Mohabbatein
Part 23: Mangalpur
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Asad couldn't bring himself to think, or process or sensibly react to the most horrific sight he would probably witness in his entire life, or the most traumatizing sound, the sound of Zoya's painful and frightened voice, which would scare him, keep him awake at nights and haunt him in his dreams too. The minute he saw Zoya jump off that cliff in an attempt to get away from the goons, the look he saw in her eyes, the look of despair, the look of no hope, the look of desperation for help but seeing no way out of her situation, the tears of pain and heartbreak broke his heart and when he saw her jump, his heart stopped beating altogether. So without sparing another second, he just ran, ran faster than his legs would carry him, his heartbeats spiralling out of control and his vocal chords nearly giving way with the screams of desperation that escaped him as soon as he jumped off that cliff, head first, without thinking twice. The sight of Zoya jumping off, the sight of her helpless tears, the only sight constantly flashing before his eyes, haunting him, tormenting him as was the voice of her piercing scream the only sound constantly ringing in his ears and the almost maddening need to save Zoya, to keep her with him, to not let her go because he was in no way ready to lose her just yet. Or ever. And it was in that moment he finally realised just how much she meant to him, how much he needed her and how much his heart had linked itself to hers in so little time, so much that he was finding it nearly impossible to beat when it couldn't sense hers beating just nearby. Asad came up for air from the deep waters of the lake he and Zoya had both jumped into when they jumped from that cliff. He coughed up water, and rubbed his eyes vigorously to get the water out of them before his eyes immediately began seeking out any sign of Zoya, but upon not being able to see her or any sign of her, his heart began constricting with a fear he could've never known or imagined in his worst nightmare.
Asad - (his voice croaking in desperation and fear, he still screamed the loudest he could) ZOYA!!! (Looked around, but as slim the chances were of finding an unconscious Zoya thanks to the drugs in the water she had drank, in a lake as huge as this the darkness of the night wasn't making it any easier.) ZOOOYYYAAA!!!!! (He went under water and tried again, swam around desperately trying to find just one, just one small sign of her, so he could find her, reach her, grab her and pull her to safety, to himself and promise to never let go, for just that one small miracle, but again his struggle came up empty and once he was out of breath, and only when he ABSOLUTELY had to did he come up for air again and by now it was hard to tell which droplets of water were from the actual lake water and which were his own tears, tears of fear, of desperation, of pain and of constantly diminishing hope) ZZZOOOYYYAAA!!!!(This time he screamed even louder, loud enough to let her now that he wasn't going to let her go NOMATTER WHAT. He was going to save her one way or another, or he was going to die trying in this very water himself as well, so again down and down under he went swimming desperately and blindly looking for just that one sign of Zoya again but with each passing second that hope diminished further and further until he could no longer feel any hope, all he could feel was his own heart sinking to the bottommost pit of his stomach). Zzzoooyyyaaa!!!! (And when he finally went under water again, just about to lose that final thread of hope there it was, the miracle he was looking for, hoping for, needing, he saw something floating in the water, something shiny and silver and he swam as fast as his legs would allow until he wrapped his fingers around the bracelet, which in his heart of hearts he already knew what it was, haven seen it multiple times on that wrist he adored oh so much, but he didn't want to be sure of it until he held it in his own hands and knew for a fact because it could just be his own desperate heart deluding him into seeing what he wished to see more than anything, but sure enough it was he believed it was, Zoya's charm bracelet she never let part from herself and it was as if he felt his own heartbeat for the first time in a lifetime, he sprung back to life with just that one spark of hope that lightened his heart and desperately wanting to bounce back to life completely and feel whole again he spun around in circles constantly looking around on all 4 sides of himself, knowing, wishing feeling Zoya near by and the feeling he got when he finally spotted a lifeless body in red floating not too far away from himself, cannot be put into words. It was as if suddenly his life was whole again. Like he himself was whole again. Tonight, was the night, both Asad and Zoya were given a second chance, a new life, a second life, a great life. Albeit, with a gap of a few moments Asad and Zoya were both being blessed with a new life tonight. Although, for Asad it took two sparks of beating that life back into him. One now, when he finally found her, and one when she finally came back to him. Asad's eyes suddenly overflowed with tears, his heart constricting excruciatingly yet again as he stopped for just a second to tame his raging heartbeats and to take a deep breath before he finally swam over to her like a mad man. But when he finally reached her, and realized that she was actually AS LIFELESS, LIFELESS as she looked from afar. He gripped her ice cold and pale hand and felt devastation course through him as her hand dropped back down as soon as he let go of it. His eyes widened, his tears overflowing, as his throat went dry and he choked up, his face ashen and his mouth left open, aghast. Soon, as his brain finally began functioning again, and kicked into over drive needing to save her, needing to see her open those beautiful eyes again, needing colour return to her face, needing her to talk to him again, argue with him, fight with him and speak absolute nonsense to drive him crazy again, speak anything that came to her mind no matter how absurd it sounded. He grabbed her cold, lifeless body and swam back to shore with it, his heart pounding in fear the entire time over. Once he finally managed to reach shore, with his last shred of strength giving in he very gingerly laid Zoya unto the beach before nearly collapsing unto her, covering her entire petite body with his own muscular one, and after coughing and sputtering the last of the lake water, he finally dared to lift his head, and muster enough courage even as he began to feel his heart sinking with fear again. Looking lost and desperate, he stared into her pale, unbreathing face and without even realizing it began tenderly shaking her lifeless body, calling out to her.
Asad - Zoya, Zoya! Zoyaaa (shaking her a little harder) Zoaaa...Ankhein kholo...Zoya (and then panic began settling into him, when she remained as pale, as unresponsive and as lifeless) ZOYA...(he grabbed her cold body close to his, cradling her head tenderly against his chest) zoyaaa!!!!!!! Zoyaa .(and then his tears began freefalling, one after another as he breathed into her hair, still hearing no response from her. He laid her down again and then trying not to let panic but common sense rule his mind, he joined his hands and placed them over her chest before he began pumping her chest to get her heart beating again, but as the minutes ticked by, the night only grew darker and there was still no improvement in Zoya and as he saw that, and realized she wasn't waking up he let his desperation blind him, drive him mad with fear and diminishing hope) get up zoya!!!!! Zoya!!! Utho!!! Come on GET UP!!!! (And again, unable to come to terms with the fact that he was losiing her he again held her close to him) please, please wake up. Akhein kholo Zoya (whispering into her hair) zoyaa...zoaaa...(begging her, pleading with her, the tears endless, still not stopping and now falling unto Zoya's pale face) Zoya please (he couldn't even bring himself to finish asking her what he was asking her, begging her for, asking her to come back to him, not give up on him, not, die on him. In his blind heartache and desperation he could barely register what he was doing, just that he was willing to do it all, anything and everything he had to, or whatever it took to bring her back, have her wake up. He tried to listen to her heartbeats and breathing which still disappointed him because he couldn't hear any of it, he tried to rub her wrists to rub back life into her, hoping that would help, but it didn't. So just before putting her back down and trying a different tactic he held her to himself, held her with everything he had in him, refusing to let her go, refusing to give in to god's wish, of taking this angel away from him, because this time he wouldn't, she was needed on this earth more than god needed her, his hands laced through her hair, he cried into her hair, his tears still refusing to stop, after he tried to squeeze or hug her back to life, he set her on the ground again trying a different tactic, yelling and screaming at her to bring her back to life.)
Asad - ZOYA!! UTHO!!!! GET UP ZOYA!!!! ZOYA!!!! ZOYA PLEASE UTHO!!! COME ON GET UP!!!! ZOYAA!!!! ZOYAAA (but then his own voice broke, and with it, his heart as he struggled against it, but the reality check crept it's way into his heart. The fear of exactly what he was trying to fight, the heart wrenching and tragic reality that she was in fact gone) (His fingers softly grazed her face as he backed away from her, again struggling but accepting it more and more with every passing second, she was gone, and it was all his fault, he backed away from her after letting out one gut wrenching sob/cry/scream to try and breathe through the excruciating pain which wasn't letting him breathe, he tried to stand but his legs felt completely lifeless and he just tumbled backwards before falling to his feet, feeling like he was going to be sick. As he began crying, tears, heartache and sobs making him wish over and over again that it was him, it was he who was dead and not her. He again, felt like he was going to be sick, he felt an intolerable pain in his chest, not letting him breathe so he tried to walk a little, breathe a little, come to terms with it a little he walked towards a few thorn bushes to the side of the shore and bent down near them, trying to gasp for air, trying to stop himself from being sick or falling apart, even though he wanted to, more than anything he just wanted to finally stop fighting and let go, but more than that he needed to fall apart in her arms and he just needed her to hold him, look into her eyes and tell him that she was here and she wasn't going anywhere, but all that he heard and all that he saw were her pleading eyes and her pleading voice asking him to just hear her out, trust her, stand by her and if he hadn't been the monster he was and had just done so, she would've been here with him today. Hating himself, wanting to punish himself and hurt himself like he had hurt her, he clutched onto one of the bushes branches lined with thorns and let it pierce through his hand, hoping that his own blood flow might remind him of his own humanity even if it didn't make him feel alive again because without her, he honestly feared ever being able to feel alive again. But she wouldn't ever wish that for him, and the minute she felt his pain, felt him giving into that darkness, she began fighting, just like she would one day promise herself to do until her last breath of this new life she was given all thanks to him. She coughed and breathed and struggled against the darkness to breathe and come back to life, come back to Asad knowing he needed her just as much as she needed him. At first, Asad didn't hear her, he was still crying, reminiscing over what had transcended between them in the last 24 hours, and hurting himself but once the coughing grew louder and she began coughing up and sputtering all the water he looked back hesitantly, trying and failing to stop himself from hoping, but one look at that pretty angel coming back to life not too far from him, had his heart racing with hope and with energy he didn't know he had left in him, he dashed back towards her his eyes brightened with hope again, his heart overfilled with hope too. He fell to his knees clumsily beside her, and seeing her struggling to wake up, the colour returning to her face, he gathered her close into his arms again, cradling her, hugging her close he touched her face tenderly and feeling that she wasn't as cold as she was before he managed to conjure up a smile and feeling SO much love and happiness for her GRATITUDE for coming back to him, he buried her head in his chest and placed a desperate and hopeful kiss on her forehead, which was the first thing she noticed when she finally opened her eyes and came back to this new life all of which was his thanks to him and boy what a beautiful feeling it was, Asad moved back, softly moving the hair out of her eyes as she struggled to open those beautiful orbs for him, he smiled at her through his blood shot red eyes due to the crying. He watched her open her eyes and that's when his heart began beating and he returned to life too. Zoya even with all the haziness and foggy mind wondered why Mr. Khan was crying, and why she was seeing Mr. Khan when she was supposed to be dead, after all that's the last thing she came to terms with when she made her peace with jumping off that cliff, were they both dead or had Mr. Khan somehow managed to save her yet again? Zoya tried to think, tried to understand but she couldn't, she couldn't even breathe straight, everything was a haze, everything hurt. She gasped for air as she still saw him trying to stop crying, trying to fight the tears but failing miserably but she couldn't. Unfortunately for them, they both had to struggle and come to terms with reality fast because they heard voices in the distance and as paranoid as they were and after all that they had just endured and survived, coming back all the way from the grabs of death to a new life they just couldn't take any more risks, so a still weak, recovering and tired Asad, haven lost a lot of blood quickly gathered a still confused and dazed Zoya into his arms, equally weak, unable to walk due to how dizzy and weak she was feeling, and began walking toward the main highway on the other end of the road as quick as his shaky legs would allow, still trying to fight the tears and stop himself from crying as was Zoya who had tears free falling now that she recalled what had ALMOST happened, how she had ALMOST died, and had ALMOST gotten raped AGAIN, all due to her own lack of control at being able to control her impulse and her own stupidity and ned to control everyone. She silently cried the entire way to the highway both he and she avoiding looking into each other's eyes after what had transpired between them, fearful they would see exactly what was shining in their own eyes reflected back in each other's, especially Asad who had now not only realized but accepted as well, what that feeling he got every time he came face to face with Zoya was called and it scared him to death as much as a lifeless Zoya did. That feeling, as he had come to realize and accept was called Love.
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Nawab's Haveli in Mangalpur:
The atmosphere had suddenly gone from that of happiness, celebration and grand joyous to that of devastation and mourning. The lights had been switched off and the earlier brightness of the haveli was gone so was the ruckus and cheer of a happy family and crowd and all that was left behind was a heart piercing and almost deafening silence. No one could understand the sudden change in the course of events that took place there today, no one wished to imagine what was going through Anaya's heart or mind and everyone wanted to but weren't blaming Azlan. He may not be completely wrong or at fault but whatever happened to break Anaya's engagement was on him, intentionally or not. Everyone knew it, including Azlan which is why he had been demeaned to a criminal in his own house. He was hiding in the shadows, away from everyone's sight because he was too ashamed and scared to face everyone lest he see the same accusations in their eyes, which he was feeling in his own heart. He hesitantly peeked out of his bedroom when he heard the voices out in the hallway turn into hushed and distant whispers meaning that most of his family had already packed and were making their way outside as soon after the Farooqui's sudden departure no one wished to stay back here where Anaya's happiness and fate had been snatched away from them so cruelly, especially not Shireen, so upon her order everyone was returning back to Kasauli tonight. Of course Azlan wasn't included in that decision for her, for as far as she was concerned he could make his way back whenever he pleased, however he pleased, IF he pleased.
Zain They're not here (Azlan immediately jumped back into his bedroom startled and held his chest over his raging heartbeat)
Azlan - Geesh, you SON OF A-
Zain Na uh! Don't turn this around on me or my mother, this was all you (and Azlan could see the hurt and accusation but a different accusation in Zain's eyes) and you don't get to joke with me or expect me to stand by you or UNDERSTAND you in all of this-
Azlan Zain (wishing for Zain to hear him out, because more than anybody he knew if aside from Anaya anyone else would be hurt by his actions it would be Zain and he couldn't have that. He needed Zain to hear him out, he needed him to understand)
Zain (held up a hand, angrily pacing the hallway in front of Azlan's bedroom) You know what, I get it, frankly I, I kind of suspected it, you secretly meeting with Asad behind everyone's back even if for the 10,000th time you claimed to want nothing to do with him and that it was "over between you guys, I knew that was nothing but B.S. I knew you guys were in contact and I suspected you guys even secretly met and I'm not mad about that, I'm not, God knows I'm not, In fact I'm happy, I'm happy you meet your BROTHER and are in touch with him because contrary to what our family might say or believe, that's the way it should be. Brother's should stick together, that's why I've always stuck by you (his pain shining through his eyes) but I guess, it's different for you, I guess you DON'T consider me to be your brother, or your friend (laughed sarcastically) sorry BEST friend because otherwise you wouldn't have found the need to hide this from me, you would've known I would've understood, and I would've supported you, just like I've always done...but (sighed sadly, shaking his head) THAT's the part I don't understand. (He saw Azlan open his mouth to say something to explain himself so he held up a hand to stop him) Everyone else left, Barima and Chachoo are leaving with Naina and Aapi downstairs (Azlan's heart jolted painfully hearing Anaya's name and his eyes raised to Zain's brokenly, hopefully) Kajol and I are leaving too, you're going to have to find your own ride back (but Azlan didn't hear the last part, he was too busy focusing on the part before that entirely)
Azlan (spoke through broken words, all choked up) Aapi, how is she?
Zain (with his back towards him) She's devastated, what else (and saying so, waiting to hear as he expected nothing but silence stretch out between them for a few minutes, he turned around and walked away leaving a guilty Azlan behind, all alone in the darkness of their grand haveli which till yesterday stood tall, proud and joyful)
xxx
Somewhere along the highway:
Asad was very thankful that the two of them didn't have to struggle for too long or get caught by those goons as almost immediately after reaching the highway he found them a ride into the city. It may not be the most conventional ride but it would serve the purpose. Get them away from that god forsaken land as soon as possible before they get themselves into any other trouble. On any other day, Asad would not be caught dead in a tractor, his OCD would never allow it, it violated about 101 cleanliness rules in ASAD's book. But today he had bigger concerns and that concern was sitting right next to him, and was constantly colliding into him due to the haziness of her mind and trauma of what she had just gone through, weighing down on her. Asad was sat as traumatized as Zoya. The sight of a lifeless and pale Zoya, not breathing, haunting him. His own thoughts, feelings, heartache and tears he felt at seeing that sight haunting him. The realization he felt course through every fiber of his being when Zoya finally opened her eyes, still haunting him. He may be physically present beside Zoya, but his mind was a million miles away and he only came back to reality when he felt Zoya's head loll unto his shoulder because she was still feeling immensely drowsy. She was having trouble staying awake and sitting upright in that shaky ride. Although, thanks to his recent realization, it went against his better judgement more than ever before, he couldn't help himself, couldn't;;t stop himself from caring for her, feeling for her and STILL falling for her. So without looking at her or as much as turning towards her he raised his shaky hand, his jaw clenched tightly to obtain some self control and digest his sensibility that was screaming at him to STOP he hesitantly weaved his fingers through her damp hair and settled her head tenderly into the crook of his neck, on his shoulder and Zoya almost immediately closed her eyes, lulling into a deep sleep, immensely grateful to him for this sweet mercy. More grateful than he would ever know. Asad swallowed hard, swallowing the feeling of how right this felt. He kept on pondering over the same torment, same painful sight, and same thought of WHAT COULD have been had he not found Zoya on time or if he had just heard her out and saved her from such torment which she had to face due to him AGAIN. He kept on replaying the same words, the same instances and same what ifs in his mind over and over again until it was nearly driving him mad but he had no choice of stopping. Zoya slept through the two hour ride into the city and Asad kept driving himself more and more insane with overthinking. The biggest worry, the biggest fear plaguing his heart was the realization that he was falling in love with Zoya Farooqui.
Asad was immensely grateful that Zoya awoke by herself naturally once the tractor stopped outside a hotel and service station in the city and he didn't have to wake her because he was still not ready to make eye contact with her, talk to her, LOOK at her much less do something as intimate as wake her from her sleep. It was in fact her who helped him to snap back to reality when the tractor stopped, as he felt his fingers weaving out of her hair, as she awoke and lifted her head. She looked up at him through her still dazed, confused and innocent eyes and Asad immediately looked away, clearing his throat awkwardly. Still too confused and frustrated and honestly too mentally drained to think any further. He jumped off the tractor and immediately held out a hand to Zoya to pull her off the tractor too and this time the trickle of electricity he felt in his palm when it made contact with hers, didn't excite or frighten him, it angered him. Realization or not, he was still as stubborn as ever and even if he realized he was falling for her, he wouldn't quite be Asad if he didn't fight it till his last dying breath would it. Once they were off safely, the tractor drove away and Asad looked around to find their next course of action and he finally conjured one as he spotted the service station.
Asad - (still avoiding eye contact, he cleared his throat awkwardly) I'll be right back, just, uh, just wait right here for me. (Zoya didn't say anything and that not only pained but FRIGHTENED Asad, she was just SO quiet, he truly wondered if she was okay or not. He sighed, resigning to her silence no matter how much it frightened her. He was about to walk away, when he felt it, her hand reaching out and grabbing his forearm, Asad spun around positively surprised and looked up at her to question her, again the spark between them scaring him. She didn't say anything, and she didn't need to either. He saw it in her eyes, the fear, the plea, to not abandon her, to stay with her, to fight for her and keep her safe like he always did and always would, just like she knew and that look, that belief, that expectation only frightened and angered him more. He looked down awkwardly and sighed. He had always been that guy for EVERYBODY in his family, the one they could all turn to and lean on for help, and as hard as it was, he loved and felt proud at being the guy for them, but for Zoya, it frightened him to death.
Asad - (tried to reassure her, because he needed a few minutes away from her more than she knew, to return back to some SANITY and remember what life was like before these last two days) it'll be okay...I'll be right back...(but those few minutes away from her, still didn't do him any good, because the same torturous words, images and feelings followed there as well, and even then the only thought plaguing him was Zoya and her well being and that's exactly why he returned back to her quicker than ever, the fear of losing her or something happening to her AGAIN was far worse than her fear of losing him. When he returned he found the same empty, haunted, pained and devastated look in her eyes. She was broken and it killed him to see her like that. He wanted HIS Zoya back. As soon as that thought hit him, he shook his head, getting even more angry and wanting to rid himself of such absurd thoughts. He believed that realization he had had earlier tonight, could be omitted from his heart and mind just as easily, with the shake of a head. Little did he know, it was just as engraved in his heart, mind and soul as Zoya was. She had at some point etched a permanent place for herself in there and he didn't even realize it. The biggest place yet, one that would take over his entire existence one day, even more than it already had. Zoya jolted back to reality, with fear, and looked at him with wide fearful eyes when she felt someone stroking her face tenderly. Her big fearful eyes broke Asad's heart as she looked up at him fearing it was someone else, someone who was here to harm her again, he could see her trembling body begin to relax when she realised it was only Asad trying to clean her face with a wet towel and make her look more presentable. He could see her ragged breathing begin to calm down so swallowing deeply to calm himself down he offered her a water bottle which she took with trembling hands and just as she felt another sob wrack her body she drank like she had been parched for centuries. She didn't even realize how thirsty she was till that first drop of water touched her lips and Asad's eyes softened as his heart broke for her watching her drink that water. Anyone who could see him looking at her in that moment could tell the extent of his feelings for this girl and he was still trying to kid himself into believing it was nothing. When he realized he was stumbling unto that path again, and he was VOLUNTARILY growing closer to her, showing her affection and letting her matter to him, he got angry at her so stopped cleaning her face at once, his face contorting angrily so instead as she drank water he tried to find their next step and he found it right behind her in the form of a hotel.
xxx
Back at Kasauli - Khan Mansion:
The doorbell rang, and an unsuspecting Dilshad went to answer the door but as she opened it, her face paled like she had seen a ghost, which she in all likeliness did, for she had just seen a ghost of her past. Possibly the last person she had expected to see at her doorstep EVER which is why it had to be something huge and devastating that brought him here and her heart immediately sank with fear.
Dilshad - Aap, Yahaan? (But being the warm, well mannered, graceful and CIVILIZED woman she was she couldn't forget her values even when facing her own enemy) Aiyeee (lowered her eyes) andar ayee
Ghafoor - (speaking in an arrogant voice, as if speaking to someone who he believed to be Below him and not worthy of his time, words or a face to face interaction) Tumne yeh kaise soch liya, ke hum tumhare ghar mein kadam rakheinge Dilshad? Agar humpe bjlji bhii ghir rahee ho toh khuda kasam hum tumhare ghar mein pana lene nahin ayenge
Dilshad - Maaf kijiye, agar aapko andar nahin aana tha toh yahan tak aane ki zehmat kyun uthayee?
Ghafoor - Hum khud yahan nahin ayen hain, humme tumhree shazishein yahan tak lein ayeen hain, aaj hum tumhe khabardaar karne aayen hain, tumhe agaah karne ayen hain ke apne ghar ko HAAS tor par apne bete ko (and Dilshad's heart immediately sank with fear when he, her biggest enemy mentioned her son, her greatest pride and strength and yet her greatest weakness) kaboo mein rakhoo, uss pe LAGAM KASSO (and then that fear, turned into anger, she was DONE being afraid of such people, such bellies, she was no longer that girl, she was done being her, done letting them take anything away from her anymore, she was strong and she was Right, she had nothing to hide and she would be damned if she let them take that away from her, or anything else for that matter(
Dilshad - Ek baar phirse maafi chahtiye hoon, par lagaam ghoron par lagayee jaati hai, SHERON par nahin
Ghafoor - (even more furious seeing this new found strength in her to stand up to him, HOW DARE SHE) toh phir pinjare mein rakho usse warna bari mehnat aur mushakat se tinka tinka jorke jo tumne yeh ashiyaana banaya hai, hawa ke ek jhonke se bhikar sakta hai
Dilshad - AAP BOLNA KYA- (but ghafoor held up a hand)
Ghafoor - Apne bete se keh dena ke woh humme koi aisa faisla lene pe majboor mat karre jispar uske baad usse pachtana parre
Dilshad - (genuinely confused and AFRAID again, Asad was in Manglapur, what had he done to anger this man SO much that he would show up at her doorstep 25 years later) Lekin Asad ne kiya kya hai?
Ghafoor - Anaya ki sagaee toot gayee hai aur uska zimedaar TUMHARA beta hai! Humm yahan behas nahin karne ayen hain, sirf tumhe khabardaar karne ayen hain ke Asad se kehna woh Azlan se door rahe, usse aajke baad KABHI naa mille, warna iska anjaam BAUHAT bura hoga! Baaki tum khud samajdaar ho achi tarah samaj sakti ho ke hum kaun hain aur kya kar sakte hain (and just like that Dilshad's heart sank to the pit of her stomach, not understanding anything but afraid and in pain, afraid for her son due to this warning this man had just given him and in pain for Anaya genuinely sad for her, hadn't she been through enough?, what had gone wrong now? What had Asad done? In pain over the dilemma of trusting this man over her son and believing him when he said Asad still met Azlan despite her telling him not to? Despite him saying he didn't? It wouldn't be the first time. And due to the 25 years of pain and torment, devastation he had unleashed when he reminded her that SHE did in fact KNOW him and KNEW very WELL what he was capable of doing.
xxx
Back in Hotel - Somewhere in the city:
Asad and Zoya entered their hotel room together and this time, after he had given her every reason to and after everything he had done for her, she had no qualms or worries about spending the night alone in a hotel room with him, she trusted him completely. They entered the hotel room, quiet and subdued side by side, both of them as awkward as ever still recovering from the incidents in the last 24 hours, although the trust was there they were still hesitant to be here in a hotel room together. Asad came in following Zoya, holding a small shopping bag in his hand, still fighting everything in his heart for her, still trying to wrap his mind around everything that had happened. Asad frowned worriedly as he caught a stumbling Zoya by her arms as she tripped over apparently "nothing". He truly wondered how okay she actually was, He may have saved her life and saved her from pain in the long run but what if she had suffered minor internal injuries he couldn't see, which he didn't know of (aside from the pain in her heart). He tried to ignore the panic that was settling in and was about to set the bag aside when once again he felt Zoya's hand reach up and grasp his arm, she didn't say anything yet again. Asad looked towards her questioningly again and he was even more confused when he saw her just standing there staring at their combined arms, like there was something peculiar, something so interesting and curious that she just couldn't figure out.
Zoya - (finally spoke, and Asad was beyond grateful for the mercy, relief coursed through him upon hearing that beautiful vice of hers) I'm sorry, mujhe laga main abhi bhi aapse bandhi hui hoon (Asad's heart jolted with even more panic, fear and FURY hearing her say that and making his realization even more scarier)
Asad - (avoided her eye's and cleared his throat again) uhh, I picked up some clothes from the gift shop (handing her a basic white t-shirt and a pair of leggings) you can take a shower and I'll call the doctor (this time Zoya looked at him confusedly) just in case aapko koi injuries ayee hain...
Zoya - (shook her head, trying not to remember any of it, she just REALLY REALLY wanted to forget everything that had happened between them like it was one big nightmare) No, I'm fine, in fact aap ek baar khud doctor ke paas ho aate (now Asad looked at her strangely) for your shoulder...(Suddenly Asad realized that there were other pains affecting him aside from the pain in his heart at the moment) and your hand (and Asad looked at her surprised again wondering when she had found the wounds on his hand but really who was he kidding, at this point it would be surprising if there was something they didn't know about one another)
Asad - No I'm okay...
Zoya - (nodded) uhh, I think you should shower first, I need a minute...(Asad wanted to, more than anything ask her if she was okay, but again, his ego got the better of him so he didn't. Instead he nodded and proceeded to grab his own clothes, a t-shirt and a pair of jeans which he grabbed from the gift shop for himself, and he hesitantly walked towards the bathroom, constantly looking back towards her not ready to let her out of his sight just yet and once again their eyes played a game of hide and seek themselves where each looked away upon being caught staring at the other until Asad finally disappeared into the bathroom and both of them were able to breath again. Once inside, Asad shut the door and for a good five minutes just stood there leaning against it, trying to catch his breath, but he just kept on failing. He was FURIOUS with himself at his lack of control where Zoya was concerned, the way he cried for her, the way he madly tried to find her, wake her, the way he kissed her, the way he let her matter to him. He dragged a scared hand down his face before kicking the wall in frustration and then falling right against it, looking like he was ready to cry out of helplessness yet again, he buried his face into his hands and screamed out into them in frustration letting the running shower drown out the noise but it was of no use, at this point, nothing he said or did could prevent him from falling in love with the beautiful girl in the room outside which he was unfortunately beginning to realize as he stared at his hand and the dried blood on it.)
Half an hour later:
Asad came back out into the room, fresh from the shower, but wincing in pain, the shower haven aggravated his stab wound even if the bleeding had stopped. Although not surprised, it did scare and worry him (and thus it frustrated him) seeing Zoya sitting by the window, with a defeated, gloomy and still haunted face staring into nothingness.
Asad - I uh, I'll order some food...
Zoya - (spun around startled, but then seeing it was just him she sighed and turned back around continuing to staring into nothingness) I uh, I'm not hungry
Asad - (smiled a hint of a smile and chuckled slightly) that's supposed to be my line (Zoya although in a pretty dark place, smiled none the less)
Zoya- I think there's something else I need more than food
Asad - (chuckled) that's a first...
Zoya - (laughed) okay, aside from food (both of them ignoring the growing fuzziness in their hearts at the sudden change, a lighter more humorous change in their relationship) (She looked towards him, with the same sad and innocent eyes and Asad lowered his eyes afraid of what she was going to ask him, Zoya stared at the piano in their penthouse suite looking like a ghost, a million miles away) Sing me something. Anything (shook her head closing her eyes and Asad's heart did a summersault, he wished she wouldn't have said that, wouldn't have asked that, it was too intimate, too dangerous, and it wasn't helping his situation and it ESPECIALLY wasn't helping when he felt his legs walking towards the piano, ready to do anything and everything to help her, heal her and ensure she was okay and he surprised himself when against his own better judgement and against his own will, he was settled right in front of the piano on the bench and with his heart beating a mile per minute, he began playing, the words flowing from the depths of his heart automatically and immediately. The incidences from the last 24 hours from his dance with Zoya at the Sangeet, to him talking to her this morning, to Zoya running away from the wedding, to everything that followed and transpired between them afterwards including him finding and rescuing her and them ending up here in this very moment and the words which were immensely suitable to the moment, to the feelings just flowed, the minute his fingers hit the keys and in that moment he realized how he needed this more than she did and he was grateful to her for the mercy and favour.
(Recalling their trip to Mangalpur, the fights, the arguments, the eye locks) I wanna rock-n-roll I wanna give my soul I'm wanting to believe I'm not too old. (And then they recalled, almost every eye lock, every moment with each other they ever spent, which led them to this very moment, in this hotel room, helplessly falling for each other, every touch, every eye lock, every word) Don't want to make it up Don't want to let you down I want to fly away But I'm stuck on the ground (both of them recalling their dance from the Sangeet last night, the closeness, the touches, the fleeting eye locks and the rapid heartbeats, daring hope, the belief that just this once everything would be okay) So, help me decide Help me to make up. Make up my mind(recalling the feeling of being in each other's arms and feeling whole) Wouldn't that save you Wouldn't that save you Wouldn't that save you (and then he recalled the feeling that coursed through him, that scared him, that haunted him when he had seen her jump off that cliff and thought he had lost her and every moment ever spent with her was flashing before his eyes as it was now, and he became overwhelmed with guilt yet again) Watched it all go by Was it really true Is that what it was? Was that really you?(Recalling, how and they reached this point of no return, point of falling helplessly and irrevocably in love with each other trying to understand if it was in fact true) I'm looking back again Tracing back the threads You said I was a mess Or was it just in my head So, help me decide Help me to make up Make up my mind(and then when he felt his heart pressuring him to just give in and accept that he was in fact in love with Zoya which is why it pained him so unbearably when he believed she was gone, he became overcome with fear no matter how promising the prospect of giving in and letting himself dream what could be, if he accepted it instead of fighting it all would be) Wouldn't that save you Wouldn't that save you Wouldn't that save you (overcome with fear, he jolted from the piano bench at once as if on fire and without looking back at once, without sparing her a glance, his heart beating a mile per minute he rushed to the door feeling a panic attack coming on, feeling like he couldn't breathe, startling but not at all surprising Zoya in the process with his hot and cold behaviour any longer)
Asad - (cleared his throat speaking in a rather angry and clipped tone) Gaari aati hi hogi, you should shower and come down soon (saying so he rushed out of the room pulling out a cigarette desperately needing it after all this time and in this moment. He leaned against the door struggling to breath whilst Zoya sighed deeply inside, struggling just as much as he was)
xxx
Early the next morning:
Zoya woke dazedly and confusedly not recalling where she was or how she got there, just faintly registering that she was in a car somewhere, and it was morning, the nightmare was OVER. Or was it? As she rubbed her neck trying to get rid of the cramps she casually looked over at Asad sitting by the other window in the back of his luxurious car, being driven back to Kasauli by his driver and her eyes widened in shock. For a few minutes she was too shocked to react and felt her heart beating a mile per minute with fear and an unfamiliar dull ache in her heart before her eyes welled with tears and she let out a small shriek, which could've been the basis of a heart attack for Asad who woke up startled hearing her scream, fearing his worst nightmare and especially the nightmare he was currently having in his sleep, seeing the last 24 hours playing before his eyes again, fearing he was losing her yet again, he almost sighed in relief seeing her safe and sound in the car with him but he couldn't because much to his annoyance before he could sigh in relief he felt panic settling inside him again seeing the tears and fear in her eyes. He followed her eyes to see where she was looking and for a second he was as surprised as she was seeing what she was saying, a huge pool of stark red on his shoulder and a dull ache in his shoulder.
Asad - I...I'm okay (seeing the panic and fear in her eyes) it's really...(but he could see that Zoya wasn't going to relent so easily, her tears were already spilling over and he couldn't understand how to stop her and let her know that her tears were more painful to him then his own stab wound. His driver too was eyeing him, cringing with pain, only wondering how painful that wound actually was)
Driver - Sahab, agar aap kaho toh pehle hospital ruk sakte hain. (Asad was just about to argue when he saw the plea and tears in Zoya's eyes, the guilt in her eyes and sighed)
Asad - I'm okay Zoya, really, but uh, fine I'll go to the doctor, if you agree to go too (and he hadn't even finished his sentence when he found Zoya nodding so he sighed and nodded at the driver who sped up)
5 minutes later - Asad slammed the door to his car shut, waiting for Zoya to come out of the car when words that shocked, worried and angered him, led him to feel betrayed and he couldn't endure another act of betrayal so soon not after what happened in the last 24 hours but looking over and seeing his sister smiling and getting into her car to go home and one of his other really bad fears just came true and he realized the nightmare was far from over, it was only getting started and was growing worse)
A nurse - (laughing) Goodbye Dr. Pretty Eyes. (Realizing his sister Aisha was the doctor who he had sang that song for at the cafe the other morning and that song had been dedicated to him by a boy, another doctor at this hotel, his sister was involved in a romantic relationship of some sort with a fellow doctor at this hospital)
xxx
xo - DailyDaisy!!
Pushpa Impossible
CID
127