It had not been a minute since they walked inside the hospital when Dhruv followed suit, and Vihaan spotted him first before making eye contact with his loyal subordinate.

"Dhruv."

"Good evening, Sir." He greeted Vihaan respectfully and nearly jumped in fright as he spotted the basket in his hands. "Let me take that."

"I can handle it." Vihaan brushed aside his request and looked at him in question. "Is it done?"

Dhruv nodded respectfully as he pulled out the car keys from his pocket and held them for him. "As you instructed, sir, the car has been fixed."

Vihaan returned the car keys to Rakesh Sharma with a smile. "It looks like we'll have to part ways now."

"Part ways? Are you not staying for dinner?" Anita asked, and Vihaan shook his head apologetically.

"I have an international conference at 5." Arshiya looked at him in surprise. That late-? Will he not be exhausted by the time he goes back?

The elevator arrived on the ground floor.

"It would be impolite of us to just send you away like this." Anita nudged her husband. "Say something, Rakesh ji."

"Please join us, Vihaan."

"We promise not to take up much of your time. Just one hour?" Anita Sharma raised her index finger.

Vihaan smiled in defeat. "If you insist!"

Dhruv looked at his boss in surprise. "But sir-" Vihaan glanced at him, and he stepped back in apology.

"Is everything alright, Mr. Malhotra?"

"Yes. Don't worry." Vihaan smiled calmly. "Shall we go?"

"Nice, let's go upstairs and have dinner together." Anita ushered everyone inside the elevator, and Rakesh Sharma pressed the button for Vani's floor.

This time, Arshiya paused in contemplation. The elevator felt so full of the three adults and baskets on top that the only space left was beside him in the corner near the control panel of the elevator. I am strong. Arshiya stepped into the elevator and looked at her shoes. They were so close that if she moved an inch, she'd definitely touch his hand. I am not strong. Arshiya took in a sharp breath and looked at Dhruv. Where would he go now?

"I'll take the stairs."

The stairs. The stairs, damn it! Why didn't she think of that? The elevator door closed, and her eyes met his in their reflection on the closed door before she looked away in discomfort. The elevator barely took a second to reach the floor, and Arshiya rushed ahead first towards Vani's room. The dinner ahead suddenly felt like a murky affair.

True to her prediction, Arshiya swallowed each morsel of the food with gnawing discomfort. Everyone seemed to normalize the part where Vihaan Malhotra was sitting with them and having dinner like it was nothing. It made her feel like she was left out of her own world. Was she the abnormal one?

"Here, have this, Vihaan!" Arshiya looked up just in time to see her mother offer a bowl of kheer to him.

"Thank you, Mrs Sharma." Vihaan smiled and took a dip of the desert. "It is delicious. You are a great cook."

"If you like it, have some more." Anita offered more of her delectable dishes to him, and Vihaan smiled helplessly.

"Any more of this, and my stomach will burst!"

Everyone laughed at his expression, and the dinner ended on a peaceful note.

"Dhruv."

His "assistant" understood his message and came forward with the colorful paper bags. He took the peach one and handed it to Arshiya's mother.

"This is for you, Mrs. Sharma." Vihaan smiled, and Anita looked at him in surprise.

"This- Why?"

"It's a gift, mam. Since I suddenly visited your house, I had to go empty-handed out of the situation." Vihaan explained. "I cannot possibly leave without expressing my gratitude for the wonderful time I spent with you."

Anita smiled at his thoughtful words. "Thank you for your kind words, but this is really not necessary, Vihaan. It has been an absolute pleasure to have you."

Vihaan smiled. "I insist."

"Anita, take it." Rakesh patted his wife's shoulder, and Anita nodded. "Thank you, Vihaan."

"And this is for you, Mr. Sharma." He handed him a brown bag and a teal bag to Chaitanya Verma. "And for you, uncle."

"I also get one?" Chaitanya patted Vihaan's back with a smile. "Thank you, Beta."

This went on until everyone had a bag in their hands, except Arshiya. He took his sweet time to walk to her, taking in her beautiful brown eyes, her lustrous hairs, and her alluring lips that curled up in a crescent moon that highlighted the beauty mark beneath her lower lip.

But there was just something about her today that didn't seem to fit right with her. It was like she was holding herself back from doing something, and tomorrow is Monday. Should we play a game, Arshiya?

"For you." Vihaan handed her a white-colored paper bag, and she glanced at her parents for permission. Once she received an affirmative nod, she carefully took the paper bag from him.

"Thank you."

Vihaan smiled at her shy expression. "My pleasure."
It nudged him to stay beside her so that he could take in more and more of her expressions, her smiles, and her everything. But he steeled his heart and turned to face everyone.

"Thank you for having me today." He addressed the room. "I had a wonderful time, but I really have to leave now."

"Let me walk you out, Vihaan." Rakesh gestured towards the door with a smile.

"Alright, thank you." Vihaan nodded and walked out the door with his assistant in tow.

Since it was not a holiday tomorrow, the trio was dragged home by Arshiya's father despite their protest, and Chaitanya Verma stayed behind to take care of his darling daughter. Her nanny would take over his duty in the morning, and Arshiya's mother would probably visit in the afternoon to take care of Vani. Srishti and Anu had only one class, so they'd probably join Vani for lunch. Only Arshiya had classes until 4, much to her dismay.

"It's fine." Vani laughed at Arshiya's distressed face as they video-called their lunch status. "At least you get to eat your favorite Pav Bhaji today. Look at me. The only thing that I can eat is soup and porridge. " Vani held up her spoon to take a sip of her soup in anguish. "My taste buds are dying."

Arshiya smiled mischievously. "I feel much better." In between, she took the loaf of bread (pav), broke it in half before taking a dip in the Bhaji, and took a bite. "Yum. That hits the spot."

Vani huffed and cut the call.

"Thank you, Vanu." Arshiya giggled and focused back on her lunch.

~~~~~~~
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An update after so long feels unreal, but I hope you enjoy :)