Previously on Chained: Aditya learns a truth about Zoya and her relation with her parents which shocks him(Chapter 30). Yash , Aditya's late sister's husband and Mrinalini's father calls Aditya after two years. Aditya gets upset by the call and asks him never to call him again(Chapter 29).

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Word Count: 2831

Published on: 23rd May 2020

Aditya was still in a daze from what he had just heard. He replayed the entire conversation in his mind. He had to talk if out with someone or else he would go insane. In any other situation he would have just gone and cried it out to Zoya , but he couldn't do it today. He just wondered how different life would have been for Zoya had her mother married Ahmed. She would have been loved and cared for. She would have had a happy childhood. She would have loved celebrating birthdays and hated the thought of it. She wouldn't have undergone self loathing and severe depression as a teenager.Her life would have been normal and happy. If only her mother had been slightly less selfish and her father had been slightly understanding.

Aditya sat under a tree ,a few meters away from the Siddiquie's house. He wanted to compose himself before he went home so that Zoya wouldn't ask him any questions. Because the minute she would ask him he knew he would not be able to hide the truth from her and that was the last thing he wanted to do. He couldn't hurt Zoya anymore. He was looking at Zoya's pictures in his phone and noticed how she was smiling in every picture. That was her beauty thought Aditya, she had never sulked or cried or treated others harshly just because she had a terrible childhood. She always smiled her way through any tough situation. As he was swiping through the photos his phone , his phone rang and he saw Zoya's name flashing on his phone.

He cleared his throat and received the call , he heard Zoya's soft voice and closed his eyes at that. She said "Aditya aap gaadi lene abhi tak nhi aaye ? Kahan hai aap?". Not getting a response from him , she said "Adi? Aditya? Are you there?."

Aditya whose mind was still wandering came back to his senses and said "Haan Zoya. Main bas taxi ka wait kar rha hoon. Tum abhi tak vahan kya kar rhi ho? Maine kaha tha na mera wait na karne ko. Tum ghar kyun nhi gyi?"

Zoya said "Aapko akele chod ke hum kaise ghar chale jaate . Ek kaam kariye aap udhar hi rukiye. Hum khud hi aapko pick kar lete hai. Cab se pehle toh hum hi pohonch jayenge. Wahin rukiye, theek hai?"

Aditya was about to argue but Zoya had already disconnected the call. Aditya thought "Tum itni achi kyun ho Zoya? Kyun tum apne se pehle doosron ke baare mein sochti ho? Humesha ,har baar."

He sat still and alone with his thoughts and didn't notice Zoya honking away to get his attention. Suddenly he heard the noise and saw that their car was right in front of him. He got up and sat inside the car. Zoya said "Janaab , kahan khoye hue the aap? Kab se horn baja rhe the hum?"
Aditya was just staring at her. Zoya's voice softened and she said "Aditya? Kya hua ? Aap theek hai na ? Abbu , ammi ne aapko kuch kaha kya?"

Aditya gulped and shook his head. Zoya held his hand and said "Phir kya hua aapko? Please bataiye humein."

At this Aditya just engulfed her in a tight hug and clutched her saree like a small child. Zoya stroked his back and his hair and said "Adi, hum hai na yahan. Sab theek ho jayega." He didn't leave her and Zoya kept calming him with her soothing voice.

After a few minutes, Aditya loosened his grip , he composed himself and then held her face in his hands and said in a shaky voice "I love you Zoya. I promise you , I will never let you down or ever leave you alone."

Although he had probably said he loves her a hundred times but that night Zoya sensed something different in his voice and saw how his eyes reflected respect, care , adoration and unconditional love for her. She understood something had disturbed him deeply.Nobody other than her could have understood all this from just his eyes and voice.

Zoya got emotional and said "Humein pata hai Aditya. Hum bhi aapse bohot pyaar karte hai. Sabse zyada. Aaj aap the isliye humne khud ko sambhal liya. Nhi toh hum toot jaate."

Aditya said, now in a calm and very tender voice "Main tumhe humesha sambhaalne ke liye hoon Zoya. But are you fine ? Whatever happened today , all those words that were exchanged, how are you coping with all that ?"

Zoya wiped tear from the side of her left eye and said "Yeh toh ek na ek din hona hi tha. Hum hi bewakoof the ki humein laga ki toote hue rishte wapas jud sakte hai. Asal mein itne saal humein yehi lagta tha ki hum mein kuch kami hai , hum shayad ek achi beti ya behen nhi ban sake, hum shayad utni koshish nhi karte rishte theek karne ki. Lekin aaj... , aaj hum samajh gye ki hum kitni bhi koshish kar le, yeh rishte aise hi rahenge."

Aditya said "Tum mein koi kami nhi hai Zoya. Tum perfect ho. Yeh sunne mein kharab lage shayad lekin tumhare abbu , ammi aur Mahi kabhi tumhe samajh hi nhi paaye aur isliye voh tumhe deserve nhi karte."

Zoya said "Humein ek parivaar ki kami humesha lagti thi Aditya. Aaj bhi lagti hai. Lekin agar aap nhi hote, baba aur Mrinalini nhi hote toh shayad hum....."

She couldn't speak anymore. Aditya hugged her again and kissed her forehead multiple times till she regained her composure. She then said "Ab ghar chalein ? Kaafi raat ho gyi hai. Baba aur Mrinalini bhi intezaar kar rhe honge. Aur aapko humein bataya bhi nhi ki aapko kya pareshaan kar rha tha subah se." Aditya said "Aaj nhi Zoya, main kal batoonga. Aaj thak gya hoon." Zoya didn't say anything. Aditya didn't want to stress her anymore and hence thought he would talk it out tomorrow with her.

Aditya nodded and they drove off. They reached home. Zoya and Aditya went on to check on Mrinalini and Harsh but they had gone back to sleep again. So both of them went upstairs. By the Aditya had changed into his night wear, Zoya had already fallen into a deep sleep.

Aditya went near her and wrapped her gently in the blanket. He sat near her and stroked her hair, kissed her soft hands and her forehead and just looked at her for some time. He said to himself "Tumhe shayad main kabhi ache se bayaan bhi na kar paaon ki main kitna khush kismat ki hoon ki tum meri best friend ho , meri biwi ho, mera pyaar ho. You honestly don't know how precious you are ,my princess. I promise I will keep you happy, I will be there to celebrate your success and happiness and also forever walk with an umbrella over your head during the stormy days. Thank you for marrying me , thank you for loving me."

He brushed his hands over her soft cheeks , switched off the light and slept next to her , while sensing his presence Zoya sleepily snuggled into his chest.

The next morning both Aditya and Zoya woke up late. The alarm hadn't buzzed and they woke up late. Zoya looked at the clock and then at Aditya who was sleeping with his mouth open. She ruffled up his hair and decided to let him sleep till she got ready. She quickly took her towel and went inside the bathroom. She was hit by a strong smell of her favourite soap. She wondered "Aditya ko toh yeh saabun bilkul nhi pasand. Kyun laaye voh yeh fir? Aur kab laake rakha, kal tak toh nhi tha. " Nevertheless she had a bath with the same. She always used to take a long bath.

She came out wrapped in a towel and gasped, the entire room had golden and silver balloons and bouquets of her favourite flowers, two things that she loved the most. She was grinning from ear to ear and was about to call Aditya when she felt his hands around his waist and his face placed on the nook of her neck, tilting her body slightly and swaying her gently.

Zoya said "Aditya, aaj kuch special hai kya?" Aditya nodded while tickling her by rubbing his nose, Zoya asked "Kya?"

Aditya said "Aaj na....National Zoya Day hai. Apne calendar mein mark kar lo.. Yeh din har mahine ki aath tareekh ko aatii hai. Iss din hum Zoya ko surprise karte hai , pamper karte hai, special feel karwate hai. Vaise toh hum yeh sab roz karna chahte hai lekin phir Zoya ke liye zyada ho jayega, so we stick to once a month."

Zoya giggled and Aditya kissed her shoulder and then her cheek and said "Acha laga tumhe surprise?" Zoya said "Haan bohot. Lekin aapne yeh sab kab kara?" Aditya kissed her ears and said "Jab tum ghode bech ke so rhi thi tab.".

Zoya said"Aapko toh humara sabun nhi pasand , toh aap voh kyun laaye?" Aditya who was nuzzling his beard across her face said "

Kyunki tumhe pasand hai. Humesha tumhe adjust karne ki koi zaroorat nhi hai na Zoya." Before she could say anything else, he held her tighter in his arms and said "Vaise toh mujhe tum towel mein ya towel ke bina bohot achi lagti ho, aur tumhe aise chodne ka mujhe bilkul bhi man nhi hai , lekin main phir bhi chahoonga ki tum mere se thoda door jaake apna cupboard dekho aur fir se wapas aa jao."

Zoya turned around and put her arms around him and said "Towel ke saath ya towel ke bina." Aditya kissed her lips lightly and said "Jaise tum chaho, towel ke saath aaogi toh mera thoda kaam zyada badh jayega."

Zoya laughed and said "Aap subah subah shuru ho jaate hai na." Aditya nodded in agreement and said "Jiski biwi itni sundar ho, voh insaan agar roz use aise romantic moments na de toh use toh jail mein hona chaiye. Ab meri jaan , tum jaake dekho cupboard mein." Zoya said "Acha baba. Aap toh humara sar kha lenge agar nhi gye hum toh."

She went and opened her cupboard and exclaimed firstly by saying "AAPNE HUMARA CUPBOARD ORGANISE KAR DIYAAAA....Oh my god, I love you." Aditya said "You will love me more if you just open the other half of the cupboard. Zoya screeched when she opened it "GUITAR. AAPNE HUMARE LIYE EK GUITAR KHAREEDA? AAPKO YAAD THA KI HUMEIN GUITAR KITNA PASAND HAI."

Aditya walked towards her and said softly "Tum kuch kaho aur voh mujhe yaad na ho aisa ho sakta hai kya? Yeh guitar tumhara hai, tumhara apna." Zoya was near tears when Aditya lifted her face and kissed her eyes and her forehead and said "Yeh sab rona bandh karo aur decide karlo ki tum mujhe raat ko kaunsa gana sunaogi. Main aaj se tumhare guitar se nikle hue sur ke bina soonga nhi."

Zoya let out a small laugh and Aditya said "Tyaar ho jaao ab, hum bahar ja rhe hai." Zoya said "Aur hospital?" Aditya said "Maine 20 saal se ek chutti nhi li hai, tumne bhi I guess nhi li hogi. We deserve a break. Koi emergency hogi toh we will go. Ab ready ho jaao."

Zoya held hand as he was walking away and pulled him in for a kiss. It was soft and tender which turned passionate a few seconds later. Aditya had one of his hands in her thick hair , and she on his face. He then kissed her on the nook of her neck and she let out a soft moan. He turned her around and pinned her to the wall and with a smooth movement of her fingers took of her towel and trailed kisses on her bare back while his stroked her breasts and then her thighs, making patterns on them, driving Zoya crazy as she moaned his name breathlessly which in turn turned his crazy and wild side on. They both knew how to drive each other crazy. She turned around and he worked around her navel and waist, she clutched his hair to steady herself as she was falling weak in the knees quiet literally. Aditya got up and kissed her on the lips and said in a husky tone "We will complete this unfinished business at night. I have something else planned for you now." Zoya who was panting said "You have no idea how much I love you." He hugged her and said "Ab please get ready."

Both got ready and then Aditya drove her to a park where they spent time hand in hand with each other, enjoying a lovely meal packed by Aditya. They lazed in the sun and Aditya read her , her favourite book while she rested her head on his lap.

Then he took her to the beach where they spent their time playing kabbadi with the sea , eating ice creams and competing with each other as to who could collect more sea shells. They talked the entire time, exchanging stories about their school, college, recollecting their own memories, talking about Mri's childhood.

It was a long time since they had spent such quality time togther. Just them. Just them without any stress. Just them in love. For the last surprise planned by Aditya, he took her to a really late night movie. Zoya loved late night movies in the theatre and it had been long since they had last seen a movie in theatres. Zoya enjoyed the movie and Aditya enjoyed watching her enjoy.

As they were driving back home , Zoya said "Hum toh chahte the yeh din kabhi khatam hi na ho. Thank you so much Aditya. This day was so perfect." Aditya said "Main toh roz aise hi din plan kar sakta hoon tumhare liye." Zoya held his finger and said "I know. Lekin yeh mahine mein ek baar wala plan hi theek hai. Thank you for this National Zoya Day."

Aditya said "Thank you for being born ." Zoya kept holding his had and enjoying the music in the car and Aditya thought "Main tumhe batana nhi chahta tha ki aaj tumhara birthday hai jaan. I am sorry for hiding this from you. But I know how much you hate birthdays , and you don't need a specific day to be celebrated. For me everyday is your birthday. I just pray to god for a simple wish that he should keep that smile intact on your face."

They reached home. Zoya went to Mrinalini's room to give her a goodnight kiss and to see whether she had completed her homework or not. Aditya went to his dad's room before going to check on Mri.

He kneeled on the ground and whispered so as to not wake him up, he said "Pa, i am sorry for all those days I thought you weren't a good father to me and Pooji. For the days I thought you and Ma prioritised your work more than us. Maybe you did but you did so that we could live comfortably and now you have compensated for all the time that was lost. Thank you for for still taking care of me. You were and are a great father and a great husband. I honestly don't know what I would have done if had, had a father like Zoya's. Ma and you were wonderful parents and you gave us a beautiful childhood. I love you Pa. I know I don't say this as much as i should and even now I am saying this in whispers because you know how I am and also I feel you wouldn't have slept without knowing I am home, so I hope you can hear all this. Pa I honestly hope to be a better husband and a better son. I hope I become like you. I love you. Goodnight.

He went and he was right in believing that Harsh was awake. Harsh wiped his tears and smiled to himself and whispered in the darkness "I love you too Cheeku."

Zoya made sure the perfect day had a perfect end by singing Aditya's favourite song "Abhi na jaao chod ke", while strumming the guitar as he entered the room. She kept singing till he fell asleep like he had asked for. She kissed him and made a place for her head on his chest and fell asleep as the stars twinkled outside, celebrating their love.

So readers did you like this chapter about Adiya celebrating their love. Tell me what you enjoyed the most. Soon Yash is going to make an entry, how do you think Aditya will react? Do you think Yash has his side of the story that Aditya knows nothing about. Also guys do tell your parents how much you love them and just give them a hug. We often forget how much they do for us and take them for granted. Just this small gesture will make them so happy. Just try it.

Please stay safe and stay indoors as much as possible. I really hope those in WB and Orissa are all right and managing to cope through this crisis. Please pray for a minute for those who lost their lives in the plane crash today, the cyclone and in the covid war. Please remember you aren't alone in this and in case you feel depressed or upset my DM's are always open. Do talk it out with someone, whatever might be bothering you.

Take care

Lots of love

Cold Dragon