Closer Than Before | 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙩𝙚𝙙 ✅

Chapter 8: Did he mean it?

Radhika's POV:

It was finally lunchtime, and I needed a break. My head was still spinning from the conversation with Siya, and I wasn't sure how to feel about everything. I grabbed my lunch and was about to sit at an empty table when I heard someone call my name.

"Radhika!"

I turned to see Reyansh waving at me from across the cafeteria. He was sitting with two of our team members, Priya and Karan, and they were all smiling warmly at me.

"Come sit with us!" Reyansh called out, gesturing to an empty seat at their table.

I smiled back and started walking over, but I couldn't help scanning the room, searching for a familiar face—Samar. My heart did a little flip when I spotted him entering the cafeteria, his eyes scanning the room as well. For a second, I wondered if he was looking for me too.

I sat down with Reyansh and the others, trying to focus on their conversation, but my mind was elsewhere. We talked about work, weekend plans, and other random things. 

I glanced up and caught Samar walking toward our table. My stomach dropped when our eyes met, and for a moment, neither of us looked away. Then, with a neutral expression, he approached and sat down right beside me.

"Hey, guys," Samar greeted the table, his voice casual, but I could sense a tension there. His leg brushed mine under the table as he settled in, and I quickly shifted to create some space.

"Hey, Samar," Reyansh said with a smile. "We were just talking about our plans for the weekend. You up for some cricket on Saturday?"

Samar nodded, but I could feel his gaze flickering toward me every now and then. My pulse quickened, and I focused on my plate, trying to act normal.

At that moment, Reyansh leaned closer, pointing at something on my plate. "Radhika, you’ve got to try this," he said, his tone playful as he picked up a piece of food with his fork and held it out to me.

I laughed, feeling a little self-conscious, but took the bite he offered. "Not bad," I said, smiling at him.

I glanced at Samar, I noticed his jaw tighten, and he quickly looked away, his expression unreadable.

As lunch went on, I found it harder and harder to focus on the conversation at our table.

My thoughts kept drifting back to Samar, sitting so close yet feeling so distant. The playful exchange with Reyansh had felt innocent enough, but Samar’s reaction—or lack thereof—was gnawing at me.

Just then, a memory flashed in my mind, taking me back to our college days.

Samar and I were sitting on the rooftop of our college building, watching the sky change colors as the sun set. he suddenly turned to me, his expression unusually serious.

"Radhika," he began, his voice softer than usual, "you know, until I approve of a boyfriend for you, you’re only mine. Got it?"

I had rolled my eyes back then, trying to brush off the nervous flutter in my stomach. "And what if I never find someone you approve of?" I had teased, trying to keep it light.

He smirked, that familiar mischievous glint in his eyes. "Then I guess you’re stuck with me forever."

My heart had pounded in my chest, confused by the mix of emotions his words stirred up.

Did he mean it?

Or was it just another one of his playful comments?

I never asked, and he never clarified. We just moved on, like we always did.