Chapter 16
Zoya's group finished their presentation, finally it was over, and the hard work paid off they were given an A which they were more than happy with. Kiran also had her presentation and as usual was a nervous wreck but her group managed to score a perfect A too. With only six weeks left to the end of the year students from both colleges were busy revising for their end of year exams giving them very little time to have fun.
Zoya's group decided to meet for a few hours over the weekend to get some extra revision in, which always helped. The weather was really starting to heat up, Zoya was with her group along with Kiran and Rohan out in the gardens 'Kiran your book is here, will you start concentrating' Aliza said poking her 'ouch' she screamed back rubbing her arm 'Rohan either tell your girlfriend to start studying or move to the other side' Rohan looked at Aliza then at Kiran who started laughing 'ok ok I am studying no reason for anyone to move'.
'Hey have you all sorted out your accommodation for next year?' Abdul asked. Students were only allocated halls for their first year from then onwards it was up to them to arrange private accommodation. It was quite common for students to double up or rent out apartments to share; being in such an affluent part of Mumbai meant that it didn't come cheap. Everyone stopped what they were doing and started to ponder over what to do they hadn't paid much attention they were allowed to stay in halls until the end of July and the New Year didn't start until mid-September for second year students.
As they started discussing options Karan walked over to them with Zack, Yash, Leya and Indu. Zoya started fidgeting the minute she saw Indu behind Karan. Kiran noticed her becoming uneasy she quickly went and sat next to her and place her hand on hers to reassure her. Zoya gave Kiran a nervous smile and to avoid any kind of eye contact Zoya put on her sun glasses and started reading her book again.
As they all greeted one another Indu caught Karan looking at Zoya then deliberately moved herself to stand in front of him. Kiran gave her a stern look then turned towards Zoya 'I can't believe someone as immature and insensitive as her is studying to be a doctor...she needs help' Zoya nudged her to shush her 'Kiran she will hear just leave her'. 'Karan have you sorted out your accommodation for the new year' Rohan asked, Zack raised his eyebrow 'come on you really need to ask, the dude has his own pad up in Galaxy Way'. Everyone looked at Zack as if they were supposed to know what that meant. Galaxy Way was one the most prestigious and expensive areas to live in, Karan's parents had a four bedroom apartment there. 'What is everyone else doing? Have you guys started looking?' Yash asked. As everyone engaged in conversation about where they wanted to live and who with Zoya moved back a little and kept herself engrossed in her book.
A few things were certain Zack and Aliza, Rohan and Kiran definitely wanted to be sharing an apartment and there was no way Karan was going to be staying without Zack. 'Hang on one minute I have an idea, my place has four double bedrooms why don't Aliza and Kiran double up in one room, Zack you can share with Rohan in the other. That way we can all be together and there when it comes to rent all you have to do is pay for your food...what say?' 'Not bad my son' Zack slapped his hand on Karan's back 'I am totally liking it...hey what do you guys say?' 'But what about Zoya...I am not going anywhere without her' Kiran said turning towards her, Zoya looked up nervously 'Kiran...I really don't know what I am doing and I will need to talk to my sister first' 'But Zoya...' Kiran was about to reiterate how she was not going to leave her behind when Indu interrupted 'Karan hasn't got all the room in the world, where do you expect him to sleep on the balcony?'
Zack, Karan and Kiran immediately looked at Zoya they knew how much Indu affected her. Zack looked back at Indu trying to keep his anger in check 'the last time I checked Karan's place had four double bedrooms, so he has ample room and at the end of the day Indu it's his decision'. 'Well Zack for your kind information Karan will no doubt give me priority, with me being so close to him I will be taking the third room and Karan himself in the fourth' Indu spoke with such arrogance her behavior and rudeness didn't go unnoticed by the group sitting there. Karan kept his eyes on Zoya the whole time, luckily for her she had her glasses on so he was oblivious to the small drops of tears that had started to form in her eyes.
Zoya cleared her throat to ensure that it didn't sound broken in any way Abdul I arranged a tutorial with Dr. Armaan for later today, do you want to come with me?' her voice was low but loud enough for Karan to hear, Abdul smiled at her sure...do you want to leave now?' Zoya nodded we can walk down, if that is ok with you?'
Zoya and Abdul got up Ally I'll pick up any extra material for you' Zoya knew that she wanted to spend time with Zack hence why she never asked her. Kiran looked at Karan and gave him a look that on any other day would have been no short of a murderous punch. Karan knew exactly what Kiran was saying he let Zoya and Abdul walk ahead before he excused himself and ran after them. 'Zoya...hang on...um can I talk to you for a second...please it won't take long' Zoya looked at Abdul, 'it's ok Zoya I'll be by the gate'.
Zoya turned to face Karan 'before you start please don't apologise on her behalf its ok, it's not as I was going to be moving in anyway' Karan sighed in frustration he reached up and took the liberty of removing her glasses 'Karan...what are you doing...give those back' Zoya said trying to get them back out of his hand 'Zoya calm down, I can't talk to you if I can't see you...I mean I need to know that you're looking at me...you know what I mean I can't talk to you if you are wearing these' Zoya folded her arms across her chest 'ok fine...what' 'Zoya I know she upsets you and she does it deliberately, she is totally out of order, I don't want you to take what she says to heart, she shouldn't mean anything to you'. Zoya lowered her head she let her hands fall down, Karan placed his finger under her chin and lifted it up 'Zoya can I ask you something?' Zoya nodded 'if I asked you to move in with us would you?' Zoya eyes widened after having heard all that he was asking her this 'Karan did you not hear what your friend over there just said and you are still asking me'
Karan placed his hands on her shoulders and pulled her towards him 'Zoya I don't care about anyone else, what anyone else thinks or says at this moment in time all I care is about you so let me ask you again Zoya will you move in with me...I mean with all of us, you can have your own room promise' Zoya dwelled deeper into his eyes she could feel his hold on her arms silently urging her to respond almost pleading her to say yes 'Ka...' 'yes or no Zoya just a simple answer' Zoya closed her eyes she stepped back and looked at him 'yes' she smiled. Karan could not believe what he had just heard, she had never seen him so happy it was like he had won first prize, he grabbed her and hugged her 'thank you Zoya this is going to be so cool' Zoya laughed 'Karan you need to let go of me I need to get to my tutorial' Karan let her go 'see you later?' 'Most definitely...and Karan thanks'.
The group had pretty much witnessed what had happened, where most of them were intrigued and started to make childish comments Indu was furious 'Zack don't you think they look cute together' Aliza joked, Indu shot up 'are you crazy...Karan and that Zoya just because he feels sorry for her and is friendly it doesn't mean anything' everyone's face dropped at her little outburst, Kiran was getting ready to get up and give her a piece of her mind but was stopped by Rohan. Karan caught the end of what Indu was saying but by the time he had reached them she stormed off 'Karan you seriously need to talk to that girl she is turning into a monster' Karan didn't know what to do with her he had spoken to her before but the whole issue with the marriage proposal and the unwanted intervention and pressures from their families was not helping.
Zoya and Abdul came back after their tutorial 'you want to get a coffee?' she asked feeling a little peckish 'sure'. As they headed towards the canteen she saw Zack, Rohan and Yash playing football whilst Kiran, Aliza and Leya sat by the tree totally absorbed by the good looking fit bodies that moved so effortlessly before them. 'Abdul if you want to join them go ahead I can go and grab us the drink' 'you sure?' 'Of course I am you go on just let Kiran know I'll be back in a bit'.
Zoya got her much needed drink and a sandwich before she went and joined the rest of the girls as soon as she sat down Kiran cuddled up to her 'you ok' 'yes am very well, just had a really good session with Dr Armaan and...' Zoya stopped and started to smile, Kiran and Aliza looked at her 'and what...what's got you smiling so much?' 'And Karan asked me to move in with you guys next year' 'oh my gosh what did you say please have said yes' Kiran started jumping in her place 'calm down Kiran before you start to hyperventilate...yes I said yes' both Aliza and Kiran looked at each other before they let out a unified scream and jumped on her making her fall back 'this is going to be so cool I am so glad you said yes Zoya' Kiran said 'hang on but what about that miserable child Indu, I thought she was going to move in?'
Zoya looked at Aliza 'that is what I said to Karan, the last thing I wanted was anymore friction or tension because of me, but he was adamant that he didn't care and he wants me to move in so I am not really sure about her, I suppose I will have to talk to him'. 'So that's what all that hugging was about, you know you two look quite good together' Kiran teased, Zoya's expression dropped immediately 'Kiran you have it wrong Karan is a really good friend and you know that so stop with the childishness' Kiran put her hand on her heart 'of course Zoya just friends...Aliza did you hear that they are just friends' Kiran and Aliza started laughing, Zoya rolled her eyes at then and took out her book to read, paying them no attention.
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Salaam All
That was chapter 16, hope u like it.
Thank you for all your support and lovely words, it means a lot.
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I have promised to give chapter 17 & 18 as a double update so...
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Lots of Love Saima
Edited by Saima-Syed - 11 years ago
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