Aditya: Chote. Tu kabse ye ishq mohabbat karne laga?

Arjun: Umm.

Aditya: Chal Chal. Ab itna bhi kya sharma na.

Arjun: Accha. So don't forget that you are also dating Zoya.

Aditya: Ahem. Aa Arjun. It is late na. You should sleep. At least I am gonna sleep now. Bye.

Arjun: Accha. Jab apni baari ayi to baazi palat gayi.

Aditya: Bye. (grinned) goodnight.

With that Aditya pushed Arjun to the door and made him get out of the room.
........................................................................

The next morning.

After waiting for sometime, finally Mr. Aditya Hooda managed to enter to his office.

Aditya: Zoya. What is the schedule for today?

Zoya: Sir, at...

Aditya: You can call me Aditya here cuz I don't mind saying about US in public.

Zoya was shocked cuz she did not want THIS. Actually she was not expecting this. She thought Aditya will keep it secret as she will be his temporary girlfriend.

Zoya: Umm OK. Aditya then?

Aditya: Hmm. Accha. You free after the office hours?

Zoya: Yeah. Why?

Aditya: Dinner pe Chale?

Zoya: Okay. (slightly smiled).

Zoya's phone rang.

Zoya furrowed her eyebrows and just kept the phone on silent.

Aditya noticed it and decided to ask Zoya about it.

Aditya: Zoya. What happened?

Zoya: Umm. Nothing.

Aditya: You sure?

Zoya: Yeah yeah.

After the office hours.

Zoya was still working on some files. Aditya peeped into her cabin and just face palmed.

Aditya in his mind: Even I don't work this much in my own office.

Aditya just entered her cabin.

Aditya: Mam. Are you done?

Zoya: Huh? No. Just 10 min.

Aditya: Zoyaaaa. Plz. Now let us go. I am hungry. Plz plz plz.

Zoya just couldn't resist Aditya's cute face.

Zoya: Accha okay fine. Let's go.

At the dinner.

While they were having dinner, Zoya's phone rang. Zoya again furrow led her eyebrows and just put the phone in silent again.

Aditya was now worried about her.

Aditya: Zoya. What happened? You need to tell me now.

Zoya: Actually aa Noor is continuously calling me. I don't know why.

Aditya: Then pick up the phone na.

Zoya: Aa. She will just keep blabbering.

Aditya: Like you.

Zoya: Huh? What did you say?

Aditya: Umm what?

Zoya: You just said that I blabber all the time.

Aditya: No I did not.

Zoya: Aditya, you just said.

Aditya was trying really hard not to laugh seeing Zoya's anger.

Aditya: Accha I am sorry.

Aditya said by holding his ears.

Zoya: Okay fine.

After the dinner.
Aditya was dropping Zoya to her home.

In the car.
Aditya: Zoya.

Zoya, who was looking outside actually thinking something, came out from her thoughts.

Zoya: Huh.

Aditya: I told about you to Ma.

Zoya: Huh?

Aditya: Yeah.

Zoya: Oh. What did she say?

Aditya: She was really happy after knowing that you are going to be her elder daughter in law.

Zoya's face changed into a tensed one.

Zoya: What?

Aditya: Ha. Zoya, ab hum ek dusre se pyaar karte hain, to shaadi to karenge na.

Zoya stammered: Ha. Haa. Obviously.

Aditya: You fine?

Zoya nodded.

Suddenly Aditya stopped the car. Zoya looked at him.

Zoya: Why did you stop the car?

Aditya: Cuz we have reached your house.

Zoya then realised: Oh.

Aditya: Zoya, listen, I guess you are a bit stressed. You should take relax and chill. Okay?

Zoya nodded a yes and bid a bye.

At Madhu's House.

Madhu: Zoya beta, you came. Did you have dinner?

Mahi, who was on her phone, scrolling: Huh. Obviously Ma. With her one and only boss, Aditya Hooda.

Zoya: Mahi. How can you say that?

Mahi: Oh Plz Zoya. Don't act innocent. I saw that Adi dropped you home.

Madhu: Mahi, go to your room. NOW.

With that Mahi left the drawing room and went to her room, not before giving a glare at Zoya.

Madhu: Zoya. Do not mind about Mahi's talks.

Zoya nodded: Aunty, did Noor sleep?

Madhu: Oh yeah. She was a bit tired today. That is why, she slept early. You also take rest.

Zoya: Okay Aunty. Good night.

Madhu: Good night beta.

In Zoya's room, Zoya smiled seeing her little sister sleeping peacefully.

Zoya went to the balcony for some fresh air.

Zoya's Pov.
I do not know why it is feeling so suffocating. But why did Aditya say about marriage? Aur ajj to hume Arshad bar bar phone kyun kar rahe the? Hum ek bar phone kare? Nahi, abhi yo bohat raat ho gayi hain. Baad mein kar lenge.

Zoya Pov ends.

Then again her phone rang. It was ARSHAD.

Without wasting any time, she picked up the call.

In the call.

Zoya: Hello Arshad. I am really sorry. Actually I was very busy nowadays. That is why. I am really really sorry.

Arshad: Zoya. It is absolutely fine. I also thought that shayad ap busy hain. Wo hum to bas apka haal chaal puchne ke liye phone kiya tha.

Zoya: Oh. App kaise hain?

Arshad: G Alhamdulillah hum bohat acche hain. App?

Zoya: Hum bhi Alhamdulillah acche hain.

Arshad: Zoya. App shayad abhi ayi hongi, app rest ki jiye. Hum kal baat karte hain.

Zoya: G thik hain.

The call ended.

Zoya sighed. Nothing was going according to her plan. It was total messed up. She thought Aditya will use her, but what if he already knows me. What if somebody from college told him about me. Now what will I do? Uff. Everything is going over my head. Ya Allah. Plz help me. Plz Allah.

The next day.
Zoya's mother Roshnaq called Zoya.

In the call.

Zoya: Hello Ammi, kaise hain app sab?

Roshnaq: Acchi hoon beta. App log kaise hain.

Zoya: Thik thak hain bas.

Roshnaq: Zoya beta, apke Abbu chah rahe the ki ap aur Noor yara Delhi mein kuch din aa jaye.

Zoya: Lekin Ammi, Noor ka to Exms chal rahi hain.

Roshnaq: To beta app hi kuch din ke liye ajaiye na.

Zoya: Lekin Ammi.

Roshnaq: No Zoya. I am not going to listen you. You have to come means you have to come. Take care bye.

Zoya: But Ammi. Humari...

The phone call ended.

Zoya: Ammi aise ajanak se hume kyun bula rahi hain.

Noor came from the restroom after being ready.

Noor: Appi. Kiska phone tha?

Zoya: Ammi ka. Noor, Ammi ne hume jald se jald Delhi bulaya hain. I have to go. Soch raha hoon kal hi chali jaun. Sunday hai kal. Haan yehi accha hoga.

Noor: Lekin Appi hume bhi to jaana tha.

Zoya: App baad mein chali jayega.

Noor: Accha fine.

Zoya: Noor. Now I have to go. Bye. Okay?

Noor: Bye Appi.

In the office.
At working hours.
In Aditya's cabin.

Zoya: Aditya. Wo hume apse kuch baat karni thi.

Aditya: Haan.

Zoya: Actually permission chahiye.

Aditya: Kis baat ki?

Zoya: Aj subah Ammi ka phone aya tha. Abbu hume achanak Delhi jaane ke liye keh rahe hain. To main jaun?

Aditya: Nahi.

Zoya: G?

Aditya: Zoya. Listen agar main nahi bhi kahu tum tabbhi jaogi. Tumhe mujhse permission lene ki koi zaroorat nahi hain.

Zoya: Umm thnx.

Aditya smiled.

Aditya: Kal jaogi?

Zoya: Haan.

Aditya: To aj raat ko mil sakte ho kya? Matlab thodi der raat ko. Agar tumhe koi problem na ho to.

Zoya in her mind: Shayad Aditya wahi Soch raha hain Jo usne Pooja ke saath kiya tha. Jis mouke ka main intezaar kar rahi thi wo aahi gaya.

Zoya: Nahi. Problem kya hogi. Main ajaungi.

Aditya: Okay then I will pick you up at 10?

Zoya: Okay.

After the office hours all the employees went to their respective homes.

At 8 pm.
In Hooda House.

Anjana and Arjun were chilling in the drawing room, when Aditya resturned from office.

Aditya: Hii Ma.

Anjana: Cheeku. You came.

Arjun: Hey bro. Wassup?

Aditya: Nothing much. Ma. I am really hungry. Will you plz serve the dinner ASAP.

Anjana: Okay.

Aditya: Aur Ma. Ajj hum sab ek saath dinner karenge.

Anjana happily nodded.

At dining table.
Arjun and Aditya were sitting and waiting for the food, when Harsh came from upstairs. Aditya diverted his concentration to Harsh, who was about to sit on the chair of the dining table.

At that very moment, Aditya stood up.

Anjana: Adi. What happened. Sit.

Aditya: I don't wanna eat here.

Anjana: But you said na that Ajj hum sab ek saath dinner karenge.

Aditya: Ma, main hum sab se matlab sirf Arjun, app aur main. Koi outsider ya phir Cheater ke saath nahi.

Harsh also stood up.

Harsh: Anju, I have some work. I will have the dinner later.

Anjana: But you skipped lunch also.

Harsh: I will have the dinner later.

Harsh went upstairs.

Aditya sat down and began to serve the dinner to Arjun and Anjana.

Arjun also stood up.

Arjun: Mujhe nahi khaana.

Aditya: Arjun, you wanna mean that tu uss Cheater ke liye dinner nahi khayega.

Arjun: Bhai, sab ka ek limit hota hain. App Papa se baat nahi karte iska matlab to ye nahi na ki app unhe humesha nicha dikhane ki koshish karenge.

Aditya: Arjun, tu na bohat chota tha. Iss liye tujhe kuch yaad nahi ki unhone humare saath kya kiya hain. Khaer, tum logo se baat karne ka koi matlab nahi hain.

With that Aditya also left the dining table and went to his room and shut the door.

Aditya sat in the bed and memories flashed back. Some pain doesn't heal.

Aditya's phone rang.
The screen showed "Zoya ❤️".

This brought a smile on his face.

Aditya picked up the call.

Zoya: Hello. Aditya. I wanted to know something.

Aditya: What?

Zoya: What is your favourite colour?

Aditya: Why?

Zoya: Aditya. Don't ask what and why. Just answer.

Aditya: Umm. Okay. My favourite colour is yellow.

Zoya: Okay. See you at 10. Byee.

Aditya: But why..

The call disconnected.

Aditya smiled seeing Zoya's excitement.

Zoya who was just pretending of being excited.

Zoya in her mind: Finally. The day has come which I was waiting for. Mr. Aditya Hooda. You definitely have to pay for your deeds.

At 10 pm.

Zoya's outfit.

Aditya's outfit.

Aditya was waiting outside Zoya's house. Actually a bit far from Zoya's house.

There Zoya was coming from the other end of the road.

She got in the car.

Zoya: Hi.

Aditya: Hey. BTW what did you say to Mahi and Aunty and Noor for coming with me?

Zoya: I said that I am going with my very old friend.

Aditya started the engine of the car.

Aditya: Agar tumhari jhoot pakri nahi jayegi?

Zoya: Jaa sakti hain. Lekin (in a bit sensitive voice) jiske liye jhoot bol raha hoon, obviously kuch reasons hain aur uska results bhi acchi hi hogi na?

Aditya: Huhh. Wo to hain.

Aditya smiled sweetly while Zoya also smiled. 

Zoya: BTW. Where we are going?

Aditya: It is a surprise.

Zoya in her mind: Obviously. (sarcastically)

Zoya: Okay.

Aditya: Now I understood why you asked me about my favourite colour.

Zoya: Haan. Kaisi lag rahi hoon?

Zoya asked with excitement.

Aditya: Mmmm. Haan. Thik thak.

Zoya: Bas thik thak?

Aditya: Haan.

Zoya: Pehle to itna time laga ke saj dhaj ke ao aur phir complement kya mila, bas thik thak. Wah.

Aditya just smiled seeing Zoya's antics.

Soon Aditya stopped the car and before Zoya could realise, Aditya moved forward Zoya's face. Their faces were much closer.

Zoya's breath hitched. No. Not because of nervousness or surprised. Her breath hitched cuz of Aditya's closeness, something was happening in her heart. Even she was unable to describe it.

Aditya: You are one of the most beautiful women I have ever laid my eyes on.

Zoya blushed. But why? Even she does not know why. But she was about to feel disgust right? Then what were these unknown feeling?

Aditya was thought it was awkward for Zoya so Aditya went back to his position and went out of the car.

Aditya: Aa gaye.

Zoya was a bit confused cuz the place was kind of forest area.

Zoya followed Aditya. It was about 5 min when they reached the place.

Zoya was flabbergasted, astonished. Mixed of feelings were there.

Zoya: Aditya, the place is so beautiful.

Aditya: Ikr.

Aditya: This is one of the best places in Mumbai. Yaha par main jab bohat dukkhi rehta hoon tab aata hoon.

Zoya: Ap ab dukhi hain?

Aditya sat at the age of the river, whereas Zoya also sat.

Aditya was looking at the never ending river while Zoya was looking at him.

Aditya: Zoya, tumhe pata hain, meri bachpan bohat alag thi. Arjun hone ke 7 saal baad, Ma aur Papa ka bohat ladai hoti thi. Tumhe pata hain main apna Papa ka topic itna kyun avoid kar ta hoon?

Aditya looked Zoya who just shooed her head. Then again he continued staring at the never-ending River.

Aditya: Mujhe wo din khub acche se yaad hain. Bohat gehri raat thi. Ma, main aur Arjun Papa ke liye wait kar rahe the. Lekin wi uss raat aye hi nahi. Phir agle din subah ko wo ek anjaan aurat ke saath aye the. Ma ne mujhe aur Arjun ko room mein jaane ko kaha tha taaki hum unligo ki baat na sunsake. Lekin maine chup chup ke unlogo ki sab baate suni. Mr. Harshvardhan Hooda had an affair with one of his employees.

Zoya gasped. Aditya looked at her. She noticed the teary eyes of his.

Zoya whispered: Aditya.

Aditya: Uss din Ma aur Mr. Hooda ki bohat bohat ladai huyi. Ma ne literally Mr. Hooda ko beg kiya taaki at least mere aur Arjun ke liye wo ruke, lekin wo naki ruke. Wo uss anjaan ek aurat ke liye gaye. Unhone mere aur Arjun ke baare mein bhi nahi socha.

Zoya was really shocked seeing this Aditya.

Aditya: But you know 2 saal baad us aurat ne bhi Mr. Hooda ko ditch karke, kisi aur ke saath affair chala rahi thi. Phir Mr. Hooda ko regret hua. Regret karke, wo phir wapas aye aur humse maafi mangne lage. Main tab 18 saal ka tha aur Arjun 9 saal ka. And you know when Mr. Hooda asked for forgiveness, Ma forgave him. This was the worst. How can Ma do this?

Zoya's heart really broke into pieces. Without wasting any time she just pulled Aditya in a hug.

Aditya literally started crying like a baby against Zoya's neck.

Aditya in a broke voice: Unhone ne humare baare mein bhi nahi socha. Zoya, main kya itna boora insaan hoon ki meri koi khushi zyaada din nahi tikti. Am I that bad? Aditya hold Zoya tightly and continued crying for a while.

There were billions od questions in Zoya's head but her first priority was now Aditya.

Zoya broke the hug but there hands were joined together.

Zoya: Aditya, app wo khushi phir se wapas paa sakte hain agar app apni Papa ko maaf kar de.

Aditya: Nahi. Main Mr. Hooda ko kabhi maaf nahi kar sakta. Unhone Jo kiya hain uska saza milni hogi unko.

Zoya: Aditya, wo har din saza bhugat rahe hain. Wo apne bete se dur hoke wo saza har din bhugat rahe hain. Aditya I know that you lacked the love of a father but if you forgive you father, you can get your happiness.

Aditya: No. I will never forgive him.

Zoya: Aditya, agar bohat der ho gaye to tab ap apne app ko bhi kabhi maaf nahi kar payenge.

Aditya just stood silent.

Zoya: Bhul to sab se hoi hain. Hum jab koi galti karte hain to humari Ammi Abbu hume maaf kar dete hain. To jab agar wo log koi galti kar bethe to hum unlogo maaf kyun nahi kar sakte?

Aditya did not say anything.

Zoya cupped his cheeks and looked into his eyes which were filled with pain.

Zoya: App ek baar unhe Papa bula kar dekhiye. Tab Apko realise hoga ki wo apse kitna pyar karte hain.

Aditya just again hugged her and cried. Zoya did not protest. She also wanted Aditya to remove all his pains.

Hello. I know I am so so late. I am extremely sorry. Sorry will not help I know. But cuz of my exms and coaching, I am a mess now. Plz plz if you can then plz forget my mistakes of not writing for so many days. I am sorry. Plz vote, comment and share the story with your friends.