28. Maybe or maybe not

Background color
Font
Font size
Line height

Aditya's POV

“This is quite good…” Aarohi spoke in a whisper to Zoya who was standing beside her, very close. They were looking at different jewellery sets.

“Na… That is quite more better…” Zoya whispered back, looking at another set.

God… This is boring… I have no interest in jewellery. When I was with Pooja, she used to shop all by herself not bothering me at all. I don't know if it was good or not… But that let me work in silence.

“No no no..! I don't want any jewellery!” I heard Zoya denying Aarohi strictly.

“Zee… It will look good on you… And I know it isn't out of your budget..” Aarohi whined.

“No! I don't want it! Whatever it is…” 

She is the first girl, I have seen, who don't want to buy jewellery when she can. 

“Are you both done?” Abhi asked in between.

“Hmm..” Aarohi hummed. Zoya smiled wide an pinched Aarohi's cheeks. 

“See… I know you know me…” Aarohi rolled her eyes.

“Please show us some engagement rings…” Abhi asked the salesgirl. She nodded with a warm smile and went somewhere.

“Abhi… Let me warn you… Rings and stationary are Aaru's guilty pleasure.” Zoya spoke mischievously, making Aarohi glare at her.

“I know that already…” Abhi winked at Zoya and she chuckled.

‘Hey… You just can't wink at her like that…!!’ My heart spoke annoyed.

‘It was friendly…’ My mind stated irritated.

‘Whatever it is… He can't…’ 

“Good for you…” She winked back. 

‘No Zoya! Don't do that…’ My heart trailed off with a sad expression.

‘You are exaggerating..’ My mind spoke making my heart glare at it. 

Idiots!

‘We are your heart and mind! So, technically you are an idiot…’ 

I shook my head, deciding to ignore them. I looked around to find Zoya roaming in the shop looking at various jewellery sets. Abhi and Aarohi were there choosing their rings.

Then she looked at me and grinned. I too smiled, confused. What? She walked up to me. 

“Aditya… Aren't you getting bored?” 

“Hmm..” I nodded.

“Come with me…” She whispered and dragged me out, holding my arm. 

We came out of the shop and she looked around. I looked at her amused. What is she upto?

“Golgappe khayenge?” She asked cheekily. I nodded, smiling.

Aditya! You are eating too much of the fast food. You will need to workout more. Ahh…! But what to do, I am just not able to say no. I don't even have a reason either. Kha hi lete hain…

We walked towards the stall. 

“Aditya… How about race?” My eyes widened.

“No!” 

“You lost even before starting… That's a good thing… I won…” She spoke with a proud smile.

“Fine… Let's race…” 

“Okay… Whosoever eats more, wins the race..” 

“Done!” 

And here we go. My inner voices were right. I am an idiot. 

While gulping another golgappa, I choked on it. Coughing badly in result. 

“Sloowlly…” Zoya spoke rubbing my back, her mouth full of pani puri. She was sitting beside me.

After around fifteen minutes, we are sitting here holding our belly. 

“Aditya.. *Burp* you are *Burp* so bad… *Burp*”

“Why? *Burp*” I asked.

“Because *Burp* of you *Burp* I ate *Burp* so much….” 

“Me?! *Burp* you started *Burp* it…” 

We saw Aarohi and Abhi walking towards us. And I can bet Abhi had a smirk on his face while looking at me. We both covered our mouths with our hands in order to stop ourselves from burping.

“You both… We were searching for you!”

“Soory…” Zoya spoke in a muffled voice as she had her palms covering her mouth.

“You were racing?” She asked her eyes widening with realisation. We smiled sheepishly and nodded.

She giggled and turned towards Abhi.

“No! I have to drive…” 

“Someday…” 

“Haan…. Someday,” He trailed off, “If that someday ever came…” He muttered only for me to hear. 

I let out a noiseless chuckle.

We sat back in the car, to reach our last destination. Only shopping for clothes is left. It's two o'clock right now. I will call Arjun taking out some time.

Out of the blue, I felt Zoya keeping her head on my shoulder, hugging my arm. I blinked my eyes. 

“Zoya?” I called her in a whisper.

“I feel sleepy…” She mumbled with her eyes closed. 

I am happy, she is not uncomfortable with me. Especially after what she has seen. I wish no one should see in their lifetime.

I didn't disturb her, allowing her to take a small nap.
______________________________

“Zoya, that pink one?” Aarohi asked. 

“Red one is more better…”

We are sitting in the shop to buy clothes and I am getting so bored. I think I should call Arjun now. Before I could dial his number, Abhi started.

“Adi, if you don't mind, can I ask you a question?” 

He was sitting beside me, while Aarohi beside him and Zoya beside Aarohi.

I nodded.

“You like Zoya, don't you?” 

‘Yes! Yes! Yes!’ My heart jumped up and down.

I shook my head.

“No… We are best friends..” 

“Suureee… I trust you on this..” He spoke with a teasing smile.

I groaned. Come on! There is nothing like that. She is my best friend. I care for her. She care for me. What's the big deal?

“I need to make a call..” Abhi nodded and I stood up. 

I came out and dialled Arjun's number. He didn't attend it. I again dialled. Is everything fine? Last time he hung up abruptly. Wait… Haan… He must have been busy with Noor. Who else can distract him like that other than her. 

After few rings he finally attended the call.

“Ha Adi, something urgent?” He asked as soon as he picked up the call.

“Na hi, na hello? Wah!” 

“Adii… ” He groaned.

“Is everything fine?” 

“Ha.. If it is nothing, I will talk to you later…” 

“Okay… Bye…” 

I think he is really busy but with what? As much as I remember nothing big is coming up. Oh ha! Conference of Neotech project is coming but we are prepared for it.

“You are here… And I am searching for you in there ..” Zoya spoke annoyed.

When did she come? 

“Look at this…!” She literally shoved her mobile in my face. 

What? I took the mobile from her hand. Arjun's Instagram profile. Woah! When did she made an insta account? She wasn't on it. His profile wasn't a problem. The problem was his and Noor's pictures that he posted. And looking at them anyone can say they are dating. Great! Why did he allowed Zoya to follow him? Idiot!

“You knew about it?” I shook my head. 

Ofcourse, I knew. Knew very well. But it won't hurt her if I don't tell her this tiny-miny detail. 

“I won't leave both of them!!” She huffed.

“You don't approve of them?” I asked, quietly.

She looked at me frowning.

“Did they give me another choice?” She asked angrily. I pursed my lips. 

“I don't have any problem, if they are happy.” She mumbled. My face broke out in a grin.

I knew it.

“But they didn't tell me… Oh wait! They didn't even tell you! That's so not right… Let them come here…” 

“Is Aarohi done with shopping?” I asked.

“Just choosing few things for Abhi… What are you wearing in the ceremony?” She asked me.

“My suit.” She frowned. 

“You wear them everyday to office, no?” I nodded. 

“Then?”

“I can't wear a hooded shirt, can I?” I asked, pointing towards the casual clothes, I am wearing right now.

She made a face. 

“Let's buy something for you too..” 

“But Zoya… ” She didn't listen me and walked in the store.

I sighed, following her.
___________________________

“This is good…” Zoya commented as she set the sherwani on me.

I feel like a kid. Mom used to do that when I was younger. 

“Zoya… I am not wearing that…” I pointed at the different sherwanis lying on the counter.

She pouted. Sorry… That's not gonna work now.

“Amm… Okay…” She agreed and turned to the salesman.

“Kuch kurte dikhayiye…” 
(Show some Kurte…)

No no no! Not again. I don't wear them.

After a lot of looking here and there, Zoya's eyes got stuck on single piece. And I am hell sure she will make me buy it. 

“This one… Go and try it…” I made a face.

“Aditya… I am doing so much hard work for you… Won't you do this much?” 

Blackmail!!

I snatched the kurta from her hands and she grinned. My weakness? I do everything for the people I love. Let it be my parents, Arjun etc etc. 

“You look too good!” She exclaimed after I came out of the try room.

I am not gonna wear that… Period!

As I said, I had no choice but to buy it. Soon we all entered the food court.

“I am not at all hungry… We had a pani puri race.” I informed before they could ask me about what I want to eat.

“But I am hungry…” Aarohi spoke pouting.

Even Abhi was hungry. I had my mouth zipped up. I am not eating anymore. But Zoya shared with Aarohi. Woah! Lady… 

I shook my head. It was around half past six when we left for home.
_______________________________

“Abhi… Can we have ice cream?” Aarohi asked cheekily. Abhi glanced at her with a smile while driving.

“You will catch cold…” He teased her.

“Abhi..!” She whined. He bit back his smile.

Knowing it is a waste to ask him, she turned her face and looked outside.

Here Zoya had nothing to do with what was going on in the world. She was stuck in instagram.

“Zoya… What are you doing?” I asked peeking into her mobile.

“Trying to find out from when they are together…” 

She sounded like Sherlock Holmes who was trying to uncover some mystery. I bit back my chuckle. 

Suddenly, Abhi stopped the car grabbing our attention. 

“Ice cream…” He announced and Zoya grinned. 

God… Isn't she full yet?
_______________________________

Our car was parked at the corner of the road and there was India gate there opposite to us. It was evening time and sun was going to set soon.

We climbed down the car and walked towards the ice cream stall. But I sensed Zoya wasn't coming behind us. I turned around to find her settling herself on the car bonnet. I shook my head smiling and then walked towards her. 

“You don't want to eat icecream?” I asked. She bobbed her head. 

“Which flavour?” I asked. She looked up and kept her forefinger on her chin, thinking. Or say pretending to think. I let out a noiseless chuckle.

“What are you eating?” She asked in return.

“Vanilla…” She made a face.

“Try chocolate in cone…” I shook my head grinning.

“Come on… Go! Get two of it. One for me and one for yourself…” I tried to deny but one look from her and I know I can't argue.

From when did I start to stop from her one look? You are going crazy Aditya… Day by day…

I came back with two cones, not disturbing Aarohi and Abhi. Or is it the other way round?
She took both the cones from me and nodded at the place beside her. I smiled and jumped up a bit, settling myself beside her on the car bonnet.

“How is it?” She asked with a mischievous smile. Her eyes twinkling. I smiled, nodding in appreciation. And I bet, she mentally patted her back.

We continued eating in silence for a minute. And silence wasn't awkward at all. Then she decided to break the silence.

“Aditya… Can I ask you a question?” I looked at her a bit startled. 

I wasn't expecting questions. Not now. We are enjoying our day. What it can be other than my incomplete past story? 

“Don't answer if you're not comfortable…” She spoke immediately, with her eyes widened. She must have sensed my discomfort. I nodded.

“Do you… ” She started but then stopped. 

Probably thinking how to frame the question or deciding over to ask or not. I looked at her with curiosity. What is it that she is hesitating to ask so much?
______________________

Zoya's POV

Aditya looked at me with his eyes full of curiosity. Oh lord…

‘Zoya! Can't you control your tongue a bit! There is no need to ask this at all…’ My conscience scolded me.

‘But I want to…’ I mumbled. 

‘Go ahead then….’ It agreed with me sighing.

“Do you..” I again started.

“Zoya… It's okay… You can ask me anything… Don't hesitate…” He pushed me to go ahead, softly.

Only if you don't mind..!

“Do you still love Pooja?” I asked looking down.

I finally put forth my question, almost inaudible. But my bad luck he was sitting just beside me. He didn't reply. Curiosity took best of me and I dared to look up towards him. He was looking up at the sky. I followed his gaze. The sky has turned orange yellow. It's time for sunset.

“I don't know Zoya. I… I don't know.” He sighed.

‘I am sorry Aditya. I shouldn't have asked this. I am a complete idiot. Your day was going so well and I ruined it's end. I am sorry.’

I spoke all this in my mind but couldn't bring myself to speak a single word. 

“Maybe. I still love her. Or maybe not.” 
______________________________

Hey dear readers! I hope you are enjoying and doing well.

While updating, my eyes went towards the rankings of this story.

It is on 1 in #schoolcrush.

God! I can't believe it. Thank you so much. It is all because of you!

I wish you all the love and strength!

Love❤️
Annie.   

You are reading the story above: TeenFic.Net