The Colour of Love - FF #2 Link to Thread 3 Pg 124 - Page 4

THIRTY

Asad opened his eyes; his vision blurred by the bright light shining through the window he raised his hand to block out the sun and got up stretching his aching and very stiff body. It took him a couple of seconds to figure out where he was 'Zoya' he shouted out as he looked around, he had fallen asleep in the guest room where Zoya was but only she wasn't there now he got up and knocked on the bathroom door there was no answer he ran out and went downstairs to see everyone sitting in the lounge 'where is she' he shouted out in a panicked voice 'where is Zoya Naani...Baji...don't just stare at me answer me dammit' Asad raised his voice 'Asad...Zo...Zoya woke up this morning and left to go to the Academy we tried to stop her but she wouldn't listen she wouldn't speak, it was only when aunty Razia approached her she said she needed to go and that was it'. 'What the...why didn't anyone wake me why didn't you call me Baji...why did you let her go' Asad was angry and annoyed with his family for being so irresponsible he ran up to his room and within in minutes came back down ready to go and get Zoya.

As he reached the Academy he ran towards the room he remembered Zoya to be working in last. But there was no sign of her as he ran through the corridors he frantically looking for her he suddenly came to a stop he stepped back and peered through at the door he had just passed to see Zoya standing in front an empty canvas. He walked into the room and called out for her she didn't respond he called her again she didn't move. As he stood behind her he held her by the shoulders and turned her around, Zoya was looking down and wouldn't meet his gaze he cupped her face and pulled it up so she would look at him 'Zoya...what are you doing, you shouldn't be here...Zo...why didn't you tell me ...you should have woken me up, do you know how worried I was...how scared I was...' Zoya continue to look at him her eyes started to fill up with tears she started to shake in his hands 'I...I don't know...why can't I...I have been trying to colour this canvas but I can't...what's wrong with me..' Zoya made no sense Asad held her closely to his chest as he wiped away her tears 'Zoya nothing is wrong with you...you hear me nothing...I won't let anything happen to you...come on let me take you home' Zoya pulled herself back 'n...no' she said retreating her footsteps. Asad held out his hand to stop her but she brushed his hand off leaving him stunned 'Zoya...listen to me..' 'No...I...I...please' she started to stutter, and with that Zoya's tears that had been swimming in her eyes flowed as she cried like never before. Zoya started to fall to the ground, Asad grabbed her and sat down with her trying to calm her down. Zoya sat in between Asad's legs leaning against his chest and holding on to his shirt. 'Zoya...please talk to me...I can't see you like this its killing me' Asad voice broke with every word. He felt Zoya's arms around him tighten giving him some sense of relief that she had responded.

'I ...I love you' Zoya whispered Asad's eyes almost popped did he just hear what he thought he heard? He pushed Zoya back 'wh...what did you just say?' he felt his heart speed up Zoya smiled the faintest smile with tears still streaming down her face she placed her hand over Asad's heart she could feel its beat hitting hard against her hand she looked into his eyes 'I love you' she whispered again Asad felt like he was flying he smiled almost laughing his eyes filled up with tears of happiness he crushed Zoya back against his chest 'I love you too...I love you too'.

Zoya and Asad spent the next few hours sitting in the same position talking about everything they could. It was then she decided even though she knew she wasn't fully recovered she needed to do this she wanted to finish her last piece of work for the exhibition. She promised Asad that she would stay with him at KM until the Youth Festival was over and Humera and Ayaan came back. She promised that she will continue to have the nurse with her until he was satisfied. Asad found it hard to say no to her, he was just happy that she was ok and was going to get better. He took Zoya home with the promise that she would be allowed to come back tomorrow there were a number of things they needed to get through today: firstly she needed to be seen by the doctor to give her the all clear, and then as hard as it was she needed to speak to Inspector Vickram to give her statement. Zoya's bright eyes darkened once again Asad held her hand knowing that this was not going to be easy 'don't worry Zoya I will be standing right next to you' Zoya halfheartedly smiled and followed Asad to the car.

After a long morning Asad finally brought Zoya home where she ran into her mother's embrace and cried to her hearts content. Asad couldn't bear to see her cry but knew she needed to do this. The whole family gathered around fussing over Zoya like she was a child, in many ways she was an innocent little girl who despite having gone through so much in life only knew one thing and that was to love and be happy.

As days passed Zoya started to return to her normal self she was going to the Academy meeting with her friends and spending time with Asad. It was the day before the official opening of the Youth Festival Khushi was busy with Mr Mohan and other colleagues putting together their work making sure it was the best display. On the other side Sara and Sahil worked with Asad to put the last touches to the fashion show and display their work too. Zoya and Asad hadn't been able to meet or speak for most of the day as they were so caught up in their respective work areas. As one of the major sponsors of the festival Asad really had his work cut out 'you know I don't think I have ever seen Asad so calm...I mean any other given day with this much work to do the man would have grown two heads and have everyone on the firing line..' Aman joked to another colleague. It was true Asad who was a no nonsense man who had no tolerance for anything who people feared had changed so much.

Zoya stood back and glanced over her display one more time 'it's perfect' she turned around to see Asad leaning against the door, Zoya smiled and ran up to him she hadn't seen him all day she tiptoed up and kissed him on the cheek letting her lips linger on his soft skin for that much longer. Holding his hand she brought him closer 'you really think it's that good? She asked wanting to be reassured 'like I said its perfect...now if you have finished I'd like to take you out for dinner...but before that Sara and Sahil wanted you to come and sit through the final rehearsal' 'cool...I'm starving' Zoya picked up her bag and followed Asad.

Zoya was speechless she couldn't believe how well Sara and Sahil had done; their work with AAK Design was second to none. She was so excited for all of them she clapped and jumped up with sheer joy and enthusiasm. 'Guys we're going to get a bite to eat you want to join us' Zoya shouted out to Sara and Sahil as they were packing up 'no...you guys go ahead I have to get home and Sahil has a date' Zoya shot a look at Sahil 'a what...Sahil you have a date and you haven't told me' she scolded, Zoya was not impressed that one of her best friends had a date and she was the last to know. Sahil tried to laugh it off knowing how much trouble he was in he kept a safe distance between him and Zoya 'I was going to tell you ...promise' 'whatever Sahil' Zoya looked away raising her hand not wanting to hear his excuses. Sahil walked up to her 'hey would I hide anything from you? I'm sorry' Zoya couldn't begrudge him he looked so cute Zoya started laughing 'ok ok you are forgiven, but don't kill me...who is it?' Asad looked at Zoya and her friends from a distance and couldn't help smiling seeing her return to her normal self day by day was a great relief, he loved her so much that no matter what he said or what he did it would never do justice to how he truly felt.

Once Zoya had fallen asleep he gathered his family and Zoya's parents. Everyone was a little concerned how he had summoned everyone as everyone waited for Asad to speak, Razia started to panic thinking it was something about Zoya 'Asad, what's wrong is Zoya ok?' Asad looked at Razia 'Ye...Yes aunty she is absolutely fine, it..it's not that..I wanted to take to you all ab...about' Najma knew exactly what her dear brother was trying to say she couldn't sit back and watch him turn into a nervous wreck anymore so she took it upon herself to finish what he was saying.

Najma turned to Ghaffur and Razia 'aunty uncle what Asad is trying to say...I mean what we all want to say is that..' Najma quickly looked at Asad mid sentence and waited for him to give her permission to continue Asad smiled at his sister and nodded giving her the sign she was looking for. 'We have become very fond of Zoya, she is practically a part of this family and what we want is for her to become a permanent member...what I am trying to say is that Asad and Zoya like each other and I would like to ask for Zoya's hand in marriage for Asad'.

Razia and Ghaffur both put their hand to their mouths in disbelief they couldn't be happier for them both their daughters would be together. Ghaffur and Razia looked at one another and nodded in agreement. Everyone got up to hug and congratulate one another 'one minute...everyone please can you just hear me out' Asad spoke bringing everyone to a halt. 'I have not proposed to Zoya and would like to do that first, but I didn't want to without your consent and blessing, now I have that I will propose to Zoya straight after the fashion show tomorrow evening...but until then no one is to say anything to her' Naani, Najma and Razia looked at Asad with so much love and respect Naani came up to Asad and hugged him.

Tomorrow was a big day and everything needed to be perfect