Blueprints of Love

11. Missed Opportunities

Savi paced her apartment, her thoughts racing as she replayed the conversation with Rajat over and over in her mind. Each time, it felt like a different knife twisting in her gut. She had never been the type to hold back, but somehow, in front of him, words escaped her. How had they gone from playful banter to this suffocating silence?

Every time she thought of Rajat's casual announcement about leaving, a fresh wave of anger and hurt washed over her. She couldn't believe he had the audacity to drop such a bombshell. Just when she felt like they were making progress, he was preparing to walk away. This is why I didn't want to get involved, she thought bitterly. He's just another distraction.

Yet, even as she fought against her feelings, she couldn't deny the little flutter in her chest whenever she thought of him. The way his laughter would fill a room, the charming ease with which he navigated conversations, and, of course, the undeniable chemistry that hung in the air whenever they were near each other. Savi felt foolish for letting it affect her this way.

Determined to confront him about his sudden decision to leave, Savi found herself at the office earlier than usual the next day. She rehearsed her lines, psyching herself up for the inevitable confrontation. Just be honest, she told herself. This is your chance to find out what's really going on.

As she entered the lounge, she spotted Rajat seated at a table, engrossed in his laptop. His brow furrowed in concentration, he looked almost too engrossed in his work to notice her at first. She hesitated for a moment, her resolve wavering. But she knew she had to do this.

"Rajat," she called, her voice a mix of resolve and uncertainty.

He looked up, surprise flickering across his features. "Savi," he replied, a hint of warmth breaking through his otherwise composed demeanor.

"Can we talk?" she asked, crossing her arms to steady herself against the rising tide of emotions.

"Sure," he said, gesturing to the seat across from him. "What's on your mind?"

Savi took a deep breath and sat down, her heart racing as she prepared to dive into the deep end. "I've noticed you've been... distant lately."

Rajat's gaze sharpened. "Distant?"

"Yes, distant!" she exclaimed, unable to keep the frustration from her voice. "You've been treating me like I'm just another colleague instead of... well, you know, whatever this is between us."

Rajat raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in his eyes. "Whatever this is?"

"Stop dodging the question, Rajat," she snapped. "Are you just going to ignore everything that happened between us?"

"I'm not ignoring it," he replied calmly, leaning back in his chair. "I thought maybe it was what you wanted."

"What do you mean?"

"I thought you needed some space," he said, his tone casual. "I figured if I stepped back, you'd have the chance to think things over."

"Think things over?" she echoed, incredulously. "You mean think about you leaving?"

"Maybe."

Savi's heart sank as she heard the finality in his tone. "So you really are leaving?" she asked, her voice softer now.

"I have to," he replied. "There's work waiting for me back in Paris. I was only here for this project."

"But just when things were starting to change between us, you're just going to walk away?" she questioned, hurt creeping into her voice.

"Maybe it's for the best," he said, shrugging as if he were discussing the weather rather than their relationship. "I thought you wanted a professional relationship. Isn't that what you said?"