|AsYa FF| Destinies Intertwined Thread # 8, Last Chap, Page 53 :)

He ran his fingers through Zoya's silky tresses as she slept soundly with her head on his chest and smiled blissfully. Contentedly. He found himself recalling Ayaan's words from last night. "I think there's a definition of love right there. The person you love might smile because of different things but one of the reasons behind your smiles permanently becomes them."

Ayaan was right, he decided. There was no doubt that Zoya had become a permanent reason behind his smiles. Ever since she had come into his life, he had caught himself smiling much more than often. And ever since he had realized his love for her, the mere mention of her name was enough to warm his heart.

Recently, Zoya had been occupying his mind every minute of the day, sometimes consciously and sometimes unconsciously. For him, Zoya seemed to exist everywhere. Where she wasn't present, her voice was. Where her voice wasn't present, her thoughts were. And where even her thoughts weren't present, then... nothing existed for Asad Ahmed Khan. Zoya had become the pivotal point around which his life, thoughts and emotions revolved.

He listlessly mused how much of an idiot he had been for resisting her love for so long. The feelings of affection had long been simmering inside him but he had repressed them, thinking it was best for them both. But now, he realized how immature he had been. He hadn't only hurt himself but Zoya as well. The day he had realized and admitted his love for her in the mosque, it had been as if a huge burden had been lifted off his shoulders. He had found himself relaxed and carefree in her company as for the first time since she had come into his life, he was not constantly fighting an inner battle. He said what he liked, blatantly flirted with her and enjoyed watching her crimson cheeks. Now the only thing that remained was to give Zoya an explanation for his confusing behavior and confess his love for her. The thought made him happy, excited, nervous and flustered all at once.

Zoya moved in her sleep slightly, unconsciously capturing his attention once again and his gaze fell on her henna-painted hands. He lifted her right hand and wondering if his name was hidden somewhere on her palm, began studying the intricate designs intently. After five minutes of fruitless staring, he was about to give up feeling utterly deflated when his eyes finally managed to make out his name artfully obscured amidst a cluster of swirling designs and his eyes brightened. His thumb ran over his name and his eyes flitted to her face, brimming with unmasked love and adoration for his wife.

How had she started him loving so much when he had never consciously given her any reason to?

Just then Zoya stirred, her eyelids flickering open and on instinct, he closed his eyes and pretended to be asleep. He heard her let out a small gasp on finding herself sleeping on his chest and then slowly extricate herself from his arms which are encircled around her. A minute of absolute stillness ensued, in which Asad could feel her eyes on his face, making him exceedingly conscious of himself before she did something totally unpredictable. She gently placed a kiss on his cheek before she abruptly left his side.

Asad waited for the click of the bathroom door indicating that she was gone before opening his eyes and looking at the closed door sadly. He had felt her hesitation and uncertainty when she had kissed him and he could guess the mindset she was going through. She loved him and wanted to treasure as many happy memories of him as she could but at the same time, she was scared how much more pain she'll have to go through once she forced herself to leave India. The closer she got to him, the more difficult it would be to cope with his absence. He suddenly realized she shrank from his touch for the same reason.

He pushed himself out of the bed with a sudden resolute look on his face. He had hurt her enough and he wasn't going to prolong it any further. He was going to confess his love for Zoya.

***

"Najma, make sure you call me as soon as you land there, okay?" Dilshad tried to extract a promise from her daughter as she hugged her goodbye at the airport.

"Don't worry Ammi. I will." Najma assured her with a smile as she reciprocated her mother's hug. "And you take care of yourself, okay Ammi?"

Dilshad nodded with slight tears in her eyes as she pulled back and planted a kiss on her daughter's forehead.

"Ammi, why are you getting sad? You're making me feel bad." Imran chipped in with a good-natured frown, lightly wrapping his arm around Dilshad's shoulder. "I'm telling you I'll make sure Najma calls you every day on Skype and you can talk to her all you want. It's not like I'm kidnapping your daughter." He chuckled lightly.

"But you are taking her with you, which is... just about the same thing." Zoya speculated, siding with her mother-in-law.

"You too Brutus... I mean Bhabhi?" Imran let out a playful, sad voice, shaking his head. "Why are you all teaming up against me when you have nobody to blame but your dear Tamatar?"

"Really?" Zoya asked in good humor.

"Definitely!"

"How so?" She questioned while Asad and Ayaan looked at them both with quiet interest.

"Because your dear Tamatar stole my heart and you can't expect me to survive without it, can you? Since she has my heart, I'm talking her along with me. Simple. Call it a punishment for her thievery, if you like." He concluded with a charming smile and Najma blushed prettily. Asad and Ayaan seemed amused while Zoya laughed aloud before nudging Najma and saying, "I can see what made you fall for him, Tamatar."

Imran winked at Najma cheekily before turning to Dilshad to say his goodbye to her. Dilshad's eyes sparkled with moistness. "Beta, I'm entrusting a piece of my heart with you. Najma is the life of our house. Always take care of her and keep her happy."

"Ammi let me share a secret with you." Imran's voice lowered in volume slightly. "The thing is... my happiness lies in Najma's smile. And you can be sure that I'll keep her smiling because I am quite a selfish person who wants loads of happiness in his life."

Najma's eyes softened at his lightly phrased answer, which held a debt of assurance. She wasn't the only one who was moved with his answer. Zoya and Dilshad's eyes also portrayed their unmasked admiration for him.

Dilshad planted a goodbye kiss on his forehead. "You're a gem, Imran. Always stay this way."

Imran turned to Najma and pointed towards Dilshad cheekily. "Listen."

"And?" Najma let out confused.

"Learn to value me, yaar."

"Whatever." Najma rolled her eyes good-humoredly, returning to her usual self. She turned to Zoya and hugged her warmly. "I'll miss you Zoe."

"Me too Tamatar. Keep in touch, okay?"

"Duh! Definitely."

She then proceeded to hug Ayaan who returned her hug tightly with an affectionate smile on his face. As she pulled back and opened her mouth to speak, Ayaan cut her off cheerfully, "I know you're going to miss me. It's understandable and very much predictable."

"Self-centered much?"

"Not at all. Just stating the facts." He replied impertinently with his usual cheeky smile.

"This is all you're going to say?" She asked him annoyingly.

"Of course not!"

"Well... what else? You'll miss me?" Najma prompted him.

"No, of course not. What I was going to say was... try not to miss me too much, will you?" He said flippantly and everyone burst out laughing except Najma who smacked him on his arm and turned to Asad who received her with open arms.

"I'd rather say goodbye to someone who I know is going to miss me." She said in a superior voice as she hugged Asad tightly and addressed him softly. "I'm going to miss you so much Bhaijan."

"Me too, Tamatar." He sighed deeply as he held her. "I wish you didn't have to go so far... Now I want you to take care of yourself, keep in contact regularly and-"

"If you don't, I'll automatically assume it has something to do with Imran and I'll fly to America to beat him to a pulp." Imran continued in the same tone and everyone started laughing.

Asad smiled as he let go of Najma and hugged Imran genially. "Don't ever think I have something against you. It's just that you're taking my sister far away and I get insecure at times..." He trailed off.

"I understand Bhaijan. I was only joking but I assure you your insecurity won't stay for long." He smiled warmly, trying to quell Asad's insecurity. "I promise you will never find yourself regretting this decision of us getting married."

Asad smiled. "I have a feeling I won't."

Imran smiled even wider as he stepped back and after exchanging another quick round of goodbyes, they headed towards the security check at the airport where there was a last cheerful wave from the newlywed couple, which was exuberantly returned from this end, with a shout from Ayaan. "As much insane as this sounds, I'm going to miss you Tamatar!"

"Oh I know!" She yelled back smugly.

"That is all you're going to say?" He asked in disbelief.

"Now do you get how irritating you can be?" She replied laughing and on seeing his pouting face, added. "I'm going to miss you too!"

Ayaan's grin returned as he replied with confident smugness. "I know!"

Najma was still laughing and shaking her head as went through the security check while Imran waved one last time. Asad, Zoya, Ayaan and Dilshad stood there was a moment, aimlessly watching the swarm of people moving about, letting Najma's departure sink in slightly before turning to each other.

"Ayaan?" Asad was the first one to speak up.

"Yes Bhaijan?"

"I want you to take Zoya and Ammi home. I have some work to do so I can't accompany you guys."

"Do you have your car?" Ayaan queried.

"Yes."

"Okay. No problem then." He smiled and then wrapping an arm lightly around Dilshad's shoulder, he began moving towards the exit. "Mona, you coming along?" He asked on not finding her following them.

"Zoya's coming." Asad replied instead as he held her wrist and waited for Ayaan and Dilshad to get out of audible range before turning to her urgently.

"Zoya, I want to take you out for dinner tonight."

"What?" She seemed surprised as he expected.

"Please just say yes."

"But Mr. Khan-"

I don't want to hear anything but a yes, Zoya." He added with a polite urgency in his tone.

"Why? Any special reason for it?" She was keeping conversations with him to a minimum and he was offering to take her for dinner? It didn't make any sense to her.

Asad seemed flustered at her demand for an explanation. "Zoya... I-I just want to do something right... for a change."

"Mr. Khan-"

"Please don't say no. I think I hold the right to take my wife out for dinner one last time before her flight... or don't I have even that much right over you?" He suddenly seemed hurt.

"Fine Mr. Khan." She sighed as she gave in. She had a bad feeling she was going to regret this.

"Great." He smiled a winning smile. "I'll have the driver pick you up at 7?"

She glanced at the clock. It was 4:30. She nodded with a smile and he breathed out a thanks, looking relieved. Zoya was slightly surprised at his behavior. He seemed nervous, happy, flustered all at once.

"Ayaan's waiting." She told him, moving backwards and he nodded with a smile, waving her off.

"And I'll be waiting at seven." He added loudly as an afterthought and she found herself smiling.

***

The doorbell rang and Zoya went to get the door. A man uttered a polite salaam before asking, "Mrs. Zoya Ahmed Khan?"

She nodded in affirmation and the man flourished a bouquet and a shiny red gift-wrapped package. "Mr. Asad Ahmed Khan has sent this for you."

"For me?" She let out in surprise.

"Yes ma'am." The young guy smiled patiently.

Accepting her gifts, Zoya closed the door behind her and made her way to her room. Confused, she sat on the bed and removed the card attached on the package to read it first. Written in Asad's elegant scrawl was a simple message.

Hope you like it!

Asad

A slight scowl marring the beauty of her face, Zoya read and re-read the note several times in her confusion. What in the world was going on? What had gotten into Asad? Puzzled, she turned to the package and began opening it to find the most gorgeous red saree inside with a black blouse. She stared at it for a whole minute, not believing her eyes. Mr. Khan surely had a taste in clothing.

For a minute, she contemplated whether she should actually wear it or not before deciding on the latter. If Asad wanted her to wear that dress for him, what was the harm? Surely, she could honor such a simple request of his on her last day at his house... Moreover, she had fallen in love with the classy piece of enrapturing finery and couldn't wait to try it on.

She had just finished getting ready when her cell phone beeped, signaling a new message. She smiled on seeing the name of the sender, "Akdu". It seemed as if it was a lifetime ago when she had saved Asad's number under this name. Now it had started sounding like an endearment to her. She opened the inbox and checked his message.

I'm guessing you must be ready by now. The car is waiting for you downstairs!

Zoya frowned slightly at the screen with an amused smile. What was with the indirect contact today? Sending the dress with a card instead of a call and now informing her about the car through message. She quickly texted a reply back.

Where are you? Where am I supposed to come?

His reply came almost instantaneously.

The driver knows. I'm waiting.

She stared at the message, slightly annoyed at his cryptic way of talking before shrugging lightly; she grabbed her small clutch and headed downstairs. Dilshad and Ayaan were in the TV room and Ayaan was lying on the sofa with his head on Dilshad's lap who was eating apples. Ayaan opened his mouth for a slice, while watching the football match.

"Not like this Ayaan. You'll choke. First sit up." Dilshad admonished him gently.

"Ammi." He whined as he sat up and turned towards her with his mouth open again, taking the slice from his mother's hand before lying down quickly.

Before Dilshad could say anything, Zoya walked up to them and smartly whacked Ayaan on his unruly head. "Sit up and don't lie down until you've swallowed."

Dilshad smiled widely while Ayaan frowned good-naturedly as he sat up mumbling. "It's not like anything was going to happen to me."

"Your Bhaijan said the same before choking on a glass of milk." Zoya informed him and he started chuckling with surprise visible on his face before he seemed to notice her dressing. "Wow someone's dressed up to kill... Ammi, your other son is a goner." He shook his head with a laugh.

"Ayaan, learn to talk to her respectfully; she's your Bhabhi... And an older one at that." Dilshad reprimanded him good-naturedly.

"Dewar's are Bhabhi's best friends. Am I right Mona or am I right?" He asked cheekily. "By the way, where are you going and with whom? Bribe me with 10 grand and Bhaijan will never find out."

Dilshad seemed mildly appalled and slapped him on his head lightly. "Stop uttering nonsense, Ayaan. Where are you going Zoya?"

"Ammi, your son randomly insisted on having dinner with him tonight so-" Zoya began but Ayaan cut in promptly.

"I never did! You're lying."

Zoya shook her head at him amusingly. "I know it can be difficult for someone as self-centered as you to comprehend but Ammi has two sons and the older one happens to be my husband, who invited me for dinner. That simple enough for your small brain?"

Ayaan pretended to scratch his head stupidly and asked. "What does self-centered mean?"

Zoya's lips trembled with the exertion of hiding her smile. "It means you!"

"And does an invite for dinner means you're going on a date?" He continued under the same pretense of stupidity, hiding his smile. Dilshad shook her head at her son's antics as she made her way to the kitchen with the now empty plate in her hand and Zoya frowned down at her brother-in-law.

"Now you're wasting my time."

"No, no I want to know! Are you going on a date?" He seemed to enjoy her discomfort.

"I'm married to your brother Ayaan, so yeah it's a bit too late for us to be dating. It's a simple dinner." She pointed out briskly.

"Getting married doesn't mean you can't date."

"Huh? You're going to continue dating girls after you get married? Well good luck with not getting murdered by your wife then."

"Why would she murder me when she'll be the one I'll be dating?" He explained simply. "I believe in continuing dating after marriage. It keeps the love alive." He saw her looking at him with some confusion and leaned forward as he explained more. "What do you do while you're dating? You make the other person feel special... primarily because you want them to be a part of your life. You shower them with gifts, roses, endless love and what not. But once they become a part of your life, you stop doing all this because you start taking them for granted." He shook his head slightly. "You shouldn't do that. Just because you're lucky enough to have them in your life doesn't mean you stop showing that they still hold the same importance to you."

Zoya didn't reply as she kept looking at Ayaan with a small impressive smile.

"What?" He asked finally. "Why are you looking at me like that for?"

"Your wife is going to be a lucky woman." She told him with a genuine smile.

"I know!" He grinned cheekily and she knew the mature Ayaan had vanished and the old, annoying one was back.

"I take my words back. You're too in love with yourself to love any other being." Zoya told him and he broke out laughing. "Now I have to get going. Your Bhaijan's waiting for me."

"Ahh turned him into an obedient husband, have you?" He seemed pleasantly surprised.

"Nope, simply a gentleman." She grinned.

"But how will you go beta? Has Asad come to pick you?" Dilshad questioned as she returned to the lounge from the kitchen.

"No, Bhaijan has sent his driver. He's waiting outside." Ayaan informed them both.

"Okay Allah Hafiz then. Have a wonderful time beta." Dilshad added.

On an impulse, Zoya went up to her and gave her a tight hug. She was leaving tonight and although she would have time to say goodbye to her after their dinner but still she didn't want to take chances.

"Zoya, what was that for beta?" Dilshad asked, looking pleasantly surprised as she pulled back.

"For you being the most amazing Ammi in this whole wide world." She replied softly and Dilshad laughed as she kissed her forehead. "Don't flatter me so much. Who knows I might take this to my head and become one of those evil mother-in-laws from those TV sitcoms."

"Ammi, you being evil is something I have trouble even imagining, so no chance. Okay Allah Hafiz! I should run now... Don't want to end up getting a lecture on punctuality from your son." Zoya replied breezily as she moved towards the door leaving the other two occupants of TV room laughing.

***

Zoya looked out in surprise as the driver honked once in front of huge copper metal gates and they swung inward instantly as if already awaiting their arrival. The car moved forwards on the long, winding driveway and an impressive white colossal structure rose into view.

"Where are we?" She asked the driver, her voice low in awe and wonder.

"Ma'am, this is Asad Sahib's farmhouse. He recently finished constructing it."

"Really? Wow." She breathed out to herself.

The car came to a halt in front of a beautifully illuminated serpentine pathway snaking through the wide expanse of the lush green lawn and leading up to a gorgeous gazebo that grabbed Zoya's attention instantly. The driver ran up to her side, held her door open for her to climb out and gestured towards the gazebo.

"Mr. Khan is waiting for you, madam." He told her. She nodded her head in a dismissing manner and climbed the two steps preceding the twisting pathway, wondering what Mr. Khan was up to? Her lips curved up in an admiring smile as she walked on the tastefully built stone pathway illuminated by small lampposts every few feet on alternate sides that came as high as her knees. As she raised her head with a smile, she finally saw him, standing at the entrance on the gazebo with a charming smile on his face as if he was enjoying her reaction. Their eyes met and Asad's smile widened some more as he made his way up to her, meeting her half way.

"Dare I say it? You look breathtaking tonight." He complimented her smoothly with a charming smile. He was wearing a jet-black suit with a crisp white shirt underneath and supporting a red tie. If Zoya looked breathtaking, he looked nothing less.

"Thanks Mr. Khan but what is all this?" She let out in surprise.

Asad looked at her with fake confusion before he started speaking. "Well, this green thingy is called grass," He said pointing towards the lawn. "This is a pathway, those are lights, that is a gazebo and-" He would've continued the narration with a twinkle in his eyes, pointing at all the things respectively when Zoya cut him off.

"And I'm not a stupid, illiterate person." She told him, looking slightly annoyed at his leg pulling. "I mean, what are we doing here?"

"We're doing precisely nothing at the moment except talking," He saw Zoya's raised eyebrow and explained quickly before he annoyed her further. "But essentially, we're here for dinner."

"Why here, Mr. Khan?"

"Why not here, Zoya?" He repeated in the same tone.

"Mr. Khan, I'm serious! Why are we here and not at some restaurant?" She repeated again impatiently.

Asad sighed slightly. He had chosen this place for its privacy and also because he wanted to do something different. Something special. Should he tell her this? He didn't know why but he was scared at how she'll react to the things he had to say to her tonight. She already seemed to be a little edgy. Had she figured out why she was here?

"Woh actually... I picked this place because it's calm and peaceful. Plus going to the restaurants for dinners is too mainstream, no?" He asked lightly and continued before she had a chance to reply. "Now will you stop firing your questions and let me lead you to the gazebo? I'm hungry." He told her frivolously, offering her his arm, which to his relief she took with a smile and started walking towards the beckoning illuminated structure that was spilling yellow light against the backdrop of a starry black velvety sky.

"Wow!" Zoya admired in a low voice as she reached the gazebo and caught full sight of it. With a wooden roof resembling a tent and supported by thin pillars, it stood a couple of steps higher than the lawn, the fairy lights winding all over it, sparkling gaily. The thin, see-through white curtains that served more as a decoration than providing actual veiling fluttered in the breeze and allowed the bright yellow light to pass through them and dimly illuminate the grass area surrounding it. She could make out a table for two set inside. She looked to the right of the gazebo and her smile widened. With its rippling clear water reflecting the surrounding lights, was a small swimming pool designed as a lake with a rock waterfall fountain at one end.

The whole setting was magical. The gazebo in the middle of the huge lawn, the fairy lights, the fluttering white curtains and the pool... Zoya found herself at a loss for words.

"Mr. Khan, what-what is all this?"

"You'll remind me you're not a stupid illiterate person if I start explaining once again." He chuckled lightly.

Zoya opened her mouth to speak and closed it again. Asad seemed to understand her confusion as he cleared out. "You're probably wondering what all this is doing here, right? Well it's all part of this farmhouse's decoration and adornment. You know what Zoya; I had always wanted to build a grand farmhouse for vacations so I started this one last year. The construction's complete and I just need to get it furnished." He briefed her about the progress with a proud smile. "But I must admit this idea of adding a gazebo and a pool came recently. And since I wanted to take you out for dinner, this seemed like a perfect place." He added. The truth was that he had the gazebo and the pool built on a short notice of a few days, especially for this date.

Zoya nodded with a smile but her mind had drifted elsewhere. For an uncontrolled moment, her imagination ran wild and she imagined herself and Asad in the lawn chasing their two small children in circles. Their infectious laughter distilled the air and rang in her ears...

"Zoya?" Asad waved a hand in front of her eyes. "Where are you lost?"

"What? Uh nowhere... Can we have dinner now?" She asked distractedly with a smile and Asad nodded before leading her inside. Sparkling crystal glasses and exquisite silverware covered the tables. Asad pulled out a chair for her like a true gentleman before motioning for the waiter to bring them their dinner.

"What are we having, Mr. Khan?"

"You'll find out soon enough." He smiled as the waiter neared their table and placed a silver-dome covered dish on their table.

"Open it." He smiled and then silently observed Zoya's expression as she lifted the cover off the dish and gasped with unrestricted happiness on her face.

"Oh My God! This is pizza, Mr. Khan!" She squealed in her happiness as she clasped her hands in glee. "You ordered this for me?"

"Of course I did. What did you say that night...?" He paused for a second. "Yes, pizza is pure undiluted happiness." He laughed and shook his head in amusement.

Zoya looked at him in surprise. "You remember exactly what I said?"

"I remember exactly everything you've ever said." Asad corrected her calmly.

Zoya opened her mouth to speak, thought better of it and closed it again. She instead turned to look at the pizza with love-filled eyes making Asad chuckle lightly.

"Dig in." He told her and Zoya instantly helped herself to a slice with hot cheese dangling from it and took a huge bite. "Yep, pure undiluted happiness it is." She seemed to affirm to herself before she looked at Asad with a grin. "What are you having Mr. Khan?"

"Umm... the same as you're having. A slice of pure undiluted happiness." He replied and Zoya laughed. He was pleased that pizza had managed to relax Zoya and returned her to her normal self.

"But Mr. Khan, you don't like pizza." Zoya protested.

"I didn't like pizza before but now I do." Asad replied as he helped himself to a slice.

"Really? How come?" Zoya asked; her mouth full of pizza.

"Had a change of heart I guess. Feelings change, you know." He replied nonchalantly but there was something in his voice, which made Zoya look up at him carefully. "Recently I've found myself liking many things that I hated at first sight... Hate is a strong word here. Dislike is more like it."

"For example?" When Zoya spoke, her voice almost trembled with anticipation. She knew pizza wasn't the only thing Mr. Khan disliked. He disliked her too.

"Pizza... like I just pointed out." Asad shrugged and Zoya loosened in her seat. What was she thinking? That Mr. Khan had started liking her? Maybe as a friend yes but not as a wife. It was too late for that anyway. The divorce papers were ready, Mr. Dhurinder had been informed of her departure, her seat was booked and she had finally mentally prepared herself to leave his house.

Asad was still speaking. "You made me realize that pizza is pure, undiluted happiness."

"For me, Mr. Khan. I don't think it is for you. Its unhealthy food, remember?"

"Your absolute glee on seeing it gave me pure, undiluted happiness so that means pizza is happiness for me as well." Asad told her smoothly and Zoya's eyes widened in surprise.

***

That's it! Not very satisfying, was it? 😕 I'm sorry!

I'll try forcing myself to write the next chapter as soon as I can. I know all your love will help me too 😉 And I PROMISE it will have LOADS of action, not fighting action duh! And it will make up for this lousy update InSha'Allah! 😃

Love, (Though I'm deserving of hate)

Fari ❤️

Kitne saal beet gaye lekin abhi laut aayi ho tum, Fari meri pari...!!!

Ab we can be bindass and chat here...!!

u din't temme why u in hospital...!!

acha 😡