Three
Mona, I am off to meet with Mr Singhania, it's a working lunch so will be out of the office for the rest of the day, can you make sure that these reports are faxed over to Zack immediately, he will be flying out this evening and I need them signed and sent out today'.
Mona let out the breath she was holding on to as he walked away. Mona had been Asad's PA for a good part of 3 years and he still made her nervous, his over efficiency and little tolerance for error always put her on edge.
'Why do you always look like you have seen a ghost?' Mona looked up at Neil 'Mr Khan is no less...a walking talking living...' Mona couldn't even bring herself to say it even in his absence. A lot of the people secretly called Asad 'Akdu Khan', everything about him was one dimensional, his lack of people skills outside of his work and his no nonsense attitude always kept people at arm's length. Ironically if his staff carried on working with him and for his company it was because he was the best employer you could get. His packages and benefits matched no other, if anyone wanted to excel in their chosen careers all they had to do was become an employee of Khan Group of Industries.
'Arif, what is going on, I am going to be late' Asad said in an annoyed tone of voice 'sorry sir, there seems to be some kind of protest ahead, the road had been grid locked' 'what the hell is wrong with people, why they need to inconvenience others is beyond me...is there another route we can take, you know I hate being late' 'no sir, this is the only direct route...' 'I haven't got time for this; I am going to walk, when you can bring the car around and wait for me'.
Asad picked bag and started making his way down to Singhania's office. On route he came across a large group of people who were protesting against development plans that would mean clearing out a whole colony. People were shouting angry slogans, upset that they would lose their homes and livelihoods at the hands of rich investors who had the Government on their side.
Asad was about to walk around them when he stopped, he looked back and saw her standing there holding on to the side barrier. At first he thought it was his imagination, but the more he saw move and chant with the rest of the crowd he knew it was real. Asad looked around to see if he could recognise anyone from the school but couldn't see anyone with her 'what the hell is she doing out her on her own, is she crazy?' He said to himself baffled to why someone who was blind would stand in a middle of a protest on their own.
With so many people around, Zoya fell forward as people pushed past her. Asad ran up to her and instinctively pulled her arm back 'are you ok?' he said. Zoya turned around 'yes thank...' Zoya stopped as she started to speak, her facial expression instantly changed. Zoya recognised his scent, and there was no mistaking it 'Asad...right?' Asad looked at her wide eyes 'how does she know it's me' he thought to himself.
'Y...yes' he said in a voice laced with disbelief 'how did you know?' Zoya smiled at him 'When one sense doesn't work Allah gives you the power to use your other senses that much more...' Not really understanding what she meant he kept looking at her. 'Can I help you...I mean where is it that you are going?' 'I am not going anywhere...I am part of this rally...we are protesting against the development proposal made for a shopping mall to be made over our colony' 'you live there?' 'Yes, have done for a long time, its where the orphanage I grew up in is as well...' As Zoya continued to talk she felt another push behind her which made her fall against him once more 'ouch', Asad quickly put his arm around her and pulled her to the side 'here stand here it's safer' Zoya started to laugh I am the blind one and these people can't see where they are going'. Asad looked at her as she laughed at her own handicap, he couldn't understand how someone who had endured so much and still was having to go through so many difficulties could stand there and look so happy.
'Why are you out her on your own, don't you realise how dangerous it can be? Why would you put yourself in such a position?' Zoya heard his tone of voice harden. Zoya may not have been blessed with the gift of sight but she was gifted, her sixth sense never failed her. The beautiful smile she adorned started to fade Asad...I can call you that right?' not letting him answer she continued talking you don't need to look at me like I am crazy, life has taught me to accept and move on, live with happiness, if I let my circumstances get the better of me then I will only have failed myself. I am not sorry that I can't see, and I never ask anyone to feel sorry for me. I love my life, it is what Allah has willed for me and I am content...I am still a thousand times better than some people...and I am no more vulnerable as the next person, how many accidents happen to those who can see...I am blind, not an invalid'
Asad felt his whole body wash over goose bumps, he couldn't help smile at the girl that stood before him, he had never come across someone like her. Zoya was not only confident but courageous too; she never gave up and never let life bring her down.
'Are you planning on staying here...I mean is anyone with you?' he asked looking through the crowds 'I am here with all these people, they are from my colony...by the way what are you doing here?' 'Oh...I was on my way to a meeting...which I am running late for...will you be ok?' he asked with genuine concern 'I always am...oh and before you go, thank you...for the other day and for today'. Asad remembered how he shouted at her and felt a wave of guilt 'Zoya...I am sorry for shouting at you...if I had known...' 'It's ok...I guess you should get going...you will be late' 'yeah...bye'.
Asad walked away from her but couldn't stop himself from turning back to see her every few seconds, he saw her raise her hands as the rest did shouting out, asking the Government to stop demolishing their homes.
Asad finally reached Singhania's office, his meeting went well, Mr Arjun Singhania was an associate and old friend of Rashid. Asad was working with Mr Singhania on the development of a maternity home based in rural villages to help the poor and vulnerable, for those who couldn't afford medical treatments and risked the loss of their lives as well as the life of their unborn child.
Before Asad stood up to leave he looked back at Mr Singhania 'do you know who has put in the proposal for the shopping mall...the one they want to build over Ram Nagar?' 'Yes, as a matter of fact I do, it's Mr Prem Roy' 'I have not heard of him, is he new?' 'Very much so, an NRI who has come in with more money to invest than sense, don't worry, he won't get permission, the way the people are lobbying the local councillors and Government...I mean come on displacing a whole colony to put up a shopping mall, they will never allow it, not with the elections coming up' 'Good to hear...Ok, well I guess I will see you soon, and thank you for the lunch'.
Asad came out to find Arif waiting for him in the car park 'Arif, has the protest cleared?' 'No sir, but it has moved on a little further so that section of the road is clear' Asad nodded, as he was about to sit in his car he remembered Zoya. Closing the door again he looked towards Arif 'Arif, I am going to walk up to there, you bring the car around', Arif looked at him confused but did as he was told.
Asad walked up to where he last saw Zoya, he looked around but couldn't see her, it didn't take long for Arif to reach him 'Sir, are you ready?' he called out. It was then Asad realised what he was doing 'have you gone crazy...get yourself out of here' he said to himself before he sat down and ordered Arif to take him home.
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Hi All
Hope you liked Chapter 3, I know it's short but promise longer updates are coming.
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Lots of Love
Saima
Edited by Saima-Syed - 11 years ago
Love Friendship Dating and Relationships
Bindi
Current Affairs
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