Chapter 26

JCluvs srk

@JCluvs srk

CHAPTER 25

Zoya stood in Harshvardhan uncle's cabin at Hooda Hotels Headquaters. Anjana, Aditya, Arjun, and Zoya were all there with Harsh sitting in his chair. The Hooda men were all dressed in sharp suits. Today, Aditya will be presenting to the board members as future CEO of Hooda Hotels. He will put forth his ideas and the direction he would want to lead the empire to.

The family decided that they will put forward a united front after the whole adoption scandal. This will show everyone, blood or not, Aditya was the heir to Hooda Hotels.

Aditya was nervous. Zoya was able to tell with his demeanor. He was awfully quiet...and his posture was stiff...tense.

"It's time for the meeting." Harshvardhan said, and stood up. One by one, they exited the cabin to walk to the conference room.

As Harshvardhan, Anjana, and Arjun exited the cabin, Zoya reached out for Aditya's hand and stopped him. He turned and gave her a curious look. He was wearing a grey suit that fitted him to the T. He looked sharp...every bit the business tycoon. Zoya reached out, and straightened out his tie. The tie wasn't crooked, but Zoya felt herself wanting this moment with him before the big meeting.

Aditya stared at Zoya, not saying anything. The simple gesture was so sweet. His heart soared. Every time Zoya reached out to him...his heart soared.

"Good luck today..." Zoya said, looking up at Aditya. "Aur yaad rakna...Aap Aditya hai...Aditya Hooda. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise." She said, giving him encouragement.

Aditya smiled as his tense shoulder's loosened. He reached out for Zoya's hand, lifted it to his lips, and placed a gentle kiss on her knuckles. "Thank you..." Aditya murmured, holding on to Zoya's hand for a little while longer. She knew that he was nervous, and those were the exact words he needed to hear to dissolve his tension.   

When they entered the conference room together, Aditya was still holding on to Zoya's hand. Zoya gave his hand one final squeeze and let go. As Aditya walked to the front of the conference room, Zoya stood next to Arjun.

As Aditya faced the board members, ready to start his presentation, Zoya murmured to Arjun, "I'm a little nervous..."

"Don't be Bhabi...Bhai was made for this..." Arjun replied, watching his big brother, "He'll slay them.

And slay he did. Aditya Hooda blew away the board members with his presentation. He spoke about expanding the business to other parts of the world, how to cater to the crowd keeping the different cultures in mind, how to maintain the luxury. He may not have been born a Hooda, but he sure knew how to run the business as one. Anyone who had doubts about Aditya's capabilities as the future CEO was eating their words.

When the presentation ended, Harshvardhan went up to Aditya and hugged him, extremely proud of his son. A few board members shook Aditya's hand and officially welcomed him into the team. Since Aditya was still finishing his studies, he will come to Hooda Hotels on the weekends and learn the ropes. A few more people shook his hands and introduced themselves.

Amongst the craze, Aditya looked passed everyone and saw Zoya standing towards the back of the room, giving him a wide smile. He grinned back at her. He felt accomplished, like he took his first step into earning this role that was gifted to him by his parents. And the icing on the cake was that Zoya was there, looking at him proudly.

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That night, Aditya closed one of the many files his father handed him and leaned back in his chair. He was currently in his study room. After the meeting, the Hooda family came back home and Aditya asked for the files to various Hooda Hotel locations. He went straight to his study and started reviewing the ins and outs of each location.

It's been a couple of hours since he started working. His suit jacket and tie was tossed over one of the seats and he had his shirt sleeves rolled to his elbows. He tirelessly worked, only taking a break to eat, and didn't realize that it was almost midnight.

Just that moment, Zoya entered the study and placed a cup of coffee in front of him.

Grateful, Aditya thanked her and took a sip of the much needed caffeine. Zoya leaned on the side of his study table and looked at the scattered paperwork and files. "Almost done?" Zoya asked.

"Hmm...Almost..." Aditya replied, "Just a few more files to go."

"How much longer do you think it'll take?" Zoya asked casually.

Aditya contemplated, "Maybe an hour? Maybe two? Why?" he asked.

He saw Zoya give a quick glance at the piano and understood. "You can play if you want...I don't mind." Aditya said, smiling when Zoya gave him a surprised look.

How did he know? How did he always know what she was thinking? Her fingers were itching to play but she knew he was working in here and didn't want to bother him.

"No...I know you are busy..." Zoya began to protest.

"Zoya...don't be silly." Aditya said, brushing her off, "This room is yours too...and I like hearing you play...I don't mind." He said, smiling.

Zoya looked at the piano and then back at Aditya, "Are you sure?" she asked again, hesitantly.

Aditya gave her a sweet smile, "Yes..." a naughty glint then entered his eyes, "I can tolerate you for an hour." He said smartly, laughing when Zoya punched his shoulder.

Not taking any offense, Zoya made her way to the piano and sat down. She didn't start playing right away, however. She watched as Aditya shuffled some paperwork and tried to find the right words to voice what she was thinking, and figured that simple was best.  

"Aditya...thank you..." Zoya said.

Aditya stopped what he was doing and gave Zoya a confused look, "For what? For letting you play?" Aditya asked.

"No...for letting me help you...for telling me what you were feeling...for...trusting me..." Zoya replied, taking Aditya off guard. Aditya told Zoya exactly how he was feeling when the news of his adoption was revealed. He didn't hide anything. He let her comfort him...and he let her help him. She didn't realize how much that meant to her. When Yash and she were together...it hurt when he didn't share his problems with her. Yash wasn't honest with her about his dilemma, and in the end...that's what ended their relationship.

From then till now, Aditya only helped her. And this time around, Zoya was able to help Aditya too. Aditya let Zoya help him. And she was grateful for being given this opportunity. She was treated like an equal...and that meant a lot to her.  

Aditya looked at Zoya, his eyes intense. "Mein Yash nahin hoon Zoya...Tum mere sabse kareeb ho...mein tumse kabhi kuch chupaoonga nahin."

Those words shot straight to Zoya's heart. She looked at Aditya, his words taking her breath away. She felt her heart swell at those words. He said it so simply...without hesitation...and she believed him. Not trusting herself to say anything back to Aditya, Zoya simply placed her fingers on the piano keys and started to play.

The sweet tune filled the air and Aditya went back to reading. The music surrounded both of them...and it truly was a beautiful moment as Zoya played effortlessly and Aditya continued to work.

Sakshi danced in circles. Her heart was soaring and she expressed her happiness the only way she knew how...by dancing with her whole heart.

"Arre Sakshi tu pagal ho gayi hai kya!?" A lady wearing rajasthani attire yelled at the woman in question. Sakshi ignored her and continued to spin, her black gaghra twirling around her, the working on the skirt glinting under the pale moonlight.

"Arre Sakshi!" Another lady yelled.

Sakshi stopped and laughed, feeling the rush of blood in her veins. These women will never understand...they will never understand this feeling.

"Aaj mein dil khol keh nachoongi!" Sakshi yelled, "Aaj pehli baar...woh pagli neh apne saiyyan ke liye mohabat ka pehla ehsaas mehsoos kiya. Aaj pehli baar...woh apne dil ki dadhkan samaj rahi hai. Woh samaj rahi hai...ke mohabat sirf ek doosre ka saath nahi hai...mohabat izzat hai...ek doosre ke liye izzat...ishq ek mannat hai...apne saiyyan ko humesha kush dekhne ki mannat. Aur pyaar?...Pyaar sachayi hai...joh paani ki taara saaf hai...aur ussme apne saajan ki perchayi humesha dikayi deti hai."

Sakshi grabbed her companion by her arms and gave a brilliant smile, "Haan...yeh baat aur hai ke woh ab tak yeh samaj nahin paa rahi hai ke usse ishq hua hai. Woh pagli toh sirf ek rishta nibha rahi hai. Lekin woh yeh nahin jaanti...ke prem ka asli rang kitna gehra hota hai...aur woh rang jab dil pe chade ga naa...toh woh deewani apne aap ko rok nahin paye gi..."