The next morning arrived faster than she expected.
Mumbai didn’t wait.
By 7:15 AM, Aarya was ready.
Her saree was neatly draped, soft ivory with a blue border. Her short hair framed her face perfectly, and a small black bindi completed her look.
She picked up her laptop bag and stepped outside.
The corridor was quiet.
She locked her door and turned toward the lift.
And stopped.
His door opened at the same time.
He stepped out.
For a moment, neither of them moved.
He looked different in daylight.
White shirt. Dark trousers. Calm presence.
He carried himself like someone who was used to being watched.
But he wasn’t watching her.
Aarya looked away first.
They walked toward the lift together.
The doors opened.
They stepped inside.
The space felt smaller somehow.
Quieter.
He stood beside her, leaving enough space between them.
Respectful distance.
The lift began descending.
She noticed his reflection briefly in the mirror.
Sharp features.
Calm eyes.
No expression.
He didn’t try to start a conversation.
He didn’t try to look at her.
He simply stood there.
The lift stopped at the basement.
She stepped out first and walked toward her car.
She didn’t look back.
But she was aware of him.
Behind her.
Inside the lift, Vihaan watched the doors close again.
He didn’t know her name.
He didn’t know anything about her.
But he noticed something.
She hadn’t looked at him like others did.
No curiosity.
No recognition.
Just quiet indifference.
And somehow, that made her unforgettable.
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