Alicia: The girl I met on twilight

32

In the ebb and flow of daily office life, Aarav's desire to ask for Alicia's number lingered, yet the courage to make such a personal request eluded him. The usual casual conversations and shared moments persisted, but the prospect of taking their connection beyond the workplace remained unspoken.

One day, as they chatted by the office windows during a break, Aarav contemplated expressing his wish for a more personal connection. However, the words hung on the tip of his tongue, and the fear of crossing professional boundaries kept him from articulating his feelings.

**Aarav:** (hesitant) You know, Alicia, we should... um, maybe catch up sometime outside of work, like for coffee or something.

Alicia, sensing Aarav's reservation, responded with warmth.

**Alicia:** That sounds great, Aarav. I'm always up for a good cup of coffee.

As they continued their conversation, Aarav couldn't bring himself to directly ask for Alicia's number. The unspoken tension in the air hinted at the complexities of navigating personal connections in the professional realm.

As Aarav hesitated and attempted to convey the desire for a more personal connection, Alicia couldn't help but notice his uncertainty. The words seemed to linger in the air, leaving an unspoken tension between them.

**Alicia:** (smiling) Sure, Aarav. I'd like that. What are you thinking?

Aarav, caught in the internal struggle, couldn't bring himself to explicitly express his desire for Alicia's number. The unspoken tension lingered, leaving Alicia curious but uncertain about the true nature of Aarav's intentions.

As they continued their conversation, the subtle dance of unspoken words added an intriguing layer to their budding connection. In the heart of Delhi's bustling professional landscape, the untold possibilities between Aarav and Alicia hung in the balance, awaiting the next turn in their evolving story.

Feeling the weight of unspoken words and the desire to bridge the gap with Alicia, Aarav decided to seek Meera's guidance. One evening, after the office hours had concluded and Aarav was back home, he reached out to Meera.

**Aarav:** (texting Meera) Hey Meera, hope you're doing well. I wanted to ask you something.

**Meera:** (promptly responding) Hey Aarav! Sure, what's on your mind?

**Aarav:** (typing nervously) Well, you know, I've been enjoying my time with Alicia at the office, and I was thinking of maybe getting to know her outside of work. Do you have any suggestions on how I could go about it?

**Meera:** (replying) That's great, Aarav! Why not casually invite her for coffee or a quick bite after work? Keep it light and friendly.

**Aarav:** (appreciating the advice) Sounds good, Meera. But, um, what if I wanted to, you know, get her number?

**Meera:** (teasingly) Ah, someone's smitten! No worries, just tell her you'd like to stay in touch and maybe exchange numbers for coordinating plans.

The next morning, Aarav found himself grappling with a mix of anticipation and nervousness about texting Alicia. Meera, noticing his hesitation, couldn't resist checking in on him.

**Meera:** (playfully) So, Aarav, did you make the move and text Alicia?

**Aarav:** (sheepishly) Well, not yet. I'm not sure what to say.

**Meera:** (encouragingly) Come on, Aarav! Just keep it simple. Maybe ask how her evening was and then smoothly transition into making plans.

Buoyed by Meera's guidance, Aarav decided to seize the moment. As he composed a text, carefully choosing his words, Alicia walked into the office, spreading warmth with her morning greetings.

**Alicia:** (smiling) Good morning, Aarav! Good morning, Meera!

Meera, sensing Aarav's nervous energy, seized the opportunity to playfully nudge him forward.

**Meera:** (grinning) Aarav here is having a bit of a morning dilemma. You know, the usual stuff.

Alicia, curious, turned her attention to Aarav.

**Alicia:** (teasingly) Morning dilemma? Everything alright, Aarav?

**Aarav:** (nervously) Oh, yeah, just... morning jitters, I guess.

Alicia, sensing Aarav's shyness, decided to lighten the mood.

**Alicia:** Well, don't let those jitters get the best of you. If you need a coffee to kickstart the day, I'm here.

Meera, smirking at Aarav, couldn't resist adding to the playful banter.

**Meera:** (teasingly) Or maybe a text message would do the trick.