The Colour of Love II: #3 Chapter 20 (Last Chapter) Pg 32 - Page 9

Chapter 18 Part A

The next morning Ayaan set out to pick Dilshad up from the airport, whilst Zoya helped Shireen to prepare for her arrival. Asad and Ghaffur Chacha sat out in the porch talking over their plans for the coming day 'Ghaffur Chacha...as much as I wanted for Zoya to put herself first...what I am trying to say is that...' 'you will be marrying her' Ghaffur finished his sentence for him 'yes, and I wanted your blessings' 'Asad, you had them the very first time I told her to say yes...you don't know how happy I am that you are part of her life and that it is you that will continue to stand side by side with her'.

'I hope you are not talking about me' Zoya said as she stood by the door smiling radiantly. Ghaffur held out his arm 'come sit' Zoya went and sat on the arm rest and leaned against her Baba so are you going to tell me or not?' she said looking at Asad 'yes, we were...but it's not something we are going to share is it Ghaffur Chacha' Asad said with a mischievous wink 'Allah...how rude...fine don't tell me...I am off' Zoya stood up only to be held back by Ghaffur 'Zoya, beta he is only teasing...come you sit I will go and check on Ayaan, see how far he is'.

Zoya sat down in front of Asad, his intense gaze on her instantly warmed up her cheeks, not being able to hold on any longer Zoya looked away blushing. Asad sat back and enjoyed every moment of her shyness 'Asad, you have to stop looking at me like that' 'I don't see why I should...come' Zoya took the hand he held out as she did Asad pulled her towards him making her sit on his lap. He pushed back her hair and cupped her face, caressing her soft skin with his thumb 'do you know how beautiful you are?' 'of course I do...I do have a habit of looking in the mirror from time to time' Asad started laughing 'Zoya over the last few days, it's like you have opened up...I don't know, its like I see a new you, more confident, more vibrant, full of life...and it is making me love you even more' Zoya linked her hands around his neck 'well then Prince Asad Ahmed Khan, you continue to love me as this Princess of yours is forever going to be changing and growing...but on a serious note...it is only because of you Asad...if you hadn't come I would have still been hiding behind a veil in a corner of the Colony, like I said to you before you have become my strength, it is because I have you with me that I have found this renewed confidence...thank you' Asad rested his head against the crook of her neck and placed a soft kiss, making her giggle 'that tickles' she said 'mmm...so where else are you ticklish?' 'you will have to wait to find out' Asad tightened his hold around her waist 'promise I will be finding out a lot sooner than you think'

Back in Delhi Humera was finding it hard to get rid of Kamran, who seemed to be following her everywhere she went 'Kamran, you must be getting bored hanging out here...why don't you go out, I think Mamoon is going out, you can join him' Kamran gave her a lopsided smile 'and miss out on your company...I am perfectly fine here, plus I am waiting for a phone call...you know how eager I am to find Zoya...I mean you must be too...right?' 'of course...she is my sister after all, what more could I want' Humera tried to keep a straight face as she spoke to him but the way he looked at her told her that he wasn't easily fooled.

'Kamran...how will you find her, I know you managed to track her here but Delhi is a big place' 'not as big as you think Humera, I have a lot of people helping me...don't worry by the time we get to Banglore I will that much closer' 'Bangalore...you just said she is in Delhi...then why Bangalore?' 'I don't know Humera you tell me' 'm...me...how am I supposed to know, I thought you were tagging along for some business reasons' 'Khala's family and you Humera are my business...once I have Zoya, I can return her home safely...and once she starts receiving her treatment we can think more about her future' 'her future...what do you mean?' 'Humera, must you act so nave, you know what I am talking about...did your Ammi not tell you, I plan on marrying her' Humera started to choke on the air she just inhaled 'if Api is so unwell why marry her...I mean what is in it for you?' Kamran started to snigger 'all in good time my dear cousin...you will attend our Nikah...won't you?' Humera gave him a faint smile then walked out.

'Idiot, I can't believe I am related to that demonic moron' Humera said to herself as she charged out. In her anger she walked straight into Haider 'shit...oh sorry...Haider...what are you doing here?' 'hi to you to...and who is a demonic moron?' Humera let out a deep sigh 'my good for nothing cousin...look I can't talk to you here, he is inside...come with me' Humera grabbed his hand and led him up to her room, she locked the door behind her then took him into the bathroom. 'Humera, I assure you I had a shower this morning' 'ha ha, very funny...that man is on to us Haider, he has been following me all morning and this is the only place where his ears can't get to'.

Haider took Humera into his hold 'you are worrying for nothing Humera, I have just spoken to Ammi, she is nearly home...and we will be joining them soon...just a few more hours I promise' Humera looked up at him 'how can I ever thank you and Ammi for what you have done and are doing to help protect my sister...' 'I am sure I can think of a way' Humera smiled at him before she let him flush her against his hold and claim her lips, she couldn't remember the last time they had any kind of intimacy between them and this certainly did feel like home. After fulfilling every desire Haider and Humera pulled apart 'we should be going...well I should, I came to offer my lift to the airport' Humera tightened her hold on him 'no...not right now...I am not done' Haider raised an eyebrow 'now when will I ever complain of having more...I am all yours'.

Haider managed to sneak back downstairs and meet with Kamran 'How are you...I guess you are all set for your trip tomorrow' Haider said plastering on a fake smile 'yes...we are. So what brings you here' 'oh I just came to offer Humera a lift to the airport, I am meeting some clients from the US...so thought' 'that's very generous of you...but...' as Kamran was about to decline his offer Humera came from behind 'that would be great Haider, thank you' 'no worries, I will be here in time to pick you up'. As Haider was about to leave Kamran called out after him 'how is your brother...am sure he is enjoying his vacations' Haider stopped for a second, he looked at Humera and then turned around to face him 'yes he is, he works very hard so I guess deserves a break' 'strange, you two are brothers right...but you don't have the same surnames' 'you seem to know a lot...but nothing strange in that at all...I will see you in the morning'

Haider walked out of Humera's house as he did he saw a shadow appear and disappear as quickly behind a parked vehicle. Haider took out his phone and angled it to see if he could see a reflection of the person 'Asad was right, Kamran does have eyes on me...well Me Kamran if you are clever, I am no less, do all you want I won't let you get to my brother or Zoya that easily'.

Dilshad had finally reached home, after having settled in she sat with Zoya and Shireen and caught up with them 'Aunty I am so worried for Humera, that Kamran is a nasty piece of work' 'I know beta but don't worry Haider is on top of everything, inshAllah everything will work out'. 'Ammi, I am just going to the mosque with Ayaan, I will be back soon' 'ok bet, you take care'. Once Asad and Ayaan had left Dilshad asked Zoya to go and rest as she still looked exhausted 'I will call you when dinner is ready' 'jee...umm aunty do you think I could talk to Humera, I haven't spoken to her since we left to come here' 'call Haider, it will be safer...just in case Kamran is around her when you call' Zoya nodded and then turned to Shireen 'can I please use your phone?' 'of course...please you don't have to ask, there is one in the room behind reception, take your time'.

Zoya spoke to Haider who told her what their plans were for tomorrow 'Haider, I was thinking that by me getting married the property will automatically be transferred to me...but that doesn't mean that Kamran or Humera's Ammi will stop, they can still attack, they can still ploy to do something' 'I know Zoya, please don't think I have not taken that into consideration, I have spoken to the Assistant Commissioner of Police in Delhi, he said that even though Barakah Valley is a close knit community and the area has never had any outside intervention they can still arrange a convoy of officer that will be willing to go in and support us...if you give them permission' 'permission...' 'yes Zoya, your father Kind Abdulla never allowed any law enforcement into his valley as there was never any need, a treaty was signed by him and the government...but under these circumstances we will need permission' 'Haider you have permission from me to do anything you want, anything that will help...thank you so much, how will I ever repay you?' 'Zoya, please...but...if you really do want to repay me then..' 'then?' 'then you can give me your sisters hand in marriage' Zoya smiled to no end 'she is all yours Haider, what more could I want...I will see you soon inshAllah, Allah Hafiz' Allah Hafiz'.

The sun finally rose and it was time to put their plan into action both Humera and Haider sat in their respective rooms praying for Allah to be with them and for them to successfully lead Kamran astray. Humera hugged Razzaq 'I will see you soon Mamoon...' 'Humera, you keep me informed, I want a regular update of what is going on beta...I wish I could come with you but...' 'I understand Mamoon, take care' Kamran sat in the front with Haider whilst Humera sat directly behind him, that way she could communicate anything she needed to through her eyes as he kept looking at her via the rear view mirror.

'Damn' Haider said exaggeratedly. Kamran looked up to see a the road blocked ahead 'what is going on?' he questioned 'I totally forgot, the annual youth carnival is on today...the road are going to be jammed, but don't worry there is another route we can take' Haider turned his car around and started driving down the alternative route, that he knew would also be blocked. 'You have to be kidding me' Kamran said in frustration, Haider looked up at Humera who was trying to stop herself from laughing 'I don't believe this...Humera, how long do you have?' he asked with a worried expression 'not long Haider, please try another route, if I don't get there soon I will miss my flight' Haider turned the car back around and started driving off again, this time he managed to avoid the congestion and got to the airport.

'I am so sorry Humera, because of me you missed your flight' Haider said feigning sadness and a little guilt 'its ok Haider...Kamran, we can book to go on the next flight...right?' 'huh...um yeah...sure...can you excuse me for a minute I need to make a few calls' 'but Kamran...what about the next flight shall I book you on?' 'yes...I am right behind you...I will meet you at the counter'

Haider and Humera walked to the booking counter they booked their tickets to the Valley and booked Kamran a ticket to Bangalore 'Ya Allah...this better work' Humera said trying to regulate her erratic heart beat 'it will Humera...it will, look we are just two boarding gates apart...so we will be walking in the same direction...he will not suspect anything until it's too late'.

'Here is your ticket, come we can go through departures' Humera said. Kamran took the ticket from her and started walking 'hang on...one minute' as Kamran turned around Humera and Haider held their breaths 'where are you going?' he said looking at Haider 'through departures...my client group is waiting for me at the VIP room, I have been given a special pass to go and collect them' 'oh...ok'.

Haider sighed in relief when Kamran turned around and continued walking.

Haider took out his phone and sent a message to Humera

'Ok Kamran, Humera...hope you two have a brilliant trip, I will see you in a few days' time' Haider extended his hand out to Kamran who shook it and then smiled at Humera before he left.

Humera sat outside the boarding gate for Bangalore, trying to keep her nerves in check. She kept on scanning the passengers that walked past to see if she could spot Haider, but she had already missed him. As the announcement came for them to board the plane Humera stood up and smiled nervously at Kamran 'let's go' Humera kept looking a t her watch, she needed to get out and board her own plane before it was too late. Kamran held on to her elbow 'come on Humera, stop walking so slowly' 'yeah...sure' she said as she let him lead her on to the plane. Once they sat down Humera stood up, her eyes were fixated on the door 'what happened?' 'Nothing, I just always get a little anxious when I have to fly, am just going to the toilet'.

Humera looked over her shoulder to see Kamran busy with his phone, she quickly ran to the opposite aisle and locked herself in the toilets. If there was a record time for wearing a full veil Humera had just broken it, she stepped outside of the toilets and made up an excuse to step off the plane 'ma'am you need to hurry up, we will be closing the door soon' 'yeah...just one minute' she said before she hurried off.

Humera ran out off the plane and out of her boarding gate and towards where her flight was due to take off any minute. She ran in to find people all standing in a queue 'Haider where are you?' she said in a panic 'am right behind you' as soon as she heard his voice she turned around and hugged him 'please let's just board the plane before he sees us or realises I am missing'. Humera did not sit in peace until the air hostess closed the door of the plane after which she let out a sigh in relief 'Ya Allah, thank you...thank you'.

As the plane approached the runway Humera took off her veil and Haider took of his hideous cap and sunglasses 'we made it Humera...poor Kamran must be going crazy looking for you...Humera look...that's the plane for Bangalore, it's just taken off' Humera looked outside the window and started smiling, she turned around to face Haider and gave him a high five. They were finally off to the Valley, to meet with their families and then to finally return home.