Meant To Be: AdiYa ✔

A New Shade

Zoya And Aditya came back to their senses as Aditya said 'Ouch'. Zoya straightened herself and Aditya  looked at his hand which was bleeding profusely. The nail at the end of Zoya's table had pricked him and it would have hurt her had he not been there. Zoya looked at the bruise and said 'I have some first aid. Let me get it for you'. Her voice was so gentle and full of care that Aditya was shocked. Zoya realised that she let her guards fall off. She went back to her normal crisp self and said 'Here you are' and handed him an antiseptic and a band aid. As Aditya tended himself he said 'So Ms.Siddiquie did you call me to save you from a nail prick or did you have some work?'
Zoya looked at him coldly and said 'Mr.Hooda, I would like you to organise a puja at my house. From the priest to the materials required for it , you are responsible. Also the lunch. And this should be done by day after tomorrow and it should be perfect. Mr Sharma and his family would be attending it so I don't want any complaints.'
Aditya said 'By Mr.Sharma , you mean Mr.Rajesh Sharma'
Zoya replied in a bored voice 'Yes and if you are done with your questions you might as well get on with your work. You are welcome to go to my house for any necessary requirements like measurements and all.'
Aditya got up to leave and said 'I won't disappoint you Ms.Siddiquie'
As he was turning the handle on the door Zoya said in a soft voice 'Mr.Hooda , Thank you'
Aditya smiled and left.
Zoya let out a deep breath. Her face was feeling hot. She had turned crimson. What was the matter with her? She couldn't just take out the vision of her fall and Aditya saving her from her mind. Zoya said to herself 'Zoya you aren't a teenage school girl. Get a grip on yourself' but as she said this she couldn't help but smile to herself.

Aditya drove to Zoya's apartment. As he drove he thought about Zoya and her eyes when he saved her. He thought that though she looked extremely strong and tough , her eyes told a different story. There was fear and vulnerability in those beautiful orbs. And her gentle voice and the thanks she gave him told him that Zoya was not what she showed the world. There was something more to her. Something that scares her and something that she wants protection against.
He reached Zoya's place and got a call from Mri. He picked up and heard Mri saying 'Adi I am missing you. Where are you and when will you come?'
Aditya said 'Mri I am out for some work. I will be back by evening'
Mri wailed and said 'Evening is a long time Adi. Can I come and see you , I promise I won't disturb you. Please'
Aditya  smiles at her cute pleas and said 'Fine you can come. Give the phone to our chauffeur and I will tell him where to drop you'
After thirty minutes Mri arrived and Aditya  picked her up and went inside Zoya's house.

Aditya placed Mri on the sofa and looked around. Arjun came forward to greet him and together they got to work.
They heard the door bell ring and before Aditya could do anything Mri had promptly got up to open the door.
Zoya and Mri looked at each other. Mri exclaimed in delight and said 'You are the lady who met me at the temple the other day. You didn't meet my brother that day , today you will see him.' Without further ado Mri took Zoya's hand and took her in. Zoya didn't say a word and just followed Mri.Aditya And Arjun stood in the hall and Mri said 'That's my brother'
Zoya knelt down and took Mri's hands. She said 'I know your brother well but I don't know you and I would love to know you. My name is Zoya Siddiquie . You can call me Zo'
Mri said 'I am Mrinalini and everyone calls me Mri so I guess it won't be a problem if you call me that too'
Zoya said 'Mri would you like to have something to eat and drink? I can cook some really fun stuff and I will teach it to you too'
Mri beamed and said 'Yes Zo. I am really hungry'
Zoya picked her up and went towards the kitchen and told Aditya 'Don't worry, she is in safe hands'

Aditya was absolutely taken aback. It was like seeing a whole new version of Zoya Siddiquie . She was homely , sweet and happy. And the way she had picked up Mri ,with such tenderness and love. He was really surprised.
He thought 'Zoya Siddiquie  you really are unusual. Who are you?'

A double update to compensate for the short updates.Do drop your comments and tell me how you found this part. And please vote
Lots of love