Roshnaq was in the kitchen preparing breakfast for everyone the following morning. Waseem was busy with the decorators over his phone. Zoya and the Hoodas were still in their room.

Roshnaq was almost done with the paranthas she was preparing for the breakfast. She put them hot in the casserole and served it on the dining table along with the other things.

While she was setting the table, Harsh & Anjana descended down the stairs from their room. They looked ready to go out & Anjana even had a shopping bag in her hand.

Seeing them approaching the table Roshnaq politely asked, "Aap log kahin bahar ja rhe h?", she asked.

Waseem too joined the group as he was done with the call.

"Hum soch rhe the ki shaadi ki rasme shuru hone se phle mandir ho aaye. Bachcho ko bhagwan ka aashirwad bhi mil jaega", Anjana said glancing at her husband over her shoulder.

Waseem looked excited at the idea, "Zaroor bhabhi! Yeh bahot umda khayal h".

"Bhaisahab agar aap logo ki ijazat ho to hum Zoya ko bhi saath le jana chahenge", she asked in anticipation.

"Isme ijazat kaisi, ab hum ek parivaar h. Aap beshak Zoya ko saath le jaaye", Waseem blurted out as he was already convinced.

Anjana beamed at Waseem as she got his consent. Just then Zoya strolled down the stairs grabbing everyone's attention in the room. She wished everyone morning as she drew close to the table.

"Zoya hum tumhara hi wait kr rhe the", Anjana told her.

"Humara? Kyun?", she asked eyeing everyone present in the room.

"Zoya bete, Anjana Ji aapko aur Aditya ko mandir le jana chahti h. Aapki aur Aditya ki nayi zindagi ke liye dua maangne", Waseem explained looking at her sternly.

"Haa Zoya", Anjana supported. She further continued, "Hamare yahan parampara h ki nayi bahu shaadi se phle poore parivaar ke saath mandir darshan krne jaati h".

Anjana paused for a moment as she extended her hand inside the bag she was carrying and took out a big box.

"Yeh tumhare liye. I hope tumhe pasand aaye", Anjana forwarded the box to Zoya.

Zoya held the box & looked at Anjana questioningly.

"Zoya bachche, isse khol ke dekho", Harsh insisted.

At that moment Aditya walked in through the main door of the house. Anjana was the first one to notice as he stopped at his place seeing the living room occupied with people.

"Aree Adi, tu wahan kyun khada h?", Anjana waved at him and everyone's attention once again diverted to him. Zoya happen to steal a quick glance at him from the sideways as Anjana addressed him.

"Yahan aa hamare saath", Anjana gestured him to join them.

Aditya nodded and came stood next to his mother. He immediately recognized the familiar box in Zoya's hands. He knew that he had just come at the right time as Zoya was about to open the box. Now he wouldn't miss the moment and waited impatiently to capture her reaction to what was kept in store for her.

Zoya opened the box only to get pleasantly surprised by the present inside it. It was a beautiful red saree having light work on its border and a designer blouse.

"Bahot khoobsurat h", Zoya finally said praising the work with her hand.

Zoya's eyes glittered with happiness. The saree was indeed beautiful, there is no doubt in that. She really liked it and to confirm that a beautiful smile instantly appeared on her face.

And this time her smile did reach to her eyes. It didn't go unnoticed by anyone in the room. But the person on whom her smile has effect more than anyone else in the room was Aditya. It was like he was waiting to see that smile for very long and now seem satisfied when he finally got one. He was blushing from inside & trying hard not to show it on his face.

"Woh to hogi hi! Especially meri Adi ne pasand ki h tumhare liye", Anjana revealed stressing on the last two words as she tugged at Aditya's arms.

Zoya try to avoid meeting his eyes even though she knew he was continuously staring at her only. Instead she passed a thanking smile to Anjana and bowed to touch her feet.

Anjana did her part and gave her blessings with whole heart. Zoya's eyes moved on to Aditya's face for a second and then back at Anjana. He was smiling and she could see a satisfaction and happiness in his eyes.

"Ab isse jldi se pehen kr ready ho jao. Phir hume nikalna h", Anjana reminded her.

"Jii? Abhi?", Zoya asked a little tensed.

"Haan! Kyun koi problem h?", Anjana asked raising an eyebrow.

"Woh hume saree pehen na nhi aata", Zoya embarassingly claimed.

Anjana chuckled at her revealation, "Koi baat nhi Zoya. Main tumhari help kr deti hu", she genuinely spoke.

"Jii", Zoya replied unsure.

"Adi, tu bhi jaa kr ready ho jaa. Tb tk main Zoya ki help or deti hu", Anjana ordered.

"Jii maa", Aditya nodded and left for his room.

Zoya was about to go for the stairs when Anjana stopped her, "Zoya mera room yahin h. Tum wahan hi ready ho jao", she suggested and marched in the direction of her room. Zoya nodded and followed Anjana to her room which was just next to Waseem-Roshnaq's room.

After both the ladies had left, there were only Waseem, Roshnaq and Papa Hooda left. Roshnaq decided to use the mean time till Aditya & Zoya got ready in offering the breakfast.

So she spoke, "Bhaisahab jb tk woh log aate h, aap aur Waseem nashta kr lijiye", and gestured them to take the chairs.

Papa Hooda immediately pulled out one of the chair and sat as Roshnaq served him the hot paranthas. Waseem who had been standing watching the whole scene looked happy for some reasons. He took the next chair as soon as Harsh settled on his.

~~~~~~~~~~

"Jaanti ho Zoya, Adi aur maine Delhi ki 20 shops ke chakkar kaate. Tb jaa kr usse yeh ek saree pasand aayi", Anjana admitted while helping Zoya with the blouse.

Zoya forced a smile to at the mention of his name. This was second time he was being mentioned and she couldn't help but felt guilty for avoiding him always.

Now that she is thinking about him, it striked her memory of last night. She had no idea what had happened to her that time. She was preoccupied with her own thoughts when he asked her out. And without thinking once she agreed to meet him on the terrace.

"Done! Dekhe to tum kasi lag rhi ho", Anjana jumped with excitement as she was tugged the last plait of the saree.

Zoya was brought out of her thoughts as she looked herself in the mirror. She had no idea when Anjana had draped the whole saree along her waist. She felt different as she had worn saree for the first time in her life.

"You look beautiful", Anjana praised and showered her love in the form of 'kaala teeka'.

"Shukriya", Zoya thanked in a formal tone.

Anjana puts her palms on her cheek, "Isski koi zaroorat nhi h. Ab hum ek family h".

Zoya smiled slightly at the mention of the new addition in her life.

"Chale? Sb wait kr rhe honge", Anjana said.

"Jii", Zoya nodded and after having a last look in the mirror, both the ladies left the room.

~~~~~~~~~~

"Look Mrs. Chaudhary, main aapko andhere me nhi rkhna chahta. I am sorry to say but Sahir's condition is getting worse day by day. Aur ab to medicines ne bhi kaam krna band kr dia h. Hume jld hi kuch krna hoga warna", Dr. Kabir's voice trailed off at the last word as he explained Sahir's mental health to Alvira.

"Warna kya doctor?", Alvira asked in a trembled voice and her face showed lines of tension.

Looking down Kabir replied, "I am afraid woh shayad hi kabhi mentally recover kr paaye".

Alvira's tension lines seemed to be multiplied with Kabir's statement. "Dr kuch bhi kijiye pr mere Sahir ko theek lijiye. Main usse yun tadapta hua nhi dekh skti", Alvira begged as tears threatened to come out of her eyes.

"Ek tareeka h pr I don't know ki aap woh kr payengi ya nhi", Kabir suggested with an edge in his voice.

"Kya tareeka h Dr aap bas bataiye. Apne bachche ke liye mujhe kuch bhi manjoor h", Alvira persisted.

"Umm...aapne kisi Zoya ka ziqr kia tha. Sahir bhi baar baar ussi ka naam le rha tha", Kabir hinted.

"Jii! Pr aap kehna kya chahte h?", Alvira asked.

Alvira had told him everything about Zoya & Sahir the previous day just after they had been successful in tackling Sahir back to the sleep. She told him how angry Sahir was when he came back after meeting Zoya that day & then how she had found him the next day lying unconscious in the pool of blood in his room.

"Mujhe lgta h ki Zoya hi Sahir ka ilaaz h. Ek wahi h jo usse theek kr skti h. Hume Zoya ko lana hoga Sahir ke liye", he told.

"Zoya ko?", Alvira asked in a low tone.

"Yes! Agar aisa nhi hota h to phir hamare paas ek hi option bachta h", Kabir said explaining the alternative.

"Aapka mtlb kya h Dr?", Alvira asked.

"Shock treatment! Sahir ko electric shock therapy deni hogi. But that involves risk!", Kabir explained.

Alvira gulped in fear when she heard what the other option was. An electric current ran through her own nerves when she thought of shock therapy being given as treatment to her son. Without further discussion, she got up and left the cabin. She perched on the bench outside and broken down as couldn't hold back her tears more.

~~~~~~~~~~

Aditya came down wearing red kurta and white pyjama along with the matching leather mojaris as footwear. Waseem who had just finished his breakfast seemed impressed to see his damaad in ethnics. Harsh too turned to look at Aditya who flashed a cute smile like a kid. Roshnaq too was stummed by her handsome damaad.

"Adi, bahot handsome lag rha h", Papa Hooda complimented.

"Thanks Paa", Aditya said blushing.

Just when they were praising Aditya, the door of the room nearby opened and out stepped Anjana along with Zoya by her side. Everyone's attention left Aditya and passed on to them.

"Mashallah! Aap saree me kitni pyaari lag rhi h Zoya", Anjana was awed at he own daughter.

Even Aditya himself was left stunned by the most beautiful lady on the earth. His jaw dropped as he scanned her from head to toe. He had always wished to see her in a saree but never did he imagined that someone could rock a saree like this. She was looking breathingly beautiful in the red saree, with golden curls and a killer smile.

"Beti bhi to hamari h", Waseem gushed over after a while.

Zoya smiled at her Abbu and then her eyes met Aditya's for a while. She could tell that he was stunned too like others.

Breaking their moment Anjana interrupted, "Cheeku, Arjun ko phone kia tune? Woh aa rha h na?".

Aditya's eyes shifted to Anjana as until now he was completely lost in Zoya. He quickly replied, "Haa maa, meri baat ho gyi h usse. Woh hume directly mandir me hi milega".

"Hmmm. Ab chale?", Anjana asked looking at Harsh who was still sitting on the chair even after he completed the breakfast.

Getting up from his seat, he directly aimed for Zoya. He placed a hand on her head as he passed a fatherly smile, "Bahot sundar lag rhe ho bachche", he complimented Zoya and earned a warm smile from her.

And with that Harsh, Anjana, Aditya & Zoya left for the mandir leaving behind Waseem and Roshnaq in the house.

~~~~~~~~~~

Arjun was already at the temple when they reached there. He had done all the arrangements for Pooja and was waiting at the stairs of the temple. He got up as soon as he saw them getting down from the car.

"Arjun tune Pandit ji se baat kr li h na ki hume Pooja krwani h?", Anjana asked as she saw him approaching.

"Yes mom! Don't worry maine saare arrangements kr diye h", he told.

"Zoya jb bhi hamare ghar nayi bahu aane wali hoti h, hum sbse phle yahan darshan ke liye aate h. Meri saas bahot manti thi iss jagah ko. Ab unke baad yeh meri zimmedari h iss rivaaz ko banaye rakhne ki", Anjana said explaining Zoya about the importance of the temple in their family.

"Agar aap chahti h tum hum yeh zaroor krenge", Zoya assured.

"Main janti hu lekin uper mandir tk tum aise chal kr nhi ja skti", Anjana paused.

"Hum kuch smjhe nhi", Zoya stopped in between as she now happen to notice the stairs that led to the temple.

Standing at the foot of the stairs, it was difficult to see the temple situated at the top. There were 300 steps laid to reach the holy place above.

"Adi, tujhe Zoya ko gaud me utha kr nange paanv uper mandir tk jana h, uske baad hi Pooja shuru hogi", Anjana looked from Zoya to Aditya as she informed them about the ritual.

Zoya's breath got stuck in her throat on hearing that. She was nervous would be an understatement to say. On the other side, Aditya was equally nervous but only because he felt a responsibility on his shoulder to complete the family ritual as his father and grandfather had.

"Jii maa", he replied confidently as he was determined. He felt a little pressure though to not let down the name of his family.

"Cheeku, tum dono yahan se jao. Hum log mandir ki dusri taraf ki seediyon se aate h", Anjana told and the three Hoodas left for another side.

Both Aditya and Zoya made their way towards the stairs of the temple unknowingly together. They almost collided side to side with each other as the stairs were steep at the foot.

Aditya gazed her from the corner of his eye and Zoya knew she had to face it. She can't escape him anymore. They both turned to each other at the same time and Zoya was dazed at this suddenness.

He moved closer to her and bend to pick her in the bridal style. And the next moment she was in his strong arms. She reluctantly put her arm around his shoulder to maintain the balance.

"Ready?", he asked looking at his target and then at her.

Zoya only nodded her head in reply to his question, still not meeting his eyes.

**********

Hello people! There is an early update! Plus it is longer as was demanded by some of you.

Hey did you like it? Excited for the next? Are the things going too fast or too slow or just normal?

Tell me in the comment box what is your opinion on this one.

And don't forget to vote!

Love ya :)