Chapter-22 “Confession, Rejection… Promotion?”
Nirvay's Cabin – The Confession
Nirvay:
"I can't stay friends with you… because this friendship is a lie."
Arohi (confused):
"What?"
Nirvay steps closer to her.
Nirvay (softly, but firmly):
"Arohi Singh… I love you. Since the very first day of Class 11."
Before Arohi can react, he softly kisses her lips.
Just as he's about to say something more, Arohi suddenly pushes past him and runs out of the cabin.
Nirvay (rushing to the door, calling out):
"Arohi, wait!"
Ruby (his personal assistant):
"Sir, should I go after her?"
Nirvay (shaking his head):
"No. Not this time. Don't follow her."
---
Marketing Department
Arohi, breathless and visibly shaken, walks into the marketing department. Her heart is racing, and she looks completely lost.
Dhruv (noticing her):
"Tell us the truth now."
Arohi (dazed):
"Huh?"
Dhruv (insistently):
"What exactly did Sir say to you? You look completely out of it."
Pooja:
"Yeah, what did he ask you in there?"
Arohi (quickly composing herself):
"Just about the product design, colors, and how we can improve them."
Pooja walks away, satisfied.
Dhruv (watching her carefully):
"Do you know Nirvay Sir personally? From before?"
Arohi:
"I have work, Dhruv. We'll talk later."
The entire day, Arohi remains absent-minded, struggling to focus.
On the other side, Nirvay doesn't call or message her. Ayush had advised him to wait.
---
Arohi's Flat – That Night
Arohi lies in bed, her thoughts spiraling.
Arohi (monologue):
"Since the first day of Class 11? What does he mean by that?"
Her fingers gently touch her lips.
"How am I supposed to face him now? This is so hard. Should I… should I tell him…?"
"No. No, last time things got so messy. I overreacted to everything. I can't do that again."
Suddenly, Ayush and Sukhi's old conversation flashes in her mind.
Ayush's voice echoing:
"Arohi isn't right for Nirvay… she makes him weak. They don't even understand each other."
Arohi's expression falls. She turns on her side, trying to sleep—but sleep refuses to come.
---
Nirvay's Flat – Same Night
Nirvay sits on his bed, staring at his phone.
Nirvay (monologue):
"Not a single call, not even a message. She ran away like I was going to eat her alive."
He dials Ayush.
Nirvay:
"I told her."
Ayush:
"And? What did she say?"
Nirvay:
"She ran out of the cabin."
Ayush (shocked):
"What? She ran away? Okay, relax. Give her some time, alright?"
Nirvay:
"I've already given her years, Ayush."
Ayush:
"Let her figure this out on her own. You go rest."
They hang up. Nirvay lies down, but just like Arohi, sleep doesn't come to him either.
---
Next Day – Office
Sukhi calls Arohi.
Sukhi (angrily):
"What the hell is this? Who runs away after hearing 'I love you'?"
Arohi (tired voice):
"What?"
Sukhi:
"And you didn't even tell me Nirvay confessed? Seriously?"
Arohi:
"Sukhi, let me work, please. My brain isn't functioning right now."
Sukhi (teasing):
"Just go tell him you love him too, and everything will magically sort itself out."
Arohi:
"I'll talk to you later."
She hangs up immediately.
Arohi firmly decides she's going to ignore Nirvay, no matter what. She begins her cold-war mode: no calls, no messages, no interaction.
Meanwhile, Nirvay's frustration keeps building. He watches her quietly from his laptop screen, but can't figure out why she's acting this way. Three days pass like this.
---
Day 3 – Office
Ruby (Nirvay's assistant):
"Sir, I've shortlisted candidates for your new assistant. My maternity leave starts in three days. If you confirm soon, I'll brief her and hand over the pending work."
Nirvay:
"Leave it. I'll arrange it myself."
---
Marketing Department – Arohi's Cabin
Neha ma'am calls Arohi to her cabin.
Neha Ma'am:
"Arohi, you'll be working as Nirvay Sir's personal assistant for a few months. Ruby's going on maternity leave in three days."
Arohi (shocked):
"What? From marketing to personal assistant? Why, ma'am?"
Neha Ma'am:
"It's Sir's order. I can't do anything. And it's just for a few months. Join in half an hour—you'll need time to learn the pending work."
Arohi (thinking):
(This man is capable of anything!)
Shruti (surprised):
"Is this for real, Arohi?"
Arohi (quietly nods):
"Yeah, it's real."
Dhruv (irritated):
"How can Sir just do this?"
Pooja:
"He's the CEO. He can do anything."
Shruti:
"I was in Neha ma'am's cabin when she got the call—she was shocked too."
Arohi gathers her things and heads toward the lift.
---
Nirvay's Cabin
Ruby welcomes Arohi.
Ruby:
"Come in, Arohi. First, get comfortable. I'll brief you on the pending work. Later, you'll need to sign the temporary HR agreement."
Nirvay calls Ruby.
Nirvay:
"Send her in."
Ruby:
"Yes, Sir. Arohi, Sir is calling you."
Arohi knocks on the door.
Nirvay:
"Come in."
Arohi (stiffly):
"Yes, Sir. Please tell me what work you have for me."
Nirvay:
"Sit down."
Arohi:
"Just tell me the task, Sir."
Nirvay (firmly):
"Sit down first."
She sits, reluctantly.
Nirvay (leaning forward):
"Now… let's see how long you can keep ignoring me from here."
Arohi looks at him, locking eyes.
Their gaze lingers.
(To be continued…)