ADHURI KAHANI: A tale of an amnesic bond

33. SURPRISE SURPRISE!

ISHAAN'S POV

Usually, ideas flow through my mind like a river, effortlessly. It's been like this ever since I took over the company, and even back in college, I never struggled with brainstorming strategies or finding ways to execute them. But now, when I promised myself I'd pursue her-really pursue her-things feel different. I meant it when I made that promise, but before anything else, I need to start by apologizing for my reckless behavior. She deserves that. I need her to know that I'm ashamed of how I acted. But the truth is, I have no idea how to approach it.

How do I tell her I'm sorry? Do I just walk up and say it? Do I ease into it, or should I lay it all out in the open? For once, I'm completely at a loss. I want to make things right between us, especially now that the magazine release is finally behind me. I have space to breathe and focus, and the only thing I want to focus on is taking a step toward Inaaya. But the question gnawing at me is... how?

A knock on the door snapped me out of the thoughts that had been consuming me since the magazine's release yesterday. Straightening up in my chair, I called out for whoever was on the other side to come in.

"Come in"

I heard the click of heels against the floor, and when I looked up, I saw Tanvi entering the room. The tension in my body eased, and my stoic expression softened into one of curiosity. I leaned back in my chair, my posture now more relaxed. Given that it was lunchtime, it seemed unlikely she was here to discuss business. As she walked closer, I could clearly see her face, and it confirmed my suspicion-she definitely wasn't here to talk about work.

"Did you have your lunch?" she asked while taking the seat opposite me.

"Yes, just now. Do you need anything from me?" I asked.

"As you know, I'll be leaving India soon. But before that, I want to do something."

I raised an eyebrow in confusion. Do what?

"What do you want to do?"

"Today is Inaaya's birthday. I want to give her a little surprise birthday party," she said.

It's her birthday today? How did I not know? Then again, I've never really asked her anything outside of work. Most of our conversations have been strictly business-related.

"What are you thinking?" Tanvi asked again.

"Nothing. I mean, yes, you can do that. Why are you asking me?" I said, trying to sound nonchalant.

"It's on the rooftop of this building. And since you're the CEO, that's why I'm asking you," she smirked.

Her smirk left me confused. Did she figure something out? I tried my best to play it cool, acting as if I had nothing to do with Inaaya's birthday, like it didn't matter to me at all. But the truth couldn't be further from that.

"What?" I questioned.

Her smirk widened.

"I saw you the day before yesterday in the cafeteria," she chuckled.

"You probably think you're good at masking your emotions and hiding what you're thinking, but let me tell you, your expression gave it all away. Anyone could see you were jealous, Ishaan Shekhawat."

Damn it. Was I that easy to read? That transparent? Considering both of my friends already know what I feel for Inaaya, and with Tanvi being Shivyansh's wife and my friend, it was only a matter of time before she found out too. There's no point in hiding it anymore. I've already decided to take the first step, so I might as well use this opportunity to actually do it.

"Can i join the birthday party?"

INAAYA'S POV