Here's the next part of the story. Hope you like it. Please excuse the typos n grammar mistakes, it isn't proofread.
Will wait to hear from you all.
Love.
Chapter 7.
It had been three days to Zoya's arrival in India. She and Rahul had flown together to Delhi and then parted ways. Rahul went to his home town in Punjab for a week whereas she headed to Farooqui Villa. She had kept her arrival a surprise from her family like the previous time. She wanted to capture that surprised, happy and contented look on their faces when she told them about her permanent return but in return a bigger surprise in the form of an empty house was waiting for her. The security guard had escorted her inside and called the maids from the servant quarters. They helped her to settle in and informed that Yusuf and Zeba were out on an official trip and Inaaya and Hassan were away to celebrate their fifth month wedding anniversary. Zoya was dejected by the turn of events but kept herself busy in unpacking and redecorating the room for Rahul. After three days of silence when she could take it no longer, she just dumped a few dresses in her bag and drove through a route that was well imprinted in her mind despite the long years of being away. Thus she found herself mumbling incoherent sentences sitting in her car parked a few houses away from Khan Mansion, in case she wanted to flee at the last moment.
"Common Zoya, you have to face him one day. Its better now then later. Jitna time guzre ga so will his anger increase. You don't want him to hurt more too, right? Just remember, whatever may happen, Asad will never turn his back on you. He'll be an upset, grumpy little kid but all'll be fine when you apologize and then you can spoil him just like how he did. I lo. No. No going there Zoya. Friends. We're only friends. Right. Let's do it."
Zoya walked up the familiar set of steps searching for the people of the house. She found it odd that even after being together at home during a weekday, no one was out in the lounge or kitchen. Her heart thumped in anticipation as she stopped in front of Dilshaad's bedroom. She sighed in relief hearing voices from inside and tapped the door softly.
"Am I not welcome here any more?" She asked as Rashid kept staring at her with shocked expressions.
"Angel." She heard a faint voice call out to her from within the room so she rose on her tiptoes and waved at Dilshaad. She ducked under Rashid's stretched arm that held the door and rushed to hug Dilshaad, whom she'd come to love as her own mother or even more. Rashid smiled at seeing his wife smile after so many days. He walked over and joined them in the hug. Zoya chatted animatedly about anything and everything she could think of and since she did very little of talks and conversations with her co-workers, she had loads of stories to narrate which Rashid and Dilshaad were all too eager to listen. The house came to life after a long time as its members talked, teased and laughed and all due to the return of their beautiful daughter.
"Nothing is the same when you're away. Promise me you'll never leave us again. I'm sure now that you're here, all will go back to normal. We'll all be together again." Zoya looked at Dilshaad with wide eyes as she spoke. She could see and feel the hurt in her eyes and voice but couldn't pin point its reason.
"I'm not going back or away from you all again, ever." She assured them.
The servants laid food on the dining table under Zoya's supervision. She scraped the chair to help Dilshaad sit and then served them.
"Zoya aren't you going to eat Beta?" Rashid asked on seeing her gaze fixed at the main door.
"I was actually thinking of waiting for Asad. Ap loag khaye, main un ke saath kha loon gi." She said urging them to eat.
"Angel, Asad is not here. He's gone out of city." Dilshaad informed her.
"Oh acha. Why did he go? I mean, office work tha ya kuch personal? When will he be back?"
"I've been after him to take a break for ages but he never listened. He has worked till the point of exhaustion during these past seven years. God knows this boy deserved and needed a holiday more than anyone over here and thankfully he realized it too." Rashid said eating a spoonful of rice.
"Per lagta hai ap ke Bete ko kuch zyada hi maza aa gaya hai wahan kyunkii he is taking so long to return." Dilshaad added sadly.
"Don't worry Dilshaad, as soon as Asad gets to know that Angel is here he'll be on the first flight back home." Zoya smiled with a heavy heart, sincerely wishing for this to be true, and played with the food on her plate as her appetite was lost.
Zoya had many unanswered questions bothering her but she didn't dare ask anyone as she understood they were also upset with Asad's absence. She could see that it was taking a toll on Dilshaad and how hard her husband was trying to keep her health in check.
"Urghhh. Yeh stupid phone kyun nahin lag raha?" She muttered angrily as her attempts of calling Asad failed repeatedly. She had readied herself to face his outburst or even worse his silent treatment but no contact was driving her crazy.
"Bi. Bi." She called peeping in Bi's room.
"Aao Zoya. Main yahan hoon." Bi answered from her prayer mat.
"Bi, Main kab se Asad ka cell try kar rahi hoon per lag nahin raha. Kya us ne apna number change kar lia hai?"
"Wo apna mobile yahin bhool gaya jatay huey. Bohat jaldi mein tha is liye. Tum fikr mat karo, wo call karey ga to tum baat kar lena. Ab chalo ja kar so jao, bohat raat ho gayi hai." Zoya frowned seeing Bi averting her eyes and stuttering. She refrained from asking any further questions seeing how tired Bi looked. She left for her room after helping Bi in bed.
"Good Morning." Zoya greeted Dilshaad cheerily. She walked into the room with a tray laiden with breakfast followed by help holding their coffees.
"Aray tumhien yeh sab karne ki kya zaroorat thi Angel. Wajid se bol dia hota na." Dilshaad said looking at the variety of dishes in front of her.
"Zaroorat kaise nahin thi? Ap bhool gayin it was a tradition for me to cook during weekends? Now that I'm back, this is going to be our routine once again. Come I'll help you get fresh, Uncle will be back from his jogging any moment."
The trio spent most of the day holed up in the bedroom chatting. Zoya did her best to keep them involved with herself so that they didn't miss Asad, which was a tough task as all the old videos and pictures reminded them of his absence. Later on in the evening Rashid took them out for dinner followed by a long drive.
All the friends gathered at Khan Mansion after Inaaya and Hassan returned from their week long vacation. Everyone was pleasantly surprised to see Zoya back, except Hadia.
"I think its high time that Asad bhai should settle down now." Hadia said as she saw Rashid play with Pari.
"I want the same too Dia, per tum usey jaanti ho na, meri kab sunta hia? Ab tak kitni ladkiyan dikha chuki hoon per janab ko koi pasand hi nahi aati. Pata nahi kya ho ga is ladke ka?" Dilshaad replied sadly.
"Dilshaad I've told you so many times not to worry. Everything will happen at its destined time, pareshan honay se sirf tumhari tabiyat kharab hogi." Rashid said putting an arm across her shoulder and holding Pari with one.
"Hold on, one second, I want to take a picture." Noor said excitedly seeing her niece stand on wobbly legs.
"Ammi, mujhe hamari pareshani ka hal mil gaya. Zoya haina. Is se zyada achey tareeqe se Bhai ko koi nahin janta. I'm sure agar yeh un ke liye ladki pasand karey gi to wo mana nahin karey gien." Hadia said eyeing Zoya who entered the lounge with snacks.
"Yeh to maine socha hi nahin. Zoya tum meri help karo gi na beta?" Dilshaad asked hopefully. Zoya steadied her shivering hands and nodded her head with a forced smile.
"Unbelievable." Eesa muttered under his breath seeing his wife's unreasonable behaviour.
"What the hell Hadia? Tum yeh sab kyun kar rahi ho? Couldn't you see how your words were affecting Zoe?" He gritted through clenched jaw pulling her out.
"She's hurt? Good. It was intended." She said looking away.
"Dekho Hadia, I know you are worried for Asad but you can't out your frustrations on Zoe. She's not the reason.."
"She's not the reason? Really Eesa? Yeh tum bol rahey ho?" Hadia cut him seething in anger. He rubbed a hand over his eyes trying to think of a way to cool her down.
"I didn't mean it that way Baby but you have to understand that we can't target Zoe. She is unaware regarding all that has happened." He tried to reason.
"Please tum to us ki side mat lo. Don't you know how much she has hurt Asad bhai over the years? Don't you remember how lost and reserved he had become after she left without a word? Things were beginning to return to normal for him but then she had to return and ruin it all for him. He might not say anything to us but his eyes speak for themselves. Rahi baat Zoya ki so don't worry about her. She won't feel a thing kyunki us ke liye dil ki zaroorar hoti hai, jo ke us ke paas nahi hai."
"Baby I understand you are upset but you should know that this frustration will get you nowhere." Eesa said tilting his head to look down in her eyes which she kept averted with a puffed face.
"Hadia tum bohat achi tarah se janti ho Asad ko. Almost eight years have passed but he hasn't let anyone of us in on what transpired between him and Zoya nor has he complained about her behavior. You do know how protective he is of her. Ab decide kar lo you want to cause him more pain by hurting Zoe or bring them closer?" He turned her face towards him.
"Closer? You've got to be kidding me Eesa. I won't let Zoya to go back in Bhai's life. She made the decision to walk away, now she needs to stick to it." Hadia said crossing her arms across her chest.
"Fine. Do as you wish. I'm leaving." Eesa said before walking away. Zoya witnessed the scene from the kitchen window and knew she was the reason of their fight. She couldn't hear anything but had seen the disapproving looks Eesa passed as Hadia went on about her mission to get Asad settled.
Zoya pressed a hand over her aching chest as she leaned on the balcony railing staring at the vast expanse of dark sky with not even one twinkling star in sight. It depicted her life at the moment so well; empty, lonely and hopeless. She realized even her friends weren't happy with her. They had no reason to be. She had hurt them all as much as she hurt Asad by running away without an explanation. A gust of cold breeze made Zoya wrap the shawl tighlty across her torso as she pondered over the last few years of her life. Her gains were very limited compared to all that she had lost and with nothing to look forward to. Right now she couldn't decide which of her decisions was wrong. Was she wrong in going away or returning? Her mind went to the only person who stayed by her side, supported her decisions, guided her through the rough patches of life and never demanded an explanation for her irrational behavior. Rahul. She wanted to talk to him, seek solace in his warm brotherly hugs but first she needed to clarify and sort things here.
Zoya was in awe of the magnificent blue glass sky tower that was The Khan's head office and its interiors and working atmosphere didn't fail to impress her either. The receptionist guided her to the top floor which was solely preserved for the owners. She walked along the slient corridor lost in her thoughts when a lady in late 30's approached her from behind her desk and greeted her.
"Good afternoon Zoya Ma'am. Mr. Khan isn't in his office right now. He's gone out for a business lunch. Please let me show you to the cabin where you can wait." The lady spoke without giving her a chance to ask anything.
"I'm sorry but I didn't recognize you Ma'am. Have we met before?" Zoya asked confusedly.
"No we haven't but I've heard a lot about you from Boss. Come inside please." She said opening the door for her.
Zoya's steps halted at the entrance as her eyes darted from corner to corner of the office. The room's interior was replica of the page she had picked for Asad's office from a magazine many years back. Her heart raced feeling his scent and essence embedded in everything in the room. A small smile graced her lips seeing that he had remembered even the smallest of details she had mentioned.
"Asad Sir speaks very often about you. He is very fond of you and missed you dearly when you were abroad. I sometimes thought he exaggerated while describing how beautiful you were but seeing you today I must admit I agree with him." Zoya wanted to thank the sweet lady for her compliment but couldn't move her eyes from the frame kept on the table. She unconciously moved towards it and picked it up gingerly. It was a picture of them. She remembered that day just like yesterday, every little detail of it. It was from when they had gone to the Khan's farmhouse during one winter break. They were sitting under a tree in the backyard with her in between Asad' legs holding a cup of coffee and smiling at their friends as they argued over starting a bonfire. She was unaware of his intense gaze and that someone had captured this moment.
"I'll bring in the refreshments for you." The lady excused herself.
"Wait. I'm so sorry to not have responded to anything you said. Actually I just got absorbed in my memories seeing this room. Thank you for your kind words. I'm glad to have met you Ms.." Zoya said walking forward.
"Mrs. Uma Rao. I'm Asad Sir's personal secretary." Uma covered the remaining distance and shook hands with her.
"It must be hard for Uncle to look after the business in Asad's absence, isn't it?" Zoya asked Uma as they chatted over a cup of coffee. She was a sweet, well mannered, efficient and loyal lady.
"Yes a little tough since Mr. Khan now has to attend the business events and parties. Boss had given him a break from all of it. He only had to sign and control things from here." Uma answered.
"So how is Uncle managing all this alone?"
"Boss might be away but he isn't unaware of what's happening here. He's doing his share of work from there. He briefs me daily and is communicating with the clients over net." Zoya felt a little jealous of Uma as she spoke to Asad on a daily basis whereas here she was dying to hear his voice once.
"Uma when did Asad leave? Do you know where he's staying and when does he plan to return?" These questions had been nagging her from the first day but she didn't know how to ask anyone at home. Now she knew Uma was the best person to answer her queries.
"You don't know?" Uma asked with a confused face.
"Uh no I don't. I've been busy the last few months as I was shifting back. So we didn't have much of contact." Zoya replied meekly.
"Sir has been away for around four months. I don't know his exact location but it's somewhere in the northern regions."
"What a pleasant surprise? Why didn't you inform me you were coming here Angel? I hope you haven't been waiting for long." Rashid said upon finding her in Asad's cabin.
"Hi Uncle. I came about an hour back but don't worry Uma gave me company." She said walking towards him.
"Well thank you Uma for entertaining my daughter. I have the papers that Asad required, if you could please mail them to him." Rashid spoke kindly.
"Sure Sir. Good day Zoya."
"So what brings my Angel here? Did you need something?" He asked moving with her to the couch.
"I got a call for an interview this morning from a hospital just two blocks from here. The hospital's resident gynaecologist offered me the job without any interview that too with a handsome package." Zoya informed him in a monotone.
"That's wonderful. I'm so happy for you Beta. This calls for a celebration." Rashid said taking her in a side hug.
"I had come here so that I could take you and Aunty for lunch."
"Oh I'm sorry Beta, I ruined your plan. Let me make it up by taking both of you out for dinner. What do you say?" He smiled and ruffled her hair lightly as she nodded her head.
"Which hospital are you joining Angel?"
"Rehmat-e-Shifa Hospital."
"Really? That's great. How did you get to know about this hospital?" Rashid inquired surprised.
"Hassan bhai had taken my CV and somehow he managed to get me an interview plus job in only two days."
"Hmm that answers it. I mean maybe Hassan has some contact there. Lets leave all this. Why are you so low even after getting into the best hospital of Delhi?" Zoya didn't know how to explain her feelings to Rashid so she just shook her head and diverted the topic.
"Asad tum kab tak aisa karo ge? Zoya has been waiting for your call daily for the past one week. Now you're telling me you are not coming back. She isn't asking any of us but that doesn't mean she is unaware of your calls. Mujhe nahin pata tum dono ke beech kya baat hui hai but please.." Zoya bit her trembling lip and leaned against the wall for support as her body shook with silent sobs hearing Bi's one sided conversation. Her heart sunk as her doubts were confirmed. Asad had left due to her behavior that day. He knew she had returned and was staying at his home but refrained from talking to her. She had hurt him so much that now he didn't even want to speak to her once. She pressed a palm over her mouth and ran up stairs to her room. Zoya picked up her bag and decided to leave Khan Mansion as she didn't want to be the cause of delay in Asad's return.
Vanshaj
Love Friendship Dating and Relationships
Udne Ki Aasha
46