7:00 PM
Aditya’s Office**
Aditya was buried in work.
The atmosphere was quiet… so quiet that even the ticking of the clock sounded loud.
There was a knock at the door.
Without lifting his eyes, Aditya said, “Come in.”
Ruhi walked in with a gentle smile.
She placed a cup on his table.
“Sir… your coffee,” she said.
Aditya glanced at her once and replied, “Ruhi… take it back. I’m not in the mood.”
Ruhi looked surprised but picked up the cup again. “Okay… by the way, why didn’t the lady boss come today?”
Hearing that, Anamika’s image flashed in Aditya’s mind— her quiet face, her lowered eyes.
“She’s sick,” he said softly.
“Oh…” Ruhi nodded. “So is that the reason you’re not in the mood?”
Without looking up he simply replied, “No. I’m just tired.”
After a few silent moments, she spoke again, hesitating, “Um… sir, I wanted to ask something.”
“Ask,” Aditya said in a calm tone.
Ruhi took a breath. “Can I go home early today? I know I didn’t inform you earlier or write a formal email but—”
Before she could finish, Aditya cut her off.
“Go. I permit it.” His eyes were still on the laptop.
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
Ruhi blinked in surprise.
“Are you sure, sir? I mean… there are still hours left before my shift ends.”
Aditya finally looked at her.
“Do you want the leave or not, Ruhi? Besides… your shift is almost over anyway. You’re just leaving three hours early. It’s not a big deal.”
Ruhi nodded awkwardly. “Thank you, sir,” she said and turned to leave.
But before she stepped out, Aditya added:
“And Ruhi… don’t behave like this again.”
“What?” Ruhi looked confused.
“If you’re right… and something is your right, don’t hesitate to say it.
You’ve worked with me for a long time—you know this. Our eyes should never be lowered.”
Ruhi didn’t know how to respond.
She simply nodded. “Yes, sir.”
She stepped out of the cabin, closed the door, and thought, “What… was that? Aditya sir never talks like this.”
Inside, silence stretched for a few moments.
Aditya pushed his laptop aside.
Those lowered eyes of Anamika kept replaying in his mind— and they were breaking him from within.
He whispered to himself, “Why… why are your eyes always lowered?
You told me half the truth—fine.
I know I was angry because of that but… I just wanted the reason behind it.
Your silence… I didn’t want that. I never want that.”
He leaned back, closed his eyes, and breathed deeply.
Meanwhile… at Anamika’s house
The atmosphere there was just as silent.
No different from Aditya’s cabin.
The only difference— Aditya was sad at his fate… and Anamika was angry at herself.
There was a knock on Anamika’s door.
Her eyes moved slowly toward it.
Saaniya walked in.
Her expression, as always, was blank… unreadable.
She came close and sat beside Anamika.
Taking out some medicines from her pocket, she said, “These are all the medicines Niharika aunty prescribed. Take them on time.”
Anamika nodded without lifting her eyes.
Both of them sat quietly for a while.
Then Saaniya inhaled slowly and said, “You know… I’m angry with you for what you did.”
“Yes, I know,” Anamika replied softly.
Saaniya looked away.
“You’re so quiet… it doesn’t feel like you even want to convince me. Why don’t you try to bribe me or tell me something sweet so I forgive you!?”
“I want to convince you… but how?
How do I make you believe in me again when you never believed in me in the first place?”
Saaniya shot her a sideways glance.
Anamika’s eyes were still lowered.
Her grip tightened on her clothes.
Trying to sound strong, she said, “I couldn’t do what I had planned.
If I had succeeded, maybe then I could’ve proved that… I am capable of making my own decisions.
But maybe… in your eyes… I’m still weak.”
Inside, she thought of Aditya.
“And the one person who trusted me… I think today I lost his trust too.”
A hand suddenly rested gently on her forehead.
Anamika’s eyes widened. Her grip loosened.
There was barely a change in Saaniya’s expression, but her voice carried warmth and affection.
“You really think I find you weak?
I don’t know if this is right or wrong… but to me, you’re special. You’re mine… like my little sister.
Yes, we don’t share blood, but whatever we are… we’re enough for each other.
Even if you were ten times stronger than me, I would still try to protect you.
I trust you, Anamika. But I don’t trust my fate. I don’t want to lose you… at any cost.”
A faint smile appeared on Anamika’s lips.
She whispered, “Saaniya… will you laugh if I say… I want to change our fate?”
Saaniya stood up and said, “I don’t know. But as long as I’m here, I won’t let you try. Because changing fate really hurts alot.”
She looked at Anamika and gave a tiny smile.
“But don’t worry… I trust you. Completely.
And as long as I’m here, your share of life will only have happiness. Because that’s my responsibility.”
Anamika smiled softly.
“There won’t be any more pain in our lives now.”
And somewhere else…
Aniket was speeding toward Aditya’s office on his bike.
The bike roared like lightning cutting through the night.
Inside, he was thinking— “I still can’t believe what I found out.I need to tell Aditya… and fast.”
