Im back with the next chapter. Im going to be updating weekly but this time Im posting soon as a token of thanks for all the appreciation and kind words you all have left behind. I honestly am humbled by the response.
Thank you everyone. I hope I continue to hold your interest with the upcoming chapters as well.
A biggg thank and a hug to Sis for having send out pms for me. Love you Sis.
Love to all.
Chapter 2.
The glare of the gleaming sun was mellowed by the thick sporadic clouds accompanied by the cool autumnal breeze. The pleasant weather had pulled Rahul to the balcony where he had spent the last three hours; studying the new case handed to him, working on his laptop and currently speaking to Hassan, Inaaya's fianc. The duo had formed a bond of their own after numerous phone and skype calls over the last three years after their engagement.
"I'm really looking forward to meet you. I'll leave it upto you to decide where to meet but just make it within the week. Inaaya won't be going out once the wedding functions start. Right, so now I'll let you continue with your work. Have a good day Hassan Bhai. Allah Hafiz." Rahul said disconnecting the call and wrapping up his things from the coffee table.
Light and warmth flooded the bedroom as Rahul pulled the curtains apart. Concern gleamed in his eyes as he looked down on the sleeping figure.
"Zoya." He muttered her name softly sitting on the edge of the bed next to her. He had seen her eyes lose their sparkle and lips pull down as Inaaya continued to narrate the events which occured during her absence. He could see how much Zoya wished to have been a part of it all. She could have been with her friends and family on all the steps of life, if it wasn't for her decision to stay away. The reason to which was still a mystery to him. Rahul had thought that being back at home will make her feel better but now he wasn't sure anymore. Zoya's cheeks had marks of dried tears and her forehead was crinkled with stress lines. He slowly caressed her head thinking what caused such an innocent soul so much misery. He knew today would make her happy as she was going to meet the two people who she loves just as much as her parents if not more but for now he had to divert her mind and he knew just the trick for it.
Zoya screamed and sprang up from her bed as a splash of water hit her face. She narrowed her eyes at Rahul who was laughing holding on to his stomach with one hand and the empty flower vase in other.
"You!" She exclaimed as she dived in to punch him but Rahul was quick enough to dodge the heavy punch. He ran to his room to save himself as she chased him. They ran around his room, messing everything in their way. Rahul fell on his face as Zoya pulled his leg. She picked up a pillow to hit him and with this began their favorite pillow fight. In a matter of minutes the room was graced by feathers flying in all directions.
"Ya Allah, what are you two up to?" Inaaya screamed from the door.
"I didn't do anything." Both of them stood up quickly with hands folded behind their backs and spoke at the same time and then glared at each other accusingly.
"Aapi, I didn't do anything. He threw water at me when I was sleeping." she said with a pout.
"Oh really, I've been trying to wake you up for the last 15 minutes from your deep slumber but you didn't budge, so what was I was supposed do then." Rahul retorted with a shrug.
"Seriously you two, give it a rest. Agar koi tumhein dekha ga to yeh nahin maney ga kay tum dono doctors ho." Inaaya said frustrated.
"Before you two start again with your verbal war, get down the bed and get ready. This instant, understand! Rashid uncle's flight is about to land in 45 minutes and with the way you two are taking time, I think hum dinner tak pohanch jaein ge. No. Shut up and get moving." She raised her hand indicating no more discussion.
Zoya's heartbeats became erratic, as the car pulled up in Khan Mansion. She gulped hard and breathed deeply to conatin her anxiety and nervousness but nothing seemed to help. Rahul frowned looking at her state. She was supposed to be overly joyoys but here she was trembling, maybe it was anticipation of meeting her loved ones after such a long time. He took her shaking hands in a comforting hold making her turn towards him.
"Just text me if you want to leave, I'll take you away. You don't have to worry about anyone." He said.
"You're not coming?" She frowned.
"No. I don't want to get in the way of a family reunion."
"Rahul. Don't say that. You're my family too or have you forgotten." She spoke seriously.
"Of course not silly. I have a video meeting with the doctors back home. I'll meet them someother time. Now, you tell me will you be okay? I can come in if you want. I'll cancel the meeting." He asked worriedly.
"I'll be fine. I'm sure. You go ahead. Will see you at night." She smiled at him lovingly. He was a true friend in all sense, always by her side without demanding any explanations. He kissed her cheek as she opened the door to get down. She left blinking her eyes at him in gratitude.
Zoya squealed in joy and ran over to the white Range Rover which entered through the iron gates of the Mansion. She was immediately engulfed in a bear hug by Rashid and Dilshaad Ahmed Khan as they stepped out.
"Ma'Sha'Allah." They parted and admired Zoya. She had grown into a beautiful young woman. A yellow long dress with silver beaded work just below her chest, flowed down till her ankles. The color made her look more radiant and brought out the green of her eyes. Dilshaad recited some Holy Verses and blew on her. She lovingly put a black dot behind her ear to ward off evil and took her in a warm hug once again with moist eyes.
"Ab yahin khadey rehne ka irada hai ya meri beti ko ander bhi le ke chalo gi." Rashid teased looking at the emotional reunion between the duo.
Zoya's steps halted at the door as she saw a tall, muscular figure, bent over the chestnut drawer writing something while giving orders in irritation on phone. He turned towards the door feeling somebody's gaze on him and Zoya's heart missed a beat seeing him. Dressed in an ash gray suit with a white shirt, black tie, rimless glasses, stubble and features carved in stone, he screamed Perfection. Asad was in no better condition, his breath hitched as he looked at how gorgeous she looked in this yellow dress with only a sheer touch of make up. She was truly His Sunshine. Asad stood frozen with the cell on his ear forgotten. None of them could tear their gaze from the other. All Zoya wanted in this moment was to crush herself in his comforting embrace, so she took a few steps towards him but stopped as his words from years ago echoed in her brain. She felt an all familiar pain constrict her chest as she looked away from him before her eyes gave away her thoughts but couldn't stop the tear that flew stubbornly over her cheek seeing him.
Asad ended the call and reached her in three long strides.
"Hi." She said forwarding her hand for a shake.
"Hello." They both felt a shiver pass through their bodies as their hands made contact. Zoya tried pulling her hand back that instant but he held it tighter forcing her to look in to his eyes. His eyes showed hurt and confusion. She was the one with the answers but she wasn't willing to give them, not now not ever.
"How are you?" she asked politely to which he only nodded his head.
"Aunty is calling me." Not knowing how to further engage him in a conversation she said that to get away from him but silently wished for him to never leave her hand. She felt bereft as he left her hand and gestured to go.
The day went on smoothly for Zoya. Asad had left for his office for an urgent meeting. Rashid and Dilshaad showered her with so much of love and she had all their attention so she enthusiastically shared incidents from her initial days, University and internship days. Asad was upset as he returned just when Zoya and Inaaya were about to leave at night. He couldn't get time to interact at all with Zoya but with whatever time he spent, he understood she was avoiding him to the fullest. But he had also made it a point to make her speak and answer his questions.
"Inaaya, how about we plan a stay over tomorrow here? It's the last weekend before your wedding functions begin and after that I don't think we'll have one for a long time, plus everyone will get to meet Zoya too. What do you say?" Asad asked Inaaya pulling her in the kitchen. She eyed him suspiciously to which he rolled his eyes making her laugh.
"Okay." she said peeping in the refrigerator for a chocolate.
"But you've got to ask Zoe on your own. I don't want to get killed between you two."
"Really, have you not seen how she's ignoring me? Please Inaaya." Asad pleaded with a sad face.
"I will convince her, you don't make such faces." Inaaya's heart melted at the sight and she side hugged him.
Zoya was perplexed by the situation at hand. How much ever she thought she couldn't come up with a convincing story to stay behind at home and avoid the stay over. Inaaya had told her about the plan the next evening, leaving no space for arguments.
"How many times have I told you that making up stories or lying isn't your forte?" Rahul asked jumping on the bean bag in her room. They talked for a while before she got up to change.
"You're coming with me." She announced with finality entering the washroom.
"Guys, we have a little surprise for you." Inaaya said to her friends. She and Hassan moved to the side revealing Zoya. The shocked expressions on seeing her were replaced with big smiles and within a minute the Khan mansion was ringing with squeals and laughter of friends. Hadia and Noor took Zoya in a bone crushing hug swinging from side to side holding her.
"Leave her, she can't breathe." Asad stepped ahead and pulled them apart. They all joined in for a bear hug reminiscing old times. Zoya felt happy and peaceful after a long time. Asad felt his insides relax as she smiled, a true smile reaching her eyes.They parted with somebody's arrival on the door.
Cricket
Bhabhi Ji Ghar Pe Hain?
127