Chapter 17
Karan
I need to inform Amyra immediately. I’m thrilled that I could finally arrange the partnership, negotiating with eco-NGOs, sapling suppliers, and waste collection partners just like we planned.
Amyra has been brilliant with her branding concept for the CSR Tree-Planting and Beach Cleanup Event, part of the Employee Engagement Campaign scheduled for next week.
Her ideas for team-building and engagement activities deserve a round of applause, and I can’t wait to see them come alive on the event day.
Amyra and I have been working together almost every afternoon, once we finish our respective division tasks.
We’re thankfully assigned a small cabin for smooth interactions and joint planning, a detail I appreciate, as it also gives me precious private time with her.
I push the door open, a bright smile on my lips, unable to contain the happiness of completing the major part of the campaign. I’m sure Amyra will mirror my excitement.
But my eyes land on the chairs in front of the long desk completely empty. My eyebrows furrow before my gaze drifts sideways, and my mouth parts in shock. She’s lying on the small couch, curled up, eyes tightly closed.
My heartbeat quickens as I quietly drag a nearby tripod stool closer with my gaze fixed on her serene face.
I take a moment to admire her angelic features, the way her almond-shaped eyes can pull out the most graceful expressions, how her pillow lips can stretch into an eye-blinding full-lipped smile, the few loose strands of hair framing her face, which I gently tuck back into place.
Memories of our University days flood me.
I’d had a crush on her the first time I saw her laugh heartily, a crush that deepened into love as I followed her quietly, captivated by her down-to-earth attitude, kind heart, and queen-like aura.
I had finally mustered the courage to confess after a year of silent admiration.
I remember entering our second year of post-grad, greedy for her comforting company, and asking her out.
I noticed the closeness between Amyra and her best friend Reyansh; the whole University seemed convinced they were secretly dating.
Despite my doubts, I trusted my feelings and expressed my love genuinely.
Her response was a melancholic, hesitant shake of the head, followed by rejection that left my heart in pieces.
When I asked if there might be a chance in the future, she shook her head again and disappeared from sight.
I feel awkward recalling my stubborn persistence back then, chasing her for a single date.
Then came the familiar rivalry with Reyansh.
I resented his overprotective nature and how he often threatened to remove her from my presence, which fueled our clashes.
I even wondered if the rumors about them were true, seeing them together constantly, arriving and leaving side by side, inseparable.
Their indifference to gossip only pushed me further to win her heart.
My life paused when my father suffered a mild heart attack.
I chose to care for him alone, as my mother had left us during my childhood.
I continued my studies from home, only to show up for the examinations, with the University management’s support.
The break kept me from seeing Amyra, and we only met again during convocation.
She seemed pleased to see me, and even began to respond when I started a conversation with her, but Reyansh intervened and whisked her away before we could talk properly.
Truth be told, I haven’t moved on from Amyra. When Dad suggested I undergo a few months of training before joining our company and handed me a shortlist of potential firms, I wasted no time choosing B he’s with her now.
” Her voice trembles with sadness, eyes already turning watery.
And yet, I cannot help but smile. Foolish as it feels, I am glad I still have a chance.
The biggest relief? Amyra and Reyansh have never secretly been together, despite the gossip.
“That’s really tough, Amyra. Especially seeing him every day,” I try to sound sympathetic, though my heart is racing with quiet excitement.
“That’s fine, Karan. I’ll be okay. I’m on a mission to move on from him.” She glances at me with a short, sincere smile.
“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you move on soon,” I reply spontaneously. Amyra halts mid-step, giving me a suspicious look.
I need to cover it.
“I mean… since we’ll be working together, you’ll have less time to think about him and will eventually move on.” I cautiously correct myself, and she seems to buy it.
“We’ll see about it,” she responds.
The first session ends with employees gathering at the entrance, followed by a quick group photo.
The afternoon session is the beach clean-up, which will begin after lunch.
Amyra suggests announcing the pairings before heading to the beach restaurant, making it easier to start the second session immediately.
I agree, and soon the host takes the microphone to announce the pairs; the staff has already collected the data.
My eyes fall on Reyansh, who briefly speaks with the host before joining us on the right side of Amyra.
Did he plan something?
Let it go. Since Amyra and I are together in this, we will obviously be paired up. The host begins announcing employee IDs as people disperse to join their partners.
“ID no. B&T112 with B&T76.” My pupils dilated. I am paired with another employee, but not Amyra.
“All the best,” I hear her whisper as the assigned employee comes to join me.
“ID no. B&T107 with B&T108.” My mouth goes dry. 108 is Amyra’s ID and 107 must be…
“We’re a team now,” Reyansh’s gleeful voice rises beside me as he high-fived her. He lifts his gaze to meet mine, a faint smirk stretching across his lips. The pairings end with Amyra and Reyansh together, while I march to the host to clarify a few things.
“Why aren’t Amyra and I paired?” I ask.
“Sorry sir, Reyansh sir insisted,” the host replies meekly. My body freezes. My gaze lands on the duo, how his arm slings possessively around her shoulders. It doesn't feel like mere overprotectiveness. His closeness, his smirk… It feels like more than friendship and possessiveness.
But isn’t he in a relationship? Why is he so edgy over Amyra being with me?
Whatever it is, I’m not backing down. I’ll find a way to win Amyra’s heart… very soon.