43

The office lights dimmed as the last of the employees trickled out, leaving the building in a hushed silence. I walked to the parking lot with Advik, our steps heavy with exhaustion. The day had been long, filled with back-to-back meetings and endless paperwork.

As we reached the car, Advik glanced at me. "You look like you can doze off while standing," he said, unlocking the car.

I managed a tired smile. "Oh, trust me. I can do that. Today was brutal."

We both slid into our seats with a sigh of relief. I leaned my head back, closing my eyes for a moment. "I can't wait to get home and just collapse," I murmured.

He started the engine and glanced at me with a small smile playing on his lips. "I have a better idea,"

I opened my eyes and looked at him quizzically. "What do you mean?"

"You'll see," he replied, the corner of his lips curving in a smile.

As we drove, I noticed we weren't taking our usual route home. "Where are we going?" I asked, curiosity piquing my tiredness.

"To relax," he said winking, his eyes twinkling with excitement.

The bustling city lights began to fade as we drove further, replaced by the serene darkness of the outskirts. My curiosity grew with each passing mile. Finally, the car turned onto a narrow road lined with palm trees, and the distant sound of waves crashing against the shore reached my ears.

"Advik, are we...?" I started, but he just nodded, a wide grin spreading across my face.

We pulled up to the Beach, the moon casting a silver glow over the sand and water.

My eyes widened in delight. "Advik, this is amazing!" I exclaimed, my exhaustion long forgotten.

He parked the car, and turned towards me, "Let's wash away our tiredness."

We got out of the car and walked hand in hand towards the water. The cool breeze and the rhythmic sound of the waves were soothing, washing away the stress of the day. I stared ahead, feeling a warmth spread through me. "This is perfect," I whispered and squeezed his hand. "Thank you."

We sat there in comfortable silence, watching the moonlight dance on the waves, feeling the peace of the moment envelop us. It was a simple yet perfect escape from the chaos of our daily lives, a reminder of the beauty that existed just beyond the routine.

"I missed this." He said, his eyes staring at the shining water ahead of us, as gently caressed his thumb over my knuckles. I smiled as I looked at his relaxed face, his long eyelashes framing his pretty eyes, and they blinked as the cold wind blew.

Then, suddenly I heard a voice calling me. Turning around I found a familiar figure approaching us. It was Esha, one of our colleagues from the office. Esha is a college fresher who recently joined the company as an intern. She has been sweet, caring, and friendly to me. I had developed a great bond with her over these past few days.

She smiled warmly as she walked up to us, her sandals making soft imprints in the sand. "Hey, I didn't expect to see you here!" she shouted, her voice carrying a hint of surprise and delight.

Esha smiled waving and walking towards me. She came near, and her smile dropped seeing her employer, Mr. Advik, present there.

Advik and I chuckled seeing her reaction.

"How are you, Esha?" Advik asked politely, with a smile, making the girl nervous. She looked at him like she had seen her schoolteacher in a public place.

"Fine, Sir, Thank you." She said in a professional tone with a serious expression. I tried to suppress my amused grin at her behavior.

After a few seconds of peaceful silence, Advik stood up. "Wait here," he said and walked towards a nearby ice cream vendor.

Esha then turned towards me, her composure relaxing when he went away.

"What's up?" I asked with a warm smile.

"I was just waiting for my best friend here. He said he'll be here in 5 minutes. And It's been 1 hour. I regret being punctual. Now, I cannot do anything but roam around to kill time." She said all in one breath, annoyance laced in her voice as she mentioned him being late.

I chuckled, "Don't worry. Now, we are here. You won't be bored."

She then glanced at Advik, "I didn't know the guy was our boss, or else I wouldn't have come in your direction." She explained making me laugh.

"Trust me, He's not that bad. He is just a little too professional."

"Yeah, I see. But He's totally different around you." She spoke with a teasing smile.

He returned with three cones, handing one to me and the other to Esha. First, she refused but later took it hesitantly.

"Thought you might like some ice cream," he said to me with a grin.

I took the cone, my eyes lighting up. "You know me too well," I said, taking a bite of the creamy treat. The cool sweetness was the perfect end to a long day.

Him and Esha had finished their ice creams, but I was still savoring mine, taking my time to enjoy every bite. Besides that, I was a slow eater. Advik chuckled, watching me with amusement. "You really do love your ice cream, don't you?" he teased.

I nodded, grinning. "It's the best part of the day," I said, taking another delicious bite which was melting away.

I savored each bite of the ice cream, the cool sweetness melting on my tongue, while the cold wind playfully tousled my hair. Advik reached out, gently holding back the strands that were blowing into my face. I glanced at him, smiling as he carefully tucked my hair behind my ear, his fingers lingering for a moment, and that made me feel something in the pit of my stomach.

"Aww. You guys are so cute." Esha spoke, her eyes sparkling as she continued, "So, are you both married?" I choked on my ice cream at her question.

Advik gave me a look and then turned towards her, "No but we have planned to get married in the next six months."

"No. We didn't plan. It was our family." I tried to tease him and watched as he turned towards me with a serious expression.

"So, You don't want to marry me?" He asked, hurt flashing in his blue orbs.

I smiled, "I never said that."

"But you never tell me your feelings." His voice was laced with frustration.

"Do I have to tell you that?"

Esha interrupted, "Okay, guys stop fighting. I have a solution."

She then turned towards me, "Ria Di? Tell him what you feel about him."

"But he knows," I whispered, glancing at him who was staring at me with an unknown expression.

"Yeah, but he deserves to hear it from you." She spoke.

"Exactly," Advik spoke like this was the moment he had been waiting for all his life.

I gulped and felt Esha squeezing my shoulders, "Life's too short to keep your feelings to yourself, let him know."

I nodded slowly, and she stood up, "I'll leave you guys alone." Then she left somewhere.

I looked at him, "Um...Do I really need to--"

"Yes." His sharp voice cut through my sentence.

"I can't. It'll be awkward," I looked away.

He stared at me, his eyes losing hope, an exhausted sigh left his lips, "So that means you don't feel anything? You don't have feelings for me."

"No. I do."

"Then say it." He said and I knew there was no going back now. I have to tell him.

"Okay." I swallowed hard and looked at his ocean-blue eyes.

Smiling confidently, I began, "Advik, I-"

"Ria?"

I heard a voice and an unknown man walked towards us, his gaze fixed on me.

He appeared and looked at me for a while like he was trying to remember something. I felt Advik freeze beside me. From the corner of my eye, I watched Esha reach us.

She looked at the man and opened her mouth, "Oh, Finally, you are here." Then, she turned towards us with a warm smile and continued, "Guys, This is my best friend, Vishant, and Vishant, this is—" She was cut off by Vishant's voice

"Ria?" The guy named Vishant repeated in clear shock.

I looked at him, bewildered.

Is he some magician who can guess people's names by their faces?

He came forward, hugged me tightly, and asked in a low voice "How are you?"

I stood there, stunned, without returning the hug.

Hold on!

How did He even know me?

And why I don't remember him?

Is he someone from my past?

He broke the hug, due to my lack of response, and looked at me with a confused look. But his eyes still shone with an unknown glint.

His hands held my arms as he spoke, "Where were you all these years? I have—"

"Vishant," Advik spoke in his Icey tone which he uses in the office. I looked at him to find him glaring at the poor guy. Vishant's eyes fell on him, and he instantly left my arm like it would burn him.

Passing a nervous smile to Advik, he spoke, "You are Advik. Right?"

Advik just stared at him, his jaw clenching, and I could see he was tensed.

Wait.

How come he knows Advik?

Is he some mutual friend?

The situation was getting strange. I could feel the tension between Advik and Vishant.

Vishant looked between me and Advik, and questioned, "So, you guys are still together?"