||~ The Sunshine of My life #3 AsYa FF ~|| Next thread link Page 146 - Page 58

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Yes he asked her, but he's still to know what she saw 😆

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YES he cares deeply for her, its only scary because he doesn't realize what he is doing.

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@Sweetluck & lourel24, Rosered1, Anopama, Be Yourself, treasure11, asfiqbalsh,sweety303 .

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Asad drove home silently as Zoya lay unconscious at the back seat. His breath hitched as he thought over the last few hours in his mind. Flashes of a pale and bleeding Zoya terrorized him as he remembered how he had driven to the hospital like a maniac, shouted and created a scene at the hospital as the doctors took their own sweet time to tend to her. He remembered clawing at the doctors coat and threatening him. How relieved and embarrassed he had been when the doctor had informed him that Zoya was in no danger and had merely passed out because of blood loss and fear.

Feeling a little lightheaded suddenly Asad drove the car to one side and leaned his head on the steering in exhaustion. The last few hours had been nothing short of a roller coaster ride. He had undergone a million different thoughts, at one moment he had been relieved to find her, at another he had felt life being sucked out of him when he had witnessed her poor state, he had prayed fervently to the almighty to take away anything from him but not harm his Zoya in anyway and many a times he had questioned himself over and over for the sudden feeling of possession when it came to her.

He felt Zoya stir a little and snapped out of his thoughts. Twisting behind he checked on her to see if she was in pain, if she was in an uncomfortable position. He caressed her shoulder tenderly and moved the flicks of her hair from her forehead behind her ears. Moving ahead he started the car to get home as fast as he could.

****************

Asad carried Zoya carefully to her room, taking care not to tamper with her injuries, one on the head and the other a huge gash on her hand due to hitting on the door in her attempts to open it. The house was dark and empty as Dilshad was away with both his babies Najma and Aahana to Chaand Khaala who had come over only to meet Aahana for the first time after her birth.

Asad walked into Zoya's room and gently placed her on the bed. He took a few pillows and arranged it around her so that her neck and arm could have all the rest. When she moaned in pain at the movement he whispered, "Sssh you'll be fine, sleep!" and patted her hair, smoothening them lovingly.

He got some water, her medicines and a warm fluffy towel for her. She was drenched in sweat and the heavy dosage of medicines had her perspiring even more. He sat next to her on the bed and taking the towel carefully wiped her face and neck. Seeing her uncomfortable he lowered the temperature on the AC and came down next to her.

The girl who deserved to be happy, to smile, to live a complete life had destiny put forth so many challenges in front of her. Why was this happening to her? Why was she being forced back into the dark pit she had bravely conquered over the time? Why was she suffering for merely wanting to know her roots, for wanting to know who her family was? He caressed her forehead and smoothened her eyebrows lightly, hoping the wrinkle on her forehead would disappear.

He remembered a similar situation months ago. She had been caught in an enclosed room which had caught fire. She had been terrified, and they had been alone at home even then. It was the first time Asad had come face to face with Zoya's fears. His mind had been in a mess then too, but back then he had been intrigued by her panic, curious to know why she had reacted the way she did. They had only left behind their animosity then and he felt the need to be kind and gentle to her.

But today... today it was different. Today he had felt a maddening rush of fear, fear of losing Zoya, pained on seeing her in pain, a sense of loneliness when he hadn't been able to find her. Today all he wanted was for her to open her eyes, smile at him, lecture him about his OCD, criticize his protective ways, play and dance around with Aahana, and for her tinkling laughter to spread across his house and make it bloom like it had all these months.

As he recalled that night, a sudden thought passed his mind. Every time an incident like that happened Zoya would be troubled with her usual nightmares that kept her awake, frightening her, not letting her sleep. The turmoil she went through every time they haunted her, broke her, took her into a shell and he didn't want that. He wouldn't let anything overpower or weaken her. Taking a decision he shifted her a little and got in next to her. Sitting close to her, leaning slantingly on the bed post he put his arms around and made her rest her head on his chest. Hugging her close, with one arm around her waist and the other on her head, he caressed her hair, wanting to shield her from her pain, her nightmares; her ordeals.

***************

Darkness engulfed her; there was no air it was just vacuum. She felt numb, struggling to breath. Her eyes searched for that one person she knew would come and save her. She saw a gleam of light, a figure approaching her, she forced herself up, tried to move and reach it, but before she could complete darkness took over and she felt herself falling down in a deep endless tunnel," Asad.."

"Asad," she thrashed and struggled to wake up from the painful slumber.

"Ssshh easy easy... I am here, mai yahi hun Zoya. I am right here," Zoya heard a tender voice calming her down and a gentle touch prodding her to wake up and her eyes fluttered open.

She saw Asad's concerned face inches away from hers, holding her face in his palms and felt his thumb caress her cheek," Are you okay?" Asad implored.

Zoya stared at him dazed, completely clueless about her surroundings, just staring into the dark brown orbs that were dripping with concern and ... and something more, much more and it made her feel protected right away.

"Zoya?" Asad shook her a little again," Tum theek ho na?"

Zoya nodded a little but her head throbbed and she winced," AHH.."

"What do you think you're doing? You've hurt yourself on your head, and you're not going to strain yourself at all.." Asad admonished her in concern and immediately took his hand up to her head and pressed it softly to relieve the pain.

"Shuru ho gaye daantna, chot lagi hai tab bhi nahi chodte," Zoya whispered softly. Asad strained his ears to hear her and chuckled," I am Asad Ahmed Khan madam, apni koi aadat nahi chodta, I follow a strict schedule.." he retorted.

"And scolding me is part of it?" Zoya asked softly as she breathed a little heavily. Asad noticed it and gently placed her on his chest again, stroking her hair," No, but taking care of you is," he said inadvertently.

Zoya's eyes flew open, jerking her from her dizzy state she turned to him hearing his words," What? Don't I take care of you already? Why is it so surprising?" Asad said feigning anger.

A smile crept on Zoya's face and she laughed slightly but painfully," That's it, no more laughing," Asad raised his voice.

"What am I even allowed to do then?" her voice croaked.

"You're not allowed to scare me again ever like that, you're not allowed to put me through what you did today, you're not allowed to make me feel lifeless, you're not allowed to walk alone when you have someone to walk along with you, you're not allowed to bear every pain, every fear by yourself when you have someone to share it with you. And you're not allowed to leave me and go away ..Do you get that Miss Zoya Farooqui?" Asad spoke hoarsely, holding her rooted by her gaze.

Zoya looked at him totally befuddled at his rant. Was he even realizing the words he was uttering? She knew he cared, she knew he adored her, as a friend, at least that is what she had believed so far and it was anyway safer that way. But today his tone seemed changed; something in his eyes was different.

"Do you get that?" Asad questioned demanding an answer..

"Yes.."

"Mr Khan.. I am... I'm sorry about today.." Zoya said exhaustingly, merely whispering when she saw his dark, tired eyes.

"That's it, you're not talking anymore. I am going to get you food, which you're going to eat without an argument, and then your medicines too without any tantrums, and then you'll sleep, okay?" Asad ordered one after the other, and patting her cheek got up to leave.

Zoya just stared at him clueless.

**************

"Where's Aahana, Phuppi, Najma?" Zoya asked, her voice now a little louder as Asad fed her.

"They've gone to meet Chaand Khaala," Asad answered.

"When will they be back?" Zoya questioned again.

"Tomorrow morning.." Asad said shortly.

"Oh and.." Asad glared at her to stop her train of questions, "EAT!" he glared

"I am eating only na why are you glaring at me?" Zoya frowned.

"But why do you need to talk so much? Can't you eat in silence?"

"No I can't, I am not used to staying quiet," Zoya retorted.

"Acha? Then what happened when you really needed to talk, couldn't you call me instead of walking off to that room all alone?" Asad taunted her.

Zoya looked at him confusingly," I know I should have called Mr Khan, but that receptionist, she told me to hurry if I wanted to search the documents myself and she even told me she'd tell you where I went.."

"What?" Asad exclaimed bewildered at the revelation.

"But she told me you asked me to wait there. I thought you were only looking around the place and wanted to be alone, so I waited," Asad clarified.

"This means that lady bluffed the both of us? But why would she do that?"

"Maybe she wanted to harm you? Why else was that door looked from outside?" Asad tried to understand. He looked at Zoya who had stopped eating and looked occupied.

"Or maybe it's all just a misunderstanding? The door could be locked by anyone who didn't know you were inside." Asad tried to reason. Even though he knew there was a foul play and an intentional tactic by someone who wanted Zoya to be in danger, but he didn't want Zoya to stress about it, not now anyway.

"No Mr Khan, maybe you're right.. someone wanted to harm me.." Zoya said worriedly.

"Zoyaaa! You don't have to worry about all that. You're safe and you will be, always okay?" Asad said calming her.

"Al right?" he asked again and motioned her to eat more, she nodded and pushed his hand towards him, signalling him to eat too.

Asad walked back in the room after keeping away the dishes and saw Zoya trying to get out of bed and immediately dashed towards her," What do you think you're doing Zoya?" Asad demanded.

"I wanted some water.."

"So when were you thinking of giving your vocal cords some exercise to do and call out to me instead? Wait right here, I'll get it," Asad made her sit back and leaned ahead to pour her some.

Tipping her head up he made her have some water and then made her lean on the bed post," Let me get the first aid, I need to change your dressing."

Asad brushed her hair away from her forehead and gently pulled the bandage away. Zoya hissed as her wound hurt," Sshh sorry, so sorry Zoya, are you okay?" Asad asked immediately concerned and Zoya couldn't help but smile.

"I am okay, don't worry.." she assured him.

Asad caressed the skin around the wound, his touch as light as a feather. Blowing a little on it to ease the sting, he dabbed the antiseptic on it and even before she could wince and move behind he held her shoulder with his free hand to calm her," It's done, it's almost done.."

Zoya kept gazing at him, loving his affection, the concern dripping from his each word, his each gentle ministration and she was moved, beyond moved. Happy tears carelessly leaked down her cheeks..

"Zoya? Did I hurt you? Where does it hurt? I am so sorry..." Asad panicked. Zoya shook her head instantly as a chuckle escaped between her tears," No I am okay, I am okay seriously," she silenced him.

"Then why are you crying?" Asad implored..

"Nothing.. just overwhelmed.." she sighed and moved her hand to wipe her tears. Asad brushed her hand away and wiped her tears himself," Don't strain your left hand, you have a gash there too.."

Zoya laughed and rolled her eyes," Mr Khan you're always treating me like I am Aahana, I am a brave girl.."

"I know that, I know you're brave, you probably don't even need me to come and save you Zoya, but sadly I am not so brave as you are.." Asad said explaining why he needed to take care of her and Zoya understood," No Mr Khan, I am not brave, I just trust you. You promised I'll have your back always, and when I know you're there, I have no reason to be scared," Zoya stated simply as if was something so obvious. And Asad stared back at her, amazed at her trust on him, shaken by the realisation that she depended on him so much. Was he even worthy of all that faith from her?

"Zoya I want a promise from you.." Asad said breaking the silence.

"Promise?"

"Yes, Zoya I need you to promise that you won't go out anywhere without me. Jaha jaana hai, jab bhi jaana hai, you will let me know before you go, is that clear?

"But Mr Khan.. Aap ye sab kyun kar rahe hai? I am okay," Zoya insisted.

"I don't care what you say, you have to listen to what I am saying. Can't you do this much for me?" Asad implored curiously and she nodded in positive, she could do anything for him.

"Good girl," he smiled making her grin too.

"Mr Khan I need to change.." Zoya whispered slowly.

Asad nodded in agreement," Yes you need to change, you're totally wet." Getting out of her bed he held her securely and led her to the washroom.

"I am right outside, let me know if you need something," Asad said," Mr Khan ab itna toh mai kar hi sakti hun," Zoya said rolling her eyes the zillionth time and shut the bathroom door behind her.

***************

"Zoya are you okay? " Asad stood outside the door and knocked lightly.

"Yes Mr Khan I am fine.." Zoya mumbled after an interval.

"You've been inside for quite a while now, are you sure everything's fine?" Asad repeated

"I am fine Mr Khan, I'll be out in a while .." Zoya assured. But Asad thought otherwise, he could hear the pain in her voice.

"Zoya let me in," Asad insisted.

"Wha.. what? I am okay, seriously Mr Khan.."

"No you're not and don't lie okay? Just open the door and if you don't I can barge in, I can break through and you know it," Asad threatened.

"And you think I am going to believe that?" Zoya said a hint of laughter in her voice.

"You better," Asad said banging the door now.

"Mr Khan you can't be serious, I am changing why do you want to come inside, that's being indecent.." Zoya retorted.

"Yes and I am indecent, accepted, but you're just lying. Changing doesn't take that long. OPEN THE DOOR ZOYA," Asad raised his voice and Zoya jerked hearing the obvious anger in his tone.

Zoya moved to the door and opened it letting him in..

"Zoya? You've not changed yet," Asad exclaimed," What were you doing in so long? What happened?"

"Uh.. ah... I can't remove my hands outside the top, it's hurting and it's clinging to me because it's wet," she said fumbling and looking away awkwardly.

"Oh God so why did you just stay inside without saying a word, you should have called me.." Asad said moving closer.

"And what would you do?" Zoya asked bluntly," Nothing! I would eventually help myself.."

"When? After spending a night here? Of course I'd get you out if it Zoya. What's even wrong with you today?" Asad stated as if it was the most obvious thing to do.

"What? How dare you? Of course you wouldn't? " Zoya stared in surprise and stepped back a few steps creating a distance.

"Zoya? Don't you trust me?" Asad questioned a little hurt at her withdrawal.

Zoya noticed and shut her eyes and sighed," Of course I do, so much.. but.."

"Then why are you are you so scared, let me help you.." Asad moved ahead and held her shoulder gently and nodded at her in assurance.

Zoya whimpered a little and nodded in a no wanting to move away," I'll shut my eyes, I won't see a thing, just trust me."

"No its okay I'll just dry my clothes with a drier, can you get it?"

"Zoya these clothes are dirty, they're soaked in your blood too; you need to get out of them. I promise I won't open my eyes.." Asad assured over and over.

Zoya shut her eyes in surrender, how was she going to explain why she didn't want him to do this for her.

Asad took her silence as her agreement and shut his eyes. Zoya took his hand in hers and placed it on the hem of her top. Asad gulped nervously and gently rolled the top upwards. Then holding her left hand he slowly pulled the sleeve out of it making her wince. Immediately he moved his hand to her shoulder and stroked it to ease her. Zoya just stared at him, her eyes glassy watching him dazedly.

"I am going to pull your other hand out now.." Asad said and he felt her draw in her breath. Repeating his previous action he slowly and gently eased her other hand out of the sleeve too.

While moving the sleeve upwards his hand suddenly brushed a rough exterior and he felt Zoya's breath hitch at the contact.

Asad's brows knit in confusion as he caressed her right arm. It wasn't the smooth skin he had touched on her left one, it felt bruised, jagged and burnt?

"Zoya did you hurt yourself somewhere else too?" Asad asked his eyes still closed and his hand roving over her bare arm now worried.

Zoya cried silently biting back her sobs and tried to move out of his hold, she trembled and was going to fall when Asad held her against himself.

"Zoya? Why are you crying? I swear I didn't see anything, you know... I didn't.. calm down sshhh.." Asad panicked and with his eyes shut hunted for her bathrobe. Removing it from the hook behind the door he passed it to her. Zoya grabbed it and wore it immediately, trying to wriggle out of his hold. But Asad only held her tighter.

"Can I open my eyes?" Asad beseeched not letting her go.

"No, please let me go, ..just.." Zoya shook her head, she didn't want him to open his eyes. She didn't want to see the questions in them, and she didn't want to answer what he was going to ask.

"I am opening my eyes Zoya, and if you trust me you won't stop me.." Asad said.

He opened his eyes gradually and saw Zoya covered in her robe shaking with sobs, her tears flowing endlessly. Asad shook his head feeling some tightness in his chest as he blinked back his own tears.

Moving a step ahead Asad put his arm around Zoya and pulled her closer. Without seeking any permission he rolled the sleeve over her right arm... only to reveal a huge scar covering her entire right arm from the tip of her shoulder right down to little below her wrist. Asad stared at the mark, his expression unchanged. He looked up at Zoya who was staring at him, awaiting a response, waiting for him to be disgusted, waiting for him to recoil his hold and run away.

Asad saw all of that in her eyes, the fears, the insecurities and he didn't only see the beautiful woman in front of him, he once again finally saw the 3 year old child within her. Who hadn't just been physically left with a scar to remind her of her past, but was bruised from within waiting to be healed.

Asad moved his hand down her arm, caressing it with his knuckle. He bent down towards her and slowly and gently caressed and kissed her from the tip of her shoulder down to her wrist.

Zoya shivered at every contact, every touch of his on her arm, not in fear, this time only in pleasure. She shut her eyes gasping every time she felt his cool lips touch her arm, and felt a part of herself heal. Suddenly it seemed as if she was floating, flying high, living a beautiful dream that she didn't want to wake up from.

Rolling her sleeve back again, covering her arm he gazed at her stoically, his eyes blurred with tears too. And she saw what she had been curiously questioning in his eyes the whole evening, the 'more', the much more..There was no sympathy, no pity, not an ounce of disgust... there was amazement, there was pride.. there was love.

And she launched at him, coiling her arms around his neck in a deathly tight grip she clung to him, finally letting herself free and broke down. She cried, cried in relief, feeling touched, feeling loved and worshipped and feeling absolutely grateful for receiving acceptance she had been craving for all her life.

Asad wound his arms around her as tightly as he could, hugging her, caressing her, soothing her. He rested his cheek on her head and kissed her hair.

" Why did you ever hide those scars Zoya? There is nothing to hide, they're a part of you. They make you who you are..." Asad whispered.

"You're not going to cover them anymore, you hear me?"

"They're ugly.." Zoya whispered through her sobs.

"They're beautiful... just like you are. They make you even more beautiful," Asad whispered back staring at her unwaveringly, cupping her face in his palms as his thumb caressed her cheek wiping the tears away.

They both felt something different, something around them had changed, or maybe it was something within. What they felt for the other was hidden to one and suppressed by the other. But today unmindfully, unknowingly it felt unbound, and they felt liberated. Asad bent forward and kissed her temple, wiping the tear drop on her eye lash he kissed her eyes, wiping her cheek he let his lips touch her skin there. She quivered a little, letting out a moan, "Asad.." "Zoya," he whispered leaning his forehead on hers, their lips barely an inch away from the other.

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