AsYa FF - The Intern: Ch 11 & 12 Pg 91 - Page 44

Asad walked around with Zoya 'is this your first time in Mumbai?' 'Yes, actually this is my first time anywhere outside of Delhi' 'is your family all in Delhi?' Zoya stopped and looked at him 'I don't have a family' 'how do you mean?' 'I am an orphan, I was brought up in an orphanage and when I came of age I moved to a girls hostel' Asad felt his insides twist as her eyes moistened 'I am sorry...I didn't know...' 'it's ok...I don't let it get me down, I am still happy' 'wow, you really are a remarkable young girl Zoya, I admire that' Zoya gave him a shy smile 'thank you' 'so where do you want to go, I have seen all of Mumbai, anywhere you want to go in particular?' 'I would love to go to the water's front, the beach, I have never seen the open sea before' 'the beach it is, let's go'

Asad couldn't bring himself to look away from her, the way she splashed in the water and let out childlike giggles fascinated him. There was something about her that captured him, drew him in, and made him feel different. In all his life he was never affected by any girl, and he had met thousands from all over the world.

Zoya came running up to him 'thank you so much Asad, this is amazing' 'have you had you share of fun with the water?' 'For now...I would love to come back at sunset, I can only imagine what it would look like' 'of course you can, maybe tomorrow...by the time we get to the restaurant and finish it will be dark already' 'no worries...I am ready to go if you are'

Walking past a row of shops near the water front Zoya stopped 'would you mind if I looked in here?' 'Sure, go for it' Zoya looked around the small gift shop, she wanted to buy Asad something 'what do you buy a guy who has absolutely everything you can imagine?' she wondered to herself.

'Zoya' Zoya turned around to see him standing by the door 'I need to make a few phone calls, I am sitting outside' 'ok, I won't be long' Quickly going through the items before her she finally saw what she wanted. 'Excuse me sir, do you do engraving in here?' 'Yes we do ma'am, what would you like engraved, and what message?' Zoya had picked up a gift set, a silver pen and a key ring that matched. 'On the pen could you engrave Asad Ahmed Khan and on the key ring could you engrave today's date with a message "Happiness is a journey, not a Destination".

Zoya came out with her gift wrapped up smiling away at herself 'you done?' 'Yes, I am' 'What did you buy?' 'Just a little something for someone' 'someone special?' Asad asked 'someone amazingly special' Zoya said smiling back. Asad swallowed hard, he didn't know why he felt the way he did 'wow...must really be something' 'yes, he is'.

The rest of their little trip went in silence, Asad couldn't bring himself to stop thinking about the guy Zoya mentioned, who was he and what relationship did she have with him? Before they knew it they were standing outside the Red Dragon. Annie who was sitting inside with the rest saw them come in 'Bhaijaan' she called out getting his attention. As Asad and Zoya greeted everyone they sat down 'how was your little expedition?' Zack asked 'really good, I had fun' Zoya said smiling from ear to ear.

As she continued to smile Safa continued to grit her teeth. She had been a part of Asad's organization for over three years and despite all her efforts, her hard work and dedication she couldn't get him to notice her beyond what she was, an employee. What did this Zoya have that she didn't, why was he even giving her the time of day. Safa had decided to use what she knew against Zoya, she was going to make sure that she used every opportunity to show her up in front of Annie, Zack and most of all Asad.

Zoya looked through the menu, she didn't understand much of it as she had never really had Chinese before 'What are you having?' Zack asked her. Zoya looked at him a little perplexed 'I am not sure, I have not tried...' At the same time Safa started laughing 'seriously Zoya, you have never had Chinese, I mean what to you live on boiled rice and lentils?' Zoya looked down feeling a little embarrassed 'and what is wrong with rice and lentils Safa, it is the staple food for thousands of people, think about the project you work on before making such silly remarks' Annie said narrowing her eyes 'Annie, chill...come on, living in Delhi you would think people get to eat out' Zoya looked up at Asad who was looking at her intently, she tried to smile at him but couldn't 'Zoya, you should try the chicken chow-mien, it's really nice' Asad said trying to put her at ease 'ok' she simply said and put the menu card down.

As the food started to arrive everyone stuck in, enjoying their food and making light hearted conversation. Seeing Asad's eyes fixated on Zoya Safe cleared her throat, trying to get his attention 'Mr Khan, I managed to put a report together based on the conference, if you have time tomorrow I would love to do a presentation for you all' 'I think that can be arranged' Annie looked towards Safa wow, that was fast, considering you were not even present you still managed to put something together, am impressed...what is it about?' Smiling like there was no tomorrow Safa out down her glass 'I think I can leave that as a surprise, can we meet in the small meeting room tomorrow morning?' 'Of course, I will get the hotel management to book it out for us' mentally giving herself a high five Safa sat back and enjoyed the rest of her meal.

Getting back to the hotel everyone said goodnight to one another before they retired to their rooms. Safa had the task of going through Zoya's report and making a presentation based on it before the meeting, which meant she was going to get no sleep.

Before Zoya walked into her room she turned around to thank Asad once more 'I will see you in the morning' 'good night Asad'.

The team that was still left gathered in the small meeting room 'thank you everyone for coming, the presentation is not long, you have a copy of the report in front of you' As Safa began her presentation Zoya's expressions started to change, it soon dawned on her that the report was her report, the one she did after the conference.

'Wait' Zoya said standing up, everyone turned around to look at her 'this..this is my report...I wrote this, after the conference...Safa, where did you get this, this is not yours' Safa let out an exaggerated gasp 'Zoya, how can you say that...I mean...this is my work, how can you call this your own?' 'I can call it my own because it is mine' narrowing her eyes at her Safa stepped forward 'prove it, I mean if you wrote it you must have it saved somewhere' 'I do, it's on my laptop, wait one minute'

Zoya ran back down with her laptop and opened it. As she searched for her report her heart started to sink 'it was here...I am telling you...Annie, this is my report, I am not lying' Safa started to laugh 'seriously Zoya, you think we will believe you, if it is your then where is it?' Zoya's eyes started to well up 'I don't know but I promise you...Asad, I wrote it straight after the conference, I am not lying' 'Stop it Zoya' Safa said in a raised voice 'don't you even know how to address your boss, its Mr Khan, not Asad' Zoya looked at her and then back at Asad.

'Safa, be mindful of your tone' Asad said 'I am sorry Mr Khan...but I don't understand this girl, she comes in as an intern, instead of putting her head down to learn she has occupied her time making herself over, I mean...what is she trying to prove...why is she trying to jeopardize my work, my efforts by calling them her own?' Asad turned to face Zoya, who started shaking her head 'Asa...Mr Khan...I am not...this is my report' Asad let out an exasperated breath 'look I don't understand what is going on or why. Zoya, if you wrote the report you would have a copy of it, right but you don't. if this is a personal vendetta then you need to stop right here right now'

Zoya looked up at him in shock but she wasn't the only one Annie and Zack also looked at him in disbelief 'Bhaijaan, don't you think we need to investigate rather than pass judgment' 'Zack I can only go by what I see. I am sorry Zoya, for now I will take this presentation and report as Safa's' Zoya who had been fighting her tears let them escape, Asad clenched his jaw as he saw her tears roll down her face, he didn't want to sound so harsh but he couldn't come across as unfair, and there was no evidence either.

Zoya wiped her tears and stepped back 'I am sorry' she whispered and then turned around and walked out. Asad asked for Safa to continue with the presentation, in all of what Safa was saying Zack, Annie nor Asad managed to hear what she was saying as their minds ran to Zoya.

Not understanding his behavior or why Safa would do something so evil Zoya packed her bags, she had decided to leave, it was still Saturday, her official day off so she could go back to Delhi.

Before she left she walked into Asad's room and left the small gift bag on his bed with a note saying I may be a lot of things in life Mr Khan but I am not a liar, and nor am I a thief