31

The whole week, I didn't go to the office. Advik had made sure I didn't appear there. He had given me an entire week's leave. I thought I would enjoy being at home, but I didn't. Instead, the boredom was killing me. I can't stop thinking about him and craving his presence so much.

I looked at my phone to see if he had messaged me, but to my disappointment, there was no message. Advik has gone on a 5-day business trip to New York which I had no knowledge about. If only I had known about this trip I wouldn't have taken the leave. Now, I can't do anything but regret that I missed the chance to go there.

'Don't worry, I will take you with me next time, and that won't be a business trip.'

I stared at the last message he had sent me three days ago and a small smile formed on my lips. Getting up from the bed, I went towards the window, watching the sky. No matter how much I tried, he was never leaving my mind, not even when I had a million things to think about. It was only him I could think of.

His ocean blue eyes, the way he smiles, his voice, his laugh, his scoldings, his presence—I missed everything about him.

Is it normal to miss someone this much after just 4 days apart?

I sighed, shaking my head in denial to push away these thoughts.

Why do I feel this way? I shouldn't be this upset. It's just a business trip, after all. I need to get a grip on myself and stop thinking about him like this. There's nothing in my heart.

I'm just being silly.

Maybe I'm feeling this way because I have never stayed away from him in all these 3 months' time.

Yeah, right.

There is nothing more to it. I'm just getting carried away by my stupid emotions.

Sunday came with a cloudy morning.

I woke up with a smile feeling excited to see him. After doing my morning routine, I searched through my closet, trying to find the perfect outfit. 30 minutes passed and I was still standing in front of the closet trying to find a good dress because nothing caught my eye till now.

I huffed in frustration and put my hands on my waist noting down that I needed to do more shopping.

As I turned around, a groan escaped my lips looking at my room. My room was now a battlefield of fabric, colors, and patterns. I sighed deeply, feeling the pressure of time ticking away.

Wait.

Why are you even making these extra efforts to look good? A voice came from my brain making me pause my activity and think about it. It's definitely not for him.

Pushing away my thoughts, I grabbed the nearest dress and shoved it back into the closet. The rest of the dresses followed, pushed together haphazardly. The once-organized space was now a chaotic mess, with sleeves and hems sticking out at odd angles.

I took a step back, surveying the disarray. I knew I'd have to deal with it later, but for now, I needed to get ready.

Closing the door quickly before all the clothes fell from my closet, I picked up a simple red dress from the floor, deciding it would have to do. As I slipped it on, a smile made its way to my lips.

I descended the stairs and walked into the kitchen. Aaron looked at me from head to toe and raised his eyebrow which I ignored.

I went and kissed Grandma's cheek making her smile. She poured the orange juice and offered it to me as I filled my plate.

After a while, I heard Aaron's voice.

"Grandma?"

My gaze went towards Aaron who was chewing the apple slowly as he spoke looking at me. "I think we should go out somewhere today."

I looked at him with a blank expression, and he smirked at me.

Did he know about my plans with Advik?

Before I could say anything, Grandma spoke, "No, dear, I must visit the cafe; it will be busy today because of the holiday."

Aaron whined, then looked at me with his eyes sparkling, "Shall we go—"

"Nope."

"Why?"

I gulped, "I have very important work to do today."

He narrowed his eyes, at me as he bit on his apple dramatically, "Important work?"

"Yes," I spoke with confidence avoiding eye contact.

"Then—"

We heard the doorbell.

I was about to check who was at the door when Aaron rushed ahead of me, running as if his girlfriend was waiting outside.

Rolling my eyes at him, I stood up and went towards the sink to put my plate.

I heard the footsteps getting closer towards the kitchen and then Aaron appeared with none other than Advik. Advik's eyes fell on me and stayed for a brief second making my heart race. I looked away due to nervousness.

"Vicky dear, Welcome." My grandma spoke, stood up, and then went to hug him. Then, they sat and started chatting like they had known each other for years. Even, Aaron seems interested in talking with him.

I stood there wondering when he became so close to them.

Did I skip some chapters?

I cleared my throat to get all of their attention, but no one looked at me. So, I cleared my throat again, and still no one buzzed. It seemed like their conversation was more important than me.

I turned around and went back to wash the remaining dishes, getting lost in my own thoughts. But then I got a little too lost that I forgot what was happening around me. The voices faded as I drown in my world.

It was when I felt a presence beside me, and his voice whispered in my ear, "Good Morning."

A shiver ran down my spine when I heard his low voice. His breath hit my neck as he stood close looking at me with a small smile on his lips. I stared into his ocean-blue eyes that I missed so much. Then, the realization hit me that I had to keep my cool and not let him see how excited I really was to see him.

I tore my gaze away, momentarily averting my eyes, and shut off the tap while turning around to find that it was just us two in the kitchen.

With deliberate movements, I began arranging the plates in their designated places, aware of his intense gaze following my every action which didn't help to calm my racing heart.

"Did you miss me?" He asked, brushing away the hair strands that fell on my eyes, as both of my hands were soapy, and I couldn't do that. My movement of washing the spoon froze, and a shiver ran down my spine.

His phone beeped with message, and he pulled out to check it, meanwhile, I stole a glance at him and felt a wave of attraction wash over me as I saw him standing there, wearing a black shirt that hugged his muscled chest perfectly.

He leaned back against the counter beside me, folding his arms, and looked directly at me with an intense gaze that made me feel butterflies. The sight of him there looking so hot left me feeling captivated.

My gaze moved up to his face, and I looked away as I realized I was staring at him for too long without replying.

Clearing my throat, I spoke bitterly, "No. Why would I miss you?"

I tried hard not to look at him, but my eyes were too stubborn. I couldn't help but stare at his pretty face.

I watched as the corner of his lips turned into a small smirk as he spoke, "Thanks, I missed you too."

I gave him a blank expression and wiped my wet hands all the while ignoring him even though I was feeling the whole zoo inside my stomach.

He chuckled and took a step closer to me, making my heart race. He opened his mouth but got interrupted by Aaron's voice.

"Advik bro, Grandma is calling you," Aaron spoke, peeking his head from the kitchen door. Advik nodded and smiled at him, walking towards the door, before giving me a brief glance.

I exited the kitchen and then went towards my room to get my mobile. Opening it, I saw that he had given me 4 missed calls when I was in the kitchen. I put it back in my purse and then picked up the eyeliner from the table.

I applied it perfectly on the right eye and then went to the left.

Just like always I ruined the left eye.

Releasing a deep breath, I wiped it and tried to do it again.

I heard the door knock, and it opened, revealing Advik peeking from it. He entered and I ignored him, going back to apply it again. I wanted to gaze into those ocean-blue eyes I missed so much but pushed down the urge. I had to show him I was angry that he intentionally left me and went alone there. He never takes me on these business trips, and I don't even know the reason.

I was on the verge of perfecting my eyeliner when I heard his voice mutter, "Whispers of my heart."

My eyes widened at the sight of what he held in his hand- on the brink of opening it.

My diary.

I instantly ran with the speed of a cheetah and snatched it away from his hand before he could read the unimaginable things I had written there.

He chuckled, leaning back against the table and slipping his hands into his jeans pockets as he spoke with a smile. "Looks like someone has secrets."

I glared at him, but he continued, "Since when did you start writing a diary?"

"That's none of your business," I said in a stern voice.

"It is," he said, attempting to take the diary from my hand, but I quickly hid it behind my back.

He took a step towards me, "Don't you think I should know more about my future wife?"

"No. I haven't said 'yes' yet. So, don't get your hopes high." I spoke trying hard not to blush at our closeness.

He smirked, leaned a little closer, and whispered in my ears, "Even if you won't say it, I still know the whispers of your heart."

I rolled my eyes, "You don't. No one can read me, I'm not that sorted person."

I pushed him a little and went to put the diary in my closet, but as soon as the door of my closet opened, the pile of clothes that I had forcefully shoved into it earlier, fell on me. I closed my eyes in frustration and embarrassment.

"Definitely, not sorted," he commented with a chuckle, unfazed by the glare I shot his way. I spun around hastily, scooping up my clothes and stuffing them back into the closet. When I turned back, he was casually seated on the bed.

I leaned back on my closed cupboard door, and folded my hands, battling in my head if I should tell him about my life.

He deserves to know about me.

So I began, "When I was 19, I met with an accident, which erased the memories of my teenage years from my brain," I murmured slowly, unfolding my hands, as I watched him nod at me in acknowledgment. He was listening to me calmly while staring at the floor.

"I want to know about things that have happened to me in those years, how I was like, I want to know the memories I have made, but I can't. I tried to find it, but it was all in vain. So, a few years ago, I decided, that I would maintain a diary, and if I ever lose my memories again then the diary would help me regain." I completed and gazed at him. He looked away from me, biting his lips, an unknown expression covering his face.

"I'm sorry to hear that." He spoke passing me a small smile, and stood up, with sadness flashing in his eyes, "I wish I could help you. But I can't."

I returned the smile, "Yeah,"

"But you know what? It's better for someone who overthinks like you to not remember anything. Can you guess how much percent a person lives in the present?"

I tried to guess, "Um, 80%?"

"Nope."

"Then?"

"10% only."

"Woah!"

"Yeah, I don't know how much it is correct but one of my professors told me this. Later, when I read some articles, I found out that people spend 47% of their waking hours thinking about something other than what they are doing, and this mind-wandering makes them unhappy."

"That's surprising."

"Yeah, It is. People live more in the past and future than in the present. So, you should consider yourself lucky." He smiled ending the sentence, making me grin wide.

"Well, you are the first person ever to make me feel happy about that thing. Thanks."

"You are welcome. Chèrie." He spoke going towards the table again to pick up his car keys.

"Don't tell me that's not a fruit name?" I asked, folding my hands, as he looked at me, his long eyelashes making his eyes attractive as he blinked.

"Yep. It's a French word."

"What's the meaning?"

"Darling, Sweetheart, whatever you want to take it as."

I shrugged, "You can simply say that."

The corner of his lips turned into a smirk, "So you want me to call you with these names?"

I stared at him wide-eyed, with a blush spreading on my cheeks, "No, I mean...Forget it."

The smirk on his face grew seeing me like that so I tried to change the topic, "You are smart. Tell me how many more things you know?"

He approached me, his eyes sparkling as he gazed into mine, "Well, to find that out, you'll need to spend the rest of your life with me," he winked, causing me to blush again.

Why am I blushing this much?

The day hasn't even started yet and I'm already behaving like crazy.

Gather yourself, Ria.

I let out a nervous chuckle, turning away and walking towards the mirror to avoid his stare. That's when I noticed I had only applied eyeliner to half of my left eye, and even that was smudged.

I wiped it away again and felt his gaze on me. In the reflection, I watched him approach, and then he gently took the eyeliner bottle from my hand and said,

"Here. Let me try." He offered.

I laughed, "I don't want to look like a panda."

He shot me an offended glance. In response, I passed him the brush and shut my eyes. He came close, his heavenly scent engulfing my nose, and making me want to inhale more.

"I have a sister, so I know how to do it." His breath fanned my face as he spoke, making me feel the butterflies in my stomach. I just hope he doesn't see my blush.

"Done," he said after a few seconds, stepping back and taking away the warmth I felt from him.

I opened my eyes and looked in the mirror, realizing he had done his job perfectly.

"Wow!" I beamed, and he smiled.

"Now, shall we go?"