AsYa FF - The Intern: Ch 11 & 12 Pg 91 - Page 50

Zoya jumped in a cab and made her way to the airport. In the meantime Safa had finished presenting Zoya's report as her own and got a good response form everyone there including Asad.

As soon as everyone had finished Annie went running up to Zoya's room wanting to find out what was going on. When she received no answer she went back downstairs to the main reception desk 'excuse me, Miss Zoya Farooqui, she is not in her room, have you seen her?' 'One minute ma'am...yes, she checked out half an hour ago' Annie looked at her wide eyes 'she did what...are you sure?' 'Yes ma'am, she returned her key and called for a cab too'.

Walking back in anger Annie walked straight into Asad's room, where Zack was as well 'she left' she shouted out 'who left?' Zack asked. Annie looked at Asad, he knew what she was talking about 'why would she do that?' 'After what happened downstairs, do you really blame her' 'Annie, what was I supposed to say or do, Safa had everything with her and Zoya had nothing...I could only go with what I was given' 'you could have gone with your instinct, your gut feeling, what your heart said...and that was that Zoya was not lying' Asad felt his insides flutter, Annie was right he knew deep down that Zoya could not be lying, there was a logic explanation.

Annie walked out of his room and Zack soon followed in an attempt to calm his raging wife down.

Asad threw his mobile towards the bed when he caught sight of the bag. Next to the bag he read the note, Asad closed his eyes as his stomach knotted painfully. Opening the bag he saw the same gift that Zoya held in her hand, the one she bought.

Opening the card first Asad read what she had written

'just something little to say a big thank you to someone who is very special, I pray that Allah blesses you with infinite happiness and so much more success in life, for a man who reaches out to the world'

Asad opened the box to find a silver pen and key ring in it. He felt a multitude of emotions run through him causing frenzy. Knowing that Zoya's phone would be switched off Asad opened up his laptop to send her and email. At the same time he saw an unopened email from her from two days ago. When Asad opened it his eyes popped wide open before they narrowed in shear anger, slamming his laptop down he ran towards Zack's room. 'Open your emails' 'huh' 'Zack, Annie...open your emails now' both of them started to log in 'look at the message Zoya sent' when they opened it their faces mirrored Asad's exact expressions.

'The conniving little cow...I am going to so fire her sorry ass...how dare she, Zoya was telling the truth...ugh...she is so dead' Annie said jumping up in rage. Asad held onto her arm 'we will...but in my own style, just wait until we get back' 'and what about Zoya, can you imagine how she must have felt' Asad lowered his head 'I know...look I am going to take the next flight back, you guys come whenever you want, no need to tell Safa I am leaving' 'ok...I hope she is ok' 'I hope so too'

Asad knocked on her door and waited for her to answer but there was no answer, just as he was about to knock again two young girls walked past 'excuse me, do you know where I can find Zoya?' 'She might be in the prayer hall, if not then in the canteen' 'thank you'.

Asad walked into the canteen to see if she was there but the whole place was empty, just a few workers cleaning up. He then made his way to the prayer room, knowing it was a girl's only hostel he hesitated opening the door, the last thing he wanted was to get into trouble by anyone. Looking around to see if anyone was coming Asad slowly opened the door, poking his head around his eyes searched for her, and then they found her.

Zoya was sitting on a prayer mat with her hand held out in front of her making supplication. Asad's heart started to pick up a few beats as he stood still looking at what he could only describe as an angel.

Taking his shoes off Asad went and stood directly behind her, and when he did Zoya sensed his presence. She closed her eyes and placed her hand over her heart 'he is not here Zoya' she whispered to herself 'he is here' she heard his voice answer back.

Zoya held her breath as she slowly turned around and when she did she nearly fell back 'Mr Khan...what...what are you doing here...when did you get here' 'just a little while ago...I had to come Zoya, to say I am sorry, for not saying anything even though I knew deep down you were telling the truth...you forgot to say that you had emailed me the report...something I guess Safa was not aware off...please will you forgive us...forgive me' Asad lowered his head whilst Zoya still stood there in utter shock.

When she didn't respond Asad stepped forward closing the gap between them, he slowly reached out and took her hand into his 'please say that I am forgiven...' 'Mr Khan...I' 'Asad, its Asad Zoya, not Mr Khan' 'As...Asad...thank you...I mean for coming here all this way...it means a lot' 'so am I forgiven?' 'I was never angry with you to begin with, it was Safa...I mean yes I was upset that you did not believe me but what I don't get is what she done what she did' 'reasons we will find out on Monday and make sure that something like this never happens again' Zoya smiled at him and then realized where they were standing 'umm...Mr Khan you are in the girls' prayer room...we need to go before someone else comes' 'sorry...yes, let's go'

Zoya took Asad to sit with her in the gardens at the back of the hostel 'I can't believe you came all the way back just for me' 'why is it so hard to believe...actually if it were someone else maybe I wouldn't have...but with you I felt like I needed to...and Zoya, thank you for the present, I loved it' Zoya smiled 'you did...I mean really?' Asad nodded 'really' he said mimicking her tone of voice 'I am so glad, I mean it was hard to find something for you...you have everything...how do you buy something for someone that has everything'.

'You are mistaken, I don't have everything...and not everything in life can be bought, there are some things that you have to earn and others that you are just lucky to have, some are a blessing and some part of your destiny' 'wow...so true, so what it is it that you want part of your destiny, to be blessed with?' Asad looked at her, his eyes darkened a little as he felt his heart starting to twist again 'I am not sure, when I figure it out I will let you know' 'deal'