A week had gone by in peace. Asad and Zoya had more regular conversations over petty arguments. Though the strange man had not swung by the coffee house again, Zoya still felt her sense of security around Asad grow stronger. As for Asad? He had a strange urge to be around her and indulge himself in her lively prescene.
The coffee shop was nearly empty - Asad and Zoya were the only two there. The rush of happy hour had come and gone and nearly all the employees had left early. The two desperatly wanted to leave, but their hearts urged to be with each other as well.
"Mr. Khan, there's no point in staying here - the streets are deserted," Zoya pointed out.
"Customers could come later!" he protested in response.
Zoya sighed at how closely her Mr. Khan resembled the fictional character of Mr. Krabs - cheap and bitter. She peered over at the clock that read '7:59 PM'. "I have an idea! Why don't we close up early and go do something?" she asked, her eyes lighting up.
Asad was taken aback by how open hearted Zoya was being. "What would we even do?"
"I don't know... but we have to relieve your stress, that's for sure," Zoya began, looking up at Asad to see his reaction. He smiled. It was a small smile, but still a smile.
"Is this why your family deserted you here? Because you keep taking them on stupid adventures?" he asked, chuckling to himself.
Asad's statement made Zoya discouraged, but she was sure not to show it. "Actually Mr. Khan, they left me here because they love me."
"Oh yeah, that's totally what families do - they abandon their kid because they love them," Asad said a little too harshly.
Zoya's eyes became watery just thinking of her father. "Well um, my dad just wants to me to explore where he grew up and stuff," she blabbered. Zoya had no clue if she was making sense or not. "WAIT!""
"What?" Asad asked, looking around the shop as if something scared Zoya.
"You know a lot about Bhopal right?" Zoya asked sincerely.
Asad heaved out a sigh in annoyance. "I guess so."
Zoya ran over to the counter and pulled out her purse. She dug through it like a girl on a mission and pulled out a wrinkled and folded piece of cardstock. Zoya carefully opened it up and handed it to Asad.
"Could you help me find out where that place is?" Zoya asked in a small voice.
Asad wasn't sure whether Zoya was just trying to make conversation or this was something actually important to her. He took the picture and studied it before taking a glimpse of Zoya. Her eyes were wide with hope and curiosity - something Asad just couldn't turn down. "It looks familiar," he began which led Zoya to break out into a wide grin. "Why do you need this?"
Zoya's grin turned into a frown. "Um you see... you know how I said my abbu wanted me to explore and stuff? Yeah, he's sending me on a.. uh.. scavenger hunt," she fibbed.
Asad gave her a strange look, but didn't bother arguing back. "Alright - I'm going to take you somewhere, let's hope it helps."
Her heart felt so warm at the thought of him helping her. Impulsivly, Zoya went over and hugged Asad tightly. The two felt a strange sensation, but loved and wanted by one another at the same time. Zoya's head rested in the crook of his neck while she took in his scent. Asad was lost in her hair. Though it was just a random, impulsive act - their hug was so meaningful. It was a symbol of everything being put behind and the start of a new friendship.
When Zoya realized what she was doing, she slowly and unwillingly pulled away. She sheepishly looked at the ground before speaking again. "I'll go get a rickshaw," she suggested.
Asad nodded and watched her walk out. She was definetly going to be the death of him and he knew it. He smiled to himself before turning off the lights and locking up the shop.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------scene2
"This doesn't look like the picture," Zoya commented.
They were in front of what seemed to be an antique shop. Asad motioned for her to come with him inside.
Asad began to speak with a man who looked like he could be in his late 70's or early 80's. For what seemed to be the first time to Zoya, she watched him smile and laugh and drowned out whatever words she could hear in their conversation. Zoya made it a goal to make him as happy as he was now just once in her lifetime.
The old man interrupted Zoya's thoughts and asked her if she needed any help. She looked up at Asad who caught her signal and began to explain her situation.
Zoya handed him the picture. The man couldn't put his tongue on it, yet proceeded to make himself a copy to ponder about it later. When the man was out of Zoya's sight, she began to speak again.
"How do you know this guy?"
"He was like a father figure to me when I was younger. When I would bunk school, I would come here and just talk. He's basically a walking dictionairy of Bhopal," Asad explained.
Zoya took note of how happy Asad became when just talking about him - it brought a smile to her face as well. "Thank you SO much," she gushed after it hit her about what was happening. She was so close to her goal, closer than she ever thought she'd be so quickly.
Asad said nothing in response - he looked at how happy she was. She was like a shining star, lighting up the room. Her eyes were bright and filled with excitement. Her cheeks were different shades of pink and red. Her smile had that effect that just made you want to smile as well. The only thing that bothered him was that her hair was coming into her face, hiding her beauty. His hand slowly found its way to her hair and tucked it behind her hair.
Zoya's mouth was open in the shape of a small 'o'. Her eyes gave way to any emotion she was feeling - the excitement changed to curiosity. Asad didn't notice that his hand was still on Zoya until the man came back with a piece of paper. He quickly pulled his hand away and shoved it into his pant pocket.
The man smirked while watching Asad's action. He handed Zoya a paper with a list of addresses along with the original picture. "That could be anyone of these places," he explained. "Sorry dear - my mind doesn't work as great as it used to," he chuckled.
"Thank you so much - I honestly don't know how to thank you!" she squealed.
"Simple - just take care of my chota Asad," he gossiped as he pinched one of Asad's cheeks.
Zoya giggled; especially at Asad's embarrassed expression.
Asad quickly gave his goodbyes and walked back to the rickshaw with Zoya.
"He was so nice!" Zoya proclaimed while clutching the addresses tightly in her hand. "Okay, so which one do you want to go to first?"
"Do you think we're going right now?" he questioned.
"Are we not going now?"
"Ms. Farooqi, look at the time. It's too late, we can go tomorrow."
"It isn't even that late! In New York, there would be people barely stepping outside at this time!"
"Well this isn't New York, this is BHOPAL. Have you not watched the news? We're going home."
"What's your problem Mr. Khan? Nothing's going to happen - if you don't come then I can just go on my own you know."
"And get kidnapped or hurt? Hell no."
Zoya looked out the window and noticed how dark it had gotten - there were less than 20 stars attempting to light up the sky. After a few moments of silence, Zoya looked over at Asad. He really cared - Zoya knew that. It was just so strange that someone besides her brother and sister actually cared for her so much. "I'm sorry," she managed to squeak out.
"It's okay," he said, matching her low volume.
"I live right here," she told the rickshaw driver. Zoya was about to pay, but Asad stopped her.
"I got it, it's fine."
"Thank you... for this and everything else," she voiced before stepping out.
After seeing the rickshaw go out of sight, she stared at the beautiful house that rested before her. Zoya sighed and began her journey to her actual apartment.
"Zoya, you're so stupid - you should have just had Mr. Khan drop you off at your apartment," she uttered to herself while rubbing her arms to keep warmth.
Zoya kept looking at the ground as she walked until she bumped into a man. It was dark and Zoya was unable to differentiate from people. She secretly hoped it was Asad, but was confused when she looked up and saw the dingy man from the coffee shop.
"Well, well; what a surprise babe!" he slurred, his breath reeking of alcohol.
Zoya groaned a little too loudly. She was tired, cranky and absolutely did not want to deal with this guy especially when she didn't have her warm and protective Asad backing her up.
"Guess someone's not excited to see me," he growled while taking hold of her wrist.
"I'm really tired, can we just do this later?" Zoya suggested before letting out a yawn.
The man's smirk at Zoya didn't go unnoticed by her. "You're so cute," he whispered. She felt him getting closer as the revolting smell of alcohol got stronger.
"Can you just leave me alone?" Zoya asked, the volume of her voice getting louder.
Zoya could tell that the man was staring to get angry. He dropped his brown paper bag in which a glass inside had broken and liquid had spilled everywhere. "You, babe, shouldn't tell me what to do,"
When she sensed that he was about to make a move, she began to scream. "I HAVE PEPPER SPRAY, YOU BETTER WATCH YOURSELF!" Zoya began to touch her hip when she noticed that she didn't have her purse on her. "Zoya, you seriously had to be stupid TONIGHT? You couldn't have done this last night?" she groaned to herself.
Zoya felt a strong pair of arms wrap around her. "Let me go! Didn't I tell you I have pepper spray?!" she shrieked. Zoya tried to cover her nose from the unbearable scent of alcohol, but she was surprised when a different scent overtook it - Asad's cologne. Zoya looked up and saw an upside down Asad since he was still holding her to him.
"Asad..." she murmered, looking straight into his eyes. He let go of his grip, but held onto her right wrist. Asad looked up and glared directly at the dingy man.
After whispering a few words into Zoya's either, he wobbled away.
"I've been trying to get him to go away and you didn't even have to say a word to him!" Zoya exclaimed furiously. She put her hands into her jean pockets and looked up at Asad. "Why'd you come back?"
Asad held up a very familiar brown Chanel purse.
"Oh," was all that Zoya responded with. She took the purse back and wrapped it securely around her shoulder.
"Were you seriously about to go look for those addresses on your own?" Asad asked. Zoya could hear the pain and regret in his voice even though he'd never admit any of those emotions.
"No... I was going to my apartment... that house was my parent's house and I didn't feel like going there," she flatly said. "Another lie," she thought to herself.
Asad sighed and rolled his eyes in annoyance. "I'm walking you to your apartment, let's go."
"Geez, so commanding."
"Do you expect me to not be? I let you out of my sight for literally 15 minutes and then there's guys trying to seduce you!"
"He wasn't trying to seduce me - he was just drunk."
"Whatever."
"Why do you care so much?"
"I don't."
"Yeah you do or else you wouldn't even be here."
"I just can't risk losing an employee."
"Why am I not surprised?"
"Whaaat? I can't lose someone as unique and special as you, Zoya."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------end
A/N - Hey guys :) Sorry for taking such a long time to update :( I had originally written a great chapter, but then I lost it and I just came up with this - forgive me for it being so bad 🤔 Hope you guys enjoy and thank you for the great feedback 😳
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