Four
Asad sat in front of the TV flicking through the channels, it was nearly 2 in the morning and there was still no sign of sleep. Rolling his eyes and sighing in frustration at just about everything he saw Asad was about to throw down the remote control when he heard it.
Jee le zara, jee le zaraa
Kehta hai dil jee le zara
Aye humsafar, aye humnawa
Aa paas aa jee le zara
Asad felt a cold breeze wash over him as he glued his eyes to the TV, the song was the first one he had ever heard in full, and that too sung by someone so angelic.
As the song played in the background Asad's mind went back to Zoya, in all his 26 years Asad had never given anyone a second thought, especially not a girl who was a complete stranger. At that moment he tried to brush aside the strange feelings that had started to swim around him but the more he did the more he was drawn to them, wanting to understand what they were.
Asad came out of his reverie as soon as the song came to an end, he switch off the TV and forced himself to go back to bed, trying to think of anything else but her.
'Zoya, are you sure you want to go...I mean' Zoya smiled at Ruby 'why not Ruby, all of you guys are going...why not me?' 'Ruby started to shake her head 'no Zoya...please I didn't mean it like that...' 'I know...I think it will be fun, and plus I will have you with me too' 'of course you will...I will let Mrs Braganza know you are coming too'.
Every year the school organised a coach trip for members of staff, who were given a week off to relax and rejuvenate. This year because of the extra funding they had received and the money they had raised through their charity concerts Mrs Braganza had arranged for everyone to go to Shimla and that too by train.
Zoya had always refrained from going, she used those days off to work more at the orphanage, but this year she wanted to go, she had never stepped foot outside Delhi and this would be her only chance.
Mrs Braganza came to speak to Zoya "Zoya, my child I am so so happy you decided to come, you may only be here for a few days a week but you are very much part of us, I have spoken to the orphanage and they are more than happy for you to come too, I will ask Ruby to help you pack, it will still be a little cold there...we will be leaving first thing Thursday morning'.
Zoya smiled, she was so excited, she may not be able to see it but she was definitely going to be able to touch, play and make the most of the snow that was still falling in some parts.
Zoya stood on the platform of the train station taking in the loud noises, the echoes of people rushing, talking, laughing and shouting all around her. There were times when her heart would accelerate, sometimes out of excitement and sometimes because something had given her a little fright. Ruby held on to her hand 'come Zoya, our carriage is this way' Ruby sat Zoya down by the window 'we should be on the move in a few minutes, you ok' Zoya nodded 'yes, thankyou'.
As the train came into motion Zoya felt butterflies in her stomach, the smile she adorned was no less than anyone achieving their biggest achievement. For Zoya the smaller things in life were her biggest achievements, ones that she was proud of because she knew that everything she did have today was due to her own hard work, her efforts and determination to live and love life as any other person.
The journey was long and tiresome, Zoya managed to close her eyes and sleep for most of it, as they got closer to their destination the colder it became, Ruby took out a thick top and gave it to Zoya to wear.
Zoya crept up closer to the window and let the icy cold breeze fan against her face turning it a beautiful shade of pink against her white flawless skin.
After another forty five minutes they finally reached their destination. Jai helped Zoya off the train and walked her up to their mini bus 'I will be back with your bags, wait here'. Zoya closed her eyes and took in the fresh crisp air, there was a distinct smell, it was sweet in its essence. Ruby walked up to her and smiled as she saw her scrunch up her nose sniffing.
Ruby took Zoya's hands 'here...feel this' Zoya grazed her hands over a bed of wild lavender 'its lavender...take some' she said as she pulled out a few 'thanks Ruby'. Zoya was someone who didn't know what anything looked like, she had no recognition of colours, shapes or objects but was still able to appreciate everything around her.
The drive to their lodge wasn't far, as soon as they got their keys and settled into their rooms.
The group ventured out to check out their local area. The view was breath-taking, the higher grounds was covered in a layer of perfect white snow, the sun was shining bright bringing everything around them to life. 'is that the sound of water running?' Zoya asked 'yes, there is a stream further down, would you like to see...I mean go there' Ruby quickly corrected herself 'yeah, sure' she said letting out a giggle.
Ruby had become very close to Zoya over few moths, in the beginning she found it hard to deal with her blindness, but as time went on it wasn't something she associated with her as Zoya did everything they did just as well if not better, and it was because of that she would often forget that Zoya was still a little different.
Zoya dipped her hand in the water, which was extremely cold, her whole body shivered 'Ya Allah...it's so cold' she said as she continued to play with it.
Later that afternoon when they returned to their lodge they saw a large group of people walking into a building not too far from theirs. 'Looks like a business conference' Jai said 'yeah, can you imagine working and travelling to such beautiful locations...I think that will have to be my next career move' Annie said admiring the suited and booted people that continued to make their way in.
A few hundred yards away from their lodge stood Shimla's international Conference House, which was often used by corporate companies and other larger NGOs to hold seminars and conferences. For the next few days they were holding an international conference organised by the department of Education.
Amongst the people that walked into the building was none other than Asad Ahmed Khan, who was here to represent his company, which was also a stakeholder in building educational establishments and funding students who wanted to continue their education abroad.
That was Chapter 4, hope you liked it.
Thank you all of you who liked the last chapters and especially to those who left me such lovely feedback.
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