Enduring Ally

Chapter 16: I Own You

"What?" Zoya screamed and closed her mouth in horror. Arjun and Noor get shocked after seeing Zoya's reaction. "What makes you think, Aditya will listen to me, if his own brother can't handle him?" Zoya asked them after few minutes of silence.

"Zoya, you have to help us. I know, you both have some connection... I mean... I have never seen or heard that Bhai was dancing or attending any function in this last two years, but for you, Bhai did all these things. And I can see you too like Bhai, you care for him and he cares for you", he paused to get some reaction from Zoya. But she was lost in thoughts so he continued, "You both have feelings for each other. I can see Love in your eyes for Bhai, Zoya". The word love hit her hard and she come to her senses and asked, "What? What the hell are you talking, Arjun? You think I love Aditya? No... Never... I could... never ever... love anyone..." tears dropped from eyes while saying. She gathered her composure by wiping her tears away and said, "No... Arjun... I don't love Aditya... I respect him... I like him... he is a good man... yea, I care for him but that doesn't mean I love him..."

"Zoya... Please hold on... sorry... it's my mistake I thought you love him... it's okay, but we think, if you tell about our love to Bhai, definitely he'll not say anything. Also, you're Noor's sister, so you can take this matter to Bhai as proposal for marriage", Arjun said to her. Zoya again lost in her thoughts and paced up and down the room.

After few minutes, she said, "Okay, I'll help you; I'll talk to Aditya about this. But not today, now for me, Riyaz Reception is important. I don't want to create any scene now. I'll talk to him about this when I find time and when he is in good mood". "Done", both said in unison. Noor hugs Zoya and said, "Thank you, Appi". Arjun joined them and said, "Thank you, Zoya".

"Okay, I need to go. I'll see you guys later", Zoya said and left them. Once Zoya was out of the sight, Arjun and Noor give a hi-five and low-five. "Noor, your Appi needs some love lessons from you. She is in love with Bhai but still not willing to accept it. You proposed me on 40th day, after we met", he said. Noor laughed at his remarks and Arjun joined her.

***

Aditya is restless as he couldn't find Zoya for the past half an hour. He is looking for her everywhere in the venue. He even asked Riyaz about her, when he went to meet them to give his gift. While he was about to leave to look outside the venue, he spotted Zoya coming out of Lunch hall. He released a long breath which he was holding till now. He takes 2 paces at a time and reaches Zoya in no time.

He grabbed her hand and said, "I want to talk to you" before she could reply, he pulled her along with him to one of the corner, where no one was near or could notice them. "Ya Allah... What happened to everyone today? Why everyone wants to talks me? And why everyone has to pull me along with them?" Zoya asked while Aditya holds both her arms and pushed her on to the wall softly. He half leans, next to Zoya, on the wall with his left hand as support.

Aditya with confused look asked her, "What? Who else wanted to talk to you other than me?" Zoya looked at him perplexed and said, "Nothing... No one..." Aditya glared at her, "I... I... was talking about... Noor... she too... pulled me along with her to talk about her boyfriend", Zoya added by gesturing with her hands that's all while he nodded along with her.

"Okay Aditya, I need to go and check the dinner arrangements. I'll get back to you later", she said. Aditya hold her hand and stopped her while she tries to leave. He pulled her closer to him and Zoya slammed in his chest. Aditya grabbed both her arms with his and they had an eye-lock. He moved closer and closer to Zoya till their lips were an inch apart. He looks at her lips and Zoya looks at his and closed her eyes.

Aditya controls the urge to kiss her and moves away to her left ear and whispered, "Zoya, I need to talk to you", Zoya opened her eyes terrified and looks at him, while "In private", he added loudly. Her cheeks gone red and she couldn't hide her embarrassment. Aditya pretend that he didn't notice anything and asked her, "Zoya... Do you want to... report to me again?" Zoya couldn't understand for a minute and then asked, "What?"