RIGHT PARTNER 13.3
I don't get the hype around Dhurandhar Returns
RISTA PAKKA 14.3
IPL 2026 Schedule - Phase 1, Matches List
Teaser - 'Main Vaapas Aaunga' - Sharwari, Vedang & Diljit (Imtiyaz Ali
Happy Birthday Aamir Khan 🎊💐🎊
Happy Birthday Aamir Khan
Half past twelve, after finishing up with coffee and sandwiches upon Khala's strict insistence, Adi requested Khala to check up on Zoya.
-
Khala hurriedly came back to tell Adi to be with Zoya in the mean time she plated the soup.
Adi opened the door to the guestroom and under the dimply lit room, his vision dropped to Zoya's figure lying in a fetal position half way down the bed, her face resting at the cool edge of the mattress, softly moaning in pain.
Moisture from the fever settled around her forehead/hairline and the heat was coursing through her body making her feel nauseous as well as her hands were clammy. The comforter was scrunched up messily to the right side of the bed, while her shawl was thrown messily on top and half way on the other side of the bed, touching the floor.
"Zoya, you okay? Adi settled on his knees, crouching to her level, as her eyes were closed, breathing through her mouth, while his hand rested on her upper arm. Barely shaking her head, she wispered no. Using his right hand, he swept some tendrils off from her face to settle behind her ear and he felt somewhat of the heated moisture on his fingertips. She was burning up. "C'mon, let's try sitting up, huh? Adi worriedly offered.
Getting up, he placed both the pillows supporting the head rest and on top, he placed a small cushion. Bending half way using his right arm, he awkwardly scooped around her turned frail figure, he slowly by bit leveled her up into a sitting position. Getting up again, his back turned to the side-table, he softly scooted her backwards until her back was cushioned by the pillows, her top of the head rested on the cushion.
Then, dragging the zipper down, he opened up his leather jacket and proceeded to take it off and half-folded placed on the other side of the bed. Taking her clammy warm left hand in his, he softly rubbed his cool one on top of hers, "hey, deep breath, ok? It's just gonna be alright.
Just then, Khala softly knocked and upon Adi's ajayein' stepped in with a tray.
"Beta, kaisi tabiyat hai ab apki?
"She's burning up, Khala. Aur nauseousness bhi
"Don't worry, tabhiyat thori daer mein sambhal jayi gi. Inhonein zara sa throw up kiya tha jab mein check karne inhain aye thi. Upon his worried countering, she spoke again. "gabriyeh mat, bus zara sa. Empty stomach jo thi.
Sweeping her tresses to her left shoulder, she lovingly padded her hand through with a smile.
"Relax kariyeh beta, aap jald theek hojain gi. Yeh lein. She passed a glass of normal-cold gingerale with a small chunk of lemon and a straw to Adi.
Adi sat close by her on the edge of the bed while Khala pulled a chair and sat by the side table and held the glass close to her mouth as she started drinking, her exhausted- droopy eyes focused on her drink cooling her internally and somewhat decreasing her level of nausea.
After a few minutes, "ab kaisay mehsoos ho raha hai.
"zara sa better zoya croacked.
thank god' Adi whispered as he softly held on to Zoya's left hand.
1:00 am Adi with the help of khala made zoya take 2 spoonfuls of all in one over symptons of cold: sore throat/fever syrup with an extra strength advil. She was still really warm with a sore throat, but the intense dizziness/nauseous-ness had calmed down a bit after having gingerale and big helping of hot soup.
Quarter past one, Adi re-entered the guest-room to stay back as Khala stepped out taking the tray to tidy up.
She semi-slouched sat resting against the pillows changed now, wearing Adi's gray sweat-shirt which spelled out Harvard' letters in filled with off-white threading and outlined with deep red, with as equally deep red border at the ends. Somewhat of colour regained back as she looked less paler than before and her hair was tidied in a soft messy braid, brought over her left shoulder. Its bagginess hid her dainty arms a bit in its sleeves and fell to her mid thighs, still paired up with her deep blue Patiala. On the side table, beside the meds/syrup, jug of lemon water and a glass was a small sized automatic scent diffuser which diffused out essential lavender oil scent, refreshing the room its aromatic scent. Due to the still ongoing fever after-effect, her kurta was soaked halfway at the back, around her ribs and arm pits area. Khala advised her to change out of it and wear a breezier and comfier fabric. Adi took his same spot on top of the now fixed comforter placed on her ending at her mid-stomach.
"How are you feeling now? Adi spoke, looking at her intently as her hands were placed in her lap while she focused on the thread lining of the off-white comforter.
Still focused, "thoda behter. Corner of her lip stretched into the tinniest smile realizing
waise, this is your 8th time asking as she looked over at him with hooded eyes, in the slightest kiddish tone.
"Haan toh? Adi countered back in a slight smirk. "Nahi pooch sakta? in his sarcastic kiddish tone.
"Nahi, bilkul pooch sakte hain. Main toh aisi hi-
Adi smiled, "I know.
After a beat, she lifted her vision over at him again, "thank you for-
"don't mention it.
...
few minutes later, zoya's phone vibrated on the side table.
"Mahi? She drawled out, oddly surprised with eye-brows slightly scrunched.
Hesitantly picking it up, Mahi screechy-slured tone started yelling at Zoya.
In her hoarsed voice, zoya tried her hardest, butting in and tried salvaging the situation trying to explain somehow, her mind all over the place.
"Mahi Mahi... meri- meri- meri baat toh suniyeh. Main apko samjhane ki koshish-
"Shut the eff up, you characterless piece of shit. - Why the hell aren't you home yet, huh? ---- Is this a bloody joke? --- Are you even listening to me?!!! --- Where the helll are you right now? --- You've made life hell and yoorr bloody pisssing me off. Mom told you to be home every flippin' night by 9 and it's efffing past midnight. Efff you, you bloody halat, come home right now or else I'm gonna screw you so friggin' hard, you'll bloody regret it, do you understand?! Zoiiiyaaa?! Youuu- Mahi kept on ranting in a high pitched, insanely slurred tone and sing song'd the last bit, and didn't let Zoya have a chance to say anything in her favour.
Zoya paled in return inhaling sharply as she focused back on the comforter, trying to regain what Mahi was insinuating insanely, hurling accusations, and insults. It hit her that Mahi was drunk. Again. For the 3rd or 4th time in her presence. Probably back at the apartment or some bar. She had started drinking, occasionally rather more-so, after MIL left. When her angry as hell self came forward, her pretense-self thrown out the window, not giving a shit whatsoever. Past month and a half, Zoya had been trying so bloody hard craving for their acceptance, doing everything in their favour, taking insults and horrendous accusations thrown at her every single day, fighting with her conscious to not go the easier way back home to mussoorie; doing everything she could in her power to keep Mahi satisfied or so she thought. Since the couple of times Mahi had done this is when the reality would sink in so hard all back to square one and next day she'll tell herself that its fine as Mahi would be over her hang over and back to pretend-normal-maliciously-sweet-as-ever. Fisting the comforter in her left hand, her lower lip trembled as her downcast eyes held unshed tears. This was not supposed to happen. Yet it was.
Adi grabbed her phone noticing her pale expressions right away and since the volume was pretty high, he could pretty much hear everything sitting right next to her, furious at Mahi's choice of words and her harsh tone.
"NO, you effin' listen to me B- & listen to me bloody damn hard. One more word out of your damn mouth, you will effin' regret messing with Zoya & I. Shut your drunk-ass self and get the hell lost. I'll see you today, yeah? Adi blasted at her in a hushed tone, controlling his tone to remain within the room, hung up without hearing a word back.
Softly gasping, zoya shockingly looked at Adi with tears that now shed and narrowed eyes. "NO, what did you do?! You shouldn't have said that. She-willl. This is not-.She will- Harshly breathing, Zoya panicked with wide eyes, tears running down her sunken cheeks. Adi especially shouldn't have answered back. If life was hell, now it'll be hell+
"Zoya... Zoya... Re-relax. Deep breaths. Adi whispered scooting himself forward, right next to her.
In the midst of trying out the deep breaths, she had a hard time breathing and with spluttering words, broke down, placing her forehead on his left bicep, softly sobbing, clutching his navy-blue Harvard hoodie's sleeve.
"you- you-you- shouldn't-have' came out in ragged breaths as Adi gently stroked up upper back while her upper body shook of sobs.
After a couple of minutes, zoya's sobs subsided and she calmed down. Passing her tissues, Adi gently tried to explain. "Don't worry, alright. She wouldn't try doing anything tonight or later on even. She was bloody drunk. I'll be seeing her today and I'll set her straight. She's harmless. Don't you worry. What she said to you wasn't right and I'm not sorry, but I had to intervene. Relax, okay? Don't stress. Using both his hands, he brought settled her against the pillows and gave her water. "nothing will happen. I promise. He leveled her, faintly grazing his right knuckle against her right cheek, wiping away the tears. "okay? he whispered and awaited her nod.
"Good, now get some good sleep. Smiling, he tucked her in.
...
Quarter to eight in the morning, Khala quietly entered to check up on Zoya. Feeling her forehead, it was still warm. Not as insanely bad as last night.
"Zoya beta? as Zoya woke up after a couple of attempts, Khala gently made her half-lay sit in a position.
"Aap ke liye thoda sa breakfast laye hain. Aapko dawai bhi lani hai. Time thoda aur guzur gya toh tabiyat thodi kharab ho sakti hain, huh. Chaliye. Setting the tray on the seat of a chair as the side table was occupied, Khala touched Zoya cheeks lovingly. "Abhi bhi bukhar hai, lekin raat jaisa tez nahi. Dawai leke phir sojaye ga. Kya lenghi. Khala had brought half a warmed egg sandwich cut in a triangular shape which she had prepped last night, small bowl of soft cut fruits, a glass of orange juice.
"Dil nahi karaha, Khala-jaan. After much insistence, she nibbled-ate half of half egg sandwich, even half of the half bowl of fruit, and had to finish the whole glass of fresh orange juice. Couple minutes later, Khala gave her doze of syrup and an advil since muscle ache through her body was still there.
...
Zoya woke up half past 9 hearing the pitter patter against the large window and with some strength, used the washroom. After, she went by the windowsill which had a fairly nice spacious window seat for one person and sitting on the cushioned seat with a cushion placed in front with her right leg under her, she peeked through the dark maroon curtains and indeed the window was misted and held drizzle drops running down frequently. Placing the cushion sideways behind her, Zoya fully sat up and pushing back half the wide curtain, looked out. Spring season's first rain shower.
Pulling up her knees to chest, she rested her hands tucked within the large baggy sleeves around her knees and placed her head down looking out to the soothing drizzles which fell upon the window dripping down frequently.
fifteen minutes later, Adi stood outside her door softly knocking twice and stepped in. He saw her on the window seat looking out, facing away from him probably in deep thought. Half of the room was with gloomy day light from the outside and other half in still in dark.
Going over to her, he sat on the edge of the bed few feet across from her, siding the comforter.
"Morning to you too, Zoya! He greeted her cheerfully.
Coming out of her thoughts, Zoya sat up, looking over to the voice of reason with a smile. He sat across from her in his addidas track pants and last night navy blue Harvard baggie hoodie, crossed lightly smiling up at her.
Leaning against the cushion, She raked her hand through her auburn locks and brought her wavy hair on one of her right shoulder, crossing her legs.
"Morning She smiled back.
"Aap kaisay subah subah uth gain? You're supposed to be sick, remember?
"I still am. Bas thora barish ki wajah se ankh khul gye.
"Haan, aur isi bearish ki wajah se, aap itni khogye thi, aap ne knocks bhi nahi sunay.
"Bas aisay hi. It felt soothing sitting by the window sill watching the rain.
nodded, after a beat, "Dawai li?
"Lay li. Khala jaan ne pehle utha kar thora khilaya aur dawai bhi di. Bahut sweet hain. Just woke up.
"Woh toh hain. Adi agreed, fondly.
"Ek minute. Aap mujhe yeh Aap kyun kehke bulaa rahay hain.
"Abhi se. Is mausam ke shuru hotay hi. Pehle kuch hi lamhon se.
Zoya gaped at him. His twinkle in the eyes, and soft smirk. pata tha' kabhi nahi sundrain gain'
Lightly shaking her head, she slightly rolled her eyes, her lips twitching into the tinniest stretch of a smile, waah. Kaafi shayarana mood mein hain, huh. Nice try.
"Aree, kyun nahi. Tum, Tum thoda boring hogaya. Socha, aaj ki subah, aap' se shuru karte hain.' He sarcastically replied.
"Haan haan. Kyun nahi. Isse bhi try karletain hai. As she quirked up her eyebrow, trying her hardest to contain her smile.
"Haina? Aur waise bhi Khala ne bhi kaha ke mujhe tehzeeb se baat karni chahiye, esp jab inke ghar hoon toh. Kab se mujhe thodi si urdu sikanay ki koshish mein hain ... toh socha aaj se aazmaloon. Aap ke aanay par. Is baarish ke mausam ki beech.
"wow. Maan-na paray ga... so far achay chal rahay hain. Holding her lips together. "waise on second thoughts, baarish toh shayad pura week honay wali, haina?
"Haan, toh? Baarish ke saamay mein, thodi si urdu bolnay ka apna hi maza ha.Aap chahay toh pura week bol sakta hoon. Insan itna fresh feel karta ha keh bas. Sehat ki liye bahut achi bhi ho sakti hai. Waisay ap toh bahut bolti hai, bemaar kaisay par gaye. Acha ni kiya, na? he tsked, looking out towards the drizzle outside.
Zoya spluttered out laughing. "Bas ki kijye. Reason toh aik manga tha... apne toh itne de-dye. Haha. Adi's smirked with a you-know-it-dude' look which made her chuckle once more.
"Acchaa, aap hume izzat dena chahtain hain.
" Pagal dikhta hoon, tumhe izzat doon ga. Zoya gasped hearing him screw up.
"Excusemeee?
"Excused It hit Adi then. He screwed up. Zoya with her you're caught dead dude.' And both, broke into laughter.
...
Upon Adi's insistence, Zoya had to be on bed-rest and not go out at all. He told her he'll be back early as pretty much everything was finalized. She skyped with her assistants for half an hour, trying not to stress about the wedding scheduled for tomorrow. Everything looked great so far, far beyond her expectations as she thanked God. Khala had sent a driver to pick up her clothes for tomorrow evening and other essentials.
Arjun dropped by her room after Adi left, dropping her favourite assorted lindt chocolates and a small bunch of 4 blush pink peonies. Just like brother he told Khala to make sure she doesn't stress herself thinking about work or overworks herself as he was running late for his meeting and will schedule dinner or coffee.
-
Wedding night|
Zoya, C'monnn!'
Half past 6 in the evening, Zoya rushed to the entry hallway entrance by the door in the midst of wearing her earing and tucking her clutch under her upper arm. Wearing a black peplum top which ended at her mid-thighs and arms and ends of the top outlined with soft golden lace as well as the outline of the neck studded with tiny pearls. The top had gold zardori sequens embroided elegantly paired with a soft golden-netted gharara studded with tinniest of gold sequence pearls at its ends and net black dupatta embellished with meshed golden sparkle sequins. She had done a really simple soft smokey eyes paired with pinkish mauve lipstick not feeling up to going out of her and opted for a safe and simple look finishing with a smile chignon. Her somewhat of a declined fever still regained with a calmed sore throat now since she's been having lemon honey tea way more than any other liquid.
"Sorrry, just a few secs late. I'm still on time. What the heck are you yelling about?
"We're supposed to be in the car as of now.
"You know it's gonna take us-
"I know. We'll there by 7. On designated time
"How the hell do you know?
"I know, ok. Shut up.
Zoya sat on the small leather seater, wearing her clear stone studded khussas, opting against heels as she hurriedly placed her clutch on the little aisle/table used for keys, bits of dcor with a standard size mirror on top of the wall.
"zara sa un-well feel karahi thi.
"What? Zoya hum thoda late chalay jate hian. Kuch kaha kyun nahi? I'll call and tell akash-
"bilkul nahi. Call nahi karay gay ap. I'm ok now.
"Lekin, zoya... Are you sure? not sure if she really meant it.
"I am. Dawai bhi layli hai. Watery eyes, ruk hi nahi thi.
"abhi se bella ki bidaai' ka soch ke ronay lagi hain aap. Abhi kuch gante baaki hai. Adi pulled up a joke, smirking.
Zoya glared at him, half-tired and fed up with his stupid banter. "Again... shut up. She sighed as she wore her small light black coat and stood up.
"Something's missing. He gazed as her.
"oh no, seriously? What is it? She worriedly turned around and stood in front of the mirror, trying to figure out what went wrong.
Adi stood right behind her, a little too close gazing intently at her through the mirror as she tried mindlessly straighting her already pressed outfit, her dupatta she wore around her neck, not meeting his eyes. Since the minute she hurriedly came speeding to the entry way, he stood a little entranced somehow forming right sentences, god knows how. He tried not staring, lest she caught him... which wouldn't do him good. It would be hella embarrassing. He slowly brought his arm up as if in a daze and through the help of his left hand slowly took out her wooden hair pin, peeking out of her cignon, releasing her straightened tresses all the while his vision fixed upon her through the mirror. Just when she felt her hair untied, she fixed her gaze on him intently, sharply with a intake of a breath.
Her realization kicked in and she saw him holding her dark brown thin hair pin softly smirking, his eyes set upon her face. Her pulse quickened as he stood way too close for her liking, his muskier cologne wafting towards her ; his left shoulder faintly grazing her right suited all black with a cream coloured tie, and lapels of his blazer darker gray, a slight contrast. His hair was slightly gelled back to the slightest side as was his face pairing light stubble, giving his a nicer, slightly rugged look than his boyish, cheesier self.
Perfect' He whispered, bending down a few inches to her level as her back instantly stiffened and eyes widened at his blunt admission of a compliment? He placed the pin on the table and looked over to her eye downcast, her fluttering eyelashes and slight wringing of her hands, internally shaking his head as her silly shyness.
"Chalein? Already bahut late ho gaye hain hum? He called out in a mocked sarcastic tone as he unlocked the door, passing her clutch as she glared back. "After you."
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