Zoya

I hurried down the narrow staircase of my office, my heart racing as I made my way to the elevator. The fluorescent lights flickered overhead, casting a harsh glow on the polished floors.

I glanced at my watch, and a wave of panic washed over me—8 PM. Gosh! I was late again.

I could already imagine Aditya’s reaction, a mix of concern and frustration. He always worried when I stayed late, and I knew I was going to get an earful for it.

But at least I had the foresight to wear flats today. I chuckled to myself, thinking about how I’d dodged one potential lecture.

“Papa is fussy… right, kiddo?” I murmured, my hand instinctively rubbing my belly.

It felt silly and amusing to talk to my unborn child, but I couldn’t help it.

The little fluttering sensations were becoming more frequent, and each time I felt them, a rush of warmth filled my heart.

“You’re just a tiny little thing right now...But your dadda? He scolds me so much because of you…”

I could almost picture the little one nestled inside, blissfully unaware of the world outside.

The thought made me smile, a mix of joy and amusement bubbling up inside me.

“I mean, it’s not my fault I have to work late sometimes! Someone has to pay for all those baby clothes and toys, right?” I continued, my voice was light and playful.

As the elevator doors slid open, I stepped inside, pressing the button for the ground floor. The soft hum of the machinery surrounded me, and I took a moment to breathe deeply, trying to calm the flutter of nerves in my stomach.

I could already picture Aditya waiting for me at home, probably pacing the floor or checking his watch, his brow furrowed in that adorable way he did when he was worried.

The elevator dinged, and I stepped out into the lobby, the cool air hitting me as I made my way toward the exit.

I could see the city lights twinkling outside, a beautiful contrast to the chaos of my day. I pulled out my phone to check for any messages from Aditya, but there was nothing.

I hoped he wasn’t too upset.

As I walked to my car, I couldn’t help but chuckle at the absurdity of it all.

Here I was, a soon-to-be mother, rushing home after a long day at work, worried about my lovely boyfriend’s reaction to my tardiness.

What a life.

Unlocking the door, I pushed it open, expecting to find the familiar quiet solace of home after a long day.

Instead, I was greeted by an unexpected burst of energy—a party?

The air was filled with laughter and the cheerful clinking of dishes. My heart raced as I took in the scene: Anjana Maa and Papa were comfortably seated on the couch, animatedly chatting with Arjun, who was holding a drink and grinning from ear to ear.

Dhara and Abeer stood by the dining table, setting it with an array of colorful plates and bowls, their smiles lighting up the room like the warm glow of the overhead lights.

I blinked in surprise, momentarily taken aback by the lively atmosphere.

“Maa? Papa? Dhuru?? What a delightful surprise!” I exclaimed, stepping further inside, my excitement bubbling over.

Anjana Maa turned to me, her face breaking into a warm smile that instantly melted away the fatigue of my day.

She rose from the couch and enveloped me in a tight hug. “Aww....my Zoya...."

I hugged her back, feeling the comfort of her embrace, but my eyes instinctively searched the room for him.

Where was Aditya?

“None of you informed me…” I said, laughing lightly, though my gaze betrayed my curiosity.

“Oh, let it be, Zoya,” Anjana Maa said, patting my cheek affectionately as she stepped back. “Dhara and I have taken care of everything for dinner. You just relax and enjoy the evening.”

“But I—” I started, wanting to help, but Dhara chimed in, her voice cheerful and teasing. “No arguments! You’ve worked hard enough. Tonight, you’re our guest.”

Abeer nodded in agreement, flashing me a playful grin. “Yeah, we’ve got everything under control. Just sit back, relax and enjoy the chaos.”

I couldn’t help but smile at their enthusiasm, the warmth of family wrapping around me like a cozy blanket.

“Relax?” Dhara chimed in, striding over with a mischievous grin that lit up her face. “You’re late, Zoya. Adi’s been pacing like a lion since he got home.”

My heart skipped at her words, a nervous laugh escaping me as I felt a flutter of anxiety.

“I had to wrap up some work! I’ll talk to him—where is he?” I asked, my gaze darting around the room.

As I looked at Maa, her face radiated joy and pride as she laughed with Dhara and Papa, a wave of emotion washed over me. The urge to share my news, to tell her that I was carrying her grandchild, grew stronger with each passing second. But as much as my heart swelled with excitement, I couldn’t bring myself to do it. Not without Adi by my side.

“Zoya, come on!” Dhara urged, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “You can’t keep him waiting. He’s been on edge all evening.”

I glanced around again, my eyes instinctively searching for him amidst the crowd. The laughter and chatter of my family filled the air, but all I could think about was Adi.

Her words tugged at my heart; she had no idea just how much I wanted to tell them, to let them know that their family was about to grow.

But the thought of doing it without Adi made my chest tighten.

“Where’s Adi?” I probably said it out loud, my voice tinged with urgency, because the next thing I knew, Dhara had taken my hand and everyone was dragging me toward the backyard garden.

My eyes fell on him. Aditya stood in the center of the beautifully lit garden, looking calm yet slightly nervous.

His crisp white shirt was rolled up at the sleeves, his hands tucked in his pockets, but his eyes were locked on me with an intensity that made my heart race.

As I stepped closer, he walked toward me, taking my hand in his. His touch was warm, steady, and reassuring, just like him.

“Come with me,” he said softly, his voice low but filled with emotion.

He guided me under the largest tree in our backyard, its branches adorned with strings of lights that looked like glittering rain, casting a magical glow around us. The moment felt intimate despite the laughter and chatter of our family watching from a distance. I couldn’t stop staring at him, my heart pounding as I tried to decipher the expression on his face.

“Adi, what’s going on?” I asked, my voice trembling slightly, a mix of excitement and confusion swirling within me.

He turned to face me fully, his hands now holding mine, grounding me in the moment. “Zoya, there are a million things I want to say right now, but—.”

And then, to my utter astonishment, he dropped to one knee.

The world seemed to blur around us, the laughter fading into the background.

The only thing I could focus on was him—my Aditya, looking up at me with eyes that held all the love and dreams we’d shared silently over the months.

“Zoya,” he began, his voice steady but laced with vulnerability. “From the moment we met, you’ve brought a light into my life.... With your chaos, and your random nasty jokes.... I know it’s only been a few months, but you’ve turned my life into something I never thought I deserved. You are my dream come true shortcake....my clingy, snuggly, witty workoholic Zoya... those nights when you curl up next to me, snuggling into my side as you drift off to sleep. O feel like the luckiest guy in the world, even when you’re completely unaware of it. I could stay awake for hours just watching you, feeling grateful for every moment we share.”

His gaze never wavered, and I could see the sincerity in his eyes.

"...and now… you’re carrying the most beautiful piece of us within you.”

My breath caught, tears welling up in my eyes as his words sank in.

“I can’t promise to be perfect,” he continued, his gaze unwavering. “But I promise to love you and stand by you every single day of our lives. You, me, and our baby—Zoya. Always.”

He reached into his pocket, pulling out a delicate ring that sparkled in the soft glow of the lights. “Will you marry me, Shortcake?”

“Oh god... I’m being proposed to… dressed like this?” I pouted, looking down at myself in mild horror. My loose blouse and simple jeans were hardly the outfit of my dreams for such a moment. “Why didn’t you hint to me before, Adi?.."

"...you look like the most beautiful girl in the world right now, Zoya... prettier than ever.”

His words made me laugh despite my embarrassment, the sound bubbling out before I could stop it. “You’re such a liar,” I murmured, shaking my head at him.

“I mean it,” he insisted, his expression softening. His hand slipped to hold mine, his thumb tracing small, comforting circles. “Zoya, I want to build a life with you. I want to wake up every morning knowing that you’re by my side, that we’re creating our own little world together... So, what do you say? Will you make me the happiest, luckiest man alive?”

As I looked into his eyes, filled with love and hope, I felt my heart swell with joy. “Yes! Yes, Adi!... I'll marry you !” I exclaimed, my voice filled with emotion.

Cheers erupted around us as Aditya slipped the ring onto my finger, the delicate band glinting under the cascading fairy lights. My heart felt like it might burst from the sheer intensity of the moment. I stared at the ring for a beat, my vision blurring with tears, before looking up at him—my Aditya, whose eyes shimmered with unshed emotion.

Without a second thought, he stood and pulled me into his arms, holding me like he never wanted to let go. The world around us faded, the cheers and claps becoming a distant hum as I buried my face into his chest. His scent—warm, familiar, and unmistakably him—wrapped around me like a comforting cocoon.

I laughed softly, the sound mixing with the sobs I couldn’t suppress, my fingers gripping the back of his shirt as if anchoring myself to the moment.

“You said yes,” he murmured into my hair, his voice thick with emotion. “You’re mine, Zoya. Always.”

I pulled back slightly to look at him, my tears streaming freely now. “Always,” I whispered, my voice cracking. “And you’re mine, Adi....”

He smiled—a rare, unguarded smile that made my heart ache with love—and then, to my utter delight, he lifted me off the ground.

A startled laugh escaped me as he spun us around, his joy infectious. The crowd’s cheers grew louder, their applause blending with the laughter that spilled from my lips as he swung me effortlessly, the edges of my dress brushing against the soft earth beneath us.

“Adi!” I managed between laughs, clutching onto his shoulders. “Put me down! You’ll hurt yourself!”

“Never!” he declared dramatically, twirling us once more. “I’ve waited my whole life for this moment. Let me have it!”

I couldn’t stop laughing, the weight of the past few weeks melting away in the warmth of his love. Finally, he slowed, his arms tightening around me as he set me back on my feet but didn’t let go. His forehead rested against mine, and in that instant, nothing else existed but the two of us.

“I love you,” he said softly, his voice carrying a depth that made my chest tighten. “More than anything, shortcake...”

“I love you too,” I whispered, my hand instinctively brushing against his cheek. “So much, Adi.”

His voice carried so much emotion, so much raw honesty, that my heart felt like it might burst. My breath hitched as he leaned in, his gaze dropping to my lips. I felt the pull between us, that magnetic force that had always been there but felt impossibly stronger in this moment.

Just as his lips brushed mine, reality slammed into me. My eyes flew open, and I turned my head away, breaking the moment. My cheeks burned as I remembered the gathering behind us.

“Adi...” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

He let out a soft chuckle, clearly amused by my sudden shyness. “Don’t worry, Zoya. I’ll save that kiss for later,” he murmured, his lips brushing against my cheek instead. The warmth of the gesture sent a comforting wave through me, grounding me in the moment.

And then, as if to seal the promise, he pressed a lingering kiss to my forehead. “This, though,” he said softly, his voice filled with tenderness, “is for right now. For you, for us.."

I closed my eyes, leaning into his touch, the chaos of the crowd melting away. When I opened them again, I saw our family watching us with smiles that ranged from playful to downright emotional.

Maa had a tissue out, subtly dabbing at her eyes, while Arjun gave Aditya an exaggerated thumbs-up.

“You’re so dramatic,” I whispered to him, smiling despite myself.

Aditya leaned closer and whispered in my ear, “Later tonight, shortcake. No interruptions. Just us.”

A shiver ran down my spine, and I squeezed his hand.

As we walked back into the house, hand in hand, the buzz of the family’s chatter surrounded us, warm and vibrant. Aditya’s thumb gently traced circles on the back of my hand, a subtle gesture that kept me grounded amidst the excitement. I couldn’t help but glance at him, his expression relaxed yet thoughtful. There was something on his mind.

He cleared his throat as we entered the living room, where everyone was beginning to settle down. "Zoya," he started softly, his voice just loud enough for me to hear, "I need to tell you something."

I stopped walking, turning to face him, my brows furrowing slightly. “What is it?”

His gaze held mine, steady yet filled with a hint of vulnerability. “I told Maa and Papa about the pregnancy.”

For a moment, my heart skipped a beat. The words hung in the air, and I felt a mix of relief and panic bubble up inside me. “You... you did?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

He nodded, his grip on my hand tightening reassuringly. “Yes. I didn’t want you to carry that burden alone. They deserved to hear it from me first. And, Zoya... you don’t need to worry. They’re okay with it. More than okay, actually.”

I searched his face, looking for any trace of uncertainty, but all I saw was unwavering sincerity. “You’re sure? That they’re... okay?” I asked hesitantly, my voice laced with the remnants of my worry.

Aditya smiled, a warm, comforting curve of his lips that eased some of the tension in my chest. “I’m sure,” he said firmly. “Maa scolded me a little for leaving you alone, but that’s just her being Maa. And Papa... he .. scolded me like I was some irresponsible boy.... Almost like he expected it.” He chuckled softly, his tone light. “I think they’re more excited about becoming grandparents than we realize.”

I let out a small breath of relief, my shoulders relaxing slightly. But then another thought struck me, and I tilted my head.

“Arjun... he doesn’t know yet?”

Aditya shook his head. “No, not yet.” He paused for a moment before adding, “What about Dhara? Did you tell her?”

I bit my lip and shook my head. “No... I couldn’t. I don’t know why, but I just... I wasn’t ready to tell anyone yet.”

Aditya tilted his head, studying me for a moment. Then, with a gentle squeeze of my hand, he said,

“Then you announce it now. To everyone. Together.”

I looked at him, wide-eyed. “Now? Here?”

He nodded, his gaze unwavering. “Zoya, I’m sorry I told Maa and Papa in your absence, but I had to. You’re not my wife yet, and dealing with my parents was my battle to face. But this... this is ours. Together.”

His words stirred something deep inside me—gratitude, love, and a little bit of courage I hadn’t realized I needed. I glanced around the room, where Maa was fussing over some snacks, Papa was laughing with Arjun, and Dhara and Abeer were huddled together, sharing a quiet conversation.

“Okay,” I said finally, my voice steady. “Let’s do this.”

Aditya’s smile widened, and he leaned in, his lips brushing against my temple.

~

Later, when I was done taking everyone's blessings and well-wishes.

I excused myself from the dinner table, mumbling something about freshening up, though the truth was, I needed a moment to breathe.

The entire evening felt surreal—the proposal, the ring now snug on my finger, the way Aditya had looked at me as if I were his entire world. My heart was still racing, a mix of excitement and disbelief coursing through me.

As I entered the quiet of our room, I closed the door behind me and leaned against it for a moment, letting out a soft, giddy laugh.

My fingers absentmindedly traced the delicate band on my ring finger, the diamond catching the light and sparkling back at me.

It was real.

This was real.

I moved toward the wardrobe, still smiling to myself, and began to sift through my clothes, searching for something comfortable to change into. The room was quiet, save for the muffled sounds of laughter and conversation from downstairs.

I let out another laugh, softer this time, shaking my head.

What a day, I thought, still caught up in the whirlwind of emotions.

I had just pulled out a soft cotton kurta when I felt it—a warm, familiar presence behind me. Before I could turn, strong arms encircled my waist, pulling me back against a firm chest. A soft, comforting embrace enveloped me, and I instantly recognized him.

"Adi," I whispered, my voice barely audible, as a smile crept onto my lips.

He rested his chin on my shoulder, his breath warm against my neck.

"You slipped away too quickly," he murmured, his voice low and intimate. "I barely got to look at you properly."

I laughed softly, tilting my head to glance at him. "You’ve been looking at me all evening, Mr. Hooda. Or did you miss that part where you proposed to me in front of the whole family?"

His arms tightened around me, and I felt his smile against my shoulder. "I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of looking at you," he said softly. "Especially not when you’re glowing like this."

I felt my cheeks heat up at his words, and I shook my head, trying to hide my flustered smile. "Adi, stop," I said, though my voice lacked any real conviction.

He chuckled, a deep, rich sound that sent a pleasant shiver down my spine. "Stop what? Telling you how beautiful you are? Or how much I love you?"

"Both," I replied, though my tone was playful, and he knew it.

"Not a chance," he said, turning me around to face him. His hands rested gently on my waist, and he gazed at me with an intensity that made my breath catch. "You know, I’ve imagined this moment a hundred times, but none of those dreams came close to how perfect this feels right now."

His words wrapped around me like a warm blanket, and I felt my heart swell with love. It was probably my messed-up hormones, but suddenly, tears pricked at the corners of my eyes. I couldn’t help it; the sweetness of the proposal, the way he looked at me, and the overwhelming realization of how lucky I was to have him in my life all crashed over me like a tidal wave.

“Adi,” I whispered, my voice trembling as I fought to keep the tears at bay. “You’re so cute, and this moment is just… it’s everything I’ve ever wanted.”

Aditya’s expression softened, and he brushed a stray tear from my cheek with his thumb. “Hey, don’t cry. I didn’t mean to make you emotional,” he said, his voice laced with concern. “I just wanted to show you how much you mean to me.”

“I know,” I replied, my voice thick with emotion. “It’s just… you’re so sexy and sweet, and I can’t believe this is happening. I’m just so lucky to have you.”

He giggled, the sound light and infectious, as he wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into a warm embrace. I melted against him, my cheek resting against his chest, where I could feel the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. His warmth was comforting, grounding, and I sighed softly, letting the moment engulf me.

“You’re the lucky one? Have you seen yourself?” he teased, his breath brushing against my hair. “You’re the most beautiful woman in the world, and I’m the one who gets to call you mine. I think I’ve hit the jackpot, shortcake.”

I tilted my head slightly, my curiosity piqued by the sincerity in his voice. Pulling back just enough to look up at him, I raised an eyebrow, a soft smile tugging at my lips. “You’re such a flatterer, Adi,” I said, though my voice lacked any real protest.

“Flatterer?” he repeated with mock indignation, his eyes dancing with mischief. “I only speak the truth. In fact…” He leaned closer, his nose brushing against mine, his gaze fixed on me. “I don’t think words do justice to how stunning my Zoya is.”

I felt my cheeks warm under his gaze, and I playfully pushed at his chest. “Stop making me blush,” I said, though I couldn’t keep the smile off my face.

“I love it when you blush,” he murmured, his voice dropping to a softer, more intimate tone. “It makes me feel like I’m doing something right.”

My heart fluttered, and I found myself caught in the spell of his words, his proximity, his warmth.

I searched his eyes, trying to find a hint of teasing, but all I saw was pure, unfiltered adoration.

It made me want to cry and laugh all over again.

He grinned, his beautiful cheek folds making an appearance, and reached up to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear.

"You really are something else, Aditya Hooda,” I said, my voice full of affection. “And I don’t know how you managed to convince me to put up with you for the rest of my life.”

“Oh, it wasn’t that hard,” he shot back with a wink. “You fell for me the moment I called you ‘shortcake.’ Admit it.”

I rolled my eyes, but the smile on my face was impossible to hide. “Maybe I did,” I admitted softly. “But don’t let it go to your head, okay?”

"Too late,” he said with a laugh, pulling me closer once again. “It’s already there.”

I rested my head against his chest, letting his heartbeat calm the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside me. “Adi,” I whispered after a moment..."You're...so sexy..."

I laughed, the sound bubbling up from somewhere deep within me, and he joined in, his laughter blending with mine. It was one of those moments where the world faded away, leaving just the two of us, basking in each other’s presence.

"Now come on, Mrs. Hooda-to-be. You’ve got a room full of people downstairs waiting to celebrate us. And I’m pretty sure Arjun’s already raided the dessert table."

~~~
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