"Zoya, are you crying" asked Aditya, concern clear in his words.
Zoya looked away "No, no of course not, im just allergic to dust"
He frowned, turning Zoya to look back at him, "You are crying Zoya, don't lie to me, tell me why you're crying"
Zoya closed her eyes tightly "No one has ever cared for me as much as you do in a long time, now I know you're going to say you dont care, but you do" she sniffed, opening her eyes
"I do care Zoya, and for all those people who didn't care for you, dont bother with them, they're not important"
She nodded slightly "I know the doctor asked you about the burns, and I know you saw them when you came to my house, im not proud of them, but im not ashamed of them either and I know they probably disgust you, so I get it if you want to walk away now, but do it quickly, because I dont want to get my heart broken again" Zoya looked up "I really like you Aditya, maybe as more than a friend"
"They dont disgust me Zoya, at all, you amaze me, all the time, I wouldnt walk away because of something like that" he paused, trying to find the right words "I think you're beautiful, I always have"
Zoya jumped from the bed, and sat on his lap, wrapping her arms around his waist "Thank you Aditya, for seeing the real me" she rested her head on his chest, closing her eyes
XXX
Aditya opened the car door for Zoya, he unlocked his front door "You can stay with me until you're fully better, okay"
She smiled up at him "Does that mean that you will make me food"
He patted her head "Only if you behave"
She laughed "Yes officer" she bounced away, running to the sofa, she patted the spot next to her "Lets watch a film"
Aditya looked over at Zoya as her eyes filled with tears "Kabhi kabhi jeetne ke liye kuch haarna bhi padta hai, aur haar kar jeetne waale ko baazigar kehte hai" she clapped, then turned to face him "Good film isnt it" she nodded
"I thought you were more of a Tere Liye kind of girl"
"Is that just because im Muslim" her eyes narrowed "But I love that film, I didnt take you as the kind to watch Bollywood films"
He shrugged "I have a lot of free time"
Zoya stood up "Im expecting you to serenade me one of these days" she winked "Now, where am I sleeping"
XXX
Zoya tossed and turned, she had always struggled to sleep when in a new bed. Her eyes opened when she heard a shout. Zoya stood up and began to walk towards Aditya's room.
Zoya ran over, crouching next to him as he continued to shout. "Aditya, its okay, its okay im here"
His eyes shot open, he sat up, pulling her into bed with him "Zoya, Zoya you're safe" he dug his head into her hair, inhaling as he rocked her back and forth "I thought you were dead"
"Im here, see I survived" she smiled, though her heart hurt for him
Aditya pushed some hair behind her ear "Stay here tonight, that's the only way I will know you're safe" he cupped her face
Zoya blushed, he had never looked at her the way he was looking at her now. She felt safe, secure and most of all she felt needed. Zoya had never felt that before. Without thinking she leant forward, pressing her lips to his, then pulled away "Sorry, I shouldnt have done that"
His eyes were clouded with confusion, then he kissed her back, it wasn't like fireworks exploding, it was calm, it was like finding home. Aditya had found home, he had found his family and Zoya had found hers.
Aditya turned his body, lying Zoya down, his lips still on hers, till he couldnt breathe. He pulled away, looking at her.
She raised her hands, covering her face and laughed "You make me feel like im in one of those bollywood films sometimes"
He led next to her, laughing. "Same here Zoya, same here"
XXX
Mahi looked around "So Zoya jumped infront of Aditya, crap, we need to get him out of the way so we can kill Zoya" she slammed the phone down, waiting for the jailer to take her back to her cell.
The jailer smiled "Hindustan zindabad Pakistan murdabad"
Mahi laughed "Zoya will be dead soon, she ruined my brother with her dirty blood, I wont let her ruin anyone else"
The jailer laughed again "I have a plan to get Officer Hooda out of the way so we can finish Zoya once and for all"
Mahi sat down "Great, you get started on that, but remember Zoya is afraid of fire, thats her weakness for when we get her alone"
XXX
Madhu stood up from her chair, wiping her tears "Im sorry Yash, I could never protect your Zoya from that fire or the hate Mahi has for her, but I will save her now, I promise" she placed the photo down and slipped on her shoes
XXX
Aditya turned toward Zoya "Are you sure youll be okay by yourself"
"Yes, of course, now go, go" she waved
Aditya went to leave, then turned back, tapping his cheek
She giggled, kissed him then shooed him away
XXX
"What do you mean theres no time, I have to atleast tell Zoya, ill be going away"
The jailer shook her head "Sorry Sir, its come from the top, you have to leave now, I have all the paperwork here"
Aditya sighed "Fine, im going to call her first"
The jailer went to speak but Aditya glared "I wasnt asking you, dont forget who your boss is"
Zoya picked up her phone "Hello, aren't you meant to be at work" she laughed
"Yes, but I have to leave for about two weeks, and im leaving now, you'll be okay right"
"Of course, but stay safe okay"
He smiled "Is that because you want me to make you food"
"No Aditya, its because I want you to come home"
"I promise, ill return to you safe and sound, no more jumping infront of guns"
She laughed "No promises officer, now go"
XXX
Madhu looked down at her watch, then up at the traffic, she couldnt be a minute late, or Zoya would join Yash and that could not happen.
Just a note, I obviously do not support racism nor am I saying that racism is okay, its purely all for the story:)
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