New SS: A Reason to Live: Note Page 121 - Page 30

Zoya woke up with a dull pain, with the little sleep that shad she keep remembering her short cold encounter with Asad. She knew he didn't take much of a liking to her, what she didn't understand was why, when they were younger he always made her feel unwanted, like she was a nuisance but today after being away from home for so long she thought that things would be different.

Like every day she went to see Daddi. 'Assalam O Alaikum Daddi' 'Wa Alaikum Assalam Zoya, come sit' she said extending her arm out to her.

Zoya hugged Daddi and sat holding her hands in her own 'have you met him?' she asked in a low teasing voice 'yes...last night...apart from the fact he has got a lot taller he hasn't changed much' she said keeping her eyes lowered. 'Zoya, you know what he is like, a typical spoilt child' Zoya gave her a faint smile 'a typical spoilt child who hates me...and I don't even know why' Daddi cupped the side of her face 'ot for long Zoya, he will come round and when he does he will fall hard...he will be sorry for his indifference to you' 'may be...but what if it too late by then Daddi'.

As Zoya and Daddi continued to talk Asad walked in with Dilshad and Najma, where Najma and Dilshad continued to walk in he stopped at the door. Seeing Zoya sitting with her arms wrapped around Daddi and laughing to no end ignited a fire within him. She narrowed his eyes as she continued to hug her.

'Asad why have you stopped come in' Dilshad said. Zoya looked up to see him standing starring straight at her, she started to feel a sense of nervousness take over. Daddi looked at her then towards her grandson, Zoya was about to get up when Daddi placed her hand over hers and squeezed it 'Asad, beta come and sit with me' Zoya looked towards Daddi who refused to give her any eye contact.

Asad walked to the other side of Daddi and sat next to her 'how are you, did you sleep well' Asad smiled at her 'what even after I was made homeless...I didn't know my room was being invaded by...' 'Asad' Dilshad called out in a reprimanding voice. Asad took in a deep breath 'yes Daddi, it's always nice to be home' 'well this time I hope home is going to be a place you will be spending more of your time, you always come and run off so quickly...anyway did you meet Zoya?' Asad looked up at her, his face hardened 'yes' he said in a cold voice.

'Ammi Jaan Rashid has arranged for Asad to join him and Zoya in the office today' Dilshad said excitedly. Asad and Zoya both looked at her and then towards each other 'Ammi, I told Abu I was going meet with Haider first thing, I won't be going until this afternoon' Zoya quickly said 'Zoya, you can meet Haider and then take him back to the office too I am sure he would love to meet Asad'

Asad looked towards Zoya and wondered who this Haider was but more importantly why the hell he would want to meet him.

Zoya went to get ready leaving the rest of them to continue talking. As soon as she exited the room Daddi turned towards Asad 'Asad, how many years has it been, don't you think you should let go...do you not see how your behaviour affects her' Asad let out a sigh in frustration 'Daddi, please, do we really have to talk about her the whole time...can't you all just accept that we are two people that don't get on and never will and just leave it at that why are you always trying to...' 'Asad, it is you who doesn't get on with her, she has never said or done anything to you beta, Ammi Jaan is right you are old and mature enough you need to get over whatever it is that is always bothering you so much'

Asad stood up, his eyes darkened instantly 'why are you discussing this with me...you have never understood and you never will...I am cordial with her what more do you want...I am sick and tired of you guys always putting her first...do I not matter, what I feel, what I want does that not count' he said with his voice gradually becoming louder. 'Asad, there is no need to raise your voice at me I was just...' 'just what Ammi, you know this is exactly the reason I refused to come home all these years because of your never ending lectures and because of her' Dilshad and Daddi looked at Asad baffled, they couldn't believe what he was saying.

Najma who stood in silence walked up to her brother, she placed her hand on his arm 'Bhaijaan, why do you hate her so much...she is..' Asad raised his hand 'I don't need to you to start Tamatar...just let it be' with that Asad walked out of the room 'Ya Allah...what is wrong with him...Ammi Jaan you have to talk to him, he can't carry on with this stupidness...if he is like this now what will he be like when we ask him to...' Daddi placed her hand over Dilshad's 'don't worry Dilshad, he will come round and when I ask him to he will not say no, I promise you that.

Asad got ready and walked downstairs to see everyone at the breakfast table. Dilshad walked up to him and cupped the side of his face; placing a soft kiss on his forehead she hugged him. Asad closed his eyes feeling a little guilty at his outburst. Keeping hold of her he whispered in her ear 'I am sorry Ammi, I didn't mean to go off like that' Dilshad pulled back 'I know, all I ask is for you to be normal, to give her a chance, to get to know her a little more...she has grown up too Asad, I hate seeing you like this and all this aggression and frustration is not good for you neither Ammi Jaan...so please just relax...ok' Asad put on a smile 'of course Ammi...no more frustration or anger filled outbursts from me'

Rashid stood up 'ready to go Asad?' 'Yes Abu'. As Asad got up his eyes caught sight of her walking down the stairs. Asad stood still taking in every bit of her she was wearing a plain white shirt with a black skirt, knee length boots and a black and silver beaded necklace, she wore her hair out that swayed with every step she took down. Asad had never seen her in such attire before, it was always dresses as a child and as they got older it was plain shalwar kameez, today Zoya stood before him as a complete lady and even he couldn't deny how elegant and mesmerising she looked.

Zoya came down and walked straight past him as if he wasn't there. Rashid hugged Zoya as he did every morning, the attachment he had with her was as strong as he had with Najma 'Abu, I am going to meet Haider...I know you wanted me to pop by the office later but I kind of promised to go out for lunch after the meeting' Rashid started laughing 'no worries beta, you have fun...and don't worry about coming to the office, you can feedback the details of the meeting tomorrow' 'I will do, thank you'.

Zoya met Daddi and Dilshad before she left. As she approached the front door Najma called out to her 'Sexy Jaan...wait up' Zoya turned around and folded her hand over her chest. Najma stopped 'oops I mean Api Jaan...buttt it's not my fault aap ko dekh ke Sexy nikal hi jata hai' Zoya started laughing 'Najma, behave yourself' Dilshad called out shaking her head disapprovingly.

'I am coming with you, I want a lift to college' 'no worries, I will wait In the car'.