Kshitij got Kritika [Completed✓]

CHAPTER ~ 9

POV :~ KRITIKA

Fifteen days had passed since I arrived in Gwalior, and life had settled into a routine. My office was a bustling place, full of creative energy and the constant hum of activity. I immersed myself in my work, trying to push aside the growing silence from Kshitij. Yes, silence !!

I sat at my desk, surrounded by sketches and swatches of fabric. My current project was a redesign of a historical hotel lobby, and it was both challenging and exciting. The client wanted to blend modern amenities with the heritage aesthetic of the place, and I was determined to make it perfect.

“Hey, Kritika, do you have a moment?” Raj, my colleague and project partner, poked his head into my cubicle.

“Sure, Raj. What’s up?” I replied, looking up from my sketches.

“I need your opinion on these color palettes for the lobby,” he said, spreading out several options on the desk.

I examined the palettes carefully. “I think this one,” I pointed to a selection of warm, earthy tones, “would complement the existing architecture and give the space a welcoming feel.”

Raj nodded thoughtfully. “I agree. You’ve got a good eye for these things.”

“Thanks, Raj. Let’s go with this one then,” I said, smiling.

Raj left to implement the changes,and I glanced at my phone. There were no new messages from Kshitij. And yeah, I've been checking my phone in the same way like a creep after and after again since last fifteen days.

He hadn’t called or texted in the last fifteen days. I tried not to let it bother me, but the silence weighed heavily on my heart. I really don't know why.

Shaking off the thought, I focused back on my work. I was sketching a mural idea for the lobby when my phone buzzed. It was my mother. We talked every day, and she always filled me in on the wedding preparations and how wonderful Kshitij’s family was. Despite everything, her updates were a source of comfort and kept me grounded.

Atleast I knew my mother is happy.

Drawing always calmed me, and I lost myself in the details of the design. Hours passed, and before I knew it, the office was quiet as everyone had left for the day.

I stood up, stretching my tired muscles, and saw Divya, my roommate, waiting by my desk. Over the past fifteen days, she had become a good friend, always ready with a smile or a word of encouragement. Divya’s presence had been a blessing. She made this new city feel a little more like home.

We walked out of the office together, while Divya chatted about her day, her enthusiasm was always infectious. I tried to match her energy, but my thoughts kept drifting back to Kshitij and his inexplicable silence.

Despite my worries, I had a project to complete and a lot to prove, both to myself and to those who doubted me.

We reached the street near our hostel, the evening lights casting a soft glow on the bustling city. As we walked, I found myself lost in thought again, wondering what Kshitij was doing and why he hadn't reached out. Just as we were nearing the hostel, my phone buzzed in my pocket.

I pulled it out, and my heart skipped a beat when I saw Kshitij’s name flashing on the screen.

He was calling me.

For a moment, I stared at the screen, a mix of relief and anxiety washing over me. I took a deep breath and answered the call, my voice trembling slightly.

“Kritika,” Kshitij’s voice came through the line, sounding as distant as ever.

“Kshitij,” I replied, my emotions swirling as I waited for whatever he had to say.