New SS: A Reason to Live: Note Page 121 - Page 54

It had already been a week since Daddi had passed away, things had started to resume as normally as they could. Asad kept himself away from Zoya, the only time he would see her was just before he lay on his side of the bed before he went to sleep, since the time in the kitchen he had no utter a single word to her.

'Ammi, is it ok if I start going back to work, I know Abu didn't want me to but being at home...it's not helping' Dilshad placed her hand over hers 'of course beta, I think your Abu was just looking out for your well-being, I am sure he won't mind at all' as the two of them continued to talk Humera came in with Haider 'your Prince is here?' Dilshad said smiling, Zoya looked up to see her two best friends walk towards her she got up and embraced Humera in a tight hug where have you been, I was trying to call you' 'I'm sorry, I got caught up with work and then your brother here had me helping him out...how do you work with him he is a slave driver' Zoya let out a laugh, she walked to Haider and put her arm around him 'my Prince is the easiest person to work with...which is why I love being with him...come in'.

Haider and Humera sat down and started talking to Dilshad 'Zoya you sit I will arrange for some tea and snacks' 'no Aunty...actually we came to see if it was ok to take Zoya out for a couple of hours, after everything that has happened, we haven't been able to spend any time with her' Haider said looking up at Zoya ' of course you can...if you hadn't come today I am sure this little Princess of yours would have been itching to get out anyway'.

Zoya thanked Dilshad and walked towards the stairs to get changed, as she took her first step she stopped to see Asad walking down, his expression was stern and as always his eyes darkened Asad, just in time beta come' Dilshad said. Asad walked past Zoya completely ignoring her and went to stand next to his Ammi 'you have already met Haider...and this is Humera, I know you have seen her but I don't think you have been officially introduced, she is Zoya's best friend' Asad looked towards Humera and gave her a nod 'we have come to take Zoya out for a while...I hope that is ok' Humera asked trying to make polite conversation 'why wouldn't it be, what she does and where she goes has nothing to do with me' Humera looked up to Haider and then Zoya who was standing behind him 'Asad' Dilshad called out feeling embarrassed at his comment 'Ammi, I have somewhere I need to be...if you will excuse me'.

Asad walked out without acknowledging Haider or even saying goodbye to the guests 'I am sorry...he is still very upset' 'its ok Aunty, we understand'.

Zoya sat down with Humera as Haider went to order their food 'I wish you hadn't agreed Zoya, how are you going to live with him...the man is arrogant, rude and an obnoxious fool' Zoya gave her a faint smile 'the same obnoxious fool I am in love with' 'Ya Allah...I don't understand how you could be...you are crazy, a sucker for punishment' she said shaking her head disapprovingly.

Zoya had a nice time with both Humera and Haider, she was able to relieve herself of a lot of stress that had been building up 'Haider, I am coming back to work as of tomorrow...can you please meet with me in the morning so I can go over what I have missed' 'sure thing Princess, it will be good to have you back' 'Ok, you two carry on, I am going to head back home, I don't like leaving Ammi on her own, everyone is out this evening'

Zoya stood up and was about to walk off when Haider held her hand 'let me drop you off, and after that I can take out my Mrs here' Zoya smiled 'I wish you would hurry up and make her your Mrs...how much longer you going to make me wait?' 'Not long' he said winking at her. Zoya looked at Humera who started to blush 'ok...cool, drop me off then'.

Haider jumped out of the car and opened the door for her 'you spoil me too much Haider...I can't thank Allah enough for bringing you into my life, you and Humera are my rocks that keep me held up high' Haider cupped the side of her face 'what are brothers for Zoya...and anyway like I always say anything for my Princess...love you lots' Haider gently kissed her forehead 'you look after yourself, I will see you in the morning' 'In Sha Allah'.

Haider drove off with Humera, at the same time Asad came out of his car seething with anger, he fisted his hands and walked towards the house, he wanted to put an end to this. Asad walked in to find Zoya and Dilshad laughing about something 'Asad, beta come and join us...we were just reminiscing over old times' Asad clenched his jaw 'I don't remember anything happening worth laughing about' he said in a cold tone of voice.

Dilshad stood up 'Asad...please there is no need to talk in such a manner...are you forgetting who you are talking to' 'of course I know Ammi...I am talking to you...and this girl you forced upon me' Zoya looked at him wide eyed 'Asad' 'Asad what Ammi...is it not true...I did this for Daddi and she is no longer here...so I don't see the need to keep up the pretence and anyway...it's not like she wanted to be part of this either...her relationships haven't changed, she is still freely waltzing around with whoever she wants' Zoya held on to her stomach as it painfully churned, she couldn't understand what he was saying and why.

Dilshad walked up to her son and grabbed him by the arm 'how dare you Asad, how dare you say anything of the sort...regardless of the reasons behind this alliance the truth of the matter is that Zoya is your wife and you are her husband, a relationship that you will have to fulfill'.

Asad pulled his arm back 'you can't be serious Ammi...there is nothing to fulfil...I am going back to London and that is my final decision...in the mean time she can stay here and fulfil whatever relation she wants with whoever she wants' Asad walked off leaving Zoya in tears, she fell to the floor and cried 'Zoya...shhh' Dilshad said as she took her into her embrace.

Zoya opened the door to see him standing in the balcony. Asad looked over his shoulder to see her and then back out into the night sky. Having got changed Zoya went and stood behind him 'Asad' she called out in a low voice, she wanted to talk to him, even though she knew it wasn't going to be easy she never thought it would be like this.

Asad turned around to walk away from her 'Asad please...just for a few minutes...I...I wanted to talk to you' Asad turned around 'I'm listening, what is it you wanted to say?' Zoya swallowed to keep her lump at bay 'Asad...please...can you not just let go...I am not even sure what I have done, but what ever it is I am sorry...I know this was a compromise, something we both did for Daddi...but this is still what it is and it's a truth we both have to face...my relationship is with you and this family only, for me this relationship, this alliance is not a pretence, I am your wife Asad'

Asad laughed out loud, his laugh filled with sarcasm and venom 'please save me the I am your wife act, it may work in front of Ammi and Abu...but I am not blind Zoya' Zoya looked at him not understanding what he was trying to say 'I am not acting' 'do you know what, I can't be bothered to talk to you...girls like you do anything for attention...you get it from my parents and my sister, you got it from my Daddi...you get it from that low life Prince of yours...but you are not getting anything from me'

Zoya narrowed her eyes 'what has Prince got to do with anything?' Asad started to lose his patience he was becoming more and more irate just thinking about them two 'everything...stop with the innocent act Zoya...I may be a lot of things but I am not stupid' Asad walked off leaving Zoya still looking at him as confused as can be.

Zoya ran after him and held on to his arm, as soon as Asad felt her hand on his he jerked it back making her jump 'I don't understand...what is wrong...what' 'Zoya...just stop...get out of my way, this conversation is over' Zoya held her arm out 'no it isn't...I haven't finished talking...and you are not answering any of my questions' Asad started to fume as she continued to frustrate him.

Zoya who started to walk backwards as he did forwards ended up hitting her back against the door.

Asad closed his eyes, he was trying hard not to lose it but she wasn't making it easy off him. 'Let me out of the room' Zoya shook her head 'I need to...' Asad grabbed hold of her arms and shook her making her let out a fear filled gasp 'need to what Zoya...what do you want from me...stop with your act...I am sick and tired of you and your over the top I am a goody two shoes bravado...my family might not see it but I do...what kind of a woman still sees her boyfriend in public, openly displaying affection after she gets married...what I don't understand is why my parents let him anywhere near you...you make me sick?' Zoya's eyes widened as she cried 'Asad how can you say that...I don't have a boyfriend I have...' 'Lies...lies and more lies...I saw you two with my own eyes Zoya...at the office, downstairs, outside the house...even when Daddi died you didn't think twice about running into his arms...you still call him prince...well princess he is all yours' Asad pulled Zoya away from the door and walked out.

With he force that he used Zoya went flying forward and fell to the floor, she held her arms that were hurting from his hold, she couldn't believe what he was saying. Without knowing or asking he was implying something that was unthinkable, Haider may have not been related to her by blood but he was more of a brother than anyone ever could be. It sickened her to think that Asad thought like that, when everyone knew the relationship she had with him, the fact that he was Humera's boyfriend how could he think that, how could he say that.

Zoya who felt shattered started to become enraged, she ran out after him and pulled his arm back 'how dare you Asad...how can you think something as disgusting as that...you have no idea...did you ever stop to think once...' Asad stepped forward aggressively making Zoya take a step back and stop what she was saying 'how dare you Zoya...don't you ever talk to me like that...I can think what I want and say what I feel' 'so it's ok for you to talk to me in such rudeness but when I do the same it's wrong...how?' 'I don't have to stand her and listen to your rubbish...you stay away from me...you mean nothing to me and the quicker you get that the better'. Asad turned on his heel and walked off leaving Zoya totally speechless.

That evening Dilshad spoke to Rashid who was extremely angry where is he I want to talk to him now'. Rashid walked into his room to find it empty as he turned around he saw Zoya walking towards her room, she was so lost in thought she didn't even realise he was standing there. It was only when he called out to her she looked up and realised 'A...Abu...are you ok...did you want something?' Rashid went and put her arm around her your Ammi told me about my sons inexcusable behaviour...I wanted to talk to him...where is he?' Zoya looked back into her room I am not sure Abu, I haven't seen him since we...I mean...one second' Zoya walked into her room, she checked the balcony and the bathroom to find them empty as she walked past her dressing table she saw an envelope addressed to Rashid and Dilshad. Zoya quickly picked it up and ran towards Rashid 'Abu...look' Rashid took the envelope from her hands and read it, she could see his eyes harden and body turn rigid as he read on I can't believe him...' 'Abu what happened...?' 'Asad has left beta...he has gone back to London...' Rashid was too angry and upset to say anything he just looked at Zoya with guilt and sorrow 'I am sorry beta'.

Zoya felt like the last bit of life she had in her had just been sucked out, she looked up silently crying asking her Allah why he was being so cruel, asking him what she had done so bad to be punished like this.