With the mention of Aditya's name for the first time Zoya looked down at her two feet, her face even more flushed and she slowly made her way in front of Aditya. Zoya couldn't comprehend why but she was feeling as if her heart would just stop when she moved forward. At the same time, the exact same manner even Aditya wasn't able to make up his mind to decide whether to look at Zoya, say a simple 'hi' to her or gaze down shyly and what his mind could register at that time, he went with the flow.
He immediately moved to his right as if he was making space for Zoya to sit next to him, without even lifting his head and the gathering couldn't help but feel that Aditya has lost his mind or either he's too shy to react. Aaksha who was amused seeing what her brother just did couldn't help but make a satirical remark of her Aditya's cuteness.
"Adi, tune toh abhi se hi Zoya keliye sochna shuru kardiya? Wow yaar!"
The Hooda's and the Siddiqui's started laughing out loud making Aditya feel badly embarrassed and Zoya looked away from Aditya awkwardly. She didn't know whether she needs to sit with Aditya now or not as she couldn't muster the strength for anything specially after the comment that was passed her way. She kept blushing unknowingly when Roshnaq knew it was time to give some space to their children now that they've met.
"Arrey Aditya aur Zoya beta, aap dono hum sab ke saath yaha baitkar kya karenge? Harshwardhan bhaisaab aur Anjana ko Zoya ko jaanneka mauka baad mein milega lunch time zaroor toh Zoya beta, jaiye Aditya ko lekar balcony par. Aapki Coffee lekar hum Jiya ko bhejh denge. Aaiye Jiya, humari madat kijiye kitchen mein"
Roshnaq asked Jiya for some help at the kitchen when as if alarmed, Aditya forgot where he was and shouted.
"Aunty, aap Coffee banane jaarahi hai toh mere liye bhi ek cup bana dengi aap? Please agar koi taqleef nahi hai toh..."
Before he could realize what he just uttered Aditya had already done the damage from his side and he could feel his dad's strong gaze on him and Aaksha staring at her brother as if he has gone bonkers while Roshnaq smiled surprisingly.
"Of course Aditya beta, aap dhoodh ke saath piyenge coffee ya kuch aur preferences honge aapke?"
Aditya was feeling glad that he asked for a coffee since Roshnaq aunt didn't seem to mind. He ignored the entire situation of feeling awkward about Aaksha's statement as well as him asking for a coffee and walked towards Roshnaq, his lips covered with a grin.
"Aunty, main dhoodh waali coffee nahi peetha. Mujhe toh black hi pasand hai, with half a spoon sugar. Thanks a lot kyun ki waqt beethe hi mujhe mera coffee yaad agaya, jo main aksar peetha hoon ghar par"
Roshnaq shook her head flabbergasted and along with her, Waseem and the one who has been silent all the while, Zoya was extremely surprised too.
"Beta, aap vishwas nahi karenge par hume toh yakeen nahi horaha ki aapki aur Zoya ki Coffee tastes same hai. Koi difference nahi hai, haina Waseem? Zoya ko bhi black coffee, aadha chammach cheeni ke saath hi pasand hai. Koi taqleef nahi hai beta, hum banakar bejhthe hai. Aap log jaiye"
It couldn't get more awkward than this was what Aditya thought when he shouted asking for a coffee but this was the heights of embarrassment, as his family and the Siddiqui's minus of course Zoya laughed at the similarity they heard between the two kids of their families. Obviously Zoya was thinking to herself wishing that the earth would open up and swallow her right then as she felt herself shaking.
"Jaiye Zoya, Aditya ko balcony par lekar jaiye. Jiya aayegi na coffee lekar aap dono keliye? Jaiye.."
Waseem directed Aditya towards the staircase with a beam and Aditya looked behind him literally at Zoya's high heels, not meeting the eyes of her. Zoya slowly moved forward when Harshwardhan made it even more obvious that he wanted this proposal to work big time.
"Arrey Waseem bhaisaab, hume toh lagatha ki bachchon ko waqt lagega ek dusre ko jaane keliye. Par yaha toh miracle hogaya, ye dono ke coffee tastes bhi same hai! Kaafi jamegi ye jodi ek saath..."
Jeez! Couldn't dad just keep his mouth shut at the wrong time without making this moment even more awkward for me? What must Zoya be thinking about me and our family? That we are a bunch of idiots? Aditya couldn't comprehend why but out of nowhere Zoya's thoughts about the situation turned out to become an issue of concern for him. That's when the girl walked past Aditya and directed him with her hand to follow her. The two marched upstairs slowly while their families were watching them.
While walking, Jiya was taking a peak secretly near the kitchen at her best friend and the guy she noticed to be as good looking as Anuraag has mentioned in his text message. Aditya indeed looks smart and stylish in his grey suit and that cute blue coloured 'kerchief inside his suit pocket, Jiya thought with a smirk. To her luck, Zoya stared downstairs involuntarily at the same time when she noticed Jiya looking at her. Jiya immediately waved at Zoya with a huge grin plastered on her face, pointed at Aditya who was attentively looking at his parents settled in the living room and involved in some animated chat with Waseem and gave her a thumbs up. Zoya widened her eyes stunned at Jiya's boldness and scared thinking what if Aditya saw them, she looked ahead to concentrate on walking. Her friends were nuts, Zoya thought silently.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Taking a left, Aditya and Zoya were finally out in the balcony area which was a sight to capture since the sun rays weren't that rough today. Aditya found the balcony so relaxing with breeze flowing continuously. The area looked more like a little garden where in the left corner, two artificial flower pots were placed while the ground was covered with a green carpet. There were two resting chairs covered with cushions on the left too. The right corner had a white coloured big swing which had a black net on top to provide shade. In front of the swing was a little round table which had a tall flower pot in the middle. He noticed on the wall behind the swing there were little wires of bulbs hanging at an odd angle.
The sight of the city was beautiful from the balcony, Aditya noticed when Zoya walked towards the swing with a beating heart since she realized that she was finally alone with the stranger guy, who has come seeking her hand in marriage. Aditya strolled near the balcony railing at that instant to grasp the view in his mind and touched his hair in amazement.
From where his own house was situated in the city if Mumbai and the ground floor which he had his room, Aditya could only see the landscaped garden of their house and his heart felt soothing at the picturesque and village like scenery in front of him. He always wished he could live in such a peaceful environment.
Zoya who moved to sit on the swing with Aditya looked behind to call him only to see the boy enjoying the view of the city, with a smile adorning his face. It was then only that Zoya stared at the prospective groom, whom her parents had chosen for her and also whom his two best friends had considered to be good looking. She couldn't deny but agree that indeed she liked what she saw.
Aditya Hooda was a handsome and a very tall boy with a soft stubble and if she was correct, he had dimples too. In that grey suit with a white shirt tucked beneath he looked suave. Zoya noticed Aditya's side profile clearly and she couldn't help but gaze at what a sharp jawline he has which could be used to cut diamond if wanted to one day.
Her own thoughts surprised her to an extent where she gasped without realizing that they were alone together. Why on earth does it matter how good looking Aditya is or that he's a thorough gentleman in appearance? I have a future to think about and arranged marriages are not what I'm made to believe in. I know the importance, beauty and the peaceful feeling of falling in love with someone special and getting married to a guy through a proposal, when my heart is somewhere else is not apt!
To let go of the silly musings her mind had recollected with her past, Zoya cleared her throat softly which caught Aditya's attention as he immediately looked to his right and saw the girl staring at him, widening her eyes and covering her mouth with her hand.
He saw how extremely beautiful Zoya looked in that salwar at that very moment. The sunshine made her glow and her hair, which were done in a french braid made her look cute. The silver jhumkas were rhythmically moving around and Aditya could see she was far shorter than him. Zoya looked like a typical bollywood heroine is what Aditya could assume and his heart rushed at the thought which he felt strongly. But why was he seeing these features specifically and noticing them one by one was a question to him indeed.
When Aditya turned around to look at her, Zoya saw him perfectly for the first time. He looked angelic and his thin eyes were an intimate liquid brown colour she noticed, thanks to the sun rays that were basking the boy in it's warm glow. Letting go of her contemplation about Aditya, she gave him a thin smile to avoid the awkward silence.
"Aaiye please.."
Her voice wasn't strong enough she realized but Aditya's heart did a small thud when he was called by her sweet voice to sit. Aditya nodded his head and made his way towards the swing. He occupied the left side while Zoya was on the right. They sat together and Zoya started folding the corners of her dupatta soon enough which Aditya saw abruptly while he was staring down at his shoes.
Is she as nervous as I am about this situation? Am I going to tell her that I don't want to get married at a young age? How must I start this conversation? Why can't di come and just help me miraculously for this once? Must Zoya know that I'm here at her house just to avoid having a quarrel with dad later on and not because I intend on seeing her for my marriage? Not only Zoya but any random girl! Aditya pondered over what his next action would be when Zoya settled herself finally with a deep breath, to face Aditya and come to the major topic straightaway without any delaying. To let him know that she doesn't want to get married to a guy through a proposal at any cost. That she believes in love and only love.
"Aditya ji..."
🎵 Sewwi 🎵
The conversation of theirs will be up on the next chapter 😊 Hope this long chapter was thrilling & I'm glad about the response I'm receiving for the book and the next will come after Sunday! 🌼