Chapter 7
Zoya went to the toilets to clean her face and apply a little makeup before she went and took her seat. The show that the children had put on was beautiful, Ayaan was playing a small part in a play and then took part in singing a song. Zoya shed tears some were happy to see her beautiful boy and other were ones that she cried with so much hurt at what Asad had said to her. She didn't know what to do, everything was all ok until that charity event, now that she had seen him everything was falling apart. She couldn't take the hatred she saw in his eyes, he loathed her and it was killing her inside.
Zoya went to hug Ayaan 'you were fantastic Ayaan...give me a high 5' Ayaan gave her a high 5 and then hugged her again milkshake?' she said making his face light up 'come on lets go'.
Seema had arranged for Ayaan to stay with her older sister and her kids for the next two days. Ayaan was very close to them and often stayed with them when Zoya became extremely busy. Afreen had seen a visible change in Zoya and started to become worried 'Zoya...will you not tell me what is wrong?' 'I am fine Afreen, it's our big night tonight I'm just a little nervous' 'ok...well I will see you at the end of it'.
Zoya's collection was on next she went round to see her models and made sure that everything was nothing less than perfect 'ok girls go and do us proud...show the international world of fashion what it means to be an Indian Bride'. As the lights dimmed and the music played turn by turn the models came out and showed off magnificently what Zoya and Afreen had worked so hard on, it was the first display of work that received a standing ovation, it felt like the hall had gone crazy.
'Ladies and gentlemen, please can I call upon stage the two amazingly talented beauties who put this work of art together Afreen Sheikh and Zoe' Afreen and Zoya walked out on to the catwalk and took a bow, Zoe felt her heart race as the camera's continued to flash and the echos of cheers and applause vibrated within her.
Afreen took the mic from the host 'it is true that I chose to put this collection together for fashion week, but the credit goes to Zoe, it is her who put in the hard work, the hours to have made it what it is. I hope that Zoe will come back and with another amazing collection for us in the future, what I do know is that in the world of fashion this is one name that will never fade, will never be forgotten...please can I have big hand for someone who has become a very good friend of mine Zoe'. Zoya felt overwhelmed, she hugged Afreen and thanked her 'here talk' she said passing her the mic. Zoya hesitated a little, she was never good at speaking in public and especially not with camera's capturing her every move 'Thank you...umm...sorry I am not very good at speaking out...' Zoya laughed nervously and then took in a deep breath 'since I have been at high school I have been designing, I am lucky to have been able to follow my dream and achieve what I have done at such a young age and in such a short time...I am grateful to Afreen and her Designer house for taking me on, for believing in me. I have done many collections for many designers before but this one has truly been special. Thank you to you all'
Zoya and Afreen walked off the stage with the audience still clapping, all but two people, one of which was finding it hard to breath. Suhana followed Asad out 'you knew it was Zoya...didn't you...I mean either that or she knew it was me she was asked to design for...that's why she refused...Asad...have you met her...' Suhana said as she walked from left to right 'yes, I have...and no there is nothing to tell...she doesn't want to design for you then that's fine'. Suhana stopped for a minute and then smiled 'Ya Allah...Asad this is amazing...come on Zoya your childhood best friend, after all these years she comes back as Zoe, one of the best fashion designers in all of India...come on please take me to her I want to meet her' 'No Suhana, not now...I need to go' 'Asad, wait...look I know you are angry with her...I mean your whole family is but she is still your friend you can't have forgotten all that just because she decided to follow her heart' Asad clenched his jaw 'I am not taking no for an answer' she grabbed Asad's hand and pulled him towards the changing rooms and make up studio.
'Afreen' Suhana shouted out congratulations...it was amazing' she said in a high pitched screech. Afreen looked at Asad who gave her a faint smile 'congratulations Afreen' 'thanks Asad' 'where is she...I want to meet her...she will be so shocked to see me' Afreen looked at her confused 'Afreen, you don't know...Zoe's real name is Zoya, she is Asad's childhood friend...well I mean until she left home...but isn't that cool' Afreen looked at Asad 'your friend...but...she never said anything...and she left home, why?' Suhana covered her mouth 'ooops...sorry did I just say too much...but its ok, I am sure she won't mind you knowing...can I meet her?'
Afreen led Suhana and Asad towards Zoya who was on the phone 'Ayaan, come on now...I will be home soon...yes I love you too, bye' Zoya turned around and stopped as she saw Asad, Suhana and Afreen standing behind her 'Zoya' Suhana screamed and then put her arms around her making her stumble back 'hi...Suhana' 'I can't believe you are Zoe...man if I had known before...and this idiot...he never even told me' she said looking at Asad 'how have you been? It's been so long...and who was that on the phone, is it your husband' Zoya closed her eyes as she felt her insides starting to erupt again 'no...I am not married' she said looking at Asad from the corner of her eyes.
Not wanting to face anymore awkward questions Zoya looked towards Afreen 'I have finished up here, Seema will take care of the rest with your team, if you don't need me I will head off' 'no that's fine you can go...but Zoe, your driver...I mean you sent him back' Zoya hit her hand against her forehead 'crap, I totally forgot, he had a family function to attend so I let him go' 'Zoya...you have us...me and Asad will drop you off...and we can catch up on the way' Zoya and Asad both said 'no at the same time earning a look from both Afreen and Suhana 'I mean...I don't want to bother you' Zoya looked at Asad 'yeah...and I am heading in the opposite direction' Suhana put her hands on her hips and looked at him 'do you know where she lives' Asad shook his head 'well then how do you know it's in the opposite direction...come on Zoya, lets go'
Asad sat in the car and looked in his rear view mirror Zoya met his eyes and then looked away, but she could feel his gaze on her which made her more than just uncomfortable 'so where to...where do you live?' 'Diamond Apartments, sector four, Bandra' Asad started driving towards her place. 'So Zoya...how have you been...actually where have you been, do you know how worried everyone was for you...including him...but I am glad you are back...everyone will be so happy to know...look I know you two are upset with each other but you can kiss and make up right?' Zoya and Asad looked at one another both felt their hearts skip several beats, not being able to hold his gaze any longer Zoya looked away.
'You can stop here' Zoya said in a low voice. Asad slammed on the breaks, Suhana looked around 'your apartments, they are all the way there why did you ask him to stop' 'no...I mean, it's easier for me to walk from here, you won't have to drive all the way round...seeing you are already on the main road' 'ok...well it was good to see you...and I must say that your collection was amazing...I hope you won't say no to designing my outfit now' Zoya gave her a faint smile 'thank you' she said quickly before she got off and walked away.
Asad dropped Suhana off to her place 'Suhana, I don't want you telling Ammi anything about Zoya, I don't want her or uncle Ghaffur getting upset...I need you to promise me that you won't tell them that we met her' 'Asad, I don't know...I mean don't you think Ghaffur uncle deserves to know?' 'Suhana...please' 'ok...ok...I promise...I will see you soon'
Asad started the car and drove off, as he approached the main gates of the apartments he slowed down to see which gate Zoya walked through so he could take note of it.
Suhana may have not told Dilshad but how was Zoya going to remain hidden as she hit page three of every main newspaper and fashion magazine.
Dilshad felt her insides tremble, she looked at her with mixed emotions. There was anger as she remembered what she had done and also somewhere deep down a little happiness to know that she was ok. Despite everything Dilshad loved Zoya as a daughter, but couldn't come to terms with what she had done.
The next morning Dilshad called Asad 'I saw...did you?' Asad knew exactly what she was referring to 'jee Ammi...I...umm, I didn't just see Ammi, I met her' Dilshad's eyes widened with shock 'you did what...Asad...' 'Its ok Ammi...I am ok...she has moved on in her life...her selfishness has taken her so far that I don't even know who she is anymore' 'Asad...did she tell you anything about herself?' Dilshad asked cautiously wanting to know if she had mentioned her child 'no Ammi...and I don't want to know either...Ammi, I'm sorry I can't talk about this...I will talk to you later'.
Dilshad sighed in relief.
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Hope you guys like it, thank you so much am truly overwhelmed with all the feedback I have been getting.
This one goes out to Sanjhari, AsyaManeet, Jas, and p_s05
Udne Ki Aasha
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