CHAPTER 12

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Zoya shifted, the sunlight falling on her face...slowly waking her up from her slumber. She turned and sank a little deeper into the bed...and then her eyes flew open remembering what happened last night. She shot up in bed and looked around to see that she was the only person in the room at the moment.

Zoya rubbed her hands over her tired eyes and looked at the bedside clock...6:00am. Zoya threw the blanket off and her swung her legs over the side of the bed. She looked down...still clad in her sari from last night...and Aditya's harsh words echoed in her mind.

"Tumhe kya laga...ek raat mere saat kya bitha liya...tum Pooja ki jagga leh logi?"

Zoya closed her eyes and battled the fresh tears. She will not cry...she will NOT cry over him. That's how Yash found her as he entered the bedroom with a tray of food. He saw the state Zoya was in and he hated Aditya in that moment. The love of his life was hurting and all he wanted to do was take her pain away.

"Good morning..." Yash greeted. Zoya opened her eyes and gave him a weak smile in return. Yash brought the tray into the room and then sat next to Zoya on the bed. After Zoya finished crying last night...she told Yash a little about her situation with Aditya...but left out few harsh details. She thought that maybe they would build a companionship for the sake of Ahaana...but now she wasn't sure if she could follow through in a loveless marriage. After...she fell asleep in the bedroom and Yash slept on the sofa out in the living room.

Right now...Yash sat next to Zoya and he studied her face. She was exhausted...and she was in pain. Yash simply cupped Zoya's face and leaned in to kiss her...hoping to take her worries away.

"Yash..." Zoya whispered, stopping him.

"Zoya...you don't love him...why are you being faithful to him?" Yash asked.

"Yash...I need time...please...regardless...I still married him...and I just need a little time to figure out where I go from here..." Zoya said gently. It took all her might to push away from Yash. Here was this man...who clearly loved her and was willing to give her everything she wanted in a marriage. But that would mean giving up Ahaana.

"Just...give me a little bit of time to figure out what I want..." Zoya pleaded. Yash sighed, but nodded in agreement.

"Of course Zoya...but know that I am here if you need anything." Yash said. Zoya smiled at him and turned to leave.

When Zoya reached home and opened the front door, Aditya stood up from his position from the stairs. He didn't sleep a wink last night and simply waited...praying that Zoya walked through those doors.

Zoya saw Aditya by the foot of the stairs...and she ignored him. She felt a fresh ball of tears sting her eyes and she swallowed, putting everything into controlling her emotions. Aditya will not get that from her again.

"Zoya..." Aditya whispered, relieved that she was home safe...but then he noticed that she was in the same clothes as last night. He felt a hand go around his heart and squeeze it. Zoya simply ignored him. She walked passed Aditya and made her way up the stairs.

"Zoya" Aditya said again, louder than the last time, "Tum teekh toh ho na? Tum raath bhar kahaan thi?" Aditya asked.

Zoya stopped and turned to give Aditya a cold look, masking her pain, "Humhe sawal karne ka haq aap koh chuke."

Aditya took a step up, "Zoya...Kal raath mein gusse mein tha...I'm sor"

Zoya simply raised her hand, stopping him. "Bas Aditya...humhe aur kuch nahin sunna. Shukriya...humhe yaad dilane ke liye ke hum iss ghar mein kyon aaye hai...humari hesiyat kya hai."

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