ASYA SS- Dotted Line- Chapter 12 Updated- Page 143 - Page 52

Chapter 6

"Who's to say,what's impossible
Well they forgot, this world keeps spinning
And with each new day
I can feel a change in everything
And as the surface breaks reflections fade
But in some ways they remain the same
And as my mind begins to spread its wings
There's no stopping curiosity" - Jack Jackson

The first time in his life Asad Ahmed Khan was out of his wits. He did not know what to do with Ms. Farooqui. She was shivering uncontrollably over the bed and he stood helplessly at the door. He had arranged everything as per recommendation and kept looking his wristwatch time to time. He again looked at Zoya who was mumbling something incoherently. Asad squeezed his eyes shut and inhaled deeply as he decided to take the matter in his hands. She had to be rescued and it was the time that he would think of it rationally. His brain mocked him once again. He took the dry dresses of Zoya, which he brought out from her messy suitcase. Yes, he had to try hard to bring out those comfortable clothes as they were not arranged properly. He sighed again taking slow steps towards her. It was almost fifteen minutes that he took her inside. . In the nick of time the doorbell rang and Asad sighed in relief. He had urgently called Nikhat who was doing an internship in a medical college and she instructed what to do and what not when she was already on her way to his home. She was in the hospital as she was in charge of her night duty. She had reached into the hospital almost an hour before her shift would start only to save from the relentless rain. Nikhat ran inside the house to save her from the rain.

"Where is she Bhaijaan?" Nikhat asked. Asad nodded at the guest room and she dashed out to the direction.

Without any delay, she had changed Zoya's outfits and made her dry. Then she dried her hair using a hair dryer and put some wet clothes over her head after checking her fever. She had rushed to the kitchen for something to make her eat as she needed to give her the medicine. She saw Asad was serving some soup over a bowl and also a glass of hot milk with Horlicks. Seeing his sister there he became embarrassed.

"I..I thought she was hungry and she will not be able to take solid foods. So..I..I" as usual Asad fumbled with words. He was tensed because of Zoya's condition and he wanted to make sure she was okay. Why? Not because she cared for him, but because he was a human being.

Nikhat did not know Asad much. Asad definitely was their elder brother. But he was mysterious to all of them. Though he loved them, but he maintained an unusual distance with them. But that did not lessen the feelings which they felt for him. After their birth, they had always known, their Ammi- Abbu never tried to hide those truths to them. She only knew what Rashid had told about him to them. But in this one month she had observed him. He was like coconut, hard outside and soft inside. Nikhat found him extremely responsible, lovable and caring person. She realized how his heart had accepted them despite of hatred towards their father. Not that their father was at fault, but Asad was not at the fault too. She found him as a real big brother. Yes Ayaan was also there, but he almost lived in London for his study purpose. He was fun loving and loved them very much but he acted like a friend than as an elder brother.

Asad cleared his throat and shifted his weight from feet one to another hesitantly. Nikhat gave him a warm smile and said okay, she got what he wanted to say. She came there and took those over a tray and Asad gave her a half-smile and patted her head with acknowledgement. Nikhat looked up at him and he mouthed a "Thank You". Nikhat nodded at his hearing it and said "I am your sister Bhaijaan and that to a doctor. So you don't have to thank me as it is part of my duty." Asad gave a small nod hearing it.

"If you need anything then you can call me" Asad said as he went inside his room but kept the door open.

Half an Hour Later

Nikhat knocked slightly at Asad's room. Asad was as usual working on laptop.

"Bhaijaan, I am going. Hospital shift is going to start. She needs ample rest and food. She is just weak and is under stressed. The fever will go in the morning, In Shaa Allah" Nikhaat said forwarding to the main door.

"I shall drop you to the hospital" Asad came with his keys.

"No need, Bhaijaan. I have my car and it's only 15 minutes to drive. You look after her" Nikhaat stopped watching the frown on her Bhaijaan's forehead. She sighed and said

"Don't worry too much Bhaijaan. I always drive for my night shift. It is totally okay" She squeezed Asad's forearm. Finally Asad nodded and kissed her forehead.

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Next Morning

Zoya woke up with a heavy head and aching body. She looked here and there and recognized the guest room of Khan Villa. All the events from previous day hit her and she frantically looked around here and there. Then she looked at her disheveled form in the mirror. Her clothes were changed and all the things were placed neatly in rightful places. She found a piece of paper on the side table and unfolded it with a shaking hand. Her head was pounding.

Miss Farooqui

Don't be panic, you are all okay. I found you in my garden last night. I called a doctor and she gave you the medicines and food. She had also changed your clothes for your kind information. You need rest. I am going to the office. Food is kept in the fridge. You take a rest today and no class bunk from tomorrow, it is a bad habit. Take care.

Asad Ahmed Khan

Zoya re-read the letter with widened eyes. Thanks Allah Miyaan. She was thinking of worse, but here nothing had happened. Mr. Khan was a good man, no doubt, though he was akdu. But he was a man, so anything could happen when she was unconscious. She was feeling awkward now as she thought about him that bad. She smiled at the next moment, remembering his lecture. No bunking of class. He never let go of a chance to lecture her. She went to get ready for the day.

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Same Evening

Asad had returned home that day and was surprised to see Zoya was cooking. He frowned at her.

"What are you doing Ms. Farooqui?" His stern voice made Zoya jump over and the knife fell from her hand to the cutting board.

"Oh!! Mr. Khan. You have scared me. Assalm-O-Aleikum by the way" Zoya mocked at him. Asad was irritated.

"Walaikum as Salam, you are sick Ms. Farooqui. Why are you cooking? You should take rest"

"Allah Miyaan! What's wrong with you Mr. Khan? I have only fever okay. I have done so many heavy works other than cooking before when I was seriously ill. I am not so vulnerable. Besides an orphan rather has no option" Zoya blurted without realizing.

Asad was drinking water when he heard the word orphan, he choked. "Miss Farooqui?"

"What Mr. Khan? Please let me do my work. Besides, I have to cook as you made pasta and all and I don't like those much. I need rice, daal and fish curry to survive." Zoya babbled as she still did not find out what she had spilled sometimes ago.

Asad was stunned to know the small piece of information. "I am so sorry Miss Farooqui, I did not know that" he said feebly.

"Know what Mr. Khan?" Zoya turned around this time after keeping the burner in lower flame.

"You... how? I mean when?" Asad stuttered. He ran his fingers through his hair. Zoya shrugged a little not understanding the question he was asking. She went to the coffee maker and started to prepare his coffee.

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After the dinner Zoya came to him with his night coffee and sat on his couch trying to initiate a conversation.

"What is it?" Asad asked after sipping his coffee and Zoya whipped her head towards him. How he know that she wanted to say something?

After the incident happened in the evening when Zoya did not realize what she said before Asad did not force her but he had gone into silence again. He barely talked to her and locked himself most of the time in his room. Zoya did not understand a thing about it and she then was engrossed with her study.

"Ummm Mr. Khan, Can I stay here for some days?" She was straight to the point.

Asad was surprised to hear it. He was silent for a moment, but then said

"Yes, you can if you are comfortable then." He did not know what to say more.

Zoya disclosed him that why she wanted to live in his house. Asad realized what she had gone through.

"I am so sorry what happened to you. You can stay here as much as you want. I have no problem unless you interfere in my privacy" Asad spoke with a clear voice and Zoya nodded her head with gratitude.

"I will remember about it Mr. Khan. Thank you so much and I will go from here as soon as I got my room in the college hostel" Zoya said standing from the couch. He is not that bad. She thought.

"Good night Mr. Khan and thank you again" Zoya gave him a cheeky smile.

"Good night, Miss Farooqui" Asad nodded with a half-smile.

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A Week Later

"Mr. Khan is there anything eatable in the fridge?"

"How do I know? Is this my department to know?" He said sarcastically. His fingers were creating storm on the laptop keys.

"Please have mercy on the laptop keys Mr. Khan" She said, suppressing the laugh that was escaping from her throat.

Asad looked at her amused. How dare of her? Incredibly foolish. He thought. He did not say anything but increased the pace of typing if that was possible.

Zoya cooed "Mr. Khan"

"Yes, " he answered in monosyllables.

"I..." She could not finish the line as the electricity had been cut. It was monsoon time and there was raining all day long for a few days and for this reason load shedding was going frequently.

"Ugh!!" Asad cursed under his breath and threw his laptop on the couch. He had forgotten to charge his gazette. Zoya found a candle and lit it up.

"This is the only candle Mr. Khan. I forgot to buy some." Zoya reasoned sitting the other side of the table where Asad was sitting. Asad only nodded and concentrated on his lost love, the novel grabbing the only candle near his side of the table.

Zoya looked at him helplessly. She tried to adjust to the faint light of the candle. She had an exam the next day, but she could not tell him that because... Suddenly the brightest fell on the page of her paper. She looked at him with surprise. He did not spare a glance to her just continued to read.

"Thank you, " she whispered the light from the thunder revealed the other side of Mr. Khan. The caring Mr. Khan.

Asad just adjusted his reading glass and said nothing.

"Strange man" Zoya muttered and started to read. Her exam was more important than him.

This was their everyday banter those ensued after Zoya started to live in the Khan villa. It was true Asad - Zoya were not friendly yet they were not in the hostile mood. Unknowing to them both had started to take care of each other slowly. But if you ask them they would deny it without a second thought. In these seven days as Asad learned about Zoya's past, Zoya learned about a little bit Asad too. Asad had shared about Dilshad and about Rashid's second marriage. Zoya now knew why Asad had acted that day for the coffee mug. She apologized to him after knowing the reason. Though Zoya did not know the details about Rashid's second family as Asad thought it would not be okay to open to a stranger too much at a time. Zoya too never asked about it. They were perfectly fine with them.

Asad came to know about a hard working Zoya by whom he was mesmerized. He realized he started to respect her from his heart, but never acknowledged it.

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One fine day

Shireen and his other siblings were visiting Indore as their holidays started. They would return after 5 days only. It was last week for Asad's staying in India. He was all set to tell Zoya about his leaving and asking her that if she wanted she could continue the job. So, when he returned home from the office, Zoya was not there. Zoya had an exam that day and also she had to go for some urgent work so did not go to office and said she would be late. Asad had just changed into his casuals when his cell phone rang. It was Nazma informing him that Aftab had a massive heart attack and he was admitted to hospital. Without wasting time Asad booked the earlier flight to London and also managed the connecting flight from Bhoopal to Mumbai for that night. He rushed to the office immediately after calling Prasad and instructed him what to do without his present and also cleared about Ayaan's responsibility. He called Shireen explaining the emergence. When he came home to take his luggage on the night he saw Zoya was not home yet. Zoya was not informed about it as she had no cell phone. He did not know any contact number too. So he wrote a quick letter and left hastily praying almighty that his uncle should be okay.

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Same Night, Khan Villa, 9 pm

A very tired yet happy Zoya returned to Khan Villa late at night. She had an exam and then she had to attend the hostel interview. The interview started lately than usual time and she was the last person there. So when her interview was finished it was 8 already. But the news was she got the seat and she had to take it by the following morning. She was happy knowing it. Finally, she got her own address. She wanted to share it with Asad, but she was scared to as she was very late today.

Allah Miyaan Mr. Khan will kill me today. I am so late.

Zoya muttered, opening the door with a spare key. She met with the eerie silence of the house and was quite surprised to see a rather messy house that she left in the morning.

"Mr. Khan?" she called out of habit. She directly went to his room and something was missing she could not realize. When she went to her room, she found the letter with a white envelope. She opened the envelope and a good sum of money fell from there. Then she opened the letter.

Miss Farooqui

For a very urgent reason I have to leave Bhoopal. I can't inform you as it came as sudden. Here is the money for your job. You did very well I must say. If you want to continue it, then please contact with Prasad. I have instructed him about you. I am in a hurry so cannot write much.

Yeah,take care of yourself and I really wish you a successful life ahead for you. Good bye.

Asad Ahmed Khan.

Zoya stood there not realizing what to do. Asad had gone from Bhoopal? Forever?

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Well, anyone missed it? I am not happy with this chapter as it is written in haste. What about you? Like it or not please express and give feedback to me.

Lots of love ❤️

Swapno