Banner by Divya - Thank You Picasso
Chapter 38
Zoya ran up to Zack and hugged him as hard as she could 'how is my sister doing?' 'A lot better now that I have finally met you...how are you...gosh I have missed you so much' Zack put his arm around Zoya's shoulder and held her close placing a kiss on her head.
'Abdul's flight should be landing soon; we can go and get a coffee'. Zoya sat at the table waiting for Zack to come back with their drinks 'here you go' he said as he placed her coffee in front of her 'how was Aliza did she reach ok, I haven't had a chance to speak to her' 'she is totally fine, she called me this morning. She is starting her classes on Monday; I suppose the same as you. Once you have settled into your accommodation mum and dad have asked for you to come and spend the weekend with us...and we are not taking no for an answer' Zoya started laughing, she had to admit she was nervous about meeting his parents 'sure I'd love to'.
After three more cups of coffee and a long conversation Abdul's flight had finally landed. Abdul helped Zack load up the car before he drove them to their university campus. Abdul and Zoya were going to complete their final year at Queen's Mary University, which was based in the heart of East London, as international students they were given accommodation on site. Unlike the segregation in India the accommodation here was mixed Zoya was based on the second floor and Abdul on the third.
'Zoya I will come and pick you up once you have finished with your registration and other formalities that need to be completed' 'Zack what about Abdul?' Zack looked at Abdul 'don't worry about me guys, I have a few friends here that I want to catch up with before life becomes hectic' 'Abdul you sure?' Zoya asked feeling a little bad that he was going to be left on his own 'totally Zoya...once we finish with the whole induction process tomorrow we only really have the weekend free to do what we want before we start on Monday so its best we catch up with what we want to do'.
The university campus was spaced out along a main road, it was really nice, Zoya and Abdul walked along the road towards the medical faculty which was based towards the end. Zoya took in the sights as they walked, the road was busy with early morning traffic she hadn't really expected to see so many Asian people around. Abdul told her that the residence of this part of East London were predominantly people from south east Asia especially Bangladesh. The university itself was diverse with people of all nationals, the one thing that Zoya didn't fail to notice was the number of girls that wore the hijab, something lit up inside her for once she didn't feel like she was the odd one out, what made her fill up with even more happiness was that a lot of the girls who walked past greeted her with a salaam, Zoya couldn't help smile, she was sure she looked stupid but at this moment in time she didn't really care.
After registration students were asked to attend an induction seminar, where they were given their time tables and various other instructions. In total there were thirty students, Zoya and Abdul looked out if they could recognise anyone else from their college but they couldn't see anyone that looked familiar. By the time they had finished it was nearly two in the afternoon 'I'll call Zack he can come to pick me up, what time you going to meet your friends?' 'Not until six, that's when most of them finish work'. Zoya said bye to Abdul and jumped in the car with Zack, on the way back from campus Zoya and Abdul ventured out a little further to see what was around their local area it was then she came across a small florist and had bought Zack's mum a beautiful bouquet of flowers.
'You know you really didn't have to' Zack said as he admired the arrangement 'yes I did...how could I go and see them empty handed...plus I am meeting her for the first time...how was Ally? Bet you she was a nervous wreck'. Zack gave her a lopsided smile 'in the beginning yes she was but quickly warmed up to them, you know my mum actually spoke to hers' Zoya looked at him wide eyed 'really...hang on does that mean that this thing may be turning into something more special?' Zoya turned towards him in excitement as she waited for him to answer. Zack had a soft smile plastered on his face and if she wasn't wrong his cheeks had almost turned pink 'Bhaijaan are you really going to...come you're not even going to tell me?' Zack pulled up the car and turned to face her 'yes I am going to propose to her...' Zoya didn't let him finish she started screaming and jumped forward to hug him 'Ya Allah thank you so much...I can't believe it...oh my gosh this is so cool...I can't tell you how happy I am'
Zack pulled his crazy sister back and made her sit down 'I haven't as yet and she doesn't know about it, I have spoken to mum and dad who have both agreed, it is why mum spoke to hers...I am going to propose on New Year's eve...hopefully she will say yes and if she does we can get married after she graduates or after her house training' 'Zack this is the best news I have ever had...really I am so happy for you' she placed her hand on his cheek 'form this day onwards I will pray to Allah every day asking him to bless my brother with every happiness...oh man...do you even know how far New Years is...I have to wait that long' Zoya started pouting making Zack shake his head and roll his eyes, the child in Dr. Farooqui never failed to surface no matter how old she was.
Zoya walked in behind Zack, he showed her to the living room and then went to call his mum. The house was beautifully decorated, it was elegant in style but had the warmth of a home. 'Mum this is Zoya my adopted sister and Zoya this is my mum Asha' 'Assalam O Alaikum Aunty' Zoya stepped forward to greet her. Asha hugged Zoya and then placed a soft kiss on her forehead 'Welcome to our home beta, it is so lovely to have finally met you Zack never stops talking about you all, and especially how you look after him' 'Zack actually takes more care of me than I do of him, he is the best brother anyone can really ask for' Zack felt his heart fill up with warmth he put his arm around her shoulder 'and you are the best sister' he said tapping his head against hers. Asha looked at the two of them 'well in that case no calling me aunty you can call me mum too' Zoya felt her eyes moisten 'really?' 'Yes really' Zoya smiled and hugged Asha tightly.
The weekend seemed to be over as soon as it started, but Zoya made sure she enjoyed every minute. Zack's parents had welcomed her with open arms and were so loving towards her, Asha made her promise that she would come and stay with them as much as she could after Zack went back to India.
As Zack drove Zoya back to her university he spoke to her about Karan and what they had planned for the future 'we haven't really spoken about it in great detail, I guess we just take each day as it come' Zoya said honestly. 'And you have never thought about it?' 'Of course I have, what more would I want than to be with him forever and that too as his wife, but I also know that it's a long way off...I am not sure it will be so simple'.
Zack agreed with her but didn't voice his opinion, he knew Karan's father only too well and he also knew Indu and her father. They had been able to keep the depth of their relationship a secret for a long time now but as soon as any of them got to know the truth things would start to get nasty. The one think Zack did know was that no matter what he would always be there for his brother and best friend and now for his sister too. He thought about telling his parents especially his mum as he felt she would be able to support Zoya but then held back thinking that it was only Zoya who had the right to disclose any parts of her personal life.
Edited by Saima-Syed - 10 years ago
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