The car was completely silent. No one said a word.
aathya sat quietly, her hands nervously playing with her fingers. Her legs kept shaking, and her heart was beating so loudly it felt like it would jump out of her chest.
On the other side, Ivaan was calm, his eyes fixed on the road. His face showed no emotion-just focus.
aathya kept thinking in her head, Should I say something? Maybe good morning? Should I thank him for the ride? No... what if I sound stupid? Should I stay quiet?
Just then, the car slowed down and stopped at a red light.
Breaking the silence, Ivaan asked in his calm voice, "Everything okay? No one bothering you, right?"
aathya's breath caught in her throat. Somehow, with all her strength, she managed to let out a small, "Hmm," too nervous to say anything more.
The green light turned on. The car moved forward again.
The silence returned-except for the loud beating of aathya's heart.
Soon, the car reached her college. aathya quickly opened the door and stepped out. She turned around to thank him, but before she could speak, the car had already driven away.
She stood there, watching the car disappear, a bitter smile on her face... and her eyes full of words she couldn't say.
As aathya stood there watching the car disappear, lost in her thoughts, someone grabbed her arm from behind
As aathya stood there watching the car disappear, lost in her thoughts, someone grabbed her arm from behind.
"Where were you, babes? I've been waiting!" Shruti said, a little out of breath. "We're already late for the competition. Come on, let's run!"
Both girls started running towards the college building.
While running, Shruti suddenly looked at aathya and asked, "By the way... who dropped you today? I've never seen you use the renewat family's car before. I thought you always came by bus or cab."
aathya didn't reply, but her silence was enough.
Shruti's eyes widened. "Wait... wait! Was that Ivaan's car?! Are you serious? You mean Ivaan Renewat dropped you?! I'm shaking just hearing that. You-"
aathya cut in softly, "Please, Shruti. Don't tease me. He didn't say much. Just asked if I was okay. That's all. And even that made my heart feel like it would burst."
Shruti gave her a serious look. "I've told you so many times, aathya one-sided love only hurts. He doesn't even see you like that. Why do you keep loving him? Why do you keep hurting yourself? Tell me, what do you even see in him?"
aathya smiled faintly, her eyes sad. "You still don't get it?"
Shruti didn't back down. "Don't change the topic. Tell me."
aathya took a deep breath and whispered, "Okay... I'll tell you. But not now. It's a long story. I'll tell you everything, one day."
Shruti sighed. "Fine, let's just go. We're already late!"
Both girls hurried toward the college gates, the wind blowing through their hair, carrying secrets only aathya's heart could understand.
While aathya was heading to college, on the other side of the city, Ivaan reached his office building - the tallest in the city, with thirty shining glass floors piercing the sky
While aathya was heading to college, on the other side of the city, Ivaan reached his office building - the tallest in the city, with thirty shining glass floors piercing the sky.
As he stepped out of his car and walked toward the entrance, his assistant Daryl rushed up to him.
"Good morning, sir," Daryl greeted, a little nervously.
Ivan didn't even look at him. "Hmm," he replied, cold as always.
Daryl quickly matched his pace. "Sir, you have a board meeting at 10, then a review with the project head at the construction site, and another client meeting in the evening."
Ivan stopped walking for a second and said in his deep voice, "Cancel the evening meeting. There's a birthday party at the mansion. I have to attend it."
"Yes, sir," Daryl nodded quickly. "Also, the engagement ring you ordered has arrived. It's in your office. We just need your approval for the size."
Ivan said nothing.
Daryl hesitated for a moment before adding, "Sir... Ms. Alina also wants to meet you."
Ivaan's face didn't change. "Does she have an appointment?"
"No sir... but she's your fiancée."
Ivaan's voice turned sharp. "No one comes into my office without an appointment. Not even her."
Daryl gulped. "Yes, sir. Sorry, sir."
Ivaan added coldly, "This engagement is just a deal. Nothing more. Not a love story-just business."
"Yes, sir..." Daryl mumbled.
The elevator doors opened. Ivaan stepped in without another word. The doors closed, and Daryl let out a long breath - as if he had just come out of a lion's den.
The doors closed, and Daryl let out a long breath - as if he had just come out of a lion's den
I was sitting in my office, going through files and dealing with meetings back-to-back, when suddenly the door creaked open. And there he was - the one person I didn't want to see.
Andreas Sinclair.
The man who calls himself my friend, though I've never once called him the same. He walked into my office like he owned the place, flopped onto the chair in front of me, and said in his usual smug tone, "Good morning, my bro."
I didn't even bother looking up.
He sighed, clearly annoyed I was ignoring him - again. "Look, I'm not here to fight. I just came to tell you something important. So as your good friend, let me give you a little advice - don't marry Alina. You don't love her, man."
I finally turned to face him.
"So what?" I said coldly. "It's not about love. It's a deal. She gets what she wants - money, status, name. And I get what I want - a quiet wife who won't interfere in my life or business. We both win."
He shook his head. "Ivan, you don't seriously believe this is how life works, right? There's no connection. No emotion. You don't want love?"
I scoffed. "Love? That shit's overrated. A distraction. A weakness. I don't want that garbage in my life. I believe in control, not emotions."
Andreas stood up, shaking his head in frustration. "You're impossible. I came here as a friend, to warn you. Do what you want. Just don't come crying later."
"You're coming to Dadi's birthday party, right?" I asked flatly.
"Yeah," he said, heading toward the door. "Try not to ruin the mood with your ice-cold heart."
"Get the hell out of my office."
"I'm going, you cold-hearted bastard."
The door slammed shut behind him.
I sighed, leaned back in my chair, and went back to my files. I didn't need friendship. I didn't need love. I needed results. Everything else was just noise.
On the other side, both girls were dancing, full of excitement
On the other side, both girls were dancing, full of excitement. The music was loud, and the whole place was filled with energy. Even though they got second place in the competition, not first, they were still so happy. After all, winning something is better than nothing.
Just then, Aathya's phone rang. It was Dadi. She quickly picked it up with a huge smile and said, "Dadi! We won second place!"
Dadi's voice was full of joy, "I knew it! My Aathya always wins. You're good at everything. Congratulations, beta. And say congrats to Shruti too."
Aathya smiled, "Haan Dadi, she's right here. I'll put you on speaker."
Shruti leaned in and said, "Haan haan Dadi, thank you so much!"
Dadi laughed a little and then asked, "Aathya, you're coming to the party, right? Come soon, it's about to start!"
Aathya hesitated, "Dadi, you know I don't really like parties or big gatherings..."
Dadi gently said, "I know, beta. But it's my birthday today. Won't you come for me?"
Aathya gave in, "Okay, okay, meri Dadi jaan. I'll come."
Dadi smiled and added, "Shruti, you come too!"
Shruti quickly replied, "Of course, Dadi! I'll be there!"
Suddenly, Ishita aunty (Ivan's aunt) took the phone from Dadi and said, "Aathya, I already sent the driver to pick you from college and take you straight to the boutique. You need to get ready for the party."
Aathya said softly, "But aunty..."
Ishita cut her off in a gentle but firm voice, "No buts. I don't want to hear it. Everything is arranged, so just go."
Aathya sighed and said, "Okay, aunty... as you say."
Ishita smiled, "That's better. Take Shruti with you, and come fast. The party will start soon."
Aathya ended the call with a soft, "Okay, aunty."
Soon, the driver arrived. Both girls got into the car and headed toward the boutique to get ready for the party.
thanks for reading
by eethya :)
vote and comments please 🙏
Write a comment ...