AsYa SS: A Love Unconditional - Ch 12 Pg 121 - Page 84

Zack and Aleena were the first to arrive as they had left before their parents. It wasn't long before Amina came in with Zack's parents Nafisa and Sajid. Zoya met Zack's parents who were full of life and character as he was.

Aleena couldn't stop complimenting Zoya, and then she couldn't stop drooling over her ring. 'Aleena, Maddy is also coming?' Aleena placed her hand over hers 'I know...don't worry everything will be ok'

It was coming up to seven thirty when the bell rang. Zoya took in a few deep breaths knowing that she was going to come face to face with her. Asad held her hand securely in hers. 'Shabnam, Arif...welcome...how are you Madiha?' Dilshad and Rashid greeted them.

Maddy and her parents walked in further and met with everyone. Maddy hugged Aleena and Zack, as she approached Asad she gave him a wide smile 'it's good to see you' she said putting his arms around him. Not letting go of Zoya's hand Asad hugged her back with his free hand . Maddy looked down at their hands and the up at Zoya 'hi' she said in a dead voice 'hi...how are you?' Maddy completely blanked her and went to sit down.

As polite conversations started to fill the room Zoya started to feel uneasy under Maddy's non stop gaze. Noticing the close proximity between Asad and Zoya Nafisa asked Dilshad about Zoya. Making the most of the question Dilshad deliberately got everyone's attention 'am so sorry, I didn't get a chance to introduce her properly 'Zoya is at the same university as them, actually she is on the same course as Asad and Madiha...she is also Asad's...' 'Fianc?' Maddy said looking horrified at Zoya's ring.

Everyone around the room silenced, Asad and Zoya looked at one another then Dilshad. Maddy stood up 'you...you got engaged?' Aleena looked towards Zoya and started smiling, she was going to exploit Maddy's wrong conclusion 'oh my gosh...congratulations' Aleena squealed and then went to hug her 'Aleena what are you doing...you know...' Aleena pulled back and winked at her. Zack, his parents and Amina all followed suit in where they congratulated Asad and Zoya.

Nafisa and Sajid also gave their Mubarak, Dilshad was about to correct them as she felt bad for Zoya but before she could say anything Maddy started to shoot her mouth of. 'You have only known her for five minutes how can you even think about proposing to her...Asad, how could you do this' Nafisa placed her hand over her shoulder 'Madiha, what is wrong with you beta?' She asked looking a little embarrassed at her daughter's outburst.

Brushing her mothers hand away Maddy stepped forwards and looked at Zoya 'you sicken me, what have you done to him. You waltz in from wherever you are from...and then throw yourself at him...what kind of a witch are you' every ones eyes started to darken at Maddy. Asad stepped forwards ands stood in front of Zoya 'she hasn't done anything Maddy...we have been together long enough to know that we love each other and want to be together for the rest of our lives, a decision my parents are happy with and Zoya also accepted...you are a guest in our house, and this house now belongs to Zoya too' as Asad was talking to Maddy Zoya had grabbed hold of his shirt from behind, he could tell she was shaking.

He looked at Dilshad who understood what he wanted, Dilshad walked up to Zoya and pulled her out from behind him, she placed her arms around her and stepped forwards 'Asad is right Madiha, this house now belongs to Zoya too' Maddy's eyes burned red, she picked up her bag and stormed out leaving her parents absolutely stunned by her outrageous behaviour. 'Dilshad, Rashid Bhai we are so sorry...I don't know what has come over her' Dilshad smiled at Nafisa 'it's ok Nafisa...I guess only Madiha can answer your questions' Nafisa walked up to Zoya and placed her hand on her cheek 'I'm sorry beta, she is not normally so rude...congratulations'

As they left everyone's gaze turned to Asad and Zoya, Zoya steps back, her eyes were filled with unshed tears 'Zoya' Asad called out yo her but she stopped him from saying anything else by holding her hand up. Zoya turned on her heel and ran upstairs, Asad was about to follow her when Aleena stopped him 'I'll go...you wait here'.

Aleena walked into her room to find her struggling to take the ring of and crying 'Zoya' Zoya looked up at her and wiped her tear, she turned away from her and with another tug she pulled the ring off and placed it on the table. With her back still to her she walked into the bathroom, after a few moments Zoya came out dressed in her jeans and top.

Aleena closed the gap between them 'what are you doing Zoya?' 'Im going back to campus' 'why?' 'Because I need to...I can't deal with this Aleena...when he gave me the ring...I mean who gives someone a ring as a present...where I come from a ring only means one thing and that's exactly what Maddy thought' Aleena looked at her confused 'what's wrong with that, you know it's not true...and you love Asad, so why...do you not want to be with him?' 'No...it's not that, I love him Aleena, more than you will ever know' 'then what's the problem?' 'We have been together for less than three months and...' 'Zoya, when you love someone you just do...what has time got to do with it...and to hell with Maddy and anyone else who thinks anything, this is about you and the guy downstairs who loves you as much as you love him, his parents welcomed you with open arms accepted you without a second thought...Zoya don't do this' Zoya fell to the floor and covered her face. She couldn't control her sobs.

Aleena turned around as she heard the door open, it was Asad. Asad walked up to them, he saw the ring on the side table and picked it up 'Aleena can you give us a moment' 'sure' Aleena walked out leaving them to it.

Asad placed his hands over her shoulders and made her stand up. 'I'm sorry' Zoya raised her swollen eyes to meet his 'I promised nothing would happen, that everything would be ok...and...I'm sorry' 'Asad please don't say sorry...it's my fault' 'I know what you are thinking and you are right...I should gave been more mindful...but Zoya, if not today I would have given you this one day' Zoya felt her insides twist as her eyes continued to weep 'Asad' 'no, wait let me finish...if I don't do this now I will never be able to'

Asad held the ring I between his thumb and forefinger, he kneeled down on one knee and took her hand into his 'Zoya, I know this is a few years premature, but I promise to love you with all my heart, my soul, with every breath I take. Allah knows what is in my heart...with Allah as my witness I want you to know that I will forever be yours...Zoya will you marry me?'

Zoya completely lost herself in him, she sat down in front of him, slowly raising her hands she cupped his face 'you had me at Zoya...I love you too Asad...yes, I will marry you' Asad pulled her in and hugged her as tightly as he could 'you mean it...you really mean it...you will?' Zoya nodded against him, Asad pulled her back and kissed her pouring every ounce of love into it. Asad slipped the ring back on her finger 'this time it's for real' 'yes it is'.

Hand in hand the two if the walked back downstairs, Dilshad quickly walked up yo Zoya seeing her in her jeans and then her red and very sore eyes 'Zoya, beta are you ok?' 'I am fine Aunty...I'm sorry for leaving so abruptly...I didn't mean for all this to happen' 'Zoya...you seriously ok?' Aleena asked 'yes, I am fine' 'good...now that's sorted can I get some food I'm starving' Aleena said making everyone laugh out loud.

'Before you all start eating, I have an announcement to make...I mean we' 'what is it Asad?' Rashid asked 'I asked Zoya to marry me, and she said yes' everyone's mouthed opened wide 'are you serious' Aleena asked 'Ya Allah...Asad...Zoya...you really did get engaged' Dilshad said. Asad and Zoya both nodded and what followed was another round of happy screams but this time it was for real.

Zoya had never eaten so much, the food was to die for. For a family that didn't celebrate Christmas per se it turned out perfect, a day they would always remember.

Zoya promised to return to Aleena's house the following day, she needed to spend time with Asad and his parents following the days events.

Dilshad sat next to Zoya 'what you want to do in life takes priority, both of you are very young and have just started your journey...after you graduate, after you both have stepped foot into the next phase then...and only then you get married' both Asad and Zoya agreed, even though they had gotten engaged so soon marriage was definitely not on the cards.

'Zoya, is this something you would like to share with your parents? I can call them if you would like' Zoya took in a deep breath 'no Aunty, I don't want them to know and if I ever change my mind I will tell them myself' 'ok beta as you wish...it's been quite an evening, I will leave you two to talk...don't stay up too late' Dilshad said giving Zoya a wink.

Dilshad kissed both Asad and Zoya good night 'see you in the morning, Allah hafiz'. 'If you are tired we can go up' Asad said 'actually a walk in the garden would be nice, I ate too much' she said tapping her stomach.

On New Year's Eve the four of them decided to go out, there was a fireworks display as well as a street party. Zoya had never celebrated New Years, some years she would even forget that a whole new year had started. Holding on to Asad she closed her eyes, the count down had begun 10,9,8,7...4,3,2,1. As the crowds cheered and the noise of the grand firework display surrounded them Zoya slowly opened her eyes to see him looking at her 'I wanted you to be the first thing I saw, happy new year Asad...I love you' Asad didn't say anything, he leaned closer and captured her lips with his. By the time they all got home it was 3 in the morning. Asad and Zack passed out on the sofas whilst Zoya and Aleena made it back to her room.

The next 7 days were filled with lot of going out, eating and with Aleena there a lot of shopping. Zoya felt tearful as she hugged Amina and Dilshad 'we want you all back at Easter...until then be good and look after each other'

Graham closed the door once everyone was seated and started the engine. Asad, Zack, Aleena and Zoya were going back to uni to start the next phase of their education and lives.