Aarohi And Dev

CHAPTER 8

Dev POV

I ventured out to buy roses for my mother on the occasion of Women's Day, little did I know that I would stumble upon the woman of my dreams on the very same day.

As I perused the array of roses in the flower shop, the door swung open, heralding the entrance of a captivating figure. In the briefest of moments, she took my breath away. Her shoulder-length brown, wavy locks stirred something deep within me, while her mesmerizing black eyes seemed to hold the promise of paradise. Her lips, poised to bring forth my smiles, beckoned me closer, and her delicate nose evoked an inexplicable longing for her scent. I longed to trace the contours of her cheeks with my fingertips, and above all, I wished to see her face adorned with nothing but joy, devoid of any trace of tears. At that moment, amidst the roses, I knew I had found the embodiment of love itself.

As I observed her, I could see the enchantment in her eyes as she beheld the magnificent display of flowers. Each petal seemed to captivate her, igniting a spark of wonder within her gaze. As her slender fingers delicately traced the petals, I couldn't help but notice the subtle veins on the back of her hands, a detail that only added to her ethereal beauty. The mere thought of her touch sent a wave of longing coursing through me, but I quickly admonished myself for such thoughts. "Control, Dev!" I silently chastised, though deep down, I knew resisting her allure would be futile.

Despite my best efforts, I found myself unable to tear my gaze away from her. I longed to avert my eyes, fearing I might appear as a voyeur, but the magnetic pull of her presence held me captive. It was as if she held the very essence of my being in her hands, rendering me powerless to resist her spellbinding allure.

As she prepared to lift her gaze, I swiftly averted mine, determined to shield myself from the possibility of being caught in the act. In a moment of impulsive haste, I hastily seized two flowers within my reach, turning away from her and pretending to be engrossed in examining my chosen blooms.

Despite my inner turmoil, I couldn't bear the thought of missing even a moment of her presence. The fear of losing sight of her, of missing out on the chance to admire her beauty, outweighed any concerns of appearing inappropriate.

As she moved closer to me, her petite stature bringing her head to rest just below my chest, I couldn't help but feel a rush of emotions. With her proximity, the sound of her delicate breaths and the faint rustle of her movements seemed to fill the space around us. The mere thought of her being so close, close enough to hear the rhythm of my heartbeat, sent a shiver down my spine. I attempted to focus my attention on the flowers in my hand, but her presence was so overwhelming that it was impossible to ignore. Every fibre of my being longed to turn my gaze towards her, to lose myself in the warmth of her presence.

As the world continued its relentless march forward, she eventually made her selection and headed towards the counter. I yearned to steal one last glance, to imprint her image in my mind before she departed, but alas, the moment slipped away all too quickly. With a heavy heart, I watched as she left, a fleeting vision of beauty that I feared I would never see again.

"Sir, this note, the lady left for you," the florist said, handing me a small piece of paper with a gentle smile.

The lady? She left me a note. My mind raced with excitement and anticipation. Could it be that she felt a connection too? Perhaps she was leaving me her phone number? Every possibility filled me with a childlike sense of excitement, eager to unravel the mystery of the note.

Taking the note with trembling hands, I nodded to the florist as she departed, leaving me alone with my racing heart and the mystery held within the folded paper. With a mixture of nervousness and excitement, I carefully unfolded the note, my heart pounding wildly in my chest as I prepared to discover its contents.

As I read the note, my initial excitement gave way to a tinge of disappointment. However, as I absorbed its contents, a glimmer of hope began to flicker within me. Despite the unexpected twist, the mere fact that she had noticed me enough to leave a note filled me with a renewed sense of happiness. Perhaps, amidst the symbolism of roses, there lay a deeper message waiting to be deciphered.

I aimed to show interest without appearing inappropriate, uncertain if my feelings were genuine or simply fleeting. Would my advances be welcomed, or would they only serve to unsettle her?

Opting for lavender roses, symbolic of love at first sight, I chose to send her a bouquet containing 13 blooms, signifying the presence of a secret admirer.

I discreetly trailed behind her until she reached her doorstep, where I quietly left the bouquet, hoping it would bring a smile to her face when she discovered it.

As I observed her home, I tasked a few individuals working under me to gather information about the girl, hoping to learn more about her and perhaps find a way to connect with her further.

Seeking to divert my attention, I returned to my office, immersing myself in work to temporarily distract myself from thoughts of her.

Aman wasted no time in bombarding me with questions the moment I stepped into my office "Where were you, Dev? The meeting is starting in just a few minutes. Are you ready?"

I gave him a nod.

This is just how I am – reserved, speaking only when needed. Will she be okay with that? Does she prefer someone more outgoing?

Come on, Dev, focus! Don't let your mind wander. The meeting needs your attention right now.

Today's meeting agenda is to celebrate and commend our employees for their hard work, which has propelled us into the top 3 best companies in the country.

As I sat in my cabin post-meeting, Aman burst in with his usual gusto. Despite the apprehension others often showed around me, Aman's presence was a refreshing contrast. While he officially held the title of COO, his spirited nature made him feel more like a mischievous younger brother and close friend. Despite our differences, his carefree attitude never failed to lighten the mood.

"Now, spill it. Where were you this afternoon?" Aman began his detective routine. "Buying flowers for my mom," I replied, maintaining a poker face and focusing on my work. "And where are the flowers now?" he pressed on. "Forgot them," I said, subtly gesturing for him to leave my cabin.

"Fishy, fishy," he teased, with a playful smirk on his face.

"Quit the teenage antics," I retorted, my expression stern and unyielding.

"You weren't exactly setting the example of a responsible adult either, showing up late for our meeting," he quipped back, a hint of amusement in his tone.

To shift the conversation, I inquired, "Got a special someone in your life?"

"Don't tell me you were late because of a girl? Nah, that can't be it. You? Impotent, Right? Sorry, slipped my mind," he attempted to say with a straight face, failing to hide the hint of amusement in his voice.

"Well, at least I have better things to do than play detective in other people's personal lives," I shot back, unimpressed by his attempt at humour.

"When it comes to matters of the heart, remember this: men may break hearts, but women possess the power to shatter souls," he stated solemnly.

Aware of his troubled history, I chose to remain silent and simply nodded in understanding.

As I returned to my tasks, my phone buzzed moments later, drawing my attention away once again.

___________________________________________

How do you find Dev's character? Falling for him?

I must admit, men in love are truly a sight to behold.

If you're engrossed in the story, I'd deeply appreciate your support. Please take a moment to leave a vote and a comment. Your feedback is invaluable to me and fuels my passion for writing.