I sat on the bed, carefully feeding the mashed potatoes to Renuka aunty, making sure she was comfortable in her wheelchair. She couldn't move her body, couldn't speak—not even blink freely. But we had our own secret code. A single blink for 'yes,' two for 'no.' It was a quiet understanding between us.
I wondered, did Kathir Rathore also use this secret code with his mother? The thought lingered for a moment, but my stomach grumbled, pulling me back. I had already had my breakfast—Coco Crunch—but I hoped Vino or Sanjay hadn't finished the chocolate bar I bought yesterday.
"Aunty, do you want banana milk later? Blink once for yes, twice for no," I asked softly.
She blinked once.
I smiled, nodding. "Okay, noted. Later, I'll make banana milk for you."
Once I was done feeding her, I stepped out of her room, descending the stairs at a slow pace when unfamiliar voices echoed through the living area. My eyebrows furrowed. Kathir hasn't left for work yet?
Rolling my eyes, I walked further, trying to recognize the voice. It was oddly familiar. As I reached the bottom of the stairs, my gaze landed on the living area—Kathir sat there with his business partner, Arshaan. Both had their laptops placed on the coffee table, with stacks of papers scattered around.
"Mr. Rahul didn't approve it," Arshaan was saying when his eyes flickered up and met mine. His forehead wrinkled slightly, widening in recognition.
"Hey, Vidya? You're here?" His voice carried genuine surprise.
I simply nodded, glancing at Kathir. He, too, looked up at me for a brief moment before his unreadable expression returned.
"I'm working here as a personal nutritionist for Kathir's mom," I clarified, noticing Arshaan's confusion as he shifted his gaze between me and Kathir.
Kathir said nothing. His face remained unreadable.
Arshaan, however, nodded slowly, as if processing my words. "Fine. Have a seat," he said, gesturing toward the couch opposite them with a small smile.
I hesitated. "It's okay, I ha—"
Before I could finish, he rose from the couch, grabbed the empty bowl I had used to feed Renuka aunty, and, in one swift motion, took hold of my wrist and gently guided me to sit down.
"Oh, come on," he chuckled, and I finally relented, sitting across from Kathir.
Kathir barely spared me a glance as he picked up a file from the table. Clicking his pen, he flipped through the pages. "Where should I sign?" he asked, voice calm but detached.
Arshaan leaned slightly, pointing at the section. "Here, right?"
But his gaze didn't stay on the document. Instead, I felt his eyes lingering on me. A soft, almost amused smile played on his lips.
His next words caught me completely off guard.
"Why are you so beautiful? I mean, I can't take my eyes off you."
My heart skipped a beat. Heat rushed to my cheeks as I looked down, suddenly aware of my hands fidgeting in my lap. "Tha—"
"Arshaan, can you focus here?"
Kathir's sharp voice cut through the moment, his jaw tightening as he shot Arshaan a pointed glare.
Arshaan turned to him with an easy shrug. "Yeah, yeah, sorry. I got a little distracted… by Vidya's beauty."
Kathir exhaled through his nose, his fingers gripping the pen tighter. "Is there any other file to sign?" His tone was clipped, impatient.
I rolled my eyes internally. Why does he always react this way? It wasn't as if we were in some kind of competition. He wasn't even a girl fighting for attention.
Arshaan went through the documents, but every so often, I caught his eyes drifting back to me, making me a little self-conscious. This man… he's so sweet, but it still makes me feel awkward.
"So, we're friends, right?" he asked suddenly, flashing a charming smile.
I smiled back and nodded. "Yeah, of course."
"Then we can exchange phone numbers, right?"
I hesitated for a split second before nodding again. "Of course."
I reached for my phone, pulling it out of my pocket while Arshaan waited patiently.
A soft sigh escaped Kathir as he dropped his pen on the coffee table. He leaned back against the couch, arms crossed, his jaw visibly tensed.
I gave my number to Arshaan and glanced at Kathir. His expression had darkened slightly, his gaze locked onto me with an intensity I couldn't quite decipher.
What was his problem now? I hadn't even done anything today.
Arshaan grinned. "We should go on a date— I mean, a friendly date."
My ears barely registered his words. My focus was completely on Kathir's reaction. His eyes shifted slowly toward Arshaan, his long lashes lowering slightly.
"Yeah, you both should go," he said flatly.
My eyebrows furrowed. What were they talking about? Where should we both go?
"What?" I blinked, confused.
Arshaan laughed. "Look how cute she is," he teased.
I fidgeted awkwardly as Kathir continued watching me with that unreadable gaze.
"I was inviting you to a friendly date—when you're free," Arshaan clarified with a grin.
Oh. That's what they were talking about.
I smiled, nodding. "Sure."
Arshaan's grin widened as he whispered to Kathir, "Finally."
Kathir's jaw tightened, his fingers tapping against the black file beside him.
"Fine. I have to go."
His words were abrupt. His eyes lingered on me for a moment before he stood up, collecting his things.
As Arshaan packed his laptop, I rose from the couch.
That was when Winston, the naughtiest one, came sprinting into the room. In the blink of an eye, he snatched the black file from Arshaan's hands and ran.
"Winston!"
Kathir moved fast—too fast. His broad shoulder suddenly collided with me, throwing me off balance.
I gasped, eyes shutting instinctively, bracing for the impact with the floor.
But I never fell.
A strong arm caught me, steady and firm. My heart pounded as I slowly opened my eyes.
Arshaan.
His hand gripped my arm securely, while his other hand had instinctively wrapped around my waist.
"Are you okay?" His voice was filled with concern.
I nodded quickly, my heart still hammering in my chest. "I… I'm fine."
Kathir's voice cut through the air.
"Arshaan, we have to go."
We both turned to him. He stood a few steps away, fingers gripping the black file, his jaw clenched tight. His eyes flickered between me and Arshaan before he turned and walked off.
I gently pulled away from Arshaan's hold. "I'm fine, really."
He let go, offering me a small smile before following after Kathir.
I sighed. So sweet of Arshaan.
Then my eyes widened as I spotted something left behind on the couch.
Kathir's phone.
I grabbed it quickly, rushing outside just as Kathir was about to open his car door.
"Kathir, your phone!" I called out, extending it toward him.
He paused, looking at me first, then at the phone in my hand. His jaw clenched as he took it from me without a word, as if my very presence irritated him.
I blinked. What's with that reaction?
Without another glance, he got into his car, gripping the steering wheel.
I huffed, rolling my eyes. "Him and his attitude."
Shaking my head, I turned back toward the house.