#jumen

Zoya was born to a half-Pakistani and half-Japanese father and half-Pakistani and half-Uzbeki mother. She lived her early years in Kyoto but also going back to where her mother and father hail from. Zoya was only 12 when she found her parents died in a mysterious car crash. At the time her parents were visiting her maternal grandfather so she stayed back in Yokohama with her paternal grandparents, her Oji-san and Oba-san. She was devastated but didn’t feel the hurt until she realized that the day she found, it was her birthday.

Since then, she refused to acknowledge her birthday and would retort back understandably if anyone wished her ‘Happy Birthday’. Zoya stayed with grandmother even after her Oji-san passed away. Oba-san had raised her with love and made sure she did not lack anything. Her grandmother also noticed how intelligent Zoya was as she had finished high school at just 13 and received two bachelor’s degrees and a master quite early in life.

Zoya always knew her intellect was beyond understanding, so she did not always connect with people her age. She began working at a high military defense company as senior Computer/IT specialist. She would code for special military equipment and even would be contracted by military agencies around the world to gather intel. 

It was then she had the pleasure of meeting Saeyoung. She was visiting the US military base in Itaewon when she collided with the red-haired male. She was there to deliver schematics for a new code she had been contracted to complete and had gone there to collect her payment. Just as she had opened the door to leave the small office of the General, she found herself face-planting into a cotton-covered, solid chest. 

“Oof!” Zoya grits out as she falls flat on her ass, rubbing her slightly aching nose as she looks up at who she bumped into. Just as her brown eyes were raised up, a pale hand lowered. And there she a pair of wondrous amber-colored irises gazing down at her with worry. Zoya is left speechless as she admires the owner of the luxurious eyes. 

A soft, rounded face with an impressively chiseled jaw. His lips appeared to be soft as they slightly matched his vibrant red hair. Zoya bites down on her lower lip as she shyly takes the male’s hand into her, accepting his offer to help her stand. Being a Muslim, it was not really permitted for females to casually touch a male who was not related to her or was not her husband, so she shyly takes his hand, his unknown strength helping her stand. The mixed female brushes herself off and quickly takes her hand back, apologizing in Korean to the male for bumping into her. 

Saeyoung chuckles softly as he gently eyes the smaller female. She had a curvy build and was definitely bigger, but she carried herself in a very graceful way from what he could tell. Her long brown hair tied into a loose ponytail which swings behind her. Her pretty brown eyes were hidden behind a pair of brown rimmed glasses, while her gold nose ring glints in the soft lighting of the military base office. Her pretty purple Pakistani-long tunic and matching leggings complimented her very tan complexion.

Zoya smiles softly as she places her right on the left side of her chest and gently parts her maroon painted lips. “Salam and Annyeonghasaeyo”, she says, greeting him both in Korean and what appears to be Urdu as well apologizing in both languages.. The corners of the male’s lifts upwards, causing his soft pink lips to turn into a soft smile as he responds back in perfect English.

“Hello there. And please do not apologize. It was entirely my fault, Ms…”, he says softly, trying to usher out her name. She blinks her eyes at the male before responding to him in flawless English. 

“I’m Zoya Bishara. Pleased to meet you”, she says and that was how their gentle love affair began as the red-haired male asked her for coffee sometime. Saeyoung Choi, she found out later was a freelance coder. He loves cats, Dr. Pepper, and some snack called Honey Butter chip.

Zoya felt her heart beat wildly as he got to know her better. Saeyoung, found out that despite not wearing a headscarf, Zoya is a practicing Muslim and that she is part Pakistani, part Japanese and part  Uzbeki. He must have really liked her and respected her religious values as he even allowed her to bring her grandmother as her chaperone on her dates with him.

He and Zoya dated for about a few months, the bond between the two computer geniuses growing beautifully. Zoya taught Saeyoung more about her religion and her family life. The amber-eyed hacker felt enthralled by the woman. She finished school so early and is very bright, but she is very humble and down to earth. On top of that he fell for love of memes and cat videos. He fell for her so hard he even converted to her religion just he can ask her grandmother for Zoya’s hand in marriage. And when he asked her to marry him, Zoya, and Oba-san both agreed happily. They held the wedding on Zoya’s birthday, February 14, finally creating a joyous occasion on one of the saddest days of her life. Saeyoung promised he will always be there for her, protect her and never betray her.

On their wedding night, he showed Zoya a night she will remember fondly, whispering words of love. For the first time in her life, Zoya celebrated her birthday in happiness, but the joy did not last. She woke up and found the spot where hew new husband was supposed to be empty except for a single purple rose attached to a note which read, “It’ll be better this way.” 

Zoya finally stopped crying and is seated upright with Jaehee rubbing the girl’s back while Zen sits in front of them on the coffee table. “I wish he had divorced me instead. I spent so much time trying to find him and here he was…under my nose this whole time”, she says softly. She covers her face, but her tears are long coming, her body exhausting itself from the pent up sadness and despair she bottled up for so long.

“Well, whatever happens, it will be on your terms”, Jaehee says as she someone pounding quite loudly on the flat’s door. Zen growls under his breath as the white-haired actor stalks over to see who it is. Judging by the male’s demeanor, Zoya can guess it is her long-lost husband as soon as he opens Zen curses the male in Korean. 

“Please Zen! I need to see her”, she hears Saeyoung beg. “Why the hell should I let you see her? Haven’t you done enough damage for the past five years”, the white haired male spits out.