A meeting was arranged by the manager, Kritika, to be attended by most of her staff. When Shehnaaz was making her way in, she fished her phone out of her pocket to put it on silent mode. Walking while doing so, she bumped into somebody.

"Sorry, sorry." She immediately backed a step and realized it was Naman she ran into. Out of everybody in the office? Him?

"It's okay." Naman replied, looked around and then made his way into the meeting hall.

"First and foremost, I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to each and every one of you. Launching our new chain of enterprises has been a monumental task and it’s your hard work, dedication, and relentless pursuit of excellence that has brought us to this significant milestone." Kritika read out the mail that had just arrived from their head office.

"Basically, Relianz is going to bring forward some offers and sales in the chain of groceries they just launched. And we are to discuss it." She added

"Here are a few key points I want us to focus on:-
Understanding Our Customer Base: We need to dive deep into understanding the needs and preferences of our customers. This will help us tailor our offers in a way that resonates with them. Use every tool at your disposal – from customer feedback to market research – to gain insights and inform our strategies." Kritika began. She showed them a slide, a powerpoint sent by the headquarters as well and the entire staff began to go through it.

Shehnaaz felt someone's eyes on her, she had a name in her mind but upon slightly turning her head, she found their new receptionist staring at her. She was confused if that girl wanted to talk to her, she couldn't even recall her name let alone recall if they had a tiff in between.

"Shehnaaz, let's go and grab something. Itni lambi meeting chali, mujhe toh neend hi aa jati." Priya hooked her arm around her, leading them to the cafeteria.

"Ha chal. By the way, yeh apni nayi receptionist hai na?" Shehnaaz replied, pointing at the girl in front of them through her eyes.

"Ha, she's Nidhi. she was hired last month I guess." Priya informed her.

"Oh." Shehnaaz nodded, checking out the new receptionist on her way to the cafeteria.

It was a little later while Shehnaaz and her colleagues were logging out of their system and calling it a night, they were using the washroom one last time for the day. Shehnaaz waited outside for Priya when she heard some hushed voices.

"Do you still have feelings for Shehnaaz?!" A girl said and it had Shehnaaz's immediate attention.

She peaked from the washroom to find Naman leaning against the new receptionist's desk and talking to her.

"No, I don't Nidhi. It's been a month since I've spoken to Shehnaaz!" Naman replied.

"Maine dekha, aap usko kaise dekh rahe the meeting me. Don't lie to me." Nidhi mentioned.

"I'm not lying. Bas, uske samne thoda uncomfortable ho jata hu I don't have feelings for her but I'm still hurt. Bura toh lagta hai na yaar." He replied yet again and it confused Shehnaaz.

"Oh." Nidhi replied as she held his hand.

"Chalein?" Priya's voice broke her out of her reverie.

"Ha chal." Shehnaaz replied, the scene she just saw kept replaying inside her head.

After rejecting Naman's romantic advances due to being happily committed to someone else, Shehnaaz found herself unexpectedly burdened with guilt. She never intended to hurt him and empathize deeply with his heartbreak. Every interaction now seemed laden with an awkward tension, as she navigated the delicate balance of maintaining professional decorum while unintentionally causing emotional distress.

Shehnaaz replayed their conversation in her mind, searching for signs she might have missed or misinterpreted that could have prevented this situation. Despite her best efforts to convey her existing relationship status gently and respectfully, she understood the complexity of unrequited feelings. She wished she could ease Naman's pain or rewind time to prevent this outcome altogether.

Sidharth on the other hand was at his mother's place. When he didn't have much work during the day, he spent the entire day with his family and planned to visit Diwakar in the hospital in the evening.

"Kaha ja raha hai, Adi?" He asked his nephew.

"Friend ka birthday hai." Advait replied, styling his hair with some serum and brushing them again using items from his uncle's desk.

"Konsi friend?" Sidharth further asked, watching his nephew take extra efforts in getting ready.

"Konsi? Koi ladki hai?" Preeti poked her nose, entering into the bedroom unannounced.

"It's Alaiya. Aapko pata toh hai, electronics ki class me hai." Advait replied.

"Aliya?" Preeti asked.

"Alaiya hai Mom!" Her son corrected her while Sidharth chuckled.

"Acha, kaha hai party? Montu drop kar dega." Preeti said.

"Nahi yaar Mom, mai bike se jaunga." Advait chidded, not wanting to be picked up and dropped like a princess.

"Thik hai." Sidharth nodded, came forward and snatched the hair brush from his nephew's hand to comb his own hair.

Advait made a face but resumed adjusting his tshirt while looking in the mirror and then left. Sidharth silently chuckled, he loved driving Advait up the walls and made his way to the hospital as well.

On his way, he dialed Shehnaaz's number just to catch up with her.

"Wassup?" He asked as soon as she picked up.

"Kuch nahi, bas office se nikli." She replied.

"Aaj late ho gayi?" He asked, according to the background one could figure out she was on the streets.

"Ha yaar." She sighed.

"You alright baby?" He asked further. She usually wouldn't sound so lowkey and answer so simply short.

"Yeah, I'm just tired. Upar se mere se bus miss ho gayi." She answered. She lied, she missed the bus, because she didn't see it coming while she was busy thinking about Naman and Nidhi's conversation.

"How come you missed your bus?! Mai lene aau tujhe? Bahar hi hu." He immediately responded.

"Ah, nahi nahi. Aane wali hogi agli bus. I know their timing by now." She told him.

"You sure?" He asked again.

"Hana. Konsa pehli baar bus miss huyi hai, relax kar na Sidharth! Ghar jate hi tujhe text kar dungi." She assured him and he hummed in response.

She sighed, realizing how she shouldn't let something that was bothering her, bother him as well. It

"Actually na, maine Naman ko baat karte huye dekha. Office me nayi receptionist aayi hai, usse." She told him.

"Aur tu jealous ho gayi." He commented, holding back his laugh.

"Sidharth!! Kutte, maine ni karni tere se baat! Mat bola kar aise." She snapped at him.

"Okay, kya bol raha tha wo?" He chuckled and then resumed their conversation.

"Felt like he likes that girl. Lekin woh usko bol raha tha kaise wo hurt hai, jaise maine bada uska dil-wil tod rakha hai." She told him.

"Tu jaa ke kuch boli nahi usko?" He asked.

"Nahi, mai kyu bolti unke beech ja ke?" She asked back.

"Tere bare me ulti sidhi baatein kar raha hai! Tune kab usko date kiya, jo uska dil todegi? Kuch promise kiya tha tune? Feelings thi uske liye?" He asked.

"Nahi, aise toh kuch nahi kiya maine." She replied.

"Lekin Sidharth? Maine bhale hi usko kahi lead nahi kiya, lekin feelings toh sabke andar hoti hai na." She mentioned.

"Tu maanti hai tune usko hurt kiya?" He asked, taken aback.

"Ha." She whispered.

"Tu pagal hai kya bey?! Koi logic bhi hai iss baat me?" He replied. Wondering what on earth made her think that way. Also it agitated him.

"Har jagah tere ko logic nahi de sakti mai. Mujhe jo laga maine bataya." She told him, offended that he called her crazy for this.

"Ha toh thik hai. Tujhe jo lagta hai wo hi sahi hai. Haina. Bilkul sahi lag raha hai tujhe!" He replied and hung up.

Sidharth felt conflicted and somewhat unsettled by Shehnaaz's deep sense of guilt over rejecting Naman. On one hand, he appreciated her empathy and sensitivity towards others' feelings, which are qualities he admired in her. However, he also struggled with a tinge of jealousy and insecurity knowing that Shehnaaz felt remorseful for unintentionally hurting Naman's feelings.

He understood logically that her rejection of Naman was justified and based on her commitment to their relationship. Yet, emotionally, he grappled with feelings of possessiveness and a need for reassurance that her heart is firmly with him. Sidharth wondered if Shehnaaz's guilt stems from any underlying doubts about their relationship or if it's simply her compassionate nature shining through.

"Gadhi." Moreover, he worried that Shehnaaz might be overly accommodating or self-blaming, possibly at the cost of her own peace of mind. He wanted to support her but also wanted her to recognize that she did nothing wrong and shouldn't carry unnecessary guilt. He struggled to strike a balance between comforting Shehnaaz and addressing his own feelings of unease about her emotional investment in someone else's well-being.

These thoughts occupied most of his mind throughout his visit to the hospital to see Diwakar and through the course of dinner back at his mother's place as well. He ignored her texts where she was asking him if Diwakar would be discharged soon.

"Abey." He mumbled in annoyance when she began to call him later.

"Mama phone uthao na, warna silent pe dalo." Advait, who was sitting next to him told him, unable to bear with the constant ringtone.

"Bol." Sidharth answered finally.

"Khana kha liya?" Shehnaaz spoke on the other side.

"Ha." He replied.

"Maine message kiya hua hai, tune dekha nahi toh mujhe laga ke khana kha raha hoga. Late ho gaya kya khane me?" She spoke further.

"Nahi." He replied yet again in monosyllables.

"Toh tujhe meri yaad nahi aa rahi kya? Itni late answer kiya tune. Pata, mai soch rahi thi ke next week Adi ke sath movie plan kar lete hai. Weekend ka wait nahi karte, kisi din office jaldi aa jayenge toh usko pick kar lenge." She told him.

"Hm." He just hummed. Not liking how she completely forgot about their previous conversation. It was like she was fine and relaxing and chilling after annoying the mind out of him.

"Haaye, kya ha-hmm kar raha hai? Tu naraz hai kya? Abhi do ghante pehle toh ache se baat kar raha tha." She asked. Clearly sensing he was upset with her, if she was right he was definitely not liking how she thought she hurt Naman.

She didn't know what she thought about the situation anymore, after talking to him and letting her thoughts out, she felt lighter. She was in a better mood now.

"Nahi, bas thaka hua hu. Sone ja raha hu." He replied.

"Abhi? 11 baje? Sidharth, tu mere se gussa hai na." She understood it quite well.

"Nahi hu. Bye." He replied and it upset her how he wouldn't even share.

"Sidharth, ruk na. Phone nahi rakhna, tu bata na mujhe kya baat hai? Maine Naman ki baat kari isliye tu gussa hai na." She tried to get him to talk.

"Dekh Shehnaaz, mujhe sone de. Neend aa rahi hai." He replied and hung up this time.

Shehnaaz stared at the disconnected call notification on her phone, she wasn't expecting this. She would never in her dreams want to piss him off but it was a little too late to realize that she should have thought twice before telling him about Naman's conversation. Now, she had to do some damage control. A mischief smile adored her face, what could better coax her man than some good romance.

So the next day, a Monday that it was Shehnaaz made sure she managed her schedule and took out some time from the lunch hour to pay her boyfriend a sweet visit. Since Sidharth had no idea about her unannounced arrival, she was a little skeptical if this was the best idea or not. Either he'd be really happy and might as well introduce her to a few colleagues and friends or this could be an entirely flop show. She might end up disturbing any of his meetings.

"Sidharth Shukla?" She asked the receptionist. A middle aged man.

"Yeah, he will be having lunch soon after the meeting. I'll make sure the tiffin reaches him in time mam." The receptionist replied, gesturing to her to give him the tiffin.

"Arey nahi, mai uske sath lunch karne aayi hu." She chuckled at the misconception.

"Oh I'm so sorry. Sidharth ka khana mostly unke family wale yaha de kar chale jate hain." He replied.

She nodded, waiting for him to carry the message forward while she wondered how a receptionist was taking his senior's name. Maybe because the man was older than Sidharth. She was just looking around the pretty waiting lounge, it's classy wallpapers and glass windows when Sidharth entered the hall.

"Tu yaha?" He asked her, quite surprised.

"Hii." She smiled, taking a few steps forward to hug him. Her smile widened when he hugged her back.

"Lunch karne aayi hu. Tu free hai na abhi?" She asked him immediately.

"Yeah. Aaja, chal." He replied, taking her tiffin from her. With a small grin on his face, he held her hand and led the way to the elevator and then further to Vardhan's cabin.

"Vardhan aur mai mostly sath me lunch karte hain. Would you like to meet him first? Uske baad apan lunch karenge mere office me." He asked, a little excited that he was right now. He didn't plan on talking to her about his thoughts last night, he might have told her what upset him but he didn't know how he was going to bring that up. He was just glad she came to see him.

Yeah, sure." She nodded, entering into a cabin and finding a man busy writing.

The guy seemed fine, the same as Sidharth's age but just a little healthier. He looked up and smiled as if he recognised her.

"There she is, the girlfriend. Hello Shehnaaz, so nice to finally meet you." Vardhan welcomed her with a short hug.

"Hi." She chuckled nervously, hugged him and then they all took a seat together.

"Well-" Sidharth was about to speak when his friend didn't let him.

"Forgive me, this was unexpected. Mera table poora faila hua hai. Aur mere pass kuch hai bhi nahi, no flowers nothing! Chai bol du tumhare liye? Coffee?" Vardhan asked her.

"Arey nahi, aap ko batau mai khud hi bina bataye aa gayi. Isko surprise dene aur sath lunch karne." She replied.

"Wow, that's sweet. Aur bilkul sahi time pe aayi, mera kaam khatam ho gaya hai. There's our table." He replied, showing her a comparatively small glass top table that they could use for lunch.

"Abey oh! Mere sath lunch karne aayi hai." Sidharth interrupted.

Shehnaaz looked between the two of them and wondered if Vardhan would feel bad about it. "Nahi, sath me bhi-"

"Aur hum mere cabin me khana khayenge, phir mil lena issey tu." Sidharth added, gesturing to her to get up and get going or Vardhan wouldn't mind spoiling their lunch with his presence.

"Kaise bola tune unko!" She spoke, finally getting into his cabin.

"Woh aata toh bohot pakata sala!" He replied, earning a hearty giggle from her side. It felt like he was missing this, missing her in his monotonous working day.

"I missed you. Tune kal acche se baat bhi nahi ki mere se." She complained.

"I missed you too." He replied, slowly bringing her closer and pecking her lips for the sake of his peace.

He looked at her, smiling beautifully as ever and kissed her again. It was a slow, romantic and peaceful kiss with her. It began with a tender gaze, eyes locking in an unspoken understanding. Moving closer, there was a soft brush of lips, hesitant yet eager, conveying longing and affection. Time seemed to pause as each touch was savored and breathing synchronized in a peaceful rhythm. Her hands found their place, tenderly exploring his shoulders to his face, while their hearts were beating in harmony. The world faded away along with the topic of Naman, leaving only the warmth and intimacy of the moment, where every kiss was a promise of devotion.

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Wassup people! I'm finally here with the next chapter.. read it and lemme know how it is?!

What was the best part here, if any? The seeds of the upcoming twist have already been plotted.. and you can see it coming, right?