Please see below for chapter Nine, hope you all like it.
Nine
In hindsight Zoya was ok, it was Asad who was having trouble calming himself down 'Asad please...will you just stop...I am ok and I want you to be ok too...she is upset and angry, why can't you see it from her point of view' Asad looked at Zoya as if she had just grown another head 'please don't start defending her Zoya' 'I am not...ok look...don't ruin what started off to be a perfect afternoon...Asad look at me' Asad turned around to face her, before he could say anything further Zoya tiptoed up an placed a soft kiss on his lips 'I love you' Asad started to melt under her touch, snaking his arm around her waist he pulled her in closer 'I love you too' he said before he reclaimed her lips.
Consciously not talking about what had happened the four of them went on to spend a wonderful evening together. Asad and Zoya sat hand in hand 'I can't wait for you to meet my parents Zoya' Zoya turned to face him 'don't you think it's too soon...I mean...what if they don't like me' 'Zoya how can you even think that, I know my parents, it's not like they don't know about you, they do. All that is left is for you to meet them in person...don't look so nervous Zoya, there is nothing to be scared about' 'I know...and I am sorry I keep feeling like this' Asad cupped the side of her face and gently placed a kiss on her forehead 'everything will be ok...I promise'.
That night Aleena and Zoya had a heart to heart, she knew she was upset about Maddy's outburst, as much as it did upset her she still understood and managed to convince Aleena she was ok.
Zoya was amazed at how different everything was in Australia, in the hot sun they were all getting ready to celebrate Christmas when everything about Christmas was associated with the cold, the snow and snowmen. Holidays had officially begun, they had three weeks of freedom before they all came back for their second semester. Zoya finished packing her small suitcase and went downstairs with Aleena to meet with Zack and Asad.
Zoya looked at the car that was parked before her, it was a black S Class Mercedes. Asad was putting his bag in the boot, as he got up he saw Zoya standing there 'hey, you're here...here let me take that' he said holding his hand out towards her suitcase 'where did this come from?' 'Ammi had it sent for me, I told her we would make our own way down but she was adamant...so here it is' 'who brought it down?' 'Graham did, one of our drivers...one sec' Asad called out for Graham 'yes sir' Zoya was left speechless, Graham was a middle aged man who stood tall in his black out fit and cap 'this is Zoya...Zoya this is Graham' Graham extended his hand 'nice to meet you ma'am' 'Zoya...not ma'am...nice to meet you too Graham' 'of course, Zoya'. Zoya looked back at Asad, he had so much yet he wasn't arrogant nor did he flaunt his parents money, Zoya thought back to her own parents they had more money than sense. Since she was twelve her bank account filled up with their unwanted cash, even though she resented them and didn't want their money she did what anyone would do to survive and that was spend it when she really needed to.
Zoya sat in the back with Aleena and Zack, whilst Asad sat in the front with Graham. All three of them lived in St Kilda, which was a few hours away. Zack and Aleena kept them entertained most of the way, as they stopped at the service station Zoya walked up to Asad and wrapped her arms around him, letting him hold her close 'can you sit in the back with me...' Asad smiled at her sweet request, kissing the top of her head he agreed. Zack was less than impressed being made to sit at the front but had little choice.
As Graham started driving again, Zoya rested her head in his shoulder, and entwined her fingers with his and squeezed them gently 'tired?' 'A little'. Zoya was a lot more tired than she had thought, it didn't take her long to fall asleep in his warm hold.
Asad tapped her cheek gently making her stir 'wake up sleepy head, we are here' Zoya opened her eyes and got up, the first thing she saw was his beautiful smile which radiated deep inside 'hey...I slept the whole way?' She asked 'yes...we are outside Aleena's place...come on'.
Graham took out their luggage whilst the girls said good bye to their guys. 'When will I see you?' Asad held the side if her face 'I don't live too far, I will come and pick you up tomorrow afternoon, until then you relax and enjoy your time with Aleena and her mum' 'I will do' 'I love you' 'I love you too' Asad lowered his head a little and kissed her softly, which of course earned them a few whistles and cheers from Zack and Aleena. Zoya started to blush but that didn't stop Asad as he kissed her forehead and hugged her one more time.
Zoya took in a deep breath before she followed Aleena in to her house. 'Masha'Allah, your home is beautiful Aleena' she said looking around 'thank you, one sec let me see if mum is in' Aleena called out for her mum 'Ammi...are you home?' 'In the study beta' came a soft motherly voice. Aleena walked into the study and as soon as she saw her she ran into her open arms 'my bacha, it is so good to see you...' As Aleena's Ammi showered her with kisses and words of love and affection Zoya stood still, she had an Ammi too, one that loved her once, maybe, but now she didn't know what she was.
'Ammi this is Zoya, and Zoya this is my Ammi, Amina' Amina walked up to Zoya, she too her face into her palms and kissed her on the forehead 'welcome to our home beta, Aleena has told me so much about you, it's wonderful to have finally met you' Zoya tried to swallow the lump in her throat 'th...thank you Aunty' 'come and sit down...Aleena will you get Ruby to come and take your things up...I will check to see if Kaki has finished with dinner.
As Aleena left Amina led Zoya to the main lounge where she sat down 'how was the journey? Hope you are not too tried' 'I managed to sleep through most of it...so not so tired now' 'good, Zoya for as long as you are here please treat this as your own home...Aleena's father is in Sydney at the moment, it's a shame he won't be able to meet with you...but next time Insha'Allah when you come he will definitely be here' 'thank you...Aleena tells me so much about you and uncle I feel like I know you already' 'same here beta, I am sure Aleena has a lot planned for your break, the girl doesn't know how to sit still, takes after her father' Zoya started smiling, the nervousness she felt coming in had disappeared, the two of them sat there sharing a lot of love and laughter.
Aleena showed Zoya to her bedroom 'you have this one to yourself...I am next door' 'thank you...but I could have easily shared with you...won't feel the same' Aleena started laughing 'you are more than welcome to jump in with me...just set your things up in here at night you can share mine'.
After dinner Amina sat with Aleena and Zoya talking about everything and anything 'Zoya, Aleena tells me that you and Asad are together' Zoya looked at Aleena wide eyed and then started to turn red 'no need to look at me like that, Ammi is not a nineteenth century old mum...are you Ammi' Amina gave her daughter a look which meant stop talking, which she did 'Zoya, it's ok...I have known Asad since he was a young teenager, he is a lovely boy and I am happy for you two...may Allah always keep you happy' 'what about me...don't I get a dua?' Aleena said pouting 'you and Zack are beyond any dua Aleena...how is he?' Aleena started batting her eyelids 'he is good...Zoya is going to lunch with Asad to meet his parents and Zack is coming her to meet you' 'fun...it will be like dumb and dumber' Zoya started laughing whilst Aleena looked at her mum wide mouthed not appreciating her last comment.
'Aleena, I will be back in a few minutes' Zoya said waving her phone 'no worries, I need to call Zack too'
Zoya dialled his number 'I love you' was the first thing he said as soon as he answered. Zoya started smiling as her heart accelerated hearing his beautiful love filled voice 'I love you too...you ok?' 'I am now...how are you?' 'Good, Aleena's Ammi is amazing, am glad I came' 'am looking forward to you meeting my mum and dad too' Zoya sucked in a breath 'still nervous?' 'Yes...can I ask a silly question?' 'Zoya, nothing you ask is silly...what is it?' 'I don't have anything Asian to wear...will they be ok with me in western clothes' Asad started laughing 'Zoya my parents aren't traditional at all...you can come wearing what ever you like and they will love you all the same' 'love...love me, Asad they haven't even met me to like me' 'trust me' 'I do...'
By the time Zoya returned to Aleena's room it was almost two in the morning 'sorry that took longer than I expected' 'chill Zoya, it's ok...I just got off the phone with Zack not so long ago...after your lunch date with Asad's family I thought we could all go out and catch a movie...' 'Sounds good to me'.
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