UNSPOKEN BONDS

8. Collided

© archanaj1308 2026. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author.

Next day, Amritha finished her training in the morning feeling the familiar ache of discipline settling into her muscles. By the time she reached home, the apartment was quiet-Jai and Leela were already out for their own meetings. She didn't rush.

After a quick shower and a change into light linen workwear, she stepped out of Parc Greenwich and headed straight for the LRT to reach Sengkang MRT.

The city moved around her in its usual rhythm. Shenton Way was already awake when she emerged, glass towers catching the morning light like they had somewhere to be.

Hibiki Creative sat mid-level in one of those buildings-modern, open, humming with early deadlines and quiet urgency.

The moment she walked in, a few heads turned-the familiar kind of recognition.

"Someone's in a good mood," Nathan called out from his desk.

Amritha lifted her tote slightly. "Dubai peace offering."

Raj leaned back. "That sounds suspiciously like food."

"It is food," she confirmed.

That was enough. She moved desk to desk, handing out neatly packed boxes tied with simple ribbon, some plain, some slightly more curated. The office energy shifted almost immediately.

Michiko peeked into hers. "You brought these all the way from Abu Dhabi?"

Amritha nodded. "Technically they came with me. I just didn't eat them all on the plane."

Stella laughed. "That's restraint."

Erica walked over casually, already smiling. "You know you're enabling everyone's sugar addiction, right?"

"I'm creating workplace happiness," Amritha corrected.

"That's what villains say," Erica replied, taking a piece anyway.

Amritha slid a separate, slightly more thoughtfully packed box toward her.

Erica paused. "Oh?"

"For surviving last week's client chaos," Amritha said.

Erica raised an eyebrow, opening it. "So this is emotional compensation."

"It's appreciation," Amritha said simply.

Erica smiled, softer now. "Accepted."

A few desks away, Sakina watched the exchange with mild curiosity. When Amritha reached her cabin, she placed a different, more formal-looking pack on the edge of Sakina's desk.

Sakina looked up. "You're bribing me before I even assign you work today?"

Amritha shook her head lightly. "This one is for your patience."

Sakina opened it, glancing inside before giving a small approving nod. "Good taste."

"I try," Amritha said.

"Try harder on deadlines," Sakina replied, but there was no bite in it.

Amritha smiled anyway.

By the time they all headed toward the conference room, the office already felt warmer than usual-lighter in a way that had nothing to do with workload. Amritha stepped in slightly behind Erica and Sakina, then paused near the entrance. Takeshi Yoshida was already inside.