THE IInd DECISION

44. chance we give 😏

Ashi Pov:-

"Give us a chance," Ayan's words echoed in my mind like a haunting melody, their weight tethering me to a fragile thread of hope. The room spun in slow motion until Riya burst in, her radiant smile cutting through my daze like sunlight piercing a dense fog.

Her excitement jolted me back to reality, and it was only then that I noticed the proximity between Ayan and me—close enough to feel the faint warmth of his breath. My gaze darted to the floor, my cheeks burning with a sudden self-awareness.

"Bhai!" Riya's voice carried an electric enthusiasm. "You've won CEO of the Year again! Mr. Mathur called me because you weren't answering."

Ayan's brow furrowed in confusion as he reached for his phone. Five missed calls glared at him from the screen.

"The ceremony's tonight at 9 PM!" Riya declared, practically bouncing on her toes. "I'm going shopping—you've made us so proud!" And just as quickly as she'd entered, she was gone, leaving behind a trail of infectious joy.

Silence hung in the air like an awkward third wheel. Ayan scratched the back of his head, his gaze flickering to me. "Be ready. We'll leave together," he murmured before turning on his heel and walking out, leaving me with nothing but my erratic heartbeat and the faint scent of his cologne.

The dinner table buzzed with the usual hum of family chatter. I was serving pulao to Maa, Riya, and Ayan when Riya's mischievous voice broke through the calm.

"Bhai, what are you wearing tonight? Please tell me it's not one of your boring suits," she teased, her eyes sparkling with playful reproach.

Before Ayan could respond, Maa interjected, her sharp gaze shifting to me. "Ashi, you're going too?"

My hand froze mid-air, my voice caught in my throat. Was I supposed to go? Ayan didn't seem to think it was a question. But Maa's tone, laced with subtle disapproval, planted seeds of doubt in my mind. The contract. The carefully concealed truth of our relationship.

Ayan, sensing the tension, pushed back his chair abruptly. "Excuse me," he muttered, leaving the table.

"Ayan!" I called after him, but Maa's stern voice silenced me. "What is this behavior?"

Exhausted and confused, I finished my meal in silence. After dinner, Maa cornered me. "Tell Ayan to meet me downstairs," she said, her tone leaving no room for argument.

I nodded and made my way upstairs. My steps faltered as I pushed open the door to our room, my breath hitching at the sight before me.

There he was, standing by the mirror, his broad shoulders filling out a perfectly tailored black blazer, a crisp white shirt peeking out beneath. His black trousers accentuated his tall, lean frame, and the shine of his polished shoes mirrored the confident glow in his eyes. He was adjusting his hair, the soft light from the lamp casting an almost ethereal glow on his face.