𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐲'𝐬 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐜𝐡

Whispers

As dawn painted the sky with hues of gold, Trisha's mind began to stir from its slumber, still tangled in the fragments of dreams. She sat up in bed, a ray of sunlight casting a gentle glow across her room. The charity event from the previous night had left its mark—a brushstroke of intrigue on the canvas of her thoughts.

She pushed open the curtains, allowing the morning light to flood in. With each sip of her tea, the events of the previous night replayed in her mind like a favorite movie scene. Ashwin's voice, his words—everything seemed to hold a sense of mystery and curiosity.

Trisha's roommates, Aria and Veer, shared breakfast at the dining table. Aria's enthusiasm was infectious, and Veer's dry humor added the perfect balance. The trio was an odd but harmonious blend of personalities, each bringing their unique quirks to the mix.

"Guess what, Trisha?" Aria's eyes sparkled as she leaned forward. "I heard that the CEO of RoyTech was at the charity event last night."

Trisha's heart skipped a beat, but she masked her surprise with a casual smile. "Really? That's interesting."

Veer chimed in, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Oh yes, the ever-charming Mr. Ashwin Roy, CEO by day, undercover spy by night."

Trisha chuckled. "Veer, you're such a conspiracy theorist."

Aria laughed. "Don't mind him. But seriously, Trisha, you should've seen him. Tall, handsome, and those eyes…"

Trisha's mind wandered, back to the moment when those captivating eyes had locked onto hers. She shook her head, focusing on her friends. "Well, he seemed like a nice person. We had a brief chat."

Veer raised an eyebrow. "Oh, really? I'm sure it was just a 'brief chat.'"

Trisha playfully rolled her eyes. "You two are incorrigible."

Later that day, in a bustling café known for its soothing ambiance, Ashwin sat across from his friend and confidant, Dhruv. Dhruv was a man of few words but immeasurable loyalty—a pillar of strength in Ashwin's complex world.

Dhruv took a sip of his coffee, his eyes fixed on Ashwin. "You seem preoccupied. Something on your mind?"

Ashwin leaned back, a thoughtful expression on his face. "It's a girl, Dhruv. We crossed paths at the charity event."

Dhruv raised an eyebrow. "A girl? That's unlike you."

Ashwin's lips quirked into a half-smile. "She's different, Dhruv. There's an air of simplicity about her that's intriguing."

Dhruv smirked. "Simplicity, huh? You're not usually drawn to that."

Ashwin's gaze drifted out the window, his thoughts wandering to Trisha's image. "Perhaps that's what makes her so captivating."

The day unfolded like a canvas of opportunities. Trisha attended her college lectures and worked on her freelance photography assignments, each task colored with the memory of Ashwin's captivating presence. Yet, amid her bustling schedule, a single red rose occupied her thoughts—a mystery wrapped in petals.

As evening approached, Trisha found herself seated in her favorite café, lost in thought. She had been trying to decipher the enigma that was Ashwin Roy. Why had he given her that rose? What was behind those enigmatic words? She sighed, swirling her tea absentmindedly.

A familiar voice cut through her reverie. "Mind if I join you?"

Trisha's heart skipped a beat as she looked up to find Ashwin standing there, his smile as disarming as ever. She managed a nod, her pulse quickening at his presence.

He settled into the chair across from her, his gaze steady. "Ashwin Roy."

"Trisha Arora," she replied, shaking his hand.

"Trisha," he echoed, as if savoring the syllables.

A pause lingered before Trisha spoke. "You know, Mr. Roy, I've heard that lightning never strikes the same place twice. Yet, here you are."

He chuckled, his eyes dancing with amusement. "You make it sound like I'm a lightning storm."

Trisha smirked, her eyes glinting mischievously. "Well, you certainly have a way of capturing attention."

He leaned back, his expression playful. "I do try my best."

Their conversation flowed seamlessly, as if they were old friends catching up on the chapters of life. Trisha found herself drawn into his stories, laughing at his anecdotes, and forgetting the world around her. In his company, she felt like the pages of a book turning, each word revealing a layer of his persona.

"You have a way with words," Trisha admitted, her smile genuine.

Ashwin raised an eyebrow. "Flattery, Trisha? Are you trying to charm me?"

Trisha shook her head, her eyes twinkling. "No, Mr. Roy. I'm simply acknowledging that you have an interesting way of presenting things."

He leaned in slightly, his gaze unwavering. "And what if I told you that your photographs have the same effect?"

Trisha's cheeks flushed, a warmth spreading through her chest. "I'd say that you have a gift for finding beauty where others might overlook it."

As the café lights bathed them in a soft glow, Ashwin's gaze held a mixture of intrigue and playfulness. "You're perceptive, Trisha. You notice things that others might not."

Trisha chuckled, a spark of challenge in her eyes. "Is that your way of saying that you've noticed me noticing things?"

Ashwin grinned, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Touché."

Trisha's laughter filled the air as Ashwin recounted a humorous incident from his childhood. "Believe it or not, I once tried to build a spaceship out of cardboard boxes."

She couldn't help but laugh. "A spaceship?"

Ashwin nodded, his expression unapologetically earnest. "Yes, I was convinced it would work. I even had a mission to explore the backyard."

Trisha's eyes sparkled with amusement. "So, did your mission succeed?"

He shook his head with mock disappointment. "Unfortunately, my spaceship suffered a structural failure. It crash-landed in a sea of imagination."

Trisha's heart warmed at the vulnerability he shared, the glimpse into the man who existed beyond the polished exterior. "Well, at least your imagination survived."

Ashwin's gaze held on her As he says "And so did my determination to explore uncharted territories."

As the evening deepened into night, the café seemed to cocoon them in an intimate bubble of conversation. The outside world faded away, leaving only the presence of Ashwin and the enchanting spell they seemed to cast upon each other.

As they reluctantly parted ways, the promise of more conversations hung in the air, leaving Trisha's heart.