Page 40 of Cherish my Heart

And she’s already closer than I know how to handle.

CHAPTER 21

ADITI

I’ve barely had two bites of my lunch when someone starts playing Kala Chashma way too loud on a Bluetooth speaker that’s seen better days. I look around at the laughter, chatter, and clink of spoons and plates. The whole fourth floor smells of garlic bread, cheap perfumes, and stress sweat disguised under body spray.

It’s our one-month lunch party—the interns threw it together themselves, with Radha coordinating most of it because she’s a walking to-do list with eyeliner. Paper plates in hand, we stand near the long glass wall that overlooks the city. Not the pretty side, though. Just cranes, traffic, and scaffolding. Still, it’s better than emails.

“Tell me honestly,” Radha says between chews of her paneer wrap. “Are we actually celebrating surviving this month, or are we pretending it’s not hell working under Mr. Growl-and-Glare?”

I snort. “You’re the one who said he’s secretly hot.”

“I didn’t say secretly hot,” she corrects. “I said broody-hot. Like ‘I’ll ruin your life and then save you from a burning building’ energy.”

My mouth twitches. I don’t answer, mostly because she’s not wrong and I’m not brave enough to admit that. Especially not after spending two days in his apartment, wearing his oversized shirt, while he cooked me poha, made chocolate protein bars for me, and told me things that made my heart ache a little too much.

I pop a piece of garlic bread in my mouth instead.

That’s when I notice him, Tushar, from logistics, I think, standing just behind Radha. I’ve seen him once or twice—button-downs too tight at the arms, always the first to comment when someone walks in wearing something mildly fashionable. The kind of guy who thinks his opinion is a gift and his stare is a compliment.

He walks up like he owns the floor.

“Hey,” he greets, flashing a smile that’s all smirk and no sincerity. “You’re Aditi, right?”

I swallow and nod politely. “Hi.”

He holds out his plate toward me like it’s some kind of offering. “Want to grab dinner sometime? There’s this new Korean BBQ place—”

“Oh,” I cut in quickly, stepping a little back. “Thank you, but no.”

His smile falters. Then it tightens. Oh, that's not a good sign. “Come on. One dinner?”

“I appreciate it, but really... I’m not interested.”

His jaw clenches. I can see his ears turning red, from embarrassment or maybe anger. From the look in his eyes, I cansee he is not going to take the rejection lightly. Men. I almost roll my eyes.

“Right. Of course you’re not. I mean, when you’ve got the boss on your side, what would you want with someone who doesn’t sign your paycheck?” He says, grabbing the attention of a few interns nearby.

My heart stumbles.

“What do you mean?” I ask, voice cool but careful.

He shrugs. “You know what I mean. Special treatment, late entries, and the car drop. Come on, we all see it. You didn’t climb—looks more like a shortcut to the top.” His lips curl up in a smirk.

There’s a pause. The kind of silence that rushes in like air before a storm. I don’t realize what I am doing; my body moves involuntarily, and then I slap him.

Hard.

The sound snaps through the room like thunder, sharp and final. I don’t wait to see his face. Don’t wait for gasps or questions or whispers. I just turn around and walk out, each step pounding through my body like a heartbeat. I can’t slow down.

Outside, I stop only when I reach the stairwell. My legs shake. My hands burn.

“Aditi!” Radha’s voice follows me. She rounds the corner, panting slightly, her expression stormy and protective.

“I’m fine,” I say, but the words fall flat.

Because I’m not.