Chapter 18
She felt the warmth of the sun on her skin and the birds chirp around her. With her eyes still closed, she snuggled closer to something. As she moved her hand, she felt something beat against her palm. She instantly knew what it was. Her eyes shot open as she felt his heart trump against her hand. The memories of last night went through her mind and a smile crept up on her lips. What happened the previous night still felt like a dream. Deep down, she was ecstatic that he had planned all this for her but she was also afraid that as the morning knocks on her door, her dream would be broken just like dreams were shattered after waking up from sleep. She slowly untangled herself from him and sat up on the floor. "Joh bhi horaha hai usse hone deh Zoya, don't expect anything from what is happening. No expectations, no hurt," she silently told herself. As Zoya was about to get up, she felt him tug at her wrist. "Subhe huwi nahi aur aap bhaag ne lagi," he teased. Zoya turned to see him sit up next to her. As he came close, she noticed his slight stubble and the rugged hair. He looked handsome! "Good morning," Zoya said with a smile. "Good morning. Where were you going?" Asad asked. "Kahi nahi...I mean just down to the room to freshen up. Office bhi toh jaana hai," she replied. "Aaj Sunday hai," Asad said as he stood up straight and offered her his hand to stand up. She placed her hand in his and was about to stand when her foot became entangled in the blanket. As his arm wrapped around her waist to steady her, her hand gripped his shirt. Their eyes met and her heart skipped a beat. They looked at each other and lost themselves in their perfect world. Suddenly, "ouch," she yelled. "Kya hua?" he asked concerned. "Aankh mein kuch chala gaya," she complained as she rubbed her eye. "Ruko, let me see," Asad said. "But, it's burning," Zoya whined. "Zoya, stop," he said as held her elbow. She felt him move closer and slightly blow. Her heart raced feeling him so close by. As he stepped away, Zoya completed the breath she was holding in. "Thanks," she said. They both turned to leave when they saw Dilshad walk into the terrace. "Tum dono yaha ho, aur main saara ghar doond rahi thi," she informed. "Ammi...aap kabh waapas aaye?" Asad wondered. "Abhi aayi hoon...tum dono yaha the raat ko?" Dilshad teased. Zoya felt her cheeks fill with color whereas Asad started to choke on thin air. "Main change karke aati hoon," Zoya quickly said and left from there. "Aur tum?" Dilshad said, turning to her son. "Main...woh main...shower lekar aata hoon," he said. Dilshad chuckled to herself, "Allah...aaj pheli baar inn dono koh ek saath khush dekha hai. Lagtha hai hum sabh ki dua Allah ne qubool Karli," she thanked happily.
Zoya ran into the bathroom and placed her hand on her booming heart. Recalling the moments spent with her husband bought a huge smile on her face. "I still can't believe Asad ne mere liye sabh kuch kiya. That was so sweet of him," she thought. As her cheeks filled with color and her heart skipped a beat thinking about how close they were. She looked at her reflection in the mirror. "Stop blushing Zoya," she scolded. Then laughed at her craziness as she grabbed a towel and headed for the shower. Minutes later, Zoya opened the door to exit the bathroom when she collided into her husband. Before she could slip, his arm curved around her waist and steadied her. "Sorry, maine dekha nahi," she told him. "It's ok. Main bas knock karke poochne wala tha keh tume aur kitna time lagega," he said. Asad moved aside giving her way to come out of the bathroom. Zoya felt his arm brush against hers and her whole body fill with goose bumps. She felt her cheeks getting red again. "I seriously need to stop doing this," she mumbled to herself. Sometime later, Asad walked into the kitchen to see his mother and wife laughing about something. "What's funny," he wondered. "Kuch nahi," Zoya said as she laughed harder. She saw his eyes narrow and look at her with a question in them. "Ammi aapke bachpan keh kisse suna rahi thi," Zoya said as she placed his black coffee in front of him. "Ammi, aapko aur topic nahi milta," he whined, picking up the cup. "Kyun Mr. Khan. Mujhe aapke aur Najma keh bachpan ki stories sunna bahut accha lagtha hai...it's so much fun," Zoya said excitedly. "Aapko agar stories sunni hai toh aap story book pada kare," he suggested with a glint of mischief in his orbs. Is he trying to be funny, Zoya considered carefully looking at her husband. "If that is supposed to be a joke, you are pretty bad at it Asad," she said. Dilshad chuckled hearing Zoya. Asad glared at the two ladies before picking up his coffee and leaving the room. Walking out, he heard them burst out in a pearl of laughter.
Later that day, Zoya was helping Dilshad arrange her wadrobe. "Aree ha beta, main tum logo koh baatana bhul gayi. Doh dino baad Yasir bhaijaan ki beti ki shaadi hai. Hume jaana hai," Dilshad informed. "Theek hai Ammi, main Asad koh bol dungi," Zoya said. "Tum kya pehnogi? Sari?" Dilshad suggested. "Nahi nahi Ammi, maine khabhi sari nahi pehna. Main kuch aur pehnogi, shayad lehenga ya maybe anarkali," Zoya replied. Dilshad smiled, "theek hai, jaisa tum chaho," she said. "Aap chaliye na, dekhiye main kya pehno," Zoya told Dilshad. "Yeh theek se rak doon, phir chalte hai," Dilshad said. In the evening, Asad returned to find the living room empty. He checked the kitchen and his mother and wife weren't there either. "Yeh dono kaha chale gaye," he wondered. Walking up to his room, Asad saw that the door was slightly ajar. He opened it further and stood mesmerized with what he saw. His mother pulled a white dupatta over his wife's hair. She looked breath-taking as her lips curved in a grin and her eyes sparkled. "Bahut pyaari lagrahi ho," Dilshad said, caressing Zoya's cheek with love. Zoya smiled and her eyes fell on her husband who was at the door. Something in his eyes made her cheeks turn red. She wanted to look away but his eyes captivated her. Dilshad noticed the couple lost in each other and smiled. "Lagtha hai someone else approves too," she whispered to Zoya. She broke away from her trance and her smile grew wider. Asad ran a hand through his hair and stepped in. "Yeh sabh kya horaha hai?" he asked. "Doh dino baad Yasir uncle ki beti ki shaadi hai so Ammi was helping me choose an outfit," Zoya told him. "Asad tum batao, yeh color Zoya par kaise lagraha hai?" Dilshad said. Asad felt caught off guard at his mother's direct question. "Ammi, woh main...actually." Dilshad shook her head to see her son struggling with words. "Yeh ladka na," she thought. "Uh oh Asad...bolo bhi na," Dilshad scolded. Zoya looked on expectedly hoping he would say something. "Acchi lagrahi thi," Asad said and both the ladies looked at him amused. "Tum par white suit karta hai," he told her. Zoya couldn't believe it. Did he just compliment her? "Tum iske saath matching jewelry sabh raklo, main aati hoon," Dilshad said and left from there. Zoya removed the dupatta and folded it. "Aapko yeh color accha laaga?" she asked, making sure. "I mean, white is a nice color," he replied. "Asad, aabh aap apni baat se peeche hath rahe hai. Boliye na, yeh color mujhpar kaisa lagtha hai?" Zoya wondered. Asad was about to walk away but she stopped him, holding his hand. "Aap hamesha apni dil ki baat kyun nahi baata the Asad? Ammi ki saamne toh aapne bola tha na toh aap mujhe kyun nahi bol sakthe," Zoya said. She knew that he would never speak his mind in front of her. He hardly ever spoke his mind. If she wants to hear anything from him then she has to force him. Asad walked to walk away but couldn't. His wife's beautiful eyes which were looking at him with so much hope didn't allow him to. Tell her Asad, Tell her that she looked gorgeous and you couldn't take your eyes off of her, his heart cheered. Shut up! Don't tell me what to do, his brain retorted. "Tum bahut acchi lagrahi thi Zoya," he told her. He saw her face lit up in joy. "Thank you Mr. Khan," she said happily and let go off his hand. "Main aata hoon," Asad said and excused himself. In that moment, Asad realized that his few words gave her so much happiness. "Akir dil ki baat zubaan par aayi gayi," Zoya thought as she thankfully did her happy dance.
Two days later, Asad, Dilshad, and Zoya decided to drive to Indore which was only a three hour drive from Bhopal. Najma and Imran were supposed to join them but Najma had called and canceled as she wasn't doing too well with the morning sickness. As he drove, Zoya kept stealing glances of her husband. For a change today, he wasn't dressed in his boring suits. He was dressed in jeans and a white shirt, looking extremely handsome. Asad too couldn't keep his eyes off his wife. She looked beautiful in a peacock blue and green anarkali, her hair was braided and she has added some matching earrings and bangles. Only he knew how hard it was for him to focus on the road. "Mr. Khan, aapko chips chahiye?" Zoya asked as she struggled to open the packet. "No thanks, I am good," he replied. "Ammi?" Zoya offered. "Nahi beta, tum khao," Dilshad said, as she read her book. "Agar yeh khul jaye," Zoya mumbled as she tried to open the bag. The next moment, she pulled on with too much force and the bag ripped apart causing what's inside to scatter all over. Zoya gasped while Asad rubbed his temples. "Tum theek se nahi khol sakthi?" he said angrily. "I am sorry Asad, main toh sirf kuch khana, bhook lagi thi," Zoya pouted. Asad closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "Dusra packet khol lo aur yeh waha garbage mein dal doon. Gaadi baad mein saaf hojayegi," he told her. Zoya and Dilshad looked at each other then at Asad. His anger had so easily vanished, they both thought. His eyes were on the road, "Aabh aap dono mujhe aise dekhna band karenge so I can drive," he stated. "Wow Asad, aap toh superman hai. Drive karte huwe bhi aapko sabh paata hai," Zoya teased as she picked up another packet of her favorite chips. Asad and Dilshad smiled at her antics as Zoya munched on her snack.
Soon, they reached their destination. As they got out of the car, Yasir and his family walked up to welcome them. Dilshad greeted them and introduced the family to Zoya as not all of them attended Asad and Zoya's wedding. "Wah Dilshad, tumari bahu toh bahut khoobsurat hai, MashAllah," one of the relatives said as everyone smiled. "Aap sabh andar aaye, rasmein thodi dher mein shuru hongi," Yasir said, inviting them in. A little bit later, Asad was talking to some relatives when his eyes fell on his dazzling wife. Dressed in a mehendi green and orange anarkali, she was sitting next to the bride, laughing about something someone had said. Asad felt his heart skip a beat seeing her. "Kash mujh mein itni himmat hoti keh main tume bol saktha keh tum kitni pyaari lagrahi hoon," he thought, looking at her. Zoya was unaware of her husband admiring her. She was in her own world cracking jokes and teasing the bride. "Bhabhi ek baat baatayiye, aap itna bolti hai I mean you are so chirpy and fun. Aur Asad Bhai toh itne calm aur reserve hai, toh aap dono ki shaadi kaise huwi thi," one of the girls asked. Zoya chuckled, "I think Ammi jaanti thi keh unke bete mein kuch problem hai issliye toh mujhe laaya ha so main unne theek karsako," she joked making everyone laugh. "Par humne toh suna tha keh aapki shayad majboori mein huwi thi," someone said. The smile disappeared from Zoya's face. "Yeh aap kya bol rahi hai, aise nahi hai. Main aati hoon," she said as she excused herself. "Yeh kya bol rahe hai yeh sabh. Kya humare rishto koh hamesha iss sawal ka jawab dehna padega? Maine bol toh diya lekin kya main khud bhi jaanti hoon keh Asad kya sooch the hai?" Zoya thought as her eyes filled with tears. As she silently stood in the corner letting the tears shed down her cheek, she saw Dilshad walk up to her. "Zoya, kya hua beta? Kissi ne kuch kaha tumse?" Dilshad asked, worried. Zoya threw her arms around her mother and quietly cried. "Zoya, kya hua hai? kuch bolo," Dilshad said. "Ammi, mujhe aise hi rehne deh, kuch na pooche please," Zoya requested. Dilshad was confused but she hugged Zoya and consoled her. Few minutes later, Zoya broke apart. "Tum theek toh hona?" Dilshad questioned, caressing her cheek. "Main theek hoon Ammi, bas aise hi," Zoya replied. "Tum chalo, andar jao aur araam karlo," Dilshad told her. "Nahi nahi Ammi, sabh poochenge keh main kaha chali gayi. Main aabh theek hoon, aap fikar mat kariye," Zoya assured. "Saach na?" Dilshad confirmed. "Jee Ammi, aap chaliye," Zoya said with a smile.
Later that evening, Asad noticed that Zoya was upset about something. He saw her get mehendi done and even dance because everyone pulled her to the dance floor. But, he knew that something was amiss. Her lips smiled but he could see that the sparkle in her hazel eyes was gone. Asad tried to speak to her but they were interrupted by someone. He could tell that his mother knew. The way she kept checking on Zoya to see if she was alright told him that. After dinner, Asad took Dilshad aside and asked if Zoya was okay. "Paata nahi Asad, kuch dher phele woh roh rahi thi aur maine poocha toh usne kuch bola toh nahi. Tum usse baat karlo," she told him. "Jee," Asad said. That night, Zoya changed into her pajamas and walked out to see Asad sitting on the bed. "Aaj mehendi bahut acchi thi na, Saba ki haath mein mehendi itni pretty lagrahi thi," she said excitedly. "Tumne bhi mehendi lagayi hai?" he asked. "Of course Asad, mujhe mehendi bahut pasand hail. I love the smell and the color," she told him. Asad took her hand in his and looked at pale hands adorned with maroon henna. "It's really beautiful," he said. Zoya smiled looking at her hands. This reminded her of their mehendi night. Asad was glad to see her beaming like before. He decided not to bring up whatever was bothering her in the evening. "Chalo soh jaate hai, its late," Asad said and Zoya agreed. As they both lay in darkness, sleep was far away from their eyes. Asad was disturbed about Zoya and what was making her upset. He just couldn't see her sad, and he had no reason why it bothered him so much. On the other hand, Zoya's mind kept replaying the question about their relationship, wishing she had an answer. "Asad," she called out. "Kya hua?" Asad said as he turned on the bedside lamp. "Aap se kuch poocho?" Zoya wondered. "Ha Zoya, bolo," he said. Zoya anxiously gulped afraid of what his answer will be. "Asad, kya aapko aaj bhi humara rishta ek majboori aur bhoj lagtha hai?" she questioned. "Aur please, mujhe sirf saach sunna hai," Zoya added. Asad was surprised at her request. So, this is what is bothering her, he assumed. His silence was slowly tearing down her heart. "Mere liye yeh rishta utna hi saacha hai jitna mere Ma aur behen keh saath mera rishta hai. Aur isse main apne pure dil se nibhana chatha hoon," Asad said. Zoya felt her eyes become moist and her lips curve into a smile. She couldn't believe that she was hearing those words from him. "Aur tum?" he asked. "Main?" she said confused. "Tumare liye yeh rishta kya hai?" Asad said. "Honestly Asad, phele toh mujhe laaga tha keh Ammi Abu ne kaise akdu se shaadi kaara di," she replied as a chuckle escaped her lips. "But as I got to know you from a different perspective than the one I had before of you, mujhe realize hua keh aap main jaise samajti thi waise nahi hai. I have been trying to make this relationship work since the day we got married Asad because I wanted to lekin aaj mujhe yeh jaan kar bahut accha laaga hai keh aap bhi yeh rishta nibhana chathe hai, and I am not alone," Zoya told him, intertwining her hand with his. They both smiled at each other, hope glittering in their eyes.
The next morning, Zoya woke up with a huge grin plastered on her face. Last night seemed like a dream come true. She turned to see her husband still sleeping. She bent closer and caressed his cheek. "Wish everyday would be like yesterday," Zoya thought as she lovingly ruffled his hair. Smiling to herself, she got off the bed to get ready. Zoya got dressed in jeans and a blue top and decided to go get some breakfast. As she descended down the stairs, everyone she came across looked at her weird. Zoya was confused about what was going on. She went to the living room and greeted everyone. "Yeh kya hai Zoya?" one of the aunties said. "Kya hua hai?" Zoya asked, puzzled. "Tum aise kapde pehenti ho?" she taunted. "Aise kapde? Inn kapdo mein kya problem hai aunty? Sirf jeans aur kurti hi toh hai," Zoya replied honestly. "Allah, iss ladki ki himmat toh dekho. Phele toh besharmi karti hai aur phir hum se behas," someone else said. "Mere kapdo par aap log comment kaise karsakthe, mere kapde meri marzi hai," Zoya explained. "Tumari Ammi Abu ne tume tameez nahi seekayi hai, baadon se kaise baat karte hai," the aunt yelled. "Iss mein tameez nahi hoti toh yeh yaha kade aapko samja nahi rahi hoti," someone firmly stated. Zoya instantly recognized his voice and the fury that was surging through it. "Asad beta, tum toh samjo," the relatives told him. Zoya looked at Asad and Dilshad who joined her. "Zoya meri biwi hai aur woh joh chahe jaise chahe pehen sakthi hai. Maine kissi koh ijazat nahi du hai meri biwi se kohi sawal karne ki," Asad told everyone. All lips were sealed and no one dared to speak back to him. Zoya felt her heart swell with pride. He had stood up for her. The Asad who criticized every single thing she did including the way she dressed was here today defending her in front of the world. Her cheeks became wet with tears of joy. Dilshad walked up to her and pulled her in a hug. She looked at her husband and smiled thankfully. "Aap log luggage pack karlijiye, hum chalte hai," Asad told them. "Lekin Asad, shaam koh Nikkah hai, hum aise kaise jasakthe hai, Yasir Bhai koh bura lagega," Dilshad reasoned. "Theek hai Ammi, Aap chahe toh ruk jayiye, main aur Zoya yaha nahi rahenge," he stated. "Asad please aisa mat boliye. Hum yaha shaadi celebrate karne aaye hai. Jaane dijiye yeh sabh," Zoya said, trying to calm him down. Asad wasn't sure if they should stay. Yesterday, Zoya had been upset and today this. "Please Asad, I am ok. Waise bhi hum yaha Yasir uncle aur unke family kehliye aaye haina," she requested. "Fine, par Nikkah khatam hote hi hum nikal jayenge," Asad stated and left from there. "Allah miyan, yeh toh phir naraaz hogaye," Zoya said, upset. "Aaj woh tumari wajase nahi tumare liye naraaz hai. And I think that's a very big difference," Dilshad told her. Zoya took a moment to realize the truth of Dilshad's words and followed her husband outside.
Looking around, Zoya found her husband sitting in the garden. "Allah miyan, please help me," she silently prayed. She tiptoed up to him and sat down next to him. "If you are here to apologize on their behalf, I don't need it," he told her, looking straight ahead. "Maine yeh kabh bola aapse keh mujhe sorry kehna hai. Main aapko thank you bolne aayi thi," she said. He turned and looked at her surprised. "You stood up for me, and that means a lot," Zoya said with a smile. Asad responsded back with a grin. "Thank god aap hasse toh sahi. Aap mujhe aise hi acche lagthe hai, I don't like it when you are all akdu like that," she teased making me chuckle. "Main joh bhi karo, tum mujhe akdu bolna nahi chodogi na," he wondered. "Khabhi nahi...its my favorite nickname of yours out of all of them," she told him. "All of them? How many is that?" Asad asked. "That is a secret Mr. Khan, main aapko nahi baata sakthi," Zoya replied. "Ek na ek din, main paata karlonga," he challenged. "Dekhte hai," she accepted making him laugh. "But Asad, bhul jaaye na. Kal mehendi kitni acchi thi, I am sure Nikkah will be fun too. Andar chaliye please," Zoya requested. Asad was feeling much better than when he had walked out here. All his anger seemed have vanished after talking to her. "Fine, let's go," Asad agreed. As they walked inside, Zoya felt so thankful and happy. Today was the first time he had stood up for her, and also the first time she has been able to change his mood. If not, usually when he got angry, he acted like an injured lion. No one could even try to talk to him. That evening, Asad was in front of the mirror dressed in a black suit with a white shirt. He was fixing his tie when he heard her call out to him. Asad turned around to see his wife step out of the bathroom looking angelic. She was dressed in a white lehenga sari with a full sleeve blouse, the border of the lehenga as well as choli was adorned with golden zari work. She had added matching jhumkas and a maang teeka. Her hair was pulled back in a bun with a few tresses stroking the side of her cheeks. Asad was mesmerized and he stood frozen admiring her. Zoya felt her cheeks turn red just the way he was looking at her. "Asad, kuch boliye na," she said, waving her hand in front of him. He snapped out of his world and stepped closer. Their eyes never left each other. "You look beautiful," Asad said, as he lovingly caressed her cheek. Zoya closed her eyes in bliss feeling him so close to her. He smiled at the effect he had on her. In the spur of the moment, Asad moved closer and pecked her forehead. Zoya opened her eyes in shock. Seeing her eyes fill with dismay, Asad debated if he had done the right thing. But the next moment, her lips curved into a smile and her eyes filled with warmth. Asad relaxed a bit. "Hume neeche chalna chahiye, Ammi aur sabh wait karahe honge," Zoya said as she shyly tucked a strand of hair behind her. Asad didn't remember if he had ever seen her blush so much before. He nodded and they both headed downstairs. Standing in front of the each other as the veil separated them, Asad and Zoya recalled their wedding day as Saba and her groom said their qubool hai. Nothing was the same as that day. Things have changed a lot, including themselves.
Asad and Zoya returned to Bhopal along with Dilshad that night but nothing felt the same. These past two days have molded their relationship into something special which neither of them could explain. Time passed and they only grew closer. They both did little things for each other that made them smile. Even at work, they would secretly steal glances of each other. He would buy her lunch often and have Prasad drop it off on her desk. He would also buy her flowers here and there, and surprise her often. It was usually only one flower often of a different kind but she liked it that way. He never said much but she had come to understand that he was a man of few words, well more like no words. But, she has started to understand his silence. It was hard to do but it wasn't impossible. Asad enjoyed his wife's antics. The way she would sneak into his room and leave notes for him. Or when she made his favorite kheer and secretly left it on the table. She did the childish of things like jumping on the sofa when she was excited, or dancing in the rain, or eating like a messy kid. All these were crazy according to him but somehow when she did them, he found it adorable. Dilshad too was extremely happy for the couple. She saw how they both looked at each other. Everyone knew that they were in love but they also knew that Mr. and Mrs. Khan were the slowest people on this earth to realize what was right in front of them. "Allah mere baccho koh thodi si akkal deh dijiye," she prayed everyday. While Asad and Zoya were growing closer, Imran and Najma were becoming distant from each other. Imran's demands were increasing with each passing day and Najma refused to give in. She would never ask her brother for money that too for her greedy husband. They didn't need the money, her husband and his mother just wanted to exploit her brother and she would never let that happen.
One afternoon, Zoya was at work when Najma called. "Najma...kaisi ho tum? Kitne din hogaye maine tume dekha nahi. Aaj milte hai," Zoya suggested. "Nahi Zoya...aaj nahi hoga, meri tabeyat thodi theek nahi hai," Najma said. "Najma, kya hua hai? You sound so dull," Zoya said, concerned. "Main theek hoon Zoya, woh bas morning sickness ki wajase khana khaya nahi jaata. So, I feel weak," Najma replied. "Imran toh tumare saath accha behave karta haina?" she questioned. "Ha, sabh theek hai. Accha main tumse baad mein baat karti hoon. Bye," Najma told her and ended the conversation. Zoya was worried for Najma. Ever since she had been pregnant, Zoya hasn't seen her. She hardly called or visted. She didn't even sound like herself on the phone. "Mujhe jaakar Najma koh dekhna chahiye, paata nahi kyun I have this weird feeling," Zoya thought to herself. She finished work early that day and told Asad she had some work and left from the office. On the way, Zoya got a few things for Najma. On the other hand, Najma wasn't feeling too well that day. She wished that her husband cared enough to stay at home and look after her and her mother-in-law wasn't too busy gossiping at her kitty parties. Tears filled her eyes. She missed her family, she missed her home. Just then, one of the home staff informed her that someone was at the door. Najma composed herself and told the staff to make the person sit. When she walked into the living room, Zoya was shocked to see Najma. She looked so pale and fragile. "Najma," Zoya said shocked. Seeing Zoya, Najma became emotional. She walked up to her and pulled Zoya into an embrace. Both their eyes fill with tears but they contained them inside. As they broke apart, "Najma, tumne kaha keh tum theek ho?" Zoya asked. Najma took a seat along with Zoya. "I am fine Zoya," Najma told her. "You don't look fine to me. Doesn't Imran take care of you?" Zoya said becoming angry. "Aisa nahi hai, woh bas kaam mein thoda busy hai," Najma reasoned. "Don't make excuses for him Najma. Tum ghar chalo! Asad aur Ammi Imran se baat karenge," Zoya stated. "No Bhabhi, I can't do that. Main theek hoon. Aap please yeh sabh ghar par mat baatayiye," Najma said. "But Najma, tum," Zoya said when Najma intervened. "Please Zoya, don't say anything. Main apni galti ki saaza Ammi aur Bhaijaan koh pareshaan nahi karna chathi," she explained. "Galti?" Zoya said puzzled. "Imran se shaadi karna mera faisla tha and that was a wrong decision. I will try to make this work, I want to make it work," Najma replied. She loved him and hoped that her love was strong enough to make this relationship work. One day, her husband will realize that their love didn't need any money to survive. Zoya placed her hand on Najma's shoulder. "Are you sure about this?" she asked. Najma nodded positively, "Sabh theek hojayega, bas kuch time," she said hopefully. Zoya smiled as she wrapped her arm around Najma's shoulder. "If you ever need anything, I am here ok?" Zoya told her. "I know," Najma replied with a smile.
The next morning, they were driving to work when Asad noticed how quiet she has been since the past day. "Zoya," he called out but was greeted back in silence. "Zoya," Asad said, a little louder causing her jump out of her trance. "Yeah," she said. "Tum theek ho? Why are you so quiet?" he asked. "Kuch nahi, bas aise hi sooch rahi thi," Zoya said, shaking her head. "Tum kal se chup chup ho," Asad observed. "Bas kaam ka sooch rahi thi. I have been constantly trying to find out who is invading our company's security but hadn't been able to. That person is really good as much as I hate to admit it," she said, frustrated. "Hey, it's ok. I am sure you will figure it out," Asad told her. "I will," she assured. "Aap yaha rok deh, I will walk from here," Zoya said. He nodded and pulled the car to a stop on the side of the road. As usual, Asad waited till she had a head start before following her to work. Reaching the office, they both went to their cabins. Zoya has been following this hacker since she started working here. Every time, she came close but he kicked her out of the system. As she was running a scan, Zoya found someone trying to get into the confidential files. "What? No way am I letting you in here, not ging to happen," she said as her hands tapped on the keyboard at lighting speed. She wasn't going to let this jerk win, she told herself. It was like a battle on fire as they both tried to trick each other. In the end, Zoya was able to stop the hacker, she even foundan IP address. Now this has to help track where this person was. After a few minutes, she found an address that belonged to a caf. This couldn't be right. Why would someone hack into our system from a caf? Wait! That makes sense. Whoever is doing this doesn't want to be caught. Or maybe, she thought. Looking into it further, Zoya found something else. She quickly gathered her laptop and rushed to tell Asad. Zoya knocked first before entering, "I have to show you something important," she informed. Asad was in a meeting but he could tell that it was urgent. "Ladies and Gentleman, we will figure this out later," he said. Everyone nodded and left the room. "Mujhe paata chala hai keh kyon hai joh humari company keh system mein hack karni ki kosish karaha hai. Its Sharma and Sons," Zoya told him. "What?" Asad said shocked. They were some of his oldest clients which have eventually setup their own company and were now competitors. "Phele toh mujhe kohi caf ka address mila but it didn't seem right so I dug further and this is what I found. I have double checked and I know I am not wrong," Zoya explained. "Par woh log kyun? I know them well," Asad said, upset. "I need to talk to them," he said. As he was going to pick up the phone, she took it from him and hung up. "No Asad," Zoya said and he looked at her confused. "Abhi hume sirf company ka naam paata hai yeh nahi keh woh insaan kyon hai joh humare yaha unn logo kehliye kaam karaha hai. Give me some more time and let me find out," she told him. Asad debated what to do for a minute. He knew that if Zoya has decided to do something then she will do it, she was stubborn that way. And he needed to find that person who was cheating him. "Theek hai, but Zoya main tume zyada time nahi deh saktha. We need to find this person ASAP," he said. "I know! Main jald se jald find out karongi," she promised him. Asad agreed. "Dinner kehliye kahi chale?" he asked. Zoya smiled, "Italian?" she suggested. "Tum apne pastas aur pizzas se peecha nahi chodogi na," Asad joked. "Never!" Zoya giggled and left the room.
That afternoon, Asad had an off site meeting so he had left. Zoya finished her work for the day and checked his cabin. "Thodi dher wait karti hoon, shayad meeting late hogayi hai," she assumed. Zoya waited and waited but he didn't return. Her patience was running out. She tried calling him but his phone kept going straight to voicemail. "Yeh Mr. Khan bhi na, kaam mein busy hogaye toh sabh bhul jaate hai. Akdu Jahapanah," she said, angrily. Zoya called him one more time but he didn't answer. Everyone from the office had already left. So, she decided to go home. After reaching home, Zoya waited some more time for Asad but he didn't come. "Zoya, tum khalo beta. Asad khabhi khabhi late hojata hai," Dilshad told her. "Par Ammi, phone toh karsakthe the na. Unka phone bhi nahi lagraha hai," Zoya said, worried. "Shayad uski battery khatam hogayi ho, aajayega. Tum kuch khalo," Dilshad said. "Nahi Ammi, main Asad ka wait karlongi. Aap jaake rest karlijiye," Zoya said. "Nahi, main yaha tumare saath wait karti hoon. Waise bhi mujhe neend nahi aarahi hai," Dilshad said. "Phir toh hum movie dekhte hai," Zoya said and Dilshad agreed. Dilshad sat on the couch while Zoya lay in her lap watching the movie. Initially, they were both watching the movie but soon Zoya fell asleep. Dilshad smiled as she lovingly caressed Zoya's hair. The movie ended but there was still no sign of Asad and now even Dilshad was starting to worry where he was. She tried calling him but there was no answer. Dilshad saw that the weather outside was getting bad, there was gusting winds and hail coming down. "Zoya, Zoya utho beta," Dilshad called out. "Asad," Zoya yelled as she sat up gasping for air. "Zoya, tum theek ho beta?" Dilshad asked, patting her back. "Ammi...Asad kaha hai? Woh aagaye?" Zoya said panicking. "Nahi beta, issliye toh main tume utha rahi thi. Tum kissi koh phone karo. Itni dher toh Asad koh khabhi nahi huwi hai aur bahar mausam bhi karaab horaha hai," Dilshad said, troubled. Zoya had this weird feeling inside her. "Allah please, Asad koh safe rakiye," she silently prayed. Zoya tried his phone hoping he would answer but he didn't...again. She called the other office he used to work at before but no one responded over there either. Zoya kept thinking who to call and then she recalled Prasad. She quickly found his number and dialed. After talking to Prasad, Zoya was getting more anxious. "Zoya, kya hua?" Dilshad questioned. "Ammi, Prasad toh bol rahe hai keh Asad site chodkar nikal chuke the. Phir woh ghar kyun nahi aayi. Kahi office toh nahi chale gaye mujhe doond the. Ya kahi aur," she kept blabbering. "Zoya shant hojao, Hum kissi ko phone karte hai," Dilshad replied. "Ammi, police koh phone kare?" Zoya asked. "Shayad police koh phone karna hi theek hai," Dilshad agreed. Just then someone knocked on the door. "Lagtha hai Asad aagaye," Zoya said as she happily ran to the door. "Asad...aap," Zoya flung the door open but stopped seeing a few officers. Dilshad too joined Zoya. "Yeh Asad Ahmed Khan ka ghar hai," the police office questioned. "Jee, Asad aapke saath hai? Kaha hai woh?" Zoya said, as her eyes searched for him. "I am sorry but Mr. Asad Khan ka accident hogaya hai. Woh hospital mein hai," the office said. Zoya and Dilshad felt their heart stop and the ground beneath their feet slip, as they both stood stunned.
Back with another update! I believe this is a good progress in Asya's relationship so I hope you all like it. Looking forward to your comments 😃
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