Bound by Love ✓ (Completed)

Chapter 26

The girls came back to India after having a memorable trip. They bid goodbye to each other at the airport before going back to their home.

Piya reached her home and shared the Turkey memories and souvenirs with her family. She showed the photos and videos which they took throughout the trip. Her parents are glad to see her happy and smiling face.

Earlier, they were hesitant to send her to a foreign land but seeing her coming back fit and fine boost their confidence in her. They realized that their daughter is no longer a little child. She can take care of herself and the situations. Piya spent the Sunday sleeping and eating home-made food.

Monday Morning

Piya reaches the office along with the Turkey souvenirs for Simran, Ram, Atharv and Aryansh. These are the only people with whom she friends with though the last entry is surprising for herself.

Piya knocks and enters Aryansh cabin on his permission.

Good Morning, Sir

Morning Miss. Sharma

His cold voice drops cold water on her thoughts. Her happy face changes to a sad face. She thought that he might be happy seeing her at the office after a week but his stern voice off her mood and brought her to reality that she is just an employee who works in his company.

Do you have anything to say, Miss. Sharma?

He asks her while reading the file. Not for a single moment he raised his head to see her.

She doesn't have anything from her end to justify the reason for coming to his cabin. His behavior dropped her confidence of gifting him the souvenirs. She is not sure if he will appreciate her gesture or scold her for committing a mistake of wasting his time. She gather herself and utter the priceless words.

Sir, I.... I.... bou... bought something from Turkey

On her answer, Aryansh lifts his head and looks in her eyes. How much he is controlling himself to yell at her and hug her at the same time. He is angry at her for not sharing about the vacation trip.

Turkey? You went there? That's surprising. I don't know about that Miss. Sharma because no one cared to inform me.

Piya now understands the reason behind his stern tone. She figures out that her boss is angry at her for not telling him.

Sorryyy Sir

Pardon?

I'm sorry... I was in a hurry that I....

Oh yes, you were busy and didn't get time to send a message but not much busy to regularly post the stories on Insta, right?

She is now cursing herself for adding him to her friends list. It would have been better if she ignored his notification but he might know that from Atharv. That boy is a tattle-tale.

She is engrossed in her thoughts that she didn't notice him standing in front of her and invading her personal space.

Sorryyy

Yes

This is not the first time that they both are standing closer in this cabin. They clashed many times. He used to clutch her forearms and she clutched his suit lapel. His hand prints on her forearms stayed for days. It became their thing. There were very few days when he didn't fight with her. Each time his pressure on her forearms increased, she used to cry his name in pain making him bring her closer.

She raises her head and sees in his eyes to find the softness which appeared last weekend. Their moment breaks when his desk phone rings and by the time he finishes the call she leaves the cabin but not before placing her gifts.

Afternoon

Piya is working and sees a message notification on her phone from Aryansh. Her heart leaps in joy but she composes herself seeing the surroundings.

Aryansh - Can I drop you home today?

She thinks whether to agree or not. The weather is not good today because in the morning it is drizzling and they also need to talk about them.

In the office, they can't openly talk except in his cabin but now she moved out from there by the CEO so they don't have the privacy to have the conversation.

Piya - Sure, is 5 PM okay with you? Hope you don't have any meetings lined up at that time.

Aryansh - Yes, that sounds perfect!

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In the evening

Piya takes the passenger seat in Aryansh's car as he is waiting for her for the past couple of minutes. For some time, they both were silent. Piya's house is 40 minutes away from the office but Aryansh doesn't want her to leave early so after a long internal debate, he asked her,

Do you mind going for a coffee?

Yeah sure

Piya doesn't want to leave early as well so she immediately accepts his suggestion and they both go to a nearby café. They grab the coffee cups and come back to the car. Aryansh stops the car on an empty road near the garden as the rain starts heavily pouring along with the thunder. Driving the car in such a weather is very risky. They both messaged their home saying that they are struck due to the rain and will be reaching home a bit late.

While sipping the coffee, Aryansh asks her about the trip. She happily shares her experience except that chit incident and for that Aryansh is very happy. It would be awkward for him to hear bad words for himself if she abused her tormenter. She asks him, how week went for him.

He replied with one sentence "It was fine. Busy with work". She doesn't have any idea what work he was having and not sure if she would ever know.

Their coffee is over but rain and thunder didn't settle down a bit. He tries to play the radio but that is also not getting connected due to poor connection so he decides to shut it down and at the same time Piya also forwards her hand to shut it. Their hands touch and Aryansh softly holds her hand. Their eyes connect and lips stretch with a smile. He takes her hand and puts it on his lap while playing with her fingers. Car silence has no impact on their rising emotions.

Piya...

Hmmm

Aryansh leans on his seat with close eyes and whispers her name in heart while tightening his hold on her but when he hears her humming, he opens the eyes and turns her side.

He notice her shivering figure and dazy eyes which mirror with his. He moves towards her and cups her face with both hands and finally utters the words which his heart pines to tell.

I like you, Piya

Her eyes display different emotions from shock to relief and finally cloud with happy. She follows her heart and confesses him

I like you too, Aryansh

Their face beams with happiness and relief. They both accepted and confessed their feelings. He moves towards her and his eyes ask for permission which she gladly gives by placing a peck on his cheek. He places his lips on her cheek and savors her taste.