Chapter 18
Reyansh
I have been watching everything from the background, noticing how Amyra and Karan smile while planting a tree together.
I arrived late because I couldn’t bear the sight of them moving in sync, but as an employee, I have to fulfill my responsibility, so I drove myself to the venue, ignoring Amyra’s messages asking whether I started or not.
The moment I reached the entrance, my eyes went straight to the coastline where employees were busy with the Tree-Planting session, including Amyra and Karan.
They seemed lost in their own world until Amyra’s gaze finally found me, but the hurt settled in when she continued standing beside Karan instead of coming toward me, talking to him as if sharing her secrets.
I watch them closely as the first session wraps up and the afternoon session is scheduled after lunch, but not before announcing the pair-ups.
I hear it was Amyra’s idea to make employees coordinate for a good cause.
No doubt, it’s a brilliant plan to enhance harmony within the company, and I’m truly stunned by how effortlessly she leads this campaign, but there’s something I’m bitter about.
Since they’ve been doing everything together, I’m certain they will pair up, and the thought churns my stomach in ugly discomfort.
Without thinking twice, I rush to the host and insist she pair me with Amyra.
She agrees immediately. Seems like the privilege of being the future heir worked, and I return to Amyra’s side with warmth gathering in my chest.
“ID no. B that much is certain. But will I ever be happy even if Amyra gets close with someone other than Karan? I am not sure. It’s insensible, and I know it.
I take a moment to admire her look: simple, stylish, the company jersey flowing over wide-legged dark blue jeans, beige sneakers, high ponytail, bare face with minimal makeup, and her trademark nude lipstick.
She always looks effortlessly gorgeous. I love how she experiments with jeans, and every style suits her perfectly.
“Now give me the tools, Rey!” she says, pulling on her gloves.
“You just need to walk beside me while I do the work, okay?” I place the tools on the shore, grabbing a few essentials until I hear her soft hiss.
“But I want to participate. I designed this session…” She pulls an adorable sulky face that lifts my mood instantly.
She knows I can’t resist that expression.
“You can hold the trash bag then,” I offer, but she shakes her head.
“Why don’t we take turns collecting the waste? Please, I want to do this.” Her puppy eyes melt me instantly.
I can never deny her anything. I just want her to be happy.
“Alright, but we start with me.” I boop her nose and take her hand as we walk forward.
“I don’t know why guys always try to stop girls from doing physical work! Even Karan held the heavy plant for me and wanted to do everything. It’s irritating.” She groans softly, but I only latch onto the part involving Karan. Of course, he still loves her.
“Let’s keep walking,” I mutter, tightening my grip on her hand and hiding my irritation. She nods, her gaze lingering on me.
The warm sand sinks softly under my feet as we walk along the shore, still holding hands.
Waves rush in and slide back, leaving trails of white foam that glimmer under the fading sun.
Palm trees sway behind us, their long shadows stretching across the beach.
The breeze smells of salt and freedom, and the sky feels endless—blue, bright, and wide above the calm rhythm of the sea.
A perfect moment for a heartfelt conversation and for building new memories.
And having Amyra beside me already feels like a beautiful dream.
“Do you remember the first time we came to the beach with our families?” I turn to her just in time to see her big smile bloom with the memory.
“I do! We were ten, and we wanted to play in the sea for so long, but our parents disagreed. So we ran off, holding hands, and played anyway.” She chuckles, replaying the memory, and I lower my head with a small smile.
“And look at us, still holding hands at the shore.” My voice lifts in a cheerful note, and her smile turns even brighter.
“And we’ll be like this forever, Rey. I’m never going to leave you.”
There’s something different in her gaze, something serious, like a silent promise meant to bind us forever… But as friends.
“You think I’ll ever let you go?” I match her sincerity, and we fall into an intense eye-lock we don’t usually share as friends. Neither of us looks away until she finally breaks the moment.
Her eyes have a kind of magic. Soft, magnetic, and capable of making anyone listen.
An awkward silence settles, and I gently withdraw my hand to ease the tension.
“By the way, Ames…” I pause, watching her, waiting for me to continue.
“We can still play in the sea.” I tug her forward, splashing water on her face. She shrieks, laughing, and throws water back at me until her bright laughter fills the air. She suddenly runs away, and I know exactly what she’s doing.
I sprint after her, relieved to hear her laughter growing louder.
I close the distance and wrap my arms around her waist from behind, lifting her into the air.
Her head tilts back against my chest, and a sudden wave of bliss shoots through me.
My eyes fall shut as I inhale her soft, intoxicating scent, a broad grin stretching across my face.
So this is what heaven feels like.
I tighten my hold and twirl her gently, her delighted giggles soothing every restless corner of my heart.
“Stop, Rey,” she squeals, though not without laughing. I keep her up for a moment longer before carefully placing her down on the shore.
Lately, life has been a storm of anxiety, suppressed emotions, and hollow days, but I kept pushing through with hope and determination.
Things with Aditi are improving, and we’re slowly learning to spend more time together.
But I haven’t truly hung out with Amyra in so long, and today fills that void.
“It’s like we relived our childhood,” she grins, and I nod.
“Yes.”
“No more goofing around. Let’s get back to work.” She bends to pick up a few tools, and I follow her. After a few focused minutes of collecting the waste, we head back toward the main spot where all the employees have gathered.
When we reach the session it looks almost done, and then I spot Karan waving at Amyra before walking toward us.
“Karan Mahajan looks suspicious. What if he still has feelings for you, Ames?” I finally voice what’s been gnawing at me.
“That doesn’t matter as long as I don’t want to reciprocate. I’m not someone who leads people on. I always make my thoughts clear, even if it’s just friendship. So no, he won’t be misguided.”
Her tone is firm and confident, like she knows her mind. Still, the other person’s intentions can influence things… right?
“You rejected him in university because you said you didn’t want distractions from studies. Now that you’re past that phase, would you consider giving him a chance?” My heart thunders against my ribs as she finally looks at me.
“I’m not looking for a relationship right now, Rey.” Her answer comes quickly before she steps away toward Karan, leaving with him, and I’m left watching her go.
My mind keeps replaying her words, and a rush of relief settles over me, knowing nothing is going to happen the way I’ve been fearing.
My phone vibrates in my pocket. I pull it out and see Aditi’s name flashing on the screen, and my lips instinctively stretch into a wide smile.
“Hey, darling! What’s up?” I answer, only to hear her soft chortle.
“Reyansh Thakur sounds unusually happy today. Participating in an outdoor event must be the reason, right?” I sound happy? If anyone deserves credit, it’s the time I spent with Amyra, after what feels like forever.
“Not exactly. Just… happy.”
“Don’t fool yourself, Reyansh. You’ve shown up for the past month, but emotionally, you were distant, carrying a weight of anxiety. But now, you sound cheerful and alive.”
She’s right. I’ve been functioning, balancing everything, but it all felt monotonous. A few minutes with Amyra somehow lifts that heaviness. I always know I’m happiest around her.
“Alright, Aditi. Did you get any emails from the universities abroad?”
“Not yet, Reyansh.”
“No problem. You’ll hear from them soon. I’ll leave now. The event is almost wrapping up.”
“Sure. And I hope you join such events more often so you keep sounding like yourself.” Her warm wish shows how much she cares, and guilt instantly prickles through me. I can’t even take her seriously, not in my thoughts.
“Thank you. I’ll call you later. Bye.” I end the call, feeling more recharged than before. I glance toward the dais. The host is still praising Karan and Amyra for how flawlessly they led the campaign.
Amyra Bajaj is a creative genius, and pride swells in me at her success in her first company project.
Below the dais, I see Karan and Amyra smiling at each other. She moves in for a side hug, but he pulls her fully into his arms, holding her close for a moment before stepping back.
Surprise flickers across Amyra’s face, but she doesn’t seem offended, which makes my smile instantly fade, replaced by a familiar ache in my chest.
She didn’t mind being in his arms.
And the smug look on Karan’s face, as if he just won something, doesn’t go unnoticed, especially how he pulled his stunt publicly.
Amyra may be clear about her intentions, but fate can always interfere… feelings can always change.
And the thought terrifies me more than I want to admit.
Suddenly, as if in a flash, I realized that I’ve started seeing Amyra differently than before. Not just as a friend, but something more.
Why did this realization come now? Have I been blind to this all these years?