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The really really really late update. Would have become even late. Thanks to the weekend!

Happy Reading Folks! 😍

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Aditi slumped on the couch surprised at her own helplessness of not being able to shed a tear or she would be bombarded with questions from all around. She had retired from Zain's house making an excuse of unpacking and that she would be back for dinner. Just as she was about to drift into sleep, she heard a knock at her door. She drowsily got up and opened the door.

Shuja(smiled): Unpacked?

Aditi: Bhaiyya.. No. Yet to. I was just going to start.. Come inside please.

Shuja(stepped inside): Aditi...

Aditi(shut the door and turned): Ji..?

Shuja: I am meeting you for the first time. I know we don't share any bond. Come sit down..

Aditi looked at him clearly unaware of what was awaiting her.

Shuja: But dear, please let it out. Just don't hold back your emotions.

Aditi(without meeting his eyes): I don't understand..

Shuja: Aditi. Don't try to act it out. Why didn't you guys tell us?

Aditi(looked at him with brimmed up eyes): We were about to.. But..

Shuja(wiped her tears with in one stroke with his finger): Hey. Nothing is damaged. Its that Mom and Dad rushed up things. Whenever Mom asked about marriage to Zainu, he always said that he would marry anyone whom Mom select for him. He had no idea about falling for you Miss Aditi Rathore.

Aditi: She would never select me Bhaiyya. I am a Marwari..

Shuja: Those are other things Aditi. First thing is that you both love each other. I may not be able to read you. But I can definitely measure the depth of love he has for you. That scared look on his face when he saw Nuzrat was more than enough for that. Aditi, I have seen him since childhood.

Aditi: Its not that I don't trust him. I am scared about my destiny. I won't be able to live without..

Shuja: Sshh.. Who asked you to do that? Don't even think like that dear. We will make everything right. Okay?

Aditi(nodded): Hmm..

Shuja: Relax Okay? Ishika also hid this from me.

Aditi: We never told her. She just knew everything better than us may be.

Shuja(smiled): She is my magician...

Aditi sniffed back her tears while a smile crept over her face. Shuja patted her shoulders and was about to go out when Zain barged in to the aparment not knowing that his own brother was there.

Zain: Adi..

He stopped on his tracks seeing Shuja there.

Shuja: Oh! Here comes the hero. Come come. Handle her. Meanwhile, me and Ishika has to think of something to come out of this mess.

Zain(relieved): Bhaiyya. How about talking to Nuzrat?

Shuja: Not so soon. We don't know what is in her heart. We should take things slow. You guys talk. Let me think about that.

Zain looked at Aditi after Shuja left the flat closing the door behind. He spread his hands and gestured her to proceed. She ran and jumped into his arms with all her might as if she will loose her entire life if she loosen up her hold on him.

Zain: Relax...

Aditi: Hmm. We will solve this too. Right?

Zain(smiled): Koi shak? (Any doubt?)

Aditi: Not at all..

Zain: Good! As far as I know Nuzrat, she will understand. So take it easy. Meanwhile, we will make things clear to mom dad too. Okay?

Aditi(hi-fied him): Yes!

Zain: Thats like my girl! Come come! Lets have dinner.

####On the dinner table####

Aditi was serving the dishes on the table along with Bhabhi when she was ordered to sit down.

ZM: Aditi. Sit down beta. Nuzrat will take care of everything. Afterall, she has to do it in future.

Aditi was happily settling down on the chair and paused halfway hearing the comment. Abhilash couldn't help but giggle at Aditi shooting death glares at Zain who had already squeezed his eyes shut.

ZM: Right Abhi?

Abhi: huh? aah aah...haaaan. haaan. Right right. Absolutely right.

Aditi stamped her right foot on his left foot with a more than normal force.

Abhi: Ouch!

ZM: What happened?

Abhi: Nothing. Nothing at all.

Zain's Mom retired to the kitchen along with Bhabhi and a smiling Nuzrat. Shuja and Zain's dad were yet to join them.

Abhi(nudged Aditi's arm): Adu! It hurts yaar!

Aditi(muttered): Really? One more time you utter 'right right. Yes aunty', I will chop you into pieces and serve it in salad. Get it?

Abhi(with wide open mouth): Non veg salad! Good good. Its better you do the same with your good for nothing boyfriend. What's my fault here now?

Aditi: Boyfriend pe math jaana..

Nuzrat(was approaching with a dish bowl): You have a boyfriend Aditi?

Aditi raised her eyes to look at her and passed a smile.

Nuzrat: I am sorry. Its personal. I shouldn't have asked..

Aditi: No No. Its okay. Yes. I have a boyfriend.

Nuzrat(smiled): Sweet. From the industry itself?

Aditi: Yes. I will introduce him to you once the right time comes. Now, he is stuck in some problems. Or even better,  you try to find out who is it. Can you?

Nuzrat(gleamed in smile): Sure! Zainu, you know him?

Aditi(muttered): Zainu! As if isne khud naam rakha hai. (As if she kept his name)

Zain(choked water): No! I mean yes! I mean..NO. Shit! Yes Nuzrat..I know him.

Nuzrat(rushed to him patting his back): Are you okay?

Zain(smiled): Yes. I am all okay.

Aditi squeezed Abhi's hands underneath the table making him flinch. She was fuming and it was surely a sight to behold. One could easily make an omlette on her hands as it was burning with jealousy to pull Nuzrat away from him.

Abhi(pleaded in whispers): Adu.. My haath..Ssss... Its me. I am not Zain.

Aditi immediately freed his hand and looked at him.

Aditi(in whispers): Ask your friend to not show his teeth this much while talking to her. Otherwise, that will be the end of him.

Just then...

ZM: Arey! Why didn't you guys start eating? Shuja and He will be late. They have gone out for some work. Start eating children.

Aditi: Ji Aunty.

ZM: Zainu. Beta.. Nuzrat has prepared something special for you. Serve it dear.

Zain(looked at his plate and his eyes gleamed in happiness): Butter Chicken!!! Wow!

Bhabhi: Haha. There awakens the foodie in my devar. Crazy man!

ZM: Nuzrat has made this exclusively for you. She asked me your favourite dish and prepared it. She wanted to make you taste it first. Taste it..

Zain(saw Aditi with clenched fists and Abhilash controlling her): Ji..

He shoved the first morsel into his mouth after dipping it in the rich gravy which smelled absolutely tempting. He was unsure of how to give her a compliment because that will invite more troubles for him from his lady don. As soon as he chewed the food, his eyes began to water and throat started burning. He started fanning his mouth and began coughing.

Zain(coughing): Its very tasty.. But..

Before he could complete, Aditi had ran to grab cold water bottle from the fridge. She fiddled with the cap to open the bottle. Her eyes welled up seeing him in such a bad condition.

Aditi(made him drink water): Here! Drink this. Relax. You will be fine. Stable now?

Zain nodded and Aditi ran again to kitchen and brought a small bottle of honey. She took a teaspoon of honey and neared it to his mouth.

Aditi: Zain. Please have it dear.

Zain(gulped the honey down and relaxed instantly drinking more water): Yeah. Better.

He was constantly pampered by ZM and Bhabhi asking if he is okay. Nuzrat stood there bewildered at the recent happenings. ZM tasted a spoon of the gravy and looked at Nuzrat.

Aditi: Zain can't take spicy food. He is allergic, especially to dishes with excess of green chillies in it.

ZM: Yes Nuzrat. I should have told you.

Aditi: I am sorry Aunty. It should be the reverse in fact. One who makes the food should ask for any allergies of the opposite person.

Nuzrat(sadly mumbled): I am sorry Aunty. Sorry Aditi. I should have known. Sorry Zainu.

Zain: Its okay. You did not do it  intentionally.

Aditi rolled her eyes and signalled Abhi to get up. Abhi got up with Aditi to leave the apartment mentioning about getting desserts for all of them from Aditi's fridge.

Nuzrat: Zainu.. I am really sorry yaar. I will take care of these things from now.

Zain: Arey its okay baba. Iam happy that you cooked something for me. Thats the important part!

Aditi gave a stern glance to him. Her heated up cheeks and tomato red nose conveyed the level of anger coursing through her veins right then.

Zain(bit his lower lip to stifle his laughter and whispered): Jealous?

Aditi: Jealous my foot. Aur chipko uske saath. (Go and get stuck to her).  You cooked fr me..ki ki ki.. Go na! In fact I will go to my apartment. Chal Abhi!

Saying this she clutched Abhi's hand and slammed the door shut behind them.

Zain(thought): Aiwahh! I am loving it by god!

####Inside Aditi's Flat####

She was serving the chocolate nutties falooda she made to large serving dish. It was in the freezer. She was hastily putting scoops of falooda to the large bowl murmering under her breath. Abhilash intently looked over his crazy possessive friend thoroughly enjoying her sherni side.

Abhi: Aditi..

Aditi: Kya Hai? (what?)

Abhi: Arey baba ! Shaanth! (Relax). He is just playing around enjoying your reactions. And poor Nuzrat does not know anything. She is serving her fiance. What else would she do!?

Aditi: FIANCE!? Abhi! I feel like to break her face when she comes near Zain!

Abhi: Aditi..Listen..

Just then the doorbell rang and Abhilash went to open the door. A young fit man with blue eyes, truely handsome stood  there at the door with a luggage trolley in his right hand.

Abhi: Yes?

Man: Hi! Is this Zain Imam's flat?

Abhi: Yes. I mean No. Thats the opposite one- 7A.

Man: Oh Thanks!

Abhi: Huh..excuse me. May I know who you are? I am Zain's friend.

Man(extended his hand): Oh. I am Kabir. I am his first cousin. I had to come from Kolkata. My sister is here already.

Abhi(shook hands with him): Who? Nuzrat?

Kabir: Oye! You met her?

Abhi(smiled mischievously): Yes. She is a sweetheart. I am Abhilash by the way.

Kabir: Oh yeah! You live with Zain! Close friends. Have heard a lot about you Abhilash.

Abhi: Call me just Abhi. I was there a while go. Me and..

Aditi(popped from behind): Who is it Abhi?

Kabir(looked behind Abhi): ADITI RATHORE!! ADITI..I mean Miss RATHORE! AVNI.. Matlab..You..Aditi. really??

Aditi(stood dumbstruck at the excitement in his eyes): Yeah. I guess I am. You..

Kabir: My name is Kabir. My god! I didn't know you are Zain's neighbour. I came here so that I can ask him to make me meet you. I am a big fan of yours! I just.. I mean.. You are so pretty! So hot and cute! So innocent. In fact you are brilliant. God! I am so happy!!

Aditi(laughed):Okay! Relax Kabir! Please! You are his..?

Kabir: I am his cousin. Nuzrat's brother.

As soon as she heard the name she passed a look to Abhi who was all in smiles.

Aditi(smiled): Nice to meet you Kabir. Please go on. We will just pick up some dessert and come right away. We will have a nice talk too. Thanks for those compliments any way!

Kabir: Mention not please! Its my pleasure!

After assuring that she will be right back, Kabir went off to Zain's apartment and they could hear him being happily greeted into the house.

Abhi: Mission Zain ko Sudhar begins Aditi! God has given you such a precious chance!

Aditi(chuckled): Where did he pop up from bro!?

Abhi: Out of nowhere to be precise. Let it be. Lets give Zain's own treatment to him. Take the dessert and c'mon darling!

Just then Nuzrat came out of the flat and walked towards them to ask why were they getting late. Just as she was approaching them, Aditi happily hugged Abhilash without noticing Nuzrat watching them.

Aditi: Oh my Abhi! I love you so much man!

Abhi(laughed and encircled his hands around her): Haha! I love you too.

Nuzrat knowingly smiled and went back inside the apartment soon to be followed by Aditi and Abhi.

Nuzrat: I found out Aditi's boyfriend. And he is so damn perfect for her. Such a cute couple!

Zain(shocked): Huh?

Aditi and Abhi who came in just then froze in their positions fearing the worst to come out.

Aditi: How did you..?

Nuzrat(happily turned to her): I saw your lovey dovey moments. I am sorry. Happened by mistake.

Zain remembered pecking her lips before the dinner pulling her into his embrace behind his bedroom door and fell alert. Aditi's hands trembled and Abhi clutched her tight.

ZM: Really Nuzrat? So fast you are. Who is it dear?

Nuzrat: We all know him Aunty. They are so much in love. Such an adorable pair. Aditi is together with Abhilash.

Shock would be an understatement at what Zain, Aditi and Abhilash felt at that moment. Should they be relieved that she didn't find the truth OR should they be worried that she had a terrible misunderstanding.

ZM: What! Thats a great thing! Abhi!

Kabir(sad): Really Aditi..?

Abhi, Zain and Aditi looked at each other with totally confused expressions while Kabir fell silent with a sad face.

Aditi(thought): Abhilash....?

Abhi: NO! How on earth did you arrive at such a pathetic conclusion?

Nuzrat: I saw you hugging and telling 'I Love You' to each other. Don't lie now.

Aditi: God Nuzrat! That I can do to anyone whom I love. See..

Aditi engulfed Zain in a tight hug in front of everyone which he happily reciprocated soon. Ishika Bhabhi and Abhi did a small hi-fi hidden from everyone. Aditi inhaled that addictive scent of him after so long.

Aditi: I love you Zain!

Zain(stealthily pressed himself more to her): I love you too Adi..

Aditi(whispered into his ears): More than anything in this world.

This involuntarily caused a smile to spread on his lips. The whispers went unnoticed and Nuzrat clasped her hands to cover her mouth shut in surprise and shock.

Aditi(still in hug): See Nuzrat! Its normal. I can stay like this for long. We are friends!

Aditi broke away from the hug and Nuzrat looked convinced. Abhi and Bhabhi gave a thumbs up to Aditi which missed everyone's notice. Kabir sighed in relief knowing that its all false, but still a little sad that she indeed had a boyfriend. Nuzrat apologised earning playful smacks from Kabir and ZM, soon drifting away from the topics. After ensuring that everyone's attention was diverted, Aditi yanked Zain's collar and pulled him closer shocking the hell out of him.

Aditi: Look Mister Syed Zain Imam! If I find you anyway near that girl Nuzrat, Aafath whatever, Thaare ko maare se koi nahi bacha payenge (Nobody would be able to save you from me). I will chop off this lopsided smirk of yours! And then yes, I have got a new friend too.

She talking in Marwari was a treat to him since that happens very rarely. Zain who was smirking till then raised an  eyebrow in question.

Aditi: Kabir. He is HOT As HELL!

A single line burned Zain's heart in seconds. As he was about to warn her not to play with him, she freed his collar and turned around causing her long lush hair to spread on his face knocking every air out of his lungs. She walked away in swag and accompanied everyone to serve the dessert - Falooda!

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Thanks for patiently waiting for the update. Work load is terrible people. 😪😪😪

Hope that you loved the chap. Pardon mistakes if any. Its not proofread. Comment and let me know!

Love❤️
Zainaholicz❤️