25. "I chose my favourites in yours."

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Phew.... A very long update... Something around 3600 words. Gosh! My fingers are aching as hell. Well, enjoy the update. I hope you all like it.

Love❤️
Annie.  

Aditya and Zoya were sitting side by side while Abhimanyu was sitting in front of them. They were sitting in the large study room waiting for Aarohi to bring Naina up.

Abhimanyu was looking at them with a smile and they were getting uncomfortable under his gaze. 

“So, you two are-”

“Friends!” Zoya immediately replied before Abhimanyu could complete. Aditya nodded eagerly.

“Suuree.” Abhimanyu replied, smiling. 

Before Zoya or Aditya could contemplate his meaning, Aarohi burst in the room. A girl wearing a long yellow kurti with churidar following her.

“This is Naina, Chirag's wife and Naina, she is Zoya and he is Aditya.” Aarohi greeted them as all stood up.

“Nice to meet you Zoya. I have heard a lot about you.” Naina shook her hands with Zoya.

“Really?” Zoya asked surprised. Naina nodded, smiling. 

“Hello, Mr. Aditya,” Naina greeted Aditya. He reciprocated with a warm nod. 

“I haven't heard about him. Aaru?” Naina asked silently to Aarohi. 

“Oh! He is no one important. Ignore him.” Aarohi said.

Naina looked at her amused and Abhimanyu laughed. Zoya chuckled and Aditya glared at Aarohi.

“Tell her Zoya, how important I am!” Aditya asked Zoya with confidence. Zoya looked at him wide eyed.

“Haan haan Zoya tell that he is not at all important…” Aarohi too put in her confidence in Zoya. 

“Don't drag me in your fight…” Zoya spoke.

“Oh! So, this is what happens from your childhood.” Naina spoke. This time everyone smiled. 

“Chirag told you all this?” Naina nodded. 

“Okay! Enough of introductions. What about Chirag sir's birthday?” 

“Amm… Let's wish him midnight twelve!” Abhimanyu suggested.

“But cake? Decorations?” Aarohi asked.

“We don't have much time. He will return home soon.” Naina informed. 

Zoya's face fell. Now, how will she pacify her old friend? Aditya looked at her sad face. 

“We will do something Zoya. Don't worry.” He comforted her. 

“Don't worry Zoya!! You trust me. I will do something.” Aarohi spoke determined. 

“Abhi please come with me.” She asked Abhimanyu. He nodded, sincerely and followed her out. A smile intact on his face.

“Till then why not decide about cake and food and decorations?” Naina suggested. 

Zoya bobbed her head eagerly and Aditya smiled seeing her. 

‘I still can't believe, someone can be so pure, like a child at this age.’ He wondered.
_____________________

Zoya and Naina were literally buried in Naina's mobile and Aditya was giving suggestions whenever they asked.

‘Lets call Arjun and ask him about work.’ His mind suggested.

‘No… I think watching her work is more productive. She is so sincere about every work she takes in her hands….’ His heart gazing at Zoya with a dreamy look.

“What the hell?” He muttered to himself. He shook his head to brush off his thoughts and fished out his mobile from his pocket.

‘Calling Arjun is more productive.’ He thought.

As he was dialling Arjun's number, Aarohi and Abhimanyu entered the room. 

“Work done! Now Chirag sir won't return home until around half past eleven or twelve.” Aarohi informed them. Abhimanyu gave all of them a thumbs up.

“Then let's go home to prepare…” Naina spoke after standing up. Zoya and Aditya too stood up.

“But for that we need to buy things.” Aditya spoke. 

“We bought few things..” Abhimanyu showed the paperbags in his hands.

“We will buy other things on the way to his home. Let's not waste time.” Zoya spoke and they left for his home.
_____________________

“Inflating balloons is such a hard task…” Abhimanyu stated as he tied a knot on a blue inflated balloon.

Aditya hummed in response when he was inflating a balloon and it got burst. They heard someone's laughter and it was none other than Zoya.

“Ha ha ha… Very funny!” Aditya spoke sarcastically, annoyed. He picked up another to inflate.

She pursed her lips and kept a forefinger on her lips. A mischievous look still very much present on her face. Aditya shook his head. He looked away and then smiled. She came near them. 

“Aditya… I came to tell you both that. We have stuck the photographs on the strips. We are going to hang them now…”

“Then I will go and help Aarohi and Naina…” Abhimanyu spoke instantly and kept the balloon back.

“Ya right! I will also come..” Aditya agreed.

“Arree! Nhi!” Zoya stopped both of them.

“Before helping us, you complete one work.”

“What?” Both asked at the same time. 

“Inflate these Happy Birthday word balloons…” She told them forwarding a packet.

Both looked at the packet in her hand, then at each other and again back at the packet. Background music was sound of crickets.

“Chaliye! Jaldi…”
(Come on! Fast…)

Zoya urged them to take the packet.

Aditya finally took the packet from her hands with fake smile. Abhimanyu too gave her a fake smile and she walked back to the girls.
___________________

“I have never inflated these word balloons…” Abhimanyu started as they both were gazing at the flat balloons which came in the packet.

“Me too…” Aditya agreed still gazing at the balloons.

“These kind of balloons weren't in the market in our childhood, were they?” Abhimanyu asked frowning, turning towards Aditya.

“Tch…” Aditya denied.

“Let's see, what we can do…” 

“You aren't allowed to burst even a single word balloon…” Aarohi spoke, while going from kitchen to a room. Abhimanyu scrunched up his nose. Aditya smiled seeing Aarohi and Abhimanyu's bond.
_________________________

“Stop it!!!” Zoya shouted interrupting Abhimanyu and Aarohi's banter. They were fighting over the menu of dinner. It was around eight o'clock in evening. 

“I will go with Aditya! You two aren't going..” Zoya declared. 

“But Zee…” Aarohi started but stopped seeing Zoya's face. 

“Fine!” Aarohi muttered and sat back on the sofa. 

“Good girl…” Zoya smiled and circled her arm around Aditya's who was standing beside her. 

“Chaliye!”
(Let's go!)

She started to drag Aditya who was in a daze as she held his arm.

“Adi.. ” Abhimanyu called him and they stopped. He threw his car keys towards Aditya. Aditya caught the keys and gave him a nod.

“Not much time is left you know… He can be home soon…” Zoya dragged Aditya out, bickering all the way.
______________________

“You saw how Abhi was teasing Aarohi..? It looks in his eyes, how much he adore her… And he is so cute…” Zoya was going on and on as Aditya was driving the car. His gaze fixed on the road.

‘Cute? Huh! No one is more cute than her. And I can be cute too…’ His heart spoke.

‘Shut up! Shut up!’ He stopped himself from thinking at all. 

“Aditya!” Her constant calling pulled him out of his thoughts.

“Huh? Haan?” He spoke startled. 

“Aditya, are you fine? You are zoning out frequently…” She asked worried. He bit his inner cheek.

“I am fine Zoya… Just tired…” She bought his excuse and he sighed.

Soon they reached their desired place, which was a full market. The sun has already gone down. There was so much crowd. Zoya's eyes twinkled looking at the stalls, stores, shops. She remembered her childhood. Aditya too smiled looking at the place. Afterall, Delhi is their birthplace. 

They started to make their way through the crowd towards the restaurant. Aditya made it out but Zoya didn't came. He waited for few minutes, trying to spot her but couldn't find her. His anxiety started to build up. 

“Where is she?!” He muttered frustrated and took out his mobile to call her. 

When he was dialling her number, someone tapped his shoulder. He turned around and saw Zoya standing there. He let out a long sigh seeing her all fine. 

“Does something happen?” She asked unsure, looking at him.

“You got disappear somewhere and asking me, does something happen? Wow, Zoya!” He snapped, glaring at her. 

“Oh… Aditya… Wo.. the crowd pushed me out to the different side. It was not my mistake…” She spoke making a puppy face. He looked away, closing his eyes.

‘Ah..! What should I do with her?’ 

“Aditya? Chale?” She asked, hesitating.
(Shall we?) 

He nodded. This time he held her hand tightly in his and dragged her with him. She couldn't help but smile.

‘Doesn't it feel nice? When the person you like is all concerned for you?’ Her heart fluttered.
______________________

They entered a good restaurant to take-away dinner for tonight. The restaurant had a relaxing ambience. They both took a seat opposite to each other and settled down. A waiter came there to attend them. 

He passed a menu to both of them and asked, “What would you like to have sir?” 

Zoya started to go through the menu, while Aditya looked up and replied, “You suggest something…” 
Zoya too turned her head towards the waiter.

“Sir we have fine long grain white rice with with tender golden lentils it will be served with fragrant butter…..” The waiter continued. He spoke in such a flow that it went over both of Zoya's and Aditya's head. 

When waiter finished, she gave him a fake smile and leaned on the table towards Aditya.

“Aditya… You know what that dish is?” She asked him in a whisper.

‘There you go! Now too call Arjun… He will order for you… I told you to attend meetings in those big big hotels but no. Spoiled my image in front of her!!’ His heart scoffed at him and cried looking at her. 

He closed his eyes tightly in frustration. What is actually wrong with him?

“Aditya, you fine?” She asked with a look of concern. 

“Yup… Absolutely. Amm.. you don't know what the dish is?” He asked, trying to comfort his crying heart. She shook her head. 

“Me too…” He confessed, sheepishly. She blinked at him in assurance and leaned back on her chair.

“Amm.. we are waiting for few friends. We will order when they will arrive.” She lied through her teeth with a smile on her face. 

“Sure Ma'am…” He obliged and left them alone.

“Now?” He asked.

“Khisak lete hain yahan se…”
(Let's stealthily slip away from here…)

She whispered with a goofy smile as she folded both her arms on the table and leaned towards him. He couldn't help but grin. 

“Fine…” He replied, smiling. 

They both stood up and left without glancing at the waiter who was staring at them.
_________________________

Zoya took in a deep breath as they came out.

“Now what we will take-away for dinner..?” He asked. 

“Pav bhaji?” She asked with a twinkle in her eyes.

‘Man! Can I ever say a no to her?’ He thought.

“Ab… It's better than eating something than we don't understand…” He chuckled.

“You go there and buy pav bhaji… I will just come…” She spoke was going to walk away but he held her wrist.

“Where are you going? There is so much crowd..” He asked with a stern face.

His gaze followed her line of gaze and he saw a stall. 

“Noodles…” She whispered. He looked at her amused.

“They are my favorite…” She whined.

“Buy more of it. I don't think they will let you eat alone.” She smiled.

She glanced at his hand which was holding her wrist and then looked at him, gesturing him to leave her.

“Don't go anywhere else…” He spoke and left her wrist. She scrunched up her nose.

“I am not a kid…” She spoke annoyed.

“That I know.” He replied and smiled. She twisted her mouth and walked away. 
____________________________

“Done… Dana… Done!!” Zoya squealed as they placed the bags at the back seat in the car. 

“Now shall we go back?” He asked. She shook her head.

“Cake…” She said.

“Hmm… I saw a bakery here-” Before he could complete she dragged him with her.

“Look at the time Aditya! It's nine thirty by now.” 

“Okay… Okay… We will reach by ten Zoya… Or by ten thirty… But not mare than that…” She glared at him. He gave her a sheepish smile. 

As they moved to enter the bakery,  Zoya's eyes fell on the gift shop which was beside bakery. She shook her head and they entered the bakery.

“We want a birthday cake….” Aditya spoke placing the order while Zoya's heart was leaping to visit the gift shop.

She saw cute collectable figurines through the glass window of the store. It is her guilty pleasure. She loves to collect those small figurines and she keeps them on her table.  Her mother always found it weird but she couldn't help it. 

“Zoya… Which flavour?” Aditya asked and she was pulled out of her thoughts. 

“Huh… Amm… Chocolate?” She spoke distracted.

“Sure? Order kardoon?” He asked.
(Shall I place the order then?)

“Black forest…” He frowned. 

“Pakka?”
(Sure?)
He again asked, seeing her distracted.

“Haan pakka….”

He completed placing order and turned towards her, keeping his elbow on the counter and leaning on it.

“You take the cake okay… I will just come…” 

“What is it this time?” He asked amused. 

“Amm… There is a gift shop beside this bakery… I am there..” He nodded and she left. 

‘She is like a excited kid in the market… I was right when I thought she is more handful than a child…’ He smiled.
_______________________

After collecting the cake, Aditya reached the gift shop which Zoya mentioned in their last conversation. He entered the shop and looked around. It was one of a very attracting shop indeed. So many colourful, amusing articles were present with stationary and kid's items. Going around the store he spotted Zoya staring at a particular shelf, contemplating something. 

He inched close to her quietly to see what was on the shelf and not to disturb her. He saw different, cute, small-small figurines, even small than his hands were kept there. And at the downside, there were few big figurines of the size of his hands or bit bigger than that. 

‘They are very attractive. But what Zoya is doing?’ He thought.

‘What you always do…’ His mind replied, nonchalantly. 

‘What?’ He asked again this time eager to know.

‘Silence me all the time….’ His heart replied crying. 

Before he could react to his inner voices, Zoya's voice interrupted him. 

“Arre Aditya?”

Composing himself, he replied, “Bought any gift?” She nodded calmly. 

“Shall we leave then?” He asked politely. She looked at the shelf for the last time. Turning towards him, nodded.

“Let's go back.” She spoke and started to walk out.

He couldn't help but gaze at those mini figurines. 
__________________________

“Finally… You guys are back…” Aarohi spoke and rushed towards them to take handbags from their hands. Abhimanyu too followed her with a smile to help them. 

Aditya handed every handbag because those had their dinner to Aarohi but kept one to himself which was not of food ofcourse. Zoya too gave everything she bought to Abhimanyu. Aarohi rushed in kitchen while Abhimanyu placed those bags on the sofa. 

These two jumped on sofa tired. Zoya had the urge to ask what was in bag that he kept to himself but she couldn't bring herself to it seeing his relaxed state. He had his eyes closed, leaning his head back on the sofa.

‘He must have been tired. First flight and then he had to drive. I will ask him later.’ She thought and leaned back on sofa, staring at his relaxed figure.
________________________

“Get up! Get up! Chirag sir is here!!” Aarohi rushed everyone, waking up Aditya and Zoya from their nap. 

She sat up straight on the sofa. She didn't know when she slipped in deep sleep while staring at him.

“Zoya where are you lost?” He asked in a husky voice leaning over her.

This pulled her out of her thoughts and she looked up at him. Her eyes met his concerned ones and she felt the world fading away. All the hustle bustle Aarohi and Naina were making didn't reach her ears. All she could see was his concerned eyes. 

‘Get a grip Zoya!! He doesn't feel for you the same. Atleast not yet…’ 

She averted her eyes and composed herself. She nodded and his worried features relaxed. He stood up straight and forwarded his hand for her. She smiled and took his hand. 

“Come on!! I set everything up! Now we have to hide and switch off the lights.” Aarohi spoke.

“You all hide. I will switch of the lights…” Naina instructed them. 

Aditya pulled Zoya with him and they hid behind the curtain because Aarohi and Abhimanyu hid behind sofa.

Aditya held his breath as she was way too close to him. Moonlight fell on her nervous face making him forget everything.

‘What is happening to me?’ He questioned himself.

Zoya had mini heart attack as he pulled her close to him to hid behind the those curtains.

‘Stupid curtains!! They are so thin that they couldn't hide us!’ She cursed in her mind.

‘You should thank these. Because of these you are near your crush…’ Her heart spoke nonchalantly. 

‘Did I ask for your advice? No? Then shut up!!’ 

“But Zoya, I didn't say anything…” Aditya whined like a child as he already composed himself looking everywhere but not at her until she asked him to shut up.

“Woo…. Ab…-” Her stammering was cut off by Chirag. 

“Naina… ?” Chirag called out aloud so that his wife could come out. 

Aditya looked at his wrist watch. Only a minute left in turning twelve. 

“Nain..? Where are you?” Chirag slowly moved in calling Naina. 

“Why these lights are off?” They heard him mutter as he made his way towards the switchboard in dark.

The clock struck twelve and suddenly the lights were switched on.

Everyone jumped out of their hidings and yelled scaring the life out of him, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!” 

Chirag grinned seeing all of them and then his gaze settled at Zoya. His smile turned into a frown. 

“I don't want to talk to her!” He stated like a kid. He turned to other side, crossing his arms over his chest. His cheeks puffing out.

‘He is still the cutest friend I ever had…’ Zoya thought and smiled. Aditya too smiled at Chirag's behaviour.

Aarohi had a worried expression on her face as she heard Chirag and was going to say something but Abhimanyu stopped her, holding her wrist. She looked up at him and he blinked his eyes in assurance, smiling.

Zoya moved forward towards Chirag but he didn't pay any heed. 

“Chirag… I am sorry… Please…” She spoke very politely and forwarded him a half eaten chocolate.

He glanced at her and at the chocolate. He remembered the day when she became his best friend. That day too he offered her a half eaten

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