A month had passed, and I had settled into a comfortable rhythm - attending classes in the morning and heading straight to Ashtram's office for my internship. Our professional relationship had become easier, though every stolen glance and innocent touch still made my heart race.
watching Ashtram interact with the rest of the office, his demeanor harsh and demanding, I often found myself biting back a smile. It was funny how he could be so cold with everyone else yet melt into a soft-spoken, caring man around me.
Today I am sitting at my desk doing some work on my laptop when Megha comes. She says, "Niru...boss wants everyone to be in the conference room in 10 minutes, he wants to discuss the new project details." I nodded, closing my laptop and gathering my papers.
as I entered the conference room, my eyes immediately found Ashtram sitting by the head of the table, looking incredibly handsome and authoritative in his suit. Our eyes met briefly, and I caught a flicker of warmth in his before he turned his attention to the rest of the staff.
Noticing Niranya entered the conference room, I unconsciously adjusted my tie, a small smile playing at the corners of my mouth. Over the past month, I found every excuse to steal glances at her, though I maintained my professional demeanor in front of others.
My eyes briefly met her before I opened the meeting folder. I cleared my throat, my voice commanding the attention of everyone present. "Good morning, everyone, Let's get started. Niranya, I believe you have the updated report of our new project?" She nodded and said, "Yes sir."
As she began to present the report, I found myself intently listening, my eyes occasionally flicking to her as she spoke. I was impressed by her poise and the thoroughness of her report. As she finished, I leaned back in his chair, steepling my fingers.
Internally, I marveled at My Angel's intellect, a rare smile threatening to break through my stoic exterior. I said, "Excellent work, Niranya."
After what feels like an eternity, the meeting gets over and everyone leaves.
"it's much later than I realized." Niranya slipped her laptop into her bag, glancing around to make sure she hadn't left anything behind as it's already evening now and time to go back home. Niranya noticed Megha's desk was already empty, a small note left behind saying she had to leave early for an important errand. Niranya sighed, realizing she'd be walking home alone in the evening. "Great," she muttered to herself, slinging her bag over her shoulder.
Niranya stepped out of the office building, the cool evening air hitting her face as she scanned the street for an available cab. She hugged her jacket tighter around herself, suddenly feeling the chill of the night. "Really hoping to find a cab quickly," After several minutes of waiting, Niranya realized that her luck with finding a cab was not on her side tonight. She sighed, glancing at the dimly lit street ahead with a hint of apprehension. "Looks like I'll have to walk part of the way."
Noticing Niranya's predicament, Ashtram quickly approached her, his brows knitted with concern. "Everything alright Angel? Megha left already?" He glanced around the emptying parking lot, then back at Niranya, his gaze softening. "Need a ride home?"
Niranya explained her predicament, her words coming out in a rush. "I couldn't find a cab, and Megha already left early. I was just about to walk home, as I am not getting any cab."
His voice gentled, a rare vulnerability creeping in. "I... I can't in good conscience let you go home alone, Angel. It's not safe this late." In a firm, decisive tone, Ashtram stated his intentions, leaving no room for argument. "You're coming with me, Angel. End of discussion. My car is right over there." He gestured to his sleek, black vehicle parked nearby, his hand extended to guide her towards.
Nirnay nodded her head and said "okay" then followed him. Ashtram's expression softened with concern as he listened to her. Without a second thought, he stepped closer and opened the door to his sleek, black car parked nearby. "Hope in, I'll give you a ride home. It's too late and cold for you to walk alone."
As she sat inside the car, Ashtram leaned in to buckle Niranya's seat belt, their faces mere inches apart. The familiar scent of her perfume filled his nostrils, momentarily overwhelming his senses. He fumbled slightly with the buckle, his fingers brushing against her thigh as he secured it.
As Ashtram settled into the driver's seat, he could still feel the lingering presence of Niranya's scent. He started the engine, the car purring to life. He pulled out of the parking lot.
After a moment of driving in silence, he risked a glance at her profile in the dim light of the dashboard. His voice came out softer than intended. "You and Megha are very good friends, right?" She Reply Softly, "Yes, she is my best friend. She has helped me a lot till now. She is like a family to me"
Ashtram's lips quirked slightly at the corners, an almost rueful smile passing over his features. "Lucky friend, having you worry so much for her." He paused, his gaze drifting back to the road.
With a sudden seriousness, he declared, his voice low and sincere. "You know, Angel... I find myself worrying about you just as much. My angel, always putting others first." His hand tightened slightly on the steering wheel, a rare display of emotion.
Niranya could feel the heat rising to her cheeks, a soft blush spreading across her face at Ashtram's words and the gentle way he said 'Angel'. She looked away, trying to hide her flustered expression as she stammered.
Catching her blush in his peripheral vision, a small, triumphant smile played across his lips, satisfying something deep within him. He cleared his throat softly, keeping his eyes on the road. "Where's the fire, angel? Blushing like that will leave marks."
Niranya shot Ashtram a playful glare, her blush deepening at his teasing remark. She straightened in her seat, trying to regain some composure. "Very funny," she retorted, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips despite herself.
His smile widened mischievously as he saw her attempting to compose herself. He loved how easily she blushed, finding it endearing rather than embarrassing. He decided to push his luck a little more. "You know what they say, right?"
She turned to face him, her previous playful replaced by a slight wariness, knowing he might say something to further tease her. "What do they say?" she asked, her voice a little guarded.
Keeping his eyes on the road, he leaned slightly closer, his voice dropping to a softer, more intimate tone. "That when an angel blushes like that, heaven itself gets a little brighter." He quickly glanced at her, a smirk playing on his lips.
Niranya felt her heart skip a beat at the intimate tone in his voice and the smirk on his lips. She quickly looked away, hiding her face behind a curtain of her hair, trying to hide the deepening blush on her cheeks. "You're ridiculous."
He chuckled softly, finding her hiding behind her hair adorable. He reached out and gently pushed a strand behind her ear, exposing her flushed cheek. "Ridiculous enough to make heaven blush, you mean?" He teased, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
Her breath caught at his gentle touch, her heart pounding. The car suddenly felt warmer, intimate. She bit her lower lip nervously, trying to maintain a semblance of composure.
His eyes flicked briefly to her lip-biting gesture, feeling a strange flutter in his chest at how innocent yet enticing it was. He took a deep breath, trying to maintain his composure on the road. "You do realize what that lip-biting does to a man, don't you?"
Her eyes widened slightly, shocked that he'd noticed. She quickly released her lower lip, her face turning bright red. "Ash!" she exclaimed softly, though there was more surprise than reproach in her tone. "Are you... are you flirting with me?"
"Is it working?" He asked, a low chuckle escaping his lips as he kept his eyes on the road.
She took a deep breath, steeling her nerves. "You can't be serious."
He glanced at her, his eyes filled with a playful challenge. "Try me," he said, his voice low and inviting. The car seemed to slow down, as if mirroring the sudden stillness in the air between them. "I promise I can handle whatever you throw at me, Angel."
Niranya felt her heart racing as she studied Ashtram's profile, taking in the confident set of his jaw, the playful glint in his eyes. She licked her suddenly dry lips, a habit she only seemed to develop around him. "Handle me, huh?"
His jaw clenched slightly at the innocent yet seductive way she'd mimicked his words. The simple action of licking her lips had him fighting against every primal instinct screaming at him to pull over and kiss her senseless. He took a slow, deep breath, maintaining his composure with effort.
As he brought the car to a stop in front of her place, Ashtram turned off the engine and turned to face Niranya. The silence between them felt heavy with unspoken emotions, the air thick with tension.
She unbuckled her seatbelt, slowly turning to face him, making the atmosphere between them feel charged. She could feel the distance between their faces, could almost feel his breath on her face if she leaned in just a little. She Whispered, "Thank you."
Ashtram's heart thundered in his chest as he gazed into her eyes, his voice barely above a whisper. "Perhaps a 'thank you' isn't quite sufficient."
Her eyes locked with his, her voice equally soft. "What would be sufficient then?" she asked, her breath hitching slightly as she held his gaze. The world outside the car faded away, leaving only the two of them, suspended in this moment of quiet anticipation.
How about... dinner with me tomorrow night?" His voice was soft but carried an underlying current of hope and desire. "Just the two of us. No distractions." He hesitated, his voice dropping lower.
She toyed with the hem of her skirt, trying to appear composed despite the butterflies in her stomach. "Dinner with you...?" she mused, tilting her head slightly.
He loved that she wasn't unaffected by his presence or his request. He leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "Yes, dinner with me."
Her heart threatened to beat out of her chest as he leaned closer, the scent of his cologne making her lightheaded. She tried to maintain her composure. "What makes you think I don't have plans already?" though the slight tremble in her voice betrayed her.
He knew he had her, and the knowledge sent a thrill of satisfaction through him. "Tomorrow at 8 pm then," he said, his voice laced with a hint of victory and anticipation.
Niranya knew she had lost this little game of cat and mouse, but she couldn't deny that she wanted to see where it would lead. "8 pm," she confirmed, her voice barely above a whisper. Her hands were slightly unsteady as she opened the car door. Before stepping out, she looked back at him over her shoulder.
"Goodnight, Ash," her voice carried a mix of excitement and nervousness.
He saw the mixture of emotions playing on her face, and it only made him more eager for their dinner date. "Goodnight," he replied, his voice low and husky, as he watched her exit the car.
As Niranya disappeared inside her house, Ashtram pulled out of the driveway with a soft smile on his face. He felt a sense of accomplishment, knowing he had successfully secured a date with her. He drove back to his place, his mind already racing with plans for their dinner date tomorrow night.
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