Nine
By the time the two sisters woke up it was past midday, Payal gave up trying to wake them up a long time ago, she had instructed the maid to make sure they had their breakfast or lunch before they went out anywhere.
Surbhi came down and sat at the table what would you like ma'am' 'just an OJ please...is Ria not awake yet?' 'Yes she is, she is outside with Zack' 'Zack...here already'. Surbhi walked outside into the garden to see them hand in hand sitting on the large swing, she was going to go up to them but decided to let them continue talking.
'Ria are you serious?' 'Totally...look I don't know if it will work or not, even if they will agree or not but it's worth a try...come on Zack, even you have admitted that there is something different about the both of them' 'Suri will never agree, she is not at a stage in her life where she will want to get involved with anyone, you know what she is like' 'Yes I do...but I also know that she likes Asad...a lot, she may not admit to it but there is definitely something there...I am not saying we should stick them together all I am saying is let's try and create opportunities for them to meet up more and see if they are able to see it as much as we have' Zack wasn't sure but there was no harm in trying 'but before we do anything don't you think it's wise to find out whether they do actually like each other...I mean we could be totally wrong and end up looking like a pair of idiots'.
'Ok, I will get Suri to cough up and you get Asad...and even if we get the slightest inkling that there is something to work on we work on it' 'yes...fine...count me in'.
Surbhi was on the phone with Akash going over her diary dates 'no Akash I promised to take Ria on a short break away, at least 7 days...and after that you can book me in for whatever you want' Ria who had just caught the end of her sentence came up with a brain wave. Siting opposite her with Zack she waited for her to finish talking to Akash.
'Everything ok?' 'Yes, Akash wanted me to attend a few promotional events...I told him he can do after the 15th, that will give us time to get away for a holiday...which reminds me, where do you want to go?' 'Ria looked towards Zack and then back at Surbhi 'can we have a group holiday instead...I mean with me, you, Zack, Akash, Suhana...the lot of us?' Surbhi looked towards Zack 'its ok with me...the more the merrier...but wasn't this supposed to me our time together...no offence Zack' Surbhi said 'none taken...its true Ria, you kept saying you wanted to spend time with Suri so why you taking the gang with you' Ria elbowed Zack in the gut 'will you just shut up and play along with me' she whispered 'Ria if you really want to go on holiday with all of us then its ok...I mean you will need to find out that the other two are free first...if they are I can get the manager to book our tickets today...just pick a destination' 'Mauritius...lets go there' 'ok, Mauritius it is...' Surbhi got up to go back upstairs and then stopped 'umm...Zack...seeing all of us are going why don't you invite Asad to come too, am sure he deserves a holiday too' 'yeah...sure will do' As soon as Surbhi turned around and walked off Zack and Ria high fived each other wearing the biggest grins ever 'this is totally going to work' Zack said 'oh yeah...Surbhi Saxena is so falling in love...and the poor girl doesn't even know it'.
'What will I do there...you guys go' Asad said 'Asad...it's only for a week and it's not just me and Ria, Suri is coming too, Akash and Suhana...it will be fun. Besides inviting you was Suri's idea' Asad stopped what he was doing and looked up at him 'it was...I mean she wants me to come?' 'Yes, she does' 'then why hasn't she called me and invited me herself?' "Because she asked me too...Asad...say yes man...please' 'fine...yes, I will go...it's not like you are going to shut up about it until I do anyway'.
Asad picked up his phone to text her
Thank you for the invite, I guess I am coming, not that Zack gave me a choice. Look forward to it.
Surbhi couldn't stop smiling at his message she felt her heart flutter
Am really glad that you decided to join us, even though you may have been coerced into doing so. I look forward to it too.
The driver loaded up the car with Ria and Surbhi's luggage 'I have spoken to Zack and Suhana, they are on their way too...Suri, thank you for agreeing to this...I am so so excited' Surbhi cupped the side of her sisters face 'Ria, for that smile and the happiness you feel right now, I am prepared to do anything' Ria gave her sister a big hug before they sat in the car and made their way to the airport.
Ria ran into Zack's arms as she saw him, the inhibitions they felt had definitely faded out, they were a lot more comfortable being together in the presence of their friends and family. Hugging Akash and Suhana Surbhi stood in front of Asad and held out her hand 'Hi' 'hi yourself' 'he is allowed to have one too you know' Ria said with a glint of naughtiness in her eyes' Surbhi and Asad looked back at her not really understanding what she meant 'allowed to have what?' Surbhi asked 'a hug...everyone else got one' Surbhi instantly started to feel her cheeks go red, whereas Asad started laughing out loud 'Suri could say the same to you...I don't remember getting one from you either' Ria started to giggle 'oops my bad' she said as she skipped towards him and gave him a big hug.
'Ok, if that is everyone done hugging I think we need to check in' being at airports always seemed to be an event in itself, lots of people who recognised Surbhi and her friends started to gather around taking photos. As they were given their boarding passes they made their way towards the departure gate. At the same time a group of young boys blocked their way 'Surbhi...please one picture' Surbhi smiled and agreed, after a few snaps Surbhi thanked them.
Asad who was walking behind Surbhi saw one of the boys jump forwards in an attempt to grab her, managing to react fast enough Asad quickly held on to her arm making her twist around and fall against his chest. At the same time Akash stepped forwards to pull the boy away 'don't over step the mark...move away from here before we call the authorities' he said in a stern voice.
Surbhi whose heart was racing hard against his hold looked up towards him 'you ok' 'yeah...I'm fine...thank you' Asad nodded and let her move back but at the same time instinctively took her hand into his own and held on to it 'stupid boys...how immature...come on guys let's get through these gates' Suhana said.
Suhana and Akash walked off ahead with Asad and Surbhi following behind. 'Zack look' Ria said nudging him 'what am I supposed to be looking at?' 'Zack' she said nudging him harder and then pointing. It was then he saw that Surbhi and Asad were still holding hands don't they just look perfect' 'have to admit Ria, this time you are most certainly right' Ria stopped and looked at him with narrowed eyes 'what you trying to say that the rest of the time I am wrong' Zack smiled at her and before she could lay into him any further he started running up ahead "I just remembered something...Asad'
Asad stopped and turned around 'what's up?' 'Nothing...just needed an escape' Asad chuckled 'what did you do?' 'And what makes you think I did anything...' Zack leaned in closer to whisper into his ear 'personally I think it's kinda cool...I mean Ria thinks it's cute...' Asad stooped as did Surbhi 'Zack what are you going on about?' 'You two...you are so protective of our Suri...look you are still holding hands' Asad and Surbhi looked down at their hands that were entwined, realising they quickly pulled apart 'I'm sorry...I didn't realise' he said 'it's ok...shall we' she said quickly trying to overcome the butterflies that had just started to erupt in the pit of her stomach.
The six of them took their seats, with Ria and Suhana wanting to seat next to their beaus Surbhi and Asad were made to sit together 'you been to Mauritius before?' 'Nope...first time, I don't travel much...my work is always based in one place' 'You?' 'No...I have travelled to many places but not here...I guess it's another destination I can cross off my list' 'you like travelling?' 'Yes I do...the only thing is that I do get home sick a lot...I miss being around mum and Ria'.
The flight to Mauritius was six hours, Surbhi sat back in her seat getting that much more comfortable 'so...six hours...how about a round of twenty questions?' 'And what exactly is twenty questions' 'its...a...um a game, I ask you twenty questions about yourself and then you can ask me' Asad raised his eye brow 'you just made that up' Surbhi started laughing 'ok...I did...you got a better idea of how to spend the next six hours?' Asad looked back at the other two couples, Suhana had already started to fall asleep and Akash was reading and Zack and Ria were sharing headphones listening to music 'we could always try doing one of those things' 'you really want to read a book?' Asad chuckled 'no...ok, I'm in...you start'.
Asad and Surbhi asked a lot of questions about each other's personal and professional lives, as one question led to another and then another by the time they had officially finished their game they must have reached at least a hundred. 'Thank you for sharing all that with me...I guess our past lives are not that different' Surbhi said 'I should be thank you...you're the superstar right...' Surbhi started laughing 'yes...maybe I should have put a disclaimer...or a warning' 'like what?' 'Like one that says if I tell you I will have to kill you' Surbhi Saxena...do you not trust me?' 'If I didn't I wouldn't be sitting her next to you...I don't have many people in my life that I trust or open up to...the four behind you, my mum and now you' Asad smiled 'I am honoured Miss Saxena' he said pretending to take a little bow.
After the food had been served Surbhi stood up to stretch her legs 'so Ria...seeing this holiday was for you...what do you have planned?' 'Other than tan up on the beach...a little shopping, a little swimming and lots of doing nothing' 'wow Ria...we are going to do all that...how will we fit it all into just seven days' Ria pocked her tongue out at her 'keep your sarcasm to yourself madam'.
The plane finally touched down, the six of them had booked into one of the most luxurious hotels the Lux Mare Belle, located on the sea front it really was beyond words.
Edited by Saima-Syed - 10 years ago
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