Three
Asad enjoyed spending time with his father; it had been ages since he last spent any quality time with him. Sitting in his office and sipping away at a cup of hot black coffee Asad spoke to Rashid about his future plans. Rashid wanted him to come back to India and take over the company he and his friend started so many years ago.
Asad had other ideas, he didn't want to stay in India, he wanted to venture out further but in the West 'Asad, I am not against your proposals son, I just want you to come and take over what I have already established, and when you see fit you can expand across any sea you wish to, and besides we, your family are all here. We wanted you to study abroad but not live away from us permanently' 'Abu it's not like I can't always come and go' Rashid took in a deep breath 'I know you can, Asad I need you, your Ammi...and Daddi, she misses you so much and with her being so ill...' 'Don't worry Abu, I am here for as long as I need to be for now, I know Daddi is not well and I promise I won't be leaving until she is 100 per cent better'.
Asad excused himself form the board meeting that had been arranged for the afternoon. As he walked out of the building towards his car he saw Zoya's car pull in to the vicinity. Not wanting to give her any attention, Asad put on his sunglasses and opened his door, just as he was about to sit in he stopped. Zoya came out of the car with a guy, she stood leaning against the door talking to him, freely laughing at something he was saying to her.
Asad's eyes narrowed but that was just the start of it, what he saw next was enough to want to make him explode. The guy that stood next to her was pushing her hair back; he cupped the side of her face and then took her into a warm hug. Asad's jaw clenched as he felt anger consume him 'shameless, does she not even care about her surroundings, openly displaying...what the hell do I care'. Asad jumped in his car and sped off past them.
'I wish you would come in, you know Abu wanted you to me him' 'and how many times have I said I don't want to...anyway we can have this argument later...you take care and I will see you tomorrow' 'In Sha Allah...oh and Haider don't forget to fill me in on what happens tonight' 'I won't...oh and Princess...don't forget to email me the presentation'.
Zoya went to meet Rashid after the meeting 'Abu...where is..' 'gone, getting him to stay for as long as he did was a miracle in its self' he said laughing a little. Rashid may have been laughing but she saw the deeper emotions he felt in his eyes. Zoya put her arm around him 'don't worry Abu, he will come round' 'I hope so...anyway how was your Prince, did you guys get on ok?' 'Yep, I have all the paper work ready I will fill you in...I am going to email him the presentation now so he will be ready to go on Friday'.
Zoya met Haider in high school, it was her friendship with him that gave her a new lease of life, he helped her tremendously, building her confidence and teaching her to appreciate herself that much more. Everyone knew how close they were, Zoya saw him as an older brother and he was truly one of her best friends. Haider alongside Zoya worked with Rashid. Both were project managers and worked extremely hard.
People often mistook their relationship as they were so close and because they referred to each other as Prince and Princess, nicknames they were given by their school friends because of their affluent back grounds and seeing how spoilt they had been by their families. Haider was a year older than Zoya and the boyfriend of her best friend Humera, someone who they both loved dearly.
Haider and Humera were the only ones who truly knew how Zoya felt and what she had gone through all these years. Haider had never met Asad but knew he didn't like him because of the way he treated his little sister, his Princess.
Zoya and Rashid walked in to find everyone siting in the living room. Zoya looked straight at him and didn't miss how his face had hardened, she met Dilshad and Najma before she excused herself. After she changed Zoya went to spend time with Daddi, as she did every day, she sat down and went talked about everything possible. Daddi could never get enough of Zoya, her beautiful smile, her sparkling eyes, her childlike expression. To her and the rest of the family Zoya truly was a breath of fresh air that left her mark all the time.
'Zoya...have you spoken to him yet?' Zoya looked at Daddi and smiled 'you know that is not going to happen Daddi, he won't even look at me with a straight face, every time he sees me his face breaks out...he almost looks like he is constipated' Daddi looked a Zoya wide eyed before she started laughing, their fits of laughter echoed all around, it wasn't long before Rashid and Dilshad came up to see what all the noise was about.
There was no point asking them anything the minute they composed themselves to answer they would start laughing again. Dilshad sat next to Zoya and cupped her face 'do you know you beautiful you look when you smile, may Allah keep you smiling and happy like this always beta' 'trust you to get all emotional...my Zoya truly lives up to the meaning of her name...' Daddi said.
As they all started to talk Daddi started to feel ill, her little tickly cough worsened, Zoya quickly grabbed the glass of water trying to make her take a few sips. As she held her Zoya realised that her body was burning 'Ammi, Daddi has a fever' she said as she roamed her hand around her face and neck 'Abu, please call the doctor'.
Asad saw Rashid run downstairs in a panic he walked up to him 'what happened Abu?' 'Your Daddi is not feeling well, I need to call the doctor'. Asad ran up as fast as he could 'Daddi' he called out as he reached her side 'Daddi, what happened, are you ok?' he asked as he rubbed her back 'she has a fever...' Zoya said in response. Asad looked up at her with narrowed eyes 'what the hell is wrong with you, don't you know she is not well and still you come and exert her, she needs to be resting not entertaining your nonsense' Zoya looked at him wide eyed 'Asad...stop' Dilshad called out. Zoya looked at Dilshad and lowered her head slightly to hide tears that had started to form 'Asad...beta why are you shouting at my Zoya, it's just a cough...I am ok' 'No Daddi it is not ok...' Dilshad walked around to him and pulled at his arm 'Asad that is enough, Ammi Jaan is not feeling well and here you are talking in such harshness'.
As Dilshad was reprimanding her son Rashid came back inside 'the doctor is on his way...Ammi Jaan if you were not feeling well why did you not say anything it's not like you all of a sudden developed a fever' 'Rashid stop over reacting all of you...I am fine...and even if I was feeling unwell being with Zoya always makes me feel better' When Daddi looked up Zoya had gone 'Zoya...where did she go?' Dilshad looked at Rashid 'I guess when I came in...I didn't notice'.
'Ammi, Abu, the doctor is here' Rashid stood up and looked towards the door to find Najma and Dr. Khaleel. As the doctor attended to Daddi Dilshad went to see Zoya. 'Zoya can I come in beta?' Zoya quickly wiped her tears and turned around smiling 'of course Ammi you don't need permission...please come in' Dilshad walked up to her and cupped her face 'I am sorry Zoya, Asad...' Zoya started shaking her head 'No Ammi, please don't apologise for him...its ok, he was only worried for Daddi...' 'even so...he had no right to talk to you like that' 'Ammi, I am fine and plus it's not like I can't take him on...I was just being nice...you know in front of Daddi, the last thing I would want is for him to lose a verbal battle in front of her' Dilshad let out a laugh 'you are so special Zoya...I pray that Allah always gives you the strength you need to stand up to him...living with him is not easy' 'Ammi, if it's a challenge it's not one I will back away from and when it comes to Asad its definitely not one I am planning to lose so don't worry about me'.
Dr Khaleel met with Rashid, Asad and Dilshad downstairs 'her health has deteriorated since I last saw her, I strongly advise having her hospitalised...for the mean time I have given her an injection and put aside some extra tablets for her to take...Rashid I am saying this as your friend and not doctor, she needs to be admitted into hospital, at her age and in her condition anything can happen at any time'. Rashid nodded and thanked Dr Khaleel 'Asad can you please see Dr Khaleel out'.
Rashid and Dilshad went to see Daddi 'Ammi Jaan, the doctor has advised that you be admitted into hospital, I think we should take you' 'Rashid beta, I am too old for hospitals...I know what the doctor said...and if this is my time then I would rather go being amongst the people I love in the comfort of my own home than a cold hospital room' 'Ammi please don't say things like that...you have so many more ears to live through...you have to see Asad get married, play with Najma's kids too...so don't...' Daddi placed her hand over her sons 'Rashid...will you get them married...before I...before it's too late for me' Rashid sucked in a pain filled breath and looked up towards Dilshad. Dilshad shook her head slightly as if to say 'no, not now' 'Ammi...I don't think Asad is ready, he is still young and has a long way to go before he is settled into his career...and plus...you now that he doesn't...' 'No Rashid, that has got nothing to do with it...I know my grandson as much as I know you...Zoya is perfect for him, he needs her in his life, I know that she will make him change'.
'Ammi Jaan, even if Asad agrees will Zoya, is it fair to ask her to marry someone she knows hates her...I can't do that to her' 'and what if she says yes' Dilshad looked up at her mother in law 'No...she will not, I won't let her...as much as I love her and want this to happen I am not going to make her do anything I know will hurt her...and Asad'. Dilshad walked out leaving Rashid and his Ammi looking at one another 'Ammi, she is right...I will arrange for you to be taken to the hospital tomorrow'.
Daddi had always wanted Asad and Zoya's alliance, and knew that is what her son and daughter in law wanted too. Rashid had made a promise to his dying friend, and as much as it pained him he could not fulfil it knowing how his son felt about Zoya. But Daddi refused to let that get in the way by hook or crook she was going to make this happen, a little over acting in her age wouldn't go amiss. Daddi started to smile at her own thoughts, she had cooked up the perfect plan, the perfect way to get Asad and Zoya to say yes, and once they did she would make sure that they had their Nikah done before Allah called her back.
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