The Song up is the Inspiration For this Chappy ❤️️

Chapter 18

It had been a few hours , Anjana and Harsh had taken their leave whereas Zoya was in her room locked up. Aditya was down in the hall – his mind filled with thoughts what was he suppose to do and not to do! ,

Vandana after feeding Shakthi the soup walks in to the hall to see Aditya resting his head on the sofa headrest stressed with eyes closed . Vandana sits beside Aditya .

"Adi beta"

Aditya opens his eyes blinking to clear his vision he sits up straight and passes a small smile at Vandana ,"Mama , Is Dada alright?" He asks concerned .

Vandana smiles "He is sleeping" , Aditya nods . "It feels nice to hear you call us Mama and Dada just like my girl- and-" Vandana pauses as she tell with utter sincerity "We wanted to have a son after Zoya , the longing for a son , you filled that space Adi beta"

Aditya side hugs her "Hmm—Mama why so emo? – I'll always be your son whatever happens – just ring me up and I'll be in front of you Mama " ,

Vandana gives him a content smile , "And Mama when Zoya can call my parents as hers Why can't I?—You know Mama –My Mom and Dad on her sides now "

Vandana chuckles seeing Aditya pouting "So what you have Mama on your side—now come lets have dinner "

"Where is Zoya?—I didn't see her around since a while "

"Mama she is sleeping tired –I'll take the meal to the room"

Vandana nods "Okay then"

Aditya tries to stand up but stops and sits back seeing Vandana hesitating to tell him something

"Adi beta –how is everything between you two?" She asks hesitating

Aditya's face falls "Fine Mama "

Vandana nods not wanting to poke her nose into their personal life She had seen the sadness in Zoya's eyes , "Adi beta –Zoya doesn't think before she speaks with ones who are close to her –so in circumstances if she tells something which hurts you please don't take it to your heart –You might be wondering what type of a mother I am –without advising my daughter –I am here asking you things "

Aditya shakes his head negatively 'She is lucky to have you" Aditya says pressing her palms , "Look at Your Poor son too at times" He jokes to ease Vandana .

Vandana chuckles "How lucky we are to get you"

Aditya holds her palms in his "To be honest Mama none is lucky to have someone –when someone new joins we are expected to adapt and compromise so that we could balance each other –And I am happy that I got this loving family which is mine now and Mama , Zoya has let go many things for me and I am not sure whether I'll be able to make it up for her but I'll try –I promise you , Mama –I'll try to give everything and anything your little girl wants "

Vandana smiles through her tears "May god bless you both"

Aditya closes the door behind him walking in with two plates of food . He sees Zoya in the bed curled up .

"Zoya" he taps her lightly taking a seat beside her in the bed . Aditya sees the dried tears in her cheeks . Zoya stirs opening her eyes with a pounding headache .

"Let me sleep" She whispers tiredly

"Eat and sleep" Aditya says softly

"I do not want to eat" Zoya replies stubbornly pushing his palm away from her forearm.

"Zoya—don't make me angry-Just wake up –eat and sleep –you will get what you want!" Aditya yells at her his patience gone

Zoya sits up angrily pulling the plate harshly from the table she swallows the food down the throat—almost pushing the spoon towards her throat .

Aditya sighs holding her hand , "Zoya" he calls her softly , she looks up tired "She was my past – You are my present" He whispers softly making her leave the spoon in the plate .

She sniffs and bits her lower lip "So what—You love her Adi , Once I –" she gulps as her heart squeezes "Leave—you—you could –" she sniffs and tries to hold back her tears .

Aditya looks away as his vision blurs "Let's talk in the morning but remember You are my present "

Zoya chuckles as she sniffs her reply She places her palm over his heart "But this beats for her – This would break me but I would overcome Adi , Life moves on—"

Aditya clasps his palm with hers which is against his heart "Let's move on Zoya—I need You" He whispers honestly

Zoya lets out a sad chuckle as her eyes fills "You need her not me Aditya – Adi don't sacrifice your love –I'll go away"

Aditya pulls her in a hug "Stop being stubborn " he chides her "I need you Zoya –I—We—deserve happiness "

"Your happiness is with her Aditya , One month is a big time – We lived together but turning back there wasn't a day we slept happily "

"I'll change for you please" he pleads making her look up

Zoya pulls back with tears glistening in her orbs "I want all of you Aditya –despite the fact that we have a distressed relation –I had been happy with you ­there were times but the moment I saw the Love in your eyes for her –I can't "

"Please" Aditya whispers in a plea his vision blurring

"Can You love me Aditya?—Can You forget her ?"

Aditya looks down to hide his tears unable to reply how could he forget Pooja –She had been his first love –She was the definition of Love in his life –how could he?

"I am not selfish Aditya" She whispers "I haven't been in love but I can see how much you love her – go to—her" her voice cracks as she sobs

"Will talk in the morning" Aditya offers instead rubbing off his tears as he stands up hurriedly and turns giving his back to her . He walks towards his suitcase pulling out a dress to change he walks into the washroom .

"Why does this bloody heart hurt?" She places her palm in her heart

Zoya wipes her tears curled up in the bed sleeping on her side . Her eyes fills as she sees him laying on the couch . For the first time in their One and half month marriage they never slept alone .

"You are near at far" Zoya whispers and looks down to hide her tears.

Aditya closes his eyes laying on the couch which wasn't even fitting his half a body . He knew she needed space and he was going to her . Aditya tilts his head to see her looking at him—longing .

He breaks the gaze and takes a deep breath It was lot to take in today . How happily he had woken up. Just a few hours and his life was turned upside down .

"Adi" Pooja waves at the 18 year old Aditya

"Pooh" He stutters

"Adi—you are stuttering –what's up—you can tell me" Pooja encourages . It had been just few months that they started being friends

"Iamilove" Aditya tells gibberish-ly

"Adi I can't understand your gibberish language " Pooja chuckles

"I like a girl "

"Then- go tell her" Pooja says smiling

"I am scared" Aditya whispers

"Adi—time wouldn't wait for us –if you want something you need to try – man up" Pooja advises

Aditya's lips curve up remembering Pooja's words – that was the time he had asked her out she had been shocked and then asked for time . Aditya moves his gaze to Zoya who had fallen asleep exhausted.

But this damn heart! –believes you that You wouldn't cheat behind my back! ---Damn heart!! Why does even got a liking to you—I don't love you Aditya! but that little affection and the fact You belong to me hurts me! -

"I am selfish –Damn this heart—Says not to let you goo—this damn heart says You are my husband –You married me so You belong right next to me !!

Aditya's ears rings with her words , The same words repeatedly , He smiles his tears gushing out .

"She likes me? and trusts me not to cheat on her" His words struck as he looks at her curled form . He gets down from the bed and walks up to her , He lays on his side on the bed , holding her by her forearm he turns her around . He grasps her palm tightly in his "This is Our tradition – So who am I to break it?" He whispers to her sleeping form .

"My Minion –I'll give you the happiness and the affection you deserve "

Zoya stirs and opens her eyes lazily as her gaze falls on Aditya who was lying closer to have such that their bodies are inches apart . She smiles sadly "How cute you look while sleeping –Won't this dream continue forever?"

Zoya sees him stirring and opening his eyes "Yeh sapna nahi hai? (this isn't a dream?) "she whispers softly touching his cheeks with her fingers grazing it lightly

Aditya blinks his eyes and gives her a small smile "Nahi—the dream will continue if you wish" he says softly holding her palm which was against his cheek.

Zoya tries to pull her palm "Adi –You—"

"Not early morning –Zoya" Aditya warns softly "Please" his eyes softens in his plea .

"Why—are—you—doing –this?" Zoya whispers her finger tips now grazing his stubble in between his palm .

"I care about you –I want Us to work –Titli "

"There is no Us –Aditya –"

"There is –I repeat She was my beautiful past and You are Colorful present Titli –Give me a chance"

"She could be your present too" Zoya whispers painfully

Aditya lets out a troubled sigh "I can't open up soon –Zoya—but I repeat You --Only You are my present !" , He moves away sitting up on the bed .

Zoya's face falls not feeling him close to her. The feeling of helplessness frustrates her. As a wife she craved for her husband's affection and attention and when she was going to get it , Can she be selfish?

Aditya freshen himself up – He had made up his mind – He let go Pooja but this time He was determined to hold onto Zoya , how long will she be stubborn ? , Divorce isn't a solution he knows that –None of them would be happy and for him Zoya's happiness mattered the most .

Zoya places the bindi in her forehead as she sees through the corner of her eyes Aditya walking out with trousers on –shirtless . He stands right behind her – she locks her gaze into his as the ysee each other in the reflection .

She feels heavy as they are reminded their day two days back – how happy they had been .

Aditya makes her face him instead of asking her permission he takes a pinch of sindoor and places it in her parting . She closes her eyes swallowing the gulp which was forming .

He moves away as she opens her eyes . She sees him shuffling through his suitcase to get a shirt . Why is he making it harder for me?

He walks back up to her again and places the shirt in her hands "Make me wear –Titli"

"Why—" Zoya frustrated opens her mouth to yell at him – Why is he playing around with me? but he silences her placing his finger on her lips .

"Mama is near the door" he whispers leaning down in her ears

She looks up slowly to see her Mother looking everywhere standing out – May be she had come over to call them for breakfast Zoya assumes .

Stretching his hand angrily she almost thrusts the shirt inside his arms making him slightly chuckle .

She buttons up the first button making him choke on his saliva , Aditya pulls her fingers away choking badly while she passes him a sweet smile .

"Why this Kolaveri?" Aditya frowns

"Kola—what?" Zoya frowns

"Murdering mood" Aditya clarifies while making his collar

"Mama is gone" Zoya says turning around making his face fall Did she think this was a show off for her mother?

Zoya ties her hair in a pony and turns around to see him looking at her upset "And Aditya" she hesitates , He nods asking her to go ahead , "Let anything happen between us- but don't let—"

"Our parents know " Aditya completes looking into her eyes .

Zoya nods at him and takes few steps to walk out only to stop as he holds her wrist and pulls her close to him in his arms . Zoya's head knocks to his chest "What—are—you—doing?" Zoya frowns although inside her heart was fluttering .

He leans down looking into her eyes places a soft kiss on her forehead and leaves her "Fulfilling My Duty as your husband !"

He leaves before her . She looks into the mirror and places her fingers on her forehead "Why is he making it hard for me?"

"Mama we are going back today!" Aditya drops the information in the dining table making Zoya stop serving him .

"But why so soon?" Vandana asks sadly

Zoya too looks at Aditya for explanation "Mama –It's been since few days we came to Delhi and Randhir had to go abroad so there is no at the office to manage in my absence ",

Zoya frowns business! Business ! Damn his first love ! , Aditya shifts his gaze down to the plate seeing her glaring .

"ohh but do come often –okay?" Vandana says sadly

"Mama cheer up –We would be coming soon" Aditya says to lighten her up

"Really ?"

"Haan-How can your son stay without seeing his Mama?"

"Your son?" Zoya frowns asking

"Haan My son!" Vandana says with attitude

Zoya looks at Aditya burning in jealously "From when did you side him?"

"Since the moment Jhanviji and Harshji took your sides" Vandana says haughtily

Aditya passes a winning smile .

"Whatever!" Zoya mutters and pulls her chair with creak as she plops herself and munches the parattas angrily How can I stay with him alone? - Not that she hadn't stayed alone but she was scared about herself – Will I change my mind? it is not that she would be unhappy rather she would be content if they would live like a normal couple but the fact he has to sacrifice his love and lifelong he is going to live with the pain of losing his love so how could she be selfish?

***

I know so many questions in mind - First would be Why can't Aditya tell Pooja is Dead? Know that it is hard for him even to believe that she died and he is guilty so he needs time and Zoya does not want to make him stick in a loveless marriage

Love will Find its own way ❤️️

As Many know My CA(Chattered Accountant) classes have started So I need your wishes .

So with work and studies and doing tuitions I've got little time to update plus exams in September . This book will have more than 50 chappies as i do not want to rush !! -It will take more than a Year to update

Will Readers stick with me For so long?