Later that afternoon, everyone but Aditya was sitting in the living room chit chatting. "I can't wait to test out the pool!" Pooja said excitedly.

"Me too! I just want to be lazy and do nothing" Noor agreed. Zoya looked around and noticed Aditya missing. "Aditya kaha hai?" She asked, to no one in particular.

Arjun grinned and looked at Zoya, "Where do you think?" he said.

Zoya frowned a little, wondering what Arjun meant, and then it hit her. Anyone who knew Aditya Hooda also knew...if it's one thing he loved besides basketball...it was horses.

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The Hooda farmhouse was not just a lavish house. It was also a ranch for horses. When Aditya was 16 years old, he wanted to take riding lessons. Never denying his sons anything, Harshvardhan Hooda put Aditya in lessons at the country club. Aditya, however, not only excelled at the sport...he fell in love with horses. One day when Aditya was finishing up his last riding lesson, Harshvardhan saw Aditya dismount. But instead of walking away, Aditya stood in front of the horse. He then placed a gentle palm on the horse's face and whispered something to it. When the horse neighed, Aditya placed a kiss on the horse's head and grinned.

Harshvardhan's heart swelled with love for his older son...he wanted to always see Aditya this happy. And so he had a horse ranch built behind the Hooda farmhouse and gifted it to Aditya for his 17th birthday. It was the best gift he could have given Aditya, and Aditya took on the responsibilities of running the ranch beautifully. He handpicked each and every horse that was housed, trained, and bred there.

At the moment, he approached one of the stable stalls and came face to face with a pretty brown colored mare...and she was heavily pregnant. Sensing Aditya's presence, the pregnant mare walked to the opening of the stall and neighed pleasantly.

Aditya chuckled and placed a loving hand on her head, "It's good to see you too girl...I see you're ready to be a mommy any day now huh?" Aditya murmured, running a soothing hand over the mare's neck. Aditya had a special place for this horse...she was rescued from her previous owner who mistreated her. Seeing her sad eyes and marked body, Aditya paid double the price to buy her...and she has been in his farmhouse ever since. How someone can hit such a sweet soul...Aditya will never understand.

This is how Zoya found them when she walked into the stables. Aditya gently caressing the pregnant mare's neck and the mare neighing appreciatively. There was so much tenderness in that moment that Zoya felt herself wanting to capture it. Arjun, Noor, Pooja, and herself all knew how to ride horses...but Aditya...Aditya had a special love for them...and it was clear to see that love now.

Zoya felt a pull in her gut, but didn't have time to ponder at the feeling when Arjun spoke up, "Told you Bhai would be here." He said cheekily, to no one particular.

Aditya turned and saw the gang enter the stables. Noor went straight to the stall next to the one Aditya was standing in and took out an apple. A redish brown colored horse came to the opening and nipped the apple neatly off Noor's hand. Noor giggled and patted her favorite horse, Kohinoor, partially because their names were so similar. She always brought him apples whenever she visited him.

Arjun walked a few stalls down and greeted his horse, Lightening, a pure white stallion that was gifted to him last year by Aditya. "Hello my boy" Arjun said, nuzzling Lightning's neck. Lightening playfully nipped Arjun's shoulder, his playful personality matching his master's as Arjun laughed at his horse's antics.

Pooja walked up to Kohinoor's stall and both she and Noor pampered him. Kohinoor neighed and stomped his front hooves, loving the attention he was getting from the ladies.

Seeing the others busy in their own world, Zoya walked closer and stood next to Aditya. "She's new...did you recently get her?" Zoya asked, observing the pregnant mare.

"Yea...a few months ago actually" Aditya replied casually.

Zoya lifted her hand to stroke the mare's face, but the mare took a step back in reflex, still unsure of strangers due to her past. Zoya put her hand down, a little disappointed.

But what happened next surprised Zoya. Aditya shifted so he was standing directly behind her. "Here..." Aditya murmured. He placed one hand on her waist and took her hand in his other hand. Aditya held their connected hands up, palm out, and whistled. As if on cue, the mare walked closer and sniffed Zoya's palm. Liking her scent, the mare nuzzled Zoya's palm until Zoya finally placed her hand on the mare's forehead, caressing her.

"See..." Aditya whispered into Zoya's ear, his breath warm against her skin, "she likes you..." He said. Zoya smiled and gave the mare another gentle caress. Zoya turned her head to thank Aditya, but the words got lodged in her throat.

It hit her in that moment just how close Aditya was standing behind her, his chiseled chest pressed slightly against her back. Their eyes met...and the air around them shifted...it crackled...and it intensified.

Unknowing to them, Arjun, Noor, and Pooja stopped what they were doing and observed the two. It seemed that Zoya and Aditya forgot that there were other people in the room.

"Yeh kab se chal raha hai?" Pooja murmured, stunned at the scene unfolding before her.

"Patha nahin...hum khud hehraan hai...Aditya baiyan aur Zoya appi?" Noor asked, trying to process this new development.

"Lagta hai...aag dono taraf lagi hai..." Arjun observed, noticing that Aditya bhai's presence was starting to affect Zoya di also. "Should we leave them alone?" Arjun whispered to Noor and Pooja, not sure what to do in that moment. The girls didn't get the chance to answer.

The moment was broken when Aditya and Zoya heard commotion coming from outside. There were heavy hoof beats, neighing, and a few shouts from various workers. Realizing the close proximity between him and Zoya, Aditya took a step back and tried to brush off the moment.

Zoya and Aditya awkwardly looked anywhere but at each other and the three that were still staring at them. Hearing more commotion from outside, the gang looked towards the entrance of the stables.

"What's happening out there?" Noor asked.

Aditya and Arjun looked at each other and a knowing look passed between the Hooda brothers. "Lagta hai Raja ko patha chal gaya keh Aditya bhaiya aye hai. " Arjun said, grinning. Aditya smirked back and started walking to the compound outside, the gang in tow behind him.

True enough, multiple stable boys tried to control the all black stallion. Muscles rippling, Raja kicked his front two hooves and the reins snapped from one of the stable boy's hands. Raja neighed and kicked his hooves again, anxious for his master. He was a king indeed, his coat a shiny black, his stature larger than the other horses, his power unmatched. He huffed out a breath and neighed again, angrily. He stomped again when another stable boy came too close. No one can ride him but his master...no one. Raja only gave that right to Aditya...and he felt it in his veins that his master was close. How dare he not come to see him?

Temper high, Raja was getting ready to kick again, but his master's commanding voice stopped him. "Raja! Stand down." Aditya commanded, his voice authoritative.

Still angry, Raja moved around a little, his hooves stomping here and there. Aditya hopped over the fence into the compound and approached Raja easily.

"Raja...I said stand down." Aditya said again, his voice steady, but powerful. Man and beast stared each other down. Raja's muscles remained taught. Aditya took hold of Raja's reigns and placed a hand on Raja's head. "Easy boy...I'm right here." Aditya said, feeling Raja's temper fizzing out.

Raja neighed once...then twice, staring at Aditya. "I know...I missed you too boy." Aditya murmured, giving his face one more pat before hopping onto Raja's back. Raja kicked up and broke out into a high speed gallop. Running a few laps around the compound was not enough, Raja galloped and jumped over the fence.

It truly was a sight to see. Man and beast were one form. It was hard to say who was more powerful. Together, it looked like they would take over the world, and the world's defenses would crumble before them.

Zoya felt a liquid pull in her stomach. This was a new sensation. She has seen Aditya horseback riding in the past, but then why was it so different this time around? What was this hot pull she felt looking at him now? He was...she dare say it...sexy...so sexy. Everything around her faded as she saw nothing but Aditya ride the magnificent beast.

Pooja nudged Noor and tipped her head towards Zoya. "I don't think she even knows what she's feeling for Aditya." Pooja observed, liking the idea of Aditya and Zoya together.

Noor watched her elder sister and smiled, genuinely happy. "I'm just glad that Zoya appi is finally moving on..." Noor replied.

Arjun observed Zoya and the way she was looking at Aditya bhai. "Should we leave them alone now?" Arjun whispered to Noor and Pooja again. "Ow!" Arjun flinched when Noor hit his arm.

****************

After dinner, everyone retired to their rooms for a good night's sleep. Zoya, however, tossed again, trying to find a comfortable spot on the bed. For some odd reason, she could not sleep. Frustrated, Zoya sat up and leaned against the headboard.

'What is wrong with her!?' Zoya thought, frustrated. When will she manage to sleep through the night again? Ever since Yash left her on their wedding day, Zoya has not had a full night's sleep. Due to sheer exhaustion, her body eventually would doze off, but sleep would be fitful and restless.

But tonight...tonight she could not sleep at all. Something felt missing...the room just felt unbearably large and lonely. Kicking off the blanket, Zoya pulled on a sweater over her pajamas and walked out. Maybe a quick stroll through the cool night air will help.

Zoya walked aimlessly around the Hooda farmhouse, not knowing her destination. The uneasiness she felt remained and Zoya tried to shake it off. Without realizing it, Zoya stood in front of the stable entrance. It was dimly lit indicating that all the horses where put away in their respective stalls for the night and all the workers have gone to sleep.

Feeling a pull in her gut, Zoya entered the stables. She heard it then...a soft neigh and a soothing murmur. Curious, Zoya walked in further and her eyes grew wide at the scene before her. The pregnant mare she met earlier today was lying down, breathing heavy. Aditya was down on his knees by the mare's head, trying to sooth her as she felt the labor pains.

Without thinking, Zoya rushed into the stall and knelt beside Aditya. "Aditya...she's getting ready to give birth!" Zoya said, stating the obvious.

"Zoya!? Thank god you are here!" Aditya yelped, relieved. "I came in to check on her one last time and found her like this. I need the vet! But I can't leave her alone. I don't know what to do!" Aditya rambled, panic clearly evidence in his voice.

Zoya look at Aditya's face and noticed that he was a little pale from the worry. "Aditya." Zoya said, her voice calm, "Aditya look at me." Zoya said again, placing a hand on his shoulder. When Aditya turned his worried eyes to Zoya, she continued, "I'll stay here with her...go and get the vet."

"Lekin..." Aditya cut it, not wanting to leave the mare alone.

"Aditya...she needs help.." Zoya said calmly, seeing the mare's eyes roll in pain as another contraction hit. "You know where the vet is...go and get him. I'll wait here." Zoya encouraged, knowing that Aditya needed someone to stay calm for him.

Aditya looked at the mare and then at Zoya, before he stood up to leave. He stood by the entrance of the stall and hesitated, looking down at Zoya. "Please..." Aditya said, "dhyan rakna...she's...special..." he murmured, his face filled with worry like an expectant father.

Zoya smiled, finding this side of Aditya extremely adorable. "Don't worry papa. She will be just fine." Zoya said, reassuring. Aditya nodded and just as he turned to leave Zoya called out to him, "Oh Aditya!"

When he turned back with curiosity, Zoya asked, "What's her name?"

Aditya looked at the mare and gave her silent encouragement when she neighed at another painful contraction. He then looked back at Zoya. "Sweetheart...she's Sweetheart." Aditya replied.

Zoya nodded, "Yes she is..." Zoya agreed, and as Aditya walked out the stables, Zoya turned back to Sweetheart and murmured, "And...much to my surprise...so is he..." Zoya said, discovering another side to Aditya tonight. And this new side to Aditya left a warm feeling inside Zoya's chest.

****************************************

Once the vet arrived it was more of a waiting game for Aditya and Zoya. They took a seat right outside the stall and helped the vet in any way they could. Aditya paced, he sat down...he stood up, and paced again.

"Will you calm down? She is fine." Zoya said, getting slightly annoyed at Aditya's constant movement.

"I can't help it!" Aditya said, frustrated. "Why is it taking so long? What if she isn't strong enough? What if...what if..." Aditya kept talking, panicking again.

Zoya stood up and placed both her hands on his shoulders, stopping his rant, "Aditya...she will be FINE." Zoya emphasized. "Do you see her?" Zoya turned them so they can see Sweetheart working through the labor pains. "You have taken extremely good care of her...she's beautiful. And she is a good...strong horse" Zoya soothed as she felt Aditya relax next to her.

"And the most important thing..." Zoya continued. Zoya waited a beat, building anticipation, as Aditya waited for her to complete her sentence, "She doesn't have chicken legs like you." Zoya finished.

Aditya look at Zoya, jaw dropping slightly. He never thought he would hear his nick name again. Zoya gave him a fake sweet smile. There was a moment of silence...and then Aditya started laughing. Zoya was definitely returning to her old self.

"Yaar yahan mera hawa tight hai aur tujhe masaak sooj raha hai?" Aditya replied to the insult.

Zoya giggled, glad that her comment made Aditya laugh, as it was meant to. "Sit down will you?...all we can do is wait." Listening, Aditya sat down with Zoya and waited.

After another moment of silence, Aditya spoke again, "Waise...aaj bohut dinon badh tumhe hasthe hue dekha" Aditya looked at Zoya, his face serious, "Acha laga..." He murmured the last bit.

Zoya stared into his warm whiskey colored eyes. The last bit sounding so intimate...that Zoya felt that pull again in her belly. Zoya opened her mouth to say something, but was interrupted when the vet called out for help again.

Around 3:00am in the morning, Sweetheart gave birth to a stunning foal. Once the hay was replaced, the food and water replenished, and the foal checked for any injuries or abnormalities. Aditya and Zoya finally made their way back to the house around 4:00am.

Both dragged their feet, tired from the long night. They didn't speak a word to each other as they walked through the dark corridors. Eyes drooping due to exhaustion, it was a mystery how they made it inside the house in the first place. Without realizing, both Zoya and Aditya entered the closest bedroom, which happened to be the one Zoya was staying in. Not even bothering to turn the lights on, Aditya and Zoya climbed on to either side of the bed and instantly fell asleep. And it was a deep sleep...no tossing...no turning...no restlessness...just deep sleep.

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IMPORTANT NOTE

Hello folks...this is important...the stable scene where zoya and aditya are helping the pregnant mare is inspired by a scene from my favorite novelist Nora Roberts. Roberts has a scene in her book where the main guy is extremely attached to a pregnant mare and the female lead finds this extremely sweet about him. the scene in saiyyan is INSPIRED by robert's book...i did not copy or am trying to pass this this scene as my own...so all credits for this scene goes to Nora Roberts...i'm just a fan who is inspired by her work. I don't want any credit for the part where zoya calls adi "sweetheart" which also is the name of the mare. All credit for this scene goes to Nora Roberts.