The two reached the place where the meeting was to be conducted. Aditya introduced her to the investors as an intern and praised her a lot.

And when they were told that she too had worked on the project, she was asked questions which she did answer perfectly. He was trying to let her make her connections and she hadn't had anyone let her do it before.

Often, interns are treated as inferiors to their seniors. But she had never felt it here. So far, the best internship she has done. For multiple reasons.

“So? Kya seekha?”

Aditya asked her as they settled in the car to drive back home. She smiled and told him what all points she observed and he nodded. He corrected her wherever required and then appreciated her.

“You know! This is so far the best internship I've done.”

She said excitedly and he chuckled.

“Let’s just hope this statement remains when you finish your term.”

She grinned and sat straight. Aditya looked at the time and realised something. They drove out from the office before lunch time and it was almost dinner time now.

She must be hungry. Well, he was too. He stopped in front of a cute cafe which was the closest eatery.

She looked around confused and then at him in question.

“Come on! Let's eat something. I'm starving!”

He dramatised and she giggled when he rubbed his stomach to exaggerate.

They walked in together and looked around. The cafe was decorated very beautifully. All red and black.

“How many people sir?”

The person at the desk asked looking at the two with a smile.

“Just two please.”

Aditya said and the person nodded, directing them to a table. As they took their seats, Anshika looked around and realised something. She then looked at her phone to confirm.

It was February 14th. And that was why the cafe was decorated in all red and black. Were they assuming her and Aditya to be a couple? It didn't sound bad though.

“Would you like to order now sir, mam?”

“Uhh..yes. You go first.”

Aditya prompted Anshika politely and she gave her order. He too then ordered.

“Anything else? Sir, mam?”

“No, that'll be all.”

“Today's special is this red wine, imported straight from Italy. Would you like to try?”

Aditya looked at Anshika to ask whether she wanted it but she shook her head.

“We’re fine.”

“I think you should give it a try sir, mam. It's a speciality for today. Especially among young couples like you two who are here to celebrate their love today.”

The waiter said this and Aditya's eyes widened. He realised what was happening and his ears turned pink. 

“Uhh…it's not…we're not…umm…we're not a couple.”

He stuttered out trying his best to avoid the waiter’s eyes. It was so embarassing.

“I'm really sorry sir. You two looked like the perfect couple and I just assumed. Shit! I'm sorry sir. I will just go and get your order. Sorry sir. Sorry mam.”

The boy ran off and Aditya dared to look at Anshika. She had her head bowed and he assumed that she felt uncomfortable.

“I…I'm so sorry that happened. You must be so uncomfortable right now and it's my-”

He stopped in surprise when a laugh escaped past her lips. She started laughing and he looked at her shocked.

“Oh God! Look at your face!”

She said in between her laughter and he touched his face.

“What? What's wrong with my face?”

His ears were now a permanent shade of pink.

“The look on your face when that boy…when he assumed that…oh God it was priceless. I should have recorded it. Tanishka aur Kanav ko dikhati. Lifelong tease hote phir aap.”

He twisted his lips in annoyance and gave her a stinky eye.

“You're mean, you know that right?”

She nodded with a mischievous grin and he turned his face trying to hide his smile from showing.

Aditya was at his desk and Anshika was sitting beside him while he read the project brief she made.

“You see this! Ab ye dekho! Compare these two.”

He said and she leaned in a little to read what he pointed at.

“Ohh! I understand now!”

“Ye chhoti chhoti mistakes pure finance ko hila deti hai. Be careful next time.”

“Hmm! Dhyan rakhungi.”

She said and made a note while getting back to her original position and Aditya looked at her.

“You got a haircut?”

He asked and she looked at him in a whisplash.

“I got an inch trimmed. You noticed?”

An inch’s difference was something not everyone could notice because it was negligible.

Aditya looked away when he realised what he was doing as his ears turned pink.

“I'm observant.”

He mumbled as if the excuse would work.

He looked back at her only to see his gazing at him non-stop.

“What? What are you looking at?”

He asked, feeling a little embarrassed at being caught.

“I'm trying to be observant like you.”

She teased and he went more red if possible.

The day was a very idle one. There wasn't much work in the finance department today. Even Aditya was free by lunch time.

“Yaar! So boring! Mai khaali nhi baith skta yaar!”

Kanav whined and banged his head on his head for the umpteenth time. He had been whining about it since an hour now.

“Then do so work. Khud toh pagal hai baakio ko bhi kr rha hai.”

Aditya rolled his eyes and Kanav glared at him. Then, an idea stuck him and he grinned wide.

“Clubbing chalte hai.”

“Clubbing? Iss waqt? Aur office ke kapdo mai?”

Aditya looked at him as if he was crazy to suggest this.

“Tsk! Pehle khaayenge phir jaayenge. And inn kapdo mai koi dikkat nhi hai. Infact corporate discount mil jaayega.”

Aditya didn't say anything and Kanav nudged him.

“Come on! You suggest something better!”

“Fine! Chalte hai. You, me and who else?”

He asked hoping that Kanav took that one name.

“Tanishka ko puchh leta hu. Anshika se puchhna hai?”

He could hear the teasing in his tone but Aditya ignored and got up.