Please see below for chapter 31.
THIRTY ONE
Asad came down to find that Zoya had already left 'Asad...wait' Najma called after him as he was about to leave 'Zoya left without any breakfast, can you please give her this, I know what she is like she won't stop unless you make her' Asad took the box from Najma and rolled his eyes knowing exactly what she meant.
The Youth Festival was in full swing after the opening speeches and official launch hundreds of people came bringing a truly amazing atmosphere its was bustling with life there were echoes of laughter, music playing out loud, people dancing really enjoying themselves. Through the crowds Asad looked for Zoya, she hadn't been answering her phone he knew she would be busy.'Mr Mohan...have you seen Zoya?' Asad shouted over after getting his attention. Mr Mohan walked up to Asad as he couldn't hear a thing 'Yes Mr Khan' Please call me Asad, have you seen Zoya?' 'Yes the last time I saw her was just outside the dance studio'. Asad made his way to the make shift dance studio which was erected towards the back he could hear the deafening music become louder and louder as he made his way there.
His eyes roamed the studio searching from her and then stopped there she was. Zoya was standing cheering on her friends on who were dancing like there was no tomorrow. As he walked up to her he recognised Aisha who was standing next her. Aisha saw Asad and gave him a warm smile she tapped on Zoya's shoulder and pointed towards Asad who was only a few feet away. 'Hi' he felt himself scream over the music he leaned in towards Aisha to ask her how she was but talking over the loud music was proving impossible. Asad took Zoya's hand and tugged her indicating to her that he wanted to go. Zoya turned to Aisha and with her hand gestured that she would be back in a minute.
Asad made Zoya sit down and eat the savory roll that Najma had packed for her 'mmm...this is so good' Zoya mumbled whilst eating. Once she had finished her breakfast she turned to Asad and immediately started to blush, Asad looked at her with so much affection, his eyes were soft and glowing he was in total awe of her. She cleared her throat to try and break his trance 'that was yum, thank you so much' Zoya stood up only to be stopped by Asad 'hey were you off to in a hurry?' I haven't seen you properly since last night and then this morning you had left without me' Zoya sat back down again and put her arm around his 'I'm sorry I had a few things to do and wanted to make sure everything was in place before the opening ceremony, and also you looked so peaceful sleeping I didn't have the heart to wake you' Asad looked up at her surprised 'you...you came to my room this morning...while I was sleeping?' Zoya smiled a mischievously 'yes Mr Khan I did' Asad moved in closer to Zoya wanting to kiss her but she moved back 'Asad...here? everyone will see' she said embarrassed, Asad sighed 'Ok Miss Zoya Farooqui, for now you can go, but after the fashion show you are all mine' with that he stood up and walked off towards his area leaving Zoya turning a darker shade of pink.
'Zoya...Zoya' Mr Mohan shouted he ran up to Zoya he was almost jumping with excitement as he caught his breath he started to speak 'Zoya you will never believe it, its only the first day and you have prospective buyers for three of your paintings...Zoya this is so wonderful the people who have shown interest are from an Art House based in Europe...isn't it amazing' Zoya was estatic she couldn't believe it, her hard work had been recognised she could hardly contain her excitement she followed Mr Mohan back to the where the art students had put up their displays. Mr Mohan formally introduced Zoya to the prospective buyer, they spend a long time in deep conversation, Zoya explained her theme and talked about her other pieces of work. The Art House known as Freedom Art was based in Italy but had braches all over Europe, East Asia and Australia. They were hugely impressed with Zoya's work and wanted to take it back to Italy, Zoya agreed instantly. As Zoya walked around with the Freedom of Art associates a young woman by the name of Emilia Joseph put forward a proposition for Zoya to consider. She asked if Zoya as part of her Masters would consider coming to Italy on an exchange programme for 3 months. Zoya could hardly believe it, this was more than she had ever dreamt off without giving it a second thought she agreed. Mr Mohan was so proud of her he agreed for the exchange programme on behalf of the college. Emilia asked Zoya to meet with them within the next few days to go over the finer details.
Zoya ran as fast as she could towards Asad, she couldn't wait to tell him the good news. As she reached she saw Asad rushing back and forth with Aman shouting out orders. Zoya stood back; she didn't want to disturb him he had just a couple of hours left before his show opened. She saw Sara in the background and walked up to her 'hey how is it going?' 'Oh you have no idea Zoya there is are so many little things that need to be done, one of contractors just called saying they won't able to complete the order...Asad is going absolutely crazy' 'Oh...' Zoya looked over to Asad who was in a heated conversation with someone over the phone, Zoya felt bad for him she excused herself and walked up to him, she gently placed her hand under his entwining her fingers. As soon as her skin touched his a certain calmness washed over Asad's face he held her hand back tightly and continue talking 'I don't care how you do it I want it here within the next half hour...thirty minutes and your time starts now' with that Asd disconnected the phone he took a deep breathe 'Sorry about that...I..' Zoya stopped him before he could finish 'it's ok, Sara told me...please don't stress yourself out, let me help I am free for the moment...tell me what you want me to do' Asad smiled at Zoya he held her by the shoulders and moved his head forward to lean his forehead on top of hers 'after this is all over I am going to take you out, there is something important I want to talk to you about' at that precise moment Zoya remembered her news that she had initially run all this way to tell him she moved her head back 'me too' she said with excitement Asad looked at her a little puzzled 'I mean I have something important to talk to you about too' she clarified.
For the next half hour everyone was a becoming nervous wreck they knew that until the contractors didn't turn up Asad would not clam down and he continued the way he did everyone was going to get a taste of AAK gone crazy. Sahil came running in 'They're here' he screamed with excitement you could see everyone sigh with relief it was actually quite funny seeing everyone react in the same way at the same time. There was only an hour to go for the show to kick off, people had started gathering some taking to their seats others networking and taking the opportunity to find out more about AAK Designs. Sahil and Sara were at the forefront making sure everything was just as it should be. They had displayed their paintings by the entrance; they looked amazing they were truly talented artists.
Zoya and the rest of her colleagues including Mr Mohan put a close to everything for the night and made their way to the Fashion Show. Zoya was so excited it was the first time she was going to attend anything of its sort but also because her best friends and Asad were part of it.
As she walked in she searched for Asad who was talking on his phone as he saw her approach him he gave her a heartwarming smile all he could think about was his proposal to her, how he wanted everything to be perfect he couldn't wait for Zoya to say yes and adorn his ring on her finger making her his and only his.
'Hi...you nervous' she asked Asad shook his head 'not in the slightest come I saved us a seat' he took Zoya by her hand and led her to the front where two seats had been reserved just for them. Keeping a tight hold of her hand Asad turned towards Zoya 'what did you want to tell me earlier...I mean you can tell me know' Asad was curious to know what Zoya's news was that had excited her so much, as Zoya was about to answer the lights went out 'later' she whispered in his ear. She moved closer to him and held on to his arm as the show had finally begun.
There were no words to describe the show no words would ever do justice to the hard work put in by AAK designs the artists, the models, the students that participated, the technicians everyone associated with this magnificent show who brought it together. The audience's cheers and applauds would not come to an end. Zoya could see the happiness the sense of accomplishment on Asad's face. The main host of the show called upon Asad to come up on stage and say a few words. Asad took the microphone and addressed the audience he courteously thanked his team and members of staff he made special reference to Sara and Sahil and acknowledged them for their hard work. He openly offered both of them a full time job once they had completed their masters. To say that Sara and Sahil were ecstatic would not be wrong they were on cloud nine they couldn't believe it they both ran up on stage to thank Asad. Zoya looked at him she couldn't possibly love this man any more he was God's gift to her. Once Asad stepped down he walked up to Zoya who was celebrating with Sara and Sahil 'would you two mind staying back and making sure everything is closed properly, I need to talk to Zoya about something important' 'Yes, of course' Sara screeched in her high pitched over excited voice, trying not to laugh Asad smiled and then held out his hand to Zoya to lead her away.
'So where are we going?' Zoya asked for the fifth time 'why are you being all secretive Asad?' Asad carried on smiling as his girlfriend carried on sulking like a five year old. 'A few more minutes and we will be there...promise'.
As Asad pulled up the car he came round and held the door open for Zoya as she stepped down she saw a beautiful white canopy that was adorned with beautiful lights and red roses in the middle was a table with for two laced with exotic food and drink. 'Ya Allah...Asad this is amazing' she leaned into him putting her arm around him. Asad held her by the waist and walked her to the canopy he pulled out a chair and asked to sit. 'What's the special occasion?' Zoya asked still admiring the beautiful set up 'I am here with you what more can be special than that' Asad said taking his hand in hers. Zoya smiled turning crimson to stop herself blushing any more she started to look over the food 'you hungry' Asad asked 'starving' Zoya said laughing.
After their meal Asad and Zoya walked along the hill top admiring the beautiful lights of Delhi. Asad stood behind Zoya enveloping her into his warm arms. 'Zoya what did you want to tell me earlier?' Zoya turned around and the second she looked into his eyes she was lost Asad pulled her in closer to him and slowly moved forward, Zoya knew what he wanted to do she could feel her stomach set off a hundred butterflies, she held on to his arms tighter making sure she didn't lose her balance. Asad stopped an inch away from her he looked into her eyes again seeking permission to move forward, Zoya gave him a nervous smile which was all that he needed. Asad softly placed his lips over hers for a few seconds and then pulled back again, the few seconds that their lips did touch were pure bliss and there was no way Zoya was done just yet. Zoya held onto his face and pulled his lips back to meet with hers, this was their real first kiss. Zoya finally managed to pull back to catch a breath as she leaned her forehead against his 'I love you so much Miss Farooqui' Asad whispered 'and I you Mr Khan' as Asad pulled Zoya into his embrace he asked her to tell him her news.
Zoya explained what had transpired earlier at the Festival; she told Arnav how she met Emilia and other associates of The Art House in Italy. As Zoya went to talk about the exchange programme and how she had been offered to a 3 month placement in Italy Asad's smile started to falter he knew what Zoya was about to say and his heart sank. Before he could pull his emotions together Zoya said the words he was dreading. She told him that she had accepted the placement in Italy and would be leaving as soon as everything had been sorted out. Zoya who was oblivious to Asad's changing reactions blabbered on and on until after a while she stopped. 'Asad what's wrong you haven't said anything...isn't it fantastic' She looked straight into his eyes her eyes were glowing radiating her beautiful smile.
Asad pushed down her hands and stepped back as he did he turned around clenching his fist and his jaw. 'This can't be happening to me' he said to himself there was no way he could let her go but how was he going to stop her, this was her dream. Zoya realized there was something wrong; she walked up to him and placed her hand on his shoulder. 'Asad...what's wrong, please tell me, are you not happy for me...is it something I said...Asad' Zoya started to well up, she was confused with his behaviour, Asad turned around 'Zoya, its three months you will be gone for three months...I...I can't live without you for three minutes...I know this is your dream but the thought of you being away from me after everything that has happened...No' he said shaking his head '...I'm sorry Zoya...I can't...' Zoya understood what Asad was trying to say and appreciated his sentiments. She moved forward and embraced him in a tight hug. 'Asad its only three months...I promise to call you every day as many times as you want..please be ok with this..' Asad knew he couldn't be but he didn't want to hurt Zoya either and what about his proposal, today he was going to ask Zoya to be his forever, he was finding it really hard to hide his frustration, his disappointment and his upset.
Asad pulled away from Zoya and started to walk towards the car she grabbed on to his wrist and held him back, Asad turned and looked down at his hand without giving her any eye contact Zoya please...not now we should go we can talk about this tomorrow' Zoya knew it was going to be fruitless trying to talk or reason with Asad so gently let go of his hand and followed him to the car.
Fan Fictions
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