Chapter 9
After a much needed cold shower Zoya got changed and walked out of her room, as she did she saw Asad walking towards the east wing to what was their room. Asad had moved out of his room and into theirs. Not giving it a second thought she looked away and went downstairs to meet with Dilshad and Rashid 'Zoya, you haven't eaten all day, would you like something to eat?' Dilshad asked 'no Ammi I am ok for the moment, maybe later...Abu I wanted to discuss the new project with you, I met with Mr Khanna...he is more than happy to the terms and conditions set but would like the project to start by the end of the month' 'hmm...do you have the capacity...you already have your hand in so many other projects Zoya, I don't want you to burden yourself unnecessarily...I am sure I can allocate it to someone else' Zoya was just about to answer when she heard him speak 'I'll do it'.
Dilshad, Zoya and Rashid all turned around to look at him 'you...but...' 'but what Abu, I have seen the proposal file and read through the contract, it is the same work I have been doing for the last five years...this will be a piece of cake...and plus I would like to help' Rashid looked at Zoya and saw how quickly her eyes had hardened 'Zoya...beta..' 'its fine Abu...on second thoughts the project isn't that interesting...I guess anyone can do it...I will email you the remaining documentation and you can pass it on to whoever you like' with that Zoya walked off leaving Asad with another blow.
Rashid walked up to Asad 'if you are taking this project on I hope it's for the right reasons and not just a way to continue to get in her way' 'I will forever be in her way Abu...at home, at work everywhere...she is my wife' Rashid looked at Asad wide eyed 'really...I think not son...you lost the right to call her that 5 years ago' as Rashid walked off Asad looked at his Ammi who gave him a faint smile of reassurance. Upstairs Zoya paced the length of her room thinking about what she could do to get away from him, she went and stood in front to Daddi's picture 'this is as much your fault as it is anyone's...Daddi you knew and yet you still...ugh...what am I supposed to do now, this is driving me insane'
Haider read and re-read through the file 'Princess, what is this...when did all these extra claws get added in?' 'Last night...he wanted to take on this project...let him, why should I make it easy for him' Haider raised an eyebrow 'do you forget he is a pro...this won't rock his boat...if that is what you are planning to do' Zoya stood up 'I know...but I can still have a little fun at his expense...oh and by the way your leading on this project, he is answerable to you and you only' 'what! No way Princess...you think I am going to work with that moron...not happening...you want to teach him a lesson then you lead on it...' 'Prince...come on please...' 'I agree with Haider' Zoya and Haider looked towards the door to see Rashid standing there 'Abu...I...'
Rashid came and stood by Zoya and took her hand in his 'I am never going to stop you from doing anything you want, he is my son but you are my daughter too...this is your fight and you do what you feel is right...I will always support you...Zoya you lead on this, let Haider take over the other one'. Zoya gulped as she continued to look at him wide eyed 'Haider, you go...you can attend the meeting on her behalf...Zoya has a lot of thinking and forward planning to do' Haider couldn't stop smiling 'aye aye captain...see you later Princess' he said as he quickly put his arm around her and kissed the side of her head.
'Abu this is not fair...' 'All is fair in love and war...and this is your war Zoya'.
Asad came into the office 'Asad, would you mind sharing the office with Haider, I haven't managed to clear you a room out yet' of course not Abu, is it still the one opposite..' 'yes it is'. Asad who seemed to be smiling a little too much walked past Rashid and towards Haider's room.
As he sat down and made himself comfortable he started his laptop 'Prince can you come...' Zoya stopped to see Asad who was now standing up 'what are you doing here' she spat out 'I work here remember...the new project...and this is my new office too'. Zoya looked away from him as he continued to speak, she walked over to Haider's desk and picked up two big files. Asad's eyes followed her to his desk and then followed her back as she came towards him. Zoya dumped the files on Asad's desk creating a loud thud 'these need to be read and analysed by 2...you can email me your report by the end of the day...I have asked Haider to go through your schedule for the rest of the week...' With that Zoya turned on her heel and walked out leaving Asad smiling at her new avatar 'Miss Fiesty Farooqui...correction Asad its Mrs Fiesty Khan'.
Asad felt his eyes spin as he continued to read through the reams and reams of never ending paper she had given him 'crap its nearly two and I haven't even finished the first file'. Haider who was standing by the door was enjoying the view ahead of him 'she takes no prisoners...you don't do as she has asked she will tear you apart in front of everyone' Asad looked up and narrowed his eyes at Haider 'I guess you are talking from experience' 'not at all...you see I am one person that Princess wouldn't even thing about raising her voice at yet alone rip apart...but you...well I don't need to remind you of who, why etc etc' 'you done with your nonsense ...if you don't mind I have work to do' 'of course...good luck'.
Asad wasn't oblivious to what Zoya was trying to do, what he thought was that she underestimated him but she didn't. She knew very well that Asad would perform above and beyond and she also knew that there was probably little she could do to undermine him in anyway. The only hold she had on him was her souring attitude towards him, the last thing she was going to do was show any kindness towards him and that was the only thing that was going to hurt him the most.
Zoya looked at the time, she leaned back on her chair 'two more minutes Asad Ahmed Khan' the second she finished her little monologue his email came through. Zoya couldn't help smile 'efficiency is not going to impress me Mr Khan'. Zoya forwarded the email to Haider and Rashid as well as Mr Khanna to look over, she switched off her laptop and picked up her bag to leave for the day. On her way out she saw Asad standing by his window looking straight at her, not giving him any eye contact she adjusted the strap of her bag and walked off.
Zoya had Asad running around from one meeting to another, preparing one report after another, something that he didn't mind at all. But what was becoming frustrating was her silent treatment and the way she kept ignoring him. Even in departmental meetings she shunned everything he said or suggested. Workers in the office had found a new topic to gossip about, something Zoya paid no heed to but Asad was finding it hard to handle.
At home he tried to talk to Rashid but he was far from being supportive and there was only so much Dilshad could say or do.
It had almost been two months since Asad had returned, his project was coming to an end and he had made no progress with Zoya at all. After their review meeting Zoya stayed back with Haider to go over a few details 'Zoya' Zoya looked up to see Asad standing there 'can I have a quick word?' 'No' came her blunt reply. Asad fisted his hand as he saw Haider supress a giggle 'I need to talk to you' he said again. Zoya stopped what she was doing and looked up at him, she saw how his face had hardened 'you have two minutes' Asad stepped forward 'in private' 'there is nothing private between me and Prince so say what you need to and go, I have work to do' Asad closed his eyes and clenched his jaw, he could feel himself getting more and more angry 'Princess, its ok...I will wait for you in your room'.
The minute Asad heard the door close behind him he took a few more steps towards Zoya 'what is it you want?' 'For you to at least have one conversation with me without this mask that you are hiding behind'. Zoya looked at him with narrowed eyes 'excuse me...I assure you there is no mask that I am hiding behind...you wanted to talk so talk...if not you know where the door is'.
'Zoya, please...can't we just talk...I have been here for so long now and all you have done is ignore me...will you not give me a chance to say sorry...to let you know how bad I feel...I left you and I know I hurt you so much but I realise that I was wrong...when I was in London loneliness and darkness consumed me I was totally lost...and then when I met Humera I was able to find the light through that darkness, I was able to face my demons and take the step I should have taken so long ago'
Zoya continued to look at him in amusement 'have you finished...if you think having heard all that will make me feel sorry for you then you are mistaken...I feel nothing for you...no sorrow, no pity, no nothing...I have ignored you...and quite rightly mind you for what...less than two months and this is how you feel...well Asad Ahmed Khan multiply that by years and years and then tell me how you feel. You wanted to talk...fine lets talk...I will tell you exactly how it is...I Zoya Farooqui hate you Mr Asad Ahmed Khan, I have never hated anyone...but you have earned that privilege. Form the very first moment I stepped inside your house I tried to befriend you, tried everything to get you to like me but you always turned away from me. As we grew up I became adamant that I will get you to notice me to like me but the more I did the more you hated me...you know the sad thing Asad...all that time you spent your energy hating me I spent it loving you...some fool I was...but its ok now...you did me a favour, the way you broke me time and time again, the way you trampled on my dreams and destroyed everything pure that this heart this soul had actually did wonders for me. I have and want nothing to do with you...the only reason I tolerate being anywhere near you is for Ammi and Abu...you stay away from me...' Zoya picked up her phone and walked out leaving a very pale looking Asad standing totally shattered.
The emotions that he felt where creating a whirlwind within him that was spiralling out of control, his eyes turned red as tears filled with anger and pain started to sting them painfully. Asad looked up 'I know I was wrong...please help me I want to make it right...please help Allah'.
Haider held on to a shaking Zoya and when he looked into her eyes he saw the same Zoya he saw five years ago 'Princess...what are you doing...I can't see you like this' 'I am doing what I have to...I have made a decision...I want you to come home with me'.
Haider walked in behind Zoya, Rashid who was sitting with Najma stood up seeing the state Zoya was in. 'Zoya...what happened?' As Zoya put her bag down and took in a few deep breaths Dilshad came in from the kitchen 'Ammi...Abu I need to tell you...I mean I need to ask...' Zoya lowered her head as words failed her.
Dilshad walked up to Zoya and put her hand on her shoulder 'Zoya what is it beta...what is it you want to say?' Dilshad looked at Haider who shrugged his shoulders as if to say I don't know. 'Ammi...I can't do this anymore...I can't live knowing...Ammi I want to ask you and Abu for something' 'of course beta...ask...what is that you want?' 'I want to be free'. Dilshad and Rashid looked at one another confused 'what do you mean beta?' 'I want to be free of him and his name...I want a divorce...mujhe Talaq chahiye'.
Edited by Saima-Syed - 10 years ago
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah
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