Chapter 23
Amyra
“Where are we going, Karan? Aren’t we almost on the outskirts of the city?” I ask, watching the familiar skyline disappear as we drive through unfamiliar roads.
“Why can’t you wait a little longer? Didn’t I say it’s a surprise?” he says with a smile, turning briefly to glance at me.
“I’m not a fan of surprises, Karan, especially in new places.” My tone comes out sharper than intended, and honestly, the irritation stems from not knowing where he’s taking me.
I was firm about not meeting him outside the workplace, but he kept pestering me about dinner for days.
Eventually, the constant insistence wore me down, and I felt too exhausted and guilty to keep refusing.
I agreed, and he chose today. What I don’t understand is the excitement on my family’s faces when I mentioned dinner with Karan, especially my sister’s.
She looked far too pleased watching me leave with someone other than Reyansh, and I couldn’t grasp the reason behind it.
The most unsettling part is hiding this dinner plan from Reyansh.
I even asked Aditi to keep quiet because I know exactly how he’d react if he found out I was getting closer to Karan.
Yet, his anger whenever he sees us together still puzzles me.
His overprotectiveness since childhood is almost alarming, as he never hesitates to chase away any guy who lingers around me.
And now, I can’t help but fear Karan’s intentions behind this outing.
I just hope this is nothing more than a friendly dinner.
I’d never forgive myself if it turned otherwise and I ended up misreading him or the situation.
“Here it is!” Karan’s voice cuts in, and the car comes to a sudden stop. I peer outside and freeze. A five-storey, high-end restaurant stands alone amid a vast stretch of barren land, its lights blazing brightly against the darkening sky.
“We could’ve had dinner at any restaurant in the city—”
“We own this restaurant,” Karan interrupts, and my eyes widen as the truth sinks in.
“What? You own restaurants, too, along with industries?” I blurt out, stunned. It’s hard to process. I know his father, Rajiv Mahajan, is a renowned industrialist and the chairman of Mahajan Industries, but this?
“We acquired it when we were early investors in the company,” Karan replies with a subtle smirk, clearly enjoying the reveal.
“Amazing.”
“That’s why I wanted to show it to you. Hardly anyone in the business circle knows about this.”
“Then why should I be the one to know?” I ask bluntly. For a moment, he looks flustered, as if struggling to frame a response.
“It’s… It’s because of our close friendship,” he finally says, the words tumbling out unevenly. Something about his answer doesn’t sit right with me.
God. Did I make the wrong decision by agreeing to this dinner in the first place?
“Come on,” he says, stepping out of the car first and hurrying around to open the door for me. I silently hope he’s just being a gentleman and nothing more.
“Let’s go to the second floor,” he adds, guiding me toward the elevator.
I only nod, choosing not to speak. As soon as we step out, the contrast is unmistakable.
Unlike the lobby, this floor is clearly designed for elite clients, lavish décor, warm ambient lighting, and an understated luxury that settles into the senses.
“Please,” he gestures at me by walking forward while I follow quietly, sinking into the large, plush velvet sofa opposite him.
“Do you mind me ordering the best food here?” he asks softly.
“No, but please exclude shrimp dishes. I’m allergic to them.”
“Alright.” He places the order with the waiter while I unlock my phone to pass the time only for a notification to pop up.
Rey:
Hey, Ames! Would you like to go for a night jog after finishing our dinner?
Oh God. Why would he even suggest that now? I know I won’t be home anytime soon, so I’ll have to handle this carefully and let him go alone.
Amyra:
Sorry, Rey. I’m feeling really drowsy and restless today, so I’m going straight to bed after dinner.
Rey:
Alright, but what happened suddenly? Are you overworking by continuing office work at home?
Amyra:
Not really. Just feeling exhausted and craving good sleep.
Rey:
Okay, take care. Can we postpone it to tomorrow?
Amyra:
Maybe, yes, we can.
Rey:
That’s a relief. I’ve been missing our little night jog adventures lately.
A bright smile spreads across my lips. I love it when Reyansh misses me; it reassures me that I still occupy his thoughts even when we’re apart. And strangely, that comfort settles deep.
Amyra:
Sure. See you tomorrow at the office.
He replies with a thumbs-up and a red heart emoji, instantly widening my smile.
“Why do you suddenly look so happy?” Karan’s voice pulls me back, and I shake my head lightly, brushing it off. At the same moment, the food arrives, and my eyes widen in surprise.
“You ordered a shrimp dish?” I ask once the waiter leaves.
“Yes. It’s one of the best dishes here, and I didn’t want to miss it,” he says with a sheepish smile.
I nod in response, but my mind flashes to Reyansh, how he always avoided shrimp despite loving it, just because of my allergy.
People’s choices can be strange… and painfully revealing of how they care.
Not everyone can be Rey!
“So, Amyra, what are your future goals?” he asks.
“Don’t you know? We’ll be working as officials in the company after our internship.”
“I—I mean your personal goals.”
“Like?”
“Relationships… marriage?” he finally ventures, his initial hesitation dissipating. A frown creases my forehead, a whirl of confusion settling in.
“Can you clarify?”
“I mean, being ready to date—”
“No, Karan.” My voice sharpens, each word laced with a rising edge. Heat floods my cheeks as frustration simmers beneath the surface. His intentions become crystal clear, illuminating the fears I had kept at bay for far too long.
“But moving on is necessary—”
“Please don’t preach about my life choices,” I interject firmly, resolute. “Or I might just leave to escape this conversation.”
“No—no. I’m sorry. Please… let’s just have dinner.
” I’m not one to issue threats or wield manipulation; the thought repulses me.
Yet, I detest debating the intricacies of my personal life, particularly when it comes to matters of the heart.
Before my temper escalates and I risk inflicting hurtful words on him, I choose to end the discussion right there.
The world has warned me of Karan’s lingering feelings, subtle signs masked as friendship, and now I find myself grappling with the aftermath, facing the consequences of my own obliviousness.
I regret agreeing to this dinner, but at least I’m clear about my boundaries now.
From here on, I’ll be careful to act around him, strictly as a friend. Nothing more.
Unrequited love really does suck. It’s the strongest kind of love yet the hardest one to move on from.
*****
I’m about to begin my nighttime skincare routine, standing in front of the full-length mirror, when a loud knock crashes against my bedroom door. Before I can react, it swings open and Reyansh storms inside, his face twisted in rage.
“What the hell, Amyra Bajaj!” he roars, striding toward me so fast that I stumble back until my spine hits the wall.
“Rey, what’s wrong? Why are you angry?” I ask softly, my voice instinctively turning submissive as he cages me in, his arms braced on either side of the wall.
“Why would you even accept Karan’s dinner invitation? And on top of that, you lied to me about being at home. Didn’t I warn you to stay away from him?” I’m exhausted, sick of everyone trying to control my life. I’m not built to tolerate this.
“What’s your problem, Reyansh?” I shove his chest, forcing him back a step. Confusion flashes across his face.
“This is exactly why I hid going out with Karan,” I snap at him, matching his tone, my throat burning from the force of my words.
And how did he even find out?
“Why should I stop myself from doing what I want just to follow your rules? Why should I ask your permission before deciding for myself?”
“You’re misunderstanding me, Amy.” His voice softens, sliding back into that familiar gentle tone he always adopts during our arguments.
“Then what, Reyansh?” I demand. “Why are you overreacting to something so small? Don’t you think this is odd and unreasonable, even?” I finally let my frustration spill, needing answers for his suffocating overprotectiveness.
“What do you mean?”
“Why does it bother you when I hang out with Karan? I get that you’re protective by nature, but isn’t it too much to try cutting off my friendship with him? And how do you even have the time to worry about this when you already have a girlfriend—” My words die mid-sentence.
Goosebumps erupt across my skin as Reyansh suddenly pulls me closer by the waist. Our bodies brush, heat colliding with heat. It’s the first time he’s ever initiated something this intimate, and my mind blanks out completely. My hands hover uselessly in the air, my feet glued to the floor.
“Don’t you ever dare say I shouldn’t have time for you,” he growls.
“When you live in my mind twenty-four seven rent-free, Ames. You are what matters to me the most. No one even comes close, so don’t fucking question your place in my life.
” His breath fans my face. My eyes betray me, tracking the sharp bob of his Adam’s apple, something I’ve always found unfairly attractive.
But it’s his gaze that unravels me, dark and intense, heavy with emotions I don’t dare label.
When I see his eyes dip to my lips, panic kicks in, and I push him away.
“Are you out of your mind?” I snap. “What are you even saying? These are words you should be using with your girlfriend.” I don’t understand him anymore. Not at all. What is he upto?
“Girlfriend?” he scoffs. “Aditi was the one who told me about your dinner with Karan. You don’t even remember our jogging plan when I visited Bajaj Mansion just for you.
That’s so you, these days! I went to say hi to Aditi before coming to you; she slipped this news but I’m glad she did.
Don’t you get it? Spending time with Karan will only fuel his feelings for you.
He’ll start mistaking your kindness for your interest in him.
” There’s raw desperation in his voice, almost a plea.
And as much as I hate to admit it, he isn’t wrong about Karan’s intentions, the very truth I kept pushing aside.
“I get it, Rey,” I say firmly. “I’ll think about it. But right now, I want you out of my room.” I point toward the door. His jaw tightens, anger flickering in his eyes before softening his gaze.
“I’ll leave, Ames,” he says quietly. “I can never go against your wishes. But that doesn’t mean I’ll let you slip out of my life.” The door closes behind him, leaving me frozen in place as a throbbing headache blooms at my temples.
First, Aditi betrays my trust…Then, Reyansh blows my mind out with his confusing words, his circular logic and his intense declarations.
Why did he speak like that?
Maybe I’ve been ignoring something right in front of me for far too long. And I need to figure it out, soon.