The Surprise That Changed Everything #3
?Aditi felt a wave of intense guilt crash over her, heavy and agonizing.
Her lower lip trembling slightly as she dropped her gaze to the floor.
The shame was a physical ache in her chest, but her throat felt completely paralyzed . She couldn't utter a single word to defend herself .
?Aarav stepped between them, thoroughly confused and growing protective.
"Omkar, seriously, back off...why you talking like that!!" Aarav warned him.
? Aarav placed a reassuring arm around Aditi's waist, looking at her with gentle eyes before turning back to Omkar.
"Look, don't misunderstand the situation. Aditi is my girlfriend. And Aditi, this is Omkar, my business partner."?Aarav offered a soft, brief smile.
"Honestly, he's more like a brother like to me. And you can say he is also my cousin." Aarav said while trying to force some lightheartedness into the suffocating room.
?Omkar let out a harsh chuckle.
His eyes flashing with suppressed anger. He extended a hand toward Aditi, his movement stiff, cold.
?"Nice to meet Ms Aditi , if i don't wrong?" Omkar said, his tone signaling loud and clear that he wanted nothing to do with her.
" Yea..yeah , Mr .. Omkar. It's Aditi." Aditi said. ?Aditi stared at his outstretched hand for a long.
Her heart hammering wildly . She felt sick with guilt, tormented by the unspoken history hanging between them .
Slowly, with a trembling hand, she forced herself to meet his grip.
?"Nice to meet you Omkar..." she whispered, her voice barely audible, thick with sadness and unspoken regret.
?Omkar released her hand instantly.
He turned back to Aarav, his expression souring into an angry, judgmental scowl.
?"Bro... you don't have to walk in on your partners making out like desperate teenagers in the middle of a workday." Omkar snapped, his voice sharp with anger and disgust.
"Have some decency, Aarav. It's your office. It's just me now . What if it's one of your employers!" Omkar said.
?Aarav's face burned bright red with deep embarrassment and frustration.
"Omkar, that's enough.. it's my office. You don't have think of it." Aarav said.
?"And if you're so eager to put on a romantic spectacle. At least have the brain cells to close the damn office door." Omkar interrupted brutally.
And he pointing a harsh finger toward the open hallway,.
?Aarav cleared his throat awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck .
"Right..iam sorry... I'll... I'll make sure it's locked next time." Aarav said.
?Omkar thrust a heavy leather folder forcefully into Aarav's chest.
"Here are the signed documents from today's meeting. Try to actually review them instead of getting distracted." Omkar said.
? "Thanks."Aarav took the file, his voice tight.
?Without another word, Omkar turned on his heel, exiting the office and slamming the door shut behind him with a loud, echoey bang.
?The moment the door clicked shut, the heavy silence returned.
?Aarav turned toward Aditi, concern washing over his face as he reached out for her.
"Aditi, hey... I am so sorry about him. He had no right to talk to you like.." Aarav cut off by Aditi.
?"I need to go home," Aditi blurted out, stepping back before he could touch her.
Her eyes were bright with unshed tears.
?Aarav blinked, utterly taken aback by her sudden panic.
"What? You just got here... What happened?" Aarav asked her.
?"It's... it's important. I really have to leave now." she stammered, her voice trembling violently .
?Aarav's expression shifted instantly from warmth to deep anxiety.
"Aditi, look at me. What happened? Did something Omkar said upset you that much?" He asked her again.
?Aditi firmly avoided his searching eyes, staring intently at the floorboards.
"No. No, it's fine. Don't worry about it. It has nothing to do with him." Aditi said to him.
?"If something is wrong, let me come with you. I can leave the office right now." Aarav pleaded, taking a step closer, his voice rich with worry
?"No!No, please... I can handle it on my own." she said quickly, her head snapping up.
?Aarav looked at her carefully, his brow furrowing as a dark shadow of doubt crossed his mind.
"Aditi... you're acting really strange. Talk to me." Aarav try to make her clam down.
?Forcing her trembling lips into a faint, heartbreakingly sorrowful smile, Aditi took another step backward toward the door.
"I'm just tired from the flight, Aarav. I'll... I'll see you at 6:30. Okay?" Aditi said to him.
?Before he could ask another question, demand an explanation, or reach out to hold her she turned around and hurriedly walked out of the office.
?Aarav stood frozen in the center of his quiet office, staring blankly at the closed door.