The Sisodia heirs stood unrivaled in control and possession, their world a testament to their might. To onlookers, their lives were a manifestation of perfection, with their family and surname commanding respect, prestige, and reputation.
Yet, behi...
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Jivika clicks through her laptop, showcasing her latest designs for the editorial feature. Shirina and Tarini were sitting besider her, taking in her eagerness to share those with them. After dinner, they had finalized their plan for the next day, and then Jivika had pulled them with her to her room.
"These are stunning!" Shirina exclaims, impressed by her creations.
"You'll absolutely rock this feature, Jivi," Tarini adds, and Jivika blushes, thanking them for their compliments.
"I'm really nervous though," she mutters, exhaling a deep breath.
They go on admiring her work, however, Shirina's focus begins to drifts off. Her thoughts travels back to the conversation she had with Abhyudit in the garden after Tarini and Jivika left them alone.
[Flashback]
Shirina glances around the garden, her eyes darting from flowers to fountain, pondering about whether to stay or make an exit. Abhyudit walks towards her, reducing the distance between them, yet carefully avoiding to invade her personal space.
"They asked me to stay, and I couldn't turn them down," she begins to speak, her voice low and hesitant.
"You don't need to explain. You are one of us," Abhyudit asserts, catching her off guard. His words were unmistakably laced with an air of confidence, and Shirina's mind reels to process the underlying meaning beneath them.
She knew she wasn't just imagining things. He was indeed referring to their togetherness, and a future that included her—one that was beyond the business alliance and partnership.
The realization that he was willingly accepting their relationship sends a shiver down her spine.
But a nagging question lingers: why would he? Didn't everyone have reasons for everything? He was no exception, and she wasn't sure she wanted to learn more. Though unaware of his reasons, she finds it necessary to lay out her own — to make him reconsider.
"I'm not. I don't belong with you," she says, mustering courage to speak her mind. "This won't work out."
Abhyudit's features betray a flicker of doubt crossing them. "You are still there?"
"I'm still there because I see the reality, which you are ignoring now and will regret later," she replies, mentally reminding herself it was necessary. They couldn't always pretend like there's nothing between them beyond the work parameters.
She hadn't brought anything up, though she had recognized the growing shift in their equation that blurred the lines between their personal and professional relationship. He did mention their engagement in casual talks a few times, and she wasn't naive to not understand the implications.
Abhyudit's eyes narrows, his gaze intent as he asks, "What makes you believe that?"
Shirina's silence stretches out for a minute, feeling like an eternity to him. Abhyudit studies her expression, which seems almost helpless, and his mind swirls with questions.
