SS - Desert Rose #2: Ch 26 Pg 114

If Karan was finding it hard then so was Zoya, being around her brother was as much fun as it was torture. Being his only sister, he spoilt her in every way possible, it didn't matter how many times she tried to stop him but he wouldn't. After a long day of shopping she sat down next to him 'thank you for today Bhaijaan, although I am sure I didn't need all of these' 'really, I thought girls could never have enough clothes and matching shoes...and you are no ordinary girl Zoya'. Zoya gave him a smile and then rested her head against him.

'Zoya, I need to talk to you about something' Zoya looked up at him 'anything serious' she asked seeing his expression change 'a little' Farhaan shifted in his seat and sat up making Zoya sit up too 'what is it Bhaijaan' 'Zoya, for a long time it has only been the two of us, the role that we have, the position that we hold...I mean I think I am right in saying that I have been able to fulfill my duty to you as an older brother, a father...I know I can be a little over the top when it comes to your safety, but that kind of comes with the job discription' Zoya's eyes started to moisten 'Bhaijaan you have been perfect, the best brother, the best friend, the best father...yes those clowns annoy me but I do understand...and in recent times you have given me so much more freedom' Farhaan took her hand into his and kissed the back of it 'thank you Zoya...Zoya, I have had a few people visit me at the palace, its why I wanted you to come home...I have been receiving marriage proposals' Zoya's eyes widened, she withdrew her hand out of his 'Bhaijaan...I am still studying...I am too young...please...' Farhaan started shaking his head and then started laughing 'not for you silly, for me...dont I get to marry and settle down' Zoya held her breath and when what he said hit home she started smiling like no tomorrow. She jumped in her seat and hugged him letting out a yelp.

'Bhaijaan that is brilliant...finally I get a Bhabhi' 'yes you do' 'have you chosen...I mean do you like anyone?' Zoya quickly covered her mouth realiseing what she was asking him 'sorry Bhaijaan, I didn't mean it like that' Farhaan smiled 'its ok...actually there is someone, a family from Delhi. Mr Amjad Rafiq, he is a close business associate. I met his daughter Shina at an annual business event' 'Wow, a Delhi girl...will she be ok in Jaipur...I mean it is very different' 'Yes, I have spoken to her and her father, they know that even living in Jaipur our ways are traditional but very modern too. I have met her a few times, and she has come to Jaipur to see how things are' 'Ya Allah...Bhaijaan I am so excited now...what are you waiting for?' 'For you' he said letting out a laugh. Zoya felt a little bad, and quite selfish at having cancelled her trip, if she had known she would definitely had gone.

'I'm sorry Bhaijaan...if you want I can go back with you now...we still have a week' 'No, don't be silly. I have told them once I have spoken to you, I will set an engagement date, maybe for after Ramadan and Eid...and then by the end of the year we can have the Nikah' 'perfect...you give them the go ahead Bhaijaan...and I will definitely come home for the summer...I can't wait to meet her' 'she is looking forward to meeting you too...and once I have settled and you finished your studies then we can think about finding a Prince for you'.

Zoya's smile faded slightly 'Bhaijaan please' 'please what...it has to happen one day...and don't you worry Zoya your Bhaijaan will find you the perfect Prince...handsome, educated, from a good family who gives importance to their faith, their imaan as well as their world' Zoya swallowed hard, she couldn't bring herself to say anything 'Bh...Bhaijaan, is it ok if Lisa comes tomorrow...I would like to have some girly time' Farhaan tapped the tip of her nose 'sure, Saqib will pick her up at 11...you can spend the day together...will give me a chance to catch up on some of my own work'.

Zoya's heart kept dipping, even though it was years away the thought of marrying anyone was ripping her apart. She needed to let her brother know about Karan but how? She couldn't risk him finding out anything between now and until she graduated as he would definitely pull her out and make her move back to India. The only thing she could hope for, prayed for was that once he got married he would change his thinking, that in the two years she had she would be able to come up with something solid enough to persuade him otherwise.

Zoya paced the length of her room waiting for Lisa to come back with Saqib. As soon as she heard the front door open she ran out, running towards Lisa she hugged her, making her jump back 'Hey...it's only been a few days, you miss me that much' 'like you wouldn't believe...come' she said grabbing her hand and dragging her to her room.

As soon as Zoya closed the door she turned around and hugged her again, Lisa could feel her whole body tremble 'Zo...Zoya, whats wrong' she said worriedly. Zoya sat her down and told her everything 'I can understand that you are worried but it's still two years away Zoya, anything can happen...don't worry so much...look we can talk about this later, first you need to call Karan, he has been going absolutely crazy, and driving me up the wall too'

Lisa dialled his number and passed the phone to Zoya, Zoya took the phone and walked towards the window.

'Hello' Zoya hitched a breath upon hearing his voice 'Zoya' he whispered, Zoya's eyes started to shed tears 'hey...don't...please, I miss you so much' 'I miss you too Karan' she said in a meek voice 'I love you...please come back soon, I can't take this anymore' 'I know Princess, I love you too, just a few more days and I will be back, you been ok?' 'Yes and no...I just want you Karan' 'I want you too...when is your brother going back...has he been ok with you?' 'Yes...he is going back a day before you get back...how is Zack and Alayna?' 'They are well...I showed Ammi your picture' 'you did...what did she say?' 'She loved you...and so did Alayna and Zack...' 'Karan, I have to go' 'No...please don't, I haven't spoken to you for so long' 'I know but before anyone comes in...take care, I love you' 'ditto'.

Lisa spent as much time as she could with her before she left to go back to halls. Even though Zoyawas happy having spoken to him there was still a distinct sadness in her eyes; a sadness that her brother didn't miss. At dinner he kept on glancing in her direction 'you not hungry?' he asked 'huh' Zoya you haven't stopped playing with your food for the last fifteen minutes nor have you spoken...what's wrong?' 'No...nothing Bhaijaan...nothing is wrong, I guess I am not that hungry' Farhaan put down his fork 'one thing you are not good at Zoya is lying, especially to me...I know something is bothering you...please tell me what is wrong?' 'Seriously Bhiajaan nothing...I was...I was just thinking about next year, we have to move out of halls and into our own accommodation...' 'what is there to worry about Zoya, we can buy you one...or rent out one, it shouldn't be a worry' 'I know...but I was thinking instead of living on my own would it be ok if I shared with someone?' 'You mean Lisa?' Zoya nodded 'Zoya, Lisa has a boyfriend, I wouldn't be ok with her bringing her partner to the apartment...it's not how things are done' 'Bhaijaan...it's not like that, yes she does have one but so does 99.9% of all the girls in New York' 'I have nothing to do with the 99.9% Zoya, they mean nothing to me...I'm sorry, you can have friends around but you can't share, you will have to live on your own' 'on my own...with those two idiots following me around' Farhaan's face hardened 'yes with those idiots around, get used to them Zoya they are not going anywhere...if you do not want to eat you may leave the table' Zoya's eyes moistened seeing his face expressionless.

Zoya got up and went to her room, she closed the door and let the tears she was holding back finally escape, she tried to muffle her sobs but the pain she felt inside her was too overpowering. She wished she had t opened her big mouth.

The next morning Zoya kept herself in her room, as she went to get a glass of water she heard voices outside. Opening the door she saw her brother greet a few suited men 'Mr Richards, thank you for coming at such short notice, please take a seat' Zoya opened the door a little further so she could hear what was going on.

Farhaan started to look through what looked like brochures of some kind with the guy 'I want it to be a one bedroom, spacious and in the best location' just then Zoya closed her eyes as she felt frustration build up with in her, she realised what was going on, Farhaan was buying her an apartment for the remaining part of her education and he was making sure there was no room for anyone else, she would be alone like always.

Stepping outside she walked up to her brother 'Zoya, just in time, Mr Richards, this is my sister Zoya, it's who I am buying the apartment for' 'Nice to meet you Zoya' Zoya smiled at him politely and then turned towards Farhaan 'buying...why do you need to buy one, I am only here for another two years, we can rent' 'we can...but I would rather you had your own place, I mean if you ever wanted to come back in the future you would have your own place...I like this one, what do you think' Zoya half-heartedly looked through the pictures, even though she was not interested she had to admit the place looked amazing, it was a top floor penthouse in Manhattan, it was costing her brother a good sum of money, money he obviously had. With his business investments and ventures he would make up the price of the penthouse within a week.

'Well, what do you think, you like it' 'it's up to you Bhaijaan, all I need is a place to sleep and study' saying that Zoya turned around and walked off leaving her brother to finalise the deal.