9 PM at night…
Saaniya left the hospital early today so she could pick up Anamika. Her car was racing with the wind when she suddenly noticed Aniket sitting on a bench by the roadside.
She turned her car around and stopped it right next to him.
She got out of the car — but Aniket didn’t even realize.
He was sitting all alone on a roadside bench, looking like a hero who forgot his own story. The world moved, but he didn’t. Eyes closed. Lips sealed. And a single tear clinging stubbornly to the edge of his cheek.
Saaniya blinked. Then blinked again.
"Is he… crying?" she whispered to herself, "He can cry? Why is he crying?”
She wanted to go to him… but couldn’t gather the courage.
After all, how could a girl who’s known for being selfish walk up to a crying boy — without any reason?
She turned to walk back toward her car… just then her phone rang. Aniket opened his eyes at the sound.
Saaniya answered. It was a nurse from the hospital asking her something. She replied calmly and hung up.
She was just about to get into the car again when Aniket said,"What are you doing here?"
To that, Saaniya turned back and replied,"What do people do on roads? Of course… people use roads to reach somewhere. And if I’m on this road, I must be going somewhere too!"
Aniket got up and started walking away, saying,"I’m not in the mood to argue with you. So just leave!"
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Saaniya found his tone not just strange, but hurtful.
There was no smile on his face today — not even his usual playful smirk when he saw her.
He looked... empty. Broken.
She reached her hand out to stop him — but paused mid-air.
She lowered her gaze and stood there silently as he walked away.
Taking a deep breath, Saaniya muttered to herself,"There's no need to care about anyone. Anyway... I’m not made for these emotional things."
Saying this, she got into her car.
Meanwhile… at Aditya’s office…
Aditya was walking out of his last meeting of the day, but his feet weren’t listening to his mind. They were on autopilot — heading straight toward Anamika’s cabin.
Ruhi, who was chatting by the reception desk, saw him heading that way.
And her heart twisted in a way she couldn’t quite explain.She smiled. But her eyes betrayed her.
Aditya knocked on Anamika’s door.
No response. That felt... off.
He called out to her again. Still no answer. A wave of panic hit him — What if she’s having a panic attack again?
He had an extra key to the room, so he used it to unlock the door and walked in.
As soon as he entered, his worried face melted into a soft smile.
Anamika had her headphones on. She was humming a tune and dancing — as if dancing with someone in her imagination.
Her eyes were closed, and with every little movement, her short hair swayed gracefully. Aditya just stood at the door… taking it all in, burning the moment into his memory.
Meanwhile, Ruhi had followed him with some documents to get signed… and now stood behind him, silently watching everything.
There was hatred in her eyes.
She kept asking herself,“Why… why does this always happen to me? You’ve never looked at anyone like this before… then why her? Why only her? Why?!”
Lost in her thoughts, she turned toward the elevator.
Just as she was about to press the button, the doors opened — and Saaniya stood right there.
There were faint tears in Ruhi’s eyes. Seeing that, Saaniya rolled her eyes and muttered in her mind,“Why is everyone crying around me today!?”
As soon as Saaniya stepped out, Ruhi entered the lift and shut the doors behind her.
Saaniya shook her head, took a deep breath and grumbled,"Am I going crazy… or is my vision messed up? This morning she looked like a grumpy witch, and now she’s all teary-eyed. And that idiot… his face always shows some dumb expression — now he just looks blank!"
Still lost in these thoughts, Saaniya walked into Anamika’s cabin… only to find the whole vibe had changed.
Anamika was on the floor. Aditya was beside her.
She was crying.
Saaniya rushed to her and asked Aditya,"What happened? Did someone from your staff say something to her?"
Before Aditya could answer, Anamika spoke,"No… I just fell. It hurts…"
"Fell? How did you just fall like that?" Saaniya questioned.
That’s when Aditya remembered what had happened moments ago.
When Anamika was dancing, she had slightly opened her eyes — and noticed Aditya watching her. Startled, she lost her balance, twisted her ankle, and fell.
Lowering his gaze, Aditya said,"It was my fault… I scared you and you fell. I’m sorry!"
Wiping her tears, Anamika said,"No, it was both of our fault — half and half. I’m sorry too…"
Saaniya rolled her eyes,"Okay, okay! Can we stop this sorry drama? Aditya, I’m taking Anu with me!"
Saying this, Saaniya helped Anamika up and started to lead her out.
Aditya noticed the anger in Saaniya’s eyes — and it scared him.
Today was Anamika’s first day at the office… and this happened.
He feared that Saaniya might stop her from coming again.
So he quickly said,"I’m really sorry, Saaniya. Wait! Let me help you carry her to the car. She’ll be in pain if she walks."
Saaniya paused. Then turned back and said coldly,"I don’t need your help for that."
To be continued…
