Zoya cut the call and walked inside the office only to found Akansha & Shawn standing with bouquet in their hands and a welcoming smile pasted on their faces. They were happy seeing her first time after her marriage.

"Welcome to our new office Zoya mam", Shawn greeted with a warm smile.

"Welcome mam. Aap iss Saree me bahut pretty lag rhe ho", Akansha said handing her the bouquet.

"Shukriya", Zoya smiled kindly. She had asked two of her employees at Mumbai's FASHIONISTA to assist her at the office in Delhi as she'd be needing someone to  help her manage the things at their new branch. Shawn and Akansha were the first ones who voluntarily showed their support. Even Mona wanted to join them but Zoya asked her to take the charge of the Mumbai branch. Since Zoya wanted someone trustworthy for managing the affairs there & her Secretary, Mona was the one she can trust anything with. She has been working for Zoya years now & knows everything about FASHIONISTA, so Zoya thought it best to left the office under her care. Moreover, she wanted to keep a check on Sahir & since Mona was the only one who know everything about them, Zoya wanted her to stay there and inform her about him.

"Akansha hamare cabin me Coffee bhej dijiyega", Zoya ordered and went inside her cabin. She kept her handbag on the desk & relaxed herself on the chair. She put her palms on her forehead. Suddenly her head was feeling heavy after talking with her mother. Zoya heard a knock on the door and without looking up, asked the person to come in. It was Shawn with Zoya's coffee in one hand and some files in another.

He kept the Coffee mug & the files on the table, "Mam, yeh kuch files h new clients ke liye. Aap check kr lijiyega".

"Thanks! Aap jaiye hum yeh dekh lenge", Zoya assured. "Shawn, hamare sar mein thoda dard h. Aap Akansha se kahiye ki hume kuch der disturb na kre", she told.

"Sure Mam", Shawn said & left.

Zoya closed her eyes & massage her head with her fingers. She drank her coffee & was feeling better. Zoya thought to check out some news about the latest fashion trends & took her phone out. Everywhere there was the news about Harshvardhan Hooda's elders son's wedding and their Reception pictures roaming on the Web. Zoya ignored the news & scrolled to look for some ideas for her new collection.

Soon it was evening & Zoya was working on her laptop finalising the new designs for her new collection. She closed her laptop after finishing and filled herself a glass of water. Zoya unlocked her phone to check out the messages. There was an SMS from Siddharth informing her the time of the party on Sunday. She smiled reading it. 

Just then she again turned her head to a  knock & found Akansha standing on the door. "Mam, aapke ghar se Driver aaya h aapko lene ke liye", she informed.

Zoya recalled that Anjana had asked her to come home early as they had to go at Gupta's for the dinner. She quickly got up from her chair & picked her handbag.

"Akansha, hume jaldi nikalna hoga. Aap aur Shawn bhi office close kr ke jldi ghar chale jaiyega", Zoya said and rushed out of the office.

~~~~~~~~~~

The two cars stopped outside the Hooda House together at the same time. Aditya stepped down from his black Mercedes while Zoya got out from the other car. It was dark already as both of them rushed towards the house. Their eyes met at the entrance as they together stepped inside.

"Adi-Zoya aa gye tum dono", Anjana said upon noticing. She was dressed ready to go somewhere as she marched towards them.

"Maa aaj short flight thi, so jaldi aa gya", Aditya told looking at Zoya. "Aap kahin jaa rhe ho?", he asked upon noticing her.

"Haa woh tere Paa ki ek business party h wahin jaa rhe h. Wapas aate aate late ho jaenge aur Arjun bhi ghar pr nhi h. Zoya aur tu tere Paa ki car me chale jana", she told him.

"Pr Maa aur Paa hamare saath hi chaliye. Hum raaste me drop kr denge aap dono ko", Aditya suggested.

"Nhi Adi! Tum dono ko abhi time lagega. Hume jldi jana h. Tum dono jaa ke ready ho jao", Anjana explained.

"Anjana late ho rha h....chale?", Harsh came checking the watch on his wrist.

"Bas ek minute Harsh", Anjana turned to Zoya. "Zoya tumhare liye designer saree banwayi thi. Room me rakhwa di h. Wahi pehen k jana", she said placing her palm lovingly on Zoya's face.

"Jii", Zoya nodded smiling slightly.

AdiYa were alone in the house as Harsh-Anjana left leaving an awkward silence behind. To avoid the awkward situation, Zoya quitely walked towards their room without sparing look at Aditya while he simply followed her.

~~~~~~~~~~

The dinner went well at Gupta's as they were happy to welcomed the new couple in their house, especially Mrs. Simran Gupta who was more than happy to have them as her guest. Hooda's and Gupta's bond was very strong as they have been best friends for years. Hooda boys were their gems, especially Arjun who never misses a chance to flirt with Mrs. Gupta.

They were driving back home as Zoya sat next to Aditya who was on driving seat. Zoya was lost in thoughts when Aditya glanced at her from the side. Her mind was occupied with the things Roshnaq had said to her on the call this morning. She had already forced herself into this marriage & now the pressure of taking it further by her mother was stressing her.

Aditya looked at her from the mirror and smiled. She really was looking beautiful in the saree. The whole time he was busy admiring her. He wasn't able to remove his eyes from his beautiful wife. Aditya set his eyes back on the road. While his one hand was on the car's steering, the other one slowly moved towards Zoya's hands. He placed his hand over her hand & softly rubbed his palm on her delicate skin. He looked at her..........she was quite & didn't object. Aditya started humming in a low voice & slowly moved his fingers upwards on her wrist. He started playing with her bangles. His humming forced her to come out her thoughts. As soon as she felt his fingers dancing on her hand, Zoya swiftly brushed off his hand from over hers.

Aditya looked at Zoya while she still was ignoring him. He silently took his hand back at the steering and sticked his eyes on the road the rest of the way. He drove without saying a word until finally they reached home. When the car stopped, Zoya stepped out & went straight inside the house without waiting for him while Aditya parked the car.

Just as he locked the car after parking it and was about to walk inside the home, his phone started ringing. He checked to see Siddharth's name on the screen. He swiped right the green button to pick up the call.

"Hi Sid! Kaisa h bhai?".

"Main theek hu. Yeh bata tu parso aa rha h na Zoya ke saath Party me?", Siddharth asked.

"Tujhe mana kr skta hu bhala", Aditya smiled and walked in the house.

"Achcha maine yeh batane ke liye phone kia h saare friends aa rhe h. To tum dono bhi time pe pahunch jana", Siddharth's cheery voice informed Aditya.

"Hum time se pehle aa jaenge. Khush?", Aditya said opening his room's door.

"Yeh hui na baat. Achcha Zoya tere saath h na. Zaraa baat karana uss se", he asked.

Aditya entered the room and found Zoya sleeping on the bed. She had changed & was sleeping soundly on her side. Aditya looked at her and then at the phone. "Sid yr woh actually Zoya bahut thak gyi thi. To usse jaldi neend aa gayi ", he lied.

"It's ok. Pr tum dono pakka se pahunch jaana time pr", Siddharth reminded.

"Sure! Bye", Aditya replied & cut the call.

Aditya shut the door & without making noise, he slipped inside the washroom. He came back after changing into his night clothes and looked at her sleeping facing the wall. He took out his laptop & sat with it on the couch at the corner of the room.

Just as the laptop window screen opened in front his eyes, his lips again curved in to a dimpled smile as Zoya was laughing whole-heartedly with a naughtiness in her eyes. He smiled remembering that day when he had taken the photo. It was the day when he had taken her on their first date......their little ice-cream date on the streets of Mumbai. That day was so beautiful that his eyes lit up everytime he think of it. She was laughing at him because there was some cream left on the tip of his nose. First time he had seen her so happy. The moment was so special that he had secretly captured it inside his phone.

His eyes once again lit up as he recalled the beautiful memory. He looked at her sleeping form. How looked beautiful she looked even while sleeping. He stared at her for few moments & then looked back at the laptop.

~~~~~~~~~~

It was Sunday which means the fun day for Hooda family. All the male members stay at home. Nobody is allowed to work or stay in their room. Taking or making phone calls are strictly banned. It is the family time they spend by having some fun & chat with each other. The 3 Hooda boys have to obey whatever the lady of the house Anjana says. And that's how Sundays are spent in the Hooda House.

Harsh and Anjana were already sitting in the living room on Sunday morning as per the family's 'Sunday is Funday' rule. Arjun had joined them & now they were waiting for the other couple in the house to join them. Anjana poured the tea from the kettle and handed the cup to Harsh.

"Yeh Adi ka bachcha kyun nhi aaya abhi tk? Hamesha to sbse pehle wahi aata h", Papa Hooda asked taking the tea cup.

"Dad, bhai ki shaadi ho gayi h. Ab kahan woh apne kamre se bahar aaenge", Arjun taunted in between while sipping coffee.

"Arjun, Cheeku aa jaega. Tu apni coffee pi", Anjana defended.

"Arre Mom main to yeh keh rha tha ki ab to bhai ke bachche paida karne ka time h na issliye......".

"Kaun kya keh raha h Chote?", Aditya's voice came from behind. Arjun turned to receive a slap on the back on of his head.

"Oouchh bhai. Itna zorr se kyun maara", Arjun frowned rubbing the slapped part.

"Bahut badi badi baatein krne laga h aaj kl", Aditya sat on the opposite sofa.

"Woh to bas main Dad ko samjha rha tha ki shaadi ke baad aadmi ka kaam kitna badh jata h", Arjun smirked & winked at Aditya who glared him back.

"Zoya kahan h pe Adi?", Anjana asked.

"Maa woh actually Zoya......".

"Good Morning", Anjana look up to find Zoya's smiling face. "Maaf karein hume zaraa der ho gayi", she said pouring the coffee in two cups. Aditya looked at Zoya in awe as she handed him the cup.

"Woh hamare Mumbai wale office se call aa gaya tha", Zoya reasoned. She took the other coffee cup for herself and came sat next to Aditya.

"Zoya bachche, Sunday ke din no call, no work and no office. Warna yeh tumhari saas jo h na inka muh phul jata h. Aaj ke din sirf inka hi hukum chalta h ghar me. Kisi ki mazaal jo inke aage kuch bol de", Harsh teased Anjana and hi-fived Arjun.

"Harsh aap bhi na", Anjana blushed and Arjun-Aditya laughed.

"To Paa aaj ka kya plan h?", Aditya asked keeping his cup.

"Dad, kyun na aaj Dumcharades khele?", Arjun suggested.

"That's a very good idea", Harsh agreed.

"To pehle teams decide kr lete h", Arjun got up and stood in the center.

"Meri biwi meri team me hi hogi", Harsh declared holding Anjana's hand.

"Aur Zoya bhabhi meri team me", Arjun quickly held his hand out to Zoya which she happily took and sat next to him on the opposite couch.

Now everybody's attention turned to the only one left, Aditya. He was about to ask Zoya but Arjun was quick. He took Zoya before Aditya could speak.

"Adi soch kya rha h? Beta tu late ho gaya. Teri partner ko to koi aur le gya. Ab tujhe hamare paas hi aana padega mere laal", Harsh called Aditya who was confused as his partner was stolen by his brother. Aditya got up and took his place between Papa Hooda & Anjana. Arjun & Zoya sat opposite them.

"Hamare team me se pehle main jaunga", Harsh announced. Arjun signalled Zoya & she got up. She spoke the movie name in Harsh's ears and came back.

Harsh turned to Anjana-Aditya and start explaining the movie name. He pointed first at himself, then at Anjana, then at his chest and then gestured something by joining the tip of his fingers. He again repeated the same steps. Aditya-Anjana tried guessing weird names. Arjun-Zoya were laughing seeing their efforts.

"Tum, main aur hamara ghar?", Aditya guessed out to which Harsh patted his forehead.

"Bhai yeh konsi movie h? Humne to kbhi nhi dekhi", Arjun chuckled making fun.

"Tu chup reh aur mujhe focus karne de", Aditya scolded and Arjun put a finger on his lips.

"Ab aapke paas sirf 30 seconds reh gye h", Arjun reminded checking his watch.

"Harsh aap kya kr rahe h kuch samjh nhi aa rha h", Anjana shook her head. Harsh again tried, "Hum......tumhare......aapke".

"Come on Mom, jaldi", Aditya shouted.

Harsh repeated the step to Anjana. "Hum aapke dil.......dil me......hum aapke dil me rhte h", Anjana spoke out loud before the time went up.

"Haa to ab tumhari team se phle kaun aa rha h", Harsh asked taking his place next to Aditya. Then Zoya volunteered herself for the next round & Anjana came from the other side and tell her the movie.

Zoya turned to Arjun & showed a finger. "One...one word", he guessed & she nods. She then pointed her finger at her heart and asked him to guess. "Heart", he was trying. She rolled her hands gesturing to guess similiar words.

"Dil......umm.....Dilwale......Diljale", Arjun took guesses one by one. Zoya shook her head in all of them.

"Inn sb me se nhi h", Arjun repeated her gesture disappointed. She again tried explaining & placed her hand over heart and closed her eyes. "Dil se related h....pr kya?", Arjun put his hand over his chin & try to make out what she was gesturing.

**********

Hello friends! Sorry a little late this time. But I have compensated in the form of a longer chapter.

Tell me how are you finding it?

I love you :)