Chapter 25
CHAPTER 24
Zoya looked at Aditya's side profile as he drove. They were almost at Hooda mansion. When Harshvardhan uncle called that night, he didn't reveal much over the phone. He just said that something urgent as come up and Aditya needs to return as soon as possible. It was clear that something was terribly wrong. Harsh sounded extremely nervous and as a result, Aditya and Zoya have been tense ever since the phone call. They grabbed their belongings and left immediately, driving through the night.
Zoya's thoughts went to what happened before the phone call, and her face automatically flushed. That was...something. Zoya had never experienced anything like that in her whole life...never. It was so...crazy. With Yash...it was always sweet and soft. But with Aditya...Zoya thought, her heartbeat increasing at the mere thought of it...it was hot...fast...passionate...and just plain crazy. She felt...desired...and it was a good feeling.
And those words he spoke to her... "tum par sirf mera haq hai"...did he mean it? He was angry...but did he really mean those words? Zoya won't deny the attraction that was between her and Aditya...but what he said just made their relationship so much deeper than attraction. Was she even ready for something deeper?
Just as the first rays of the rising sun peaked through the dark night, they pulled up the Hooda drive way. Zoya and Aditya exited the vehicle and as Zoya turned, about to walk towards the entrance of the house when Aditya's voice stopped her.
"Zoya..." Aditya said, breaking Zoya away from her thoughts.
"Hmm?" She asked, turning and facing Aditya, indicating that he had her attention.
"About last night..." Aditya began, trying to find the right words. What happened between them completely blew his mind away. But he definitely wasn't expecting to jump her like that. It was so unexpected and he wanted to make sure that he didn't scare her.
"I'm sorry..." Aditya uttered, not sure what else to say.
Zoya frowned, surprised that she felt insulted at his apology. Did he regret their kiss last night? Did he regret all those words?
Seeing the look on Zoya's face Aditya instantly knew that he said the wrong thing. When Zoya turned to walk away, Aditya grabbed her hand. "No!" He said, making her stop. "That's not how I meant it."
When Zoya turned to face Aditya again, he let out a frustrated breath and held on to Zoya's hand tighter. "I just...I was just in a really bad mood...and I'm sorry that I was rough...I never wanted our first kiss to be...like that...I don't want to scare you..." Aditya trailed off, trying to be careful with his words this time around.
Zoya's breath caught at his words. Their first kiss...hearing him say it only made it more real. "Aditya...you didn't scare me...I...don't regret it..." Zoya said, her face flushing when she said those words.
A gleam entered Aditya's eyes hearing those words. "Yea?" He asked, liking her response. Aditya gently tugged on Zoya's hand, pulling her to him. When Zoya didn't stop him, Aditya wrapped his arms around her waist and held her. Automatically, Zoya placed her hands on Aditya's arms and stared at his smug expression.
It didn't annoy her. Now days...nothing about Aditya seemed to annoy her. A few months ago, Zoya would have scoffed at how arrogant Aditya was...but now...she found his side of him charming. She found his possessiveness charming...this was another revelation...and she didn't know how process this new development.
"Aditya...?" Zoya said, "humare beech...yeh kya ho raha hai...?" she asked softly, so confused at what she was feeling right now. She already accepted the fact that she was insanely attracted to Aditya...but these tender moments between them confused her...what he said to her in the heat of the moment confused her.
"Tumhe nahin pata?" Aditya replied smoothly, as if he knew all the answers to this puzzle she was struggling with. He was falling for her. Aditya knew in his heart that he was falling for Zoya. This wasn't just friendship for him anymore...or even attraction...he was falling in love.
Zoya stared at Aditya. The way he was looking at her...it was not just desire Zoya saw in Aditya's eyes...there was something deeper. What it was...Zoya wasn't able to decipher.
When Zoya opened her mouth to reply, they heard the front door to Hooda mansion open. The moment interrupted, Zoya and Aditya pulled apart in time to see Arjun come out.
"Bhai...aap aa gaye..." Arjun said. Aditya and Zoya instantly noticed that Arjun was not his jovial self. His face was extremely tense. Arjun reached Aditya and engulfed him in a tight hug.
Aditya looked at Zoya, a worried look passing between them. "Arjun...kya hua?" Aditya asked, extremely concerned.
Not saying anything, Arjun simply led Aditya and Zoya into the living room. There, Harshvardhan and Anjana sat. The atmosphere was extremely tense. When Aditya and Zoya entered the room with Arjun, Harshvardhan and Anjana stood up.
Aditya felt a heavy feeling in his gut...something was extremely wrong.
"Aditya..." Anjana said, not able to say anything further.
"Maa...papa...kya hua?" Aditya asked his parents, getting a sinking feeling with each passing second.
Aditya and Zoya noticed it then. The living room TV was on the news channel.
"Breaking news! World renowned hotelier Harshvardhan Hooda's eldest son, Aditya Hooda, is actually not a Hooda. He is adopted! Look at this adoption document. An insider from Hooda Hotels released his document and it clearly states that Harshvardhan and Anjana Hooda adopted their first son. Does this mean that Aditya Hooda no longer will become the CEO of Hooda Hotels? Stayed tuned as we get more information on this!" The reporter said as the camera panned out.
Aditya stepped back, his world staggering. Shocked, Aditya stared at the TV screen and then back at his parents. No...it can't be true...
Aditya looked at his father, his eyes holding a million questions. "This isn't true...right papa? Media toh kuch bhi bhol te rethe hai..." Aditya said, not wanting to believe it. Harsh looked down, not being able to look Aditya in the eye.
Aditya turned to his mother, "Maa aap toh kuch kahiye...keh dijiye keh yeh jhoot hai...Sab jhoot hai!" Aditya pleaded, his own eyes watering and his voice breaking. Anjana closed her eyes and let out a sob.
Aditya desperately looked from Harshvardhan to Anjana, and when neither was able to look at him in the eye...he knew...he knew that this was not a rumor. He was adopted.
Aditya took a step back. His heart breaking into a million pieces. He was lied to his whole life...and he felt betrayed.
"Aditya?" Anjana questioned, seeing Aditya taking a step back.
Aditya took another step back...he needed distance...he needed to think.
Zoya stood to the side, her own eyes wet. She couldn't imagine what Aditya was feeling at this moment. "Aditya?" she questioned when she saw Aditya not respond to Anjana. Her eyes frowned in confusion when Aditya took another step back.
Aditya gave his parents' one last look and turned to leave. "Aditya!" Anjana and Harshvardhan called out. Arjun and Zoya looked on stunned at the scene unfolding before them. Not stopping, Aditya walked out.
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The next day, Harshvardhan, Anjana, Arjun, and Zoya were sitting at the dining table as lunch was being served. Wasim, Roshnaq, and Noor were also seated at the dining table. They had arrived first thing in the morning when Harshvardhan informed them that Aditya now knew the truth. No one slept a wink last night and no one had much of an appetite either. Aditya never returned home last night and there was still no sign of him.
The room was extremely quiet because no one knew what to say. When Anjana let out a soft sob, the quietness of the room shattered. Harshvardhan stood up and placed a comforting hand on Anjana's shoulder. Arjun, Zoya, and Noor looked at each other, not knowing what to say or do. It came as a shock to them that Aditya was adopted. It was clear that this had taken place before either of them was born.
"How did they find out?" Anjana sobbed quietly, "We were so careful...how did anyone find out?"
Harshvardhan tried to hold in his own tears. Expect for Anjana, him, Wasim, and Roshnaq, no one knew of this secret. "I kept a copy of the adoption papers in my office safe...someone must have somehow seen that and made a copy...but who?" Harshvardhan replied, trying to make sense of the situation.
"Is there anyone who you made an enemy of? Someone who isn't happy with Hooda Hotels?" Wasim questioned.
Realization hit Harshvardhan then, "Rajveer Khanna..." Harshvardhan murmured, "He was upset when I declared Aditya as the next CEO...and I asked him to leave. He threatened me but I never thought he would find actual proof..." Harshvardhan said, it all making sense now. Rajveer somehow must have gotten a hold of the adoption paperwork and released it to the media. There was no other explanation for this.
The door to the dining room opened and in walked Aditya. Everyone stood up and Anjana rushed to Aditya and hugged him. "Aditya! Kaha tha beta? I was so worried!" Anjana gushed, relief showing on her tear stained face.
Aditya half heartedly hugged his mother and Anjana could instantly sense that something was wrong. When Anjana pulled away and stared at Aditya's emotionless face, her heart sank.
Aditya turned to stare at his father as Harsh took a step towards him. "Aditya?" Harshvardhan questioned, not sure what was going through Aditya's mind.
"Papa...I don't want to be CEO." Aditya declared.
"What?" Harshvardhan exclaimed as everyone else in the roomed gasped. "Aditya..." Harshvardhan started to argue but Aditya cut him off. "Nahin papa...I'm not a Hooda...so it doesn't make sense for me to become the CEO of Hooda Hotels." Aditya said, his voice hollow.
Aditya then turned to look at Arjun, "Uss par sirf Arjun ka haq hai." Aditya said.
"Lekin Bhai..." Arjun started to argue, but when Aditya lifted his hand up, Arjun immediately stopped.
Aditya then turned to face his parents, "My decision is final." With that said, Aditya left the living room, leaving everyone stunned.
"This is crazy!" Harshvardhan exclaimed, to no one in particular. Everyone was still reeling from what had just taken place.
Arjun clenched his fists, anger evident on his handsome face. The pain he saw on his big brother's face was unbearable. Arjun turned to face Harshvardhan, "Papa...just say the word...and I will personally take care of Rajveer Khanna..." Arjun said, his voice low, only hinting at his suppressed anger.
In that moment, Arjun despised Rajveer Khanna. He was the reason his big brother was hurting. Noor placed a comforting hand on Arjun's shoulder, trying to calm his temper.
"Nahin beta..." Harshvardhan replied, "Iss waqt humare liye Aditya koh manana sabse zyaada zaroori hai. Rajveer koh hum baadh mein dekh lenge." Harshvardhan reasoned.
During this interaction, no one noticed that Zoya had quietly slipped out of the room. When she entered Aditya and her bedroom, Aditya was standing by the balcony door, looking out at the garden view. Even with his back to Zoya, she was able to tell that he was hurting.
Zoya's heart clenched and she went with instinct. She walked up to Aditya and wrapped her arms around him, hugging him from behind and placing her cheek on his tense shoulder. When Aditya didn't pull away, Zoya hugged him tighter.
Aditya closed his eyes, feeling himself weakening, so he pulled away and put some distance between them. When he turned to look at Zoya, his eyes were glistening with unshed tears. He looked miserable...and sad...so very sad.
"Aditya..." Zoya whispered, "...why did you do that?" she asked. Zoya felt her heart ache when Aditya continued to look at her with those sad eyes.
"How can I become the CEO of Hooda Hotels? I'm not a Hooda. I can't take this away from Arjun...this all belongs to him." Aditya closed his eyes, his emotions getting the better of him as he felt tears escape his eyes.
"For the first time...I don't know who I am" Aditya whispered, "Mein raat bar sochta raha...mein kahan se aaya hoon...mera asli naam kya hai? Pehli baar...mein khud ko pehchaan nahi pah raha hoon..." Aditya went on. The pain he felt in his chest was unbearable. "Mein kaun hoon Zoya?" He asked.
Zoya's own eyes were wet. She didn't have an answer for him and she has never seen Aditya like this. Aditya was always so confident, always so good at everything he did. But the man standing before her now was lost...and he was broken.
Zoya couldn't see Aditya like this. All she wanted to do was take his pain away...like he did with her.
When Zoya approached Aditya, she placed her hands on either sides of his face and looked him straight in the eye, "I don't care what anyone else says, you are my husband. Aap Aditya hai...Aditya." Zoya said, her voice strong and steady.
When Aditya stayed quiet, Zoya continued, "Aap izzaat hai...apne maa aur papa ka. Aap prerna hai...apne chote bhai ka. Aur humare liye...Aap himmat hai..."
~Main toh teri...Saiyyan...~
Zoya didn't know what came over her, but she continued, "Aditya...jab Yash neh humhe mandap peh chod diya tha...toh aapna humhe sambhala. aapne hunhe phirse zindagi se milaya. Hum nahin jaante keh aapka asli naam kya hai...lekin aap mere liye Aditya hai. Woh insaan...jisne bina kuch soche...bina kuch samjhe...humse shaadi ki. Humhe zaleel hone se bachaya."
~Tu hai mera...Saiyyan...~
Aditya was mesmerized by Zoya's words. The storm he has been feeling inside him started to calm.
"Aapka naam kuch bhi ho...aapki sachayi mein achi tara se pehchaan thi hoon. Joh aapne humare liye kiya...woh koi aur nahin kar sakta. Yeh baath humesha yaad rakna...aap humare liye humesha Aditya hi rahenge." Zoya concluded. It was like something divine had entered Zoya when she said those words to Aditya. She wanted to take all his pain away, and so everything she said, came straight from her heart.
~Saiyyan...~
Aditya sighed and lowered his forehead to Zoya's. The anguish he was feeling lessened. This time when Zoya wrapped her arms around Aditya, he returned the hug and held on tight.
~Saiyyan...~
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When nightfall came, Aditya woke up from sleep when he felt someone gently shake him. He opened his sleepy eyes to see Zoya looking down at him.
"Zoya? What happened?" Aditya asked, sitting up. Zoya didn't say anything; she simply took his hand and pulled him up.
"Zoya?" Aditya asked again, confused by Zoya's behavior. "Shhh..Just follow me." Zoya simple said, and pulled Aditya out of their bedroom.
They quietly walked through the dark hallways of the Hooda mansion, the moonlight the only thing giving them light from the large windows. This moment felt exactly like the time Aditya woke Zoya in the middle of the night. That time, Zoya was in pain and he lead Zoya to his study, gifting her the piano.
True enough, Zoya stopped in front of Aditya's study and opened the door to enter. Inside, Aditya saw that Harshvardhan and Anjana sat on one of the couches as Arjun stood to the side.
The room was dim, with the fire crackling in the back...playing off the shadows of the room. When Aditya hesitated, Zoya pulled Aditya further into the room. Zoya decided to take matter into her own hands when Aditya was sleeping. She asked Harshvardhan, Anjana, and Arjun to be in the study and promised that she would bring Aditya to them.
"Adi...please...sit." Anjana said, and placed a hand on the empty seat next to her. Obeying, Aditya walked over and sat next to Anjana. Zoya on the other hand, walked over and stood next to Arjun.
Aditya didn't say a word, but when he turned to face his mother, he noticed it then, the faded cloth Anjana was holding.
Anjana caressed the cloth in her hands and began, "Bohut purani baath hai...Your father and I had been married for a few years, but for some reason, we were not blessed with a child. But we never lost hope...humne bahut mannat maange...sache dil se prathna kiya..."
The room was quiet, expect for Anjana's voice. It's like she was far away, remembering the past like it was yesterday. "One day, your father and I were returning from a trip, when I saw a church in the distance. Patha nahin kyon...lekin ek dor tha...jo mujhe keech raha tha. Mehne zid parkar li...keh mujhe church ke andar jaana hai. When your father and I went inside the church, I thought...why not pray here too?"
Anjana and Harshvardhan smiled at the memory. It happened such a long time ago, but the memory still so fresh in their minds. "I heard it then...a baby was crying." Anjana lovingly caressed the faded cloth, "there you were...probably no older than a day. Wrapped in this cloth and left at the front."
When Anjana's voice cracked with emotion, Harshvardhan decided it was his turn to speak, "We talked to the people in the church, tried to see if we can find your parents...but no one knew. Then the most amazing thing happened, when Anjana was holding you, you reached out and grabbed her finger."
"Uss waqt patha chala...ke maa hone ka ehsaas kya hota hai..." Anjana murmured, remembering that moment. "I decided in that moment...that you were mine." Aditya intently listened at the story, his emotions reflected in his eyes as he looked at his parents.
"Uss din se...teri har saans...har aahat ko pehchaanti hoon. Bhale log kahe ke tu mera khoon nahin hai...lekin mein jaanti hoon...humara rishta dil ka rishta hain. Aur kismat dekho humari...jab tu humare zindagi mein aaya...kuch saal baadh...Arjun bhi aa gaya. Tere aane se, iss parivar ka soonapan mit gaya. Log kuch bhi kahe...tu humara beta hai...iss ghar ka bada beta.Yeh baat tu kabhi mat bhoolna." Anjana placed a hand on Aditya's head, and he broke. Aditya buried his face on his mother's shoulder and held on tight. Knowing that her son has returned to her, Anjana held onto Aditya and let her own tears fall freely.
On the other of the room side, Zoya wiped her tears at the scene before her. She turned to Arjun and gave him a brilliant smile. Arjun's own eyes were glistening with tears.
"This was possible only because of you..." Arjun said to Zoya, "Adi bhai ko sahi raasta...apne dikhaya."
Zoya smiled when Aditya let go of Anjana and hugged Harshvardhan next. "He did the same for me." Zoya replied simply.
Arjun looked at Zoya, his emotions high. Did either of them know how beautiful their relationship had become? Neither Aditya nor Zoya hesitated when it came to protecting the other. If one was hurting...the other felt it too. And they didn't stop until their smile returned. Yea...it really was beautiful to watch.
Zoya saw Arjun staring at her and gave him a questioning look, "Kya soch rahe ho Arjun?" Zoya asked.
"Mein soch raha hoon...keh aaj aapko bhabi bulane ka mann bahut kar raha hai." Arjun replied sweetly. And it was true...she was always his elder sister...but today, she was no longer his Zoya di...she was his Zoya bhabi.
Zoya looked at Arjun, stunned and not sure how to respond to the title. Arjun looked at her sweetly...and with new found respect. What surprised Zoya was that she didn't feel awkward with the title...it felt nice. She was part of the Hooda family now, and this title only solidified the deal. And you know what?...She was actually ok with that.
"Sirf ek sharth par..." Zoya began, keeping a straight face. She then gave Arjun a brilliant smile, "Aap aaj se sirf Aditya ka chota bhai nahin...humara devar bhi hai."
Arjun's face split into a wide grin, "Babhi ka hukum...sar aakhon par." Arjun said, and bowed a little for a dramatic effect. Zoya giggled and embraced Arjun. They were soon joined by Aditya, Harshvardhan, and Anjana. Anyone was able to tell that it was an emotional moment.
for those who actually guessed the adoption angle! i hope this track is not too out there...i needed to add in a story line where zoya is adi's strength...she needs to start proving herself worthy of adi too...which is why this angle was needed in the story. i'll get to your comments in a bit! thank you so so much for reading guys! Your reaction
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