Asya FF ~ Nobody But You ~

Chapter 8

And she most definitely did. Zoya had stopped hearing after the words 'part of this family', visions of her and Mr. Khan hand in hand warming her icy skin. Maybe it was a far-fetched dream but she was a part of his family, however insignificant he considered her role to be.

Tanveer felt an unpleasant cold feeling on her arm one moment and she was being dragged by Zoya to her room the other.

" Ok but you cannot speak one word of this to Mr. Khan" she declared letting her hair loose, pinning her down with her eyes.

" Aap bilkul bhi fikar mat kijiye! Hum Jammy se kuch nai kahenge"

xx

Zoya let the wind play with her hair as the cab rushed past all traffic, in hopes to drown the strange ominous feeling that slithered through her being since morning. Perhaps it was just the nerves. Yes, definitely the nerves given what had happened before she left.

Her phuphi had seen her decked up with a whole lot of stuff just before she was stepping out of the house. Scared that she might forbid her to go through, Zoya had made a run for it, muttering a quick "Sorry Phuphi, will explain later!"

A moment later Tanveer had texted her saying she would handle it at home and she needn't not worry. She hated she had to run from her phuphi like that, but how could she have rebelled against her word if she resisted her visit to Ayaan's house.

She already had an apology plan building up and she was sure she wouldn't even need to put it into action once everyone realized her motives. She tried to distract herself.

Looking at the giant thali full of sweets on her lap now, she couldn't help but gulp. The motichoor laddoos, the kaju katli and was that miniature gulab jamun? Damn! She was just so tempted to have one. But she had promised Tanveer. Apparently it was a bad omen to eat mithai from the couple's thali before them, so she had resisted.

Apart from the fact that she was alarmingly close to the love of her life, Tanveer wasn't all too bad, Zoya concluded. She had given her all pointers on what to do and how to do, and even saved her a*ss from getting busted.

"Madam ji, aagaye" the cab driver declared interrupting her line of thoughts.

She muttered a quick thank you before heading into the Siddiqui mansion.

"Allah Miyan!" she couldn't help but exclaim.She always had a thing for night parties, all the twinkling lights and the moonlit sky­ – but that was definitely about to change. The house looked magical decked up like a bride, with hundreds of roses suspended from the ceiling. The aroma of food and flowers spread throughout the villa. A floral canopy had been built around the chandelier just above the bride and groom's love seat. And it was only their engagement. Wow! Ayaan was such a lucky idiot. But where was he?

xx

Ayaan stared at his reflection in the mirror festooned much like the house. He remembered his conversation with Humaira last night. Her words had kept him up all night.

I know this is a step that will change our lives forever. But I just want you to know that I will always be your best friend.

"Always be your best friend" The words played over and over in his mind like a tape on record taunting him. He could see the place she had for him in her eyes– care, adoration, a friend, and dare he say love. Then what was he doing to his best friend. He hadn't been open to her about his feelings at all. She had the right to know where he stood in the relationship.

But what does one say when all thoughts were suddenly muddled? How does one explain the sudden fascination he was beginning to have with this nikaah?