THE IInd DECISION

37. A birthday to forget

Ashi Pov:-

I rushed into the bathroom, my heart racing so fast I could feel it pounding against my chest. My hand instinctively pressed over my heart as I took deep, shaky breaths, trying to calm myself down. I stepped in front of the mirror, and when I caught my reflection, I almost didn't recognize the girl staring back at me. My cheeks were flushed a deep shade of red, my lips slightly swollen and smudged from our kiss.

Our kiss.

Oh my God, we kissed. My first kiss. I blinked at my reflection, the realization hitting me hard. I kissed him first, didn't I? Or... no, wait, he kissed me. But I didn't stop him. My hand flew to my mouth, brushing over my lips as the memory of his lips on mine replayed in my mind. The way his lips moved, the taste of him, the way my stomach was doing somersaults just thinking about it—it all felt surreal. Butterflies fluttered wildly inside me, making it impossible to stand still.

But then my eyes fell on my office ID card, still hanging around my neck. I hadn't even changed out of my work clothes. The weight of the card felt heavier than usual as reality crashed back into me. I remembered the contract. My goals. Why I was here.

No, Ashi. You can't do this.

What we did... it didn't mean anything. It couldn't. I couldn't let my guard down like this. I had a mission. A purpose. My mind kept telling me to forget it, to pretend it never happened. I needed to stay focused, needed to keep my distance, to remember that this was all just a business arrangement.

But then his words echoed in my mind: "We would never do anything you didn't approve of."

Why did we even have to do anything like this? Why did it have to get so complicated? I clutched the edge of the sink, leaning forward as if the weight of those thoughts was too heavy to bear. It didn't make sense. Was it the moment? The closeness? Did wearing that saree really change something? Was this all because of that?

"You'll only wear it in front of me."

Ugh, he's crazy! Completely crazy! What am I even doing, thinking like this? This man, this oldie—he's driving me mad! I can't believe I'm even entertaining these thoughts. I'll go insane if I stay with him any longer!

But then, my thoughts drifted back to the kiss. My first kiss. I blinked at myself in the mirror again, and despite everything, a giggle escaped my lips. I clamped my hand over my mouth, trying to stop the laughter bubbling up, but it was no use. I was giggling like a schoolgirl, giddy and overwhelmed, my heart racing and my stomach flipping in the best way possible.

I pressed my hand over my chest, feeling the wild thrum of my heartbeat beneath my palm. My first kiss. With him. And despite all my inner turmoil, I couldn't help but smile like an idiot.

Ayan Pov:-

I threw on a T-shirt and stormed out of the room, heading straight for the study. My mind was a chaotic mess, each step heavy with frustration. How did I let this happen? What the hell am I doing? She's driving me insane.  I crossed a line I swore I'd never cross. Teasing her was one thing. That was fine. I could handle the teasing, maybe even enjoy it a little. But kissing her? Crossing that line? What the hell was I thinking? My heart raced as guilt twisted in my chest, a painful reminder of everything I had tried to bury.

Navya.

Her name hit me like a punch to the gut. I ran a hand through my hair, gripping the strands tightly, trying to shake the thought. I can't betray Navya. Not again. Not in this way. I can't let myself fall for Ashi—she doesn't deserve that. She doesn't deserve the same fate as Navya. I can't let her get snatched away from me too.