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

Originally posted by: Saima-Syed

Choco

Res for Sue, Jas and Aroo

Lol

You forgot

Five

It was Zoya's first day at college, and she was more than nervous. Feroze put his arm around her 'after everything that has happened, taking this step forward...it won't be easy but I know you will be ok, do what makes you happy Zoya we will always be here to support you' Zoya hugged Feroze back 'thank you so much' kissing her forehead he held her by the shoulders 'you never need to thank me or anyone else...I will have the driver take you and pick you up every day, if you ever finish early or need to stay back just let him know he will be there'.

Zoya picked up her bag and stepped foot outside, taking her first step towards a new life, with the people she loved most all standing by her.

The nervousness she felt had vanished by the time she stepped into the premises, she took out her timetable and walked towards her first class. As she sat down she felt her phone vibrate, she couldn't stop smiling seeing messages from Asad, Ayala, same a and Feroze,mall wishing her good luck for her first day.

Replying back with a simple thank you she put her phone away. It didn't take long for the class room to fill up with students 'hi, you mind if I take this seat?' Zoya looked up to see a girl standing smiling down at her 'sure' 'thanks...I'm Meera' Zoya extended her hand out to meet hers 'I'm Zoya'.

The first lesson didn't go on the whole hour it was supposed to, being the first day and introduction classes the students were given a little slack. Zoya found that Meera's timetable was identical to hers 'looks like you are stuck with me for the next ten months' Zoya started smiling 'you say it like its a bad thing' 'I'll let you be the judge of that' she said winking at her.

By the end of the day Zoya had hit it off really well with Meera and also managed to make two more friends, Huma and Kamran, who were all doing the same course as her.

'You want a ride home?' Meera asked as they walked out 'thank you...I have my ride waiting for me there' she said pointing towards the gate 'cool, well I guess I will see you tomorrow, have a lovely evening' 'you too'.

As soon as Zoya walked in Sameena came towards her 'how was your first day?' 'It was really good, not as bad as I thought it would be, I also managed to make a few friends on my course' 'that's wonderful Zoya, why don't you go and freshen up I will get you a drink' 'no Ammi, I am ok, I will wait until everyone comes then we can sit together'.

Zoya went to shower and then change, coming out of the bathroom she sat on her bed and looked through her course handbook. In the meantime Asad and Ayla had returned 'Ammi where is Bhabhi?' 'She we to shower and change...she was waiting for you to come back...go and put your things away I will call her' as Ayla went to her room Asad walked towards his 'Asad, can you get Zoya on your way back, I will set the dinner table' Asad nodded.

After a couple of knocks and getting no response Asad opened her door, as he stepped in further he couldn't help smile, Zoya had fallen asleep with her course book laying across her stomach. Walking towards her he gently picked up the book and placed it on the side table, then took the ends of her blanket and slowly covered her before he walked out. 'Ammi, Zoya has fallen asleep, I didn't wake her' 'but she hasn't eaten anything...what if she doesn't wake up until the morning' 'then rest assured she will eat a big breakfast' Asad said smiling.

Zoya stirred in her sleep, when she opened her eyes she found herself surrounded in darkness 'Ya Allah, what time is it' she said sitting up. Picking her phone up she saw that it was 2 in the morning, holding onto her rumbling stomach she jumped out of bed and walked towards the kitchen.

Opening the fridge she looked through what was there, unable to decide on what she wanted she ended up picking up an apple 'you will do' she said. As Zoya closed the fridge door she let out a fright filled Yelp, clutching on to her racing heart she whacked him as hard as she could 'you trying to kill me...' Asad couldn't stop himself from laughing 'not funny Asad, don't you creep up on me like that again...Ya Allah, I could so...ugh' 'OK, OK...I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you, I heard a noise so came out' 'I was hungry' she said holding up her Apple 'and that is going to fill you?' 'For now' 'come, I'll sit with you...you can tell me about your day'.

By the time the two of them had finished their banter it was nearly four in the morning 'come on let's get you to bed...you have to be up in a few hours' 'I guess you're right...thank you for keeping me company' 'anytime, see you at breakfast'.

Zoya came out of her room dressed in an outfit that Asad had chosen for her, it was a long beige skirt with a fitted black shirt, she wore her hair down 'masha'Allah you look lovely Bhabhi' Ayla said making her blush 'thank you' 'Zoya, what do you think you are doing?' Sameena said seeing her walk off with a single slice of toast in her hand 'Ammi, I am so late, if I don't leave now I won't get to my first lecture on time' 'Ya Allah, how are you going to function on just one slice of bread...you missed dinner too' 'I promise to have a proper lunch, I really have to go' 'Zoya wait, I will drop you, I need to leave now too' Zoya smiled at him 'thank you...Allah Hafiz' she shouted out to the rest of them before she hurried out towards the car.

Asad pulled up outside her campus 'make sure you eat properly...I mean lunch' 'I will...thank you for the lift, I will see you at home' 'what to do you finish, I can pick you up' don't trouble yourself, the driver will come' 'I pass by her to go home Zoya, it's not like I take detour' 'OK, I finish at five today...shall I meet you here?' 'Yes, see you at five'.

Days turned into weeks and weeks into months. Asad and Zoya had set a routine in which they always left together and came home together, over the last two months they had really become close, she enjoyed his company. She made him laugh and he made her smile, to live life again.

Zoya excelled in her studies and in her personal life.

Asad and Zoya walked in sharing a joke 'I have to show you the video we made, I am telling you, you will fall over laughing' 'when you have finished it, I want first preview' 'deal' she said holding her hand up for him to high five.

'Finally, you two are home...Zoya I have some good news for you' Sameena said 'what Ammi?' 'Aisha is coming' Zoya's eyes sparkled as she smiled 'really...when?' Tomorrow, she called just after you left' that's fantastic news' 'yes...now go and freshen up and dress up to' Asad and Zoya looked at one another and then back at Sameena 'where are we going Ammi?' 'Mr Raina has invited all of us for his daughter's engagement party' 'Ammi, do I have to go, I really need yo work on my assignment for tomorrow' Zoya said pulling a face. Since she had come to be a part of this family she had refrained from any kind of social and extended family gatherings.

Although Sameena didn't like her excluding herself she understood 'you sure you won't come' 'yes Ammi' 'hey, if she is allowed to stay back then so am I...I need some work to catch up on to' Asad said. Sameen raised her eyebrow at him 'what work do you have now...you are coming' Asad turned around to face Zoya 'if I go you have to come too...' 'Asad please' 'please what...seriously I am not going if you are not going, and I don't go Ammi will not be happy and if Ammi...' 'Ok I get the picture, stop already...fine, I'll come' she said throwing her arms up and walking towards her room.

Asad turned around to face Sameena who then started laughing 'nice one, you can go and get ready too'.