ASYA FF - Battle of Memories *Complete* Notes on Pg 90 - Page 39

Am I bad, if I am waiting for three more comments so that I can post the next chapter on the next page; even though the next chapter is typed up and ready?

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Part 22

Episode 23

He didn't notice a hand take the bottle of water from beside him and drink it.

He heard a feeble voice, "Asad?" and a soft hand touch his shoulders. He turned to find a very tired Zoya. She kneeled down to face him.

"Zoya! Oh my God! Zoya! Where did you go? Do you know how worried I was? I mean I looked th..."

He felt himself go speechless when her soft, warm lips landed on his, pressed against his tightly. Her lips tasted of peppermints. He found himself nibbling her lower lip to take in the taste. She moaned, parting her lips and nibbled his upper lip. He couldn't think. He forgot how sad he was, how worried he was, how guilty he was; all in all he forgot himself. All in all she managed in surprising a very anguished Asad.

"Zoya?" he managed to breathe out when they parted for air, foreheads touching.

She smiled against his lips, "God! You talk so much." She brought her hands to his face brushing away his tears.

He searched in her eyes for an explanation.

"Asad! Can we go home? I'm tired."

"The pain is gone?"

"Not exactly. But it is better."

"Where did you go?"

"There. Behind those trees, I had to vomit." Asad looked behind, the dark copses of trees, stood there tall and dense, blocking any view of beyond. It explained why he wasn't able to find her when he was searching her.

"Don't worry! I had tic-tac' before I..." Asad turned to look at her, his eyebrows raised.

She blushed all shades of pink as he smiled at her.

She offered him tic-tac' before popping a couple more in her mouth.

"Let's go to the doctor."

"No. It's fine."

Asad wouldn't listen to her and thankfully an auto came before she could protest.

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"...the baby is very well protected in its amniotic fluid and..."

He didn't care. He didn't listen to anything after she said, "The mother and the baby are fine."

"Can I see her?"

"Yes. She is in that room. She is being administered with IV."

He went inside the room, to see Zoya lying down on the bed with eyes closed. An IV was stuck to her left hand and a protective right hand was over her stomach. It was just ironical that she didn't yet know what she was protecting.

Asad felt awful keeping it from her, but nevertheless didn't know what to tell her and how she would take it.

He went near her and sat next to her, placing a gentle hand over her right hand.

Her eyes fluttered open.

She smiled at him, he returned the smile. She struggled to get up. Asad got up and adjusted her pillow so she could lie in it.

Taking her hand between in his hands, he whispered, "I was scared."

"I know. Don't you think we should head home? Ammi will also be scared."

"I will call her and tell her. We can stay here overnight."

Knowing very well, it was no use arguing with him, she nodded.

"Here is your phone. Why did you bother chasing me when it was password locked?"

Sheepishly he took it from her. Only he knew that all she had to type in was, "ZOYA" to open the lock.

"I will just come," he said before heading out to call his mom. Maybe it was best to start with his mom. Maybe he should confess it to her first.

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"Hello, mom?"

"Hello, Asad? All fine?"

"Ammi...I need to tell you something."

"Yes, beta?"

"Mom, I'm married."

He waited for her to yell at him, but after a long pause, she started laughing, "Finally!"

"Mom?"

"I knew."

He frowned, "What do you mean, I knew'?"

"I mean, I knew. Zoya told me the first day itself."

"What? She never told me."

"I only told her not to tell you. I wanted to know when you would feel free enough to open up to me,"

"Ammi, I'm sorry."

"It's ok, Asad. I only regret not able to see your marriage."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't worry. The marriage preparation I'm doing is for your wedding only. Zoya told me that it was just a marriage registration and wants a proper wedding."

"She told you that?"

"Yes."

"What else did she tell you?"

"She told you me that you loved each other and married so that she didn't have to return to US. That's all."

"She told you, we loved each other'?" asked Asad trying to make sense of what his mother was telling him.

"Yes. And those 10 days you weren't here she pestered me into telling all your childhood stories. What you like? What you don't like? She spent all the time looking at your photo albums."

Was fate on his side? That didn't seem right. It always played cruel tricks on him.

"Ok mom. Got to go. And ammi we will come home only tomorrow morning."

Before she could protest or even tease him, he cut the call.

Taking a deep breath, he entered the room and froze when he found her caressing her stomach fondly.

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"Hi Asad. Did you tell her?"

"Yes. Are you alright?" he asked nervously staring at her hand in her stomach.

"Oh! Ya. Just a fuzzy feeling. What did the doctor say? Is it food poisoning or something?"

He nodded his head and then shook it and then nodded again.

"Asad, do you have a neck pain or something?" she asked, controlling her laughter.

God, this was going to be hard.

"Zoya, I told mom," he said sitting on the foot of the bed and taking her right feet in his laps, massaging them slowly.

"Hm."

"I told mom we were married," he felt her stiffen as he nudged at her toe.

"She...she told me not to tell you," said Zoya visibly trembling.

"I know. It's ok. I also heard that you wanted a proper wedding," holding her in an eye lock.

She blushed, "I...I..."

"You could have told me that," still not letting go of the eye contact.

She nibbled her lower lip.

"I was confused with my feelings. But I...I wanted to give you a chance."

He got up and sat closer to her, taking her hand in between his hands, he asked, "So now? Do you...?"

She placed a finger on his lips, "Don't...Don't ask."

He sighed. This was going to be more difficult than he had imagined.

Taking a deep breath, he decided, come what may, he was going to tell her. This had to end tonight.

"Zoya, I have not been completely honest with you."

She looked at him puzzled, trying to find an explanation in his eyes.

"I...I..." words didn't form.

God! Kill me now!

Suddenly he chuckled imagining what he would tell his kids when they asked him of the story of their life. Suddenly it hit him. What if she wasn't ready? What if she didn't want the baby? What if she wanted to abort...?

"Asad, you are sweating."

"Huh?"

"Are you alright?"

He gulped and nodded.

"You can tell me anything."

She looked at him waiting for him to continue. Should he tell her here? Maybe at a holy place, she wouldn't be able to hit him. But being in a hospital meant they would get all the medical attention they might need after the whole calamity.

Knowing very clearly what birthday gift he should ask, he managed to say, "Youarepregnant," slightly caressing her hand with his thumb.

"What? I can't hear you."

"Youarepregnant."

"You are not making sense."

Deeping a deep breath, he said, very clearly this time, "You. Are. Pregnant."

Slap.

That made sense.

Yelling.

That made sense.

Cursing.

That made sense.

But, LAUGHING???!!!

Why on earth was she laughing?

"Zoya?"

She pouted and hit him on his chest and said, "But, I wanted to tell you!"

"WHAT?"

(To be continued)

Part 24

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Author's Notes : see below

Forget Zoya laughing and what she says. Just till the part where Asad says, "You. Are. Pregnant."

What would you have done if you were in her situation? I would really love to know your perspective.

This chapter is it much, just Asad's confession; but I really enjoyed writing the next chapter. Looking forward to post it soon.

Next chapter only on page 60.

And yes, HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!