Chapter 19
Amyra
“So, how is work going so far? Are you feeling comfortable at your father’s company?” I ask, sipping my cold coffee. My best friend, Sanchi, and I are hanging out in our familiar cafeteria, easily slipping into conversation as we catch up on everything we’ve missed lately.
“It’s only been a week since I joined. The department head assigned a senior manager to guide me, so I’ll be in the learning phase for a few months without the ‘intern’ tag, unlike you, Reyansh, and Karan,” she says in a teasing tone, making me roll my eyes.
“Oh, girl! You’re literally working as core staff while we’re still training. Stop comparing your position with ours,” I chirp playfully.
“Alright. So tell me, are you still working with Karan?”
“Of course not. It was only for that one campaign over a month ago. But we do keep in touch almost every day in the canteen.”
“That’s really… amazing.” There’s a glint of mischief in her tone, and I wonder why.
“What do you think about him?” she adds, making me pause.
“You mean Karan?”
“Yes.”
“Well, Karan is a great guy. Comfortable company. He knows how to behave with a woman. I feel free and peaceful when I’m with him.
He’s smart, cool, and witty, one of those rare people who become close in a short time.
I genuinely like him as a friend. He knows boundaries and respects them.
” I look at Sanchi, only to find her smirking.
“Why should it be limited to friendship? Why can’t it be more?”
“Are you crazy? Why should it be more when I only see him as a friend?”
“You don’t understand, Amy. What if he still loves you? Maybe you could give him a chance. A new relationship might help you move on from your unresolved feelings for Reyansh.”
That has to be the craziest thing I’ve heard in my life.
Seriously, why does everyone assume Karan is still in love with me? First Reyansh, now Sanchi.
“How can you say such nonsense, San? Isn’t it a disaster to jump into a relationship just to move on, especially when my feelings are still alive? And Karan, I value his presence because I feel at ease around him, but that doesn’t change the fact that I only see him as a friend—”
“But dating isn’t always about being in love,” she interrupts. “Sometimes it’s about exploring the bond and seeing if it can grow into something lasting, like how Reyansh and your sister started.”
Mentioning Aditi and Reyansh suddenly makes her sound sensible, though my situation is different.
“You may have a point, San, but the intentions were different. Rey liked her and wanted to date her, and my sister felt the same. With us, I don’t even know what Karan feels, and I don’t like him enough to date him.
The last thing I want is to use someone as a rebound just to forget someone else.
This won’t work. Please stop pushing it. ”
My voice sounds dejected. I know I’m not ready for a relationship, not with Karan, not with anyone.
“So you’re not allowing yourself to move on from Reyansh?”
“Wrong, San. I’ve accepted that Reyansh is off-limits now and there’s no future for us.
But that doesn’t mean my feelings vanished.
I loved him for years, so you can’t just unlove someone in a few months.
Life feels manageable right now because I’m focused on work, so let me stay that way for now . ”
My tone comes out harsher than intended, and the hurt on Sanchi’s face makes guilt sink in instantly.
“I’m sorry for snapping, San. Please try to understand my perspective and support my choices,” I say softly. She nods, finally easing.
“Alright, Amy. But if you ever get a chance to move on, don’t throw it away.”
Her words linger like a gentle, sensible piece of advice I needed to hear. Maybe stubbornness doesn’t always serve me right, especially when the right moment arrives.
There’s no point trapping myself in unrequited love when I already know it will never change.
*****
“Congratulations on successfully finishing your first official project, Karan.” I shake hands with him, and he looks visibly elated by my words.
“Thank you so much, Amyra. I also heard you’re doing well in your division and are constantly praised by your mentor.
And aren’t you officially assigned to a solo marketing campaign?
” He asks in an excited tone, and I have to admit, his memory surprises me, considering I mentioned it over a week ago.
“Yes. It will officially start in a few days,” I reply with a smile.
“Good to know.”
“Alright, I’ll take my leave now. I just wanted to stop by and greet you.” I wave at him, turning to step out of his cubicle.
“Amyra… one minute.” My feet halt mid-step. I turn around and nod, signalling him to continue.
“If you don’t mind, can we meet outside the workplace for a coffee?” He sounds nervous, and unease creeps in as I try to read his intention.
“Aren’t we already having tons of coffee in the canteen almost every day?” I force a light chuckle, but he doesn’t seem amused.
“I meant… meeting outdoors. If not coffee, then maybe dinner?” The air feels stuck in my throat, and a series of nervous coughs escapes me.
“Please, have some water.” He quickly hands me a bottle, and I gulp down half of it in one go.
“So… is it okay if we meet for dinner?” The determination on his face sends an uncomfortable chill through me, confirming the fear I didn’t want to acknowledge.
“I’m sorry, Karan. I barely have time after work, so I won’t be able to,” I say carefully.
Disappointment flashes across his face before a brief, sincere smile replaces it.
“What about Sunday?”
Oh, shit. How did I forget about Sunday?
“I—I’m not sure. It’s the only day I spend more time with my family,” I stutter, instantly regretting how obvious my disinterest sounds. But isn’t it the right thing to do, being honest?
“Don’t you like spending time with me?” he asks softly, his tone weighed down with dejection. My throat tightens.
“No. It’s not like that. You’re a good friend to me.”
“Then why?”
“Okay, I’ll let you know when I’m available and ready. See you!”
I take a deep breath and walk away before he can respond, unwilling to hear what comes next.
God… does he still love me? I’ve always made sure to treat him as just a friend. So why would he still hold on to feelings for me?
Wait, what if he only meant a casual meeting? Just a friendly hangout?
Yes. That’s possible. Maybe I’m overthinking and assuming too much. I’ll talk to him later. Not now.
To calm my restless mind, I wander around the premises. The craving for coffee resurfaces, so I take the elevator to the lobby. As I’m about to pass the reception, a conversation between two female employees makes me stop in my tracks.
“Did you see the woman who was asking about Reyansh sir’s whereabouts a while ago?”
“Yes, I passed by then.”
“Looks like she’s Reyansh sir’s girlfriend. One of the staff saw them strolling on the seventh floor, hand in hand.”
“What? Is that really true?”
“Yes. They were laughing together, holding hands.”
“Wow. Reyansh sir’s choice is top class, I see.” So, Aditi is here, probably to surprise Reyansh!
The women keep giggling, gossiping about Reyansh and Aditi, while a sharp ache flares in my chest. I step back, slip into the elevator, and hastily press the seventh-floor button.
My breathing turns heavy, uneven. The moment the doors slide open, I take long strides to my cubicle and slump into the chair, finally letting myself break down.
Yes, I accepted their relationship. I chose reality over hope. But the ache hasn’t healed, and controlling my emotions feels impossible whenever they surge like this.
How did my carefully built life suddenly turn into a bed of thorns?
No matter how much I keep myself occupied, the anguish of unrequited love lingers at the back of my mind.
It only worsens when I have to act normal in front of him, when I’m expected to cheer for his relationship with my own sister.
Why does fate have to be this cruel?
I lower my head onto the desk, sobbing silently, until the faint sound of the sliding door pulls me back. I quickly wipe my tears and look up to see who enters. I rise to my feet, disbelief washing over me.
Reyansh’s father, Suryaveer Uncle, is standing in my cubicle.
“Surya Uncle! What a surprise. Do you have some work to assign me?” I ask hurriedly. This is the first time he has ever come here.
“Can’t I visit you without work, Amyra? When I consider you my daughter,” he says gently.
“Of course you can, Uncle. Anytime. You could have called me, I would have come to your cabin,” I reply with a smile, trying to sound normal, though my voice feels heavy after crying.
“Amyra, I was in the lobby. I heard the entire conversation.” His gaze softens, his voice dropping.
My eyes turn glossy, but I blink rapidly, fighting the tears. “That’s nothing, Uncle. If you’re here to check on me, don’t worry. I’m fine.” I try not to sound vulnerable, but he steps closer and rests his hand on my head, a deep sigh leaving him.
“You don’t have to pretend with me, Amyra.” That’s all it takes. I break down again, and he pulls me into his arms, rubbing my back as I cry for a few more minutes. When I finally pull away, I look up at him.
“Please, have a seat, Uncle.” My voice steadies as we sit across from each other.
“I can’t imagine the pain you’re carrying while still giving your best at work,” he says. “We’re truly proud of you. Every day, your father and I hear about you and Reyansh from your mentors. Ms Shanaya has never said a single negative thing about you. How do you manage everything?”
His words are filled with pride and admiration, and I feel grateful for the support around me.
Another father figure - Surya Uncle! And once, if things had gone right, he would have been my future father-in-law.
“There’s nothing special, Uncle. I just want to take my responsibilities seriously.”
“That’s what we admire about you, Amyra. You’re carving your own path and carrying the legacy forward.”
“It means a lot to hear that from you,” I admit. “You and Dad have been my inspiration for as long as I can remember.”
Memories of my childhood surface—watching both of them work day and night, building the company brick by brick. I’ve always been grateful to be raised where hard work is worshipped.
“I’m glad we inspired you,” he says softly. “But we can see you’re still struggling in your personal life.” My smile fades. I lower my gaze to avoid his pathetic glances.
“And even though we haven’t moved on from Reyansh breaking his forgotten promise,” he continues. “Meenal and I may stay silent, but inside, we’re still grieving the loss of the daughter-in-law we dreamed of for years.”
I know that pain, the grief of losing a future you once believed in.
I stay quiet, letting him speak.
“I still don’t understand how he could even think of dating your sister when we’ve seen him care for you so deeply. Sometimes I feel he’s confused, unable to recognise his love for you—”
“That’s not possible, Uncle,” I interrupt gently. “Reyansh is smart enough to be aware of his emotions. He knows how to control his heart and mind. We should accept their relationship completely and find peace.” I say it aloud, as much for myself as for him.
“Don’t you think it takes years to forget a cherished dream?”
“It does,” I agree with a small smile. “But we still have to move forward.” He nods, rising to leave. I stand as well, out of respect, when his expression suddenly turns serious.
“I believe good things are coming your way. And if they don’t, we’ll make sure happiness finds you soon. Take care, Amyra.” He walks out, but his words echo in my mind.
Why did they sound like a silent promise, almost like a carefully curated plan? What if I’m not ready for that?
I can only hope my life doesn’t fall apart for the second time.