Hi
Here is the next chapter. And I know I have mentioned office romance as precap along with last update, but since I had to include some other portions, I couldn't include much of it along with this update. I hope you will forgive me if the update is not good enough. And please continue reading.
A heart thanks to all who find time to read my story and encourages me with your likes and comments.And those who wish to have pms, please send buddy requests.
Chapter 21
On reaching KV, Asad informed Rashid and Dilshad about his trip. Not to mention that both were tensed. Rashid decided that there is no option rather than postponing the marriage. He was of the opinion that it is highly risky, if Asad couldn't make it on time, he would have to miss his own marriage ceremonies like Mehendi and Sangeet. So Rashid informed that they would talk to Zoya's parents and would postpone the marriage for a week or so. Rashid also told that he need not worry about the arrangements done. Even if they have a bear some loss also, that is not of much problem.
As he was about to call Anwar, Ayaan came from outside. On seeing Rashid, Asad and Dilshad together,
Ay: "It is good that you guys are here. I need to tell you something very urgent."
Di: " That is fine. But beta, where were you all day? Busy with friends, huh? Don't forget that we don't have much days for Asad's marriage and you are roaming with your friends rather than helping me and your abbu with the arrangements."
Ra: " Dilshad, now stop this. Let me call Anwar and inform him about postponing the marriage. It is very late now. Asad you should have informed this today morning itself."
Ay: "Post poning marriage, but why? No abbu please don't postpone bhai's marriage. I want to with him in the most important day of his life. I don't want to miss it."
Ra: "What are you saying Ayaan. What does postponing Asad's marriage has to do with your attending the wedding?"
Ay: " I have been to embassy and visa office today. My papers are ready and I have to report in the hospital where I am doing internship and research three days after bhai's marriage . That means I will have to leave next day after bhai's marriage. So if you postpone the marriage, I won't be able to attend. I wanted to tell you people this news."
Ra: "Ya Allah, now what?"
Dil: "My child has to leave so soon."
Ay: "Oh Ammi please, I am not getting married and leaving for husband's house. You knew this very well that i have to go abroad for two years. So please stop over reacting."
As: "Please don't panic. I will come back in time. I have informed Zoya also regarding the meeting. Pune is so near by. So there won't be any problem, abbu. Please trust me. And please abbu I want Ayaan to be there for my marriage. "
Ay: "Abbu please, when bhai is telling he will be back on time, then there is no need to worry. You know bhai always keeps his promises. Please abbu."
Rashid looked towards Dilshad and nodded her head in affirmation.
Ra: " Then it is final we are not postponing the marriage. But Asad make sure that you are back in time. And what were arrangements you need to do, make sure you complete it before leaving for Pune."
As: " Arrangements? "
Dil: " Ya Allah what to do with this boy? Beta its your marriage. If you don't have any arrangements, then who has to? Shopping has to be done earlier."
Ay: " Ammi don't worry about bhai's dresses. I have talked to the designer. He has agreed to do it in a short notice. I am taking the responsibility of bhai's dressed of all functions. You take care of Bhabhi's shopping."
As: " With arrangements abbu , I think I should make certain modifications in my room. Bcoz I don't think anybody else will be able to share my room they way it is now. I mean new wardrobes, new furniture etc if it is ok with you."
Ra: " Beta, you can do whatever changes you need to do. But only thing is that you need to speed up. We don't have much time. "
Ayaan moved to Asad and told: "Bhai, new furniture haan? Be honest and tell you are planning to buy new bed. But bhai, actually there is no need. The one in your room is quite strong enough."
As: " Ayaan..."
Ayaan ran away from there and Asad ran behind him. Seeing both her sons happy, Dilshad was in tears. Rasid moved to Dilshad and comforted her.
Di: " I am so happy that we got our Asad back after years. I never thought I would be able to see my son happy and smiling again like this. Hope everything goes well. I am scared now."
Ra: " Don't worry Dilshad. Now nothing will go wrong.. Even I am happy for our son. Zoya's love has changed him, brought back to his own self. I am sure Ammi will also be very happy to see Asad like this."
Ayaan and Asad in Asad's room,
Both were lying in Asad's bed.
Ay: "Bhai I am so happy for you. Thanks to Zoya bhabhi that she came to your life. Otherwise ...I have never told you bhai, but I really missed you in the last six years. "
Asad noticed tears in Ayaan's eyes
As: " I am sorry Ayaan . I never meant to hurt you and ammi abbu but it happened so."
Ay: " Its ok bhai . Better late than never. I knew very well that there was some problem that changed you a lot in the past. But anyway thanks to Allah that he sent bhabhi into our lives. I am really very happy for you bhai..."
As: " Ayaan you are right. I had some insecurity in my life and some instances which led to those insecurities. But Zoya helped me to overcome those insecurities ... Ayaan those happened ..."
Ay: " Bhai please lets not talk about the past. I don't want to know that also. We will forget those bad memories and will make space for new and good ones. And by the by where are you taking bhabhi for honey moon?"
As: " Honeymoon???"
Ay: " Of course bhai honey moon. Please don't say that you haven't thought about that till now."
As: " No Ayaan . I haven't thought about that till now."
Ay: " Bhai please, you are impossible. Atleast tell me you know what happens between husband and wife right? "
Ayaan giggled and Asad was red with embarrassment.
As: " Now stop it. Dont forget I am your elder brother. And for your information, I am not that innocent as you think about me. And about honey moon, it is true that I haven't planned anything as everything happened so suddenly and I didn't get time to plan it.
And moreover I don't think I will be able to go for honey moon any soon as there is a new project coming up and can't take leave for long."
Ay: " That is too bad bhai, No honeymoon. What will bhabhi think about you? That you are an unromantic and boring person? "
As: " Of course not Ayaan. She knows how busy I am and she won't mind."
Ay: " Oh ho Made for each other types huh? Come lets have dinner. I am feeling hungry. And by the by bhai , tomorrow we will meet the designer and finalise the wedding outfits. "
As: " Ok "
In the meantime, in Farroqui mansion also everybody was worried about Asad's trip. Anwar also decided that it would be better to postpone the wedding. He called Rashid for informing the same. But then Rashid informed Anwar about Ayaan's visa. And it was decided by both families that the wedding would not be postponed.
The next few days went in a hurry. Everybody was busy with the arrangements. Asad was busy with the renovation of his room, his wedding outfits shopping and above all office. Ayaan was busy with marriage preparations as well as his travel preparations. Zeenat was busy with arrangements and above all wedding shopping. Since Zoya was advised rest and also that she did not enjoy shopping, Zeenat had to do most of the shopping with Nikhat and Najma. Asad's dadi had specially instructed everybody that Zoya's wedding dress as well as jewellery will be her gift. Hence most of the shopping except for Zoya's wedding dress and jewellery has been done. Nikhat and Najma were more excited than Zoya. Zoya was strictly confined to her room as she needed rest. Hence everybody except Zoya were busy where as Zoya was bored to death. But everyday, Asad made it a point to visit Zoya in the evenings after office. But being busy with his schedule in office and marriage preparations, he couldn't spend much time with her. But Zoya never complained to Asad that he did not give her enough time. They couldn't talk over the phone also. Asad would be busy during the day and at night after taking the medicines after dinner, Zoya would drift to sleep even if she doesn't want. Some times, Zoya thought she would skip the medicines, but then she decided she wouldn't do that as she did not want to have any health problems at the time of marriage. So both of them were waiting for the day when Zoya would start going to office, so that atleast they could be in front of each other all day. And finally the day came when Zoya was rejoining the office after leave. But still doctor had asked her to continue some medicines for a week more.
It was Monday and Zoya was really excited to go to office as she was going back to work after almost two weeks and above all she was happy that Asad will be there. Hence she has just now recovered from her illness, Zeenat had specially instructed her not to drive. So Haider was supposed to drop her at office. As they were about to leave, Zoya got a call from Asad that he has to go for an urgent meeting in a client's office and he would be back only after lunch. On hearing this, Zoya was a bit disappointed but still she was excited to get back to work.
She was welcomed by all her collegues. Everybody was very happy to see Zoya back in office. They also congratulated her for her new project.
Soon she had to attend team meeting, and she was busy with the meeting for almost an hour.
Soon after the meeting Deepak came to meet her
De: " How are you Zoya? Fine? "
Zo: "Of course Deepak. I am very fine. How is your father Deepak? How was his operation?"
De: " He is fine. There was a little complication, but he is fine now. And all thanks to you Zoya. Is is because of you that I was able to be with him. And you had to face all the trouble because of me. If you hadn't gone to Bangalore instead of me, you would have been better. I am really sorry for that Zoya."
Zo: " Deepak please don't be formal. I am fine now and there is no need of thanks also. You are my friend and you were always there for my help. And my illness, it has nothing to do with Bangalore trip. Please don't blame yourself. I am fine."
De: " But Zoya, still I am sorry."
Zo: " Its fine Deepak. It is ok. We will get back to work. There is so much to do and less time."
De: " Less time. There is enough time. And for Zoya it is more than enough for you."
Zo: " No Deepak, I have to finish atleast half of the work before taking leave."
De: " Leave but why Zoya? You are still not ok.?"
Zo: " No Deepak. I am fine. I am taking leave for..."
Before Zoya could complete, Asha madam came there.
Asha: " Zoya I have copied all the necessary documents related to your work to your folder in the server. Now you can start your work. Zoya, are you sure you are fine? If you feel any uneasiness, please call me. We are all here. And please there is no need to give any stress. Even Asad sir has not assigned you much load. So there is no need to be worried. Relax and do your work. And you can meet him once he comes back. "
De: "But madam, where is Asad sir?"
Mrs. Asha was about to answer but just then, Zoya replied: " He has gone for meeting in Omnisoft Consultants."
Both Deepak and Asha were shocked.
De: " But how do you know Zoya? I mean even I didn't know."
Asha: " Haan Zoya, how come you know. The plan was made today morning, even I got to know few minutes back when I called him. Even his PA, Shweta didn't know about the meeting"
Zoya realised that she was in trouble. She didn't know whether to tell them about their marriage or not. She decided she would tell them as she didn't have any option left. Just then, Asha: " Oh I forgot, You were there with me when I informed Shwetha right?"
Zoya didn't answer that instead she said: "Thanks madam for your help.Let me get back to work."
While moving to her workstation, she thought to herself that she needed to be more careful atleast till they don't announce their marriage.
Zoya got back to her work and was completely involved in it. It was almost by lunch time that Zoya got an sms from Asad to remind her to have lunch and medicines. She was happy with the swwet geture of Asad. After sometime, Nikhat came to call her for lunch. But since Zoya was too much involved in her work, she asked Nikhat to go have lunch and she will have afterwards. Nikhat felt that Zoya may be planning to have lunch with Asad and hence she decided to have her lunch. But before Nikhat could go for lunch, her team mate asked for some help. So Nikhat decided to help and then go for lunch.After almost an hour, Nikhat again came to Zoya and asked her for lunch. Again Zoya asked Nikhat to have lunch and that she would have later. So Nikhat went to have lunch alone and as she was returning from cafeteria, she met Asad. He was coming back from the meeting. It was almost 2:45 pm.
Seeing Nikhat coming from cafeteria, Asad: " Why Nikhat, lunch so late? What happened you were busy? So Zoya had lunch alone without you?"
Ni: " ya sir I was a bit busy. But Zoya didn't have lunch yet?"
Asad's smile suddenly vanished
As: " Didn't have lunch means what? See what is the time now. Its going to be 3 pm. No lunch means no medicines. How can she be so irresponsible. And Nikhat you also didn't bother to ask her ."
Ni: " No sir, I asked her twice. But she asked me to carry on. I thought she might be waiting for you. "
As: " Why should she wait for me when I have clearly informed her that I would be back only after lunch."
Ni: " No sir. She didn't tell me anything. I thought so."
Asad moved to Zoya's workstation in a rage. His eyes were red with anger. Nikhat was literally running behing Asad. Everybody except Zoya could see Asad moving towards her in a rage. Zoya was so much involved in her work that she did not see Asad. Asad went and switched off monitor of Zoya's computer. Zoya stood up and turned to see who did this and was shocked to see Asad. From Asad's red eyes, she could easily make out that he was very angry. Not only Zoya, but everyone present there could make out that Asad was angry. But everyone including Zoya except Nikhat were clueless about the reason for his anger.
Deepak went to call Asha seeing Asad in such a rage. Since most of them in the office knew about the cold war going on between Asad and Zoya, most of them were tensed as to what would happen. And Deepak ran to Asha as he wanted to save Zoya somehow from Asad's anger and may be Asha could help as Asha has been working with Asad since long and they have a very good professional relation and Deepak knows that.
Asad caught hold of Zoya's hand and moved towards the door.
Zo: " Please tell me what happened? "
As: " What happened? When will you stop being irresponsible Zoya? There is a limit to everything."
Asad yelled. And no doubt Zoya was scared. She didn't understand what was her fault.Asad tightend his grip on her hand and continued moving towards the door.
Everyone was shocked and kept staring at both of them.
Zoya: " Please leave my hand. Its hurting. Please"
Asad was in such anger that he didn't hear Zoya's plea.
Just then Asha came in the way and stopped both of them.
Asha: " Sir please leave her. You are hurting her."
Just then realisation dawned on Asad that he was hurting Zoya. He looked towards her and he noticed tears in her eyes. He loosened his grip on her hand but didn't leave her hand. And moreover Asad realised that everybody is noticing them.
But before Asad could say something Asha continued: " Sir I know you are my senior and I am not supposed to tell anything. But still I am elder to you and consider this as if your elder sister is telling you. We have always noticed that you have been insulting and hurting Zoya in one way or other from the day she has joined the company. And we have never interfered in it. But today , no sir. Even if you take any action against me also I don't mind. I won't let you hurt Zoya today. I don't know what mistake she made today. But no mistake is big enough that you hurt her like this. Sir , we care for Zoya and atleast today please don't forget that she is just out of hospital bed..."
Before she could complete, Asad cut her in between,
As: " Mrs. Sharma, even I am telling that Zoya shouldn't forget that she is just out of hospital bed. "
Asha: "Means?"
As: " Means that it is almost 3 pm and Zoya hasn't taken her lunch and so does her medicines. So don't you think it is highly irresponsible on her part that she is taking her health so lightly."
Not only Asha but everybody were shocked at Asad's reply.
Asha: " Sorry sir, I didn't know that. It is just that I was worried for her."
As: " Even I am Mrs. Sharma. I am also worried about her. And I know you all care for her so do I . Afterall she is my life and my would be wife."
Asha: "Wife..."
Everyone were shocked at what Asad told.
As: " Yes wife, you heard it right Mrs. Sharma. I am engaged to Zoya and we are getting married on 18th of this month."
Asha: " Sir you are getting married to Zoya?"
As: "Yes Mrs. Sharma we are getting married on 18th.I was about to invite you all for our marriage but was waiting for Zoya to rejoin. So now let me take her if it is not a problem. And I promise you I won't hurt her." Asad said smilingly.
Asha was very much embarrassed and she nodded her head and moved away from their way. As soon as they left the room, everybody started discussing and most of them gathered around Nikhat to know how this happened. But Nikhat replied that even she doesn't know what happened between them that the equation between both of them took a 360 degree turn.
Asad took Zoya to the cafeteria and they ordered food for Zoya. Asad was still angry that he was not speaking to Zoya. Zoya gradually placed her hand over his
Zo: " Please Asad I am sorry. Please talk to me."
Asad anger melted seeing tears in Zoya's eyes.
As: "Zoya you know you have just recovered from illness and you have a busy schedule ahead. And insipite of reminding, such irresponsibility..."
Zo: " Asad I am really sorry and I promise you that I will not repeat this. From today, not today from now onwards, I will take my meals on time. Please please forgive me."
As: " Hmmm"
Zo: "Just Hmmm, please say something. Talk to me Asad."
As: " You have food afterwards we will talk."
Zoya in between having food asked: " How was the meeting?"
As: " Meeting was ok. Now finish the food quickly. I need to mail the meeting details."
Zo: " Please carry on Asad. I am fine. I will finish my food. You please..."
As: " Its ok Zoya. I will be with you till you finishes your lunch "
While Zoya was having her meal, Asad noticed a reddish mark on Zoya's hand. He understood that it was because of the roughness with which he held her hand. He moved his chair nearer to that of Zoya's and caught her hand. Zoya looked questiongly towards Asad. He touched her hand gently.
As: " Is it paining ? I am sorry. I didn't know I had hurt you so much.."
Zo: "Its ok Asad. It is not paining. My skin is very sensitive. It is because of that. It will soon be normal. Don't worry about that."
As: " But still. It did hurt you , right? Be honest."
Zo: " Yup, a bit Asad. Now it is ok."
Asad got up from his chair: " Zoya, I will be back now."
Zoya nodded her head.
Asad came back in a few minutes with a bowl in his hand. By that time Zoya had finished her lunch.
Asad kept the bowl on the table and Zoya found there were ice cubes in the bowl.
Asad took Zoya's hand and rubbed her hand where it was red with ice. Zoya was really touched by his behaviour.
Zo: " Asad there is no need for this. My hand is ok. "
As: " A little more, Zoya and I am sure it will be fine. "
He kept massaging her hand.
After sometime, Asad took his handkerchief from his pocket and wiped off the water droplets from Zoya's hand.
Asad was completely lost in Zoya. He was still caressing her hand and as he was about to kiss her hand, Zoya took her hand from his grip. Suddenly Asad became aware of the surroundings.
Zo: " Asad I think we should leave. You have important work so do I."
As: " I am sorry Zoya. I was just carried..."
Zo: " I understand Asad but romance in office is definitely not done. You know we have cameras installed all over our office. So..."
Precap: Office romance, romance and more
To be continued...
Thanks,
Sarita
Please leave your comments and likes.
Ishaani
Cricket
4