After having gone through her whole wardrobe Zoya managed to put on her black jeans and black grey jersey top. Zoya waited in reception for the three of them to come down, when they finally did she held her breath as she saw perfect replica of Adonis walk towards her. If was so strange, up until now Asad was just Asad and now he was so much more, everything about him stood out, everything that made her feel like a love struck teenager.
Keeping hold of his intense gaze Zoya started to feel her cheeks burn, her lips smiled shyly. Before she could bring her physiological craziness to a stop he came to stand before her 'you ready?' 'Yes...where would you like to go first?' Before Asad could even respond Aaira jumped in with a long list of places she wanted to see.
Pulling at Zoya's arm she walked ahead leaving Asad and Zack following behind. Going through old Goa they managed to visit a number of old Cathedrals, many that had now been converted into museums. After that they ventured through a few markets, a place Aaira went absolutely crazy. 'I am starving, please let's stop, we have been going for ages' Zoya complained 'I agree' Asad said 'anywhere nice here?' 'If we make our way towards the beach we can eat there and maybe then we can sit there for a while' 'I like the sound of that' 'how boring' Aaira jumped in to say 'well you and Zack can continue with your expeditions' Aaira was just about to object when Zack stopped her, he knew that this would be the perfect moment to give Asad and Zoya the time they needed alone 'great, me and Aaira will go...umm..that way, you two can go which ever way you want...bye' he said dragging Aaira with him.
Zoya was about to call out after him 'what just happened?' She asked looking a little confused 'I am not entirely sure' Asad turned around to face her and instantly the air that surrounded them started to dense 'so...looks like it's just the two of us' 'I guess it is...shall we go' 'sure'
Asad and Zoya took their seats and waited to be served 'Goa seems to suit you' he said 'how do you mean?' 'I don't know, you look different' Zoya smiled 'I feel different' 'what changed?' 'A lot of things' 'like?' Zoya sucked in a breath as he continued to look at her.
'Ma'am your drink' Zoya looks up to see the waiter who had come back with their drinks, silently thanking the distraction she started to sip her drink.
The whole time they sat there passed in silence, neither of them could bring themselves to speak up, every time one tried words began to fail them miserably. Finding the atmosphere increasingly uncomfortable Zoya suggested they made a move, she didn't know how much more of this awkwardness she could take.
'Asad' Zoya called out, as he turned around she pointed towards his feet 'your shoes...you might want to take them off...unless you want them covered in sand' Asad shook his head 'definitely no sand' sitting on the bench they both took their shoes off, Zoya placed them to the side as Asad rolled up his jeans.
'You been here much...since you arrived?' 'A couple of times...you like the beach?' 'It's nice...I mean I have travelled so much, seen so many I guess the novelty wears off' 'I guess...I like it...you should see it at night, it's amazing' Asad looked at her oddly 'how can you see at night, everything is so dark' 'I agree, it is but not always...not so long ago I came here and was surrounded by the very same darkness and then...' Zoya paused, and as she did Asad also stopped walking 'and then...what Zoya?'
Zoya slowly turned around 'and then I saw the light?' 'Light?' 'Yes, the one that helped me change' 'change how?' Zoya started to feel nervous under his intense gaze, when she didn't answer Asad stepped closer to her 'what changed Zoya?' He asked again 'I did...I let go of the fear and darkness that had enveloped me, I let the light embrace me, show me that there is always life that can be lived beautifully, all I have to do is believe, to admit to what is in my heart'
'Do you believe Zoya, have you admitted to what is in your heart?' 'As long as it took, yes, I finally have' Asad could feel his own heart beat pick up pace, fisting his hand he looked deeper into her eyes 'what is in you heart Zoya?'
Zoya tried to swallow as her throat dried up 'I...I don't think there is a simple way of explaining it' 'then explain it the hard way'
Zoya started smiling, she took a few steps away from him and then turned around to walk away from him 'Zoya...you didn't answer my question' 'I did...' Zoya turned back around to face him, his perplexed face brought a smile to her face 'Asad, the day you understand my silence, is the day you will understand my words, words that are that are not just spoken but also felt'
'Huh?' Zoya started laughing out loud 'nothing Mr Khan, come on let's get back, it will be getting dark soon'
As Zoya walked towards Aaira Zack made his way to him 'so?' 'So what?' 'Asad...come on man you know what I am talking about, did you tell her?' Asad let out a sigh 'no, I didn't, I couldn't...I mean can you believe me...I couldn't find the words to tell her' Zack gave him an odd look 'seriously, what was there to lose that you couldn't find, it's three words Asad, I Love You' 'was that supposed to be funny?' 'Not in the slightest...what was so hard about that' 'it's not as simple as saying I Love You' Zack threw his hands up 'it's not rocket science either...look, you have just a few days left, the centre is opening tomorrow...you have to tell her...understood' 'OK...keep your hair on...I will...tell her, tomorrow, happy'
It was the first time Zack, Aaira and Asad had sat in on prayers at church . The prayers may have been simple in form but were enriched with meaning and blessings.
Farher Andrews words truly touched their souls
We have come together in the name of Christ,
To offer our praise and thanksgiving,
To hear and receive God's holy word,
To pray for the needs of the world,
To seek the forgiveness of our sins, and the courage to hold out our hands to those we love
That by the power of the Holy Spirit we may give ourselves to the service of God and mankind
As we rejoice in the gift of this new day,
So may the light of your presence, O God,
Set our hearts free, lets us love you and those around us for now and forever.
As his prayer came to an end Asad looked towards Zoya, it was a new day, a gift, a day he was going to make count by proclaiming his love for the beautiful girl who sat before him.
Zoya stood up 'this is it, we should make our way to the centre'
The four of them made their way towards the centre along with Mrs Roberts, Father Andrew, Sisters Mary and Angela along with a few others. Outside the centre were a group of people who had gathered in support, along with them was a small team from a local newspaper that had come to capture the event.
Father Andrew started of by thanking everyone for coming, he spoke about the purpose of a centre such as this '...as sad as it is to have a need for a place like this, the world that we live in forces us to, one of Gods greatest creation is man, and it is that very man that can become the very worst creation when he gives up the better good for evil. This centre is to help support and give courage to those who have suffered, to give them hope and a new direction...'
Once Father Andrew had finished addressing the people her asked for a very nervous looking Zoya to step forward 'Thank you Father Andrew, and thank you all once again...I started this journey on my own a long time ago, I would not had made it this far without my four pillars of support, firstly, my faith, my trust in Allah and secondly the three people that stand with me here today, I am who I am and am what I am because of them, I reiterate Father Andrew's words as much as we want a world where there is no need for a centre like this the reality is a lot different...'
Receiving a cheer from the audience gathered Zoya asked Father Andrew to officially declare the centre open. At the same time two journalists stepped forwards to ask Zoya a few question.
'Miss Farooqui, the work you have done, here and in Mumbai has been tremendous, you have received a lot of recognition but yet you stay away from the media, why?'
Asad and Zack slowly closed the gap between them, they knew Zoya didn't like being addressed by the media. Zack extended his hand a gently placed it across her back letting her know they were right behind her.
'It's a personal choice, I didn't do this for fame, it's for a reason...'
'Reasons you have experienced yourself?'
Zoya's face dropped, she fisted her hand. Not answering the question she gave them a nervous smile
'Miss Farooqui, we hear that you help young girls affected by such crimes rebuild their lives, you encourage them to step forwards and embrace love and life...do you not think that is giving some of them false hope?'
Zoya shook her head 'not at all, they are humans, they have a right to live life in happiness too, what is there false about that?'
'In a country such as this, in this culture do families, men really accept girls who have been abused in such a way?'
Zoya held on to her breath, she slowly looked towards Asad who had his gaze fixated on her
'How easy is it for a girl to fully accept someone and what man would?'
Zoya turned back around to face them, the bombarded her with question after question giving her little time to register it process anything.
'There are many who do and will, not everyone is the same, with the right support it could be made easy'
Seeing her body shake involuntarily Zack spoke 'thank you for coming and your time, please come in to cover anything else you need'
As Zoya was about to turn around one of the female journalists shouted out another question, one that left her feeling as if someone had crushed her insides.
'You have had the right support, so it must have been easy for you, you have moved on in life, have you found someone that has accepted you, taken your hand?'
Asad shot his head around in anger 'that is a personal question, and not a matter Zoya would want to discuss or disclose in public...no more questions'
'Why not, if Zoya encourages other girls to step out why is she so closed off, how can you not practice what you preach, you have to admit Miss Farooqui it is not easy to find anyone that accepts you, who will hold your hand, who will look you in the eye and tell you that he loves you?'
Zoya closed her eyes letting the tears she was fighting finally escape. At the same time Asad was on the verge of exploding, Zack quickly pulled at his arm seeing him 'Asad don't give them any more ammunition, take Zoya and walk away, I will deal with them'
Asad looked towards Zoya 'come lets go' he said and took her back to the church. As she entered the main hall she ran to the front and fell on her knees crying out. Asad quickly ran towards her 'Zoya...no, please don't cry, don't listen to them...it's their jobs to create mayhem...'
All her fears and anxieties that she had overcome came rushing back 'they are right...I give false hope, I don't practice what I preach...I...I wear this mask...' It was killing him to see her so broken, he took her by the shoulders and made her stand up 'you don't give false hope to anyone Zoya, just think of all the people you have helped so selflessly...Jameela being the latest person you have given hope to'
Zoya looked away from him 'it's true, girls who have been raped, abused are not openly accepted' 'you know as well as I do that is not true...why are you even thinking that...Zoya please don't let two fools who just want a story ruin what you have worked so hard for' 'I can carry on like this until the day I die Asad...but I will always be that girl with blood on her hands, as much as I try and get away from it...it always comes back to me...I find courage, I find inner peace and somewhere inside I find the ability to be happy and then...who will hold my hand Asad?'
Asad cupped her face and wiped her tears away 'the person who loves you, the person you have given a whole new meaning to life, the person who wants to be with you, stand with you, smile, laugh and cry with you until he breathes his very last breath'
Zoya looked at him, her insides started to constrict causing her pain that was fast becoming unbearable 'who is that person?' She whispered 'the person you see before you Zoya' Zoya's eyes widened, she held in to the air she had just inhaled 'Wh...what do you mean?'
Asad took a step back 'I am standing in front of the statue of Christ, a prophet to us, the son of God to the millions who come and worship here in front of him. If I had been in a Mosque, I would have sworn by the Quran, by Allah, if I had been in a temple I would have taken oath in front of God that represents millions of Hindus in this country...for so long I have wanted to stand in front of you and say this...and today I truly could not have asked for a better place to say it...I love you Zoya...I have loved you for so long...my love is as pure as the prayers read in this very place of worship...'
With her eyes streaming endless tears she continued to look at him, there was no word man had created that came close to describing what she felt.
Keeping her eyes locked with his she saw him bend down, Zoya covered her mouth to stop the cry that was about to escape, she realised what he was doing
'Zoya Farooqui, I promise to love you, to stand with you until the very end, will you marry me?'
Zoya wasn't the only one who was muffling her cries, standing a few feet away was Aaira, Zack and Father Andrew.
With his own tears making the way down his face Asad stood up and stepped forward, he slowly opened his arms out and waited for her to embrace him.
Clutching at her heart that was beating faster than she could keep up Zoya ran into his arms and let out her crying scream. Asad wrapped his arms around her and held her close, at the same time Zack and Aaira ran towards them. They couldn't believe it 'Bhaijaan...please tell me I am not dreaming' Zack smiled through his tears 'it's a dream come true Aaira' once Zoya had calmed down she pulled back 'do I take that as a yes?' He asked making her breakout into a shy smile, Zoya nodded as she failed to find her vocal chords. Turning around she hugged Aaira and Zack and then walked towards Father Andrew 'in all my years her Zoya I have never cried...today you made me cry, tears of happiness...I am so proud of you...you at both very lucky to have one another...God bless you'
Zack hugged Asad 'thank you' 'for what?' 'For everything...I can't tell you how happy I am, I tell you to tell her that you love her and you surpassed anything I was expecting by proposing to her' 'it's what I want Zack...I love her and want to be with her, what better way to do that'
Zack tried to drag Aaira away from them, they needed time to talk 'Bhaijaan, it's ok...I...I mean we all should get back to the centre...we can meet later' Asad nodded in agreement. As Zack and Aaira turned around to go back out Asad held his hand out to her 'shall we?' Zoya gave him a heart warming smile, he placed her hand over his and let him entwine his fingers with her delicate ones.
Holding each others hands they walked back outside.
Jhanak
Shiv Shakti
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