Chapter 11
Part A
At home Zoya expected some kind of a reaction to Asad leaving but there was nothing they really did just get on as if he hadn't even come back. Zoya sat with Najma, she was helping her chose an outfit for her friend's birthday party 'how about this one...I think it would suit you?' Najma scrunched up her nose 'really you think...hmmm ok, if I don't see anything else I will go for that one'. Zoya who wasn't much of an Indian dress fan seemed to have stopped on one particular page 'you like that Api?' 'Yeah I guess I do...its different...don't you think' 'yes...I think it would look perfect on you and Black is definitely your colour...why don't you order it' 'order it for what...I don't have an occasion to wear it to...and plus I would rather go out and buy a new pair of jeans and a top instead' Najma rolled her eyes and started laughing.
Watching them share a joke and a laugh was Asad who had come in but made his presence unknown, he wanted to speak to Dilshad so went straight to the kitchen 'Asad you can come in and be normal...you can't come into your own home like a stranger...being all secretive' 'I know Ammi...but not just yet...did Abu tell you about the Malaysia trip?' 'Yes he did...whatever it is that you have planned I hope it will work out' 'not so soon Ammi but it will certainly get the ball rolling...I want one chance to...to be her friend Ammi...I want us to be friends...like we should have been all those years ago' Dilshad cupped the side of her sons face 'I know Asad and you will be...can I suggest something...why don't you talk to Humera and Haider, I have a feeling that you will need them on your side if you are to win this fight...when Zoya sked for talaq it shocked Haider as much as it did all of us' 'yeah I guess you are right...I will see what I can do'.
Checking to see if the coast was clear Asad walked back outside, walking past the table Zoya and Najma were sitting at he saw the magazine open to the page she was looking at, smiling at her choice Asad picked up the magazine and ripped the page out 'I will give you an occasion to wear this Zoya'
'I would rather die...you are free Zoya...after I have breathed my last breath...I would rather die than give you talaq' Zoya shot up in a cold sweat she looked around disorientated 'Ya Allah...it was only a dream Zoya...it was only a dream' she consoled herself.
Zoya felt a dull pain spread across her chest as his words kept on repeating in her head, her eyes that were travelling around the room stopped as she saw a picture of Daddi. 'Daddi, this is not what you wanted and something I never wanted either...you left us when we needed you the most...everything was fine...why did he have to come back...I don't know what to do Daddi, please help me' Zoya who had her eyes closed was startled by a noise, clutching at her heart she looked towards he book shelf and saw that her diary had fallen.
She jumped out of her bed and went to pick it up, it was a diary that she had started writing when Asad first moved to England. From that day to now she would always write what she thought and felt. As she grazed her fingers over the book she opened it 'it's been so many days since I have...' picking up a pen Zoya started to write and when she did she couldn't bring herself to stop. This was the only place she could be herself be truthful, be honest about what she really felt and what she really thought. By the time Zoya had finished she could see the sun come up, having vented out in her own personal space made her feel that much lighter, she looked at Daddi's picture 'thank you Daddi...I know this was you'.
Dilshad saw Zoya come down the stairs 'Rashid look' she whispered, as Rashid looked up he smiled on seeing Zoya 'my beta looks happy today...anything special we should know about' he teased as he hugged her 'no Abu...just a good morning...I don't know just feel a little lighter than I have been feeling since...' Zoya stopped but both Rashid and Dilshad knew what she meant 'that's good to hear Zoya, you want some breakfast?' 'No Ammi...I have a lot of work to do and I promised Humera I would meet her before I go in...I will grab something there'
'Humera...will you stop how am I supposed to eat all that?' Zoya said looking at her plate wide eyed 'like you always do...have you seen yourself in the mirror lately you have lost so much weight...soon there will be nothing left of you' Zoya rolled her eyes and then pocked her tongue out at Haider who was having fun at her expense.
'Princess...before you go...you know we have the board meeting in the afternoon' 'yes, of course...why?' 'No...its just that he will be there too and since he has moved out you haven't really seen him...' Zoya placed her hand over Haider's 'I love that you worry about me so much but you really don't have to Prince, I am ok...I will be ok' 'I know...but since you asked for the divorce...I mean nothing hs been mentioned since' Zoya lowered her head 'I don't know Prince...at this moment in time I really don't know'. Zoya left Haider and walked in to her room 'if you don't know it means you don't want this Princess...what you said may have been real and just but you yourself don't really want this'.
As Zoya walked in to the board room she saw him sitting talking to another member of staff, not giving him any eye contact she took her seat, which just happened to be opposite him. Throughout the meeting she felt the heat of his gaze, as much as she tried to ignore it he wouldn't stop starring. Haider who was sitting in between them started playing tennis with his eyes, he saw the smile on Asad's face and the annoyance on Zoya's.
Haider had spoken to Humera a number of times, she had made it clear that she wanted Zoya to be able to forgive Asad and move ahead. Humera knew in her heart that Zoya loved him and it was something that Haider was starting to believe more and more.
As soon as Rashid had finished Zoya picked up her folder and ran out towards her room. Haider went and stood by Asad 'could you have made it any more uncomfortable for her...starring at her like that is not cool dude' Asad started to chuckle 'Is wanting to look at your wife so wrong?' 'No, but she isn't your wife is she...actually she isn't even your fiend, she hates you' 'maybe...but I have made a promise Haider, I will get her to like me and once I have her as my friend' 'then?' 'I don't know, I guess we take it from there?' 'Asad, you're not very good at this are you?' Asad raised his eyebrow 'good at what?'
Haider sat down next to him 'let me break it down for you...what is the one thing above everything that is needed in a marriage...actually forget marriage in any relationship?' 'just one, I can name so many' 'ok...shoot' 'trust, friendship, loyalty, respect' Haider lowered his head shaking it in amusement 'oh man...ok let's just go with your list, what have you got?' 'Nothing' 'exactly...nothing...your answers weren't wrong but you missed the main one' 'which is?' 'Love...you need love Asad, Zoya never denied loving you, up until you left and maybe a lot longer after she still loved you...maybe deep down there still maybe a small piece of that hiding who knows...but what about you...why would you want to be with a girl you don't love?' Asad looked at Haider not knowing what to say 'think about it Asad...are you doing all this for the right reasons and if not then just let her go, free her and free yourself, give her the divorce'.
Haider was about to walk out the door when Asad called out to him 'will you help me...if I can work this out in my head and I do this for the right reasons will you help me' 'my loyalty lies with Princess Asad...and I won't betray her trust but...and it's a big but, if I see that what you are doing is right and you are not hurting her I will see what I can do' Asad started smiling 'thanks Haider, I really appreciate it'.
There were just two days left before they all flew out to Malaysia, or so Zoya thought. Rashid had still not told her that he was flying out two days later with Haider. Zoya walked into Rashid's office 'Abu, what is this?' she said looking more than just upset 'what is what Zoya' 'this' she said waving a piece of paper in her hand 'why are you and Haider not flying out on the same day as me and why is he going instead of Ravi?' 'Zoya calm down beta, me and Haider have an important meeting to attend so that why the two day delay and have you forgotten Asad is the new in charge of the health programme so it only made sense for him to go instead of Ravi' 'Abu...you cant expect me to go with him, I can't'
Rashid let out a deep sigh before he stood up and walked around to her 'maybe not but I can expect you to be professional Zoya, as with everyone else I need you to keep your private and home life separate from your work and professional one, you don't have a choice beta, you need to attend this as much as he does so please for me can you just go and...' Zoya flet her stomach turn, she knew all of this could not be easy for Rashid or Dilshad 'I am sorry Abu, I know I keep creating a fuss...it can't be easy for you either...I don't mean to be selfish but...' 'I understand Zoya, but I also have faith in you and your work ethos, you are a strong young woman who can pretty much deal with anything...so please just go and let him be for now' not happy with his decision Zoya hugged Rashid 'ok...fine...but I expect you to have this conversation with him too, strict professionalism'.
Part B
Asad was waiting for Zoya downstairs come on Zoya, you really want to miss the flight' he said to himself as he looked at his watch again. At the same time he saw her walking towards him with Haider, where Haider greeted Asad with a handshake Zoya looked away 'ok, you guys have a good flight and I will see you in two days' time...Princess' he called out as he held his arms out. Zoya hugged him and as she did he whispered in her ear 'remember what I said...don't work yourself up and try and be normal' Zoya pulled back and tried to give him a smile 'love you...don't forget to call me when you land' 'I won't...Allah Hafiz...oh and Prince, I love you too'
Zoya sat in the car leaving an all too smiling Asad looking at Haider 'don't let her see that...she will blow' Haider said making him wipe off the smile within a second. Haider held out his hand which Asad shook 'does this mean you are taking a liking to me' Asad said as he looked down at their hands 'maybe...lets see...have a safe journey...and seriously man, don't wind her up it doesn't take much for her to go a little crazy' 'I'll keep that in mind'.
The journey to the airport, through check in and then to departures was marked by an awkward silence, neither of them attempted to talk to one another nor did they even try and look at one another. But that didn't mean that they were sitting in silence. The monologues that were going off inside their heads and the physiological responses they were going through were driving them insane.
As they placed their bags in the luggage compartment Asad stepped back a little allowing her to sit by the window 'I can't believe I am having to go through with this' she said under her breath in frustration as she took her seat 'just for the record, I didn't know Abu had planned to come separately...I promised him that you would get no trouble out of me...so you can relax' Zoya turned around to face him 'am I supposed to say thank you' 'no I was...' 'Good then' she said turning her back to him without letting him finish his sentence 'this is going to be fun' he thought to himself.
Asad knew that it was futile to try and initiate any kind of conversation so he kept to himself. Asad had his eyes closed even though he was not sleeping, he could feel her becoming restless and after a few moments he felt her stand up. Zoya who had been trying to contain her bladder was on the verge of bursting, she kept looking in his direction and cursing under her breath as he just sat there asleep. Not being able to take it anymore she slowly stretched out her hand and tapped his shoulder 'Asad' she called out, Asad opened his eyes and sat up 'are you ok?' 'I need to get past...can you' 'yeah sure' Asad stood up and allowed Zoya to scurry past and into the toilets.
As he sat back down he noticed a small book on the side of her chair, as he picked it up he realised that it was some kind of a journal like a personal diary. Asad would have given into temptation and opened it if hadn't heard the lavatory door click behind him. Asad stood up once again letting Zoya take her seat, as she sat down she whispered a barely audible thank you 'sorry...did you say something?' Zoya closed her eyes and took in a few deep breaths 'I said thank you' 'you're welcome'.
After food was served Zoya started to feel sleepy 'would you like a blanket?' he asked seeing her yawn a few times, Zoya looked at him 'no...I am ok, if I want something I am capable of getting it myself'.
It wasn't long before Zoya had fallen asleep, as she lay comfortable in her chair Asad sat back admiring her beautiful face, seeing her curl up he thought she must be feeling cold so took the liberty of covering her with a blanket.
After another two hours the plane started to descend and prepare for landing. Feeling butterflies in her stomach Zoya opened her eyes to see herself covered in a blanket, she looked towards Asad who had his eyes closed, as the sign came on asking passengers to fasten their seat belts Zoya realised that Asad's wasn't fastened 'Asad...Asad' she called out but this time he really was sleeping. Zoya placed her hand over his and tapped it a few times 'Asad wake up' she said. Asad jolted up making her move back 'crap...sorry...I must have fallen asleep...sorry did I scare you' he said seeing her facial expression 'no...your seatbelt...we are landing' 'oh...yeah, thanks'.
The journey to the hotel was marked by another silence, luckily for them it wasn't a long journey. As the driver pulled outside the hotel Zoya an Asad stepped outside where there were hoards of other people.
As they approached the desk they were greeted by a receptionist 'good evening sir...madam, your names' 'Asad Ahmed Khan and Zoya Kh...I mean Zoya Farooqui' Asad and Zoya shared an eye lock as he quickly corrected himself 'one moment please...I am sorry I only seem to have a reservation for a Mr and Mrs Asad Ahmed a Khan, not a separate one for you Miss Farooqui' 'what' Zoya exclaimed pushing past Asad she leant over the desk 'check again the reservations were made together by our company' 'yes Miss Farooqui they were I have the details here but they are for Mr Khan and his wife' Zoya rolled her eyes 'I can't believe this...ok fine just book me into another room then' 'I am sorry there are no rooms available, I mean look around you...forget this hotel you won't find another room in the whole of this area the conference has thousands of delegates from across the world everyone is fully booked' Zoya looked at her in disbelief and walked off in rage. Asad looked at the receptionist apologetically 'actually she is Mrs Khan...but...' The receptionist started to giggle 'no need to explain sir, here is the key to your room, the dinner buffet will soon be served if you would like to make your way down to the restaurant in half hour' 'thank you'.
Asad walked up to Zoya and stood directly behind her 'if you think I am going to share a room with you...you are mistaken' Zoya turned around and as she did she twisted her foot falling backwards. Asad managed to grab her just in time, he held her by the waist and pulled her towards him. Zoya tried to move, to shout out but words failed her as his eyes bore deeper into hers 'are you ok?' His soft whisper and warm scented breath made her break out in goose bumps.
Asad gently let her stand 'I know this is inconvenient but under the circumstances can we not compromise?' Zoya was about to object but knew he was right 'ok...but I get the bed...and...' 'And I get the couch?' 'Couch, bath tub, balcony...I don't care a a long as you are away from me' Zoya walked off towards the lift leaving Asad smiling in glee 'nice one Abu, unexpected but none the less nice'.
Edited by Saima-Syed - 10 years ago
Kabhi Neem Neem Kabhi Shahad Shahad
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