AsYa SS - To Live Again: Ch 17 & 18 Pg 73 COMPLETED - Page 15

Originally posted by: --Sumi--

Lol me first 😉

Res for aapi, Annie,aashi,choco,nims,

nayab,binnu,shailu,abi,asif

anopama, mayur,aju who following this story 😊

Four

It was fast coming up to mid-September, and Zoya was soon to start college. Ayla had returned to school, Asad, Feroze and Sameena had also returned to their respective work.

Initially Sameena was worried about leaving her home alone but on Zoya's persistence she returned. Zoya had Iram for company; she helped her a lot around the house, even though she was told to not to.

'Iram, let me cook today' Iram looked at her wide eyes 'Api...why are you hell bent on getting me sacked...please just go and sit down' 'I won't tell anyone if you don't...just this once...please' 'fine...like you listen to me anyway'.

Zoya started cooking with Iram sitting on a chair talking to her nonstop.

By the time everyone had arrived Zoya had finished cooking and cleaning. 'Ammi, shall I lay the table?' 'If I say no get Iram to do it...you are still going to lay the table...so yes go and lay the table' Zoya almost let out a laugh 'thank you ' she said smiling at her.

As the family sat down and looked at the layout of food before them they quickly turned towards Iram 'don't look at me like that...I had nothing to do with it, especially if it tastes bad'. Sameena looked up at Zoya 'you cooked all this?' Zoya nodded 'I am not very good...I mean with indian food, but I am with Lebanese...I hope you like it' she said nervously.

Zoya had made a beautiful Mediterranean salad, warm bread with Homous as a starter. For the main it was lamb and chicken sheesh with rice and as desert she had a pineapple upside down cake.

'Someone please pick me up, I can't move' Ayla said satisfyingly rubbing her overfilled stomach. Everyone started laughing 'Zoya, that was the best Lebanese food I have ever had...seriously beta it was absolutely delicious' Zoya smiled shyly 'thank you Ammi...why don't you sit down, I'll make us all a hot drink to have with the cake'.

Zoya busied herself with helping Iram put away the dishes and make the tea and coffee 'Ayla go and help Zoya' Sameena said 'Ammi I can't move' she moaned. Asad rolled his eyes at her 'I'll help...let this fatso sit' 'am not a fatso...miserable' Ayla said throwing a cushion at him'

'Can I help you with that?' Asad said as she poured out the hot water from the kettle 'it's ok, you go and sit' Asad stepped forward 'I insist' Zoya started smiling 'if you insist so much then you can get me the milk'.

Helping her carry in the tray they both sat down with the family. 'Zoya I am taking little madam here for a shopping spree tomorrow, I would like you to come too' 'sure Ammi, what does little madam want to buy?' She said looking at Ayla 'little madam does have a name' she said making everyone smile 'clothes, shoes and anything else the spoilt brat wants' Asad said 'and why not...I have every right to be spoilt after all I am the only sister to two broth...' Ayla stopped as she spoke, at the same time everyone else's smiles faded 'I...I'm sorry'. Asad put his arm around her and kissed the side of her head 'the only sister to two amazing brothers, the only daughter of two perfect parents and the only sister in law to a beautiful bhabhi...you certainly qualify to be a spoilt brat' Ayla wiped her tears and hugged her brother 'come on...that piece of cake is waiting to be eaten.

Zoya swallowed the lump in her throat, she smiled as much as she could to stop her sorrow seeping through.

Ayla and Zoya waited by the door for Sameena to come 'Ammi, hurry up' Ayla shouted out. Sameena came down 'sorry...sorry...I am going to have to miss our shopping trip, I have had something urgent come up at work' Ayla started pouting 'not fair Ammi...why can't someone else deal with it' 'Ayla, you know no one else can...you can go with Zoya' 'fine...but who is going to drive us...and I another taking a taxi' Sameena let out a sigh 'ok, let me drop you off on the way...' 'I'll take them' Asad said cutting her sentence short.

Ayla started coughing 'shopping and you...Bhaijaan are you feeling ok?' 'Ha ha very funny, you want to go or not?' 'Yes...thank you'.

Asad parked the car and opened the door for Ayla and Zoya, Zoya stepped out and looked at him 'you don't like shopping?' 'I can think of better things to do with my time' 'then thank you once again...shopping with two girls, trust me not the easiest thing to do' Asad let out a laugh 'I will try and keep up'.

Asad walked patently in and out of every shop Ayla dragged them to, Zoya thought she was a shopaholic but Ayla definitely surpassed her by any standards. 'Bhabhi, you need to buy at least a couple of outfits, you haven't got anything yet' 'I will...once I find something I like'. Once Ayla had finished purchasing her third pair of jeans that looked no different to the other two they walked back outside.

Asad looked around and saw a designer boutique on the opposite side of the centre 'you want to go in there?' Zoya looked towards what he was pointing at 'ok, Ayla, let's go' 'Bhabhi you go, I want to go into that ship' 'it's ok, we can go there another time' 'no...please go ahead, I only want to check something, I will meet you in there' 'you sure?' 'Totally, Bhaijaan I won't be long' Asad nodded and then started to walk off with Zoya.

Zoya stepped into the shop with Asad 'what are we looking for in here?' She whispered 'something for you to buy' he whispered back, Zoya started smiling 'ok'.

As they looked around Zoya picked up a few items of clothing 'I think I will try these on' 'sure...umm Zoya...how about these too' Zoya looked at what he was holding 'I know I am not clued on to the world of women's fashion but I thought...' 'I'll try them on, thank you' she said taking the garments from him.

Where Zoya had picked up jeans and various tops Asad had given her a selection of skirts and dresses, she had never worn a skirt or a dress before. Looking at herself in the mirror turning in every direction possible she finally chose what she was going to buy.

As she came out Asad stood up 'did you like any of them?' 'Yes I did' 'which ones you going for?' 'All of them' she said letting out a little laugh 'cool...am glad you finally picked something'.

When it came to paying Zoya didn't even attempt to take her card out she knew Asad wouldn't like it and even before she would get home Feroze would have transferred the money back into her account.

Zoya went on to buy a few more items including three pairs of shoes and a pair of trainers 'I think I am done' 'me too' Ayla said holding up her million bags 'good, so we can finally go home' 'yes...after you have fed us, do you know how hard it is to shop...I'm starving' Ayla complained 'ok, stop your whining, what do you want to eat?' 'Pizza...I want pizza' Ayla said almost jumping. Zoya pulled a face 'you really like pizza?' 'You don't?' Asad asked 'not really, but if that is what Ayla wants then I'm ok, I can chose something else' 'you sure?' 'Yes...let's go before she throws another tantrum' 'I heard that Bhabhi'.

By the time they got home they were exhausted, Zoya and Asad went straight to their rooms to freshen up and put their shopping away whilst Ayla threw her bags to the floor and slumped herself on the sofa.

'Iram...coffee' Ayla shouted, at the same time Zoya came out of her room, seeing Iram missing she went to make them all a coffee. Ayla sat up seeing Zoya bring in the tray 'Bhabhi, where is Iram? I asked her' 'same difference Ayla, it's ok...am not sure where she is...you drink your coffee, I will give this one to Asad' 'thank you Bhabhi' 'you're welcome'

Zoya knocked on his door then walked in 'Asad' she called out 'one minute' came his voice, Zoya placed the cup on his side table and was about to walk out when he called after her.

'Are you ok, was there something you needed?' 'Yes, for you to drink this' Asad gave her a smile 'thank you...actually I think I might join you outside' 'oh..sure, I'll,take it back' Zoya was just about to pick up his cup when he stopped her 'it's ok Zoya, I will bring it out...come let's go' he said picking up his cup.