𝐆𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐒𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐬

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 25

The office buzzed with a quiet intensity as Aditya, Divyansh, and Ayush worked furiously, their fingers flying across keyboards. 

Their focus was palpable, the weight of deadlines looming over them. Around them, the others drifted in and out of conversation, occasionally throwing in a hand but mostly letting the trio carry the load.

Gaurav, leaning back in his chair after a break, turned to Saad, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "So, Saad, when exactly did you meet Aisha? As far as I remember, you weren't really around until her 12th grade."

Saad tilted his head, a slight smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Oh, that's because I met her in Delhi, right before she started college. She was doing part-time work at a café. I used to visit that place almost every day to work." 

He paused for effect, glancing around as everyone listened. "One day, I was stuck on some code—something really tricky. She noticed me struggling and, without saying a word, grabbed my laptop and cracked it like it was nothing. That's how we clicked. After that, I helped guide her until she could handle it all herself."

The others nodded, impressed, but Saad inwardly exhaled, thankful their cover story held up. Good thing Aisha and I cooked up this fake backstory. No way we can let them know how we really met.

Just as Saad settled back into his chair, the door swung open, and Vikram stepped in, looking surprisingly... nervous? 

"I'm heading to the hospital," he said, voice a little lower than usual. "Veer called Aisha there, and I just... you know, I want to spend some time with her."

Arjun, glancing up from his papers, raised an eyebrow but didn't ask further. "Alright, go ahead."

Before Vikram could leave, Rivaan, who had been leaning against the window, stood up and nonchalantly added, "I'll go with you."

The temperature in the room seemed to drop instantly. Everyone froze, and a chorus of voices—Saad and all the brothers—rang out in perfect unison, "No."

Vikram's lips twitched into a knowing smirk, amused by the sudden tension. Rivaan, on the other hand, scowled in annoyance.

Saad, keeping his cool, leaned forward, his voice deceptively light. "Mr. Malhotra, I think you and I have some... unfinished business to discuss." The edge in his tone didn't go unnoticed.

Divyansh, Aditya, and Ayush exchanged quick glances, trying—and failing—to suppress their laughter. 

Vikram, enjoying the drama a little too much, gave Rivaan a light pat on the shoulder as he headed out. "Guess you're staying here, buddy. Have fun with Saad."

Rivaan, scowling even more deeply, reluctantly dropped back into his chair, shooting a death glare in Saad's direction. Meanwhile, Saad's grin widened, clearly enjoying this small victory.