The office cafeteria buzzed with quiet chatter.
Ananya sat across from Rohit, discussing a project.
"…we'll need to finalize the client pitch by Friday," she said.
Rohit nodded, smiling.
"You haven't changed. Still the most dedicated person here."
Ananya laughed softly.
"Some things don't change."
Across the room—
Aarav watched.
His jaw tightened.
Every smile she gave Rohit felt like a blade.
Every laugh… a reminder of what he had lost.
Rohit leaned slightly forward.
"You know… I was worried about you."
Ananya looked at him, surprised.
"Why?"
"You disappeared suddenly years ago," he said gently.
"No explanation. No goodbye."
Her smile faded.
Before she could respond—
A chair scraped loudly.
Aarav sat down beside her.
"Meeting over?" he asked coldly.
Rohit looked at him calmly.
"We were talking."
"I can see that," Aarav replied.
The tension was instant.
Sharp.
Uncomfortable.
Ananya frowned.
"Aarav—"
"We should go," he interrupted.
Rohit raised an eyebrow.
"She's not a child. She can decide that herself."
Silence.
Aarav's eyes darkened.
"And you should remember she's not yours to worry about."
Rohit didn't back down.
"Maybe not. But at least I didn't lose her."
The words hit.
Hard.
Ananya stood up immediately.
"That's enough."
She walked away—
But both men knew…
This wasn't over.