Zoya woke up to the morning sunshine stretching her arms. She looked at the sleeping figure beside her. She smiled and placed a soft kiss on his cheek which woke him up. He smiled at her. He wished to wake up to this very face every morning. "How was the night?" He asked in a sleepish tone. "The best I have ever had in my life." She said honestly.
"Ok now get up and get ready quickly.. hume Ammi ke paas bhi jaana hai." Zoya said and got up to freshen up.

Sahir was almost ready. He was wearing a white T shirt with blue jeans, something that he thought would be comfortable for the journey. They had spent hours planning their honeymoon. Though any exotic location would have been fabulous , they couldnt agree on anything.
Flashback
"Zoya.. I think Paris would be fantastic or London.. what do you say?" Sahir asked Zoya while searching for honeymoon destinations on his phone.
On getting no response, he looked at her. She had a strange expression on her face.
"Whats the matter? Is there somewhere else you want to go?" Sahir asked.
"No. Its just that you know I am scared of flights. All these places are fantastic but cant we take ship?" Zoya asked innocently.
Sahir couldnt help but laugh.
"You are too cute Zoya." He said.
"Its ok.. lets drive." He said.
"To Paris?" She asked.
"Obviously not.. somewhere."
"I am sorry.. I ruined your plan." She said.
"Its never 'my' plan.. its always 'ours'. " He smiled
"And waise bhi whats matters is you are with me. If you want we can have honeymoon in a Lucknow itself." He winked.
Flashback ends.

So they decides to visit North East. Zoya always wanted to visit it and Sahir was more than happy that she had finally agreed for something.
They had two weeks planned for it. Moreover, Sahir thought it was better. Driving will give him more time with her and he wanted to live the journey more than the destination. He was brought out of his thoughts by the clicking of his door.

"Sahir.. here is the breakfast and your coffee." Zoya said placing the tray on the table.
"Zoya.. I dont feel like eating." Sahir said.
"Ok we are already late.I dont have time to handle your tantrums." Zoya said sternly.
"But seriously I am in no mood to eat."
"Listen are you eating or do you want me to force you."
"Oh God.. ok fine. You are such a strict wife." Sahir muttered.
"What did you say? " Zoya asked.
"Nothing baby. I was just saying perks of being married." Sahir passed a sarcastic smile.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Zoya stopped the car in front of dargah while Sahir gave her a questioning look.
"Sahir, we are starting a new life today, I want to take the blessings from him. I shall never be able to thank him enough for sending you in my life." Zoya said placing her hand on his
They entered the dargah and knelt down to pray. Sahir could feel warm tears forming in the corner of his eye. He didnt know why but a strange emotion overwhelmed him. He had no one to pray for apart from the woman beside him, he wished all the happiness of heaven to be bestowed on this pure soul. Zoya had a similar wish to make to make for him.

Only Allah knew the purity of the selfless love they had for each other. Sahir and Zoya were meant to be. They were always meant to be together. They were meant to be bound to each other.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

After taking a quick hault at Roshnaq's, they started with their journey. It was supposed to be 18 hours journey to gangtok. They had decided to take a stop at night and continue the next morning. To anybody 18 hours journey could seem tiring but for Sahir Zoya, it was a bliss. This was exactly what they wanted, living the journey.

"Sahir woh dekhiye!" Zoya pointed at something fascinating out of the window.
"Zoya.. agar mai udhar dekhta rahunga toh drive kaise karunga?" Sahir wouldnt have said that if it was not for 10th time within last 10 mimutes.
"Theek hai.. hum kuch bolenge hi nahi." Zoya made a straight face and started looking out of the window. Sahir looked at her and smiled. She really looked cute when she was angry and yes now like an ideal husband he had to apologise.

"Oh my God Zoya.. poore 5 minute se tumne kuch nahi bola." Sahir tried to make the mood light.
"Haan toh hum nahi bolenge kabhi aapse." Zoya said without looking at him.
"Soch lo Zoya.. hum highway par hai..." Sahir said warning.
"Haan toh? Aap hume neeche utaar denge kya?" Zoya now looked at him still angry only if she knew how much Sahir was enjoying this.
"Nahi..I will stop the car and kiss you here itself." Sahir said with a mischievious smile.
Zoya looked at him with eyes wide open.
"Tauba.. Bohot hi besharam, behaya insaan hai aap." Zoya said

"Toh baat kijiye na begum sahiba." He said pleading.
Zoya looked at him and smiled.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

They have already covered 12 hour journey and it was close to midnight when they reached the hotel they had booked.
"Zoya.. tum check in karo ..mai car park karke aata hun." Sahir said and dropped her on the gate and went to park the car.
Zoya got inside, after few formalities, asked for the keys and went to her room.

Though it was just a night stay but Sahir had chosen a really nice place . The room was big and spacious. Just when Zoya was having a look around the room, she heard a knock at the door. Assuming it to be Sahir, she quickly opened the door but to her surprise, there was no one.
"Aap bhi na Zoya.. zyada sunnene lagi hai." She closed the door. However, as soon as she turned around, she heard the knock again.
She peeped through the eye hole but found no one. When knocking on the door continued, she picked up the vase near her and held it high in the air.

She slowly opened the door. There was no one around, "kon hai?" Zoya asked with trembling voice. There was no response. "Dekhiye.. aap jaante nahi hai humare shauhar ko. Woh aapko chhodenge nahi agar unhe pata chala aap hume pareshaan kar rahe hai." Zoya said clutching tight onto the vase. She heard the footsteps approaching her. She closed her eyes and swung the vase with all her might.

"Zoya!" Sahir managed to duck at the right time to avoid it. Zoya opened her eyes snd looked at him shocked. "Sorry.. Sorry." Zoya said keeping the vase on the table.
"No I am sorry Ms. Bonds. Lessons learned.. never play a prank on your wife." Sahir said smiling. "That was you! Are you stupid? Who does that in the middle of night." Zoya said fuming.
"Sorry but it was fun. By the way apne Shauhar par itna bharosa. You really were threatening the imaginary person with my name." Sahir said wrapping his arms around her waist from behind.
"Haan toh.. being Mrs. Sahir Azeem Chaudhary has its own perks." Zoya said placing a kiss on his cheek.

"Accha.. toh Mrs. Sahir Azeem Chaudhary.. is Mr. Sahir Chaudhary getting something special tonight?" Sahir said still holding her. Zoya turned towards him with a quick movement and looked into his eyes. "Depends on Mr. Chaudhary.. what he wants." She said with a naughty smile. Sahir looked into her eyes and then at her lips. Without delay he bent down to kiss her and it turned into a voracious one. The intimacy did something to their hearts. The next moment they were on bed enjoying each and every bit of marital bliss.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The next morning they left early for Yuksom which was 134 kms from Gangtok and around 5 hours journey. The nature outside was beautiful. Something you cant put in words. The valleys, the flowers blossoming in the green meadows were all something that would give you immense peace. Zoya looked at Sahir who was looking out of the window. He perhaps wasnt noticing anything. He was lost in thoughts but had a smile on his face. A smile grazed her lips too , she was more than happy to realise that Sahir was at peace. She didnt know the reason but all she knew was that he had healed and so had she. With Sahir by her side, world around her seemed perfect. She seemed perfect.

Zoya continued to drive. She started humming a tune softly. Sahir was quick to catch it. "Zoya.. please sing." He said startling Zoya. "I dont really sing Sahir..I was just humming." She said shying. "Please. It doesnt matter. Just sing." He insisted. "Ok and you have got to join me." She looked at him and he nodded. She started singing softly.
Tu hi haqeekat khwaab tu.. dariyaa Tu hi.. pyaas tu.. Tu hi dil ki bekarari .. Tu sukoon.. Tu sukoon..
And both of them went back in the time when they had first danced to the tunes of this very song.
Zoya went quiet but was the song was soon continued by Sahir..
Tu Hamsafar
Tu Humkadam
Tu Humnava mera..

Zoya had never heard him singing and no matter what the sound was pleasing to her ears. The next moment they looked into each other's eyes and sang together
Tere Bina na Saans loo
Tere Bina na mai jeu
Tere Bina na ek pal bhi
Reh saku Reh Saku..
And they meant every word of this paragraph they sang together. Amidst the silence of the meadows, those two voices mingling with each other were heard. They were both terrible singers yet what they sang was the most melodious thing they have ever heard. In this world of imperfections, those two souls were perfectly imperfect , made just for each other.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

They couldnt resist themselves from taking a hault at the waterfall. It looked so serene. Zoya quickly took out her phone and started clicking pictures.
"Sahir.. look here." and after numerous attempts she finally managed a picture she was looking good in. "I am going to post this on insta.. caption - Mrs. Sahir Azeem Chaudhary with her super handsome husband." She said bragging. Sahir chuckled. "Are you trying to show me off?" He asked.
"Ofcourse. Why shouldnt I? I have got such a droolworthy husband. I have got to show it off to everyone." She said. Sahir blushed, his wife was too straight  forward and this was embarrassing.
"Accha.. enough with your blushing. Can we please go now? Its evening and we still have to drive a little and then set up a camp." Zoya said walking.

"Zoya." She turned to look at him who was still standing at the same place. "Listen.. you are not only Mrs. Sahir Azeem Chaudhary. You are Zoya Siddiqui. You have your identity from your name not mine." He said in a serious tone.
She smiled, "I know and I remember that.. your ring keeps reminding me that but I really like Mrs. Zoya Sahir Chaudhary. It is so cool." She said in an excited tone.
Sahir shook his head and smiled, "You are crazy."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Sahir come here na." Zoya said calling him out of the tent.
"Zoya.. let me just settle things in here. How will we sleep?"
"Sahir.. have you come here to sleep? You can sleep later. "
"But.."
"Yeh humara hukum hai.." Zoya said commanding.
"Jee begum jaan." Sahir came out and took a seat beside Zoya on the ground.
"Woh dekhiye." Zoya said pointing at a clear sky with uncountable stars twinkling in the sky.
Indeed it was very beautiful. She snuggled close to him . It was cold since they were at a height. He wrapped her arms around her.
"Zoya.. you know."
"I know." She said already knowing what he was about to say. It was beautiful how their silence did most of the talking.
They sat there for hours, in silence, close to each other,looking at the sky full of stars.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Zoya.. come on.. you got to run." Sahir said looking at Zoya who was at a distance behind him. It was dark and they were climbing the hill. It was really cold around. Zoya was dressed in a black jacket with black jeans. Her ears were all covered with scarf. Meanwhile Sahir was wearing deep blue snow jacket wih black jeans.
"I am trying. I am tired." Zoya said panting.
"Ok.I am not missing this even for heaven." He quickly got down and picked her up to give her a piggy back ride.
"What are you doing?" Zoya asked tightly clutching his jacket.
"Just shut up and hold tight." He said and started running. Zoya couldnt help but smile. He was such a kid.
"Zoya.. have you been eating a lot?"
"What?"
"You have become so heavy." He said still running.
"Thats the weight of jackets." She said hitting his shoulder. He smiled.

Finally they reached just in time. It was dawn and sun was about to rise. He let her down and bent down to catch a breath. Just then golden red light fell on their faces. The snow cladded Kachenjunga peak appeared to be wrapped by a golden sheet. The faint light not too warm was soothing. Sahir and Zoya looked at each other. He quickly pulled her close by her waist and she placed her hands around his neck. He slightly lifted her up and placed a soft kiss on her lips.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Zoya was lying on the floor covered in blood. She was profusely bleeding holding her stomach. It was an excruciating pain and was becoming unbearable. She cried hard but no voice came out. She called out for help but no one was around. "Yash..Yash please." She shouted. "YASH!"

Zoya woke up profusely sweating. She looked beside her to see Sahir looking at her with a concerned look. She quickly wrapped her arms around her and started sobbing.
Sahir embraced her and started stroking her hair to calm her down.
"What is it baby?" He asked.
"Sahir.. Yash.." Zoya tried to speak between her sobs. Sahir clutched his fists. If he had another chance, he would repeat the torture he gave him for giving Zoya scars that were so deep.
"Sahir.. I had high hopes. I was 2 months pregnant. I hadnt told Yash about it but I wanted to. That day he seemed in a good mood. So I decided to tell him. You know what he did. He pushed me down the stairs . I was bleeding. I called his name so many times. I shouted but nobody came. I lost my baby Sahir. I was so dead that day." She said burying her face into his chest and crying. "I didnt tell anyone about this. I told them it was a miscarriage but it was that day I decided to end everything with him." She said clutching his shirt.

"Shh.! Stop crying. He met his fate and he payed for what he did." He said. Zoya lifted up her head and looked at him in confusion. "How do you know?"
Sahir hesitated for a moment, "I took care of it." He finally said. Sahir had initially thought of not telling it to her but that was not the way. It was related to Zoya. She had to know.
"What do you mean you took care of it? Did you ..? Zoya was now scared.
"No.. No..I didnt kill him Zoya." He said instantly. Zoya heaved a sigh of relief. "I just showed him how bad it hurts." He said, he could feel his temper rising at the thought of him.
"And you never told me this?" Zoya was hurt.
"Zoya I wanted to but I didnt know how." He said softly.
Zoya didnt say anything. This was exactly what Sahir feared.

"Zoya. I am sorry but he deserved this." Sahir said looking at Zoya who has now placed her back towards him and pretended to sleep. She got up and looked at him, "And who are you to punish him?" She asked with tears in her eyes. "Zoya..I know you are hurt but I just couldnt live knowing that the man who gave you all the pain is still happy and regrets nothing. Sorry Zoya.. but another chance and I would do the same or even worse with him." He said with fire burning in his eyes. Zoya saw that anger. She was scared not for herself but for Sahir. He was insanely in love with her and it was evident.

She hugged him tight. "Why didnt you let police handle it?" She asked still in the embrace. "Didnt you try Zoya? He was released. He would have escaped again and he deserved to be payed for his karmas." Sahir said tightly holding Zoya. "He would have been Sahir."
"Exactly your Allah had sent me to punish him. Zoya I dont regret it. What I did with him was nowhere near to what he did with you. And I swear if someone even tries to hurt you I am going to tear that person into shreds and pieces. Yeh Sahir Azeem Chaudhary ka vaada hai."
Zoya didnt say anything. She just held him tight in her embrace. She didnt know what to feel but all she knew was she is never letting anything happen to Sahir. She will protect him till her last breath.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Zoya and Sahir were on the outskirts of Lucknow. Just a few kilometres away from home.
"So dear Mrs. how was  the honeymoon?" Sahir asked Zoya with a smile.
"Perfect. Just like I wanted dear husband." She smiled back. Indeed this trip had brought them close. Zoya had forgiven Sahir for what he did with Yash. Not because she thought he was right but  because she was in love. She knew one way or the other Yash had to meet his fate and maybe Sahir was right, he was the chosen one. Besides that everything was so perfect. Zoya recalled each and every moment from the trip and s big smile formed on her lips.

However, the happiness didnt last long. The smile on her face faded in an instant as soon as she saw police surrounding their house. They looked at each other with dead eyes. They got out of the car in haste. One of the police man approached them and with a blunt tone said,
"Mr. Sahir Azeem Chaudhary, you are under arrest."
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So how was the trip? 🌚🌝🌚
Anyways Happy Friendship day to all! I love you right! And yes I think you liked the ZoHir moments here. I am sorry if it seemed a little blunt. I tried making it simple and to the point. Do let me know how it was. 3 more chapters !
Love
Shivja! ❤