Chapter 14
The week at camp had been nothing short of a life changing experience for Zoya. The lives of the people that Zoya had come into contact with introduced her to some harsh realities, she had always heard of those who were considered as the untouchables, those innocent people who were shunned by society just because they were poor and of lower social class. Zoya felt like she had lived a whole life in the week she was there, she wasn't allowed to carry out procedures as such but did her bit but checking patients, carrying out blood tests, and assisting Dr. Mehak and her seniors with diagnosis and general care. There were times when she became emotional but along the way learnt how to detach herself, it was hard but she soon learnt it was not impossible.
During the week she kept in regular contact with her sister, Kiran, Aliza and of course Karan. Karan updated her daily with his production, she would never tire of his endless moans and complaints how things were not going to plan, in all she was just content on hearing his voice. As the medical camp came to an end Zoya bid a tearful goodbye to some of the families and children she had helped Dr. Mehak called everyone for a quick meeting before they left. 'I want to say a big thank you to all of you, you all exceeded our expectations and did really well, we hope you will be able to take away with you what you have learnt. I would like to commend Zoya Farooqui, being a first year student she did exceptionally well, even when things got a little difficult she was able to hold her own like a true professional, and on behalf of Zoya I would like to thank you all for helping and supporting her through the week'. Every one clapped and congratulated each other, Zoya felt her heart warming up she was on a personal high, somewhere where she had not been for some time.
Zoya finally reached home she put down her back and flung herself on to her bed, she just realised how much she had missed being away from here. After a short nap Zoya unpacked and took a shower and started to catch up on her lessons she had missed online. Zoya had messaged Kiran to let her know she was back but the group had gone out celebrating the success of Karan's Romeo and Juliet show, she had been invited to come but passed on the invite as she was eager to catch up with the work she had missed. Zoya stretched to loosen her muscles and back, she had been sitting in the same position for hours, she tied her hair back and wrapped her scarf around, she needed a break and decided on going for a walk in the grounds.
As Zoya walked out she saw Karan standing by his car with Indu, seeing him after so many days brought an instant smile to her face, she was in two minds of whether or not to approach him, seeing Indu always made her nervous. Pushing aside her feelings she started walking towards them and then stopped when she saw Indu place her hand over his cheek and close the gap between them, for some unknown reason, anything that seemed logical or even rational started to fade, Zoya felt her heart sink she closed her eyes and clenched her fist 'turn around Zoya' she kept chanting to herself.
While Zoya was fighting herself a few yards away Karan was becoming agitated with Indu. 'Indu you need to stop with all this, I have told dad it is not going to work, you really need to start backing off' Indu placed her hand over his face 'please Karan, you know how I feel, apart from that it's what our families want why can't you see what everyone else can' Karan took in a deep sigh he placed his hand over hers and pulled it down as he was about to continue when he saw Zoya turn away, his face instantly lit up, he moved away from Indu and shouted out after her.
As soon as Indu realised who it was and where he was going fury started to take over, she saw Karan run up to Zoya and hug her 'what the hell...how dare she, who the hell does she think she is?' Not being able to contain her anger further Indu stormed up to them. Zoya saw Indu walking towards them looking upset she was just about to tell Karan when Indu grabbed onto his arm and forced him to turn around 'I have not finished talking Karan, how can you just walk away from me?' Karan ran his fingers through his hair, Indu was really testing his patients Zoya looked at the exchange between them and realised that it was something serious 'Karan..you go ahead...' Indu didn't let Zoya finished she raised her hand in front of her face 'no one asked you, and we certainly don't need permission and if you don't mind this is a private conversation so leave' Zoya's eyes immediately filled with tears she looked at Karan whose eyes had narrowed in anger 'I...I'm sorry' Zoya quickly turned around and walked off leaving Karan with Indu.
'What the hell was that Indu, what is your problem with her, that was totally uncalled for, what is wrong with you?' he shouted. Indu couldn't remember the last time Karan had spoken to her in such a manner 'what is wrong with me? What the hell is wrong with you Karan, what is it with you and her, since when has any girl taken priority over me, your family and even your work, all you ever go on about is that damn Zoya' 'Indu watch your mouth...Zoya is a friend just like any other person' Indu chuckled 'yeah friend some friend Karan...you know what you are welcome to that misfit but let me tell you one thing, you will soon realise that you were wrong about her and another thing I am not giving up on you, I will make dad and uncle see this through' Indu walked off leaving Karan totally frustrated and extremely angry, he walked to his car and kicked the wheel letting out a scream. His first thought was to run after Zoya to see if she was ok, as he turned around he saw her standing there right behind him.
'Z...Zoya' he walked towards her and reached to place his hand on her shoulder Zoya moved back making sure he would not reach her, Karan fisted his hand and withdrew it immediately not being able to meet her eyes he looked away dejected. 'I am not sure what that was about Karan, but the last thing I want is to be the reason of any upset between you and Indu, I really don't have the energy to deal with this when I extended my hand to accept this friendship I didn't realise it would cause anyone any problems...Indu is right, I have always known and very much accepted that I am a misfit, I don't belong here with people like you...so from now on I would appreciate it if you and everyone else just let me be'.
Every word Zoya spoke pierced Karan's heart, he felt like he was being suffocated 'Zoya please, don't give heed to what Indu says she was angry with me I am sure she didn't mean what she said...and who I chose to be friends with is none of anyone's business...you are my friend, a very special one and there is no way I am going to let you be Zoya not for Indu not for anyone' Karan stepped forward to close the gap between them Zoya held up her hand to stop him 'Karan please, don't make this any harder than it needs to be' not waiting for him to respond Zoya turned around and ran back towards her room.
Kiran entered the room to find Zoya curled up on the floor by her bed, she quickly ran to her and place her hand on her shoulder 'Zoya what's wrong' her voiced was laced with concern as Zoya looked up panic took over Kiran saw her swollen red shot eyes. Kiran cupped Zoya's face 'Zoya why you crying...what wrong Zoya please tell me' Zoya feel into Kiran's arms and cried to her hearts content, once she had calmed down Zoya told Kiran what had happened. Kiran could feel herself fill with rage 'how dare she' Kiran was in the right mind to go and give Indu a piece of her mind, how dare she hurt Zoya and for what? 'malicious spiteful little cow' Zoya pulled back on Kiran's arm as soon as she got up 'please Kiran...let her be. I don't want anything to do with any of them...please'.
Zoya totally withdrew herself, she drowned herself in her studies, met with her study group when required and then spent the rest of her time locked up in her room, she had even stopped going to the gym, Kiran would bring her something to eat from time to time. Aliza, Abdul and Kiran all tried to get her to come out of her shell but the more they tried the more she dwelled deeper.
It had been nearly a month, she had not seen Karan and not attended any of his calls, to avoid any contact with anyone Zoya would leave really early and walk to college and spend the all her time in the library before she walked back to halls. Zaynah and Anwar increasingly became worried about her, they didn't know what had happened, Zaynah kept in regular contact with Kiran to make sure she was ok. During lectures Zoya kept her distance from Indu making a point of not looking in her direction. Where Zoya was going through a an emotional breakdown on the other side Karan was close to going insane, ever attempt he made to contact her, talk to her or even see her was unsuccessful, Zack, Yash and Rohan saw a change in their friend but were not sure what had cause it. Zack had tried talking to him on many occasions but Karan never shared his thoughts, eventually he put it down to the ongoing issue he was having with his dad and the whole fiasco with Indu.
Karan missed Zoya more than he could have imagined, he went to the gym with Zack for a work out 'Karan stop...just stop' Zack had to physically stop Karan from punching the bag 'are you really trying to break every bone in your hand?' Zack led him to the bench and sat him down 'man what has gotten into you, you have been acting all weird for weeks now...what's going on ...and please spare me the nothing I'm cool act'. Karan dropped his shoulders then covered his face with his hands 'Karan...what?' Karan looked up at his friend and started telling him about what had happened everything from his argument with his dad, the constant stalking by Indu and then her behavior towards Zoya.
Zack was dumbfounded; he knew bits about the situation with Indu but was totally unaware of the story with Zoya. 'Karan you seriously have to talk to dad I can't believe he is justifying his decision on the basis of business deals and contracts, does he not realise that you are his son not a business venture...Karan you can't marry Indu...no way in hell man' Karan cringed hearing his name with Indu and the word marriage in the same sentence, it was enough to make him want to vomit.
Karan's dad who was Indu's father's business associate wanted their children to marry in the name of business coming together as a family through marriage would bring India's two most powerful business companies as one, the merger would mean that they would be the sole organization that would head all of Asia and would come in at number two internationally. What didn't help was that Indu claiming that she was in love with Karan and was all for the marriage, whereas Karan never saw her as anything other than a childhood friend. He had relentlessly tried talking to his dad, disagreeing to everything he said but Mr Vickram Oberoi was not an easy man to talk to nor was he one to back down from a decision he had made, he was not only ruthless in his business but also in his personal life.
'You should have seen her face Zack, you know how long it took me to bring her out of her of her hideaway, she had only started feeling like she was really one of us...I mean she always has been but because of everything that had happened to her...Zack serious I really need to talk to her just once' Zack looked at his friend he had never seen him so worried, so anxious and so concerned about anyone yet a lone a girl. Zack knew that what Karan felt for Zoya was more than what would be catogorised as a friend but Karan himself was blind to it.
'Why haven't you just barged in, it's not like you haven't broken the rules before' Karan shook his head 'as much as I want to and trust me there have been days I have had to really work hard to stop myself...I don't want to force myself onto her, I just want to see her...talk to her in a mutual setting...and plus I don't know what she is thinking right now...I mean what if she doesn't care or doesn't want to be friends...how will I ever know?'
'Rohan' Zack said as if a light bulb had just lit up in his head Karan looked at him confused 'Rohan, what about him?' 'I mean Rohan and Kiran are our best bet, we can get them to work with us and they can help you in meeting up with Zoya...and as for Indu we will sort her out later' as Karan registered what Zack was saying a smile crept up to adorn his face he gave Zack a high five 'good thinking Zack...come on let's get to work' he said as he quickly shot up to leave.
Please don't forget to hit the LIKE button and leave me your thoughts.
For those who know my style of writing will be more than aware that my stories are slow paced...so is this one...so pleas keep a little Sabr 😳
scrap the 'Ahmed Khan' and replace it by 'Malik' because if Kiran does not, then i'll do the honours ! 😈 🤬 😡
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