A Night of Secrets and Confessions

Avira and Ananya stepped into their home, the door clicking shut behind them. A moment of silence lingered before Ananya turned to Avira, her arms crossed, concern etched on her face.

"Where were you all night? Are you okay?" Ananya's voice was soft, yet firm, her eyes scanning Avira's tired face.

Avira hesitated, her fingers gripping the hem of her dress. "I... I stayed at Aditya sir's guest house. He found me on the road last night after I left the office. I—I was a mess, Ananya. The nightmares came back."

Ananya's eyes widened in alarm before she pulled Avira into a tight hug. "I'm so sorry. I should have been there. I should've stopped you from leaving alone. I won't let this happen again, I promise."

Avira sighed into the hug. "It's okay, Ananya. I'm fine now."

Ananya pulled back slightly, examining Avira's face before a mischievous glint took over her worried expression. "Wait, wait, wait… You seriously kissed your boss… in his bed?!" she gasped dramatically, shaking Avira's shoulders playfully.

Avira's eyes widened as she shook her head rapidly, her cheeks flaming red. "It was not like that! I—I don't know how it happened. We were under the blanket, and he was comforting me after my nightmare, and then… it just… happened."

Ananya's mouth fell open. "Wait, hold on—start from the beginning. You mean to tell me you were in bed with your boss, and then? Tell me everything!"

Avira covered her face, groaning. "Ananya! You're making this worse."

Ananya grabbed a pillow and threw it at her. "Just tell me already!"

Taking a deep breath, Avira finally sat down and began explaining. "After he found me, he took me to his guest house. I was so shaken up, and he—he was just there. Holding me. He made me feel safe. And then, in the middle of the night, I had another nightmare. I was trembling, I couldn't breathe, and he… he held me. He told me I was safe. He rubbed my back until I calmed down."

Ananya watched her with wide eyes. "And then?"

Avira bit her lip, hesitating before continuing. "I looked into his eyes. And he looked into mine. It was like… for that moment, nothing else mattered. We were under the blanket, close, and before I knew it, our lips touched."

Ananya gasped, gripping her shirt in shock. "OH. MY. GOD! You kissed Aditya Singhania?!"

Avira groaned. "Ananya, it just happened. It wasn't something planned! We both knew what we were doing, but it was… it was just a moment."

Ananya smirked. "A moment, huh? So, how was it?"

Avira turned bright red. "I—I don't know! I was half asleep, and it was warm and… nice."

Ananya grinned. "Nice? Just nice? Girl, you kissed one of the most powerful men in the city, and all you can say is 'nice'?!"

Avira covered her face again. "Ananya, stop it!"

Ananya wiggled her eyebrows. "You know, I think he has feelings for you. What if he's in love with you?"

"What? No! He doesn't!" Avira shook her head violently. "He's my boss, Ananya. He's arrogant, bossy, and… and—"

"And yet you blushed when I mentioned the kiss." Ananya smirked, leaning in closer.

Avira groaned, grabbing another pillow to hide her face. "I don't know, okay? It's confusing."

Ananya chuckled. "Fine, I won't push. But something is happening between you two, and I'm not blind to it."

Avira sighed, then decided to shift the conversation. "Enough about me. What about you and Raj?"

Ananya's expression changed instantly. "That idiot? I hate him."

"Oh really? Because from what I saw earlier, it looked like he has your full attention."

Ananya scoffed. "He's a good man, but he's annoying as hell. And what he did today? He won't get away with it. I'll make sure he learns his lesson."

Meanwhile, at Aditya's house…

Aditya entered his home, his family waiting for him in the living room. The second they saw him, they all sat up, curiosity in their eyes.

"Where were you last night?" his mother asked, concern laced in her voice.

"At the guest house," Aditya replied shortly, his voice distant.

His father exchanged a look with his mother. "Aditya, is everything alright? You look… different."

Aditya didn't respond. Instead, he walked over to the couch and sat beside his mother, resting his head on her lap. His exhaustion seeped through his body, but more than that, the ache in his chest was unbearable.

His mother ran her fingers through his hair. "Do you love her?"

Aditya closed his eyes for a moment before whispering, "I don't know, Mom. But I can't bear to see her in pain. It hurts me when she's hurt. I want to protect her, to keep her safe. If this is love, then… then I love her."

His mother smiled knowingly. "Then make her feel it. Win her heart. Make her trust you. Let her see that she is safe with you."

Later that night, Aditya stood near his window, his hands in his pockets, gazing at the moonlit sky. His mind replayed everything—the way Avira trembled in his arms, the vulnerability in her eyes, the way she fit so perfectly against him.

His fingers brushed over his lips, still haunted by the taste of that kiss. It wasn't just a kiss—it was something deeper, something raw, something real. And he wanted more.

The city lights flickered below, but his thoughts were consumed by her. Her scent still lingered on his skin, the warmth of her body still fresh in his mind. He clenched his fists, a determined gleam in his eyes.

A soft chuckle escaped his lips as he whispered to himself, "I will make you fall in love with me, Avira. No matter how much you push me away, I will protect you. I will make you mine. That's a promise."

The night wind blew softly through the curtains, but Aditya didn't feel the cold. His heart was ablaze, his resolve unshaken. He had made up his mind—he wouldn't let her slip away. No matter what it took, he would make her see that she belonged with him.