AsYa SS: A Love Unconditional - Ch 12 Pg 121 - Page 47

Zoya woke up sneezing and feverish, Aleena insisted that she stayed in halls and rested but when it came to her studies not even feeling ill could hold her back. Sitting on her usual seat she took out her writing pad and pen, as she turned around she jumped 'Ya Allah, are you trying to give me a heart attack?' Asad started laughing 'no...just came to say hello' 'hello to you too' 'you ok? You look a little rough' 'just a sniffle...nothing major...um where is Maddy? I haven't seen her for a few days' 'she is around...playing truant again...and before you ask she is fine, well was when I last spoke to her' 'good'.

Zoya felt her body shiver, she could feel her temperature rising. As much as she tried to concentrate on what the lecturer was saying she couldn't. As soon as he stopped talking Zoya stood up only to fall dizzy and almost fall to the ground. Asad saw her hold her head and managed to grab her 'shit Zoya you're burning up' 'I'm ok...just a little...' 'Please don't underplay it...come let me help you' Asad picked up her bag and took her hand in his. As they walked out into the open he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her towards him making sure he held her securely. Zoya's head started to throb, she rested her head onto his shoulder 'we need to get you to a doctor' 'no...no doctors...I just need to sleep it off'.

Asad helped Zoya into her room, he put her bag down and took her towards her bed 'here, sit down...where do you keep your meds?' Zoya pointed towards her cupboard 'in there'. Asad opened the cupboard and started searching, as he rummaged through her things he dropped a file 'crap' Asad bent down to pick it up the file and the papers that had slid out of it.

'Asad what you doing on the floor...the tablets are in the top section' Asad totally missed what she had said as he sat rooted not believing what his eyes were seeing. Asad felt his insides twist painfully, a lump in his throat formed as his eyes burned. 'Asad' she called out again, Asad quickly stood up and put the file back, he took out two tablets and walked to her 'here...take these; I'll get you some water'.

Asad filled up a glass of water and went to sit next to her, he lifted her up slowly 'put the tablets in your mouth...here drink this' Zoya took a few sips of water and swallowed the tablets 'thank you' she said leaning against his shoulder. Asad wrapped his arm around her and instinctively placed a soft kiss on her head 'get some rest'.

Asad sat down on Aleena's bed and watched her sleep, every few moments he would check her forehead to see if her temperature had subsided. It must have been three hours since she fell asleep, Asad was just about to check on her again when the door opened. 'What are...' Asad shushed Aleena 'what's going on?' She said in a low whisper 'she was burning up...I brought her back after lecture...she has taken some tablets but am not sure if her fever is getting any better' Aleena looked towards Zoya who looked like she was sleeping peacefully 'I don't think I have ever seen such calm on her face before' 'what do you mean?' 'She has a lot of nightmares...look I'll stay with her can you call up the nurse, she should be on site somewhere' 'yeah...sure' Asad left making a mental note to ask her what her nightmares were about.

The nurse had advised Zoya to see the doctor just in case she needed antibiotics, and also for her to bed rest for a couple of days. Zoya sat up a little disorientated 'Asad...where is he?' She asked in a groggy voice 'he left a little while ago, just before the nurse came...how you feeling' 'ugh...like my body is about to fall apart' Aleena started laughing 'I told you not to go in but no...Miss champion refused to listen. Would you like something to eat?' 'I don't think I can face food right now...but I guess I should' 'sandwich?' 'Yeah...thanks Aleena...for looking after me' 'don't be silly Zoya, why are you thanking me...and to be honest it wasn't me it was Asad, he was with you the whole time...you really did worry him'.

As soon as Aleena left to get her something to eat Zoya picked up her phone to text him

On his way to see Zoya Asad's path was cut by Maddy who looked enraged 'what the hell is going on Asad?' Not appreciating her tone of voice Asad narrowed his eyes 'what is wrong now Maddy?' 'You are wrong, everything is wrong...just because you are blind...just because you can't see the world it doesn't mean the world can't see you' letting out a sigh in frustration Asad looked at her 'will you stop playing word games and spit it out' 'I saw you with her...holding her...hugging her...Asad how can you be so insensitive, you know how I feel and instead of even considering me you are going around with Zoya' Asad looked at her totally bewildered 'have you lost your mind...Maddy the girl was sick, she almost passed out, I was helping her to her room...seriously grow up' Asad walked off leaving her to spew even more.

Asad and Aleena reached their room at the same time 'what you doing back...and why do you look like you are ready to thump someone?' 'I came back to see Zoya and to answer your second question...because I just bumped in to Maddy...I can't believe the rubbish she comes out with' Aleena placed her hand over his shoulder 'Asad give her time, she can't just let go over night...she isn't a bad girl...just...' Asad rubbed his forehead with the tips of his fingers 'I know Aleena...I just wish she would back off a little...she is emotionally draining' 'ok...forget her come in am sure Zoya will be happy to see you...come'

Zoya saw Asad come in behind Aleena, as their eyes met they both felt a wave of cold air brush over them making them come out in goose bumps 'Hi' he said as he approached her 'hi back...Dr Khan coming to check up on his patient?' Asad started smiling 'not just a patient...a friend too' 'food time Miss Farooqui' Aleena said handing her the sandwich she had just bought

'You guys chill...I have a date with Zack' 'enjoy' Zoya said giving her a smile 'I intend to' she said winking making them both laugh. Zoya pulled back her duvet 'where are you going...tell me I will get it for you' 'Asad no need to fuss, I am ok...I just need to...' 'Zoya please let me do it for you...what do you need' Zoya looked at him 'unless you can go and pee on my behalf you will need to get out of my way' Asad looked back at her a little embarrassed 'pee away...something I definitely can't do on your behalf'.

Zoya came back out to see Asad standing by the window lost in thought 'earth to Asad' Asad turned around to look at her 'lost in thought...you ok?' Asad wanted to ask her about her file, he hadn't stopped thinking about it, he wanted to know more about her, about her past but knew that the minute he would ask her anything she would clam up and he didn't want to lose what they had built between them. 'Yes, am ok...you get some sleep I will pop by tomorrow' Asad was about to walk off when she held his hand to stop him 'anyone ever tell you that you are a bad liar' Asad started smiling 'more than once...but seriously it's nothing was just worried about you' Zoya's heart warmed up, she took step closer to him 'you're a good friend Asad, thank you for...' Asad placed his finger on her lips 'you really need to stop with all the formality Zoya...it's what friends do for one another...I care about you Zoya...a lot. I just want you to be ok' 'I care for you too Asad...and I will be...slowly but surely...will you take notes for me...don't like the thought of missing my lectures' Asad rolled his eyes at her 'chill out woman...seriously...if it makes you happy I will take my dictaphone and record them for you...happy?' 'Very'.

After a long painstakingly slow two days Zoya was finally feeling better, she started to fit herself around her normal routine in no time, the only difference now was that a lot of her free time was spent with Asad. With the weather warming up so much they spent a lot of time outdoors 'Zoya' Aleena shouted out 'hey...where have you been all afternoon?' 'Silly question...making out with my boyfriend where else' Zoya looked at her wide eyed 'you have no shame' 'I know...but what can you do...am hopelessly in love' Zoya and Aleena both started laughing 'did you want something or where you just exercising your lungs shouting my name out' 'crap...no...I mean yes I wanted to tell you that we are all going to the beach tomorrow...and you are coming too...make sure you pack your swim suit' Zoya's expression dropped 'Aleena...I can't swim...and even if I could...I mean' Aleena closed her eyes mentally kicking herself, she held Zoya's hand in hers 'I'm sorry Zoya, I totally forgot...ok forget the swim suit...you are still coming...right?' 'Right...can't wait'.

The beach was packed with students and families alike. The sea was filled with swimmers and surfers, children were building sand castles whilst their parents soaked in the sun and then there were the young ones who were either playing beach volleyball or dancing to music. The atmosphere was unreal; Zoya had never seen anything like it. As her friends and other colleagues stripped their clothes to go swimming, Zoya sat back under a sun umbrella and watched them play as if they didn't have a care in the world.

Zoya could hear Aleena scream as Zack continued to splash water on her, she sat back not being able to help the smile that adorned her face. 'Asad, go and get Zoya' Zack called out, Asad looked towards Zoya who was sitting there admiring the view before her, pushing his wet hair back he ran up to her.

'Sitting out is not allowed Zoya...come and join in' Zoya continued to stare at him almost forgetting how to breathe. It was the first time she was seeing Asad in his natural state, and what a state it was. His body was sculpted to perfection; the sun that shone made him sparkle highlighting every muscle making look even more irresistible. Zoya cleared her throat trying to speak 'As...Asad I can't swim' 'I am not asking you to...just come to the water's edge' Asad held his hand out and Zoya took it,

Still hand in hand they walked back towards Zack and Aleena 'hey Aleena...you seeing what I am seeing?' Aleena looked up and started smiling 'I sure am...you think it could be possible...I mean you know what Asad is like' 'just because he said no to Maddy it doesn't mean he can't say yes to anyone else...and plus I really do think he has a thing for her...why don't you ask Zoya?' 'I might just do that...playing Cupid will be fun'

Zoya rolled up her jeans and started to walk into the warm sea, the water caressed her feet she had never stepped foot in the open sea before. As she walked deeper she felt a hand grab hers 'not too far Zoya, the water isn't so shallow from here...the sea bed lowers' 'oh...ok, thanks' she said retracting her steps.

Zoya stood still as the three of them started to go in deeper and swim, she wished she could have joined them; it looked like so much fun. Carefully stepping forward Zoya started to play with the waves that came running in and splashed against her. Taking in a deep breath she omitted the sounds that surrounded her all she took in was the warm rays of the sun and the breeze that tickled her skin.

Aleena who was messing around with Zack stopped and looked ahead of her horrified 'Shit...shit...nooo...Asad...Zack...help her' Asad and Zack turned around; Zoya had fallen into the deeper waters and was drowning. Asad and Zack swam as fast as they could towards her. Zack grabbed on to her arm and pulled her towards him at the same time Asad came 'hold her the other side' he said. Asad held onto her other arm and they swam her to shore. Asad lay her down, she couldn't stop choking 'Zoya...Zoya are you ok' 'Aleena press down on her stomach to help her cough out the water' Aleena looked at Asad 'you do it...I won't know what I am doing' Zoya started to lose consciousness. Asad quickly placed his hands on her abdomen and applied pressure 'Asad she is not moving...Aleena call the emergency services' Zack said. Aleena ran to get the coast guard 'Asad blow into her mouth' Asad started shaking his head 'I can't man...I can't do that' 'what do you mean you can't...Asad you need her to breathe...what are you thinking...just do it'

Asad closed his eyes as he held her nose and slightly opened her mouth. He lowered his head and placed his lips over hers, Asad blew into her mouth and then pressed on her stomach again 'again...try again' Zack said in a panic. Asad placed his lips over hers and blew again and again and again, as he pulled back Zoya gushed out water and started coughing profusely. Asad quickly held her from the back rubbing it 'Zoya...look at me...are you ok?' Zoya turned to him with tears in her eyes, just about being able to move she quickly wrapped her arms around his neck and started crying. Asad caressed her hair 'shhh, it's ok...you are ok...what were you doing there Zoya, I told you not to go in any further' Zoya started to shake her head 'I didn't...I only took a few steps...and then it was like...I felt like someone pushed me' Asad looked up at Zack 'pushed you...Zoya...'

'Excuse me step back please' Aleena had come back with a paramedic, once he had checked over Zoya he suggested that she should be taken to the hospital just to make sure. 'I'll go with her' Asad offered before anyone could say anything.

Asad waited outside whilst the doctor checked over Zoya. After a long half hour the doctor finally came out 'doctor, is she ok?' 'Yes, she is fine...nothing to worry about. Once she is ready you can take her home' 'thank you doctor'.