"H.O.P.E ; hold on, pain ends!"
- Anonymous -

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Leaving behind the life that she's built in Mussoorie, moving forward to a big city like Mumbai wasn't an easy take. Especially when the decision was imposed upon her. If only she had an upper hand over the way her life was going, she would never give up the peaceful life she's had in Mussoorie. Even at the young, and tender age of just 14, Zoya was mature enough to judge the actions of others. She knows that this particular decision of their family will only result in trouble, but no one listened to her. To them, she was just a young girl with no knowledge of the outer world norms and how it all works. What they didn't know was how she indulged herself into her world of books which made her capable of knowing and understanding more than what an ordinary girl of her age could do. Nevertheless, she left her life to destiny and faith as she took the help of hope. She just hoped that her life thereafter would be a better one.

Shrugging away all the thoughts that were clouding her rational thinking, Zoya finally closed the book she's been engrossing herself in ever since she got into the car from Chatrapathi Sivaji Airport. Her father was busy discussing directions and routes with the driver. Her mother and sister, on the other hand were sleeping due to the travel fatigue. She could never understand the need of people to sleep during the day. She was never the kind who takes a nap during the day. She prefers to sleep a little longer in the morning rather than taking a nap between the day. Sighing at the change of fate, all of the sudden, she looked out to find tiny droplets chasing one another to the end of the tampered glass window of their car. She rolled down the window and felt the light drizzle on her tiny fingers. Then, she peeped her head out of the window and let the refreshing drizzle hit her face. And, at that instant, she fell in love with Mumbai.

* * *

"May I come in, Madam?" Asked an apprehensive Zoya as she stood by the frame of the classroom door.

It was her first day in the new school and she was late. Not a good impression to have, especially when it was going to be the first of everyone in the class. Clutching the red student file closer to herself, Zoya took tiny steps into the classroom as the teacher had stopped whatever she was saying a little while ago and turned to look towards her. How she wished she had brought her parents along with her. Her father, had wanted to be there for her, but she insist that he and her mother to be with her younger sister, Noor for her first day in a different school.

"Yes, come in! May I know who you are?" The lady in her mid-forties asked with a small smile.

It helped her nerves to approach the teacher, but still, upon realizing that she was the attention of the whole class right now, she couldn't help but to be more nervous. Just then, she accidentally stepped on her undone shoelace and was about to hit the floor badly when someone had held her school bag firmly, preventing her from kissing the ground. Zoya had closed her eyes tightly in fear and only came to her senses when she felt the pull by her shoulders as the person who held her bag pulled her up.

"Oh my God! Are you okay?" The concerned teacher approached them with a loud gasp.

Zoya who hadn't realize that she had been holding her breath all this while, finally breathed out when she opened her eyes, just to have her breath hitched again. Her saviour. There stood the tall and masculine boy with a frown on his face.

"Are you okay?" He asked simultaneously as the teacher.

Zoya could only nod her head hard and looked away from the boy, muttering a 'thank you' under her breath. Even though he had saved her from a huge embarrassment, it still felt very awkward for her after that. Turns out, that boy was also a new student in the school, and they had to do a brief introduction of themselves in front of the whole class.

When asked to settle down at any place they wish, Zoya immediately jumped on the front most seat next to a girl who looked very much like her as well.

"Is this place taken?" She asked the girl and gladly took the place when she had shook her head.

That boy on the other hand, chose to seat all alone at the back-most seat of the class. He was tall, hence it was normal for taller students to sit back rather than sitting in the front and blocking the board for the shorter students.

* * *

Two months passed by very quickly and in this two months, Zoya had gelled up with everyone in the class with much ease. Aditya, her saviour, on the other hand took his own sweet time. He was more of a reserved person and clearly an introvert, but Zoya was an extrovert of her own kind. She was like fluid and possess the ability to fill up any shaped container. She hardly heard Aditya spoke in the class. Though she wanted to be friends with him, yet she was worried if he would feel the same. Besides, he only mixed around with other boys whereas Zoya mixed around very much freely and was the favourite of the boys gang as she was not a drama queen or a fake person as what most of the girls portrayed to be. She was loud, but still a kind girl.

The turning point which forced Zoya to have a proper conversation with Aditya was when the results of the first mid-term results came out. She was pretty much horrified when she saw her to get a second rank. It wasn't fair. It wasn't the rank she was supposed to get. She had always, always managed to grab the first rank and that made her furious towards the person who barged the first rank, with just one mark difference, Aditya.

Even though she was furious, she managed to not scare him off. It was just a mere congratulations and tap on the shoulder.

After that, they began conversing more. Realizing that both of them were the smartypants in the gang, their friends decided to tease them whenever possible, but it made no difference to Aditya and Zoya. They simply smile it off and were more focused on their studies.

Becoming friends with each other, they realized that they had much more in common. Both of them loved reading. At least that's what Zoya thought as Aditya would always borrow the book that she had finished.

Apart from that, Aditya also began to step out of his cocoon and began blending well with others, especially those who were in the same gang as Zoya was.

The time spent with their gang is the best time for all of them. Their class was that one class which all teachers hated the most. To them, that class was the noisiest, most difficult to handle and laziest of all classes. Even if Zoya and Aditya didn't belong in any of these three categories, still they carry the tag with pride as the gang was the main reason of this tag. They love spending their time together whenever the teacher is not around, which was most of the time. They used to play all sorts of games like truth or dare, scissors-paper-stone, hamburger and many more. They enjoyed playing those games which broke the ice and increased the bond between them.

And at such one event when they were playing truth or dare, Aditya who wasn't part of the game at that time, came up to Zoya who was sitting in a circle. Right when he came, they decided to call him to join in if he was done with his work. Aditya politely declined as he was in the mood to read, and also because he noticed that Zoya was done with the book that she was reading for the past two days.

"Zo, if you had finished reading that book, can you pass it to me?" Aditya asked.

"Which book, Adi?" Zoya asked as at that time, she was carrying two books with her, both written by her favourite author, Cecelia Ahern.

"That one!" Aditya said as he scrunched his nose and creased his forehead, trying to remember which book it was.

"What?"

"I love you!" He uttered, looking straight into her eyes. Zoya's heart skipped a beat when she heard that and gasped loudly while the others began hooting and cheering for Aditya.

"Huh?"

"I mean, the book! 'P.S. I Love You', not the love you kind of love you!" Aditya explained, stuttering upon realizing the mistake he had made due to his tongue slip and the embarrassment which it caused Zoya.

"Is it just the book?" Mahi asked, being jealous.

"Yes" Aditya replied bluntly.

Mahi was this one girl in the class who had a huge crush on Aditya. Though he completely, and royally ignored her, she still doesn't give up and kept on trying for him.

Things became worse when she had mistook Aditya and Zoya for being couples and started to target Zoya, but they were least bothered to clarify her misunderstanding and proceeded with the way life was bringing them. Arguing and debating, most of the time. It was their favourite part of the entire day. If either of them were absent for a day, then the other feels as if their day was incomplete without that little, childish arguments.

* * *

"We are the only ones who managed to get into this class, is it?" Zoya asked an equally lost Aditya as they entered their new class for the next year.

"Apparently, yes!" Aditya replied as he shuffled to the back of the class, settling down on the corner-most seat.

Zoya sighed at the way he just left her in the pool of not so close people and went ahead to sit at the front most place. She took the place next to the window this time around as she enjoyed looking at the scenery while reading. Once she had settled herself down, Zoya took out the current book which she was reading and began to read when her mind began yo get diverted to other stuffs. Things had changed a lot since the past year, her parents were fighting more than ever, her younger sister couldn't adapt to the new changes and the worst part of all, her gang was broken and they were spread into different classes which clearly was a trouble for them.

In this one year, Zoya also had grew closer with Aditya. Though during the day, in the class, he used to tease her a lot and be mean to her, yet, he was a very sweet person whom she could lean on and share her troubles, when he was online on Facebook. He was much nicer and understanding on that platform compared to the him in real life. Once, while they were discussing about some History homework, Zoya had put forth the question as to why he behaved indifferently towards her online and in real life. 

<< Adi, do you mind if you ask you something? >>

<< Depends. Just give it a try though.>>

<< Why do you behave differently towards me in real and on here? >>

<< Different as in? >>

<< As in the way you are. You normally tease, argue, and make fun of me in real. But here, you are always very understanding and different. And it is to that extend where I feel as if I'm talking to two different people >>

<< Well, I don't know! I really have no idea why you think so >>

<< Hmm... but whatever it is, I feel good. I really do. Thank you! >>

<< If you're done being emotional, then can we proceed with the next chapter? >>

<< Yeah, of course emotionally challenged boy >>

It was indeed true that Aditya appeared himself to be an emotionally challenged person, but Zoya could always talk about her feelings to him. Even if he felt uncomfortable, he never showed it to her as he knew that the things she shared with him, she could and would never share it with anyone else. 

"Fuck! How come I got the second rank?" Zoya cursed as she unbelievably looked at her report sheet with a wide eye.

"Why do you use cuss words so much?" Aditya reprimanded her.

"I can't believe you are having problem with me using the word 'fuck' than me getting second rank! Is it because you got the first rank?"

"I got fifth rank! I got the first rank only once. I repeat, only once woman! And after that, you kept getting the first rank!"

"Fuck! I can't believe this!" Zoya cursed yet again.

"Alright. Cease it. Stop using cuss word, would you? And what is with getting the first rank all the time?"

"It gives a good impression on my resume. It will be easier for me when I need to get into university. And who knows, I might get a good scholarship as well!"

"Grades and ranks are nothing much that matters. There's more to it in life"

"I have a life"

"I know. Just saying"

* * *

And finally, the day arrived which Zoya dreaded the most. She had foreseen this happening from the day her father had informed her that they are moving to Mumbai to expand their business there. She cursed the day she had told this out loud. The expansion in Mumbai was a complete failure. It was all going well in the beginning, but in the second year of them in Mumbai, it all changed due to the fall in economy. Hence, they had to shift back to Mussoorie. The worst part of all was that she couldn't even say her good-bye to Aditya and few other friends of hers directly. She had to inform them through Facebook chat and leave Mumbai. The place where, now her heart resides.

* * *

Moving on in Mumbai was easier compared to doing the same in Mussoorie. She had lived the life before. Meeting the same people whom she had left behind was hard for Zoya. She just couldn't adapt to the life in Mussoorie and missed Mumbai badly, especially her friends. People, friends in Mussoorie were great as well, but they couldn't compare to the people in Mumbai. Depressed, she decided to fight back against her parents. She had even requested to stay in a hostel to continue her studies, but she wasn't allowed by them. They were convincing her to just simply settle down like how she did in Mumbai without throwing any tantrums. 

When the whole world seemed to oppose her and she was feeling really lost, a ray of hope came to her. That was Aditya. He wasn't there physically for her, but virtually. It was a usual, boring Sunday afternoon when his first message pinged on her phone via Messenger. He had asked her whereabouts and her condition. Initially Zoya tied to portray a happy version of her illusion, but she missed him so much. She missed the rest of her friends there that she broke down and had told him everything truthfully. She had also told him how everyone was against her and how lonely she was at that time. He couldn't give her a comfort, but he listened. He had literally became the person to whom she opened up her heart. 

Slowly, without even realizing, she held onto him, she depended on him. She was addicted to him. She felt all the more special because of him.He would always, always stay up till late night to listen to her banter. When she couldn't get online frequently on Facebook, since her now friends had shifted to WeChat, she had requested him to do so as well. Even if she was the only one whom he could contact via WeChat, he still downloaded that app to be able to talk to her. When he had confessed about that to her, that gesture made her feel really special. No one in her entire lifetime of seventeen years had ever done something so specifically for her. And, to add to that, the gamer-boy Aditya would always pause his game in between just to reply her. Wasn't that enough to make her fall for him? No, it wasn't. He had had to remember her birthday and wish her exactly at midnight before everyone else. Despite having an important public exam, he stayed up just to wish her a 'Happy Birthday'.

In spite of him always being there for her, she had a complain on him. He never spoke anything about himself. He was the listener and she was the talker in their so-called relationship and she disliked it. She wanted an equality, which she could never get. He could never give her that equality which she deserved. Why was it like that, she would never know. He wasn't secretive, but he was not expressive either. Though he was an emotional support for her, she felt as if she was nothing more than just a time pass for him. She used to stay up till late night just to entertain him and that made her feel hurt. Even so, she held on him without letting him know how hurt she was because he was the only one in her life with whom she could be herself, with no pretense and he was also that person who has no expectation from her in return, but she never took him for granted.

Then, one fine day, Zoya was reprimanded by her friend who knew about Aditya and how dependent she was on Aditya. Her friend had questioned the feelings Zoya have for him. Was it love? That was the question that her friend had asked her. Hesitating for a second, as she herself was unsure about it, she told her friend that they were nothing more than just friends. She lied through her teeth. Zoya was deeply in love with Aditya, but she could never confess it to him.

In the initial days, her friend had disregarded about Aditya, but as time flew, even her friend knew that Zoya was madly in love with Aditya and also that she would never ever confess it. Her friend knew that Zoya was a very fragile person and would be shattered completely if her feelings remained unexpressed. Gathering all her courage, her friend had asked Zoya to confess her feelings to Aditya. 

"You are not understanding! If he knew that I love him, he would leave me. I better have this one-sided unrequited love rather than losing him" Zoya cried to her friend.

"Zo, if you don't tell him, you would never get a conclusion. What if he loves you too? You yourself had told me that he doesn't talk much with any other girl apart from you, right? Then, why are you still hesitating? If he said that he doesn't love you, then you can at least move on. There's no point still holding onto him!" Her friends word's pierced deep into her heart. It hurt her, but it was the truth. 

That night, as they usually talk, Zoya had planned to tell him about it and initiated the conversation.

<< Why are you still single Adi? >>

<< Is it a must to have a girlfriend? >>

<< No. But still, there must be a reason right? >>

<< What's your reason, Zoya? >>

Zoya knew that it was her call now. It was now or never for her. It took almost everything in her to bring this conversation and now that it is up already, she would never let go of this chance.

<< Well, there's this one guy I'm holding onto. I don't know if he loves me back or not. But I love him, truly >>

<< Whoa! Secret love,eh? >>

<< How did this remained hidden from me when you share practically everything with me? >>

<< Well, there are some things you don't know and this is one of them. >>

<< Plus, is there a rule that I should share everything with you when you don't share anything with me >>

<< ._. *speechless emoji* >>

<< Anyways, leave that topic. It's not like you are going to talk about it also >>

<< Okay! So, do I know him? >>

<< Yes, you do know him. >>

<< Ohw! Is he from our school? Is he in our gang? >>

<< He is. >>

<< Wow! It's been a long time feeling then! Why don't you just tell him? >>

<< Because... I'm scared I'll lose his friendship. >>

<< So, what? At least, you don't have to keep your hopes on someone who doesn't love you back, at least! >>

<< It will hurt. Big time, Aditya! >>

<< Are you the same adventurous and daring Zoya I met few years ago? Just go and tell him Zoya!!! Whatever it is, you can handle it! We can handle it! >>

<< I love you, Aditya! >>

<<Adi, are you there? Please reply. >>

<<It's been three days Adi. Please don't do this. I can't lose you as my friend. You mean a lot to me. >>

<< Please don't just bluetick me like this, Aditya! >>

<< Hey, sorry that I couldn't reply any time sooner, I was out of town and the WiFi there wasn't working. I'm sorry Zoya, but I don't love you. I had never looked at you in that manner. Don't worry but then, this won't change anything between us. We still would be friends! >>

His reply kicked in five days later. I don't love you! That sentence broke Zoya a million more times if he not being there for five days did. She had built castles in the air in this five days as she thought he was taking time to figure out how to tell his feelings to her. She thought he was trying to realize his feelings for her. She thought he would love him back. This wasn't what she thought. This, broke her heart. Shattered it into pieces.We still would be friends! . Both of them knew that it was a lie. Nothing remained the same after that. 

Zoya had to begin the conversations every time after that and Aditya would reply her really late.  When asked why? His reply would be that he got busier in college. She tried texting him more frequently. They never had a phone conversation which irked Zoya. She tried to even call him up several times, when he doesn't reply. It was in vain as Aditya would never pick the calls up. Gradually, Zoya became numb towards Aditya. She no longer cared about him. She moved on gracefully and didn't rely on him anymore. Soon, days became months, and months became years. Aditya and Zoya too became youths from teenagers, and adults from youth. Their relationship was still the same. The regular chatting on WhatsApp became a once in a blue moon chat. Soon, once in a while became NIL. Though it irked Zoya a lot in the beginning, she didn't care much about it and focused on her life more.

She was now a doctor, just the way her parents had wished and she does part-time free-lance writing for a magazine. She was happy with the way life was going and hadn't looked back since. Her friend was right, it's better to move on than holding on to something or someone. 

* * *

<< Hi! What's up? >>

A message kicked in when she was about to hit her bed that night, after her night shift. It was from him. Aditya. To her surprise, she wasn't angry nor sad upon receiving that message from him. She was happy, instead. Why was she happy? She had no idea herself.

<< Hey, long time. I'm good. How are you? >>

<< Same old. Nothing new. So, you are a writer now? At last! Read your article today. It was amazing! >>

<< Good to know that, Aditya. I do write, but it's just a part time thing. I do something else for living. >>

<< Nice! >>

<< A little curious, how did you got reminded of me all of the sudden, today? After all these years, huh? >>

<< The article! I told you! >>

<< Are you, by any chance, still holding on to me? >> 

<< Haha! You wish! I've moved on Aditya. I have worked on it. It was hard but I managed. >>

<< I know you would. You are a strong girl after all! I just wanted to let you know that I missed you. I missed receiving texts from you, updating practically everything about yourself to me. >>
<< I am glad that I was as close as I was to you! >>
<< Just, letting you know! >>

That text from him had left Zoya speechless. All that she could reply to him was a simple smiley. She couldn't think of any hidden meaning behind those words. She wouldn't dare to do so. She didn't want to go through all those pain yet again. She didn't want to be betrayed again. She didn't want to hold on him again. She would rather let everything be the way it was. She didn't want to make a mistake yet again. 

<< Good morning. I'm off to work now! >>

She sent him the text the next morning. She had fought hard with her heart and brain before doing that. She was apprehensive on doing so, but still, she did it. He missed her, and he sounded miserable. He was there when she needed someone. So now, when it seems as if he needs someone, how can she just simply back-off?

<< Good morning. I'm already at work! >> 

His reply kicked in, almost immediately. They continued chatting until Zoya reached the hospital. They had caught up from where they had left. They had a lot to tell each other. Well, basically, Zoya had a lot to tell him. He was like her diary and not having the privilege to tell him everything for the past few years made her all more enthusiastic. She was literally looking forward to her lunch break so that she could share everything with him, from the beginning. 

* * *

Noticing the new glow of happiness that hadn't left her face since the last two weeks, her friend, the one who knew about Aditya decided to ask her about it. Zoya denied, saying that it was nothing much, and also that she's feeling happy. Zoya was very tempted to tell her best friend about her reconciliation with Aditya, but decided otherwise. Just then, as fate would have it, Zoya's phone rang and it was on the table next to her friend. Before Zoya could pick it up from across the room, she had saw the name flashing on the screen. Aditya Hooda.

"What's this? You've gone back to talking to him?" Her friend reprimanded her. Paying no heed to her friend, Zoya picked the call up and told him that she was in the middle of something and would call him back later, once her shift was over.

 "Babe, listen to me. It's nothing. We are just casually talking!" Zoya replied truthfully.

"Is it? Whom you are trying to fool, Zoya? I've known you for ten years now and you know that I can catch your lies! Tell me clearly. What's going on between you and Aditya. Before this, it was just texting. Now, has it developed until voice calls and all? What's next, date and all?" Her friend raised her voice at Zoya.

"Babe, it's nothing. Trust me!"

"Please don't lie to me Zoya!"

"I love him, babe!" Zoya broke down.

"God, Zoya! What has he done to you? Who are you and what have you done to my Zoya? Please get back to being normal. I don't want to see you like this any more. It breaks my heart, Zo! I've watched cry so many times for him. Did it do any difference to him? No! And why did you went back to him after all this days? Don't you have any self-respect, Zo?"

"Babe, this is the real me. I've always been broken. That lively Zoya was just a pretense. I... I though I had moved on... but... but I haven't... I'm still holding on!!! Even after all this years! I can't let him go, babe. I know this is very unhealthy, but I can't help it babe. I was, am and will always hold on to him. So what if he doesn't love me back? So what if he doesn't want a relationship? I still do love him. I can't just simple stop loving him, right? Be it a one-sided love, talking with him, having him in my life, makes me feel complete and happy. It makes me, me! And, this time, it was him who is approaching me. He texted me back and he started the phone calls. I'll be just fine, babe. Trust me!" Zoya assured her friend and walked away, dialing Aditya's number.

Her friend on the other hand, had given up on Zoya. There was nothing that could help this girl anymore. The thing she feared the most had happened right in front of her eyes, yet she was unaware about it. Nevertheless, for as long as her Zo was happy, she was fine with it. The moment she gets to see Aditya, she would definitely have him beheaded for all the sufferings he's put her through.

* * *

" I will be coming to Mussoorie for a short business trip for one week. Shall we meet up?" Aditya asked when Zoya was about to hang up.

"Oh! Wow! Do you want to meet up? I mean, aren't you the shy one?" Zoya asked back.

"Yes! I want to meet you! Even if it's just for a day." Aditya told her truthfully.

"Okay then. Text me your hotel's name and address. I'll try my best to come, but can't promise though. It depends on my schedule, Adi!"

"You trying your best is more than enough for me, Zo!"

* * *

"Room number 305, please!" Zoya asked the receptionist in the hotel.

"Mr.Hooda, right? Just a minute Ma'am!" The receptionist excused herself and quickly made a call to Aditya, citing that he has a visitor. 

"What's your name, Ma'am?"

"Zoya! Zoya Siddiqui!" She informed as she tried to locate her lost power-bank in her handbag.

"Sir will come to meet you in a while. Please wait at the waiting lounge there." The receptionist informed her as she pointed out towards the place where she was supposed to wait.

Within minutes, Zoya had saw a tall, lean and masculine man running over to the reception, as soon as he exited the elevator. The receptionist then pointed out towards the waiting lounge and the man had turned to look at her. And that was when their eyes met for the first time after ten years. Ten long years!

"Aditya!" She whispered.

"Zoya!" He responded. 

"Hey!" He greeted her as soon as he was in the waiting lounge.

"Hi!" She greeted back while fiddling with the hem of her dress.

"Looking good!" He complimented her as he checked her out. She was no longer the chubby girl she used to be from his imagination. She had lost a considerable amount of weight, but still she looked good. She was curvaceous at the right places and undeniably sexy, of course! She grew a few inches tall, to his surprise, but that was when he realized that she was wearing a wedge heels. Her hair was long, just the way he like it. She used to have her hair as short as Kajol used to have in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai during their school times. In addition to all this, the white dress she was in was skimpy enough to compliment her assets well and that was driving him crazy.

"Thanks! You are looking good as well!" Zoya replied while she noticed his changes throughout the ten years. He was visibly older because of his stubble and moustache. His body was masculine than ever which clearly pointed out that he works out. His veins were visible, bulging through the thin, fair skin of his which tempted her to run her fingers through them. He had learned to dress up well. He was in a white shirt which was let loose with a pair of blue denim. It was her favourite kind of wear to see a guy in.

"Have you had your dinner? The food here in the restaurant is amazing. They serve Italian. Your favourite!" Aditya asked breaking the silence which prevailed for sometime after them greeting each other.

"Yeah sure! That sounds good!" Zoya replied and they made their way to the restaurant.

"Why didn't you call me up using your phone and used the receptionist instead?" Aditya asked, after they ordered their food.

"My phone ran out of battery and I couldn't find my power-bank." Zoya stated truthfully.

It took them a little than longer than just a few minutes to break the ice between them. Soon, they were talking normally as they would on the phone. Aditya then offered Zoya to use the charger in his room when she was about to go back after the dinner. It was quite late in the night at that time and Aditya was worried for her safety as she was supposed to get back to the hospital, which was quite far from the hotel, after their meeting.  Considering the fact that she would be needing it to contact her parents, Zoya had agreed to it, though slightly reluctant.

"Here, come give it to me, I'll plug it in." Aditya offered.

Zoya looked around the presidential suite of his hotel. It was indeed a lavish suite. It looked more like an apartment than a simple hotel room. There was a large living room with a couple sets of sofa, a spacious kitchen and mini bar, followed by a door that most probably lead to the bedroom and the best part of his suite was the balcony, from where the whole of Mussoorie could be seen. Unknowingly, Zoya's legs took a quick stride to the balcony. She hugged herself when the chill breeze blew ever lightly and got herself lost in the breathtaking view which laid in front of her. She knew that Mussoorie is indeed a very beautiful place, but she had never seen Mussoorie like how it was in front of her now.

As she was losing herself in the view, a sudden warmness which crept on her shoulders pulled her back into reality. That was when she realized that Aditya had put on his coat on her and was standing beside her. She was taken aback when she found him leaning against the glass railing and was looking at her instead of the view. Averting the eye lock, Zoya looked up and gazed the stars instead.

"You've got such an amazing view here!" Zoya remarked.

"Yes, I do!" Aditya replied, gawking shamelessly at her. 

"You know, my house back there in Mumbai had an amazing view too! It was of a mini jungle with a lit up sky of stars. I loved sitting on the balcony and read while sipping in some coffee. It was one of the best memories I have of Mumbai!" Zoya spoke as if she was in some trance.

"You told me that once!" 

"You remembered? Like, you still remember it?" Zoya exclaimed in surprise.

"Of course I do! I remember almost everything you've told me off! You love being in your house here in Mussoorie because of the climate, otherwise, the view wasn't that amazing. But, your room has a transparent, glass roof which will show you the night sky clearly. You love it when the first ray of the Sun hits your room and takes away all the chillness that the night brought with it. Not to forget, if it rains, then you enjoy watching the raindrops that chase each other to the edge of the roof. You make them have a race, don't you?"

"Yeah!" Zoya exclaimed agreeing. Now, she was looking right into his eyes. There was nothing else she would want to see at that moment.

"Do you still read, by the way?" He asked all of the sudden.

"Yeap! I can't survive without my books, remember?" Zoya reminded him.

"Do you have one with you, like, right now?" 

"No, I do electronic readings now. And, since my phone is out of charge, there's no reading now!" Zoya chuckled. 

"Aah! I missed it then! I really love watching you read, you know!" Aditya sighed.

"Well, you had never told me that, as a matter of fact, Adi! Anyways, I should get going now. Thank you for letting me use your charger. Good night, Aditya!" Zoya wished him and was about to walk away from the balcony when Aditya held her by her wrist.

"What are you doing?" She asked, being startled.

"I'm sorry. Stay a little longer, please!" He pleaded to her. 

"I can't. I'm sorry, Adi!" She suppressed the tears which were threatening to flow. 

"Why?" He demanded for an answer.

"I just can't. Let me go!" Zoya insisted on going.

"You're not going anywhere till you answer me!" Aditya roared.

"Why do you always just think of yourself Adi? Can't you see the pain of others or you pretend to not see them? I'm hurt Adi!!! I'm hurt!!! I can't be with you any longer because I'm afraid that I might confess all those things which I don't want to. I can't be with you because my brain is losing the war with my heart, and my heart was lost years ago to you! I can't stay here any longer because, because I'll fall over for you yet again! I... I'm still holding on to you Adi! I still love you!" Zoya confessed as she sobbed out loudly.

Aditya slowly pulled her closer into him and hugged her tightly, allowing her to break down in his embrace. As he tears made his shirt wet and the droplets begin to penetrate through the thin shirt of his into his chest, Aditya's heart broke. Her cold tears were burning his skin because he knew that he caused them. Unknowingly, he also sobbed with her, tightening the hug they were in. His heart taunted him repeatedly that he was responsible for both their miseries. If only he had realized his feelings for her a little earlier. If only he knew that he had also lost his heart to her from the very beginning, their story might have been different today. 

Composing themselves and sniffing in their noses, Zoya and Aditya broke from the hug. Both their eyes were red and puffy as they had been crying for some time now. Both their cheeks were tear stained and both their heart were completely shattered.

"Zo, I'm sorry for what I had done to you! I truly am!" Aditya apologized.

"It's okay. I'm used to it already. Anyways, thank you for coming back in my life. Having you as my friend makes this broken Zoya to feel complete!" Zoya thanked him and was about to go when he pulled her back yet again, but this time, he crashed his lips against hers. Zoya was completely numb. She couldn't comprehend what was happening when Aditya pulled back.

"It's not okay to be broken! Let me heal you. And, please help me heal myself too!" Aditya whispered against her lips.

Zoya took a moment to register what he had said to her and joined their lips right away. She kissed him wholeheartedly, running her fingers through his hair, pulling him closer. He devoured her as if his life depended on it as he let  his hands wonder around her curves, pasting their bodies completely with each other. It was after-all, ten years of yearn to be in each other's arms. It was ten years of suppressed love that was flowing out through that gesture of theirs. 

Slowly while kissing him, Zoya's trembling fingers left his hair, slide down his shoulders and found the button of his shirt. Without even thinking twice, she began unbuttoning him. She unbuttoned the first three buttons of his shirt and let her hand discover his manly chest which burned her finger due to the heat of passion. As soon as Aditya felt her hand roaming against his bare chest, he broke the kiss and lifted her in his arms. He brought her into his bedroom and placed her on the bed, very delicately. He stood by the side of the bed, and looked at her. She was hazy, passion-filled. Would she regret this? He thought to himself and hesitated for a moment to join her on the bed. 

Zoya, realizing the turmoil he was being in, stood up and pulled him on the bed. She made him sit on the bed and sat on his lap while unbuttoning the remaining buttons of his shirt. As Aditya sat shirtless in front of her, she saw the scars on his body. All of them were old scars. She looked up into his eyes, questioning.

"The five years I couldn't talk to you properly, I was fighting for my life. I was in a coma. The night, we had our last conversation where you were drunk and you told me that you would always hold onto me, that night, I went into an accident. I didn't stop talking to you because I wanted to, but I couldn't. As soon as I came out of my coma, about a year ago, I tried finding out about you first. You were the only thing that revolved in my mind. I couldn't think of anything nor anyone surpass you. You filled me up and you were the sole reason I survived that accident, Zoya. Thank you for holding on to me and not letting my soul to leave my body. Thank you for that. It took me three months to be cured completely and when I did, the first thing that I wanted to do was to find you. But, I had no idea about your whereabouts. Hence, I texted you and you replied. Do you know how many times I had thanked God when you did that. I was not sure whether I could bring you back in my life or not, but, one thing surely delighted me! That was you talking to me normally, despite all that I had did to you! I'm sorry for that Zoya!" Aditya cried as he rested his head on her bosoms that muffled his sobs.

"We both have suffered so much! Now, no more. It's time to be happy now. Okay? Stop crying you idiot!" Zoya reprimanded him while pulling him into a kiss.

While still kissing her, Aditya brought his hand to the back of her dress and pulled the zipper down. Zoya broke the kiss to look at him for a minute. Aditya was taken aback and was about to pull it back when Zoya shyly looked down, giving him the approval to proceed. Aditya slowly slide the sleeves of her shoulder and buried his head into it. He began giving her slow, sensuous kisses there, earning her moans. 

Her moans increased the need he has for her. He urgently pulled the other sleeve down and began kissing her there as well. Zoya gasped at his sudden rash behaviour, yet due to the heightened passion he was bringing her to, she couldn't utter even a single word. 

"Adiiii!" She moaned lightly when she felt his lips nearing her cleavage and was just a breath apart from her bosoms.

"Tell me, if you want me to stop!" Aditya told her as he went trailing his kiss below towards her bosoms, slowly unraveling them from the white dress that she was wearing.

"Don't stop! Make me yours completely!" She whispered against his hair as she took in his sweet pleasure, little by little.

Soon, both their clothes made their way out of their body and both of them were there to be devoured and cherished by the love of their life. When Aditya was about to complete their union, he looked up straight into her eyes, and told her the three magical words which she craved to hear.

"I love you, Zoya!" He confessed and completed their union while kissing the pain off her.

That night, all the barriers between those two soulmates were brought down. Everything that held them away from each other was gone. Only thing that existed between them was nothing but pure love! 

Two months later, after successfully gaining the approval from their parents, Aditya and Zoya tied the knot, to keep them holding on to each other for the rest of their lives! 

- The End -