A topic I personally am not much comfortable as well, still I wanted to try writing. If you are not much comfortable, you may avoid.
Inspired by a random movie clip I fell on.

PS : pretty long, and not well written. 👀

Bonne lecture.

10/02/2021

~•~•~•~

"Congratulations to the most beautiful, sweetest couple in town, for having su—cceesfully accomplished their first year of marriage. Wishing you both many and many happier days, months, years, and more.", Rohit, one man among the friends' group, drank a toast and the others followed. "CHEERS TO YOU!"

"Thank you, guys, thank you so much for the treat.", Aditya raised his own glass and turned to the lady next to him, smiling as she looked back shyly. "To the most beautiful woman, and wife, God has so generously gifted me. You are the most wonderful blessing in my life, Zoya. I love you, begum jaan."

The friends gang hooted at them and pushed her for a reply speech. "I... I love you too... Aditya.", she quickly ended with a chuckle and hid her face behind his back holding his arm, while the others teased the young couple.

"Now, a beautiful kiss to conclude it.", Lisa exclaimed in her drunken voice. A pretty blonde London-born, who moved to Bangalore after having met her man when coming to a conference held in this city. And though her western habits were foreign to an introvert, traditional Zoya, the both women gelled up easily.

Prakash, the funniest and carefree dude in the whole group, chuckled at Zoya's reaction to her request. "Oye, Lisa darling. This is not your Big Ben city, babe. Here, we are veryyyyy shy type, we don't kiss in public."

"Oh, yeah? And who was 'having' fun with a girl last week in that park?", she raised a brow teasingly, knocking the back of his head. "It's just an expression of love. Adi loves Zoya... Zoya loves Adi... and they kiss. Simple. You shhhhh... jealous single boy...", she said holding a finger in front of her mouth.

"Bro, how many glasses, bro?", Prakash whispered in Gautham's ear, who was between his foreign girlfriend and him. "That little bottle of beer.", and they laughed at the poor woman.

As they were busy in their talks, Aditya looked at his shy lady with a smirk and discretely neared her ear. "So? Who takes the initiative?"

"What for?", she asked back in confusion. "For the beautiful kiss.", he huskily replied, his warm breath fanning her ear as he teasingly brushed his lips against it. She gasped loud at his proposal and was to pull away from his grip when he stopped her holding by her waist.

"Aditya... Aditya, what are you doing? Everyone is looking. Please leave me.", she tried to push his arms off her but he seemed much stronger. His naturally-pretty wife had to stand ethereally gorgeous in the red-and-white saree she was gifted by her mother-in-law for her birthday ; he had been controlling himself not to kiss her hard in public places. Yet the closeness and the ambiance at the moment were not helpful at all, and he nuzzled his nose in her hair tickling her, as her precious giggles filled their little intimacy.

"Gautham, come... let's go dance, baby.", Lisa pulled her man by his arm and dragged him to the dance floor.

Sighing, "Chal, Rohit, let's have another...", Prakash turned to look at their friend but fell on a free seat next to him. He looked around and huffed heavier seeing their friend busy sharing a conversation with a pretty woman at the bar area, and checked the couple who was still having their private moment.

"In three words, I am alone.", mumbling so, he walked out to get a drink for himself, leaving the couple in their own stuff.

"Come on, Zo. Don't be so shy, na. It's not our first, after all.", he teasingly continued as he rubbed his nose on her cheek, making her redder. "If not a kiss now, then you won't get your surprise gift."

"Surprise gift? What's that?", she immediately pulled away and asked in between her giggles, the child in her looking out for him excitedly, and he whispered her something in her ear making her push him by her elbow. "Chi! Aap bhi na, Aditya!" (Eww! You are too much, Aditya!)

He chuckled at her cute reaction and kissed on her cheek, before holding her hand. "Alright, lady love. Let's have some fun and dance."

•••

"Guys, eight shots. The last one to finish will have to do what we ask him to.", Rohit suggested as they were sitting at the bar area, the ladies being mere spectators next to them.

"So easyyyyy! I will win it so fast... ", Gautham lingered on his words as he was about to hold his shot glass but fell on the table, the three men laughing at his state.

Zoya was silently watching the happenings, hiding her emotions at the moment. Aditya was about to have more shots of vodka following the three glasses of alcohol he had already swallowed. Once again, he was going to get wasted, kind of how she expected the night to end since his friends announced about the celebration party for their first anniversary, at the club. And, though she hated him consuming too many drinks and wanted to change his drinking habit, the words never came out of her mouth to stop him every time, not willing to spoil the ambiance. Number of opportunities she had, yet never she dared, fearing it would make him upset somehow, the way he used to be.

Theirs certainly was a love-cum-arranged marriage : he saw her first and slowly fell for her beauty inside out ; he would meet her at the orphanage where she lived and worked as a teacher, as he would come for a visit every Tuesday regarding his mother's NGO works. Within a few weeks, she felt more comfortable with the man and they started seeing each other outside the orphanage ; he proposed to the woman with a candle light dinner, to which she shyly asked him to talk to her mother first. When his mother was introduced to her son's love interest, she was faster to like his choice than Aditya had even expected, and Anjana Hooda didn't hesitate meeting her mother, eager to welcome her daughter-in-law before her son changed of mind.

She came to know about his drinking habits at their wedding reception where he partied with his friends and colleagues, leaving her tensed. Although, Aditya loved her in such a way to not even hurt her unknowingly, and she wished she stopped her restlessness rewinding her haunting memories.

She was still an innocent child when her father would abuse her mother and the little girl whenever he would come home intoxicated. Some of the scars still present on her skin growing up, a whole lot more marked on the side of her heart. She was around ten when her father died in an accident, driving back home drunk, though the nightmares roamed around them. With hope of leaving the painful memories of their life behind, the mother ran away holding her daughter to a foreign city, starting afresh.

"Zoyaaa... Zoyaaa...", Aditya's arm around her shoulders, she slowly walked out of the club following the others, Rohit and Prakash helping the unconscious Gautham, Lisa holding their stuff walking behind.

"Zoya, are you sure you will be fine with him?", Rohit asked gently as they placed him at the back of the cab they shortly booked.

"Don't worry, Rohit bhaisaab. I will manage, thanks. You please, take care of everyone.", she politely smiled.

Nodding in yes, he took a seat in their own taxi and drove out of the parking lot. She took a seat next to Aditya and indicated the address to the driver, when she felt his head on her shoulder. "Zoyaa...", his voice lowering as he was falling asleep on her.

Reaching their house, she settled the cab and managed to bring him out holding him by the waist, his arm clinging around her. She was trying to unlock the door when she heard his chuckles.

"Zoya... so beautiful... my Zoya baby... meri jaaaaan...", he was slurring his words and held her tight by her waist as she struggled to open the door.

Shutting the door and locking it, she left her keys in the small bowl. "Let's go to the room, Aditya.", she said slowly and walked towards the stairs, dragging him hardly as his feet kept shaking weakly at each step. She pushed the room door wide open and turned the lights on when he left her to sit on the bed, dropping the coat he had been holding over his shoulder on the floor.

"Aditya, get changed, first. You won't be comfortable to sleep in th...", she couldn't finish her sentence when he pulled her next to him on the bed. "What are you..."

"Shhh!", he stopped her putting a finger on her lips and stared into her eyes, his fingers tucking her loose strands behind her ear. "You must be ti—ed... let's just sh—leep..."

"But, let's change into comfortable clothes.", she quietly said to which he shook his head in no before falling on her shoulder, hugging her arm.

She closed her eyes and sighed loudly before laying him down on the bed. She tucked his pillow beneath his head comfortably, and moved to his feet to remove his low sneakers and socks ; she kept his wristwatch on the night stand and sat next to him. She brought her hand to his head and, in a soft and caring way, she brushed the hair off his forehead relaxing him, before she leaned in closer to kiss on his forehead, pulling away and looking down at him as he smiled at the peck.

Once comfortable in her night kurti and pants, she walked out of the closet and sat on her bedside. She turned to look at the man unconsciously sleeping next to her, smiling in his slumber as if he was seeing a beautiful dream. She tucked into the duvet, her back towards him, and stared at the crescent moon and stars displayed in the dark night sky, the breeze blowing on her face as she was into her thoughts. She closed her eyes drowning into slumber when she sensed something round her waist pulling her backwards, before she felt the caring husband shielding her in his protective arms, his warm breath on the nape. A thin smile on her face, she kept her hand on his while she craned her neck to look at him still asleep. Before she felt drawn to a deep slumber, pushing herself closer to him.

•••

She woke up disturbed by the sunrays flashing against her closed lids and, stirring her arms lazily, she sat up on the bed when she realised she was alone. Thinking, she looked at the wall clock, time being quarter to eight. She immediately threw the sheet off her and dashed into the bathroom to freshen up.

She climbed down the stairs in a fast pace when she smelled some delicious aroma coming from the cooking area. As she stood at the kitchen entrance, she saw her husband busy in his work, wearing an apron around his waist while his black tank top was fully covered of flour, his whole light look making her smile internally. He sensed the steps behind him as he turned back and frowned at his beautiful lady.

"Noooo! You are already awake?", he sighed loud before he continued. "You spoiled all my breakfast-in-bed surprise planning, jaan.", he pouted.

She lightly chuckled, "Why? We can still have our breakfast in bed, if you wish to."

"But that won't be the same, now.", she looked at him in confusion and he continued, "I would have brought the tray of food to bed, while you would still be asleep. Then I would have gently woken you up, kissing on your face and whispering your name tenderly by your ear, softly shaking you up too. You would have sleepily refused to and I would have had to drop more kisses, again and again, until you would have lost sleep. And then I would have surprised you with a whole romantic breakfast, just the both of us together, on our anniversary. But nope, you have to ruin my whole romantic planning.", as he finished in an upset tone.

He stopped talking as she laughed at him, making him frown his brows. "Now, why are you laughing, begum?"

"It has been a year that we are married, still you think you could surprise me waking up earlier. I think this has been your... almost thirtieth failure till now.", she hid her smile as she said so. "But anyways, thank you for being so considerate, and thoughtful, janaab."

"Hey, there is no need to thank me, anything to please my sweet wifey.", he pinched making her smile. "In fact... I should be the one apologizing, for having been an idiot, and having drunk so much last night, that I lost control. I am really sorry, baby. I know you... you don't like...", he was immediately cut off as she cupped his face.

"It's okay... I know you have met your friends after a while, and it happens on such gatherings. You don't have to say sorry, that too to your wife.", she said reassuringly.

Yet, he knew by her tone she was not much fine. He hugged her by the waist and pulled her closer to him. "Listen, you. I... I don't know if I could promise you to not drink anymore at all, because I don't want to break my promises to you... but I can promise you that I will be much more careful from now on... and not drink more than two glasses. I promise I will try to control myself, and not hurt you, ever." She smiled at his pouty face, as he continued, "I promise, that I will be there for you, no matter what happens in the future."

She delicately kept a hand on his left chest. "And I will always love you for who you are here, no matter your habits.", saying so, she circled her arms around his back and hugged him tight, smiling when he lovingly kissed her forehead.

"Anyways... I don't even need any sort of drink to be happy. After all, I still have my own source of happiness.", she looked up at him and he rubbed his nose against hers, making her blush closing her eyes. "My unique and beautiful you.", he whispered.

She opened her eyes surprised as she stared at the man. "Do you really love me that much?", she asked in a low voice, her eyes getting emotional. He cupped her face, softly pushing her cheeks up in his palm. "You mean the whole world to me, Zoya. My whole everything. I love you more than my own self.", he breathily said against her lips before kissing on her cheek and then the corner of her mouth, when she shyly looked down, making him chuckle at her innocent nature.

She tucked her hair strands behind her ear and looked up at him. "Accha, let me see what you have made for our special breakfast."

She was going to check on the dishes when he pulled her far from the counter. "Nope, today is my treat. You just go sit there like a good girl, while I finish the whole work. Youtube baba is there to help.", saying so, he pushed her by the shoulders towards the dining table when she stopped him turning round.

"At least, let me stand here. Please?", she adorably pouted and he couldn't help but agree to her demands. "Fine, but you should not disturb me during my work, okay?"

She obediently shook her head in yes and sat up on the kitchen counter, watching him cooking all focused on the recipes. She tried to explain to him what to do when he would stop her talks, holding a finger in front of his lips.

"If you don't keep quiet until I finish, I know how to make you.", she sighed as he smirked and continued kneading the dough.

She looked at him adoringly, as he was making the parathas, his face a little covered in flour looking all so cute. She leaned forward and held him still, wiping it off his cheek as if caressing, when he turned to look at her surprised.

"Hmm... flour... on your... face...", she said innocently pointing to his cheek, looking all babyish with her expressions.

Smirking at the innocent kitten, he pulled her by her wrist and slowly rubbed his one-day-stubbled cheek against hers, lips almost brushing her face as he looked down at her.

"Now... there is some on your face too. Matching matching couple, aren't we?", he said in his husky voice, her eyes closed as she faced down, still feeling the touch, when he gently hit his head against hers.

"I... I will go change my clothes.", saying so, she got down the counter and rushed outside. "Such a shy baby wife I have.", he whispered to himself smiling at his thoughts.

•••

The radio turned on, she was cutting the vegetables for the night's dinner singing the old soft tracks played, to herself.

"Ek ladki bheegi bhaagi si... soti raaton mein jaagi si... mili ek ajnabi se koi aage na peeche tum hi kaho yeh koi baat hai...", she hummed at the end of the line and chuckled remembering her husband. "Wasn't it the song he started playing when we met on that rainy night for his birthday? For he was so adamant to see me on that night although the weather. Aditya bhi na! He can be so childish at times."

And that was what pushed you to him, said her conscience.

She smiled and continued her job when her phone rang in the living room. She quickly washed her hands and went to receive the caller, smiling at the name itself. Hundred years.

"Hello?! What happened? Getting bored at work?", she teasingly asked moving to the couch.

"Well, there's nothing new about these usual meetings. But then, I felt like someone was thinking of me, so called to ask why she is disturbing me when I am supposed to focus on work.", he replied casually as she widened her eyes.

She held the phone far from her ear and thought to herself, before hearing his call as she neared the speaker to her. "How did you know I was thinking about you? Are you watching me? Did you fix any camera, like in Bigg Boss? How rude of you, Captain Hooda!", she yelled in her childish angry tone making him chuckle.

"Hold on, hold on, Mumbai Express! I don't need cameras to know you are thinking of me. Because I know you always would be. Each time I feel my heart beating loud, it says that to me.", listening to him, she got quiet, blushing on her own. "Now... my angry bird must have turned into a blushing baby, hasn't she?"

He smiled as he heard her silent sigh. "Cheesy, you are."

"Accha, listen na.", she hummed waiting for him to continue. "I just had a talk with my boss... and he, kind of, invited us for dinner..."

"Yeah, so what's the is...", she was about to ask when he completed his own sentence. "On this Saturday."

"Saturday? But... we promised ammi and the kids to meet them and stay for dinner on this Saturday.", she gasped at the piece of news and he closed his eyes, expecting the same kind of reaction.

"I know, baby. And... and I told him the same. He declined the proposal. So don't worry.", he said leaving her in thoughts.

"Well... maybe you should not have refused his offer. What if he got angry at you?", as he heard her, his eyes widened and scoffed. "Why are you laughing?", she asked.

"You are seriously incomprehensible. Just a minute ago, you were bursting that I was to cancel our plan with your mother, and you are now thinking of my boss. You are incredible, you know?", saying so, he heard her whine.

"Do one thing. Invite him for dinner at our place. We will spend the day at the orphanage, and plan something for dinner at home, inviting ammi as well. What do you say?", she asked and he thought of her idea, smiling widely. "Not bad, wifey. I will ask him and text you back. Bye, baby. Flying back in a while."

"Fine, bye. Come soon.", saying so, she cut the call and dropped the phone on the couch, as both their faces stretched into a beautiful curve.

•••

Almost ready to welcome their guests for the evening, Zoya was doing her hair in the room, when Aditya walked out of the bathroom rolling his shirt sleeves till his elbows. He fell on his beautiful wife while she was doing plaits on the top of her head, adding more pins to keep them tightly fixed before curling her golden bottom hair. Clad in a simple white cotton silk anarkali kameez with woven designs all over the suit, jewel buttons lined up at the front, matched with a pair of white leggings as well as a white thread-embroidered net veil, and a pair of silver earrings dangling, she did not help the man control himself as he walked to her, slowly sneaking his arms around her.

"Meri begum jaan ke saamne uss chaand ki chamak bhi adhuri lagti hai...", he whispered near her ear and kissed on her cheek, before looking at her reflection, shyly combing her curled hair adding some volume to them, not able to look back. "This must be illegal and forbidden to look this much beautiful.", he said as he sighed. (Even the moon seems less glowing in front of my lady)

"And I thought you would like...", she replied innocently, a little pinch of mockery hidden.

He sighed dramatically. "I just can't help but feel even more protective towards you, in front of the others. What if some bad crow steals my gorgeous treasure?", saying so, he lazily nuzzled his nose on her cheek before leaning down towards her neck, as he dropped butterfly kisses making her laugh ticklish.

"Aditya... Aditya, please... w—what are you... doing?", she tried to push but her effort was in vain, while he started nibbling her teasingly. "Aditya... I am... please, my hair...", she chuckled while struggling, and he looked up at her. "That's what I am saying. Just leave your hair fully open. Without all these pins on your head, it will be easier for me, right?"

She gasped, open-mouthed. "You... you are impossible. Always thinking so...", he raised his brows teasing her adorable frown. "Thinking what, begum?"

"Aditya... please... I have to...", she almost got out of his grip when they heard the doorbell. She stopped struggling and smiled widely, as she whispered, "Ammi?"

Not holding her anymore, he slowly got off her and let her attend the guest, as she ran to open the door. "Oe! Careful, Zoya.", he laughed at her antics.

She walked to the door and excitedly opened the door. "Ammi...", she was about to hug her mother when she stopped falling on a man standing at the door, a bottle of wine and a bouquet of roses in his hands. The latter stared at the confused lady for too long, making her a little uncomfortable, when he immediately smiled at her, brushing the awkwardness away.

"Ummm, you must be Mrs. Hooda?", she quietly nodded her head in yes, not knowing who she was talking to, and he chuckled at her expression. "Well, nice to meet you. I am..."

"Zoya baby, kaun hai?", they turned to look at Aditya walking downstairs wearing his watch when he noticed the guest at the door. "Chirag sir... please, come in. Zoya, why are you keeping him outside?", he asked her softly. (Who is it?)

She mentally slapped her head for having forgotten his arrival. "I... I didn't... I am sorry, sir. Please come inside.", they gave him space and politely called him in, Aditya taking the man to the drawing room as she closed the door behind them.

"Well, I think I shocked your wife. You guys were expecting someone else, maybe?", as he took a seat on the couch, looking back at the couple. "I mean, I thought I was the only guest tonight, sorry for being too personal."

"Actually... my mother-in-law is to join us for dinner as well, she just thought it was her.", he explained sitting on the armchair adjacent to the couch.

"I am sorry, sir. I didn't mean to hurt you.", she apologized to the man who smiled understandably, giving a small nod. "You please keep talking, I will bring something for you to drink."

"Oh, yeah. I forgot, this is for you.", the elder man stood up on his legs and forwarded the bottle and the orange-and-red flower bouquet wrapped in the black paper, making her smile as she accepted. "Thank you. Please, be seated. I will be back."

She turned back and walked to the kitchen, keeping the gifted bouquet on the small drawer by the wall, unaware of someone's stare behind her.

The men's casual talks were interrupted when the doorbell rang again. "Excuse me, I will go check.", as he walked to the door, he fell on the middle-aged lady smiling at him before noticing the food carrier in her hand.

"What, ammi? We warned you not to do anything today. Your daughter is going to be angry, get ready to bear her.", he said as he let her enter, closing the door behind before helping with the sweets.

"I am her ammi, I know how to handle my daughter. You don't worry much, Aditya beta.", they chuckled as they walked to the living room, her eyes falling on the guest back to them looking at their pictures on the wall. Hearing the voices, he turned to face the duo and smiled.

"Ammi, meet Mr. Chirag Shetty, he is our senior manager. Chirag sir, this is my mother-in-law, Roshnaq ammi. She is working as a caretaker at the 'Smile & Shine' orphanage, where Zoya also works as a part-time teacher.", he introduced them to each other and they politely nodded their head greeting.

"I will get the sweets into a dish, I will be back.", saying so, he walked to the kitchen where the young lady was pouring the soft drinks in the glasses. He put the carrier bag on the countertop and walked to her to check what she was doing, dropping a kiss on the back of her head signaling his presence.

"Ammi has brought more of her sweets for dinner, by the way. I shall set them in a plate...", he was looking for a dish when she turned to him happily. "Aditya... ammi has come, kya? I didn't even hear the doorbell.", she asked confused.

He smiled at her pout and gently patted on her cheek as he replied, "Yes, she has. Now, make it fast, I am feeling hungry, and so must be the guests."

"Just five minutes. Get these glasses to them, I will start setting the table.", saying so, she forwarded the tray to her husband and turned back to take care of the dishes as he walked out to the guests.

•••

"Adi, why are you not even drinking more? You just stopped with that half of a glass. Serve yourself some more, no?", Mr. Shetty said, adjusting his specs on his nose looking at his junior.

"Hmm... no sir, I am okay... You please have a refill.", replied Aditya, smiling a little when Zoya came back with more rice.

"But why? You are doing fine, right?", he asked back when he noticed the young couple exchanging looks. The man turned to face his boss as he continued, "It's just... I have decided not to drink more than that. Kind of a... new resolution?"

"Oh, okay... I understand.", said he with a thin smile, while filling his glass again. "Guess the lady is changing the man.", he chuckled as they politely grinned along.

"By the way, I have to say this, Aditya. Your wife's hands are magical. The cooking was really amazing.", the man continued as he relished on the taste, making the people around smile at his praises.

"I know, sir. My Zoya is just flawless and perfect. She is my everything. I am certainly the luckiest man.", replied Aditya as he looked at his blushing wife standing next to him, when he held her hand to kiss on her knuckles. She shyly pulled her hand off and punched his shoulder, the mother smiling at her kids while the stranger stared at the both.

Zoya noticed the man eating silently and checked his plate. "Shall I serve you some more curry, sir? Or chutney? More rice?", asked Zoya politely to the man as he shook his head. "No, thank you very much. I have really eaten a lot for the night. I won't be able to sleep otherwise."

They all laughed at his talks and carried on with their dinner, Aditya pulling his wife down by her wrist to his level as he fed her few bites, making her eat blushingly.

"Zoya, beta sit down and eat in your own plate. Look what you are making Aditya do.", her mother told her when the son-in-law replied for his wife. "Ammi, I am enjoying feeding my Zoya, do you have any issues about it?", he asked as the older woman held her earlobe asking for forgiveness, before releasing a chuckle.

Meanwhile the guest filled his glass of wine again and gulped the whole in a go, leaving the glass back on the table discreetly, listening to their talks.

"Sir... are you okay?", he was brought of his trance when he heard the male voice next to him. He quickly smiled and asked, "Yes, just remembered my wife as I have been seeing yours. She was also such a beautiful, young, smart, innocent lady. Very quiet, always smiling, and I loved her a lot. A lot."

"Sir, where is your wife now? You could have brought her for dinner as well.", Zoya asked innocently when she saw Aditya shaking his head in no quietly, gesturing her not to ask more.

The man scoffed, looking at the eerie silence. "Maybe I wasn't lucky much to be with her longer... or wasn't she...", he finished in low mumbles, as none heard. Clearing his throat, he sat straighter and looked at them. "Anyways, let bygones be bygones. May I know where the washroom is?"

"Please, this way. I will show you.", saying so, she led him upstairs to a detached bathroom, and opened the door for him. "You carry on, I will get you a towel to dry your hands."

She walked away to another room, still unaware of the piercing gaze at her back. "Truly perfect.", an evil smile on the lips as he checked her head to toe, backside.

•••

"Thank you once again for the lovely evening, and mouth-watering dinner, Mr. Hooda. Or, shall I say Mr & Mrs Hooda.", he said with a smile as he stood at the door.

"Thank you for accepting our invitation, Shetty ji. I hope you enjoyed well.", she politely replied, her usual grin flourished on her face. "Please, call me Chirag, like Aditya. I feel very feel old otherwise."

They chuckled at his reaction, as she nodded her head in yes, and the men shaking hands, they bade the guest bye.

"We shall start to the orphanage as well. It's getting late already.", Roshnaq said and Aditya nodded going back to their room to get his keys and a coat, when she saw her daughter pouting. "I wish you had no emergency to go back now itself. You promised you would stay with us for the night.", she sadly said.

With a sweet chuckle, Roshnaq looked at her as she said, "My dearest Zoya, you know ammi wouldn't disappoint you purposely. I have to go back there so that I can take care of the kids. Malathi is not well, and the girls cannot handle alone.", she cupped her face. "You should stop being this much childish and stubborn, though. One day, you also will be a mother. Would you compete with your child, then?"

As she listened to her ammi, she blushed and looked down, imagining the feeling with a shy smile. She then rose her chin up to face her mother, as the latter was caressing her head.

"May He keep you blessed and happy forever, beta. And don't take more time to make us grandparents. We are all eager to hold and play with your babies.", she cupped her cheek and she smiled back at her mother, hugging the woman.

"May I also share the hug, ammijaan?", they heard the third voice and Zoya pulled away to look at her husband smiling at the duo. "No, this is only me and ammi. You try later."

"Oh, really?", and saying so, he engulfed the two women in his arms, tightening the embrace before he dropped kisses on their heads, the old lady laughing at her kids' behavior.

Sitting on the bed as she was waiting for her husband to come back home, Zoya was lost into some deep thoughts, a small grin adorning her face.

"Don't take more time to make us grandparents. We are all eager to hold and play with your babies."

She giggled shyly, eyes closing on their own as she bent her face down, the thought of becoming a mother making her nervous and excited.

"Am I really ready to become one? I mean... raising a child... will I be able to do that?", she asked herself, a certain joy on her face at the imagination. "But... what about Aditya? We have already talked about it, and we decided to take it slow, since he didn't want to rush with our respective careers. He was working hard for his position as a captain, I have seen him being all tensed for a while... and it has been months, now. What about his mindset?"

She took a pillow and hugged it against her chest pouting. "Shall I try talking about it again? What if... what if he gets angry? Maybe he doesn't want to have kids at all... does he really not want a kid?", she continued quite nervously when she heard the entrance door getting unlocked.

She brushed her thoughts off and walked to the cupboard to change her clothes when the room door got open behind her. As he entered, he saw his wife looking into the piece of furniture for some fresh night suit, her back towards him, and with a smile, he walked to her.

She gasped in surprise as he snuggled his arms around her waist, dropping his chin on her shoulder while releasing a sigh.

"Were you waiting for me to get to bed? Got so used to hugging me to sleep?", he playfully cooed in her ears, nuzzling his nose in her hair as she bit her lower lip to hide her erupting smile. "N—nothing like that. I was just... not feeling sleepy..."

She pulled away from his grip and tucked her hair strands behind her ear. "I... I will get changed.", saying so, she rushed to lock herself inside the bathroom while he stood there smiling.

"I will always make sure this smile of yours never fades away, Zoya.", he said grinning at the attached room door.

•••

"Have a safe trip! Don't forget to eat on time. I will call to check on you every two hours. If you don't answer, then you will see. I have already saved your flying hours.", she warned him for the umpteenth time on the phone while she did the laundry. "If not a call, then I need a message. Got it?"

"Oh oh, fine, meri mah. I will certainly keep you updated. Stop worrying this much. This is not my first trip.", he chuckled at her when she replied. "That doesn't matter."

"Accha, I promise I will call you once reached there. Now may I be granted leave, ma'am? Flight is waiting for its captain.", he teasingly asked and she hummed hanging the call.

She started the washing machine and walked out to do some cleaning before getting ready for the orphanage when she heard the door bell ringing. Wondering who it might be, she neared the entrance door making a bun of her hair and checked through the peephole to fall on the mysterious visitor.

Mr. Shetty, here?

She curiously pulled away from the door and reluctantly unlocked it in a slow pace, opening for the man standing at the door.

"Mr. Shetty... you, here?", she asked, confused of his presence all by sudden.

"Good morning, Mrs Hooda. I was just... going by here so thought to meet Aditya. Is he getting ready?", he replied with a casual question and she looked on confused.

"But sir... he had an early morning trip. Don't you know?", she openly asked her doubt, when he hissed slapping his head.

Shaking his head, "I might have missed that, kind of forgot his schedule, sorry.", he said with a mocking tone. "Hmm, well... I will be going, then. Do you mind offering me just a glass of water, though?"

She mentally scolded herself and smiled back. "Please... c—come in."

"You really have a beautiful house, Mrs. Hooda. So warm and cosy for a sweet young married couple like yours.", as she reached back with a cup of coffee, he told her praisingly, looking around the room. "You certainly made of Aditya's house a home with your presence."

She smiled wider at his words. "Nothing would have been possible without him, actually. Neither of us would be feeling home without the other. And please, you can call me Zoya."

"How long do you know Aditya, by the way? How did you guys meet? I mean, if not too personal.", he started a conversation and she looked away, thinking of a reply to his question. "We met at the orphanage as he used to come there on a weekly basis. Almost two and a half years including our marriage."

"That's lovely, and still so much in love.", he said blankly as she looked down shyly. "Ours was also a love marriage. We met at an exhibition, we both were fond of art. Talks turned into laughters, meetings increased, until we got into the beautiful and sacred bonding of marriage.", he took a small break while she looked at him confused.

"Chirag sir... are you okay?", she asked concerned. "Yes, I am okay.", he smiled reassuringly getting ready to continue his storytelling.

"The first few years were beautiful, filled of love, care, sweet moments, little arguments that used to make our bonding stronger. But slowly, some unknown distance grew in between us. We both were busier in our professional lives, —she was an architect, and we saw each other less and less by days. Followed by arguments whenever we found any silly mistakes, taking out the work stress at each other. And, like every time, I would be the one asking for forgiveness. Sharmila was quite short-tempered, but she loved me wholeheartedly. At least, that's what I thought."

"Sir, if you are not comfortable enough, you don't have t...", she tried stopping him but in vain.

"It was one rainy evening, as I was coming back from a late meeting. I found a piece of note left on our room desk, under my favorite paperweight... she might have met someone much better, much more understanding, much more compatible to her career, likes, life... she just broke one beautiful bonding, all those memories of ours, before and after our marriage, filled of happiness, love, support, protectiveness, in those ten lines, suddenly asking for freedom.", she gasped in shock as she looked at him sadly. "A couple of days later, she sent the divorce papers to make it legal, and she pulled me to get a mutual closure. Within four months, everything ended.", he finished in a blank tone and the house fell in a deep silence.

"I... I don't know what to say. I am extremely sorry for whatever has happened to you, and all you have gone through, sir. But... you both seemed to love each other...", she sighed at the thought.

"Maybe we were not made for each other, that's why. Neither was I the one for her, nor was she destined to be mine forever.", he replied as he looked up, taking a deep breath.

"It might be painful, but at least, you found out you both were not to be. And I am sure, soon you will find your own happy destiny.", she smiled reassuringly as he nodded in yes. "I feel confident."

"Anyhow, I am sorry for having bored you with my past. It's just, as I saw you that day, I remembered of her, and I got a little vulnerable at the memories, in front of everyone. She also cooks divinely, she would often try something different to impress me always. She was young, almost the same height, the same nature ; she loved being simple and traditional.", he said as he looked up with a sigh.

She gently put her hand on his entwined ones in a friendly way and smiled at him as he turned to face her. "Don't worry, sometimes opening up about our own grief helps us feel better. Everything happens for a reason. You have to stay strong for yourself, and soon, you will find your own peace."

He stared at her as she nodded convincingly, and he suddenly pulled her in his embrace, that tightened within seconds surprising her. "Thank you." As she felt his arms wrapping around her shoulders, she slowly pulled away and didn't try to look into his eyes.

"I... I will check... cooking... You have your coffee.", saying so, she walked back to the kitchen and stood by the counter top, taking a deep breath.

She was looking for some pre-made snacks bending a little down to the freezer when she felt some presence behind her. She turned back swiftly and stood confused at Chirag's sudden appearance. "C... Chirag sir... you h—here?"

•••

Aditya safely reached their destination and was smilingly sending off the passengers along with his crew, before they got off the plane in turn. He then walked away from the group of stewards and went to the restroom, pulling on his luggage. Looking at his tired face on the huge wall mirror, he took off his cap, loosened his tie a little and undid the collar button as he washed his face. Something had been disturbing him unknowingly, and the three-hours of flying did not help his suddenly rapid heart.

He took out the face towel he had kept in the side pocket and dried his face and hands when he noticed the little Love, Z printed in red by a corner. A grin grew on his lips and he knew he felt lighter at her memories. Keeping his things back in order, he immediately walked out the restroom area and took a seat at the airport café, fishing out his phone of his belt pouch in his luggage to call his lady.

The phone ringing on the television stand echoed continuously in the eerie silence, breaking the strange loneliness around the house, but no one seemed to receive the call even after fifteen long seconds.

As the call was sent back to the voice message recorded audio, he pulled the phone away from his ear and looked at the screen surprisingly. It had been almost three hours since he was away from home, and she never missed calling him once landed, nor left his calls unanswered. He thought to wait for a couple of minutes, believing she might have been busy with some work, before trying to call again.

Seated on the couch, hugging her legs to her chest, head hidden on her thighs, her red dupatta on the floor, her white suit creased and torn at places, she stayed still, letting the clock tick the seconds by, not yet ready to move. Until she heard her phone ringing by the television again, making her look up. Her eyes were red and puffy as if she had been crying, and she mindlessly let the call unanswered, resting her head back on her knees.

The voicemail announcement echoed and he dropped his hand on the table, thinking about all the possible scenarios.

"What happened to her? Why is she not answering?", he mumbled to himself concerned about his wife when something clicked in mind. "Maybe, she is at the orphanage. Let me check on with ammi."

He called his mother-in-law, who answered within three rings, making him relieved. "Hello, Adi beta? How are you? You called me?"

"Am—ammi? Thank God, at least you answered.", said he as a sigh of relief came out of his lips. "Adi beta? What happened? You sound quite tense."

"Ammi, is Zoya with you? I tried calling her number but she is not resp...", he was interrupted by a gasp. "What are you saying, Adi? Zoya has not come yet... I thought she was with you. She didn't call me either."

"No ammi, I... I had a flight today morning.", he said worriedly.

"Don't worry, beta. I will go check on her. You stay calm, nothing would have happened. You know how busy she can be. She would not have heard the phone ringing.", she tried reassuring him and he somehow got relieved.

"Alright, ammi. Please go, and call me once you see her. If anything, please inform me, okay?", he wished her one last time and hung the call, sending a silent prayer for his wife to be fine, before he tried calling again. But in vain, the phone was told to be switched off.

•••

Roshnaq sent off the rickshaw driver and entered the gate, unlocked meaning she was not gone outside. Keeping her nervousness aside, she rang the bell and waited for someone to answer.

Hearing someone ringing the door, she jerked and sat in panic, looking around her before turning to the hallways. The doorbell rang again making her gulp, and she stood up in a slow pace as she walked to check who it might be, catching the vase on her way to attack. Her body trembled in fear when she was standing before the wooden-made door.

"K... kaun hai?", she asked in stammering, praying to her Allah to give her enough courage to face the worst. "Zoya... Zoya beta? Ayye Allah, are you really in there?" (W... who is it?)

Hearing her mother's voice, Zoya dropped the porcelain-made pot and rushed to open the door, her fingers fumbling against the locks. She finally managed to do so and opened it wide, a deep sigh of relief seeing the woman, who gasped loud at her look. And before she could let her mother say anything, she ran into her arms, hugging her tighter.

Roshnaq stood in utter shock as she reminisced the few seconds of seeing her terrible state, and she brought her hands around her back to caress her.

"Ammi... ammi, I am... I am scared..."

The mother's eyes widened listening to her, and looked down at her daughter breaking down.

"Ammi... ammi, I am scared... please, tell abbu not to hit me..."

She slowly pulled away from her tight grip and without any more delay, she held her trembling shoulders to walk inside, closing the door behind her before letting her sit on the sofa.

She was about to go to the kitchen when she felt a pull on her hand. "Ammi... don't leave me alone... please... please don't go..."

"Ammi is going nowhere, beta. I am just going to get you some water.", saying it in a monotonous voice, she tried to pull off her hand but her grip seemed all nervous and scared. "Chal, come with me, then."

Without any reluctance, she stood up and wrapped her mother's arm in hers, as she followed the woman, Roshnaq still in a state of shock and worry about her daughter's behavior. Her baby was broken into pieces, once again.

She helped Zoya drink the glass of water as she was holding it, and kept the glass on the table before turning to her daughter who seemed calmer. She looked at her face and softly brushed over the bruises, her heart beating faster. "Yeh... yeh kya hai, Zoya? What happened to you? W—who... who did..." (What... what is this, Zoya?)

Unable to complete the question, Roshnaq swallowed the lump in her throat and looked down at their entwined hands, when Zoya silently laid her head down on her laps, hugging her mother by her waist while hiccuping. This indeed was not the time to ask anything. Whatever that occured broke her to this state, she needed to take rest before anything at the moment.

"Chal, my little girl. You need to sleep for a while.", said she, caressing her hair.

"Ammi, I... I don't want to go there... alone... please, stay with me, ammi...", she requested panicking, as she grabbed her mother's hand not to let her go.

"Don't worry, ammi will stay here with her baby. You just sleep.", she told her reassuringly, as she patted on her head continuously, rocking her.

Aditya was getting restless with time and kept trying for Zoya's number, which remained unavailable for a hour by then. He sighed in frustration and dropped the phone on the table, as he brushed his face.

"Zoya... please, give me a sign you are okay, baby. Just a sign."

Zoya drifted to sleep as Roshnaq caressed her hair, when she noticed the frown still apparent on her forehead. She was believing her daughter was finally happy and in a better place as she had met Aditya. Yet, here she was laid, her soft body trembling in fear, as if she saw those nightmares again. She brushed over her head and relaxed her mind, the lines on her forehead slowly disappearing.

She suddenly remembered something and sighed. "Ya Allah, I was to inform Aditya once I see her, and I totally forgot... I shall call him. Bechare, he might be sick worried.", she slowly got off her bed and went out looking for her purse.

Reaching the living room, she took her phone that was left under the TV on the stand and quickly called him.

Hearing his phone ringing, he stood up hastily and picked the device, as he stopped his breath reading the name. "Hello, ammi? D—did you see..."

"Aditya, beta relax. I am with Zoya. She... she was just working and... she didn't hear the phone kept in silent mode.", she said trying to sound convincing, as she heard him sigh.

"Thank God, ammi, that you were there... accha, please give her the phone. I want to talk to her.", asked he, still perplexed.

"Beta, she is sleeping right now. I will ask her to call you once she will be up."

"Ammi... she is fine, isn't she? Zoya... my Zoya is okay, right?", he asked, hoping to hear something good yet his mind turning round some wrong thoughts, and she smiled. "As long as you
are there for her... your Zoya will stay strong."

•••

Zoya was cutting vegetables in the kitchen, her mind lost in some thoughts. It had been two days that Roshnaq brought her to the orphanage, first being hesitant before she was convinced.

"Come on, darling. I won't hurt you... Come here, meri jaan.", the man said as he slowly neared, while she walked backwards.

"S—stay away... stay away from me... I am begging you... please...", she stammered as she slid against the countertable. She stumbled in her steps but stood back on her own before he tried to touch her.

"Zoya, if you behave like a good girl, I will let you enjoy this. I don't want to be rude or hurt you, you know. I will not do what I did with her... you know I really liked you since that day... don't forget, your husband's career and dream is in my hands..."

"Didi, come p—ay with us, na.", Zoya came out of her trance when she heard the little boy pulling on her sleeve, and she quickly wiped the tears that rolled down her face. "S—sorry, Ayaan beta. What were you saying?", asked she with a thin smile.

"Why c—ly, didi? Didi no cly.", said he with a sad face and she shook her head worriedly.

"No, baby. See...", she wiped the wet traces of her face and threw him a big smile. "I am not crying. Woh... I was cutting the onions, that's why I had... water in my eyes. Now I am okay, see.", saying so, she grimaced to distract him.

The little boy giggled and soon a little girl of his age joined them. "Didi, Adi bhaiyaa aa—e. He has many gif— for us." (Adi bhaiyaa has come)

Aditya is back?

Ayaan whined as he said, "I want gif— didi, chalo.", he asked, tapping on her forearm softly.

"You both go, I... I have some work here. Go see what bhaiyaa has brought for you. Jaao.", smiling excitedly, the two children ran away, leaving the lady with a disturbed mind. (Go)

"Arey, everyone will get chocolate. Don't fight with each other! Sameer, I said no.", Aditya tried to sound strict but in vain, the kids were not even listening to him, as he sat on the ground in the middle of their fight for sweets.

Roshnaq and another caretaker of the orphanage entered the kids' playroom and chuckled at the chaos, Aditya closing his ears. "Bacchon, come. It's snack time, no one wants Roshi mah's cake?"

Hearing about it, the kids again screamed in joy leaving Aditya free as they went to sit around their little tables. He took a deep breath and looked up at his mother-in-law checking up on the children, before turning to him. "You are a savior, ammijaan."

She chuckled and helped him stand up, when he hugged her from behind. "I missed you, too."

"Oh, oh. It has been only a few days, and this is not the first time you are going on a trip.", said she, patting on his face when he sighed. "Yeah, but still. By the way, doesn't your little girl know I am here? I didn't get to see her since I have reached."

"Zoya? She must be busy in the kitchen...", she started when she was stopped by a little boy's voice. "Didi is—h busy, Roshi mah. She said la—er.", told he.

Smirking at the little kid busy munching the sweet pastry. "Hmm, then let's give a surprise to didi. Kyun, ammi?"

"How am I going to face Aditya? I am no more his Zoya... I am now...  a wife, who doesn't even deserve his love... I thought, Allah has made some grace... bringing him to my life full of pain... someone to teach me life, someone... to teach me love... to tell me, that I am also worthy of it... though, I am not worthy of it, and He made me realize it.", she thought to herself as she was filling the filter carafe at the sink, staring in the void while tears fell out on their own. "Would I be strong to let him go, though? But... I don't want to lose you, Aditya, yet I can't stay with you with the guilt of..."

Her trail of thoughts got broken when she felt two hands covering her eyes, and she felt someone nearing her, the warm breath hitting on her nape as she held onto the slab.

"K—kaun hai? Sameera, is that you?", she asked as she gulped the lump to sound clear when she felt someone blowing on her cheeks, making her shiver. (W—who is this?)

"Wrong guess.", following some babyish giggles from behind, she heard the husky whisper by her ear, that marked her heart forever. She gasped at the feeling of his presence so close to her and a couple of tears rolled down at the relief of him being there with her, for her, once again.

Aditya sensed the wet traces below her eyes and getting confused, he immediately held her by her shoulders turning her back, as she faced the ground. He cupped her cheeks and pulled her face up, the joy in his heart vanishing as he saw her eyes redder and teary.

"Zoya, why are you crying, jaan? A—are you feeling okay? What happen... Zoya...", he looked at her worriedly and threw the questions, not letting her answer, when someone took over the speech. "Bhaiyaa, didi not c—ly. Didi cu—l onion.", said Ayaan in his innocent tone.

Aditya looked behind Zoya and saw the onions cut into small pieces on the kitchen board, as he held his fists on his hips. "I see. So, these naughty onions made my Zoya cry, hai na? Let me show them who is the best."

Saying so, he held the board in his hands while Zoya was blankly looking at his acts, and he was about to put the whole in a single pan when she stopped his arms. "Aditya, no...", he turned to her confused. "You leave it, I will do it."

She turned back so as to continue her work, wiping the tears off her cheeks, as he smiled at her. He glanced at the side and thought of something.

"Bacchon... I have given Roshnaq aunty some gifts for all of you. Why don't you go have a look?", saying so, he sent them all out, before looking back at his wife facing away.

She was pouring water on the cut vegetables and was to get the spices when he made it faster.

"Let me help you.", she retreated her hand back and gave him some space as she was watching him looking back and forth between the various bottles in confusion. "Umm... at least give a hint of which one to use first."

She chuckled at his face and, standing back to her position, she took the red-lid one. "You just go and sit, I will do this.", before she turned to the dishes.

He sighed and rested his lower back against the slab, eyes still on her, making her conscious of his stare. "W—what are you looking at... like this?", she asked, unable to ignore his stare.

"I know that those water drops were not because of mere onions. Because your tears are too precious for me, and I can recognize them very well.", said he as he crossed his arms.

"I... I was not crying... I am just... a little tired. Nothing else.", she smiled reassuringly as he understood she was diverting the topic.

He walked to stand behind her and wrapped her in his arms, snuggling his nose in the crook of her neck as she released a deep sigh, feeling a lot better in his embrace.

"You can't even imagine how afraid I was that day. How dare you scare me like that?", his talks sounded muffled, his warm breath hitting on her soft skin as she closed her eyes.

She slowly craned her neck to hold his face and he stared into her doe-shaped pearls, when he noticed fresh tears threatening to fall. He cupped her cheek and wiped the drop away, as he leaned into her to kiss on her temple, before dropping his forehead against hers.

"I missed you.", eyes closed, he said in a soft whisper.

Their privacy was broken when they heard someone clearing their throat. They slowly pulled away from their embrace and saw a young woman of Zoya's age giggling at the pair, as she was watching them from the doorstep.

"Sorry to disturb your privacy, romantic people, but I have to take your Zoya away from here for a little while.", said Jiya as she pulled her colleague-cum-friend with her, the man staring at the two walking away, when Zoya quickly glanced at Aditya with a sweet smile before fading away from his sight.

"I will never let those tears come out of your face, if they are meant to break you down.", he said to nobody as he looked at the doorway.

•••

"Zoya, I will be back before seven, so that we will leave together around seven thirty. There is a gift for you that I kept in the cupboard behind my clothes, I hope you would like it.

See you tonight, beautiful.", read the text message he sent.

She silently took the wrapped box from the shelf and looked at the black satin-silk-made party wear saree, sequin work all over the six-yard cloth. She softly roamed her hands over the material and grinned at his choice.

Standing in front of the mirror, she set the saree over her shoulder and pinned it with her sleeveless top that covered her whole chest, few golden-embroidered designs that were apparent through the material, taking a glimpse of her look for any needed corrections. She then finished her hair into a side-braids bun, some minimal makeup the way she liked and, at last, put on some matching earrings and bangles. She took a deep breath as she was done and looked at herself one last time.

"I need to come over it. I know he won't let me down. I have to stay strong.", she mumbled to her reflection when she heard a knock. "Zoya, you ready?", his voice echoed from behind the wooden-made door and she walked to open it.

He was about to say something when a look at the lady before him stole his words. If white made her look angelic, black certainly had him at her feet, though her bubbly smile broke all the chance of her being any seductress. And as he thought, she curved her lips upwards adorably before noticing he was staring at her head to toe.

"What happened? Is there anything wrong?", she asked, looking down at her attire and pulling her hand holding the edge of her cloth closer to the front to avoid any indecent eyes.

"Wrong?", she looked up at him as he finally woke up from his trance, and held her hand. "You are looking... so wow, Zoya. Just like... a pretty little baby looking all flawless, and hot all by sudden. Maybe... we shall just stay home, and party alone, here."

Her cheeks heated up at his words and she was about to leave when he pulled her back, keeping her close by her waist.

"Hey, don't feel shy. It's just me, here. And always there for you.", whispering the words, he smiled at her caressing her cheek with his thumb, as she grinned believing his words. "Now, let me go change, or we would get late."

"I am not holding you, but you are.", she answered, her doe-shaped eyes looking back at him so innocently, as he stared at his shining reflection in them. "Well, you are the one pulling me to you. I can't help."

She blushed and gently pushed him off her. "Now go.", as she ordered, he surrendered himself to her command and walked to the bathroom while she smiled at his retreating figure, before her face fell down in nervousness.

She sighed as she talked to herself. "Ya Allah, may everything go well tonight."

•••

Stopping the car in front of the venue, the both of them got off the vehicle and Zoya waited for him to lock and stand by her. He held his hand out for hers as he said, "Let's go."

They stepped inside the ballroom as he felt her grip tightened on his hand. He chuckled and shifted his hand to her waist, gently holding her over her cloth as he reassured her with his words. "Relax, jaan. Everything will be fine. Main hoon, kuch nahin hone dunga tumhe. I promise." (I am here, and I won't let anything happen to you)

She nodded with a grin and they looked back at the crowded hall, before spotting his colleagues spread here and there.

"Hey, Adi. Here!", hearing the voice calling for them, they turned to fall on Rohit who was waving at the two, when they noticed their friends standing with him.

Lisa, who saw the couple walking to them, jumped in excitement. "Man, you both are looking so matching matching, and perfect.", she looked on dreamily, making them shy.

"Adi and Zoya have always been such a good-looking couple, nothing new, baby.", Gautham said as he wrapped his hand around her waist.

"Now, don't you guys throw the bad eyes on us. We are good, thanks.", saying so, Aditya patted his shoulder.

"By the way, we thought you would have reached once the party would have ended.", Rohit said. "Everyone was asking for your presence. And so was Chirag sir."

At the name mentioned, Zoya's smile discreetly vanished into thin air and looked down at her feet, when a voice broke her thoughts. "Well, that is between a husband and his wife. You guys should stay out of it."

They all looked back at the man in his mid-forties standing with his glass of whiskey, looking at the group of youngsters talking to each other, before dropping his sight on Zoya, who moved a little to hide behind Aditya. "Finally, you guys are here. We all have been eager to meet you.", he said with a smile. Aditya grinned back. "Same here, sir. Very eager."

The party host took hold of the mic and congratulated the company and its crew on their anniversary, as the audience applauded while some of them hooted along.

"Almost a silver jubilee, and I have been working for the one fifth of its life.", Prakash said as he shook his head in a slow pace. "Damn, we are getting old."

They scoffed at his unnecessary reaction and soon, the dance floor was opened for public, a few couples already taking their positions.

"Lisa, shall we?", her boyfriend forwarding a hand, she gladly kept hers on it and they walked to the stage.

Rohit and Prakash looked at the young married couple standing still. "Guys, what are you waiting for?", saying so, they gently pushed them forward towards the floor, encouraging the two to enjoy.

Aditya took his lady to the middle and entwined his left fingers with her right ones, keeping them high besides their faces as he delicately held her waist. Starting with a slow dance, making her feel more at ease as he was being by her side, they changed to some romantic beats that fastened their steps. He held her from behind going with the song and rocked them rhythmically, before lifting her up in his arms as they turned round in a circle. Zoya quietly melted to his dance and went with the flow as he left her down on her feet, while she turned to face him. Smiling at each other, she gently brushed her fingers on his face as he adored her eyes trailing her moves, before blinking them up to him as he pecked on her finger tips. He took a grip of her hand and twirled her round, before pulling her back and doing a dip, her shy chuckle in echo as she fisted his coat collar.

"Aww, Aditya and his wife are looking so beautiful.", a lady among the spectators told her colleague as they shared their glass of champagne standing at the bar. "I know, Adi seems to be so much in love with her. Lucky woman.", replied her friend as she sipped on her drink.

Their talks reached his ears as he gulped his glass of whiskey, eyes following the couple on the dance floor since the beginning, a crooked smile on his face.

Aditya smoothly straightened themselves up and both kept staring at each other, hands still relishing on the touch when a lady colleague of his neared them.

"Hey, Adi. Care to dance?", she asked politely looking between the couple. "Hey, Anita. I don't mind but... we shall ask the permission from my lady love.", he said teasingly.

"Kya, aap bhi, Aditya. I am tired, anyways. You carry on.", smiled Zoya at her husband before leaving them some space as she joined his friends, the latter being the only faces she knew.

"Adi, your wife is so sweet. Among those jealous and possessive wifes I have seen, here she is not even minding you dancing with other women.", Anita praised Zoya as they were dancing.

To which he chuckled. "Well... I have already had my whole discipline lecture before coming here. She is quite possessive, but in her own style. That is, letting me enjoy and then punishing me in case she thinks I have crossed her conditions.", he grinned at her memories and continued in a lower voice. "Moreover, she doesn't know you were one of my college admirers who proposed to me."

"Come on, ya. That happened ten years ago, and it was such a dumb act of mine.", she scoffed as he frowned fakely. "I mean, thankfully you rejected, though that was painful, but we have found our own soulmates, right?", she said as he smiled. "True."

He looked around to check on his wife when he realized she was not standing with his colleagues. He narrowed his brows in confusion and, excusing himself from his dancing partner, moved to the food corner.

"Guys... where is Zoya?", he asked, trying not to sound panicked though it was helpless.

"Hey, relax. Actually... a waiter accidentally poured some drink on her dress so she went to clean herself in the bathroom.", replied Gautham and Aditya sighed. "O... okay, thanks.", saying so, he walked away.

"What happened to him, though? She just went to the bathroom.", Prakash loudly thought as they looked at each other confused.

•••

Zoya washed her hands and stepped out of the attached bathroom in the hotel room. She thought it strange as the waiter left her here, wondering why she was not shown the public bathroom. She opened the room door when she fell on Chirag blocking her way out, her eyes widening in shock as he smiled evilly. She rushed to close the door but in vain, his push was stronger as she stumbled on her heel shoes and fell down.

"Well, well. Look who has showed up after a while. I have missed this beauty a lot.", he started as he slowly shut the door, locking from inside.

"S... sir... please... leave me...", tears rolling down, she slid backwards as she distanced herself from him, before bumping on the nightstand by the bed. She quickly managed to stand on her legs and took the vase, holding it as a weapon as he laughed. "D... don't you dare... come to me..."

"Oh, my sweet little kitten. Do you think you can harm me? You should look at yourself, all so adorable, and hot. You don't imagine how tempted I was as you entered the venue like a goddess.", he walked closer.

She grimaced in disgust as she stepped back. "Chi! Don't you have any shame? How could you look at women so cheaply?"

"Umm, well... I don't look at women on purpose, but they look much attractive for me not to stare away.", he continued as his predatory steps neared her. "And yeah, you must be the only one...", he tried to touch her but she hit his hand off her. "Who made the game even more interesting. All the eagerness, to feel the pleasure... is just increasing..."

She squeezed her eyes shut and felt goosebumps of disgust through her body as he was talking. "Anyways, we have already wasted enough time. Come here, kitten."

"Zoya, how long are you going to keep this matter inside you? Don't you think Aditya needs to know?", asked Jiya as they were cleaning the classrooms, the kids all out enjoying their playtime. "I can't see you like this, all gloomy and lost. You should come over it."

Zoya released a deep sigh as she was washing the blackboard. "I am trying my best, Jiya. But I am unable to.", she hung her head low. "Each time I think of telling him, those haunting memories drop in preventing me from doing anything. I... I don't want to lose Aditya and his love, the way ammi and I lost abbu's. We have lost enough because of that man, I can't bear more."

"So? You will just stay quiet? Someone has abused you, tried to... sorry. Rascal! Let him fall on my sight, I will leave him naked, hands and legs tied, and whip him all day in public.", she mumbled to herself as she wrung the wet mop in the bucket. "And he tried using his position of being Aditya's senior to threaten you. Pervert beasts, they all are."

"Jiya, please. I don't want to talk more about that..."

She could not finish her sentence as she turned round to notice the figure at the doorstep, a gasp coming out of her mouth while she stared at the blank eyes. Her friend realized her silent state and looked at the same direction, as her eyes widened seeing the third person.

"Aditya!", she whispered.

"Jiya, could you please leave us alone? I need to talk to my wife in private.", said he, as he did not shift his eyes off Zoya.

The young woman nodded before walking to her friend, patting on her shoulder encouragingly, and left the two before closing the door.

She did not dare to look up at him, fearing he would easily read her through, but she knew it was time to break the walls. She took a deep sigh and played with her fingers in nervousness, eyes closed to not see what he might be doing. Maybe just staring at her, or glaring. Trying to make her spill the whole.

"Aditya... I...", she was suddenly interrupted by the forceful pull, feeling a warm and tight hug around her body. She did not know she had been holding back her tears when a lonely one dropped out on her cheek, before falling on his shoulder, as she opened her eyes.

"I am sorry...", she heard him say and frowned in confusion. "I am sorry, I let you go through this. On your own."

"Aditya, why a...", she again was cut off when he pulled away to face her, his arms still around her, and she noticed his eyes being teary, as they slowly reddened.

"And you thought I would have hated you because of this... you didn't even tell me anything... Is that what you think of me?", a little pinch of anger grew on his face, while she shook her head in no. "Aditya... please. I... I don't want you to fight... with your sen..."

"Because you seriously think that I am going to let that man roam free after what he d... did to you? Well, then you mistook me, missus. He dared touch my wife. Chodunga nahin main usko...", he was about to go out when she rushed and stood in front of him, blocking his way out. "Aditya, please. I don't want... I don't want anything to happen to you... because of me... he... he could... ruin you...", she stammered. (I am not leaving him)

He held her by the shoulders and cupped her cheek. "And nothing matters to me, more than you do. Not even some childhood passion and career." She rose her eyes up to see him, sweat all over her face in nervousness while tears rolled down. "I am hurt... that you truly believed me to be such a horrendous, torturous, husband. I understand that your past is still breaking you deep inside, but I... I wished my love changed that point of view of yours, and that you knew I truly love you. I... I can't even think of hurting you, it's not someone else who is going to."

She tried to stop him but in vain. "I vowed to make you happy, and protect you at any cost. Good times or hard, happiness or sadness, we will always be together. And Aditya never breaks his promises."

A couple of drops fell out of her eyes as Zoya remembered the moment.

"Remember one thing, Zoya. Tum nazuk ho, kamzor nahin.", his husky whisper echoed in her mind as she tightened her grip around the fragile object. "Fight the monster that scares you, let the light guide you." (You are innocent/fragile, but not weak)

Chirag tried to hold her wrist when she thrusted the vase in the air and hit hard on his hand. The sudden stinging pain made him hiss as she opened her eyes to see him bent, his palm a little redder. She gulped in between her loud breaths and stayed ready to attack again.

"You... mad woman. That's it, you looked for the hard way, I will give it to you.", he stood back as his reddening eyes glared at her. "Hard way, too bad for you."

Aditya nervously checked his watch as Zoya did not seem to appear to his sight, when he noticed someone else had been missing for a while, as well. He excused himself from his colleagues and ran to look for the both, enquiring to the workers, before he directed towards the hotel room.

"I shouldn't have left her alone... ugh, I am an idiot.", cursed he himself.

"NO! Leave me... you can't... you can't do this... I am... I am someone's wife... aaargh!", she stammered as she tried running away when he held by her hair.

"Well, then you are my little pleasure, too, babygirl. I thought of making you pleased, but you got so naughty and disobedient.", he forced her chin up as he stared into her scared eyes, when he scoffed. "This actually reminds me of my dearest ex-wife, on her last."

She tried pushing him off her as he said, "She was being so rebellious with me, not letting me touch her. All, when she had met him...", he took a brief pause before continuing. "I punished her very hard that day, and the poor woman just couldn't handle it."

Chirag pushed her to the bed making her gasp before she turned on her back, sweat drops rolling on her face as she saw him walk to her, undoing his tie, when a screaming voice from outside stopped him. "Zoya! Zoya, where are you?"

"Aditya aa gaye hain.", she thought as she released a sigh in relief. She was about to shout for him when he kept his big palm over her mouth, muffling her calls. (Aditya has come)

"Don't you even try, lady. Or I will also send you up there before that.", he threatened whispering against her face.

Aditya knocked the few doors he passed by and was left restless not finding the right one, as he excused himself to the residents.

"Zoya, please, love. Just one sign, if you could hear me.", he prayed to himself as he looked around.

Standing too close to her face, he inhaled her sweet fragrance while she craned her neck in disgust, unable to move out of his stronger weight.

"Sweet God, even your smell is so intoxicating. No wonder you have men at your feet.", she whimpered hearing his whisper, his breath on her neck burning her soul.

"Meri Zoya kamzor nahin, kamzor nahin..." (My Zoya is not weak, not weak...)

He was about to brush his lips on her when she felt strength rising in her, as she kicked him between his legs, weakening his balance, before pushing him down on the bed. Freed from his hold, she stood up on her legs and stumbled on her steps in a rush to the door.

"Hey... d... don't go...", he struggled to sit back straighter, as he warned her, arm stretched to stop.

Falling on the door, she hit her palms against it in nervousness, confused by her acts. "H... help... Aditya... Aditya..."

Aditya was about to go away looking for another floor when a crying voice braked his legs. He turned to the end of the corridor from where the sound was emitted, and he stood quiet to confirm it.

"Zoya... is that..."

"Aditya! Aditya, I am here. Someone please help.", she continuously hit on the door and was turning the knob in a hurry trying to unlock it, when, her hair being pulled tightly, she hissed in pain.

"Where are you thinking of going, babydoll? Our deal is still not done. You think you can escape from me in such a way? Tsk tsk tsk... life is not that easy, babygirl.", he gritted his teeth as he whispered in his husky voice.

She turned to face him. "And I, won't let you win... you are just... a disgusting creature... in the form of a human being... People like you... thinking of us women as... as objects... are not deserving of His love... you pervert mu... murderer...", she talked in a jerky rhythm while she sent daggers, making him smirk. "You know, you just look even more... tempting in anger, my sweetheart."

She wriggled in his hold as he sneaked his hand on her waist, her whimpers making her body tremble, when he pinned her to the wall.

He was to close the distance when the door got forcefully open, letting Aditya appear in front of them. Seeing the young man in rage, Chirag left her hold and turned to face him.

"N... no, Aditya... it's not... what you could be thinking...", he stammered as he walked backwards, fearing Aditya's nearing steps. "It was her... s—she tried to force herself on me... believe m..."

He could not finish the sentence when he felt a stinging pain on his face, Zoya gasping at her husband holding a tight fist up as he was ready to punch again.

"You rascal! How dare you... how dare you touch my wife... and say she forced on you... don't you think I don't know things.", he continuously broke his face until he pushed him to the ground hearing someone sobbing behind him. "Aditya, please... don't.", calming him.

Aditya turned to see a broken Zoya and, unbuttoning his coat, hovered her trembling self. She was facing the floor, feeling protected by his shadow falling on her, when she sensed something over her shoulders. She looked up at him, tears getting released on their own in relief she was no more alone with the devil, a thin and discrete smile on her face. Meanwhile he checked on the traces of dry tears on her face, her eyes spoke pain and hurt though she smiled at him, her frail fingers gripping on his shirt collar as he wiped the wet marks on her cheeks.

Their moment of silence broke as she noticed the glass vase aimed at her husband and with a loud gasp, she pulled him aside, missing his target. Aditya looked around in confusion when they faced the man in blood, staring at them in madness. He was to assault them again, Aditya shielding his wife, when they heard a few voices rushing to their place.

"Inspector, there he is.", Gautham pointed to Chirag, shocking the trio in the room, Lisa running to a scared Zoya, while the officers took in charge of the man, handcuffing him in front of everyone.

"Inspector, why are you arresting me? I am the one who got beaten up. They are the culprits.", Shetty struggled to get released when the head constable forced him to calm. "You are allowed to stay quiet for now, or we will send you to the court with extra charges.", the officer roughly held his arm and pushed him out of the room.

"Mr and Mrs Hooda, I hope you both are okay. Constable Pandey will accompany you back home, and we will come and see you to take your statement.", the inspector told them in a compassionate tone, seeing the young woman clasped at her husband. "I can understand this is not the time to be asking you, but the faster we take action, the faster you will be relieved a criminal would be behind the bars.

"Sir, we... we need some time... my wife is still under shock, I don't think it will be...", he was to deny the officer's demands when Zoya grabbed his hand, interrupting him. He looked down at her, as she blinked her eyes reassuringly.

Leaving an officer with them, the police team left the young people alone and the group of friends shared a sad look between the two clasped at each other.

•••

They got off the patrol jeep, as they were followed by the friends who brought their car. They thanked the officers who bade bye, reminding them they would be back the next day, as they agreed.

"Adi, you guys should go take rest, now. Take some vacation, we will take care of everything at work.", Prakash held a hand on his shoulder as he smiled at their friends gratefully, nodding his head. "Thank you, yaar."

Lisa hugged Zoya and caressed her back, no exact word coming out of her mouth at the shocking turn of events. "I am sorry, honey. I wished we knew what you were going through.", she whispered to her ear and Zoya sighed, hugging her back. "Thank you very much, Lisa, for being such a sweet friend."

The girls pulled away and Lisa rubbed her upper arms, conveying she was always there for her, before they all left the couple alone.

Aditya held her hand and took her inside, locking the door behind them as he led her to the bedroom. He was to take the coat off her but stopped in hesitation, wondering what she might feel. He balled his hand in a fist and took it back, before growing a smile on his face.

"We shall freshen up, and sleep. You need to rest...", saying so, he went to take out some fresh clothes of hers for the night, her eyes constantly following his moves.

He kept the towel and dress on the bathroom sink and turned back to the bedroom, holding a hand for her. "I won't keep the lights turned on, trust me.", he told her.

She stared at him in admiration, as he let her stand by the shower cabin, while he switched the light off. He turned back to see her take the coat off, before she stepped in the cabin all dressed. She turned the tap as she drenched herself, letting the water cleanse the traces off her body and soul, closing her eyes as she felt some left teardrops trailing down her face.

He hung the towel on the bar by the shower. "I will be waiting outside."

Not turning to look back at him, she started in a low tone. "Please...", he looked at her to continue. "... stay with me..."

He helped her lay on the bed and pulled the sheet over her, as he caressed her still wet hair "Just close your eyes, and sleep, without thinking of anything. Alright?", saying so, he kissed on her forehead and was about to go when she held his wrist. "Where are you going?"

"I will be back in two minutes. Just getting us water for the night, hmm?", he softly patted her cheek and got out of the room. He climbed down the stairs to check the door and windows, before reaching the kitchen to drink some water. Filling the water carafe, he reached back to their room when he saw her asleep, the moonlight hovering, the soft breeze  playing with her wet strands.

He walked to her with a smile and, keeping the carafe on the nightstand, he sneaked into his bedside, resting on his elbow as he looked at her tired face. He rubbed the back of his fingers against her cheek as she smiled unconsciously.

"I will always be there for you.", saying so, he dropped a lingering kiss on her forehead, as she snuggled into him to sleep.

•••

"Aditya! Aditya, where are we going?", she asked for the umpteenth time as they were on a drive, his eyes stealing her glances at times, while he smiled at her impatience. "It has been almost an hour that we are on the road, and you are not telling me anything."

He chuckled hearing her sweet whines and pulled on her cheek before sending a blowing kiss. "You know you are so cute, baby?"

She faked a frown and crossing her arms, she turned to look outside.

"Oh oh, my angry bird queen. It's a surprise, just a little bit of patience.", as he said so, she sighed and let him drive in silence as she watched the boards on the highway, making her frown. "Are we going out somewhere far? Why are you following the route towards Tamil Nadu?"

"I said, finger on your lips. Or I will have to close your mouth in my own way.", as he said so, she cupped her mouth, making him scoff. "Why, baby? Not interested in getting kissed by your gentleman?"

"First, surprise. Then... I will think about it.", she mischievously answered as he smiled. "Then, I shall be reassured, thanks to the surprise."

"Let's see!", she smirked.

Within another hour, they were into the neighbor state as they enjoyed the sudden drizzle on the windows. She held her face out, eyes closed, as she let the humid weather melt her. When she felt some wet drops from behind her, and she turned to her husband resting an elbow on the window lift, as he again threw her some drops with a lopsided smile. She joined the game as she rubbed her wet hands on his side cheek, giggling loud while he grimaced like a kid.

With a small break in between, they finally entered Yelagiri as she looked out in admiration. Being a Mussoorie girl, the mountainous environment had been her favourite, though they never returned back home after they stepped out from there once. Aditya knew she missed her good old hills, and decided to surprise her big.

A blind cloth around her eyes, he guided her slowly through the path, holding her hand tightly, as she kept pestering him of questions.

"Just a moment, milady.", she heard him whispering and stayed quiet as he requested, when she felt being stopped at a point. "Now, you can open your eyes.", saying so, he pulled on the cloth knot, releasing her sight as she blinked at the sudden light.

She looked and gasped at the huge house standing before them, not understanding where they were.

"Y... yeh... yeh kya hai, Aditya? Where are we? Whose house is this?", she asked in excitement, though she wondered what they were doing here. (What is this, Aditya?)

"Well, go read the name board on your own.", he replied pointing to the wood-made plate on the wall besides the door. She rushed to do so when she fell blank at the letters.

'To the Urdu Queen of my life,
Welcome, Begum!'

He neared her and smiled at her. "So, how is the surprise?" She looked back at him. "Is this... is this our house?"

He nodded his head in yes. "I know how much you must miss your hilly areas a lot, and it's not always easy to go to a place whenever you wish to. So I decided to get you a house, built in your own taste, in a chill hilly location just like you always wished, and at a distance that we can come and visit more often. Though work will take our time, but that's fine. At least, we have our own holiday destination, and we can bring our families at times, too. You can change it the way you want, you are the boss here, as well.", he said as he smiled, finishing.

She stayed silent as he looked on. "You... you didn't like the house? Shall we do some changes already? Tell me, baby. We can call someon...", he was not let to finish as she jumped on him for a hug, taking him in surprise, her legs off the ground. He chuckled and tightened his grip around her waist as he twirled her round. "This means we will get to see the mountains often. Yay!", she pushed herself against him as he scoffed to her tight embrace.

"And I haven't even shown you around. Wondering how you will react seeing the main thing in it.", he announced as she slowly pulled away. "Another surprise?"

"Come, jaan, I will show you.", and holding her hand, he pulled her to the backyard, where there was a huge porch that faced the jungle area. As they climbed the little steps, he took his hand off her eyes, making them widen at the sight.

"Ya Allah, a swing bed!", she screamed in excitement as she jumped and ran to stand by the bed.

"Happy birthday, my love.", he suddenly wished her as she looked back at him, again in surprise. "I know it was last week, but it got a little later than believed to open up this surprise. Sholly!", he held his earlobes and she fell in his arms.

"This is the best gift I could have got. And you are saying sorry? You are really mad, husband.", saying so, she tightened her embrace when he lifted her bridal style. "Arey, what are you doing?"

"Your janaab got you a swing, and you are not even trying.", saying so, he delicately kept her on the bed and she giggled like a child, before sliding backwards to sit in the middle. He stood behind and slowly pushed the swing forward, making her smile innocently.

"This must have been some heavy expenses, by the way. Why did you have to do all this?", she asked as they were laid on the swing, her head comfortable on his shoulder, while they were observing the dark sky glowing with stars, a full moon night sight that made the moment even more beautiful.

It was evening time and the couple had had a whole tour of the house, meeting the housekeepers who were to stay and handle the place in their absence, as they ended the day with a feast by the boss lady. Calling it a day, the working people went back to their places, leaving the two alone. Sleep far from their eyes, they got settled in the backyard porch, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere.

"Why are you thinking of that, breaking all the ambiance? You just don't worry about that.", he replied as he played with her open hair, when she pulled away to face him. He sighed as he continued, "I have been planning all this for a while. I had a talk with pa and mah, and they agreed to help. But don't worry, I will work harder, and we will pay back, if that's your concern."

He cupped her cheek as he said, "I just want you to always be happy, and see you smile like the innocent child you are to me. Nothing else counts to me."

She smiled emotionally and kissed on his cheek before she fell back on his chest. His arms wrapped around her, they hugged each other tightly, his heartbeats like a lullaby to her ears while she randomly drew patterns on his shirt.

"I want our own baby, though.", the both suddenly mumbled to themselves, loud enough for each other to hear as he pulled away to look at her blushing.

"Accha ji. Someone wants to make babies now.", said he as he smirked. "I am always ready, though."

"Do you have to make it more embarrassing?", she glared as she punched on his chest, making him laugh rubbing the pain. "I said I want babies. But you have to make it sound naughty."

He pulled her in his arms, the distance between their faces decreasing, as they stared into each other. "Everything is, when it's about Aditya and Zoya's love story.", he whispered in a husky tone, while she felt her heartbeats racing against time as he tucked her hair strands, softly brushing his fingers on her skin making her blush harder. She gasped as he pushed her on the bed, smoothly hovering her on the top, and he looked at her adoringly.

"All, about being in love.", saying so, he slowly sealed the gap between their faces, as she shyly smiled, lips parting away, the both letting destiny lead the happenings.

~•~•~•~

End of Touched

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© a shrucreationsx' pen work

~•~•~•~

Hola, la familia.
Hope you are doing well.

First of all, a huge THANK YOU to all the love and appreciation you have to our first collab story, Je T'aime. That piece of work would have never happened without you, and you all accepted it so warmly. So, shukriya shukriya shukriya.

Now, coming to this story. Honestly, I just knew this was a topic that would be very hard to pen down, especially when I am not comfortable with it at all. Still, an idea popped up in mind one day, and I was really willing to take the challenge, for myself. I tried my best to explain the story, I don't know if I made justice to it. But, I am at least glad I made it till here. And that too, thanks to all your love and support, again.

I hope you liked the story, even if you don't I wouldn't wonder at all. But thanks for having read till this part.

Until next time,

With love,

Shuruthy. 🤍