Chapter 15
Amyra
I’m about to leave the Bajaj Mansion for work when I pause mid-step at the sight of Aditi walking into the hallway from the kitchen.
“Adi!” I call out, and she immediately comes over.
“Leaving for the office, Amyra Di?” I nod to her question.
“So, Adi, you and Rey went on a movie date yesterday. Are things alright between you two now?” I ask, anxious yet curious. I’ve noticed how unsettled she’s been since last week, exactly from the night we met at the club.
The memory flashes, how it stung watching them together as a couple, and how I tried to escape that ache by sitting far from them, only for that drunk idiot to ruin my peace.
I silently begged God not to let Reyansh see, but of course, he did, charging over with that overprotective streak of his and causing a scene.
It spoiled their dinner plans, riling Aditi, and we left abruptly because of his reckless anger.
Since then, both of them have kept their distance from me.
I was surprised Reyansh didn’t show up at my cubicle like he always used to.
We only exchanged brief conversations whenever we crossed paths.
Determined to act like the old me, I even tried initiating talks with both of them until I noticed how dull and unhappy Aditi looked, as if something was off between them.
So, I stayed quiet, waiting for one of them to open up.
When I learned they went on a movie date yesterday, I hoped things had returned to normal.
But…did I really hope for that?
“There’s nothing to fix when everything is already okay, Di.” She beams, cheerful and smiling. It should comfort me, but why does her assurance feel like a punch in the gut? No. I can’t let my emotions sway me or expect them to drift apart over a silly fight.
I can’t be selfish and twist their relationship into something broken when they’re clearly fine.
I should really give up this ridiculous love for Rey.
“Di…?” Aditi shakes my arm, pulling me back to reality. I offer a small, awkward smile.
“That’s good to hear. Then what’s with your dull mood lately?”
“Oh, that? Nothing serious. One of my dream university applications abroad got rejected. I was disappointed, but I still have plenty of good options left, so I’m fine now.
” She explains calmly, and I mentally slam my head against the nearest wall for jumping to the worst conclusion about her and my best friend.
“Oh, Adi! You’ll have so many more opportunities; don’t lose your peace over something so trivial. And I’m relieved things are fine between you and Rey. I know it sounds unreasonable, but I felt guilty for ruining your dinner with him last week.” I whisper, lowering my head.
I might be selfish for assuming the worst between them, but I genuinely felt guilty for ruining their evening at the club.
“But why, Di? That same night, I tried seeing things from his perspective and realized he wasn’t wrong.
You’ve been an integral part of his life since childhood, so it’s natural for him to be protective of you.
And leaving that place was the smartest choice, so we talked the next day and cleared the tension.
Everything went back to normal immediately.
I’m sorry for making you worry unnecessarily, but trust me, Di, we’re going strong as ever. ”
There’s a new glow on her face, and the upbeat tone in her voice tells me her dating life is going fine and looks like it is everything she wants. Ignoring the dull sting in my chest, I force a smile.
“I’m happy for you,” I whisper, before wishing her goodbye and heading to my car to leave for work.
If there’s no issue between Reyansh and Aditi, then why did he keep his distance all week, barely interacting with me? Maybe he was extremely busy. He always made time for me earlier, even if he was busy, but not this time. It is uncharacteristic.
Is he actually choosing to stay away?
I may not admit it aloud, but God, I missed him.
Every knock on my cubicle door made my heart race, hoping it would be him.
But he never appeared. Not once. We exchanged a few calls and messages, but they were brief, strictly about work or polite check-ins.
Neither of us dared to call and now I understand why.
He must have been busy speaking with my sister.
It feels like karma, his silence mirroring how I once shut him out. I deserve it for hurting him just to protect my sanity. But what changed? Why does his sudden indifference cut this deep? I thought he could never stay away from me. I thought I mattered.
But priorities change… with time.
Tears pool in my eyes before I can stop them. A quiet sob escapes as I cover my mouth, not wanting the driver to notice. I quickly wipe my cheeks and turn toward the window, pretending to admire the passing streets. Is this the beginning of the end of us?
*****
I glance into the neighboring glass cubicle, hoping to find him there, only to see it empty. With a small sigh, I head to the canteen for my third coffee of the day.
Once I have my freshly brewed cup, I settle into a quiet corner, ready to let the warmth soothe me. I barely take a sip before I hear someone call my name, then step right into my line of sight.
“Hi, Amyra! Can I sit here?” It isn’t the man I’ve been aching to see, but the sight of a cheerful, familiar face still feels comforting. Karan’s easy smile always carries a calmness with it.
“Of course, Karan. Have a seat.” He takes the chair across from me. He isn’t carrying food or even a coffee, which means he came here just to find me.
“I stopped by your cubicle and found it empty, so I guessed you’d be here. I’ve observed enough to know about your coffee addiction.” He laughs lightly, and I match it with a small chuckle.
Only my family and closest friends know how coffee is my quick escape hatch from stress. Reyansh has nagged me for years to cut down, insisting it’ll wreck my health, and I secretly love how worried he gets. Funny how Karan picked up on it so quickly.
“That’s surprising! How do you even know? Are you stalking me?” I tease, but his expression shifts into something far more serious. Why?
“It’s not from recent observation,” he says gently. “But from back in university. You always grabbed at least two coffees from the cafeteria. Now it’s become three or four a day. You must be stressed, right?”
His soft concern leaves me momentarily speechless.
I recall how he always seemed to show up wherever I was roaming in the college premises back then and how I used to feel oddly irritated by it.
The thought that he still notices me this closely stirs a small discomfort, mixed with a suspicion he hasn’t fully moved on.
And no one understands that struggle better than I do. But I brush all that aside, choosing to acknowledge only his concern.
“Maybe… maybe not. Work stress, you know?” I offer a half-truth, and he nods knowingly.
“Fair enough. I mean, I’m still new here, and adjusting to everything has been exhausting.
And now we’re already assigned to lead a project together?
” I finish the last sip of my coffee and nod.
Just this morning, our mentors briefed us on the Employee Engagement Campaign to be happening next month or sooner and made the two of us in charge.
“I know,” I say, “but don’t you think it’ll be easier since we’ll divide the work and move ahead as a team?” That’s genuinely how I feel about our new campaign project.
“That’s true, Amyra. Your sensible thinking in chaos is admirable. I can’t wait to actually get started.” His smile widens, tiny dimples forming at his cheeks, something I never noticed before.
“This will be our first little challenge together, and we’ll give it our best.” I lift the mood, and it works as both of us are smiling now.
When the Chairperson and CEO announced that Karan and I would be working closely, I couldn’t quite place why.
But now it makes sense, Strategic Partnerships and Marketing & Brand Strategy complement each other perfectly.
At least I won’t be drowning alone in the emotions I’m trying so hard to bury.
I can focus on something new, something that isn’t him.
“God, I’m already excited. We’re going to be great partners.” He laughs lightly, and for the first time in days, I feel relieved to smile genuinely. Karan has that comforting presence.
“Definitely,” I murmur, right as his phone beeps on the table. He quickly checks it, and the color drains from his face.
“I have a meeting with my mentor, who also happens to be the Head of Strategic Partnerships, Mrs. Meera Arora. This is the reminder. I need to go.” He rises hurriedly, and I stand as well.
“Of course. I’ll leave too. Sixth floor, right below ours?”
“Yes.”
We walk together, but my knee bumps the corner of the table, and I stumble back. Karan steadies me instantly, hands gripping my shoulders, guiding me upright. A sharp ache pulses through my knee, and he helps me sit back down.
“Are you alright?” he asks softly, concern lining his voice.
I nod. “You can go. Sitting for a minute will help.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“Okay. I’ll meet you soon.” He rushes toward the elevator. I watch the doors close behind him, and when I turn my head, everything inside me stills.
Reyansh stands there. His gaze locked on mine, intense, unreadable. My breath falters. He starts walking toward me. With each step closer, my heart picks up speed.
Is he… coming to see me? After a week of silence, distance, and pretending we don’t miss each other? Maybe he’s here for work. Maybe he has a reason that isn’t me.
Maybe this will be awkward talking after days of barely acknowledging each other. Maybe, everything between us really has shifted.
Yet despite all those maybes… I can’t stop the quiet thrill rising inside me at the thought of finally being near him again.