Mini SS - Broken: Part 5 (Completed) Page 61 - Page 22

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Zoya tried to stand up but the weakness she felt made her feel dizzy. Asad held her by her arm 'try not to get up so fast Zoya...' Zoya sat back down on the bed she lifted her hand up to her head and felt a pinch 'ouch' she squinted in pain, it was only then she realised she had a needle in her hand that was attached to a drip 'another one?' 'Yes...if you keep throwing your food in the bin how do you expect your body to function...you can't starve yourself Zoya, you will only become more ill...this is just for a day or two...to help your levels come up'.

Zoya lowered her head 'they must think I am some kind of freak' Asad quickly placed his hand over her 'no Zoya...no one would ever think that...and nor should you' Zoya looked up to meet his eyes, the vulnerability the sadness he saw tugged his heart, as he felt his grip get tighter on her hand he quickly pulled his back 'I think we should get some food in you and once you have had your medication I need you to meet with Dr. Aman'.

Zoya's eyes filled up with unshed tears 'c..can I not stay here with you...I feel so lost here' Asad felt his stomach flutter, he took in a breath trying to keep his floating mind at bay. 'Zoya Aman is the best psychiatric doctor, his therapy sessions will help you...I am not clinically trained to do what he does...I will be here when you come back' 'you promise?' 'I promise'

Asad made Zoya eat a little pasta before Sasha came and took her to Aman.

As hard as it was for her and as frightened as she was to recollect what had happened Zoya did the best she could to open up to him.

Asad waited patiently for her hoping that she was doing ok. As he waited outside Haider called him.

'...its touch and go Haider, I will have to tell her about her testifying...I am not sure how she will react but don't worry we are working on it and won't be giving up so easily' 'Thanks Asad, I really need this, these people have been getting away with such atrocities for way too long, it's about we put them away for good...man I wish we had more doctors like you, you have been ace' 'thank you...I will keep you informed'.

Asad stood up as Aman and Zoya came out the room, Zoya looked a little withdrawn but the minute she saw him she started to relax 'how did it go? Asad asked 'it went well...but I guess I can leave it up to Zoya to fill you in...Asad I need to meet with another patient, can I catch up with you later?' 'Yes, of course you go ahead...and thank you Aman'.

Asad stepped towards her would you like to go for a walk?' I would like that' she said giving him a faint smile.

Asad and Zoya walked through the back gate and into the open field that seemed to go on for acres 'let me guess...the farm?' Zoya shook her head 'how about the lake towards the back?' 'After you'.

Asad and Zoya were surrounded by the most beautiful sounds of nature but within that they found themselves with a silence that refused to break. Zoya sat down by the water's edge, she dipped her fingers into the water and let the cold water caress her soft skin.

Asad stood back and just looked at her, on the face of it she was just a young beautiful girl who at this very moment in time looked at peace.

'You not planning to sit?' Asad smiled at her and then sat a little distance away from her.

'You want to talk about it?'

Zoya stopped waving her hand in the water and looked up at him 'does talking always help?'

'Yes it does, you always need to let out what you have bottled inside, you can talk, scream, shout or even cry whatever helps you relieve that heavy feeling that lies on your chest'

'Who do you talk to when you feel heavy?'

Asad turned towards her 'I...I pray a lot so I guess to Allah...I talk to my Ammi...'

'You don't have anyone close, I mean no wife no girlfriend?' Zoya had no idea why she was asking him such personal questions, she just kept giving voice to everything that came in her head

Asad chuckled at her direct questions, questions he had never been asked before especially by one of his patients. 'No, no wife and no girlfriend...to be honest I don't get time'

'I know what that feels like...you get so caught up in your work or studies in my case that you forget that you are here to live life too..' Zoya sucked in a breath as her mind went roaming back 'if this is life then who would want to live...why would anyone want to live it...where there is...there is no one...no one to turn to, to hold, to love'

Asad felt that flutter in his stomach again 'a good thing or bad I don't know but life doesn't stop for anyone Zoya, times keep ticking by regardless...bad things happen to lots of people and I am not saying it is easy to overcome any ordeal but you have to have the spirit to fight Zoya...and I want to see that spirit in you, I want you to stand up and face your fears head on and don't back down until you have won the fight'

Zoya looked deep into his eyes for reasons beyond her understanding she found solace in them and in every word he spoke.

Asad took in a few deep breaths as he prepared himself to tell her about the court case.

'I spoke to Inspector Haider...I need to talk to you about something very important...Inspector Haider caught a number of men from Black Bazaar'

Zoya froze, her face started to look like as if it was slowly draining out of life. Asad moved himself closer to her 'Zoya, Haider needs you to come in and identify them before the court case and then testify'.

Zoya started to gulp as she tried to breathe, Asad immediately put his hand over hers, only for her to pull it away. Zoya stood up almost losing her balance, Asad reached out to her again and she flinched away. Seeing her like this started to panic him 'Zoya...please...' Zoya started to shake her head from side to side 'no...no I can't...I won't' she screamed before she turned around and started to run. Asad ran after her 'Zoya...stop...wait'.

When he finally caught up with her he grabbed hold of her arm making her stop, in her motion she swung around and landed against his chest. Zoya hid her face as Asad wrapped his arms around her 'if they see me...no...they will take me...they will lock me away and beat me...please...don't make me do this' she cried. Asad felt a lump develop in his throat, he held her small shaking body close against his 'nothing will happen to you Zoya, I promise...I will be right there with you, I won't let them come near you...we will work something out...I will talk to Haider make sure that they don't get to see you...we will do everything we can to protect you Zoya...please calm down...be strong...I need you to be strong'

Zoya tightened her hold around him she kept her face hidden in his chest until she was able to regulate her heart beat and erratic breathing. Asad didn't know how long he stood there with her in his arms, he couldn't bring himself to pull away, the care, the concern he had for Zoya was beginning to show more than any doctor would have for his patient. Asad quickly let go of her, as Zoya took a step back so did he 'you ok?' he asked trying to recompose himself, Zoya nodded 'come on let's get you back, it will be dark soon'.

Asad started to walk off and then stopped to see Zoya standing in the same spot 'what happened?' Zoya looked at him she felt a strange emotion take over, she tried to understand what it was that she felt but couldn't. 'Zoya' he called out again Zoya walked up to him slowly and then held her hand out 'you will help me win...right...you won't let me fall...you promise' Asad looked down at her hand and then back to meet her tear filled eyes 'promise me Asad' Asad held his breath as she referred to him by his name 'Zoya...I am your doctor...It is my duty to support you and help treat you' 'No...I am not talking about Dr Asad Ahmed Khan. I am asking Asad'.

Asad looked at her totally lost for words he tried to form some form a of a response in his head but words seemed to fail him. Zoya stood there with her hand out in front of him and waited for him to say something, she was just about to call out to him again when she heard Sasha call out to them from behind. Asad and Zoya broke their eyes away and turned around to see Sasha running up to them. 'Sorry to disturb you Dr Khan, Dr. Aman has asked for Zoya to return, she needs to take her next dose of medication' 'yes, of course...we kind of lost track of time' Asad walked off leaving Zoya to walk back with Sasha.

Zoya wrapped her arms around her stomach as she walked to try and stop the dull pain she felt, she didn't know what was happening or why, but seeing his back walking away from her made her feel like a part of her was walking away.

A few steps ahead Asad kept mentally kicking himself 'she is your patient dammit, what the hell is wrong with you...whatever this is Asad, it has to stop'. 'What has to stop?' Aman asked stopping him by the door 'I didn't realise I said that out loud...umm nothing...I will be heading off shortly...I will try and come back next week some time' Zoya stopped as she heard him talk to Aman about leaving 'yo...you are leaving...already' she said in a broken and staggered voice. Asad turned to face her 'yes, I have to get back to my patients' 'when...when will you come again?' she asked feeling sad 'I won't be able to come until next week...but don't worry Zoya you have Dr. Aman and his team with you...and I will keep checking in on you via phone' Zoya looked away feeling dejected, she didn't want her tears to start trickling down her face in front of him or Dr. Aman. Without saying anything she started to walk past him and towards her room 'Sasha, go after her and make sure she takes her medicine and eats' Aman said 'yes doctor'.

'What is going on Asad?' Asad looked at him 'what do you mean?' 'Asad, I am not blind and you are not stupid' 'relax Aman, I know where I stand and you know I would never compromise my position or take advantage...there is nothing more to what should be in a doctor patient relationship' 'I am sorry I didn't mean to offend you...it's just...I was just concerned, she is becoming more and more attached to you and with her mental state at the moment...Asad it can become dangerous...you know that' 'I know Aman...it's just until the court case...after that I will have discharged her...she will remain your patient and then when she is well enough she will go back to Bhopal...look I have to head back, I will see you next week...keep me posted'.

Zoya sat under the shower hoping the cold water would freeze her chain of thought, at this moment in time logic seemed to fail her and she wasn't able to see beyond what she felt. 'Ya Allah what is happening to me...please make this stop I can't take it anymore'

Asad threw his keys on the table and slumped himself on the sofa, as he rested his head back he closed his eyes 'you are going to drive yourself insane Asad Ahmed Khan...get a grip' he said to himself. Asad opened his eyes as his mind went back to a few hours ago, he could still feel her against him, he tried to shake the feeling off but it was no use.

Even though the two of them recognised that they felt emotions and strange sensations, they failed to realise that the attachment that they had formed was slowly turning into something a lot more deeper. If Asad knew his ground as refused to indulge Zoya didn't understand the depths of her feelings. What she was beginning to feel towards him was never going to be understood as something that is pure as they will have all put it down to her current mental health and a natural attachment that any patient can have to a professional working so closely with them.

If Zoya started to believe and follow what was in the depths of her heart, she was going have to be prepared to be Broken once more.

Every hour felt like a life time and every day felt like a punishment. Aman worked hard with Sasha to bring Zoya out and through intensive CBT, it had been five days since Zoya last saw him and spoke to him from time to time the pain she felt that day would resurface but with the cognitive training that Aman was giving her she was able to manage her thought processes a lot more.

Asad was calling every day and every time Aman told her of a new development a new progress he would smile to no end 'Asad, she is expecting you to come tomorrow, she hasn't explicitly said but I know...you told her you would come' 'I know...maybe you should bring her here, I am sure she would love to see Humera and it would give her a nice break...just for a couple of hours' 'ok, I will. We will leave at around 10, so I guess we will see you at noon'.

Zoya changed into a plain black shalwar kameez, where she would keep her hair tied back, today she let her beautiful locks free. Aman and Sasha stopped to admire her simplicity that was more beautiful than word could describe. 'Dr Aman what is that word you use to...you know when you see something...' Aman started laughing 'Masha'Allah' 'yes...Zoya you look absolutely stunning Masha'Allah'. Zoya's cheeks that had started to fill out over the last few days turned a shade darker, she gave Sasha and Aman a nervous smile 'I..I am ready...shall we go?'

Zoya went running into Humera's arms, she hugged her tightly. Humera pulled back and wiped her tears that managed to have escaped 'Zoya...you look so well...I am so happy to see you. You know as soon as Dr Khan told me you were coming I started counting down the hours, the minutes'. Humera led Zoya to Asad's office 'he is not here?' Zoya asked as soon as she saw it empty 'he is, he has been in surgery since morning...he should be out soon...tell me can I get you something to drink...how about lunch?' Zoya smiled at and when she did Humera stopped. It was the first time she saw her smile from her heart and she knew it was real as her eyes radiated a contentment that she had never seen before.

Humera placed her hand over hers 'the clinic...everything is going well...I can tell Zoya' 'yes it is...it was really hard at first...like a never ending nightmare as I would have to walk the same painful road over and over again...I would always lose myself and feel like I am suffocating...but now when I look in the mirror I see a different me...I feel like the Zoya I lost all those weeks ago is finally making her way home...and for that I have you, As...I mean Dr. Khan and Dr. Aman to thank for. Allah knows where I would have ended up if Inspector Haider hadn't found me...or even if he never brought me here...the one thing that I began to learn is that even through the worst of trials and tribulations that Allah sets before us...there is always a greater good hidden somewhere and for me the greater good was meeting you Humera...and Dr Khan'. Humera hugged her and let the little drops of water she had been holding back escape.

A few feet away stood Asad listening to everything she had said, the emotions he felt had managed to get the better of him and he too felt something he hadn't done since his Ammi passed away and that was a tear roll down his face. Asad quickly wiped his face and cleared his throat to catch their attentions.

'I see you two have finally caught up' he said smiling a little too much 'how are you Zoya?' Zoya stood up 'I am really well thank you' Asad admired her as she stood in her plain black outfit, she looked so graceful and her face emanated nothing but innocence.

'Why don't you to carry on, I want to catch up with Aman first' As he was about to walk away Humera called him back 'Dr. Khan, Dr. Aman left already, he said he needed to catch up with a few things as he was in town...he will be back in a couple of hours...I was thinking with Zoya here for just a short time, maybe we can go out for lunch' Asad turned towards Zoya 'is that ok with you...to go out?' Zoya nodded 'I would like that very much' 'good, if you girls give me a few moments I'll just go and get changed'.

'What's on the menu...what do you girls want to eat?' Humera looked at Zoya 'seeing it's your day you choose' 'I don't mind...anything but pasta or rice...they have seriously overdosed me on that at the clinic' Asad and Humera started to laugh 'how about pizza?' Zoya's eyes started to widen 'perfect...I can't remember the last time I had some' she said with a little excitement.

Asad sat in between Zoya and Humera 'any preferences?' 'chicken supreme' 'vegetable deluxe' they both shouted out together. Asad put down the menu 'how about both...Zoya you can have your chicken and Humera you can have your vegetable' 'what about you?' Zoya asked Humera started laughing 'Dr. Khan is boring he only ever has plain cheese and tomato' 'that is not boring...it's just plain and simple and I have you know there is nothing wrong with that'.

Humera and Asad were in awe of Zoya, they saw a side to her that they believed to be the real Zoya, who was slowly but surely making a comeback. Every time she laughed her eyes would sparkle, her cheeks would turn bright pink and her dimple would exemplify her already immaculate beauty. Asad eyes seemed to have fixated themselves, he was totally mesmerised by her.

'Dr. Khan can you please wait five minutes I really need to go to the ladies' Humera said, Zoya started to giggle 'you need to go too?' he asked 'no I'm good'.

Asad reverted his gaze back to Zoya after Humera had left 'I cannot tell you how happy I am with your progress Zoya, Aman keeps me posted on a daily basis...' Zoya sat up straightening her back 'you called every day to ask about me but you didn't want to talk to me...did I do something to offend you...that day?' Asad shook his head 'no Zoya...not at all...I don't want you to think that ever...ok' 'then why?' 'Zoya sometimes it is better to let the psychiatrist to take the lead and have not interferences...I didn't want to interrupt anything...' 'does that mean I won't see you now again until the court case?' 'No, Haider and I will come and pick you up the day before, he will need to brief you on what will happen...and after everything has been done we will safely take you back to the clinic' 'And then?' Asad looked at her a little confused 'And then...I don't know Zoya' 'will that be it...I will never see you again?' Asad knew where her line of questioning was going and he needed to put a stop to it before he himself became weak.

'Zoya not seeing me is a good thing, patients can't wait to see the back of their doctors...I am just happy that things are going well, and as soon as Aman gives you the all clear we can have you go back home' Zoya didn't know what to say, either he was really that oblivious or just playing dumb 'home sounds good...am sure you will also be glad to see the back of me...have managed to cause a lot of...I don't know chaos maybe'. Asad didn't miss the change in the tone of her voice but decided to let it be 'It's our job, it's what we are trained to do...' Zoya didn't let him finish, she quickly stood up 'I think I need to go to the ladies as well' she said not giving him any eye contact. Zoya was about to walk off when she saw Humera 'on second thoughts Humera is back...maybe you can call Dr. Aman and ask him to take me back'.

The Journey back was a lot different, it was marked by a distinct silence, Asad kept looking at her through his rear view mirror. He caught her wipe a few stray tears, he wanted to stop and talk to her but he knew that some things no matter how hard, were better left unsaid, he didn't want their conversations to take a direct lead to what they both were trying to say and hide at the same time.

Asad quickly spoke to Aman before he got ready to leave with Zoya. Zoya hugged Humera one last time 'I will see you on the 21st' 'No, on the 20th, you are coming the day before remember?' she said 'yeah...so I am' Zoya took a few steps back and looked at Asad 'thank you for the pizza, I had a nice time' 'my pleasure...you take care, see you soon insha'Allah'

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Salaam All

That was part 3, hope you like it.

Please do let me know what you think

Lots of Love

Saima

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