22

Advik's POV;

It was the morning.

The sun filtered through the tree leaves, casting shadows across the garden. After taking a morning walk, I sat on a wooden bench, holding the steaming cup of tea in my hand. Birds chirped happily in the background while I breathed the earthy aroma that spread a calmness within me. Just as I took a sip of my tea, my father came and joined telling me he had something important to discuss.

I watched him carefully, as he poured himself a cup of tea. After taking a sip, he sighed contentedly and turned towards me with an unknown expression.

"It's good to see you happy again. Ria's re-entry has changed you once more. I'm glad to get my son back after so many years."

I passed him a confused smile, and asked, "What's on your mind?"

"Nothing. I wanted to let you know that last night we went to Ria's house and offered the proposal."

"You did What?" I almost choked on my tea, after hearing my father's words. His eyes narrowed slightly as he watched my reaction.

"I said I-" He began to speak but was interrupted.

"I heard that. Why did you do it? And she agreed?" I couldn't help but ask the hundreds of questions that were flooding my mind. My heart started racing, my curiosity grew with each passing second.

"Of course not," my father's voice brought me out of my thoughts.

I looked at him as he spoke. "I told her that she should meet you and then give the answer," he chuckled, and continued, "I lied to her, saying there is a tradition in our family that the firstborn marries first."

"Really? And she believed?" I questioned, still trying to process the unbelievable information my dad was giving me.

"I hope so, I feel guilty for doing that but it was needed otherwise she wouldn't even have given a thought to this. It was all her Grandma's plan."

I sat there for a while deciding what should I say. He had made me speechless. A few seconds passed, and I glanced at my father who was reading a newspaper while sipping his tea calmly like he hadn't just dropped a bomb on me.

I let out a breath and whispered, "I can't do this."

I watched as his eyebrows furrowed and he frowned.

"Why?"

I looked away from him, "I...I don't know. I'm concerned about her health. What if something happens? I just got her after so many years, I don't wanna lose her now."

"So, you can see her with someone else? Okay, let me call her grandma and tell her to find someone else—"

"Dad!" I interrupted. Seeing is far away; I couldn't even think of her with someone else. Imaging her with someone will be like piercing my heart with a knife.

He put his hand on my shoulder, and squeezed, "Look, I already discussed it with her doctor. He said there is nothing to worry about as long as we don't trigger her mind by making her remember past events. Whatever happened, happened. It was all the plan of destiny. So, Now, rather than going back in the past, forget it and make the present beautiful."

I nodded slightly, trying to think about everything happening.

I sipped, "You think this will work things out?"

He stood up, the corner of his lips twitching into a smile, as he nodded, "Definitely. Just believe in yourself. You love her, right?"

I gave him a weak smile.

My love for her never faded, even if she wasn't with me.

I never stopped loving her.

"Got my answer." He spoke, grinning, and looked at his wristwatch, "I have to go now."

I nodded my head, with a smile.

Putting his hands in his pockets, he walked a step, but stopped and turned towards me, "You have been happier with her than I've seen you in years. As a father, I needed to step in and help my son out. I just want you both to be happy. And that will only happen if you both get together again. I will be more than happy to have her as a daughter-in-law. That's what her parents and I dreamt of."

A smile stretched on my lips.

His phone started ringing, and he pulled it out. Turning off its ring, he met my eyes. "Son, don't think too much. Act. Make her fall for you again."

I swallowed hard.

If only it was that easy to make her fall again...

And I fear that it might never happen.

What if she never falls for me?

"Does she know that the person of the proposal is me?" I couldn't stop myself from asking that question.

If she knows then she is definitely going to reject me. I know the way I have been behaving towards her is totally rude and wrong. My attitude was so arrogant.

But I did all that so she hate me and find someone better.

I never gave a thought to being her that someone better -the fear of losing her was always holding me back. I just hope it's not too late now.

"I don't think so. But she will know soon. You two have a meeting this evening," he stated as he walked away.

"What?"

"Good luck."

Then he disappeared making me fall back on my thoughts. As I considered my father's words, a newfound excitement bubbled within me, making me smile. The feeling of relief spread over me, and I felt like the happiest man.

First, I need to make things right.

-----

When you are happy, the world looks Happy. Everything around you looks so full of life.

I was overwhelmed with a mix of excitement and nervousness. She was everything I had ever wanted, and the thought of our future together filled me with joy. I couldn't help but break into a grin as I drove through the street of the city, everything around me suddenly felt vibrant and alive.

Today was just the beginning, and I had already decided how to get her back.

With all the thoughts in my head, I parked my car and entered my office building, immediately wearing a serious expression on my face, covering all the emotions I felt.

On my way, I saw a new intern, talking with someone on his phone with his legs spread on the desk. After teaching him some manners, I turned around and my eyes fell on the Kevin guy, who was pretending to do work like he didn't see anything.

I rolled my eyes and made my way towards my cabin.

Kevin is a nice guy. But He is too close to Ria. That makes me jealous of him.

Clearing all the thoughts, I entered my cabin and sat on the chair, pressing the ring.

She didn't come.

I scoffed and looked at the watch. It showed 9:15 a.m.

She's late again. Maybe due to her broken car.

A few days ago, I had already planned to get her a car, and driver, but got so busy that I totally forgot about that.

She won't accept it easily, but maybe I can convince her by saying that it's the perquisites given by the company.

My chain of thought broke as I heard a knock. Replying a come in, I opened my laptop and adjusted my tie, making sure I looked good. My heart raced with anticipation as I waited for Ria to appear.

But my hope turned into disappointment as soon as the door opened.

It was Kevin.

"Sir, Do you want coffee or anything? Shall I bring it?" He asked in a cheerful voice.

I let out a deep breath, "No. Where is Ms. Mehra?" I asked without sparing him a glance.

"She's....on the way. Stuck in traffic I guess." He spoke hesitantly.

I nodded my head.

"Um...Shall I bring anything, Sir?"

"No. You can go." I denied it and went back to my work.

A few minutes passed; I started feeling restless. It felt really hard to concentrate on my work, she kept crossing my mind. No-she never leave my mind.

I glanced at my phone for the third time in five minutes to check the time, then my gaze shifted to the door. I sighed and brought back my eyes to the file.

"Where are you?" I muttered under my breath and tried to focus on the work. The minutes ticked by, and worry began to creep in.

I lifted my cup, taking a sip of the coffee that had grown cold. I know I shouldn't worry about her, she was likely stuck in the traffic or caught up with something unexpected. Still, the wait felt like an eternity.

The knock sounded; I felt a small rush of hope again. Clearing my throat, I replied, making sure my voice didn't sound desperate.

"Come in."

The door swung open once more, and my heart leaped, but as soon as the person appeared, it sank again.

It was Kevin, again.

"What?" I asked getting frustrated.

He gulped and replied hesitantly, "Sir, I just came to inform you that Mr. Jay Sharma called and requested to reschedule the meeting. And the head of the advertising company will not be able to visit today."

I nodded staring at my laptop, "Okay. I was going to do that anyway."

He smiled and turned to exit. Pausing midway, he turned around and glanced at me, "Sir, Do you need anything?"

"No," I replied coldly. The only thing I wanted was to see her. Just a sight of her.

But the world was testing my patience.

"And Don't disturb me without any reason," I spoke with a serious expression on my face, and he gulped, taking his leave.

I sighed and looked outside.

What is happening to me?

Pull yourself together, Advik.

Somehow, time passed.

After finishing the reports, I glanced at the clock again. It was 9:55 a.m.

I guessed she would have reached the office by now. I pressed the ring hoping to see her this time.

I heard a knock.

"Come in," I replied with less interest this time. I was tired of disappointments.

I watched as the door creaked open. And There she was -peeking in from the door, with a nervous expression covering her face. She lowered her gaze as soon as I looked up.

My heart skipped a beat at the sight of her, and I felt relief flooding in me.

She walked in slowly, eyes cast downward. I watched as she stood there, her clothes slightly soaked from the rain, strands of hair clinging to her flushed cheeks. Her breathing was heavy as if she had run all the way here. I cleared my throat, but she didn't look up.

"Tell me, Ms. Mehra, what's the office timing?" I questioned, watching as she gulped but didn't look up.

As I stared at her, I felt that something was strange with her behavior. She was quiet. Her gaze was focused on the notepad in her hand like she was trying to avoid eye contact.

"I'm sorry sir. It won't happen again." A monotonous reply came from her side, making me realize something was definitely wrong.

"Last time, you said the same words," I spoke in my usual tone, focusing my gaze on her. She was still not looking up.

How badly I wanted to look into those brown orbs!

"I'm sorry," she muttered.

"What is the meeting schedule?" I inquired, hoping she would look up so I could read her thoughts.

"There's a meeting at 12 pm with Mr. Jay Sharma and another at 4 pm with the head of the advertising company," she said, still focused on the screen.

"Cancel all of that."

"Why?"

This time she did look up. Her brown eyes met mine. Confusion was written all over her face.

"Do as I say," I commanded, maintaining the eye contact. A whirlpool of emotions was evident in their depths.

She gave a nod and cast her gaze down to the screen.

"You can go." I discarded not wanting to trouble her anymore. She nodded and turned around.

I glanced at my phone as a message from Aaron popped up telling me that her sister hadn't done breakfast so I should better take care of her. I smiled closing the phone and stopped her midway.

"Bring two glasses of orange juice and a proper breakfast."

She turned around with her furrowed eyebrows and looked at me with a perplexed expression.

"What? I didn't order you to bring drugs. Stop staring at me like that."

"Nothing...Um...What do you want for breakfast?" She asked looking at the floor.

"Whatever you like." Her eyebrows furrowed at my reply, and she passed me a frown before exiting the cabin.