Chapter 1

This OS is based on the episode aired 16-17^th October 2013. They were very emotionally disturbing episodes for me, with amazing acting by Karan S. Grover and Surbhi Jyoti. WARNING: Very sad scene ensuing, if you don't like angst and pain, maybe you'd wanna not read this ...

☢️Sageflower7☢️

Nikhat's marriage was over and Ayaan was bringing Zoya back to Asad. Asad was pacing at his foyer waiting for them, imagining how he would see his beloved smiling again, to be able to hold her again, to feel adoring gaze upon him. How he missed her. Little did he know that Ayaan had fainted due to rebleeding of an old shoulder injury, and Zoya was frantically trying to get him medical attention. Meeting Zoya at the hospital, she wept in his arms and lamented their fate, he had to be strong, so she would take that strength with her. But when she walked away from him, back with Ayaan's family, he felt his strength ebb.

Although reassured by her undying pleas to come back to him and her renewed promise to trust him and their love, deep in his heart like any other man, he worries if Fate will not be on his side. Zoya is mine!, his heart screams. The vehemence in his possessiveness of Zoya stunned himself as he couldn't bear to see her touching anyone else, however assured he was of her love.

When Ayaan taken away by his parents and with him went Zoya, he was forced to return to his restless wandering state again. Pacing his room like agitated lion, he was surprised to see Zoya calling his cell.

'Ms Farooqui?'

'Ji Mr Khan...'

'Are you okay? How's Ayaan?' he asked. She replies, 'He's fine but he's stubbornly insisting that you come and pick me up tomorrow...'. He didn't miss that she had evaded his first question.

His mind warred with his heart and won. 'Ms Farooqui, I think Ayaan needs more time to recover. Probably I shouldn't come there tomorrow...' Asad trailed off to the silence at the other end.

'Hello bhaijaan,' Ayaan came on the line. He sounded weak, in pain, 'Bhaijaan, I'm sorry. I couldn't keep my promise...'

Asad placated his little brother, who was wracked with guilt. In the end he agreed to meet Zoya out by the gate the next morning. Again she was silent on the phone. He felt bad having her sneak out like that, like a runaway, but they had no option. It wasn't his style, spiriting his girl away in this cowardly manner, like they had something to hide. With a deep breath, she agreed.

*the next morning*

Asad drove up to Ayaan's house, with a knot in his throat, a pounding headache due to the lack of sound sleep. As he walked up to the front door, he overheard a man advising for Ayaan to be given good rest for a week, and Dadi proclaiming that his wife is by his bedside day and night, tending to his needs.

The knot is his throat became a heavy ball of lead that dropped to his stomach. Zoya is tending to Ayaan's needs? What needs? An instant feeling of anger and jealousy raged in him as the ladies spotted him standing in the doorway. Zoya's drawn and gaunt face fell as she pleaded to him with her eyes. He couldn't hide the disappointment in his face, having his beloved tend to physical personal needs of another man, touching him, cleaning him, feeding him, dressing him, Allah knows what else. Even if it were only his brother. He hated that he couldn't just turn around and walk away right then, like he wanted to.

<silent conversation>

Asad<How could you Zoya?? Why ?>

Zoya< Don't judge me Mr. Khan. You left me here. I've had to deal with all this expectations of me!>

'Come in beta', Dadi beckoned him in. Swallowing his anger, he reluctantly stepped up to his grandmother, as Zoya followed him with her long suffering eyes. 'What a surprise beta, you're here without informing? Is everything alright?'

<Dadi, I've come to take Zoya back. Come on Zoya, let's go, quick!>Asad

<Please, Mr. Khan, I can't do this any longer!!! Take me away!> Zoya

Common sense prevailed. Asad heard himself say that he was passing by and thought he'd visit Ayaan and see how he was.

Zoya gritted her teeth, and looked away. <when will this man shore up his guts and face this hypocrisy!!>

'Ayaan has been given a sedative, and he's sleeping,' Shirin offered. And Asad grabbed the lifeline and gave an excuse to leave.

Zoya<Oh! So you'll just turn around and leave me again!?>

Dadi interrupted, 'No Asad, how can you just leave? Come and see him once, now that you're here. Zoya, take Asad to your room to see Ayaan.'

Asad's face fell further, as it registered in his mind that Zoya and Ayaan have been staying in the same room since he had left her there.

Asad < What?! You're living in the same room ?! Why? Why didn't you protest this? Normally you argue about everything small! Why did you agree to this?>

Zoya <I can't have my way here Mr. Khan. They have cornered me. It feels like a prison and I'm suffocating. Please don't judge me, I'm still yours, only yours!>

Asad< But you didn't have to stay in a room with him! What is going on between you two? Am i missing something??>

Zoya <No Mr Khan! You're misunderstanding this! Please believe me!>

'Please come...' Zoya said falteringly.

As they walked what felt like the longest corridor ever, their feelings were in turbulence, each feeling sick to the stomach with the situation. Asad walked at her pace, by her side, silent. Once or twice their shoulders brushed. Zoya looked around her and put some distance between them. This hurt Asad terribly. He couldn't bear this distance, this gap between them felt like a deep trench. He longed to just reach over and pull her to his side, where he knew she belonged.

His eyes searched for hers, but she kept her eyes downcast and tread heavy heartedly to Ayaan's room. Her hands were knotting her dupatta in anxiety.

Asad < Ya Allah, what have I done? She is but a shell of her usual self. Why is her spirit so broken? Her face so gaunt, devoid of a smile, eyes so sad and hopeless. She had only me to depend on, and I left her here, alone, to fend for herself. In a house filled with strangers not entirely welcoming of her. I'm sorry Zoya...I'll fix this, I promise you!>

Zoya ushered Asad in to Ayaan's bedroom. Ayaan lay there in the middle of the bed, asleep. There was a smaller couch-bed on the side, and Zoya invited him to sit. Gingerly seating himself, he felt the terrible awkwardness of invading the privacy of a couple's bedroom. Blinking hard, he scooted a distance away, making space for Zoya to sit by him.

He watched as Zoya stood there conflicted. He watched in disappointment as Zoya turned and seated herself beside Ayaan, opposite and further away from himself. Allah jaane he was shouting in his head at this point. He felt like doubling over with having to keep all this pain contained.

Asad <Come back here Zoya. Why are you doing this? Are you trying to hurt me as you have too? I hurt Damn it! Please don't punish me more!>

Zoya < There are eyes everywhere in this house Mr. Khan. No where is safe in this house. I don't want them to say anything bad about you. I couldn't bear it!!>

His eyes wandered over Ayaan, sleeping peacefully. And then by the bed side was a picture frame of Ayaan and Zoya. He swallowed hard and looked at Zoya, who was tearful, twisting and pulling at her dupatta. Poor love, this is painful for her as it is for me. I must keep a brave face, she won't be able to take it if I fall apart.

'Ayaan was insisting just now, that I must leave with you, but Dadi told everyone downstairs...' she trailed off. Asad watched her stammer and swallow back her tears. 'If Ayaan wasn't ill, this would all be very different, right now I don't know what I should do..'

Zoya < Take me away Mr. Khan, please! Let's just run away!!!>

'Probably this isn't the right time for you to leave, Ms. Farooqui...' Asad faltered,' maybe you should stay back for now.'

Zoya< At least look me in the face and tell me this Mr. Khan!! Can't you see I'm dying here? Please mujhe layke jaye!! >

Asad couldn't meet her sorrowful eyes when he asked her to stay back for now. 'For how long more should I stay back here Mr. Khan?' she pleaded. Asad felt a pierce in his heart at the pain in her voice, her eyes. 'Ms. Farooqui, when Ayaan is better, I'll come back for you myself.'

'But Mr. Khan, Ayaan has his family here to care for him, Humeira too.' Asad looked down, feeling so ashamed at having made her sacrifice her wellbeing for that of his family affairs.

"How is Phuphi?' she enquired. " She's fine...' and Zoya's face crumpled into sobs.

He had to end this quickly, this was too painful. 'I think I should leave now,' Asad said as he got up quickly. Just then Ayaan started coughing and groaning in pain. Zoya shot up to tend to him, offering him water and patting his head to calm him down.

It was innocent enough but Asad couldn't take it any longer. He needed to get out of there, fast. 'You tend to Ayaan, I'll see myself out' he said and stalked off, with Zoya looking at him over her shoulder.

He had to still his legs from actually running the hell out of there, when he felt her presence. She was coming to him, he smiled, his beloved. He turned slowly as watched as she ran down the hall towards him.

He felt his heart burst inside with love as she hurried to him. <She's mine, all mine! > His arms spread to out embrace her unknowingly. She suddenly halted a few feet from him, unsure. All of the love was in their eyes, as they caressed each other with their gazes. Asad felt a tinge of hurt at her reluctance. <Why won't she come to me? She never stopped herself before? I need you Zoya!>

Zoya <I can't Mr. Khan ! People are always watching me here. I won't let them speak ill of you! I love you!> 'You left your phone, Mr. Khan,' she said soberly, casting a pall to the heightened emotions between them.

Asad awkwardly folded his arm away and took his phone from her. She looked deep into his eyes and saw the pain and the sadness he hid and she couldn't bear it any longer. She grabbed his hand and threw herself into his arms. She clung to him and poured out all of her love, her pining, if she could absorb him into herself to heal all the wounds she would've. As his arms closed like steel bands around her, they formed a cocoon around themselves, protecting their love from prying eyes. For them only the moment existed, words were not needed, vows refreshed , renewed.

"I'll come back for you.."

*THE END*