Mission Love

Fifteen

Recap: I agreed to fake date Ryan.

Oh God, my head feels like it's going to explode any second now.

After our ice cream break last night, we got back around midnight…I think.
But I couldn’t sleep. My brain wouldn’t shut up, buzzing like a broken radio stuck on static until the sun decided to slap my window awake.

I can't believe that I agreed to the absurdity.
Ryan and me.
I can't even imagine it.

On the other hand, I might've imagined too far with Naveen.
He was nice to everyone; I was the one who read too much into things.

And now, I’m nothing more than a zombie running on caffeine.

Even the sound of the glass door sliding open made my teeth clench.

"AISHA!!"

My heart jumped as the loud voice echoed down the hallway, drawing everyone's attention.

Oh God! That sounds like Naveen.

Not now. Please, not now.

I quickened my pace, practically sprinting through the office. Icy stares followed me like shadows.
If this keeps up, I’m going to lose it.

I rounded a corner, my office finally in sight, and let out a relieved sigh.

But wait a damn minute...

Why am I running again?
He’s the one in the wrong, not me.

I stopped, whipped around, and glared at Naveen. His eyes widened, and in his panic state, he threw his hands up to stop himself from crashing into me— Too late.

Smack!

I shrieked out loud from the impact.
Something—probably his elbow—hit me square in the face, and the next thing I knew, I was flat on the floor.

"Ow!" I groaned, clutching my face

"Aisha! I’m so sorry!" Naveen scrambled to help, his face a mess of guilt and panic.
"Oh God! Are you okay? I didn’t mean to—

"Do I look okay?!"I snapped, my voice muffled by the fact that I was still cradling my throbbing nose.

It'll bruise, badly.

He froze, looking like a deer caught in headlights, before offering me his hand. I glared at it for a second and pushed myself up, ignoring his help.

"What do you want now?"

"I... I wanted to explain,"he stammered, in a cracked voice.
His eyes darted around before he added softly, "About last night."

I crossed my arms, narrowing my eyes. "Explain? You ghosted me. What's there to explain?"

Naveen sighed, his shoulders slumped as he stuffed his hands into his jeans pockets.
"It wasn’t like that, Aisha. I had to help Emily... with work."

"Emily?" I scoffed. Of course.

I should’ve known. After all, they were inseparable at the office.

"She’s still learning," He blinked, taken aback by my tone and continued,
"And I-I had to step in. It's my role."

I glared at him. "You could’ve at least texted me, Naveen. Something. Anything."

"I know, and I’m sorry," he muttered, running his hand through his hair.
"I wasn’t trying to avoid you. I just got caught up."

"But you couldn’t bother to return my calls? I was worried, Naveen! Do you have any idea what went through my head? But, what did I know?" I scoffed, rolling my eyes.