SS - Concrete jungle of dreams Chapter 2 pg 5

1) Asad as a very serious little kid, and Zoya as a happy, bubbly, very messy little girl, and the two of them being exasperated by each other.

2) Reversed living scenario, instead of Zoya coming to stay with Asad, Asad would go to Zoya's house.

And then I listened to the song, 'New York' - the Alicia Keys version, and Voila! This story was born. I'm not sure where its going or if anyones going to read it, but seriously, I've been dying to do Asya scenes in NYC.

And before I start, I've never been to NY so my version of the city is losely based on info from tv and movies, so it'll be inaccurate.

Enjoy (:

"Who touched my books?" a seven year old Asad Ahmed Khan said angrily, turning to glare at the girl who was now running around the room playing with his toy airplanes. Zainab and Dilshad who were sitting in the small house drinking coffee both laughed. Their two children were complete opposites, Asad was serious, bookish and for a child of seven, and way too organized for a child of seven. Zoya on the other hand was fun-loving, bubbly and always made a mess.

"Asad, Zoya, why don't you two go play outside?" Dilshad suggested. "Ammi," Asad whined, "I can't play with Zoya, she always manages to get mud on my clothes! Besides I need to put these books back on the shelf, " he finished glaring towards Zoya who was already trying to open the door to go outside. Both mothers chuckled, as they made their way outside with their coffee mugs. Najma who had been sitting in a corner playing with her doll tried to wobble over to them as Dilshad picked her up.

"Oh no Zoya! You got mud on your dress!" Zainab exclaimed, before shaking her head and turning to Dilshad, "Really, I wonder who's going to marry this girl!" Dilshad smiled in amusement as she watched Zoya run around the garden, full of life and laughter. "I'll miss the two of you, once you move to New York."

The two women had become fast friends when they became neighbours, especially as both women were trying to be single-parents in a society where that was constantly frowned upon. Zainab's husband had been in a car accident, driving home from work one night, he had been rushed to the hospital, but the injuries were too severe and he had passed away within 24 hours. Zoya had only been 2 years old at the time. She had sold the house which was too big to run on her own and moved in to a smaller house next door to Dilshad. The two became good friends within weeks, and soon Zainab found out that Dilshad's husband had left her and their two children for another woman.

Although it had only been three years, they had become used to one another. They had come to depend on one another. Sometimes, when Zainab worked, she would leave Zoya at Dilshad's house, and Dilshad would sometimes rely on Zainab to watch Asad and Najma while she ran errands. Now Zainab was moving to NYC to get her master's degree and if she found work out there, the chances of her coming back to India were slim.

"Say bye to Zoya, Asad beta." Dilshad said turning to her son as Zainab gathered up all her things to leave. Asad glared at the little girl, and shook his head, "No way, she messed up my books, and got my toy car muddy!" Zoya pouted before running to Dilshad, "Aunty, Asad is being so mean to me." Dilshad smiled, "I'm sorry, you know Asad is like this sometimes," she finished before handing Zoya a chocolate. Zainab just shook her head, "She can be a bit of a drama queen at times. Anyway, we have to go."

As they left, Asad realized that Zoya had left one of her hair-bows and looked out the window where his only friend' was now walking away. His Ammi had told him Zoya and Aunty had to move far away, because of work, and he wondered when he would see her next. For a girl, Zoya really wasn't that bad...Even if she did get him muddy, and mess up his books.

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A/n: PM updates to all those who leave a message (:

Index

Scroll down for chapter 1

Chapter 2: https://www.india-forums.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=3842657&PID=102125096&#p102125096

My Other Works:

SS- Revelations

https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/qubool-hai/3814924/revelations-a-short-story-updated-part-3-15-12-2013

FF - Twists of fate & Tests of faith

https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/qubool-hai/3729586/ff-twists-of-fate-and-tests-of-faith-please-read-note-on-pg11

Zoya's friend Mimi raised an eyebrow, "Is this guy hot?" Zoya glared at her friend, "Does it matter? I told you, I'm not into that whole boyfriend deal." Mimi smirked, "Well you aren't but I am." Zoya pushed Mimi off the chair and glared, "Mimi, be serious!" Really, where was the world coming to? First her Ammi had invited someone else to come stay with them, and now Mimi wanted to know if he was good-looking? Just then Zainab walked into the living where Zoya and Mimi were bickering. "Amira, your Ammi called. She shook her head, "Zoya when will you stop making such a mess of the house? Seriously start cleaning up all these cushions and pizza boxes."

~~~

The bell rang as Zoya was watching her favourite scene from The Notebook. "Zoya, that must be Asad, get the door!" Zoya paused the DVD and grumbled, putting the pizza slice down, she walked to the door and pulled it open. Why did he have to come just as she was getting to her favourite scene?

Asad stared at the girl who had opened the door. She wore sweatpants and a t-shirt, with her hair messily tied up in a bun which was held together with a pencil. That wasn't why he was staring though, although the girl was pretty. The reason he was staring was because she had tomato sauce smeared all over her hands. He had always been super aware of all things related to cleanliness, and seeing someone like this made him want to clean her up. "Heeellooo?" Zoya said dragging it out, "You must be Mr. Khan," she smiled at this point, "welcome to NYC!" She held out her hand, waiting for him to shake it. This caused Asad to stand there staring dumbly at her hand. "What? It's a hand, haven't you seen one before?" Zoya wondered what was wrong with this guy.

Honestly, what was wrong with this girl? "Don't you think you should wash them first?" he finally managed to pit out. "Allah Miyah Whats wrong with you, it's just pizza sauce!" With that, she was about to slam the door back in his face, but he quickly stepped in with all his bags. "Asad beta, sorry there was something on the stove." Zainab quickly rushed towards them, a huge smile across her face. "Assalamualaikum Aunty." Asad said as Zainab pulled him into a hug. "Walaikumasalam. It's been so long, the last time I saw you, you were only seven ! Don't you look all handsome now. By the way, how is your Ammi?" Zoya raised an eyebrow, at the scene taking place. "Ammi, I think it's time you let him go...And you talked to Dilshad aunty like yesterday on skype...You know how she is." Zainab let Asad go to glare at her daughter, "It's not the same over Skype!"

Asad felt disoriented, where had his Ammi landed him now. These people were so strange, probably all Americanised and everything. Aunty was nice though, even if a bit exuberant. Their house was a bit messy though, but Asad supposed that this was better than living in a hostel, and facing all kinds of weird people. Here he would only have to deal with one!

Asad looked out the window, which happened to be facing the street. This was the beginning of a new journey for him. He would do well and make his mother back at home proud. She had worked so hard to get him here, finding time to work, but never letting her children feel they were being neglected. Now she owned a tailoring shop where she hired people to do the stitching, but the business had started up at home, with her taking in sewing so she could make money and still care for her children. Asad would never let his Ammi down, he would graduate with his architectural degree and give her all the good things in life she had lived without for too long. It was hard being away from home, this far away, but he would succeed.

A knock on the door broke his thoughts, and he pulled the door open to see Zainab standing there. "I'm sorry the room is very small. We had to convert my study into a third room. I know it'll be a bit difficult, but please don't hesitate to ask us for anything." Asad knew rent in New York was very expensive, and initially he had hesitated at the idea of living with another family. He took a quick glance around the room, there wasn't much space in it, after the small bed, dresser and table had been put in. He hadn't wanted to impose on anyone, but somehow, here he felt a little less homesick, looking at the way Zainab was treating him. Somehow, there was a small piece of home in this apartment, and he didn't feel like he was getting in someone's way. "It's fine Aunty, this is better than what I might have had to put up with had you not been so kind." He felt a bit awkward, as he wasn't an emotional person, but Zainab nodded with a smile. She seemed to understand his unspoken words. "Anyway, I came in here to tell you dinner was ready."

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pls continue soon😊

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