Chapter 21

JCluvs srk

@JCluvs srk

CHAPTER 20

The next morning, the Hoodas rose early to prep for the karva chaut party taking place in the evening.

"Make sure the flowers are completely fresh." Anjana instructed the gardener. She turned and started walking towards the kitchen. 

Zoya came out of the kitchen in that exact moment with a tray of laddoos. "Anjana maa...I finished making these." Zoya said, showing Anjana the tray.

Anjana looked down at the tray of laddoos, giving it an approving look. "Lekin maa...I wasn't able to taste it...see how it is..." Zoya said, a little nervous. These laddoos will be served to the guests later, and due to her fasting, she was unable to taste the final product.

Understanding Zoya's dilemma, Anjanaa called out for Arjun. "Arjun!" Anjana summoned. Arjun entered the room, "Haan Mom...you called?" Arjun asked, curious.

In that same moment, Aditya entered the room as well, finished with his previous task and wanting to check in with Anjana for any other jobs needing attention.

"Arjun beta...try these laddoos. Zoya wants to see if they taste ok." Anjana instructed, pointing to the tray Zoya was holding.

"Why can't Zoya taste them herself?" Aditya asked innocently, not putting two and two together.  

Anjana chuckled at her son's silly question. "Aaj Zoya ka bhi vrath hai budhu...she can't eat or drink anything." Anjana informed her son.

Aditya's eyes shot to Zoya, surprised. Zoya lowered her gaze, feeling a little embarrassed. Arjun, on the other hand, tried to hide his grin by biting his lip.

"Anjana!" Harshvardhan called out. Hearing her husband calling her, Anjana turned to Arjun, "Arjun check to see if the laddoos are good to go...I'll be right back." With that said, Anjana made her exit.

Aditya kept staring at Zoya, shocked at the news. He just assumed Zoya wouldn't keep a karva chaut vrath because they didn't share the same relationship as a normal couple. It didn't make sense to him for Zoya to fast for him. But the idea touched him...that she would do this for him.

Zoya looked up and saw Aditya still staring at her, his eyes holding unanswered questions. She felt a blush creep up her cheeks and looked down again, avoiding eye contact. Her heart beat was quickening and she tried her best to ignore it.

Arjun bumped his shoulder with Aditya's in a playful manner, a grin plastered on his face. Aditya shook out of his trance and glared at his younger brother for teasing him.

Arjun cleared his throat and approached Zoya. He took a laddoo and bit into it, feeling the item dissolve in his mouth.

"It's good Zoya di..." Arjun complemented. "So...you really haven't eaten anything since last night?" Arjun asked, wanting to add fuel to the very evident fire burning between Aditya and Zoya.  

Zoya looked up at Arjun, pleading with her eyes to drop the subject. Arjun continued to grin mischievously, "Should I start calling you Zoya Bhabi now?" Arjun teased further. Zoya's jaw dropped a little at the title, not sure how to react. Bhabi...even though the term was said as a joke...there was something so sweet in the title.

Very conveniently, Harshvardhan called Arjun's name in that moment. Zoya let out a breath of relief when Arjun took another laddoo and walked away, letting the subject drop. As Arjun passed Aditya, he gave Aditya a subtle wink which Zoya missed, and left the room leaving Aditya and Zoya alone.

Avoiding eye contact with Aditya, Zoya started walking out herself. She passed Aditya and was almost at the door when Aditya's deep voice stopped her.

"Zoya." Aditya simply said. Her name sounding so different this time. It's like he breathed her name...and it sent shivers down her spine.

Zoya didn't turn, but turned her head slightly indicating that she was listening.

"Tumne sach mein karva chaut ka vrath rakkha?" Aditya asked.

Zoya hesitated. She could lie...and end this subject here. "Haan..." Zoya felt herself reply truthfully.

Aditya felt his heart give one loud thump. "Kyon?" He asked, a little breathless at the revelation.

Zoya didn't answer. She felt her cheeks starting to burn again and felt it best to leave. Aditya watched Zoya's retreating back. When the doors closed behind Zoya, he kept staring at it. A stunning smile then split across his face. In that moment, he couldn't describe the joy he felt, so he continued to smile at the closed doors.

**************************************

Hooda mansion was filled with guests again. It was a common occurrence for the Hoodas to throw parties. The mansion was always filled with dancing and laughter and today's celebration was for karva chaut.

Ladies dressed in pretty outfits filled the house. Some were sitting down and chit chatting. Some were putting on mehendi, some sang songs, or were doing various other things. Their husbands accompanied them and used this time to catch up with old buddies or make new friends. There was a couple more hours left for the moon to rise and the ladies did everything they could to keep busy and not think about their hunger.

Aditya was dressed in a black pathani kurta with the sleeves rolled to the elbows, revealing his strong arms. He made sure guests were taken care of and gave a few instructions to the one of the servants.

"Aditya!" Aditya turned at the sound of his named and saw Pooja approach him. "Hey have you seen Zoya?" Pooja asked. Aditya looked around the room and noticed that, indeed, Zoya was nowhere to be seen.

"I know she was getting dressed...she should be down any min..." Aditya's response faded. He happened to look at the staircase and there she was.

Aditya took a sharp intake of breath when Zoya made her way down the staircase, dressed in a lace pink sari. Her hair fell in soft waves around her. She did something with her eyes...it made them look bigger...darker...deeper. The sari was...sexy...the lace revealed enough to make Aditya's blood turn hot...but it left enough covered for the imagination as well. She looked...Aditya couldn't find the right words...he was simply speechless.  

"Wow Zoya! You look stunning!" Pooja claimed as Zoya walked down to them, completely obliviously to the effect she was having on Aditya.

Zoya smiled, "Thank you..." She said. Zoya then turned to see Aditya staring at her, and her nervousness returned. His eyes were always so expressive. It's like he was speaking a thousand words without really saying them to her.

Zoya felt herself blushing again as butterflies scattered in her stomach. Why was she feeling like this? It's like every time Aditya looked at her like that...she felt like she was the only person in the room. What changed between them?

Their moment was interrupted when Roshnaq called out to Zoya. "Zoya beta! Come here!" Giving Aditya one final glance, Zoya walked over to Roshnaq, with Pooja following her. Roshnaq was seated with Anjana, Noor, and few other ladies putting on mehendi.

Zoya took a seat next to Roshnaq and a girl started to apply mehendi on Zoya's hands. "Ache se laga na...Zoya ki pehli karva chaut hai..." Roshnaq said to the girl, proudly looking at Zoya. Zoya smiled at her mother and let the girl do her magic.

Zoya, Noor, and Pooja were engrossed in a conversation when Aditya and Arjun approached the group of ladies.

Anjana saw her two sons approaching and she automatically smiled. "All good?" Anjana asked her sons.

"Yes mom...everything is running smoothly." Arjun replied and sat next to Zoya, admiring her mehendi.

Aditya decided to take a seat next to Anjana on the floor. He stole glances at Zoya and carried on a conversation here and there with some other people sitting in the group. Aditya saw Arjun say something to Zoya and Zoya laughed. She then touched Arjun's nose playfully, leaving a trace of mehendi on it.

The scene brought a smile to Aditya's face. That's when he heard his mother say, "It's nice to see Zoya laugh so openly." Anjana said to Roshnaq. Overwhelmed, Roshnaq simply nodded, agreeing.

"Patha nahin...farmhouse mein kya hua tha ke Zoya ki hassi laut ayi hai" Anjana contemplated. Zoya, Noor, and Pooja exchanged glances and started giggling.

Aditya and Arjun look away, embarrassed because they knew the girls were remembering their lizard incident.

"Ammi...Zoya appi ki hassi ek chipkali ke vajaa se laut ayi hai" Noor teased, causing Arjun to cough nervously and Aditya's eyes bulging out.

"Noor..." Aditya said in a calm voice. Noor refrained from saying any more, never the one to go against her Aditya bhaiya.

But Zoya was a different story. "Yes Anjana maa...did you know how dangerous lizards are? I mean they must be if some people are so scared of it." Zoya said, teasingly, getting a playful twinkle in her eyes.

Aditya raised his eyebrows. "Zoya..." Aditya said in a warning tone. Zoya simple stuck out chin in a rebellious gesture, showing that she wasn't scared.

"Will someone tell us what actually happened?" Anjana asked, not being able to take the suspense any longer.

"Nothing Anjana maa...just...both of your sons are terrified of lizards." Zoya replied casually.

Arjun hid behind Noor, hiding his embarrassed face and Aditya's jaw dropped at Zoya as Roshnaq and Anjana busted out laughing.

"Zoya!" Aditya exclaimed, "Stop it! Or else..."

"Or else what?" Zoya cut Aditya off, " Waise toh college mein bara hero banthe ho...lekin chipkali seh itna darr? Anjana maa I couldn't help but laugh!" Zoya continued her story, completely ignoring Aditya's warnings. Everyone around her was laughing but Arjun and Aditya.

He looked mortified as the ladies laughed at the story. "You are so dead!" Aditya shrieked, jumping up from his seated position on the floor.

Realizing what Aditya was about to do, Zoya yelped and ran, with Aditya in hot pursuit behind her.

Zoya laughed as she dodged Aditya's arms and ran up the stairs. "Zoya!" Aditya yelled after her. He reached out to grab her again and Zoya managed to dodge him again. Zoya didn't know where her feet were taking her, she just focused on out smarting Aditya.

The two childhood friends found themselves in one of the balconies that wrapped around the Hooda mansion. It was already dark out and the only lights in this part of the house were the diyas burning. It was the just the two of them in this part of the house and Zoya's laughter bounced off the dark walls.

"Zoya! I'm going to kill you freckle face!" Aditya yelled, tried to grab her again and again, she dodged him. His words, however, held no fire. He was grinning too, trying to get a hold of Zoya.

"You have to catch me first chicken legs!" Zoya retaliated, and ran around a chair avoiding Aditya.

Aditya anticipated this move and reached out to grab Zoya's shoulder. He got her! Maybe it was the wrong timing...or he the way he grabbed her...he wasn't sure...but he grabbed onto Zoya's pallu instead and it came flying off her shoulder exposing her front, only covered in the halter neck blouse.

Zoya gasped and turned in reflex, her arms automatically covering her front. Time stilled in that moment. The playful atmosphere stopped. The laughter that filled the air was gone.

The air shift around them. Zoya closed her eyes, embarrassed at being so exposed. Her arms covered her front and she couldn't even pick up her fallen pallu due to her mehendi still being wet. She couldn't imagine what Aditya was thinking at this moment...seeing her like this.

~ Yeh naram naram nasha hai, badhtajaaye...~

Zoya felt it then. Aditya approached her and stood behind her...so close that she felt the warmth of his body against her back. Zoya's heart beat quickened...anticipating his move. But what he did surprised her.

~ Koi pyaar se ghungatiya deta udaaye...~

Aditya reached around her and picked up her pallu. He then put it over her shoulder, his strong arms circled around her. Taking the pallu, Aditya wrapped it around Zoya, securing it and covering her exposed body.

~Ab baawra hua mann jag ho gaya hai roshan...~

He took her breath away...what he did was so extremely sweet...that he took her breath away. When Zoya felt Aditya take a step back, she turned to face him. She half expected Aditya to pass some snide comment...look at her differently...say something vulgar to make light of the situation. But he remained quite. What Zoya did notice, was that Aditya stared into her eyes and didn't wonder down to her body. Not saying anything, Aditya turned around and walked away.

The moon peaked out of the clouds and shone her light into the dark balcony. Zoya stared after Aditya. That simple gesture was worth more than a thousand words. In that moment...Aditya gave her so much respect...and in that moment...she felt beautiful.    

~Yeh nayee nayee suhaagan ho gayee hai teri jogan...~

When Zoya faced Aditya downstairs with the rest of the couples, she looked at his handsome face. She held up the mesh and looked up at the bright moon...and then stared at Aditya through it.

Her heartbeat quickened just looking at him. What was this feeling? Why was he affecting her so?

When Aditya reached for the water and held it to her lips, Zoya sent a silent prayer to the Gods. She prayed for Aditya. She didn't know what the future had in store for her or their marriage...but in that moment...she prayed for Aditya's happiness. Zoya then took a sip of the water and broke her fast. When she looked at Aditya, she smiled at him, and that smile reached her eyes.    

~Koi prem ki pujaarun mandir sajaaye...~

That night, after all the guests have left and the family retired to their own rooms, Zoya stood in front of the vanity mirror and took off her bangles. She then worked on taking off her earrings.

Aditya stood at the entrance of the room, leaning against the door frame admiring Zoya. She was still wearing that sari. She removed one earring and worked on pulling off the other earring. Aditya's fingers itched...what would Zoya do if he removed that earring for her? Aditya smirked at the idea.

Zoya felt his presence before she saw him. She turned and saw Aditya looking at her from the doorway. Aditya pushed off the doorframe and entered their bedroom.

"Kya soch rahe hai?" Zoya asked, trying to keep the atmosphere casual.

"Soch raha hoon..." Aditya began, "...ke tumhare aur kya kya tevar dekhne ko milega." He said, his voice a little teasing.

Zoya frowned, confused, "Kya matlab?" She asked.

Aditya crossed his arms over his chest and looked Zoya up and down. "Tumne aaj pehli baar sari pehni...yeh sari" Aditya said, indicating how sexy the lace looked on her slim form, "...aur tumne aaj vrath bhi rakha...mere liye..." Aditya tilted his head in a flirty manner, "qtil karne ka irada hai kya?"

 ~Saiyyan...~

Zoya felt her heart beat quicken. His voice was soft...husky...and his eyes held a naughty glint in them.

"Aisa kuch nahin hai..." Zoya muttered, avoiding eye contact, "...Anjana maa wanted me to fast...and this sari is a gift from her..." Zoya explained.

Zoya started to walk passed Aditya and he held out his arm, blocking her path.

"Lekin tumne sach mein vrath rakha...aisa kyon?" Aditya asked softly, "Kahin mujhe chaane toh nahin lagi tum?" He teased, a small smile on his lips.

Zoya's eyes slightly widened and a blush crept up on her cheeks. "Kya...kya bol rahe hai aap? Aisa kuch nahin hain..." Zoya stuttered, feeling her face burning up as she looked away.

Aditya grinned at her reaction, "Tum sharmaati bhi ho? Yeh toh mein pehli baar dekh raha hoon..." Aditya continued to tease, loving every bit of the effect he was having on Zoya.

"Aditya...aap pagal ho." Zoya breathed out, trying to brush him off. She walked around Aditya and made her way to the bathroom to change when Aditya's voice called out to her again.

"Zoya." Aditya simply said.

Zoya stopped, she didn't turn, but she was listening. She then felt Aditya walk up to her and lean over so he could whisper in her ear. "Agar qtil karna ho...toh zara dheere se...dekhna...uff bhi nahin karunga..." Aditya whispered into her ear. His voice soft...his words silky smooth...his breath hot on her skin.

Zoya walked away without looking back. Had she looked back, she would have seen the wicked smile on Aditya's handsome face. She simply walked into the bathroom and leaned against the now closed door...her hand over her racing heart.  

~Saiyyan...~