Chapter-2

Hope you find it good :)

"Zoya come fast beta.."

"Ji Ammi..I'm just coming.."

Zoya came downstairs closing the chain of her handbag.

"Yes Ammi, I'm ready."

"Oh my god Zoya, you have dark circles...are you depriving yourself of sleep.."

"No Ammi..."

Roshnaq's gaze traveled from her face to her wrists where she noticed some scratches and it made her inside clutch but she didn't asked anything about it.

"Come..let's go.."

She said dragging Zoya along with her.

They both sat in the car and Roshnaq started the engine.

"Ammi..when did you learn driving.."

She looked at her smilingly.

"Long before Zoya.."

The car ride was silent but Roshnaq tried her best to engage Zoya in some conversation however her replies were short and and sometimes it was just a nod or a short smile.

Roshnaq started the radio.

Abhi na jao chodkar...ke dil abhi bhara nahi...

"Ye Yash ka favorite gaana tha.." (This was Yash's favorite song.)

She said and tears started welling up in her eyes of rage and of pain. She instantly turned off the radio and turned in her seat to look outside and rested her head on the car's door.

Aanken jhukti chubhan mein ashqon mein magan ye

She noticed a couple by the road side enjoying ice cream. The girl put some ice cream on the boy's nose and then instantly clicked a picture of him and then laughed. She lost herself in the moment and started remembering how she and Yash used to have ice cream, together while sitting on the couch hugging each other and watching a romantic movie. She thought it to be the best moment and she waited eagerly for the weekend to come.

Kaisi teri saansein chadh gayi

She thought of the moment when she was trying to cook something special for him on their anniversary and she accidentally slit her finger. He came running to her when he heard her shriek and told her to never visit the kitchen again and bandaged her finger.

Oh sakhiyan dekhe anjuman mein soche sab man mein

She thought of the moment when he confessed his love to her amidst the college canteen surrounded by the students, applauding and hooting.

"I love you Zoya.." He said.

"Will you be with me in my darkest nights and the brightest mornings, when I find no one by my side will you be there for me..when I'm invited to a party will you become my partner? Ms. Zoya Siddiqui will you marry me?"

She remembered every word from that proposal. It was...magical.

Kaisi kaisi baatein ban gayi..

The sight of him lying lifelessly on the ground covered with a white cloth came next to her mind and she felt tears filling her eyes. There were two bodies lying side by side, she didn't knew to whom does the other body belong to. The wind blew and it exposed the reality of the situation to her.

Ho teri baaton ki chahak ko na jaane na jaane kaisi raat mil gayi..

The other body belonged to a lady and their hands were...entangled. She trusted him with all her heart and she didn't believed at that time that it was the truth that she was trying to ignore. It was then her trust and heart both broke when she received the divorce papers the next day with the presence of his sign on them.

Na jaane kaisi raat mil gayi...

All the memories became like the sharp edge of a glass and they pricked her everytime she thought of him and the truth was that she couldn't stop thinking about him: his love, his care and, his...betrayal.

Na jaane kaisi raat mil gayi...

She wiped her tears and sat upright when she felt the car stop. She gazed out of the window and saw a hospital in front of her eyes.

"Ammi..you said that we are going to shopping..then why have you stopped here..you are fine right?"

"Please don't say no to me Zoya..you look lifeless..you need a counselor..you just can't live like this..it hurts us to see you like this..please co-operate with me..it's the best we could think of.."

"We?"

"Your Abbu and I were discussing about your condition a few days ago and we thought for going with a counselor's help..I've already taken an appointment..please don't say no..he's the best counselor anyone could ask for.."

"Okay.." She replied faintly, her heart not agreeing to this new offer but she can give it a try.

They started walking inside the hospital and Zoya started feeling nervous and her heart beat increased. She wasn't familiar with the environment of the hospital. Last time she visited hospital was to see Yash's body and collect his belongings.

Her mother told her to wait and went to the reception to ask for the doctor's cabin.

"Come Zoya.." She said and took her into a lift. She pressed the button with three written on it and waited for it to reach where as Zoya was remembering what happened when she last visited the hospital.

The click sound snapped her out of her thoughts and the gate opened. They both went out. Her mother started finding the doctor's cabin while navigating through the claustrophobic corridors.

Once they reached she knocked the door and peeped in. After taking the permission they both entered the cabin and were met with a sparkling pair of eyes.

Zoya hesitantly went inside after being called and sat at the chair facing him. He was sitting on his chair in a very confident way and was dressed neatly in formal wear. Her mother started talking about her condition to him which she didn't want to hear. Her gaze started travelling around the small room and stopped at the nameplate kept at the table.

Dr. Aditya Hooda

"So..Zoya.." He said in an authoritative yet friendly voice.

"Would you like to share about whatever happened to you in the last year to me..you may take me as a friend..I can help you..I guess..would you like to share your sorrows and problems with your new friend.."

Her mother touched her hand and encouraged her, to speak her heart out, with her eyes.

"Um..." She felt nervous voicing out her heart.

"Okay, let's leave it tell me about your hobbies, your aspirations, your goals and what you want to make of your life.."

She looked down at her lap and answered in a low voice, "I don't have any goals."

"Well, that's a problem then..do you sometimes feel to end your life..?" He said scanning the scratches on her wrists covered under makeup but still visible.

She looked at her mother and said, "I can't do this Ammi.." and exited the cabin.

Roshnaq muttered a sorry to him and rushed behind her daughter to catch her.

Outside:

"Stop Zoya.."

"I can't do this Ammi..I just can't open up my whole life in front of a stranger that too a man."

"He's the best doctor we could find Zoya..and what was he saying there? Was it true? Did you really try to end your life? Huh?" She said looking deeply into her eyes.

She started avoiding her gaze. "Just Answer me Zoya..did you?"

"Am-mmi..vo.."

"Is that man everything for you...we are nothing to you huh? Do you even know how do we feel when we see you like this?" She said raising her voice a little and her eyes got filled with tears.

"Am-mi.."

"Let me speak Zoya, when you were born your Abbu and I were so delighted to see you..you were so little..you looked so much innocent for this world..I wanted you to be independent but your Abbu always protected you from this world..then you grew up..you fell in love with Yash..your Abbu didn't agree with your decision but I did! I only wanted to see you happy..but now see what you are...you seem to see only your pain but it kills us everyday to see you like this: hopeless and waiting, just waiting to say a goodbye to this world...it has been a year Zoya..move on from him..if you want to do anything for your parents please agree to us this time..we have always given you all the freedom to make your decision please listen to us for once..we want only the best for you.."

By now Zoya had a tear stained face. She hugged her mother and apologized to her. She agreed to her mother's request and went up to the doctor's cabin.

"I will wait in the car.." She heard her mother shouting from the back.

She first knocked and then asked, "May I come in?"

_________________________________________

So, they met!!! You may consider this as a filler chapter but if I would have added more, it would be too lengthy to read. Next chapter will surely be going to be a roller-coaster of emotions, and Zoya's past will unfold and she....well, I think you can read it when I update..I shouldn't give spoilers right?😄

Take care and have a lovely day,

Love you❤