Zaroorat

Chapter 6

Recap:

There were a few moments of silence before Zoya started to speak again.

'Aditya, if I ask you for something will you do it?'

Aditya's eyes widened. He was scared about what she would say next but he knew, anything Zoya asked for, he could never deny. He nodded in assent and Zoya trembled before she started speaking again...'

Chapter 6

Zoya continued to play with her pallu while she looked at Aditya nervously.

'Aditya, we need you at Zosh. Can you come back please?'

Of everything Aditya had guessed Zoya would say, this was not it. He thought she wanted space. He thought she didn't want to see him again after what had happened but here she was asking him to come back. The shock was clearly visible on his face so Zoya rushed to explain herself.

'It's just that Kunal Babbal asked for you today. Their wedding is coming up in a few weeks and there is still a lot to do which means they will be in the office quite often. I don't want to mess up this event and I think he really likes having you around.'

Aditya frowned. So she wasn't calling him back because she needed him, it's because the client had asked about him. He shouldn't be surprised but his heart broke.

'Um Zoya are you sure you won't be uncomfortable with me there? Can't you just tell him I'm out of town or something? Or that I've quit. I'm sure you can find someone else to work with him. I'm not special. I don't even know what I'm doing. Anyone else can do a better job than me.'

'That's not true' Zoya retorted, 'I know you don't have experience. I didn't either. But all the clients like you, especially Kunal. You're a people person and you make them comfortable when they come in. They're usually all very nervous and you help to dissipate that. You also have a lot of creative ideas, and your brain works differently than mine which means you notice things I don't, so you're an asset to the company Aditya. Zosh needs you.'

She finished her speech hoping it would be enough to convince him but he didn't want to budge.

'Zoya, I'm going to be honest with you. I didn't join Zosh for myself. I joined because you asked me to. I'm not interested in event management. I'm a pilot. An unemployed one, granted, but still that is my passion. I only did it because you asked me to. And now...after everything...' he hesitated, unsure about how to talk about everything going on between them, but he realised he would just have to suck it up and go for it so he continued,

'After everything that happened between us, do you really think I should be coming back to the office after only 2 days? Think about yourself Zoya. Put yourself ahead of Zosh. Are you ready to have me around you everyday? Have you figured out what you want or how you feel?'

Zoya was hoping she wouldn't have to have this conversation right now but it didn't seem like she had a choice.

'Aditya, you are my best friend. I want you to be in my life. Isn't that enough?'

'Not for me Zoya' he responded determinedly.

'I love you. But I'm not sure how you feel because I don't think you know how you feel. Actually, I think you're lying to yourself because you're too scared of the truth.'

Zoya flinched. He was getting agitated and while her heart knew he was right, her head refused to listen and it was her head she was acknowledging right now.

'Aditya please, you told me you would give me space and time. You're supposed to be my friend first. Are all those promises you made to me false? That you'd stand by me? I need my friend Aditya please, please understand.'