#4 DON'T BE A STRANGER
After that incident, it's like cold war situation for both of them. They silently fume at each other, not uttering a word to each other. In the beginning, Chris, Jason and Isabelle try to get them to talk to each other, but they fail. After some time they just give up and let them be. In this way, six months pass.
It's November, Isabelle's birthday. She plans to throw a party in a local club, the theme being everyone has to come as a couple. No one can say no because it's her birthday.
Isabelle: Zoya, are you taking Asad as your date?
Zoya: Of course not! I am going with Luke!
Isabelle: So...you don't mind if he comes with me, right?
Zoya: What? Why would he come with you!
Isabelle: Oh come on Zoya! You have seen how stubborn he is, I don't think he will come unless I force him to come this way, you know? Do you have any problem with it? You can ask him to come with you though, I doubt...
Zoya: No, it's alright. You ask him. It's only Belle! Come on Zoya!
Asad agrees to go with Isabelle because it's her birthday. He promises to be a good date. Meanwhile he assumes Zoya would go with Chris or Jason.
It's the birthday night. Asad goes to pick Isabelle up. She is dressed in a white saree. "You look very beautiful in this saree Belle. Happy birthday!" He kisses her on her cheek and gives her flowers. Then they get into the car and make way to the club. As Asad and Isabelle enter inside, the spotlight falls on them and everyone hoots and wishes her a very happy birthday. Asad keeps all his attention on Isabelle, doing the role of a date perfectly well. Then the birthday cake is cut, and Isabelle feeds it to him first. Then Chris. Then Jason. Then Luke. f**k! Then Zoya! She is in a saree. What's with her and sarees these days? Wait, this can't be the same saree from freshers! What's wrong with you Zoya! Asad sighs, and he seethes as Luke's hand goes around her waist. Her BARE waist. Zoya's waist. Asad grinds his teeth and glares at her, but she doesn't look at him. Meanwhile Isabelle gets back, and remembering his promise to be a good date to her, he looks away from Zoya. After everyone has a piece of the cake, champagne flows. The light dims, music comes on and people move to the dance floor. Isabelle drags him along with her, and they all dance together to a wild song. With great self-restraint Asad controls himself from pulling Zoya away from Luke. But as the party gets wild, and everyone starts moving apart, and as Luke's hands start moving down from her waist, Asad pulls her away from Luke and drags her deep into the dance floor. Both of them are drunk. Not in their senses. Zoya hisses at him. "What?" Asad puts his hand tightly round her waist and hisses back. "Didn't I tell you I would kill any guy you went out with?" She brushes her body against his. "Am I stopping you?" He pulls her even closer and his lips brush lightly against the hollow of her neck. "You don't wish to play me Zoya." She pulls at his hair and places her lips on his. "May be I do, Asad." He takes her lips in for a deep, intimate kiss and pushes his tongue into her mouth. She responds equally and holds onto him even closer. "Why did you wear this saree? Instigating me?"
"May be. Was I successful?"
"You know."
"Know what?"
"You had me at that smile, remember?"
"I remember Asad, it's time you did."
I shouldn't be alone with you tonight
Desire was too strong to put over fire
I don't understand the way I feel
Although it feels so right
I really shouldn't be here tonight
In your eyes there is a shine of intensity
A sensation that most feel
No need to hide from
The way you feel inside
There is nothing left to feel
If only for tonight
Don't be a stranger
I wanna take the chance
Risk it all for you
Knowing what I am gonna do
If only for tonight
Don't be a stranger
I want it all from you tonight
You are on my mind all of the time
really shouldn't stay with you tonight
But the more and more I think of it
The more it seems right
That's why I shouldn't be here tonight
Now I find I don't know who I really am
I am lost without a trace
So take me high and take me low anyhow you know
And help me if you can
Don't be a stranger
I wanna take the chance
Risk it all for you
Knowing what I am gonna do
If only for tonight
Don't be a stranger
I want it all from you tonight
Why I don't know
I am in too deep to say no
Oh Meclaus ?don't let me go
Don't be a stranger
I wanna take the chance
Risk it all for you
Knowing what I am gonna do
If only for tonight
Don't be a stranger
I want it all from you tonight
Asad drags her out of the dance floor to a dark corner, and they make out there on a sofa. Neither of them in their senses, they end up having sex. Afterwards, Asad gets her to fix her saree, and they go over to her apartment which is nearby. Over there, they have sex once again.
"I have missed you so much Zoya!"
"I love you so much Asad!"
"You too...kiddo!"
"Shut up!" He smiles as she hits him. "Kiddo...you won't remember anything tomorrow?"
"Not this time. I took precautions."
"How?"
"I took a medicine, I wanted to remember Isabelle's birthday night!"
"And bonus point, you will remember this too!" He says cheekily.
"You are such a kid! I...I missed this Asad. You are so uptight these days...it pains me to see you like that. Asad?" She turns to find him sleeping, his head buried in her hair. She smiles and kisses his temple. Pulling his cheeks, "My baby!" She closes her eyes, the alcohol and sex taking over finally.
Next Day
Around 12 in the morning (o_O), Asad gets up to find a naked Zoya sleeping over his naked body. He springs away from her and pulls a cover over her. Then he dresses quickly, and moves out of the room.
Shit! What did I do? How am I going to face you Zoya! I am so sorry! Shit! Shit! I totally f**ked it up!
He makes her hangover soup, and leaves her a note.
"Drink this when you wake up. And I am really sorry about yesterday."
When Zoya gets up, she sees the note and freaks out.
"What does he mean sorry about yesterday? What went wrong?"
She pulls her phone out of the drawer, and calls him. When he doesn't pick up, she leaves him a message, "Meet me at MacD. 2pm. We need to talk." She takes the soup quickly, and drinks water with a "eww" expression...then she quickly freshens up and gets ready to leave for MacD. Her body aches all over, but she ignores that.
MacDonald's-2:15 PM
Asad comes and sits down before her. She passes him a burger. He doesn't meet her eyes.
"Asad your note..."
"Zoya I am really sorry about yesterday, I wish I knew how to make it alright, I am sorry. I didn't mean to do that, it wasn't supposed to happen, I just...I just lost control and-I am sorry! I really am!"
"What do you mean by it wasn't supposed to happen? What do you mean by you are sorry Asad? You love me, don't you?"
"That doesn't matter. What matters is it wasn't right. I wasn't supposed to...do that like-"
"Who are you to always decide what matters? And if you really think this way, why did you do it then? Saying sorry won't change a thing now."
"I told you I lost control. You didn't help matters either!"
"Wow, are we really playing the blame game? Are you really blaming me right now Asad Ahmed Khan! I thought it happened on mutual decision...I f**king didn't force you to force your penis into my-"
"ZOYA! Don't f**king use that language with me!"
"You don't tell me what to do Asad Ahmed Khan! You have lost every right to do that! Just leave me alone!"
"You leave me alone Zoya!"
"I am leaving you alone, I am getting promoted to the London branch, I am leaving in a week. You can live freely then...f**k anyone you want!"
"Just shut up! Where are you going?"
"I don't owe you an answer!"
And she storms out. She is leaving for London? May be that's what I need! I need to stay away from her...only then can I clear my head! But how can she leave me like that! f**k how could you do this to her Asad? How could you lose control yesterday? f**k you man!
Seven days pass. Asad Zoya absolutely refuse to be in the same place together. Asad out of guilt and anger, and Zoya out of anger. The big day comes. Zoya is in the airport. Isabelle, Jason, Chris, Luke-all of them are there. All except for Asad. Her flight's announced. She hugs them goodbye, and looks back once, hoping to see him may be. And he? He stares at her from the other side...tears rolling down his eyes. He wants to go hold her and not let her go, but that would be selfish. She can't be happy with him. For her to be happy, he needs to let her go. He doesn't deserve her. She deserves someone much better, someone who would love her and keep her like a princess. He waits till he can see the last trace of her, then he turns and leaves. He goes around the city riding his bike aimlessly around.
Well you only need the light when it's burning low
Only miss the sun when it starts to snow
Only know you love her when you let her go
Only know you've been high when you're feeling low
Only hate the road when you're missin' home
Only know you love her when you let her go
And you let her go
Staring at the bottom of your glass
Hoping one day you'll make a dream last
But dreams come slow and they go so fast
You see her when you close your eyes
Maybe one day you'll understand why
Everything you touch surely dies
But you only need the light when it's burning low
Only miss the sun when it starts to snow
Only know you love her when you let her go
Only know you've been high when you're feeling low
Only hate the road when you're missin' home
Only know you love her when you let her go
Staring at the ceiling in the dark
Same old empty feeling in your heart
'Cause love comes slow and it goes so fast
Well you see her when you fall asleep
But never to touch and never to keep
'Cause you loved her too much
And you dived too deep
Well you only need the light when it's burning low
Only miss the sun when it starts to snow
Only know you love her when you let her go
Only know you've been high when you're feeling low
Only hate the road when you're missin' home
Only know you love her when you let her go
And you let her go (oh, oh, ooh, oh no)
And you let her go (oh, oh, ooh, oh no)
Will you let her go?
'Cause you only need the light when it's burning low
Only miss the sun when it starts to snow
Only know you love her when you let her go
Only know you've been high when you're feeling low
Only hate the road when you're missin' home
Only know you love her when you let her go
'Cause you only need the light when it's burning low
Only miss the sun when it starts to snow
Only know you love her when you let her go
Only know you've been high when you're feeling low
Only hate the road when you're missin' home
Only know you love her when you let her go
And you let her go!
CID
Udne Ki Aasha
127