Zaroorat

What are we? (3)

Zoya just stared at akanksha as she spoke. She didn't take in anything until Akansha spoke again.

'Ma'am are you ok? Is there anything else you need before the meeting?'

Zoya was shaken out of her trance and responded, 'no thanks akanksha, that's all.'

She stepped into her office and sat down facing the wall. She attempted to regulate her breathing and spoke to herself. 'It ok Zoya, this was going to happen at some point. You can't run from Aditya. You have to see him and talk to him at some point so the sooner you do it the better.'

Just as she was about to get up and walk out of her office to speak to him, akanksha knocked on her cabin door.

'Ma'am they're here, shall I send them in?'

Zoya huffed. The talk with Aditya would have to wait. She had a busy day and work was important.

'Yes akanksha, send them in.'

Aditya had already checked Zoya's calendar. He saw that she would be busy in meetings all day and so he was prepared to wait to talk to her.

He roamed around the office to waste time, discussed upcoming projects with the team and spent a lot of time just staring into space, attempting to come up with something to say to Zoya but every time he tried, his mind went blank. He realised that he would just have to go in ready to answer her questions and see how it went.

Zoya worked hard all day and at 7.30pm she was finally done with all her meetings. By this time most of the office has emptied out. Apart from her and Aditya, Mona and Akanksha were the last 2 people to leave and so before they left they bid adieu to both their bosses, sensing something was definitely wrong, hoping the the two would eventually find a resolution.

Just as they walked out, Aditya got up off his chair and slowly made his way towards Zoya's cabin. Zoya saw him approaching, like she was prey being stalked by a predator. She shivered unknowingly but tried to compose herself for what would be a make of break conversation.

Aditya slowly pushed the door open and let it shut behind him but he stayed rooted to the spot. He had decided that today he would keep a physical distance from her. Yesterday their closeness was what had caused the mess so today the ball was in her court. He wouldn't do anything she didn't want to.

Zoya got up off her chair and walked up to Aditya and again there was silence so Aditya took the opportunity to speak.

'Zoya, the first thing I want to do is apologise. I'm so sorry about yesterday Zoya, I'm so sorry.'

She just nodded her head, already tearing up because this whole discussion was about to be difficult.

'Aditya, do you really love me?'

Aditya was surprised that Zoya was asking him this question, but he quickly realised that it's not because she didn't trust what he said, but because she just couldn't believe this is what was happening to them.

'Yes Zoya, I love you. I love you more than I have ever loved anyone in my life. You are my person. I know you are.'

Zoya began to sob.

'I can't be your person Aditya. I wasn't even Yash's person. I am no one's person.' She started to flail her arms in despair, trying to spit out the words that were only going to create a rift between her and her best friend.

As much as Aditya wanted to hug her and comfort her, he had decided that he wouldn't touch her and so he just stood there staring at her.

'Zoya that isn't true. This is just your insecurity speaking. You don't truly believe that. You deserve to be loved, madly and completely. I love you like that and I always will.'