Arsh stood there, his arms still loosely around Aakrati from the hug.
But his eyes…
They weren't on her.
They were on Krish.
From over her shoulder, he watched the way Krish stood close—too close for his liking. The way Aakrati had been laughing just moments ago, comfortable… easy.
Something inside him tightened.
He didn't say anything.
But Siddharth noticed.
Of course he did.
He had known Arsh long enough to recognize that silence.
The dangerous kind.
So before things could turn awkward, Siddharth stepped forward casually, breaking the tension.
"Ohhh… so you're Aakrati?"
Aakrati turned, a small question mark forming on her face.
"Yes… I am. And you are?"
Siddharth smiled lightly.
"I'm Siddharth. I know you… but you don't know me."
Aakrati looked slightly confused, then smiled politely.
"Oh… hello."
Before the moment could stretch further, Shrisha and Krish also stepped closer.
Krish, calm as ever, extended his hand toward Arsh.
"Good to see you back."
Arsh looked at his hand for a second.
Then shook it.
Firm.
Controlled.
"Hmm."
The introduction continued.
Names were exchanged, small smiles were given.
And then—
Shrisha's eyes suddenly widened.
She looked at Siddharth.
"You."
Siddharth squinted at her.
"Wait… YOU?"
Aakrati blinked.
"You guys know each other?"
Shrisha crossed her arms immediately.
"Yes. He bumped into me."
Siddharth scoffed.
"It was your fault."
"My fault? You almost hit me with your car door!"
"I was parked!"
"You opened it like the road belongs to your father!"
Everyone went quiet for a second.
Then—
Aakrati laughed.
Krish shook his head slightly, amused.
Even Arsh, despite his mood, let out a faint breath of a laugh.
The tension dissolved.
For now.
They all began walking back toward the apartments together, the conversation shifting into light teasing and random arguments between Shrisha and Siddharth.
But Arsh…
He wasn't fully there.
His eyes drifted again.
Toward Aakrati.
Toward Krish.
Toward the space between them.
By the time they reached the entrance, the group slowly started splitting.
Siddharth checked his phone.
"I should leave."
Krish nodded.
"Same."
They both turned to go.
And just before Krish left—
Aakrati smiled at him.
A small, soft smile.
"Goodnight."
Krish smiled back.
"Goodnight."
That was it.
But for Arsh—
That was enough.
His jaw tightened.
His expression darkened.
Shrisha stretched lazily.
"I'm going in. I'm dead."
She looked at Aakrati.
"You coming?"
Aakrati shook her head lightly.
"You go. I'll come."
Shrisha nodded and went inside.
Now only Arsh and Aakrati stood there.
For a brief second, silence settled between them.
Then—
Arsh suddenly held her hand.
Firmly.
Stopping her from moving.
"What about me?"
Aakrati turned toward him, surprised—but then smiled.
"What about you?" she asked playfully.
Arsh stepped closer, his grip still holding her.
"I was away for a while," he said quietly.
A pause.
"And you didn't even miss me?"
Aakrati laughed softly.
"I did."
But before she could explain—
He let go.
Turned around.
And walked away.
Just like that.
Aakrati stood there, confused for a second.
Then her lips curved into a small smile.
"Ohhh… okay."
She muttered to herself.
"You want me to come after you?"
Shaking her head, she followed him.
By the time she entered his apartment, he was already sitting on the couch, leaning back, one arm resting casually—but his face said otherwise.
Aakrati walked in and sat beside him.
"So… are you angry?" she asked.
No response.
She sighed.
"I should be angry, not you."
Still nothing.
"Not even a text," she continued. "Forget that—you didn't even answer my calls or messages."
Arsh turned his face to the other side.
"I don't know about that."
Aakrati frowned.
"What does that mean?"
Then he spoke again—
Slowly.
"I came back…"
A pause.
"And what I see is… you're happy without me."
That hit.
Aakrati's expression softened.
She held his arm, trying to turn him toward her.
"Arsh—"
But he didn't move.
She tried harder.
But he was stronger.
He barely shifted.
"Listen," she said softly. "Why are you angry? I missed you."
"I don't want to listen."
Aakrati sighed.
"You're impossible."
Then suddenly—
She cupped his face with both hands and forced him to look at her.
"Look at me."
He resisted.
But then—
His eyes met hers.
And there it was.
That smile.
Soft.
Warm.
Real.
"I really… really missed you," she said.
Something in him broke.
Just a little.
"Oh really?" he said.
"Yes."
"Prove it."
Aakrati blinked.
"How?"
Arsh leaned closer.
"You said you missed me," he murmured. "I'm right here… so what should you do?"
Aakrati looked at him for a second.
Then smiled.
And hugged him.
Tightly.
Arsh wrapped his arms around her instantly.
Pulling her closer.
Holding her like he didn't want to let go.
But of course—
He teased.
"Oh… so you missed me only this much?"
Aakrati pulled back immediately.
"Yes," she said playfully. "Only this much."
Arsh turned his face away again.
Aakrati stared at him.
"Seriously?"
She cupped his face again—
And this time—
She gave him a quick peck on his lips.
Arsh froze.
Then smiled.
"Only one?"
Aakrati pulled back, shocked.
"Now you're being greedy."
"No," he said calmly. "I was away for a while."
A pause.
"I want more."
Aakrati rolled her eyes.
But playfully leaned in again—
Kissing his cheek.
His forehead.
His nose.
The other cheek.
"Happy now?" she asked.
Arsh laughed softly.
"Okay, okay… thank you."
Then his tone shifted.
"Now my turn."
Aakrati's eyes widened.
"What? No—I don't need anything!"
"But I've taken so much," he said. "I don't like loans."
She tried to get up.
"I'm leaving."
But he caught her instantly.
Pulled her back.
"Arsh!"
Before she could escape—
He leaned in and started kissing her face.
Her cheeks.
Her forehead.
Soft.
Quick.
Playful.
"I missed you," he whispered.
Aakrati laughed, trying to push him away.
"I said I don't want anything!"
But she wasn't really trying.
"I missed you a lot," he said again.
Then finally—
He paused.
Looked at her.
And leaned in—
Pressing a deeper kiss on her cheek.
"Goodnight," he said softly.
"Bye."
Aakrati sat there for a second.
Stunned.
Smiling.
Then she got up and walked back to her apartment.
The moment she entered—
Shrisha looked at her.
And dramatically threw her head back.
"I feel so lonely looking at both of you."
Aakrati laughed and threw a cushion at her.
"Shut up."
But her smile didn't fade.
And somewhere—
Neither did Arsh's.