Blueprints of Love

15. A Change in Perspective

The office buzzed with its usual energy when Rajat stepped through the doors, a familiar confidence radiating from him. He had missed this place—it's hustle, the lively chatter, and most importantly, Savi. As he made his way to his desk, he noticed a few curious glances thrown his way, employees whispering excitedly about his unexpected return.

Moments later, Savi entered the office, her attention diverted by a call on her phone. She looked up just as Rajat caught her eye, and time seemed to freeze. The air shifted, charged with an unspoken tension that neither could ignore.

"What are you doing here?" Savi asked, trying to sound nonchalant, though her heart raced at the sight of him.

"I cancelled my flight to Paris," Rajat replied, a hint of vulnerability creeping into his voice. "There's still a lot of work to do here, and honestly, I couldn't leave without checking in on you."

Savi raised an eyebrow, her facade of indifference holding firm. "Oh, really? That's unexpected."

"Unexpected good or unexpected bad?" he teased, trying to lighten the mood, but her expression remained inscrutable.

"Just unexpected," she repeated, shrugging as she turned away, walking to her desk. Inside, however, her heart soared at the thought of him choosing to stay, even if she wouldn't let it show.

Rajat watched her retreating figure, a mixture of relief and frustration washing over him. He couldn't help but feel a shift in the atmosphere between them. She was still guarded, but something felt different; perhaps it was the way she avoided looking at him, or the slight blush that crept onto her cheeks when their eyes met.

The days passed, and Rajat resumed his role at the firm, yet everything felt different. Savi found herself hyper-aware of his presence, noticing the little things she hadn't before: how he furrowed his brow in concentration, the way his fingers brushed through his hair when he was deep in thought, and how he effortlessly remembered her coffee order, even without her mentioning it.

"Black coffee, right?" he asked one afternoon as he approached her desk, holding a cup in his hand.

"Yeah, thanks," she replied, trying to sound casual, but the gesture warmed her heart. "How do you always remember?"

"I have my ways," he said, winking at her. The playful banter felt like a breath of fresh air, yet Savi struggled to fully engage, knowing how vulnerable she felt.

One evening, the office was quiet as they worked late, the fluorescent lights casting a soft glow around them. Savi was engrossed in her work when she felt a gentle touch on her arm. It was Rajat, his fingers brushing against her skin, sending an electric jolt through her. The moment froze in time as she looked up into his eyes, the world around them fading away.

"Are you okay?" he asked, concerned about etching his features.

"I'm fine," Savi replied too quickly, her voice barely above a whisper. Yet, everything in her screamed to lean into him, to allow the moment to stretch into something more.

But fear gripped her heart, and she turned away, breaking the connection between them. Rajat watched her retreat, confusion mingling with desire in his gaze. If he truly wanted Savi, he knew he would have to fight for her trust.

"Hey, Savi," he called, his voice steady but filled with urgency. "Can we talk?"

She hesitated, glancing back at him, her heart racing. "About what?"

"About us," he replied, stepping closer, his voice dropping to a softer tone. "I know things have been... complicated. But I want to understand where you stand."

Savi felt her pulse quicken. "I don't know what you mean, Rajat."

"Come on," he said, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips, attempting to lighten the mood. "You're not that good at pretending."

"Pretending?" she echoed, narrowing her eyes. "I'm not pretending anything."

"Sure," he replied, leaning against her desk, a playful smirk on his face. "It's just that every time I'm near you, you either ignore me or act like you're annoyed."

"Maybe I am annoyed," she shot back, crossing her arms defensively.

"Annoyed, or maybe you're just scared?" he challenged, leaning in slightly. "I think there's more to you than meets the eye, Savi."

His words hung in the air, and for a moment, she considered letting her guard down. But then the weight of her fears crashed down upon her, and she couldn't bring herself to respond.

"Rajat," she started, taking a deep breath to gather her thoughts. "I just... I don't want to go through the same pain again. You have no idea how hard it's been."

Rajat's expression softened, sensing the vulnerability in her voice. "I get that. But avoiding me won't change anything. I'm here, and I want to be here for you."

She looked at him, caught between her desire to let him in and the fear of getting hurt again. "You don't understand."

"Then help me understand," he urged, his gaze unwavering. "I'm not the same person I was in college, and I know you're not either. We can't keep pretending like we're okay."

"I don't want to drag you into my mess," she confessed, feeling the walls she had built around her heart begin to crack. "I've spent years building my life around what I thought was best for me. I don't know if I can just—"

"Just what?" he interrupted gently. "Let me in? Savi, it's okay to let someone help you. It doesn't make you weak; it makes you human."

Silence enveloped them as Savi searched his eyes for sincerity, for a glimpse of the boy she once knew and the man he had become. Her heart waged a silent battle, but the fear of being vulnerable felt overwhelming.

"I need time," she finally said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Rajat nodded, his expression shifting from disappointment to understanding. "I can respect that. But just know that I'm not going anywhere. I'm willing to fight for you, even if it takes time."

Savi held his gaze, feeling the warmth of his words seep into her guarded heart. For the first time, she felt a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos. Perhaps there was a chance to redefine their relationship, to explore the possibilities that lay ahead, even if it meant confronting her deepest fears.

As the evening wore on, Savi immersed herself in her work, yet her mind was filled with Rajat. The weight of their conversation lingered in the air, igniting something within her that she hadn't felt in years.

She glanced over at him, watching as he focused intently on his own tasks, the faintest smile playing at the corners of his lips. And for the first time, she allowed herself to imagine what it might be like to lean into the warmth he offered, to take the leap into the unknown.

But for now, she would take it one day at a time, letting the gradual shift in their dynamic guide her heart. The journey ahead was still uncertain, but with Rajat by her side, she felt ready to embrace whatever came next.

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