Author's POV~

Kriti was finally back home, Amit Singhania's face lit up as Kriti stepped in front of him.
Without any hesitation, Kriti embraced her father in a tight hug.
"I hope I didn't made you worry"
She spoke, guilt evident in her eyes.
"It's fine, not your mistake" Her father spoke and a wave of relief washed over her.

Her gaze fell upon Aayansh, who stood there waiting to talk to her father.
Sensing the tension in the atmosphere, she left from there, giving them space to talk.

Aayansh questioned, trying to initiate a conversation with her father.
"I know I messed up but this won't happen again"
While guilt was evident on Aayansh's face, his voice was filled with regret.
The only response he got was heavy silence.

"I'll make it upto her" Aayansh spoke, wishing that he had handled things differently.
"Try yourself" Amit Singhania muttered and made his exit.

Lost in her own world, Kriti sat in her room lonely while overthinking every detail.
Thoughts of Aayansh leaving her alone swirled in her mind, making her wonder why he chose to left.
The pain Aayansh carried was too severe for anyone to question about his past, as it would only reopen his old wounds.
Kriti's discomfort followed a similar path, her past intensified with each passing moment.

As Kriti sat there alone, lost in her thoughts something caught her attention.
She snapped her head towards Khushi's cheerful voice who just came to meet her and her mood instantly lifted, turning her day around.
"Hii! What's up with you?" Khushi questioned Kriti, as she felt the atmosphere serious.
"Nothing, I'm just a bit bored" Kriti answered, trying to not really show what was going in her mind.

"We can go somewhere if you want" Khushi tried to lighten up Kriti's temperament.
"Like shopping or movie?" She continued.
Kriti nodded in a yes and a smile crept up on Khushi's face and her eyes sparkled with excitement.

Kriti got dolled up and then they both headed out for a fun and exciting day of shopping and catching a movie.
With a sense of anticipation, they entered the shopping mall.
Kriti started her shopping spree, trying dress after dress making her lose track of time.
Beginning with the casual floral to dresses to elegant gowns, she tried it all, each one giving her a different vibe and making her feel lika a diva.

After the shopping, they decided to unwind and enjoy a movie together.
They picked a comedy that had brilliant reviews and from the start to finish, they laughed their hearts out, enjoying every part of the movie. As the movie ended, they left the theatre with a smile on their faces.
Kriti felt uplifted and grateful for the wonderful day she spent.
It was a perfect definition of laughter and excitement for her.

She didn't thought of Aayansh anymore, like he vanished from her thoughts in a snap of fingers.
In that moment, Kriti was focused on herself.
Kriti was fully present and enjoying the company of Khushi, without any thoughts or distractions about Aayansh.

"It was fun, I enjoyed alot" Kriti whispered to Khushi, expressing her joy.
"I enjoyed it--" Khushi spoke but her words were interrupted by the buzzing of her phone, signalling a call.
Kriti noticed nervousness washing over her but Khushi chose to let the call go unanswered.

The ringing persisted, yet she remained resolute in her choice to ignore it.
"I guess, it's important, pick it up"
Kriti spoke, trying to ease up the situation.
"No its not, its Vihaan" Khushi answered her.
"Why is he calling you?"
Kriti questioned, feeling a sense of confusion creeping in.

Before Khushi could respond, a message popped on her screen, catching Kriti's attention.
"Can we go to the office for a while?" Khushi responded, leaving Kriti more puzzled.
"Sure" Kriti responded, as they headed towards the office.

"Give me a minute, I'll be back" Khushi muttered as she made her way inside while Kriti patiently waited for her in the reception area. She couldn't help but feel anxious and impatient with each passing minute.

Not wasting any more time, Kriti decided to move in, towards Khushi's office.
The click of her heels echoes in the hallway as she finally found her office.

Kriti's POV~

I reached out to her office and gently knocked on the door.
As I stood there, eagerly waiting for a response but the silence caught me off-guard, leaving me feeling uncertain.
I considered knocking again, this time with a bit more force, hoping to get someone's attention but disbelief washed over me as again I got no response.

Without a second thought, I twisted the door knob and rushed inside.
As I stepped in, my eyes met with a shocking sight and I was taken aback as I saw Vihaan and Khushi making out.

"WHAT. THE. FUCK" I yelled and they both separated, startled by my unexpected presence and an awkward silence filled the air.
"You should have knocked the door" Vihaan spoke, trying to break the awkwardness that surrounded the room.

"I did, two fucking times but you were too busy to hear the knocks" I answered, unsure of what to respond.
"Is this why he was calling you constantly?" I continued as Khushi stood there embarrassed.
"How long has this been going on?" I again questioned.

"2 Months" It came out as Khushi's answer leaving me completely shocked.
"Does Aayansh knows about this?" I questioned again, my voice enduring with concern and worry.
I wanted a clarification but only the silence hung in air.

"Do you know what the fuck will he do if he gets to know about this? Answer me, does he know?" I questioned.
Aayansh has severe anger issues and his rage tends to escalate intensely.

"You won't tell him right?" Khushi finally spoke, and I gasped at her question.
"I don't know" I whispered.
"Please don't, I'll have a conversation with him myself and remember you are my friend not my brother's"
She whispered, emphasizing the fact that she'll tell Aayansh about it.
"Tell him as soon as you can" I added, approaching the conversation with calmness "And please remember that it's your workplace" I remarked with a playful smirk on my face as I moved out.

I walked down the empty hallway, the sound of my footsteps echoing softly.
Suddenly, I felt a tug on my waist, lifting me up in the air and with a quick turn, I found myself inside Aayansh's office.
He pressed me softly against the door, closing it in a swift motion.
His hand rested around my waist, our bodies almost touching, creating an undeniable tension and the close proximity sending shivers down my spine.

"Pagal vagal ho kya? You can't just pick me up like that whenever you want!" I tried to shouted, my voice came out merely as a whisper but with a hint of assertiveness.
(Are you crazy?)

"Why are you here?" He questioned.
"Why do you bother?" I answered, my voice laced with a hint of irony.
"I thought you hated me, you wouldn't like the idea of seeing me daily, like this, so close to you" He spoke, gradually moving closer to me, closing the mere distance between us.

Is he trying to tease me?
Smart.

"I do hate you" I answered with a straight face.
"You really do?" His voice dripped with sarcasm as he continued "When are you going to come here, to learn?"
"Why are you eager to see me daily?" I responded as a witty remark.

"Yeah! Tell me, when are you going to grace my office with your presence?" He questioned.
"I won't" I responded, as a small smile crept on my face.
"Utha kar le aaunga, you will love that, Right?"
Aayansh again spoke, testing my patience.
(I'll pick you up and bring you here)

I know what he is trying to do, let me answer him in his own way.
"Definitely, I would love that!"
I answered, a hint of amusement and sarcasm evident in my voice.

"Just tell me why are you here?"
He questioned, getting annoyed by answer.
"I was here with Khushi" I answered him cause I don't want him to find things on his own.
Even though, I feel awful lying to him about his sister, I can't do anything.
It feels like a heavy weight on my chest, that won't go away.
I just hope Khushi tells him, if she doesn't, I will.

"Lying?" He whispered and I looked at him while my eyes widened in disbelief.
"What?" I questioned.
"Where is Khushi then?" He snapped at me.
"In her office" My answer came out to be quick.
"Why are you getting nervous?" He questioned, sensing the uneasiness in my voice.

"It's just, I do not want to talk to you anymore" I spoke, trying hard to slow down my racing heart and remain calm.
"You still angry?" He questioned, his voice so calm and sugar that I couldn't help but notice the guilt in his eyes.
"Yes" I answered, not really caring about his thoughts.

"Be here tomorrow" He ordered, as I stepped outside his office.
I took a deep breath, allowing the tension to melt away.
Calm washed over me as I drove towards my home.
I really don't want to lie to him.

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