𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐒 𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐋𝐋𝐘 [𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑 𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆]

10 ⏐ 𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐑 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐘𝐀𝐒'

──────── ୨୧ ────────

The steady ticking of the antique clock on my office wall synced perfectly with the rhythm of my fingers tapping against the polished mahogany desk. The air was tinged with the scent of leather and high-quality ink, while my pen hovered over a contract that I wasn't really paying attention to.

My mind wasn't here.

It was with her.

Akshara.

I leaned back in my chair, staring off into space, a faint smirk playing on my lips. She hadn't called last night. Not even a text. I could just imagine her—lost in thought, overthinking everything, wrestling with her conscience like she always did.

And I knew how that would end.

"Sweetheart, your kindness is your biggest strength... and your biggest weakness."

Just then, my phone buzzed on the desk.

Her name lit up the screen.

I didn't hesitate.

"Hello?" I answered, keeping my voice calm, even as excitement sparked in my chest.

There was a brief silence on the other end, and then her soft voice broke through.

"Mr. Singhaniya... I mean... Veer..."

"Hm?" I kept my tone neutral, patient. Let her say it in her own words. It's always sweeter that way.

"I've... thought about what you said," she continued, voice timid but steady. "I'll come. For dinner. Tonight."

A slow smile unfurled on my face.

There it was.

My victory.

Not forced, not snatched—just... carefully cultivated.

I closed the contract in front of me and leaned in, my voice smooth. "That's wonderful to hear. How's your day been, sweetheart?"

"I'm at university," she replied softly, her tone clipped but polite. "Just a normal day. That's all."