A few days later…10:00 AM…
Anamika was standing in a watch store.
Saaniya was with her—though it was clear she had run out of patience a long time ago.
Anamika kept picking up one watch after another, turning them around, examining them, and then putting them back.
These watches weren’t for her.
They were men’s watches… for Aditya.
But not a single one seemed right.
The staff had been exhausted for a while now—showing her watch after watch—but they couldn’t say a word.
Because their boss, Ayush, was sitting right there, personally giving orders to bring new pieces every time Anamika rejected one.
Anamika placed yet another watch back on the table.
Ayush signaled for a new one.
Finally he asked, “So… tell me, who are you finding a gift for with so much love?”
“Do your work… don’t poke your nose in unwanted places,” Saaniya snapped rudely.
Anamika lightly signaled her to be quiet and said to Ayush, “Don’t listen to her! Actually… I want to buy something for Aditya. You’re his friend, right? You must know what kind of watches he likes?”
The moment she said this, Ayush lit up like an excited kid.
“Oh ho! Lucky Aditya! Wait… is this for his birthday?!”
A little embarrassed, Anamika nodded, “Yeah… yesterday in the office I heard that his birthday is in two days. I want to get him a present but I have no idea what to choose. I don’t know his likes or dislikes at all! When I think about it now… it feels like he knows everything about me, but I know nothing about him!”
Ayush smiled and said, “Oh, that’s just how he is! He never complains, so no one ever knows what he likes or doesn’t like. He just eats whatever is given, drinks whatever is offered! But… if anyone has the key to his secrets, it’s Aniket! Should I ask him for hints?”
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“No… you’ve already helped me so much. I’ll ask him myself what I should get for Aditya.”
Anamika smiled softly, then looked at the watches on the table and added, i“And… I’m sorry for wasting so much of your time.”
Ayush laughed.
“Oh, no worries! But in return, you’ll have to put in the same effort for my birthday gift!”
Saaniya narrowed her eyes.
“Your birthday comes too? I thought you didn’t have one—that’s why you never grow up. But now I see… only your age increases, not your brain.”
Ayush stared at her and thought, “Now I understand why Aniket calls you a witch. If you talk to an innocent guy like me like this… God knows what you do with him!"
“What are you thinking?”
Saaniya raised an eyebrow.
Ayush turned his face away like a scolded child, “Nothing…! By the way, Anamika, we’ll also be coming to Aditya’s birthday this time.”
“You all??”
“Yes, we! Me and…” He glanced at Saaniya—she was shaking her head violently. “…and some of my friends!”
Anamika asked, “By the way… how did you all become friends?”
Ayush stared at her, speechless.
“What does she mean?! She really doesn’t remember we studied together?! How can someone have such terrible memory?!”
He cleared his throat.
“Well… we… we’re childhood friends.”
“Oh,” she said simply.
Meanwhile Saaniya thought, “Should I tell her? Should I tell Anamika who Aditya and Aniket really are?
Aditya… the boy who loved her then, and maybe still loves her now… Should I tell her the truth?”
And then she answered her own question, “No. It’s better this way. Anamika is happy like this. If she learns the truth… she will never accept this happiness.”
After a while, they all left the store.
Ayush watched them walk away and muttered, “This cursed doll really is forgetful! Does she really not remember we were in the same class?! Is six years really that long?!
But… this is good in a way. It gives Aditya a chance to start fresh. And finally… Anamika is showing interest in him. That’s great.
Let’s see what happens now. As Adhvik predicted… will Anamika be able to begin again? This is going to be fun…”
An employee stared at him murmuring to himself.
Ayush snapped, “Hey! Back to work!”
She made a face and walked away.
**Meanwhile…At Aditya’s office…**
Aditya was sitting in his cabin when Ruhi walked in.
“Sir… you called me?”
“Yes. I have some work two days from now, so I won’t be coming to the office. Settle all that day’s meetings within the next two days.”
“Okay, sir.”
She turned to leave but paused.
“Sir… last year too you took leave on your birthday. This year… can’t we all celebrate your birthday together? Everyone was really excited.”
Aditya said only one word— “No.”
There was a faint smile on his face… one that quietly broke hearts.
“My parents’ death anniversary is on that day. I… want to be alone.”
Ruhi froze. “I… I’m sorry, sir.”
She looked down.
“It’s okay. By the way… take Ira out somewhere that day. She gets very upset.”
“Yes, sir.” Ruhi left.
Aditya stared out the window… at the sky… and the memories came back.
Six years ago.The night of his birthday.
His house… burning in the dark.
There were people everywhere, noise everywhere—yet for him, time had stopped.
Ira had screamed his name again and again, crying… But Aditya had stood frozen, numb.
They had carried out the bodies of his parents from the burning house.
And with them… one more thing had come out.
A mask.
A mask found right beside the bodies— the mark of a notorious serial killer of that time.
A killer known for leaving that mask at every crime scene.
The memory made Aditya’s blood boil.
Through clenched teeth he muttered, “Where are you? After everything you did… where are you hiding?”
His eyes held a hatred… a hatred burning inside him for years— one he never let anyone see.
