Chapter-18 Soft Lips ,Hard Truths

After spending time together at the reunion, Sukhi smartly paired Arohi and Nirvay to leave together, using the excuse that she wanted to go with Ayush.

As Nirvay and Arohi drove away in his car, Nirvay suddenly pulled over to the side.

Arohi:

"Why did you stop the car?"

Nirvay (casually):

"Let's get some ice cream and go for a walk."

Arohi (protesting):

"I have office tomorrow, yaar."

Nirvay:

"Me too. We work in the same office, remember?"

Arohi (teasing):

"Yeah, but you're the CEO and I'm just an employee who still has to clock in with biometric attendance."

Nirvay (smiling):

"Just for a little while. Let's walk for some time."

They both got out of the car and strolled to a nearby ice cream cart.

Nirvay:

"Come on, I want to show you something."

He led Arohi to a nearby bridge.

Arohi (mesmerized):

"Wow… this view is so beautiful. It looks like a Diwali night, the lights are so magical."

Nirvay:

"Yeah. This is the Power House Station, and from this bridge, it always looks this stunning. See that Raj Pvt. Ltd. building over there? That used to be just a small office. Our main office was actually in our hometown. When I was a kid, I used to come here often."

Arohi:

"Where's Jai?"

Nirvay (his tone softening):

"He's at our old house with our aunt. I can't take care of him—I'm too busy now. After I left for London, my parents didn't officially separate, but they drifted apart. That loss hit the business hard. We had to shut down the company there. Later, I started working here, built the inverter business from scratch, and finally, our company is back in profit."

Arohi:

"So you spent most of your time in India?"

Nirvay:

"No, I used to travel back and forth. I had to complete my studies in London too."

Nirvay (smiling):

"What about you? Why did you leave your hometown?"

Arohi (laughing):

"Come on, you know how amazing I was in maths and physics, right? So I switched to BBA and chose marketing. Sukhi's sister was already living here, so Sukhi moved in with her. Since she was in the same city and same college, my parents finally allowed me to move here too. And you know, wherever Sukhi goes, Ayush is bound to follow."

Nirvay (grinning softly):

"Yeah, true."

They exchanged a silent glance. Arohi quickly looked away after a few seconds.

Arohi (gently breaking the moment):

"Let's go. It's getting late."

She started walking away, but Nirvay grabbed her hand.

Nirvay:

"Wait… just a little longer."

Arohi (thinking, pulling her hand back):

"Why is he behaving like this?"

"Why? It's already late."

Nirvay:

"Let's just sit on that bench for a while, then we'll leave."

As they walked together, Arohi couldn't help thinking,

"I shouldn't have hugged him at the cabin. I don't know which frequency his mind caught that on… It's already night and now what??"

Suddenly, Nirvay spoke.

Nirvay:

"My flat is nearby."

Arohi (immediately stepping back):

"No thanks, I'm going to my own flat."

She started walking away quickly.

"Beasts always activate at night," she thought to herself, opening her phone.

"I'm booking a cab."

Nirvay:

"I was just telling you! Come on, let's go. I'll drop you."

Arohi (thinking suspiciously):

"Whatever he says, I can smell it. He's definitely up to something."

(Forcing a polite smile)

"Okay, fine."

Nirvay:

"Arohi, why are you suddenly so uncomfortable? Relax."

Arohi:

"I am relaxed."

Without warning, Nirvay lightly touched her lips.

Nirvay:

"You've got something here… maybe ice cream."

Arohi:

"I can clean it myself."

Nirvay (gazing at her lips):

"Your lips are still soft."

That was the last straw. Arohi immediately turned to leave.

Nirvay (stopping her again):

"Wait, I need to talk to you."

Arohi:

"Some other time."

Nirvay (firmly):

"No, right now. I have to say it now."

Arohi:

"I'm booking a cab."

He grabbed her hand again.

Arohi (angrily):

"What the hell, Nirvay! You've grabbed my hand twice without asking, touched my lips without permission, and on top of that, you're commenting that my lips are still soft!"

Nirvay (serious, slightly angry):

"And why can't I touch you?"

Arohi:

"Because I'm your friend! There should be boundaries."

Nirvay:

"How long are you going to pretend you don't understand my real feelings?"

Arohi:

"I want to go home."

Nirvay:

"Arohi, stop fooling me. When I used to send you emails and messages from London, my words always carried more than just friendship. And when I offered you this job—it wasn't just because you're capable. You must have sensed something… or do I need to say it out loud?"

Arohi (firmly):

"Stop it, Nirvay. Not now."

Nirvay (softly):

"Okay, fine. Get in the car, I'll drop you."

The entire ride was silent.

When they reached Arohi's flat, she was about to get out of the car when Nirvay finally spoke.

Nirvay:

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have touched you without your consent. Not even a single part of you."

Without waiting for a reply, he drove away, leaving Arohi standing there in silence.