling relieved on clearing it out and asked, "Want to go down for dinner?"

"Of course, Mr. Khan! I'm starving."

"When are you not?" He teased with a lopsided grin as they left the room together.

"Allah Miyaan! What's wrong with you, Mr. Khan? I had very little lunch today, okay?"

"For some reason, I'm finding this very hard to believe."

"Oh really? You always find the truth, hard to believe."

"Now I don't think that's true."

"Whatever, Mr. Khan. I think I'm going to order myself a pizza."

"What but why?"

"Because I have been in a much tensed mood today and I always eat pizza whenever I'm worried... And couldn't have you called me to inform that the meeting wasn't cancelled? Here I was thinking that I've done such a big loss to your company that you're going to go bankrupt and we're all going to end up on the streets." She blabbered.

"One cancelled meeting isn't going to make us end up on the streets, Zoya. I assure you I haven't that little in my bank account." He told her with an amused smile.

"How would I have known that especially after the way you reacted?" She said casually and Asad's step faltered for the tiniest moment as he looked at her thoughtfully, realizing that she was subtly informing him how hurt she had been with his behavior today.

He looked at her guiltily when suddenly she stopped on reaching the last step of the stairs and asked him in a excited whisper, "Hey, will it look rude if I order pizza? I mean, Ammi has the dinner ready and all."

"Zoya, why do you want to eat pizza when there's perfectly good food at home?" He asked, stupefied.

"Because I feel like it!"

"But pizza is such an unhealthy food."

"Seriously Mr. Khan, please tell me your age again. Are you sure you're 28 because you sure as heck act like an 80-year-old grandfather."

"Miss. Farooqi-"

"Please Mr. Khan, save the health lecture for some other time. I really am hungry right now." She pouted childishly.

"Fine! Go ahead and order it!"

She gave him a sunny smile and a mock salute, "Thanks Hitler." And then ran to the telephone, making Asad shake his head in bewildered amusement.

***

Najma happily entered Zoya's room, the next afternoon and informed, "Imran is free today, Zoe. You can go and meet him. He's saying, just tell me the restaurant or wherever you want to meet and he'll be there."

"Great! Is Ayaan coming with me?"

"Yes, he's out at the moment but I called him and he's coming home now; should be here any minute."

"Great. I can't wait to grind your dear Imran."

"Bhabhi, you will do no such thing!" Najma exclaimed with a laugh.

"Oh yes, you're right. I'll leave that part for Mr. Khan." Zoya giggled and Najma pouted. "So where are we meeting?"

"How about the Marriott? It's the closest hotel to our house."

"Sure Tamatar; sounds perfect."

"OMG! I totally forgot about Bhaijan!" Najma exclaimed worriedly. "Bhabhi, he'll blow a fuse if he gets home and doesn't find you here!"

"Totally agree with you, Tamatar. What will Bhaijan do with himself if he doesn't have Bhabhi to fight with?" Ayaan stated as he leisurely strolled into the room, swinging the car keys on his finger.

"Don't worry Tamatar; we'll get home before he returns from office. Around what time does he get home?"

"Usually around 6."

"Okay." Zoya nodded thoughtfully.

"We have to be back before then, Bhabhi. Otherwise the more practical approach would be to just head towards the graveyard instead of home." Ayaan stated simply, dropping himself on the bed.

"Yes and save Mr. Khan the sin of strangling us himself." Zoya nodded.

"What time is it right now? 4 o'clock? Tell Imran to meet us at 5." She added after a while.

"But how will we recognize him?" Ayaan thought aloud.

"Raabert, sometimes you do show signs of owning a brain."

"Thanks Mona. But the disturbing fact is that you don't even show that." He grinned back cheekily as Zoya's mouth fell open.

"I don't have to, okay? People KNOW that I have a brain!"

"And where in the universe can these brainless people be found?" Ayaan asked sweetly. Zoya was just planning to whack his head with a cushion with Najma cut in.

"Right now, both of you are demonstrating that you have the brains of 4 year olds... And I'll show you a photo of Imran, Zoe so you can easily recognize him."

She proceeded to open a photo on the phone and showed it to Zoya. It was a photo of her with a young, good-looking guy who had his arm draped casually around Najma's shoulder. Without warning, Ayaan snatched the phone from Najma's hand and peered at the photo.

"What is happening here, huh Tamatar?" He asked in a stern voice, jerking his head towards the photo.

Najma blushed to the roots of her hair and managed to stutter. "No-nothing Bhaijan. We were just taking a photo."

"This photo could've been taken with you two standing apart, no? Or would you two have not fitted in the frame?" He asked strictly.

"Bhaijan... Bhaijan we were just-."

"Nay, you're right. This photo couldn't have been taken if you were standing apart. You would've covered the entire frame and bechara Imran would've been cut out." He said snickering with a mischievous gleam in his eyes and Najma gasped as she realized that Ayaan was actually pulling her leg.

"Bhaijan, I'll kill youuu!" She screamed, grabbing the cushion from Zoya's hand and chucking at her grinning brother who jumped out of the way and then held him palms up, stopping Najma midway between throwing another.

"You're calling me Bhaijan, which means you're giving me respect but on the other hand you want to kill me? That doesn't seem quite right!" He said teasingly. "Make up your mind. Either you want to respect me or murder me?"

"Definitely murder you! Bhabhi, help me!"

"Why would Bhabhi want to help you? She's on my team."

"You wish Raabert! I would jump at the opportunity to kill you any day!" Zoya said wickedly as she grabbed another cushion from Najma's bed and aimed at Ayaan.

Ayaan dodged their cushions effortlessly and then hurled them back with such precision that they smacked right on the girls faces. Laughing heartily he ran out of the bedroom before they could attack back.

Najma and Zoya looked at each other and burst out laughing.

"Go and inform Imran, Tamatar." Zoya told Najma, giggling.

"Yes, I should let him know."

"And tell him to come prepared. I'm not going to go easy on him." Zoya grinned evilly and Najma laughed loudly as she exited the room.

***

"Sorry I'm late!" A pleasant voice reached Zoya's ears and she turned around to find herself looking into Imran's apologetically smiling face.

He said salaams to her and Ayaan, shaking the latter's hand firmly and told them apologetically that he had been stuck at the office with some important work. They assured him that it was no big deal since Najma had called them up and told them that he'd be late.

They got talking and in no time, Zoya had deduced that he was really a very sincere and genuine person who truly loved Najma as much as he claimed to. She loved the self-assured air that Imran had around him and as crazy as it might sound, his sense of dressing as well.

When asked if he was afraid of Asad, Imran simply shrugged his shoulders and said with a smile, "I really respect him and I can completely understand the insecurities he must have regarding me. I know he is the fatherly figure in Najma's life and he's bound to be protective of her... I respect him very much but no, I'm not afraid of him as I've done nothing wrong."

"You don't know Asad, Imran. He's not easy to persuade and you haven't even come across his anger." Zoya said, sighing while Ayaan looked on solemnly. Zoya was amazed how cold Ayaan was being with Imran, probably trying to project the image of a tough and protective older brother.

"Oh I've heard a lot about his anger from Najma. Believe me it is quite famous." He gave a handsome crooked smile. "But when I fell in love with Najma I knew what I was applying for... You see, I love Najma with every fiber of my being and something as trivial as her brother's anger is not going to make me back off. I love her unconditionally and I'll wait for her my whole life if I have to till Asad Bhaijan agrees to get her married to me."

"You won't elope with her, will you? Because I swear I'll find you and I'll break your face if you do." Ayaan said calmly but there was an underlying threat that didn't go unnoticed by anyone.

"If I was planning on eloping with her, I wouldn't be here trying to persuade her family." Imran answered with just as much calamity and Ayaan finally smiled.

***

Zoya stared at the old house with tears brimming in her eyes.

"Are you alright, Bhabhi?" Imran asked her in a soft, confused voice as he got out of his car and followed her. She nodded quietly, unable to speak.

After their meeting was over, Ayaan had gotten a call, about one of his friends being in an accident and he had to rush off. Imran had promised to drop Zoya home but due to the heavy traffic on the highway, they were forced to take a shortcut through the streets, as they were already quite late. The sun had gone down and Zoya was getting apprehensive. She knew how Asad had this rule about women being home before sunset. She was trying to think of a good excuse when her eyes had landed on a particular old house and she had frantically asked Imran to step on the brakes.

It was her home.

Her old home, where she lived with her parents as a whole, happy family before fate snatched them from her. Her eyes misted as she got out of the car and slowly moved towards the familiar house that still featured in her dreams. She ran her fingers over the boundary walls lovingly as tears dripped down her chin.

She looked towards the balcony and the second floor and cringed when she realized that it had been renovated. Of course, it had to be, after that fire... She thought sadly.

She looked towards the gate and a memory resurfaced. A memory of her; running into her Abbu's arms as soon as he returned from office and him tossing her high up in the air. She saw the lemon tree and another image projected in her mind. A little Zoya sitting on top of her Abbu's shoulders; trying to reach the lemons. To her, her Abbu's shoulders were the highest place on earth... She could see her Ammi as well circling around them, asking her Abbu to be careful in a frantic voice lest he dropped her.

Sudden tears blurred her vision so much that she couldn't see.

"Are you alright, Bhabhi? Have you seen this house before?" Imran's worried voice reached her ears and he fished out a tissue from his pocket to hand to her.

"This was my home, Imran. I-I lived here with my parents before they died." Zoya told him in a quivering voice.

"I'm so sorry Bhabhi. I didn't know. I shouldn't have taken this route..." He said in an extremely apologetic and flustered tone.

"No, don't blame yourself." Zoya sniffed and wiped her tears. "It's just... hard... seeing this house after so many years."

"I understand Bhabhi. I don't go the street where we lived before either. It's just too painful." He added softly.

"Your Ammi?" Zoya asked him quietly and he nodded, looking to the ground.

"I'm sorry." Zoya whispered. She slipped her hand through his and gave it a reassuring, gentle squeeze along with a teary smile and he smiled sadly back at her.

"Let's get out of here?" He asked.

"Yes, let's do." She smiled softly.

***

"Asad get inside, you'll catch a cold! The weather is getting chilly, beta." Dilshad's distraught voice reached his ears but he paid no heed as he continued his pacing across the lawn.

It was six thirty in the evening and Zoya was still not home. He had no idea where she had gone to and it further added to his infuriation. Even more frustrating was his Ammi and Najma's behavior, who didn't even seemed worried about Zoya's whereabouts at all. Somehow, they had this intuition that she would return any minute now.

Frustrated, he called on her cell phone for the umpteenth time that night only to hear that annoying recorded voice say that the number he had dialed was switched off.

With every passing minute, his worry mounted. What if something had happened to her? What if she had gotten lost and forgotten her way home? He heard the siren of an ambulance in the distance and his heart stopped. What if she had an accident? As the time trickled by, his thoughts got more disturbing. Every small sound had him peeking through the gates. Where could she have gone to?!

Finally, he couldn't take it any longer. He couldn't just sit and wait. He pulled out his car keys and strode towards his car. He had no idea where he was going to look but he decided that he'd just take a round about the neighborhood maybe. It was better than pacing the lawn and freaking out.

Just as he was getting into his car, there was a purr of an expensive vehicle and a silver Mercedes pulled to a stop. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Zoya getting out but the next moment, that relief was replaced by a blind fury when he saw her thanking a young, handsome man, at the driving wheel. It was her friendly demeanor with the stranger that enraged Asad. What was she thinking, taking a lift with a completely unknown man?

He ground his teeth together to control his anger and watched Zoya wave that stranger off with a huge smile on her face. As soon as she saw him in the car porch, her step faltered for a second before she regained her composure and walked towards him with a slightly nervous look in her eyes.

He folded his arms over his chest and asked her in a low, dangerous voice, "Where were you, Miss. Farooqi?"

"What makes you think that I'll tell you?" She replied trying to evade his question as nonchalantly as she could.

"Miss. Farooqi, do you even realize how late it is?" He ground out.

"It isn't that late, Mr. Khan. It's not even seven yet. In New York, I used to stay out till-"

"I don't give a damn what you did in New York!" He bellowed suddenly without warning. "And who was that guy that came to drop you off?"

"He-He was a friend." Zoya stuttered the first logical excuse that came to her head.

"A friend, was he? When and where did you meet him? You came here a week ago and you already have friends that come to your house to drop you off?"

"Why should I tell you? It's none of your business." She questioned him in return to evade giving answer. She knew it annoyed him further, but what other option did she have?

Suddenly Asad had her gripped by her elbows and given her a shake. "The fact that you're married to me makes it MY business, you understand?! Do you have any idea for how long I've been waiting for you?" He bit out.

"I never asked you to wait for me. And why did you wait anyway? To yell at me when I get back?" She retorted angrily.

"You are my responsibility! If anything happens to you, people would ask me!"

"You are not my guard okay?"

"No, I'm not your guard but I AM your husband and that makes it even more of my responsibility." He said in a frustrated voice, increasing the pressure on her arms so much that she winced and tears welled up in her eyes.

"I don't consider you my husband." She whispered tearfully.

"But the world does." He spitted out.

"M-Mr. Khan-" She began, trying to stifle the sobs building up but Asad cut in rudely.

"No, you listen to me Miss. Zoya Farooqi." He brought his face closer to hers forcing her to look straight into his eyes. "I know you think only of yourself and don't give a damn about other people's feelings and how troubled they can be by your careless attitude, but from now on you won't stay out this late with your new 'friend'. He sneered the last word out disdainfully. "Do I make myself clear?"

"But Mr. Khan-"

"NOT A WORD MORE, ZOYA!" He suddenly thundered, giving her a shake as if to physically knock some sense into her and a lone tear managed to escape the confine of her eyes. "You are standing here justifying yourself? DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW WORRIED I WAS?! Do you even know what types of thoughts were running in my head?" He gritted out between clench teeth, without thinking. "Did you think even once while you're out with your 'friend' that someone at home was worried sick, waiting for you?"

He realized what he had blurted out by the sudden softness in Zoya's eyes. He let go of her arms, stepped back and hurried to cover his blunder, "I-I mean Ammi and Najma were so worried about you. But why do you care? All you think about is yourself. I've never seen a more self-centered and selfish girl than you in my entire life." He said, staring straight into her eyes and then turned abruptly to leave.

Zoya looked at his retreating back with hurt and confusion etched on her face. First, he had openly admitted that he cared for her well-being and the next moment, he had called her selfish and self-centered. She stared at her silhouette entering the house and shook her head sadly, wiping her tear off. She would never to able to understand him.

She didn't feel like going into the house so she quietly sat on the bench and pulled her legs against her chest. The cold wind nipped at her face and hands so she drew the shawl more properly around her. It had been so long since she had time for some quiet reflection and it felt good. She stared at the velvety black sky littered with stars and let her thoughts run free.

***

Asad paced on the terrace and looked at the small bundled up figure on the bench in the garden below. It amazed him that this girl could be reckless to this extent. He knew that he had behaved roughly with her and made her cry again but he didn't feel as guilty as yesterday. He knew he had been harsh but she HAD to realize how dangerous the world was out there. He couldn't believe she had stayed out so long in a foreign country with a strange man, who she claimed to be her friend. God only knows who that man was!

He massaged his forehead as he looked down at her. He felt like she was like a child. She didn't understand the dangers this world held.

Shaking his head, he made his way downstairs to the garden to ask her to come inside. The weather was getting colder and he didn't want her catching a cold. The chilly air bit him through his thin cotton shirt as he made his way towards her and said in a gruff voice, "Come inside, Ammi's saying you'll catch a cold."

She seemed surprised by his presence for a second before she went back to staring at the sky after stating, "No, I've this shawl. I'm fine. You go inside."

"The dinner's ready."

"I don't feel like having it."

"Miss. Farooqi, you can't stay out here like this!" He said, getting frustrated at her stubbornness once again.

"What's wrong with it?"

"The weather. You-you'll fall sick and then it will fall on me to take care of you." He said lamely.

"You don't have to. I can take care of myself."

"I find that hard to believe. Now come in!"

"I don't want to."

"Why?"

"I just don't feel like it. It's nice out here."

"It's cold out here and I know why you don't want to come in. You're angry at me!" He stated flatly.

"If I started staying outside every time I'm angry at you Mr. Khan, I doubt that I'll ever put my foot inside your house my whole life." She retorted and he had to bite down a sudden smile.

"Miss. Farooqi, come inside otherwise you know I am quite capable of forcing you." He said in such a polite manner that it was almost funny.

"Don't give me threats of your man-handling Mr. Khan. You do know it's the least gentlemanly thing a person can do, don't you?" Zoya snapped as she stood on her feet.

"What will I gain by being a gentleman in front of you?" He asked in an amused manner.

"Well, I don't know... respect maybe?" She said in such a sarcastic way that he couldn't keep the smile off his face.

"I'll try."

"Please do. You know, Zaroon hates guys who don't behave like gentlemen. He will be so annoyed when I tell him that you aren't a gentleman either."

A pronounced frown became visible on Asad's face as he muttered darkly. "Zaroon... I'm afraid I was forgetting him."

***

Something woke Zoya up in the middle of the night and she looked around, trying to remember what it was. With a start, she realized it was Asad, coughing. She quickly got up from the sofa on which she had stubbornly slept to show Asad that she didn't need the favor of his bed and went towards him.

He was asleep but he looked very restless as a cough every few seconds disturbed his sleep. Hesitantly, Zoya lowered a hand to his forehead to feel his temperature and with a gasp, drew it back.

Asad was burning with a high fever!

***

Hehehe!! I know I'm very wicked to stop here but this is all I thought for this chapter and after this, my mind went blank 😆

And KHABARDAR if someone says that they already KNEW Zoya wasn't going to get back home on time 🤣

Anywho, leave your love and reviews behind. It'll add to my excitement of this new thread. And PLEASE let me know how you liked Imran or not. Please!! 😃

And yes, leave praises for my banner warna no next update 🤣

NOTE: Okay, PMs HAVE BEEN SENT OUT!! I filtered my Buddy List today so if you didn't get PMs for this one, it means you're NOT on my Buddy List 😳 If I deleted someone off who's reading this FF then comment to let me know!! 😛 And comment regularly to remain on my PM list!! I've deleted those people off who haven't commented after chapter 12 🤔

Love,

Fari ❤️

Originally posted by: vinita459

CONGRATS for your new thread. 🥳 🥳 🥳

Originally posted by: SBanoMalik

Congrats for the new thread 👏