Turned out to be much, much longer crap than intended but... didn't want to cut into two parts. And I wanted to finish this, coûte que coûte.

Also, from now on, I might add a song playlist for you all to listen to while reading. Mostly to share some of my favorites with you that help me write.
Idea credit : my idea bank, 14jenna 🤍

Bonne lecture!

06/11/2024 — Whoever reading this, I wish you happy, safe, healthy day and life ahead! 💜✨

ミ★ 𝘸 𝘩 𝘦 𝘯 o n e 𝘧 𝘦 𝘭 𝘭 𝘩 𝘢 𝘳 𝘥 𝘦 𝘳 ★彡

// ∞ ௐ ∞ //

"Zosh Events. Let's end this partnership!"

Astounded by the announcement, his eyes shook in confusion. "I—what?" he paused a little in an attempt to comprehend her words. "I know I am not the best—not the greatest co-owner for your business and that—you have actually done all the job. I am really sorry. Like you said, this company was never my priority b—" again a break. "If I made any mistake, I would like to correct myself. I want to do better—" for you.

"When did I even mention you not being apt for anything? I wouldn't have turned into someone much stronger if not for you, Aditya. Zosh Events was Yash's dream, it then became my responsibility. But the hard work was the fruit of your existence, and your unknown support. In fact, even in our dark times, your ways taught me more than I could even explain in words," she reassured him with a soft tone. "I am whom you brought out from deep inside. T—this is not about you."

"Did your abbu say something? Is me being here—" he questioned briefly, not ready for it to be the truth. "I mean, I can understand he is still mad at me—"

"It's true that abbu doesn't approve... us working together. However, despite his anger, I know I wanted you to be here with me. I couldn't even bear knowing my friend was running away—from me—once again. Yet, here I am, ready to leave—you—forever," she gently mumbled to herself. "I just want a promise from you. Would you grant me one?"

"Zoya, you are not anybody but my close friend. Azeez dost, that's how you call me, right?" he clasped her fists into his wider palms as he leaned gently closer. "You don't have to ask me for anything. Just give the orders!"

Feeling better with his warm words, she continued, "Even if I won't be here one day, will you still be present and take care of this company and our employees?"

"You are talking as if you were actually going away forever. What happened to you? Are you trying to prank me? I am the king of pranks, you can't fool me so easily," he laughed on his own, an attempt to cool the tension in the room when he noticed a hint of a grin on her face. A fake one. "Wait—matlab kya—are you being serious?" (What do you mean?)

"His name is Arshad Habib," said she in simple words, for him to grasp the piece of news.

"Who is Arshad?" he grew more confused but stayed calm as she responded. "My father's friend's son. To whom—my nikkah proposal was sent a few days ago."

"Wha—nikkah?" at the shocking piece of information, his hands uncontrollably left her grip as she faced his widened stare. "You—you mean that—"

"I might be leaving soon, Aditya. For I am getting married."

ᜊ

"Marcus! Victor! Have you people seen a notebook in the study? It's an orange cover, with nothing particularly written on it," yelled Arjun from the upper floor as he was rummaging through stuff, stacked up on the desk. "Gosh, where did I leave i—"

"Arjun, is this the one?" he stood up at his mother's voice and saw the exact copybook in her hand as she came for confirmation.

"Oh, mom! You are the best, you know?" he quickly took it from her and hugged his old lady. "Where did you find it, though?"

"You were the one who passed your case notes for a revision to your father last night, bhool gaya?" saying so, she lovingly tapped his shoulder. "If only you had your mind here on Earth a little more, and not over unnecessary things—or people—" murmured she the last part as she referred to her sons' obsession over the two sisters who, as per the motherly instincts, happened to ruin her innocent sons' days. (You forgot?)

Arjun had still heard her quiet rambling and mentally smiled for she was becoming too overprotective. "Mom, come on! It's nothing like that."

He didn't get to add another word of explanation when the door opened downstairs, drawing their attention.

Aditya walked in the mansion, his mind left behind as he stepped towards his bedroom. He seemed lost in thoughts, unaware of his surroundings before he rushed to take a seat on the bed. Remembering their earlier conversation didn't leave him tranquil, bizarre.

"Arshad Habib, abbu's friend's son, to whom my nikkah proposal was sent... I might be leaving soon, Aditya. For I am getting married."

What the hell did she mean by leaving?

Wait—how come her marriage got fixed and I just came to know?

Why am I thinking that way now?

He hung his forehead lower to his palms and grabbed the soft hair, trying to process the shocker, as he reminisced the following of the scene.

"You—you are getting married? When? How—why—" his tongue stopped at the blunder he uttered and looked apologetic. "Sorry—I mean... wow! That's some big news, yaar!" he cleared his throat and continued. "Um... I didn't know you were—you were looking forward to getting married—so soon."

She hung her head low, releasing a sigh of relief as she explained herself. "Neither did I. Abbu has been talking me into moving on getting settled... again. And somehow, I kept pushing the topic away for days."

He was keenly listening to her opinion. "Few days ago, he suddenly brought up the discussion again and talked about his friend's family back from Mussoorie days, and suggested that I meet their son once."

"Wait—so you are not... actually interested?" he raised his brow expressing his entire attention to the conversation.

"Well, I wasn't—at first. But—" she took cautious seconds to perfect her answer. "I gave this a long thought in the last days."

I had to be absent in town for a week and so much happened—

"And you said yes?" though he didn't need any specific reply to guess it.

"Isn't that the best for everybody?" she asked back as she looked at his face, trying to read his expressions for any clue about his reactions. "We promised ourselves to move on from the past, I feel it is time."

"So—you really are confident about this?" an unknown fear to reassure himself was underlined as he kept repeating himself. "What if—"

"I have been keeping myself away from all this for a long time, Aditya, but the scar is finally fading away now," she said. "I have learnt to face the struggles with it. I am no longer that naïve girl people had to bare on their shoulders. This Zoya is a lot more grown up, hopefully, and I want to take the next diversion for beautiful changes. I need to."

A smile on his lips at her, he swallowed what she meant and moved with his hand forwarded as she stood still, looking at his actions before she replied his gesture. "Congratulations, Ghalib! I am... I am really happy for you, mere dost," and he gently took her in his arms.

Zoya was sitting on the window seat looking down at the streets when her sister entered the room, busily talking on the phone until she noticed the quiet woman.

"Arjun, I will call you later. I check on appi and keep you informed, bye," she discreetly hung the call.

Hearing the voice, the elder sibling craned her neck and grinned in welcome. "You are home, Noor."

"Appi, did you talk to Aditya?" the younger one inquired as she took a seat facing her sister. "Apparently he looked very confused and lost, Arjun said."

She moved her eyes away at the confrontation and sighed. "I couldn't delay this anymore, Kohinoor. The sooner I acknowledge the reality and go with it, the better this will be for everyone."

"Matlab that's it! You are giving up on your feelings so fast and easi—" .

As Noor tried to question her sister's views towards their father's decision, she got quickly cut off. "Fast, I won't deny it. However neither is this impulsiveness, nor easy for me," she shook her head in tiredness. "Now, please. I don't want to argue about this at the moment. I am feeling tired."

Saying no more, she walked to the bed and gently laid her tired self down on the bed, dropping her head on her joined hands as she stared into the void.

Dropping her shoulders in helplessness, she looked up above her at the ceiling while mumbling in her mind. "Ya Allah! Please give some hints to appi before she pushes her life into grief. She is hurting herself again for others' sake, she deserves better," she ended her ramble as she looked back at her elder sibling still lost in her thinking.

Realizing the intense looks towards her sight, Zoya closed her eyelids pretending to fall asleep in silence. Noor soon walked out of the room leaving her sister alone, a tear rolling down the bridge of her nose on its own.

Standing on his balcony, arms crossed against his chest as he looked at the starry night sky, he blabbered to himself. "Zoya is getting married, she is taking a step further in her life. She—she is moving on from her past... engaging herself into a new relationship. That—that's great! That's great, right? That's—amazing for her. She—she is finally going to live a—good life—with someone by her side. And forget her past, yes—that's nice, no?"

Then why am I feeling weird about this?

ᜊ

Zoya was getting ready before the dressing table for the day, although she had decided to spend her time off at home before getting ready for tomorrow's engagement party. She stared at the silk scarf beside her pieces of jewelry, that guarded the gold coin Minal aunty, Arshad's mother, tied her the day before along with gifts and sweets for her soon-to-be daughter-in-law as per the tradition. Reminders that she was stepping into something she didn't expect but couldn't refuse at the same moment. Life was again bringing her to a spot where she found herself pushed to take a decision, bargaining for everyone's sake.

She did her hair at a gentle pace when the bathroom door opened with a thud.

"Ya Allah! I am going to be so late," the nervous sibling rushed out while doing her beautiful curls, as she walked around the room checking for her things.

"Noorie, don't feel too stressed! Everything will be alright, we know you will ace this interview," as the elder one, her protectiveness bloomed and neared her sister with reassurance. "You can do this."

"Well, I really hope I can because I really need this so much. I am tired of being the second child granted with chances because abbu and you have seats for me," she rummaged through her handbag checking her needed stuff as she looked on quietly. "Moreover, I now have to stand on my own feet for I won't be able to continue at Zosh's with you going—it would feel weird without you there."

Zoya realized the truth behind her words and wondered all of a sudden if, in her way to please her father and others, she had left her little bean, who never ended supporting her at any circumstances, alone.

"Sorry, my kohinoor, in no way I meant to leave you on your own. But I know, you will do great in your career and reach heights, without needing me, although I will always be there for you. My baby sister is way more mature, capable, and stronger than her appi to do whatever she has dreamt of," she cupped her babyish face and gently pinched her cheeks.

"Appi, you know that I love you, but please uh? Don't talk as if you are planning to leave me forever. Although the turns of events, we will keep chatting, video-calling and yes, I will be barging at your place every year at least twice and stay with you for the longest time," saying so, she hugged her sister.

"Pagal ladki! Of course, you will always be welcome. That's not even a doubt," she playfully patted her back at her remark. "But now, you are really going to be late for your job interview."

"Oh, crap!" and again she ran around the bedroom looking for anything she could have missed under Zoya's amused stare, until the latter heard the sudden call from downstairs. "Zoya? Roshnaq, Noor? Is anybody home?"

"Arey, where are you all gone, bhai?" Waseem's cheering echoed in the empty living room as he entered the flat holding shopping bags. He was just leaving the covers on the coffee table when he noticed his daughters walking down the steps, Noor reaching first as she remained in her rush while the elder one was more gentle as she looked at her father's moves.

"Abbu, ammi is not home. She needed to see the upper-floor neighbor aunty for some urgent stuff and said she will be back in twenty," announced the second daughter as she picked a banana from the basket and walked straight to the door. "Alright, I am out guys. Wish me luck!"

"May Allah grant my little bird a successful and beautiful life, jeet kar aaiye," he smiled at his cadet, raising a hand on her head before leaving her on her own. (Come back victorious)

"Abbu, what is all of this?" the elder daughter neared her father and asked while looking at the bags.

"Come and have a look at it yourself!" his smile widened as he gestured to her to take a seat on the sofa.

She opened the bags and took out velvet-made maroon boxes, revealing golden pieces of jewelry to be gifted.

"Abbu, these many—" she was to ask when he interrupted her. "Before you say anything, I want to show you something else."

He fished a bigger box from another of the bags and removed the upper part, exposing a pretty and heavy Hyderabadi-signed bali-gold-plated choker necklace set along with the matching chandbali jhumkas and tikka. "How is this one?"

She smiled at his thrilled face and expressed in genuine words, "Really beautiful, abbu. The pearls are my favourite part."

"I am really glad to hear that, beta. Do you know that I got these for you when you were just one?" he revealed the unexpected as she turned to him in shock. "The day you were born, I promised myself I will treat my daughters the way shehzaadiyaan would be. The both of you are two precious parts of your abbu's heart, and I would never let you down at any cost, including when choosing your future. And so, I had started saving for your marriage from your childhood. That... I couldn't give you earlier."

Zoya couldn't face her father longer as he opened up and looked away while he continued. "I am not telling you all of this to make you feel any guiltier, mistakes are humane. However, I had made myself a promise, and I want to rectify the past by doing better. And so, I brought these from Mussoorie and had them polished for the occasion."

"Abbu—" she started when their father-daughter moment was interrupted by someone ringing the doorbell.

"Oh, I guess they have reached," she looked at her father clueless of whom her father was expecting as he continued, "Hum bhi na! There is so much to do and I just relaxed on my own. Um, Zoya beta, could you go and attend them? I need to make some important calls?"

She didn't get to say anything that he was already walking away. With no other choice, she stood up and attended the unknown guests, looking stunned at the surprise her father was aware but her.

"Aap log yahaan?" (You people here?)

ᜊ

Aditya slowed his car down as he reached the much familiar pathway, pulling over on his usual spot before he took a look at the tall buildings, taking a deep breath.

"Shawn, I have just sent you the list of the flowers we were asked to book for the upcoming functions. Make sure you inform the providers on time, or we will be standing clueless at last minute and... you know very well how uncle is," Akansha and Mona warned the young man on the passenger seat as he raised his thumb up, their interaction not leaving the silence in the vehicle to reside although someone staying unbothered.

They slowly got out of the car and waited for Aditya when they noticed he stayed quiet and spaced out, staring into the void. "Adi sir, aren't you coming?"

The latter broke out of his trance and realized they were looking at him in confusion, as they were joined by Vinod and Mithilesh ji who had followed them. "Uh—oh yeah! Yes, sorry, let's go!"

Led by the team, they all walked inside the building and reached for the lift that took them to the flat on the second floor where they were booked to work for the evening. As they moved through the well-known corridor, they soon stopped in front of the wooden door that held the changed name board.

"Aap log yahaan?" as Zoya opened the door to their call, the working team grinned at their boss lady and entered the apartment, leaving the man alone with her.

"Hi, ghalib!" he managed to say, hiding his doubtful thoughts as she did to mask her own embarrassing awkwardness. "H—hi, Ad—" she grinned.

"Arey, why are you still standing outside, janaab?" Waseem's voice stood out interrupting their moment, shocking the lady among the both at her father's demeanor change seeing  someone from the Hooda family. "Zoya, beta at least let him come in!"

Bluffed at the happenings, Zoya moved a little leaving room for the guests before she joined in, walking next to Aditya.

"Ma'am, you don't have to worry about anything, we as a team have worked enough events to know what and how to make everything a memorable one," Akansha started, excitement all over their faces as Mona continued. "Yes, Zoya ma'am. Trust your Zosh team."

Mithilesh ji chuckled as he turned to his colleagues. "Aur nahin toh kya, ji? This is Zoya ji's special moment, we won't let our ma'am down." (Then what else, ji?)

Aditya threw a glance towards her, noticing her confused expression as if she wasn't aware of anything that was told.

"What are you all talking about?" all what had been happening lately had her mind exhausted to think clearly and understand the innuendos.

They glanced at each other before they turned to Aditya, who remained quiet in the whole setup.

Clearing his throat, he finally undid his words. "Zoya, we are not here as your work team, but—" he quickly paused. "We, Zosh Events, are booked to plan your marriage functions."

What—

Her eyes widened at the revelation and snapped her head at her father who stayed unbothered by her inner turmoil.

"Haan, beta! Why would we look for someone else when we have our own people to help us with the planning?" Waseem smiled as he continued. "I think the Zosh team is already well aware of your way of working, so they know very well what we would be expecting. And... who could know you better than," as he quickly glanced at the man beside Zoya, he cleared his throat. "Than Aditya?"

You didn't do right, abbu.

"Don't worry, sir! Zoya is my dear friend," he grinned as she turned to him. "And this is my friend's wedding planning. As Zosh Events' co-owner, I will take care of everything she wants to have," he nods at the team reassuringly.

The old father released a sigh of relief. "That's the spirit. Arey, how rude of us! Zoya, bring them something to have, beta. This is going to be a long day."

Zoya couldn't help but keep her emotions at bay and curved her lips in a reassuring grin. "Ji, abbu. You guys please get a seat, I... I will just be back," she quickly said and walked to the kitchen.

Seeing the team of five take a seat on the couch as they started discussing ideas, Waseem excused himself. "You do your work, I will take my leave."

Nodding at the man, they continued their talks while Aditya, abnormally quiet, turned a glance towards the kitchen.

The milk left to warm up in the pan, Zoya lost herself into various thoughts as she reminisced about the late events.

"What is this, Zoya?" the lady was interrupted in her work when she heard Aditya enter the room in fury, a red file in his hand. "Is this a joke?"

"Aditya, I was to tell you—" she sighed in exhaustion as she started her explanation.

"I know, you are getting married, that's wonderful. But what does it have to do with this big decision?" before he could stop his movements, the file was dropped on the table with a thud.

She gasped at the suddenness. "Aditya, calm down! What's wrong with you—"

Obedient to her worried reaction, he rested his hands on the table and took a deep breath as she asked him to take a seat. She quickly ordered two coffees "I didn't know you were literally meaning to quit Zosh Events for marriage, Zoya, what's wrong with you?"

"Aditya, you know it well running a company from abroad is not going to be easy—" he raised his eyes to her. "After marriage, of course I am going to be settled in London. That's where he lives, now don't look at me."

"But Zoya, how can you leave us like that and go?" she looked at him emotionally. "I mean—Zosh Events belongs to me financially as well, but wholeheartedly, this company is yours, yaar. You brought it to this level from the pit. You made this many people's dream," he said as he pointed to the employees. "Who will take care of them and this business without you—"

"The only one who made me capable of all this," she just smiled as her stare lasted on her heart stealer.

She poured the coffee in the boiling milk and stirred gently. "I asked him to take care of our business, he straightly reached to plan for us. Ek number ka ahmak insaan—" she closed the lid with a soft pout as she mumbled her scolding when she heard someone clearing their throat. (Such an idiot—)

"You didn't need to cuss so loudly, I was just standing there. A simple wave was enough to call me," she rolled her eyes at his sarcastic counter and turned to his side.

"Why didn't you tell me you were to work for my... for my marriage?" she lowered the fire level and moved her attention to him. "I mean... how could you... and I..."

"Why not, Ghalib? You are my friend, woh bhi azeez si," stop with the constant chant, will you? "And as my first venture alone, I am lucky I got to work for you." (That too a close one)

I need a breath of fresh air. I. need. a. breath. of. fresh air.

"And haan, I think you forgot I am more of a black-coffee person—" he started but got interrupted when she forwarded the mug kept aside. "Half-spoon sugar, I remember it well." For us.

She held the tray of filled hot coffee cups and walked to the living room as she distributed to everyone, leaving the man who couldn't help the smile at her fondness that came over her angry antics. Such a sherni!

ᜊ

The whole Siddiqui residence was pampered like a bride as the place welcomed the family and friends for their elder daughter's mehndi celebrations. Waseem and Roshnaq were busily discussing with their guests, everybody enjoying the vibrant ambiance while the team took care of the service.

"Shawn, we have to make sure the guests are well served. Inform the girls to keep an eye on that. And yes, go and check with Vinod if there has been an update for tomorrow's flower delivery. They were to be reminded tonight or we won't have the orders on time," Aditya listed out the instructions as the younger man nodded in yes before reaching his colleagues.

"Bhai," he was about to call some of their providers when he was caught by his little brother who surprised him. "Arjun? Finally you made it to the mehndi."

"Zoya is not only your good friend, bhai. When you disappeared from our lives, she was there for me... as a memory of yours," he sadly smiled as he reminisced those six months, where he also met his love story. "Of course I had to come."

"Accha, leave the lecture aside and help me if you can—" he was instructing him on a few tasks.

Until they felt silence prevailing all of a sudden around them, "The bride is there, make some noise for our beautiful dulhan," somebody among the numerous guests yelled and cheers echoed in the room, gaining everyone's attention.

Aditya slightly turned his shoulders towards the spotlight that shifted to the staircase when his eyes along with the others' fell on Zoya stepping down, accompanied by her sister and another young female—probably one of their relatives.

"Wow, yaar Mona! Zoya ma'am is looking gorgeous tonight," the familiar voice of his young employee reached his ears from the background stage where their team stayed prepared for any need.

Aditya remained silent as he stared at her tall frame getting downstairs, her look for the night more visible for his sight. She had opted for a bottle green floor-length anarkali suit with golden embroidery all over the dress, sleeves covering her arms while a magenta veil was pinned on her left shoulder. Her hair was pinned at the top before cascading into perfect curls that bounced on her back as she walked ; a pair of pink earrings with a pearl dangling from those matched the tikka resting on her forehead.

Roshnaq stood before Zoya and smiled at her precious child. "MashaAllah!" she kissed on her forehead making her daughter emotional as she held onto her hands. "Nazar na lage. Go and sit!"

The two young ladies brought her to the center stage where stood the maroon red divan with a couple of cushions lined up to the back, both covered in ethnic-designed cases while a wall-length net cloth hung on the ceiling covering the small settings. Garlands of yellow ran down the length of the net piece adding more light to her face as she welcomed everyone in the hall with a warm smile, the artist taking her own seat to start her work on her right hand.

"She is looking so pretty, isn't she bhai?" Arjun said as he admired the woman and turned to his brother who remained quiet, his eyes not moving away from her.

Now, how would he admit she was looking so gorgeous... just like any other day?

Once left alone by the relative who came to make her presence known with a few compliments and more, her eyes discreetly rolled over the crowded hall to locate somebody, although she wasn't unnoticed by the girls. Who was she looking—

"Who are you looking for, Zoya?" he was able to read the same confusion in the young woman's words, interrupting Zoya's quest. "Oh, jeeju?"

Of course, who else?

"Bhai, you okay? I am talking to you," he shook his elder's shoulder, breaking him out of his trance. "What are you looking at so lost?"

"Shawn!" interrupting the confusing thoughts as much as the others' talks. "Go and check for the groom's family—" he didn't get to finish when they heard the loud hooting as if welcoming the honorary guests.

"Noor, dulhe raja is here. Let's go and meet him!" the younger woman was pulled by their cousin Amirah and quickly asked her sister for anything, leaving the spot once reassured she was fine. Seeing the crowd at the door, she also got curious and turned her eyes there until she heard the lady at her feet. "Ma'am, what shall I write for the groom's name?"

"Uh—" she couldn't help but remember the first time she had written a name on her mehendi-filled hands—and it was not even of her ex-husband's but his. It was a huge mistake she had let happen without her awareness, yet today her heart screamed to make that one exact mistake again. "Just write an A—for Arshad—"

The henna artist smiled at her and hung her head back to her work as she drew a discreet letter in between her heavy design. Earning a teary grin from the bride as she stared at the name, before looking at the silver band on her ring finger her now-fiancé made her wear the night before.

That's emotional cheating, Zoya.

This will be the last time, nobody will know. Promise!

She raised her head up to fall on the dark blue long-sleeved kurta with spots of silver embroidery all over the clothing, matching the plain white pants, as she recognized the familiar aura even from the back view. He was busily instructing their workers things like a real boss.

Nobody will know.

He smoothly turned on his heels while supervising the task in hand, bowing his head respectfully to the guests in a gentle welcome when his eyes met hers, and no word was needed more.

ᜊ

"Noor! I need a favor, please!" Arjun called his girlfriend early in the morning, the call on loudspeaker while he combed his hair standing before the mirror glass. "Bhai is on his way for the haldi ceremony—"

"It's a mayun ritual for us, by the way—" she cut him off for a quick lesson.

"Haan, woh hi woh hi! I know that bhai won't listen to us so we need to do something and have them act before it's too late," he suggested.

"Isn't it already late, though? Appi is getting married tomorrow, Arjun. If your brother hasn't realized his feelings for my sister yet, what makes her wait more?" the protective sister in her suddenly roared, surprising her boyfriend as he stayed mum.

"Noor, I understand you, and you are absolutely right. And... I know we cannot force anybody to love. But will Zoya really be happy in this marriage?" he calmly added. "Arshad might be a good guy, well settled abroad with a good job... but what about feelings? Wouldn't this be a betrayal for him as well?"

"Then what shall we do, now? I also can't see my sister like this. She thinks smart of herself hiding her tears, but they are well so apparent in her eyes and behavior," she blew in exasperation. "How happy we were, believing both sisters would be living together in the same house after marriage! The daydreams were short lived—"

"I reassure you, my Chocomati Devi, I won't let our little dream fade away. Now listen—"

She quietly nodded to his words and smiled. "Will it really be worthy of an attempt?"

"Trying won't cost much, hopefully."

Noor walked down the stairs to the function preparations, her mother along a few of their female relatives busily looking after the needed, while she rolled her eyes in search of a certain someone.

"Mona!" the said young lady at work turned to the voice. "Have you seen Aditya?"

"You needed me for anything?" she heard the familiar tone and mentally took a deep breath. Hopefully it works.

"Oh, Aditya, there you are—" she smiled in silence, the elder looking at her patiently. "Um—is the haldi ready?"

"Uh, haan. It's just there behind you on the table," he answered nonchalantly.

She turned awkwardly to fall on the big basin filled with freshly mashed and prepared turmeric paste. With a nervous cackle, she brusquely held the glass-made bowl in her hands, willingly splashing some of the recipient on his white coat though.

Whoopsie!

Aditya looked down at his outfit in shock as she loudly gasped, sounding oh-so-innocent. "Oh, my—I am so sorry—" he raised his head at her words while she continued her drama. "I am really very sorry, Aditya. I am such an idiot."

The Zosh team neared the duo hearing the young Siddiqui's loud voice and, seeing the incident, exchanged worried glances.

"S—sir, shall we get you a new shirt—" asked Shawn to be cut very quickly. "That's fine... I will just... clean this and be back."

"Uh—the bathroom is upstairs," she meekly said as he nodded his head in yes, knowing much well where each of the rooms was located.

He touched the wet paste trying not to spread as he walked to the bathroom, not much looking before him when he heard the creak of a door opening, raising his head to fall on the familiar bedroom.

Wearing a simple yellow anarkali suit, a plain white net veil covering her chest and pinned to her neat bun, Zoya walked out of the room prepared for the event of the day, not much expecting she would bump first hand in the morning onto him, as she unwillingly stopped in her tracks at the sudden appearance. She looked up at the man in shock, the expressions on his face muchalike, as he stared at her soft features looking back.

She had completed her look for the day wearing yellowish floral jewelry, busily closing her earring when she encountered his presence, his eyes locked on her act before moving to hers.

"Aditya, you—any problem?" she casually asked not willing to expose her nervousness seeing him all of a sudden while he remained quiet. Mesmerized.

She then rolled her eyes down, noticing the yellow patch on his white clothes, earning a loud gasp. "Yeh—what happened?"

Before he could come back to his senses and answer her confusion, she pulled him by his forearm, his unconscious self letting her drag him wherever she took him. His sole focus locked on her face.

"Ya Allah, where is your attention, Aditya? How did you get this haldi on you? On your white coat, moreover," she had brought him inside her personal bathroom and stopped before the sink to look at him for any answer. Nothing more. "Aditya, I am talking to you, right now."

Hearing her louder tone, he jerked and woke up from his trance, looking around them as a reflex. "Wait—what am I doing here? I was looking for a bathroom."

"I brought you here. To help you remove the stain," saying so, she opened the cabinet under the sink for a clean cloth and immediately drenched a little edge before bringing it to him.

"Hey, wait! You will get dirty yourself," he gently took the wet cloth in his hand and stood straight. "Don't worry, I will clean it myself. You should go downstairs, they... they are waiting for you."

Realizing she was brought back to reality, her face fell and she stood straight, unconsciously keeping a little distance away from him. Why was she often forgetting the facts? She was getting married the next day.

"You... you are right—I will get going—you also... come soon," she quickly instructed him and was to move away when his eyes fell on the top of her head, before stopping her by the forearm. "Zoya, one minute—"

Feeling his hand pulling her from going forward, she couldn't help but feel the annoying butterflies she was supposed to have buried for a while, not giving herself false expectations of a future that would never happen for she was getting married, she repeated herself once again.

Yet, here she was enjoying the heartbeats at the mere touch that only meant "friendship".

She turned on her heels and waited in silence for him to say anything. "Um?"

Unknowingly, Aditya took a step towards her and raised his hand to her head, confusing the shorter woman as he stood closer. Smoothly, he held her floral headpiece and straightened it on her forehead, making sure it was not placed even an inch away from its designated spot. All the while, she rested her stare on his focused eyes.

He smiled at his attempt to correct her look. "There you go! Now you actually look—" he dropped his eyes down to face her while talking, just to sense his speech vanish into thin air at the contact. "Perfect."

Feeling getting lost in the moment, she immediately stepped back and gathered her senses back, before throwing a smile that screamed pretense.

Breaking their moment, a loud knock on the door of a room echoed till the attached bathroom. "Zoya, beta it's time to go. Are you ready?"

She released a low breath "I will get going, you get yourself cleaned and come downstairs."

Saying so, she left him on his own and walked down to attend her haldi event, his thoughts keeping him worried about the changes in his behavior.

As he looked down at her face, having put the floral piece correctly, an unknown feeling of rebirth grew in his heart, along with the loss of something very much precious. Her eyes, a pair of doe-shaped ones that he happened to know by heart, seemed all the more captivating, keeping him under their tight hold as they conveyed a whole new sensation inside his heart. Those pretty brown pearls shone under the yellow light from the ceiling, reflecting a lighter shade as he was able to see his face on them. Mirroring an emotion he again failed to understand.

"What is wrong with me—" he slapped his palms on the marble counter and took deep breaths, unable to understand the changes in him since last week. Since the day he saw her with that man—lambu wala. Since the moment she had announced she was going away.

"No... this is not right..." he splashed his face of water irritated by his own self before he stopped out of breath and raised his head up to look at his reflection on the clean mirror. "This is not good, stupid. You can't do this to yourself..." he straightened himself up as he continued talking to his image. "Zoya is your close friend, and she is moving on. You can't just start feeling for he—"

His eyes widened at the realization of his talks.

What is happening?

Aditya walked back downstairs to the loud cheers and happy environment, seeing the ladies immersed into taking part in the function one after the other, the lady of the day seated on the designated spot with a respectful smile towards the guests. As the woman caressed her face with a pinch of the turmeric-made paste, she unconsciously closed her eyes, in an attempt to fast forward the moment and erase the unnecessary thoughts from her head.

All of a sudden, she felt the familiar tingles again through the soft touch on her arm. She couldn't help but release her lids softly to fall on Aditya sitting before her with his beautiful smile, staring back at her with emotions she deeply understood and wished to see for her, while they were found alone in the venue.

He wiped another gentle pinch on her second arm before he softly held her hand up, brushing the paste on her knuckles while staring at her loving.

"Didn't I tell you I would always be there with you?" he said as she appeared shocked by his statement, fearing he might have noticed her strange behavior, feeling his tight hold on her fingers. "I will keep my promise forever."

Wiping some on her left cheek, then her right one, as she tried reading him. "Promise?"

"Will you, though?" she frowned at his question. "Mujhe chod kar jo jaa rahi ho." (Since you are leaving me)

Someone bumping into him in a rush broke Aditya's trance and realized where he was standing.

"Sorry, sir," said the man carrying the empty basket, to which he shook his head in understanding.

"Our Zoya is one pretty bride, Roshnaq aapa. Now, see how she will glow brighter with this haldi," one lady commented as she brushed some on her arms, earning a loud reaction among the other relatives agreeing to the fact.

Roshnaq grinned at the words when she noticed her elder daughter staying quiet. The mother was able to read the inner turmoil of her child and went to stand closer, sending a look of reassurance as she smiled back, silently conveying she shouldn't worry.

He watched the whole scenario from afar and couldn't help but admire the fairy being in the middle of the venue, an emotional smile on his lips.

ᜊ

"I can't believe we are almost reaching the day, Zoya," she heard on the phone as she stared into the void, seated on the lawn swing next to the living room. "One more night, and I will take my bride away with me."

"One more night," she repeated in a whisper, forcing the fact in her mind. And I would be away from him.

"Alright, Zoya. I have to drop your call, an emergency came up from work," said Arshad as he smiled at the next words. "Anyways, we will see each other tomorrow. Sleep tight, khuda hafiz."

"Ji," she answered briefly. "Khuda hafiz!"

Dropping her hand down as the call got hung, she released a deep sigh when she heard the commotion in the next room, before standing up to see the reason behind it.

"Bhaisaab, we will have to make sure the lights are nicely covering the entire venue tomorrow. Seats... we will place those large seats... here. Facing each other, at a good distance. The large curtain will be hanging here."

She watched the work already done and turned to Aditya who was giving the instructions while pointing to the spots.

"Shawn, garlands of red roses between the lights should be added... I will tell you how," he moved to the center of the hall, guiding the two men.

Smiling at his working spirit, she walked to the kitchen and prepared hot beverages for the few who stayed for an extra hour to finish the preparations for the big day.

"Please, take a little break and have something to eat and drink," her sudden call interrupted everybody's work and they all turned to her. "You have had a tiring day, please."

Aditya looked at the tray and then at the others, nodding his head in yes, giving his permission before glancing back at his friend.

They all rested for a while when Zoya offered him a mug. "Coffee?"

"I am okay, thanks," he denied and looked at the garlands, as she unconsciously answered, "How about with some chips?"

Pushing the heavy door, he opened the way to the empty rooftop as she followed with a couple of hot coffee mugs. She safely put the cups on the wall before taking a seat, her antics catching his attention as he followed her obediently, a jar made of porcelain in his hands.

Taking a seat beside her, he let her serve herself from the bottle as she eyed him to take some as well. With an amused sigh, he did as told to. "I can't believe you made me follow your strange habit so easily," he said as he munched a bit before sipping the hot drink.

"Say that you got affected by your best friend's strange habits, it's unavoidable," she teased as she gulped a mouthful of her beverage. "I am leaving you memories of our times, at least. Since I am going away soon."

He dropped his head at the reminiscence and stayed quiet, making her turn to him. Gulping her own lump, she joked, "Seems like janaab is not affected by my departure. Such a friend you are!"

To which he chortled, "Why would I? I am not the one sending you away, but you. You are the one to regret later because you will miss a good-looking, wonderful, funny best friend. I am losing nothing."

She loudly gasped and hit on his shoulder making him laugh after a long while, as she pouted. "Don't worry, then! Just bear me for tonight, tomorrow you will be saved."

What if I don't want to be saved... without you?

"Haan, I will be set free. Especially from your abbu's wide stare and nagging, because I won't disturb his daughter," he continued as they shared a laugh at the memories they might save for their future.

Soon, they found themselves in a killing silence staring at the busy roads of Mumbai. He discreetly rolled his questioning eyes to her, as she was looking down at her henna-cladded hands.

"So... this is it," a brief pause before carrying on with his words. "You really will never come back. Even to meet your family?" he asked.

Is this our last moment that we are sharing? You made me promise not to go away from you, and you yourself are leaving your Aditya alone.

She simply smiled and raised her eyes to face his questioning stare before answering. "Even staying far away, my heart will remain with you all, that's a promise."

As if words were not needed, since the pairs of eyes exchanged the emotions that were awaited to be.

In order to shift her thoughts away, she looked up at the evening sky. "Tonight looks so beautiful, hai na?" asked she at the dark sight with stars shining bright around the glowing moon, giving a certain relief to the wounded hearts.

A silent tear rolled down his cheek as he stared at the same view, nodding his head in yes, unable to utter anything more than a hum, although he stuttered the next word. "B—bahut..."

Indeed a beautiful night... their last one together.

"Bhai, what are you doing here?" Arjun reached the front lawn looking for his elder brother, when he noticed the latter sitting down on the wet grass, lost in some thoughts. He took a seat beside the elder and asked, "How was the haldi function, by the way?"

"You were right, Arjun. I was the fool from the beginning," he frowned at his talks in confusion. "What happened, bhai?"

"I know, it's too late to regret it, but I am not able to think otherwise, chotey. I wish I had realized much earlier," Aditya continued, leaving his little sibling doubtful of whatever he was talking about.

"Bhai?" before he could say anything more, he was cut by the elder. "You were right, I couldn't control my feelings more. I always used to call her naïve, foolish, pagal. But the truth is... I am the actual all-the-above here."

"You mean—"

"I have realized it. I have fallen... fallen in love... with her. With Zoya, with my best friend," he teared up as he opened his heart to the world. "And I have never felt anything like this before."

Like a ray of hope on his face, Arjun's smile widened at the confession and embraced his brother immediately, sharing his happiness for the man. "Finally, bhai! I am so happy for you, you have finally come to accept your feelings. I am so so happy for you."

Noticing the blankness to his excitement, he pulled away and saw his brother staring in the void, as if hurt by his own words. "Why are you quiet? This is such a good news, and you look so upset—"

"Then what else should I do now, Arjun? Celebrate the fact that I realized my feelings?" he turned his red eyes to his sibling, shocking the latter. "You—you are crying?"

Unable to bear the pain more, Aditya dropped himself on his brother's lap and weeped for the hurt pricking in his heart. "I have lost her, Arjun. She is getting married tomorrow, it's over. I have lost my last chance for love... once again."

"Bhai, it's nothing like that. Nothing is lost—" he tried to console the older man but he remained stubborn. "D—do you know? She—she also—"

"I can't ruin her peace for my own emotions, chotey. She is moving on after having suffered enough because of her past, how can I stop her from having happiness?" he blankly chanted, a couple of tears rolling down the bridge of his nose before wetting his hair, as Arjun decided to remain a mere listener.

" toot ke bikhra pada hoon
saans lena bhi hai sazaa

jeene mein ab kya rakha hai
mar raha sau dafaa "

"I love her, I perhaps might have always loved her. That's why, even in the darkest phase of our past, even being the sole reminder of... of Pooja's betrayal, I have always found my peace by her side," an emotional grin grew on his face as he remembered their earlier days. "We were never able to bare each other's sight, yet she was the only one my heart looked for. I would call her 'entertainment'. Haan, woh wahee hai jo mujhe khush karane wali. Mere manoranjan, mere dil ki dhadkan. My everything." (Yes, she is the one who pleases my heart. The beating of my heart)

" kaisi yeh saazishein
rooti hain ranjishein
leti hai karwate zindagi

ab kis mod par
aake ruka hoon main
na koi raah hai na pata "

"Bhai, we can still go and talk—" he couldn't finish his words as he immediately sat up at his little brother's thoughts. "Are you mad? You know she is getting married. Within twenty-four hours, she will be someone's legally-wedded wife."

"Then are you planning on keeping your feelings hidden? Do you think it's fair to keep them untold forever?" asked the younger.

" saanson ki sar zameen par
barsaat laa gaye

ek jhapki mein tere sau
khwaab aa gaye "

"We can never defeat destiny's play, Arjun. If it had written a life without Zoya for me, then that is what it is. Your brother has lost the strength to even fight fate."

Arjun's eyes turned teary as he listened to his brother, until he continued, "Will you do me a favor?"

Without being vocal, his attention to whatever his bhai said confirmed the latter was heard. "I—I don't think... I would be able to see her... getting married to somebody in real life... I fear I might do something wrong at the last minute... which would be unfair to her, and her family—"

" bepannah bepannah
pyaar hai tumse

bepannah bepannah
pyaar hai tumse "

"So?" although expecting what was to be told, he kept himself strong enough to be there for his elder brother. "Would you... would you take care of the wedding preparations, and make sure she will be sent to her new home... with happiness and blessings? For your bhai?"

ᜊ

Zoya was seated before the dressing table, pampered by the makeup artists who did their wonder on her look for the night. She was gifted a pastel blue long choli fully covered with sequins, pairing the top with a sea green lehenga that had a glittery net-made layer in golden, lastly completed with the orange dupatta that she had pinned on her left shoulder ; her long curls neatly bunned and hidden under a bunch of jasmine flowers. She was continuously talked to by the ladies who did their hard work, while getting praises.

Although she remained much unbothered by everything but those flashbacks running in her mind.

" hai alag yeh baat phir bhi
tu mera na kabhi hua

phir bhi maine tujhko apne
dil mein di hai jagaa "

"Even if I won't be here one day, will you still be present and take care of this company and our employees?" "You are talking as if you were actually going away forever."

"Zosh Events. Let's end this partnership!" "I might be leaving soon, Aditya. For I am getting married."

"His name is Arshad Habib." "Who is Arshad?" "My father's friend's son. To whom—my nikkah proposal was sent a few days ago."

"And you said yes?" "Isn't that the best for everybody? We promised ourselves to move on from the past, I feel it is time."

"What if—" "I have been keeping myself away from all this for a long time, Aditya, but the scar is finally fading away now. I have learnt to face the struggles with it. I am no longer that naïve girl people had to bare on their shoulders. This Zoya is a lot more grown up, hopefully, and I want to take the next diversion for beautiful changes. I need to."

" tu mera na hua
ab yeh yakeen hua
kya thi meri katha tu bata

jaaoon kahaan mein ab
manzil ka na pata
tehra iss qadar tujh mein haan "

They gently slid the neck piece made of gemstones through her head, that matched the bridal pasa they later pinned to the side of her face.

"Still—" she paused before glancing at their elder daughter, standing in an eerie silence as if contemplating what to answer. "We should know what is inside her heart before making any decision."

"That's what I meant, waiting for her acceptance," he simply said, making both Roshnaq and Noor exchange another confused look with worry. "Unless—the problem is not just Yash Arora or his memories—kyun, Zoya?"

Hearing the same, Zoya shockingly raised her head to face her father, Noor in equal panic while their mother stayed clueless. "What do you mean by that, Waseem?"

"I was asking the same, Roshnaq. I want to know why Zoya doesn't want to accept any of the proposals," he questioned, making her sweat in fear.

"Abbu—" before she could continue, he stole her words. "Is Aditya perhaps the reason, now?"

Her eyes widened in horror, unable to confront her father for a fact she never thought he would find out, knowing their history. Aditya was never the one to earn her abbu's heart, although knowing he was the sole reason she found her path to freedom.

"Waseem, yeh aap—" Roshnaq couldn't believe her husband's words, was his hatred for Aditya Hooda that much for him to not accept the children's bonding and marry their daughter to anybody he chose?

"Why don't you just ask your daughter, Roshnaq? If my assumptions are right or wrong," saying so, he again turned to their elder girl. "I have heard both our daughters talking about one raising feelings for Aditya Hooda, they think they can fool their abbu—"

"Abbu, it's not like that. Woh—" Zoya tried to dissuade his thinking ; unfortunately, stubbornness was a trait she inherited from her father.

"I also know... the progress remains one-sided," he added, shocking the mother with the news, while both sisters stayed mum. "And you, pagal ladki, are still refusing to move on."

"Zoya—beta, is your abbu saying the truth? You—you love—" before she could continue, she noticed the heavy tears falling out of her eyes. They told the whole story.

"See, Roshnaq? And you still think those Hoodas are not so bad, including Aditya. Look what happened as we let them in our daughters' lives," he mocked in frustration, leaving the ladies silent.

"Waseem, please calm down! Let Zoya talk! You can't just keep blaming the others, this is her life—" the maternal concern resurged as she held her firstborn by her shoulders.

"Wasn't the first mistake enough?" he threw the bomb that broke the little hope she grew in her heart as she dropped her head in despair.

"Abbu, appi hasn't made any grave mistake. She just—" Noor talked to her rescue.

"It's better you don't even say anything, Noor. I am noticing your activities as well, if I were you I won't—" before he could lash more at her younger sister, Zoya stood before her interrupting her father.

"This is about me, please don't say anything to Noor," she begged her father.

" saanson ki sar zameen par
barsaat laa gaye

ek jhapki mein tere sau
khwaab aa gaye "

Following a quiet break, she continued. "Abbu, ammi, I—I am ready—whoever you ask me to accept, I will. Wholeheartedly—" she blankly released the few words of agreement as she still faced the ground, bringing a longer silence in the living room.

"Mashallah, Zoya you look terrific in this suit," the few cousins of theirs entered the room, breaking the silence in the room as she got drawn back to her senses. "Arshad jeeju is going to be flattered."

The young ladies chuckled on their own, while Zoya remained polite with a grin, the lack of her natural blush gone unnoticed at the imagination.

Noor walked inside and heard the conversation, growing concern for her sister on her face.

Hiding the awkwardness, she stepped in closer and stood beside the elder woman.

"Jannat, Faiza, bua was looking for you downstairs," she announced, making sure they were left alone as they obediently stepped out of the room.

She then looked down at her sibling who stayed blank, left with no reaction to whatever surrounded her.

"Appi, are you alright? It's almost time," as she gently kept a hand on her shoulder, she broke her dazed state, making her roll her eyes everywhere before resting them on her little sister's reflection. "They will soon ask us to reach downstairs."

"Ji... could you get me the pins, please?" she took her second veil in her hands, spreading it perfectly over her head as Noor brought the needed box of extra pins from her cupboard. "By the way, is everyone already here? Aditya, he is downstairs, right?"

As she was completing her look, she noticed the loud worry on the younger's face making her narrow her brows. "Noor? I am asking you a question."

"Appi, woh—not Aditya, it's Arjun that is taking care of the preparations," she announced. "Aditya is said not to be in town... for the whole day."

"What?" she panicked at the sudden news. As her only confidante, she knew she needed the presence of her best friend to stay strong through the rituals, although she prayed the one owning her heart wouldn't be attending for she might end up doing something that would turn out wrong. "Not even in town."

"Also... Arjun gave me this for you. From Aditya," saying so, she took a letter she had kept hidden inside her long sleeve and forwarded to the elder woman.

She immediately took the piece of paper and opened it, revealing his written words for her.

To my azeez friend Zoya,

I know, you must be angry at your best friend as you are reading this letter at this moment. And I deeply apologize for my unannounced absence tonight.

I am going to be honest, it has been getting harder for me lately. As strong as I wish I would be seeing you move on and live a happy life, the thought of my close friend going away from me strangely pricks my heart.

She knitted her eyebrows at the words, keeping her composure at bay.

Isn't it ironically selfish, though? I was the one who was about to quit and run away once again first, hurting your feelings. And now that you are doing the same, I am feeling left behind. And at that mere thought, I feared I would start crying in front of everyone and look like a broken child. Male ego hurts.

She chuckled at his childishness, releasing her own tears at the lines.

Anyways, you are about to start a new life. Why ruining your day with my mood swings? You should be happy and keep smiling, until your bidaai. I mean your rukhsati, the only moment you will be allowed to have tears.

She couldn't help the whimper thinking of the separation and unconsciously fisted her hands around the piece of letter, before realizing her act as she smoothened the draft paper.

Promise me that you will always remain happy, and live this new step wholeheartedly, for you, for your new family, for a happy future. Promise me that, wherever you are, whatever the situation you will get to face, you will stay strong and handle everything.

And I promise you that, wherever you will be facing any situation, your best friend Aditya will reach you to save you. I might not be close to you physically, but my thoughts, and prayers, will always remain around you.

Please, Zoya. Take care of yourself! For you, for me, for the long-term memories.

Your azeez dost,

Aditya.

Zoya slowly dropped her arms to her lap, the written letter still in her tight grip, as she let the tears rolling down her face sabotaging her made-up look.

"Appi, please stop crying! Someone might come, and your make-up—" Noor bent on her knees next to her sister and cupped her fisted hands.

"He is not coming to see me off, Noor," she said in a lower voice, cracking as teardrops flowed.

The younger woman cupped her fisted hands in her warmth as she said, "It's not like that, appi—" she stopped herself before uttering the untold truth she was promised not to reveal to her sister by the man himself. "Aditya is just not coming today, but he didn't mean to never ever see you again. Perhaps, he might also have some important things to do. You know, right? Anjana aunty doesn't appreciate us much. She wouldn't have wanted him to come today."

"You don't understand, Noor," she raised her tone out of frustration before calming herself holding onto her sister. "I thought... having him beside me might make me strong to carry on with this life-changing decision, but he didn't even think of me and... he just left me on my own."

"Appi—"

"As much as his presence made me reconsider going through the wedding, it also gave me the unspoken support I needed. For I know he was there like the best friend he promised to be that night," Noor gently wiped her tears. "Those were the moments where him not reciprocating my feelings didn't matter, because he was still there with me. But now—"

The sisters fell into a deep silence as they shared the grief, when they heard the knock at the door, before their mother's words reached the ears. "Noor, Zoya. Beta, it's time."

ᜊ

With a loud screech, Aditya stopped the car in their office parking, taking a good while staring in the void before coming back to his senses.

It has been two days, Adi. Two days you had gone out of town, and you avoided coming yesterday in fear of crossing Zoya on her farewell that they all had prepared for her last day at the office. And now, you have a promise to fulfill : the one of keeping her dream alive.

Repeated his conscience, the way it kept him awake the whole night. She might have taken the flight to London by now, I wonder how she managed her fear of heights.

Turning the engine off, he got out of the car and safely locked, taking his time as if delaying his entry in the place that he now considered her sanctuary. They had started their journey together in this same place with hatred, betrayal, heartbreak caused by their past, until spring sunshine flourished from behind the heavy storm that ran all over their souls. From being two strangers that met through the betrayal of their former partners, they had become pals, who shared the same pain—ajnabee bane hamdard. Their path—and fate—led them towards knowing each other and being the other's solace. Until he realized he had developed stronger feelings without their awareness. Kaash! If only he had known much earlier, if only he had not remained stubborn into believing they were only friends, he would have at least taken the chance to open his heart out to her.

However, she now belonged to someone else; she was the daughter of a new family. Thinking of someone's wife as more than a friend was a sin, a form of betrayal he could never commit ; he despised treachery, after all.

Releasing a heavy sigh, he finally moved towards the building and pushed the door to fall on the employees busily taking care of their tasks. To his surprise, the scenario at his entry seemed all way too familiar, as if nothing had changed.

Perhaps, the only thing that had changed were his constant thoughts.

Hearing the door opening, Mona, standing at the reception table, raised her head and greeted her boss. "Good morning, sir!"

He grinned back as he said, "I am sorry, I couldn't come to the wedding. I... I was called for emergency work. Did it go smoothly? Zoya... how was the farewell party? Sab theek tha?"

To which she stayed silent, unaware of what she was expected to answer. "Sir—everything was fine."

"Mona, woh Zo—" Akansha erupted from the cabin to reach her colleagues when, at Aditya's sight, she immediately took control of her tongue. "A—Adi sir... hi!"

"Why are you looking at me as if you were not expecting me? Did you guys make a mistake at the event that I was not 'supposed' to know about?" he looked at the two with a frown, the team leader in him worried as he stepped closer.

"N—no no, sir. Everything is fine. Just..." and she mumbled something in her mouth that got him suspicious.

"Akansha, tell me clearly what is going on!" eyes closing on their own, he calmly asked again as they cleared it was nothing. "No sir, I was just meaning to say that there was a new customer who contacted us for an event."

Aditya shook his head in relief. "Seriously—" whispering the same to himself, he left the two alone and crossed the canteen area towards the office, while the two colleagues looked at each other.

Once standing before the cabin door, he stopped walking and blankly stared at his hand, inches away from the handle, sending a quick prayer to keep his sanity strong to face the coming days, before twisting the doorknob.

Before he could realize it, he heard a steady voice coming from inside the room, very well known to his surprise. "Janaab Aditya Hooda! Is this how you were to take care of our company?"

The shock remaining on his face, he raised his chin up and looked straight at the one person he had never expected to fall on. Am I daydreaming again?

As he stayed clueless and pinned on his spot, the sounds of her bangles clinking against each other echoed in the whole room, her steps nearing him while she carried the soft anger on her face. He was able to see her long curls bouncing on her back as she took heavy steps, contradicting her timid behavior he had witnessed lately, the shorter strands dancing to the breeze's rhythm, making her look divine—white was really her color.

"Earth to Captain Hooda!" her voice resonated in his ears and he blinked a couple of times, still oblivious of reality. "Where were you yesterday?" she again questioned, crossing her arms against her chest.

"Zoya? Y—you, here? Why am I seeing you?" he uttered with no filter in a trance, to which she playfully pinched the inside of his forearm, earning a loud reaction. "Aaaaah—"

She quickly cupped his mouth, unknowingly stepping closer, surprising the man by the sudden closeness. "This is an office, stop screaming."

"Uh? Well, this is an office, and you are the one playing "pinch me!" right now," he caressed his red skin like a kid. "But wa—what are you doing here? You... you were supposed... to be flying today..."

"Well, thanks to Allah miyaan that I didn't, or my company would have drowned on the first day. Why were you not here yesterday? Do you know the amount of pending work that needs to be done?"

He crossed his arms against his own chest and replied with a funny tone. "Thank you for your concern, madam. But do not worry, I can take care of the company. You can go... wherever you have to."

"Why should I? This business is my business as well, of course I will be here," she answered, confusing him why she was not gone yet. Wasn't she supposed to move to her new home?

Noticing his questioning eyes, she lightly smiled and continued, "You must be wondering what I am doing here, or why I am not already gone away, right?"

"Has your departure got delayed? This means that you will get to stay here for a longer while, before moving abroad?" he replied asking questions that he needed to clarify. I will get to be with her for longer.

To which her smile widened, her eyes unconsciously reddening at his tone. "Not delayed. I am not going anywhere at all."

His eyes knitted at the constant ignorance of the actual truth. "Zoya! Stop beating around the bush and say it clearly, na? Saaf saaf batao, are you staying here? Have you and your... your husband decided to move here definitely? What about his practice in London?" (Say it clearly)

"Nobody's practice is getting impacted, nor am I moving away," she giggled as she continued. "And what husband? I don't have any." Aap jo nahin the.

"You mean—" as if confirming the lighter doubt, she said, "I... called off the wedding."

Aditya released the breathing he had been holding onto since he saw her in the cabin, taking the needed time to catch on his heartbeats at the miraculous information. "You... you called off the wedding?"

"And you are the only one to be blamed for that, janaab," she added, making him gulp the lump in his throat. "How dare you leave me alone at the last minute and not come to the wedding, but send just an apology letter for not coming?"

"I—you called off the wedding because I didn't come?" he squinted his eyes. "Ahmak ho kya?"

She sighed. "Yes, I am. Even though... I had accepted abbu's decision for me to get married, I was not able to do it wholeheartedly. It was still too fast for me. And, knowingly or not, you were the only one who made me stronger, from our first day. Even during the wedding preparations, I somehow required your presence for me to go through everything. So... as you suddenly let me on my own that day, I panicked and realized I was not ready for that new life. I... I still need time for myself—and us. That's how... as they asked for my acceptance, I refused immediately."

His eyes widened at the revelation, wondering why nobody kept him informed.

Perhaps because janaab had run away and kept himself unreachable?

He cleared his throat. "Your abbu... he might have been disappointed by your rejection."

"You can't imagine how much. More stubborn than me he is, after all. He still doesn't talk to me properly..." she disclosed more about the situation. "However, he must also understand that I am not yet ready to get into marriage. I want to earn more before that, I want to live more of my days."

I want to be there for you and love you more.

Remembering her dispute with her father, she dropped a tear or two, not really knowing how she was supposed to convince the headstrong man. The latter knew at first attempt her rejection was somehow related to her one-sided emotions for Aditya Hooda, a man he despised for the trouble his precious daughter had faced on their earlier days but also for being the sole and main reminder of her ex-spouse Yash's betrayal. No matter what could happen, he would never let Aditya's reflection overshadow his princess-like girl, or he would lose the control he could have on her. The Hoodas were from a different world, and his child was not to suffer in it.

Yet, Zoya's heart always led her to that same person, and her naivety was no more a tool he could use to divert her away. Zoya Siddiqui was now a much braver personality, she had learnt to face the struggles on her own, and the victory would not be if not for Aditya Hooda's unwilled effort.

An emotional grin rose on his lips as he looked at her, relishing the happiness of seeing his lady back. "That means... you are back, forever?" To me?

She chuckled as she wiped her tears. "Yes, nobody will be able to save you from my annoying nagging. You are not to be set free from me, janaab Aditya Hooda."

To which they laughed together. "You might have forgotten, miss Siddiqui. I am way worse."

"I am all ready to handle it," forever.

And I am set to fulfill this love story.

Both completing their words internally, they shared a content smile with each other as they knew destiny, once again, had brought two soulmates back together.

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End of The Unfulfilled Love

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Hello!

Long time no see? Hope you are all doing great.

Keep sending your love and support for me to continue this hobby, I am getting less inspired so the mere trace of love matters to boost my lazy ass.

Until next time,

With love,

Shush 💜🙏🏼