Please find below chapters 10 & 11 as promised. I hope you like them.
Thank you once again for all you support and kind words.
Ten
As they got over their initial embarrassment Zoya and Humera started to make everyone a hot drink when they heard Priya slam the front door, she came in as if she was about to explode 'I can't believe that stupid cow...I swear I am going to throttle her' 'Priya calm down...what the hell happened...and who are you going to throttle?' Humera asked walking up to her. 'Tanveer...first she was rude and damn out of order to Zoe, then she started talking rubbish about Leo and then to top it all off she has gone off with Farhan and Sofia's lot...two faced cow' she screamed 'Priya breathe...don't get yourself worked up...hang on she was rude to Zoe...and Leo...what the hell' Humera said as what Priya had just said started to register.
Priya sat down and told Humera and Ayaan what had happened earlier, and then what Tanveer said to her once Asad had taken Zoya away from there 'I went back to get her as I felt bad for having shouted at her and then I saw her walk off with Farhan who had his arm around her...how could she?'
Zoya couldn't help feeling bad that for the first time she was seeing good friends argue and be upset and it was because of her 'I'm so sorry...all this seems to be because of me...' everyone looked at Zoya with the same expression 'Zoe, you never need to be sorry...this is her own doing, you are part of our family and how close you are to any of us isn't anyone's business but ours...Tanveer needs to grow up a little' Humera said reassuring Zoya that she didn't need to feel bad.
Over the next few days Tanveer started to keep a distance from them, she was seen hanging around with Farhan, who was paying her a little too much attention. He was using Tanveer for his own gains, something that Tanveer was obviously blind to.
Tanveer had naturally pulled out of the group performance making her presence is Farhan's gang very much known. With just two days to the big night a lot of the students were staying back late to fit in last minute rehearsals including Zoya and her friends.
Zoya, Asad and Priya sat back and found themselves lost for words, the practice run of Ayaan and Humera's act was amazing 'Ya Allah, I can't believe how well you just did that, it was amazing' Zoya said as she started clapping in appreciation. 'That's us done, now your turn Zoe...let's see your final piece' Humera said as she came back to sit down. Zoya took her position as did Asad, as the music started Asad started singing in the most heavenly voice that anyone could ever of heard and on the other side Zoya moved effortlessly bring his music and words to life through her dance. As they practiced a number of other students who had been practicing their own acts started to gather around, and within no time Zoya and Asad had a full on audience. The whole performance was heartfelt, it evoked emotions that many probably didn't know they harboured, as soon as Zoya took the last bow to the last word Asad sang the whole studio erupted in applause making Zoya jump. She hadn't realised that all these people had gathered, feeling rather embarrassed and blushing bright red she smiled and ran off the dance floor to hide behind Asad. Asad held her hand and brought her forward and as he did a lot of students came up to them to comment their performance. 'That was amazing, your dance...man I have no words' one guy said to Zoya 'thank you' she said tightening her hold onto Asad's hand 'and you Leo...man where did you learn how to sing like that, that song was brilliant the lyrics...just brilliant' the guy went on to compliment Asad thanks man...it just something we put together for our music assignment'.
As Zoya and her friends continued to talk to the other students a short distance away stood Tanveer, Sofia and Farhan all too envious of what they had just seen and heard 'that girl can't dance...what they all thought was good about it is beyond me...no one is as good as me' Sofia said as she flicked her bush of a hair back 'well Sofia sweetheart looks like we are going to have to do something about that'. Tanveer looked at Farhan and Sofia 'what did you have in mind...whatever it is just make sure it doesn't involve Leo, any damage that you plan to cause is to that bitch standing there...just look at her holding on to him like she owns him...and then they claim to be just good friends' Tanveer hissed as she looked back toward them.
'Come with me, let's see how good a friend they really are' Farhan said as he made his way towards them. Farhan pushed through the group of students that had gathered around and stood before Asad, who started to narrow his eyes at him 'looks like you have quite a performance lined up...no really' he said clapping in his face and looking around getting the approval of everyone still standing there. 'Leo, really looks like your new love life has done you wonders, new girl in town now the love of your life...I mean look guys they are still holding hands how sweet is that' As soon as he said that Zoya's eyes widened she quickly let go of Asad's hand everyone else who was oblivious to what was going on started cheering for Asad and Zoya, the only faces that looked on in shock were Priya's, Humera's and Ayaan's who knew that they were only friends 'Shut it Farhan, me and Zoe are just friends, you have no right to make accusation like that so publically' Farhan started laughing at Asad 'Leo...come on man, you may be blind but the world is not...at least be man enough to admit it...I mean what kind of friends spend late nights together pretending to work on assignments hey' he said wiggling his eyebrows. Asad was about to step forward only to be held back by Ayaan's hand 'let's go Leo...now' he said in a raised voice as Asad refused to budge.
Farhan had done what he had come to do, he walked off with Sofia and Tanveer in tow 'my bit is done, now you can do what you like with his girl' Farhan said 'she is not his girl Farhan, if I can't have him then no one can' Tanveer said looking back at Zoya with evil eyes.
Eleven
Ayaan spent a good part of fifteen minutes trying to calm his brother down 'I don't give a shit about myself, can you imagine what Zoe felt...I swear if he crosses my path again I am going to cause him some serious damage'. Where Asad was raging Zoya stood with Humera and Priya in total silence 'Zoe pay no attention to what he says...he is a fool with nothing better to do...what I can't believe is that Tanveer has gone off with that low life' Humera spat in anger. 'I am ok...I think I will just head home, I'll see you guys later' Zoya said, she may have braved a face in front of them all but only she knew what she was feeling on the inside.
She looked towards Asad who stood there with his head lowered as Ayaan continued to talk to him, she felt her heart tug, she knew that there was no room for anyone in her life apart from Asad, what she knew more than that was that her and Leo were only friend, very good friends, she wouldn't be wrong to even say that he had become one of her best friends but what Farhan said played in her head, was what he said really what everyone perceived them as, more than just friends.
As Zoya moved to walk away Priya called out after her 'Zoe, its late...wait we can all go together' 'no...its fine, it's not far to go, I will see you later' not waiting for her to respond Zoya walked off. Half way back Zoya had begun to wish she had listened to Priya, there was no one around and the dim lights was making the darkened streets darker, Zoya started to walk faster towards her halls, she managed to sigh in relief as she approached the front gates to the complex. As Zoya opened the gates and started to descend down the stairs she heard a noise, she quickly turned around to see who it was but there was no one there 'talk about over active imagination Zoya' she said to herself. Zoya turned back around to continue walking when she felt someone push her with full force, Zoya let out a fear filled scream as she went tumbling forwards hitting her head against the hard concrete passing out instantly.
Asad was more than unhappy that Humera and Priya let Zoya go on her own 'I should talk to her, make sure she is ok' he said as he started to walk towards her halls. Humera, Ayaan and Priya all followed pursuit. Asad opened the gates and started walking down the stairs when he came to a halt 'Zoe' he screamed out as he ran to her side. Asad found Zoya unconscious lying in a pool of blood that came from a cut across her head. Humera, Priya and Ayaan soon followed screaming out for her. 'Ayaan my car now' Asad shouted, Humera started crying as she saw Zoya's state, they had gently lifter her so her head rested in Asad's lap 'Zoe...Zoe, wake up' Humera said as she tapped her face 'Bhai...do something' she said looking at Asad. Asad held her head, he moved her hair back, his hand now covered with her blood 'Zoe...can you hear me?' 'Leo...Ayaan' Priya said as she saw him swerve his car around towards them. Asad lifted Zoya in one swift motion and sat in the back with her across his lap.
The doctors had taken Zoya as soon as they arrived, the four of them waited as patiently as they could for the doctor to come out and tell them that she was ok. 'This is all my fault, I should never have let her go..' Priya said as she started to cry 'shh, don't cry Priya, you weren't to know...let's just pray that she is ok' Humera said as she comforted her friend.
After an enduring forty minutes the doctor finally came out 'there is nothing to worry about, she has a deep cut, which required some stitches, she did lose a bit of blood, and by the looks of it she has some damage to her left ankle, she won't be able to put any weight on it for a few weeks at least...you can go and see her, but she is still a little hazy so don't make her talk too much'.
Asad thanked the doctor and walked in the room with the rest of them to find Zoya with her head and leg bandaged; she had a bruise across her face that had been caused by grazing. Asad fisted his hand, he closed his eyes as he tried to control the pain that was erupting within him, Zoya looked towards her friends and gave them a faint smile.
Everyone tried to find out what had happened but all Zoya told them was that she lost her balance and fell. But Zoya knew that wasn't what had happened, when she fell she had managed to look up and even with her vision blurred she knew who stood at the top of the stairs looking down at her with an evil smirk, it was Tanveer and Sofia all Zoya remembered was the last few words that she heard Sofia say ...that should teach her, no one is better than me and I will make sure it stays that way'.
Ayaan finally got up giving Asad room to sit next to her, as he sat down he looked deep into her eyes, she looked tired, but he saw much more than just tiredness, he saw her pain, he felt her anguish. Asad placed his hand over hers and squeezed it gently as if he was reassuring her that everything would be ok that no matter what he is here for her, Asad's warmth made it hard for Zoya to swallow the lump that had developed, tears started brimming in her eyes as she continued to have a silent conversation with Asad. Zoya closed her eyes not being able to hold his gaze any longer as she did her tears escaped making Asad hold out his hand, he had managed to capture her tears drops in the palm of his hands. Asad wasn't able to bring himself to say anything to her, he wished he could say or do something to take away all her pain and hurt but there was nothing, all he could do was to continue to keep hold of her hand, and let her know through his touch that everything will be ok.
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