Thank you so so much for all you lovely feedback. Please see below for chapter 10, a day earlier than promised 😳 But that's a good thing right?
Ten
Zoya waited nervously for Asad to come 'looking at your watch every five seconds isn't going to make the time pass any faster Zoya' 'I know...Aleena you sure I look ok?' Aleena rolled her eyes 'Ya Allah...Zoya for the last time you look perfect...more than perfect...Asad loves you for who you are not what you look like and trust me his parents will love you even more' Zoya let out a deep breath 'ok...don't...' Zoya's sentence was interrupted by the door bell.
Her heart beat picked up pace as she kept her eyes fixated on the door. Asad walked in to see her standing by the stairs and was blown away. Giving her his signature smile he walked up to her and wrapped his arms around her 'you look stunning...I missed you' tightening her hold around him Zoya lifted her head a little and pecked his cheeks 'missed you too' 'you ready?' 'As I will ever be' taking her hand into his he turned around to face Aleena 'Zack told me about the movie plan, we will meet you guys there around 8' 'perfect...enjoy your lunch and Zoya don't worry...you'll be fine'.
As they approached the drive way Zoya saw Graham standing by an Audi 'another one from your collection?' Asad gave her a grin 'yes...this one is my mum's' 'really...which one is yours?' 'I'll show it off later tonight' Zoya greeted Graham who held the door open for her.
The journey to Asad's place was around fifteen minutes. As the metal gates opened the car drove through what seemed like a country lane after which it opened up into what looked like a palace. 'Th...this is your place?' Zoya asked looking from left to right in disbelief 'yep...this is my place'.
Zoya stepped out of the car and as soon as she did Asad took her hand and entwined his fingers with hers giving her a reassuring squeeze.
Before they even reached the front door it opened 'good afternoon sir...welcome ma'am' Zoya gave the lady a faint smile 'Zoya, this is Suzy' 'hi...and please call me Zoya'.
As they walked through the foyer Zoya's eyes travelled around, she had never seen anything like it. 'Mum...Asad' Zoya looked ahead of her to see them standing smiling at her.
'Zoya, this is my Mum Dr Dilshad and Dad Dr Rashid Ahmed Khan...and this is Zoya' Dilshad stepped forwards and held her arms out, Zoya looked at Asad who smiled at her as if to say 'go, it's ok' Zoya let Dilshad hug her 'am so happy to meet you Zoya' Rashid also stepped forwards, he placed his hand over her head 'welcome to our home Zoya, may Allah bless you'.
The four of them sat down at the dinner table 'Asad said you like Chinese, I hope you like what's on the menu' Zoya felt her cheeks turn a shade darker 'thank you...am sure I will' as lunch was served and time went on Zoya started to feel more comfortable. Asad sat back and took in the beautiful sight before him, the three people he loved more than anything else in the world sitting enjoying each other's company.
After lunch Dilshad took Zoya out to the garden, which could daily have passed as the national park, it was huge. Dilshad talked to Zoya about a lot of things, a lot of it was to help her feel comfortable but also so she could feel that she could trust her.
Zoya sat down on one of the chairs by the pool 'Zoya, I wanted to talk to you, but if at any point you feel uneasy I will stop and won't bring it up again' Zoya looked at Dilshad not fully understanding what she meant 'what is it Aunty?' 'Zoya, Asad told me about your family and childhood' Zoya's face dropped slightly, she lowered her eyes 'Zoya, please don't be upset with him...' 'I am not Aunty...I know Asad doesn't hide anything from you, it's ok' 'I am sorry you have had to face so much in such a small space of time, Zoya our happiness lies with Asad, we have always given him what ever he wants, we trust his judgment and choices implicitly...when Asad called to tell us he had fallen in love we couldn't believe it, I was over the moon. And now having met you I know why he was so smitten...I know it is still early days and you both have a long way to go especially with your studies but I want you to know that you are now a part of our family and we will always be here for you' Zoya's eyes welled up, she tried to control her tears but they managed to find their way out. Dilshad went to sit by her and hugged her tenderly 'shhh...please don't cry beta...' 'I really don't know what to say Aunty...thank you' 'no Zoya, please don't say thank you...I am as much yours as I am Asad's...just promise to always be open and truthful to one another...you look after him' 'I will...I promise'.
After a long hour and a half Asad stepped out in search for them 'hey...you two planning to come back inside?' 'You can join if you want' Dilshad said. Asad sat down opposite them 'what have you been talking about?' 'Nothing that concerns you...' Asad pretended to look hurt making them both laugh 'and he calls Zack a drama queen...you two sit and chat, let me get Suzy to make some coffee' as Dilshad walked away Asad went to sit next to Zoya 'you survived' 'I guess I did...thank you for bringing me here, I can't tell you how happy I am' Asad picked her hand up and kissed the back of it 'me too'.
Dilshad hugged Zoya again 'I have spoken to Amina, you will be staying with us over Christmas, Asad will pick you up on Christmas Eve...I hope that is ok with you?' Zoya looked at Asad and then back at Dilshad hesitantly, she never thought her boyfriends own mother would ask her to stay the night 'as...as long as it's ok with you...I wouldn't...' Dilshad understood what Zoya was thinking 'it's ok Zoya...and trust me my reasons for asking are purely selfish...it would be good to have some female company for myself' Zoya started giggling 'I would love to...I guess I will see you in a few days time Insha'Allah' 'insha'Allah...have fun'
As they stepped out Graham pulled up in a silver Z4 BMW sports convertible 'so this is your baby?' She said looking rather impressed 'yes this is my baby...she was the love of my life' 'was?' 'Yeah...I guess you took her place' 'will you freak out if I asked to drive it?' Asad took the keys from Graham and threw them towards her 'be gentle, she is a little sensitive' Zoya's grin got wider as she shook with excitement.
The twenty minute drive to the cinema hall was an exhilarating experience for Zoya, she had learnt how to drive in India, even though she was rusty at it she managed to drive Asad's baby like a pro. Just before she got out the car Zoya leaned over to kiss Asad 'thank you for trusting my with your baby...that was the best ride of my life' Asad kissed her back 'if driving my baby is going to get you to kiss me like this everything...you can keep her'
Zack and Aleena were already outside by the time they got there, Aleena grabbed Zoya's arm and dragged her forwards 'tell me everything' she said. Whilst Zack and Asad got the tickets and popcorn Zoya filled Aleena in on her visit.
By the time the movie finished and they got out it was almost eleven 'Asad I'll drop the girls home in my car' Zack said 'cool...' Asad then turned towards Zoya 'I will see you in the morning' he said to her as he kissed the side of her head.
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