Chapter 8
Whose leg is on top of my tummy? Roshni, Shruthi, and Maahi were in the same bed as me. I couldn't help but smile at the sight of my friends sleeping on top of each other. We always did sleepovers at each others place when we were younger. As we grow up the frequency of our hangouts reduced. Since yesterday I am feeling incredible and less of an orphan.
I got up and made a cup of Coffee. They won't get up for an hour or so. I took the birthday card they gave and sat down near the window to read the note they scribbled on the top corner.
"Zoya bear, we love you. No matter how things are we will always with you. Love yours..."
I pressed the card to her chest and sipped Coffee. The rising sun and the warmth of the message gave me a hope that I didn't have till now. The phase of sadness that overwhelmed me after the death of Abbu is slowly ebbing. My friends, especially Maahi and Sanjay have really put an effort to make yesterday special. My eyes moistened and gratitude thickened my heart.
But the foremost thing that's hovering over my mind is none other than Aditya Hooda. Yesterday's events still felt like a dream. The fireworks, the fondness in his words, and most unexpectedly, the kiss had blown me away. Now when I think about it, I didn't behave the way I should be. Long back, when I dated Yash during my College days, the kisses they shared under the stairs where half excitement and half adventurous. Just like the romance, their love story also frizzled as he moved abroad for higher studies. Anyway Abbu never approved of Yash, so eventually, that was bound to happen.
Yesterday it was different. I didn't have the compulsion of any relationship still the flames of passion were so real. Even now I could feel the tingling in my tummy when I think about Aditya Hooda. My mobile started ringing. An unknown number. I can guess who is that. It is not the time to talk to him yet. I have to sort out my head and my feelings before I take another step. Yesterday, I was out of my mind. I need to figure out what does all this mean.
After ringing few more times, the ringing stopped. I took the mobile to put it on silent and Maahi's mother, Shasikala Aunt called. Simply her name made me smile. My birthday lunch awaits.
"Zoya " Her doting voice always reminded me of home.
"I know aunty, we are late. I will bring all of them in an hour."
Sasikala aunt was planning for this birthday lunch for more than a month now. Maahi and her dad are not in talking terms and it is a task for Sasikala Aunty to bring both of them under the same roof. She grabbed my birthday as the perfect occasion and I was happy to oblige. Now I have the daunting task of making three of them ready in an hour for the lunch.
***
"Zoya how can you do this to me?!" Maahi was furious at Zoya.
She slammed the door of her SUV. The scrumptious lunch they just had was worth taking Maahi's ire so Zoya smiled on this assault.
"You will break the door!" Shruthi snickered.
"Zoya, you should have seen her face when he asked her about Sanjay!" Shruthi was not in a mood to let Maahi go easily.
"Shruthi...back off" Maahi screamed while putting on the seatbelt.
Roshni chose to play the umpire today. "Enough guys. Don't fight on her birthday!".
"Maahi drop me and Shruthi near the mall. We need to do some shopping. Zoya, come along, we will drop you back."
Zoya thought of accepting the offer, but then she had to eat Biriyani today. For her every birthday, Abbu always made Biriyani. Today Zoya was going to order Biriyani for Dinner. Zoya politely declined.
Maahi dropped Shruthi and Roshni near the mall. Back home, Sanjay picked up Maahi for friends meet up and Pooja dialed Maahi to inform that she would stay back at a friend's place. The idea of having the apartment to herself all night was appealing. Zoya put her favorite music on the stereo and grooved in her short black pajamas and black tee while cleaning the apartment. When she got hungry, she fished out her phone from the bag to order online. She realized the phone was completely drained off charge.
She plugged the mobile into the charger. The screen flickered and became alive. Zoya was appalled to see sixty-seven missed calls. A few from pooja and the remaining from an unknown number.
"Aditya Hooda, what do I do with him!" Zoya wondered while ordering food.
As Zoya finished her cleaning and went to the kitchen corner to make a lemonade, the doorbell rang. Through the peephole, she saw the back of a person in a formal wear paired with a vest. The doorbell rang again. Zoya put on the safety chain on the door and opened the door slightly.
"Hi, Zoya" Aditya waved at her.
Zoya closed the door and put her whole body against the door. She blinked her eyes to make sure she was not hallucinating. Again Zoya slightly opened the door and took a peek outside. This time Aditya was furious.
"Zoya, It is me! Aditya. Can't you see me? Open the door!"
Zoya reluctantly opened the door.
"Can't believe people walk around this place all the time. There are so many kids around her. What a noisy place!." Aditya murdered while hurriedly closing the door himself. Zoya was so stunned with the whole thing that she just moved back.
Aditya's tensed face visibly relaxed seeing a nervous Zoya standing there. He was pleasantly surprised seeing Zoya in a short pajama, especially when he had the image of Zoya in the pink salwar freshly etched in his mind. The dismayed look on her faced, enhanced the childish charm of her whole attire. He moved forward and took her in his arms. Zoya was still staring at him agape with wonder.
"Why aren't you lifting my calls? " Aditya's expression hardened as he pulled her body closer.
"I, I didn't realize...I...I was busy..." Zoya searched for an answer.
"Busy having lunch with your friends?" Aditya accused her.
"How? How do you know?" Zoya tried to wriggle out of his grip in vain. But her expression changed into worry now.
"Are you stalking me?"
"The whole world seems to be stalking me and I don't get to stalk my girl? That's unfair!" His eyes were oozing innocense and Zoya mellowed down for the time being.
"First of all, I am not your Girl and don't stalk me! Isn't it illegal."
"Illegal if you caught me stalking you, otherwise it is fine," Aditya smirked and passed on his infection smile to Zoya. He planted a soft kiss on her cheekbones and heatwaves rocked her body.
"I wanted to spend the day with you so I called you in the morning. You didn't pick up my call and then you switched off your mobile. I had to meet you today, on your birthday..." The way Aditya whispered in Zoya's ears, she wondered how long he has known her. Aditya paused and added a "...again" and Zoya blushed.
"See Aditya, I want to talk to you. Not today. when I am clear in my head what to define our relationship." The warping effect he has on her mind made Zoya struggle for a coherent response.
"Don't define anything. I just wanna spend some time with you. Do you have other plans?" Zoya shrugged, no need of telling Aditya about her Biriyani plans. A visibly awkward Zoya pushed him slightly and he freed her.
Aditya's eyes roamed around the room and he asked Zoya with an incredulous look "You live here?"
"Yes, why?" Though Zoya understood the undertones of the question, she still paused a question not expecting an answer.
Aditya, who was used to much bigger spaces and taller ceilings was slightly amused by the size of the apartment. Though the living room was small, a nice lavender aroma spreading from the candle Zoya lit made it a warm and cozy place.
"Coffee? Tea?" Aditya refused the offer flatly.
"You won't have what I normally drink" He quipped.
"Yes, we don't keep that" Zoya tried to keep her face neutral. Maahi's cupboard has many bottles, but Zoya had no intention to offer liquor to Aditya, especially since there was no one at home. Though Zoya was thrilled with this unexpected visit, She was still afraid of his temper and wanted him to leave as soon as possible. Aditya moved to the corner to take a call and Zoya decided to make the lemonade anyway.
While making the lemonade, Zoya took a good look at Aditya. His chocolate color pants and vest paired with a maroon shirt made him look like a raffish CEO who just stepped out of a corporate board meeting. She remembered reading somewhere that Aditya heads the Hospital chain of The Hooda empire. He had taken it as part of a charity endeavor and he actually excelled in that. Aditya's past and present were saved in Bollywood vista servers and she had devoured the whole information.
Zoya gazed at Aditya and wondered why she was letting him come too close to her. There was no denying that she was attracted to him, but Zoya could not see Aditya as someone who wants to have a relationship with her, even a fling. Zoya wouldn't be able to tell about this to anyone, not even to Maahi. It was a match made of two misfits on either side. He was way out of her level, still, the thought of letting him go of her life hurt her already.
"Tell me when you are finished checking me out." Zoya was rudely brought to earth by Aditya's comment, who was done with the call. She turned into beet red. Aditya came closer and ran his finger on her cherubic face. He wondered how much freedom he can take with Zoya.
"I have got something for you." Without even asking Zoya's permission, Aditya took out a small charm bracelet with a letter Z and put it on her wrist. His fingers lingered over the bracelet.
"Did you like it?" Aditya asked earnestly.
"Do I have a choice?" Zoya murmured, still reeling from the thought of misfits.
"Thank you" Zoya gave a stern thank you and gave him the lemonade with an unusual force. It spilled and Aditya moved back.
***
Anjana Hooda looked at the mirror and examined her neck piece. Her discerning eyes found a slight twist in the chain near the neck area and adjusted it carefully. Mr. Shah lingered around the door, nervously checking his phone every second.
"What is her name?" Anjana asked.
"Zoya Siddiqui" Mr.Shah replied. The questionnaire continued.
"Parents?"
"Her Father Mr.Nassem Siddiqui was a College Professor, died six months back. Mother Roshna Siddiqui, sister Noor Siddiqui. Both are not in touch with Zoya. They are in Delhi, we are still gathering information about them."
Anjana was still curious. Anjana was completely ok with Aditya's temporary girlfriends and their intrusion into her son's life. She waited patiently for over a month for his son to get over his obsession over Zoya. Anjana worried about the extend Aditya has gone to be with her. For the last few months, Aditya had literally canceled all his shoots abroad and had hired a team of Private Investigators to get info on Zoya. Details of Aditya's extensive involvement in this girl had leaked to Anjana and she asked Mr.Shah to inform her about the details.
On the other hand, Mr. Shah, having witnessed the events from the beginning, have a nagging feeling that Anjana's worries are unnecessary. Zoya may not reciprocate Aditya's advances in a positive way. Zoya gave out a vibe of a girl who wants to be invisible.
"I don't understand, how did they meet? It sounds impossible. An ordinary girl!" Most of Anjana's comments seemed directed at herself.
"You keep me informed about this Girl and Aditya. I will set up some party in London or in Dubai next week to get him away from Bombay. Does he have anything on schedule next week? " Anjana seemed fixated on this Girl, Shah thought.
"Just a few creative meetings with the new Fashion brand. He wanted an empty week." Shah wondered whether Anjana would guess his son's intentions easily.
Shah walked out of Anjana's room with a lingering smile. Even after the fierce interrogation of Anjana Hooda, Shah was content that he didn't divulge the most important news of all. As they speak, Aditya Hooda was having a gala time with Zoya Siddiqui in her nice and cozy apartment.
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Anupamaa
