Amongst the Shadows - AsYa OS

'Zoya, I think I'm going to be sick' Zoya looked back at Dia 'of course you do...I mean who wouldn't want to vomit after what you just gulped down'. Humera started laughing 'Zoya, I think she was looking for a little sympathy' 'well she can go else where, how many times have I told her nit to drink so much...ugh...look take her back to halls I will see you guys back there' 'where are you going, it's late let's just go back together' Humera said conscious of the time.'I just need to get a few things from the late night shop, I won't be long'.

Humera walked off with a very ill looking Dia leaving Zoya to walk in the opposite direction.

Zoya strolled along the road humming away when she felt a presence behind her, she slowed down her pace and tightened her grip on the strap of her bag. After a few more steps Zoya twirled around to find no one there 'Ya Allah...I swear there was someone here' she whispered as she placed her hand over her racing heart.

Not wanting to waste anymore time Zoya quickly scurried towards the shop to pick up a few essentials 'Zoya, what are you out so late?' Mr Sen asked her. Mr Sen had known Zoya since she first came to Mumbai to study two years ago 'I was out with Humera and Dia, I just needed these...thank you Mr Sen' she said smiling her beautiful smile 'good night and hurry home...it's very late' 'I will' she shouted as she exited the store.

Zoya looked left and then right, the road was like a ghost town, not one car not one person was in sight. Popping the lollipop she had just bought Zoya started to walk back towards her halls of residence. Half way down the road she felt the very same presence, not wanting to over react she carried on walking until she saw a shadow that chased hers along the wall. Zoya stopped abruptly and as she did so did the shadow behind her.

Zoya turned around to find no one there 'maybe I got drunk on the fumes' she said as she rubbed the side if her head. As Zoya turned back around she let out a scream and jumped back grabbing on to her heart that was threatening to jump out of her throat 'are you bloody crazy...what are trying to do kill me...' She said as she looked at the stranger that just appeared from nowhere.

Zoya stood up straight as she was met with silence 'did you lose your tongue...don't you know it's rude to scare people?' Because of the dim lighting Zoya couldn't see his face, the only think that illuminated was his hazel eyes, that sparkled.  Zoya stepped forward and as she did he took one step back, Zoya did think oddly of this stranger but she didn't have the time to stand and ponder she needed to get home. 

Taking a step to the side Zoya started to walk off leaving him looking at her. 

Zoya got changed and jumped into bed, just as she closed her eyes and  lay down she bounced back up again those hazel eyes clouded her mind, the way they looked at her with such intensity made her heart skip a beat. Zoya tried to go to sleep but couldn't 'for crying out loud woman go to sleep' she chided herself as she covered her face with the duvet.

The next morning Zoya woke up with a throbbing headache, as she walked into the kitchen she saw Humera nursing a hungover Dia 'what the hell happened to you...you look like shit' Humera said. 'Thanks' Zoya said giving her a stern look and then sat next to Dia 'I didn't sleep well, if that's a black coffee you are making I want one too'.

After having changed the three of them joined the hundreds of other students that made their way to the Oakhill Academy, which was a science and engineering specialist establishment.

Zoya was in her final year of her degree, an A* student who was focused and determined to do well. When most of the student body ventured out to party she would spend time studying. After college came to an end Zoya walked towards her second home, the library 'I can't believe you two are going out again, was last night not enough?' Dia and Humera gave her a sheepish smile before they ran off, the last thing they wanted was another Zoya Farooqui special, and that would be a never ending lecture.

The library started to empty as late after non slowly turned into evening. Zoya stretched her arms and tried to surprises a yawn 'calling it a day?' Zoya looked up to see the librarian standing behind her 'not just yet, another hour or so...I need to read one more chapter' 'ok, but don't make it too long'.

Zoya got up and walked through the aisles to look for a book, as she looked through the titles she stopped 'there you are'. Zoya pulled out the book and at the same time let out a gasp, through the books she saw his eyes staring at her.

'You...the one from last night...' Zoya's sentence was cut short as he turned around and started walking away from her. Zoya ran out behind him 'wait' she called out making him stop, Zoya walked up to him 'I haven't seen you around before are you new?' The guy who still had his back to her didn't respond 'hello...I am talking to you'.

The guy took another step forward leaving Zoya looking at his back in frustration 'how rude is this guy' she said to herself. Zoya took a few quick steps and ran ahead of him as she turned around to see him she felt her heart stop beating. 

Zoya had never come face to face with anyone who looked like him. His face was sculpted to perfection, his pale white flawless skin, his dark hair, his beautiful eyes that hypnotised her. Zoya couldn't bring herself to speak as he kept on looking at her, his gaze started to stir something inside her 'w..who are you?' She asked in a low whisper 'a passerby' his voice came.

His soft sweet voice made her body break out in goosebumps 'passerby...do ypu have a habit of just turning up...out of nowhere?' The guy looked at her with a blank expression 'sometimes'. The guy was about to walk off when she called after him again 'what is your name?' The guy looked over his shoulder 'lost soul, the damned, the cold one...take your pick' Zoya swallowed hard and then walked up to him 'ok...so what do they call you on a normal day...with out all the dramatics' 'Asad'.

Zoya felt a wave of cold air brush past her as she saw him walk away 'weirdo' she said as she went back to her desk.

Letting curiosity get the better of her Zoya went to the admissions department the next morning 'morning, how can I help you?' The admin officer asked 'have we had a new student start by the name of Asad?' The admin officer asked her to wait as she looked through her records 'nope...sorry no one of that name' 'oh...ok, thank you'

'What is wrong with you...did you get carried away with your reading again?' Humera asked 'no...not really...I met someone last night' Humera's eyes widened and she started to smile a little excessively 'stop smiling like a goon, I didn't mean it like that...a guy in the library, there was something strange about him' Humera rolled her eyes 'and what's new about that you think every guy is weird especially anyone that pays you attention...seriously you need to get yourself a man...' Zoya hit Humera over the head 'ouch...what was that for?' 'For being an idiot...I don't need or want a man, they are more trouble than they are worth' 'well this one seems to have got your attention' Zoya was about to say something then stopped, there was no point talking to Humera about anything serious, she didn't know the meaning of it.

Zoya was becoming increasing annoyed with her own thought, the whole day passed and not for a second could she bring herself to stop thinking about him. Having paid little attention to anything her lecturer was saying Zoya decided to go back to her room.

'Come in' Dia walked in to see Zoya sitting at her laptop 'you coming?' 'Coming where?' 'Zoya it's Friday...movie night remember' Zoya turned to face her 'no...you guys go ahead, I have some stuff to catch up with' 'seriously...Zoya please, all you ever do us study study and study' 'yes...that is what we are here to do' 'nerd...fine see you tomorrow...but if you change your mind meet us downstairs in half hour'.

Zoya got up to give herself a break, all the starring at the laptop was making her eyes hurt. Zoya walked towards her window to draw the curtains as she took hold of the sides and was about to pull them she stopped. Blinking her eyes a few times she looked again 'you have to be kidding me...what is he doing here?' Down below, sitting on the wall was none other than Asad, who sat looking at her directly.

Zoya closed the curtain and turned around, she felt her stomach flutter, switching off her bedroom light Zoya peaked through the curtain to find him still sitting there looking in her direction 'Ya Allah...is he stalking me...what does he want?'

Zoya put on her jacket, picked up her phone and ran downstairs. As she reached the front door she met Humera, Dia and a few other friends 'oh cool, you decided to come' before Zoya could say anything Humera had her by the hand and was dragging her out. Zoya's eyes roamed everywhere but there was no sign of him 'where the hell did he go?' 'Where did who go?' Dia asked 'must be her mystery library friend' Humera said wiggling her eyebrows. Zoya looked at her scornfully 'you carry on and I'll whack you harder' 'ok fine...no teasing...come on you are coming with us'.

The whole way Zoya fidgeted, she felt restless, her eyes searched him and with every step she felt his presence.

Zoya took her seat and readied herself for another torturous movie, taking off her jacket she settled herself in a comfortable position, the cinema hall darkened as the movie started. 'I didn't take you for a romantic'. Zoya held her breath as she slowly turned to her left 'wh...what are you doing here...why are you following me?' 'And what makes you think I am?' Zoya raised her eyebrow at him 'are you really going to watch this?' Zoya shook her head 'good, let's go'.

Zoya excused herself from her friends saying she needed to go to the toilets and then followed him out. As they stepped foot outside the complex Zoya turned around to face him 'you going to tell me why you are stalking me?' Asad looked at her 'I am not sure' he simply said 'so you admit that you are?' 

Asad smiled 'are you not scared?' 'Why do I have reason to be?' 'Yes' Zoya sucked in a breath and looked at him intently 'so where are we going?' 'Where ever the night takes us...' Asad sais as he walked past her, Zoya turned around and followed. 

Zoya didn't know why she was doing what she was doing but something compelled her to, there was an unknown emotion an unknown force that pulled her towards him, all she did was let it. 

'What is this place?' She asked looking around 'my place' Zoya stopped in her tracks 'you live on a lake?' She asked confused 'and how does one live on a lake...there...in that cottage' 'oh...wait...I hope you don't expect me to come in?' She said standing up a little taller 'no, not at all...you see those benches there...we can sit there until you want to go back home'.

Zoya sat down and it was only then she really appreciated the view 'it's beautiful' 'I guess' 'you live alone?' 'Yes, I do?' 'What do you do...I mean other than stalk me...' 'Not much...'.

Zoya looked at him quizzically, not understanding his response 'you're a bit strange aren't you?' 'Depends on who you ask...strange, weird, ghostly, monster' Zoya started laughing 'do yo always describe yourself as such...I mean the other day in the library you referred to yourself as if you were something out of a horror movie...like your some kind of vampire'

Asad stood up and turned around to face her 'what if I am?' Zoya started laughing louder 'are you for real...even I know such things don't exist...and even if you were wouldn't you have killed me or drunk my blood already' 'look around you Zoya, why do you think you are here' 

Zoya stopped, her face immediately fell, keeping her eyes locked with his she slowly stood up 'I don't remember telling you my name...how do you know my name?' Asad smiled as he stepped forward 'what kind of a girl are you...I tell you that I could possibly be a vampire who has brought you here to kill you and you are more concerned about how I know your name'.

Zoya thought about what he said, anyone else in her position would have run, screamed done anything to escape him but she couldn't bring herself to move. 'Why me...I mean is it normal to toy with your kill before hand?' Asad started laughing and as he did Zoya lost herself in him 'Zoya, I am not here to kill you...and believe me playing with my food before I eat is not a habit I have' Zoya sat down 'I don't know who you are, what you are and why I am here...but there has to be a reason right?...you going to tell me?'

Asad sat down next to her 'September 15th 1998, St Johns Orphanage in Delhi, a boy who used to run after you...the boy you called...' 'My shadow...Aki...I called him Aki because...' Because you wouldn't call him by his full name...' 'Asad Ahmed Khan' Zoya's eyes widened and at the same time moisten 'Aki...is it really you?' Asad stood up 'yes it is'.

Zoya jumped up and crashed against him 'where did you go...all these years...you just left...why' she questioned I between her sobs.

Asad pulled her back 'I left because I had to...and when I came back you had gone...I tried searching everywhere for you...and then a few years back I saw you' 'a few years ago...you saw me and you didn't come to me, you didn't call out to me...why...why would you do that'

Asad turned his body away from her 'because I love you...' Zoya felt her heart skip several beats together 'you...you love me?' She questioned in disbelief 'yes'.

Zoya pulled at his arm 'I'm sorry I am not quite getting this you get up one day and disappear...you then see me a few years ago and don't even come to me because you love me...how the hell does that make any sense'

'I had no choice...Zoya I...' 'You had no choice...and now you do...I don't get it' Zoya's voice started to shake as anger took over.

'Zoya from that very day I have been with you...like I always was, I was your shadow, where ever you went I went too...amongst all the shadows that surrounded you I was one too'

Zoya's eyes welled up 'why didn't you let me know Asad...why' 'because today who stands before you is not Asad or Aki...it is someone that no sane man would ever believe' 'Asad please...just stop with the riddles...just tell me' she pleaded trying not to cry any more.

Asad took one step closer, he held her arm and lifted her hand to his face, as soon as her hand came into contact with his skin Zoya let out a gasp, she looked at him wide eyed, for the first time since she had been with him her face depicted fear. Zoya quickly withdrew her hand and took a step back 'I am not Asad, I am not Aki...Zoya I am not even human' 'I...I don't believe you...it can't be true'

Asad walked towards the lake's edge and waited for Zoya to come and stand with him. 'What do you see Zoya?' 'Asad...' 'just answer the question' Zoya took in a deep breath 'water' Asad looked at her 'what do you see in the water?' Zoya looked down 'my reflection...Asad what are you...' Zoya stopped as realisation dawned upon her she looked back at her reflection and then back at him 'your...your reflection...h..how is that possible?' Zoya held onto her stomach as she gasped for air, Asad raised his hand towards her and she instantly moved back 'no...no' she screamed as she ran away from him.

Zoya slammed the door of her room and fell to the floor, she couldn't understand what was happening to her, nothing made sense, what she had just seen, heard and felt none of it could be true, things like this didn't exist in the real world. The living dead, vampires, beast only existed in the imaginations, in stories in movies. 

Curled into a ball Zoya sat in the corner of her room 'I was your shadow' as his words rang in her head Zoya's mind went back to every single moment when she always felt as if someone was around her, as if someone was watching her.

Zoya woke up in the same position, she looked in the mirror unable to recognise the person she saw, her eyes were swollen her face stained with dried tears. Having washed her face Zoya got changed and walked straight back outside. She ran as fast as her legs could take her to the very same spot he took her to. 

Zoya turned around and around but there was nothing there, she ran towards the small cottage and banged on the door 'Asad...open this door now...you hear me...open the door' she screamed but there was no answer. Zoya kicked the door as hard a a she could and when it open she ran in without thinking.

The cottage was empty, there was no furniture, no nothing just a hollow shell. 'Asad...I know you are in here...please come out...tell me what happened last night was not real...Aki...please come out' Zoya held her face in the palm of her hands and wept 'I wish I could Zoya...but it's the truth...a bitter truth that no one can change' Zoya looked up to see him standing a few feet away from her.

'Why now...everything was normal, it was logical...it was right and then you show up and nothing seems right...why now Asad...' 'Because I wanted you to know before I left...I wanted you to know the truth...I wanted you to know that I love you'

Zoya wiped her tears 'before you left...where are you going?' 'I have already gone Zoya, what you see before you is an illusion, someone who is damned for eternity, I have no life I don't exist, I just am...I don't belong here...I need to return' Zoya shook her head she walked up to him 'you can't just come waltzing in creating this hell hole and then leave...I admit I don't understand...but you are not going anywhere...not until you tell me what happened to you, who did this to you...the world I lived in up until yesterday night doesn't exist anymore, it doesn't seem real...if you go I will lose myself Asad'.

Asad raised his hand and cupped the side of her cheek, his ice cold touch sent down a tingling sensation down her spine, Zoya looked deep into his eyes 'I love you Zoya...I need you to remember that' Zoya placed her hand over his and pulled it down, she entwined her fingers with his and held it as firmly as she could 'I will remember it only if you are here with me...' 'Your world is not for me Zoya...' 'Then take me to yours' Asad withdrew his hand and narrowed his eyes 'you have no idea of what you are saying...' Asad turned his back to her and fisted his hands 'you think I chose this for myself...no Zoya...no one who would have a choice would...my world is nothing short of hell...it is not for you'.

Zoya stepped closer to him 'I live amongst evil, men and women who are evil and barbaric...who are inhumane' Zoya let out a laugh making him turn around 'your world is not that different from the one I live in Asad, those very same men and women exist here...so what difference will it make?' Asad slowly lifted his hand he placed it just above her chest 'the difference is this Zoya...what you have in there is a heart that beats, that lives...what I have is nothing...once you step over to this side there is no going back...you are cursed forever' 

Zoya inched closer to him 'how can someone as beautiful as you are be cursed Asad...if our worlds are not for each other then how will we become one...how will I join hands with the man that loves me so much?' 

Asad closed his eyes and lowered his head 'Asad if I lose you now I will lose my shadow' Asad looked up at her he held her face in the palm of his hands as he came closer and closer Zoya closed her eyes. His ice cold breath fanned her face before and a a soon as his lips touched hers she grabbed on to his arms. For as long as he kept his lips over hers Zoya held her breath, as his kiss prolonged Zoya started to relax in his hold and then kissed him back.

Asad rested his forehead against hers 'I need to go Zoya' he whispered 'no...Asad please...not now not like this' 'I promise you amongst the shadows somewhere I will be there...all you have to do is call for me...but for now...you will have to let me go' Zoya closed he eyes to let the tears that blurred her vision escape 'I have just found you...how can I...' 'Sshhh...I will comeback Zoya...' Zoya raised her head a little to look at him and as she did he kissed her again 'I love you Zoya Farooqui' 'I love you too...Asad Ahmed Khan'