AsYa SS The Secret Between Me & You Chap 3B & 4 Update Page 8 - Page 4

Next Morning

When Asad gets up, he remembers yesterday. He takes out his Ammi's letter and reads it again. "I am sorry about yesterday Ammi and Dad. It won't happen again, I promise." He nods at Chris and Jason as they leave for office. That's his way of saying thanks and sorry. The ride to office is silent, and back in the office:

Zoya: Good morning guys! Asad what's wrong? *Asad raises his eyebrow at her* I mean, Mr. Khan did you have a pleasant sleep?

Asad goes to his desk and sits down. Zoya keeps staring at him, silently demanding an answer. Asad sighs: "No Miss Farooqui, I didn't. Anything else?"

"What happened?"

"Do you really want to know?"

Zoya starts to nod, but stops herself mid-way.

"Alright, I broke up with my girlfriend. Okay?"

"Girlfriend? Who?"

"You don't need to know that."

"Asad-"

"Sarah Singh. She had been my girlfriend for the last three years. Happy? Now please stop bothering me."

Zoya looks at him, and then back at her work. After five minutes, she excuses herself and goes to the washroom. Asad runs a hand through his hair, and bangs his fist on the desk. "f**k!"

He gets up and goes in the direction of the washroom. When she comes out wiping her face, he pulls her to a side and says: "I lied about that okay?"

"About what?"

"There was no girlfriend."

"What?"

Asad releases her hand, and starts walking back to office. But she pulls him back. "Why did you lie to me then?"

"Because you are driving me crazy with your behaviour. Now let me go."

"Then why did you tell me that you were lying?"

"You very well know why."

"Why?"

"Because I can't see you upset Zoya, goddamn it! Stop being so difficult!"

"Just one more thing. Why didn't you sleep well yesterday?"

"With what right do you ask me that! You are not my Ammi!"

"Consider that I am...and tell me!"

"You and my Ammi? My Ammi was far better than you!"

"Was? Why did you say it in past tense Asad? Is she..."

"Yes she is dead. She hang herself from the fan when she read the newspaper with your mother saying how Allah was being so cruel letting our family being happy! Now LET GO OF ME!"

He leaves. I just can't deal with this now!

She stares at her fingers, tears running down her eyes. This can't be true! Asad...Asad loved his Ammi more than anything. She can't be gone. My Ammi...My Ammi won't...My Ammi did it! I did it! She pulls out her phone quickly, and types DILSHAD AHMED KHAN. The news report about her death describes:

She committed suicide hanging from the fan of her living room. She has left no suicide note, but the newspaper lying nearby with the headlines "Allah is being cruel letting that family be happy: Zeenat Farooqui" proves the reason of her death being unable to cope up with the negativity. She is survived by a son and a daughter. Her son, Mr. Asad Ahmed Khan, 25, tried to harm himself by banging his head against the wall. He has been hospitalized and is said to be well now...

Zoya slumps down on the floor, the phone falling off her hands. She starts losing consciousness just as someone coming out of the bathroom notices her and shouts! In no time, Jason and co. come running and take her to the hospital. Jason picks her phone up, and sighs on seeing the tab open. There, Asad has already left saying he's sick. When Zoya gets her sense back, they ask her what's wrong.

"Zoya...whatever our issues, let's keep those between us. I don't want this to affect our professional relationship. I don't want people to talk about it. So can you please behave normally around people?"

"Nothing...I was just feeling down. Where is Asad?"

"Asad left some time before you went unconscious!"

"Have you talked to him? Is he...*she takes a deep breathe* I feel fine now. Can we go?"

Isabelle: "Zoya you just fell down, how can-"

Zoya: Belle please, let's go.

Nurse: You can sign these papers, and go. Make sure to take these medicines tonight after dinner, okay?

Zoya nods and they take leave. After they drop her off at her house, she waits for a bit, then takes a taxi to Asad's house. When he opens the door, she stares at him as her tears flow. Holding onto his shirt, she sits down crying. Asad sits down as well. "What do I do Asad? I am sorry...I am so sorry...What can I do...I am really sorry..." Once her tears start flowing they don't stop for over an hour. He holds her hand. For a long time, all she can say is that she is sorry, and to that he keeps saying "It's okay...I'm really okay!"

"Asad..." She keeps crying. And then he holds her face and wipes away the tears. She says sorry again and hides her face, still crying. Then she gets up, and so does he. Still holding her hand.

"Asad...tell me about it!"

"It's a long story."

"Tell me. I want to hear all of it."

He takes her to the balcony. Asad takes a deep breathe, and tells her about the day in detail. She listens to him with a mix of tears and anger. And when it is over, they stand looking out.

She asks looking out, "You really must have hated me all this time, right?"

Asad nods. "Mmm...at times."

Zoya looks down and says "You can hate me. If I were in your shoes...I probably wouldn't even be able to stand the sight of me."

Asad sighs, and turns to her. "That's right, I really can't even stand the sight of you."

A tear drops down her eyes as she stifles a sob. "Mm...I understand. I deserve it." More tears drop down her eyes. "I will just leave." Asad holds her chin and turns her face to face him. He says, "I have told you that you're the ugliest when you cry, right?"

"What?"

"It's been two hours. Two hours. I am going to break my legs if I have to keep consoling you. Let's stop crying and head back inside, okay?" Zoya nods. "And yes back then, I really hated you and your mother. And I wanted revenge! But that's not the case anymore. I made a promise to my Ammi, I don't care about the past anymore. At least I am trying my best. And whatever happened, it's not your fault Zoya. Stop blaming yourself!"

"Asad...I am sorry about whatever I have said about blaming you and wanting revenge! I have tried to do that in past Asad...but I couldn't! How can I wish ill upon the family that means the world to my Asad! Everything I have said...it's just to make you hate me! I-"

"I know Zoya, I know you."

He ushers her in.

Asad: Did you have lunch?

Zoya shakes her head. Zoya: I will make us something.

"No need, sit down. You must be tired after all that crying!"

"No no I am alright! Let me do it!"

She cooks them lunch. They eat together, silent. It's awkward. After lunch, Zoya looks at him and says, "I will get going then."

Asad nods. "Travel safely."

Zoya nods. Asad drops her off at the door, and she leaves. Allah Miyaan how can you be so cruel? Asad went through all that alone...My Asad...please give him all the happiness he deserves!

After that incident, Asad Zoya develop kind of a silent awkward bond. They don't speak to each other formally anymore. Zoya tries to talk to him, but he does his best to ignore her. Then one day Zoya gets frustrated and asks him:

"Why are you ignoring me? Can't we go back to like before?"

"Which before?"

"Like in college Asad...I am really sorry for everything I have said. Whatever happened it was not any of our fault. And it's time to let go of the past and start afresh..."

"There's no start afresh for us Zoya. There is too much baggage in our lives, I can't be with you again."

"I am not asking you to be with me, I just want you to stop living like a robot and be happy!"

"That's possible when you are not in my life!"

Zoya stares at him, hurt. "I am sorry, I didn't mean it that way. I just want you to leave me alone. Stop pitying me, and let me live my life. You have made it difficult to even breathe, just give me my space. That's all I am asking for! Now don't cry again!"

Zoya snaps at him. "You don't have to console me. I get your point. I am sorry about before." Zoya leaves him. He tries to stop her to no avail.

"Why did I fall for such an impossibly irritating girl?"

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