#2 AsYa FF: 'Mohabbat Zindagi Hai.' *Ch#19 Coming Soon* - Page 35

Originally posted by: kabhi_asya

Interesting storyline...

Nice update...

Originally posted by: Imqueenofmylife

Amazing update

Originally posted by: AisiDeewangi

Nice update...well written

Originally posted by: taahir004

I'm truly sorry for such late reply

the Chapter was just Fabulous

I'm really looking forward to knowing all of Zoya's past

Originally posted by: Linsie

emotional...

what a ride for both...

if only asad get back his memory...

zoya past...

thanks for the pm...

Hello everyone!

Hope you all are doing good.

I am sorry for the deadly delay like always.

Thanks to all those who appreciated my work and waited patiently.

Here is part 18.

Hope you all like it!

HAPPY READING!

------ DON'T MISS THE IMPORTANT NOTE AT THE END -------

Banner Credits: -Koeli_Appi-

Chapter #18

The whole mansion echoed with the slamming of door as an extremely frustrated Asad pulled Zoya in his room. “Zoe what’s even wrong with you? What were you doing?”He yelled as soon the door was closed. He was angry, not just angry he was enraged. Zoya stared at him in confusion, what has she done? She was just talking to one of her male classmate when he had all of a sudden hugged her. Before she could comprehend anything Asad had pushed that guy away and dragged home. But what was wrong with him? She could see his red eyes evidence of his anger and frustration. Stepping closer to him she held his arm rubbing it trying to calm him. “What happened?” She questioned slowly still rubbing his arm soothing him and felt his muscles all of a sudden relaxing with his face turning towards her. His expression changed from stressed and annoyed to guilt and frustration. Removing her hold on him he slumped against the couch.Passing his hands through his hairs roughly he took a hold of his forehead covering his face. Zoya knelt beside him getting a hold of his hands uncovering his face. “I will understand. Just share it with me.” She whispered slowly drawing soft patterns on his hands with her thumb. Staring at her with his bloodshot dark orbs he couldn’t help but loose it. Zoya felt him engulfing her in a bone crushing hug as a tear rolled down in his eyes.

“I am tired.I can’t fight it. I tried… I promise I tried Zoe but it is increasing day by day, second by second. I can’t. I am not strong enough. I just can’t do it anymore.” Asad unloaded himself as he dipped his face more into her hairs inhaling her vanilla scent. She remained silent letting him loose himself. One thing that was major in their friendship was their capability to recognize the time of speaking and staying silent. Now was time to just stay silent and listen.“I… can’t ignore it anymore. I am sorry so sorry.” Zoya could bet at that moment that she felt wetness on her shoulder. “Just let it out.”Suggesting him this she caressed his hairs. Feeling his hold loosening she let him move back slightly to only face his vulnerable eyes; first time she felt him to be an absolute mess. Her always strong friend was getting weak and vulnerable. Asad removed the curtain her hairs to only see her calm yet worried face. She could see him having a tug of war inside. Cupping his already close face she breathed out, “I can see its eating you from inside. Let it go…Whatever it is I am there to understand. Just let it out of yourself.”

In response all he could do was slowly raise his contemplating hand to cup her face by now she had removed her hands and was waiting for him to speak something. “You promise that you will understand?” He mumbled in his hoarse voice still unsure. “Zoe doesn’t back out from her words.” She assured confidently eyeing him in challenge. “Forgive me….” Asad apologized snaking an arm around her waist which she didn’t acknowledged as she was busy interpreting his words while frowning at him. Before her mind and lips could coordinate Asad had softly placed his lips above her making her freeze on the spot. Her hand instantly moved to his shoulder to push him as he slowly sucked over her lower lip. “I will understand…” Her words rang in her mind making her stop before she could push him. Asad’s grip on her waist had tightened as he pulled her in his lap without breaking the kiss. His hand now gripping her hairs gently as she gripped over his white cotton shirt. Her eyes closed after she saw a tear rolling down his cheek. Her virgin lips could do nothing but stay immobile until he slowly parted away from her making both gasp for breath.

Asad immediately sat on the bed trying to stable his raged breaths. It was again a dream about Zoe but this time he got another perspective. Frustrated with the incomplete dream he turned to have a glass of water. But luck wasn’t in his favor according to him as he saw the empty jug. He groaned before moving out of the bed to only have a look of the clock present in his room. It was 2:30 a.m. Sighing he moved to the kitchen to make himself a cup of coffee after drinking water. It was useless for him to even think that he will be able to sleep after the dream he had.Thus, he preferred to have a cup of coffee to at least soothe his wrecking nerves. “Maybe Ammi is right. I should not let these dreams hover over me.”He tried to calm himself sipping his coffee making a way to his room. But the opened door to backyard caught his eye and his senses became alert. Still far he remembers he had himself closed all the doors before going to bed.

Slowly and steadily he made his way to the backyard to see someone, precisely a girl, sitting on the bench. Moving closer he defined that the girl was no one other than Helen. But what the hell was she doing out here at this time of night? Taking a look of his surrounding he made his way next to her. He was surprised to see that she wasn’t even aware of her surroundings else she is always way too alert. Coming in front of her he noticed her damp cheeks and lost eyes. Without making any comment he sat beside her; one thing he can never see is anyone’s pain, especially someone related to him or his family. “I believe you need someone with you right now.”After a long silence he finally preferred to break it.

Helen snapped out of her invisible world as soon she heard his comment. Acknowledging that it was Asad she instantly wiped her tears. “What are you doing here?” Helen questioned after quickly composing herself. Staring at her for a minute he scoffed, “Shouldn't it be me asking that to you?” With that the silence again prevailed but this time Helen broke it. “On a serious note why are you awake at this time of night… well technically morning?” Asad sighed in response contemplating whether he should tell her the real reason or not.

Well it felt lame that there was a girl in his life to whom he has forgotten out of nowhere. She most probably was his best friend with who after tonight he thinks it was not just friendship.But dream aren’t always true or memories? It can be a figment of his imagination. The flashes of his dream crossed his mind, especially this kiss,and he came to a final ultimatum. There was something major he has been missing throughout, something which everyone including him isn’t able to acknowledge.The kiss was too real to be just a figment. It was so him. Zoe can’t be just his dream girl.

“Back to earth Mr. Khan.”Helen pinched him after noticing him zoned out. Mr. Khan. These two words held the capability to mess with his mind more than anything else. It brought one name in his mind that was wild and prominent enough to push every single damn thing out. Zoya Farooqi. “Don’t call me that.” He grunted. Asad refused to admit but from the time Zoya has started to call her this he has started to hate it. It was like a taunt or a line for him which she has drawn. Mr. Khan. So professional and…. Pathetic. “Why? Reminds you of someone?” Helen teased winking at him annoying him further. She is just like her friend come boss, but of course a lot more easy to talk to and warm. “Yeah reminds me of someone who is missing for more than a month.” He mocked sobering Helen up. He couldn’t help it.

Yes he couldn’t help but show his displeasure on Zoya’s absence. Sometimes he feels like he is responsible for her disappearing all of sudden but then her words from the letter echo in his mind. And the fact that his question is still unanswered bugged him more. He,of course, clearly remembers that night.

“Can we be friends Zoya?” He had asked directly without beating any bush around. She was apart of his family; that person of the family who according to him suffered more than she shows. She had stood still without turning towards him letting silence overcome their distance. It was not an awkward or comfortable silence it was just silence. A few second later she had turned partially staring at him with unfathomable expression. Plus, as always her always blank and cold eyes.Sometimes he wondered how anyone’s eye can be this blank. She just stared and stared making him shift from one shoe to another. He visibly saw her sigh out loud before raking a hand through her hairs. “Her signature mark!” he realized. Shaking her head she left the place. No words. No reaction. The shaking of her head wasn’t in the form of refusing but it wasn’t really in acceptance either. Groaning and sighing he closed the first aid box mumbling, “Great one Asad Khan. You couldn’t do this any better.”

The next thing followed up was the family getting to know about Zoya disappearing after leaving a hand written note. Basically informing the family about her departure and cooling them down in her way. “I know she left but I am sure there must be something.”Helen defended Zoya’s side as Asad expected. She is doing this for the past one month in which Zoya hasn’t even dropped a single message. He has seen her sometimes talking to someone on call worrying about Zoya. In this span he has bonded with Helen quite well since she was staying with them as per Zoya's instruction in the note. And during this time one thing he was sure of now was that Helen truly cared for Zoya a lot. She even once tried to crack Zoya’s location but whom were they kidding. Zoya was master in whatever she did failing them.

“By any chance were the tears for her?” Asad again couldn’t help but let his curiosity get better of him. It wasn’t usual to see someone sitting alone and shedding tears. It was either caused by hurt or guilt or missing someone. At the moment it felt like Helen was hurt and missing someone. The moment Asad asked the question Helen’s eyes have went glassy. “Partially.” She whispered blinking her eyes trying to blink her tears away. “You don’t need to hide them. It’s fine to cry. You are a human.And if you want to share you can trust me.” He tried to sooth her with her words to only watch few tears escaping her eyes. All of a sudden his gut feelings began to kick alerting him about upcoming revelations. Helen again has begun to stare at nothing leaving him with no choice but wait.

“I met Zoya in my college when I was almost 19. She was a quiet and isolated person. She wouldn’t talk,participate and interact with anyone. Allergic to humans that’s what everyone use to think about her because even after having everything she just, don't know why, didn’t communicate until necessary. I was no special to her either.”Asad smiled as Zoya turned out to be the way he expected her to be. It wasn't surprising to know this for him; now at least. But there was more to Helen's story and he could swear that he was gripped.

“There was a time when we both got an IT project together. I was heavily annoyed and without a second thought I had confessed my irritation to her. I wasn’t at fault completely there to be honest. She was a new student and who knew how she was as a student. I was an average student so I wanted a partner better than me. But well I got the newsgirl. I remember saying her directly that I am not interested in doing the project with her. She had ignored me and with that my bratty behavior took the lead. I didn’t even bother to try coordinating with her for the project. It wasn't even important, that’s what I believed. The day of submission was heavy one. I got to know that my internal grades depended on that project. But I was saved. Zoya had submitted the project from both of us. However I never thanked for her that… but I got something for her that day.” Asad nodded getting her point. It was a little surprising but not shocking. He saw as Helen observed silence the little smile on her face vanished. Something was wrong, the reason for her silent tears was just coming and he could feel the surroundings becoming cold. And if he was being highly optimistic and wishful he felt it to be somehow related to Zoya. “What happened later?” He questioned after a long pause.

Helen sucked a deep breath as afresh pool of tears began to pour down her eyes. She just wished that Zoya was around her at this time of year. She has been there since the time things changed for her. “My father died in an accident. My mother fell into depression and my…” She paused as she felt her breath choking. “Your...?” Asad encouraged her. “It took me months to come over my father’s death. In those few months Zoya and I interacted a little. At first I never understood what she used to say… She was weird. Her words use to fly over my head.” Asad couldn’t help but mutter, “Who knows it better than me.” Helen however continued, “But when I began to understand it was too late. My….My younger sister had fallen into wrong company. I remember Zoya’s awakening words for me.”

“You are a stupid fool. I am sure you’re a disappointment to your father. I guess soon your mother and sister both will meet him but you will be still here just crying like a f**king baby. And trust me your sister won’t meet him in a good condition. She is going to be f**ked hard by life and thugs around her. Stay lost and always be a disappointment. I am done with your water work sh*t.” Helen narrated her words which were freshly embedded in her mind. Asad on the other hand shook his head at Zoya’s harsh words. His mind just replayed all of her interactions and without realizing he blurted out what came into his mind at first only. “She for sure has done diploma in using harsh words.” He commented making Helen chuckle for the first time in whole while. She just turned towards him shaking her head at his judgments towards Zoya. “She is not what she shows Asad. I wouldn’t have been alive if she wasn’t there in that dark for me.” Asad sighed hearing her praising Zoya again. He was literally tired of hearing her praises when he can’t even see a bit of reality in them. “Who saves someone life by risking their own life Asad? Which girl takes the risk of getting raped to only save a stranger’s sister?” Asad’s eyes were struck to Helen the moment she said the word rape. Instantly the faces of his sisters flashed in front of his eyes, his hand immediately curled into a fist. He can never imagine any such thing happening to any of his sister. “I clearly remember that night when everything around me changed once again post a year of my father’s death. I was at Zoya’s place as we were working on another project yet again.” Her mind drowned into the valley of past, the reason she is indebted to Zoya for her whole life. Asad gripped on the bench hard as Helen began and there a chunk of Zoya’s life began to unfold.

Helen typed on the laptop as Zoya worked on the 3D version of their burglar alarm system. The air between them was thick since the time Zoya has used those words for her.Helen wasn’t ready to forgive her until she apologizes. She was really hurt by the choice of words she chose. Without saying anything Zoya stood up and went towards her room leaving her to relax. “Bitch.” She cursed shaking her head to only hear giggles behind her. “Sehar I can’t believe you are her cousin. I mean girl you both are just opposites.” Helen exasperated as she took the juice Sehar offered. But Sehar couldn’t help but laugh at her. “Stop it. She was really rude and hasn’t even bothered to apologize.” Saying this her eyes were ready to start their water work.

Seeing her getting teary Sehar immediately stopped laughing at her and sat beside her. “Don’t mind her words Helen. She is really more of a fun loving person… Just that she doesn’t let anyone in now. But she isn’t bad.” Sehar consoled her patting her shoulder. Helen sniffed one last time before she gained a control and smiled. She wasn’t someone to hold grudges. “Yeah I believe it. She has saved my ass. Once.” They were talking about Zoya and discussing about Zoya and keeping her names. They would have carried on but the ringing of Zoya’s phone stopped them. Sehar called Zoya but she didn’t respond so Helen passed the phone to her only. “C?” Helen asked confused after reading the caller’s name while Sehar just shrugged her shoulder. “Hello? Anyone there??Hello?” Sehar asked continuously but she heard no voice or reply.Frustrated she turned the speaker on but still no reply. “Hello I can’t hear you.” She tried again but no one heard and the line dropped dead confusing them.

Before she could keep the phone the down it rang again. Sehar kept it on speaker and before she could say anything Zoya took it from her darting her accusing look.“Hello…” As soon Zoya said her greetings they heard the sound of sobs and a cry, “Zoya.” Immediately checking her phone Zoya saw it on speaker and the caller’s ID. She glanced at Helen and as she expected Helen had recognized the owner of the voice. “Clara?” She mumbled and looked at Zoya who was already eyeing her. “Everything okay?” Zoya questioned turning her back at Helen. She did not turn the speaker off as Clara’s voice was on her focus right now. “Zoya… Save me please.” Clara sobbed and Helen’s heart clenched in pain. She could feel the seriousness of situation.

Zoya was faster to react as she immediately picked up her car keys. “Where are you?”Zoya questioned collecting her wallet while Helen and Sehar followed her. “His…His place.” She sobbed as Zoya’s gritted her teeth yelling, “What the f**k are you doing there? I told you to not even step in a mile to him.”Helen clutched Sehar’s hand tightly fearing her sister’s security. She could hear her sister sobbing and hiccuping at the same time. Sehar however stayed strong comforting her assuring her. “I am sorry…. You were right… He….” They heard the loud banging of door from behind instilling a raw tension in them. “Zoya please… Save me… Save me…” Clara sobbed and if Helen wasn’t wrong she knew that her little sister must be shivering in fear. “First calm down. Tell me his address fast…” Zoya asked raking a hand through her hairs frustrated.

Before they could hear her reply the call dropped and there was an uncomforting silence. Zoya slammed a jar straight on the floor cursing the whole universe while Helen slumped on the ground in shock and fear. “Get angry later you…. Do something…” Sehar yelled at Zoya tensed while Zoya just glared back at her.“I bloody know that.” Zoya shouted while immediately dialing Rehan’s number. While walking towards the door she turned towards Helen. “Hey Ms.Cry baby we gotta talk once I come back. So get your shit together before I return with your equally dumb sister.” With that she turned towards her call waiting for Rehan to pick up the call. “I am coming at your place and you better be down before I even reach.” That was all they heard from Zoya before she had disappeared out of the door leaving behind a tensed Sehar and broken Helen.

Helen ran as fast as she could as soon the driver stopped the car in front of the hospital.It had been five hours since Zoya had gone and now she called her to the hospital. She tried inquiring about Clara from the reception but failed. Maybe they had gotten her here under some other name. “Helen… This way!” She heard Rehan’s voice making her turn and move with him. “Is Clara okay?? What happened to her??” She asked questions to which he replied in positively. “She is fine just unconscious as doctor medicated her.” Rehan informed walking beside her. “Why unconscious? Did…. Did something wrong happen?” She asked with a thumping heart fearing his reply. Rehan stilled before giving her a look which Helen couldn’t intercept. “Nothing happened right??” Helen asked again scared of his weird silence. She saw his fist clenching before he shook his head in negative slowly diverting his eyes from her. It was a lie. “Don’t lie to me. Tell me did… did he raped her??” She took his arm in hold facing him.

Rehan sighed he was really bad at lying. “Tell her the truth Rehan. She is her sister.”Helen whipped towards Zoya as soon she heard her voice. She took in her appearance and all negative thoughts began to cloud her mind. Zoya’s arm and left hand was covered in bandage. There were little prints of blood on her shirt making her think the worst. All of a sudden she felt like vomiting as her insides churned. “And Sehar is your sister.” Rehan gritted to only receive a cold stare from Zoya. “The terror has been inflicted and due to the imbalance of her mind doctor has injected her so she could sleep. That’sit. You can visit her if you want to.” Helen knew Zoya was trying her best to choose the fine words in her vocabulary to explain the horrifying sight. She didn’t know whether to thank her for saving Clara from the permanent pain or cry for the emotional effect over her sister. “What happened to your arm?”Helen asked worriedly as she saw Zoya wince as she slightly turned her arm. At this point she missed the look on Rehan’s face as he turned his back at them. “Nothing important.” She whispered as she bid her bye to her and left for her place while Rehan stayed for the night along with Helen. But Zoya’s words before leaving left her bothered. “Your sister is still a virgin Helen but she has to face few fruits of her mistake.” Helen had asked Rehan about what exactly happened but he ended the talk by one sentence only. “What had to happen happened, now forget it.”

“After that moment we never talked about it. Zoya got Clara shifted over her place since Clara refused to leave Zoya. She would always cry out to her. My mother also shifted with her.But after two months only my sister committed suicide as she couldn’t come over the fear Asad. At that time again Zoya was there with me and my mother.”Asad sat frozen and tried to recall hearing anything regarding this from his Badi Ammi but no he hasn’t. As if understanding his hunt for clue Helen said, “No one over here knows.” He nodded still stuck on few points. “You can ask anything if you are confused about something.” Helen offered seeing him contemplating.

“Why do I feel that something more happened but you aren’t telling me?” Asad without any hesitation exposed his doubt. He was a very curious cat. If any quote can define him it would “Curiosity kills the cat.” Helen chuckled at his question. “I know and I also feel the same but Rehan and Zoya never told anyone about what happened in there. We didn’t even attend the court hearings as Zoya and Rehan took care of them.” Helen told him. Asad frowned in response.

“Did Clara ever tell you something?” Asad questioned to earn a negative response from Helen. He sighed ready to have another mystery bother him. “But there was one thing that confirmed my doubt of something hidden.” Helen mumbled. Asad turned towards her completely giving her his undivided attention. “Clara always used to have nightmares of that night but rather than waking up crying she would wake up screaming Zoya’s name. And Zoya would never let anyone enter the room after that. But for once I had peeked and saw hugging Clara calming her and consoling her. However, I never heard anything of what she, Clara and Rehan talked when together.” Asad nodded with various possibilities running through his mind.But for now he chucked them off. It must be because Zoya saved her and was there with her, he had concluded. But he couldn’t ignore the bugging feelings inside him.

“So is Clara’s birthday coming or death anniversary?” Asad asked as he saw Helen wiping her face for the last time. “Death anniversary.” She whispered softly. Asad just hummed still not over the harsh part. “You know Asad I have never seen Zoya loose her calm other than few rare times. And when I see her angry I can’t help myself but to feel sad. But since the time we have come to India she is changed. I have always seen her responsible, calm and composed but over here she is a wacko.” Asad just chuckled and he was thinking that Zoya was a wacko since forever. Helen also chuckled lightly getting his point. She was feeling better after letting these things out of her system to someone other than Zoya. And she never talked to Zoya about it Zoya would just read her.

“Okay so why are you awake at this time?” Helen asked after a while bringing back his confusing dream and kiss. Helen saw him sighing putting his now empty coffee mug aside. “Hey you can trust me.” Helen assured making Asad loose it. “How about having some more coffee?” Asad accepted Helen’s offer as they moved towards the kitchen. After a while they were back to lawn sipping onto their hot coffees. “So now shoot.” Helen said as soon they settled down. “Well… I… I just ended up kissing a girl I use to think was just my friend until tonight.” Helen nodded hearing him, taking a sip she asked for the name. “Zoe.” And there Helen spitted the coffee she just sipped while choking. Turning towards him with wide as saucer eyes she whispered, “Zoe?? You kissed Zoe?” She screamed the later part confusing him. “It was my dream Helen and I saw my teenage-self kissing her not me as of now.” He clarified awkwardly. Helen stared at him with wide eyes before swallowing hard and mumbling, “She never told me.” Asad who couldn’t hear it just let it go. Helen had rough idea about his dreams and flashbacks.

CONTINUED BELOW!

“I thought it was just friendship. But after tonight I don’t even know what to call it.” Asad grunted. Helen turned to him after taking a deep dramatic breath. “So who is this Zoe anyways? Why do you get flashbacks regarding her?” She questioned trying to push his mind carefully. Asad stared at her for a while before he sat straight groaning. “I don’t have any answer for it. And whenever I try to think deeper about it I end up having a headache.” Helen heard his frustrating reply as she planned her next reply. “By any chance you ever had an accident which caused any sort of amnesia or something?” Before Helen could even think about his reply he nodded immediately leaving her agape. “You had…?”She asked stuttering wondering whether Zoya knew about it. She thought he was clueless about his accident.

“I met with an accident when I was 18. I suffered memory loss because of that but I am fine now. I recalled everything within two months. But there is this Zoe thing… No one in the family even knows about it. Sometimes I feel she is a figment of my imagination but how can I create 17 years of a girl’s life? Like I have seen her as a kid, a teenager and then blank.” Helen listened as he let his irritation out.

“Like sometimes I wonder if she was in my life since a kid how can I forget her? But then I come up with no answer. I even asked Ammi about her but she avoids answering it like a plague.Doctor says let it go with the flow and I am… But recently everything is taking a toll.” Helen chuckled inwardly as she heard him asking the same question to himself which she asked to Zoya. Asad sighed loudly raking his hand through his hairs reminding Helen of Zoya. “Both must have adapted it from each other.” She thought smiling secretly.

“So what’s the status of her existence for you? Is she still a figment for you or…” Helen trailed off as Asad cut her mid-off only. “She is real. I was wondering about it since months. But tonight I am confirmed that she is not just my imagination.”Asad declared it making Helen take a sigh of relief. He wasn’t that dumb as much she thought of him to be. His family kept him in darkness due to his health issues otherwise she has seen the way Dilshad loves Zoya. Every day she asks her about her whereabouts and Razia’s love and worry for her is visible in the way she always gets lost during sitting somewhere only. She has seen Gaffur secretly wiping his tears on the mention of Zoya too. “Ever doubted someone to be Zoe?” She introspected further genuinely wanting to help him and specially Zoya.

This kiss revelation has left her boggled up without a doubt but she has seen Zoya’s excitement to meet Asad after years. She saw as Asad stiffened and hesitating again. Without a further thought she said what came first in mind, “Is it Zoya?” Asad stared at Helen as she easily asked it. Was it difficult for him only to even consider Zoya as Zoe? He turned his face away from Helen as he began to ponder about Zoya and Zoe’s similarities and differences.

“Only her.” Asad breathed out. “Her words and actions are so contradicting from Zoe yet so similar. Same hate for their father. Same love for Ammi. But Zoe was calm as ocean and Zoya is fierce like fire. Zoe was open like a book, her emotions and thoughts were clearly written on her face but Zoya is a mystery in herself only. Zoe always had warmth and love in her eyes and well Zoya… her eyes are like a blank page. Keep staring at them but you won’t be able to retrieve any information.” Helen was smiling in surprise as Asad was telling her about Zoe, somewhere she was happy to know about the old Zoya. “Zoe seems cute to me.” Helen confessed after a while staring at her feet. Asad smiled in response, a sweet dimpled smile. “She is cute as anything in this world.” He agreed. “And Zoya is hot as lava!” Helen added with a laugh creating a vacuum inside Asad. Without a doubt, Zoya was hot. She was everything a man desires with curves at perfect places. But he would not ever confess it; it was against his reputation and ego.

“Zoe never used profanity and…”Asad again started his comparison to avoid answering Helen.

“And Zoya wakes up uttering the golden words.” Helen joined with her sarcasm.

“Zoe is a mess queen…” Asad stopped letting Helen continue.

“And Zoya is an organized robot.”Both chuckled at this.

“Zoe is not at all a morning person…” Asad recollected from this flashbacks.

“And Zoya wakes up even before the roosters.” Helen groaned out in pain as she always has felt it to be a ridiculously good habit she refused to adopt.

“Zoe uses her heart in making decisions…”

“And Zoya calls it an organ just to pump blood.” Both sighed at this.

“Zoe is clumsy…” Asad chuckled out as every dream and flashback replayed in front his eyes.

“And Zoya is straight as a wood stick.” Asad stared at Helen hearing her comparisons for Zoya but she was too engrossed laughing at things that she didn’t notice.

“Zoe is just Zoe…” Asad ended it not being able to draw any more habit of Zoe.

“And Zoya is Zoe.” Helen said in flow to only widen her eyes later in realization. Immediately snapping her neck towards Asad she saw his already widened curious eyes. She couldn’t take a risk with his health and with that thought she used his words only, “You think so right?” She saw as Asad released his breath at that with his muscles relaxing. She sighed internally and made a note to self to be careful onward. Asad who was frozen at the spot when Helen said those words also sighed.

“Arghhh…! Both mess my mind so bad!” Asad yelled in frustration making Helen chuckle at the irony of situation. They were comparing a single person only with just age difference.And that only person is messing with his peace in both dreams and real world too. She could see that Asad has started to care for Zoya and was always curious to know more about her. She smiled as her eyes dropped onto his locket,Zoya’s gift to him. “Isn’t it weird that you don’t recall who exactly who Zoe is to you but her gift has been with you for years? Why you forgot about her only Asad? Was she so easy for you to forget?” Helen thought as her insides twisted with pain for Zoya. Zoya may not tell her the reason of going away but she knows that it is somewhere connected to Asad only.

“You should try to be with Zoya more than. You see if her presence is helping you remember things then why not try to befriend her? I am sure she will help you.” Helen suggested to only listen Asad’s scoff followed by another revelation. “You think I am so dumb to not realize it? I asked her to be friends but she disappeared after few hours only.I mean isn’t it obvious that I want to know what type of bond I shared with her before she went to US. I have not even a single memory that can help me regarding our bond. But I don’t know what hatred or dislike she has for me.She avoids me like plague.” Helen stared at him for a while with anger bubbling inside her. This guy always makes her doubt why Zoya was so close to him. At such moments she feels so jealous of him that despite his judgments towards Zoya he is so close to her heart. She forced herself to stay silent to come back with a curt reply, “She hates you so much that she forced herself to shut up once Dilshad aunty gave her your swear? You are such a pig Asad.”She ended up bursting a little clearly giving Asad a shut up call. She has always desired to be Zoya’s friend and secret keeper but never for once Zoya took her help. Instead Zoya always helped her and now watching a guy Zoya calls her friend proudly talking like this burns her like hell. “That’s the only thing I am confused about Helen.” Asad snapped back rather than staying silent. She stared at him confused for a while before taking a deep breath calming herself down. Anger never benefits anyone thus calming down first is the best option.

“And why is that so?” Helen asks once calm enough to have a conversation. “See at one side she silently walks over my proposal for friendship and on the other hand she gives me those caring vibes. Why the hell is your boss so confused Helen? Can’t she just decide what she wants from me?” Asad who has not calmed down growled again at her. He was beyond frustrated now as Helen reminded him again of things he wanted to forget so badly. Helen stayed silent finally understanding his pov a little though. “Spend some time with her and you will get to know her better.You won’t become friends with someone all of a sudden right? And we both do have a clue by now that Zoya has a past which we both have no idea about. She is Zoya Asad not some random girl. So you cannot expect her to jump on you like other girls?” She winked at him making Asad smile a little. He nodded trying to end this topic which Helen understood through his nod only. “Would you ponder over a suggestion of mine?” Helen asked as she saw him ready to leave. He nodded indicating he can try. “Try to read her before judging her. I am saying this because I have done the same mistake as you earlier and suffered by losing my sister. She is just a human at the end Asad.” She ended standing followed by Asad. They went inside ready to hit their beds for couple of hours since it was already half past four of morning.

“And Asad...” Helen called out as soon he began to move towards his room. “Thank you for listening tome tonight. I really needed someone.” Helen thanked him sincerely passing him a smile. “Pleasure is all mine since you trusted me.” He responded back positively smiling at her. “When Zoya can trust you why can’t I?”Helen questioned turning towards her room leaving behind a surprised Asad. “Headache..!”He muttered before moving towards his room.

Once in the confines of his room he sighed loudly scratching his forehead. The talk he had with Helen has helped him and made him more curious about Zoya. Shaking his head he went towards his wardrobe planning for a shower. He was ready to close its door when his eyes fell onto the neatly folded paper, Zoya’s letter, to be authentic. Putting his clothes back he picked the letter to read it for the umpteenth time.

For Mr. Khan,

Take care of the family specially Ammi and Humaira. I will be back within 45 days. And assure Ammi that I will be safe and sound. Helen will stay with you people.

IF any emergency: +1 21845712254 (only for you to contact)

Z. Farooqi.

“What are you Zoya Farooqi?”He grumbled under the shower as water flowed down his taut body easing him down. It was day 43 and with no message or contact from her side he was beginning to worry. He knew she can take a very good care of herself to be alive but her impulsive behavior was keeping him at an edge. Her wounded hand,her blood covered body flashed on the curtains of his closed eyes. An irritated cry escaped his mouth he tiredly opened his eyes. His life was becoming a treasure of confusions and frustrations nothing else. And the key to it was Zoya Farooqi only.

As he stepped out of his room drying his hairs his eyes fell onto the wall on which he was pinned by Zoya only. He chuckled remembering the way he had blackmailed her to come into Aman & Amal’s wedding. But he had thought that he blackmailed her but in actual he had not. She came on her own will but let him think that he blackmailed her. He again stared at the wall drowning back into the memory lane. Today was the day of memories only for him.

“Stay silent or else we both will be in trouble.” Zoya whispered into his ear as she saw him opening his mouth to say something. Asad glared at her before darting a predatory gaze towards the shadow emerging from his bathroom. Someone was inside in his bathroom and he wasn’t even aware of that. He couldn’t help but remove Zoya’s hold onto him as he decided to confront the intruder. But before he could do that Zoya had gripped onto his neck pinning him more into the wall with the revolver pointed to his forehead. Though her eyes were struck onto the shadow’s movement her hands proved that she was alert about him too.

Sighing he toned down as he knew that Zoya was already prepared for it and him intruding might cause issues. Zoya loosened her grip around his neck as soon his body language changed. Glancing at him she pointed towards the shadow approaching towards them, basically the exit. “Don’t do any stupidity.” She once again whispered but this time coming much closer to prevent any mistake. And he nodded readily though he wanted to snap at her for considering him that dumb. But for now his focus was on the intruder only. It was a man and he could bet on that.

Asad glanced at Zoya who checked the silencer once last time before they saw the man coming out in the view oblivious to their presence. His eyes widened a little as Zoya loaded the revolver ready to shoot him. He grabbed her arm intending to catch her attention towards him but unfortunately caught the attention of the intruder too. Before he could even realize what was happening Zoya had shot the guy on his hand. As soon the guy was shot his gun fell onto the floor with a thud and blood began to pour over it.

The intruder had fallen onto the ground crying in pain causing him a little bit of unsettlement unlike Zoya who stood unfazed. “Come inside.” Zoya ordered on the phone and in a blink the door of his room opened revealing Helen along with two bulky men; guards. “James remove his shirt.” Zoya ordered one of the men while putting her revolver aside completely ignoring Asad. He was just a silent spectator to all of it as Zoya kept her eyes set on the intruder.“Who sent you to die?” Zoya questioned the man roughly as James removed his shirt more like tore his shirt. He has to be some criminal with the way his body was scarred. Asad saw as Helen scanned his bare upper half before shaking her head at Zoya. Zoya gritted her teeth as her hand reached back to her revolver. The man had kept his silence not uttering a word before Zoya once again questioned him. Asad closed his eyes as he saw Zoya coldly instill another bullet on his body but this time his foot. The man cried out loud in pain ready to fall again when both guards held him tightly making him beg for forgiveness. “Stop it Zoya! He will die like this.” Asad held her hand immediately as he saw her ready to shoot him again. He glared at Helen who stood still not interrupting at Zoya and her business.

“Take him and make sure he opens his mouth till sunrise. Else serve him these bullets only.” Zoya ordered making Asad frown again. But before he could object onto her the men left leaving only him, Zoya and Helen. “No police?”Asad asked bewildered. What does this girl even thinks of herself to be? Zoya once again ignored him signaling Helen towards the blood and soon she left too.“Don’t tell anyone about it. Everyone will get worried unnecessarily.”Zoya spoke to him as she turned to leave. Asad, however, held her hand raising his brows at her. “Bother to explain this to me? How can you just shoot him like that?” He questioned with everything sinking deeper and deeper into him. Zoya stared at him for few seconds before boggling Asad with her reply. “And let him shoot you? Are you nuts or what?” He couldn’t help but gape at her before coming back at her. “We both were in front of him. So he wouldn’t have killed me.” Everything around was taking a toll over him now. He couldn’t help but wonder whether there was anything normal about this girl.

“As if I would have let him...!” Zoya scoffed at him before everything subsided into silence. It was broken by Helen’s knock at the door to clean the blood as Zoya didn’t want anyone to know about this encounter. “You are coming to the wedding.” Asad declared as he recalled her order to him and Razia’s conversation with Gaffur about her attending the reception. “I already told Ammi that I am not.” Zoya informed him while helping Helen with removal of blood. “I wasn’t asking you. I was telling you. And in case you say No I am telling Badi Ammi about this encounter.” Asad played his card to see her tightened jaw and dark eyes. “You will not dare to.” She threatened menacingly coming closer to him. Asad shrugged his shoulder, “Try me Ms. Farooqi.” He smirked at her enraging her further. Helen by now had left his room with the room back to its original state. No one could even think that something as such would have happened just few minutes ago in the same room. “I will think about it.” And with that she also left his room leaving a flabbergasted Asad behind. He expected her to fight a little more over it. But Zoya Farooqi and her weird mind always out stands his. Shaking his head he headed back to his bed though he knew sleep was far away from his eyes.

Asad sighed as he twisted and turned in the bed waiting for sleep to invade his mind. After the constant wait of half an hour he realized that sleep has also disowned him due to presence of Zoya in his mind. “Just one call or message wouldn’t be an issue. Right?”He made his mind as he dialed the number Zoya left for him and which he hadn’t shared with anyone, not even Helen. He baited as the phone continued to ring on the opposite side. Just when he was about to give up and cut call he heard it,he heard her hoarse voice. “Hello.” He had not realized that he was holding his breath until he released it once she picked up the phone. For a few seconds there was only silence as he felt awkwardness engulfing him. It was clear from her voice that he woke her up from sleep.

“Asa… Mr. Khan?” He heard her addressing him in full senses now. A part of him suddenly eased out as he felt her next to the phone. She was fine and that assurance was enough to unwind him.

“How are you?” He finally asked though it was not above a whisper.

“I am fine. What about you?”She simply replied to him with no sarcasm or coldness and that shook him. He was surprised that they were having a proper civil conversation.

“Well same here.” And once again silence prevailed. He waited for her to at least put forward one taunt for disturbing her sleep but nothing came like he expected. She was silent.

“When are you coming back Zoya?”Asad at last broke the silence to only hear her chuckle slight at the other end.

“Missing me already?” She was smirking and he could bet on that.

“Your wish Ms. Farooqi.” And once again she chuckled. A smile involuntarily paved its way on his face.

“I will be back soon Mr. Khan. 45 days aren’t over yet.” Zoya reminded him making him frown. Was she serious about returning in between forty five days? But it was already day 43 and there was no symptom showing her return.

“Take care of yourself. Badi Ammi is really worried about you.” He couldn’t help but saying it to her.

“I know.”

“I will let you sleep then. Bye.”He tried to end the call as he found nothing else to talk about.

“Mr. Khan…” She called him out.

“Yes…” He replied.

“Don’t leave Helen alone at night.” Asad smiled as he saw the glimpse of Zoya Helen talks about. So Zoya Farooqi was at the end a caring person.

“I won’t. Anything else?” He assured her, smiling because of her for the first time.

“Take care of yourself too.”Asad froze on his spot as his smile vanished along with his tightening on the phone. And with that the call ended. Closing his eyes in exasperation he sighed at another disturbing element for him. There was something in Zoya’s affection for him that bugged and relaxed him at the same time. He feels that depth in her words whenever she talks to him. Like something is there which they both shared but he forgot and with his speculation of her being Zoe he couldn’t help but be affected more. From day one she has clearly shown his importance for her but then she also undoes it. Why was she confusing for him? With these thought she laid down and sleep finally walked into his system.

Everyone in the Siddiqui Mansion settled on the dining table for breakfast as Dilshad along with few servants arranged the table. Where everyone else including Helen was fresh Asad was rubbing his eyes and fighting to stay awake. “Asad it’s your fifth cup of coffee but you are still so sleepy. Didn’t you sleep last night?” Razia questioned him bringing him the refilled cup. Asad bowed his head down embarrassed as everyone’s attention turned towards him. “Asad are you having headache again?” Dilshad instantly was next to him worried about his health. She placed her hand on his forehead checking to feel any sign of fever. “No Ammi. I just didn’t sleep last night.” Asad eased her making her go back onto her seat. Razia however kept her gaze intact on him still wanting answer while Asad fought to keep his eyes open. “And why you didn’t sleep last night?” Gaffur asked sipping his tea.

For Gaffur Asad was like Zoya’s kind of belonging to which he couldn’t help but just love. He always felt connected to Zoya through him. But more than that Asad healed the pain inside him of losing his child. And without a doubt Asad was more close to him than any of the kids excluding Zoya. Asad who was still drowsy took another sip of coffee before replying in unconsciousness, “Zoya…!” Everyone stilled as their attention shifted to Asad solely once again. “Zoya? Did she contact you? How is she? Is she fine? Where did she even go?” Razia bombarded him with questions finally awakening him. He frowned at her as he sipped his coffee again wondering why they were asking him about Zoya. “Why are you asking me about her? How would I know?” Helen gawked at him along with everyone. “Bhai you just said Zoya in reply to why you didn’t sleep last night…” Ayaan trailed off as he saw realization sinking into Asad. “I meant I was wondering about her since Badi Ammi was tensed, then I was with Helen and when I hit my bed it was already 7 of morning.” He explained though he could say the dejection on the elder’s face. However, Helen raised her brow at him. “But you went to your room at 4:30. Why would you sleep at 7 then?” Asad choked on his coffee before narrowing his eyes at Helen. Humaira witnessed the exchange and frowned, “Is there something to worry about Bhai?” She couldn’t help but ask keeping the encounters of previous month in front of her.

Asad sighed realizing that he has to tell the truth, he couldn’t lie. But what was there to fuss about? As much he loved his family’s care sometimes he get annoyed by it too. And an example for that time was this moment. “I didn’t sleep last night because of my dreams.Then I was with Helen and by the time I returned to my room I was wondering about few things and time just passed. Why are you all fussing over it?” Humaira and Najma excused themselves for college while Ayaan left to his room to get ready for office. He finally joined KC two weeks ago and was determined to prove himself.

Once only Helen and elders were left behind with Asad the air grew tense. “Asad are your dreams getting too much frequent? If you want we can see the doctor today only.” Dilshad suggested worried for him and his constant dreams. Despite the fact that she wanted him to recall Zoya as soon as possible but not at the cost his health. Whenever he tried to force himself remembers things he had suffered unconsciousness for hours and the unbearable headache. Asad sighed placing his cup of coffee back on the exact spot. His OCD was always there even in his unconsciousness. “Ammi I know you are worried but even you know that I am missing a big chunk of my life. I need to see these dreams to know about it. And before you say that Zoe might be just an imagination then no. She isn’t…. After last night I am sure.”He glanced at Helen who was secretly smiling. But not intending to dig deeper into that he concluded it might be due to that kiss. “And Badi Ammi I talked to Zoya. She is fine and she said that she will be back soon.” He at last told them standing up moving towards his room.

Asad would have reached his room soon enough if Helen wouldn’t have stopped him. “Wait you cheat.” Helen had stopped him in the hall only addressing him a cheat… “Cheat and Me?”Asad glared at her as she stood unaffected in front of him. “Yes you… You didn’t tell me that Zoya contacted you.” Helen charged at him while he inexcusably frowned with anger and surprise in him. “First of all I was the one who contacted her. Secondly I talked to her after I left you. Why are you so crazy like your boss?” Asad denied her allegations while Helen huffed and puffed. She was ready to snap back but her phone rang breaking the moment.Glaring at him for the last time she left with her phone. Dilshad and Razia couldn’t help but shake their head at their weirdness. It was a common thing to see Asad fighting with Helen regarding Zoya, he would call her names and Helen would charge back at him with full anger. Helen reminded them of the Zoya whom they remembered. Asad groaned as his head pounded mercilessly with extreme pain. “I am off to bed Ammi.” With that he left massaging in throbbing forehead.Both boss and secretary were a pain in his ass, he concluded.

So how was it?

Hope you all liked it!

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A/N:

Hello there anyone. First of all I am really sorry for keeping you all at wait for so long. But couldn't help it since my first priority will be my studies.

I am planning to shift to wattpad since its more convenient for me. If guys are over there do Follow Me to stay updated. Otherwise I can continue updating here but I will still rewrite the few beginning chapters of this story. Hope you all will lend me your support there too.

Thanks for the love and appreciation.

Stay Tuned!

Till the Next Time,

GOOD BYE!😊

I miss this place!!