AsYa SS - Blood On Her Hands #2: Ch 17 B Pg 127 COMPLETED - Page 63

The flight to Goa was merely an hour long, as Zoya came out of arrivals she saw two nuns and a priest standing there holding a plate with her name on it. 'Hello, I am Zoya' she said 'oh Zoya, it's lovely to meet you I am sister Angela, this is Mary and that is brother Michael' Zoya smiled at them, there was a hint of nervousness in her, something that sister Angela was quick to notice 'come, our car is this way, brother Michael will take your luggage' 'thank you'

The car pulled up outside a beautiful church 'we are here, come' sister Angela said holding her hand out. 'This is our home, Church of Our Lady...a place that is home to many who come here for prayer, and in times of need. The building that you see over the fence, that is where the centre will be built and just behind the church is our residence' 'it's beautiful, I have seen many churches...but this is really something beyond anything' 'wait until you see the inside'.

Walking through the large wooden doors Zoya stepped inside, there was a distinct smell, she couldn't quite describe it, a mixture of rose, sandalwood and somewhere in between a hint of lavender.

As she entered the main hall she stopped, the unique beauty of the church inside brought everything to a standstill. The sculptures of biblical characters and scenes that were awkwardly engraved in the stone took her breath away, the larger than life statues of mother Mary and Jesus looked down on her, there was sanctity and certain sense of peacefulness that she immediately felt.

Zoya's thoughts that were taking in and processing what she saw were broken by a voice that called out behind her.

'Mrs Roberts, this is Zoya' Mrs Roberts was a Middle Aged lady who for her age looking stunning 'Zoya, welcome, I am so sorry I wasn't able to receive you at the airport, I hope the journey was ok' 'yes, it was, thank you...it's lovely to finally meet you all'.

'Please come this way, I will show you to your room and the I can give you a full tour of the church and its surroundings'

Zoya's room was on the first floor, the four bricked walls were completely bare, there was a single wooden bed on one side, a wooden table and chair, with a chest of drawers on the other and a small sink in the far corner 'we live life simply...I know this may not be what you are used to...please feel free to...' Zoya turned around stopping Mrs Roberts mid sentence 'it's perfect...it maybe simple but at the same time it has its own charm...and trust me compared to what I had to live through in...' Zoya stopped, she sucked in a breath as she realised what she was going to say. Mrs Roberts continued to look at her, waiting for her to complete her sentence, and she did 'I mean when I was in prison...this is like a five star hotel in comparison' Mrs Roberts gave her a warm smile 'a part of your life that has gone Zoya...please take your time settling in, I will get sister Mary to call you when dinner is served' 'thank you'.

After having spoken to Zack and Aaira Zoya made her way back to the main Chapel. She could hear the echo of beautiful voices singing. As she entered, she saw a small choir of young girls singing a hymn. Taking a seat at the back she lost herself in them, their words pierced straight through her, she felt her body freeze over.

Zoya was so consumed by her surroundings she didn't realise Sister Angela was calling. It was only when she tapped her on her shoulder that she broke out of her hypnotic state.

'Are you ok?' She asked 'y...yes I am fine...sorry, it's the first time I have ever heard a hymn...its beautiful' 'yes it is...come, would you like to sit at the front?' 'Sure' Zoya stood up and started walking towards the front with her 'these girls...do they live locally?' 'No, they live here...they are girls who have been victim of some form of brutality...some where found by us and others found us in their attempts to escape' Zoya could feel their pain 'they will be a part of the centre?' 'Yes very much so...I will introduce you to them over dinner'

Having finished her bread roll and soup Zoya took out time to sit and talk to the young girls, she along with Sister Mary and Angela spent hours talking to them, everything from what they had experienced to what colour they were going to paint the centre.

Whilst Zoya got busy with her project on the other side Asad was far from being able to concentrate in anything. In everything he did his thoughts went back to her 'why do you look so happy for?' Zack said as he walked in 'sarcasm doesn't suit you' 'Ok...then why do you look so miserable Mr Khan, because that face certainly doesn't suit you'

Asad put his pen down and rubbed his hands over his face 'I don't know...' Zack looked at him 'what...is it a case, someone said something to you...what?' 'No...nothing like that...I am on top of my work...its just...there is something I can't work out...or maybe I can but just can't bring myself to face it...or admit it'

Zack's face curled up as he tried to decipher what his friend was going on about 'it would help if you didn't talk in so many riddles' Asad let out a deep breath 'look it doesn't matter...I will see you later' as Asad got up and started to walk out Zack grabbed his arm to stop him 'it matters to me Asad, I have never seen you in such a confused state before...what's going on' he asked in a more serious and concerned tone of voice.

Asad turned around to face him 'what if you think I'm crazy?' 'What if I don't...Asad try me...we have been best friend for as long as I can remember...we never hide anything from one another' 'you might want to sit down'

Sitting down opposite him he looked at him waiting for him to say something 'I think...no, I don't think I am pretty sure...I know...' 'Asad just come out with it will you' Asad met his gaze 'I am in love...with someone...a girl' Zack couldn't stop smiling 'you serious...oh man...this is...wow Asad in love...am glad it is a girl...' Asad raised his eyebrow 'Zack...drop the funny act' Zack who was still smiling from ear to ear put his hands up 'sorry...dropping it now...so you going to tell me who it is?' 'See...what I just told you was the easy part...this is the hard part' 'come on dude...just tell me' 'it's...its Zoya' Zack's eyes open wide 'Z...Zoya, our Zoya?' He stuttered 'yes...our Zoya' 'Asad...how, I mean since when?' 'I don't know how, there isn't an exact science to this and since when...I have no idea...all I know is that I do' 'h..have you told her?' 'Are you crazy, I haven't even admitted it to myself yet...you are the first person to know' 'Asad...man if you love her then tell her...do you know what this mean...I can't tell you how happy I am right now' Asad narrowed his eyes as his mind went back to the conversation he overheard between her and Aaira 'Asad what's wrong?' Asad went on to tell Zack everything.

'I am not Zoya but I do understand where she is coming from, I don't agree with it...especially as she works so hard with other young girls to change their perspective and outlook...in some ways it's a little hypocritical...but Asad that doesn't mean to say that there is no hope, only you can bring Zoya out of that state of mind, go to her Asad...go and tell her and don't give up no matter how many times she knocks you back' 'that's easier said than done Zack...say she does come out of her shell but it's not me...I mean she doesn't feel the same then what?' 'I highly doubt that...and even if that is the case is it not better to have tried and lost than to never have tried at all?' 'I don't know if I can do it...this is all new to me...' 'Look, you have Jameela's trial in two weeks time why don't you go to Goa after that...go and see her...Asad don't overthink it, this is one think you do with your heart...leave the brain...the head on the shelf'. After a long talk and a lot of persuasion Zack managed to convince Asad to go after her.

Back in Goa Zoya had settled in very well, she had been around a number of places, even spent time on the beach. With everything in place the building contractors had estimated that the centre would be completed with all its building work and furnishings in just under a month.

Zoya called Zack to let him know of the timescales '...are you ok otherwise...I know how engrossed you get, I hope you are looking after your health' 'I am, promise' 'good...we will come to see you soon, it's not that same here without you' '...Bhaijaan how is ...how is Jameela, is Asad ready for the case?' She asked hesitantly, Zack couldn't help the smile that adorned his lips 'he is absolutely fine Zoya, working hard as always, the trial is next week...I told him he deserves a break after this one...maybe I will send him to you for a short break' Zoya held her breath as her eyes popped open 'he...here...I mean...sure, I think you and Aaira should come too' 'we will...'

After joining in on Sunday mass Zoya went to sit outside, a few moments later she heard her name being called out, it was Sister Angela 'hi...hope I am not disturbing you?' 'No, not all...was there something you needed?' 'Yes, you' she said laughing 'actually I wanted you to meet someone...come'

Zoya followed Sister Angela back inside, walking behind her she saw a young woman with a male standing talking to the priest 'Father Andrew' Sister Angela called out 'Aah, here she is...Zoya, I would like you to meet Sophia and this is Jacob, her fianc' Zoya greeted two people that stood in front of her 'it's lovely meeting you' she said 'Zoya, I wanted you to meet Sophia as she herself has been through any girls worst nightmare...' Zoya's gaze intensified as she continued to look at her, she could feel her insides constrict 'I am so sorry...would you like to sit down?' 'Thank you' looking back towards Father Andrew she let him continue 'to see this young girl alive before us is no less than a miracle, after what she had suffered she tried to take her own life, every time she failed she tried again' Zoya looked at her in shock, she didn't know what to say to her 'after so many moths of treatment she started to live again...and then she found Jacob, a God send, a young man who loved her for who she was, he didn't judge her, he just fell in love with her...Zoya, Sophia would like to be a part of the centre and Jacob...he too would like to work with families, I think it is important to have a good positive role model such as him to reach out to other young men' Zoya swallowed hard 'firstly, can I say how proud I am of both of you...and secondly, I think that would be wonderful, it's a great idea...the building work has started, please feel free to come in whenever you can'

After having met them Zoya turned around, she felt a dull pain, that made her heart sink. She looked up to the statue of Christ, for the people that came in here to worship, Jesus was the son of God, to her he was a Prophet of Allah. She closed her eyes 'Ya Allah...please help me...please'

'What is it that you are asking for Zoya?' Zoya opened eyes to see the Father standing next to her 'strength' 'you already have that Zoya, if you didn't you wouldn't be standing here...you have courage, you have strength, you have determination, you have a belief in others...but what you don't have is a belief in yourself...Zoya, You may look like you have stepped out of the darkness, and to some extent you have...but there is still a part of you that refuses to embrace the light...it is only when you let the light touch you will you feel free, don't hold back Zoya, you live life, learn to love it too...let yourself be free, free in love' Zoya stood before Father Andrew with tears streaming down her face, he placed his hand over her head 'your tears are enough for me to understand that there is some element of truth in what I have said, pray to your Lord Zoya, pray to Allah that your heart finds its way...to who ever it is that stands on the other side...you deserve happiness as much as anyone else in this world'

That evening Zoya accompanied the church and a small group of girls to have a small camp fire by the beach, it was a made up tradition where they would go every month. Standing by the waters edge Zoya looked out to the darkened sky, where the skyline ended and where the sea began she had no idea. As she let the cool water wash over her feet she closed her eyes, every word that Father Andrew had said to her played back over and over again.

Zoya's thoughts were broken by some of the girls laughing out loud behind her, when she opened eyes she was left stunned. As if from nowhere, as if by magic the moon had come out to lighten up everything around her. The reflection of its beautiful surface made the water sparkle, she held on to her stomach and looked up as she tried to control her sobs but she couldn't, in the darkness that surrounded her moments ago Zoya had no where to go or see and now, it wasn't her who had gone in search for the light, it was the light that had found her.

Zoya fell to the floor, with her tear filled eyes she looked up to the moon and all that came to her lips was one word, one name, Asad.

'Zoya' Asad whispered out as if he had hear her call out to him. Looking out of his apartment window his eyes found the very same light that shone upon Zoya. Leaning his forehead against the window he closed his eyes 'I love you Zoya, I love you'