FF - Broken - Chapter 14 Updated @ Page 14 - Page 8

Maahi picked up the last piece of popcorn by the time Zoya kept the phone. Zoya face was flushed with all the emotions, she didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

"Noor?" Maahi asked without taking her eyes off the laptop screen.

"Yes..." Zoya voice was filled with emotions. "She is a chatterbox, I never thought she would talk to me for so long."

"hmmm...Your mom?" Maahi's question was met with Zoya's silence.

"Zoya?" Maahi turned to look at Zoya.

"She is fine." Zoya was still unable to handle the feeling of abandonment even after all these years. It always hurt her thinking that her mother chose to have Noor and left her without even looking back.

"Roshna Ali Khan, she is a practicing lawyer in Delhi High Court. Divorcee and Single mother."

"Are you ok, Zoya?" Maahi leaned to put a hand on her shoulder.

"I am fine Maahi. It is a new chapter so I would like o to start afresh. I am flying to Delhi this week."

"I am glad that you sorted out one thing before you leave India. Did you get mail from University?"

"I am expecting the mail next week."

Maahi shut down the laptop and kept it on the side table.

"All the best Zoya. Though I am gonna miss you, I think probably it is for the best you continue your studies."

Zoya knew what Maahi was hinting at. Aditya. She switched off the main light and hoped on to the bed. Maahi didn't switch off the side light lamp. Today Maahi decided to stay with Zoya after today's incident at the Bluefrog. Zoya hardly watched few episodes in between the calls with Ammi and then to Noor.

Zoya tucked herself nicely under the blanket all set to sleep without giving Maahi a chance to talk about Aditya. Maahi knew Zoya better than anyone else, she grabbed the blanket and popped up two pillows for them to lean in.

"Zoya, tell me what is the deal with Aditya. You never told me. I thought we are closer than that." Maahi's voice was filled with accusation and hurt. Zoya was instantly guilty. Maahi always stood by her side no matter what.

"I am sorry Maahi. I should have told you." With a lot of pauses and hesitations, Zoya told Maahi what happened between Aditya and her omitting many details, which she didn't want to share with anyone, including their first meeting at Leela. The sour memory was so precious for Zoya, that she didn't want to share it with anyone, not even Aditya. Aditya may not even remember that anyhow. Maahi listened patiently to Zoya's account of things. She pursed her lips realizing the unbelievability of the events happened in Zoya's life. She was quiet even after Zoya finished talking. It made Zoya nervous.

"Maahi...What are you quiet? Tell me something"

"Zoya" Maahi was hesitant initially. "Let me tell you this very frankly. I don't know what you think about Aditya and his behavior, but from your accounts, he comes across as a stalker."

Zoya's mind flickered many images of Aditya, the way he threatened her on the street, the way he stalked her, the way he played with her job and her house, the numerous times when he was rude with her. Then she remembered his sober apology on the beach, the sober, heartfelt apology under the stars. Zoya inhaled sharply. Maahi took that as an encouragement and continued.

"From whatever we know from media, he seems like an alcoholic with a really long list of girlfriends. I really don't want you to fall into any trouble. In fact, I would say it is a good thing that you got into the US University. At least you will be away from Mumbai."

There was a tug in Zoya's heart which got tightened as she thought more about it. All Zoya wanted was to shut Maahi up and yell at her that all those moments were not lies. But she knew better, every word Maahi said had merit. Though her heart desperately tried to trust Aditya, Maahi was the voice of reason. Zoya had anyway decided to move on after Anjana Hooda's entry, so the decision should be fairly easy. Just that in reality, Zoya found that was the toughest decision she ever made.

"What you are saying is true Maahi. I should have seen it through all the glitter and glamor. I think I just got carried away" Zoya remembered all those moments her heart fluttered when she was with Aditya. It was impossible for her to believe that all that was a lie. She remembered his eyes where she genuinely saw a glint of care and love for her. Zoya realized how desperately alone she was for the last couple of months and her yearning for someone to love and care might have fooled her into thinking that Aditya was even ready to love a slum girl. Zoya choked with emotion as she replied to Maahi.

"You are right Maahi, I was a fool." Maahi didn't reply, instead just took Zoya's hand in her own hands and cupped it protectively.

"Why don't you go to Delhi to meet your Ammi and Noor? For a week or so?" Zoya looked at Maahi in confusion. Maahi's face was lit with resoluteness. "I think you should go and be away from Mumbai till your Admission comes. Maybe tomorrow itself. I am sure Rahul can handle your leave."

"Ok" Zoya's reply was curt. Maahi keenly looked at Zoya before speaking next.

"Zoya, I am not sure what you have in your mind for Aditya. But the way he dealt with you today, I think he is abusing you. What if he repeats that at someplace else. How can you trust someone who wouldn't even stand up for you when you were being insulted?"

Zoya didn't have answers to these questions. She knew the fairy tale has come to an end and now it was time for earthly matters.

"I know Maahi. I have been living in fool's paradise all these while. Now I am out of there. Let me try and book a Delhi flight now." Zoya took the mobile to book a Delhi flight the very next day while trying to control her emotions which were spinning out of control. Maahi gave her a snugly hug and mouthed a quick goodnight before going under the blanket to sleep.

After booking the tickets Zoya lay down on the bed thinking bitterly about her escapade with Aditya. Zoya's thoughts were racing so fast that she found it difficult to sleep. Her mobile beeped showing a message alert from Rahul. Zoya hesitated for a minute but then decided to talk to him, send a reply message. Sometimes a pair of ears is all you need in despair, Zoya thought. As if Rahul heard her thoughts, he called immediately. Zoya, desperate for a sympathetic ear, picked up the call.

***

Rahul sat in his study examining the visuals flashing in front of him. Zoya turned out to be a big fish in the small pond of Bollywood Vista. He examined the CCTV footage of Bluefrog. Even if Zoya's face was not clear in the video, Aditya's face was clearly visible. Rahul examined the second version of the video clip he got from his freelancer friend who cleverly edited out the part where Zoya led Aditya to the staircase. It essentially shows only the parts where Aditya hugging Zoya much to her discomfort.

From Hero to Zero in a flash. Rahul scowled.

With a muffled laugh, he sent the video to all the Page3 media outlets across the web from an encrypted email id which he purchased paying lakhs of dollars. Even if they track it, the IP would just end up in Maldives or Thailand. With his most critical work done, he checked the email notification alert popup. It was from Zoya. Rahul was surprised to see a two week long leave request from Zoya to Katherin. He had arranged an official email routing of all Zoya's emails via his email unknown to anyone in the office.

He quickly picked up the mobile and sent a Hi to Zoya. He didn't expect a reply, but to his surprise, She replied. He wanted to confirm where Zoya would be when the news goes live. He was fairly certain no one can track Zoya from the footage, but in case if someone identifies her, Rahul didn't want Zoya to be around to refute the allegations when the Video goes viral, at least not so soon. All he wanted the world to know was Aditya's abusive nature without Zoya refuting it anytime soon. He decided to give her a call.

"Hi Zoya, I was worried about you after today's incident. That's why I called. Hope you don't mind."

"I am ok Rahul. Maahi is with me, she is sound asleep now though."

"I know Aditya personally. I apologize on his behalf. Hooda's are our family friends and I have known them since my childhood. I am sure they wouldn't approve of this kind of behavior from Aditya."

"Oh...No, Rahul. I am ok. Don't apologize. It is not your fault. Aditya was drunk and we have a history so he took that liberty with me. I have no complaints." Rahul exhaled his anger slowly. Then his anger turned into a scowl as he decided to play the devil's advocate with Zoya.

"Aditya used to be a good kid around the block. Drugs, alcohol and his lecherous ways are sue to bring down his career. I wish I could help him in some way, but his haughtiness never let him listen to anyone" Rahul slowly breathed out the poison into Zoya's ears. Emboldened by an accepting silence from Zoya he continued.

"You might have known Neethu. Before that, there was a piya..before that...I don't even remember the list now. Anyway, it is better you stay out of all the muck. I just called you to tell you that we are with you, Bollywood Vista, our team and me. You can count on us anytime."

"Thank you. I know I can always trust you." Zoya was on the verge of crying seeing this unexpected helping hand.

"I think you need to take a break. Why don't you take some time off for yourself? I will have a word with Katherine if you want." Rahul stressed the work break to know why Zoya was taking two weeks long leave. Zoya readily fell for the trap.

"Yeah, even I think the same. I am flying to Delhi tomorrow to meet my relatives."

"Awesome. I have a conference in Delhi on Friday. Maybe if you don't mind we can catch up." Rahul could sense a NO coming from Zoya, so he changed the plot immediately. "Oh sorry maybe that's not possible, The conference schedule is pretty tight for three days. Still, maybe we could fly together tomorrow. You could use some company in the time of distress" Rahul chuckled. On the other side, Zoya relaxed and joined him in his smile.

"Sure, Rahul. I think I could use some company."

"Great, evening flight?"

"Yes."

"Let me see if I can get a ticket in the last min. Send in your ticket details. Let me see if I can get it upgraded to first class."

"Rahul please, it won't be necessary."

"I can arrange for a Hyderabad Biriyani on first class" Rahul's words got Zoya into a light laugh. Maahi had made sure that her love for Biriyani is world famous.

"Thanks for all the help Rahul"

"No Problem dear. Anything for you"

"Goodnight" Without much banter Zoya cut the call. Rahul still held the mobile in his hand for few more seconds.

"Anything for you Zoya..." He murmured before putting it down.

***

Zoya tossed around in her bed. Even a cup of hot green tea didn't help her to get sleep. She tiptoed to the balcony so that her restlessness doesn't wake up Maahi. The crescent moon had lit little of her township and there was no sign of wind. The sleepy, semi-lit apartments around her accented her loneliness. She didn't care what Rahul told about Aditya, it hardly matters. But Maahi mattered to Zoya. Whatever Maahi told was in her interest. She wouldn't lie or mislead her in any way.

Zoya slowly paced in the balcony. Every grain of her brain told her the futility of her longing, still, she couldn't help crying her eyes out. Under the same stars, a few days back, she was blooming under his love and now, even the thought of his love withered her. Her hands unknowingly grazed her bracelet. She removed the bracelet and put it on one of the branches of a nearby red rose plant. The beauty will never go back to the beast ever again, even if all the rose petals fall down, Zoya thought as she touched the cherub flowers of the rose plant. Zoya looked up to the sky and mouthed to her father.

"You know Abbu, It is all happening because you left me! It is all because of you. If you were here, I wouldn't have even met Aditya. It's all because of you Abbu. I miss you Abbu, please come back." Her words ended in a light sob. At the end of that breakdown, Zoya realized the folly of what she was doing, She pulled herself together and wiped her tears with the back of her hand.

"Enough Abbu, I am done crying. I lose if I look back Abbu. No more Aditya, No more Mumbai, No more of the old memories. I am accepting that University Offer"

Zya shut the door behind her, went to bed, hugged Maahi tightly and slept peacefully looking forward to the new beginnings. Little did she know that a storm was brewing outside tailored just to hit her, hit her hard.