A few days later - Late at night:
Asad was thrashing around in his bed, his body spasmed violently, breaking out into cold sweats, his eyes scrunched tightly and his whole face contorted fearfully, as if he were in excruciating pain. Tossing, left & right, clearly having another nightmare, another demon from his past haunting him. His whole body shuddered violently as he flipped over in bed, laying on his stomach now, trembling. He clawed at his pillow, helplessly as his nightmare became even more painful. Her torturous, helpless and scared screams, her merciful pleas, her begging, haunting his dark soul. Haunting the merciless, inhumane and cruel animal he was. He wasn't a human; he didn't deserve to be. Not after what he had done. What he had allowed to happen. He struggled to breath even in his deep state of sleep, struggling to come awake, or do anything just to stop reliving that moment. The worst moment of his entire unfortunate existence. The moment that had destroyed him. Forever. He continued thrashing on his bed as his nightmares began overlapping, he saw himself, his 18-year-old self fighting in a ring, numerous injuries on his face and body, blood oozing from his wounds, especially from ones on his mouth, forehead and shoulder. He then remembered himself holding up a trophy and smiling despite the blood still spilling from his mouth, his teeth red from all the blood. He remembered seeing it rain money on him and him holding his letter of acceptance to IMA with his bloodied hands and tears of determination in his eyes. He would go no matter WHAT. The dream then shifted to him drinking and partying with some rowdy and drunk boys. His excuses of friends. One could tell they meant no good from just the sight of them. He remembered seeing 4-5 of the boys sitting around the sofas with a bunch of girls in their laps, around them, behind them, white powder like substance spread all over the table, countless bottles of alcohol and numerous full ash trays. He then vaguely remembered one of them get up, staggering, and put his arm around Asad nearly falling forward. Asad who was pretty drunk himself tried steadying him just as the guy laughed disgustingly.
Guy - Asad, my brother. You've made dad proud today. You've made us all proud today. Now you get to live your dream and we get to live ours. But this (pointed to the room) this ain't gonna cut it. We need some REAL celebration. (Laughed a sleazy, demonic and haunting laugh. A dark laugh.) My brother and his friends just left a birthday party. (Winked at Asad) they plan on having a little after party of their own though. Come, let's go watch a show, shall we. HEY AKRAM, LET'S GO! Shows ABOUT TO START". All Asad remembered was his friend begin dragging him out, a speeding car, loud, rowdy, obnoxious hoots and screams, alcohol, drugs and then a girl's painful screams. Her cries for help. He didn't see THAT girl though. Instead the same angel in red, twirling in snow overlapped the voices. Voices of multiple menacing laughs of boys, his own voice screaming 'STOP' and 'RUN' and lastly "NO" followed by a gunshot." The minute the gunshot went off, Asad jerked away in bed screaming "NO" Gasping for air. His eyes wild with fear and panic. Desperation. Hoping once again, as always that it was just a bad dream and it hadn't happened. That he would wake up 18 again and the world, his life, his sanity would be the same. His eyes remained unfocused as he continued struggling to breath. Looking like a man posessed. He was as pale as a ghost and as cold as ice despite being drenched in sweat. Still trembling and shaking like a leaf. A small whimper escaped from his lips as he itched his forearm, gasping for air. His eyes filling with helpless tears, haunted beyond belief. He covered his ears, clutching at his hair almost excruciating painfully, desperate to do ANYTHING to get the cries to stop. Get her voice out of his ears. When nothing else seemed to be working and he felt like the darkness, his room and his demons beginning to close in on him he became frazzled as he searched for his cigarettes and lighter on his side table, his mind barely functioning, his muscles barely co-ordinating and allowing him to grasp them. He clutched them in a death grip and tossed open the doors to his room that led into the veranda, desperate to get out of there. Once he did he immediately doubled over clutching his shaky knees gasping for air. He opened the box of cigarettes with a shaky hand and with the same shaky hand he placed one between his teeth and immediately proceeded to light it up, as if his existence depended on it. Only once did he inhale deeply did he look a little saner. A little more awake, collected and back to himself. He closed his eyes painfully tight, taking in a staggering breath, before slowly standing up straight again. Exhaling. His taut muscles finally relaxing just a little. His racing heart calming just a little. Finally, able to breathe just a little. He ran a hand through his hair, closing his eyes for a brief second reassuring himself. It was just a dream. Just another dream. Just another Nightmare. He sighed, his heart still heavy. A nightmare because that had all happened in the first place. Truth be told he deserved worse than what he had gotten. Live with the constant pain and hauntings. His existence, breathing, becoming excruciating painful. It was as if someone had permanently set a ton of bricks on his heart Since that day that they would constantly pick them up and throw them back at his heart and let him get crushed under the weight of them. He walked up to the edge of his veranda and leaned against the pillar there, taking another long drag of his cigarette. Letting the cool, chilly evening breeze calm his racing and tormented heart. Whilst he was standing there, his body suddenly erupted in goosebumps. The hair on the back of his neck standing up. Causing his eyes to naturally drift in the direction his heart could sense her presence in, just as her music began playing.
She was standing in the gazebo, in a white tank top and baggy white shalwar looking ethereal in the moonlight. Her face void of all make up, so beautiful in all her simplicity and innocence. Her hair tied back in a high ponytail making her look all the more young and all the more innocent. Making him fall for her more. The moon hitting and enhancing all her soft features almost majestically, leaving Asad breathless. The serene, peaceful smile playing on her lips in that instant was breathtakingly beautiful. She was playing games with his heart. He saw her spin around almost as madly as he had come running out into the veranda a little earlier, as if sensing a familiar presence behind her and he instantly, not knowing why or what compelled him to do so himself hid behind a pillar. Asad saw her take in a lungful of air. Both as breathless as the other. Both their hearts racing. She took a deep breath just as her music began playing, immediately taking her to a different land far far away as always and his heart couldn't help but seek her out again. As always. He glanced at her from behind the pillar, watching her as she began dancing. Soft music playing from her portable speakers. Ironically, each lyric of the song seemed to be a conversation between their hearts.
Her each move, each twirl, each step causing his heart to breath wilder than the previous. He no longer held any control over it or the unknown, strange and new sensations raging through it. An unfamiliar feeling coursing through him as she began in the most elegant and graceful manner he had ever seen. She looked divine. Her body flowed to the music like the waves of an ocean flow with the tide. The music spoke to her and the moves flowed to the rhythm in her heart, her min and her soul.
Ishq bina kya marna yaara..Ishq bina kya jeena..Ishq bina kya marna yaara..Ishq bina kya jeena (he saw her lips quiver as if fighting back tears but an even bigger serene smile continued to play on her lips as she began twirling and dancing to the words) Gud se meetha ishq ishq Imli se khatta ishq ishq Vaada ya pakka ishq ishq Dhaaga ye kachcha ishq ishq (Despite the smile playing on her lips a tear still managed to escape her closed eyelids and he found himself clawing at the pillar helplessly as the same feeling of someone setting a ton of bricks on his heart hit him just as painfully. The same tightening feeling in his chest returning, making it almost impossible to breathe. Suffocating him. He closed his eyes leaning his forehead against the pillar and just as soon as he had shut them he saw her again. The angel in red twirling around in the snow again. His eyes snapped open abruptly. Wide with fear. What was happening to him? Who was this girl and what connection did he have with her? A connection so deep it was maddening. He let out a staggering breath again, his eyes drifting to Zoya again and he saw her face contorted with the same maddening pain his face seemed to be reflecting at the moment as she continued twirling like an angel beneath the starry sky.
O..oo ooo ooo ooo ooo Ishq bina kya marna yaara Ishq bina kya jeena..Ishq bina kya marna yaara..Ishq bina kya jeena
Out of breath from all that twirling he saw her almost fall forward onto the pillar of the gazebo, gasping for air. Her heart beating a mile per second. As was his. She opened her tormented eyes, her eyes searching for his. For him over the garden. She could feel him, but couldn't see him and it was driving her just as mad as him. She turned around with a pained expression on her face, haunted and heartbroken from her past and leaned against the pillar with her back against it her face reflecting her pain and the torment at the hands of the demons that haunted her and he leaned his back against the pillar of the veranda, with a similar expression on his face, living a similar torment as well.
xxx
The Next Morning -
Asad sat on the Kasauli hilltop watching the sun rise slowly. The sky was still dark as coal as it was just the break of dawn. His eyes still just as haunted, his soul still tormented. A few angry and helpless tears had fallen from his eyes which currently reflected his broken soul and the torment he felt. The whole of Kasauli slept peacefully in their homes, orphanages, make shift homes/tents, streets, wherever they could find place to. Except for this unfortunate soul who was not given the blessing of sleep. His demons, his nightmares and his past rendering him incapable of sleeping. What was the point anyway? Even if he was blessed to shut his tired eyes, rest his tired soul, he would just be plagued with more horrible memories of his past. He sighed deeply, growling in frustration almost, as he held his face in his hands. A tormented expression on his face before he closed his eyes and screamed. Just screamed. No words, just a scream. A tormented scream. Ripping at his vocal chords. Screamed as loud as he could to get the weight off his chest. Breathe. It was a loud painful cry for help. No one may have been there to hear his cry for mercy, as always, but through some divine intervention it seemed, as if God made sure of it, it reached the ears of the one person it was supposed to. Zoya. She shot up in her warm cozy bed, clutching her heart which seemed to be beating a mile per minute. Her breathing ragged. What was that? Allah Miyan, who was that? A sinking feeling set in her stomach like when you know something is wrong set in her stomach. But what was it. That dilemma reflected on her face, maddening her.
xxx
Later that Morning - Khan Mansion:
CRASH!! THUD!! WHACK!! Those were the unfortunate sounds that echoed all over the Khan Mansion bright and early that morning. Announcing yet another strike by hurricane Zoya. Dilshad, Aisha and Asad came rushing out of their rooms to see what all the commotion was about and the sight before them rendered them speechless. A half asleep, Zoya, still in her Pajamas, her hair WILD, her eyes drooping but just as shocked as the rest of them was holding the coffee pot in her hand but the coffee machine on the other hand had met a rather horrible fate. It was broken and on the ground. Dented with a large crack. The front glass bit of it broken, shattered. Quite ironic though. The pot which was easily breakable was just fine and the actual machine which was in Asad's eyes supposed to be made of steal was broken. HOW that was even possible, even for ZOYA, was beyond Asad. Dilshad and Aisha exchanged worried looks at Asad who had just returned from jogging and already didn't look so well while Asad just stared at Zoya in bewilderment. Too mentally drained from life, especially his episode from last night which was still weighing down heavily on him. He just threw his arms up in exasperation not knowing what to say to her anymore and walked away from there while Zoya pouted apologetically to Dilshad who just shook her head with a small chuckle saying "Oh Zoya" and Aisha too began laughing, walking away shaking her head. Asad on the other hand slammed his bedroom door LOUDLY making them all cringe as he did. He may have refrained from blowing up at her but it didn't mean he was any less angry.
Zoya - (narrowed her eyes in the direction of his bedroom, something seemed off with him) Phupi lagta hai mere waale jinn Mr. Khan ko par gaye. Bina chilaye, bina ghussa kiye chale gaye. Allah Miyan!! (Dilshad just sighed sadly, also having noticed how disturbed Asad seemed, staring at Asad's now closed bedroom door where he was sitting on the settee, his body trembling, his eyes full of helpless tears, pale as a ghost still shaken up from last nights' nightmare even if he tried to hide behind his mask of indifference as always)
xxx
Haveli - Breakfast:
Azlan's car drove up the long majestic driveway and both him and Zain got out as their doorkeepers got their doors for them.
Azlan - No it can't be Danny. They've had his phones and house tapped previously and found no evidence. It's a dead end. He just seems like an easy target which makes it all the more reason that it's not him. These bas***ds are smart. Conniving and silent. They are hiding in plain sight but have made sure that they are the last people we think to be part of the brotherhood.
Zain - Like us.
Azlan - Yes. (Shrugged) exactly my point. Who would suspect a cop to play gangster by night?
Zain - So you think we should focus our investigation on young boys with sound careers and jobs. What about previous records?
Azlan - For now I think we should focus on those without criminal histories. I feel like these bas***ds are purposely trying to throw us off. Find those who would be the LAST ones to suspect and start keeping tabs on them. We should work from bottom up. Least likely to blatantly obvious. There must be a reason they've escaped from the eyes of the law this entire time while hiding in plain sight. (Zain nodded at Azlan as the two made their way up the front steps when Zain stopped abruptly and took off his sunglasses staring at something in the garden. Azlan too followed his gaze and stared at Naina who was sitting on a bench with a textbook before her, her eye glasses on supposedly studying but she was lost in her own thoughts. Sensing someone's gaze upon her she looked up and saw Zain looking at her. She smiled merrily at him and waved a little but the next second Azlan noticed her gaze settle on him and her smile immediately vanished. Her eye's hardened and immediately watered up and Azlan noticed how she abruptly avoided eye contact with him. In that moment Azlan felt like a thousand needles had stabbed his heart at once. He truly felt an unbearable void in his heart. As if he were missing an integral part of him and he just couldn't deny it any longer. That void was his friend. His Naina and their meaningless banter and flirtatious back and forth bickering. Zain smiled at him encouragingly.
Zain - You owe her an apology. You not only hurt her, you humiliated her.
Azlan - AND SHE- (stopped himself) she purposely flirted with Ayaan. She's purposely giving that playboy an open invitation. USKA KYA!! RIGHT before my eyes she's laughing with him, dancing with him and-
Zain - So? (Azlan stared at him incredulously and Zain shrugged at him just as incredulously) So what? She doesn't need your permission before flirting with ANYONE Azlan. Including Ayaan. Do you take her permission when you bring a different girl home into your bedroom every night? Do you ask her how she feels about each of them personally? Does she get to tell you which girl is good for you and which one means trouble? No. So why should she need your permission or approval before flirting or dating anyone (shook his head) it doesn't work that way my friend. It's not fair. What you did at Rogue (sighed) Naina is one of your closest friends Azlan. As close as probably I am, after Asad (Azlan's eyes snapped to his face in surprise. Asad was NOTHING to him) you've already lost your closest friend. Do you want to lose another one? (Azlan felt a sharp pain shoot through his heart just at he contemplated that possibility. No way could he even fathom losing Naina. The thought alone pierced his heart for reasons he was far too stupid to understand)
xxx
Khan Mansion:
Asad walked out of his room, holding his head, massaging it between his fingers as he walked to the front door when he heard his Ammi calling out to him. He stopped walking, a little disappointed, not wanting to talk to ANYONE at the moment. His frame of mind and general condition was not good enough to do so. Sighing, he turned around conjuring up the smallest faintest smile he could manage and walked towards the kitchen/dining area, not wanting his Ammi or sister to worry about ANYTHING. He stopped a few feet away from the kitchen and avoided looking at the food, feeling like he would be sick if he did.
Asad - Ji Ammi?
Dilshad - (her heart gripped with worry seeing the paleness of his face and the familiar emptiness return to his eyes. She tried to smile at him, to not let him see her worry, not wanting to add to his tensions) Naashta nahin karoge beta? (Asad closed his eyes as he felt a wave of nausea hit him strong. He closed his eyes for a split second, swaying as an image of a pool of blood flashed before his eyes) Ammi..woh..
Aisha - (narrowed her eyes) Are you okay Asad?
Asad - (snapped his eyes open abruptly, lest they be worried) hunh? Y..ya I'm fine (Smiled slightly) sorry Ammi I don't have time for breakfast. I have a meeting to get to. But I'll grab something at work. Don't worry. (Before Dilshad could tell him that she couldn't help but worry and knew that if she had to guess ONE lie Asad told in his life it would be the one he just told. But Asad hurriedly changed the topic, lest the nausea return) Aapi, Aap agar ready ho toh I can drop you.
Aisha - (hurried to finish off the last of her juice and Asad stared at her amused) Oh yes, please
Asad - Aapi, this isn't the first time I'm offering to drop you. What's with the excitement?
Aisha - (laughed) No. It's just aaj kal aap aur bhi famous hote jaa rahe ho na Kasauli mein. Becoming a growing celebrity toh aapke fans bhi barte jaa rahe hain. Ammi you should seriously see the sight of what happens in our hospital when Asad comes to pick or drop me. It's like a stampede. Doctors, nurses, interns SAB windows ko chipak jaate hain usse dekhne ke liye. Infact ek do baar patients bhi apne ward ki windows ke saath chipak gaye (Asad turned a beetroot red while Dilshad smiled at him proudly albiet with tear filled eyes knowing he was struggling, knowing just by the sight of him that today seemed like a harder day for him to get through than others. It broke her heart to see him so broken and be so helpless about it. Unable to do anything about whatever demon had chosen to haunt her son today. She ran a loving hand through his hair and Asad closed his eyes briefly. Before giving her a small smile, his own torment and pain reflecting in his slightly teary eyes. He looked away abruptly not wanting her to see him weak. He was her strength. He had to be strong for her. He wasn't allowed to fall weak)
Dilshad - Of course. Mera beta hai hi itna handsome.
Aisha - Please Ammi. His ego is already very inflated aur inflation ki jagah nahin hai.
Asad - (raised an eyebrow as she finally got up to leave) aur aap? Aap itna tayaar hoke hospital apne patients ke liye jaati ho ya kissi doctor ke liye? (Aisha panicked for a second seeing the deadpan look on his face but then Asad and Dilshad shared a teasing smile as Asad kissed Dilshads forhead as a goodbye, making Dilshad just stare at him, as if seeing right through to him. Asad gave her a reassuring smile but she still seemed unconvinced and Aisha too relaxed. He was teasing her) because if it's a doctor I may have to start making more frequent visits. (Aisha laughed nervously) chalein? (Aisha nodded)
Aisha - Oh can we please go in your new sports car?
Asad - No..we most certainly cannot. (Aisha who smiled eagerly at him now glared at him not so happily as he turned around walking off and called over his shoulder) Allah Hafiz Ammi.
Dilshad - (stared after him) Allah Hafiz (whispered under her breath) Allah tum sab pe apna reham banaye rakhe.
xxx
Asha's Cafe:
Zoya was sitting in one corner of the cafe, which was fast becoming her corner, her knapsack and textbooks residing in front of her and her IPad perched up in her lap but she wasn't paying it any attention. Instead she was holding a romantic novel in her hand, staring out of the window pensively. Lost deep in her own thoughts. She looked extremely sad and tormented. Suddenly the general murmur and chatter in the cafe died down considerably, somewhat of a hush falling over everyone as Asad walked into the cafe looking like a billion bucks. He however, as always, paid no attention to the unusual silence, any person present in the cafe or the looks he was getting. But naturally, his eyes spotted Zoya at the caf not at all expecting to see her here. And they fixated on her. His initial thoughts were she looked freaking adorable in her glasses. How was it even possible for her to be any more beautiful or cuter, but with her it seemed that she seemed to become more beautiful to him day after day. Even in those huge hippie glasses. For the first time that day a small smile had formed on his face upon seeing her. Just simply seeing her, sitting in a corner of his caf staring out a window and nothing seemed more beautiful to him than the sight before him in that moment. The sight made him feel considerably better. But then he noticed her sad eyes and her most beautiful jewel, her priceless smile missing and he frowned. The possibility of something troubling her, giving her grief, her heart feeling pain was something he felt himself unable to bear. His heart felt like it was constricting in his chest, making breathing painful for him. A heavy and painful feeling in his chest. Something about the way she stared out of the window, sitting by herself, alone in that corner looking so lost and helpless made his heart ache. An overwhelming urge to go hug her and gather her in his arms, and make whatever was worrying her disappear. Whatever it was that was causing her to be sad, just make it go away. He found himself thinking that he could fight the whole world, anyone who hurt her in any form and he would MAKE SURE they regretted it, make sure they would never even DARE to look in her direction again and the thought scared him. He continued staring at her until he felt her blink and look away from the window right at him as if sensing his gaze on her, which she did and he immediately looked away. As always, becoming angry at himself for swaying and experiencing such strange emotions that weren't meant for him, weren't destined for him and especially not towards her. He had to do nothing but STAY AWAY from that trouble maker. She narrowed her eyes at him as she saw his forehead crease with tension, his eyebrows furrowing and him frowning. Ab kya huwa? Did she cost him another contract just by looking at him? She shook her head unable to figure this man and his anger out. When was he NOT angry.
Zoya looked at her watch and decided to make her way out as well. It was time for class soon and unless she was planning on skipping AGAIN she should get going. She grabbed her iPad and books and threw her knapsack over her shoulder, sensing Asad's gaze on her as she did. As she stood up she heard a soft thud and looking to the ground she realized she had dropped the novel on the ground. As she stared at it, her face hardened, emotions flooding her system. She fought back the tears that were fast rushing to her eyes and swallowed back a sob and the lump in her throat. Her heart feeling like it would burst out of her chest soon. Taking in a much needed deep breath she closed her eyes, gathering her wits, not wanting to let her past render her handicapped yet again. She bent down and with a heavy heart gripped the novel. She let out a staggering breath before forcing a smile on her face and forcing herself to let the past go, that girl was dead. And just like that when she stood up she was Zoya Farooqui once again. Smiling, chirpy, warm hearted and bright smiled Zoya Farooqui with a perfect life and no pain. Zoya Farooqui the strong, independent girl who didn't let anything beat her down. But if only they knew the real Zoya Farooqui. Zoya Farooqui who was falling apart on the inside, day after day and needed someone to just, hold her. However, she didn't go down without a fight and for her everyday was a fight. So, she squared her shoulder, raised her chin, pasted her trademark smile on her face temporarily blinding Asad who was still staring at her intently from the coffee bar and giving him a weird look which caused him to look away immediately again, frustrated once again to have been caught staring at her and Zoya practically skipped over to him.
Sheila - How'd you like the book? (Asad noticed how Zoya's face fell at the mention of a book. How she tried to smile at Sheila but he could see right through it. It was fake. A gimic. It didn't make her eyes twinkle like her genuine smiles did. What book? What was about the book that made her look so sad? Asad was restless, he wanted to know what book it was? But Zoya handed it to Sheila in such a way that he couldn't catch the title and it frustrated him)
Zoya - It's not for me.
Sheila - Not one for romance, are you? (Zoya just gave her a meek smile and Asad just watched her like a hawk. So Zoya Farooqui wasn't a romantic at heart? He felt disappointed and sad, somewhat worried by that for some reason but more than that he was curious about why she looked almost sad about it? Before he could ponder more about it Sheila's voice broke his chain of thoughts)
Sheila- Asad, you're still here? Waise toh kabhi aate nahin ho aur aaj aaye ho toh jaane ka naam hi nahin le rahe. Aaj aisa kya dekh liya yahaan jo dil lag gaya, jo pehle nahin lag paya (Asad stared at her surprised, defensively, his ears slightly red at the accusation and she chuckled) I told you that coffee was yours like 15 minutes ago. I had (smiled at Zoya) our newest and most talented barista make it (Zoya who had narrowed her eyes at Asad realizing it was his coffee she had made now turned to Sheila and beamed proudly at the praise. Asad missed the whole interaction.) Oh and Zoya that's your coffee. But (narrowed her eyes confusedly) I still don't get it. You guys have an imported coffee machine at home. The same coffee, the same machine as the cafe then how come you came in to get coffee today? You NEVER come in to get coffee, especially not at 11:30 on a weekday. (Asad glared at Zoya and Zoya who wasn't going to be intimated by him, did her best to return his glare. Her eyes flashing with a streak of rebelliousness and stubbornness)
Asad - Ya. That's what I thought. But kabhi kabhi kuch musibatein bina maange hi gale par jaati hain aur jitni bhi aap koshish kar lein aapka peecha nahin chortin. They become a noose around your neck. Kuch, pagal musibatein. (He almost smiled seeing the fireworks go off in Zoya's eyes. Her eyes spitting fire at him. Despite the anger and exasperation, he genuinely felt at amused by her in that moment)
Zoya - Inki Coffee Machine hai Sheila. Roz inko bardaasht karti thi bechari ne kabhi na kabhi toh dum torna hi tha. Hairat hai, isse pehle nahin tooti. Zille-ILLAHI ke zulmon tale.
Asad - Bauhat meherbaani hogi aapki agar aap meri Ammi ke cafe se door rahein. Kya patah kal ko yeh waali bhi tor dein. Inki toh meethi awaz hi kaafi hai machines ko torne ke liye.
Zoya - Mujhse toh phir ghalati se toot gayee, aapki toh presence aur positive energy hi kaafi ha .insaano ki tarha machines bhi khud ko maarne pe majboor ho jaati hain.
Asad - HOW DARE- (He looked down baffled. As did Sheila in SHOCK. Zoya had the guts? She had caught Asad's finger in hers as soon as he pointed it at her, stepping towards her as he did. He just stared at Zoya in pure astonishment and disbelief. The audacity of this girl!)
Zoya - Mujhpe chilane ki ghalati mat kijiye Mr. Khan! Main chahoon toh aapse bhi zyaada unchi chila sakti hoon! (He stared at her in even more bewilderment as she just smiled bright at him all of a sudden. He was slowly starting to believe she was Schizophrenic or at least had a split personality disorder) aur hum insaano ki haatir nahin toh kamaz kam machino ki haatir hi muskurana seekh lijiye. Hum kaneezon ki tarha (doing an OTT bechari act) unpe bhi aapka reham hoga Jahapanah. Reham. Iss hasee ki keemat aap kya samjho Asad Babu (Sheila and Asad just stared at her antics in pure shock as she then smiled devilishly at Asad, picking up her coffee and much to Asad's astonishment tapped his cheek playfully, where his dimples were hiding, before winking at him and then turning around and walking away from him. As she neared the door she turned towards him and began walking out backwards singing and doing a little jig to herself) Eh Akdu hasde hasde hasde hasde hasde hasde tu zara nahin toh bas thora thora thora thora thora thora muskura (Asad who had been staring after her, in pure shock, spun around, making Sheila lose her balance at the suddenness of his action and the anger and irritation in his eyes and without saying another word he picked up his coffee and stalked out of there. His stance as stoic as ever as he hid his emotions behind his mask of indifference and anger yet again. Because truth be told, he was terrified of the rapidly beating heart in his chest at that moment. He was terrified of the territory he could feel it trying to struggle to enter, the path it was being pulled towards, the girl it seemed smitten by and he could NOT give in.
Asad walked out of the cafe rigidly, his steps calm, focused but hurried, not wanting to "waste" any more time and get back to work. That was his plan however, without taking accountability for the fact that a certain Zoya Farooqui had come running into his life quite literally and had ruined his well-organized life & plans. Since when did anything go per his plans since her arrival. The sight that greeted him, across the street made him slow down his brisk walk and his cause eyes to soften considerably. He saw Zoya throw her head back in laughter as she talked to an old lady who was holding a cane and crossing the street. Evidently, Zoya had offered to help her and the lady was holding Zoya's hand with her other free hand making it much easier for her to walk. Her gratitude was shining in her eyes and so was her obvious positive impression of Zoya as she too laughed heartedly at whatever it is Zoya had said. Asad tried to tell himself that it probably wasn't even that funny but it was obvious that Zoya had won over the old Woman's heart. Just as she did with every normal sane person she met. The lady ran a loving hand over Zoya's hair. Zoya said something to her again which made the lady laugh and shake her head at her as she walked away into the stop she was meant to and Zoya smiled after her with her eyes twinkling happily and contentedly. She loved to make people happy, people laugh and loved helping others. The happiness she got out of it, nothing else matched up. It gave her a purpose in life, a reason, and made her feel contended, needed and useful. Given, that she had been told repeatedly throughout her life that she was unwanted and unneeded.
Asad continued staring at her, in awe, his heart conflicted. Unable to figure her out or his own feelings, his STRONG feelings towards her. She irritated him beyond belief, pissed him off more than anyone else, was the exact kind of girl he had VOWED to not allow anywhere near his life thanks to his past and yet his heart was pulled to her like nothing else. He was enamoured by her. Smitten, no matter how much he tried to deny it or bury the feeling. Sensing his gaze on her, Zoya turned and looked at him and he immediately looked away, frowning. Both looked away, walking off in opposite directions on their respective sides of the sidewalk, simultaneously bringing their coffees up to take a sip. And then both immediately spat out the scorching hot offensive liquid, also simultaneously. Asad stared in shock at his cup while Zoya cringed with disgust. They both stared at it quizzically and raised the cup to read the sides. Asad's said - 2 creams, 2 sugars and Zoya's said one word only, Black. No points for guessing that the orders had been swapped. They both spun around simultaneously again and stared at each other. Asad glared at her as if she had OFFENDED HIM by her choice of how she took her coffee and it was somehow HER fault he had picked up her coffee instead of his and Zoya just stared at him in empathy, confusion and a bid to understand him. Asad stared at her pointedly as he tossed the coffee in the garbage making Zoya narrow her eyes at him before he turned around, and answered his ringing phone call whilst walking to his limousine. Giving up on trying to get some coffee for his migraine and Zoya just shook her head sadly watching his car drive off before staring at the cup in her own hand.
Zoya - Poor thing. Coffee hi nahin peeni aati. Khud bhi bilkul apni iss coffee ki tarha hain. Black and Bitter (she shook her head before tossing her own cup and walking away to her own destination as well)
xxx
Continued in next post...
Cricket
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