Arjun's POV: 

"When are you planning to confess your feelings?" a tiny voice asked.

I turned around to face the owner of the voice. It was Nila- the birthday girl. I faltered by her sudden question and put on a puzzled expression.

"What are you talking about?" I said, even though I knew what she meant.

"You don't know?" she countered, taking a seat beside me. I merely shook my head and turned away. I wanted her to stop asking any more questions because I might say something I'd later regret if she did. 

"Come on, Arjun! You know what I meant." She shook me lightly, forcing me to look at her. 

"Why are you hesitating? Tell her Arjun." 

"Why should I?" I asked and looked at Mehra who was still laughing with Neil. "Doesn't she look happy?"

Nila shook her head and said, "She sees Neil as a friend."

"How do you know that?" I asked in a hopeless tone.

"I know my mom." She shrugged and looked at Mehra. "They are good friends. Even though Neil likes her, she only wants friendship."

I didn't respond. I was afraid that if I told Mehra about my feelings, she would reject me. I'd never asked anyone out before. My inexperience was exacerbating the situation. Furthermore, our relationship was not even friendly. I had always been harsh to her. Even when she lost her parents, I was cruel to her instead of consoling her. I said things I hadn't meant. All because of my goddamn ego. But this was not the only reason for my arrogant behavior towards her. 

The other reason was that I was in denial about my feelings for her. I didn't want to admit that I liked the tough lady who worked in the office next to mine.

Now I realized that no matter what I tried, I would never be able to stop what I have for her. I wasn't even sure what to call it. It seemed as though I had a connection with her and everything related to her. When I saw her injured hand two days ago I wanted to take care of her, stop her from doing anything else and just push her to take rest. But I didn't. I didn't want her to see my soft side. After seeing how she was hurt by my words on her date night with Neil, I had sworn that I wouldn't hurt her by my words.

I also decided to keep my distance, assuming that she was interested in Neil. But when Nila told me she was only friends with him, I got a glimmer of optimism that maybe, just maybe, I have a chance with her.

"Hello?Arjun?" Nila waved her hands in front of my face to bring me back to reality. "What are you thinking?" 

"Nothing." I sighed. "Let's drop this, okay?"

"But why?" Nila whined. "You both have something. Mom is too blind to see it and you're too scared to show it."

"No, that is not the case," I answered back. 

"Then what is the case?" Nila asked, folding her hands across her chest. 

"I don't want to get rejected," I confessed. 

"Do you think mom will reject you?" she asked. I just nodded and looked away. 

"Then let's woo her." 

I looked at Nila bewildered. She wanted me to woo Mehra when we had a serial killer on loose who was smart enough to commit perfect crimes. But then again, Nila was not aware of the case. 

"We have more important things to take care of." 

With that, I got up and forwarded my hand telling Nila to get up too. 

"If you both are destined to be together- it will happen, no matter what," Nila declared and I just nodded, knowing very well that it was just a stupid quote.

"By the way, why do you call mom, Mehra? Why not Priya?" I debated whether or not to respond, but she didn't get a chance to hear since Kashi arrived, looking for Nila.

"Oh, so you are here?" Kashi asked. "I got scared when I couldn't find you anywhere."

"I was talking to Arjun," Nila replied and held my hand. I smiled at Kashi in acknowledgment. We had never conversed before except for a few hi's and 'hello's

"Come let's go, Nila," Kashi said and gestured to Nila to follow her inside. 

"You go. I will come with Arjun," Nila replied. Kashi looked reluctant. Was she scared that I would do something to Nila? But as she delivered her next words, I discovered the answer to her reticence.

"She is not disturbing you, right?" Kashi asked me. "You came out to attend a call so-,"

"That's okay. Nila is not disturbing," I cut her off. Kashi nodded and went back inside. 

"Let's go inside. It's getting cold here anyway," I told Nila and she nodded. This girl was far smarter than a typical ten-year-old. But she'd been through a lot more than a ten-year-old is meant to go through.

"By the way, Neil is also not bad," Nila said and looked at me with a smirk. She was trying to make me jealous. I knew she wanted Mehra and me to get together. 

'Oh, kiddo, we both can play this game,' I thought to myself.

"Of course, he isn't. If they both get married your name will be Nila Singhania," I replied. "You both have similar names too, Neil and Nila." I looked at her to see her glaring at me.

"Uff! Arjun!" she exclaimed as we entered the cosy home and punched me lightly with her small fist. I just faked a hurt expression. Even if I didn't get along with Mehra, I was never going to break my ties with Nila. 

We eventually decided to end the party because it was past midnight. I was ready to leave when I remembered the stalker and decided to warn Mehra. I went back inside and ran into a drowsy Nila who was going to her bedroom like a cute zombie.

"Nila, do you know where Mehra is?" I asked quickly.

"Are you going to confess?" she asked excitedly. Wasn't this girl sleepy a second ago?

"No! It's something serious. Tell me where Mehra is?" Nila seemed to understand the seriousness of the situation and told me that Mehra was in her study room. 

I was going to knock on the study room door when I heard muffled noises from the adjacent room. I knew that eavesdropping was bad, but I was intrigued as to why the person was speaking in hushed tones.

"Why are you forcing me to do this? You know I can't do this," the voice said. 

"How can I kill her?" 

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(Conversation between two unknown people)

Are you mad? What if he had caught you?

I didn't know he would come out all of a sudden. 

You better be careful. I don't want our plan to go wrong. We are almost there. 

I know. I am sorry. I will take care. 

Good. When are you taking the next step?

Soon a little more preparation is needed.

Ok. Be careful. 

*Thumbs up*

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