Zindagi tu hai kaha

Chapter 11

From the very moment Aditya got appointed as event organiser. Zoya tried everything in her reach to manipulate Mariam Khala's decision. After all her attempts have failed for the day she decided to stay away from all wedding arrangements. Little did she know underestimating Mr. Hooda is her biggest mistake. The more she tried to keep distance the more he brought reasons to be more close to her. And now she is her middle of Living area helping Mr. Hooda to decorate room with flowers.
"Zoya what are you doing hold it properly or else I will fall." Aditya said holding the wall tighter.
"I don't understand if you own an event organising company then why there are no staff helping you here? Why am I forced to hold this table for you? I mean why?? "
Her questions just brought a smile on his face and giving the last finishing touch to flowers he got down.
"Its because I can give services for free but my entire staff work for salary." Aditya smirks at zoya.
"If you are not charging khala then why are you here? What interests you?" Zoya dragged the table to other side of wall. She waited for Aditya to climb when he didn't. She turned around. He signed her to climb up and fix those garlands. Zoya sighed and began climbing.
"Answer me." She asked while working on garlands
"You...you dont know why am i here?" His smile faded for a sec onseeing her done with decoration. Zoya dusted her hand proudly and is about to get down when Aditya kicked the table under her making her fall with scream. Every one in house came running to check on her but were surprise to see her in Aditya's arm.
"Open you eyes. " He spoke ever so softly.
Zoya slowly opened her eyes and tried to look around. She found every one staring at her. Especially mariam khala she almost had her tongue out on floor.
Zoya's eyes darted her hand which were locked on his neck.
Aditya smiled as he read her mind.
"Still You dont know why I am here?" Zoya hypnotically nods her head in no then quickly replaced it with yes. She struggled to stand on floor and he allowed her to part away from him.
"Zoya." He whispered her name only for her to hear
She looked at him through her eye lashes. "So you are coming with me on date." His was blushing and he looked damn cute with that little dimple on his cheek.
"That's not a date." She straightly dismissed him.
"It's for you to decide. 8 pm Be ready on time." He said and began walking.
Zoya watched him passing next to her and just when they were parallel Aditya suprised zoya by leaning him self slightly towards her.
"I will be waiting" he smiled at her reaction. "Cute cat" he added and left. Zoya watched him with her mouth wide open. So she was right he was the one. Damn!!

Zoya waved "shaba khair" to her parents and mariam khala while she walked inside her room.
Noor peeped out of the book she was reading. "API?? You here?" Noor looked like eaten Bittersweet.
"Yes. Its my room too. Where else I'll be." She said while picking up her night dress and walking inside bathroom.
"But API you were going somewhere right? " Noor walked up to door tried to hear her api's voice
"I didn't go." Zoya shouted from inside.
"But api...its not good to ditch a plan." Noor practically banged her feet on floor.
Zoya got taken by surprise and opened the door. She is changed in to new pair of night dress
"Why are you so much interested in this meet. Chup raho tum! Zyada pehervi karne ki zarurat nahi tumhe!" Zoya scolded noor and walked to her bed.
Before noor could say something she switched off lights and asked her to sleep.
Sleep was no where close to Noor. She felt worried for Aditya. It was their plan after all. Noor took out her phone and texted Arjun and Aditya.
"If you are done informing them can you please sleep now?"
Noor stared at the zoya's back. How come she tell even without turning behind.
She waved off the thought and putting the cell aside and pulled up blanket to her neck and fall asleep.

The clock strucked 1 and Noor phone rang in her pocket. She checked on screen which read Arjun. Pressing the green line she brought the phone over ear.
"Hey! Where is the earthquake?" Noor chided in sleepy voice.
"Noor. Its not funny. Bhai haven't still returned home."
Noor throws blanket aside and slips her feet in night sleepers.
" Aditya bhai still didnt came back??!!" Noor voice made zoya wake up from sleep.
"Noor whom are you talking to?" Zoya turned herself to face Noor.
"Api. Aditya bhai has not returned to his room yet. " Thick lines of worry reflected on her forehead.
A strong feeling of loosing someone engulfed zoya. She got up from her bed, worn slippers and without even bothering to pick her duppata she ran outside home.
Her mind was clueless and so was noor who tried to stop her from behind but failed. Zoya heart followed the path as her mind replayed the last time he spoke to her she prayed again and again for him to be in the same place and to be safe.
Soon she reached a park and found some lights blinking everywhere. She tried to catch up on her breathe as she now began to take cautious steps inside.
She looked everywhere around with a hope to spot him. Then suddenly her eyes caught a man in white shirt with his back to her.
Zoya instantly knew ita Aditya. Her feet picked up space and her heart bloomed with happiness. The fast moment brought Aditya's attention and he turned to check behind.
A woman in her cute pyjama and open hair was running to his way. Fear, happiness and care was visible on her face. And the fact that she was his zoya made his heart skip a beat. He smiled.
Zoya eyes ran through his body to check if he is okay and then her eyes rested on his face it holds smile. All the color of her face drained and just a feet away from him she stopped and looked at him confused.
"Ruk kyu gai?" Aditya asked opening his arm wide open for her .
She stared at him for a while as a answer. Her chest rising and falling with the sedative quality of a lullaby. The night was so quite that Aditya could hear her each breathe with ease. A smile creeps on his face and he simply let it sit there. Zoya opened her mouth to say something but words doesn't seems out to be coming out of her mouth. He could see her struggle with herself. Then what it looked like minutes but were just few seconds she finally calmed down and withdrew her eye contact with him which she was holding for all these while.
When Aditya thought she will express he found her turning her back to him and walking away in other direction.
"So you wont say anything and will walk away like this." Aditya's hand moved to his hips and he let his head fall back as he laughed dryly.
It wad not his words but the pain behind it that made zoya stop in her track. Yet she was determined to not give in to his pleads.
"Bas kijiye Aditya!"
Zoya's body vibrated because of intense anger and frustration.
"What are you trying to prove by doing such things?"Aditya tried to read her emotions but she had her back to him.
"What can I try to proove zoya! And to whom?" Aditya took a step in her direction and sensing him move she took 2 steps away from him.
"Ap ke liye sab mazak hai! Everything is a joke for you. So childish." Zoya turned slightly. And Aditya could see tears dripping from her chin. His heart sinked and he opened his mouth to speak but zoya slapped her hand in air. Warning him!
"Aditya stop it please!! Jo tum chahte ho wo nahi ho sakta. Wo nahi hone dungi. Is bar nahi! " It was then Aditya realize he was crying when his hand touched his wet cheeks.
"Zo..zoya." his words break just like his heart.
"ADITYA! PLEASE...I CAN'T NOT AGAIN. I ALREADY HAVE SUFFERED A LOT!" zoya's long and deep would were fresh again. Her eyes became a pool of tears and her lips quivered in pain.
"Zoya. But I just want..."
"WANT WHAT ADITYA! " Zoya cried even more.
"Whatever you want I am not capable of giving it. I dont want to go through all over again. Please Aditya..." She turned behind in a snap and folded her hands in front of Aditya. Her eyes released fresh stock of tears.
"Zoya please don't cry." Aditya brought a finger to wipe her tears but she jolted back.
"Zoya there is nothing to be scared of. Kis se bhag rahi ho tum? They are your own emotions."
"And...i have paid a huge amount for them " she completed him.
"Zoya -"
"Bas! Its my final decision. " She began walking followed by him behind.
"But I feel for you. I lo-".
"STOP!!"She screamed keeping her both hands over her ears.
"Aisa kuch mat kaho..jise main inkaar na kr saku.. Allah ka vasta tumhe"...
She said without looking at him and then walked out of the park. He stood there on same spot glaring at the flowers that were set on the bench and the small tent he made for their private time..
He smiled he laughed and then cried...
He...felt broken.