The Call of Destiny - AdiYa FF

Chapter 22: Birthday Bash

Zoya reached the hotel in a taxi, and got out of it. She then looked inside the taxi, through the open window.

"Pooja, come...let's go."

"Yeah yeah..." Pooja sulked as she got out of the taxi, dressed in an orange top and black jeans, and she looked at the hotel. This has to be worst birthday ever in her life. None of her dearest friends wished for her birthday, and nor did a single colleague wish her in office too. And now, she has been brought to some random wedding reception of Zoya's college-mate.

"Shall we go?" Zoya asked Pooja with a smile.

"I really don't know why you wanted me to attend this party. Can't you go alone, Zoya? I have a headache too today..." Pooja said, frowning her eyebrows, looking down, while Zoya controlled her smile watching Pooja's drama. She so badly wanted to hug her tight and say what's awaiting her, but she had to control herself for some more minutes.

"Pooja...if I go alone, I will feel so bored, and they might ask me to stay for a longer time too. But if you are there, I will have some time pass and can also leave soon, telling that you need to leave and such. Please Pooja? For me...?"

Pooja took a glance at Zoya and said, "Fine...come!"

Zoya walked forward, while she took the phone and opened the 'Birthday group' in her WhatsApp, and dropped a message:

"We are coming!"

***

Back in the party hall, everyone was waiting near the door with party poppers and balloons, while Aditya and Arjun stood next to the door, with the lights switched off.

Arjun looked at Aditya, who was standing with a perplexed expression; his mind giving flashes of Zoya in that black salwar kameez. He hadn't been this nervous and tensed even for his board examinations. The flashes from that dream kept disturbing his mind. People always say how nice it would be if they had an idea what would happen in the future. He wished he could go and knock some sense to such people. That feeling is horrible; when you can see your future displayed in front of you, and you are not even ready to accept that or do that.

"Bhai!!!" Arjun hit Aditya's hand with his elbow, while Aditya looked at him, "What?"

"I should ask you that Bhai..." Arjun said in a low tone, "Why are you standing as if you are waiting to catch some criminal red-handed? I mean, just look at your face. Pooja has to get happy and surprised looking at us, not terrified and run back home. Just relax! Pooja is coming for a party only, not some examination."

"I am not tensed...I am so cool...very cool..." Aditya managed, while he wondered if his tension was that evident to Arjun, even in that dark room. He was puzzled; how is he going to spend the entire night in this party, that too with Zoya?

Just then, they heard Zoya and Pooja's footsteps. They all got ready, while Arjun signaled everyone to stay quiet.

Zoya and Pooja reached the door, while Zoya said, "Pooja, just go inside. I am getting a call."

Pooja nodded her head and opened the door of the party hall, while Zoya watched her.

Pooja walked inside and saw the place all dark and quiet.

"What's this? Zoya, is this the correct...."

"Surprise!!!"

Pooja was startled with the noise of the party poppers and looking at all her colleagues and friends swarming around her with balloons, as the lights were switched on.

"Happy Birthday Pooja!!!" Aditya and Arjun went to her and hugged her, while Pooja was still in disbelief and awe, looking at all the birthday setup and decorations.