Memory's Mirage

24. INCHES APART - FAKE AND REAL

After a long, exhausting ride from Lonavala, the marketing team, along with Ekansh and Adrija, finally reached the Terence Corporation office building in Mumbai. The bus rolled to a slow stop at the same point from where they had departed three days ago. It was now around 8:45 AM, and the entire team was visibly drained from the trip. As they all gathered their bags and prepared to head home, one of the senior executives stood up and addressed the group.

"Alright, everyone. You can take the day off today," he announced, glancing at his watch. "Except for Adrija, Meher, Ravi and Akshat—The marketing team heads - Ranvijay sir and Ekansh sir have scheduled a short meeting in the afternoon. It should be no more than an hour or two. Make sure the presentation is ready by then. The rest of you, enjoy your day off."

A quiet murmur of relief and satisfaction rippled through the crowd as they dispersed. The bus doors swung open, and people began stepping out, eager to return home. Amidst the commotion, Adrija noticed Ekansh standing a little away, glancing around as if he were waiting for something—or someone. She hesitated for a moment before making her way towards him.

As the rest of the team trickled away leaving the previously bustling parking area almost empty, Adrija approached Ekansh, who was trying his best to avoid eye contact, nervously running his fingers through his hair. She was confused by his sudden discomfort, but she had her own thoughts clouding her mind. Something had been bothering her ever since that night—the night she saved him from those thugs.

"Ekansh," she called out softly, still unsure of how to approach the conversation. "Is it okay if I come with you to the villa?"

Ekansh's heart skipped a beat at her request and he glanced at her in surprise. Why was he feeling so tense around her now? Was it because he couldn't focus when she was around? His mind raced with thoughts. How will I focus on driving with her next to me? He internally panicked but managed to keep his composure, though barely.

But before he could respond, Adrija's small voice chimed again, "Please?" she added, a tiny, playful pout forming on her lips, and that nearly softened him on the spot.

That single word, laced with innocence, was enough to melt Ekansh's resolve. He sighed inwardly. God, how can I say no to that? he thought, his nerves shot through with warmth. "Uh, yeah... sure," he mumbled, not quite meeting her eyes, attempting to sound casual, though his heartbeat quickened.

Before long, they were both seated in Ekansh's car, the air between them thick with unsaid emotions and awkward tension. Ekansh, desperate to keep his cool, focused intently on the road ahead, gripping the steering wheel tighter than necessary. He was trying everything possible to avoid conversation. His hands tapped on the steering wheel, his gaze remained fixed on the rearview mirror, and he kept fiddling with the air conditioning controls. Anything to appear busy.

Adrija, on the other hand, was lost in her thoughts. She needed to figure something out—something important. Over the last few days, she had convinced herself she was a psychopath, and according to the articles she had read online, psychopaths could be attracted to people, but only for selfish reasons. So, why did she feel so drawn to Ekansh? Was it guilt because she almost got caught in her own web of lies, or was there something else? But then why had she risked herself to save him from the thugs?

Her mind went back to the night when she was supposed to kill someone but ended up saving Ekansh instead. Looks like I am really bad at being a psychopath at this point, she thought, scolding herself inwardly. A faint smile tugged at her lips as she remembered the absurdity of the situation. She couldn't even follow through on a plan like a proper psychopath. She glanced sideways at Ekansh, who was entirely focused on the road, and her mind went haywire with more bizarre thoughts. Why is he so nervous? Is he also scared of me? Am I intimidating?