AsYa FF - The Intern #2: Ch 24 & 25 Pg 105

As Zoya had said she spent most of the day out of the office and then in a meeting with Zack. Being the professionals they were they did not discuss anything about the night before.

'Zoya, we have a few scheduled meeting next week, I would like you to take the lead on them, would that be ok?' 'Of course, if you can fill me in on the agenda's I can plan ahead' 'great, I will email them to you first thing. I won't be here for much of the week as I am filling in for Mr Khan' Zoya looked at him silently asking him where he was going, understanding her Zack cleared his throat 'Mr Khan has a number of high profile meetings and then next week we fly out to Banglore for a few days, Annie will be in charge, so if you need anything you know who to shout out to' 'I will do, thank you Zack...is that all?' 'Yes' just as Zoya got up and turned around Zack called out after her 'Zoya, I just wanted to say well done, you have made quite an impact in the short space of time you have been here' 'Thank you'.

Zoya packed her things away and made her way towards the lifts, at the same time Asad came out of Annie's room 'Hi' she said smiling at him nervously 'Hi...you finished for the day?' 'Yes' 'can I drop you home?' Zoya was about to answer when the lift came, Asad held out his hand as if to say you first. As they got into the lift he turned towards her 'can I?' he asked again 'I really appreciate it Mr Khan...but I am ok, it's only a bus ride away and you live in the opposite direction' 'ok' he said not wanting her to feel uncomfortable 'Zack told me you are leading on the meeting next week' 'yes, I am' 'how are you finding it, I mean the work, the experience' 'it's been amazing, I love it...I couldn't have wished for a better stepping-stone' 'am glad to hear that'.

It was odd how being here made them two so formal, Asad wanted to talk to her as he did the night before and so did she but they both respected the boundaries that surrounded them. Just as the lift opened Zoya turned around and smiled at him 'Good evening Mr Khan' 'Good evening Miss Farooqui'.

As soon as he saw her walk out the main door Asad pulled out his phone and called her, Zoya looked at her phone to see his name flash, a small smile crept on her lips 'Yes Mr Khan' 'it's Asad...you are not at work anymore' Zoya started smiling 'how can I help you Asad?' 'Well, I wish you had let me give you a lift' 'you know why' 'yes I do...I am flying out next Tuesday morning for four days, I wanted to know if you were free on the weekend, I mean from Friday night through to Sunday night' Zoya stopped walking 'the whole weekend?' 'Yes, the whole weekend' 'washing, cleaning shopping, the usual I guess, why?' 'Because I would like you to do something unusual' 'like?' 'Like come away with us, I mean Annie, Zack and myself' 'a...away, where?' 'We are going to Goa...it's like a family tradition if you like, we always go this time of year, normally it would be a week-long trip...but with everyone's busy schedules we can only manage a few days' Zoya went silent as she didn't know what to say, Asad understood her hesitation, he knew he was probably asking for too much too soon 'you still have time to think about it Zoya, you don't have to answer now' 'Asad, my bus is here...can I call you later?' 'Sure, speak to you soon'.

Zoya went through an array of emotions and a lot of conflicting thoughts as she made her way home. By the time she got in she felt exhausted, she appreciated him asking but it wasn't something she felt was neither right nor possible.

Zoya couldn't bring herself to call him, she didn't know what to think so decided it would be better to give it some time.

Zoya sat with Dev going over some project details when she received a message from him

You didn't call. I hope you are ok...yes or no?

'Are you ok?' Dev asked seeing her expression change 'yes...lets continue'

Asad who was also sitting in a meeting kept on glancing over his phone waiting for her to respond. He kept on wondering why she wasn't getting back.

Taking up Dev's offer for lunch she made her way out 'what do you fancy?' 'I don't mind' 'Sun Lounge Caf?' 'Sounds good'.

As Zoya stepped out of the lift she saw Asad standing there with Annie some visitors that had come, feeling uncomfortable within herself Zoya pretended that she had not seen him and started walking off with Dev. She may have pretended not to have seen him but Asad had definitely seen her.

Annie saw his face harden as if he was clenching his jaw, saying good bye to their guests Annie put her hand over his arm 'Bhaijaan, what is wrong?' 'Nothing' he said 'I don't believe you...you can't lie to me...please tell me?' 'I don't know Annie...I invited Zoya to Goa' Annie's eyes lit up 'you did...that brilliant' 'it would be if she had said yes' Annie's face dropped 'oh...she said no' 'no...she hasn't said anything apart from I will think about it and since then she has been avoiding me'.

Annie took in a deep breath 'Bhaijaan...you have to think from her point of view...I mean you are Asad Ahmed Khan and she is Zoya Farooqui, an intern' 'and what...are we not human' Annie smiled at his naiveness 'yes you are, Bhaijaan but think about it...it must be quite daunting for her and a little overwhelming, you have to appreciate that there are differences between you, ones you may not see but she certainly does. The life and background she comes from, the experiences she has had has caused her to be guarded, she is a simple girl and a lot has happened and changed in a short space of time. Bhaijaan can I ask you something?' Asad who was still processing what she was saying nodded 'do you like her...and I don't mean like her as a human or an employee...' Annie started to hesitate but she needed to just come out with it for him to at least admit it to himself if not her 'Bhaijaan, please tell me do you like Zoya' 'all I know is that I like being around her, in her company, she has this aura that...I don't know Annie...maybe I jumped the gun, I shouldn't have asked her but after our dinner the other day I thought...' Annie took both of his hands in her and smiled at him 'you want Zoya to come to Goa with us?' 'Yes...but' 'but nothing Bhaijaan, Zoya will come with us, you leave that to me'

After lunch Zoya busied herself in work as she always did, Asad didn't know if he felt any better having spoken to Annie or if he just felt more confused, and for Asad Ahmed Khan confusion was never a state of mind he had much experience with.

'Zoya' Zoya looked up to see Annie by the door 'are you free for a few moments?' 'Yeah sure...is everything ok?' 'Of course it is...I just wanted to talk to you about one of the meetings next week, has Zack emailed you the agenda's 'yes he has...give me a few minutes I will print them off' 'ok'.

Zoya walked into Annie's room 'hey...you want a coffee I was going to get one ordered' 'no, I am ok for now...which meeting did you want to discuss?' Zoya asked her, Annies started to smile sheepishly 'the one that requires you to join us in Goa' Zoya looked up at her 'G..Goa' Yes...will you not come...please' 'Annie...I...please don't get me wrong, I appreciate Mr Khan's invitation, it was very sweet of him...' 'But?' Zoya fisted her hand and took in as much oxygen as she could. 'Annie it's not right, I am an employee...and to go out with Mr Khan...what will people think' Annie narrowed her eyes 'what will people think...Zoya you are an employee I agree, Bhaijaan is your boss but only within the confinements of this building...outside of work who you see, speak to or go on holiday with is none of anyone's business...there is no need or reason to mix your professional or personal relationships' 'I understand that Annie...but I am just a...I don't want to be labelled as...please try to understand, after what happened with Safa I...' 'Safa...she was a conniving cow...and who gives a damn about what she said or thinks'

Annie stood up and walked around the table to take the seat next to her I do understand Zoya...if it wasn't Bhaijaan asking you...I mean if it was me who invited you would you have accepted?' Zoya nodded her head 'fine, if that is what it takes, then I am inviting you...Zoya will you come to Goa with me and my family for a short break over the weekend?' Zoya started to smile 'you are not going to take no for an answer are you' 'nope...so you coming?' 'Does that leave me with a choice?' 'Not really' 'well I guess I am coming then' 'Yayy' Annie held out her arms and hugged Zoya 'thank you so much' 'I should be thanking you Annie, since I stepped foot in her you and Zack, Mr Khan...you have all...I am very lucky' 'the truth is that we all like you...very much...we have come across thousands of people in our lives Zoya, in this building alone there are almost six hundred people, every year we have a new take of 5 interns but we have never really met anyone who has struck a personal chord with any of us' Zoya started to feel shy 'thank you...now that you have coaxed me into saying yes can I get back to work?' 'Yes you can...but before you do...I think there is someone you need to talk to' Zoya nodded her head 'is Mr Khan free?' 'Yes he is, he will be in his office'

Zoya had never seen his office, she stood outside to large brown doors, taking in a few deep breaths she tried to stead the butterflies that had just set off in her stomach. Closing her eyes she raised her hand to knock 'come in' she heard his loud and very authoritative voice.

Zoya pushed the door slowly and stepped in to see him standing by the window reading through a file.

'Mr Khan' she whispered, Asad shot his head around hearing her voice. Giving him a faint smile Zoya stepped in further 'Zoya...are you ok?' he asked with genuine concern seeing her lips quiver 'yes...I am sorry...you must think I am so rude for not getting back to you' Asad put down his folder and walked towards her 'no I didn't think that...would you like to sit down?' 'I have a few urgent things I need to finish...I just came to say...thank you for inviting me...I would love to come' Asad felt a wave of relief wash over him 'I am very glad to hear that Miss Farooqui, thank you for agreeing' 'I will see you later...I have to go' 'of course'. Zoya turned around and walked out smiling in turn she had left Asad smiling a little more than her.