INNOCENCE : An Innocent Lovestory

Chapter : 9

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Ananya stood at the entrance of her office building. She glanced at Rihaan, who was beside her, taking in everything with wide, curious eyes. The towering glass facade, the revolving doors, the bustling lobby with people moving briskly to and fro - it was all new to him, a fresh adventure to explore.

Rihaan's gaze darted around, his eyes sparkling with curiosity and wonder. He lingered on the shiny floor tiles, the modern art pieces on the walls, and the digital screens displaying company news and stock prices. His innocent fascination with the world around him reminding Ananya of a kid on their first day at a new school.

"Rihaan," Ananya called softly, breaking his trance. She gestured for him to follow her, a warm smile on her face.

He responded immediately, his head snapping towards her voice. He hurried to her side, a boyish grin spreading across his face. Without hesitation, he reached out and held her hand, his grip firm and comforting, like a child holding onto his mother's hand for reassurance. Ananya felt a wave of affection wash over her. This simple gesture, though it was something he did instinctively, always touched her deeply.

Together, they made their way through the bustling lobby. Ananya led the way confidently, navigating through the crowd with ease. Rihaan stayed close, his eyes still darting around but never letting go of her hand. They reached the bank of elevators, and Ananya pressed the call button.

The elevator doors slid open with a soft ding, revealing an empty place. Ananya stepped inside first, guiding Rihaan in after her. He followed obediently, still clutching her hand, his curiosity now focused on the interior of the elevator. The polished metal walls, the buttons with their glowing numbers, and the mirrored ceiling that reflected their images back at them all seemed to captivate him.

As the elevator doors closed with a soft whoosh, Ananya felt Rihaan's grip on her hand tighten. She glanced at him and noticed his expression had shifted from curiosity to anxiety. His eyes darted around nervously, and he bit his lip, a habit he had when he was scared.

The elevator began its smooth ascent, and Rihaan's tension became palpable. Ananya squeezed his hand gently, hoping to offer some comfort, but she knew she needed to do more to distract him. She turned to face him fully, her voice soft and reassuring.

"Rihaan, do you remember the time I told you about the fun event I had at my school?" she began, her eyes locking onto his.

Rihaan's gaze shifted to her, the fear in his eyes giving way to curiosity. "No, tell me about it," he said, his voice a bit shaky but eager.

"Well," Ananya started, her tone light and animated, "it was during our annual sports day. I was in the fourth grade, and I was participating in the three-legged race with my best friend, Nisha. We had practiced for weeks, but on the day of the race, we were both so nervous."

Rihaan's eyes were now fixed on her, his anxiety slowly melting away as he listened intently. Ananya continued, painting a vivid picture with her words.

"We lined up at the starting line, our legs tied together with a bright red ribbon. The whistle blew, and we started hopping and laughing, trying to stay in sync. But halfway through the race, we tripped and fell into a big puddle of mud!"

Rihaan's eyes widened, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Really?" he asked, his voice filled with wonder.

"Yes!" Ananya laughed, remembering the moment fondly. "We were covered in mud from head to toe, but we couldn't stop laughing. The other teams ran past us, but we just sat there, giggling and splashing mud at each other. It was one of the best days ever."