Chapter 13 - If Only

I am sure, there are a lot of times, in our lives, when we ponder upon these two words.If only.If only things happened in this way, if only I had done this differently, If only, i had reacted differently, If only this, or if only that.There are a lot of times in our lives, that we wish to do things differently than what we actually do, and its almost ironic that when in a particular moment, the wish of doing what the heart yearns for,gets washed away by situations and circumstances. There are many times, we wonder, especially when it comes to the heart, if only we could have actually done what the heart wanted, then maybe things would have been different.And i have heard somewhere, something which i believe strongly, and no matter how much we wish to delay or live in denial, its always really the best, to tell someone how you feel, because opportunities are lost in a blink of an eye, but regrets,can last a lifetime,and some regrets have that power to really, last a lifetime.

...............

London - Monday 4 PM

Khushi watched Zoya out of the corner of her eye, as she watched her brother leave her room, and she decided to question Zoya finally.Something was really up, it really was, ever since she had returned with her breakfast in the hospital, she was trying to be over enthusiastic,which always signalled, that something was wrong,because that was just Zoya,and she knew her way too well,and seems like her brother had noticed too, as she had heard him ask,Zoya a numerous times, if everything was alright, to which she had answered that yes it was,and so she thought that maybe she needed to talk to Zoya, alone,and the minute she had suggested her brother to use Zoya's appt to relax for sometime, she knew the time was now. And so she finally asked -

"Ok Zo, hes gone now, spill the beans..."

Zoya looked at Khushi, as she tried to hide her turmoil - " what are you talking about Khushi?? spill what??"

"Spill what the hell is wrong with you, something happened right?? Cmon Zoya, i know you way too well..."

Zoya smiled - " I know Khushi but you need to rest now, ok, we can talk later..."

"Zoya , i am fine, completely, its been hours since we are back home, and something is just off, i need to know, what is it??"

Zoya finally gave up, Khushi knew her way to well, so she took a deep breath as she spoke - "Khushi, i spoke to bhai this morning,i thought he didn't know about your accident...."

Khushi felt her insides churn at the mention of his name,and she stated blankly- " he knew Zoya, Riya called him by mistake, but he doesn't care, so its ok...i understand he hates me...."

"How do you know, he doesn't care?? obviously he does Khushi....", said Zoya, trying to cover up, so that Khushi wouldn't be more hurt that she already was.

Khushi gave her a sad smile, as she held her hand - " you are the best friend, anyone can ever wish for, Zoya, but you dont need to cover up, i know he doesn't care, and i need to face the truth,he told me he doesn't...."

Zoya asked shocked - " he did?? when??"

"Yes he did, along with how much he hates me..."

"What??when did he??"

"he spoke to me for a few minutes last night,you know to make that clear....", stated Khushi.

Zoya asked shocked at her brothers insenstivity - " last night?? you mean, he told all those things to you, after he knew you were in an accident, and in the hospital..???"

Khushi nodded - " yeah, but its ok Zoya, i understand....so relax..."

Zoya - "relax?? how can I khushi when i know he  is being so insensitive, i cant believe this, he is so going to regret this, i know he is, i told that to him this morning, along with the truth, that it never really was your fault in the first place, that it was all my fault Khushi, that i gave you the false name, and asked you to play along, I thought he would soften after hearing it, but he's just so mad,and he's given me 48 hours to be back home, why is he doing this?? just why cant he understand, i cant leave, not when you need me, and more so Asad, what am i going to say to him??"

Khushi put her hand on Zoya's shoulder as she said - " Zoya, you got to understand , hes hurt, I hurt him, i should have told him the truth myself, long ago, but he found out from elsewhere, which was worse ofcourse, and then to hear you, his little sister, whom he adores, and dotes on, admit that she has been lying to him to be friends with his enemy,obviously must have hurt him further,thats why i lied to him that you didn't know, because he was so angry, i knew hed lash out at you, and look now he wants you back, and I am sure, he means it, Zoya, i think you should listen to him,before things get worse for you...."

Zoya looked at Khushi worried - " I know, i don't want him to do something ,which could worsen things, too, but I cant just leave, what will i say to Asad??"

Khushi - " Bhaijaan, dont worry, i will handle him, he will understand..."

Zoya asked worried - " I don't know Zoya, i just don't know, why is this all so messed up, if only the past wouldn't have happened, we would all be in a different place today...."

Khushi said sadly - " I know, but we cannot run away from the reality, even if we want to, its not going to help us, Zoya...."

Zoya - " You are right, running away, isn't going to help us at all, i need to face things, finally, and looks like i know what I have to do...."

Khushi - " and i am with you, always, no metter what you do, what you deceide, you know that right...??"

Zoya smiled and hugged her - " yes, i do....oh god khushi 48 hours, how am i going to tell Asad....??"

And it was right then she heard Asad's voice in the doorway which asked - " tell me what??"

Asad had come back to take his phone, which he had forgotten by Khushi's bedside,he was just about to take a nap, and was looking for his phone to put a alarm, and it was right then he had realised, that it was in Khushis room, and so he had walked across, to get it, and what he saw brought a smile to his face, it was the sight of the two important women in his lives hugging, and it wasn't until he heard Zoya mention something about telling him, that he asked what it was about.

He walked up, and sat on the sofa, picking up his phone and smiled- " i came to take this, and sorry as much as i don't intend to eavesdrop, what is it Zoya, that you need to tell me??"

Zoya tried to cover up as she said - "Asad, its nothing really...."

Khushi touched Zoya's hand as she said - " bhaijaan, she is worried, because she doesn't know how to tell you, that she needs to be back in India, in the next 48 hours...."

Asad felt a kick in his gut, as he registered his sisters words and he looked at Zoya ,this was definitely a shock, he had planned on staying in London, until Khushi got fine, and he was sure Zoya would too, and he needed that time, because he wanted to tell her in the most special way, how much he loved her, and so he looked at Zoya - "is it true??you need to leave??"

Zoya - " yes, Asad, I'm sorry,but, some family emergency has come up, and as much as i hate to leave right now, I guess i have to...."

Asad didnt know how to react, and so he just nodded curtly - " ok, i understand...", and he walked out the room, just like that.

Zoya looked at Khushi - " Khushi, did you see the look on his face??"

Khushi grinned - " yes, i did, and theres a reason why i dropped the bomb, Zoya, you need to go and talk to him now, gooooo...."

Zoya said getting up -  "yes, i need to....", and just as she was about to shut the room door, she heard Khushi's voice - " i am going to sleep, and when i get up, i want to know, how you finally told bhaijaan, how much you love him..."

Zoya looked at Khushi shocked - " you know?? Khushi?? how???"

Khushi smiled - " its on your face, silly , just like its on his, now go, trust me you really want to say it out loud, i am sure, he is in love with you too Zoya....i know my bhaijaan...."

Zoya immediately got back and pulled Khushi in a hug as she said - " you are the best, you have to know that...."

Khushi hugged her back - "now go, ok , and let me sleep...."

Khushi saw Zoya walk out,and she couldn't help but feel so happy, for her.She had seen it in her brother's eyes,just the way he looked at Zoya, she had always known, that when Love would finally happen to him, it would be for good, and she couldn't be happier to know, that he was in love with Zoya,and she desperately hoped, that he wouldn't react badly, when the truth of Zoya's identity came out,no she wouldn't let him.Because she knew, that very few people, in this world were lucky enough to have the one they loved, love them back, and she couldn't let them walk out on that.

Love.She closed her eyes as her thoughts went back to him.Arnav, the love of her life,the one she loved so much that it hurt so bad.She let her heart replay the memories of him,and she couldn't help but smile, things really had been good.If only, she had got the chance to tell him the truth, maybe just maybe he would have reached differently, but she knew one thing, she was glad to be able to tell him how she felt.She didn't for once regret telling him, that she loved him.If only she could get the chance to tell him, how much she really loved him, how he really did mean everything to her, how he was her whole world, how she couldn't help but love him with every broken piece of her heart, how she felt so empty, because he had walked out.She wiped her tears , and twisted in bed, and decided to get some sleep, as she made herself understand, that she wasn't as lucky, maybe he never would be in love with her,just maybe, he would never love her.She made herself understand, that as much as she loved him, he would never love her.He hated her, he had thrown her out of his life,and now all she had to do was cope up, with her broken heart, and one sided love for the man,the only man, she had ever wanted.

............

Asad twisted in bed, and he finally got up, giving up on sleep, obviously he couldn't sleep, when the thought of Zoya leaving , was making him sick.How could she not tell him?? How could she just decide to go??

And it was right then, he spotted her on the entrance of the room, as she asked - " Asad, can we talk??"

Asad immediately got out of bed, and stood up, looking out of the window - " yeah, Zoya...its time, dont you think??"

Zoya walked up to him, and she touched his arm as she asked - " wont you look at me?? Asad, I am sorry, I just have to, im sorry i didn't tell you earlier, i only got to know this morning, some family emergency has come up, and i need to be home....", and she finally turned him around,and when she only saw raw emotion in his eyes, she hugged him tight as she whispered - " Asad, i know, i didn't think i'd need to leave so early too,but remember what you said, its still us, its a new beginning...."

Asad hugged her close as he felt his anger melt away as he admitted - " Zoya, i know, i understand, but you gotta understand, i wasn't ready yet, to be apart from you, iv gotten so used to having you around all the time, this is just insane, for i cannot control what i feel, as much as i understand, its your family, its just that I'll miss you so much...."

Zoya kissed him on his cheek tenderly as she put her arms around his neck and said - " i know what you mean, because i feel the exact same thing, Asad, with you around,i cannot control anything,anything i feel, you have no idea, how much ill miss you, you cannot even imagine...."

The sincerity, the look in her eyes, did it.He had planned this differently, he had, it all planned in his head.he had thought of taking her out,have the whole place lit up, and take her in his arms, and admit how he felt, but looks like he didn't have the time, as time was running out, and he couldn't let her go, without knowing how he felt,and so he just let his emotions flow, as he bent forward, and took her lips in for a deep kiss.

Zoya tiptoed to receive his kiss, and no sooner than his lips had touched hers, she felt Asad move backwards, a little, as he shut the room door, and then he picked her up a little, and she wrapped her legs around his waist,as they continued to kiss, and he finally sat back into the sofa, with her on his lap, kissing her mindlessly. He broke apart, for a few seconds as he whispered - "Zoya, you have no idea, what you mean to me, I just....", and before he could say further, she started to kiss him again as she said agains his lips - " good, just like you dont know, what you mean to me...."

He kissed her again, as he let her dominate their liplock, and he felt the similar desire for her shoot up, and he finally broke three embrace, now desperate to let her know the truth, desperate to let her know, he was in love with her, and he cupped her face tenderly as he said - "although i think you have no idea, what you mean to me, id like you to know Zoya, that I, am truly,and deeply, in love with you....."

Zoya felt herself go still for a second, just as she heard him, because she hadn't expected him to say this, all she had thought was, that she was in love with him, but now to finally hear him say, that he was in love with her too, gave her chills of excitement and very strong emotions.She wanted to say it out loud too, she wanted to tell him she loved him to, and the look on his face, told her that he was waiting for her answer but she didn't say anything,instead she just bent forward, and started to kiss him again,only more passionately this time as she whispered against his lips - " Kiss me , Asad....", and as much as Asad wanted her to say something, his desire got the better of him, as he felt her squirm on his lap,driving him insane, and he started to kiss her.

He took a bunch of her hair in his fist, as he trailed a line of kisses down her throat,and her neck,and then he gave her a soft bite and whispered against her neck - "Mine...."

Zoya felt that similar desire take over her, as well,but she knew she had to let it out too, and so she said, as she put her forehead against his, her breathing heavy - " always,only yours, and just so i think that you have no idea what you mean to me, id like you to know, that I am truly,madly,deeply, in love with you, too, I love you so much Asad, I love you so so so much too....."

Asad thought his heart had stopped beating in happiness.Just to hear her finally say what he had only dreamt off, made him the happiest man on this earth and so he whispered - " you make me the happiest man on this earth Zoya....I love you, so much,that it has changed everything,all i know is that I love you, and I cannot imagine my life without you...."

Zoya immediately put her hand on his lips - " Please don't say that, because even in my imagination, i cannot imagine, such a thing Asad, I need you, in my life, by my side, I don't know what Ill do, if....", and before she could complete,his hand was on her mouth as he whispered - " shhh, no if's Zoya,its us, we gotta think about, just us....", and he leaned forward.

"Just us, it is....", Zoya whispered, as she leaned in to receive his kiss.To finally have it say it out loud, and admit that they wherein love, was driving them both crazy and the passion it ignited, was unimaginable.

Asad finally pushed her back into the sofa,as he held her body close to his, and kissed her everywhere.He tugged on her shirt, and she helped him take it off,and then he flung his shirt aside as he admired her again, for a second, and then looked into her eyes and asked - "will you let me love you, Zoya?? the way I want to??"

Zoya nodded as she whispered looking straight into his smoldering eyes - " Always, Asad....", and before she knew it, passion took over, and she let the man she loved, make love to her, once more.

...................

Monday - 10.00 PM Shantivan

Arnav tried to concentrate on the presentation in front of him, but he couldn't just like he knew, he hadn't been able to get himself to concentrate all day at work.He shut his laptop in frustration, and closed his eyes, and leaned back in his recliner, deep in thought,trying to comprehend, what was it, that was making him so uncomfortable, as much as he wanted to, he knew, he had been trying to run away,from it all, but he knew it was not working.He was hurt, deeply hurt.And it wasn't just because of the only one he had truly liked or cared about, but also because of his sister.His little sister, had been lying to him for so many years, only because, she wanted to be friends with the enemy.Wasn't Zoya aware of the past?? Ofcourse she was, then what was the reason that made her go behind his back. He remembered her words -

"We needed each other bhai, away from home, everyone, we are like family, the past is bitter..."

And then he remembered Khushi's words again - " The past is bitter, but t isn't my fault.Im sorry about lying to you, but im not sorry about being in love with you.You are the best to have happened to me,Arnav,I love you, maybe one day, that will be enough..."

He didn't know, why those words continued to haunt him day and night.

Obviously he was angry, both at his sister, and that liar Khushi,but he couldn't beleive, he had never imagined that hed be this hurt.The hurt that he was feeling, was immense.

It hurt, because Khushi, the girl, who had captured his mind and heart in the last few weeks, was an enemy.She was Khushi Ahemed Khan.

Just for once he tried to remove her last name in his head,as his heart argued, that she was still Khushi, the same Khushi, the same girl, who had mesmerised him, taking over his every thought.And just as he had allowed his heart that one slip, it flooded his mind, with all her memories,all good memories, all precious memories, of everytime they had been together,everytime, he had touched her kissed her, held her close,and the way she had responded to his feelings, somehow deep down it really felt concrete,as if it all meant something, that it really did mean something else.For the first time ever, out of all his flings, that was one relationship, he could have called real,the one in which he actually felt something.If only,she hadn't lied to him,and ruined everything,if only she could just be his Khushi,and not be Khushi Ahemed Khan.If only,all this would have not happened to him.He wiped the tear, that was threatening to leave his eye, as he controlled his emotions, no he couldn't cry, he couldn't let himself feel the pain he was feeling. It was right then he heard his sisters voice in the doorway - "Chotte,can i come in??"

Arnav immediately shot up in his recliner - " of course di, come in, since when do you need to ask me??"

Anjali smiled - " well since, i saw my Chotte was deep in thought, is everything ok Chotte??iv been waiting to talk to you since yesterday"

Arnav nodded - "yes everything is fine di,why do you ask??"

Anjali - " well, you returned a day early,and as much as that made me happy, i am quite surprised,and then you v been off all day, and even at dinner, you didn't talk to any one of us, you were just way too quiet, than usual, i know something is bothering you, what is it Chotte??"

Arnav covered up - " well its nothing really di, you just worry way too much, everything is fine, i have too much work on hand, since i was out for a good three weeks , thats all..."

Anjali brushed her brothers hair tenderly - "and mind if I ask, how were these three weeks??"

Arnav - " they were fine di, nothing much, just work..."

Anjali - " yeah, i am not interested to know about your work Chotte, i want to know about the time you were spending with Khushi....Zoya's best friend, last i recalled, you did say something about her being really nice and different, and that you were getting to know her...i want to know about that...."

Just hearing her name again, stirred up something inside him, but he dismissed it as he answered his sister - " Theres nothing to know Di, i dont want to talk about her...."

Anjali asked surprised - " why do you say so Chottte? last i heard, was only fondness in your voice, for her, did something happen??"

Arnav - " Di , please, just drop it, i dont want to talk about her...."

Anjali - "Chotte, what is it??"

And something just snapped inside of him as he spat, sure that the hurt was evident in his voice - "its just that she is nothing but a liar,di, she lied to me all along, she had the audacity, di, how dare she??"

Anjali asked worried - " lied about what?? I know from Zoya, she's a sweet girl, why would she??", but she stopped in between as she heard her brothers voice and he sounded so hurt - " she lied di, about being who she was, for the first time ever, i thought i found someone i really like, someone i really wanna be with, but....she ruined everything....."

Anjali - " what do you mean?? Chotte?? doesn't she feel, i mean doesn't she like you??"

"no di, she said she's in love with me....", he spat out.

Anjali - " what?? wow, isn't that a good thing Chotte, and you said you really like her too,then where is the problem, i dont see any, what did she lie about??"

"Just about everything, im sure di, everything that left her mouth, was a lie, because if she could lie about her name, she could lie about anything.....", he spat.

"About her name??her name is Khushi right??"

"Yeah, di, Khushi Ahemed Khan, thats who she is,and she lied, about being Khushi Gupta....."

It didn't dawn on her, what his brother meant so Anjali said- " so what Chotte, whats in the name anyway??did you ask her why atlas?? you can't let someone you like, walk out of your life, only because of their name....religion shouldn't matter...."

Arnav looked at his sister as he said - " di, didn't you hear?? Khushi Ahemed Khan, doesn't that name ring a bell, it is about who she is,she is Asad Ahemed Khan's younger sister, dammit.....", and he kicked the stool in front of him, as he looked at his sisters shocked face and answered - " exactly di, thats how shocked i was, and you know what Zoya knew about this all along, she knew who she was, and she went behind our backs,to be friends with an enemy...you know how i hate that family"

Anjali looked at her brothers face and she knew she had to speak to Zoya as soon as possible and listen to her side  and so she just said - " Chotte, im sorry, i just dont know what to say....maybe i should speak to Zoya...."

"You can di, once she is here, iv given her 48 hours to pack her bags and be back here for good....", stated Arnav.

Anjali - " Chotte calm down, i understand you are hurt, but she is your sister , your family, you cant force her....into anything, its not right??"

Arnav - " and its right for her to lie to me, di??"

"No chotte, but you gotta talk to her,ok, you want her back , its fine, but you gotta sort this out, ok atleast with Zoya..."

Arnav nodded - "maybe, i was a little harsh, on her earlier, fine, ill call her, but that wont make me change my decision...."

Anjali nodded - " fine, Chotte, now get some sleep ok??" , she said walking out her room.

Arnav - " yeah di , i will, and thanks, i feel better after talking to you...."

Anjali - " anytime chotte....", she said,she knew, at that point, there was no point in saying anything to make him understand, she just hoped he wouldn't make himself more miserable, until she found a way of helping him out.

.............

Khushi stirred from sleep, as she heard a phone ringing, and she got up, and picked up her phone, and it wasn't ringing.And right then, she heard the ring again, and she realised that it was Zoya's phone, that was ringing, and she noticed the name flashing - Anjali di. She didn't know whether to pick up or not, and just as she was deciding, in between picking up or not, her phone stopped ringing.She almost put her phone back, but right then it started ringing again, and she saw the name flashing this time - Bhai calling.

For a minute, she felt her heartbeats race,but she came herself down, and didn't take the call, and within seconds the phone stopped ringing.And she hoped it wouldn't ring again,but it did, and it was him again, and she thought twice, but then she finally picked it up, what if he had something important to say to Zoya.

She heard his immediate voice on the other end -

"Zoya , what the?? why weren't you taking my call?? look I'm calling coz i guess i was too harsh on you earlier, but that doesn't make me change my decision, you will be back , in now the next 36 hours...."

Khushi took a deep breath,she didn't know what to say, and  then she heard his urgent voice again - " Zoya?? you there??

She took a deep breath as she finally spoke - "Arnav...."

There was complete silence for a minute,and then she heard him - " what's Zoya's phone doing with you, Khushi??"

So, he atleast recognised her voice, somehow that felt soothing to her broken heart.

She finally got the courage to speak , and so she did - " Arnav,she just left her phone here, in my room , by mistake, she's in her apartment, i would have gone over and given her the phone, but...."

She heard his cold voice - " but what?? why did you pick up, when you knew it was me, what part of i dont want to talk to you ever again, dont you get?? you just keep finding reasons, dont you??and just because of you, my sister is doing something she's never done, fight with me,she might have decided to stick with you, but let me tell you one thing Khushi, i am not going to be fooled, again...."

Khushi felt his words like a whip to her heart, and she finally felt her anger rise, and she tried to control it ,but she knew for the first time, ever, she decided to give it back to him as she said, angrily - " whats wrong with you Arnav?? i understand i made a mistake, and i already apologised, i understand, you don't wish to speak to me, and honestly, i have some self respect to keep myself out of the lives of the people, who don't want me in it, and you are one of them, i get it, i picked up the phone, because i couldn't just walk to the other side without help, i have an injury, but like i know, you don't care,so I am sorry, for making you listen to my voice, even for a minute, i will tell Zoya to call you back....", and she almost cut the call, when she heard him ask on the other end - " so you are back home, from the hospital??"

She felt her anger get in control as she answered - " yes, i got back a couple of hours ago...."

"Fine, just have Zoya call me back....", and he was about to hang up,as she stopped him and said - " Arnav, wait, just a second, can you please try to be a little easy with Zoya, she's upset because you are so upset with her,i just know she is, she loves you, she looks up to you,she really does, cant you just for once put everything aside,just for her??"

She heard a sigh, on the other end, and in a almost tired tone he spoke - " I dont know, i dont know who to trust anymore...."

Khushi tigtened her grip on the phone as she spoke - " and thats my fault Arnav, i know, but Zoya...please, i request you....can you just not for once, try to understand her, or me??will you not even try?? do you hate me so much now, to just let everything go??"

She only heard silence on the other end, so she asked - " Arnav, you there??"

And before she could say anything more, the line went blank.

He had hung up. Just like she had expected he would,only she had expected him to hang up much earlier,atleast some kind of conversation happened.She didn't know, what it meant, and honestly, with her broken heart, she didn't know,related to him, what meant anything at all.

.................

Arnav hung up, but her words rang in his ears - " do you hate me so much mow, to just let everything go??"

He closed his eyes again, as he asked himself the same question, did he really hate her so much?? To just let everything go?? 

His mind answered yes, but he did feel his heart argue. How could this girl do this to him, how could she still manage to pull the strings in his heart??

He knew, she was hurt, physically, and he had almost refrained from asking her how she was doing, when all his heart wanted to know, was that if she was well.He hated her, but somewhere deep down, in his heart he knew, he still cared, he couldn't run away from that, his heart was just not allowing him, because it had never cared for anyone the way it had cared for Khushi.

He felt his anger rise again, as his mind took over, he knew he needed to distract himself, from anything related to Khushi.He had to just never speak to her again, he had to get her voice out of his head, he had to get her words to stop haunting him.

He had to get her out of his system, and h knew what distraction, would help him,because in that moment, he was ready to do anything,and everything to get Khushi out of his ind and heart.He didn't need her in his life, he wouldn't allow himself to be so vulnerable, and so he decided to do, what he knew would distract him, and at the same time, if Khushi were to find out, it would hurt her,and he really wanted to give her the taste of her own medicine.He wanted to hurt her, because of the hurt he was feeling,and so he picked up his phone, and dialled the number.

He made the call, that would connect him to Lavanya Kashyap.

..............

10.00 Pm - London

Asad ate his dinner, and he watched Khushi and Zoya across of him, and his mind wondered, what they had been talking a while earlier,and they had stopped, just as he had entered.He had been inquisitive, because he really just wanted to know, why did it seem as if they changed their topic of discussion, overtime he was around.Obviously, Zoya and Khushi had been best friends, way before he came in the picture,so they must have really a lot to catch up, he told himself, after all they were meeting after weeks too.

Asad watched Khushi eat the bite, Zoya forcefully stuffed in her mouth, and he smiled,to himself,it really did feel good, to see his sister and the love of his life, bond in the most special way.

And he heard Khushi ask finally - " bhaijaan, what makes you smile....??"

Asad grinned - " well honsetly, its the two of you, im just happy to see my little sister and the love of my life bond like this...it feels good...."

He saw Zoya blush , as she almost choked on her bite as she said - " Asad,stop it...."

He bent forward and brushed her hair aside as he grinned and winked to Khushi - " stop what?? Khushi looks like i can make your friend blush...."

Khushi laughed - " oh yes, you can, and on that note, I know she can make you blush too, cant she bhaijaan??"

Asad - " very funny, Khushi, eat your food...."

He saw Zoya read something on her phone, with a serious expression, and he asked - " whats up??"

Zoya - " nothing, its just i missed my sisters call earlier today, just her messages, and also my ticket, my brothers secretary, had emailed it to me...."

Asad felt himself stiffen a little, the thought of having Zoya around only for the next one day made him nervous, but he asked - " so Zoya, whats this family emergency that has come up, that makes you have to leave??"

He saw Khushi and Zoya both stiffen at his question, and he asked - "what?? I'm just asking, don't you think Zoya, i should know?? i mean maybe i can help you...."

Zoya answered spontaneously - " my mother isn't well...."

Khushi answered spontaneously - " her brother isn't well...."

Asad looked at the two, both giving him different answers and he looked at the two confused - " why are the two of answering differently??are you guys hiding something??something you dont want me to know??Zoya??"

Zoya looked at Asad, and he almost had this hurt look in his eyes, and it killed her, so she said - " No Asad, why would we? my brothers health is in control, my mother isn't well..."

Asad shot her a confused look - " Zoya, why is it, overtime your family comes up, you go all distant on me?? like you seem spaced out, you know how i feel about you, i love you, sooner your later, I'm going to have to let your family know that, and here, you still seem to be in two minds, when it comes to talking about your family to me...."

Khushi noticed that the situation was getting a little tense so she said - " no bhaijaan,theres some confusion, thats all...."

Asad looked at Zoya, who was looking elsewhere and he stood up, feeling hurt - " Zoya, i thought we were past that stage, i thought you could talk about anything and everything with me, but guess, i was wrong....", he kept his plate aside,and started walking out as he heard Zoya, as she immediately held his hand stopping him - " Asad, where are you going?? its nothing really....."

Asad looked at her - " Is it Zoya?? if you say so, i believe you, im just going out for a walk....", and he walked out, he needed to get his head clear of that nagging feeling, that told him that Zoya didn't want to talk about her family with him, she wasn't ready yet, maybe.Afterall, they had just admitted they were in love, maybe he was just being too paranoid.He needed to give Zoya, some space maybe.He didn't want to seem forceful at all,and thats why he knew he needed some time to sort his confusion out.

Zoya watched Asad leave, as he shut the door, and she sat back dejected, as she asked Khushi - " what to i do khushi?? just look how he is feeling just at the thought of me hiding something....maybe i should just tell him the truth?? i don't know,how i will,but i guess i need to...."

Khushi immediately hugged Zoya as she said - " look i know how you feel, just do what your heart says, if it says, to come out clean, then maybe you should....altho i don't know how will bhaijaan react..."

Zoya hugged Khushi - "i dont know how will he react, i mean just this afternoon, i told him how i feel, you know everything....Khushi, just tell me what to do, get me out of this misery...."

Khushi - " honestly, Zoya, i thought the truth would get me out of mine, too, but i was wrong, its just made me more miserable, but i dont think that will be the case for you and bhaijaan, you guys are in love, its serious,im sure he will understand, im sure he will....."

Zoya looked at her - " you sure?? i feel deep down too, maybe i should go and talk to him....wish me luck, Khushi..."

Khushi watched Zoya walk out, sure of her decision, and she said - " all the best Zoya....", as she prayed, that telling the truth, will put an end to Zoya's misery, unlike hers.

She sat back, and closed her eyes, and prayed for her brother and Zoya.She prayed for love to conquer it all.

....................

Love smiled - " I like, how people still believe in me.."

Destiny nodded - " yes, ofcourse, you are wonderful, look at her, she's so broken at her heart, but she still has faith in you, thats what it takes...it takes a lot of courage..."

Fate - "Yes, indeed,its because she loves her brother and friend, way too much, she's gotta believe..."

Destiny - "and why do i feel, she will have a big hand in making her brother hang in there....i guess, wasn't that your trump card , love?? she's going to tell him, finally isn't it??and she's going to do it herself,just maybe it wouldn't be as bad"

Love grinned - " well that was the second one, i want atlas one of them to hear the truth from their lady love, the impact will be managable,and it will be so because of the first move of the love confession...."

Fate grinned - " Looks like , hate is too busy to read in between the lines, you are cheeky, Love, you know that , dont you??"

Love winked - " I know..."

..............