Hello! Sorry again for giving you all false hopes with the preview 😅 and making you guys wait so long. Here's the ACTUAL chapter 7, enjoy!
The Heart And The Mind
Chapter 7: When in New York!
Zoya entered her apartment and switched on the lights. Revealing to Asad the most colorful house he'd ever seen! He liked it, to be honest. The color palette was selected nicely. There was a fluffy turquoise L-shaped sofa in the living room, with many pink and blue throw pillows on it. There was no carpet, just a plain maple wood flooring with a few navy blue rugs here and there. But one specific wall caught his attention. It was the wall besides the door to a huge balcony, exactly opposite to the main door. The wall was filled with photos of Zoya. Zoya with her friends, Zoya with Zeenat and Anwar, and Zoya with his family. No, their family.
Asad smiled and went closer to the photos, while Zoya hurried away to change and check the kitchen to get something to eat. There was a photo of Zoya with a guy that caught his attention next. She was draping her arm across his shoulder and laughing. Her dimples stealing the spotlight. How he wanted her to smile like this when he was with her. He wanted to make her laugh and hear the sweet melody all day long.
"Mr Khan!" Zoya called out from the kitchen, breaking him out of his thoughts.
"Yes?" he answered.
"I-I don't have anything in the fridge, are you okay with ordering?"
Asad rolled his eyes and walked to the kitchen. What was she eating then?!
"What are you saying Miss Farooqui how-" Asad stopped in his tracks as he laid eyes on the most desirable sight he'd ever seen. Zoya was wearing denim shorts and a loose, long-sleeved white t-shirt. He guessed she'd taken a quick shower because her hair was wet and set loose over her left shoulder. He gulped and stepped closer to the kitchen counter. Asad's head was dreaming up images of those long, beautiful legs wrapped around him, he was sure he was going to have several sleepless nights now!
"Mr Khan! I'm asking you something!" Zoya said, flailing her arms around to gain his attention. Little did she know his attention was only on her.
Asad blinked several times before he answered, "What?...Oh yeah, sure yeah, w-we can order."
Zoya furrowed her brow in confusion as to why Asad was acting like this. She picked up her phone and dropped down onto the sofa. She sat on the rightmost part of the sofa, where the sofa bent 90 degrees so she was able to straighten her legs out. Making Asad stare at her even more.
He was new to this side of Zoya, the hotter side.
Yep Asad, you just called Zoya 'hot'. Damn, this woman's really changing you! Just freakin' looking at her, she's gorgeous. A beautiful woman with a heart of gold, that's what she is.
Her long legs and the wet hair kissing her cheeks was entirely too much for Asad to handle! He quickly decided to check his phone for any messages from his office.
"Mr Khan, should I order pizza or would you prefer something else?"
"Uhm... pizza's fine." Asad quickly answered without looking at Zoya, because if he did, he'd definitely lose control.
Zoya gaped at Asad. "Allah Miyah! When did you start liking pizza?!"
"Ever since I started liking you." Asad said, tearing his eyes off his phone to look Zoya in the eyes. A beautiful blush crept up her cheeks, Asad got up from his chair and walked towards Zoya. He sat down on the main sofa beside Zoya and gently took her hand in his, his gaze still lost in her eyes. He raised his other hand to caress her petal-soft cheek, which was colored by her blush.
"M-Mr Khan?"
"Hmm?" He hummed in a husky voice.
"You...really like me?" Zoya asked, still unable to believe that Asad had expressed his feelings so easily.
"Yes! Why else would I say it?" Asad placed the hand which was caressing her cheek on their held hands. Deciding in his mind that he would tell her the 'love' part later.
"No it's just, I'm sorry Mr Khan but sometimes I-I have this horrible feeling that, whatever you've been saying and doing it's-it's just out of guilt! And I'm so sorry," Zoya lifted their clamped hands to settle on her lap, which sent shivers down Asad's spine because the back of his hand was touching her smooth thigh. "I'm so sorry, for all the trouble I caused you." Zoya looked up to meet his eyes, which were glistening with tears.
"Zoya...don't you dare apologize for being the best thing that ever happened to me." He said sincerely. Zoya gasped at the statement and laughed sadly.
"So, I'm the best thing that's ever happened to you?"
"Yes."
"Are you sure?" Zoya asked raising a sly brow.
"Yep!" Asad said. Slowly lifting up their hands to his lips. He placed a lingering kiss on the back of Zoya's hand, making her gasp slightly.
"What?" Asad asked, hearing her gasp.
"Nothing..." Zoya said shaking her head.
"Zoya, don't lie. What is it?"
"Mr Khan, you've...changed."
"That I have!" He said smiling, making Zoya a pile of goo.
"N-no I meant, why-why are you so-"
"Romantic?" Asad interjected. Zoya nodded.
"Because..." He kissed their interlocked hands. "I..." He brushed his lips on one of Zoya's knuckles. "Have..." He kissed another knuckle "Fallen..." He moved his lips to her wrist, Zoya's breath hitched. "For you" He kissed the back of Zoya's hand like how a prince does in fairy-tales, and let his lips linger there for a while before crossing his legs on the sofa and looking at Zoya again. She looked shell- shocked. She couldn't believe Asad had voiced his feelings so easily. Here in front of her, was a completely different Asad than she had met with.
"You've, changed so much I- but...how?" She couldn't form a sentence.
"You want the truth?" Asad asked, his eyes boring into hers.
Zoya nodded.
"Well, after you left, I felt like my whole world had come crashing down. Ammi won't talk to me, Najma was also upset. It was like when you left, you took our hearts with you. And, when I bumped into you today, I... I got my heart back Zoya. I've realized, how much we...I need you in my life. I like you Zoya. I really do, and if you ever thought I hated you, I'm so...so sorry. The truth is, I've always liked you. Ever since I saw you in that black shawl in the dargah."
"Y-you saw me?"
"Yes. And I've liked you ever since. But I never got close to you because I was afraid that, I'll hurt you."
Her eyes fluttered a little, she blinked back some tears. Asad expected her to say something to him along the same lines, but Zoya being Zoya, gasped in fake shock when she saw Asad's feet on the sofa. Asad rolled his eyes.
"Allah Miyah! Yeh kya naya ajooba hai?! Asad Ahmed Khan sitting with his feet on the sofa!!" She giggled, but Asad was looking at her intensely.
"Ab kya hua Mr Khan?" She asked sighing.
"You said it." He whispered.
"Wait- said what?" She asked confused.
"You said my name."
"Yeah, I always say your name Mr Khan. What's so special about it?"
"No I mean, you called me by my first name!" Asad was getting impatient.
"Oh! Did I? Huh, I didn't realize. Anyways, I'll go make us some hot chocolate to drink till the pizza arrives!" She said chirpily.
Zoya quickly got up from the sofa and ran towards the kitchen, but was suddenly pulled behind by her waist. She was about to tell him off but her words caught in her throat as she felt Asad's warm breath fan her neck. Her eyes closed of their own accord as she felt Asad's lips slightly brush against her ear.
"Say it again..." He whispered huskily into her ear.
"S-say what Mr Khan?" She managed to breath out.
"Say my name."
Zoya nodded, "Okay, but only if you let me go."
"Do you really think I'm gonna fall for that?" He asked, lazily tracing patterns on her waist.
"M-Mr Khan, let me go a-and I'll say it. Promise."
Asad reluctantly let go of Zoya and turned her around to face him. Her eyes slowly opened. She motioned him to come closer, telling him she was going to whisper something in his ear.
"MR KHAAAAN!" She shrieked in his ear and ran off to the kitchen laughing. Asad stood there wide-eyed and irritated. This girl was going to be the death of him.
You're gonna pay for that Miss Farooqui!
He grinned mischievously and sat back down on the sofa. An alluring aroma of chocolate soon wafted around the whole apartment, making it all the more cozy. And Zoya came out of the kitchen carrying two steaming cups of hot chocolate. She gave one to Asad and sat down beside him, switching on the TV.
"What do you wanna watch Mr Khan?"
"Anything's fine I guess..." He was too busy watching Zoya.
"Oookkaaayyy! Let's watch DDLJ! Shah Rukh is just sooo amazing in it!!" Zoya squealed, making Asad roll his eyes at her childishness.
"Are you serious?" He asked, annoyed.
"Of course Mr Khan!"
"Ugh fine..." Asad grumbled.
Zoya's eyes twinkled as a silly idea popped into her head.
"Mr Khan...are you jealous?" Zoya asked stifling a laugh.
"N-no, why would I be jealous?" Asad lied, he was definitely jealous.
"Oh I was just, curious..." Zoya said deviously.
"... ANYWAYS! Let's watch Kal Ho Na Ho! SRK much hotter in it!" She drooled.
"Miss Farooqui give me the remote." He'd had enough!
If she wants to call someone hot, she can call me- Asad c'mon what in the world?!
"Nope!" Zoya yelled and stood on the sofa, in hope of irking Asad.
But Asad stood on it as well, smirking. Zoya gasped.
"Ya Allah! Mr Khan you're standing on the sofa!"
"So?" Asad smirked.
"You really have changed!"
Asad shrugged and jumped on the sofa towards Zoya, who took a step back to dodge him. Asad fell face forward on the sofa. Zoya laughed her guts out!
"Oooh Mr Khaaan! YOU JUST GOT FACE-PLANTED!!" She burst into a fit of laughter.
Little did she know Asad had turned to sleep on his back, facing the ceiling. His plan was already in action. He smirked lustfully and slowly crept his hand up to hers. It all happened in a flash, Zoya was laughing, Asad caught her hand in his and pulled her down, on top of him. Hot chocolate lay forgotten.
Asad's hand wrapped around Zoya's waist. Zoya's head was in the crook of his neck, her warm breath sending shivers down Asad's spine. He felt her pull back and opened his eyes to look into Zoya's. Asad pushed back a lock of hair in front of her eyes and cupped her face, caressing her cheek. Zoya blinked and tried getting up, but Asad pulled her back by her waist and swiftly flipped over, placing himself on top. Asad smiled at the expression on Zoya's face and leaned closer, his breath mingling with her's.
Knock knock!
A knocking at the door brought them out of their little world.
"I'll get it, it must be the pizza..." Zoya slid out from beneath a reluctant Asad to get the door. Asad sat up straight, running his hands through his hair like a lover-boy.
"SURPRIIISEE!!!" Rang a booming voice in the apartment, startling Asad.
He saw the owner of the voice enter the house giving Zoya a side-hug. Suddenly, a weird kind of irritation settled down in him, he didn't like that guy.
Jesse and Zoya walked to the sofa, Jesse saw Asad and raised a brow teasingly.
"Ahh this is why you cut the call earlier isn't it?" He teased her.
Zoya's eyes widened and she stuttered, "Yes well- I mean not exactly..." She looked at Asad nervously, who gave her a reassuring nod. She decided to change the topic.
"Heyyy! Where's Dia?" She asked genuinely.
"Oh not so fast babe, you still have to tell me who this is!" Jesse smirked.
Asad was boiling.
Did he just call her BABE?!
Zoya sighed and went on to answer, "Jesse, this is Mr Khan, Mr Khan, Jesse." She introduced them both to each other. Asad shook Jesse's hand half-heartedly.
"Wait Zoe, so this is THE Mr Khan?" Jesse raised his eyebrows.
"What do you mean?" Zoya said hoping to divert the subject.
"The one you talked about all the time?" He asked stifling a laugh.
Zoya blushed and looked at Asad, who was smirking.
"Uhm...can I ask you something Mr...?" Asad suddenly spoke up.
"Oh just call me Jesse! No need for such formality...and yeah sure! Ask away!" Jesse smiled at Asad, noticing the naughty glint in his eyes when he was smirking at Zoya.
"When she mentioned me, did she call me Mr Khan or Asad?" He teased Zoya further!
"It was always Mr Khan while awake...but Dia once told me-"
"Oh shut up!" Zoya yelled and smacked Jesse in th arm.
"No listen listen!" He went on, holding Zoya's continuous blows off. "She once told us Zoya was dreaming and she was moa-"
"Jesseeee!! YOU'RE DEAD!" Zoya picked up a throw pillow and started hitting Jesse with it. Asad snickered and then chuckled, but he also felt...sad. That he wasn't the one who always made her smile.
His face fell as the two friends ran around the house, Jesse protecting the pizza in his hands like his life.
"Gimme the pizza Jesse!" Zoya yelled and ran after Jesse, who was running across the balcony door where Asad was standing. Zoya tripped in the carpet just after passing Asad and fell directly into...
Jesse's arms.
Asad's eyes widened at the sight before him. His insides boiled with an unknown kind of anger. He realised it was the same anger and irritation he'd seen in Zoya's eyes whenever he was with Tanveer. He was jealous.
Jesse and Zoya broke apart from each other, with Zoya dusting her clothes like she's touched something icky. Asad noticed both of them were doing the action, they looked towards each other and feigned gagging. Asad stifled a laugh at their antics.
"Hey I have a marvelous idea! Why don't we go sightseeing sometime? We can go in the evening, New York looks much more beautiful at night!" Zoya chirped.
"Are you sure Miss F- Zoya?" Asad raised a brow.
"Yes!! It's done then. Oh yeah and Jesse, BYEEE!" She yelled pushing a resistant Jesse out the door.
"Hey hey hey wait! Why don't we make it a double date!? I'll call Dia!" Jesse reasoned. But the word 'date' brought Zoya to a standstill.
"Uh- Jesse it's not a- it's not a date..." She nervously said, blushing under Asad's playful gaze.
"Uh-huh? Are you sure about that?" Jesse said mimicking the famous John Cena meme.
"Yes- I mean n-no, I mean- I-I don't know..." She trailed off.
Asad decided to step up his game, he strode forward and took Zoya's hand in his. Zoya looked at him with questioning eyes.
"Zoya, will you go on a date with me?" He asked, completely oblivious of Jesse standing there with a raised brow.
"W-what? You, wanna-" Zoya had tears brimming. Jesse rolled his eyes, she was such a drama queen!
"Yes, I wanna. Will you?" Asad asked, this time much more sincerely.
The amount of pleading she heard in those words made her melt into a pile of goo. She'd decided, finally, that he was the one. She loved him with all her heart. He was the one she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. Yes, he had hurt her, but he had hurt himself too in the process. She could see the longing in his eyes. The longing for her forgiveness, for her to accept him.
Zoya nodded, smiling with pure joy. Asad gave her a smile too and pulled her into his arms.
"Ehem ehem..." Jesse cleared his throat. "In case y'all forgot, I'm still here." He waved his hands frantically.
"Uh...yeah. S-sorry." Zoya muttered.
"So when do we go?" Zoya inquired.
"Umm, Dia's not free till the 20th, so we'll go then."
4 days later
Asad had shifted all his stuff to Zoya's apartment, on Anwar's insistence. He seemed to be like an evil scientist at work when he requested Asad to stay at Zoya's apartment. But Asad had politely asked if he could spend the nights at his hotel, being the gentleman he was. Except that Anwar was really happy that they would spend their days together, and just wanted Asad and Zoya to sort out their troubles and be in love. He had this mischievous glint in his eyes whenever he had video called Asad and asked him how Zoya was doing.
These had been the best four days of Asad's life till now. He was near Zoya all the time! Her adorable antics just made him fall in love with her over and over again. They had done a lot of things Zoya liked to call fun over the days. They'd had movie nights, pizza parties, random games of truth or dare that Asad usually wanted to avoid but the best thing of all for Asad, was coffee at late nights. They'd had a lot of heart-to-hearts and 'attempts' at confessions. They were much more comfortable with each other now, hugging had become a regular thing between them!
Asad was nervous and excited about the double date. He was currently checking on Ayaan and the others on his phone.
The sudden ring of the doorbell made him jerk his head up. Zoya ran and answered it.
"IT'S DOUBLE DATE DAAAYY!!! Both of you get ready, I'll pick up Dia and wait for y'all downstairs near the lobby okay?" Jesse shouted from the door.
Zoya gave him a thumbs up and hurried away to her room, too shy to look into Asad's eyes.
Asad was in his room, shirtless and confused if he should wear a casual t-shirt or a formal shirt.
"Mr Khan have you seen my-" Zoya barged into his room, as usual and stopped in her tracks. She was definitely drooling.
Zoya didn't notice Asad smirking at her and walking towards her slowly.
"Like what you see?" He asked in a husky voice that brought her out of her Fantasyland.
"I- uh... I just came h-here to ask if you've seen my denim jacket anywhere..." She said in a breathy voice, taking Asad's mind to wild places.
"Umm no, I haven't sorry." He answered suddenly, not wanting to make the situation awkward.
Zoya nodded and walked away to her room, blushing.
Asad finally chose the casual plain t-shirt and walked out of the room.
Only to bump into Zoya, who seemed mortified to walk into Asad wearing a black tank top and shorts. She wasn't ready yet! But Asad was mesmerized by her milky skin and her long hair flowing over her almost bare shoulder.
He snaked his arm around her waist and held her close, but she seemed to be struggling to get out of his grip. He furrowed his brows and noticed that Zoya was frantically trying to hide something. His eyes darted up to her face, which was tear streaked. He instantly let go of her, the dreaded lump in his throat forming again.
"I-I'm sorry I- didn't mean to-"
"It's okay..." She said hurriedly and dashed off to her room, covering her arm. But Asad's eyes were sharp and what he thought he saw left him dumbstruck.
He was scared to the bone, he didn't mean to hurt her!
She came out of her room wearing ripped jeans and a thin, navy-blue full-sleeve t-shirt. Her hair was set loose and she put on light makeup. Asad was nevertheless stunned by her simple beauty. Zoya was equally amused by Asad wearing a casual t-shirt and a hoodie other than the formal clothes she'd always seen him in.
Asad nervously moved towards her to make sure she was okay.
"Z-Zoya, Woh actually, I'm sorry. For...whatever happened a few minutes ago. I really didn't mean to hurt you. I'm-" Asad was stopped as Zoya placed a hand on his mouth.
"Mr Khan, it wasn't your fault. Trust me, if I wasn't the situation I was in, I would've quite liked it..." She said without realising. She unknowingly made a scrunched up face after realising what she had just said, Asad grinned at her cuteness.
"I- I didn't-" she tried explaining.
"It's fine, let's go shall we?" Asad opened the door for her like a gentleman and they both stepped out. They walked out of the lobby into the cool December air of New York, Zoya pointed towards a blue Nissan Maxima waiting for them.
The passenger seat door opened and Dia burst out of the car, running towards Zoya and squeezing her in a tight hug.
"Hiiii!!" Dia squealed and initiated a complicated handshake that both of them had created. Asad stood there waiting for the handshake to end for about 30 seconds, rolling his eyes.
"God women are you two done with your handshakes and hugs?!" Jesse yelled from inside the car.
"Yeah let's go!" Dia and Zoya said together. Asad smiled at Zoya.
"So! Where to?" Jesse asked as Dia sat next to him in the front.
"Delmonico's!" Dia and Zoya chanted together, again.
"Jeez do y'all have a psychic connection to each other or something?" Jesse asked, turning a lane. Which caused Zoya to lean on Asad, who simply smiled at her.
"So, Asad!" Dia said winking at Zoya.
"Yeah?"
"How'd you two meet? And how are you surviving with this woman?" Dia joked, Asad smirked at Zoya.
"EXCUSE ME?" Zoya yelled.
"Hey keep it down! I'm tryna drive here!" Jesse interjected.
"Okay sorry..."
"So how'd you two meet?" Dia pressed on.
"Well, actually..." Asad trailer off, thinking about the first time he'd seen Zoya at the dargah
"Well she came in front of my car." He said looking at Zoya mischievously.
"That sounds like Zoya." Dia commented.
Meanwhile Asad was staring at Zoya, who was staring outside the window. He loved how the warm city lights made her milky skin look ethereal. Wisps of her hair were kissing her face as she stared on, smiling a little occasionally. Asad was too busy taking the innocent sight in so didn't even notice that they had stopped.
"Okay! We're here" Jesse declared.
Asad snapped out of it and got off the car, which was given over to a valet to park.
Dinner was an awkward affair. Asad and Zoya were trying to eat peacefully while Jesse and Dia had started making out. Right in front of them. Zoya had almost choked on a piece of garlic bread when Dia had moaned loudly. Asad snickered at Zoya's reaction and gave her a glass of water to wash the bread down.
They came out of the restaurant after finishing up their pizzas and milkshakes. Asad had placed his hand on the small of Zoya's back as they walked out. Jesse raised his eyebrow teasingly at Zoya, who looked at Asad and blushed.
"Okay, so where do we go and what do we do?" Jesse asked everyone.
"Oh babe, I think it's pretty clear what we're gonna do..." Dia said, seductively tracing Jesse's jawline.
Zoya feigned gagging.
"The question is, what are THEY gonna do?" Dia smirked at the awkward new couple standing before them.
"What do you mean?" Zoya asked.
"I mean, we're gonna go home now. What about you guys?"
"What? You can't go home!" Zoya gasped.
"Oh come on! Y'all can take a cab to Brooklyn Bridge or something..." Jesse whined.
"Ugh FINE. And stop whining it's hella annoying..." Zoya grumbled.
They found a cab as soon as the blue Nissan Maxima had turned a corner and disappeared. Zoya got in first an Asad followed.
They reached Brooklyn Bridge in 5-7 minutes. Zoya paid the driver and walked to the railing at the very edge if the bridge, breathing in the open air around them. Asad walked up behind her and gently slid his arm around her waist. They stood like that for a while, Zoya's head resting dreamily on Asad's shoulder.
"It's beautiful isn't it?" Zoya said. Referring to the view. But Asad was too busy admiring Zoya.
"Yes. It indeed is." Asad whispered, nuzzling into Zoya's hair. She giggled softly.
Asad gently turned her to face him and took her in his arms again. This time feeling Zoya's hands lock around his neck. He felt her shiver. It was getting cold.
"Here take this..." He removed his jacket. "You're shivering."
"Me Khan! There's really no need for that. I-I'm fine, really!" Zoya was flustered. She was reminded of those typical romantic movies.
She gasped when she felt Asad cover her with his hoodie. She breathed in his intoxicating scent that the hoodie had. Her knees would've given in if he wasn't holding her steady right now.
"Zoya, I really am sorry about what happened then." Asad started. He just wanted to make sure she wasn't hurt.
"Mr Khan, it's fine! It wasn't your fault!"
"Are you saying it's yours?" Asad asked incredulously.
"No, it's none of our faults. We just bumped into each other at the wrong time that's it..." Zoya consoled him.
"A-are you sure?" He was really afraid that he'd hurt her. He couldn't get her tear streaked face out of his mind.
"Yes Mr Khan!"
"How do I know you're not bluffing?" He decided to tease her a little. But Zoya had something else on her mind.
"Hmm..." She said dramatically, tapping her finger on her chin.
"Close your eyes Mr Khan."
"What? Why?"
"Don't ask questions just do it!" She said annoyed.
Asad obliged and closed his eyes. Zoya leaned in and gave him a small peck on his lips.
Asad's eyes fluttered open, he was dazed.
"Does that prove I'm not bluffing?" Zoya said smiling.
"Well, kinda." Asad huffed.
"What do you mean kinda?! I just kissed you for god's sake!" She argued.
"Yeah well I was hoping for something else..." He frowned.
"Ab kya chahiye apko Mr Khan?!" She gasped.
"Oh something like this..." He pulled her to his chest by her waist, Zoya gasped. Asad cupped her face and caressed it with the pad of his thumb. He looked into her eyes before swooping down and crashing his lips on hers. He kissed her gently, slowly tightening his hold on her waist. Her hands were already locked around his neck, now they were tangled in his hair as Asad pulled back and leaned in from another angle. This time deepening the kiss. He smiled towards the end of the kiss and pulled away. Only to pick Zoya up and twirl her around. She laughed as he spun her around and put her back down.
"Wow Mr Khan, I had no idea you could be so filmy!" She giggled and buried her face in his chest. He sighed in joy and held her, inhaling her sweet scent.
"I love you Zoya." He whispered into her hair.
"I...I love you too Mr Khan." She said, cuddling closer to him.
He chuckled, tears of joy forming in his eyes.
Sorry for making you guys wait so much for this one! I hope it made up for the gap. 😅 Would love to read your thoughts on this one!😊💗
~Meg
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