Shiddat

Chapter 31

The office had finally quieted down, and as dusk wrapped the city in a soft embrace, Ananya felt the familiar lull of the evening settling in. The soft hum of distant traffic was a backdrop to the fading whispers of work that still lingered in the air.

Maya's gentle voice broke the silence, concern lacing her words. "Should I drop you home, Anu? It's getting late."

Ananya smiled, shaking her head. "Thanks, Maya, but my brother will pick me up. You go ahead."

Maya wrapped her in a quick hug, her Anarkali suit swaying gracefully as she stepped back, its soft fabric brushing against the floor. "Take care then! Don't stay too late."

With a final wave, Maya left, her footsteps fading into the evening.

Alone in the tranquil lobby, Ananya let the silence wash over her. She glanced out at the city, now bathed in the soft hues of twilight, the streetlights flickering to life like distant stars. Minutes ticked by, and with a small frown, she dialed her brother's number. When he answered, his voice was apologetic.

"Anu, I'm stuck at an offsite meeting. I'll send the driver to pick you up."

Ananya firmed her tone, trying to mask her disappointment. "Don't worry, Bhai. I'll manage on my own."

After ending the call, she opted for a cab and stepped outside into the cool evening air. The streets were nearly deserted, the distant hum of traffic a soothing lullaby. The sharp bite of the autumn breeze made her wrap her arms around herself for warmth.

Just as she glanced at her phone, a luxurious car glided to a stop beside her, its headlights cutting through the shadows. The window lowered, revealing Adiraj Rajput. His piercing eyes locked onto hers, a flicker of something unreadable passing between them.

"Ananya," he said, his voice smooth but insistent. "It's late. Let me drop you home."

Startled but composed, she replied politely, "Thank you, Mr. Rajput, but my cab will be here soon."

Adiraj's jaw tightened slightly, a flicker of tension creasing his brow. His voice softened, but there was an urgency behind it. "It's not safe this late. Let me ensure you get home safely."

A brief hesitation passed between them, his eyes never leaving hers. Ananya weighed her options. The streets were quiet, almost too quiet, and the idea of prolonging this awkwardness wasn't appealing. With a reluctant nod, she stepped into the car, feeling the sudden warmth from the luxurious interior.

As they drove through the city, the silence was palpable, the soft hum of the engine the only sound. Streetlights blurred into faint streaks of light, flickering like distant stars against the darkened sky. The tension between them felt like a tightly wound thread, each passing second only tightening it further.

Moments passed before she broke the silence. "Thank you for the ride, Mr. Rajput."

His gaze remained focused on the road, though his expression softened ever so slightly. "You can call me Adi, just like you did in college."

Ananya's heart fluttered for a brief moment at the familiarity, memories of a different time surfacing. But she steadied herself, her voice firm. "No, Mr. Rajput. I guess we're not that familiar anymore."

She sensed his gaze flicker toward her, a silent question lingering in the air. The road stretched on ahead, but the past seemed to close in around them.

After a moment, she sighed softly, breaking the heavy silence. "You want to ask me something."

Adiraj's grip tightened on the wheel, his knuckles whitening, a flicker of emotion crossing his features. When he finally turned toward her, his voice was low, almost hesitant. "Are you... really married?"