I was watching the end of episode 22, (27th November) and sighs. This couple had so much potential. Why did Gul do this? Why did KSG leave? My heart cried a little lottle.
Thank you for your beautiful comments on part one, they warmed my heart. There might be an extra shot or two. And this is like super long, like my Abbu updates because I get carried away sometimes. Kay, thanks loves <3.
ASYA (KaBhi) Three Shot: Rising
"Where am I?" Zoya's voice stammered, her eyes searching for something familiar in this unknown place. She hit Asad's hand away and stumbled back a few steps, her head threatening to drop her any second. Asad stared at his hands and then back at her as her eyes stared at them accusingly. "Who are you?" She whispered, "Where is Chacha?" She looked from Asad to Dilshad horrified. They both exchanged glances worriedly. Dilshad placed the shopping bags on the floor before slowly stepping towards her. Zoya met her loving eyes; Dilshad shook her head in a no trying to calm her down. She put her hands out towards her; Zoys stared at them for a moment without reacting, without flinching. Dilshad's hand went over her head while her other hand caressed her face softly.
"It's okay beta." Dilshad comforted her. Zoya's lips trembled as tears started flowing from her eyes. She nodded along with Dilshad.
"They attacked me and Chache Jee. He was bleeding and he wasn't opening his eyes. They took him away from me and I haven't seen him. Have you seen him? I went to look for him, but they came back" Zoya explained crying, her state of mind unexplainable. Dilshad's hands continuously caressed her face.
"We will find him, I will help you" Dilshad told her wiping her tears; she could feel her shaking under her hold. Zoya nodded back at her, more tears overflowing her eyes. Dilshad slowly wrapped her arms around her trying not to make her feel caged. Zoya rested her head against her chest and closed her eyes. She felt a sense of comfort in this woman's arms. Dilshad's hands brushed over her head continuously. Asad stood rooted to his spot; he did not know what was happening. She was looking for her uncle and they came after her? Who were they? What was she talking about? He remembered seeing a couple of men when she came in front of his car. Were they chasing this girl? What sort of trouble was this girl in?
"It's okay shhh" Dilshad whispered softly. Zoya opened her eyes slowly and stared at the male standing in front of her whose eyes remained glued on her. She looked down at the floor; her eyes fell on the newspaper. Her forehead creased reading the headlines; Investigations into the murder of an elderly man stabbed last night. She slowly pulled away from Dilshad's arms; she blinked at her before picking up the newspaper. She read over the headlines a few times trying to understand what it actually said.
"They killed him" She spoke in a defeated whisper. She looked up at them both. "They killed him. I couldn't save him. They killed him. I am alone again... They killed him..." She chanted with wide eyes. "I couldn't protect him" She dropped the newspaper, Najma came running down the stairs and halted finding a girl in between her brother and mother. Dilshad's hand went over her mouth seeing her breaking again.
"I'm sure he is..." Asad's voice trailed off watching her jump away from him in fear.
"Don't touch me. Don't touch me, I won't let you do this again, you won't be able to.. to.." Zoya held her head, "I won't let you do this again" Asad stepped back from her wondering what she was talking about. Dilshad wrapped her arm around her and hugged her tight. Asad rushed forward and grabbed her finding her body slip from Dilshad's hold.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Bitto, wake up."
"Bitto, wake up now dear"
Zoya's eyes opened slowly hearing her uncle call her. She found Dilshad smiling down at her, she smiled back at her.
"How are you feeling beta?" Her hands caressed her head, Zoya didn't reply. She just smiled at her. She looked around the room, everything felt dazed. She tried getting up; Dilshad helped her settle against the headrest.
"Where am I?" Zoya asked her once again.
"You hit my son's car. You were injured so he brought you here. You fainted last night. How are you feeling today? You okay?" Dilshad caressed her face. Zoya stared at this woman showering her with affection. Zoya nodded towards her questioning gaze.
"Okay, I've got you some warm water. You freshen up, I will just bring you breakfast. Promise me you will sit here, promise me you won't move." Dilshad held her hand. Zoya nodded. She watched the woman leave the room; her eyes went over the room again. She reached over towards the bowl and grabbed a face towel. She got up and walked towards the washroom. Dilshad entered the room to find it empty; she panicked momentarily before realising she was in the bathroom. She placed the tray on top of the bedside table before settling on the bed. Zoya walked out moments later to find her waiting on the bed with something white in her hand.
"I've got you some clothes you can change into" She held them up at her. Zoya stared at them for a good few minutes. "Don't you like them? I could get you something else" Dilshad got up. Zoya took the clothes off her.
"My jeans and shirt?" Zoya questioned her.
"I have thrown the shirt away; it had blo- it wasn't in a very good condition. Your jeans are in the wash." Dilshad explained.
"Thank you for these" Zoya smiled looking down at the blue kurta and pants she had on. She went back into the bathroom and got changed into the Asian suit. She walked back out tying her hair into a pony tail. Dilshad went over towards her and helped her sit back on the bed. She picked up the soup bowl and held the spoon to her lips, Zoya put her hands out but she shook her head. She looked into her eyes and opened her mouth taking the spoonful. Zoya's eyes teared before breaking into a sob.
"What's wrong beta?" Dilshad caressed her back.
"I have to go." Zoya replied calming herself down. She had blocked everything out of her mind but she felt everything coming back to her slowly. She wanted to leave before everything broke her completely. She needed to go home. She needed to be alone. Because loneliness is what is destined for her. She has lost the only person that taught her the meaning of home. She was useless. She didn't deserve to exist in this world. She was a weak woman. She will always be a weak woman even if she pretended that she had the strength of a man. She couldn't protect herself all those years back. She couldn't protect her father either. She lost to a man all those years ago and she lost to a man the other night. She was tired of fighting herself. She was tired of fighting the world.
"Go where beta?" Dilshad asked quickly. Zoya turned her face towards her with teary eyes.
"I'm tired of fighting." Zoya told her in a voice that tore Dilshads heart. There was so much pain visible in her voice. She looked like she had given up on everything.
"But..." Dilshad's voice trailed off watching her stand up.
"I have to go." Zoya whispered walking out of the room. Dilshad rushed behind her worried for her safety. Asad shot out of his seat almost dropping the coffee mug.
"Are you okay? Ammi" He asked worriedly finding his mother run behind her and grab her shoulder.
"Beta, listen to me" Dilshad cupped her face, "I will take you wherever you need to go. But look at your condition now, you need rest." She spoke to a lifeless Zoya. She shook her to get a reaction out of her but she just stared back at her. Dilshad faced Asad.
"I will drop you off wherever you need to go. But you need to get better first." Asad tried to explain to her but she did not look at him.
"I need to go home. To my Chacha jee" Zoya spoke in her zombie voice.
"I will take you to your Chacha jee" Dilshad tried to reason with her. Her hands caressed her face. She didn't understand why she was insanely worried about this girl she only met yesterday. But whatever the reason, her motherly instincts told her that this girl needed her. And she was going to do everything in her power to help her.
"Tell me your address, I will take you." Asad asked her. Dilshad nodded. Zoya pointed towards the newspaper on the table, they both followed her hand in the direction she was pointing. Asad walked over and picked up the newspaper. He read the headline before reading the small print below it.
"You want to go here?" He questioned but she didn't reply. "Ammi" Asad nodded at her. He rushed inside of his room and grabbed his car keys. Dilshad helped her put some shoes on. Asad opened the door to the SUV and watched as Dilshad helped her inside the car. He didn't know where exactly he was taking her but he understood that she needed to go home. But at the back of his mind, he was worried as hell after reading the newspaper.
"Just before Shamla Hills, there is a locality. That is home" Zoya mentioned in her state as they drove for ages.
"That is further away from where I met you. What were you doing so far away from home?" Asad questioned.
"I was running" Zoya replied, she felt so numb that she couldn't feel anything properly. All she could hear was his voice. Everything around her seemed blurry. What has happened in the last 48 hours that her life has re-winded back to 3 and a half years ago? She felt like she woke up from a coma and life had come to a standstill. She was dreaming of finding peace for 2 years and now it was time to wake up.
"From who?" He asked her looking into the rear view mirror. Her face was pale as she stared in front of her. He wasn't so sure how she was replying to his questions.
"From who?" He asked her again.
"Turn right. Ahmed Villa" Zoya informed him. Asad looked out of the window as he entered her locality. He carried on driving; he couldn't see any numbers or any form of indication as to which house belonged to who. He carried on driving waiting for her instruction but she didn't speak another word. He stopped seeing a big house at the end of the road.
"Is that your home?" He asked looking back at her. She nodded. He drove up in front of the house and shut the engine off. Zoya rotated towards Dilshad with a blank face.
"Thank you." She said softly before opening car door and stepping out.
"Beta..." Dilshad followed her out of the car. Asad joined her outside. They both watched as she slowly walked up the stairs before moving the pot out of the way to pick up a key.
"Zoya?" One of her neighbours rushed towards her, Zoya turned around to her call. She watched emotionless as the woman came towards her and held her shoulders. "Are you okay? We have been so worried about you. I know beta, it is hard for you to accept that your chacha jee is gone. It will be fine beta. Don't worry." She brushed her hand over her head. "Don't worry; the police will catch those scoundrels that did this. Zoya..." Her voice trailed off watching Zoya face the door and start to unlock the door.
"Excuse me." Dilshad went over to the woman with Asad following behind her. The woman wiped her tears away holding her scarf over her shoulder.
"Yes?"
"Can you tell me what happened to her?" Dilshad asked her, her eyes went over Zoya's back who pushed the doors open and stepped inside.
"Her chacha passed away." She tried to hold her tears in. "He was a wonderful man. He took Zoya in two years ago. The other night, they were both going to the mela. They came across a girl getting harassed by a few men, they tried to stop it. They stabbed him to death" She cried holding her scarf over her mouth. "She had found a father in him. The girl is misunderstood. I don't know what her past is, but this has broken her. She had gone into denial. She ran off when they came back from the burial, she went searching for her uncle. She just disappeared."
"She has no other family here?" Dilshad asked quickly trying to keep up with her.
"He was the only family she had. He treated her like his daughter. Not many people know that she is from New York. She is an orphan, he took her in. He adored her. It is unfortunate whatever happened. I don't know how she will console herself. She is already broken, this will shatter her completely." The lady went on.
"What do you mean?" Asad questioned her; Dilshad was in tears to even question her any further.
"He never told me anything. But her behaviour, she used to dress and act like a boy for some odd reason. She tried to act like his son. I have never seen her wearing any dresses before, I am surprised to see her like this today. Anyways, when she first moved in, I could hear her screams at night. I didn't need anyone tell me that this girl doesn't have a brutal past. I live closer to her hence no one else knows what I have heard. She couldn't stand anyone touching her except from her Chacha. She only ever hugged him, even then... there were times when she wouldn't let him near her" She told him her thoughts. "But her chacha, he adored her. He has helped her overcome it slowly. Her screams weren't as loud after that. I'm guessing she has stopped having them. But this, this won't leave her. He died in front of her. And she couldn't save him." The lady walked off not being able to speak anymore. Asad faced his mother digesting the woman's words. They both stepped inside the house, they watched as she slowly scanned the empty house. Her presence used to bring this house to life. But here she stood lifeless in her empty home, no one to call out to her.
"Beta..." Dilshad moved towards her, her heart racing inside of her. She wanted to embrace this girl and comfort her.
"He used to call me Bitto." Zoya turned around to face them suddenly. "And I couldn't protect him." She gritted her teeth picking up the vase next to her and throwing it against the floor. Asad held his mother back protectively.
"Beta, it will be okay. It will be okay" Dilshad shouted to her, her own tears failing her.
"It won't be okay. He is gone" She stared at Dilshad with wide red eyes. "I am alone again. I deserve this. I deserve this. I couldn't help myself. How could I have ever helped him? I am a weak WOMAN. I am weak in front of these men." She hit her head.
"Well next time when you stand up for your girlfriends, remember that I am a man and I have my way around girls like you"
"Beta, you are not weak. You are strong, you will survive this." Dilshad cried.
"Survive? I am not alive to even survive anything. I don't deserve to live. I am weak and I am useless." She repeated pulling at her hair, tears overflowing her eyes. She couldn't see anything in front of her apart from destruction. Her world has ended.
"You do deserve to live. You are strong. You will get through this. Have hope" Dilshad wiped her tears away. Zoya froze and looked into her eyes.
"He gave me hope. And now he is gone." Zoya fell back against the wall before gliding down and hitting the floor. Dilshad rushed towards her and fell on her knees.
"Hope never dies beta." She cupped her delicate face; Zoya burst into a cry and fell against her chest. Asad watched the two from afar, his heart beating frantically. He had never imagined he would witness anything like this. He didn't think anyone was capable of going through so much pain. Her pain is incomparable to anything he has ever gone through.
-
"I'm sorry; because of me you had to go through so much." Zoya faced Dilshad, her tears had dried on her face. Asad looked up from the dining table; he hadn't moved an inch in the last hour. He watched them both converse on the sofas.
"Beta, you don't have to apologise for anything" Dilshad told her. Asad got up watching Zoya get up.
"Would you like something to drink?" Zoya asked her. Dilshad shook her head in a no; her mind wondering what she was going to do next. She looked calmer.
"You sit down." Dilshad tapped the seat next to her. "I don't even know your name, tell me your name" Zoya smiled sadly.
"My name is Zoya. I am anything but alive." She shook her head. "I am fine, don't worry."
"Where are you going?" Dilshad shot up watching her walk off towards one of the rooms. Zoya grabbed a suitcase and opened her wardrobe throwing her clothes into it.
"I am leaving" Zoya replied facing her.
"To where?" She questioned.
"Away from here" Zoya looked around the room. "I feel like I am suffocating. He isn't here. I shouldn't be here." She held her head throwing stuff into her suitcase. Asad watched from the door silently.
"Beta, come stay with us" Dilshad tried to stop her. Zoya laughed at her.
"So that I can destroy everything that is good in your life? You're better off without me" Zoya smiled, Dilshad met her brown orbs that were portraying all sorts of emotions.
"I want you to keep the hope that your uncle gave you alive." Dilshad placed her hand on her cheek.
"Trust me, I am an abandon-" Dilshad's hand went over her mouth to stop her from saying anything. Zoya removed her hand. "You stopping me saying it won't change what I am." She mocked a laugh. Asad fisted his hands.
"Beta, look at you. You-" Dilshad watched her eye roll upwards, Asad came running forward as she fainted into his arms for the fourth time. He held her head in his hands; his eyes ran over her pale face. He looked up at his mother's teary face; he saw determination on her face along with silent promises to take care of this girl whom she had already considered her child. He watched her look around the house to capture it in her eyes as if she was taking permission from the owners of the home to take their child away, taking vows to take care of her. He scooped her up into his arms and walked out of the room leaving his mother to pack her suitcase. He watched her lifeless body hanging in his arms as if all life had been sucked out of her, which it seemed like it was. This girl has lost the will to live. Her petite figure weighed nothing in his arms but this girl was so heavily burdened that he mentally could not acknowledge what she was going through. He placed her inside of the car and closed the door behind him. He ran his fingers through his hair not understanding anything that was going on around him. From having a bad meeting to crashing into this girl in the middle of nowhere to this. He looked over his shoulder at the girl.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Hi Zoya, I'm Najma" Zoya blinked at a young girl walking from one side of the room to another with clothes, her clothes to be precise. She moved her hand to find saline wires attached to her, she put her hands on her forehead. "Ammi has gone out, she will be back soon. I'm just putting your clothes in this wardrobe. I hope you like this room, if you don't you can shift into my room. I have no problem" Najma stood in front of her bed with her hands on her hips, a contagious smile on her face. She was so cheery, a lot like her old self.
"Where am I? How long have I been gone? Owww" Zoya asked grunting holding her head. "Why do I feel like someone has hit me across the head with a bat?" She creased her forehead.
"You're at Khan Villa. And Najma is at your service" She bowed before bursting out laughing, "Sorry. You were out for two days, the doctor came by yesterday and he has prescribed you some medicines which you have to take after you have eaten. Ahhh that reminds me, food" She played her eyebrows.
"How did I get here?" Zoya whispered.
"Ammi and bhaijaan" Najma replied closing her cupboard doors and coming around to check on her. She placed her hand on Zoya's forehead. "No temperature" She smiled.
"But... I" Najma turned around and walked out of the room. Zoya stared at the familiar guestroom, how did she get here? She leaned back not being able to take the headache taking over her head and closed her eyes massaging her forehead. Asad shook his head as he watched Najma's drama in front of their guest. He got back to his phone conversation, his eyes going over his guest who didn't understand a thing that was going on. He sipped his coffee.
"Yes inspector, any update?" He stared out of the window.
"Excuse me?" Asad turned around hearing her voice, he watched as she struggled to stay on her feet. She looked like she was learning to walk for the very first time. Zoya nervously tucked her hair behind her ears before realising what she was doing. This is not her.
"I will speak to you later. Thank you" He removed the phone from his ear and placed it inside his pocket. "How are you feeling?" He asked her softly.
"Aap, I" She pointed in different directions.
"Asad Ahmed Khan" Asad hesitantly put his hand out towards her; Zoya stared at his hand before meeting his eyes, dumbfounded. Dilshad burst out laughing at the door at her son's introduction to their guest.
"Why did you get out of bed Zoya?" Dilshad came running towards her before brushing her hand over her head lovingly.
"What am I doing here Aunt-" Zoya hesitated,
"You can call me Phoopie, Ammi, Aunty... whatever you like. And you're staying with us" Dilshad said with finality. Zoya creased her forehead in confusion at her tone of voice that made her feel like she was home. She spoke with right over her. And she didn't have a problem with it. Dilshad placed her hand over her shoulder and walked her inside. Zoya looked back at Asad.
"Zoya Farooqui" She told him her name. Asad hid a smile walking off towards his room.
Zoya walked out of the bathroom and moved back a step surprised to find Dilshad and Najma sat on her bed.
"Is everything okay?" She asked them, unsure. They both shook their heads in a no. "What happened?" She stepped forward feeling uncomfortable in her baggy jeans and shirt. Her hands went over her clothes, her neck and her hair. Najma threw some clothes at Zoya who caught it on reflex. Dilshad motioned with her head to go back inside and get changed. Zoya fought the urge to protest and walked back inside. She changed into a pair of blue skinny jeans and a frilly white top. She stared into her reflection brushing her hair back; her hands went over her face not recognising the person in the reflection. She tilted her head and stared into the mirror before walking back out. Dilshad smiled seeing her come back outside dressed a bit more girlier than before. She would take slow steps but she will get her comfortable in clothes that she used to wear and love the things that women love the most; adorning themselves. But that wasn't the most important task, the most important task for Dilshad is to make her fall in love with herself again, bring back hope into her life and the will to live. She had to her realise that women are not weak, they are the strongest creatures on earth. And she was damn strong.
"Najma's friends have come over. It is a beautiful day outside. Do you want to sit outside for a bit?" Dilshad brushed her hand over her head. Najma handed Zoya's cap to her before skipping out of the room. Zoya nodded knowing that Dilshad would mind if she said no. She had been sat in her room for the past few days not wanting to move out of the cage she had recently built around her in this guestroom. She listened to Dilshad tell her about her routine chores and what she had been up to all day. She blinked at her admiring the woman who had been caring for her selflessly. She had no relations with this woman yet she had taken up the responsibility to keep her in her home. She didn't know these kind of women existed. This is what having a mother feels like she wondered. She tried not tear up remembering her elder sister and brother in law who adopted her but disowned her in seconds. Dilshad made her sit down on the bench as Najma and her friends sorted out a blanket to study in the sun.
She watched from the distant feeling the light soak into her skin. She felt agitated when she first walked out not being able handle the empowering sunlight over her. She just wanted to sit in the darkness but she knew Dilshad would not allow that. She felt like she had no energy for anything or even had anything in her to live for. She felt empty. What do you do when you feel empty? She looked down at her feet, the ground seemed so different. Everything around her was unknown to her. She couldn't find a thing that she recognised. Not even this air. She looked up seeing the clouds darken suddenly, Najma and her friends rushed inside. She shivered feeling the sudden breeze brush past her. She closed her eyes slowly loosening her pony tail and finally letting it loose. She tilted her head against her right shoulder and breathed out heavily. She stood up slowly without opening her eyes, she felt the rain drops on her shoulder. She stood silently as the rain started to fall a bit faster and slowly soak her. She slowly spun around step by step, allowing the rain to wash off every horrid feeling inside of her. This used to be her first love, singing and dancing under the rain.
"We love the way you flick your sexy hair"
That one voice and her eyes shot open. Her lips trembled but she didn't cry. She felt disgusted hearing his lustful voice. Because of him, she started hating everything she used to cherish. She looks at her reflection and she doesn't admire anything about her. Because of him. Because he has broken her. He has tainted her. She isn't pure. She swung back and grabbed her cap to put it over her head. She met Asad's eyes standing a few metres away from her, watching her. She tightened the cap over her head before lowering her gaze and walking inside. Asad tried to stop her but he didn't know what to say to her. He watched her enjoy the rain without a care in the world, that smile on her face was a treat to see after days of her crying. And then the next moment, that smile vanished and replaced with an emotion he couldn't figure out. He shook his hair and looked up into the sky with squinted eyes.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Zindagi ki yehi reet hai
Haar ke baad hi jeet hai
Zindagi ki yehi reet hai
Haar ke baad hi jeet hai"
Zoya stopped drying her hair with the towel and turned her head towards the door hearing his voice singing.
"Bitto, after every dark night comes a bright morning. Hope bitto hope, remember this always. This is life's custom bitto. You are strong and you will realise how much with time..."
She got up and followed the voice to her door. She leaned against the side watching Asad play his guitar with Najma and Dilshad sat around him on the sofa, fire blazing in the background. The sight warmed her heart. She clutched the towel against her chest, her head against the door listening to his singing that soothed her heart.
"Thode aansu hai, thodi hasi
Aaj Gham Hai To Kal Hai Khushi
Zindagi ki yehi reet hai
Haar ke baad hi jeet hai"
Asad met Zoya's eyes momentarily playing his guitar. Her face flashed a mixture of emotions.
"Zoya, beta come" Dilshad whispered softly motioning with her hands. She nodded slowly stepping out of her room and towards her. She sat down next to Dilshad, she couldn't help but chuckle seeing Najma sway along to her brother's tune. Asad stood up and brought his hand forward, Zoya lowered her gaze instantly not being to meet his eyes. Najma placed her hand on her brother's and twirled along. She grabbed Zoya's hand and pulled her up.
"No please" Zoya protested in a low voice not feeling comfortable. She looked back at Dilshad who nodded at her reassuringly coming up towards her and taking her hand. She held her hand, like a mother teaching her daughter how to take her first step. They both slowly danced side to side with Najma clapping beside them. Asad took his sister's hand and danced along, his eyes on Zoya slowly swaying along to his humming. Zoya rested her chin on Dilshad's shoulder and breathed out a sigh. Dilshad spun her laughing before letting go, Asad let go of Najma as they both switched places. Zoya spun around a few times before her hands locked perfectly with Asad's. She blinked coming face to face with him. Her hands slowly parted from his, her heart beating frantically inside of her. She moved her wet hair off her face and turned around. Asad snapped out of his thoughts and stood awkwardly behind her. They both clapped watching Najma and Dilshad dance in front of them. She stumbled back against him as they came closer towards her; his hands went over her arms to hold her up. Zoya's breathing shortened; she didn't know why she felt so weird. She felt a weird sense of his comfort in his hold, she could feel his hands slowly loosen but he didn't move away from her. Zoya's eyes darted to every corner of the house in an attempt to distract her mind from wandering off; she stepped forward, away from his protective presence. She quickly wiped a lone tear escaping her eyes and smiled watching Dishad and Najma laugh so openly.
"Tamater, enough. Ammi will feel dizzy" Asad smiled towards them, his eyes occasionally going over her back.
"Thank you so much beta" Dilshad walked over towards Asad and placed her hand on his cheek, Zoya glanced back. She looked away meeting his eyes. "That song is my favourite. Life has taught me a lot of things, after every dark night comes a bright morning. That is life's custom." She sighed, her eyes going over a hesitant Zoya staring at the floor in front of her. "No matter how tough life gets, I have never lost hope for that reason."
"Ammi" Asad shook his head in a no seeing her get emotional. She pressed her eyes at Asad in assurance. Zoya slowly walked towards her room and turned around to close it shut. She found Dilshad and Asad staring back at her with smiles on their faces. They were trying so hard to make her smile again, make her normal. She wasn't blind. But she didn't know how to push herself through this. Her need for anything has died. How does she get this need back? She ran towards Dilshad and hugged her tightly. Dilshad's wrapped around her and held her.
"Thank you for everything" She whispered pulling back, "I have never come across anyone like you" She told her.
"And you won't ever come across anyone like her. Ammi is one piece" Najma joked. Zoya laughed out loud shaking her head.
"I agree" Zoya winked.
"You kids. Come on now; let me go prepare something to eat." Dilshad walked off towards the kitchen chuckling.
"I'll help you" Zoya volunteered before looking around her awkwardly finding everyone staring at her. "What?" She snapped at Asad who shrugged his shoulders and sat down on the sofa picking up the newspaper to look busy. Najma wandered off towards the stairs.
"Come on beta" Dilshad motioned with her hands. Zoya nodded and rushed towards her. Breathe out Zoya. You got this. Be normal.
"Thank you" Zoya pressed her eyes starting to cut the vegetables on the cutting board. "Phoopie, can I ask you something?"
"Ofcourse beta" Dilshad turned around from the sink.
"Does he suffer from multiple identity disorder?" Zoya joked motioning her head towards Asad. Dilshad creased her forehead looking at her son. "He seems like this scary monster who will bite your head off during the day but by night, he turns into this" She explained with wide eyes. Dilshad pressed her lips together to contain her laughter.
"He is serious about work. He is slightly strict, I agree. But he has seen so much in life, he has grown up watching me struggle to keep our family together. He understands the importance of love and family in his life. But he is disciplined, that is why he appears like a monster. But his heart is as soft. He isn't what he shows on the outside" Dilshad smiled admiring her son. Zoya watched her leaning against her hand.
"You have a beautiful family" Zoya said softly, Dilshad turned her head towards her. She didn't know whether to reply to her comment knowing how she felt about having a family. Everyone has a faint desire to have a family, to belong. That has been missing in Zoya's life; she has never had the security of a family, a family that would be with her at every step of her life. She was abandoned by those people who gave her hope of having a family and just when she found someone she adored, he was taken away from her. She smiled towards Zoya, praying for her happiness. She wanted her to love herself and let herself feel loved. She knew her chacha would have wanted her to find someone who would love and care for her unconditionally pulling her out of this darkness. She looked over at her son who awkwardly glanced at Zoya wondering what she was thinking or how she was feeling. She knew that even he wanted her to find a reason to live. He knew darkness and it isn't something he wants for anyone, especially her.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Zoya stared at her reflection in the mirror, her hands swaying over her hair. She opened the box in front of her and removed a picture before holding it in front of her. She gazed at her picture from 4 years ago, a final year IT student full of world's best shayris and jokes. She had been so carefree and madly in love with the concept of love. She loved to dress up, fashion was always about comfort for her rather than making a statement. Dresses, heels, jumpsuits, makeup, jewellery and all things pretty used to attract her. But then she had this other side to her that was buried in books, fantasizing about her prince charming, idealising Romeo and Juliet. That was the world she used to live in. That used to be her comfort. That was her need. There was nothing that could cage her, she believed in flying. She had never set any boundaries for herself. She was a very strong willed young woman with a lot to accomplish in her life.
She looked up into the mirror; the girl in the picture and the girl in front of her were poles apart. The girl in front of her did not have any dreams about anything. She was weak. She was just breathing for the sake of breathing. She closed her eyes.
Zindagi ki yehi reet hai. After sadness do we find happiness.
She opened her eyes as her heart finally registered those words. Why was she making herself feel unhappy for something she has not done? Her chacha jee. How can she forget his wishes for her? He wanted her to live her life to the fullest. Like he did for his wife, without her by his side. He lived for the love of his life, for her wishes, for her happiness. She wasn't alive, but he had kept her alive in his heart. Why couldn't she live for her uncle's happiness who wanted and dreamt of so much for her? Why couldn't she let that one dark night go for many bright days? Didn't she deserve to be happy? She has been abandoned many times before, but she couldn't abandon herself. She needed to live. She needed to find her strengths again. She needed to give everything a chance again. No one was going to pull her out of this darkness; she needed to do this herself. Yes, Zoya. You need to piece yourself together. You need to allow your heart to feel. You need break free from this cage. You need to be Zoya again.
Zoya got up from her seat and opened her wardrobe. She stared into it for a few moments removing a light pink coloured Asian suit that Dilshad had brought for her a few days back. She changed into it carefully examining her reflection, tilting her head both ways. She touched her face trying to familiarise herself with her own features. She removed her bun and let her hair free. She shook her bouncy curls and smiled to herself. She was really going to do this. She held the dupatta in front of her turning it in every direction trying to figure out how to place it on her body. She pinned it to her side taking deep breaths to calm herself down. She held the picture up again and tilted her head.
"Hey Zoya, say Hi to someone who is trying to find you again. Help me" She whispered with a new found confidence in her. She placed the photo back down and walked out of the room with a smile plastered on her face. Her heart was still heavy but she wasn't going to let it take her down. She was going to rise from now on. She fought enough, now she was going to win.
"Good morning beta" Dilshad was surprised finding Zoya walking out in a happy mood. She was dressed in the pink outfit she had brought for her. Zoya stopped in her tracks and spun for her realising she was admiring the dress.
"Good morning phoopie" She almost cheered rushing towards the dining table and making herself feel comfortable on a chair. Dilshad smiled seeing her glowing face, something had changed in her. She was going to finally allow herself to heal.
"You look beautiful" Dilshad brushed her hand over her head, sending a prayer out to the Almighty.
"Phoopie, do you mind if I go out for a bit?" Zoya asked unsure, she stopped eating her toast and looked up at her.
"Beta, alone... Let Najma get back" Dilshad said worriedly, Zoya shook her head.
"I will be fine. I won't go far. I just need to get out for a bit... a bit of fresh air" Zoya explained thoughtfully. Dilshad nodded at her, her eyes still unsure. Zoya sipped a bit of her juice before jumping up and kissing her cheek taking her by surprise. Dilshad placed her hand over her cheek watching Zoya rush back inside of her room.
"I will see you later" Zoya awkwardly waved at Dilshad seeing her surprised expressions. She stepped out of the front door and looked around the sky. She breathed out a contented sigh; she felt a huge weight lift off her shoulder.
"Ammi, where is Miss Farooqui going?" Asad asked his mother catching Zoya's back walking out through the front door.
"She wanted to go out for a bit. I think she just needs fresh air" Dilshad answered placing his coffee on the table. "Where are you going? Don't you want your coffee?" She questioned finding him rushing towards the door.
"No Ammi, I will get one at work" Asad answered back to his mother and walked out of the house. He got inside his SUV and drove off as fast as he could. His eyes crazily searching the roads while he fixed his seatbelt. He drove up finding her slowly walking up the footpath, she was startled hearing him park up. She was about to panic but her heart steadied finding the windows roll down and his familiar eyes met hers.
"Are you okay? Where are you going?" He asked her, trying not to sound too worried.
"I erm, I was just... I needed to get out" She replied clutching the dupatta against her chest, it has been years since she felt this little bit of peace. Asad noticed a difference in her.
"Come inside. I will drop you off to where you want to go." He jumped out of the car and walked around towards her.
"I don't know where I want to go" Zoya mumbled a reply. Asad paused holding the door open and looked at her. He didn't know how he felt understanding her words more than he wanted to.
"I know" He whispered softly. Zoya blinked seeing him motion with his head to get inside the car. She was about to protest but she couldn't. She saw something in him that she couldn't quite explain what it was that was not allowing her to refuse anything he said. She wanted to fight with him, she wanted to hate him, she wanted to stay away from him but she didn't want to. Because, he made her feel safe. How? She didn't know. When she hugged him that night, he gave her that comforting feeling that her chacha jee used to give her. She felt protected. She had no relations with this man, but his eyes... his eyes made her want to trust him. This man... did not make her feel weak.
"Don't you have work?" She asked him getting into the car after fighting with herself.
"Not right this moment" He replied closing the door and walking around to get inside. "Seatbelt" He told her driving off.
"Mr Khan... I will be fine, I'll just..." Zoya's voice trailed off finding him face her,
"I want to show you something" He told her. She nodded at him before closing her eyes and relaxing against the headrest.
"What is your favourite hobby?" Asad tried to make small talk with her. She muffled a laugh without opening her eyes.
"Being crazy" She replied. Asad raised his eyebrow surprised at her answer.
"Really? Well, let me know when you want to do that. I would like to see it" Asad chuckled, Zoya opened her eyes.
"What about you Mr Khan?" She stared at him waiting for his reply.
"Reading... And before you laugh, my hobby involves spending time with my family too." He shook his head, he didn't really have hobbies. His hobby was his job, because he never had the wish to do anything else apart from providing for his family.
"I love reading too and I like your hobby Mr Khan" Zoya whispered softly. Asad parked up and looked at her, his heart stung realising what she meant. He watched her smile at him.
"What did you study?" He changed the topic, she looked away from him.
"An IT graduate... almost!" She opened the door and stepped out of the car. Asad looked on confused at her answer.
"What do you mean?" He questioned behind her removing his coat and throwing it inside of the car. Zoya took a deep breath admiring the sight before her.
"My life is so complicated Mr Khan..." She said softly without removing her eyes off the greenery in front of her. He joined her side.
"Our life is only as complicated as we make it out to be. Look ahead of you" He stared into the distant, she faced him. "Let it go and start afresh..."
"Is it really that easy?"
"It is the hardest thing anyone can ever go through, but... we only break to grow back stronger. Ammi says life is lived through the heart. As long as your heart is beating, there is still life inside of you that deserves to be lived." He looked down at her.
"You are full of life Mr Khan" She nodded.
"And you are very strong Miss Farooqui." He smiled. Zoya gazed towards the distant with a peaceful expression on her face. He admired her, wanting to know what she has sealed within her heart. He wanted her heart to beat frantically. He wanted her to live. More than anything, he wanted to share her pain and bring happiness into her life. He watched her walk away, he didn't realise when he wanted to keep her close to him and protect her. He remembered her desperate cry when he first tried to touch her. He followed behind her and grabbed her hand pulling her back. She was taken by surprise feeling the pull; she clutched onto his shirt and closed her eyes against his chest. He watched her behaviour.
"Wha... what happened?" She spoke breathless. She slowly tilted her head back to face him; he lowered his eyes to meet hers.
"There is a big puddle there" He answered her questioning gaze, he breathed over her face. Her heartbeats rose within seconds, he could feel her heartbeat against his chest as both of their hearts raced against each other. "You okay?" She nodded. She closed her eyes and hid in his chest hearing the thunder and lightning. She clutched his shirt in her fists tightly while his hands slowly went around her and held her. They could both feel the wind crash against their bodies while Zoya sought comfort in his arms. He rested his chin on her head breathing out a sigh. His eyes went over the sky, he will protect her. He will hold her forever. She will not face this world alone again; Asad Ahmed Khan will stand in the way of any harm daring to come her way. No, he didn't feel sorry for her.
Zoya's heart had found peace in his arms; she had never felt this type of comfort and protection in anyone else's arms. She didn't want to open her eyes holding her head against his chest. What was this unknown feeling building up inside her, she could hear his heart beat loud and clear. She slowly pulled back letting go of his shirt and clutching her hand against her chest. She lifted her long eyelashes and looked into his eyes. Her hair blew back crazily as he stared back at her.
"Are you okay?" He asked her again, she nodded.
"Are you sure?"
"You're here. How can I not be? You have literally held me every time I fell..." She smiled stepping back and almost falling into the puddle but his arms wrapped around her waist holding her up.
"Just don't faint again" He nodded at her jokingly. She shook her head in a no.
"I want to live my life... and I don't want to miss a second of it" She held his shoulder and supported herself up before walking around the puddle. Asad looked on, surprised by her comment. He smiled to himself following behind her before standing beside her on top of the lush green hill. "Life has given me plenty of chances, but I want to give life a chance. I want this darkness around me to release me... I want to be the old me. I am very distant from her right now, but I'll get there." She continued looking into the distant and breathing in the fresh air. She knew why he wanted her to see this. When a view like this comes in front of you, everything else in life becomes less important. This view makes you want to live in the moment. She turned her face towards him, "I don't want to abandon myself" She whispered to him, feeling a huge weight lift off her sharing her new hope with him. Asad didn't look at her; she resembled himself in so many ways. There was a time when he felt like he couldn't continue, watching his mother struggle growing up. But, he held onto hope. He worked hard, and he started living the life his mother has worked so hard to give him. He has never seen anyone as strong as his mother. Men may be stronger, but it is women who endure. And right now, Zoya was enduring more than he is ever capable of bearing.
"I want to meet the new you" Asad finally turned to face her. Zoya beamed up at him shaking her head. "And this new you, I want to befriend." He told her, Zoya paused digesting his words. He stepped back and put his hand out towards her. She blinked at him.
"Only if you promise to keep your Akdu self away from me" She raised her eyebrow smirking. He creased his forehead.
"I suffer from multiple identity disorder right?" He smirked back at her making her open her mouth shocked.
"Superman ears?" She pressed her lips to contain her laughter, "Okay, maybe cameras or speaker phones? What, tell me?"
"Tell you what?"
"I am Zoya and I accept your friendship request" She shook his hands firmly. He took a moment to register what she said before looking at their hands. He pulled it with force; she jumped forward slightly before looking up at his face. He let go of her hand and stepped back.
"Mr Khan!" Zoya stomped forward as Asad ran off. She ran behind him trying to hit him for playing with her.
XOXO
Cricket
CID
Hindi TV Shows
126