Thanking everyone for all your lovely comments!
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Part 17
Episode 18
10 days later,
It was just 8 o'clock in the evening; the sky was becoming increasingly dark. The pleasant summer breeze which had been blowing earlier was turning into a stiff wind. A streak of lightning cut across the sky, momentarily disclosing a thick mass of dark clouds. The lightning was followed by an ominous crack of thunder, which caused Zoya to jump.
"This is terrible!" Zoya murmured to herself before sitting on the porch steps.
A moment later the wind began to howl. Zoya rested her head against the wall tired from the day's work. Another dazzling flash of lightning illuminated the sky, and simultaneously there was a downpour of heavy rain.
Not miles away, Asad peered ahead into the darkness. The blinding rain made it impossible for him to see more than a few feet beyond the car. The car was making little progress against the wind. He still dreaded going back home to Zoya. With a sharp turn to the right, he arrived home.
The sight that met him was divine. Zoya was sleeping peacefully on the porch.
This was the face that captivated him in the first place. God, she killed him! All he wanted was to hug her like he owned her.
Just like the first time, he slowly took her in his arms and carried her into her room.
Placing her on her bed, he placed a chaste kiss on her forehead before he left, totally unaware that she was awake all this time. With a small smile on her lips, she went to sleep.

*****
"Good morning, ammi. Good morning, Zoya."
As soon as Asad entered the room, Zoya left, "Hmph!" visibly angry at him.
"Use kya hua?"
Smiling she said, "How am I supposed to know? It's your friend."
*****
Ok! She is angry for the kiss. She might kick me, but I have to say sorry.
With pure intentions of just saying "Sorry", he entered Zoya's room.
She sat in her bed evidently angry with him.

"Zoya..."
"Why are you so early?"
"What?"
"You should have taken another 10 days off."
"Huh?"
Getting up from the bed, "Do you know the difference between a week and 10 days?"
"Hm. Yes."

"Don't you have a phone?" stepping forward as Asad took a step back.
"Hm. Yes," stepping backward as Zoya took a step forward.
"Don't you have my phone number?"
"Yes."
"Forget it. Don't you have this house's phone number?"
"Ya," now totally caged in the corner.
"Do you have any idea how much I was worried?" a tear rolling down from her cheek.
"Hm," licking his lips which were dry from the closeness.
"Your ammi had to go to the hospital for two days to look after your cousin sister. Do you have any idea how lonely I was?" rubbing off her tears.
"I'm sorry?"
"Are you asking me? Or telling me?"
"What do you want me to do?"
"Argh!" she turned to go and her being messy came to be fortunate for Asad. She slipped on a blanket on the floor. She closed her eyes expecting a hard impact. But, an arm encircled her waist saving her from any impact.

Suddenly she laughed, "Do you have any idea how hilarious you look?"
"What?Why?"
Still in his arms she told him, "Can you please smile? Ammi and I were just worried. You should have at least called ammi."
"Wow! Can you please decide on one emotion? You are having quite a mood swing today. First angry, then crying and then laughing. Phew!"
"Asad! I'm hungry!" pouting like a kid.
"Ok! Let's go to the kitchen. Hm..."
"What?"
"Can you walk or should I carry you?"
She jerked off realizing that she was in his arms.
"Sorry. I will walk."
*****
*Microwave bing*
"God! I love pizza, Asad!"
He just smiled as he walked over to the fridge to take some ice cream.
Taking a bite off her pizza, she saw him having the ice cream.

"Asad, even I want ice cream."
"Ok! You can have it after you have the pizza."
"No I want it know. Give it here."
"You are in one of the best moods today, I guess."
She took a spoonful of ice cream and placed it on her pizza.
"What are you doing?"
"Ice cream on pizza. It will be nice."
"You should eat it separately."
"Don't be a spoilsport, Asad."
As soon as she took a bite, a strong wave of nausea hit her.

"Zoya, are you alright?" he asked rushing forward as she placed her hand on her mouth.
"Just feeling nauseous."
"I will get some lemon. Now do you understand why we shouldn't eat pizza and ice cream together?"
"Now do you understand why we shouldn't eat pizza and ice cream together?" she imitated him as he got her some lemon.
"Here," placing it on her hand.
"I'm tired, Asad. I think I will go and take some rest."
"Here take this pizza and eat it in your room."
"Thank you!" flashing one of her best smiles, she left the room.
*****
Flipping the newspaper again he asked his mom, "Who was that on the phone, ammi?"
"Your cousin, Nikhat."
"Oh! How is she?"
"She is good."
"I heard you were in the hospital with her."
"Yes. She is pregnant, right? She was having bad spells of nausea, vomiting, mood swings and tiredness. I went to help her."
"Oh! Is she fine now?"
"Ya."
"Ok ammi."
Placing the newspaper on the table he switched on the TV taking a sip of his coffee.
Only through 5 minutes of watching 3 Idiots climax did he realize what an idiot he was being. He blinked his eyes as he remembered Zoya's behavior and his ammi's words. Without wasting a minute, he ran towards Zoya's room.
She was sleeping there peacefully.
"She is looking extra beautiful today," stated his ammi, over his shoulders.
"Huh?"
"She really missed you when you weren't here," she said before leaving.
Maybe she was growing a soft spot for him, but if she knew what he thought he knew, the solution was simple.
She would kill him.
(To be continued)
Part 19
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Edited by Gisel - 10 years ago
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