Thirty One Part A
Later that evening Dilshad asked Zack to take her to the Dargah, she wanted to offer her thanks to Allah for His blessings and for bringing Asad and Zoya back after so long. 'Asad...I am going to the Dargah with Zack, it will take me a while...Asad...that little box that you keep hold of, you might want to...' Asad started smiling 'I will Ammi, thank you. I will see you when you get back'.
Asad waited in the lounge for Zoya to come out, he couldn't help smiling, it almost felt like a dream. As Zoya stepped outside of her room Asad stood up, for some strange reason he felt nervous, like it was his first date. 'Ammi has gone to...' 'I know, she told me' Zoya said looking just as nervous. 'You want something to eat...or drink?' he asked not knowing what else to say Zoya smiled at him 'no, I am good for now...thanks'.
Taking in a much needed breath to calm down his erratic heart beat Asad held out his hand to her, Zoya looked down at his hand and stepped forward, as soon as she placed hers in his Asad pulled her towards him and embraced her in a loving hug. He hid his face in her beautiful hair that smelt just as he remembered it.
Zoya pulled back and looked at him, she slowly raised her hand to his face and closed her eyes. As she had always done Zoya grazed her fingers over his face, taking in every bit of him through her touch, Asad looked at her as she smiled continuously, she truly looked beautiful. 'Zoya open your eyes...remember what you used to say' bringing her fingers to his lips she stopped him from talking, she opened her eyes slowly and looked at him with nothing but pure love 'Just One Glimpse'. Asad wiped the stray tear that escaped from the corner of her eye 'I love you' she whispered 'I love you too Angel' Zoya tip toed to join their breaths as one, Asad kissed his Zoya, his Angel back softly taking in every bit of her sweetness.
'I have something to give you, come' he said as he led her to his room. Zoya walked into his room and looked around, it was immaculate, simple in design but it had a class of its own. Zoya and went to stand by the window, the view of Mumbai city was amazing, as the sky darkened the lights came on illuminating every part of it. Asad went to stand next to her 'my favourite time of the day, when the lights come on and bring the city to life' Zoya turned to face him 'what did you want to give me?'
Asad sucked in a breath 'Zoya, do you remember the day...when...I mean at the hospital when you went in to the theatre' Zoya could see how difficult it was becoming for him to continue, as much as it pained her the memories were new to Asad, she placed her hand over his 'what is it Asad?' Asad opened up his plam to reveal the small red box that he was holding on to 'that day I went to get this...for you. I had thought that the moment you open your eyes and see me for the first time...I would give you this'.
Zoya looked down at the box and then took it 'can I open it?' Asad nodded. As Zoya opened the box she let out a small gasp, she took out the ring and then looked up at Asad with moist eyes 'is this a...' Asad nodded 'I was going to propose to you, ask you to marry me, to be mine forever...after what happened this was the only thing I had with me. I tried so much, so hard to remember why I had it, who it was for but there was nothing...and then Ammi told me that I was in love with someone, a girl called Zoya, a girl that I loved so much that I wanted to make a part of my life' Asad lowered his head as tears started to form, Zoya held her hand out and caught his tear drop 'no more Asad...no more, we have given more than we have ever got...and from this day onwards there will never be a time or a place where we will give these the opportunity to come back into our lives'.
Zoya held his hand and placed the box back on his palm 'isn't there something you need to ask me?' Asad let out a little laugh, he looked deep into her eyes and then slowly bent down on one knee 'Zoya Farooqui, will you marry me?' Zoya bent down and held his face in the palm of her hands, she placed her lips of his and kissed him tenderly 'is that a yes?' 'it most certainly is Mr Asad Ahmed Khan'.
Dilshad and Zack were over the moon, Zack hugged Asad and then went to hug Zoya 'I am so so happy...you finally did it...I need to call Ammi and Abu..' 'Zack...I already told them...they are still my parents...and it was only right that I told them first' Zack couldn't help smiling, his eyes moistened as he walked up to her again 'thank you Angel...' Zoya shook her head 'no Zack if anything I should be thanking you, what you, Ammi and Abu did for me...' Zack placed his finger on her lips 'no getting emotional...I am just glad that we are one big happy family...but in all of this you seemed to have forgotten that you have signed a new contract with Mr Leo's Musicology, you have the launch of your new single and Album...and what can be more perfect than getting you two married at the same time' Zoya looked at Asad and then at Dilshad, who looked like she was on cloud nine.
Zoya walked up to Asad 'Mr Leo, could I have some time off after the launch of my new album, you see I have just got engaged and am planning to get married by the end of the year' Everyone started laughing 'hmm...let me see...you know it will be a busy time for us...it will mean working double time up until the launch and then triple time to prepare for the New Year's concert...I mean getting married doesn't seem like a good idea' Zoya hit Asad across the chest 'You want me to fulfil the contract or no?' Asad wrapped his arms around her 'from this day on Musicology is yours Zoya, you can do what you want and when you want, you're the boss'.
Like always Zack had started to travel around again working on various projects as well as arranging for the big day. Ruby and Jai had moved to Mumbai, Asad had offered them to become a part of Musicology, but more than that he wanted them to be around for Zoya.
The next four weeks saw a lot of activity, Asma and Rehaan came back to India for the pending wedding, Zoya was hardly ever seen as she was working twice as hard with Ronit and Atul and Asad was also going around business as usual.
At work and in the media Zoya was always going to remain as Angel, it was only to her family and close friends that she was Zoya. Asad alternated between the two names depending on his mood, Zack still called him Leo as that was who he had always been to him. 'Asad, what time are you finishing?' 'I was hoping to finish soon but it will be another late night, I need to prepare for the conference in Shimla' Zoya couldn't stop smiling on hearing Shimla, so many memories were attached to that one place 'when are you going?' 'Wednesday morning' 'fine, I am coming with you' Asad started to laugh 'Zoya your launch is on Friday night...you need to be here I will come back by Thursday evening'. Zoya started to pull childlike faces 'stop pouting Zoya...just because I can't see you doesn't mean I don't know what you are doing' Zoya started to laugh 'ok...but I am coming to you...right now...I haven't seen you for two days and...and...I'm coming and that's final' 'ok...come...I love you' 'I love you too...see you in half an hour'.
Zoya walked straight into his cabin to find him resting his head back on his chair, he looked visibly tired. She closed the door slowly and tip toed towards him. She was just about to stroke his face when he grabbed her arm and twirled her around making her land in his lap. Zoya let out a scream 'Ya Allah...are you trying to give me a heart attack' she said hitting the side of his arm 'I'm sorry I could resist' Asad wrapped his arms around her little waist and pulled her even close. Zoya leaned her forehead against his 'I have missed you...first you have got me working so hard and then you engross yourself with all this' 'We are both working hard for what we love the most...and for each other, I want to see you, my Angel and Musicology to reach heights that have never been reached before, and if it is hard work and dedication that takes you there then...' 'I know...I just don't want us to always be like this...away from one another for so long' 'we won't Zoya...we have done that already...from now one nothing will separate us...we will always work something out when it comes to our working schedules...I love you and will always be here...I need you to remember that' Zoya stroked his cheek with the back of her hand 'and I love you' she whispered as she closed in to capture his lips.
'Zack, I am so nervous' Zoya said as she walked the length of her room 'Angel...you have no reason to be...come on you have stood up in front of hundreds of people and sung beautifully' 'yes but I haven't always had to stand infront of flashing cameras and answer questions...what if I...ugh...where is Asad he is supposed to be here by now' Zack held Zoya by her shoulders 'Angel, breath...Leo is on his way he should be here any minute, you will have Ronit and Atul on stage with you, you will have Jai, Ruby me and Leo standing right behind you...so will you just relax'. Zoya took in a deep breath 'ok...sorry...' as Zoya was talking Ruby came in 'its time, you are on in two minutes' Zoya looked at Zack who gave her a reassuring smile before he led her out towards the stage.
'Zack...Asad still isn't here' 'he will be...don't worry' As Ronit and Atul took to the stage they started to talk about the event and then gave a small introduction to Angel, as they called for her she hear a loud round of applause and lots of cheering, Zoya held on to her breath as she took a step forward as soon as she did she felt a hand around her waist that pulled her in 'what took you so long?' 'I'm sorry' Asad whispered as he cupped the side of her face and kissed her cheek 'good luck'.
As Zoya walked out the cheers and screams got louder, she raised her hand waving to all those in the audience, smiling her beautiful smile Zoya truly looked like an Angel one that was going to rock the world of music like no other. Zoya's confidence and her ability to handle the press left everyone dumbfounded, she was truly brilliant. Asad had never felt so proud, his love for Zoya, his respect for her as an artist and his confidence in her knew no bounds, as he stood there starring at her he saw Zoya turn towards him, she was being asked to sing a few lines of one of the songs from the album. Asad understood what she was silently asking, he held up his hand and then stuck up three fingers, indicating song number three, one of his favourites.
Hum tere bin ab reh nahi sakte
Tere bina kya wajood mera
Tujhse juda gar ho jaayenge
Toh khud se hi ho jaayenge judaa
Kyunki tum hi ho
Ab tum hi ho
Zindagi ab tum hi ho
Chain bhi, mera dard bhi
Meri aashiqui ab tum hi ho
Zoya came off stage to be mobbed by Jai, Ruby and Zack at the same time, as she hugged her crazy friend she looked up at Asad who gave her a wink.
With promotions and media events in full swing after the launch Zoya had little time to concentrate on the wedding, something that upset her but with the reassurance of her family and friends she continued to do what she had to.
'Asad the Nikah is next week and you still haven't booked your honeymoon' 'I know Ammi, but we can't go until after the new year, Zoya had a new year concert and straight after that we will leave...promise'.
By the time Zoya came back home it was past midnight, she quickly had a shower and changed. As she came out of the bathroom, she felt herself being lifted up and twirled 'Asad...put me down...are you crazy' she said as she giggled. Asad let her down and then hugged her from behind 'how are you?' 'Tired...thank God I have the day off tomorrow' 'and then?' 'And then after the weekend I am off until the concert' 'five more days...and then you are all mine' Zoya placed her hands over his and leaned back further in his hold 'I was always yours Asad' Asad turned her around, pushing her wet locks back he held the side of her face in his hand 'I know...but after Tuesday there will be no barriers between us' 'there are no barriers now Asad...I love you and you are mine as much as I am yours' Asad lowered his head and kissed her, with every passing moment their kiss deepened, Asad snaked his arm around her waist and pulled her flush against his own body, as much as they need to breath in air they refused to relinquish to their need and pull apart.
Edited by Saima-Syed - 10 years ago
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