CHAPTER 32

Zoya tossed and turned in bed. After she heard Aditya's car pull out of the drive way, Zoya ran to her bedroom and cried...she cried until she could cry no more. She now lay in bed trying to catch some sleep...but it wasn't coming. Zoya looked at the clock on the wall...2:30am...

Frustrated, Zoya pushed the blanket off her and sat up. She was restless and sleep was not going to happen. Wrapping a robe around her slim form, Zoya walked out of her bedroom and let her feet carry her to her destination.

The mansion was quiet, indicating that everyone was sound asleep in their chambers. Zoya walked down the dark hallways until she reached her destination...the music room. When Zoya entered and turned on the lights in the room, her eyes automatically fell on the grand black piano...a birthday from her father when she turned 15 years old.

If there was one thing that eased her mind, it was playing the piano. Zoya sat down and traced her fingers over a few chords. The sweet sound easing her troubled mind. She felt exhausted, but despite that, sleep was not coming to her. And she knew why. She knew that she was not able to sleep because her heart was confused.

Did she want to go back to Yash? The question loomed over her as she started playing various tunes. She knew that Yash loved her...but he broke under pressure. He had to make that decision for his mother's health and Zoya couldn't blame Yash for trying to be a good son. Would she go back to him if he asked? Zoya wondered as she swiftly went into the beginning tunes of her favorite song.

~Heere moti main na chaahoo
Main toh chaaho sangam tera...~

She loved playing this song. It was such a beautiful composition...with even more beautiful lyrics. It spoke about unconditional love...the kind of love you have for your soulmate...for the one made for you. Zoya felt the tension on her shoulders release...knot by knot...as the music overtook her.

~Main toh teri saiyyan
Tu hai mera, Saiyyan...Saiyyan...~

Her mind started to clear, as she played the soothing tune. A small smile adorned her lips as she got lost in the chords. She remembered the first time she realized it was love she felt for Yash. It was the first time she felt like this...and it felt wonderful. It felt even more wonderful when he reciprocated. She played this song countless times...but that evening when she played this song...she understood the true meaning of it. Zoya closed her eyes, remembering the memory.

*Flashback*

Zoya saw it then...there was something new in this room. Something she was sure was never there before...it was an all white grand piano. It stood next to the glass wall, the fire dancing off its color.

"You like it?" Aditya asked, his voice low...his question gentle.

Stunned, Zoya turned to stare at Aditya. Her mouth opened to say something...when no words came out...she closed it. 

Aditya smiled and pulled her to the piano. "Common...test it out...play something..." Aditya urged.

*Flashback End*

Zoya's eyes flew open. She wasn't expecting that memory to enter her mind. It was when Aditya gifted her the grand piano. She realized now that it was this moment...that she felt peace for the first time after Yash left. She remembered wanting to smile at Aditya's gesture...and the trouble he went through to get that piano for her. It was so selfless...everything Aditya did for her was so selfless. Zoya closed her eyes again. 

~Tu jo chhoo le pyaar se
Aaraam se mar jau
Aaja chanda bahoo mein
Tujh mein hi gum ho jau...~

*Flashback*

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 then wrapped it around Zoya, securing it and covering her exposed body.

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.

*Flashback End*

~Main tere naam mein kho jau
Saiyyan... Saiyyan...~

Zoya's eyes started glistening as she remembered. There was so much understanding between them. Aditya did things so freely...and he somehow always managed to do what she needed. No one seemed to understand her as well as Aditya. That moment on the balcony was so intimate...nothing happened between them...and yet it was so intimate.

~Heere moti main na chaahoo
Main toh chaahoo samgam tera...~

*Flashback*

"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.

*Flashback End*

It hurt her seeing Aditya like that. Her heart was aching because his was aching. She couldn't see him in pain...which is why she took it upon herself to bring the family together...her family.

~Mein na jaanu...Tu hi jaane...~

*Flashback*

It was at this moment that Zoya looked up and her eyes connected with Aditya's. They held so much intensity in them...so much passion. She didn't know if it was because of the song that was playing...but Aditya was looking at her like it was going to be for the last time.

There was pain in his eyes...Zoya saw it clearly that behind this calm faade...there was pain.

*Flashback End*

~Mein toh teri...Tu hai mera...~

Zoya finished the last tunes of the song as the memory of them dancing was fresh in her mind, and realized that her face was wet with tears. She loved him...she loved Aditya Hooda. Zoya let out a long breath as the realization of it hit her. God...she has been so stupid.

Aditya hasn't been pushing her away. He kept his distance because he wanted her to realize her feelings. That pain she saw in Aditya's eyes as they danced earlier...it was because he loved her too. Aditya was hurting because he knew that he might lose her to Yash. Everything Aditya did for her...he did out of love. That's why all of his acts were so selfless. He never expected anything in return...and that's why he never professed his love to her either. He wanted Zoya to make her own decision...without any pressure...without any obligations. She has been so stupid...

Zoya pushed back from the piano and stood up. She wiped the tears from her face...her eyes clear and her heartbeat steady. She felt the rush in her veins as she picked up her cell phone.

"Hello?" The male voice said in the other end of the line.

"Yash?" Zoya spoke, "Can you meet me tomorrow?" she asked.

There was a pause on the other side before Yash spoke, "Yes...11:00am at the coffee house?"

"That's perfect." With that said, Zoya hung up the phone. She looked at the clock and saw that it was 3:00am. Knowing that she will not be sleeping anymore tonight, Zoya went up to her room and waited for the sun to rise.

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Yash entered the coffee shop and saw Zoya sitting in a corner table. He approached her cautiously and sat on the seat right across from her.

"Hi..." Yash said awkwardly.

Zoya simply smiled at him and greeted him in return. It felt nice to see Yash. It was comfortable. And the best part was that it no longer hurt.

Seeing the genuine greeting on Zoya's face, Yash felt himself relax. There was an awkward silence between them, until Zoya finally decided to speak, "How are you?"

"Good..." Yash replied, "I'm in town for another 2 weeks before I go back for the start of the basketball season."

"Congratulations by the way..." Zoya said genuinely, "It's always been your dream to play professional basketball." The elephant in the room returned. That was the reason Yash left Zoya on their wedding day. Given that the decision was made for his mother's health, but it still didn't change the fact that Yash left without telling Zoya what was going on.

"Ummm...Sorry for calling you so late last night. I didn't realize the time until I got off the phone with you." Zoya said.

Yash said, "It's ok...I wasn't sleeping..." there was another awkward pause, "...I was actually thinking about us...about you...neend churana koi tumse seekhe." Yash said.

Zoya's eyes shot to Yash. She didn't respond, so Yash took this opportunity to place his hand over Zoya's on the table. "Zoya...I'm so sorry for what I did. But I was helpless...Maa needed me and I saw no other option. Please give me another chance? Finance will never be a problem for me anymore...I can take care of my family...and I want you to be a part of that family." Yash voiced.

Zoya listened intently and the only words that left her was, "Neend churana koi bari baath nahin hai Yash...saansein chura loon...toh baat hai." Zoya pulled away her hand from Yash, "...dhadak te dil ki betaabiyaan chura loon...toh baat hai..." when Yash gave Zoya a confused look, Zoya simply continued to repeat the words Aditya said to her, "...rooh ki tapish chura loon...toh baat hai..." Zoya took a sip of her coffee, "...Yeh baat aap nahin samjoge..." Zoya finished cryptically.

Zoya then gave Yash a sweet smile, "I never wanted wealth from you Yash...I was happy. Humne aapse sache dil se pyaar kiya...aur hum kabhi aapka bura nahin chahenge...aapne humhe pyaar karna sikaya...lekin pyaar ko nibhaana?...humne Aditya se seekha." Zoya said.

She saw the hurt look on Yash's face, and placed her hand over his now in a comforting gesture. "Please don't take this the wrong way. I'm not saying this to hurt you...or to take revenge on you for leaving me on our wedding day. Yes...it hurt...but I understand why you did it. I can't blame you for being a good son. You are a good son." Zoya comforted, "...But I learned that loving someone isn't enough to be someone's life partner. There has to be respect. I know you love me...but you lacked the strength to tell me the truth when it mattered most. You didn't give me the respect by telling me the truth. I'm sorry Yash...but I'm staying with Aditya." Zoya said, her voice steady. It felt amazing to say those words...to say it without any doubts...and with such clarity.  

"Pyaar karti ho usse?" Yash asked.

Zoya's face blossomed with a smile, her eyes sparkling, "Sabse zyaada." She replied without hesitation.  

Yash smiled back at her, knowing that he lost his chance with her, but genuinely happy that Zoya found love again. "Sunn kar accha laga...I wish you all the best Zoya...you deserve it." Yash said, a kind look on his face, "...He really is a great guy."

Zoya nodded in agreement, "He is the best."

After they parted ways, Zoya stepped outside and breathed in the fresh air. It's like the weight she has been carrying lifted...and she was finally free. Zoya smiled and lifted her face up at the beautiful sky. So this is what it felt like...to have her heart beating again.

In the remote village, Sakshi felt the air shift around as she spun around in joy. "Arre Sakshi tu pagal ho gayi hai kya!?" an elder lady yelled seeing her friend spinning and laughing.

"Haan haan mein pagal ho gayi hoon!" Sakshi said. She went up to her friend and took her by the arms. "Usska dil phirse dhadak ne laga hai! Woh phirse pyaar karne lagi hai...aur iss bhar sacha wala pyaar!" Sakshi laughed and spun her friend with her.

The smile still plastered on her face, Zoya got into her car and drove to her next destination...Hooda Mansion. 

"Woh deewani samaj gayi hai...ke uski saiyyan humesha se uske saamne tha..woh bas iss baath ko dekh nahin paa rahi thi." Sakshi said, her voice strong, her words clear.

Zoya felt the air brush her air as she drove to Aditya...as she drove to her soulmate. Another smile bloomed on her pretty face as the excitement bubbled in her heart.

"Woh pagli toh pehle bhi pyaar karti thi...lekin iss bar...woh pagalo wali mohabat kare gi...iss bhar...woh behintaa...bepannaah mohabat kare gi...aisi mohabat...jiske baare mein likha jaate hai...aisi mohabat..jo ithehaas ban jaata hai... Sakshi said as her words were carried away by the winds. She laughed and spun around again in joy.    

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Here you go guys! enjoy! and again thank yo SOOO much for still reading this and giving so much love to it. can't wait to read comments!