Mere Dil Ko Tere Dil Ki Zaroorat Hai - AdiYa FF

Chapter 9 : Awkward Moment

Aditya parked in front of a luxurious building in the Bandra neighborhood, its modern and elegant lines silhouetted against the night sky. The lights from the apartments sparkled like stars, and a gentle sea breeze carried the salty scent of the ocean. He turned to Zoya, who was sitting next to him, her curious gaze fixed on the imposing structure.

**— Is this where you live?** Zoya asked, her eyes lighting up with surprise. **You could have told me we were neighbors.**

**— You never asked me,** Aditya replied with a smirk, a hint of teasing in his voice. **Let's go.**

Zoya opened her door, and they both got out of the car, their footsteps echoing on the smooth pavement of the parking lot. They headed toward the elevator, an elegant space with glass walls that offered a view of the entrance hall, where lush green plants added a touch of life.

Aditya lived on the sixth and top floor of this chic building. Once inside the elevator, Zoya, with natural confidence, pressed the button for the sixth floor, as if she had always known they would be going up there.

**— How did you know we were going to the sixth?** he asked, a surprised look on his face.

**— I don't know,** she replied with a laugh, **I guess a pilot like you would feel stifled if he didn't live at the top of the tower.**

**— You might be right,** Aditya admitted, a smile forming on his lips.

Zoya had never been to Aditya's place, but pressing the number 6 in the elevator felt like second nature. The elevator opened with a soft ding, and they stepped out, Aditya leading her to the door of his apartment. He rummaged through his pocket for the keys but couldn't find them.

**— Oh no, Zoya, I must have left the keys in the car. I'll go down, wait for me here, don't move.**

**— Okay,** she replied, a bit perplexed.

Aditya headed back to the elevator. The hallway in front of his apartment door was lit by soft lights, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Next to it, a flower pot filled with soil caught Zoya's attention. Curious, she plunged her hand inside and, to her surprise, pulled out a set of keys.

**— These must be Aditya's apartment keys,** she murmured, a smile spreading across her lips. She turned to announce her discovery to him, but he was no longer in her line of sight.

She inserted one of the keys into the lock, and on the first try, it was the right one. *Zoya, you're so clever,* she thought to herself, a smirk on her face.

She entered the apartment, and a strange sensation washed over her. Why did she feel like she had been here before? Everything seemed so familiar. She began to touch some decorative objects, and suddenly, her heart started racing. Goosebumps ran down her body, and she felt a chill.

**— Zoya? But how did you get in?** Aditya asked, shocked, when he returned with the keys and found the door to his apartment open.

**— I found the keys in the flower pot right at the entrance. And I opened the door.**

**— But how did you know it was there? Show me, it must be Pooja's keyring. I didn't even know she kept them there. But Zoya, how?!** Aditya asked, increasingly perplexed.

**— I don't know, Aditya, just girl stuff, I guess,** she replied deliberately, though she wasn't convinced by her own logic. How could she explain what was happening? It was irrational.

**— Okay, Zoya, come here, sit down!** Aditya pulled her toward the couch, his expression worried. **You still have that wound on your forehead; I really think we should take you to the hospital.**

**— No, Aditya, I'm fine!** she said to reassure him, but fatigue was evident on her face.

**— I'm still going to clean that wound.** He stood up, opened a cabinet, and took out a first-aid kit. He sat down in front of her and began to clean her injury.

**— Zoya, you know, I was really scared when I got your call. It reminded me a bit of the call I received after Pooja's accident. Promise me you won't ever do something so stupid again. Can you tell me why you were driving so recklessly?**

**— You were worried about me?** Zoya asked, surprised.

**— Yes, of course, you're my friend! And I worry about my friends,** Aditya replied, his gaze softening.

He was still cleaning her wound, and they were getting closer. Zoya could feel Aditya's breath on her face as he spoke to her. The fine hairs on her face stood up on her cheeks. They shared a lock of eyes, Aditya's gaze becoming more intense. The tension in the air was palpable, an electricity enveloping them.

**— Ouch...** Zoya's cry broke the suspended time between them.

**— Uh, Zoya, sorry, did I hurt you?** Aditya asked, panic seizing him.

**— No, it's fine, I think it's okay, thanks for the first aid! Do you think I can take a shower? I won't be able to sleep like this.**

**— Yes, of course, come on!** He led her to his room, his heart racing. **The bathroom is over there. I'll bring you some clean clothes to wear for the night.**

**— Thank you! Really, Aditya, you didn't have to do this, but thank you.**

**— Zoya, stop thanking me. This kind of thing happens between friends,** Aditya said with a warm smile.

He left the room, allowing her to take her bath. Zoya stepped into the shower, eager for a shock therapy. The cold water hit her, stinging like a refreshing caress. She cried under the shower, warm tears streaming down her cheeks as she recalled the argument with Yash earlier. She had made the decision to break up with him, and that decision was irrevocable.

Zoya felt like a spectator in her own life. And that awkward moment she had shared with Aditya in the living room... No, that couldn't happen again, she told herself mentally. She looked at herself in the bathroom mirror and ran a hand over the scar between her breasts, a gesture that had become a ritual every time she saw herself naked.

She slipped on the nightgown Aditya had laid on the bed. It was an off-white silk nightgown, delicate and elegant. *It's really pretty,* she thought, admiring her reflection.

Just as she was about to put on the shirt that would go over the nightgown, Aditya entered the room without knocking.

**— Oh my god, Zoya, I'm sorry!** He quickly turned around, avoiding looking at her.

**— Aditya, it's fine, I was done. Besides, this is your room,** Zoya said, a soothing smile on her lips.

**— You know, since this is my room, I've kind of lost the habit of knocking to come in here,** he admitted, a hint of embarrassment in his voice.

**— Calm down. Tell me, does this nightgown belong to your wife? I don't know if it's right to wear it; it might make you uncomfortable,** Zoya said, a bit hesitant.

**— Actually, I bought this for Pooja, but she never wore it. She said it wasn't her style! But it really looks good on you!** he said, scratching his head, realizing the little awkwardness he had just committed.

**— I know you're still in shock from what happened. We could talk about it tomorrow if you want. You need to rest; it's been too much emotion for today. I just came to tell you that you can sleep here, in my room, and I'll sleep in the guest room,** Aditya proposed, his tone authoritative yet caring.

**— No, no, Aditya, no way, this is your room. I'd rather sleep in the other room.**

He scratched his head. **— Actually, my brother often sleeps in the other room when he comes to visit me, and let's just say it's a crazy mess in there.**

**— I can't sleep in your room alone; it's not right. Plus, this bed is the one you shared for years with your wife! It's not appropriate,** Zoya insisted, her gaze determined.

**— Zoya, stop worrying about that. You had an accident; I want you to rest. We've already been awake half the night. I want you to sleep here; it's either that or I call your father to come pick you up,** Aditya said in an authoritative tone but with a hint of humor.

**— Okay, you win, I'll sleep here. Goodnight, Aditya.**

He left the room to go sleep in the other room, lying down under the bed while reflecting on all the events of that day.

He wondered how Zoya had managed to find Pooja's keys in the flower pot. *She's really very clever,* he thought, or maybe all women thought the same way.

Suddenly, the almost sensual scene he had shared with Zoya came back to his mind. He thought about their closeness. *No, this isn't right; I shouldn't be thinking about Zoya this way,* he told himself, the image of Zoya in the nightgown he had bought for Pooja imposing itself on him. *She's a beautiful woman,* he thought. *She's about to get married, and I just lost my wife. I need to calm down.*

He took a pillow and put it over his head to chase away his thoughts, falling asleep after struggling with his mind for long minutes.

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My shortest update so far. What do you think? Would you like it if I posted another chapter a little later in the day?

Be lenient, I'm not a writer ! @latinacamerunes