She Had Moved On. Hadnt She? #2
The ocean stretched endlessly into the darkness.And the evening breeze carried the scent of the sea.
"You brought me here?" he asked, still taking everything in with disbelief.
"Yes." Aditi smiled proudly.
"I thought you needed a place where you could forget about work for a few hours." Her voice became warm, clearly pleased that she had managed to surprise him.
Aarav looked at her.
For a moment, he said nothing.
Then a genuine smile appeared on his face.
"This is beautiful." His voice carried sincere appreciation.
"You like it?"Aditi's eyes brightened.
"I love it." Aarav smiled at her, his expression filled with gratitude.
Aditi's smile became softer.
"Then the surprise was worth it." She looked genuinely happy.
Aarav laughed quietly.He looked toward the ocean again.
For a moment, Aarav felt completely at peace.Then, unexpectedly, that familiar thought returned.
Meera.
His smile faltered for the briefest moment.He immediately looked away.
Not now.
He took a quiet breath.
Aditi had planned this evening for him.He wasn't going to let an unexplained thought ruin it.
He turned back toward her and smiled.
"Thank you." His voice was sincere, and his eyes softened as he looked at her.
Aditi smiled warmly.
"You're welcome." Her expression was full of happiness.
She turned off the engine.
"Come on.The best part is still waiting."She opened her door.
Aarav laughed softly.
Together, they stepped out of the car and walked toward the glowing beach restaurant.
The moment the glass doors closed behind them, the noise of the city seemed to disappear.
Inside, everything was warm and elegant.Soft instrumental music floated through the air.
Beyond the large glass windows, the dark ocean stretched endlessly beneath the evening sky.
Aditi looked around slowly, her eyes widening with genuine admiration.
"This place is beautiful. I socially book the place for you ." She said softly, her expression brightening as she took in the warm lights and peaceful view.
Aarav smiled at her reaction.
"I knew you'd know my taste very well." He replied warmly, his eyes resting affectionately on her.
They walked toward a quiet table near the window.
Aarav pulled out a chair for her.
"Your seat, madam." He said playfully, gesturing toward the chair .
Aditi laughed.
"Since when did you become this gentlemanly?" She asked with an amused surprise, sitting down.
"Since you decided to kidnap me from my office." Aarav replied with a grin, taking the seat opposite her.
Aditi shook her head, smiling.
"I prefer to call it rescuing you from your boring paperwork." She said proudly.
Aarav laughed.
"Rescuing me?" He repeated, pretending to question her logic.
"Yes.You were working when I arrived.You would've stayed there all night." Aditi nodded firmly, her expression completely serious despite the smile on her lips.
Aarav sighed dramatically.
"Maybe." He admitted, smiling sheepishly.
"Exactly." Aditi pointed at him triumphantly, clearly satisfied that she had proved her point.
Before Aarav could respond, a waiter approached their table.
"Good evening. May I take your order?" The waiter asked politely, standing beside them.
Aarav looked toward Aditi.
"You can order first." He said courteously, giving her the menu.
Aditi accepted it.
"Let me see..." She murmured thoughtfully, scanning the menu with concentration.
After a few moments, she looked up.
"I'll have the creamy mushroom pasta." She said with a small smile, settling on her choice.
The waiter nodded.
"Certainly. And something to drink?"
Aditi thought for a moment.
"Fresh orange juice, please." She answered pleasantly, closing the menu.
"And for you, sir?"The waiter turned toward Aarav.
Aarav glanced at the menu briefly.
"I'll have the grilled steak with roasted vegetables.And black coffee afterward." He replied calmly.
The waiter nodded.
"Of course. I'll bring those shortly." He said politely before walking away.
Aditi rested her chin lightly against her hand.
"So..Tell me everything." She said slowly, giving Aarav a curious look.
Aarav raised an eyebrow.
"Everything?That's going to take all night." Aarav said with an amused smile, pretending to be overwhelmed by the request.
Aditi smiled.
"Then we'll stay all night." She replied cheerfully, looking completely serious about her decision.
Aarav shook his head.
"You're still exactly the same." He said fondly, his expression filled with familiarity.
"And you're still exactly the same too." Aditi replied with a soft laugh, her eyes warming as she looked at him.
Aarav smiled.
"Is that a compliment?" Aarav asked.
"Maybe." Aditi teased, hiding a smile behind her hand.
Aarav laughed.
They continued talking.
Aditi told him about her journey back.
She told him funny stories whatever she did there alone.
Aarav told her about the new business deal and some of the ridiculous situations he'd dealt with at the office.
For a few minutes, everything felt normal.
Then..
The restaurant doors opened.
Aarav was still talking. He didn't notice as the door was on his back.
Aditi did.Her eyes automatically moved toward the entrance.
And suddenly...
Her smile disappeared.A man had just walked inside.
Omkar.
Aditi froze.For a second, she couldn't breathe normally.
She didn't believe she would see him here again..But what caught her attention wasn't simply his presence.
It was the woman walking beside him.
A young woman.Beautiful.
She was speaking quietly to Omkar.
And Omkar was listening.
He smiled at something she said.
Then, with an easy gentleness, he adjusted the chair for her as they approached their table.
Aditi stared.
Something inside her tightened.
Why does this hurt?
She immediately looked down.
It shouldn't.She had Aarav.She had moved forward.
She was sitting across from the man she loved.So why did seeing Omkar with someone else suddenly make her chest feel so heavy?
"And then the client actually suggested.."Aarav continued talking, completely unaware.
He stopped when he noticed Aditi wasn't responding.
"Aditi?" He asked softly, his eyebrows drawing together with concern.
"Hmm?"She blinked and looked at him.
"You weren't listening." He said gently, studying her expression.
"I'm sorry.Just a little distracted." Aditi replied quickly, forcing a small smile as she tried to regain control of herself.
Aarav's expression softened.
"Everything okay?" He asked quietly, concern visible in his eyes.
"Of course.I'm listening now." Aditi assured him, smiling a little wider despite the discomfort inside her.
Aarav nodded.He continued talking.
Aditi tried to focus.But her eyes betrayed that girl.
They drifted toward the other table again.
Omkar was sitting across from the woman.He was being gentle with her.
He listened while she talked.
He occasionally leaned closer so he could hear her over the music.
Nothing about it was inappropriate.
Nothing about it should have mattered to Aditi.
But it did.Her fingers tightened around the edge of her saree.
Why?Why am I feeling like this?
She lowered her gaze. She did not supposed to care.
The waiter arrived with their food.
"Here are your orders. Enjoy your dinner." He said politely, placing the dishes carefully on the table.
"Thank you." Aarav replied warmly, giving him a polite nod.
Aditi smiled faintly.
"Thank you." She added quietly, trying to sound normal.
The waiter walked away.Aarav picked up his fork.
"Finally. It's here." He smiled, looking genuinely hungry after the long day.
Aditi laughed softly.
"You sound like you haven't eaten in days." She teased him, trying to bring herself back into the conversation.
"I've been working all day." Aarav replied dramatically, pretending to be offended.
"And whose fault is that?" Aditi asked playfully, her smile becoming slightly more natural.
"Don't start."Aarav pointed his fork toward her.