The Mark of Innocence: #2 Note Page 123 - Page 21

Twelve

Priya and Humera had taken Zoya a fresh pair of clothes; they helped her wash and dress making her look a little more normal.

Zoya was trying to get used to walking on crutches, which was proving to be a little more difficult than it looked, in the end she just sat down and gave up. She was evidently upset about missing out on the performance, she had been looking forward to it 'I wish the doctors would let me out, I can't be here whilst everyone is there...like it's not bad enough that I am missing out on performing'. 'Who says you can't come? You are coming and you will come' Zoya looked up to see Asad and Ayaan by the door 'I have spoken to the doctor in charge, he said you can come out as long as we bring you back in good time' Zoya started smiling 'really... I can come?' 'Yes, we will come and pick you up just before it starts'.

Seeing her leg was all bandaged up Priya leant Zoya a dress, she had never worn a dress before. Zoya got ready with a little help from her friends 'MashAllah Zoe, you look beautiful' Humera said as she hugged her 'now make sure you take all your meds I don't want you falling ill' Zoya did as she was told Humera gave her a glass of water and the meds the nurse had given her a little while back.

It wasn't long before Asad and Ayaan came to pick them up, 'Zoe...how you feeling? Hey you look different...I mean different as in nice different' Ayaan said making her laugh 'it's the dress I guess...a lot different from my usual jeans and top' Asad stood still as he took in her ethereal beauty, she looked so simple yet so beautiful, Zoya looked up at him and gave him a faint smile which he reciprocated 'you ready?' 'Yes...let's go'.

Ayaan pushed Zoya's wheelchair towards the main hall where the performances were going to take place. Once he had positioned her chair a number of students and teachers alike came to see her and ask her how she was. As the group were going to be back stage Nikhil sat with Zoya to keep her company, as she engrossed in conversation with Nikhil Zoya stopped on seeing Sofia and Tanveer standing by the main stage looking at her. Zoya felt a cold wash over her, she felt anger and hurt at the same time, she couldn't believe that someone could stoop so low, that someone could cause so much physical harm just because they felt insecure.

Zoya wasn't weak, she wasn't going to let them get away with what they had done, she may not have told her friends the truth but it wasn't for long before everyone knew the truth behind those faces.

As the curtains were pulled back the whole hall erupted in cheer. Every performance, every act was truly amazing Asad's group was the last act but before them came in Sofia with her dance performance. It was one performance that left everyone speechless and motionless, Zoya couldn't hold back her laughter any longer, who ever told this girls she could dance or even encouraged her needed as much help as her, the crowd slowly started clapping and then came the echoes of laughter Sofia looked at everyone and wished the ground would open up and swallow her whole, she stormed off the stage leaving her whole college clutching their paining stomachs as they continued to laugh.

Zoya screamed as loud as she could to cheer on her friends as they took to the stage. The whole performance was mesmerising, it was heart-warming and to see Ayaan and Humera act out their scenes and what made it even more perfect was Asad singing the song that he wrote with Zoya

When you find yourself lost in life,

Reach out for the rays of hope that shine,

When you find yourself lost in life,

Step up high and feel the pride,

The joy of being alive.

The rising sun, the breaking waves, The shooting star,

Will make way for a better day,

Time never ceases to pass as darkness takes over your past

Through the harshness of being a part, don't lose hope, don't lose heart

When you find yourself lost in life,

Reach out for the rays of hope that shine,

You have lost and you have found,

The journey to the heart has been long no doubt,

But your belief in love is what conquered the fear of waking up with no one there

The whole hall sat in silence not really believing what they had all just witnessed. Nikhil along with a few other teachers all started to stand up giving Asad and his group a standing ovation. Zoya couldn't help the tears that escaped her eyes; she smiled and laughed as she cried. Asad looked towards her; Zoya brought her hands to her lips and blew a kiss that went out to him and everyone else. Priya who was narrating the story took the mic to address the audience, she thanked everyone for their response it was truly humbling. She then looked towards Zoya 'unfortunately Zoe was unable to perform with us...but it truly is because of her that we have been able to stand her and give it our best, the song you heard, the song that Leo so beautifully sang was one that Zoe and Leo both gave words to and without this this whole act would have been incomplete...can I please ask you all to give a round of applause to Zoe' Zoya started to blush as she looked at her friends wide eyed not believing what Priya had just said, she truly felt honoured as everyone clapped and cheered for her.

After the show Ayaan and Humera took Zoya back towards the car where Asad was going to be waiting for them. Humera and Priya wanted Zoya to stay for the after party, but she had to get back to the hospital, although she looked ok and attended she was still quite weak and needed to rest. Asad opened the door to the car as Ayaan helped Zoya stand up just as Zoya was about to sit inside she saw Sofia and Tanveer walk past making her freeze 'what happened Zoe, you ok' Ayaan asked looking at her. Asad followed Zoya's eyes to where Sofia and Tanveer were standing bickering about something 'Zoe what's wrong' Asad asked in a more serious tone Zoya looked at him 'no...nothing, I guess I am just tired'.

Asad drove Zoya back to the hospital, leaving the others to enjoy the after party. As Ayaan and Humera walked back towards the main hall they heard Tanveer arguing with Sofia 'you got what you wanted but what the hell did I get, its only pushed them closer together' Tanveer said 'look, you want to keep her away from Leo then you need to come up with something clever like me...look what I was able to accomplish with one little push...' Ayaan looked at Humera who mirrored his shock, they couldn't believe it Sofia and Tanveer were behind Zoya's fall.

Humera was about to go up to them and lash out when Ayaan stopped her 'not yet Humera...come with me I need to speak to Zoe'. Asad was sitting with Zoya talking about things in general when Ayaan and Humera came walking in. Asad stood up surprised to see them here. Ayaan looked straight at Zoya as he inched towards her 'you didn't lose you balance did you?' he said looking at her seriously, Zoya gulped as she looked at him 'Ayaan...' she was about to speak when Asad cut her off 'Ayaan what do you mean, what is going on?' Ayaan looked towards Asad 'I mean that Zoe didn't fall, she didn't lose her balance...and she lied to us' Asad looked at Zoya 'Zoe...is that true?' Zoya nodded I...I didn't fall, I was pushed' Asad looked at her not quite believing what he was hearing 'you were pushed...by who...why...and why did you lie to us Zoe' his voice was laced with concern as well as frustration 'I'll tell you...it was Sofia and Tanveer, me and Humera heard them talking on our way back, she did this so Zoe wouldn't be able participate in the show...and Tanveer just to get back at her because of you Leo'

Asad clenched his jaw and narrowed his eyes as rage built up inside 'how dare they...and you Zoe, why lie, why are you protecting them' he said with anger evident in his voice 'I wasn't...I am not protecting them, I just didn't want to say anything to you before the show, because of this I was already not a part of it but you guys still were, you worked so hard, I couldn't tell you and ruin everything just before it...and as for them you don't need to worry I won't let them get away with it...I will make sure that they are exposed and dealt with properly'.