16

"Your coffee," I said, placing the mug of coffee in front of Mr. Rude who was busy on his laptop.

I feel bad for calling him Mr. Rude. I told myself that I would stop calling him with that name from now on.

He took the mug and nodded without smiling, his face expressionless as always.

"Did you complete the files I gave you?" he asked with a stern look on his face. Hearing his question, I froze.

Oh no, I totally forgot about those files.

I glanced at him, who was impatiently waiting for my reply. Gulping, I shook my head, a negative gesture, and observed as his expression turned into a frown.

"May I know the reason?" he inquired, his voice cold as ever. He had returned to his usual demeanor. The rude one.

I met his piercing gaze and swallowed hard.

"Sir, I am truly sorry. I will get it done—" I began, but he cut me off.

"Sorry? Ms. Mehra, our meeting is in an hour, and we need to submit those files today," he demanded, his tone impolite and his voice harsh as he scolded me.

"There were some last-minute changes I needed to do-"

"I don't want excuses. I expect the completed files in 30 minutes on my desk. This isn't a game. If you can't manage your work, maybe I need to reconsider your position here."

My hands trembled slightly as I gripped the tray tightly, the weight of his words came crashing down on me. I looked down as the gulp started forming in my throat.

Gathering my courage, I spoke, "I will do it as soon as possible. I promise. I just..." My voice was shaking as I tried to find the right words.

His eyes softened for a brief moment but quickly hardened again, and he averted his gaze from me.

"You can leave." His voice was soft, his demeanor changing to slightly less angry.

He dismissed me. I came back to my cabin and exhaled slowly.

Now, I don't feel bad for calling him that name.

He will always be Mr. Rude.

You see, you are no one to him. My mind told me.

Shut up!

I slumped down on my office chair with a sad look covering my face.

Why did he have to yell at me?

It was just a file.

'Yes, A file that you have to submit in the annual general meeting. Otherwise, the directors will kick you out of the office first.' My subconscious said.

And I agreed. It's right. It was my mistake. I should have done my duty properly. Whatever, Now I'm going to make it right.

And keep a distance from him.

I looked at my desk which was cluttered with files and things. Going towards it, I started my work. It took me only 20 minutes to complete those files. I rolled my eyes; he scolded me for such a small thing.

Arranging the files hurriedly, I stood up to go to his cabin and threw the files on his face.

My cabin door opened, and I looked up as Aarav entered with a boyish grin plastered on his face.

"Hello. Secretary Ria."

"Hello, Sir. How are you?" I greeted and asked with a soft smile as he walked towards me.

"Please don't call me sir. Aarav is fine. And I am very much fine." He looked so happy that it brought a smile to my face. "I came here to invite you. I am getting engaged." He declared, the smile never leaving his face.

"Wow, Congrats, I am so happy for you," I spoke beaming at him. The news was great.

"It's on Wednesday. After three days, and I don't want no as an answer." He tried hard to make his voice come out serious but deliberately failed. I laughed and nodded. Aarav is a friendly guy, unlike his brother.

"Of course, how can I not attend your engagement." Attending his engagement would be fun.

He took his leave after talking for a while.

×

Advik's POV.

I watched as Ria entered my cabin without knocking, her face etched with a scowl that clearly conveyed her anger.

She put the files down carefully, not to make her anger oblivious. But it landed on the table with a loud thud.

I didn't say anything but looked at her with amusement in my eyes. She almost looked like she would throw the file at my face any second now. Knowing her anger, I knew she could do that.

Clearing my throat to get her attention, I spoke, "You are 5 minutes late."

She looked at me, almost throwing daggers through her gaze. She opened her mouth to give an explanation and closed it deciding against it. Instead, she spoke, "You have a meeting in 5 minutes."

I tried to conceal my smile hearing her venom-filled voice.

Then, she closed her book, and without looking at me, made her way outside. I let out a deep breath. I do feel guilty for yelling at her, but it was... necessary.

I was getting too close to her.

It might destroy her.

It might destroy us.

I don't want to get attached to her again. I just want to know that wherever she is- she is happy.

After her accident, when the doctor told us that she had lost her memory, my world came crashing down. I didn't expect that. At that time, we tried to make her remember us. But it was all in vain. She can't remember anything. She forgot everything, Including me. We attempted once more, but she began to suffer from a headache and subsequently lost consciousness.

Generally, forcing someone to remember past events or exerting intense mental effort does not cause seizures.

However, each person's brain is unique, and individuals with a history of epilepsy or other neurological conditions may have specific triggers for seizures.

The doctor advised us that as she had forgotten everything, It would be better if we didn't make her remember anything from the past. Otherwise, she will be triggered and end up getting brain seizures making her condition worse.

I was devasted.

After some time, my father decided to move abroad from India. We settled here, leaving everything in the past.

Coming back from my thoughts, I opened one of the drawers of my desk and pulled out a box. Opening it, I slowly picked up the silver bracelet lying there. Her bracelet. Her favorite bracelet which has our names engraved over it.

Ria gave it to me, just a few minutes before her accident as a promise that she would return tomorrow, and we would go on a trip to the mountains which we had been postponing for months. The tomorrow never came. It was given to me for a short time but turned out for forever.

As my hands caressed our names, the memories flooded my mind like a bittersweet tide-laughter echoing through our favorite hangouts, adventures that seemed like they would last forever, and the secrets shared under the stars. It all faded just in one night. Yet, as the years slip by, those moments feel increasingly distant. Every time I look at the bracelet, it evokes a rush of nostalgia that twists into a painful ache. An ache that I will always carry with me.

The warmth of our bond feels like a shadow, beautiful yet haunting in its absence.

People come and go, but their memories always stay.

Even though I have lost her, her memories continue to live within me. It's been years, but still, I can't forget her.

The person she has become now is so different from old Ria.

After we moved here, I tried hard to remain in touch with her grandma but lost contact after I came to know they had moved abroad. I had tried searching for her everywhere, but each attempt only deepened my despair.

I searched for her in every corner of every city except where I actually live in.

On that day, the event in the cafe was not unexpected. It was all arranged. Aarav had told me that he had seen Ria in the cafe. I didn't believe him at first. But then he insisted that I should go myself and see. We arranged a meeting in that cafe. And when I saw her, I could not believe my eyes it was really her. I wanted to hug her at that moment, but I couldn't.

She has changed.

Her eyes- which were once full of life- are now hollow. I could see that she had lost the light and had fallen into darkness. And that pained me. I hated that I could not do anything for her.

I regret for not reaching out sooner. I was angry at the circumstances that led to our separation. A deep sadness settles in my heart whenever I think about the night when her accident happened. I could have stopped her that night, I should have made her stay with me. But I didn't and I carried the regret of that all these years. If only I had done something, things might have turned out to be different.

It's been six years now, and I still can't fall out of love. I never got the chance to tell her how much I loved her. She did. She did confess her feelings, but I didn't. I was waiting for the right time which never came. When I realized my feelings, it was already too late. I had lost her. Everything was gone.

Hearing the door knock, I hurriedly put the bracelet in the box and closed it. After putting it in the drawer, I cleared my throat and replied, "Come in."

Ria appeared in my vision, and looked at me, "The meeting will start soon."

"I'm coming," I spoke, making sure my voice didn't have any trace of the emotions I felt inside.

She nodded and left.

I know I have lost her once, and I can't have her again even if I want to.

I could have told her everything long ago if it were in my hands. But I fear that she might start getting seizures again -that she might not believe me.

So, I concluded that I couldn't make her happy, but someone out there could.

Someone- she would fall in love with. She deserves someone better than me. And for that, I have to keep my distance from her.

For her happiness, I have to let her go.