Friday.
8:02pm.
The city had moved on.
Traffic loud. Lights brighter. People busy.
Like nothing had shifted.
But inside-
Something had.
On the bike.
The wind cut through the silence.
Sharp. Constant.
Rohan didn't speak.
Didn't push.
Didn't ask again.
Because sometimes-
Silence said more.
Anika sat behind him.
Hand still resting lightly on his shoulder.
Not holding.
Not pulling away.
Just-
There.
Her mind wasn't on the road.
Wasn't on the traffic.
Wasn't even on Rohan.
It was still-
In that moment.
That question.
"If you're choosing to stay away."
Her fingers tightened unconsciously.
Rohan noticed.
Of course he did.
"Grip thoda strong kar," he said casually, eyes still on the road. "Gir jayegi."
She didn't respond.
But her hand shifted.
From shoulder-
To holding him properly.
That-
Wasn't about balance.
And both of them knew it.
----------------------------------------------
8:21pm.
Outside their apartment.
The bike stopped.
Engine off.
Silence returned.
She got down.
Removed the helmet.
Handed it back.
"Thanks," she said.
Simple.
Neutral.
Too neutral.
Rohan leaned slightly against the bike.
Watching her.
"Tu theek nahi hai," he said.
Not a question.
She exhaled.
"I'm fine."
He tilted his head.
"Tu jab 'fine' bolti hai na... tab sabse zyada problem mein hoti hai."
A pause.
She didn't argue.
Didn't deny.
That was answer enough.
Rohan's voice softened.
"Anika... woh boss hai tera. Bas boss hi hai na?"
There.
Line drawn.
Clear.
She met his gaze.
Held it.
Too long.
Then-
"Haan."
One word.
Perfect.
Controlled.
And completely-
Unconvincing.
Rohan didn't call it out.
Didn't push.
Just nodded once.
"Okay."
But his jaw tightened slightly.
Because now-
He was paying attention.
----------------------------------------------
Singhaniya Mansion
"Tu chup kyun hai?"
Ishaan didn't look up from the kitchen counter where he sat, casually scrolling through his phone like he didn't already know the answer.
Vihaan stood near the window.
Same posture as earlier.
Same silence.
Different weight.
"I'm not," Vihaan replied.
Flat.
Controlled.
Wrong.
Ishaan huffed a quiet laugh.
"Bro... main hoon yahan. Board member nahi."
No response.
That was response enough.
Ishaan leaned back, studying him now.
"Tu usko rok raha hai," he said simply.
Not accusing.
Just-
Stating.
Vihaan's jaw shifted.
Slight.
Barely visible.
"Work tha."
"Bullshit."
Immediate.
Clean.
Vihaan turned his head slightly.
That was it.
That was all the acknowledgment Ishaan needed.
"Tu meeting schedule karta hai." Ishaan continued, calm.
"Tu timing decide karta hai."
A pause.
"Tu decide karta hai kaun rukega... kaun nahi."
Silence.
Heavy.
"Problem kya hai?" Ishaan asked.
Vihaan didn't answer immediately.
Because the problem-
Didn't have a clean shape yet.
"...Nothing's where it should be," he said finally.
Same line.
Same defense.
Ishaan shook his head slowly.
"Galat," he said.
A beat.
"Sab wahi hai jahan hona chahiye."
That landed.
Vihaan's gaze shifted to him.
Sharper now.
"Tu hi disturb kar raha hai."
Silence.
Because that-
Was uncomfortably accurate.
Ishaan tossed his phone aside.
"Tu confuse nahi hai," he said.
Vihaan didn't respond.
"Tu aware hai."
That-
That hit different.
Because confusion gives you distance.
Awareness?
That pulls you straight into it.
"Control chhod de," Ishaan added casually.
Vihaan let out a quiet, humorless breath.
"That's not how this works."
"Exactly," Ishaan said.
A beat.
"Isliye problem hai."
Silence stretched.
Then-
Ishaan stood up.
Walked past him.
Stopped at the door.
"Waise..." he added lightly,
"Rohan bhi hai picture mein."
That-
That was deliberate.
Vihaan's gaze snapped toward him.
Sharp.
Immediate.
Ishaan smirked.
Not mocking.
Just-
Observing.
"Bas bol raha hoon."
And walked out.
Leaving that one line behind-
Like a spark in dry air.
----------------------------------------------
Meanwhile -
Kyra & Anika's Apartment
The door clicked open.
Anika walked in.
Dropped her bag on the chair.
Shoes off.
No drama.
No collapse.
Just-
Quiet.
Kyra looked up from the couch immediately.
One glance.
That's all it took.
"You're late," Kyra said casually, closing her laptop.
"Meeting stretch ho gaya."
Lie.
Smooth.
Practiced.
Kyra nodded slowly.
Not pushing.
Not yet.
Anika walked to the kitchen.
Poured water.
Drank half the glass in one go.
Stayed there.
Kyra watched her.
Not the actions.
The stillness.
"Tu theek hai?" she asked.
This time-
Not casual.
Anika gave a small nod.
"Hmm."
Kyra didn't buy it.
Didn't challenge it either.
Instead-
She stood.
Walked over.
Leaned against the counter beside her.
Close.
Not invasive.
Just there.
"Office ka issue hai?" she asked.
Neutral.
Safe.
Anika let out a breath.
"...Office ka hi hai."
Half-truth.
Kyra caught it.
Of course she did.
"Uska?" she asked.
Soft.
Careful.
Not teasing.
Not probing.
Just-
Naming.
Anika didn't respond immediately.
That was answer enough.
Kyra didn't smile.
Didn't react.
Just-
Accepted.
"Okay," she said quietly.
And that-
That was love.
No pressure.
No curiosity for gossip.
Just-
Space.
After Dinner.
Kyra sat cross-legged on the couch.
Laptop open.
But not working.
Anika sat beside her now.
Scrolling aimlessly.
Not reading.
Not seeing.
"Tu usse fight ki?" Kyra asked.
Still calm.
Still normal.
Anika shook her head.
"Nahi."
A pause.
"Phir?"
"...Bas baat hui."
Kyra raised an eyebrow slightly.
"'Bas' wali baat nahi lag rahi."
Anika let out a small breath.
Looked ahead.
Not at her.
"Woh... clarity chah raha tha."
That made Kyra still.
"On what?"
A beat.
"On me."
Silence.
Soft.
Understanding.
Kyra leaned back.
Processing.
"Tu kya chah rahi hai?" she asked.
Direct.
But gentle.
Anika didn't answer.
Because that-
That was the real problem.
Kyra didn't push.
Instead-
She reached out.
Adjusted a loose strand of Anika's hair behind her ear.
Casual.
Familiar.
Comforting.
"Time le," she said quietly.
"Sab answer aaj nahi milte."
Anika glanced at her.
A small nod.
Something in her chest easing-
Just a little.
Kyra's phone buzzed.
She glanced at it.
A small smile appeared.
Ishaan.
She stood up immediately.
"Main aati hoon," she told Anika.
Casual.
Natural.
No explanation needed.
Anika nodded.
Didn't ask.
----------------------------------------------
Outside the Building
Ishaan leaned against his car.
Hands in pockets.
Relaxed.
Kyra walked out.
Stopped in front of him.
Arms crossed.
"aap yahan, is waqt?" she asked.
But she was smiling.
He noticed.
Of course he did.
"Tumhe dekhne aaya hoon," he said simply.
No drama.
No line.
Just truth.
She rolled her eyes.
"Filmy."
"Effective."
A pause.
Then-
"Sab theek?" he asked.
Now-
Serious.
Kyra nodded slightly.
"Thoda messy hai."
"Vihaan?" he guessed.
She gave him a look.
"Obviously."
He exhaled.
"Dont worry woh handle kar lega, apne tarike se."
She tilted her head.
"Kar lega?"
A beat.
"Kar lega," Ishaan said.
More certain than he actually felt.
Kyra watched him.
Then stepped closer.
Rested her head lightly against his shoulder.
Not dramatic.
Not highlighted.
Just-
Home.
He didn't react.
Didn't comment.
Just shifted slightly-
So she'd be more comfortable.
"Anika?" he asked.
Kyra straightened slightly.
"Upar hai."
"Alone?"
"Haan. Rohan drop karke chala gaya."
He nodded.
"Let's go inside ki bahar hi khade rehne ka irada hai?" She asked.
"Irada toh Boht kuch karne ka hai madam... " He said playfully
She rolled her eyes and slapped his arms.
""Chalein? Dekh lete hain upar... sab theek hai ya nahi."" He said.
Inside the Apartment
They walked in.
Looked around.
"Where is she?" he asked.
"Room mein."
A pause.
Then-
"Tum batao pehle," he said, leaning slightly closer.
"Tum tension mein lag rahi ho."
Kyra crossed her arms.
"I'm not-"
"Kyra."
That tone.
Soft.
Knowing.
Dangerous.
She exhaled.
"Something's off," she admitted.
"Between them."
Ishaan's eyes flickered.
"Same."
Silence.
Then-
They both looked toward Anika's room.
Like they were watching a story unfold-
From the outside.
A moment later.
"Relax."
His voice came softer now.
Closer.
Kyra turned-
Too close.
He was right there.
Always like this.
No warning.
No distance.
"Sab theek ho jayega," he added.
She frowned slightly.
"aap itna sure kaise hai?"
He smiled.
Slow.
Confident.
"Because main hoon na."
She scoffed.
"Wow. Ego dekho inka."
"Sach bol raha hoon," he said lightly.
Then-
Without asking-
He reached out.
Tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear.
Casual.
Natural.
Like it belonged there.
Her breath hitched.
Just slightly.
Not new.
But still-
Not nothing.
"Ishaan-"
"Haan?"
"Anika hai."
"I know, sweetheart." He leaned a little, closes the distance and whispers
"I love you... you know that, right?"
She regains her composure. A small smile follows.
She looked at him.
Held his gaze.
Then-
"Haan, I know" she smiled.
He grinned.
"Good."
And then-
Soft.
Quick.
He leaned in-
Pressed a kiss to her forehead.
Not dramatic.
Not rushed.
Just-
Familiar.
Comforting.
Real.
Kyra didn't move away.
Didn't react loudly.
Just-
Closed her eyes for a second.
Like that moment-
Was home.
From the hallway-
Anika stood there.
Watching.
Her expression softened.
No tension.
No confusion.
No questions.
Just-
certainty.
And that-
That was the part that stayed.
----------------------------------------------
Singhaniya House.
Dinner table.
Chaos as usual.
"ARYAN STOP TOUCHING MY FOOD-"
"TERA NAHI HAI-"
"ANAYA-"
"Bhaiya dekho-"
"CHUP DONO."
Vihaan's voice.
Sharp.
Instant.
Silence dropped.
Too fast.
Too complete.
Everyone noticed.
Because this-
Was not normal.
Meera's eyes softened.
"Vihaan?"
"Haan maa."
"Sab theek hai?"
"Yes."
Too quick.
Too clean.
Not convincing.
Rajveer folded his newspaper slowly.
Looked at him.
Didn't say anything.
Didn't need to.
That look-
Said enough.
Anaya exchanged a glance with Aryan.
Something was off.
Even they could tell.
Later that night.
Balcony.
Night had settled fully now.
City lights flickering like a restless constellation.
Vihaan stood alone.
Hands in pockets.
Mind-
Not quiet.
Not controlled.
Not anymore.
Rohan's name.
Her voice.
Her stepping back.
Her leaving.
Not looking back.
That-
Stayed.
"If you're choosing to stay away."
A sharp exhale left him.
Slow.
Controlled.
But it didn't help.
Because now-
There was no denying it.
This wasn't even curiosity anymore.
This wasn't something he could label anymore.
And that-
That made it worse.
This was-
Personal.
And that-
That was dangerous.
Because the moment something became personal-
It stopped being manageable.
He closed his eyes briefly.
Then opened them.
Sharp again.
Controlled again.
But this time-
It took effort.
Because for the first time-
This wasn't something he could fix with a decision.
Or a command.
Or a meeting.
This-
Required something else.
Something he wasn't used to offering.
He wasn't thinking about what to do next.
He was thinking about-
What he had already done.
And how-
For once-
It hadn't worked.
Because some things don't respond to control.
They respond to-
Truth.
And he was getting dangerously close to it.
----------------------------------------------
TO BE CONTINUED...
----------------------------------------------
Hey, My Cutieeee Readers ❤️
I hope you're doing well.
Did you liked this chapter? Lemme know in comments.
Stay tuned for more.
Thanks for reading 🫶🏻
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