OS: Five Years

OS: Five Years

It had been five years since she last saw him, she had gone on holiday to India with her sister and it was during her 16th birthday celebrations when she first met him.

'Zoya this is Dilshad aunty, and this is her daughter Najma and...um aunty Asad didn't come?' Zeenat asked as she looked behind her 'he did, he has just one to park the car...Zoya, its lovely to have finally met you, happy birthday beta' Zoya stepped forward to hug Dilshad 'thank you so much' Zoya looked at Najma and held out her hand to shake, 'would you like to join me?' Zoya asked Najma politely 'sure'.

Zoya and Najma made their way to a table on the side leaving Zeenat and Dilshad to catch up. 'Zeenat she is absolutely beautiful, when does she finish studying?' Dilshad asked ' she is due to start college in September and the hopefully will go onto university so around 21' Dilshad looked at Zoya laughing away in conversation with Najma, it didn't take her long to decide that when Zoya came of age she would ask for her hand in marriage for her son, Asad.

Asad came in and Dilshad introduced her over the top introvert of a son to Zeenat 'Asalam o Alaikum Asad, thank you for coming, your mum told me its not always easy to get you out of the house' Zeenat teased Asad smiled back at her politely. 'Asad go and introduce yourself to the birthday girl Zoya, she s sitting there with Najma. Asad mentally groaned wishing he had just played the part of a chauffeur instead of coming inside. Asad looked over to the table his mum pointed to but only saw Najma sitting there on her own. He started to make his way to her when he collided with someone almost falling back 'are you blind?' He said in anger as he wiped his jacket Zoya shot her head up 'I could easily ask you the same question, it was an accident, no need to jump down my throat about it' Asad looked at her intently Zoya met his gaze back with the same intensity waiting for him to respond 'Ya Allah what is wrong with this guy...excuse me if you have finished with your angry glare do you mind stepping aside I need to get another drink' Asad stepped to side allowing her to walk past, this was probably the first in history that Asad found himself unable to retort back and it was definitely the first time he had been awestruck by a girl, Asad tried to look away but couldn't, she was stunning, everything about her screamed perfection, not even he could deny how beautiful she was.

Asad went and sat down with Najma 'so where is this Miss Farooqui whose birthday it is' he asked her 'Bhai you are going to love her, she is so funny, she is really nice, she has just gone to get me a drink I'll introduce you to her when she gets back' Asad rolled his eyes at his sister, she thought everyone was nice. Zoya came back to find a guy sitting her place she stood behind him and looked at Najma raising her eyebrows as if to ask who it was. 'Zoya this my brother, Asad bhaijaan, bhaijaan this is Zoya' Asad turned around to see who it was and the minute he did they both shouted out 'you' in unison. As their eyes narrowed at one another Zoya geared herself up to having another round with him but before the two could exchange any unpleasantries Zeenat and Dilshad walked over to them. 'Aah good so you have met' Zeenat said looking the both of them Zoya smiled 'yes aapi we just got introduced'.

'Zoya I would like for you to come and stay with us for a few days before you go back to New York' Dilshad said placing her hand sofly on her cheek, before Zoya could respond Najma screamed with excitement making her jump 'oh Zoya that would be so great...please please come' Zoya looked at Zeenat who also had agreed 'sure why not, I would love to' she said reluctantly. In all this Asad stood their grinding his teeth did his mum really have to invite this fire cracker to stay with them.

Zoya was shown to the guest room which just happened to be opposite Asad's room. She put down her bag and walked back out to the living room. 'Aunty your house is beautiful, everything is so immaculate...so perfect' Zoya said as she twirled around in he middle of he room taking in its beauty. Najma started to giggle and Dilshad admired Zoya's care free loving nature, what the three of them didn't notice were the set of eyes that also looked on in admiration of Zoya's beauty. In all his eighteen years Asad had never been so encapsulated so drawn into someone, this girl was really putting his self control to the test.

At the dinner table Zoya continued to entertain the Khan family, as Najma and Dilshad laughed out loud Asad sat there with a straight face, what his mum and sister found funny he found immature and irritating. Zoya tried to engage in conversation with him but gave up after receiving a herd of one syllable answers 'this guy really needs to lighten...he's so...rigid' she thought to herself.

Zoya couldn't sleep tossing and turning was just causing her to become more restless, giving up she decided to venture outside. The garden was as beautiful as the house inside, the smell of the red roses fragranced the air, the dim lamps on either side created an ambience that was indescribable. Zoya sat on the bench,the gentle breeze tickled her skin and blew her hair, for the first time in a long time she felt at peace.

'What are you doing here?' A voice came from behind making her jump, she got up and turned around to see Asad standing there 'Ya Allah what are trying to do give me a heart attack?' she said as she placed her hand on her heart. Asad let out a chuckle 'major drama queen' he whispered to himself 'what did you just say?' She asked him not fully hearing what he had just mumbled 'nothing, I was just wondering what you are doing here so late in the night' 'oh...I couldn't sleep so came out for some fresh air...um would you like to join me?' Asad was about to say not but then he met her eyes, they were so expressive, full of light and life, the only word he could think of to describe them was hypnotising. 'Yeah...sure' Asad and Zoya sat on the bench both waiting for the other to initiate some kind of conversation.

Asad finally spoke 'is this your first time in India?' Silently thanking him for breaking the silence Zoya started talking 'no...actually I was born here, I moved to New York when I was five' 'is that where your parents are?' On hearing him mention her parents Zoya's eyes started to moisten 'umm no m...my parents passed away when I was young, that's when Zeenat aapi's family adopted me and took me to America' Asad felt a dull pain 'I'm so sorry I didn't know and I didn't mean to upset you' wiping away a tear that had just escaped Zoya smiled at him 'that's ok...so tell me what is it that you do...I mean are you sill studying?' 'Yes have just started my degree in engineering, once I am qualified I want to open up my own construction company' 'that sounds really cool' she said rather impressed. 'How about you?' 'I have just finished high school will be starting college when I get back...I hope to study medicine...become the best paediatrician in the world' she said animating he last part 'wow...Dr. Zoya Farooqui...impressive'. Asad and Zoya sat there for hours on end talking, Asad found himself doing what he had never done before talking to girl, a stranger in some senses, talking about himself, his personal life, talking to Zoya was effortless, he didn't feel inhibited in anyway, it seemed like the most natural thing in the world.

The next few days seemed to have flown by but even so they were full of fun and laughter, Dilshad saw a side to her son that she thought she had lost forever, after Asad's father left them he withdrew himself, he was forever formal, never did anything, enjoyed anything and never really made many friends. Seeing his growing closeness and interactions with Zoya lightened her heart there were occasions when she could have sworn that he smiled, smiled a smile that actually reached his eyes a smile that came from the heart. Having come back from another exhausting trip from the mall Zoya slumped herself on the sofa 'I can't move my feet are about to fall off' she moaned 'well serves you right, I will never get how you girls can shop so much' 'Asad pleeease spare me the lecture...if you want to do something useful then carry me to my room' Asad looked at her as if she had gone crazy but he soon scratched that thought, a devilish grin started to appear 'your wish is my command' he thought to himself. Before Zoya could understand what was going on she found herself in his arms Zoya gasped and muffled a scream 'Asad what the hell do you think you are doing...put me down' 'I am doing something useful...like you asked me too' Zoya looked at him wide eyed 'are you for real...I was joking...now put me down before someone sees us'.

Asad put Zoya down 'you're not as heavy as you look' Zoya looked him and whacked his arm 'you are so rude' Asad laughed 'hey that was a compliment' 'some compliment' Zoya went to hit him again when he caught her arm, the more she tried to get him to let go the tighter his hold became. Asad pulled her hand forcing her to collide with him, Zoya's head landed against his chest with her hair flying all around. Zoya felt her heart skip beat and then several beats together as she felt Asad's hand move here hair aside, she looked up to meet his eyes, she saw a new kind of intensity as he looked back into the depth of her eyes his hand moved up to stroke her cheek, Zoya held her breath and closed her eyes as soon as she felt his hand touch her.

Asad looked at her face intently, her lips were quivering she looked scared, what he wanted to do was lean in further and place his lips over hers, he closed his eyes and loosened his hold on her 'I'm sorry' he whispered. Zoya opened her eyes to find him gone, she finally let out the breath she had been holding in for so long 'Ya Allah' she said as she tried to regulate her heartbeat. Asad avoided Zoya for the rest of he day, he didn't understand what he had done nor why all he knew was that he felt a pull towards her something he couldn't define 'it's infatuation...no just a silly crush...it's because she is so pretty no not pretty she is beautiful, full of life, fun and flamboyant' Asad carried on this internal dialogue trying to justify what it was that was pushing him further and further towards her.

'Zoya I can't believe you are leaving already' Najma said with a pout, Asad immediately shot his head up 'leaving' he said louder than intended Zoya looked at him his expression that had been quite somber the whole day now looked like it had gone into semi shock 'yes bhaijaan Zoya is leaving tomorrow morning and the on Wednesday is flying back to America' the whole time Najma spoke Asad kept his eyes on Zoya, Zoya wanted to look away but couldn't she gave him a nervous smile not knowing what else to do. Asad got up from his seat 'I just remembered...I need to do something' Asad walked away leaving his mum calling after him 'only Allah knows what goes on that boys head, in all these years I have never been able to figure him out' Dilshad complained.

Zoya contemplated going to his room, she was leaving tomorrow and she didn't want to go with any kind of animosity between them, she had really enjoyed her time with him, if nothing else she needed to thank him. Standing outside his door she took in a few deep breathes before she knocked, not hearing anything she opened the door slightly and poked her head in 'hello...Asad you in here' 'no' came a cold voice from near the window. Zoya walked in to see him standing looking out he window 'hi' 'I thought I said I wasn't here' he said without turning around 'I'm sorry...I just came to say thank you and bye, I really had a great time...' Asad turned around to face her she had her hand held out in front of her, she was fidgeting with her fingers as she spoke with her eyes lowered. Asad sighed and closed his eyes he stepped forward and placed his hand over hers making her stop and then to look up to him. 'You really are going?' Zoya nodded, Asad stepped a little closer so close that she could feel his warm breath caress her face, Zoya felt her heart flutter and stomach summersault in every direction possible.

Asad placed his hand on her cheek 'I'm going to miss you, I'm sorry for earlier on I don't know what came over me' Asad moved back and immediately Zoya felt a void the proximity between them felt so right, like Asad Zoya couldn't work out what was going on with her, there was an obvious attraction to him, how could there not be the guy was perfection personified but what did all these other feelings mean? 'You don't need to apologise, it's ok...and I will miss you too, I can't really believe how quickly the days have gone, it just feels like yesterday when I first met you' dipping her hands in her pocket she pulled out a piece of paper 'um...Asad here, this...this is my mobile number...if you ever want you can call me or message me...I would love or us to stay in touch' Asad smiled as he took the piece of paper 'thank you' 'I should get going Zeenat aapi is picking me up quite early...good night' Zoya turned to walk away but only to be stopped by his hand that had grabbed hold of hers.

Zoya looked at him but before she could say anything he pulled her towards him and wrapped his arms around her, for the life of him he didn't know what he was doing but for he first time he was doing what his heart told him to do. As he let go of her Zoya looked down to hide her blush, smiling shyly she quickly said good night once again before she ran out the door.

Zeenat thanked Dilshad again for having Zoya 'the pleasure was all ours, we really loved having her here...Zoya you promise next time you come you will come and stay with us' Dilshad said as she hugged her 'I promise, there isn't anywhere else I would go'. Zoya hugged Najma again as she had become teary eyed 'don't worry I will keep in touch' she said cupping her face. Zoya finally turned to Asad who had been standing leaning against the staircase, Zoya held out her hand 'bye' she whispered Asad squeezed her hand 'bye...inshAllah I will see you soon' Zoya smiled 'inshAllah'.

It had been five year to the day, she was finally going back. Najma was getting engaged and was adamant that Zoya attended, in all the five years gone Asad and Najma kept in touch with Zoya, Asad obviously more than Najma. They hadn't realised how over time their friendship had blossomed into something so strong something that not even their physical distance could stop from becoming. Asad had fallen in love with Zoya and he was damn sure that it was love even then, there wasn't a day that Zoya could live without having spoken to the love of her life. The shear excitement that they both felt thinking that in just a few hours they were going to be reunited, going to see each other after so long was beyond this world.

Asad was out running the last of his errands before the evenings function. Zoya had already reached home, her reunion with Dilshad and Najma was full of joyous tears 'I cant believe you are getting engaged Najma...look at you..you look stunning' Zoya said hugging her tightly. Zoya went to get ready and as she did she tried to calm down her erratic heartbeat she was sure that she would start hyperventilating. Zoya had just finished getting ready she heard her door open she sprung around and froze. There he was standing right in front of her 'Asad' she said as she sucked in a breath, Asad smiled at her, she looked flawless, she had always been beautiful but today she stood before him as a complete woman someone with elegance and charm. She smiled back at him his beautifully defined body took her breath away, he was sure to put any Greek God to shame. Asad stepped forward, every step he took Zoya matched until they stood a few inches away. 'Hi' he said keeping his gaze locked with hers 'hi' she whispered back, Zoya hadn't realised that she was crying it was only she Asad reached to her face to wipe her tears did she know. As soon as his hand came into contact with her face Zoya closed her eyes and threw her arms around him hugging him as if her life depended on it, Asad held her as tightly. As he pulled her back he cupped her face and rested his forehead on hers 'welcome back' Zoya started laughing through her tears 'it's good to be back'.

Asad and Zoya spent as long as they could in one another's embrace, they had so much to talk about, so much to express, Asad held her hand the whole time they sat there 'we should get going the boys side should be arriving soon' Zoya said as she stood up. Asad pulled her hand back he placed his hand gently on her shoulders and made her step closer to him, he moved his hands up simultaneously placing his palms on each side of her face 'I love you Zoya' Zoya placed her hand over his 'and I love you too'. Asad then did what he had been waiting to do for the best part of five years, he leaned in and placed his lips over her soft ones, Zoya stopped breathing as her heart spiralled out of control, she immediately placed her hands on his arms to keep herself from falling. She felt Asad apply a little more pressure and as he did Zoya kissed him back. Asad looked at her and when she smiled at him turning crimson he knew that he had done nothing that they would regret.

It was only time before Dilshad approached Zeenat asking her what she had intended to five years ago, she asked for Zoya's hand in marriage for Asad.

14th July 2013. The day Asad and Zoya had their nikah.