Recap: Aryan and Sanju miss each other.

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The next morning, Sanju woke up early, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness about returning to the office. She dressed in a blue and white chudi, her smile bright as she turned to wake Aryan.

He groggily rubbed his eyes, blinking up at her. The sight of her standing there, looking ethereal in the morning light, made him momentarily forget everything else. He was completely entranced.

Sanju chuckled at his dazed expression. "Good morning. Get ready."

Aryan smirked, his voice still husky from sleep. "Good morning, sweetheart."

Reluctantly, he got out of bed and went to freshen up, while Sanju made her way downstairs for breakfast. When he joined her at the table, he casually reached out, intertwining their fingers.

Kowsalya walked out of the kitchen carrying casseroles and glanced at them. "Sanju, are you going somewhere?"

"Yes, Maa. I'm rejoining the office today," Sanju replied.

Kowsalya looked concerned. "Is your health okay now?"

Sanju nodded reassuringly. "Hmm, I'm doing good."

After breakfast, they prepared to leave.

"Okay, see you in the office," Sanju said, stepping toward her car.

Aryan hummed in acknowledgment but didn't let her go without ensuring her safety. "Ranjith, make sure the guards follow her at all times."

"Everything is arranged, sir," Ranjith confirmed.

Aryan nodded in approval before getting into his own car and heading to ARC Towers.

Sanju entered her cabin and immediately felt a shiver run down her spine. The memories of that terrifying day resurfaced, making her uneasy. She closed her eyes for a moment, recalling Aryan's reassuring words. Stay strong, Sanju.

Determined, she pushed the thoughts aside and focused on work, checking Aryan's schedule and following up on pending tasks.

Picking up her phone, she dialed Pavi.

"Hello, Sanju!" Pavi's voice was filled with concern. "How are you? What happened all of a sudden?"

"I'm fine, Pavi. I'm back in the office. Let's meet at lunch and talk, okay?"

"Okay, da! I've missed you so much."

"Missed you too. See you soon."

After hanging up, Sanju got back to work.

Meanwhile, in his cabin, Aryan leaned back in his chair, his eyes fixated on the closed curtains separating his office from Sanju's.

"Why won't she open the curtains even now?" he muttered to himself. "She's torturing me."

Frustrated, he contemplated his next move. Should I call her? He smirked. She'll ask why, but I'll manage.

Without another thought, he picked up his phone and dialed her number.

"Sanju, come to my cabin."

"Hmm, okay," she replied.

When she entered his office, she found him seemingly engrossed in his laptop, not even sparing her a glance.

Looks like sir is really busy, she thought.

"Aryan?" she called out.

He responded without looking up. "Hmm, Sanjana. What's my schedule today?"

Sanju checked her tab. "You have only one meeting at 3 PM with new dealers for the construction division. They'll be here by 2:30."

Aryan nodded. "Hmm. So I don't have any meetings this morning, right?"

Sanju confirmed, "Yes."

Aryan leaned back, smirking. "Then I'm free. What should I do now?"

She rolled her eyes. "I said you don't have any meetings, but you have files to sign."

"Get the files, then."

Sanju handed him the documents and stood beside his desk as he signed them. He kept glancing at her between signatures, making her heart race.

Finally, after signing the last one, she said, "Okay, I'll leave now."

Aryan leaned forward. "Should you leave already?"

Sanju raised an eyebrow at him.

His thoughts ran wild. I'm already losing control. If she keeps acting like this, I'll completely lose it.

"I meant, do you have to go back right away?" he clarified. "I don't have any work, so why not sit and talk?"

She smiled. "We already talk a lot at home."

He stood up and moved toward her. "Okay, then let's not talk. Let's do something else."

Before she could react, he caught her wrist and pulled her close.

"Aryan, we're at the office! What are you doing?" she whispered urgently.

"Yes, we are," he said, completely unfazed. "Did I say otherwise?"

He tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, his fingers grazing her earlobe.

Sanju shivered. "A...Ar...Aryan..."

"Don't stutter too much," he teased.

"Someone might walk in! Let me go," she pleaded.

"Who would dare enter my cabin without permission?" he asked, smiling.

Sanju sighed in defeat. "Fine. Just let me go."

"Give me something, and I will."

She blinked in confusion. "What?"

He smirked. "If you don't give, I'll take it."

Before she could protest, he pulled her into an embrace, pressing a soft kiss to her neck.

Sanju gasped, squeezing her eyes shut.

Aryan chuckled. "Hey, I won't do anything. Open your eyes."

Hesitantly, she did, only to find him staring at her with a mischievous glint.

"I like your pink cheeks," he mused. "So..."

He kissed her cheek.

"Now you're free to go. But we're meeting for lunch."

Sanju took a step back. "No, I have plans with Pavi. She's worried about me, so I'll have lunch with her."

Aryan narrowed his eyes. "Are you sure?"

"Very sure."

He sighed dramatically. "Fine. But in that case, I want a special dinner tonight." He winked.

She smirked. "You talk too much. No dinner for you tonight."

"Let's see about that, baby," he said, watching her walk away with a fond smile.

Just then, Ranjith entered. "Sir, Manasi is back. She wants to meet you."

Aryan's expression darkened. The mere mention of her name ignited his fury. Daniel's confession was still fresh in his mind, and a part of him wanted to end her right then and there. But for now, he composed himself.

"Send her in."

Moments later, Manasi stepped inside, her expression contrite. "Good morning, sir."

Aryan barely acknowledged her with a grunt.

She hesitated before speaking, her voice trembling. "Sir, I'm sorry. Please forgive me. I shouldn't have stooped so low. My love for you—"

"Cut the crap," Aryan snapped. "I don't want to hear any of your nonsense. Get back to work. And remember, next time, I won't hesitate to put my hand on my gun."

Tears welled up in her eyes, but Aryan saw right through them. Crocodile tears.

"I'm sorry, sir. I'll be loyal to you," she murmured.

"Leave. Now."

As soon as she walked out, Ranjith reentered.

Aryan's voice was sharp. "Watch her closely. Every move."

Ranjith nodded. "Understood, sir."

At lunchtime, Sanju made her way to the cafeteria, feeling a surge of warmth as she spotted Pavi. The moment their eyes met, they rushed toward each other, enveloping one another in a tight hug, their bond as strong as ever.

"I missed you so much, Sanju!" Pavi exclaimed, holding her friend tightly.

Sanju smiled. "Me too, Pavi."

Pulling back, Pavi looked at her with concern. "Sanju, what happened? I was so scared for you."

Sanju sighed. "Nothing, Pavi. Let's sit down, order some food, and then I'll tell you everything."

Once they settled with their orders placed, Pavi leaned forward expectantly. "Now tell me what really happened."

Sanju recounted the terrifying incident, explaining how Aryan had saved her—leaving out the part about staying with him.

Pavi gasped, horrified. "Oh my God! That bastard! I never thought he would stoop so low."

Sanju sighed. "Hmm... let it go. It's all sorted now."

Pavi frowned. "Still, I feel so bad about it."

"Yeah... I was scared too," Sanju admitted, shuddering slightly at the memory.

Pavi studied her for a moment before smirking. "But now, one thing is clear—Aryan sir likes you a lot. His eyes are always on you." She wiggled her eyebrows. "So, tell me, what's going on between you two?"

Sanju's cheeks instantly warmed at the mention of Aryan's name.

Pavi's smirk widened. "Heyyy, are you blushing? That means something is definitely going on!"

Sanju quickly shook her head. "No, Pavi, nothing like that."

"Stop lying! I can read your face, you know." Pavi leaned in closer. "Did you both confess your love?"

Sanju's mind spiraled at the question. Love? Aryan has never said a word about love. Does he really love me? If he does, why hasn't he told me?

"Sanju?" Pavi waved a hand in front of her face. "Where are you lost?"

Snapping out of her thoughts, Sanju hesitated before saying, "No, Pavi. We haven't confessed anything... but maybe... it's a mutual feeling?"

Pavi rolled her eyes. "Stop kidding, girl. Just say it—you love him!"

Sanju groaned. "Oh my God, Pavi, please stop it. And listen, if he ever proposes, you'll be the first person to know."

Pavi huffed. "Why wait for him? Why don't you propose first?"

Sanju's eyes widened. "What? No way!"

Pavi grinned triumphantly. "Ah-ha! So you admit you're in love with him?"

Sanju's face turned red. "Pavi, please shut your mouth."

"Okay, okay, I'll stop," Pavi said, laughing.

Sanju shook her head, trying to change the subject. "Anyway, what's new at the office?"

Pavi's expression shifted. "Well, Manasi was on leave for a long time, and she just joined back yesterday. But something seems off."

Sanju raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

"Yeah, something definitely happened. I just don't know what."

Sanju shrugged. "Let's not dig into her matters."

With that, they finished their lunch and headed back to their cabins, each lost in their own thoughts.

Sanju sat in her cabin, lost in thought. She and Aryan had never spoken about love, yet it was there, felt in every glance, in every touch.

Isn't this love? she wondered. Why hasn't it struck me or Aryan before? But love with a confession and a proposal is also special. Let's see if he proposes first. If not... maybe I will.

Her thoughts were interrupted by her phone ringing. Aryan.

She sighed. He's already calling. I don't think it'll be easy to control him now.

She picked up the call and soon found herself in his cabin.

"Yes, Aryan?" she asked, folding her arms.

"Did you have your lunch?" he inquired.

"I did. What about you?"

"I had mine too," he replied, then leaned forward. "What did Pavithra say?"

"I told her everything... except that we're staying together," she admitted.

Aryan hummed in response.

"Shall I leave now?" she asked.

"Wait, wait," he said quickly.

She narrowed her eyes. "What now?"

"Madam, won't you remove the curtains even now?"

She scoffed. "Why should I?"

Aryan leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. "If you do, I won't keep calling you every now and then."

Sanju smirked. "Would you actually focus on work if I remove them?"

"I will work to my best," he promised.

She laughed. "Yeah, I know exactly what kind of work you'll be focused on. So... no. I'm not removing them."

Aryan pouted. "Heyyy, darling, please consider my plea."

"I'll think about it," she teased.

Aryan extended his hand toward her. Without thinking, Sanju placed hers in his palm. He brought it to his lips and kissed her knuckles gently.

She pulled back slightly. "What's gotten into you? Focus on your work."

"I'm trying," he said, staring at her. "But I can't."

Sanju sighed. "This isn't helping. I'm leaving."

She walked back to her cabin, shaking her head at his antics.

At 3 PM, she accompanied Aryan to the meeting. He sat at the head of the table, and she took her seat beside him. The new dealers for their construction business had a productive discussion with Aryan, and by 4:30, the meeting concluded. The attendees left, leaving only Aryan and Sanju in the conference room.

Sanju stood up. "Okay, I'll mail you the minutes of the meeting soon."

Just as she turned to leave, Aryan caught her wrist.

"Aryan, what are you doing?" she hissed. "We're in the conference room. What if someone comes in?"

"So what?" he said nonchalantly. "I don't care."

She glared at him. "We'll be the office gossip."

Aryan chuckled. "Are you scared? Who's going to talk?"

"Fine, whatever. Let's go now," she insisted.

But Aryan had other plans. He pulled her toward him, and she landed on his lap. His arms wrapped around her waist, holding her close.

"You know what?" he murmured. "I just want to keep you close all the time."

Sanju rolled her eyes. "We already do that, Aryan."

"Not enough," he whispered.

Before she could protest, the door swung open.

Sanju jolted and scrambled off Aryan's lap, quickly moving to the side.

Manasi stood at the door, momentarily stunned. "Sorry, sir," she mumbled.

Aryan, his expression dark, leaned back in his chair. "What do you want, Ms. Manasi?"

"The profit reports since the new product launch and the legal documents for the government building construction are ready. They need your signature," she said, holding out the file.

Aryan barely spared her a glance. "Leave it here. I'll check and sign later."

"I've already verified everything, sir," she added.

"Ms. Manasi, I said leave the file. You'll get it later," he repeated coldly.

Manasi hesitated. "Okay, sir. Thank you."

She turned to leave when Aryan's voice stopped her.

"Manasi, from now on, knock before entering any room I'm in," he ordered.

Manasi's gaze flickered toward Sanju before she nodded. "Yes, sir. I'm sorry."

She left, and Sanju turned to Aryan, glaring.

"What now?" he asked lazily.

"She saw us," Sanju hissed.

Aryan smirked. "So what? She won't dare to open her mouth. Even if she does, you don't have to worry."

Sanju shook her head. "You're impossible, Aryan."

"I'm glad you're finally realizing it," he said, grinning. "Come, let's go to the cabin."

"Excuse me? You will go to your cabin, and I will go to mine," she corrected.

"Fine," he said, amused. "Let's leave."

As they walked back, an undeniable truth settled between them. The love they hadn't spoken aloud was already growing, weaving its way into every moment. Confessions could wait. For now, they were living their love, unsaid, but deeply felt.

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A/N:

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