Scene 1: Ayaan's Rising Fame
The morning didn't start quietly anymore.
Ayaan's name was everywhere.
Business articles. Social media clips. Short interview highlights.
His recent interactions—especially the ones with Anaya—had started gaining attention.
Not dramatic.
But noticeable.
People were talking about him differently now.
Not just as a CEO.
But as someone… interesting.
At the office, one of his colleagues said,
"You've become popular."
Ayaan didn't look up from his file.
"I was always visible."
The colleague smiled.
"Visible, yes. But now… people are watching."
Ayaan paused for a second.
Then continued working.
"People watch what they don't understand."
Scene 2: Public Attention
Outside the building, a group of employees whispered as he passed.
"He's actually more handsome in real life."
"I heard he never smiles."
"That's even better."
Another voice:
"Imagine marrying someone like him."
Ayaan walked past without reacting.
As if none of it reached him.
But it did.
He just didn't respond.
Scene 3: Kriti Finds Out
At home, Kriti was scrolling through her phone.
Then suddenly—
she sat up straight.
"WHAT."
Mahi looked at her.
"What happened?"
Kriti turned the phone toward her.
"Look at this. Your uncle is trending."
Mahi glanced at the screen.
Ayaan's interview clip.
Comments everywhere.
Kriti read dramatically:
"'Cold CEO with a sharp mind and calm voice'… wow."
She looked toward the hallway.
"Since when did he become a celebrity?"
Scene 4: Kriti vs Ayaan (No Perfect Answer)
Ayaan walked in.
Kriti immediately stood up.
"So, Mr. Famous."
Ayaan looked at her.
"What."
Kriti pointed at the phone.
"Girls want to marry you."
Ayaan:
"That is not my problem."
Kriti crossed her arms.
"It becomes your problem when they start lining up outside the house."
Ayaan replied calmly,
"They won't."
Kriti smirked.
"You sound very confident."
Ayaan paused slightly.
"…It is unlikely."
Kriti's eyes widened.
"Wait—you're not fully sure?"
Silence.
Ayaan looked at her.
Didn't answer.
Kriti gasped dramatically.
"Finally! A question you don't have a perfect answer for."
Mahi looked down, hiding a small smile.
Scene 5: Café – Ayaan & Anaya
Later that day, Ayaan went to the café again.
This time—
he didn't need a reason.
Anaya was already there.
She looked up.
"You're getting more famous," she said casually.
Ayaan sat across from her.
"It will pass."
Anaya smiled.
"Or increase."
Ayaan didn't reply immediately.
For once—
he didn't have a fixed answer.
Soft Interaction
Anaya leaned forward slightly.
"Does it bother you?"
Ayaan looked at her.
"No."
"Not even a little?"
A small pause.
Then—
"Not enough to matter."
Anaya smiled.
"That means it does bother you a little."
Ayaan didn't respond.
And this time—
he didn't correct her.
. Subtle Shift
Anaya took a sip of coffee.
"You know, people like you because you don't try."
Ayaan replied,
"Trying creates mistakes."
Anaya shook her head.
"Not always. Sometimes it creates connection."
That line stayed.
Longer than expected.
Ayaan looked at her.
Not like before.
Not professionally.
Just… quietly.
As if understanding something he hadn't considered before.
Ending Scene
That evening—
Kriti was still laughing about Ayaan's "marriage popularity."
Mahi sat in her room, her story now reaching more readers than ever before.
And Ayaan stood near the window in his office.
The city below was loud.
Full of people.
Full of attention.
But his thoughts were not on the noise.
They stayed somewhere else.
Somewhere simpler.
A café.
A conversation.
A girl who didn't treat him like something distant—
just someone… normal.
And for the first time—
he didn't try to change that.