Echoes of Us

Chapter 8:Unexpected Invitations

**Saturday Morning:**Zeel woke up with a sense of anticipation she hadn't felt in a long time. The sunlight streamed through her curtains, casting a warm glow over her room. As she sat up in bed, she couldn't shake the thoughts of the dinner planned for the evening. Reaching for her phone, she quickly dialed Jesna's number. After a couple of rings, Jesna answered with her usual cheerful tone, "Good morning, Zeel! What's up?"

Zeel hesitated for a moment, then said, "Hey, can you cancel all my plans for today?"

Jesna sounded surprised. "Cancel everything? Why, what's going on?"T

aking a deep breath, Zeel replied, "I have a dinner tonight. It's with Shivang."

There was a brief silence on the other end before Jesna spoke again, her voice laced with curiosity. "Shivang? As in *the* Shivang? Do you... find him attractive or something?"Zeel laughed, though it felt a bit forced. "No, nothing like that. I think it's just something related to business, I suppose."

Jesna's tone turned teasing. "Uh-huh, business, sure. Just be careful, okay?"

Zeel rolled her eyes, though a small smile played on her lips. "Don't worry, Jesna. I'll be fine."

**Evening:**

As the evening approached, Zeel found herself standing in front of her closet, meticulously picking out an outfit. She finally settled on a sleek black bodycon dress that hugged her figure perfectly. She paired it with her best heels, a pair of elegant black stilettos that added to her height and confidence.

She had just finished getting ready when she heard the unmistakable sound of a car pulling up outside. Peering through the window, she saw a sleek Ferrari idling at the curb. The window rolled down to reveal Shivang, his charismatic smile instantly recognizable.

Gathering her things, she took one last look in the mirror before heading out. As she slid into the passenger seat, she couldn't help but notice how at ease Shivang seemed behind the wheel.

The moment she settled in, her phone buzzed. It was a call from Krish.

"Hey, where are you?" Krish's voice was calm but laced with concern.

Zeel hesitated, glancing at Shivang out of the corner of her eye. "I'm at a business dinner, Krish. I'll talk to you later, okay?"

Krish's response was delayed, as if he was processing her words. "Alright. Have a good evening."

She ended the call and slipped her phone back into her bag, her heart beating a little faster. Shivang raised an eyebrow but didn't comment, instead focusing on the road as they drove to the restaurant.

**At the Dinner:**

The restaurant was dimly lit, with an ambiance that was both intimate and elegant. As they sat down, Zeel initially expected the conversation to revolve around work, but Shivang quickly steered it in a different direction.

"So, Zeel, what's your relationship status these days?" Shivang asked, his tone casual but with a hint of curiosity.Zeel was caught off guard, a small giggle escaping her lips. "You're really asking me that?"Shivang grinned, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "I'm just curious. You're one of the most talked-about artists out there."

Zeel found herself relaxing, the conversation flowing more easily than she anticipated. As they talked, their feet occasionally brushed under the table, adding a subtle tension to the air.

Eventually, the topic shifted to something that had been bothering Zeel for a while. She leaned forward slightly, her eyes narrowing playfully. "You know, I heard you once called singers 'non-professionals.' Is that true?"

Shivang chuckled, realizing where this was heading. "Ah, so that's why you've been giving me the cold shoulder."

Zeel nodded, her curiosity piqued. "So, what's the story?"

Shivang's smile softened, and he leaned back in his chair. "It was a misunderstanding. I was talking about a specific situation, not singers in general. But somehow, it got blown out of proportion."

Zeel considered his words, slowly nodding as she realized that maybe her animosity towards him had been misplaced. "I guess that makes sense."

Their conversation was interrupted by the sudden flash of cameras. Turning towards the source, they spotted paparazzi discreetly taking pictures of them from across the restaurant. Shivang sighed, a resigned look on his face. "Looks like we've been spotted."

Zeel couldn't help but smile, a mix of exasperation and amusement. "Well, there goes our quiet dinner."

**Krish's POV:**

Back at his apartment, Krish couldn't shake the feeling of unease. He had called Jesna earlier, hoping to surprise Zeel with some plans of his own, only to find out she had canceled everything. When Zeel had mentioned a business dinner, he knew she wasn't being truthful.

The realization stung more than he expected. Sitting alone in his living room, he replayed their conversation in his head, feeling a mix of sadness and frustration. He tried to focus on other things, but his mind kept drifting back to Zeel, wondering what she was really doing and with whom.

**Back to Zeel and Shivang:**

Despite the intrusion of the paparazzi, the rest of their dinner went smoothly. Zeel found herself enjoying Shivang's company more than she anticipated. As they wrapped up their meal, she couldn't help but feel a strange sense of clarity.

As they stepped outside, the night air was cool and refreshing. Shivang opened the car door for her, and she slid into the passenger seat, her mind still processing the evening's events. Despite her initial reservations, she realized she didn't mind spending time with Shivang. There was something about him that intrigued her, a side of him she hadn't seen before.

As they drove away, the flash of cameras followed them, but Zeel felt strangely unbothered. The misunderstanding that had fueled her dislike for Shivang had been cleared up, and though she wasn't ready to admit it, she found herself looking forward to their next encounter.