ADHURI KAHANI: A tale of an amnesic bond

35. DROWNING IN JEALOUSY

INAAYA'S POV

Laughter echoed through the basketball court as the opposing team scored, the ball swishing through the net with ease. I joined in with the applause, clapping for the team's effort, a genuine smile lighting up my face. I wasn't particularly rooting for any team-after all, everyone on the court was a colleague-but I couldn't help feeling a little more biased toward Raghav's team.

"Which team do you think will win?" Tanvi asked, sitting beside me.

"I have no idea. I don't even know the rules," I answered with a laugh.

Ishaan sir had arranged a recreational day for the entire team as a way to unwind after the grueling efforts poured into the magazine's release. Everyone had worked tirelessly, day and night, so he wanted to give them a well-deserved break. He booked a basketball court for us to enjoy various games, followed by a group lunch. It was a thoughtful gesture, and everyone readily agreed-they definitely needed and earned this downtime after the hectic month they'd been through. Though sir himself wasn't participating, opting instead to sit back and watch. I mean he is the CEO so its understandable

The opposing team scored a point, and I clapped for them out of fairness. But when my eyes met Raghav's, I couldn't help but notice the disappointment etched on his face, his lips forming a small pout. I smiled reassuringly, silently telling him it was just a game. As the match came to an end, with Raghav's team losing, he walked over and sat beside me, still catching his breath, drenched in sweat. Without a word, I handed him the water bottle in my hands.

"Thanks didi"

ISHAAN'S POV

The basketball game had ended a few minutes ago, but I barely noticed. My attention had been elsewhere-on her, sitting in the front row. Beside her sat Raghav. I'd been watching them closely, observing every little interaction. From their body language, it was clear there was nothing romantic between them. Raghav was new to the company, and I'd only spoken to him a few times. He seemed like a good guy, friendly enough. But knowing that didn't stop the jealousy gnawing at me. I wasn't jealous because he was sitting next to her or because they had this easygoing, semi-formal rapport. I was jealous because he could be near her in a way that I couldn't, and I hated that.

Curiosity stirred within me as I watched Inaaya stand up. She did a little hop, her smile wide and playful-it was... cute. A smile tugged at my lips just seeing her like that, her side profile perfectly visible to me. But a question lingered-was she about to join a game? So far, she had played in the kabaddi match earlier but had sat out during the basketball game. Now, it seemed she was about to participate in something else, and I couldn't help but wonder what it would be. Then I saw Raghav standing up alongside her, and an unsettling feeling crept in. Something about it didn't sit right with me.

Men and women were standing alternately at one end of the basketball court, paired up for the next game. Raghav stood beside Inaaya, and I immediately noticed the towels being handed to the men. I knew exactly what game this was-three-legged race. The rules were simple: tie one leg of the man and one leg of the woman together, then race toward the finish line. My eyes followed Raghav as he bent down to tie their legs together, but I couldn't focus on the instructions being announced.

All my attention was on Inaaya-especially the moment Raghav's hand casually slipped over her shoulder. I almost shot out of my seat. The relaxing posture I had earlier was long gone. My back was rigid, eyes fixed on her and... his hands.

Jealousy hit me like a slow-burning fire, creeping through my chest and tightening my throat. It wasn't just the casual touch of Raghav's hand over her shoulder, though that alone sent an uncomfortable jolt through me. It was the ease with which he stood beside her, the way they looked like a natural pair, laughing and smiling without any of the distance or awkwardness that I always seemed to feel around her.