Aditya

I stepped into Zoya’s office, the familiar scent of coffee and paperwork immediately hitting me.

It was past lunchtime, and as I glanced around, I could see the usual chaos that surrounded her desk—a stack of files, her laptop screen cluttered with open tabs, and Zoya herself, fully immersed in a conversation with one of her assistants. She hadn’t even noticed me come in.

I checked my watch.

We had an appointment with her gynecologist in less than an hour, and knowing how Zoya operated when she was in work mode, there was no way she’d remember.

I sighed, raking a hand through my hair as I made my way to her desk, determined to remind her—gently.

“Zoya,” I called softly as I reached her, my hand resting lightly on her desk.

She didn’t look up, her eyes focused on the document in front of her. “One sec, Adi,” she muttered, scribbling something down before handing the paper to her assistant. “Get this approved by legal and send me the final copy.”

The assistant nodded and left, leaving us alone.

Finally, Zoya looked up, blinking as if she were seeing me for the first time. “Hey... What are you doing here?” She glanced at the clock on the wall, her brows furrowing in confusion. “Wait, do we have dinner plans or something?”

I couldn’t help but smile.

“Dinner? No. But we do have a pretty important appointment in about... forty-five minutes.” I raised an eyebrow, hoping that would jog her memory.

She stared at me for a second, and then her eyes widened in realization. “Oh my god, the doctor’s appointment!” Her hand flew to her forehead, and she groaned. “Adi, I completely lost track of time. I’m swamped with this project. I don’t think I can—”

I cut her off gently. “Zoya, we need to go. It’s important.”

“I know,” she said, flustered, already reaching for her phone. “But there’s just so much going on here, I don’t think I can leave right now. Can we reschedule?”

I sighed, leaning against the edge of her desk, crossing my arms. “Zoya, enough already. This is your health we’re talking about, not just some casual thing we can keep pushing. You’ve been running yourself ragged.”

She bit her lip, clearly torn. “Adi, I get it, but this project is crucial. I can’t just leave in the middle of everything.”

I exhaled slowly, trying to keep calm. I understood her dedication—I loved that about her—but this was different. “Zoya, I know how important your work is....but the baby is important too. You’ve barely taken a break in days. We need this check-up.”

I stood there, leaning against the wall outside her office, my eyes glued to the clock.

Thirty minutes.

That’s all I’d given her, and every second was stretching my patience.

I could feel the tension building in my chest as the minutes ticked away.

I understood her.

I really did.

Zoya was incredible at what she did, always in control, always handling things like she had everything on her shoulders. But this wasn’t just about work.

This was about our future.
Our baby.

I ran my hand through my hair, pacing the lobby again.

I couldn’t sit still.

It wasn’t just frustration—it was fear.

Fear that she was pushing herself too hard, that she didn’t realize how much strain she was under.

It wasn’t like I could tell her to stop caring about her job, but she needed to slow down.

Just for a moment. For us.

Twenty minutes.

I checked my watch, feeling my stomach tighten.

My mind kept going back to that appointment. What if there was something wrong? What if we’d been putting it off too long? I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck, trying to calm myself down, but it wasn’t working.

By the time thirty minutes passed, my patience had completely evaporated.

Enough was enough. She wasn’t going to keep pushing this off.

Not today.

I glanced at my watch again, feeling my stomach tighten with impatience. Zoya was cutting it close.

I leaned against the wall outside the conference room, my mind still occupied with thoughts of her and the appointment.

I hadn’t noticed the girl who had walked past me a few times, her movements barely registering in my head. Until she stopped in front of me.

“Hey,” she said, her voice smooth, her eyes glinting with something I couldn’t quite place. “You look like you’ve been waiting for a while.”

I blinked, caught off guard by her sudden appearance.

She was tall and I offered her a polite smile, nodding slightly. “Yeah, I’m just waiting for someone.”

She leaned against the wall beside me, her posture too casual, her body angled toward mine.

“Must be someone important for you to wait this long,” she said, her voice light, almost teasing.

I shrugged, checking my watch again...straightening and stepping away  “Yeah”

She laughed softly, and I noticed her inching closer. “Well, I can’t imagine someone leaving you waiting for too long,” she said, her tone playful, her gaze lingering on me longer than it should have.

I frowned, her words registering, but I wasn’t sure what to make of them. “Uh, she’s just dealing with something at work,” I said, a little distracted, my mind still on Zoya.

The girl tilted her head, giving me a look that made me feel strangely uncomfortable. “That’s a shame,” she murmured, her voice dropping just enough to hint at something more.

I blinked again, finally realizing there was something off about this conversation.

I wasn’t sure if she was flirting or just being...friendly? I opened my mouth to respond, but before I could say anything, a familiar voice cut through the air.

“There you are, Adi!” Zoya’s voice rang out, sharp with an edge I recognized all too well.

I turned to see Zoya walking toward us, her eyes locked on the girl beside me, her expression a mix of cool indifference and something more heated beneath the surface.

She was composed, but I could tell.

She didn’t like this.

The girl straightened up, sensing the shift in the air, but she didn’t move away from me.. Instead, she gave Zoya a once-over, her lips curling into a slight smile.

Zoya stopped right in front of me, her hand sliding possessively around my arm, a gesture so subtle yet so deliberate.

“We need to go,” she said, her voice firm, her eyes not leaving the girl for a second.

Zoya stopped right in front of me, her hand sliding possessively around my arm, a gesture so subtle yet so deliberate.

“Sorry... did you need something Samya?” she said, her voice firm, her eyes not leaving the girl for a second.

"No ma'am... " The girl blinked, taken aback for a moment, before shaking her head with a small smile. “No, I was just...talking to your friend here. Didn’t mean to intrude.”

Zoya’s smile was polite, but her grip on my arm tightened slightly.

I barely had time to nod before she pulled me away, leading us toward the elevator.

I glanced back once, seeing the girl give me a small wave before turning on her heel and walking in the opposite direction.

As we stepped into the elevator, the doors sliding shut behind us, I looked over at Zoya.

She was staring straight ahead, her jaw tight, her hand still gripping my arm like she wasn’t quite ready to let go.

“You okay?” I asked softly, turning to face her.

Zoya exhaled sharply, her shoulders relaxing just a little as she glanced at me. “I’m fine,” she muttered, though the tension in her voice was unmistakable. “It’s just...I didn’t like the way she was looking at you.”

I raised an eyebrow, trying to suppress a smile. “Looking at me? What do you mean?”

She gave me a sideways glance, her eyes narrowing slightly. “Adi, come on. She was practically undressing you with her eyes.”

I blinked, completely taken aback. “Wait, what? No, she wasn’t. She was just...making conversation.”

Zoya rolled her eyes, her grip on my arm finally loosening. “Adi, you’re so clueless sometimes,” she said, a hint of frustration creeping into her voice.

Her sharp tone softened, but there was still that lingering tension. “Anyway, I need to go and supervise a team in the finance department. I’m heading up to the third floor.”

I frowned, immediately sensing where this was going. “Zoya, we have an appointment—”

“Just wait in my cabin,” she interrupted, her voice quick, almost rushed as she looked at her watch and then back at me. “I won’t take long, I promise.”

“Zoya—” I started, but she cut me off again, this time turning to me with a sharp look, her eyes flashing with a mix of irritation and something else—possessiveness.

“And please don’t go around talking to girls,” she added, her tone laced with a threat, but playful underneath it all. “Or I swear, Aditya, I’ll kill you.”

I chuckled despite the situation, raising my hands in mock surrender. “Kill me? You’re really going to murder your lovely boyfriend because some random girl flirted with him?”

Zoya’s eyes narrowed, though the corners of her mouth twitched like she was holding back a smile.

“Don’t test me, Aditya. I’m serious.” She poked me in the chest, but the fire in her eyes was softened by the amusement behind it. “You know how much I hate—” She trailed off, clearly annoyed but trying to keep her composure.

I sighed, stepping closer to her, catching her hand in mine. “Zoya, I don’t even notice these things. You know that. You’re the only one I see.”

She softened for a moment, her eyes meeting mine, but then quickly masked it with a huff.

“Yeah, yeah, Mr. Perfect,” she teased, though I could sense the edge of genuine concern in her voice. “Just stay out of trouble for five minutes. I’ll be quick.”

I glanced at my watch again, knowing we were cutting it too close. “Zoya, we have an appointment. Can’t this wait until after? Just—”

“Five minutes, Adi,” she insisted, her voice rising a little in impatience. She took a step back, already heading toward the elevator. “I’ll be done in no time, I swear.”

“Zoya—” I tried again, but she spun around, her expression softening as she clasped her hands in front of her, giving me that pleading look that always managed to melt my resolve.

“Please, Adi,” she said, her voice dropping to a sweet tone. “Just five minutes. You know I need to get this done. I’ll meet you in my cabin after, okay? I promise.”

I exhaled, shaking my head in defeat. “Fine. Five minutes. But if we’re late—”

“We won’t be late,” she interrupted, giving me a quick smile before turning back to the elevator.

I couldn’t help but laugh at how swiftly she always managed to convince me. “You’d better.”

The elevator doors opened, and she stepped inside, giving me a small wave as they began to close. “Just sit tight and stay away from any girls, or else!” she called out, half-joking, but the possessiveness in her tone lingered.

I smiled and shook my head as the doors shut, leaving me standing there, feeling both amused and slightly defeated.

I knew how much her work mattered to her, but sometimes, her ability to juggle a thousand things at once baffled me.

With a sigh, I headed toward her cabin, my footsteps echoing in the quiet hallway.

As I pushed open the door, I settled into one of the chairs near her desk, glancing around at the familiar space.

Her desk was cluttered with paperwork, a few framed photos of us, and a small plant sitting by the window that she constantly forgot to water.

I leaned back, pulling out my phone to check the time.

Five minutes.

Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad. I tapped my fingers against the armrest, my eyes drifting to the photo on her desk—one of the two of us from a trip to the mountains last year, her smile as bright as the sun behind us. I couldn’t help but grin, thinking about how fiercely she loved, how deeply she cared about everything.

But as the seconds ticked by, I found myself checking the time again. Three minutes had passed. I tried to distract myself, scrolling through my messages, but my mind kept wandering back to her words, her playful threat about talking to other girls.

A small smirk tugged at my lips. Zoya’s jealousy was entertaining, but I knew it came from a place of genuine love. She couldn’t help it, and honestly, I didn’t mind. It was part of what made her...her.

But five minutes were up.
And then six.
Then seven.

I sighed, standing up and pacing the room. Where was she? I checked my phone again, debating whether I should call her or just march up to the third floor and drag her out myself.

I paced the living room, my agitation growing with every tick of the clock. The minutes dragged, each second pounding in my head like a relentless drum.

Where the hell was she? I checked my phone again—no missed calls, no messages.

I had left her office in a frustrated huff hours ago after she missed the appointment.

Thirty minutes past the time we were supposed to see the doctor, and she didn’t even have the decency to let me know she’d be late.

Now, it was late into the evening, and she still hadn’t returned.

My phone buzzed—another email from work, something about the flight timings —but I ignored it.

How could I possibly focus on work when Zoya hadn’t come home yet?

My thoughts kept racing back to her, the worry gnawing at me.

How could she push herself so much, especially now?

I rubbed my temples, trying to calm the storm brewing inside me, but it was useless.

The moment I heard the front door creak open, all the frustration, all the worry I had been holding back came rushing to the surface like a dam breaking.

She stepped inside, her face weary, dark circles under her eyes, and her shoulders slumped from the weight of the day.

She didn’t even take off her shoes before I was on her.

"Where the hell have you been?" My voice came out sharper, harsher than I intended, but I couldn’t help it. “we were supposed to be there...hours ago, Zoya. I’ve been waiting here, losing my mind!”

She blinked at me, clearly caught off guard by my tone. “Adi—I had to stay back and fix the report. The client—”

“I don’t care about the client!” I cut her off, my frustration boiling over. “You’re pregnant, Zoya! We had an appointment today... You can’t keep doing this!”

Her tired eyes narrowed, a frown creasing her face. “I know I’m pregnant, Aditya. But I also have responsibilities. I can’t just drop everything because of the baby.”

“That’s exactly the problem!” I snapped, pacing back and forth in front of her, my hands clenching and unclenching at my sides. “You’re treating this like it’s something you can just ‘work around.’ Like it’s a minor inconvenience. This is our baby, Zoya! Your health matters. The baby’s health matters. But you keep acting like your work is more important.”

Her lips parted, her expression shifting from shock to defensiveness. “You know how important my work is to me. I’ve worked hard to get here, Aditya. I can’t just—”

“But you can’t do everything, Zoya!” My voice cracked, a mix of anger and desperation bleeding through. “You’re not superwoman! Something has to give, and it can’t be this.....It can’t be our child.”

She stepped forward, frustration now flaring in her eyes too. “You don’t understand. This project—if I let it fall apart, the company could lose millions. I have people depending on me.”

“And I’m depending on you!” I shot back, my voice louder than before. “Our baby is depending on you! Do you think it doesn’t scare me? Watching you run yourself into the ground, day after day? I’m terrified—and I can’t just stand by and watch.”

Her shoulders slumped, the fire in her eyes dimming as she looked away. 

Zoya brushed past me with a curt, “Fine… sorry,” her voice edged with exhaustion and frustration.

I watched her walk away, the tension in her shoulders all too visible as she headed down the hallway.

My heart sank, heavy with guilt.

I could see it now—how worn down she was, not just from work but from the argument we’d just had.

I ran a hand through my hair, frustration bubbling up inside me.

I shouldn’t have pushed her like that.

I sighed and followed her, my steps slower, more hesitant this time.

As I reached the bedroom, I saw the door slightly open, and the sound of running water told me she was already in the shower.

Leaning against the doorframe, I stood there for a moment, debating what to do.

Part of me thought I should just give her some space, let her cool down.

But another part of me—one I couldn’t ignore—knew I couldn’t leave things like this.

Never.

I knocked gently on the door. “Zoya…?”

Nothing.
Silence except for the water splashing.

I opened the door a crack, enough to see the steam filling the room, making the air thick and heavy.

The bathroom door was slightly ajar, but there was still no response from her.

I took a step closer, feeling the weight of every unspoken word between us. “Zoya… I’m sorry,” I said quietly.

I waited, but there was no reply.

Just the sound of the shower, the steam swirling in the air, suffocating the space between us.

“Zoya, please… I didn’t mean to upset you,” I continued, my voice softer now, almost pleading. “I know today’s been hard. I’m just… I’m worried about you. About the baby.”

Still nothing.

I swallowed the knot in my throat, my chest tightening with guilt.

Why does it always end up like this?

“You know I didn’t mean to come off like that,” I said, trying again. “I just want you to know... I’m here. I’ll always be here. We’re in this together, remember?”

I stood there like an idiot, talking to a half-closed door, but I had to say it.

I needed her to hear it, even if she didn’t want to respond right now.

After a moment, I started to back away, figuring she needed more time.

Just as I was about to leave, the water stopped, and I heard the sound of her stepping out of the shower.

I froze, waiting.

“Adi…” Her voice came from behind the door, soft and shaky.

I turned back toward the bathroom. “Yeah?”

The door creaked open, and Zoya appeared, her hair damp and clinging to her shoulders, her face flushed from the heat of the shower.

She was wrapped in a towel, her eyes meeting mine with a mix of exhaustion and frustration.

"You know...that I didn't do it on purpose.... right?” she asked quietly, her voice laced with emotion.

My heart twisted seeing her like that—so tired, so vulnerable. I stepped closer, reaching out to gently tuck a strand of wet hair behind her ear. “I know baby....I do...,” I admitted, my voice low. “But I hate it. I hate seeing you like this.”

She looked down, fiddling with the edge of her towel. “I’m just so tired, Adi… so overwhelmed.”

“I know,” I whispered, my hand cupping her cheek, my thumb brushing lightly against her skin. “And I didn’t help today. I’m sorry.”

Her eyes lifted to mine, and I saw the unshed tears there. She took a deep breath. “I just… I can’t handle everything right now. I’m trying, but it feels like too much......Work, the baby, us…”

Hearing her say that—seeing her on the verge of breaking—it made something inside me crack. I pulled her into my arms, holding her tightly against me.

“You don’t have to handle it all by yourself, Zoya. I’m here. I’m right here.”

She buried her face in my chest, and I felt her arms wrap around me, her breath shaky against my skin.

“I just don’t want to let anyone down,” she whispered.

“You’re not letting anyone down,” I murmured into her hair, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “Not me, not the baby, not at work. You’re doing everything you can, and that’s more than enough.”

She sniffled against my chest, her grip tightening as if she needed to hold on to something solid. “I’m sorry I got so upset.”

I pulled back slightly, just enough to look into her eyes. “Don’t apologize. You have every right to be upset. I should’ve understood that.”

A small, tired smile played on her lips, and I could see the warmth returning to her eyes, even if only a little.

I grinned, brushing my thumb across her cheek. “Well, I try.”

She leaned into my touch, closing her eyes for a moment before looking back up at me. “Can we just… forget about today for a little while?”

Her words hit me with a kind of relief I didn’t know I needed. “Yeah,” I whispered, pulling her close again. “We can.”

As I held her, the tension between us slowly ebbed away, and for a moment, it felt like everything was going to be okay.

~~~

Thanks for reading ♥️

Will update soon.