Arjun placed the last bags in the van and closed the trunk. "Everything is in the car Bhai!" Arjun yelled, so Aditya heard him. Aditya did a final check on the car's engine and closed the hood.

As if on cue, Zoya, Noor, Pooja, Anjana, and Harshvardhan came out. "All good beta?" Harshvardhan asked Aditya. "Yes papa...we're all set." Aditya replied. The youngsters touched the elder's feet and started piling into the van.

"Take this...I made some snacks for the road." Anjana passed the bag to Zoya and turned to Aditya. "Drive carefully beta." Anjana said, placing a loving hand on Aditya's head.

"Yes maa." Aditya responded, and gave Anjana a quick peck on her cheek before entering the driver's seat.

Zoya placed the food bag in the back of the car and noticed that only the passenger seat was available. Seeing Pooja, Noor, and Arjun already seated at the back of van, Zoya had no choice but to accompany Aditya in the front.

Once everyone buckled in, Aditya stepped on the gas pedal and headed toward the Hooda farmhouse.

Two hours into the ride, Aditya pulled into a rest area for the group to stretch their legs. They stopped in a small town right outside the bustling city of Mumbai.

"Zoya appi...apko kuch chahiye?" Noor asked as soon as she stepped out of the van, pointing to a convenience store. Zoya nodded her head, letting Noor know that she was fine. With that said, Noor and Pooja went inside to pick up some snacks for the group.

Outside, Zoya leaned against the van and looked out at the scenery in front of her. It was a cute little spot. The store was conveniently nestled on the street corner. Town homes surrounded the area, with little lawns out front. There was a school right next to the convenience store with the playground in plain sight. There were kids playing in it at the moment. Such pure souls...with no care in the world. Those were such innocent times, Zoya thought.

Arjun came and stood next to Zoya, leaning against the car just like her. "Kya soch rahi ho Zoya di?" Arjun asked, following Zoya's gaze to see the kids playing.

"The kids all look so happy..." Zoya responded, her voice almost distant, just like her thoughts. "No care in the world...no disappointments...no heartbreak...the only thing in mind is when they will get to play outside. It was such innocent times..." Zoya echoed her thoughts.

Arjun observed Zoya's profile, his heart aching for his Zoya di. She just seemed so lost right now and he never really had one-on-one time with Zoya since before the wedding either. It's like Zoya was in the room...but she still wasn't with them.

Arjun then looked past Zoya and saw Aditya standing towards the front of the van, far enough to not intrude in their conversation, but still close enough to listen.

"Woh toh ab bhi ho sakta hai Zoya di...bas nazariya badal na chahiye." Arjun replied, his young mind seeing something that no one else understood at the moment. Zoya peeled her eyes away from the children and looked at Arjun for the first time since their conversation started. Something in what Arjun said...she couldn't make out what he meant...but there was a deeper meaning there.

Before Zoya had more time to ponder at Arjun's cryptic response, Noor and Pooja came back out with chips and sodas.

"Look appi...I got your favorite...black coffee." Noor said, handing Zoya the coffee and taking a sip from her soda.

"Arre...tum dieting kar rahi thi naa?" Arjun asked Noor playfully, causing Pooja to hit Arjun's arm in defense of her younger cousin.

"Ow! Why are you girls always so violent!?" Arjun whined, rubbing his sore arm.

"Tu apna mooh bandh kyon nahin rakta? Jab bhi baath karta hai ladhkiyo se pitt tha hai" Aditya answered wittily, causing Noor and Pooja to giggle and Arjun looking at his brother in mock betrayal.

Everyone noticed, however, that Zoya still didn't laugh. She didn't even smile, she simply continued to stare at the kids playing in the playground. Noor opened her mouth to say something to Zoya, but caught Aditya's eye in the last moment. He shook his head in a subtle gesture, letting Noor know to not push Zoya. Seeing this, Noor refrained from saying anything.

At that moment, a basketball bounced off the basket and rolled over to the gang. Aditya caught it easily and saw a group of young kids approach them. "Bhaiya! Can you please give our ball back?" One of the kids called out. Aditya observed the group of kids and saw that they looked around 10 to 12 years old.

"Bhaiya please!" Another kid called out. Aditya looked down at the basketball in his hands and then back at kids, He then walked towards the kids as the rest of the gang stood back and waited to see what Aditya would do. Zoya looked on intently as well, her brows drawing together in curiosity.

"You want this back?" Aditya asked casually. "YES!" The kids responded enthusiastically. Aditya then spun the basketball easily on the tip of his index finger, "Then come and get it." He challenged. Giving a playful grin, Aditya bounced the basketball and made his way to the basketball court with the excited kids in tow, trying to steal the ball back and preventing Aditya from scoring.

Arjun soon joined the fun and the Hooda brothers had the time of their lives playing basketball with these kids. Noor and Pooja cheered them on and at one point switched teams and started cheering the kids instead.

It was such a treat to watch. Zoya looked on at the scene unfolding before her. Not too long ago she was admiring the innocence of seeing these kids playing and just being kids. But now with Aditya and Arjun in the picture, it still didn't take away from the innocence...it was all still there.

Zoya then saw Aditya steal the ball from Arjun and pass it onto a kid who scored. Aditya high fived the boy and teased Arjun about it, causing the kids to laugh. It was...charming. What Aditya did...it was just so charming.

Zoya wasn't sure how to feel about this. Zoya always focused so much on Aditya's annoying habits that she never noticed this side to him. Was he always this good with kids? Uneasy of where her thoughts were going, Zoya turned to look at something else and divert her thoughts elsewhere.

~Chak De Chak De Chak De
Chak De Saare Gham~

Shocked, Zoya turned to see Aditya kneeling in front of the kids, singing the beginning words. He then looked at her and continued.

~Chak De Chak De Chak De
Tere Sang Hai Hum~

The kids jumped up in joy and started to dance around Aditya as he pointed at Zoya.

~Haske To Dekh Tu Ek Baar
Khudh Hi Aa Jaayegi Phir Bahaar~

He pointed at the skies above and danced his way over to Zoya. Zoya looked on, still trying to process what was happening in front of her.

~Gaa Le Nayi Sargam
Geet Ek Naya Gaa
Aaya Naya Mausam
Aaya Din Naya~

Aditya playfully flicked Zoya's chin, trying to get her to smile. At this point Arjun, Noor, and Pooja joined and started dancing with the kids.

~Chak De Chak De Chak De
Chak De Saare Gham
Chak De Chak De Chak De
Tere Sang Hai Hum~

Two girls grabbed Zoya by her hands and pulled to the center of the playground. Some of the kids came and gave Zoya a group hug, showering this stranger with love because she looked sad.

~Chehd De Dhun Woh Aaj Cha Jaaye Mastiya
Chod De Khulke Aaj Lehron Mein Khashtiya~

Aditya came and placed one arm around Zoya. He used his other hand to imitate waves.

~Tokhar Mein Masti Ho
Dang Kar Bhi Joomein
Mann Bhi Dirakh Jaaye
Badal Ko Chumein~

Arjun came up to Zoya and hugged her. He then twirled Zoya in a smooth dance move and sang along with Aditya.

~Chak De Chak De Chak De
Chak De Saare Gham
Chak De Chak De Chak De
Tere Sang Hai Hum~

Noor then approached her sister and placed a loving hand on her shoulders, singing the next lines.

~Sach Hai Yeh Bas Ek Baar Milti Hai Zindagi
Karwatein Badal Thi Hai Pal Pal Yeh Zindagi~

Pooja then followed and placed an arm around Zoya. She then pointed to Aditya, Arjun, and the kids, showing Zoya the joy around them. Zoya's eyes watered a little, feeling overwhelmed at what was happening around her. They were all doing this...for her.

~Har Pal Ko Ghale Se Haske Laga Le
Pal Pal Mein Chupi Jo Khushiya Chura Le~

Aditya then took over once again and started dancing around Zoya. The kids making a circle around her and singing along as well.

~Chak De Chak De Chak De
Chak De Saare Gham
Chak De Chak De Chak De
Tere Sang Hai Hum~

Zoya's lips twitched a little at the sweet kids and she started clapping along.

~Chak De Chak De Chak De
Chak De Saare Gham~

Noor came and playfully started spinning Zoya, and finally...Zoya's smiled bloomed.

~Haske To Dekh Tu Ek Baar
Khudh Hi Aa Jayegi Phir Bahaar~

Aditya stopped what he was doing, seeing Zoya's smile. There it is...Her eyes were watery and it was clear to see that Zoya was overwhelmed. But...there it is...that smile.

~Gaa Le Nayi Sargam
Geet Ek Naya Gaa
Aaya Naya Mausam
Aaya Din Naya~

Arjun noticed Aditya stop singing and dancing. Wondering what happened, he turned to see what Aditya was staring at and when Arjun saw Zoya smiling...he knew why Aditya stopped. Grinning, Arjun nudged Aditya, breaking Aditya out of his trance.

~Chak De Chak De Chak De
Chak De Saare Gham
Chak De Chak De Chak De
Tere Sang Hai Hum~

Aditya pretended nothing happened as Arjun smirked at the scene he just witnessed. Completely oblivious to the effect she was having on Aditya, Zoya smiled on as the kids danced around her.

In that moment...Zoya felt like she got a little more of herself back.

*A few hours later*

Aditya pulled up on the drive way to the lavish house. On cue, multiple servants came out and started taking the bags into the house.

An elderly man walked up to Aditya, "Welcome Aditya baba" Aditya turned to see their loyal butler greeting him. "Hey uncle Brijraj! How are you?" Aditya hugged Brijraj and Arjun followed suit.

Brijraj may be a servant of the Hooda family, but Aditya and Arjun always called him uncle and treated him with respect. The girls greeted Brijraj as well and they all made their way inside the farmhouse.

Once inside, everyone separated to their separate rooms and unpack. Zoya opened her suitcase and started hanging up her clothes in the closet. Aditya and her were not sharing a room during their stay here. At the Hooda mansion, it didn't feel right to stay in separate rooms with the elders around. But here...Aditya and Zoya didn't have to share a room like a normal married couple.

When Zoya asked Brijraj uncle for a separate room, Aditya didn't argue. And so now she was here...unpacking and looking forward to some time alone.

In the meantime, Aditya pulled his bag into his room and started unpacking himself. Once done, he looked around the empty room and felt a little lonely. When Zoya asked for a separate room, he felt a little sting in his chest. He didn't argue because he knew Zoya probably wanted her own space. It wasn't easy to leave your childhood home and bedroom and then share a room with your nemesis. But he couldn't deny the fact that he felt a little uneasy when she asked for a separate room. Aditya was starting to get used to sharing his room with Zoya...so when she asked to stay separate...the idea bothered him.

Aditya tried to shake off the feeling and was glad when Arjun entered his room. "Hey Bhai...aaj ka plan kya hai?" Arjun asked, jumping on Aditya's bed, making himself comfortable.

Aditya took out two beers from the mini fridge and tossed one to Arjun, which he caught effortlessly. "Ask the girls...did they want to do anything in particular?"

Arjun was about to answer when he looked over Aditya's head to the wall. Arjun's face went pale. Aditya frowned at his little brother's change in color, "kya hua?" Aditya asked, worried, and followed Arjun's gaze.

Zoya was in the kitchen pouring herself a glass of water when she heard the screams followed by a loud crash. Dropping the glass, Zoya ran towards the noise.

Zoya, Noor, and Pooja all arrived at the same time in front Aditya's bedroom. Rushing in to see who died, they walked in to the Hooda brothers...both grown men...standing on top of the coffee table...hugging each other...as a servant chased a lizard across the floor.

The lizard started climbing up the leg of the coffee table, causing Arjun and Aditya to scream again. They jumped from the coffee table to the bed and hugged each other again, their faces reflecting pure terror.

Zoya, Noor, and Pooja watched with their jaws dropped. The girls looked at each other and then looked at the Hooda brothers. Someone giggled...and that giggle became full on laughter. All heads turned to see Zoya leaning against the door jam...laughing.

The other four stood stunned for a moment. Zoya was laughing...they almost forgot what that looked like. Today was definitely a blessing...first a smile...and now laughter. Noor and Pooja looked at each other, overwhelmed at the sight, until they finally joined Zoya in the laughter as well.

Arjun grinned at the sight and joined in as well. He turned to congratulate Aditya, only to see Aditya silently staring at Zoya. He couldn't seem to look away. Zoya was laughing...and what a beautiful sight she made. Eyes sparkling...face glowing...the sound angelic.

Aditya felt something shift in his chest. The hand that was squeezing his heart this whole time loosened its grip. The pressure in his chest lessened...and he felt himself breath.

Arjun bumped his shoulder into Aditya's, bringing him back to reality for the second time that day. Startled, Aditya came back and looked at his younger brother, only to see Arjun innocently looking back at him, trying to hide his smirk. Aditya cleared his throat and jumped off the bed.

"Aap dono pagal ho...patha hai?" Zoya said, trying to catch her breath, "koi chipkali se itna darte hai kya?" She asked, causing Noor and Pooja to giggle.

"Main nahin darta!" Arjun countered, "Mein toh bas...Bhai ko protect kar raha tha. Kyon Bhai?" Arjun lied, trying to save face in front of the ladies.

Aditya gave a death glare to Arjun and knocked him over the head with his hand. "Ow! Sab mujhe marte kyon rehte hai!?" Arjun yelped, rubbing the back of his head, knowing completely well that there was no heat behind Aditya's slap.

All three girls giggled again, knowing that they will never let the Hooda brothers' forget this moment.