Chapter 34

JCluvs srk

@JCluvs srk

CHAPTER 33

Zoya anxiously knocked on the massive doors of Hooda Mansion. Trying to conceal her excitement, Zoya knocked again impatiently, until she heard someone open the door.

"Zoya babhi?" It was Arjun who answered. Zoya gave Arjun a brilliant smile and engulfed him in a big bear hug.

"Arre...Aap bare ache mood mein hai" Arjun said, grinning as he hugged Zoya back. Zoya entered Hooda mansion, eyes darting left to right...looking for her former childhood nemesis.

"I'm in a very good mood today. I figured it out...I figured it all out!" Zoya replied, her voice holding excitement as her eyes searched for Aditya.

Frustrated that she wasn't able to spot him yet, Zoya turned to Arjun, "Aditya kahan hai? I really need to talk to him."

Arjun's smile fell, "Woh...babhi..." He hesitated, not sure how to break the news...especially now since Zoya finally looked so happy.

Zoya's smile faltered as her heart sank...she got a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach. Seeing Arjun's change in expression, Zoya knew that the news was not good.  

"He's not here babhi...Bhai left last night..." Arjun finally said the dreaded words, wiping the smile off of Zoya's face.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~'

Aditya refilled the water in Mischief's stall. He was large enough to have his own stall, but still young so Aditya kept him close to Sweetheart, who was in the stall right next to Mischief. It was evening time at Hooda ranch and Aditya dismissed the stable hands early. He wanted to be alone while he worked...and tirelessly he worked to keep his mind off his heartache.

Evening went into nightfall. After refilling Mischief's water, Aditya walked to Raja's stall and started grooming him. He refilled the food for Raja and did the same for the other horses. He paid extra care to Layla, for she was now pregnant. Aditya remembered the last time he was here...with Zoya...as they watched Raja and Layla mate. The shooting pain pierced his heart...he missed her.

Trying his best to ignore the pain, Aditya quickly finished replenishing Layla's food and moved on to another task. Sweetheart neighed in that moment and knowing that she was summoning Aditya, he walked over to her stall.

The moment he reached the opening, Sweetheart stuck out her head and nuzzled Aditya's shoulder. Her big brown eyes looked at him sympathetically. She was trying to comfort him...because she knew that Aditya was hurting. Aditya smiled at the sweet gesture. Animals had a way of knowing how you were feeling...and Sweetheart always had a special connection with him.

"I'll be alright girl." Aditya said affectionately and caressed Sweetheart's neck. She neighed in response and bumped his shoulder playfully, causing Aditya to chuckle.

There was a shift in the air and Aditya's chuckle died out. He felt her before he saw her. That flutter in his heart every time she was close. Aditya turned to face the entrance..and true enough...in walked Zoya.

"Zoya..." Aditya breathed. She stood at the entrance, staring at him with those big eyes. They looked tired...but they didn't look sad. Aditya covered his own heartache and casually asked, "What are you doing here?"

Right after Arjun told her that Aditya left, Zoya panicked a little, afraid that she was too late and that she lost Aditya for good. When she asked Arjun where Aditya went, he said that Aditya didn't tell anyone. He just said he needed to get away for a bit. Zoya felt helpless for a moment until she realized that Aditya can only be in one place. She knew Aditya well enough to know where he would be...and Zoya drove tirelessly until she was finally standing in front of him.

"You know...if you wanted to hide...at least go to a less obvious place." Zoya replied, walking further into the stables.

Aditya turned away and pretended to work on something. "I wasn't hiding." He answered gruffly.

"No...you just ran away...coward." Zoya poked, knowing that her words hit a nerve, as it was meant to.

"I did NOT run away." Aditya snapped back, glaring at Zoya.

"No?" Zoya challenged, walking closer to Aditya "...Admit it...you didn't want to see me get back with Yash."

Aditya's eyes sparked, he masked the pain he felt in his heart with anger and clenched his fists. "Are you trying to start a fight?" Aditya asked in a warning tone.

Zoya smirked and stuck out her chin in a challenging gesture, "And what if I am?" Zoya said, placing the bait.

"What if I told you that I called Yash really late last night?" Zoya poked, seeing Aditya clench his jaw in reflex.

Just a little more'' thought Zoya. "What if I told you...that I was with Yash just this morning?" Zoya pushed.

Hook...line...and sink.'' Zoya thought when she saw Aditya's control snap. He grabbed Zoya's arms, colliding her body to his and crushing his mouth on hers. 

He kissed her with fervor and she matched his need with hers. It felt like ages since he last kissed her...touched her...held her. But the moment Aditya realized what he was doing, he pulled away and instantly put some distance between them. Zoya saw the anger vanish from Aditya's eyes and the pain remain.

"Agar Yash se pyaar karti ho toh yahaan kya kar rahi ho? Jao...uske paas...mein nahin rokunga." Aditya said hauntingly, turning away from Zoya.

Zoya's heart clenched, knowing that her words were hurting him, but she continued. "Yes...I did see Yash this morning..." Zoya said. She saw Aditya close his eyes in pain, but she needed to get the words out, "...par sirf yeh bataane ke liye ke hum kissi aur se pyaar karte hai."

Aditya's eyes flew open in surprise as he turned to face Zoya. "Yes...I love someone else..." Zoya said, "...you might know him actually...he's handsome...charming...a fantastic basketball player...but an even better CEO." Zoya said, and knowing that she had Aditya's full attention, she continued, "He's so arrogant...always getting on my nerves...but probably one of the most caring...sweetest guys I've ever known...minus the chicken legs of course." Zoya said.

Aditya's eyes were full of emotion as he listened intently. And Zoya's face turned serious. She took one step towards him.

"Do you remember when you protected me from that man at my Bachelorette party and you got hurt on your arm?" Zoya asked, remembering that moment like it happened yesterday. When Aditya simply nodded, Zoya continued, "tab pehli baar laga...ke aap humesha humara saath denge."

Zoya then took another step towards Aditya, her voice filling with emotion, "Jab aapne humhe woh haar pehna ya tha shaadi se pehle...tab ehsaas hua...ke humare beech ek ajeeb sa raabta hai..."

When Aditya remained quiet, emotions reflecting on his face, Zoya continued, trying to keep her voice steady as she felts tears forming, "Jab aapne humhe woh piano gift kiya tha...tab yeh patha chala...ke aap se acha dost ho hi nahin sakta...agar koi humhe phirse muskurana sika sakta hai...toh woh sirf aap hai..."

Zoya took another step towards Aditya, "Karva Chaut ke din...jab aapne humari sari uthayi thi...tab patha chala...ke humare beech dosti ke saath izzat bhi hai. Jab aapko chot lagti hai...yah aap udaas hote hai...toh humhe bhi dard hota hai...yahaan..." Zoya whispered, placing her hand over her heart. Her tears were flowing freely now, but she continued.

"Arjun aur Noor ke sagayi ke din, jab aapne kul ke haasa tah...tab aisa laga...ke duniya ke saari kushi humare paas hai. Jab aapne humhe uss raat pehli baar chua..." Zoya whispered, she was only a foot away from Aditya now. She could almost hear his heartbeat, "tab yeh dil phirse dhadakna shuru kiya...phirse pyaar mein vishwaas karna seeka..."

~Saiyyan...~

Aditya couldn't resist any longer, he reached out and cupped Zoya's face, wiping away some of her tears, his own eyes filled with emotion. "Jab aapne kal raat humse dur chale gaye teh...tab ehsaas hua...ke aap humse kitna pyaar karte hai...itna pyaar...ke hum aapke aage har gaye..." Zoya whispered.

She let out a little sob and titled her face into his hand, absorbing his warm touch. Aditya's eyes were wet too as he caressed Zoya's face. He felt his heart soar in that moment. She loved him back...she loved him back.

Zoya wrapped her fingers around Aditya's wrists. "Idiot...bathaya kyon nahin?" Zoya scolded softly, "Humhe roka tak nahin...?" Zoya whispered, amazed at how selfless Aditya was.  

Aditya let out a little chuckle amongst the tears, "Yeh bhi bathaana padega...tum khud yeh baat samajh nahin sakti? Freckle face..." Aditya replied affectionately, causing Zoya to giggle in return, even though her eyes remained watery.

~Saiyyan...~

Zoya lifted up her face and let Aditya kiss her again. This time...it was slow...and it was soft. Like they were savoring this moment...savoring each other. When they pulled back, they stared at each through heavy eyes, noses touching. "Let's try this again shall we?" Aditya whispered.

Zoya knew exactly what he meant and let Aditya back her into an empty stall. They slowly undressed each other and laid down on the hay. This time...they knew that they were not going to be interrupted. This time...it was going to be just about them.

Aditya lowered himself to Zoya and kissed her again. He slowly trailed his lips down her neck and kept going. Zoya moaned when he trailed over a sensitive spot. When he used his tongue on her, Zoya lost herself completely. All she felt was Aditya...all she knew was Aditya.

Her hands caressed over his taught muscles and her nails dug into his back, encouraging him. There was a point when Zoya moved on top of Aditya and gave just as much as she took. When he finally filled her, it was like coming home. It was meant to be...and it was meant to last...

After Aditya and Zoya finished making love, they simply laid there, in each other's arms... listening to the sounds of the night. Zoya was sprawled over Aditya's chest as he softly caressed her slim back.   

~ Heere moti...mein na chahun...~

Zoya heard Aditya's steady heart beat, and her own heart beat matched his in return. They synced together. She realized it then, that her heartbeat recognized Aditya's love before she did. That's why it reacted every time he was around. Silly of her to not understand that until now. Zoya lifted herself up and looked down at Aditya, her eyes reflecting the unconditional love she felt in her heart. "Hum aapse ek baat pooche?" Zoya asked. Aditya tucked Zoya's hair behind her ear. "Bolo..." Aditya replied.

"Agar hum wapas nahin aate toh? Toh aap kya karte?" Zoya asked.

Aditya rolled them over until he was ontop, "Aati kaise nahin? Tum par sirf mera haq hai." Aditya replied seriously, his eyes piercing her soul. "Bachpan se tum par sirf mera haq raha hai...tumhari hassi par mera haq hai..". He started, repeating the words he has said to her before, "tumhare neend par mera haq hai..." he said and placed a kiss on her forehead, "...tumhare saanson par mera haq hai..." and kissed her cheek, "...tumhare dhadkano par bhi mera haq hai..." and kissed her other cheek, "aur tumhare rooh par..." He whispered, hovering his lips over Zoya's.

"Sirf aap ka haq hai..." Zoya whispered back, and captured Aditya's lips with hers, sealing the promise with a kiss.

Don't go yet! There is an Epilogue that will be posted!