ADHURI KAHANI: A tale of an amnesic bond

37. NEW OPPORTUNITY

ISHAAN'S POV

I exited the lift and walked toward my cabin, passing by Inaaya's empty desk. My eyes flicked to the button on my phone, checking the time-8:59. Perfect. Right on time.

As I reached my cabin door, I paused, glancing down at the plastic cup in my hand. A smile tugged at my lips. Butterscotch boba-for Inaaya. I had picked it up on the way, hoping to hand it to her myself, fresh. Inaaya was always punctual, rarely ever late, and I figured she'd arrive any second now. I waited, anticipation building. But as the minutes ticked by, a nagging feeling crept in. Ten minutes passed. Still nothing. No sign of her. My hand tightened slightly around the cup. Where is she?

I heard the familiar ding of the elevator and immediately straightened up, shoving my phone into my pocket and adjusting my tie, nearly choking myself in the process. This has to be her. Any second now.

A few moments passed, and no one appeared. I craned my neck, trying to catch a glimpse of who was coming down the hall. My heart sank as I saw a man with a broomstick approaching instead. A sigh of disappointment escaped my lips, heavier than I'd expected. The cleaner, noticing my expression, stopped in his tracks, looking almost unsure whether to keep moving or turn back. The dissatisfaction must have been written all over my face.

"Good morning sir. I am here to clean Madam's room", he said nervously

That's when it hit me-just how transparent I must've been for the cleaner to look that nervous. I quickly forced a tight-lipped smile, trying to mask my frustration, and nodded at him.

"Good morning."

I pushed open the door to my cabin and stepped inside, closing it behind me with a soft click. Setting the butterscotch boba down on the table, I sank into my chair, feeling both disappointed and embarrassed. Disappointed because it wasn't her who came, and embarrassed by how obvious my reaction must've been to the cleaner. I leaned back, running a hand through my hair. What was I even doing?

I glanced at the time again-9:39, and still no sign of her. She was never this late, and the only time she'd missed work, she'd let me know in advance because she'd been sick. My mind started running through possibilities, but I kept coming back to the thought that it was probably just traffic.

I heard the soft creak of a door opening, and my eyes immediately darted toward Inaaya's cabin, instinctively hoping it was her. But as I focused through the glass, it was the cleaner again, exiting the room. Frustration flared up inside me as I groaned under my breath.

This guy had fooled me twice now.

"Ughhh!!! WHEN is she arriving?!" I muttered to myself, growing more impatient by the second.

INAAYA'S POV

As I stepped out of the elevator, I quickly glanced at the time on my phone. Almost 10 a.m. Shit. I couldn't believe I had slept in. I thought I had finally kicked the habit of staying in bed too late, but clearly, I was wrong. Anxiety crept in as I realized just how late I was-an hour behind schedule and without even having prepped the day's agenda.

I could only imagine how Sir would react. If he was upset, I wouldn't blame him. One hour late, and no schedule to show for it? I was so dead.

I rushed into the cabin, barely taking a moment to breathe before setting my bag aside and quickly sitting down. The first thing I needed to do was make the day's schedule, but before I could even start up the computer, the landline on the right side of my desk rang.

I froze for a second, knowing exactly who it would be. My heart raced as I reached for the phone, mentally preparing myself for the inevitable frustration on the other end. Sir was definitely going to be angry, and I couldn't blame him. Taking a deep breath, I picked up the call.