She Had Moved On. Hadnt She?
Author Pov :??????
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The sky above the Oberoi tower bled from deep indigo to ink.
Inside, the executive floor had gone eerily quiet, the harsh overhead lights shutting off until only the warm ambient glow of Aarav's office remained.
Aarav leaned back in his leather chair, rubbing his aching temples.
?6:25 PM.
?"Finally... it's time ." he muttered, his voice gravelly from a day spent drowning in endless contracts.
His phone buzzed against the mahogany desk.
His hand shot out on pure instinct, grabbing the device.
?Nothing.
Suddenly, the heavy door swung open. Aarav looked up, his posture locking.
Aditi stood in the doorway, breathtaking in a crimson s
Red saree , her dark hair falling in soft waves over her waist.
?"Aditi? It's really you?" he asked, genuine surprise breaking through his exhaustion.
?"Surprised?" she asked, her tone laced with playful triumph, her eyes glittering with excitement.
Aarav immediately stood up, a warm smile spreading across his face.
Aditi stepped inside, letting the door click shut behind her.
She walked toward him with a slow, teasing stride, pausing right at the edge of his desk.
?"You didn't think I forgot, did you?" she asked, tilting her head with an affectionate smile.
?"Forgot about what?" he asked, stepping around his desk to narrow the distance between them.
?"My punishment." she murmured.
She reached out to gently fix his crooked collar.
"I told you before I left: that time I got back, I was taking you out on a proper date as he asked. No office, no phone calls, no excuses." She said.
Aarav's heart warmed and his cheeks as her fingers brushed his neck.
"You actually remembered?" he asked, his tone softening with quiet fondness.
?"I remember every single thing I promised you, Aarav." she said softly, looking up through her lashes.
"Now... are you going to stand there looking cute, or are you going to let me kidnap you?" She said as she teased him.
?"Kidnap me?Should I call security?" he echoed, raising an eyebrow.
?"You can try," she teased, closing the space between them and wrapping her arms lightly around his waist.
"But I already bribed them on my way up. You're completely at my mercy tonight." She said with a smile.
Aarav chuckled, his arms settling naturally around her waist as he pulled her closer.
"You're enjoying this power trip a little too much." he said, his tender voice brimming with affection.
?"I really am . Now grab your coat, handsome. My car is waiting." she giggled, resting her forehead against his chest for a brief, warm second before pulling back.
?"Wait, you're driving?Are you sure that's safe?" he asked, playing along with dramatic disbelief.
?"Keep talking and I'll make you ride in the trunk," she threatened softly, giving his arm a playful swat.
Aarav laughed, grabbing his suit jacket. "Alright, lead the way."
They walked side by side down the dim corridor toward the elevators.
Aditi slipped her hand into his, her fingers intertwining tightly with his.
The physical connection was comforting, familiar, and so sweet that Aarav couldn't help but look at her with deep gratitude.
?"You look stunning tonight, Aditi," he said quietly, feeling a rush of warmth in his chest.
?"I wanted to look special for our date," she admitted, her cheeks flushing pink as she squeezed his hand.
" And I missed you so much while I was away." She said.
?"I missed you too." he murmured, leaning down to press a tender kiss to her cheek.
?Clink.
The elevator doors slid open.
They stepped inside, the polished glass doors closing to seal them together in the quiet space.
Aditi pressed the ground floor button and immediately leaned into his side, wrapping her arm through his.
Aarav looked down at her. She was completely devoted and hopelessly in love with him.
Everything about this moment was perfect. It felt right.
And yet a sudden, ice cold pang pierced his chest.
Out of nowhere, a memory flashed unbidden behind his eyelids: soft brown eyes, a hesitant, shy laugh, and a gentle voice calling his name from across a dark room.
?Meera.
Aarav's smile froze. His pulse spiked with a violent, suffocating wave of guilt.
?Why her? Why right now?
A heavy, sickening feeling churned in his stomach. Standing there with Aditi's warm body pressed against his, thinking about another woman felt like a silent, dirty betrayal.
Did he really love Aditi?
Stop it, he swore silently, his chest tight. She doesn't matter. Tonight is for Aditi.
?"Aarav?Is everything okay? You went quiet." Aditi's gentle voice broke through his spiral. Q
She pulled back slightly, looking up at him with sudden, worried eyes.
Aarav blinked, forcing a bright, affectionate smile to his face as he desperately buried the guilt beneath a warm front.
?"Everything is perfect," he lied smoothly, reaching up to gently cup her cheek.
"I was just thinking about how lucky I am that you came back to me." He said.
Aditi's face instantly softened, all worried vanishing as she beamed at him, leaning into his touch.
"You better remember that all night," she murmured playfully, kissing the palm of his hand.
?"I will. Don't worry." Aarav promised softly, wrapping his arm tightly around her shoulders as the doors slid open.
Aditi led Aarav toward the parking area, her expression still carrying that unmistakable look of someone who was hiding a secret.
She stopped beside her car and unlocked it.
Aarav looked at the driver's seat, then at her.
"You're driving?" he asked, raising an eyebrow with playful disbelief.
Aditi gave him an offended look.
"Yes, I'm driving." Her expression became mock serious, as though his question had personally insulted her driving skills.
Aarav slowly nodded.
"Interesting." He tried to hide his smile, but the amusement in his eyes gave him away.
Aditi narrowed her eyes.
"What does that mean?" she asked suspiciously, folding her arms as she studied his face.
"Nothing." Aarav shook his head innocently, though a grin was already forming on his lips.
"I was just thinking about whether I should say goodbye to my life before getting inside." He chuckled, clearly enjoying teasing her.
Aditi stared at him in disbelief.
"Aarav!! You are too much!!" she exclaimed, pretending to be offended while fighting back a laugh.
"What?" Aarav asked innocently, his grin widening.
"You still haven't forgotten that one time?" she asked, shaking her head as an embarrassed smile appeared on her face.
"How could I?You almost drove us into a flowerpot ." Aarav laughed softly, remembering the incident with obvious amusement.
"It was one flowerpot!And it was standing in the wrong place." Aditi protested, laughing despite herself.
She lifted her chin proudly, completely unapologetic.
Aarav burst out laughing.
"Yes, of course.The flowerpot was definitely responsible." He nodded dramatically, pretending to accept her explanation.
"Get in the car.Before I leave you here." She pointed toward the passenger seat, trying to look stern.
Aarav smiled.
"See? This is exactly what I'm talking about.You're already threatening me before we've even left." He laughed as he opened the passenger door.
Aditi shook her head.
"Just get inside." She laughed, trying not to smile.
Aarav climbed into the passenger seat.
"Fine, madam." He settled comfortably into the seat, still wearing that mischievous smile.
Aditi walked around to the driver's side and got in.She started the engine.
Aarav immediately reached for his seat belt.
Aditi glanced at him.
"You're actually scared?" she asked, amused by his exaggerated caution.
"Not scared.I'm simply being responsible because i love my life after all." Aarav fastened the seat belt carefully.
Aditi laughed.
"You're ridiculous." She shook her head, smiling as she put the car into motion.
"And you're a dangerous driver." Aarav looked at her with exaggerated concern.
"I heard that!" Aditi laughed, glancing at him.
"Good.Then drive carefully."" Aarav grinned.
"Stop distracting me."Aditi rolled her eyes.
"I'm helping you concentrate." Aarav replied innocently, his smile widening.
"You're impossible."Aditi shook her head.
"And yet you came to pick me up." Aarav smiled warmly, enjoying their playful exchange.
Aditi's expression softened.
"Because I take some stupid punishment from my boyfriend!!." Her voice became quieter, carrying genuine affection.
Aarav looked at her for a moment.His teasing expression softened too.
For a while, they drove through the evening city.
The streets gradually became less crowded.The tall buildings slowly disappeared behind them.
Aarav glanced out the window.
"Where are we going?" he asked curiously, his earlier teasing replaced by genuine anticipation.
"You'll see." Aditi smiled mysteriously, keeping her eyes on the road.
Aarav sighed dramatically.
"You're really determined to keep me guessing." Aarav said.
"Absolutely.Just trust me." Aditi smiled.
Aarav looked at her.
"I do." His voice was quiet and sincere.
After another 30 minutes, the surroundings began changing.
The city lights became fewer.A cool breeze entered through the slightly open window.
Then Aarav heard it.He turned toward Aditi.
"Wait...is that" Aarav said.
"Did you figure it out?"Aditi smiled without looking at him.
Aarav looked ahead.
Beyond the road, the sea stretched beneath the darkening sky.
A beautiful restaurant stood beside the beach, its open air seating illuminated by soft hanging lights.
The sound of the waves blended with quiet music drifting from the restaurant.
Aarav stared in surprise.
"Aditi..." His voice softened, genuine amazement appeared on his face.
She finally looked at him.
"Surprise." Her smile was bright with anticipation, waiting for his reaction.
Aarav slowly looked around.
The restaurant was beautiful.
Tables were arranged near the shoreline. Small lanterns glowed along the walkway.