Beneath The Storm (Completed)

Chapter 44: Stars, Silence, and Subtlety

Atharv paced the length of his study, his brows knit together in deep concentration.

The soft ticking of the antique wall clock was the only sound that filled the room, apart from his restless footsteps.

His mind was consumed by a single thought-how to celebrate their four-month anniversary.

He scoffed at himself, running a hand through his slightly disheveled hair.

"Anniversaries," he muttered under his breath. They had never mattered to him before.

He used to think they were a waste of time, an unnecessary display of sentimentality.

But today, for the first time, he wanted to make it special.

Not for him, but for her.

Stopping abruptly, he leaned against the edge of his polished mahogany desk, his fingers tapping the surface rhythmically.

"What should I do?" he mumbled, rubbing his temple.

"A long drive? No, it's too risky with her security. Shopping? Definitely not, she's not one of those mall-loving types. Dinner, maybe? Yeah... dinner sounds good. Something simple, nothing over the top. Just us."

He reached for his phone with newfound determination and dialed Vihaan's number.

The line rang twice before Vihaan's familiar voice, laced with lazy annoyance, answered.

"Atharv, it's the weekend. I'm not working today. Whatever it is, let it wait till Monday."

Atharv exhaled sharply, his tone sharp yet tinged with impatience.

"I'm not asking you to work, Vihaan. I need your help."

On the other end, Vihaan paused, his confusion evident.

"Help? What kind of help? And since when do you ask for help?"

"Just shut up and listen," Atharv snapped, his irritation bubbling over.

"I need to know about a good Indian restaurant nearby."

Vihaan's confusion deepened.

"Why? No meetings today, right? And since when do you eat at restaurants? Aren't you all about that strict diet of yours?"

Atharv hesitated for a moment before replying, his voice softening slightly.

"It's my four-month anniversary. I want to take Inaara to dinner."

Vihaan's silence was short-lived before it erupted into a teasing laugh.

"Oh, look at you! Celebrating anniversaries now. What's next? Candlelight dinners every week?"

Atharv rolled his eyes, his patience wearing thin.

"Will you stop with the jokes and help me, Vihaan? I want a place that's peaceful, not too crowded. The food needs to be exceptional because she's an amazing cook herself. And it shouldn't be far from home."