Zoya's POV
Sigh!
I am getting hell bored. Noor is studying. Masso and Maasi slept as they were tired. And here I am not being able to sleep. Aarohi is on night shift today and is busy. To whom should I talk to now. It is first time in a while I am feeling like to talk to someone.
I picked up the novel from the nightstand, which I was reading, to continue.
Wait! Did Aditya started the book I gave him?
Not able to hold the curiosity, I picked my mobile and dialled his number.
“Helloo…” I heard his sleepy voice.
Did I wake him up?
“Were you sleeping?” I asked biting my tongue.
“Zoya?” He asked in disbelief. A tinge of irritation in his voice.
“Ya… It's me..” I replied sheepishly. He let out a breath.
“What do people generally do in night?” He asked. I can sense him having a lopsided smile.
He is mocking me.
“Sleep…” I replied silently.
“Then? What should I be doing?”
“Sleeping…" I replied silently.
“Well done Zoya! You finally got it!” He spoke enthusiastically, mocking me. All his sleep long gone.
“Aditya!!” I whined and he laughed.
“I hate you! Bye! Bad night! Nightmares!” I spoke highly frustrated and hung up the call.
I can imagine him still laughing. He is so bad!
It has been a week after our talk on beach. Winters has started. October is starting from tomorrow. Diwali is round the corner and Aditya's conference for his project is just before that. It is very important for him and he is working really hard for that. Still he found time to give me pick and drop service.
When he insisted me to drive me hospital and home, I was not able to believe. Then I agreed. Who would give up the chance to spend time with their crush? Then my car returned and going with him and coming back stopped.
I laid down straight on my bed hugging my pillow. Why?!!! Why it is all so difficult? He doesn't feel for me like that and my feelings for him are getting intensified by every passing day. Ahh!! I buried my face in the pillow, I was hugging.
I stood up not feeling sleepy at all. I climbed down the stairs and went to the kitchen to have coffee. I kept my mobile on the kitchen platform and took out milk from the refrigerator. My mobile rang and I glanced at it.
Aditya….
I huffed. Why is he calling now? Isn't he sleeping? Huh! I declined the call. I am angry. He is bad. He teases me at every chance he gets. I heard a ping and it was a message from him.
Aditya..
Zoya, sorry yaar! Don't get mad now.
I smiled but didn't reply. My phone again rang. It was him.
“Aren't you sleeping?” I mocked him.
“Was thinking about you.” He replied silently.
My eyes went wide. What? Me?
“I… I mean… You got angry na… So, that's why. I was just goofing around. For me you are the most sorted person. Trust me.” Hearing him I smiled wide and bit my lower lip.
“Fine! You-” I got interrupted with Maasi's call.
“Zoya?” She asked me in surprise as she entered the kitchen.
I disconnected the call hurriedly and kept the phone on counter immediately.
“What are you doing here at this time of night…?”
“Woh… I wasn't feeling sleepy. So… Coffee!” She nodded. Haash!
“Do you want something?” I asked trying to act all normal.
One minute! Why I am behaving like I just got saved, not getting caught doing something wrong? But I don't want give her any kind of wrong hints.
She showed me her empty jug and shrugged. I nodded. She took out a bottle from refrigerator as I took out coffee from cabinet.
“Who were you talking to?” She asked out of nowhere, filling her jug.
Noo… She heard me. Aaaa!!
“Aaru…” I lied.
Sorry Lord! Lying is bad and I too don't know why I am doing that.
“Really?” She asked, wriggling her eyebrows.
I sighed. If there is anyone after my mother, then it's her. I can't hide things from her for long.
“Aditya..” I replied just in a whisper. My eyes pinned to the work I was doing.
She didn't say anything and I glanced at her through my lashes only to find a satisfied smile on her face.
“Goodnight Zoya….” She wished me and walked out.
What the hell just happened??!!
I heard a ping voice from my mobile and it was again a message from him.
Aditya…
Why did you disconnect the call like that? Still angry? Zoya..! Sorry!
I smiled at his desperation.
__________________________________
I climbed down the stairs and sat on the dinning table, yawning. I slept late last night. Maasi came and smiled at me instead of scolding for sleeping late. What is wrong with her? Noor came and settled beside me to have breakfast. I looked at her to find her sitting there with a sad face.
Maasi went in the kitchen to bring our breakfast and I grabbed the chance to ask what is wrong with her.
“What's wrong?” I asked her in a whisper.
She shook her head. Arey?!
“Something is! Tell me!” I demanded.
“Arjun is very busy…. So…” She mumbled.
OOO….! Acha…
I smiled and ruffled her hairs.
“DI!!” She called out for me irritated making me laugh.
“Don't do that! I have to leave for college…”
Maasi came out and settled the table before sitting down.
“Where is Masso?” I asked before starting my breakfast.
“Here I am sweetie!” I heard him answer before Maasi could.
I looked over my shoulder and smiled at him as he walked towards the dinning table.
“Good morning uncle!” I chirped.
“Good morning Zoya…” He wished back and I gave him a wide smile.
“Good morning young lady!” He wished Noor after settling on the table beside Maasi.
“Morning…” She trailed off making him frown.
“What happened?”
“I have work in college today and I feel like not attending college today…”
Aww… Even I feel like ditching hospital today. Okay! We are also humans. We too sometime can think of taking leaves.
“No problem! You both ditch your respective works today. We will spend time together and have fun.” He planned with twinkle in his eyes like a small kid.
Massi instantly smacked his arm.
“You have retired, they haven't!” She scolded him making him pout.
I told you he is my buddy.
“You both!” She started, pointing to both of us.
“None of you is ditching your work!”
“As much as I want to I can't. So don't worry…” I spoke.
“Zoya…” Masso whined.
“I thought you were in my team!” I laughed.
________________________________
“Let's take a break!” I announced to my assistant doctor and she left my cabin with a relieved smile.
I leaned back on my chair and opened my call log. I was going to call Aarohi but my fingers ditched me and tapped on Aditya's contact.
“Hello…” I started as soon as he picked up the call.
“Zoya… Sorry. I will talk to you later please. Right now I am busy.” He spoke in a go and I can hear hustle bustle from the other side.
“Sure… No problem. Bye..” He immediately hung up the call.
With a sad face, I finally dialled Aarohi's number.
“Hello Zoya baby…” She greeted me.
What the hell!
“Aarohi! Don't call me that!” I rebuked her.
“Why? Is it only reserved for-”
“Shut up!” I cut her off in middle and she laughed.
Idiot lady!
“If you are to continue like this, I am hanging up…” I warned her.
“Okay… Okay… Fine…” She agreed, catching her breath after laughing.
Huh!
We talked for a while or say I talked and she listened.
“Zoya… Aren't you talking to Aditya now a days?” She questioned me, after hearing my blabber.
“Amm… Not so frequently. He is busy. I told you just now na!”
“You just not told Zee. You were going on and on about him. I am tired of hearing his name.” She spoke sighing.
I bit my tongue. I really went on long talking about him.
“Zee… Don't mind hearing this but you are missing him.” I blinked my eyes hearing her.
Am I?
“And… My dear… You are… Well… He is just not your mere crush now. He is more than that. Accept it and leave me in peace.”
My eyes went wide. Do I really?
“Zee… I will talk to you later. Byee!”
“Bye.” I mumbled.
Aaru is right…
________________________________