As the movie neared its climax, Sanchit found Saanvi snuggled against his side. He smiled. It was always like this with them. No matter however awkward things get between them, at the end, they would also seek each other.
And he wanted it to keep that way. He didn't want any third person between them. It seemed like he had jinxed himself from his thoughts because he heard Saanvi ask him about Aarav.
"You met him that day. How did you find him as a person?"
Sanchit gulped. He could lie easily and she'd back off from Aarav but it felt wrong. Lying to her for his benefit felt wrong. She deserved happiness. And if she wanted Aarav, he shouldn't interfere.
"He is a nice man. I don't think he had any ulterior motives. Genuine tha."
Saanvi confides in Sanchit about her growing feelings for Aarav and asks for his advice on how to approach him.
"You think I should tell him how I feel? Should I tell him that I like him?"
Sanchit, hides his own feelings, supports her and offers sincere advice, even though it breaks his heart. He encourages her to be honest with Aarav.
"If you really like him that much....I think you should. Better than regretting later."
That night, Sanchit sits alone, grappling with the realization that he might have deeper feelings for Saanvi than he thought.
Saanvi follows Sanchit's advice and decides to confess her feelings to Aarav. Gaining courage, she approaches Aarav and calls him outside.
"All okay? Why did you call me here?"
Aarav asked, eyeing the secluded staircase which is rarely used by anyone. Saanvi fidgets with her fingers and takes a deep breath.
"I actually wanted to say something. Aarav...I like you."
The silence was so loud that she could hear her own heartbeat. She looked up at him and saw him looking at her wide eyed and open mouthed. He closed his mouth and gulped.
"I...uhh...Saanvi....I am really flattered and I respect your feelings. I mean I adore you as a person and as a colleague and I respect you a lot but...I...umm...I think I gave you the wrong impression. I'm not interested in you... romantically. I have a girlfriend."
Saanvi was at a loss for words. Did she really misread everything? Why did he behave so nicely with her then? Or was he like that with everyone? Just like she always said, he was a gentleman.
"Ohh..ummm...that's fine...I mean...I..."
She didn't know what to say.
"Hey! Please don't feel bad. I had no idea that I was misleading you into believing that I was interested in some way."
"No! No you did not. You know what? It's fine. It was just a crush and I'm sure it will pass."
Saanvi said with a wobbly smile and Aarav looked at her with caution.
"So we're good right? No hard feelings?"
"Yup! No hard feelings."
She nodded and he smiled. He left from there and went back to his desk while she stood there processing what just happened.
Sanchit ran towards Saanvi's home in a hurry. He rang the doorbell and impatiently waited for someone to open.
"Arre Sanchit beta! Itna harbadaya (panicked hurry) kyu hai?"
"Aunty sab thik hai na? I mean kisi ko kuch hua hai kya?"
"Hain? Nhi toh. Sab thik hai. Kya hua?"
"Saanvi ka call aaya tha. Bhut pareshaan sound kr rhi thi. Jaise ki ro rhi ho. Mujhe laga shayad-"
"Pagal hai ye ladki. Shayad office mai koi baat hui ho. Khamakha pareshaan kr dia tujhe. Kamre mai apne. Mil le."
Sanchit nodded and rushed to her room. He didn't bother knocking and entered inside.
"Saanvi!"
She was covered from the blanket, head to toe. Hearing his voice, she threw the blanket and sobbed.
He got worried seeing her cry and took her in his arms. He rubbed her back and patted her head.
"Shh! Kya baat hai? Rona band ke pehle. Mai hoon na. Sab thik ho jaayega. Hua kya hai Saanvi? Hey! Stop crying! You're scaring me."
He whispered kissing her head and she looked at her with her eyes red due to crying. His heart ached seeing her like that.
"I...I confessed my feelings to Aarav."
He froze. His hold on her loosened a little and his heart sank. She liked him so much that she confessed? But why was she crying like this? Did he do something wrong to her? The thought made his blood boil.
"Toh ro kyu rhi hai?"
"Because he has a girlfriend. He said that he adores me as a colleague and respects me but he isn't interested in me romantically and that he already has a girlfriend."
"What?"
He was confused. Did she really like him so much that she was crying buckets on a rejection?
"Toh isme rone wali kya baat hai? Hota rehta hai Saanvi. He has a girlfriend and he cleared it right. Isse pehle ki tu usse aur pasand krti usne sab clear kr dia na. Why are you crying like this?"
"Because he was the first man I liked so much in such a long time. He was so sweet. Why was he so caring if he wasn't interested in me? Tune dekha tha na...in the party...he was so attentive and caring. And he says he has a girlfriend already."
She cried more and hugged him tightly. Sanchit almost chuckled at her antics but her words pinched his heart.
"Pagal hai tu! It's life! It's ok Saanvi. Duniya khatam nhi ho gyi agar usne mana kr dia toh. Maybe he wasn't meant for you. And I'm sure there's someone out there who's going to love you so much ki tu uss Aarav ko kabhi yaad bhi nhi kregi dobara."
She nodded and he settled on the bed beside her while she wiped her tears.
"Dara dia tha tune mujhe. Pata hai kitni jaldi mai bhaag kr aaya hu."
He teased and she looked at him properly for the first time. Her eyes widened seeing him in his formal outfit.
"Shit! Tu direct office se aaya hai? Mujhe laga tu ghar pahuch gaya hoga ab tak. I'm so sorry. Kitni stupid hu mai. Tujhe office ke beech mai disturb kr dia. I'm so sorry Sanchit."
She rambled and he smiled.
"Almost khatam ho tha mera kaam. Nikal raha tha bas ghar ke liye."
"But still. Maine bina matlab panic kr dia."
She now felt guilty and lowered her head. He smiled and held her chin making her look into his eyes.
"Tere mere beech mai chhoti badi baatein nhi aati. Chahe baat kitni bhi unimportant aur baseless kyu na ho, if it bothers you, you call me. Chahe raat ke 2 baje ho ya koi bhi odd time. I'm always there. Samjhi!"
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