The Mark of Innocence: Chapter 9 Pg 108 - Page 36

Five

Humera, Zoya and Priya sat in the kitchen going over their first day, they had a good laugh at Sofia's expense as Zoya gave them a taster of her killer moves 'Zoe, please stop I can't laugh anymore' Humera said holding onto her stomach. After they had calmed down Humera started asking Zoya about her personal life 'there isn't really much to tell other than what I have told you already...I mean what more would you like to know?' she said hesitantly 'do you have a boyfriend...or someone you like?' Priya asked. Zoya looked up at her 'no...no boyfriend and no one I like...didn't have much time to pay that much attention to anyone' 'hmmm Priya, I think we may have a little mission on our hands...to find Zoe a boyfriend' Humera said winking at her 'I think not...I don't want or need one' Zoya said throwing a cushion at her.

The first week went by pleasantly well; students were still finding their feet, getting used to their new environments and making new friends. Zoya got to know a lot more people a few nice and a few not so nice. The college grounds seemed to be divided there were people who followed Asad and Ayaan, others who went around with Sofia and a guy called Farhan and then there were people like Zoya who were just happy being there studying what they always wanted to.

Farhan was another rich kid; the only son of a well-known industrialist as well as the son of the college's governing body. He wasn't bad looking, a lot of girls followed him willing to do anything just to be seen standing with his crowd, a total womaniser and arrogant fool is what best described Farhan Malik.

After her last lesson Zoya started to walk back to halls when she saw Ayaan sitting on a wall with Humera standing comfortably between his legs, with them was Priya and Tanveer, who she had met earlier but never really spoke to. 'Zoe' Humera called out, Zoya walked up to them 'hey, we are all going out to get a bite to eat, you want to join us?' 'Maybe next time...I have a few things to do, you guy go ahead I will see you back in halls' Humera was about to respond when a voice came from behind 'that's what weekends are for' Zoya turned around to see Asad standing directly behind her 'I know, but I always like to get a head start...' Zoya smiled at him and stepped to the side to walk off only to be stopped by him, Asad held on to her forearm making her turn around 'Zoe a few hours isn't going to make that much of a difference...so come' the warmth from his touch started to play with her senses, she could feel her heart pick up pace 'ok...sure' she said smiling at him 'great now that everyone is here lets head off'.

'If she didn't want to come, why force her?' Tanveer whispered to Priya 'are we getting a little jealous?' Priya said as she playfully poked her with her elbow. Everyone knew that Tanveer was totally smitten by Asad, she had been for the best part of two years. She had even asked him out but Asad never said yes, he knew that she liked him but always maintained that they were friends and kept a safe distance from her. The fact that he had only met Zoya a week ago and now was holding her arm persuading her to join them did not sit well with her, in all the two years she had known Asad he never let Tanveer or any other girl for that matter come near enough to touch him.

As the six of them walked into the pizza caf Asad stopped as he saw Farhan and his little crew making more noise than was necessary. As soon as Farhan noticed Asad and Ayaan he went quite, they both glared at each other with clenched jaws 'ignore him Leo, let's just go and take our seats' Ayaan said pulling at Asad's arm. Zoya saw the very obvious tension between the two of them she followed behind Humera and ended up sitting between her and Asad. 'That guy goes to our college doesn't he?' she asked Humera unfortunately' 'what's with him and Leo?' 'Farhan and his friends misbehaved with Leo's little sister at some party, they had been drinking...and when Leo found out he knocked a few of them out and gave our friend over there a black eye'. Zoya could imagine him being over protective, there was something about his eyes that always reassured you, something that said it will be ok.

As they waited for their food to come they all engrossed in general chit chat, Zoya realised that even though Ayaan and Asad lived in Mumbai they still chose to live in halls for the first year, but as promised to their families they went home every weekend. Ayaan's parents moved abroad leaving Ayaan to live with Dilshad and Rashid. He had become so attached to Asad and Najma he couldn't bring himself to leave, everyone's conversation was cut short as Farhan, Sofia and a few other people came and stood by their table 'I see you have made a new friend Leo...you not going to introduce her?' he said smiling a little too much at Zoya . Zoya felt Asad's body tense up, she saw his hands fist, thinking that he was going to get up to lash out at him she quickly placed her hand over his fisted one. As soon as she did Asad looked down and then up to meet her eyes, she gave him a faint smile and then looked up at Farhan 'no he is not going to introduce me...so if you don't mind the door is that way' Zoya said looking at him with narrowed eyes Farhan was taken aback at her tone of voice, he wasn't used to being put in his place or knocked back by anyone, especially a girl. Farhan started smiling at her 'I always like a girl who fights back...hmmm interesting...I guess I will see you around' he said then turned around to leave.

Asad was seething with anger; the one thing he could not tolerate was anyone who disrespected women. Zoya who still had his hand over his applied a little pressure making him relax out his hand 'don't let him get to you, every time you do he wins, the best way to be is act like he doesn't bother you' 'I know...but I can't help it' he said taking in a deep sigh to calm himself down. It was only when their food and drinks arrived that Zoya realised she still had her hand over his, she quickly moved it giving him a quick smile and then turning away a little embarrassed. Zoya joined in where ever she could, the one thing she didn't fail to notice was Tanveer's over the top attention towards Asad, and every time she attempted to speak to him she would cut her off diverting Asad's attention towards her.

Asad and Ayaan walked the girls back to their halls, Zoya wasn't sure if Tanveer and Asad were involved, judging by her behaviour she assumed they were, which is why she wasn't taking a liking to her. To keep a safe distance Zoya walked with Priya.

Humera invited them in to stay for a little longer, she knew that they were going home for the weekend so wanted to spend that extra time with Ayaan. Everyone sat in the kitchen whilst Zoya and Priya went to get changed. 'Priya' Zoya called out 'is Leo with Tanveer...I mean like are they in a relationship?' Priya looked at her with her eyebrow raised 'you must be joking, Leo and with a girl. No Tanveer has always liked him but he pays her no interest...why do you ask' 'oh no reason just she was a little off with me every time I tried to talk to him that's all' 'ahh don't worry about her, she tends to get a little jealous when Leo pays anyone else a little attention...she knows where she stands with him. Leo would never let any girl into his life, that spot has already been taken'. One the one hand Zoya felt a relief that he wasn't going out with Tanveer but then on the other hand she felt a little pull in the pit of her stomach to know that there was already someone in his life, what intrigued her was who this person was as it definitely wasn't someone from this college.

'What is taking Zoe so long?' Humera asked. Zoya still hadn't come back from getting changed 'Bhai can you go and check' Asad looked up at her 'why me you go' he said 'because you are sitting closest to the door 'lazy bum'. Asad went and knocked at her door but there was no response, he turned the knob and opened the door a little calling out for her 'Zoe...you in here?' Asad opened the door wider and then came to a total standstill. He saw Zoya dressed in a plain black shalwar kameez, her head covered by a scarf, Zoya was praying. She looked so angelic, so peaceful, Asad was about to close the door to let her continue when she called out to him 'Leo...you can come in I have finished' Asad looked at her apologetically 'I am sorry I hope I didn't disturb you' 'no not at all' she said as she stood up and folded her prayer mat did you want something?' 'umm...yeah Humera was just asking to see where you had got to...I didn't take you for someone who is religious'. Zoya smiled at him 'I am not overly religious or practicing but I always try and complete my obligatory duties, and I suppose reading Salah is one of them...come in' Asad walked in and sat on her bed as Zoya unwrapped her scarf and then placed it across her neck.

Asad looked around her room 'you like to keep simple don't you?' he said noticing that her room was totally bare 'yes...it's how I have lived ever since I can remember, I guess I like things in their simplest forms as compared to being made up with artificial decorations...shall we go back to join the rest of them, otherwise we will have a few more people coming out to look for us' Asad smiled and then followed her out.