Dinner ended better than expected.
Shrisha actually liked Arsh.
Not the dramatic way Aakrati had described him.
Not some mysterious dominant man.
Just… charming. Smart. Attentive.
When he walked them to the car, opened the door for both of them, and made sure they were comfortable before starting the engine, Shrisha caught Aakrati's expression in the rearview mirror.
That proud little smirk.
See?
Aakrati practically glowed.
"See how good my boyfriend is?" she whispered dramatically.
Shrisha rolled her eyes. "Relax. It's been one dinner."
Arsh chuckled. "Should I be worried?"
Shrisha leaned slightly forward between the seats. "You have no idea how dangerous she is when she gets stubborn."
Aakrati gasped. "Excuse me?"
Shrisha continued, ignoring her. "If she wants something, she wants it. No one can change her mind."
Arsh glanced at Aakrati with an amused tilt of his head.
"Really?" he said lightly. "That's interesting."
Aakrati crossed her arms dramatically. "You both are overreacting."
He laughed softly. "I don't mind stubborn. Makes things… fun."
The way he said fun made her look at him suspiciously.
Shrisha noticed.
And smirked.
The drive was full of light teasing, small inside jokes forming already, Aakrati pretending to be offended at everything, Arsh enjoying pushing her buttons just enough.
When he dropped them off, he didn't linger.
Just a soft, "Bye. Sleep early."
But the look he gave Aakrati before she stepped out?
That one-second pause.
That was theirs.
Ten minutes later, her phone buzzed.
Arsh: Got the new job. Joining tomorrow.
She sat up straight on the bed.
"What?!" she whispered excitedly.
Another text came.
I'll pick you up early tomorrow. Need to reach on time. So madam, be ready.
She typed back instantly.
Yes, sir.
Shrisha was watching from the side with exaggerated jealousy.
"Oh wow," she sighed dramatically. "Look at these two love birds. I want someone to drop me to office also."
Aakrati giggled. "You'll find someone."
Shrisha smirked. "Not someone. Someone who looks at me the way he looks at you."
Aakrati blushed.
They went to sleep smiling.
Morning.
He was already outside when she stepped out.
She looked fresh. Soft. Slightly excited.
He leaned against his car, pretending to check his phone, but the moment he saw her, that subtle smile appeared.
"You're on time," he said.
"I woke up early," she replied proudly.
They got in.
As he started driving, he asked casually, "Packed your bags?"
She turned to him instantly. "What?"
"For the trip," he said calmly and asked about what Shrisha will do when they won't be here.
"Ohhhh that," she laughed. "Shrisha will stay here. No problem. I'm super excited. I've already planned outfits. I'll buy some new clothes too."
He glanced at her briefly. "Do you want to include something I want?"
She narrowed her eyes. "What exactly do you want?"
He gave a slow side look.
"A lot of things are pending."
Her heartbeat betrayed her.
"You are not getting anything," she said firmly.
He smirked. "Even sitting next to you and watching you talk non-stop is enough."
She looked at him suspiciously. "You're impossible."
He shrugged lightly. "With you? Happily."
She tried to act annoyed, but she was smiling too much.
"Control yourself," she muttered.
"I am," he replied calmly. "Otherwise I would've asked for something else."
She stared at the road immediately.
"Shameless."
He chuckled.
"Only with you."
He dropped her a little before office.
"Big day," she said.
"Yeah."
"Don't flirt with your new colleagues."
He smirked. "Jealous already?"
"I'm not jealous."
"Good," he said lightly. "Because I'm not interested."
And that one sentence sat softly in her chest the entire day.
Her day went as usual — busy, productive, cheerful.
His first day was smooth too.
New place. New people. Fresh energy.
No office politics.
No tension.
Just work.
But even in between meetings, he checked his phone once or twice.
And in the evening, despite being tired, he texted her.
How was your day?
She replied instantly.
They exchanged small updates.
Then she typed—
Let's not go for a walk today. Spend time with Shrisha. You rest too.
He paused before replying.
You sure?
Yes.
A second later:
Miss me a little at least.
She smiled at her screen.
Maybe.
Rude.
Sleep early. Big corporate man now.
Goodnight, trouble.
She stared at that last message longer than necessary.
Across the city, he lay back on his bed, thinking about her excitement, her energy, her dramatic expressions.
And for a second—
He missed her.
Not dramatically.
Not loudly.
Just quietly.
And that quiet feeling?
Was growing.