CHAPTER SIX: CAR RIDE
“Btw, where are you from?” Karan asked casually, hands tucked into his pockets as they walked side by side. His curiosity seemed natural, yet his eyes lingered on her with a spark of recognition he couldn’t quite place.
“From India,” she replied simply, her voice calm, though her gaze remained fixed straight ahead.
The moment the word India left her lips, something clicked for Karan. Other than her face, he suddenly noticed one more similarity, something in her voice, her gestures. His brows furrowed slightly as he said, “Oh nice… by the way, Riya, I don’t understand why, but I really feel like I’ve seen you somewhere before.” His tone carried both puzzlement and certainty, like a man trying to solve a riddle.
“Yaa, in the airport,” she replied carelessly, almost brushing his thought aside, her tone nonchalant as if it wasn’t worth digging into.
“No… not there… somewhere before that.” He shook his head, his eyes narrowing, scanning her face as if he were determined to recall.
“But the truth is that we’ve never met before,” she said, her voice steady, confident, and laced with finality.
For a moment, Karan hesitated. He didn’t want to believe it, but her conviction forced him to nod. “Hmm… maybe,” he said at last, his tone softening into reluctant acceptance.
She only hummed in response, a noncommittal sound, and they continued walking.
As he guided her through the office while introducing different departments, nodding at staff, Karan’s observant nature caught something. Priya’s usually composed face seemed clouded. Her brows knitted together, and there was a heaviness in her eyes. She wasn’t radiating the excitement most newcomers had. Instead, tension lingered around her like a quiet storm.
So he asked gently, “Tell me one thing, you have got such a good job, you should have to be happy, but why are you looking so tense? Is there any problem?” His tone shifted from casual to caring, and for the first time, his playful demeanor gave way to genuine concern.
“No… nothing,” she replied quickly, almost too quickly, her voice brushing over the truth.
“Are you sure?” Karan tilted his head, his eyes softening with worry. His tone carried the warmth of a protective friend, one that made Priya pause.
She glanced at him, surprised by the sincerity in his gaze. For a moment, her walls weakened. Why am I not able to hide anything from him? she thought. After a deep breath, she admitted softly, “Actually yes, I have a problem.”
“Tell me, what is that?” His words came gently, urging her to open up without pressure.
“Actually, I am worried about my house,” she confessed, her eyes lowering to the floor, her voice fragile.
“Your house?” Karan asked, confusion flickering across his face.
“Hmm… I’ve been staying in a hotel since I moved to Paris, but now I want to buy an apartment and I can’t figure out how to do it.” Her voice carried the weight of frustration. This was her first time dealing with such practical challenges. She didn’t know where to start, whom to contact, or how the system worked. It was overwhelming.
Karan’s expression softened into understanding. His lips curved into a reassuring smile. “But now what do you need to worry about?”
“Means?” Priya asked, lifting her gaze to him with a puzzled look.
“Didn’t the leader tell you that you would get an apartment and a car from our side?” he said, his tone calm, as though it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Her eyes widened, surprise lighting up her face. “What, really?”
“Hm.” Karan nodded firmly. “It’s a rule of our company. Those who are above in the post get facilities from the company, as long as they are workers here.”
Priya’s lips twitched as if she wanted to break into a grin, but she composed herself. “Oh, I see,” she said with a straight face, carefully hiding her smile, though the spark in her eyes betrayed her excitement.
“When we go back, I’ll talk to the leader about it,” Karan promised, his voice carrying an easy confidence.
Her curiosity perked up again. “Why every time you call him leader?” she asked, tilting her head, her tone filled with genuine wonder.
Karan’s expression softened with a touch of admiration. “Because he’s my leader. He is the only person who taught me everything. Because of him, I’m here,” he explained, his voice reverent, laced with loyalty that Priya could clearly feel.
“Oh… I see,” she replied softly, her respect for Aryan rising just a little at Karan’s heartfelt words.
After visiting the whole office and passing by busy employees, buzzing phones, and rows of glass-walled cabins.
BTW, what is his name?” Priya asked suddenly, her curiosity breaking the silence as she and Karan walked back towards the cabin.
“It’s Aryan Khanna,” Karan replied smoothly, his tone calm, almost casual.
Priya repeated the name softly under her breath, as if testing the weight of it on her tongue. “Aiyraan Khanna…” The syllables rolled slowly, almost melodious, yet slightly mispronounced.
At that very instant, the cabin door swung open. Aryan stepped out, his sharp eyes narrowing with a doubtful look. “What did you just say?” His deep voice carried a hint of suspicion, like a man who never missed details.
Priya froze for a second, caught off guard by his sudden presence. Straightening herself, she lifted her chin and replied with steady courage, “Your name, Aiyraan Khanna.”
Before she could add anything more, Karan quickly intervened, his lips twitching with amusement. “Hey, it’s Aryan,” he corrected her, emphasizing the right pronunciation.
Realization hit Priya, and embarrassment colored her cheeks faintly. “Oh, sorry,” she apologized softly, her voice dipped with sincerity.
“It’s okay.” Aryan’s reply was calm but carried a measured tone, neither warm nor cold. His eyes, however, lingered on her a second longer, as if trying to gauge her seriousness. Then, stepping aside, he gestured with authority. “By the way, come inside. Your contract papers are ready—let’s sign them.”
They all went in. Priya’s gaze fell on the neatly arranged papers on the desk. She sat down, carefully reading through every clause before placing her signature at the end. Aryan watched her silently, his sharp eyes tracking her composed movements, as if testing whether her confidence was genuine or just an act.
“So, officially welcome Miss Riya, to K-Group,” Aryan said, his voice formal yet steady, carrying the weight of authority.
“Thank you,” Priya replied politely, though a flicker of pride shone in her eyes.
“And it’s your place,” Aryan added, pointing at the other desk in his cabin. His tone was firm, almost possessive, as though reminding her she was now under his space and vision.
“Okay,” she replied, her voice even, though inwardly she felt the tension of sharing a cabin with such a dominating personality.
“Leader…” Karan broke the silence, drawing Aryan’s attention.
“Hm?” Aryan replied, his head tilting slightly.
“I want to ask something,” Karan continued, his tone hesitant, careful.
“Hm, say.” Aryan leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing as though weighing whether the question would be worth his time.
“Did you not tell her about the apartment and car?” Karan asked, his words filled with genuine concern for Priya.
Aryan blinked once, realization dawning on him. “Oh, I forgot.” His tone was flat, dismissive, as if such details were beneath his priority.
“It’s okay… I tell her everything, you just give her the keys,” Karan explained quickly, filling the gap Aryan had left.
“In the evening I give her,” Aryan replied, his tone clipped but decisive, leaving no room for further discussion.
“As you wish,” Karan said respectfully, giving a small nod before leaving the room.
The cabin fell silent again, leaving Priya alone with Aryan. She glanced at her new desk, but her thoughts kept circling back to him—the sharpness in his eyes, the way he said welcome as though it carried an unspoken challenge.
Priya was quietly arranging her things on the desk that had just become hers, trying to settle her nerves in this new environment. Her fingers brushed the smooth surface, and she allowed herself a small sigh of relief like this was the beginning of something new.
Just then, Aryan walked over, his presence instantly making the air feel heavier. Without much expression, he placed a small bunch of keys on her desk. “Miss Riya, your keys,” he said, his voice low and firm, but not unkind.
Priya’s lips curved into a soft smile as she accepted them with both hands. “Thank you, sir,” she replied, her tone polite, respectful, yet carrying a gentle warmth.
“Welcome,” Aryan said simply. His gaze lingered on her for a moment longer, sharp eyes observing her smile, as though he was trying to decode what lay beneath it.
“But sir, I have a problem,” Priya suddenly spoke up, her voice taking on an innocent, almost childlike tone. Her big eyes looked up at him, hesitant but hopeful, and for a second Aryan felt caught off guard by the sincerity in her expression.
“Say?” he asked, his brows lifting slightly, tone curious but still laced with authority.
“I don’t know where’s the location is?” she admitted honestly, fiddling with the edge of her handbag. Her vulnerability made the moment softer, breaking the usual coldness in Aryan’s cabin.
Before Aryan could respond, the door opened and Karan stepped in with his usual energy. “What’s going on?” he asked, scanning their faces with mild suspicion, but his casual smile made the question sound more teasing than serious.
“Nothing, I was just asking him about the location of my apartment,” Priya explained quickly, a faint nervous smile tugging at her lips.
Karan’s face brightened instantly. “Come with me, I’ll drop you there,” he said cheerfully, then paused dramatically, shaking his head with a playful grin. “No… No… Not I drop… You give me your car ride.”
Priya chuckled softly at his correction, the tension lifting. “Done,” she said, her tone light, amused by his playful nature.
“Then let’s go,” Karan said, already sounding eager.
“Now?” Priya asked in surprise, her brows lifting, unsure if he was serious.
“Hm… your time is off,” Karan reminded her with a grin, before turning to Aryan for approval. “Leader, shall we go?”
Aryan leaned back in his chair, his eyes shifting from Karan to Priya. His expression was unreadable and calm on the surface, but his silence carried a weight that made the moment stretch. Finally, with a short nod, he replied, “Hmm.”
That one syllable was enough, it was permission.
They both left, Karan leading the way with a carefree stride, while Priya followed, clutching her keys tightly. And as the cabin door closed behind them, Aryan’s eyes lingered for a brief second, his thoughts unreadable, before he returned to his work.
While showing Priya her car, Karan stood a little proudly beside it, like a brotherly guide eager to introduce her to something important. His tone carried a playful ease as he said, “It’s your car.”
Priya’s eyes widened in delight as she ran her hand over the shiny surface, her lips parting into a bright smile. “I love it,” she said, her voice carrying genuine excitement. The way she said it made her sound almost like a child receiving a long awaited gift, and Karan couldn’t help but smile at her happiness.
“Now let’s go,” he said, his tone brisk yet friendly. They both sat in the car, and as the engine started, the silence between them wasn’t awkward, it was calm, filled with the soft hum of the road. After some time, they reached Priya’s apartment.
Stepping inside, Priya looked around with sparkling eyes. Karan, observing her reaction carefully, asked, “Do you like it?”
“Hm…” she nodded thoughtfully, then added with a cheerful smile, “And the good thing is the furniture is already set.” Her relief was clear, this apartment wasn’t just four walls, it was already beginning to feel like home.
“Hm,” Karan replied, acknowledging her words, but his eyes stayed on her for a moment longer, as if silently making sure she was comfortable.
“Now I need to check out of the hotel,” she said, turning to him with a sense of responsibility in her tone.
“Do you need help?” he asked like a true gentleman, his voice sincere. It wasn’t just an offer, it carried concern, as though he wanted to ensure she wouldn’t struggle alone.
“No, it’s fine, I’ll do myself,” she said politely, her tone firm but kind.
“Are you sure?” he asked again, leaning slightly closer, his brows furrowed with genuine care.
Priya gave a small nod and a soft smile, “Hm.”
“Okay… then I’m going… Bye,” Karan said, raising his hand slightly in farewell, his tone casual but his eyes still lingering on her.
“Bye,” she replied warmly, her voice calm, and then he left.
Priya locked the door, her heart feeling oddly light, then went down to the parking. She took her car, but as she reached the exit gate, her gaze fell on a familiar figure standing nearby. It was Karan. She slowed down, rolled down the window, and asked with surprise, “What are you doing here?”
Karan turned toward her, almost sheepish but smiling, “I just booked the cab, so I’m waiting for it,” he replied, as though it was the most natural thing.
Her eyes widened, a sudden realization dawning. “Oh… I’m sorry, I just forgot that you came here with me,” she admitted, her tone guilty, her lips forming a small pout.
“It’s okay,” he said softly, brushing it off like it was nothing, his easygoing nature making the moment lighter.
“Come with me, on the way of the hotel I’ll drop you,” she offered immediately, her voice filled with sincerity, wanting to make up for forgetting.
“No, it’s okay,” he refused gently, not wanting to trouble her.
“Please come,” she insisted, her tone more persuasive now, her eyes hopeful.
“Fine,” he said finally, giving in with a faint smile, and sat in the car.
As he settled in the passenger seat, he gave her the location, and she drove. The road stretched ahead, filled with the quiet rhythm of passing traffic, but between them, there was a softness like two people slowly easing into each other’s company. After some time, they reached his home.
She stopped the car in front of the house, glancing at him politely. “Thank you,” he said, his tone genuine.
“Welcome,” she replied with a gentle smile, her voice carrying warmth.
Just as he was about to step out, he turned back with one last thought. “Riya, are you sure, that you will shift all your belongings from the hotel?” he asked again, his concern still lingering.
“Hm… don’t worry… it’s not that much,” she replied calmly, her reassurance soft but confident.
“If you say so. Then bye,” he said with a small nod, finally letting it go.
“Bye,” she said again, her tone light. Then he left, and she drove away.
Within some time, she reached the hotel, collected her things, checked out, and went back to her apartment.
Later, laying on her bed with her arms stretched out, she looked at the ceiling and whispered to herself, “Finally. Now I have a good job, my own house, my own car. Who thought that I would get all of this in just a week.” Her voice carried amazement, her eyes shimmering with disbelief. Then her tone softened, almost guilty. “It’s a very good news, I should tell Mini about it…” She paused, her face falling slightly, “But wait… I didn’t leave my house for this, I can’t call her until I start my shoots… I have to wait for it.” Her voice trailed off into a whisper, the room around her falling quiet, leaving her in her own thoughts, half hopeful, half restless.
❁𝐑𝐄𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑❁
❀𝕴𝖋 𝖞𝖔𝖚 𝖑𝖎𝖐𝖊 𝖎𝖙!❀
♡ 𝙳𝚘𝚗’𝚝 𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚐𝚎𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝙻𝚒𝚔𝚎, 𝚌𝚘𝚖𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚜𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚎 ♡
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