"A collision of rough souls"

CHAPTER 13

*AT KASHYAP MANSION*
*at night*

(Hrihaan lies in bed, the dim light of the bedside lamp casting a soft glow across the room. He stares at the ceiling, his mind racing with thoughts of hiya. The events of the past few days play out in his head)

(Hrihaan sits up, running a hand through his hair in frustration. He reaches for his phone on the nightstand, scrolling through his messages. His fingers hover over hiya's contact, contemplating whether to text her, but he hesitates)

Hrihaan (thinking): Why is this so complicated? I never expected to feel this way. She’s strong, fierce, and… she makes me feel things I haven't felt in a long time.

(He puts his phone down, leaning back against the headboard, and closes his eyes. Images of hiya's worried expression, her teary eyes from that night,  flash through his mind)

Hrihaan (thinking): She thought she made me uncomfortable. How could she not see that I care about her so much? I need to show her that I’m here, that I’m not going anywhere.

(He gets up and walks over to the window, looking out..)

Hrihaan (thinking): I can’t let her feel like that again. I need to be there for her, to support her.

(He turns away from the window, pacing the room. The memories of their interactions, the way she looked at him, and the way she clutched his shirt during her nightmare come rushing back)

Hrihaan (thinking): I need to talk to her, to make her understand that she means more to me than just a business partner or a friend. I need to be honest with her about how I feel.

(With renewed determination, hrihaan grabs his phone again, typing out a message)

Hrihaan (texting): hiya, I know it's late, but I need to talk to you. Can we meet tomorrow? There's something important I need to say.

(He sends the message, hoping she’ll agree. He lies back down, staring at the ceiling once more)

Hrihaan (thinking): I’m not going to let her slip away. I’ll make sure she knows how much she means to me.

*Hiya's  apartment, late at night..*

(Hiya is sitting on her bed. She holds her phone to her ear, talking to anvi. Her voice is filled with a mix of frustration and confusion)

Hiya : anvi , you won’t believe what happened today.

Anvi : What is it, hiya? You sound upset. Did something happen with hrihaan?

(Hiya sighs deeply, running a hand through her hair)

Hiya : Yeah, it’s about hrihaan. After two days of not hearing from him, he suddenly shows up at office, waiting for me outside...

Anvi : wow, That’s surprising. What did he say?

Hiya : Nothing at first. I was so mad, I ignored him and went straight to my car. But he followed me, shouting my name. I drove off, and he chased me down, anvi. It was intense.

Anvi : He chased you? Oh my God, that sounds dramatic. What happened next?

(Hiya leans back against her pillows, recalling the heated exchange)

Hiya : He overtook my car and blocked my path, then dragged me out and started scolding me for driving recklessly. He was so angry, and then he hugged me, saying he was scared for me.

Anvi : Wow, that sounds... intense. How did you feel about it?

Hiya : I was so worried and angry at the same time. I thought he was upset with me because of that night when I freaked out. But he explained that he left early to give me space, not because he was uncomfortable.