Shanaya recovered her senses, realizing that she was probably being watched by Suhala despite being engaged in a conversation. Her eyes flickered over to the table, but Suhala looked unfazed, the wrinkles on her cheeks enhanced by her wide smile. A smile that was aimed at Raunak; while all she had reserved for Dhruv were bitter words. “Dhruv, don’t flirt with me tonight,” she told him, her voice serious. “Everyone has their eyes on us.” “Who said I’m flirting?” he countered, shrugging casually — causing a blush to creep up her cheeks. “I was only complimenting you.” Shanaya shook her head, a flicker of determination in her eyes. "You can't compliment me in that way," she declared, finally setting her wine glass down on the decorated table beside her. Taking a deliberate action, she gathered the loose curls of her hair and flipped them over one shoulder, leaving the other side of her neck exposed. Dhruv's gaze immediately darted to the exposed nape of her neck. "What way?" he as
Shanaya tossed her car keys to Dhruv as soon as they were in the driveway. He took off his suit jacket and shoved it onto the back seat. Hurriedly, she took a seat as her car revved to life. Dhruv did not spare a single moment to think back — not even glancing at his house as he turned the car around.She watched in disbelief as the car sped away from Dhruv's house, leaving the party and all its expectations behind. The wind tousled her hair as she gazed out of the window, watching the world outside blur into a rush of lights and shadows. The adrenaline coursing through her veins made her heart race, and she found herself captivated by Dhruv's boldness and spontaneity.“Woah,” sighed Shanaya. “I can’t believe you just abandoned your own party. That’s so… sick. That’s so fucking cool, Dhruv. When did you become so cool?”With a mischievous grin, Dhruv glanced at Shanaya, his eyes reflecting a newfound sense of liberation. "Cool? I guess I've had it in me all along, just waiting for the
Shanaya saw hesitation cross Dhruv’s eyes. His hand began slipping from her cheek and disappointment flooded her chest. She knew at once what he was thinking about — their conversation at the hospital. She placed her hand over his and brought it back to her cheek. Dhruv’s eyes closed momentarily, his shoulder tensing. When he opened them, she saw the struggle in them. The struggle to let go — and the desire to hold on. He sighed, his thumb gently grazing her cheek. “I can’t be just your friend, Shan,” he confessed, his voice soft and vulnerable. “I felt so angry when you said that to me. I was angry at myself… for fucking things up between us. You have no idea how much I regret it. I shouldn’t have left this place. I shouldn’t have left you.” Shanaya felt a weakness settle in her knees. She knew she was going to faint any moment. Dhruv continued, “I never thought I’d come back here. Kirti was the only reason. I thought I’d forgotten about you. I believed I didn’t remember the sou
Their bodies remained close, their foreheads pressed against each other, as Shanaya brought the phone to her ear. Her voice trembled as she spoke, "Hello?" Kabir's voice, filled with concern, emanated from the other end of the line. "Shanaya, where are you? I've been looking for you everywhere. Is everything alright?" Shanaya struggled to find her voice, suddenly realizing what she’d done. Kabir and Noor had come to the party with her and she had abandoned them. She glanced at Dhruv, who stood beside her, his eyes filled with a mixture of worry and understanding. The weight of her choices and the consequences they carried pressed upon her, causing her to falter. "Kabir, I... I needed some time alone," she finally managed to say, her words laced with unease. "I'm sorry for leaving without telling you. I just needed to clear my head." There was a brief silence on the other end of the line, and Shanaya could almost hear the wheels turning in Kabir's mind. When he spoke again, his voic
As they finally approached the door of her apartment, Shanaya felt heat pool in the pit of her stomach. Beyond that door, nothing would keep them apart. She could finally have all she was craving. She unlocked the door and stepped inside, her feet trembling. However, when she turned around, she found Dhruv still standing outside, his hand lightly placed over the doorframe. Lowering his gaze to his bare feet, he spoke softly, his voice carrying the weight of his emotions, "If you have any doubts at all, just tell me. Even now, just tell me. I'll leave, Shanaya. I won't say a word. But if you choose to do this, there's no going back." She had never seen him as vulnerable before that night. In that moment, Shanaya knew how much he still cared about her — how much he respected her boundaries. Moved by his sincerity, Shanaya reached out and placed her hand gently on his cheek. She met his gaze with an unwavering resolve, her voice filled with certainty. "I have no doubts, Dhruv," she whi
Reluctantly, Shanaya reluctantly stepped into the inviting warmth of the shower, allowing the cascading water to envelop her body. As the liquid streamed down, she couldn't help but be transported back to the last two days spent in Dhruv's embrace. The previous morning Shanaya had prepared to leave for office, but when the quick peck had turned into something more passionate and searing, her clothes had ended being discarded, and she had been allured back to the bed. Time seemed to stand still as they indulged in each other's company, rarely leaving the confines of their bed. Meals were shared, conversations flowed effortlessly, and the outside world faded into insignificance. She even postponed important meetings, unwilling to disrupt the intimate bubble they had created. However, amidst the soothing sensation, her mind was consumed by thoughts of the monumental decision she had made two nights ago. The thick wall that had long kept her and Dhruv apart had crumbled, and now she st
As Shanaya boarded the staircase to her office, the sun's golden rays shimmered through the glass windows, filling the corridor with a warm glow. She took it as a positive sign. Today was the day they were supposed to finalize an important collaboration with a renowned company, and Shanaya couldn't help but feel a mix of nerves and optimism.“I’ve got this,” she whispered to herself, like she always did before starting an important day at work. It had helped her stay focused and determined regardless of the obstacles that were strewn along her way. As she stepped into her office, a sight caught her attention—a vibrant bouquet of yellow tulips sitting gracefully on her white desk. The delicate petals stood tall, demanding her attention. The sweet aroma filled the room, momentarily distracting her from the impending business meeting. Curiosity piqued, Shanaya approached the bouquet, noticing a small note nestled among the flowers. With gentle hands, she unfolded the note, and her eyes
Shanaya debated with herself momentarily. She could slip out without being seen, and successfully avoid an unwanted conversation with Raunak. However, she had already stepped into the living room, and Meera, one of the maids was keenly watching her, pausing her cleaning task. If she stayed back, not only would she have to answer for all the rumors circulating around about her, but she would also have to pretend she enjoyed Raunak’s presence.Shanaya passed Meera a nervous grin and raised a finger to her lips, gesturing for her to be quiet. However, as she was about to retrace her steps, Suhala turned around as if sensing her presence. Her grandmother’s face lit up with a bright grin. “Oh, wonderful,” Suhala remarked, using the handrest of the couch to support herself as she stood up. “You’ve arrived at the right moment. Shanaya, my child, come sit with us. We have something important to discuss.”Raunak interjected, getting to his feet in an instant, “I’m sorry, Mrs. Arora, but I nee