51. Thank you

Small chapter..

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

Ananya stood frozen in front of Aditya's cabin door, her fingers nervously twisting the ends of her dupatta.

Her heart raced as she debated whether to knock or just turn around and leave.

Why is this so hard? she thought to herself. It’s just a thank you… nothing more.

She took a hesitant step forward, raised her hand to knock, but then pulled it back as if the door might bite her.

With a sigh, she turned on her heels to leave—only to stop midway and march back to the door again.

Unknown to her, Aditya had been watching the entire scene unfold.

He stood a few feet behind her, arms crossed, an amused smirk playing on his lips.

"Is she going to knock or not?" he chuckled softly, tilting his head as he observed her.

Ananya took one final deep breath, squared her shoulders, and finally knocked on the door—three quick, hesitant taps.

Silence.

She waited a moment, frowning when there was no response. She knocked again, a little firmer this time.

"Uh… Mr Grumpy?" she called out softly, peeking her head slightly into the room.

"It's empty," came Aditya's deep voice from behind her.

Ananya froze, her eyes widening in horror as she turned around slowly to face him.

There he stood, leaning casually against the wall, his smirk growing by the second.

"I—uh—you…" she stammered, her cheeks flushing red.

Aditya pushed himself off the wall and walked toward her with a slow, deliberate stride.

"You’ve been standing here for five minutes, kitten. I was starting to think you were trying to build up the courage to break into my office."

"No! I—I wasn’t—" she began, flustered.

He stopped right in front of her, arms crossed, his sharp gaze fixed on her. "Then what were you doing?"

Ananya looked down at her feet, her voice barely above a whisper. "I… I wanted to thank you… for that day."

Aditya raised an eyebrow, waiting for her to elaborate.

"You know… for helping me with the panic attack and… everything else," she mumbled, still refusing to meet his gaze.

For a moment, Aditya just stared at her, his expression unreadable.

Then, a small, rare smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

"You’re welcome, Kitten."

Her head snapped up at his soft tone, her eyes meeting his.

"Next time, though," he continued, his smirk returning, "just walk in. I don’t bite… unless provoked."

Ananya’s jaw dropped slightly, and Aditya chuckled at her stunned expression before stepping past her into his cabin.

As the door closed behind him, Ananya stood there, her face burning with embarrassment.

"Why am I like this?!" she whispered to herself, smacking her forehead lightly before the door opened again.

"You can come in. I don't mind," Aditya said casually, one hand leaning on the door frame and the other gripping the edge of the door.

Ananya hesitated for a moment before quietly stepping into his cabin.

She slipped beneath his outstretched arm, her small frame effortlessly fitting under it.

Aditya’s brows lifted slightly as he realized just how tiny she was compared to him.

A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as he closed the door behind them.

Ananya walked a few steps inside, her eyes scanning the room. Her excitement from earlier had faded, replaced by a puzzled and slightly disappointed expression.

Aditya, leaning against his desk now, tilted his head. “What happened?” he asked, noticing her scrunched-up nose and furrowed brows.

“Your room is so dull!” Ananya exclaimed, her voice laced with genuine disbelief.

Her wide eyes scanned the monotone walls, the dark furniture, and the cold, professional atmosphere.

Aditya couldn’t help but chuckle at her expression. “Dull, huh?”

“Yes!” she said firmly, placing her hands on her hips. “There’s no color, no warmth… it’s like a lifeless dungeon!”

Aditya’s chuckle deepened, and he shook his head slightly. “Do you want to decorate it?” he asked, an amused smile playing on his lips.

Ananya’s eyes lit up like stars. “Will you let me?!” she asked, her voice rising in excitement, her hands clasped together in front of her chest.

“Yes,” Aditya replied simply, finding her enthusiasm oddly contagious.

“Wow!” she clapped her hands, her entire demeanor brightening.

“Then I’ll bring the materials tomorrow! Oh, I have so many ideas. Maybe some fairy lights, plants, a bright rug—oh! And curtains! These blinds are so boring!”

Aditya watched her animated rambling with an amused smile, his arms crossing over his chest.

For a moment, he allowed himself to relax, soaking in the energy she brought into the otherwise sterile room.

“Alright, Kitten,” he said softly, interrupting her excited planning. “But don’t turn my office into a nursery, okay?”

Ananya pouted at his words. “A nursery? Really? Trust me, Aditya, when I’m done with this place, it’ll be the most welcoming office ever!”

Aditya chuckled again and nodded. “Alright, Kitten. I’ll leave it to you.”

Ananya’s face lit up with an excited grin, but it quickly morphed into a pout as her eyebrows furrowed and she crossed her arms over her chest.

Aditya raised an amused brow. “What now?” he asked, his voice laced with curiosity and humor.

“Why did you complain about me to Isha ma?” she demanded, her voice soft but firm, as if she were trying her best to sound angry.

Aditya's  smirk widened as he observed her attempt at confrontation.

Instead of looking intimidating, she only seemed more adorable in her faux anger.

“What? You’re the one calling me nicknames!” he said, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

“I don’t call you nicknames!” Ananya retorted, her pout deepening.

“Mr. Grumpy,” Aditya said, imitating her voice with a dramatic flair.

Ananya’s eyes widened slightly before she looked away with an exaggerated huff, her cheeks tinting pink.

“That doesn’t count!” she mumbled under her breath.

Aditya tilted his head, still grinning. “Oh, it definitely counts, Kitten.”

Ananya’s pout grew even more pronounced, and she stomped her foot lightly. “Stop calling me that!”

“Kitten?” Aditya teased again, enjoying the way her cheeks flushed further.

“You’re impossible!” Ananya turned on her heels and made her way to the door, her tiny frame practically vibrating with embarrassment.

Before she could leave, Aditya’s voice called out softly, “Ananya.”

She stopped, her hand hovering over the door handle, but she didn’t turn around.

“Don’t forget to bring those decorations tomorrow,” he said, his voice unusually gentle this time.

Ananya nodded slightly, her lips curling into a shy smile, before she slipped out of the cabin and disappeared down the hallway.

Aditya leaned back against his desk, running a hand through his hair with a small chuckle.

“She’s adorable,” he muttered under his breath before focusing back on his work, though the smile lingered on his face far longer than he realized.

.・。.・゜✭・.・✫・゜・。.

Hit The Star ⭐

In her chaos, he found peace...💓