Saiyyan - Adiya FF

Chapter 15

Zoya placed a few change of clothes in the suitcase and zipped it up. They were leaving for the farmhouse the next morning and it was decided that everyone would meet at Hooda mansion and leave together.

As she placed her toiletries in the suitcase, Zoya turned at the sound of the bedroom door opening. Seeing Anjana walk in, Zoya stood up from her seated position on the bed.

"Anjana maa...aap?" Zoya asked.

"Arre...sit beta...there is no need to be so formal." Anjana said lovingly.

Zoya sat back down and Anjana took a seat opposite Zoya on the bed. Anjana looked around room to see it empty but the two of them. "Adi kaha hain?" Anjana asked.

"I'm not sure..." Zoya responded, "When we came back from college he said he had to work on something, and I haven't seen him since." Zoya responded, feeling a little embarrassed at her lack of knowledge. She should know where Aditya is right? He has been taking such good care of her...and she didn't even bother checking to see where he was? For the first time Zoya felt guilty about not knowing Aditya's whereabouts.

Sensing Zoya's uneasiness, Anjana changed the subject. "Are you all packed?" she asked, seeing the suitcase.

"Yes Anjana maa...just a few more things left." Zoya replied.

"It's good that you kids are going away for a bit...it will be nice to get away from the city." Anjana said. "I actually came here to give you something..." Anjana continued, knowing that she had Zoya's full attention.

Anjana lifted the velvet box and opened it, revealing a pair of beautifully hand crafted diamond bangles. Zoya gasped at its beauty. The bedroom light glinted off the diamonds, making the bangles sparkle.

"Yeh kis liye Anjana maa?" Zoya asked, confused as to why she was receiving this.

Anjana simply took Zoya's hand and slipped the bangles onto her wrist. "Kyon...I can't buy my daughter presents?" Anjana replied.

"No...it's not like that...thank you...they are beautiful" Zoya said, graciously accepting the gift.

"Honestly...I didn't have anything to give you when you came into this house. Toh yeh sirf ek choti si gift...meri taraf se..." Anjana said.

Zoya looked at Anjana...this was a wedding gift...her wedding to Aditya. The bangles suddenly felt extremely heavy on Zoya's wrist.

Anjana sensed Zoya's hesitation, and continued gently, "There is still no pressure on you Zoya...neither is there any pressure on Aditya." Anjana placed a loving hand on Zoya's face, "Kush nasseebi hai meri...ke mujhe bahu nahin...beti mili hai...and because you are my daughter, I want nothing more than your happiness. If you decide that this marriage is something you don't want...I would still want you to keep these bangles." Anjana assured Zoya, that this gift came from a place of love and not conditions.

A small tear slipped from the corner of Zoya's eyes at Anjana's touching words. Anjana wiped it away. She smiled when Zoya leaned in and gave Anjana a tight hug.

When Anjana left the room, Zoya stepped out on the balcony attached to the bedroom. It was a clear night and the sky was filled with stars.

Zoya looked out like she did many times in the past from her own bedroom...looking for answers. What did she want? Where does she go from here? Zoya closed her eyes, hoping to clear her mind. Yash's face appeared and Zoya opened her eyes, her anguish returning. She felt lost...so utterly lost.

A shooting star dashed across the sky. The woman Zoya used to be would have wished on it...wishing for her love. Tonight...Zoya stared at it blankly. As the star shot across the sky, Zoya turned around and walked back inside.