11. His sunshine

Bonus chapter for y'all because we were trending on No 1 in India yesterday and completed 50K+ reads <33

You're soo not ready for this chap!

Jai

I couldn't focus the entire day. Anika's face lingered in my thoughts ever since she left my office.

Anika was the sunshine that came into my life, she even bought me lunch even when it wasn't necessary. I vow to myself that I'll never talk to her like that ever again.

It was a delicate topic, and I regret uttering those words to her. What on earth is wrong with me?

My immediate action was to make a call and arrange a few things.

Later, I hurried to the bookstore and purchased the book she had been talking about.

Within the next hour, I prepared my paper bag with the necessary items.

On the way, I picked up a bouquet of delicate pink flowers for her.

If she likes flowers, she'll have them. I'll buy her anything she loves!

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Anika

I walked out of Jai's office feeling a bit bummed.

Maybe I was overreacting by storming off in the middle of our chat, not that it was an argument to begin with.

I mean, I had no business prying into his issues, but I thought we were close enough to share stuff like that.

I thought I'd have some free time today, maybe even spend it with Jai.

But out of nowhere, Aarav popped up and scared the living shit out of me. He'd been working here since he graduated, mostly on the creative side of things.

"You idiot," I scolded, clutching my chest.

"Sorry," he chuckled.

"What's up? Don't you have work to do?" I gave him a side-eye.

"Lunch break," he replied, winking at me, and then led me to another spot. My mood was already all over the place.

I liked Aarav, genuinely, but there were certain things, mainly about his brother, that I didn't want to discuss with him.

"Where are we headed?" I asked as we strolled along.

"The canteen," he replied, and we arrived there shortly. The canteen was pretty damn good, I could work there all day with my dose of iced coffee.

We found a table and Aarav, being Aarav, couldn't help but notice my foul mood. "Why the sad face?" he asked.

"Nothing," I replied, trying to keep my facial expressions neutral.

"I've gotta go soon. I took a break to have lunch with Jai," I said, preparing to leave.

"I need all the deets later," he winked.

"There's nothing to spill," I said, smiling. I gave him a hug and then left the office.

I completely forgot about the tablet when I went to work with the decoration team. I had one job—ugh.

Now, I had a pounding headache and terrible mood swings. I was ready to snap at anyone who dared to talk to me.

I got home around 6 pm, jumped into my bed for a moment, and then headed to my comfort zone: the sofa, in my comfy clothes.

I'd started watching Netflix when the doorbell rang. I was in my safe space; I didn't need anyone right now.

I opened the door and immediately received a hug from Varsha.

"Hey, Anii!" she practically shouted.

"Hey, V," I said, hugging her back. I might kill her if she touched my chocolate stash, but I'd gladly offer her a kidney if she needed one.

"It's been ages," she said, a pinch of sadness in her expression.

"Blame yourself. We used to hang out atleast twice every week, and now you're buried in college assignments and stuff," I replied.

Varsha and I had been super close since our teenage years. Our childhood was more about fights than anything else, though.

"Yeah, I know. I'm sorry," she said, still hugging me.

"So, what's on the menu for dinner?" she asked, plopping herself onto the sofa.

"I haven't thought about it yet. What do you want?" I inquired.

"Italian." she replied.

"Alright," I said and headed to the kitchen to check the ingredients. Just when I thought I could relax, the doorbell rang again.

"Who the hell is it now?" I groaned. I didn't want more unexpected guests.

"Someone's a bit touchy," Varsha commented.

"Hey, cutie," Aarav's ever-smiling face greeted me. I smiled almost immediately.

"What brings you here? Come on in, we already have a guest," I told him.

"Just wanted to brighten your mood," he said, handing me a bag of goodies.

"My favorite snacks! Love ya, dude," I told him, my grin genuine and evident.

"Give those to me," Varsha argued.

"You get Mom's home-cooked food and my snacks? Get outta here," I retorted.

"Is that how much you love me?" she asked, feigning a hurt expression.

"Sure is," I replied, laughing at her expressions.

"Enough with the drama. What's for dinner?" Aarav interrupted.

"I'm pretty sure you guys just came for a free meal," I said, rolling my eyes and leaving out the part about feeling lonely and how they'd already made my day better.

"Damn right we did," they high-fived each other. Aarav and Varsha had met through me but had become good friends over the years.

"Pizza or pasta? Decide," I prompted.

"Pizza," Varsha said.

"Pasta," Aarav chimed in simultaneously. Then they started arguing about what to have for the next five minutes.

Honestly, I didn't have the energy to cook, so I suggested, "How about we go out for dinner?"

"Perfect," they both agreed, and for that, I was grateful.

I changed into leggings and an oversized tee. I didn't feel like getting ready, and it was just the three of us.

When I opened the door, Jai was there, hand in the air like he was about to knock.

He had a paper bag in another hand, it was a little big. If it is a gift for me, I'll accept it.

"Hey," he greeted.

"Hi" I replied in a neutral tone.

"I wanted to clear the air between us," he explained.

"Hey, big bro," Aarav greeted his brother, then whispered in my ear, "I didn't know you had a door service too."

"Get out, you jerk," I retorted, and he left, chuckling.

"Just give me 5 minutes, and I'll meet you guys downstairs," I told them, allowing Jai into my home.

"That's quick; take your time, you guys," Aarav said sarcastically.

"Wait for me downstairs. You have a death wish," I warned him.

Jai and I entered my place, taking seats on the sofa.

"So, what's up?" I asked, breaking the silence.

"I wanted to apologize for today," he said, looking genuinely remorseful.

"Don't, I understand my boundaries, you know," I said shrugging.

"I didn't mean that, Anika," he clarified.

"It's okay, I get it, even if you meant it," I replied, not wanting to dwell on it. I had plans with my best friends, after all.

He took the flower bouquet out of the bag. I loved pink flowers, my heart skipped a beat.

"I'm sorry" he said, handing me the flowers.

"And here's a little something" he added, passing me the bag. His cheeks turned pink. Was he shy?

I peeked into the bag, and my jaw dropped. I pulled out the book first.

My current favorite book, 'A MILLION KISSES IN YOUR LIFETIME,' and he got me so many lipsticks (Chanel ones!) and a canvas for me to recreate the book scene.

He literally recreated what Crew did in the book!

All these years, I had a crush on Jai. Today, he took it to another level.

I took out the canvas, and there was a note that said, 'If the canvas is boring, my face is always available.'

I could feel my face heating up. I'm blushing so hard right now.

"I'll definitely think about it, and thank you" I told him with a smile.

"Listen, Anika," he began, taking my hands in his. "I have to become the CEO to achieve my goal, okay? I just have to do it."

"What is it?" I inquired.

"Look, it's not my place to tell. The goal isn't just about taking the company to the next level. The goal might be mine, but the story isn't," he explained.

His expressions were hard to read. In all the years I'd known Jai, I'd never seen him like this.

"Maybe soon?" I suggested, trying to lighten the mood.

"Maybe," he replied, almost smiling.

"So, do you want to join us for dinner?" I asked, hoping he'd say yes.

"I thought you'd never ask," he said, smiling down at me.

As we rode the elevator down, he said, "Thank you for making Aarav smile like that. He rarely does that around other people."

"I'm his best friend. Of course, I will," I replied with a smile.

Jai and Aarav had been close since childhood, and it was clear that Jai cared about his brother.

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❀₊˚⊹♡

I hope y'all forgive Jai✨

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