13.

Mira’s POV

It has been two days since that incident and now Jiya and I are totally fine. Or at least we are acting fine. What else can we do? We can’t keep crying over one thing forever, right? Life moves on.

We are on our way to work now, sitting inside the bus.

We reported those criminals but the police couldn’t even find a single trace of them. It’s as if those men never existed.

A part of me knows no I feels that Abhiraj has something to do with this. Did he handle it in his own way? Jiya tells me to drop the thought of reporting them again, like she already knows everything. But she won’t say it out loud.

Abhiraj has called me a few times, asking about my health. His voice is calm, controlled, polite like he is checking in on an employee. That’s what I am to him right? His employee. His responsibility. But my heart wants more But as far as I know, he wouldn't ask this much from his employee.

I want him to care about me not just because I work for him but because I matter to him. But no he asks how I’m doing, listens to my answer and then hangs up. That’s it.

We finally reach the company. Jiya and I step out of the bus and start walking inside. And that’s when I see him.

Abhiraj’s car stops smoothly, demanding attention. He steps out with confidence his sharp eyes scanning everything around him. Zar walks beside him, strong and silent. Without saying a word they head toward the building, their presence alone enough to make people step aside.

our eyes meet. It has only been two days but I missed him. More than I should. More than I want to admit. No one has ever cared for Jiya and me the way he and Dev did that night. His concern felt real. Genuine. And we don’t get that often.

I quickly look away and walk ahead. If he ignores me again, I don’t think I can handle it. He treats me so kindly one moment and then turns cold the next. I don’t like it. It confuses me.

Jiya, on the other hand, is too busy staring at Zar. She is practically glowing. I swear I don’t even know when these two got so close. Before she can call out to him I grab her wrist and pull her toward our lift.

“Let me talk to him!” she whines pouting like a child.

I glare at her. “We are at work Miss Rao. Act professionally.”

She huffs but nods. I press the button for the lift but it’s taking forever to come down.

At that moment Abhiraj walks past me and stops in front of his lift. I can feel his eyes on me. His presence is heavy, almost suffocating. Zar is watching me too but I don’t react. I am Mira Rao. I won’t let myself be affected by his mood swings.

The lift doors open and he steps inside. The moment the doors close I let out a small sigh.

“I need to talk to you about something” Jiya says suddenly.

I turn to her. “What?”

She shakes her head. “Not now. When we go home.”

I narrow my eyes. “Then why did you tell me now? Now I’ll spend the whole day thinking about what you want to say. I won’t be able to concentrate on anything” I sulk.

She chuckles and steps into the lift. “Behave Miss Rao. We are at work.”

I roll my eyes but smile.

We reach our floor and walk to our desks. The moment we step inside one of our colleagues rushes over. “Hey! Where were you guys? Are you both fine?” He looks genuinely concerned.

We smile at his care. “Yeah, we were out of town” Jiya answers casually as we sit down.

“I missed you guys!” another colleague says dramatically, placing a hand over his heart.

The whole office bursts into laughter.

“We are here now don’t miss us” Jiya says, rolling her eyes in the same dramatic way.

With that, we get to work. But no matter how much I try to focus, my mind keeps drifting back to a certain someone. A certain someone who confuses me, cares for me, but still keeps his distance.

And I hate that I want him to close that distance.

Abhiraj’s POV

“Why? Why did she ignore me?” I mutter pacing back and forth in my office. My mind is a mess, my chest feels heavy and my irritation is only growing.

I stop and glance at Zar, who is sitting there glaring at me like I committed some crime.

“This boy is just.....ahhh” I groan running a frustrated hand through my hair. “Whenever Mira ignores you, you acts like it’s my fault.”

Zar huffs loudly, still glaring.

“Zar she ignored me too! Don’t be such a sulking baby” I say crossing my arms. But he just turns his face away, ignoring me.

I let out a deep sigh. “Let’s see what she’s doing after ignoring me” I mumble walking toward my desk. But before I can reach it, Zar suddenly runs ahead and jumps onto my chair claiming my spot like he owns it.

I stop in my tracks, sighing again. “Seriously?”

He just flicks his tail, acting as if he can’t hear me.

Shaking my head, I turn on the CCTV footage of her desk. The screen lights up and my eyes immediately lock onto her.

Mira is sitting there, laughing while talking to her colleagues. My jaw clenches when I realize she is laughing with a male colleague.

My fists tighten. But then my anger wavers. She is laughing. After two days.

My heart clenches at the sight. She has been through so much and now she’s finally smiling again. That should be enough for me right? That’s what I wanted—to see her happy.

Then why does my soul feel like it’s burning? Why can she laugh with them but ignore me?

I talked to her on the phone to ask about her health but she didn’t say much and I don’t know how to keep a conversation going. So, our talk ended in just two or three sentences. I have also appointed other trusted guards around her house.

“Ahhh!” I suddenly stumble forward as Zar pushes me hard nearly making me fall.

I turn to him, scowling. “Now what did I do?”

He doesn’t answer. Instead he stalks off toward his couch and flops down, facing away from me.

I narrow my eyes. “You’ve been ignoring me a lot ever since you found your mother” I say crossing my arms.

No response.

“You got your mother and now you’re ignoring your father?” I add dramatically slumping into my chair with a sad look.

Silence.

But then I feel it. A soft, warm touch on my thigh. I glance down. Zar has placed his paw on my leg looking up at me.

I smirk internally. I knew it. He can’t ignore me for long.

He lets out a soft, low roar before pressing his head against my thigh, rubbing against me in silent apology.

“Now will you ignore me?” I ask raising an eyebrow.He shakes his head.

“Promise?” He nods.

“Good boy” I say reaching out to ruffle his fur. “But you’ve been a bad boy you know that?”

Before he can react I start tickling him. He growls playfully, baring his teeth but I know he’s enjoying it.

After a while, I get back to work and Zar starts roaming around the office, exploring every corner like he hasn’t been here a thousand times before.

Lunchtime.

I get up from my chair and stretch, walking over to the couch.

I pull out my phone and call Varun. We always have lunch together. But the call keeps ringing.

“Why isn’t he picking up?” I mutter, frowning.

Knock knock.

I hear the sound at my door and assume it’s him.

“Come in” I say my eyes still on my phone as I open the CCTV footage again planning to check on Mira’s desk. But then...

“Here is your lunch sir.”

My head snaps up. That’s not Varun’s voice. That’s Mira’s voice. Wait...Mira?

I freeze. She stands there holding a lunch bag looking down at the floor. I blink, my mind short circuiting for a second.

What is she doing here?

“What are you doing here?” I ask suddenly standing up at the speed of light.

She still doesn’t look at me. “Varun sir  gave this to me to give to you” she says softly stepping forward and placing the bag on my table.

Then without another word, she turns around to leave. But she can’t.

Because sitting right in front of the door blocking her way, is Zar. A very well trained, very obedient Zar.

He doesn’t move. Doesn’t blink. Just sits there staring at her like a guardian. Mira stops in her tracks.

I smirk. My Good boy.

“Why are you ignoring me?” I ask before my brain can stop me.

Mira freezes. Her eyes widen in shock clearly not expecting me to ask this so directly.

I take a step closer, not letting her escape. “Tell me. Why did you ignore me in the morning?” My voice is firm demanding an answer.

She swallows hard her throat moving as she gulps. “Because we are at work, and we should behave professionally” she says her voice controlled.

I nod slowly processing her words.But I don’t care about professionalism when it comes to her.

“How are you feeling?” I ask my voice softer this time.

She looks up at me, straight into my eyes....and then she smiles. And just like that my world stops. Her smile. That’s all I need.

“I’m fine” she says taking a small step toward me. My breath hitches. She’s so close now. Too close. But not close enough.

I stare at her, unable to look away. How can I? She’s right here in front of me and nothing else in the world matters right now.

“You have ink on your cheek” she says softly.

And before I can react, she lifts her hand...her delicate fingers brush against my skin.

A spark shoots through me. My heart pounds so hard that I’m sure she can hear it. Please, heart, calm down. But no it beats even faster.

Her fingers are so soft. Softer than I ever imagined. Her touch feels like the lightest feather, like something sacred, like something I never want to end.

But then...she moves away. And I hate it. I want her back. I want her touch again.

“Done” she says smiling at me. I just stare, lost, unable to say a word. What do I even say?

She steps back. “Okay I’m going now. Jiya is waiting for me” Wait...she’s leaving? No. No. I don’t want her to go.

But before I can stop her, she looks down at Zar and grins. “Bye bye my baby” she says ruffling his fur.

I blink.

Baby.

She calls him baby.

Only him.

Why not me?

Zar wags his tail happily, soaking up her attention, while I just stand there like a complete idiot. And then...she’s gone. I sigh, feeling dumb.

I should have stretched the conversation. I should have said something more. But I don’t know how to do all this. I don’t know how to hold onto moments like this.

I wish someone could teach me these things.

But it’s okay. I will get her soon. I sit on the couch and start my lunch but my mind isn’t here. I can still feel her touch on my cheek. Soft. Softer than anything.

I close my eyes replaying the moment again and again. Ahhh, Abhiraj you are so lucky. She touched me.

Touched me, touched me, touched me.

And just like that my entire day passes with only this thought in my head. This is the luckiest day of my life.

Dev’s POV

Dev, control. I tell myself rubbing my face with my palm, trying to calm the storm inside me.

I’m sitting in my office, staring at her through the cctv.

Why do you keep coming in front of me again and again, Jiya?

Just when I think I’m finally forgetting you, you come back and take your place in my heart again without even trying.

Why?

Jiya Rao you are driving me crazy. For the past five years, you have been messing with my mind, my heart, my sanity.

Five years.

I still remember the first time I saw you. It was at the orphanage.

You were sitting there with your friend, laughing over something, completely unaware of me. I visit the city’s orphanage every week, just for a few minutes.

Because seeing those little kids, those innocent angels, heals me. Their smiles, their laughter...it makes me feel lighter even if just for a moment.

But that day…

I didn’t just see those kids. I saw my angel. You. It was only a few seconds. Just a short glance.

But in those few seconds… something happened to me. Your eyes—they did something to me. Something I still don’t understand.

I’ve seen many girls in my life. I’ve been surrounded by them. But you....you are different.

There was something about you that pulled me in, something that made it impossible for me to look away.

But back then I didn’t have time for all this. So I tried my best to ignore whatever I was feeling. I pushed it away. I buried it.

Abhi knew something was up. He could sense it. But he never found out who the girl was.

I thought I had moved on. I even managed to forget you for a few months.

But then…

You came in front of me again. Not just once. Not just twice. But again and again. And this time, I know....I won’t be able to forget you. I don’t want to.

And the craziest part? I know you have a crush on me. I’ve seen it in your eyes, in the way you glance at me when you think I’m not looking.

And trust me...I don’t want to ignore you. But I also don’t want to drag you into my life. Because my world… it’s not meant for someone like you.

It’s full of darkness. Full of things that could destroy your innocence. But then…

I see Abhi.

I see the way he’s fighting for Mira. The way he’s doing everything to make her his.

And something inside me shifts. If he can fight for the girl he wants, why can’t I? If he can win, then why can’t I?

I’ve always been the one giving him advice about love. Always telling him what to do. But now that it’s my turn…

I feel like I know nothing. Huh Dev… think! Think before you lose her. Do something before it’s too late.

Maybe this is a sign from God. Maybe this is fate. You came back to me for a reason. And this time…

I won’t let you go.

Mira’s POV

I sit on the balcony floor, hugging my knees, enjoying the cool night breeze. Jiya sits beside me, her legs stretched out, a wide grin playing on her lips.

"Now tell me, what do you want to talk about?" I ask tilting my head to look at her.

Jiya’s grin grows wider. "You’ll tell me honestly right?" she asks raising an eyebrow.

I nod my curiosity piqued. "Of course."

She takes a deep breath, playing with the hem of her shirt. "Okay sooo... sooo…"

I roll my eyes and nudge her. "Tell fast! Why are you dragging it out?"

She chuckles and flicks my forehead lightly. "Fine fine!" Then she suddenly turns serious, her eyes locking with mine.

"Do you have feelings for Abhiraj?"

Her question makes my breath hitch. I freeze, my fingers gripping the fabric of my dress. I look down then back at her.

"You said you'd tell me honestly" she reminds me nudging my arm.

I take a deep breath, my heart pounding. Slowly, I nod. Jiya’s eyes widen with excitement.

"Really? You actually have something for him?" she asks practically bouncing in her place.

I nod again, feeling a shy smile tug at my lips. "Actually… it’s just something something. Not much. But still... I do have something for him."

Jiya lets out a squeal and pats my head like a proud mother. "Oh, Mira your something will soon turn into everything!"

I laugh shaking my head. "Why are you so sure?"

She smirks crossing her arms. "Just my motherly instincts, girl! They’re telling me you’re going to be happy with him for the rest of your life."

I chuckle feeling warmth spread through me. "That sounds nice..."

She winks. "It is nice. And it’s going to happen!"

We continue talking, laughing and sharing our thoughts for almost an hour. It feels so good to let everything out, to share my feelings with her. It’s like a weight has been lifted off my chest.

Finally, we head inside and lay on our beds, ready to sleep. But sleep doesn’t come to me.

I stare at the ceiling my heart buzzing with excitement and... fear.

What if Abhiraj doesn’t feel the same way? What if he rejects me? The thought alone makes my stomach twist.

I hear Jiya shifting in her bed. Then after a few minutes, she quietly gets up and walks out of the room. I frown. Where is she going at this hour?

I hear soft whispering from outside. My curiosity gets the best of me, so I slowly get up and tiptoe towards the door.

Peeking out I see Jiya standing in the hallway, talking on the phone with someone. But as I listen to her words…

My world turns upside down.

My heart drops.

No. This can’t be real.

She can’t do this to me.

This has to be a dream...

Right?