ASYA/Kabhi SS: Four Seasons (ch.9, pg.41) note pg.48 - Page 4

Originally posted by: asifiqbalsh

Awesome
Continue soon
Plz add me in ur PM list
Thanks

Originally posted by: -LiveLoveLaugh-

Reya, this is beautiful! 👏 I am so glad that you decided to start a new story! 😃 The start was refreshing and new, like a breath of fresh air. 😳 Can't wait for the story to progress! 😉

Love! 🤗

-Fari. 😳 ❤️

Hey folks...here is chapter 2 of four seasons. I just want to say that KSG is no longer part of the show, but in my eyes, heart and mind, only KSG can be Asad Ahmed Khan, nothing against RV who has taken over. It's only for me, as a writer, I will be writing with KSG as my Asad.

Thanks for reading and appreciating the previous part😳

Enjoy

AUTUMN

Chapter 2

Autumn: "Autumn is the hardest season. The leaves are all falling, and they're falling like

they're falling in love with the ground."- Andrea Gibson

~~

Zoya searched fanatically. It had to be here. Where could it go ? Zoya was on her knees on the grass, brushing the dead leaves and twigs out of her way in search for her precious locket. She was wearing it this morning when she had left home and Zoya prayed to Allah Miya that it hadn't dropped somewhere along the way. Unconsciously , a hand went to her neck, and the emptiness of it made her cry harder.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

"Jee Ammi, I am taking care of myself", he told his mom for the umpteenth time but his mother worried as much she breathed, just about every second.

He continued his brisk walk down University Place towards campus whilst holding the phone to his ear. "Asad beta, make sure you eat on time. Don't neglect your health." Dilshad told her son, knowing well enough he wouldn't pay heed.

Asad sighed, "Don't worry Ammi, I will take care of myself. How are you ? and Tamatar ? I know she had a test at school yesterday. How did it go ?"

Dilshad chuckled, trust her son to be worried about her sister's test from so far away, worrying about his family and taking care of them was what Asad did best. "Namja is good, she has been missing her Bhaijaan lately." Dilshad sighed. She too missed her son terribly but they hadn't been able to afford airfare in the summer vacation. Dilshad hadn't seen her son in over a year now but Asad always assured her that one day he would so successful, his mother wouldn't have to worry about money.

"I will call again to talk to her before she goes to school tomorrow. And Ammi..." He trailed off but his mother understood his silence all too well. "Please don't worry, I will send a money order today." Dilshad didn't need to remind Asad of his responsibilities, rather he understood his mom all too well. Her son had grown up overnight after his father's betrayal. Now, Asad has one aim in life: to be as successful , if not more than, Rashid Ahmed Khan.

"Asad beta..."

"Your son will take care of his family, Ammi. One day, we will have everything. You won't have worry about anything."

How could she tell her son she wanted what money couldn't ever buy for them ? She wanted her husband's love, and for her children to have their father's love. But she didn't dare mention Rashid to Asad.

"I know, my son can do anything."

Asad chuckled, "If only, Ammi. If only I could fly around New York. "

Dilshad laughed richly, a small but genuine laugh. Asad felt like he achieved a small victory. He adored his mother's laughter, thou rare but whenever he heard it, it never failed to bring a smile to his face. He hoped one day he could make his mother happy again, make her whole again. "You could do that too if you put your mind to it."

"I love you Ammi. Take care of yourself and Tamatar."

"I love you too beta. Khuda Hafiz."

"Khuda Hafiz ,Ammi"

It was now into November and Asad no longer questioned himself every Monday morning. He knew why he stopped at Washington Square Park before class, he went to comfort her. The girl, his stranger was drowning in sorrow, for reasons unknown to him but her pain, the pain he recognized. It was the pain that pulled him towards her. He came to believe that over the weeks that she too looked forward to their meeting. Those few seconds they spent looking into each other's eyes, they communicated. For them, the few seconds of staring were their words, gestures, and it was all they needed. In those moments of gazing at one another, Asad wiped away the tears that ached his heart and she thanked him for his support. It was an odd relationship, but Asad knew, his presence meant something to her.

As the familiar tree into view, Asad eyes sought out for her. He expected her to leaning against the tree trunk with closed eyes, perhaps a silent stream of tears on her cheeks but Asad was surprised to see on her knees fanatically brushing at the grass, her eyes seemed to be searching for something. Asad hesitated, he wanted to go up to her today. Standing off at the distance no longer seemed enough, not today.

Making up his mind, he began to stride towards her, hoping his confidence and determination wouldn't crumble halfway. As he was a few feet away from her, thou his stranger was yet to notice him, she was so absorbed in her quest, perhaps for a lost possession. The glare of sun's reflection hit his eyes and he shielded his eyes with a hand, and glanced down to see the sunlight striking against a silver object . And, if Asad's memory hadn't failed him, he had seen the same locket around his stranger's neck. That's what she is looking for ! With a smile, he scooped up the pendent brushing the specks of dirt off the silver necklace. At a closer look, it was a heart locket that opened so one could add photos. Asad was tempted to open the it to see who his stranger held close to her heart. but he knew he couldn't invade her privacy.

Silently, he approached her. She halted her search as he stopped in front of her. She was on her knees staring at him. She had been crying again and this time seeing her in tears left him undone.

He bent down, going on his knees, "Please" He wiped the wet imprints off her cheeks, "Please don't cry", he whispered softly.

Startled, she gasped in response, staring at him for one prolonged moment. Then, she threw her arms around his neck and buried her face in the crook of his neck and broke down. Her body shook against him as sobs wracked her petite frame. Asad felt his own heart crack open at the sounds of her sobs and as the wetness of her tears began to trickle onto his skin. But he sat silently, his presence was needed, his words were not. He tightly held her in his embrace, as she cried into his neck. A hand unconsciously went to her hair, a light caress, a hope of comfort.

''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Honestly, Zoya was unsure of how she ended up in her stranger's arms sobbing her heart out and why hadn't she moved since. But deep down, she was grateful for his comfort she so desperately craved. Being in his arms, having a shoulder to cry on meant she finally has someone. She is no longer alone.

Later, much later in Asad's opinion, her sobs subsided, like her body had finally ran out of tears in it's tank. Zoya still sat comfortably in his arms, needing just a moment or two more of his comfort, his warmth. But soon too reality came back, and as soon as Zoya lifted her head and loosened her tight grip on his shoulders, the stranger seemed to understand. He withdrew his hands and created some distance. But his eyes didn't leave hers.

"Are you okay ?", he asked softly. Zoya had heard just about six words from this man but his soft baritone voice left a soothing effect on her. Zoya nodded, wiping away the last of her tears away.

Zoya wondered why she wasn't embarrassed about the fact that she had completely broken down in front of a stranger, but he didn't feel like a stranger, he was her stranger, her friend in a odd way.

"Thank you.", she said and a faint smile touched his lips.

Zoya remembered why she had been crying earlier and began to look around the wilting grass again.

"I think you are looking for this.", he said with a soft smile, and dangled the necklace in front of her face like a pendulum.

She stared at him and then at her locket before she made a grab for it. A full fledged grin broke out on her face and Asad couldn't help but feel a little dazzled by it. Dimples dented her cheeks when she smiled openly. Asad felt his treacherous heart skip a beat.

"Thank you Allah Miya, thank you.", she said to the sky, as if talking to her Allah Miya, all the while she clutched the locket against her chest and this time cried what, he hoped were tears of joy.

"I think Allah Miya says your welcome.", Asad said with a amused smile and fought the urge to wipe the remnants of her tears.

"Oh I am sorry, thank you so much." She flashed her beautiful dimpled smile, and Asad had no doubt that she could use it as a deadly weapon. It was that beautiful. "You have no idea how much this necklace means to me."

"Your welcome but I want something in return."

Amused by his frankness, she decided to indulge him. " Sure, anything you want."

"Anything I want ?"

"Anything", she promised with a nod.

Honestly speaking, he was tempted to ask her to never cry again but held himself back. "Your name.", he said simply and suddenly the easy atmosphere evaporated. Asad's eyes grew too intense for her, trapping her under his gaze. Zoya found herself defenceless, unable tear herself away from his spell bounding gaze

"Zoya Farooqui", she held out her hand and he took it into a warm handshake.

Asad, Asad Ahmed Khan."

~~

Hope you all enjoyed it. Please do provide your feedback

Much love,

Reya <3

next ch: https://www.indiaforums.com/forum/post/100953882