Toxic ~ Even if we can't be together in the end - Chapter 23 Up ! - Page 39

Originally posted by: netflix

This story is so fresh and amazing... love it

Originally posted by: trikey

Hey! I've been meaning to write this reply for a long time now but something always comes up and I forget 😛 But I want to thank you for writing Toxic! 😊 It is honestly one of the most beautiful pieces I've read in a long long time. Believe me when I say that I can visualize Adi and Zoya when I'm reading, I can feel their characteristics and the nuances that make them. The scene when Zoya tells Adi that she's pregnant has my whole damn heart. I read that part when I was sitting in the library one day and I ended up half smiling, half crying like a fool. I have never ever watched or followed an Indian TV show before. I watched a few episodes of Iss Pyaar Ko and Ek Haazaron Mein because my friends forced me, I joined India forums after that to read a fanfiction but never really came here after that. I came across Bepannaah's opening montage on my social media one day and I was intrigued, I never knew Indian TV did these kind of shows! I am obsessed with the show now and I am in love with AdiYa and JenShad (I cannot stop thinking about Harshad Chopda its become a problem I swear 😛) My heart broke when the show ended today. Sorry I'm ranting, the point is, I really hope you continue writing because that way I'll still feel connected to the show, as if its still part of my life. You have a beautiful flair for writing and Adi's and Zoya's characters in Toxic are the most alluring characters I've seen in ages. So thank you! ❤️And sorry for the super long rant 😛

Originally posted by: adventure_gurl

😃 beautiful update! They say if you let the one you love and they return to you, that you are meant to be!😛

Chapter 20

Barely even friends

Then somebody bends

Unexpectedly

Just a little change

Small to say the least

Both a little scared

Neither one prepared

~ Beauty and the Beast

Aditya's POV

"I let you go, why haven't you left yet ?"

She sucked in a heavy breath and moisture filled her eyes. Her voice was soft but strong, lyrical but brave "Because I want to be your everything, just like you became mine"

Before I could reply the train came to a screeching halt on the next station. I shoved the phone in my pocket, picked up her luggage in one hand and twined her fingers in other. "Let's go" She nodded in consent. We got down on the platform and hailed a cab to get back to Aloha station.

Two emotions battled inside me as we drove back where she belonged - with me, in Aloha : uncertainty and excitement. I won the battle I had been fighting for five days - I made Zoya give in. But at what cost ? I could no longer read her. She was wound too tightly - fighting her own demons. My chest squeezed, not because she looked destroyed but because she hardly showed any emotion. As though she had buried all the pain and frustration so deep inside herself that she hardly knew how to access it. Want to talk about it ? I wanted to ask. But instinctively knew that she didn't - knew that she had already betrayed more than she wanted to.

Because I want to be your everything, just like you became mine.

I smile. She would talk about it when she was ready.

"Where were you going ?" I knew where she was going but I wanted to hear it.

Oh, c'mon did you really think that I adhere to the if you love someone set them free' crap ? Firstly, I did not lock her in a cage. So where's the talk of magnanimously letting her go away from me ? It was a contract - that's why I released her from that. But, if you expect me to let her go out there, bang other guys while I sit here with my fingers crossed you don't know me at all. And secondly, what's with the sad, pitiful over-romanticized waiting. Been there for eight years, done that, not looking for a repeat.

I put a guy on her to report back her every movement. So, I knew she was headed to Delhi before her text. How else would I have reached the station just in time ? Sorry to break it to you but life is not a Bollywood movie and Meridian Corp's future CEO doesn't check his texts every minute. Even if she hadn't sent that sweet sweet text, I would never have let her get far. Delhi, New York or Timbaktu I wasn't letting her go without a fight.

"Delhi" she replied quietly. She looked down at her hands on her lap and her fingers trembled slightly.

The cab dropped us off at Aloha station where I promptly deposited the baggage and Zoya into my car. Thank lord and all their sons - finally some privacy !

I gave a once-over to her confused self, taking in her tight kurti, regular fit jeans and brown hair braided in a long fishtail down her back. Gotcha. "If this is how you dress normally, I'm starting to understand why you don't get laid"

That did the trick. Her head whipped in my direction. " Excuse me ?"

I let out a scoff "You smell virgin. If celibate were a fragrance, consider yourself doused in it"

"Whatever" she dismissed me and looked out of the window again. In annoyance.

Better.

"How much do you exercise anyway ?" she asks with forced disdain glancing at my workout clothes.

"Enough to" keep you entertained all night long "maintain my fitness levels"

I shifted gears as we inched towards the humongous Hooda Mansion - also known as home sweet home. The security guard gave me a nod as the gates are opened and we drive through. From the Greek statues at the entryway to the horse-shaped topiary in the garden, Hooda Mansion was built to make your jaw hit the proverbial floor. A shiny black Audi R8 was driving out of the gate but suddenly halted in front of my car. Anjana Hooda - my procreator - steps her four inch heels out. For the life of me I couldn't comprehend why she wore those pointy nightmares. Weren't flats more comfortable and practical ?

"I'll be right back" I say but Zoya doesn't respond or turn to look towards me.Her gaze is fixed on a faraway land which only she could see. I open my side of the door to greet the woman who brought me into this world.

"Mother India"

"Do I need to go back and decorate your room for the wedding night ?" she asks bluntly.

"We are not married"

"What a relief. I would hate to miss my trip to Andaman" she smiled but her eyes narrowed in Zoya's direction.She opened her purse and took out a small plastic bag containing a pendant with a translucent blue-tinged, tear-shaped stone. I raised a brow in question.

"It's a moonstone" she explained "It's expensive and rare" Ofcourse it is.

Apparently, the position of two Vedic planets in my chart - Rahu and Ketu - were troubling, and my parents should have done a prayer ritual to rid me of the effects when I was born. Instead, they had let these two mischief-making planets have their way with me. "I should have consulted the astrologer sooner" she sighed.

"Cut it Ma. I love my life, what's missing ?"

"A girl is missing Adi. A girl is missing" she whispered the next part

"And no your s**ts don't count"

"I am thirty not thirty thousand, so stop worrying"

"Wear the pendant" she commands.

"Now ?"

"What better time than the present" she smiled sweetly.

"Fine" I wear the moonstone pendant "Happy ?"

She kisses my forehead "Very"

"Bon Voyage, I will see you in a week then. Also, just don't fall over in those shoes. Try wearing flats Ma. Aren't they more comfortable and practical ?"

"Practicality is the devil's influence and the road to a truly boring life" she chimed like a blue blood socialite. "Now, if you will excuse me" Then she moved over to Zoya's side of the car, who was still lost in her thoughts.

She bent down on her window side and did a kickass job of yanking back Lost Beauty to mother earth. "Last time you went AOWL on him, he turned into a workaholic manwho*e. Don't you dare mess with my boy again" She cast her a look of pure venom "Else I might have to peel you like an orange while you scream your ever freaking lungs out"

She straightened to her full height "Have fun kids"

Her car pulled out of the driveway and away from Hooda Mansion.

I open Zoya's door and help her out "Your mother is scary"

I snort "I know"

"I can't stay in Hooda Mansion, Aditya"

"Where do you suggest I should drop you ? I assume you checked out of your lodge today"

"Right"

"C'mon. We can book it again tomorrow" I wink mischievously "No one's at home sunshine. Your future in-laws are out of town. So we have the house to ourselves"

"Adi, I ..."

" Sssh... for a change don't fight me. C'mon. It's just one night"

No straight woman, not even Zoya Qureshi can resist me when I turn on my charm full-on. I take her hand and lead her up the steps and through the huge double doors to the marble tiled foyer beyond. Quiet, the peaceful kind filled the house. We head down the hallway straight to my room.

Before entering the room, she paused on the threshold and glanced back at me. Her eyes widen in realization "She doesn't know about the pregnancy ?"

Ah, hell.

She prods, her voice tinged with surprise "Tell me Aditya, she doesn't know, right ?"

I sigh "No, I didn't tell her"

"Why ? She is your mother"

"I ... I don't know. Dad knows though. I told him to keep it a secret after ..." I pause

"After I ditched you" she nods and completes for me "But why ?"

I shrug "Just like that"

In my mind I was protecting Zoya from Mom's wrath even when I had no hope of getting her back in my life. How is that for never moving the f**k on. Clearly I had it bad for the very goddamn starting.

Zoya's POV

My voice breaks the silence "Can I use the bathroom ?"

"Ofcourse" he says and leads me to the attached bathroom. I lock the door behind me and lean against it, exhaustion taking me over. I slide down to the floor and bury my face in my hands. I wanted to crawl into the huge king sized bed in his room, pull the covers over my head, and wake up in someone else's body, in someone else's life. Someone capable to steady emotions. I was too broken to spend my life being someone's everything.

Questions whispered in my ear. Where do we go from here ? Do I need to tell him my past ? Did I mean as much to him as he did to me ? Can we bridge the eight years of separation ?

I silenced each and every one of them.

Get a grip Zoya.

I push myself up from the floor and stare at myself in the huge mirror. I think about the man in the room and felt ... confused. I didn't know what to think. How to feel. We had so many things to say. So many incidents to recall. Not that we had talked about it. If there was a gold medal for avoiding a topic, me and Aditya were neck and neck.

The accident happened at 1:44 p.m. Monday at 11400 Old Lemont Road, near the Chicago Shipping and Sanitary Canal. Both driver and passenger died on the spot.

I need to tell him about it. The selfless thing would have been to disappear from Aloha but I had been selfish. I had chosen to stay. I shake my head and clear my mind as I reach down to remove my shoes.

Things will be okay. He will make them okay.

"Trust me"

I will trust him.

I stand up and reach behind my neck to loosen the kurti. The first couple of hooks release easily, but I have to contort myself to get to the next one. I can't reach the one below it at all.

"Dammit" I mutter as I twist around, trying to get the hook with my other hand. It doesn't work, so I attempt to pull the tight kurti up from the waist, but it won't move. In the mirror, I can see where I need to be, but I can't reach the right spot. I relax behind myself to try again and almost grab the hooks with my fingers. The knock at the door startles me enough that I should have popped right out of the dress, but that doesn't happen.

"You okay ?" Aditya's voice is muffled through the door.

"Um...yes ?" I immediately turn the water on at the sink to muffle any sounds I might make "I'm fine. I just need a minute"

"You have been in there almost an hour"

I have ?

With no other option I admit my problem. "I can't get my kurti off"

I hear the doorknob rattle "Open the door"

I look in the mirror again. There are red blotches on my cheeks. I close my eyes, grip the sink and take one long breath.

"Open the damn door Zoya" His voice is harsh enough that I jump to his command and unlock the door.

He stood in the doorway wearing a crisp white shirt beneath the charcoal grey suit. His dark eyes were calculating and intelligent, his lips perfectly formed with a hint of five o'clock shadow over his jaw and down his throat. His adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed as the column of muscles flowing from his neck to his chest, just visible beneath the open-necked shirt.

When did he get time to shower and change ? It had really been a goddamn hour !

"Do you want help ?" he asked "or do you prefer to keep struggling with it ?"

"Help" I turn away so he can reach my back, wondering if he can hear my heart pounding. I feel his fingers between my shoulder blades, and I glance sideways seeing this hands making a swift work of the lower hooks. He looked arctic and unreadable.

There is a slight tug as the last hook is undone and then the kurti begins to loosen from top to bottom. The shoulders of the kurti sag down my arms a bit, and Aditya places his hand at the back of my neck.

He rubs the back of my neck with the pad of his thumb and goosebumps erupted instantaneously on my bare back. Just one touch, one thumb and my body reacted like it was always his. He made me prickly as a cactus , hot as a rainforest. I shuddered. He turned so that we both faced the mirror. His front is plastered to my bare back and his face rested on my shoulders.

He looked into my eyes with a calculating look "You have a prison gate around yourself that you're too afraid to unlock and be free"

I remained silent. His arm snaked at my waist, yanking me back so that not an inch of air passed between us. I interlaced my fingers with his and leaned back against his chest. A broad, solid chest, his muscles hard against me. I can't help the giddiness that surges through my limbs with this simple action. Looking at our reflection I have to admit - we fit together. Every crevice and curve molded perfectly with his.

I stare at him unabashed, remembering how good we were together. Aditya is all muscle. His body full of contours and bulges, right down to the ridges of his abdomen. And that hair ... it's rich brown black, combed back and curling at the ends. My fingers twitch, remembering pulling them while kissing passionately. What would it feel like to run my hands through that thick mane again?

With eyes soft and no longer angry about things I couldn't understand, he kissed my cheek lightly "I will be close by if you need anything else"

I nod "Okay"

"What if I said that from the moment I met you, all belligerent and sad crying over a spineless idiot Amay, I knew you were different. Would you believe me ?"

Would I ? I already know I'd want to believe it. Wouldn't any normal woman, when she meets a man who consumes her thoughts? Whether we want to admit it or not, don't we all secretly pine over the hope that the man will fall head over heels for us, grow weak with lack of control, not be able to stop thinking about us? Or is it just the naive romantic fools like me ?

Is there any ounce of truth in those shiny Disney tales ?

I might be spineless or naive sometimes, but I was not downright stupid. "No, I wouldn't believe you if you told me that"

"Right. And you shouldn't" He nods, more to himself than me.

"So, I am not going to bother standing here and trying to convince you otherwise. But, believe in one thing" he nose nuzzled the shell of my ear, disrupting the crystal earring so it tinkled softly. "I am going to take care of you sunshine"

My body melted "I believe you"

"Last time you went AOWL on him, he turned into a workaholic manwh**e"

Jealousy pricks my heart for whatever intimacy he had shared with other women "How many women have you slept with ?" I blurt out.

He exhaled and his arms tightened around me "I didn't keep a count"

My eyebrows shot up "That many" I know this was not the right thing to discuss right now but I just couldn't help myself "Did you sleep with Ramona ?"

He slowly leaned back, putting space between us before finally stepping back. "Do you really care about who I f**ked in the past. The past is the past. We have all made mistakes"

His words are a kick to my stomach. We have all made mistakes. Aditya, didn't leave me. I did. This is all my fault. I f**ked up. I messed everything between us by giving that testimony.

"Trust me" Trust Zoya. You need to trust him.

Wordlessly he turned to walk out but stopped mid-stride hearing my next words "See you in some time if that doesn't interrupt any other ... plans...you might have" I quickly corrected myself "I mean work plans. No that I am accusing you of ... you being dressed in formals so ..."

And ladies and gentlemen this is what a brain fart looks like.

He faced me and annoyance flashed in his gaze. "I have plans Zoya. And each and every one of them" he took the ends of my hair between his long fingers "involves you"

He flashed me a quick smile. And then he was gone.

Zoya Qureshi you are a certified idiot.

With a deep breath, I slip the kurti from my body. Behind the bathroom door is a hook, and I hang it there, smoothing it slightly before stepping away and grabbing a T-shirt and trackpants from my bag.

I close the bathroom door behind me and step into his room. It's empty. Wasn't he here like a minute ago ? Maybe it was an hour, I sigh. Maybe I lost track of time again - drowning in self pity. Yeah, he was right - I needed to focus on the future instead of harping on and on about the past.

A large piece of paper is placed smack dab in the middle of the huge bed. I crawl on top of the smooth linen sheets and read it ...

Hello,

My name is Aditya Hooda and I am writing in hopes that you will consider me for your opening of male company this evening and possibly for times in the near future (maybe forever ???). I hope you see this message as enthusiasm and not over eagerness.

I would prefer full-time for this position as I have been looking for such for better part of the decade (8 years to be precise), but understand that freelance dating may make the most sense initially, as a trial period of sorts. I am more than willing to undergo an evaluation for one week though I also admit that I am in no real rush - either timeline or an official title.

Sincerely Hopeful,

Aditya Hooda

Opening of male company ? Evaluation after one week ?

I laugh. I laugh like a lunatic. I laugh like a woman in love.

I couldn't come up with a single line to name the Chapter hence the whole paragraph from one of my favorite songs of all times 'Tale as Old as Time'.

It portrays the importance of 'bending' in a relationship when both people are a little scared and neither one is prepared. Bittersweet and strange, finding you can change. Just a little courage and trust and you might find your own magical fairy tale as old as time.

Chapter 21 : Of all the things I hold in high regard, rules are not one of them