Live In Fantasy Index updated 23/05/16 BUDDY ME FOR PM - Page 17

~Day 7: Zoya's POV~

All these days were not that difficult for me to initiate something that I can give the name of friendship, but today, everything was going weird. I was freaking nervous, and my hands were trembling whenever I thought about us meeting at 7 in the evening. The Khans were coming home for dinner, along with Gafoor uncle and his whole family. I was busy setting the cushions right when my phone buzzed. These days, a smile on my face came as a reflex whenever He called or messaged.

"We have reached Bhopal Airport." I smiled reading it.

The next second I received another one.. "Nervous?"

"Yeah.. You?", I replied.

"Me too.. Don't worry.. Everything should be fine.."

"I hope it does.. See you soon..."

"Uhmm.. Zoya... wear something in white, as in it's your favorite color.. :)"

I blushed. This man had a strange capability to make me blush even at the mere thought of him looking at me the way no one had ever looked before.

I put on the earrings and draped the white dupatta around my neck. I thought to keep it simple as it was what I was. No lies and no pretense. And as far as I knew him by now, I was sure even he would go for the same.

Humeira and Nikhat's loud shriek told me that They were here. I took a deep breath and walked downstairs to meet by hopefully-to-be-husband and his dearest family. I never mentioned, but he was too close to his family, especially his sister Najma, just the way I was to Humeira.

Nikhat was shouting at the top of her voice when she almost jumped on me and took me in a tight hug. It was like a homecoming for her and I am glad that Asad had suggested her to come along too as that would make things less awkward for both of us.

"I am so happy Zoya.. You have no idea what a great thing is happening to you!! Not saying this because Asad Bhaijaan is my brother, but because you are too precious a friend to be lied to... You both are perfect for each other... Just be confident and go for it...", she whispered in my ears as she hugged me.

"Thanks Nikhat...", I replied and hugged her tighter.

"Look everyone, both of them are wearing white... and as far as I know, white is Zoya's favorite color. Isn't it so Bhaijaan?", she smiled cunningly and got back to her old teasing self.

It was then when I saw him. He was in his blue denims and a white shirt whose first two buttons was open and gave a little view of his chest. His arms had a bulge which clearly outlined his well toned body underneath his shirt. His eyes weren't fixated on me and I was, uhmmm... disappointed. I wanted him to look at me and atleast say something by motioning with his eyes, like he always did.

I met Dilshad Aunty and I must say that I immediately grew a liking towards her. She was such a warm lady and everything that she said to me through her blessings touched my heart and I knew how much she wanted all this to work.

Rashid Uncle was a tall and stout man, much taller than his wife, but he had a sense of humor that instantly clicked well with that of mine.

And Najma, or Tamater like everyone called her, was an adorable girl whom I wanted to hug at that very moment. Now I knew why Asad was so very close to his family.

By the next hour, the whole living room was filled with an unusual commotion which only came when long lost friends met and rejoiced after years. Najma went along with Humeira very well and Dilshad Aunty had been extremely sweet in helping my mother with the snacks. She wasn't taking a No from Ammi. And the men got busy discussing business and retirement. Nothing seemed like a meeting between two families who were presumably going to be related through the sacred bond of marriage.

But among all this, Asad and I were the quieter ones who only exchanged glances when the other was not looking. Nikhat seemed to have noticed that.

"Zoya.. Why don't you take Bhaijaan upstairs instead of staring at each other? I am sure you both would want some time alone to yourself." I glared at her as everyone else tried to hide their smile.

After a bit of more teasing from our cousins, I finally took him upstairs.. This time, his eyes refused to move from me when I took him to my room. I tried hard to ignore that as I didn't want to turn red in front of him. I showed him my collection of books and he was clearly impressed by the number of them.

He had a quick look of the room and then we stood in the balcony where I spent nights talking to him. We smiled as we both thought of the same thing. His gaze was still on me.

"You look beautiful Zoya...", I heard him say.

"Thanks.. You look good too.." I managed to form the words in spite of the blush that crept up to my face.

"I don't know Zoya...how to frame this... But I don't know how to play with my words, moreover with my feelings either. I like you..I know that and I am pretty well sure about it. But I have no idea if the feelings that I have for you is love or not... You are a lover of Love... I have come to know that fact. And I may not be the one whom you have always imagined about... but I am not wrong either.. I respect you for your views on life, I adore you for your innocence, I envy you for your confidence and honesty... And I want to love you for everything about you, no matter what they are. You won't have any coercing from my side, but I will be glad if you decide to give us a chance..."

My heart was melting with every word that he said. I had never come across anyone who had been as observant about me as he was. It seemed like I was a book to him and he had just read every word and every phrase of me. I have always wanted this in my man. I never expected anything other than these.

He was moving out of my room when there was a lack of response from my side.

"Asad..." I called out to him for the first time by taking his name.

"What if I say no?" Suddenly I was back to my teasing mood.

He took small steps towards me, a smile adorning the corners of his lips. My eyes locked with his and his breath mingled with mine as his fingers very lightly touched my cheeks, turning it to a deeper shade of red. His fingers lingered there for a longer time, slightly stroking the sides of my crimson cheeks and blowing the hairs out that blocked the view of my face. I laughed as it tickled me.

"This sound..I want to hear this... for the rest of my life... and for that, you better say a Yes as I am not going to take a No from you. Take your time, as long as you want. But say Yes.. Please..."

And then he did something out of the blue. He kissed me lightly on my cheeks!!! It was just a feather touch peck, yet it could successfully run shivers down my spine. I was left open mouthed, and Asad had already taken the stairs that lead him downstairs.

A week later...

I went to my mother's room to tell her about what I wanted. Asad had already gone back to New York, anticipating a Yes from me, soon. And I was taking my own sweet time to torture him, though I knew what my answer would be.

"Zoya... It's been a week.. What am I supposed to tell Dilshad?", she asked me worriedly.

"Hmm..."

"What hmmm Zoya??What am I supposed to say to Dilshad?", she asked me again.

"Ammi... I was wondering, how would I manage to stay so far from you and Abbu.. Isn't New York just too far to send me? Asad will have to bring me here at least twice a year!", I said to her with a pout and definitely a naughty smile that reflected in my eyes.

"Zoyaaa... I am sooo happy... Let me call up Dilshad... Right Now...!!!! "

And Our wedding was fixed, 6 months later.

Wedding Day...

~Zoya's POV~

Once again I was pacing around the room, in anxiety and excitement.

"Aapi.. Here you go..", Humeira said as she handed me the parcel. It was a bouquet of white roses and a letter along with it.

"I really don't understand you both. In this world of technology, you both are still sending letters to each other! How awfully weird is that!!", she exclaimed in surprise.

"You will not understand it now. Wait for the day you get your Mr. Right and then you will say the same. There is something different in reading hand written letters. I can almost feel him when I read it. And I can smell his cologne too..", I winked as I took in the smell of his cologne from the letter. Humeira rolled her eyes, unable to register the emotions that I felt through this letter. She left the room all to me so that I could read the last letter from my future husband.

Dear Ms. Farooqui..

I would actually miss you calling by this name... But I am happier that your new name will be more precious to me, Mrs. Khan...

The last letter to my would be wife from her to-be-husband.. Worry not, many more are to come, and they will be from a loving husband to his beloved wife...

Glad that you are finally done with your internship and your MBA. I want you to join me in the office once we fly to New York. I wouldn't mind if you decide to work somewhere else, but your weekends should be free. They would only belong to me when I would have you all to myself.. *wink*

See, We are actually going to New York and I would surely not mind if you get hold of any of my old pics. You have all the right to...

Can't wait to see you as my bride Zoya... Make it soon... I am downstairs, waiting for you...

Love You...

Yours Asad...

I read and re-read the letter. I looked at my reflection in the mirror. I was all decked up in my bridal attire, all ready to get married to Him, 'the one' I love...

Yes, I am in love with him, though I could never say him so.. But I will, tonight...

Though it all went in a reverse order, it wasn't anything that I regret, and was sure that Asad would never regret too..

It was just our Destiny to be together..So what if it had uncertainties in the beginning.. WE were meant to be...

BIKE RIDES

PART 1

Her POV

Vroom...Vroom...Vroom...Vroom...Vroom...Vroom...

It kept ringing. Yes, it's my alarm and it keeps making my most favorite sound till the time I wake up.

"Ouch!", I shouted, as my sister just kicked me hard on my bum.

"Just switch off this weird noise for fcuk's sake you bitch!", my sister, Humeira shouted at me.

"SHUT UP!! and WAIT for a Second!!!", I shouted back.

I quickly woke up and got hold of my phone and listened once again to the beautiful sound that it made...

Vroom ...Vroom... And I finally turned it off as Humeira was already shooting daggers at me.

"Why do you need to keep this stupid fcuking alarm tone?", she asked me disgustedly.

"Language Sissy...This is not at all Stupid!! YOU are Stupid!! Now go back to sleep!", I said while my sister had already dozed off.

This is me, Zoya Farooqui, 21, and this was another regular morning for me. I have a fetish for BIKES!! They are the world's Best Creations according me, hence that alarm tone... I love to start my day listening to that sound whereas; my sister finds it absolutely weird...As if I give it a damn! HUH!

I placed my hand on my bum to soothe the pain from the kick that I had just received from my sister's not-so-fatty legs, and checked the time. It's 4.45 am. Okay, let me introduce myself again. I am not an early riser by will, but by fate. I wake up so early just to reach the jogging grounds at 5 in the morning.

I am a Tennis player, and staying fit is one of the most important things, hence I jog, correction, Run!

I called up Eijaz, my fitness instructor as well as a very good friend of mine, while I was packing towels and water bottle in my bag.

"Hey Eijaz..You are supposed to come and pick me up today. Remember?", I asked him.

"Of course I do. I will be there in 2 minutes. Come down... Soon."

That's Eijaz, a very punctual and a very dear friend of mine. I can easily make my way to the grounds by running the distance of just a Kilometer, yet I call up Eijaz every day... The one and only reason is of course his Bike!! I love to start my day with a Bike Ride.

I got up on his Pulsar 220 and placed myself comfortably on it. Aah!! It's like heaven out here! I sighed in contentment!

"Shall we?", he asked me to bring me out of my thoughts that were stuck on his bike.

"Yep! Sure!", I replied.

We reached the grounds at 5 and the place was comparatively empty. It had only a few athletes who had come for a warm up. Mostly boys. But thanks to Eijaz that I had never felt awkward. He always made the thing clear to others that we were here only for a fitness regime. Not that I don't flirt at all, but these boys were not worth it.

OH! Did I tell you, that I am actually a very good looking sexy woman with prominent curves just at the right places and definitely have the fitness of a player...!! It's not me who says this by the way, but it's a fact too and the bitch in me can't deny this..!

"Okay Zoya, you just carry on with this, I will be going now...My friend is coming over and I will be training him too.", Eijaz said, after assigning me ten rounds of that huge ground!

"WOOHOO... Who's that girl?", I asked him with a wink.

"Sorry to say, but he is a boy Zoya!! Now, start running or I will make that fifteen rounds."

I muttered a coded word under my breath that didn't go unnoticed by him. He laughed and I started running.

I came to a halt after completing the rounds and what I saw just completely blocked my senses. There He was, in a black tee, and a black helmet, flashing his oh-so-perfect muscular body, sitting on a KTM Duke!

I was busy staring there so I didn't hear Eijaz calling me. "What are you looking at?", he asked me while tapping my shoulder and following the direction that my vision perceived.

"Oh! There he is! That's the friend I was talking about in the morning! He has a habit of coming late you see..."

I paid least attention to what he said. I was busy staring!

"I will just go and meet him... Wanna come along?"

I looked at Eijaz now and nodded my head vigorously to say yes. He chuckled at my action and we started walking.

"Zoya, his name is Asad, Asad Ahmed Khan by the way..."

"The black color looks HOT...!!", I said.

"Isn't it? Black is his favorite color..."

"Won't it get dirty in this weather?"

"Don't worry, he will wash it!"

"I wish I could have a ride!"

Eijaz froze in his tracks and I still kept moving forward. He held me by my elbow and brought me back by two steps.

"What's wrong with you Zoya? You want to have a ride?", he asked me, still looking dazed.

"Of course I want to... And I know that I will never get tired of it...!", I answered dreamily.

Eijaz almost choked on his breath.

"You are unbelievable Zoya...! How can you even say this? That too in front of his friend? What is he going to think about you? You didn't even meet him and you are talking about riding him?"

Now it was my turn to choke... I am sure I must be looking horrified now...

"What the Fcuk is wrong with you? I am talking about his bike you idiot! I didn't even have a proper look at him...", I said, still shocked at Eijaz's chain of thoughts. He almost took a breath of relief, and the same was with me. It took only few seconds for us to break out laughing!

The man on the bike, some Khan I guess, was now removing his helmet. He looked at us and his astound face told us that he was confused... We walked up to him, somewhat controlling our laughter.

Eijaz introduced us formally and now I remember his name, Asad... His chiseled face, deep brown orbs, those cute dimples, his muscular body, the tattoos that adorned his hands and his BIKE had smitten me at that very moment.

I liked him, but not more than his bike. I liked how he looked, but I never found him more alluring than his bike. I was smitten more by the look of his bike.

His POV

I saw her running when I was busy finding a place to park my bike. It's not only just a vehicle, but my first child. I know that I must be sounding like a 40's heroine, but I can't help it... I just love my bike...

Where was I? Oh yes! I saw her... I saw plenty of girls ogling me, but she was the first one whom I was literally scrutinizing... I have met lots of girls and have also dated casually a few of them, but this girl had a charm... I took rounds of the ground outside the boundary just to have a look at her. I didn't fail to notice her perfect figure and beautiful hair tied up in a ponytail... I saw her looking at my direction... She was standing with my friend Eijaz whom I had come to meet... I saw them approaching towards me and suddenly they broke into a series of laughter. I wonder what they had been talking all about...!

Eijaz introduced us to each other. She is Zoya and I can never forget her name now...

"Hey Asad! You are late again buddy.", Eijaz told me in order to break the awkward silence.

"Oh yes! I just came back late last night.. Tiredness had held me on to bed a little longer...", I replied.

"I wonder how you will even manage to come here so early in the morning... And what is the need anyway? You look absolutely fit as a fiddle...!"

I just smiled at him flashing my perfect dimples. I might have just considered what he had just said, but not anymore now, not after meeting Zoya.

"Asad, could you just take her for a ride on your bike? She actually loves bikes a LOT", Eijaz said stressing a lot more on Lot.

Zoya gave a puzzled look to Eijaz. She didn't expect this coming, nor did I... I could see uncertainty and hesitation in her eyes. But I did not want to let go of this chance...

"Yeah sure. Why not? Only if she wants to..", I said and noticed her eyes widening more.

She took a seat behind me. I could sense her hesitation still, but her eyes also showed a glimpse of adventure... Going for a bike ride with an almost stranger is definitely an adventure! Her hands brushed my shoulders as she made herself more comfortable behind me... I started the ignition and slowly increased the speed as I heard her chuckle like a kid who had just been granted her favorite candy...! She was reluctant to keep her hands on me; hence I saw her struggling a little for support.

"Hey.. It will be better if you just hold on to me or else you will fall and then blame me for your broken limbs Miss!", I said with a grin.

Her mouth formed the shape of an 'O' and I took full advantage of the situation... I clutched on to the brakes and she bent forward on my back. Her soft body on my rock hard back successfully created tingles down my spine...

"See, I told you...", I said with a hint of mischief.

She huffed in annoyance while placing her hands unwillingly on my well built abs. I could feel her soft fingers clutching onto my shirt forming a fist when I increased the speed...I kept stealing glances at her every now and then... Het wet sweaty hair had almost dried up by now and they danced to the tunes of the winds striking us.

I finally stopped when we reached the grounds again. She muttered a 'Thank You' to me as she got down... Her eyes showed a glint of annoyance as well as gratefulness towards me... I met Eijaz again and bid him a good bye before leaving finally...

Her POV

What a weird guy he is! I know that he was pushing onto the brakes deliberately... What does he think of himself? Just because he has a well built body and an attractive face, does not mean that I will tolerate every action of his...! But his bike! I wish I could have a ride on it again. He has a good hand in it and I have to agree to it... He must be practicing it since many years...

I put a halt to my thoughts when my phone rang. It was Eijaz calling...

"Hey Eijaz..", I said in my usual chirpy voice.

"Hi Zoya... Sorry for calling you so late. Hope you didn't mind?", he asked me apologetically.

"It's okay Eijaz. Now tell me, what was so important that you couldn't wait till we met in the morning?"

"It's regarding that only... I won't be coming to pick you up tomorrow. I won't be there for the training too... So please manage it all by yourself...", he said with concern in his voice.

"Yeah... Sure... No problem at all!", I said assuring him.

"Uhhh... Zoya...", he called my name before I could hang up the call.

"What now Eijaz?", I asked him sleepily.

"Asad had called me up... He said that he wanted to meet you again. What should I tell him?"

I was shocked at first knowing the audacity of this man, but I couldn't deny that his courage did amaze me...

"Ummm... I don't know. Let's see...", I said, thoughtfully.

"But he said he wants to pick you up from your house tomorrow in the morning..."

Now saying that I was really very shocked would be an understatement. Was this man for real?

"Eijaz... I don't know what to say.", I said, being not sure at all.

"It's okay Zoya... Just say no if you don't want to... But he is a genuinely nice guy. You might just want to give it a try...", said Eijaz hopefully.

I knew that Eijaz wouldn't lie to me ever and one more bike ride would not do any harm either. I thought a little and finally said yes.

His POV

I didn't have her phone number, so I waited for her in front of the gate of the given address in the said time... It's exactly 5 O'clock in the morning now... I have a bad habit of being late, so I reached before time today. Being unpunctual would be the last thing that I would want to happen on our first date... Okay! Strike out date, but it was my first official meeting with Zoya. I checked my watch again. She was already 20 minutes late...

OH! There she is! Her hair tied up in a ponytail again and her body clad in a track suit...

"Eijaz had told me that someone is very punctual...", I said, instead of greeting her. She rolled her eyes in irritation again.

"And Eijaz had also told me that someone is often very late...", she snapped back at me in the same tone.

This girl I tell you! She was different in all aspects. She would strike back at every word of mine... But her awful mood, which was obviously because of me, was soon turned on, by of course seeing my Bike!! I chuckled at her and finally started our journey.

Her POV

This weird man, Asad Ahmed Khan!! Just because he is a handsome hunk doesn't mean that he would keep enraging me by his deeds... This is Zoya Farooqui that he is messing with...! I will show him what I am capable of... I made up a plan in my ever so mischievous brain... I opened my jacket and got ready to take rounds of the ground.

I had often noticed boys checking me out while I run... I had also heard them saying that my sexy curves become more tempting when I move so effortlessly on the tracks... However, I paid least attention to them, but who knew that it would be so much helpful now...?? For a change, I deliberately tried to do what this man had been doing till now...

Once I started taking rounds, I saw all the other boys gawking at me. I ignored them all and waited for the desired reaction from the man who was now busy cleaning crow shit from his bike seat...

I took the first round, he didn't look at me. I took two more; he was still busy with his cleaning spree... I took another round. By now, the other boys almost had their eyes popping out of their sockets. I glared at them and they got back to their own work... I took two more rounds, no response from him yet...! I took another one, almost losing all hopes and this time, he noticed me...! I regained all my lost energy and took the last three rounds with a lot more confidence, finally happy to see my plan working..

It was working, only till another moron hit his bike unintentionally with that of Asad's. There he was! Once again pampering that vehicle of his!Did I call that just a vehicle? I never do that. Am I jealous of that bike? I shook my head vigorously only to avoid the weird thoughts to come and reside in my mind.

His POV

Damn! Is she out of her mind? What the hell is she trying to do by flashing her sexy curves to the whole world? It's better if I ignore her, but how impossible is to do that! I tried, tried harder only to fail miserably. I looked at her and smiled... And then the disaster happened. My bike got hit and I diverted my attention from her...!

I knew that she wanted to have my recognition and I had failed to give her that. I felt guilty and thought to make up for it... Hence, I asked her out for coffee. She agreed, half-heartedly, as she was still pissed off with me.

There was no way that we could have got a caf open so early in the morning. So, I took her to a roadside tea stall where they fried hot 'jalebis' and served them with 'chai'. I ordered a plate of 'jalebis' for her.

"Just kill me directly if you want to...!", she shouted at me.

"What?", I asked her confusedly.

"Just kill me if you want to. Why are you waiting for Eijaz to do that?"

I was still confused. She slapped her palm hard on her forehead and continued, "If Eijaz gets to know about these', he is going to kill me anyways by asking me to take 50 more rounds... So why wait for that? You might just want to do the honors yourself..!!!", she said sarcastically. I looked at her amusedly.

"And who is going to tell him about these'??", I asked her softly, referring these' to the jalebis'...

She opened her big fat mouth to say something and ended up struggling for words... It amazed me to find her out of words so I handed over the plate to her and waited for her to dig into them.

"Where's yours?", she asked me.

Now it was my turn to be at a loss of words...

"You Pig! You are asking me to gain so much calories whereas, you yourself want to stay fit?", she almost shouted at me, gaining the attention from few people.

I glared at her and then laughed hard at her angry face. She looked so adorable!

I shared the jalebis with her on her insistence and mentally made it a point to work out an extra hour the next day...!

"So, tell me, what do you do other than riding a bike, working out and pissing me off and stalking me?", she asked me. I knew this was coming. I waited for it to come soon too.

"So, you want to know more about me??", I asked her with a wink.

"Yes, of course I would...", she answered casually, ignoring my wink.

"Then meet me..", I said hastily.

"I don't know if you are blind, but right now, I am sitting just in front of you, having tea and gaining calories...", she said mockingly.

"Not like this. Meet me more often..", I said.

"You will be coming to the grounds everyday right? So we might just meet up like this.", she said, faking her lack of interest.

I smiled lightly and said, "I am going back next week Zoya."

She looked up at me and I could read her eyes... There were varieties of emotions stored in them--shock, disappointment, hurt, loss!

"Where?", she asked me, trying to keep a smile on her lips.

"Back to Goa... I have my job over there..."

"Oh! What job do you do?"

"Meet me and you will know...", I said winking at her again.

PART 2

Her POV

I tried hard but I could not stop my emotions to inhabit my eyes... I am sure that he must have read them... I did not want to meet him again, but it was difficult for me to reject his proposition as he would not be coming over to the grounds for the next few days, until he left... I called him up and asked him to join me for the tournament that was two days later. Till then, we could somehow manage to steal little time together in the nearby cafe.

Yes, I called him, which meant I had shared my phone number with him... It's all going too fast, but I just could not help it!

Next day, I met him at the coffee shop in the evening. It was a quick meet. He said he was busy packing his stuffs. I asked him about his job again and he avoided it once again, saying that he would tell me after the tournament. I knew he would, he didn't seem to be a liar...

His POV

I watched her play Tennis. She was indeed very good at it. She was not only fit, but she was also extremely focused when it came to playing matches... I was very optimistic that she would win and she did. She called me her lucky charm as this was her second time when she played this tournament, the first time being a failure.

As promised, I took her to a nice restaurant and ordered food as per my own choice as she was too confused to choose anything.

"It seems like you have a good taste in food.", she said looking impressed.

"Have to be. That's my work after all." She looked at me shockingly.

"Okay, so Zoya, let me just introduce myself to you properly... I am Asad Ahmed Khan, 26, the Head Chef of Diamond Plaza Hotel in Goa. I am the son of Mr. Rashid Ahmed Khan who owns a chain of Five Star Hotels, two being here in Mumbai itself. And I am likely to take over my father's business once I resign from my job in Goa...", I said with confidence.

Her jaw almost dropped down and reached up to the floor. There were very less people who didn't know about our chain of hotels and Zoya was definitely Not one of them.

"Why are you working in Goa when you have your own hotels here?", she asked me looking bewildered.

"That's because I love that place a lot and I wanted to do something on my own, just the way you want to..."

She did not expect this from me and her baffled face had told me that.

"Close your mouth and start drinking!", I said pointing towards the coffee mug.

"What do you think? I don't know anything about your father, Mr. Gafoor Farooqui? It's him who has constructed all our hotels till now.", I said only to earn another bemused expression from her.

The coffee mug stopped midway before reaching up to her lips. I placed my hand over hers and motioned her to take a sip.

"So when are you leaving? And when will you be coming back?", she asked me in an unanticipated polite tone.

"Someone will be missing me it seems...??", I asked her mischievously.

"It's nothing like that. Just a gathering a bit of General Knowledge you see.", she said trying to justify herself.

"General Knowledge? Seriously Zoya?" I burst out laughing. She joined me too a few seconds later.

"When are you coming back?", she asked me again, this time seriously.

"Not before three months.", I answered honestly.

I saw her dejected face. She was sad after knowing this little piece of information.

"Come back soon, if you can.."

I could see different emotions in her eyes again, the ones I had seen before.

"I will try. But you will be missing me right?", I asked her expecting a positive reply.

"I will be missing our bike rides.", she said while winking at me and concentrating on her just served food.

Her POV

I had lied to him when I had said that I won't be missing him. I am missing him badly... It's already been more than a month since he has left and the emptiness that he has created within me is not explainable with words. I wanted to see him, I wanted to touch him, I wanted to feel him against my body... I wanted to be with him. For a change, I was actually missing him more than his Bike.

I laughed at my indifferent behavior. Though we were in contact, but his absence always diverted my mind to his thoughts. The changes in my behavior were closely observed by my sister, Humeira who's just 2 years younger than me. I didn't tell this before, but I really Love her a lot. She is my only sibling and we have no cousins either. Our parents are the only children of their parents so, it has always been Humeira for me. I kicked her, she kicked me back; I slapped her, she returned my favor delightfully. I took out my frustration on her, she did the same. . I loved her, she loved me back more. She was my best friend and I was hers... I told her everything about Asad the day he had left for Goa.

"What has happened now Sissy? Missing Mr. Bike Man? ", she started teasing me again and I threw a pillow at her which she dodged successfully. This event of teasing was a new addition to our daily fight routines now.

"Just call him and tell him", she suggested me.

"Tell what?", I asked her, unable to interpret the meaning of her words. She shook her head at my idiocy. "Just tell him that you love him."

I remained stupefied for a moment till the time I registered what she said.

"Wooohooo Sissy... From where did love come into all this? I am just missing him and nothing else. It will be fine in just a few more days." I tried to prove her wrong.

"It will become worse Zoya... Either you just tell him or keep waiting for the day when he'll come back with a beautiful girl from Goa and introduce her to you as his fiancee, get married to her and make beautiful babies with her... And then you might just go and train his kids in Tennis... How amazing will that be??", she said with sarcasm personified in every word of hers.

My eyes shot open on what Humeira had said. I was almost on the verge of thinking that much far if she wouldn't have called me to bring me out of my reverie.

"Are you even listening to me? I am sure you wouldn't want that. So, just tell him."

I knew she was right. I had a strong feeling towards him which was definitely much more than simple friendship and attraction, but I was not sure if that was what people call Love. Not till now... Just the mere thought of losing him to an imaginary non-existent girl shook my senses hard.

"I will tell him Sissy, but not over phone... I want him to be here, in front of me, when I confess to him.", I said while a beam of happiness adorned my not-any-more-confused face.

"And how are you going to do that?", Humeira asked me excitedly.

His POV

I am going back to Mumbai. I wasn't supposed to go back that early, but I have to, for Zoya's sake.

----------------------------Flashback starts-------------------------

"Hey Zoya..", I said when I received her call in the morning.

"Hello. Who's this speaking?" I heard an unknown voice at the other end.

"This is Asad here and the number that you are calling from is probably my friend Zoya's..", I said as I was still not sure of anything that was happening.

"May be it is. I am just calling on the last dialed number just to inform you that your friend has met with an accident. She has been admitted to the hospital and she is pretty much serious. Please be here as soon as possible..."

The person hanged up the call just after saying this. I couldn't think rationally. I called up Eijaz and asked him about Zoya. I put a brake to my work, handed over an application for a leave of two weeks and made arrangements for my tickets to Mumbai.

------------------------------Flashback ends------------------------------

Her POV

I knew he would come, he had to... My plan had never been a waste. I knew he would call Eijaz, so I had already included him in this..

My eyes were stuck on my watch, waiting for Asad to be here any moment. It was Eijaz's responsibility to bring him here in time. I checked the arrangements for one last time. I had booked the caf for us where we had mostly spent our lone time in that one week.

I already had a little idea of his taste by now, so I kept the decorations simple yet sober. There was a chocolate cake, and few of his favorite Italian dishes kept on the table, with two chairs across it. I looked at the door as I heard a familiar sound of a bike. It was none other than Eijaz's. I knew Asad was there with him too.

His POV

Eijaz halted his bike at the caf and I looked at him confusedly. He motioned me to enter inside. I opened the door of the cafe and noticed that all the lights were switched off... There was a single spot light on me and I could hear Zoya's voice coming from somewhere...

"Hello Mr. Chef, or Mr. Bike Man, just as my sister calls you... You must be wondering what is all this about. So let me tell you first, that I am absolutely fine... I did not have any accident and it was just my prank to bring you here all the way from Goa. Please please please don't be angry with me. You can definitely save it for later."

I could hear footsteps approaching towards me. It was not too later when a spot light was there on her too. She was there standing right in front of me, wearing a beautiful baby pink Salwar Kameez and her beautiful long hair was left open on her right shoulder, contrary to the other times when it remained neatly tied. Her appearance was so much unlike her... I didn't interrupt and let her continue. She looked into my eyes intently and continued with what she was saying.

"So, Mr. Chef, I really don't know how to do this... I am not an expert in framing words like you, but I want to learn this, only from you... It's true that I love bikes and bike rides too, but I only want to have a ride sitting behind you... . I can gain calories and again work out for many extra hours, but only if you make jalebis' for me... I want you to be my lucky charm in every match that I play... I don't want to miss you, as I want you to be with me always, and forever... I think, no I don't think, but I am sure... Actually I am not sure...I am not unsure either... I don't know... it's just that I... What the hell am I saying? Okay fine!! Asad, you understand what I am trying to say right?", she asked me when she was fumbling badly with her words.

I could not help but laugh at her antics. I went closer to her and held her hands in mine.

"Will you still feel the same even if I just sell my bike that you love so much?", I asked her as when she hung her head low.

"Huh?" She was unable to interpret my words.

I put my hand inside my pocket and brought out a small velvet box. I bent down on my knees and opened the box and held it in front of her... Saying that she was shocked would be an understatement.

"Answer me Zoya...", I asked her in a heavy voice.

"What?", she asked me, still not believing what she was seeing.

"Just tell me, will you still love me even if I won't own my bike anymore?", I asked her with a grin enhancing my handsome face.

"Of course I will... Now please don't ask me to repeat all that I had just said!", she said, almost having tears in her eyes.

"Then tell me what I want to hear..."

She took the ring from my hands and held it firmly in between her thumb and index finger and looked at it intently. She moved her gaze towards me and said the words with utmost sincerity...

"I love you Asad... I am sure I do and I will keep doing even if you will not own Any bike!", she said the latter half chuckling.

I scooped her up in my arms and went round and round till the time I heard her squeal in joy. I placed her feet back on the floor and cupped her cheeks in my palms.

"I love you so much Zoya! I love you more than what you can imagine!" , I said with sincerity.

My eyes bore into her doe shaped ones... They spoke her unspoken words in volumes... At that moment, our emotions matched with each other's, perfectly, like the missing pieces of a puzzle... I did not hold back myself anymore... I kissed her softly on her lips and let my lips linger on hers for some more time, till she moved back...

"How come you are not angry at all for the prank that I played? And how are you supposed to be here, all ready with a ring?", she asked me. Instead of having flushed cheeks after the moment that we had just shared, I saw her looking completely perplexed.

I looked at her eyes naughtily and she seemed to have read my thoughts.

"Oh freak!! Eijaz had told you everything? I am going to kill him..!!", she almost yelled near my ears.

I laughed hard at her anger.

"You should be thankful to him that he had already let me know about your stupid prank... Otherwise, I would have been shouting at you at the moment and 'this' would not have been so special...", I said, referring to 'this' as the proposal.

Her POV

It was just a week later after we got engaged unofficially in the cafe, that Asad was there at my doorsteps with his parents and his only sister, to ask my hand for marriage from my parents...

It was something that was happening really very fast, but Asad was probably much shaken when I had told him what Humeira had said about him having babies with another girl in Goa and me training them... Not that he would do anything like that, but he was not sure of the same with me... He said I was getting sexier each day and it would be absolutely impossible to keep prospective grooms away from my doorstep... I laughed hard at his explanation as I already knew the actual reason--It was getting harder for him to stay away from me!

I told my mother, about it before and it was her department to convince my father, which was not a very difficult job... My father already knew his father very well through business contacts, and it came as a surprise for me when I got to know that he knew Asad as well... He had met him once in one of his business meetings.

Hence, our marriage was fixed 2 years later, but the engagement being held just after another week.. Asad, like a very good husband, wanted me to settle down in my career and I wanted the same for him.

Two years later, we got married which was a grand affair as I was one the leading Tennis players and Asad was a very successful owner of his chain of hotels...

Today, right here, right now, I, Mrs. Zoya Asad Ahmed Khan, am standing with my husband, Mr. Chef Asad Ahmed Khan, on our reception dais, accepting gifts and blessings from our friends and family. We thank them and almighty and mainly Eijaz, who was the sole reason for us to meet...

Though He owned a variety of luxurious cars, we still stole some time during the lazy hours at night to go for a Bike Ride, and have coffee at the cafe from where our journey had started...

Persiko

AsYa KaBhi OS- Pyaar Dosti hai!!!!

"Ayaan ,what is this? why are you so late? I asked to go to caterers did you go?" Dilshad bombarded Ayaan with questions as soon he entered the house.

"Ammi Ammi relax I actually got held with some work given by Abbu " He said holding Dilshad by her shoulders to relax her and added seeing her expressions "And yes I went to caterers and finalized the menu". Dilshad relaxed a bit.

"How can i relax it Najma's wedding coming up, And you know we can't make a mistake in this" Dilshad sat on the couch.
Najma was getting married to haider , They liked each other alot. One day haider's alliance. Everyone agreed as they new haider and his family well.

"Ammi instead of spending time on these things and taking tension you relax Me,Bhaijaan and Abu will handle everything , Now we have limited time left with Najma after that she will leave us " Ayaan kneeled down in front of her and took her hands in his.

"Meri bachi kab itni badi hogayi" Dilshad got emotional her eyes moistened.

"Khala if you cry like this how will you manage Najma? " Tanveer said passing her glass of water.

"Pushpa I hate tears re aur
Ammi And aap rote hue ache nahi lagte , Meri Ammi bohat khoobsurat lagte hai smile karte hue" Ayaan wiped her tears.
Dilshad smiled and ayaan rested his head on her lap. Tanveer smiled seeing the Mother-son duo.

"Tamatar ko hum sambhaal lenge ammi , lekin Bhaijaan ko koun sambhale ga?" Ayaan asked.

"Haan , He is so attached with najma and now his baby sister is getting married , like every time he is going to hide his feelings, the person who he shares with isn't here too " Dilshad sighed.
"Who khala? whom does Asad shares his feelings with?" Tanveer asked She wanted to be the one whom shares his feelings with but new piece of information was gathered about Asad.

"Arey his best friend, They both are like tom and jerry but when situation comes they are each others strength and support"Dilshad replied.

"Kisine Mujhe yaad kiya?" All turned towards the voice . A women dressed in jeans was standing there smiling widely at them. Dilshad and Ayaan looked wide eyed at her and then at each other.Tanveer looked at that girl and both of them confusedly.They both stood up.
Girl ran into Dilshad's embrace.

"Meri bachi" Dilshad hugged her tightly.

" I missed you so much phoopi" She broke the hug.

"we missed you too Zoya" Dilshad kissed her forehead.

"How did you come? You should have informed us we would have received you! And is Bhaijaan bhabi and humeira?" Dilshad asked her.

"Why phoopi surprise pasand nahi aaya? Agar batake aati toh surprise kaisa? Ammi Abbu aur humi Nikha ek hafte pehle aajayenge" Zoya replied

"Arey pagal look at the time! Its so late evening , Agar Asad ko pata chala toh kitna gussa hoga , You too know bhopal is not safe at time of dark" Dilshad was concerned for her safety.

"Phoopi look I am fine , Aur Asad ko mai handle karlungi , Where is the bride to be ? where is my Aloo?" Zoya asked.

"Your Aloo is in her room" Dilshad said shaking head at her childish behavior.

"Arey humne bhi miss kiya Aapko, hume bhi hug chahiye"Ayaan said. They laughed at him Zoya gave him a side hug.

"Phoopi yeh koun hai?" Zoya asked noticing a girl clad in salwaar kameez and head covered with dupatta.

"Zoya ye tanveer hai rashid ke client ki beti, woh log bhopal se bahar gaye hue hai aur tanveer ko yahan koi kaam tha, Ab akeli rehti isilye hamare sath yahan hai aur Tanveer ye Zoya hai mere Bhaijaan ki beti aur hum sab ki laadli" Dilshad introduced them. They smiled at each other and shook hands.

"Dost aur Asad kahan hai phoopi?" Zoya asked sitting beside Dilshad.

"Dono office me busy honge" replied ayaan.
"Kadduu!!!!" Najma squealed as soon as she saw Zoya. Zoya got up and hugged an over excited Najma.

"When did you come? Why didn't anyone inform me" Najma pouted.

"Arey Aloo i just came now and So my aloo is getting married in 2 weeks!! OMG i can't believe it" Zoya and Najma had always called each other Aloo and Kaadu and tamatar was the name of najma given by Asad.

"Najma stop talking now take Zoya to her room, she must be tired, let her rest , And Zoya freshen up and rest for sometime, we will have dinner when Rashid and Asad are back" Dilshad said and moved ahead ordering maid to make arrangements for dinner.

Tanveer could see Zoya shared nice bond with everyone.Najma's phone rang & she started to blush seeing the caller name. Zoya saw the caller ID and winked at Najma and motioned her to go ahead. Najma left to her room quickly. Tanveer saw Zoya going into the room opposite to Asad's. She was confused why? When she came here she wanted to stay closer to Asad so wanted to stay in that room. But maid had informed her no one was allowed to stay in that room.Then why isn't anyone stopping Zoya?

"Khala Zoya will stay in that room? Tanveer asked Dilshad.

"Haan beta, Its her room , She stays there only when she comes, So no is allowed to stay in that room." Dilshad replied , Tanveer didn't like it.

-----------------------------

"Assalamualaikum dost" Zoya greeted Rashid while coming out of her room .

"WalekumAasalam dost, Kab aayi tum" Rashid kept his hand on her head .


"Dost shaam me aayi ,Ab plz aap Asad ke naam ki dhamki mat dena"Rashid chuckled.
Rashid went to his room to freshen up . While Asad who had entered the house after rashid stood rooted to his place seeing her. The person he was missing so much.

"So Ammi kisiko fursat milgayi apna chehra dikhane ki after a year huh!" He asked sarcastically.

"Phoopi kisiko bata dijiye yeh chehra woh ek saal se skype pe dekhte aa rahe hai" Zoya too replied

"Woh meri Ammi hai , So she will listen only to me!" Asad said nearing Dilshad.

"Woh meri phoopi hai so she will listen to me" Zoya said holding Dilshad's hand.

"Woh sab se pehle meri Ammi hai " he too held Dilshad's arm.

"Oh hello Mr.Akdu before being ur mother she was my abbu's sister , so iss naate woh meri phoopi hui pehle" smirking she removed Asad's hand from Dilshad's arm.

"No miss she might have been Mamujaan's sister but She became my Ammi after that! I came in her life before you" Asad pointed out.

"Oye it's only 5 months difference , I was born nly 5 months after you" Zoya said showing her palm emphasizing 5.

"That's makes a difference" Asad replied victoriously.
Zoya folded her hand across her chest. Both were glaring at each other. Dilshad face palmed and left them to handle themselves. Tanveer who saw them glaring thought they would blast anytime now. But what happened next left her shocked. Smile made its way on AsYa's lips , Zoya ran towards Asad who took her into a bone crushing hug. Zoya had to stand on her toes to hug him. Asad pulled her more closer.
Tanveer felt uneasy. She kept looking at them this wasn't a way friends would hug it felt like something more. It was like they were memorising the feel. After what felt like ages to tanveer they broke the hug.

"You should have informed me atleast , Zoya its not safe to travel alone" Asad said.

"Asad look I am fine and home in one piece! And if anything would have happened you would have had come as my savior in shining 3 piece suit to save me like always." Zoya joked and said seeing his serious expressions.

"Now go get changed lets have dinner I am hungry" Asad chuckled and nodded.