Chapter-23 “One More Step, I’ll Kiss You”
Nirvay's Cabin
Aarohi sat in front of Nirvay, her expression serious.
Aarohi (calm but questioning):
"So… is this why you gave me the job?"
Nirvay (firmly):
"No. I gave you the job because you were qualified. But yes, I wanted to stay close to you.
Aarohi (holding his gaze):
"Why are you doing all this? Stop it."
Nirvay (leaning slightly forward, his voice steady):
"Do I look like a fool to you? If this was just one-sided, I wouldn't be doing all this. But I know… this is from both sides."
Their eyes locked intensely.
Aarohi (quickly breaking eye contact):
"I need to check the pending files. I'm leaving."
Nirvay:
"Give me one reason—one strong reason why you're doing this."
Aarohi (firmly):
"I don't owe you anything. I'm going."
She walked out of the cabin.
---
At Ruby's Desk
Aarohi sat near Ruby, lost in her thoughts.
Ruby:
"Aarohi, are you okay?"
Aarohi (half-aware):
"Hmm…"
Ruby (gently):
"You know, sometimes you'll need to accompany Sir to outside meetings. Be prepared on how to talk to clients."
Aarohi (snapping out of it):
"What? Outside meetings?" (Shocked)
Ruby (smiling):
"Yeah, sometimes."
Ruby continued explaining the pending work. Aarohi's phone rang.
Dhruv:
"We already miss you."
Aarohi (sighing):
"Dhruv, it's only been four hours."
Dhruv:
"Exactly why we miss you. The whole marketing department feels empty."
Aarohi:
"Are you done with the drama?"
Dhruv:
"Meet us at the café this evening."
Aarohi:
"I'll think about it. Too much work right now. Bye."
---
Evening – Office Closing Time
At 6 PM, as the office emptied, Dhruv sent a reminder message. Nirvay called Aarohi to his cabin.
Nirvay (playfully smiling):
"Come in."
Aarohi (strictly):
"What's the work?"
Nirvay (teasing):
"Speak properly. I'm still your CEO."
Aarohi:
"Please, sir. Tell me what you need."
Nirvay:
"Aarohi…"
Aarohi (interrupting):
"If this is what you've called me for, I'm leaving. I have to meet Dhruv at the café. Can I go?"
Nirvay (a hint of jealousy):
"Dhruv? That marketing guy? There's still work pending."
He purposely started assigning her more tasks.
Nirvay:
"Have you eaten? It's already 8 PM."
Aarohi:
"No, you can eat. I'm fine."
Nirvay (gently):
"Aarohi, please… don't do this. Fine, I'll drop you home."
Aarohi:
"I'll go by cab."
Nirvay (firmly):
"I'm dropping you. That's an order. Let's go."
---
In the Lift
Nirvay kept glancing at Aarohi.
Aarohi:
"Stop looking at me like that."
Nirvay (teasing):
"Then how should I look at you?" (stepping a little closer)
Aarohi (turning her face away):
"Not a single quality of a CEO in you."
Nirvay:
"What did you say?"
The lift door opened suddenly. Aarohi tried to rush out to avoid answering and nearly tripped, but Nirvay caught her just in time, pulling her away from the closing lift door.
Nirvay (angrily):
"Careful, Aarohi. Take care of yourself. You've always ignored me, but don't hurt yourself in the process."
Nirvay:
"Now get in the car. Or I can still arrange something else if you prefer."
Aarohi:
"Where's your driver?"
Nirvay:
"I gave him the day off."
Aarohi:
"Why did you fire him?"
Nirvay:
"I didn't fire him. I gave him a leave with full pay so he can spend time with his family."
Aarohi tried to open the backseat door.
Nirvay:
"I'm not your driver. Sit in front."
Aarohi (muttering):
"I know why you're doing all this…"
Nirvay deliberately drove the car slowly.
Aarohi:
"Will I reach home by morning at this speed?"
Nirvay:
"Most accidents happen because of overspeeding. I'm just being careful."
Aarohi:
"You never drove like this before. I remember."
Nirvay (looking at her softly):
"Oh? What else do you remember?"
A few seconds of silence.
Nirvay suddenly stopped the car.
Nirvay:
"Let's eat something. I know you're hungry. Don't say no."
Aarohi:
"And if I do?"
Nirvay (moving closer):
"Then I'll kiss you."
Aarohi:
"With my consent?"
Nirvay (smirking):
"Yes. Or maybe no. Let's go."
Startled, Aarohi quickly stepped out of the car.
Nirvay (chuckling softly):
"This girl… why is she so cute?"
---
At the Restaurant
Aarohi focused only on her food, avoiding even a glance at Nirvay. She finished quickly.
Aarohi:
"I'm done. It's 9:30 PM. It's late."
Nirvay:
"I'm not done. I eat slowly and properly."
Aarohi:
"Fine. I'll book a cab. You enjoy your food, sir."
She stood up to leave.
Nirvay:
"Wait, I'm coming."
Back in the car, Nirvay's tone softened.
Nirvay:
"Give me one reason. Why are you doing this?"
Aarohi:
"I don't have to give you anything."
Nirvay:
"How long will you keep running from me?"
Aarohi remained silent.
Nirvay:
"Don't stay quiet. I used to think you were just upset with me… or maybe I didn't understand your feelings. But when you hugged me that day, I felt it."
Aarohi said nothing.
Nirvay:
"I've lived five years thinking you were mad at me. How much longer will you stay away?"
In her mind, Aarohi battled with herself: He's making me weak. If this keeps going, I won't be able to hide my feelings. But what about Ayush's words? What if I overreact again? He's a CEO, I'm just an employee. His image… his hard work… would it all get ruined?
Nirvay:
"Aarohi? Where did you go?"
Aarohi (softly):
"Nowhere. My place has come."
She opened the car door to leave.
Nirvay (playfully):
"Give me a goodnight kiss."
Aarohi glared at him.
Nirvay:
"At least say goodnight."
Aarohi quickly ran toward her flat, opened the door, and collapsed on her bed, taking a deep breath.
Aarohi (in her mind):
This guy is going to kill me one day…