The red robes, gold jewellery , and boxes of make up adorned Zoya's bed.
She looked at herself in the mirror and thought 'Last night was the best day of my life. I wish I was stronger.I wish I would not care for the embarrassment that I would face if I call of this marriage and also the loss that I would make.I wish my businesswoman self would not domainate my head and heart but its too late now'.

She went to have a bath.She came out and didn't realise there was water spread on the floor.She slipped and was saved by two strong arms lightly grabbing her waist.She knew who it was before even looking up.She knew this touch so well.Aditya was staring at her with those black orbs of his. She realised that till now she had never seen how handsome he was.His face was shaped in a beautiful manner , his beard complimented his face.His nose was sharp and his eyes were twinkling and dreamy at the same time .Though he looked serious his face had an impish and boyish charm.

His personality was such that any girl would have felt it was hard to resist him.Zoya came back to her senses and removed his hands from her waist.She said 'Aditya, what are you doing here ?'
He was  slightly abashed said 'I just came to tell  you that my farm house is ready finally and I will be moving out of here in an hour.'
Zoya said 'Won't you stay for the wedding ?'
Aditya smiled and said 'I would love to but it's too painful.'
Zoya looked away and said 'I understand.
But before you leave can I meet little Mri once. And Aditya, I am so glad I chose you for this job. You made all this so easy for me. Maybe the time of our meet wasn't right. It was nice knowing you."

Aditya said 'You hardly make wrong choices , I wonder why you are doing so now. But it's none of my business I guess. Have a good married life. And I will send Mri to meet you."

He left and Zoya thought about all the time they had been with each other and for each other. Even all her achievements couldn't make her smile like the way she did when she used to think about her days with Aditya. She  thought 'I don't know what to do for the first time in my life. Help me God, please do. Why is love so complicated? Why can't it be simple like a business meeting? But now it's all over, It's just too late."

She started getting dressed. She looked at herself in the mirror and for a minute dreamt that Aditya was behind her and draping her head with the red net veil. She shook herself and looked at her room and thought 'From today onwards this room won't be the same again'.

As she was wearing her earring, she heard the door open and saw Mri. She was overjoyed to see and got up and picked her up in her arms and kissed her. Mri said "Zo. Do we really have to separate?"
Zoya said "We have to baby. I am going to get married today. And your Adi is going to lead his own life and I am going to lead mine."
Mri said "But why can't you marry Adi. That way no one gets sad and we all live together. I love you Zo. I dont want to leave you and go. I want to stay with you. Please dont get married."
Zoya started crying , and mri wiped those tears and said "Don't cry. I dont like to see you cry."
Zoya said "That's what your Adi also says."
Mri said "If you get married to him then he will be your Adi as well."
Zoya whispered "My Aditya." and closed her eyes at that.
She cleared her throat and said "Baccha,its not that easy. I am sorry that we have to separate like this. But you call me everyday okay darling. You know my number right , just pick up the landline in your house and talk to me. You know how much I loved hearing your voice."
Mri hugged her tightly and said "I love you Zoya. I love you with all my heart."
Zoya stroked her soft hair and kissed her head multiple times and then put her down and said "Bye Mrinalini."
Mri turned away and rushed out of the room.
Zoya wiped her face and faked a smile in the mirror and then went out of the room.

She walked silently towards the pyre. Normally she didn't feel sad while walking alone but today she wanted someone by her side. And almost immediately Arjun came to her. He said 'Ma'am you have always been with me So May I return the gesture by walking you down there.'
Zoya smiled gratefully said 'Arjun, you are always right on time. But I hope you aren't doing this for a pay rise.'
Both of them laughed and Zoya sat down.

Mr.Sharma bought Abhimanyu after a while. His face wasn't visible because of the beaded strings hanging down from his wedding turban. He sat down next to Zoya and the priest started reading his mantras. The groom and the bride were asked to put their hands forward and when Zoya felt Abhimanyu's hand beneath her and she wished it was Aditya's.

She remembered Mri's  words and how beautiful "My Aditya" sounded in her voice and a sudden recklessness came in her. She just didn't care for anyone now apart from Aditya and Mri.

She bent down and whispered in Abhimanyu's ears 'I can't marry you.'
Abhimanyu hissed back 'You can't be serious, right ?"
She said 'I am . You remember you told me that I won't be able to stay away from love for long. Well it turned out you were right.'

Abhimanyu was angry and he whispered 'Are you insane? What are you saying?Remember ,we had a deal.'

Zoya groaned and said  'I know but I can't marry you . I can't see myself taking vows with you.'
Abhimanyu said 'The rituals have started Zoya. And who the hell is this guy you have suddenly fallen for."

Zoya had, had enough.
She  got up and said loudly 'I am sorry Abhimanyu, I can't marry you . I love Aditya. I want to marry him and live with him.'

Abhimanyu got up too and said 'Finally'
He removed his turban and Zoya exclaimed 'You?'
Aditya said 'Yes, me. God, you took ages to confess those three words.'
Zoya was still in shock and just mumbled 'How?'

Aditya said 'Well ,firstly in my defence , I would like to say that I did say sorry to you today morning for having to cause this chaos. But you didn't hear that. See, I have never fallen in love before and when I did , I fell so hard that I could do anything to get you. And since you were taking so much time to confess I thought , I will marry you secretly and when we meet in your room I will tell you the truth. But finally you confessed. It really is a relief now'

Zoya said 'And everyone knew?'
Aditua said 'Oh!Yes. Abhimanyu was ever ready to get you know the true meaning of love so that he too could marry only once and that too with the lady he loved. So we planned. That engagement night drama was a plan too.'

Zoya said 'A Plan ?'
Aditya said 'Yes, Arjun , Mri , Abhimanyu And I came up with this plan so that we could see whether you stand and fight for me or not and after that maybe you could confess your love for me. But you are a tough nut. So we had to hatch up this other plan as well .'
Zoya said 'I want to know the plan .'
Aditya  said 'Well then we should have a flashback time.'

Next part will be on the flashback and a proper confession from both sides. It will also be the last part of this story excluding the epilogue. Do tell me how you found this part and do vote. Lots of love.