AdiYa SS |Faded| Chap 7 Pg 9| 07/07 - Page 3

[Chap 04]

Calming my jittery nerves it took my suitcase from the baggage belt. I have always been a nervous flightier. Looking at my watch umpteenth time I went towards the Prepaid taxi stand.

A man in his 50s was standing with a placard that displayed my name. My steps automatically slowed wondering what is happening. And to add more confusion he was smiling looking at me, which means he knows who I am. Goose bumps spread all over my body. The man was wearing a black expensive uniform with a hat and his hands were covered with white gloves.

As I approached toward the exit, he greeted me warmly. "Good Morning Ma'am, hope you had a nice flight, and took my luggage leaving my handbag with me.

"Ma'am, you be hear I will get the car.

Wait a minute what if it's a scam? What if the guy is some random person trying to steal my stuffs? "But... I tried to protest and as if he knew what I was going to answer.

He fetched something from his pocket and handed over to me. It was something like passport, but not a passport. A navy blue leather cladded flip open card case. A striking golden R was embossed on the flap. I twitched my brows and opened the flap.

"I have served Hooda's for more than two decades and my entire family is with them for last three generation is with them. My name is Tony.

Embarrassed I smiled at him at last. But it is in my nature not to believe anybody at first. Yes my past sometimes rules my present and I have learnt to be cautious every time.

I was so engrossed in my thoughts that I totally missed when we went and got the car.

Holy mother of Jesus. That car. A black audi stood right in front of me. It looks like it can directly come from the showroom.

Tony the chauffer came and held the door for me almost immediately. Wow, like wow. I have never thought that I will be treated like this ever. Well, how could I even think when all I did was the reject clients like Hoodas. Honestly I don't want to get into that territory again. I gripped the strap of my handbag, muttering thanks I got into the car.

**

I must have fallen asleep because the change smell so fresh and light breeze kissed my face. With a much-needed yawn I straightened myself. And Wow, I feel in love with the road. Tall trees canopied the entire path and lush green field looked beautiful throughout both the sides.

I silently thanked Tony for switching of the Car AC and opening the window. I was aware of the private place, but since I never visited this part of the city I had no idea it was so beautiful and green. Maybe since the entire land her belongs of the Hoodas they maintained it like this. It is such a relief to be away from traffics and pollution.

The car took a turn and gradually the road twisted towards the elevation. After almost five minutes we stood near a huge black gate with the same Golden Emblem that is embossed in Tony's ID. Oh that reminds me of his ID still lying with me.

Tony punched some random number and the door automatically opened. Two very handsome, young guards with two German Shepherd Dogs came for a check.

Now this is overwhelming for me. I tried not to panic when the electronic gate closed behind me.

In the front was a vast lawn and there stood a huge house, wait its not a house, it's a palace a huge palace.

I adored the architecture when the car came to a stop.

"Miss Siddiqui, your destination.

"Oh thanks a bunch Tony, and I apologize for not returning your ID card. I held the card to him.

With a polite smile he accepted the card and then once again got down to open the car for me.

Another good-looking man who accompanied me inside the palace greeted me near the entrance. As I walked with him, he told me that even his family, just like Tony's served Hooda for very long time.

He took me took me to my room and handed over an apology letter from Junior Hooda. My phone immediately pinged. Fetching it from my bag I saw Apurva's apology message stating he had to leave for an emergency meeting and that he will be seeing my during lunch.

"Hello Ma'am.

An old lady in her 60's probably greeted me very warmly.

"Hello', I replied politely.

"I am Mary, the house keeper and I am here at your service any moment you need me. Come I will show you your room.

Entire room was automated which is not surprising at all. Everything worked with buttons and the ipad. It was huge and to my surprise irrespective of the size the thought of only one person living in this room I felt oddly secured. Mary told me that she will arrange my closet soon and that there are some more new clothes in the closet at my disposal. She told me that since the baggage will take sometime to arrive in the room, I could use one of those garments after freshening up. The baggage will go for a thorough scanning before they are handed over to me. She also told me that she already filled the bathtub with warm water and salt bath and every other thing are at my disposal in the bathroom.

**

After a refreshing bath I wore a white half sleeves plain dress that fell till my knees a very decent length. There was this golden embalm printed on the right side of the collar. When I entered the room, I saw the bed was remade. Now the expensive bed covers were removed. The white bedspread and fluffy white pillows were like an invitation. What caught my view further were the curtains. The dark room I had entered is now washed with bright sunlight. And the view was spectacular. I went towards the ceiling height window, which almost covered the entire width of the room. It was a beautiful view of meadows and greenery. Wow! I thought.

My trail of thoughts broke with ring on the intercom. I hurried to pick up with Mary's sweet voice came from the other side.

"Ma'am would you like to come down for lunch?'

"Sure, just give me a moment please. And is Mr Hooda joining me for the lunch?

There was a brief pause before she spoke again. "Mr Hooda has his lunch in his room Ma'am.

Strange! Apurva told me that he would join me for Lunch.

She was about to give me the direction of the dinning room but I interrupted asking her about Apurva and that he told me that he would meet me during the Lunch.

She apologized politely and said she thought I was asking about Senior Hooda. The moment she took his name something unknown happened to me, which I cant, explain.

So Aditya Hooda take his lunch in his room and that reminds me that we haven't met yet.

"Umm, Mary, I would like to meet Senior Hooda before the lunch please.

Another pause. "I don't think it's a good idea Ma'am. It would be better if Junior Hooda escorts you to his room. He is not in a very pleasant mood today.

"I would like to meet him right now please, I insisted.

"Very well ma'am, I am coming to escort you to his room.

**

It wasn't a very long walk. The same floor my room was. During the walk I got to know that this part of the house is very private and no one is ever allowed to come to stay here. Guesthouse is a separate wing. I am the only outsider who is allowed here because Senior Hooda wanted it. The room where I am staying was refurnished since it was the Hooda brother's childhood room.

"Here you go Ma'am. I hope you can take it from here.

With a confidence I twisted the knob of the door and entered.

**

"Miss Zoya Siddiqui, came a deep reply the moment I entered.

I couldn't even take a step forward hearing his very masculine and curt voice.

"Knocking is essential when you enter my room, came another cold sentence.

"I...I apologize, I couldn't help but to stammer. His aura is so brooding that I was unable to remain confident.

"What made you choose me?

"I am sorry? what is he trying to do by intimidating me on the very first day?, I entered into his room.

The walls were devoid of any personal pictures. It was cladded with very pale white wallpaper and the furniture's were made of dark wood mahogany woods. Even though the whole atmosphere of the room felt cold but it extruded aristocracy and money.

"Despite of knowing that Aditya Hooda may tarnish your 100% success rate you took up this project. Why?

I crossed my arms; the man was in a wheel chair and facing towards the window. His back was in front of me, yet he extruded power and grace. His being an athlete was very evident from his broad shoulders.

"I am here to cure a patient who is stubborn. He has a brother who desperately wants you in the field again. He wants a better life for you. And somehow you are a challenge for me which I want to win.

He laughed, a very ugly one. "You have no idea what you have got yourself into. And then he turned.

"Welcome to Hooda Mansion.

I had to take a step back. I couldn't help with the stare at him. He was wearing a white kurta pyajama. His face covered with thick beard, his hair thick, bushy and unkept. I took my own time to observe him. I know he knows that I am staring. But I don't care. Something about this man did things to me. No not in a romantic way. Something else, which I was still unable to figure out. His thick eyebrows were unable to cover those piecing brown obs. He was angry, like really angry for some reason. Maybe on me. But why?

[Chap 05]

Looking into his eyes made she wonder about this ultra masculine man. It was not only anger but also somewhere a lot of hurt, regret and helplessness mixed with huge ego I could see in his eyes. His eyes narrowed. I could feel clearly that he is gauging me.

"Are you here to stare and stare only? Or are you as good as Internet and the rest of the world says about you?

I gave a tight-lipped smile.

"Looks like you have already done a research on me Mr. Hooda.

"I don't let anymore entire this mansion without knowing the full background.

"Then I am sure you know what I am capable off. Speaking of which it was nice meeting you Mr Hooda, it is going to be one hell of a session with a patient like you.

They locked into each other's eyes yet again unable to speak.

Aditya probably understood that his new physio is one hell of a woman who doesn't know or will ever back from from her work.

He has done enough reach about her and her track record is quite an extensive one. His initial suspect about being money minded immediately flew away reading about her cases. In some of them she walked without a single penny. Her association with Happy Smiles, the orphanage seems to be too intimate. Born in a middle class family, parents died in an accident at the age of 16 when Mr Srivastava who had a cardiac arrest brought her to happy smiles. She had terrific school record and was the topper in school but despite that she dropped out her high school exam and later did her diploma in physiotherapy. Something was a miss. As far as her relationship statues were concerned she was single and she still is.

Looking at her, he wondered why? Dressed in a white gown, which was provided by Hooda, she looked very simple. There was absolutely no make up except a single like of kohl in her lower eyelid. Her smooth light brown hair reached till her shoulder forming natural curls. It was still wet and clearly stated that she didn't use hair drier to dry it. She looked fresh and smelled like vanilla. In that moderate height he looked poised and all in control. All about the woman extruded generosity and compassion. And such women are keepers. They are meant for girl friend material and were rare to find. Then why? What couldn't he find a single hook up or link up with anybody? It is not that she wasn't exposed to the richer and sophisticated world. Her contribution during her visit to Kenya for under privileged children was one gold feather in her cap and that she had worked with one of the richest Actor. Raghav Singhania is loaded with money and that time he was single. Yet there is no news about them even when they travelled together and spent almost more than 15 days together in the campaign.

A woman like her is not meant to be single and at this age. And yet she was. Something somewhere wasn't connecting. And now that his point of interest is right in front of his eyes, he is more intrigued.

Initially he thought she would be scared after meeting him, because she knows how to intimidate people. That's what he is learned since he stepped in the field. Intimidating opponent players was an art he excelled. But clearly this woman is a dent in his inflated ego.

"Now if you are done staring at me Mr. Raziada, I would like to start the treatment today itself.

"What if I don't want to be treated by you Miss. Siddiqui?

"Well you have a bad news Mr. Hooda, until and unless I cure you, you have to see this face on a regular basis.

He laughed, his eyes crinkling on the sides, his teeth bared in all its glory. And I should see some colours in his face. I mentally ticked. Point no 1 done. Make him react.

"You are here for how long... umm an hour? 24 hours, you will be out of this mansion.

She smiled and crossed her arms. "I want to see you try Mr Hooda. I accept your challenge. If you can make me walk away from this mansion in..., she checked her watch, "tomorrow before 12:45PM then I would congratulate your life on this wheel chair, she pointed out. "But if I stand right here in front of you post 12:45PM then Sir, you will do as I say. She walked across the room and lean forward to sit on her knees in front of him.

"I hope you are a man enough to accept the challenge Mr. Hooda instead of backing off now?

She knew she has got into his nerves. She never thought it would have been that easy. A person who refused to react to anything reacted the moment she entered. I was a big win for Zoya and she knows that very well. And now she just cannot lose this opportunity. She needs this reaction and more. The more he reacts the better he is going to do well in the sessions.

Zoya also knew that it was more mental than physical. A person whom doesn't even want to get cured it would be stupid to get involve in such case. But now the scene seems to be different. She had a second thought before meeting him because chances of winning were next to impossible. But now she saw hope. Hope to save 35 kids, hope to save her home, and hope to save the place, that saved her, that made her what she is, her sanctuary.

He saw her kneeling down and uttering those words, challenging every fiber of his body and a challenge that he never expected from a girl. In his life very few people challenged him that too only in the field. But this was different; this was coming from someone whom he doesn't want in his house. No one dared look into his eyes like she did. Her bright blue eyes touched some unknown cord and refused to look away. Something about her simplicity yet boldness was appreciable.

He was about to press a switch on his wheel chair controller but Zoya closed the controller with her hand, which made his finger touch her hand instead.

In the moment of contact they both looked at their hands and then again at each other.

"I thought you never back of Captain.

And that was it. The challenges in his eyes were gone. Everything about him became dead the moment she used the word captain.

"I think you should leave. I need to rest.

Zoya didn't understand what just happened. The man, who was right now with her, dove into something else.

She stood up from the floor and was about to speak when he spoke, "24 hrs Miss Siddiqui. Remember that, with that he faced the window and wheeled around towards its creating a distance between them.

Zoya saw a defeated man in his posture.

"24hrs Mr. Hooda, then everything is going to change. You are going to change. Mark my words.

"You may leave.

"Trust me I am not, with that she closed the door behind him.