Give me fresh flowers, and an old love -
Kavya Dixit
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I was halfway through my meeting when my phone buzzes, it was a text from Nikhil.

Nikhil: Hey!

Putting my phone back, I focused on the meeting with our new writers Rachit and Aryan. I tapped my pen against the notepad in front of me, trying to focus on the discussion.

"The book launch is in less than three weeks," Riya, our marketing head, reminded everyone, flipping through her notes. "We need to finalize the venue, the guest list, and, most importantly, how we're introducing our new writers to the world."

"I think we should focus on a pre-launch campaign," Aarav, our PR specialist suggested. "A few teasers, maybe a couple of short interviews before the actual launch. Build some intrigue."

I nodded. "That could work, but we also need to make sure it doesn't feel forced. Readers connect more with writers who feel real, not overly polished or staged."

My eyes fell on Arin who was looking at me intently. "So what do you suggest?"

Of course, he has to question every suggestion I give. This has become like his favourite thing to do whenever we are in meetings.

I hesitated for only a second. "A mix of personal storytelling and professional insights. Maybe a behind-the-scenes series—something that shows writing process, inspirations, even the struggles with the book."

I noticed both Rachit and Aryan had smile on their faces and they nodded. "We like the idea." They said in unison.

Riya clapped her hands together. "Great! Then let's start working on the content strategy." She looks at her laptop "next, the book launch event. We need a venue that matches the themes of books."

My phone buzzes again but this time it was another text from Nikhil.

Nikhil:  I enjoyed our time together. We should do this again.

My fingers pauses over the keyboard.

In the background, the conversation continued but I was thinking about the breakfast with Nikhil. I also enjoyed our time together. And what Meher had said.

I was about shot a quick response to Nikhil, when another notification pops up on my screen.

Arin: Shouldn't you be focusing on the meeting? Instead of smiling at your phone.

I look up from my phone at Arin who was looking at me with curiosity filled in his eyes. I chose to look away and kept my phone facing down.

Soon the meeting was over, and I decided to take a coffee break. As I was on my way, I heard someone call me.

It was Rachit.

"Hey!" I greeted him with a smile on my face.
"Hey! I just wanted to thank you for being so patient with my story" Rachit says, a genuine smile on his face.
"I just helped you see what your book and your writing was capable of. Rest was done by you" I replied. "You truly are an amazing writer."

"If it's not too much of trouble or out of the line, I would like to take you out for lunch. Just a "thank you" lunch." Rachit says. I didn't know how to react this request because this is the first time any of our writer wants to take me for lunch.

"Sure, Rachit. I would love to celebrate your success" I said.
"Great! Let me know when you are available. I'll book us a table" he says and we bid our goodbyes.

On the way to the cafe for the coffee I replied back to Nikhil.

Skipping my usual cappuccino I go for espresso today, because I needed it after today's meeting and the day I have ahead of me.

I barely get the chance to sit down and take a breather before I go back to my office, my phone starts to buzz exploding with emails. Last minute changes in the manuscript, an urgent request from the marketing about the book launch, and of course a reminder from Raghav that my own deadlines are not optional.

And then—because the universe clearly enjoys testing my patience—Arin decides to make an appearance again.

Arin: Morning, Miss Deadline Queen. Surviving?

I exhale sharply, already regretting unlocking my phone.

Me: Barely. Why?

Arin: Just checking if you've had a meltdown yet. Figured it's about that time.

I resist the urge to hurl my phone across the cafeteria. Instead, I stood up and walked towards my office.

I throw myself into work, juggling between proofreading, answering calls, and attempting to not let my stress level go up. By noon, I was drowning in tasks, and my to-do list looks like a freaking battlefield of unchecked boxes which was starting to freak me out a little bit.

Then Arin appears at my office door.

Physically.

Leaning against the frame with his signature smirk, arms crossed like he has all the time in the world while I'm trying to keep my career from spontaneously combusting.

"Busy?" he asks, feigning innocence.

I narrow my eyes. "Do I look like I have time for small talk?"

He glances at the papers spread across my desk, the blinking emails on my laptop, and the sticky notes I've practically wallpapered onto my planner. "Hmm. Yeah, you do look a little... overwhelmed."

"Arin," I say, exasperated, "unless you have something important to say, leave."

"Alright, just wanted to remind you that we have meeting with Mishka, in about..." he looks at his watch. "Five minutes." He adds.

I quickly pull up my calendar to confirm, not before muttering shit under my breath I get up. This is my assistant Rhea's job to remind me.

Where the hell is she?

Rubbing my temples I looked at Arin, who still had that stupid smirk on his face "Thank you for reminding me. I will see you in the conference room."

I called in Rhea, who had a guilty look on her face.

"Saahiba..." she starts hesitantly, twisting the end of her notebook. "Please don't kill me, but—"

I don't even let her finish "you forgot to inform me about the meeting with Mishka."

Rhea nods, biting her lip.

I pinch the bridge of my nose, exhaling sharply.

"I will deal with this later. I believe she is already waiting. Thanks to Arin he dropped by my office" I said hurriedly and rushed to the conference room.

I take a deep breath, before settling in the chair beside Arin. Reminding myself I can tackle this and everything else that is on my list of task. Especially being around Arin, who is not leaving any stone unturned to be annoying as hell.

"Ah, look who finally decided to show up," Arin says the moment he spots me, smirking.

I shoot him a sharp glare before turning to Mishka with an apologetic smile. "I'm so sorry for the delay, Mishka. My schedule's been a mess today, but I've been looking forward to this."

She shakes her head quickly. "Oh, no, it's totally fine! I was just—" she glances at Arin, "—going over some of the notes."

Ignoring Arin I begin, "So, we loved the story, Mishka. Your world-building is amazing, and your main character, Lyra, is compelling."

"But," Arin cuts in, tapping the page in front of him, "we need to talk about the pacing in the second half. The buildup is fantastic, but the final confrontation? It happens too fast."

Mishka nods quickly. "I was worried about that. I felt like if I slowed it down too much, it might lose momentum."

I smile reassuringly. "That's understandable, but right now, the emotional impact is getting lost. We need more time to sit with Lyra's struggles, especially in that final battle. Give her—and the readers—a chance to feel the stakes before she jumps into action."

Arin leans forward, tapping his pen against the page. "And while we're at it—about the villain." He exchanges a glance with me before turning back to Mishka. "Right now, he's... fine. But he could be more."

"More?" Mishka asks.

I nod. "Right now, he's a bit one-dimensional. We know what he wants, but why? What's his real motivation? If we understand him better, he'll feel like more than just an obstacle for Lyra."

Mishka bites her lip, thinking. "I did have this backstory for him that I never fully included... Maybe if I weave that in—"

"That could work," I encourage. "It'll make the stakes more personal. Readers love a complex antagonist."

She nods, "Okay, I can work on that!"

We bid our goodbye after having a little bit of discussion on how her book can be better. I have seen amazing writers, but Mishka is something else. I could see her doing amazing things in the coming future and I would love to help her through this journey.

As we were on our way out I asked Mishka to grab lunch with me.

She blinks surprised "Oh- uh lunch?"

I nod. "Yeah. You've just survived your first big manuscript discussion. That's worth a break, don't you think?"

Mishka hesitates for a second, like she's not sure if she should accept, but then she grins. "Honestly? That sounds amazing."

Arin, who's been quietly observing this exchange with an amused expression, clears his throat. "Are all debut writers lucky enough to get a free lunch from their editor, or is this just a Mishka special?"

I roll my eyes at him. "Don't be jealous."
"Who said I was?" He smirks. Ignoring him I walked off. I only have so much energy to deal with his drama, and I'm choosing to ignore that.

Thirty minutes later, we were sitting at a cozy cafe, just few minutes away from office. Mishka is visibly relaxed, and I can tell the stress of the meeting was finally wearing off.

"I was so nervous before this," she admits, stirring her iced tea. "I kept thinking you'd both tear my manuscript apart."

"We only push when we see the potential." I smile at her. "And I see a lot of potential in your book."

Mishka looks down flustered "that means a lot to me. Really."

We talked a little more about her, and where she's from. I told her a little bit about me.

"By the way, if you don't mind me asking...umm...is there something going on between you and Arin?"

I almost choked on my coffee.

Was it that visible? Are we that obvious?

"It's okay, you don't have to answer if you don't want to. It's just that I sensed something." She says smiling shyly.

And I look at her face intently and notice that she has the kind of beauty that isn't loud or demanding, it's the kind that sneaks up on you. She has delicate features, soft and expressive brown eyes with warmth filled in them.

"No, there is not" I replied to her.

She nods, and goes back to eating her lunch.

But the question she asked lingered at the back of my mind.

I know I can't avoid him—that's the downside of being colleagues—but I really wish he wouldn't keep showing up so often. Despite everything that's happened, why is he always on my mind?

I do my best to not think about him, but somehow my mind keeps circling back to his thoughts.

"Thank you so much, Saahiba." Mishka's voice snaps me out of my thoughts.

"It's no problem," I say with a smile. Alizeh and Meher would absolutely love her, I thought to myself.

"You know what? If you're free this weekend, I'm going out with my friends—maybe you could join us. Since you're new to the city, it might be nice to spend time with some familiar faces." I suggest, recalling how she mentioned being new here.

She hesitates. "I'm not sure..." I can see the uncertainty in her eyes.

"Oh, come on! You already know me, and I promise Alizeh and Meher don't bite. They're amazing!"

She thinks it over for a moment before nodding. "Okay, sure."

I let out a squeal of excitement. "Great! I'll text you the details later."

With that, we say our goodbyes, and I head back to the office.

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