AsYa SS:Forgotten Melody Updated 08/01/2017 pg 103 - Page 69

Thank God we've heard from you. Waiting for the Christmas gift. Thank you

YAY, there "ll be an update
its an awesome news...very much happy.
i read this story before and luvd it so much too bt then felt sad bz it was incomplete.
today i just read the story once again nd get to knw u'll update...its lottery, atleast fr me.
thank god i read the story again ...
thnk u dear 🤗...nd update sooonish
i just cant wait ...oohoo

Apologies for the delay. To many problems in my life but without further ado, here is part 7 a.

I haven't been able to give justice to this part but it'll make sense once I post part 7b.

It is a long read. 😳

Forgotten Melody

Part 7 a

Forever and Never

"Zoya," a soothing voice caressed through the thick sound of the rain outside as it lashed down against the windows of the villa. The thunderstorm outside seemed to be endless these past few months, showing no desire to stop. The downpour however did not cool the passion and love Asad felt for his wife. He looked at Zoya relieved and accomplished, a victorious smile traced his lips as he devoured her sleeping form with utmost awe. "Zoya, it's time to wake up," Asad spoke in the most sexy rugged voice he could, lowering his lips to her neck, his voice resonated tenderly on her neck making the tiny hairs there stand deliciously on end, his hands applied a gentle pressure on her bare leg and she stirred in response to his caress.

This, the night before, his feelings - it was different from the night at the farmhouse, a whole new territory for both of them, for him especially. The whole waking up in each other's arms, naked, the morning after the night before made Asad particularly nervous, and this time he knew well not to be devil's advocate and yell. This time he needed to say the right things just like in those rom-coms he secretly binged watched on Netflix to amp up his perfect husband game. He both cringed and smiled inwardly at his use of Netflix as a medium for romance in a desperate need to get this right. After all it would be something Zoya would do on her trusted iPad. Then again, Asad would move the sky and the mountains for Zoya if he had to.

Asad sighed longingly as Zoya stirred flirtatiously and rolled over on her side, her eyes fluttering in response to the golden shard of light the mellow sun casted through the thick clouds into the bedroom. His warm hand slid sensuously along the lengths of Zoya's hips, his hot fingers trailed over her soft, cold naked skin, recalling the events of the night before, flashing images of dampen sheets and her sensual moans and his grunts of pleasure reeled endlessly in his mind. With a tired smile Zoya scanned over Asad's appearance, the crimson on her pale cheeks deepened as she traced the contours of his naked body with an equally adoring gaze. Asad was immeasurably hotter naked. Asad smirked devilishly as his eyes met with Zoya's, a wash of relief skimmed over him. He was thankful that she had not left after their disastrous fight the night before. Last night was a step too close to losing her - all over again. Truly, Asad needed to keep a rain-check on his emotions.

Zoya propped up on the bed, her tender elbows rested on the white silk sheets supporting her weight as she leaned into Asad's caress, her weary eyes beamed with joy as she perused the contours and crevices of his chiselled body, she bit on her lower lip absorbing this new experience. The thick and lush black hair on Asad's head spiked out in every direction, the stubble on his cheeks a little more prominent than usual, and a faint purplish mark around his neck from the love bite she had given him upstaged the dark circles under his eyes from the lack of sleep. Zoya sighed in exasperation. It had been a rough couple of weeks but last night made up for all of those problems. Guess after all she would have to thank her bestie Nargis for that steamy 101 ways Cosmopolitan article she forwarded.

"Where are you lost Mr Khan," Zoya finally pouted teasingly as she nibbled his stubble and traced his jaw with the delicate fingers of her bandaged hand. She lingered on the newness of this experience, the ability to love and caress Asad, to touch him. Months ago, he would have scolded her for such shamelessness. But none of that mattered now, they were married, even if it was just a simple ceremony at home, their bond was cemented. Yet she felt he was still hiding something from her, in particular that plane ticket. Her heart reasoned that everything was ok, but deep down she could not shake off the probability of Asad discarding her and their baby, and she would end up lonely, a single parent just like her maternal mother. But still she needed to know, that plane ticket was for someone, but for whom?

Zoya could tell when he was hiding his emotions, she could tell when he was hurting but never indulged her with his innermost feelings because of his complex nature of keeping things bottled up. And last night was exactly that, Asad and his bottled up emotions, his fear of losing her and somewhere deep down her senses told her that they were fuelled feelings, fuelled by none other than his so called witch of a childhood friend Tanveer. Zoya had a suspicion that Tanveer was the cause of last night's catastrophe, but she needed proof.

Lost in thought, Zoya's gaze became distant, her eyes now fixed on the rain that washed down the glass windows in dulling grey sheets. Her eyes focused on the rain drenched lawn outstretched beyond their bedroom bay window. The first flashes of lightning illuminated the morning grey skies and thunder clasped menacingly in the distant. Her eyes washed over the beautiful pink roses and yellow tulips Asad planted for her in her absence, they stretched across most of the lawn, they swayed and danced in the wind. And Zoya recalled last night, the thoughts from last night's aftermath, the fragments of the conversation she overheard from behind the marble pillar when she waltzed over to Asad's room with her suitcase and Nargis's forwarded Cosmopolitan magazine instructions. Tanveer was the main source of the problem, her talking to Asad last night was painful to watch. How dare Tanveer accuse her of setting out to harm herself and the baby? If Zoya thought right, then Tanveer was out to wedge a big gap between her and Asad. Maybe Tanveer wanted Asad?

Tanveer's words blazed in Zoya's mind, distancing her further from Asad momentarily:

Jammy, hum jaante hai ke aap bahut pareshaan hai. When Zoya had insisted on changing the cylinder, that's when I felt that she was up to something. Zoya set up that explosion to hurt you Jammy because you forced her to marry you, toh wo aap se badlaa le rahi hai. Even the reverie, Zoya could hear the malice behind Tanveer's voice.

Lost in her thoughts Zoya's hand tightened, her blood soiled bandaged hand clenched Asad's jawline intensely, as the fragments of Tanveer's words inflicted more pain and a numbing fog encompassed her mind. Her heart ached thinking about that plane ticket. Did he really want Zoya gone?

Har saans ke saat dua karoonga ke wo jahaan bhi rahein wo khush rahen. I'm not cancelling the plane ticket. I've decided for her already. It's for her own good. Despite the calm his embrace brought this morning, his words from last night stung, her heart numb as her eyes focused on the rain outside.

Somewhere deep down she could not dismiss her suspicions that the plane ticket was for her and Asad was about to transfer her out of India because of the gas cylinder incident. The corner of her eyes pricked with fresh tears, the thought of living without him resurfaced. All of this made her unsure of what her and their baby's future looked like as long as Tanveer lived under the same roof with them.

"Zoya- " Asad's voice sounded alarmed through the haze as he tried to bring Zoya out of her pensive state, his voice seemed distant in Zoya's reverie. His lips were moving but all she could register in her mind was last night's events.

Asad lifted his head off the white silk pillow tentatively, his movement jerky, somewhat nervous as he looked at Zoya, his eyebrows knotted in worry as he tried to figure out the reason behind this new problem that had consumed Zoya so mercilessly in the morning. This wasn't supposed to happen. Well at least that's not what he remembered from those Netflix series. Asad stared at her as she looked on at her bandaged hand that rested on his chin, her big brown eyes reflected hurt and uncertainty. Asad was not sure of the source of this new pain, but he felt it was most likely about last night. This is not how he imagined this morning would be. It was supposed to be all romantic and steamy, and everything else simply should have been water under the bridge.

"Zoya? -" Asad voiced his unease a little louder as his breath fanned over her face and he traced her lower lip with his index finger hoping the contact would get her attention and bring her out of the miserable thoughts. Zoya glanced at the red spots of dried blood on the bandages of her hand and then her eyes rested on Asad's lips registering his concern. Images from the gas cylinder blast still reeled like a movie in her mind. She could have died and Tanveer had to be the one behind it. Things just did not seem right when Tanveer was lurking around, the overwhelming sense of suffocation consumed Zoya, and her eyes flickered alarmingly to the window as a shadow fled past. It had to be, she could not be imagining this, she was sure she saw a shadow there, a person? Definitely a person was eaves dropping.

"Zoya - look at me?" Asad said his low voice urgent, cutting through the noise of Zoya's thoughts.

Zoya blinked several times as she finally registered Asad's concerned voice through the haze, she blinked harder, yet her eyes focused on the shadow that flashed sneakily pass the window of their room. She could have sworn she saw someone eavesdropping through the window, a whoosh of a yellow dupatta or something, but all the colours looked muddled past the window in the rainy backdrop. Damn Asad and his love for light airy rooms with no curtains or blinds, Zoya grimaced looking at the naked bay window. She would need to install blinds or something for their privacy but not wanting to start an argument over his silly 17^th century methods Zoya brushed off her thoughts about Tanveer and the fight from last night. She shifted her gaze over the room, her eyes settled on the semi-packed suitcase on the green settee near the window. The suitcase Asad was busy organising last night during his call about a plane ticket. Stifling her inner turmoil, Zoya decided it was time to be up front with Asad, she needed clarity.

"Are you kicking me out?" Zoya spoke bluntly as she turned to face him square on. Sure Asad was angry about the gas cylinder accident but this suitcase and that plane ticket was a drastic measure.

"I'm guessing this is about last night?" Asad spoke nervously sensing the edge in Zoya's voice; his warm fingers amorously traced the burnt scar that stretched across Zoya's right arm, his actions were to reassure her of his vows to her, he had accepted her, her tantrums, her messy-clumsy behaviour and her scars and all. Asad observed Zoya looking at the suitcase near the window seat and realised she must have heard the phone call last night. It truly was in her best interest; but as always he knew Zoya had jumped to the wrong conclusions. Just like the time she confused his cancelled D.E.A.L for a broken D.I.L scenario with his foreign business contact.

"Before you say anything Zoya, please hear me out," Asad began to explain but was cut off as Zoya pushed Asad and walked away from the bed to gather her silk night robe off the floor, turning around to face him as he sat up in bed confused. Here we go again, Asad grimaced pinching the bridge of his nose in sheer frustration as she dressed herself in the robe.

"Look Mr. Khan, I know you, like the real you, and while I don't like everything about you especially the 17^th century Jahapaanah complex you have ... you have major commitment issues which you need to address. Sirf ek accident tha, I'm alive and we're both fine, so you don't have to ship me off on the first plane far away from here because you think that is what is best for me. Seriously I'm not a disaster waiting to happen. I'm an independent woman," Zoya spoke bravely as she caressed her baby bump. Asad saw where her hand had paused, his eyes glazed with feral possessiveness as he got up out of bed and knelt next to Zoya, his hands reached out and traced the baby bump affectionately; he lifted his eyes to meet her weary ones, raw possessive passion flared between them.

"Well Mrs Independent, it's not what you think,"Asad's voice hitched ignoring the accusation she threw his way. He reached up and smoothed an unruly strand of hair behind Zoya's ear, the simple touch eliciting a warm feeling of belonging as Zoya forgot the argument and immersed herself into his touch for a few seconds. Realising she looked like a love sick puppy; she corrected her stance and continued the argument.

"Then correct me Mr Stubborn! Just say yes or no. You think that plane ticket is the best thing for me?" Zoya countered, her eyes drank every inch of him, his Adam's apple bobbed in response. She had put him in an awkward place. Like seriously he believed the plane ticket was a good idea but a yes and no wasn't the way to explain it. Dodging the question, he answered anyway.

"Fine, so I'm stubborn. But ... Sometimes I feel like you really don't want me to love you Zoya, like you're trying to push me away, because I'm no good for you," Asad's voice faltered, his heart sinking once more. He could not dislodge the sick feeling in the pit of his stomach, that maybe Tanu was right. Maybe Zoya didn't want to be with Asad. But then again, Zoya's behaviour, the jealousy, the hurt, the possessiveness, her love all suggested otherwise.

"Of course - only YOU would think like that, - I bet that is what you have been telling yourself since you first fell in love with me all those months ago," Zoya scoffed, her face scrunched in disappointment. Seriously, all she wanted to know who the plane ticket was for and here they were going around in circles. Again.

"It's what I know," Asad spoke resolutely, a touch of anger colouring his tone remembering the gas cylinder accident, a pained looked burnt across his features, his grip on Zoya tightening as Tanveer's poisonous words about Zoya deliberately hurting herself as revenge for the coercion he used to bring Zoya back to Khan villa now mocked him. No - no he didn't want to believe Zoya would ever do that, would she?

"Asad ... you're wrong," Zoya voiced her pain as she pushed him away, walking over to the suitcase to pack away the clothes spilling over the edge. She knew after the whole Manglpur incident leading up to the farmhouse romance, Asad had always kept Zoya away from him, near but at always at arm's length , not too near; he was so scared that he would hurt her and that his love would not be enough.

"You didn't answer my question. Look right now ALL I want to know is who that plane ticket is for - so put me out of my misery. You think that plane ticket is the best thing for me - Yes or no?" Zoya stared at Asad, wishing she had minding reading abilities because his expression gave nothing away.

"You're right," Asad said at last, losing his cool, his voice thick with emotions Zoya could not decipher. He didn't finish his sentence, his shoulders hung in defeat, like he was out of excuses, he walked towards the edge of the bed where his clothes were discarded last night. Not wanting to feel hurt, Zoya turned on her heel towards the door; her fingers gripped the door knob till they paled and her heart felt broken once more, her feet trying to find ground as she perceived her world falling apart. But Asad acted fast, his hands were placed either side of her head, his palms possessively flat against the door, trapping her and stopping her from leaving. He seized Zoya spontaneously, until her back rested flushed against his torso, his one hand traced her hips through her robe and reached the small bump on her tummy, and his other hand tangled around Zoya's lush black hair, gently pulling on her head exposing her delicate neck where his heated lips pressed an amorous kiss.

"I have no intention of EVER letting you go. The plane ticket is NOT for you. I think its best we start on a clean slate, minus any third parties and complications. Just trust me, ok?" Asad spoke resolutely; his words traced a steamy path along the side of her neck. "So please stop acting like a child and see reason," he stated irately. Zoya opened her mouth to counter him but soon closed it, stunned into silence by his possessiveness. A single tear slid down her cheek, her heart pulsated erratically at the dominating behaviour Asad displayed.

"I'm going to have shower and then we're heading out," Asad spoke authoritatively as he placed a tender kiss on Zoya's lips, "And as for that suitcase ... in case you haven't noticed, you need new clothes. Your old ones aren't fitting well so I packed them away. Now get ready, we have lots to do for the wedding reception" he grimaced inwardly. So much for trying to be helpful and considerate, Asad brooded inwardly. Zoya huffed, looking down at her bump - Jerk, she thought, she wasn't that big.

"But ... but the plane ticket ... whose it for?" Zoya called out after his retreating form confused as he disappeared into the bath room and the sound of the shower drowned out the rest of the argument. Great Asad doing what he does best, Zoya thought to herself, as she decided to go and make breakfast.

----

"And good morning to you," Najma looked gleefully at Zoya leaving Asad's room, happy that her brother and Zoya had resolve their differences. Najma smiled excitedly as she rounded the large oak table arranging the plates and mugs for breakfast with surgical precision, while Dilshaad prepared breakfast. Tomorrow was the big day, Asad and Zoya's much awaited wedding reception and that meant they were going shopping today.

"Good morning," Zoya managed awkwardly as she pulled the huge sleeves of her gown up as she walked over towards Dilshaad, her eyes glanced right and left looking for Tanveer, it had to be her eavesdropping early in the morning. Zoya planted a gentle kiss on Dilshaad's cheek and began making coffee for Asad, scrunching her nose as she did at the black bitter coffee granules earning a giggle or two from Dilshaad.

"So you took our collective advice after all, and went back to your and Asad's room," Dilshaad beamed with joy.

"Ji," Zoya smiled awkwardly but her smile faltered as her eyes caught the same yellow dupatta descending down the hallway. The owner of the yellow dupatta had spiteful eyes fixed on Zoya but soon she wore that sickly sweet smile on her face.

"Good morning Khala, dekiye naa, I made kheer this morning for everyone," Tanveer waltzed over with a feline stride, placing the bowl in the centre of the table. "Jammy ko bahut pasand hai. After last night's disaster, I thought it would lift his mood," Tanveer looked to Zoya, her words syrupy but with malice. She wanted to make sure Zoya felt distant from Asad. After all she was his childhood friend, she knew him more than Zoya and it was only right if she was with Asad and not Zoya.

"Sure, whatever," Dilshaad spoke indifferently as she and Najma occupied themselves with finishing breakfast preps.

Tanveer rounded the corner of the oak table where Zoya was approaching with a hot mug of coffee, her eyes like a hawk waiting for the perfect moment to hit the target. She wanted to make sure only Zoya heard this, to make sure everyone turned against Zoya, otherwise her plans would only fail.

"Zoya ... muhje ek baat samajh mein nahin aaati ... I mean I have a front row tickets, you could say premier seat tickets to the most talked about wedding in town. Yet I feel like there's more. You're not very friendly with me," Tanveer faked hurt as she stirred the kheer with the final touches of pistachios, her voice low with intent.

Zoya glared at Tanveer as she treaded carefully towards the table with the hot coffee mug in hand. "Tanveer, I have no idea what you're mumbling about," Zoya decided indifference was the best way to respond to her.

"Oh come on now Zoya. I'm just teasing," Tanveer grinned, "You know ... no one told me the reason behind this rushed nikkah. I mean you've only known Asad for a few months. He brings you back here one night and the next thing you know is you've snapped him all for yourself. And that my dear can mean a lot of things ... right?" Tanveer taunted Zoya, her words intonated with surgical precision. It didn't take much to know what Tanveer implied. That bitch, Zoya cursed inwardly.

"Drop it Tanveer, this whole caring act of yours," Zoya grimaced before she tried to change the subject, "Isn't the weather looking better outside," she diverted her attention to the lone stream of sunlight stretching across the house. Zoya calmed herself; she wasn't going to let Tanveer make her miserable again. Tomorrow was the wedding reception and Tanveer was out to ruin it, Zoya thought to herself.

"Oh you're such a prude Zoya. Seriously your attempt to divert the topic ... dismal haha. Let me make myself clearer," Tanveer whispered low only for Zoya to hear as she inched forward and sat upright like a cobra at the table. "There are so many rumours out there, Zoya. Men like Asad Ahmed Khan like women who are traditional ... say women who are direct, sweet and good natured - like hmmm say like me. So it won't be long before your deer-caught-in-the-headlights-whimsical-innocent-girl-act' and that NY foreign girl appeal bores him out of his mind and then nothing will keep him running towards other women," Tanveer gritted the last words with as much malice as she could, her voice still syrupy sweet.

"What?" Zoya's voice was meek, her body tensed at the implications behind Tanveer's words as she placed the coffee mug onto the table with force but her hands still clutched the porcelain handles of Asad's favourite mug firmly. Did Tanveer just refer to Zoya as a gold digger?

"Oh come now Zoya," Tanveer cooed, as she stretched her hand out across the table and held Zoya's hands pretending to care, "That was pretty bitchy of me, so I apologise," Tanveer flashed a hostile smile at Zoya.

Zoya's pulled her hand away from Tanveer's grip, taking the coffee mug with her. But Tanveer had the final blow as she stood and slowly walked over towards Zoya and whispered in her ears.

"It's simple Zoya, let's do the maths. One handsome, well known, respected and extremely rich Asad Ahmed Khan plus one orphan, rejected, poor Zoya with no real surname, no identity of her own, and adding those together does not equal true love," Tanveer grinned at the taunt she knew would hurt Zoya.

Hurt, Zoya clenched her teeth, her anger seethed as she glared at Tanveer's off-handed insult. She turned to face her, her eyes like steel fixed on Tanveer. If looks could kill, then Zoya's eyes were definitely bordering on murderous. How dare Tanveer imply that she had trapped Asad? That was something a low life like Tanveer would do. But Zoya was finally convinced, the cat was out of the bag. Tanveer definitely hated her, and she made sure that no one else heard what she had just said. Zoya needed to fight her off alone. Who knew what plan Tanveer was conspiring in her evil mind?

"So why don't you tell me your theory Tanveer? Because it seems to me that you're dying of jealousy that I am where you want to be. Am I right or am I right?" Zoya's voice was dangerously low ... "What do you think your poor Jammy's reasons are for marrying me huh? Do you think I blackmailed him? Slipped his coffee with a love potion? Did I drug him? Huh? Tannu why don't you just get lost - " Zoya's voice gained volume, she was mad furious at Tanveer.

Tanveer tilted her head to the side, a crazy demonic smile splayed across her lips as she inched closer to Zoya. "Oh Zoya, you make it so easy for me ... but here's something I know. It'll be our little secret. I've called the doctor ... kya naam tha?" Tanveer spoke as she dunked her nasty index finger into the coffee Zoya made for Asad and took one long savouring taste while Zoya still clutched the mug in her hands, her tongue lapping the last bit of coffee on her fingers - "Haan! Dr Mirza," she intonated each syllable, her voice like sticky toffee and sick with malice as she stared at Zoya.

The mug of steaming dark coffee in Zoya's hand fell to the floor with a resounding bang, as she lost her grip on the handle; her body tensed realising the meaning behind Tanveer's threat. That had to be a threat. Why else would she be mentioning Dr Mirza? And how did she come to know about Dr Mirza? Dilshaad and Najma dropped everything they were doing as the high-pitched scream that escaped Zoya's lungs reached the end of the kitchen.

Asad had just finished dressing when he heard the shattering of glassware and the piercing screams coming from the dining room. He swung open his room door in frenzy and he saw Zoya scream in agony. The hot coffee scalded her feet when the mug made impact with the ground. "Zoya -" his voice trembled with fear as he rushed to her side, bowing near her crouching form, moving everyone out of the way, his hands clasped her hands where she clutched the burning pain on her left foot, panic lacing his actions. Zoya winced in agony, recoiling from his touch as she removed his hands to show the burnt skin. The skin on her left foot shrivelled and had pulled away from her ankle exposing pink and blackened tissue and blood. "Don't - touch me, it hurts more when you apply pressure -" Zoya whimpered weakly through raspy sobs. The pain of the hot coffee was not the only source of agony, as Zoya glared at Tanveer. It was only a matter of time that Tanveer would use whatever she had found out from Dr. Mirza against her. Not that she felt the need to hide any of it but the last thing she needed was for Asad or his family to be disgraced if Tanveer decided to tell the world the reason for the rushed wedding or worst.

Wounded by Zoya's command not to touch her, Asad felt offended, a brief flash of pain crossed his face as he looked at Zoya struggling to rise to her feet. His eyes glazed over, he swallowed the hurt dislodged in his throat and eased his arms around her stopping her from falling and closing the distance as he lifted her into his arms, his face straight, eyes lasered on her eyes daring her to deny him again. Before she could protest, he spoke authoritatively, "Just don't," Asad's voiced angrily.

He felt she was hiding something again but decided not to ask her about it. He trusted her enough that she would eventually tell him. The more important thing to do was to get the burns on her left foot sterilised and dressed by a doctor. Zoya reached over and squeezed Asad's hands with her hands; he stopped all the fussing and looked up to meet her teary gaze. "I'm sorry -" Zoya voiced meekly, pressing her warm forehead against his forehead inhaling his cologne for comfort.

"You should have been more careful Zoya," Asad breathed his words on Zoya's face, his tone sharp but his eyes looked to her with affectionate rage. He controlled his anger right now, he wasn't going to lecture her on being clumsy, and it was only fair he kept his cool. He began dialling the doctor on his mobile but was cut off abruptly by Zoya. "Mr Khan -" Zoya whispered.

"Asad -" he corrected her.

"Woh actually, we should call your family doctor for this. And believe me all that happened was ... I made coffee for you but I slipped on the way to the table. I was not paying attention and then my foot slipped on some kheer ..." Zoya spoke weakly through tearless sobs and then pointed to the thick clotted white blobs of kheer on the floor nearest to her. She then glared at Tanveer who looked aghast. Yep that's right Tanveer, two can play at this game, Zoya thought inwardly.

"Kheer?" Asad said befuddled.

"Jammy woh mein -" Tanveer began to explain herself, sweat trickled down her face, her fingers twiddled in fear but she was abruptly interrupted by Zoya.

"Asad, Tannu made the kheer. I'm not insinuating anything but she was far too occupied in whatever she was daydreaming about, and she fell it all over the place," Zoya said coolly, "But it's no big deal!."

"No big deal?" Asad snorted in contempt, his eyes wide at Zoya defending Tannu. "But it is a big deal," Asad's words sharpened as he raised his voice, "Tannu tumhein kheer banaane ki kya zaroorat thi? You made loads yesterday and no one ate it. Such a waste and then you made more today. And look, just look at Zoya's foot," Asad roared as he confronted Tanveer.

"Par Jammy, hum sirf Khaala ki madat kar rahein te, aur na jaane kahan se Zoya aagayi and she fell herself, please believe me. I didn't mean to hurt her," Tanveer sobbed pleading her innocence, her eyes stunned by Asad's anger.

"What?" Zoya exasperated through pain, "I - I bumped into you?" she said in disbelief, anger rising at her core as she looked at Tanveer's shenanigans.

"Jammy I was still upset about last night. The gas cylinder explosion made me feel scared. It made me remember all I've lost already. Sab katam ho gaya, sab kuch barbaad ho gaya. Kanpur mein mera ghar, meri workshop, meri factory sab aag mein jal kar ... it's destroyed. I got lost in my thoughts. I didn't mean to," Tanveer cried more, her hands tightly gripped onto Asad's hands as she tried to plead she was innocent.

"Ek minute -" Dilshaad interjected, "You're lying Tanveer. I know and you know very well that you're lying."

"Par Khaala -" Tanveer feigned innocence.

"No Tanveer. I'm going to talk and everyone will listen to me. Your factory isn't burnt down. In fact it's running just fine. I ordered a few suits from there to gift to our guests tomorrow. In fact I have the parcels right here. Look Asad!" Dilshaad spoke confidently as she showed Asad all the paper work.

"Meher Creations, its Tanveer's website and factory address and all. Aur toh aur look at these bank statements with the latest sales that came on her name at our address. I made sure I hid this post from her otherwise I would have never found out. And in the bank statements it's quite clear Meher Creations is working just fine. And just a few minutes ago you said your factory has burnt down," Dilshaad's tone was sharp with anger and distrust. Asad clutched the papers in his hands deciphering what was real and what wasn't.

"Jammy, please listen to me. Khaala has it all wrong. I had a factory and it did burn down. Believe me. My business partner decided to start the work again. She kept the same brand name and website. But I have nothing to do with it. I don't have any shares or partnerships anymore. I don't have a factory," Tanveer pleaded her case in front of Asad.

"I don't get one thing Tannu. You're saying that it's not your factory anymore right?" Asad spoke hastily, "Then why is the bank statements of the factory posted on your name to this address. Shouldn't these go to the new owner and not to your bank account? And why has it been posted here/" Asad questioned, confused about his childhood friend Tannu.

"Asad there are more of these statements dated from three months ago like these under her bed and lots of money," Dilshaad interrupted.

"But Jammy, please believe me he burnt everything down. He burnt everything down, I can explain everything. Believe me I HAD to do everything this way," Tanveer sobbed loudly, large crocodile tears to feign innocence.

"Who are you talking about Tannu?" Asad approached his childhood friend.

"He ... my ex-husband," Tanveer smirked inwardly at her lies knowing that it wasn't going to be too difficult to make a fool of Asad.

"Tumhara Nikaah ho gayya?" Asad questioned in disbelief.

"I didn't want to tell anyone about it because that Nikaah means nothing at all. Wo rishta, rishta nahin ta, gulami ti. Jammy you have no idea how much I had to go through to escape from him. He treated me like an animal. He stole all my money to pay for all the alcohol and drugs he was addicted to. He slept around with other women while he made me slave away at the factory for money. He would violently beat me. But then I decided ENOUGH WAS ENOUGH, that I wasn't going to take any more of his crap. And so I paid my factory worker to burn the factory down and then I ran away. I had insurance cover which I shared out to my workers. My business partner decided to reopen the factory again. To protect myself I didn't put my name on the factory, to stop my ex-husband from tracking me. My business partner sends me the bills so I can keep track of her sales for her. She sends me some money too, because she has a nice heart. Socha ta ... that everything was behind me and I was free. I didn't tell you before because I didn't want to cause you any pain. I'm saving the money she sends to start a new future," Tanveer sobbed heavily as she clutched Asad's hands.

"But I saw you Tanveer," Dilshaad spoke, her discomfort grew as she tried to figure out if Tanveer was telling the truth, "and Tanveer I overheard everything you said that night of the bus accident. You were talking to some guy called Omar just outside the house. You asked him if all the records of your transactions were erased and you paid him money for something else but I couldn't hear the rest," Dilshaad interrogated, "You didn't mention anything about the factory to him. It was like you were paying him to keep his mouth shut. I saw you gave him lots and lots of money."

"Khaala aap ko galat femi hoowi hai, you've got it all wrong. Omar is my old factory clerk and he watches over the factory. I paid him to burn the factory down and delete the security camera surveillance feed to ensure his safety. And to make sure we got insurance money. I had no place to go, and no one to help me escape my violent husband. So I decided to run away and burn down my hard work so my husband could never find me. If you think I was wrong then I'm wrong. Please forgive me Jammy, mein aap logo ko pareshaan nahin karna chahti ti," Tanveer rasped through heavy sobbing.

"Don't worry Tanveer. Forget the past now and we'll figure something out. If that ex-husband of yours ever bothers you again then I'll take care of him. Ammi you should have asked her before accusing her of something else, she was scared and that is all," Asad spoke, rage prominent in his voice.

"But Asad, that night of the bus accident it didn't sound as though she was talking about the factory. She was talking about some blast that he had arranged for her," Dilshaad looked puzzled. She was confident she heard it right that night about a blast and something about a court case.

"Ammi ek hi baat hai. Blast and burnt down factory same thing, so please stop making her feel like a criminal," Asad decided enough was enough as he walked back towards Zoya enveloping her in his arms and began dialling the family doctor Dr Malik on his phone and all the while he caressed her to comfort her. Zoya tried her best to hide the anger rising in her over Tanveer. Seriously Asad didn't even listen to his mother when it came to Tanveer. And as far as Tanveer's story about an ex-husband and the burnt factory, Zoya felt that Tanveer was lying. And seriously right now she was hurt, her scalded foot was in pain because of Tanveer but Asad spent too long talking to that witch friend of his. That irritated her.

The doorbell rang and Najma answered. There stood a tall slender fair woman, in a layered vest top, indigo skinny jeans and luggage at her side. Her long black hair was voluminous and loosely curled. The tall raven beauty was preoccupied chewing away at a minty gum in her mouth and then she did the most bizarre thing, she tugged the postal letters from the postman at the door, the postman who was too busy checking the leggy beauty out. She sifted through their post which Najma found bizarre. "Excuse me, but who are you and why are you going through our mail," Najma questioned.

The tall raven beauty was blowing big bubbles of gum from her mouth until it popped. "Oh my god babes, yes finally the third wheel will be gone!" she exclaimed with sheer joy, her American accent squealed across the villa. She looked at the plane ticket with Tanveer Baig's name typed as the passenger. Hiding the sheer joy she looked at Najma and then forced the postal envelopes into Najma's hands except the plane ticket. She was going to give that to her bestie Zoya first. She reshuffled her hair and then dragged her luggage through the front door.

"Er, hello?" Najma looked puzzled at the raven beauty.

"Oh so sorry babes, totally rude of me. I'm Nargis, and you must be Najma aka Tamatar and babes my bestie did not tell me how beautiful you are," Nargis spoke genuinely as she enveloped Najma in a bone crushing hug and then ran across the villa extending another bone crushing hug to Dilshaad. "You must be Dilshaad Aunty," Nargis giggled, "Zoya tells me you make the best food in the world," Nargis continued her admiration of the Khans and their home. She twirled in amazement as she looked at the villa, her breath caught at the four storey of gleaming white stone, marble pillars and grand staircase and a massive patio which opened to luxurious tall greenery and roses and tulips. Yellow tulips and pink roses, Zoya's favourite she acknowledged.

"Oh Zoya, I'm so happy to see you babes," Nargis finally went towards Zoya and flashed the envelope containing the plane ticket. Zoya snatched it straight away; her eyes read the name on it several times. Zoya sighed, relief washed over her. She felt overwhelmed with joy and not quite sure how to thank Asad for this. "You kept your promise," Zoya finally blurted out as she turned to Asad, ignoring the pain in her left foot.

"I always keep my promises," Asad said before placing a kiss on Zoya's forehead.

"Tanveer, this is for you," Zoya winced as she trudged forward limping. She placed the envelope in her hands defiantly, a small victorious smile played in on her lips as she pictured Tanveer leaving soon in her mind.

End of part 7a

Apologies for the abrupt end but hope to continue soon with part 7 b 😉

Like, comment and let me know what you think?

Res

Res mine

Good to see you back

awesome part

Awesome update after soo long..!!

Originally posted by: shweta_yadav

Res mine

Dillu apru .addu n ashi

Thanks for the res..🤗

Originally posted by: shweta_yadav

Res mine

Dillu apru .addu n ashi

Thanks Shweta sweetu