I was sitting in my office doing my work. After sometime I looked at him. He was busy doing his work. I looked at him for sometime but he didn't look back. I felt a pang of hurt.

He has always ignored me
Like I never existed

He was my senior. I am under him but he never opened up. Like only business talks.

Yeah! That's fine
But still I feel hurt.
He never talked beyond work.

Ofcourse,he is a good looking guy. That's why a big fat ego. But that's only for me!

He talks with everyone in our group. He has a great bond with everyone except me!

"Hey Kartik !..did u recheck those files Which I gave you!!" Ritesh asked him entering the room as he was out to solve the problems of construction workers.

He stood up and side hugged him.

"Yeah,I have just completed rechecking them." He answered.

"Guys,guys I have a good news for you all." Sourabh literally yelled storming into the cabin.

"What !!...Tell us..what good news!" We both..I mean.. Ritesh and me yelled in excitement. He is a calm guy,means never so excited about the things ofcourse unlike me.

I think that's why He doesn't like me
Basically that's why he ignores me.

I was stealing glances of him. Like I always do. Because..I am a stupid.

Just then a hand slid around my waist. I looked up to see Saurabh. He looked at me and smiled.

We are in relationship from 5 months.

I looked at Kartik,his eyes stayed at Saurabh hands for a mili second and then he looked somewhere else.

He again ignored me!

It's ok!..Naira!.. it's ok
Focus on Saurabh
I made me understand but!

I looked at Saurabh. He looked at me and smiled. I smiled too.

Albeit fake!

Ritesh coughed.

"Tell us the good news dude!" Ritesh asked Saurabh.

"So,the good news is that we are going for a movie. We all. That's a bonus from boss seeing our hard-work.

All cheered. Including HIM.
I was surprised!

We all group hugged but Saurabh's hand was still around my waist.

No!That wasn't giving me goosebumps. I was feeling. Disgusted. I dunno why.

Kartik and Saurabh were either side of me. So when we group hugged. Kartik's hand lingered on my shoulder and I felt goosebumps in my whole body and that area. Was burning.

I looked at him. His eyes made a contact with my eyes for a few seconds and That moment felt so beautiful. I so wanted it to stop.

But Damn!
He looked otherside.
He has always wrong timing.

We broke the hug.

"Where's Rahul?" HE asked.

"He is busy with some project but I have messaged him about the same!" Ritesh explained.

"So when are we going?" I asked bringing me out of my thoughts.

"Tomorrow!!" Saurabh answered.

I squealed like a kid.
Ritesh chuckled seeing me.
Saurabh looked at me strangely that gave me a piece of mind.

That I shouldn't do that!..I am in office not in my home.

But when I looked at kartik. He was smiling widely displaying his dimples. and. And that took my breath away.

Dead!

I looked at the otherside to control myself but I wasn't able to.

I Again stole a glance of him. But that smile wasn't on its place now!

I felt bad! I wanted to see that heart warming smile. That was relaxing to me.

We soon engaged ourselves in our work. While he ignoring me as always and I feeling a knife stabbing my heart.

I dunno why?
I 'm literally messed up!!

**************
I got myself ready dressed up in a frock till my knees.

"Naira,beta take care...and also mujhe" my mom again started her lecture!

"Aapko call krti rhu....ik mom.aap tension mt lo. I will be fine." I explained her umpteenth time but she is so hyper. Because I was the only girl in the group. But she believes the group though. But still you can't stop your mom from worrying.

"Bye Mom!" I waved at her and was waiting for my cab. That the driver cancelled it.

These drivers I tell you. Means why they agree only if at last,they have to cancel.

Then,I cancelled cab myself. And thought to take another transport because at night,cab is not that safe.

But which transport is safe?
Shit
I forgot!
that Saurabh was going to pick me. He messaged me.A while ago.
I was about to call him.

Just then A car stopped in front of me.
I looked at the person who was driving.

And I was surprised! shocked!
Am I dreaming
Kartik!

He came out of the car. And his every step was making me shiver. He finally came close to me.

"Hey"he greeted

"Hi"I greeted too with questioning countenance.

He sighed.

"Actually, Saurabh got struck with some work at the end moment. He will come directly. So he requested me to pick you up." He explained me.

Oh! So he was here because of this!
I thought may be he wanted to volunteer!!
May be he wanted to spend sometime with me.
But who am I for him!
A junior ofcourse
nothing more!

Stop it Naira!
Stop expecting from him.

"Umm.. let's go" he spoke softly. I nodded.

I moved. He also moved at the same time. We got misbalanced. I held his shoulder to support myself. While his hands engulfed my waist. I looked at him as I felt a sensation. An emotion ran through my vein. An unknown feeling.

I looked in his eyes searching for the same feelings and I did. But I guess. It's all my illusion. He looked in mine. And I felt my feelings of sadness because of his ignorance shading away.

He made me stand.
"Are you fine?"he whispered.
"Y..yes" I stuttered.

He held out his hand. I was so confused. What's happening?  Is this day that good?!

He looked between my eyes and his hand.
"Mai nhi chahta tumhe kuch ho. So please take my hand."he requested.

I held his hand. I didn't need that justification but those words warmed my heart.

When My cold hands held his warm ones. I felt blessed to be held my him.but it's just for few steps. Just for few!

He opened car door for me. While I adored him.

I didn't want to lose that opportunity.

I sat and our hands seperated. I knew it.
I knew!

He came and sat on his seat. And started the engine.

He started driving and I was stealing glances of him. He changed a gear and his hand slightly brushed mine!

I looked at him! And adored him.
Let him think what he wants to.
Who cares!

His hands were brushing against mine many times.. while changing gear..or something..but it was.

He looked in the mirror. I looked in the mirror too and we were looking at each other through mirror with unknown emotions. It was something which was melting me. Which was letting me get relaxed in his warmth. Which was arousing a goody goody feeling inside me but I knew that it would last for few minutes.

Soon we reached that complex,we met our colleagues-cum- friends. I hugged Ritesh and Rahul. Kartik followed the suite.

We entered inside.
"Saurabh?  Where is he...abhi tak nhi aaya..?" I asked while they all shrugged.

"Main call krti hu"I said while they move forward. I called him following them.

It was picked up after sometime.

"Sau" I was about to ask him that

"Oh..baby slow..ahhh ...Saurabh..slow baby.."I could hear moans.

I hang up the call but tears made their way out of my eyes.

I felt betrayed.
I rushed out of crowd..I dunno where I was going..but I couldn't stand there in crowd.

I was angry, disappointed and what not!

I realised that I came in  a parking lot. I sat behind a car and let myself Burst into tears.

I didn't think that he would do this!
He betrayed me!!

I was sobbing,

"Naira" I heard someone.

Kartik!
No god!..I am not in a state to face him..
Please send him away.
I hid myself but when I looked from the corner to see him.
He wasn't there.
I sighed in relief.

I looked up and my eyes met his.
I tried to hide my tears but miserably failed.

Betrayal from anyone hurts us. That betrayal hurt me. A lot.

"Hey,what happened?" he asked me.

"Nothing"I said trying to hide those tears ..and keeping a fake smile on my face.

He sat beside me and cupped my face.

I was surprised by his this act.

"Naira ..what happened"he said wiping my tears.

While I hugged him crying my heart out. He was taken aback but hugged me back. and gave me warmth, protection and a shelter to pour my heart out.

Soon after sometime we were sitting there our hands entangled. He cracking some lamest jokes and I laughing on them.

He caressed my hand with his fingers.

"Naira..Are you alright ..now" he said stopping me from laughing.

I looked at him with so much adoration.
He is really a gem.

I nodded giving his answer.

He smiled and wrapped his hands around me.
"Thank god,I was so worried seeing you in that condition." He said..

And I couldn't help asking .."why?"

He looked at me intensely.
"Because I care for you."

I wanted more explanation and he also knew that.

"Because" he started.
He neared his face to mine and touched our foreheads while..I took a deep breath.  Our Proximity was creating havoc with my feelings.

"Because I like you Naira. A lot. For a long time. I can't even tell you how much. you are my fantasy. I am never that confident when it comes to talkin' with girls. And you were already in relationship with Saurabh. So I didn't tell you. I really really like you Naira. But you needn't to like me back. It's ok!"  He whispered rubbing our nose.

I was surprised by his confession
Means I never thought that he would like me.

I shushed him by keeping my finger on his lips.

And mere a contact of my finger with his lips created spark.

"I like you too Kartik. I always liked you and I will always like you. I like you."I whispered.

He was surprised!

"Really?" I nodded.

He  leaned more and kissed my forehead. I felt overwhelmed. I kissed his forehead too. And we snuggled close to each other sharing everything with each other. Enjoying each other's company.

*****
So this is the short story. I wrote it to distract my mind from the things going on. But still I won't promise to give updates soon. As I am myself not sure.

Till the next update do read stories like- humara aashiyana,Saathiya.

And do follow shailjamanya05

Tysm guys.
Bhumi❤️