Zoya's POV

Yesterday went so smoothly. It was the first time that I didn't cry remembering my parents. I told them that I was happy. Maybe I can move on from this. Maybe…… one day….
I sighed.

As today is Sunday, I am standing here in my balcony, wiping my wet hairs with the towel.

Dark clouds, filled with water, waiting to empty themselves, are covering the bright Sun.
Such a nice weather!

Rain symbolises good luck. This is what I believe. It represents fertility. It also signify cleansing and renewal or the washing away of past ills.

There is a different type of happiness, cheerfulness when rain announces its arrival.
And after the rain, the rainbow is worth seeing.

Well, I have a wish incomplete, that is to get wet in the rain. Maybe…. I will complete it too. Soon.

Cold breeze hit my face and I heard two continuous ping voice from my phone.

Aarohi and Aditya.

Great! There are never going to leave me. Even the nature indicates, how competitive both are. Especially for me. Always at each other's throats. You just can't leave them on their own in a room alone.

(Message in Italics)

Aarohi😆❤️
Lightning has struck at Hogwarts!

Mad! Crazy! Completely!
What will I do with her?
Well she is trying to say that it is raining at her place. But the line mean completely different.

I rolled my eyes.

Me
Are you on HP movie marathon? 😏🙄

Aarohi😆❤️
Yes! 😅🥰

She replied with a GIF which surely melts me.

Me
Good! Keep watching 👍

Aarohi😆❤️
😃😃😄😄

She will eat my head tonight, discussing this series for the thousandth of time.
I shook my head.

Now let's see what Aditya has sent.

Aditya❤️
Too good weather today. Wanna meet? This time Arjun will also come. I hope you don't mind.

Why will I mind? Arjun has become my friend too.

Me
Sure. You decide time and place. I will be there. 😊

Aditya❤️
Thanks. I will tell you soon!

I smiled. I am not going to hospital today. So, it will be good to hangout with them.

My phone pinged again. This time it's a message from unknown number.

Unknown
I don't know why I am messaging you. But I can't sit like this, bottling everything up. So just listen!
You are not my friend, neither like a sister to me!
Aarohi is the only one I am left with. Don't you ever think of contacting me or my wife Naina, through Aarohi or anyone. You know what, I am done waiting. Thinking that you will contact me. I know you made up with Aarohi. Then why not me? You could have called me, messaged me, send me a voice message. Atleast you could have send me a letter through Post office. But you! You didn't even think of replying to my wedding invitation. I married, without you by my side. Don't bring up the excuse of your guilt and of your parents death. I haven't heard anything from you from last three years. Even after knowing your reasons, I waited till now. But now, I am done. You are just being pathetic and I am not going to sympathize with you for your silly made up guilt. Just get over with it! It's rubbish and irritating!

Don't think I will be waiting for you to reply. It's just closure, not for you but for me!

Goodbye!

Great! Just great! I won't say that it didn't hurt me. Hearing Chirag say that I am not his friend nor a sister is just…..
But still in the end he proved that he is still waiting, for me to contact him. And the way he said I am being pathetic proves that he is still old, typical Chirag.

I can remember the day of our school, when Chirag and me became completely inseparable. Thus, forming our trio.

Flashback

Five years old Zoya was so happy about going on the school trip for the first time. The cherry on top was that her friend Aarohi too was joining her.

‘It's going to be fun!’ She thought and grinned.

Her mother smile seeing her so enthusiastic and happy, while packing her bag.

She was dressed in a full sleeve, dark blue coloured frock with polka dots. It had a golden thin belt and a white border in the bottom, which ended on her knees. Her I-card was around her neck.

“Shall we leave doll?” Her father asked softly.

“Yes!” She bobbed her head and two pigtails swayed back and forth. Her father smiled at her cuteness.
She held her father's hand and left.

“Take care of yourself! Okay?” Her father said softly. She nodded and looked around but Aarohi was nowhere to be seen.

“Papa..” She called him, clutching his forefinger.
“Haan..?”
“Aaru..?” She asked, pouting. He nodded and took out his mobile to call his friend, who is also his neighbour.

She kept looking around and saw that almost every kid of her class was coming on the trip. Though she talks to everyone but without Aarohi, she will not be enjoying the trip.

She saw Chirag with his friends and waved at him. He smiled back at her.

“Doll… Aarohi is not able to come today.”
“Why? She promised me!” She asked innocently.
“Zoya… She is having high fever. She can't come.” Zoya's face fell.

Now the trip won't be same as she expected.
Still her father cheered her up and made her go on the trip when she insisted to stay back and meet Aarohi.

She took a window seat and sat there silently. Her friend is ill, she should meet her and moreover the trip is no more fun.

Everyone was enjoying. Here, she was all sad and lonely. Tears filled her eyes. Why her only? Last year she was ill. This time Aarohi. Can't she just enjoy a simple school trip like others?

She looked out of the window.

Someone cleared the throat and she wiped her tears hastily. She looked up to see Chirag standing there.

He was a round, fluffy boy. He was wearing white T-shirt with dark blue jacket over it and dark blue jeans.

He sat beside her.

“You look awful, you know?” She frowned.
He offered her a chocolate which was half-eaten.

“We all were eating.” She took a piece from it.

“We all are enjoying sitting at the backseat. Why are you here?” She didn't say anything. Ofcourse, she was missing Aarohi.

“Come on! She will join you next time. Now don't spoil this trip. You can join us at the back. Come. We all are playing.”

He held her hand and dragged her at the back seat. And soon she got comfortable with all and enjoyed her trip to fullest. Though the most closest person to her, this time, was Chirag. Whispering and telling her funny thoughts to him. And now she knew, she have two best friends- Aarohi and Chirag.

In the evening, she returned home. She went to meet Aarohi. The good thing was, Aarohi was quite well. She was lying down on her bed.

Zoya told her everything that happened. Aarohi was happy that she made a good friend other than her.

This was the first time but surely not the last time. She bonded well with Chirag and shared a great bond with him.

Flashback ends

I have to make up to him as soon as I can. Hmm…

“Di..” I heard Noor calling me from downstairs.

I descended the stairs and saw Aunty sitting in the hall chatting with Maasi and Noor.

Uncle allowed her to meet us, especially after how I turned him down last time? How?

“Oh… here is Zoya.... Come Zoya!” Aunty said.

I smiled and sat down on the sofa in front of her.
Maasi got up to bring refreshments and snacks.
Noor followed her to help.

“How is everyone doing?” I initiated the conversation as she was unusually quiet today.

“Everyone is doing great. Your sisters miss you both.”

I controlled the urge ro roll my eyes. They and miss us? Not even in my darkest dreams!

“Is everything alright? I mean you here after last time…. Uncle know?”

“Oh… wo… actually you know, I am the member of this Charity Fund Raising… community… I.. I am here for it's work. So he is nev… never going to know.” She stammered.

I nodded, though I was unconvinced.

“Zoya… My community is raising funds for the schooling and education of orphans. So, I just need a bit of your help.”

“Yeah, sure! I will help as much as I am capable of.”

It's so good. Orphans will get education. How much good it will do to society.

“Not much. I need your and Noor's signature on these forms.”

“What are these?” I asked taking a look at the papers which were still in her hands.

“They are nothing. It's like you agree that yes I can afford two children's education expenses.”

“Just this?” I asked, smiling. She nodded.

Oh! I could have donated too. But no worries. I can help this way.

“Great!” She gave me the papers. Her hands shivered.

“You okay Aunty?” She nodded, smiling.

I stared to read the papers when my phone rang.

“Hello?”
“There is an emergency here doctor. The patient is getting violent by every minute now.”
“I am coming!” I replied and dropped the call.

“Where I have to sign?” She told me and I signed on five or six papers.

Noor and Maasi came with juice, tea and snacks.

“Noor, sign on these papers wherever Aunty says. It's for orphans.” She nodded.

“Zoya… what happened?”

“Nothing Maasi. An emergency came up. You continue, I will leave” I informed her as I hurried upstairs to my room.

I changed and messaged Aditya.

Me
Sorry Aditya! An emergency came up at hospital. Let's meet some other day. Today you both enjoy.
You guys can go an a date together! 😜

Aditya❤️
No worries. Date? 😳🤦🏻‍♀️

I laughed.

Well, I concluded that today was going to be a long day as I reached hospital.
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