Aarya - The Way We Once Were

Chapter 36

After she locked up the café, Aarti was startled as she turned around and bumped into Abhi. He held her to stop her from falling, but his touches made her feel so uncomfortable.

"Are you okay?"

He asked, still holding her.

"I'm fine. You can let go of me now"

She gestured towards his hands on her shoulder.

"Oh sorry"

He mumbled, embarrassed as he let go of her.

"What are you doing here so late?"

She asked; he was not supposed to be here right now since he already came in earlier and checked on inventory.

"I was in the neighborhood and thought you might need a ride home"

He rubbed the back of his head as he looked at her.

"That's okay. I was going to hail a cab"

Aarti said, feeling anxious.

"Don't be silly, I will take you. Besides, we still haven't had time to discuss the Christmas party. It's in less than a week"

He said and Aarti couldn't say no to him. She hesitantly sat in the car and Abhi drove off.

"Do you have a vision in mind?"

She asked, breaking the tension between them.

"I don't, that's why I'm asking a lady's opinion"

He said quietly and Aarti chuckled.

"So, am I allowed to do whatever I want?"

She asked, looking at him and he nodded his head.

"I think red and gold would look amazing, with just a few hints of green around"

Aarti beamed as she started talking about her vision; it's been a while since she organized anything. Abhi couldn't help but admire her, he had no idea what she was saying, he was too focused looking at her.

"What do you think?"

She asked and he snapped out of his day dream.

"I like it"

He said as he pulled up to her apartment.

"Thank you for the ride"

Aarti said as she stepped out of the car.

"You're welcome. Good night"

"Good night"

She turned to leave.

"Umm"

She turned back around.

"Did you say something?"

She asked, looking at him.

"No"

He rubbed the back of his head before driving away. Aarti thought that was strange but she brushed it off and walked inside her apartment. Once she was settled in, she opened Instagram and noticed a post from Arpita's profile. It was a picture of her and Yash, with the caption "reuniting with an old friend"

Aarti couldn't help but check the comments, everyone kept saying that they were made for each other. She stared at the photo again; that look in Arpita's eyes were pure love. She's clearly still in love with Yash, and Aarti wondered if Yash was also in love with her.

"She's just a friend"

Yash voice echoed in her head as she scoffed.

"Why am I thinking about them? Yash has every right to move on if he wants to, I was the one that ended things with him. Maybe Arpita isn't so bad after all, if he thought she was worth having dinner with"