Dually Devoted ?

Chapter 15

"You're kidding! You're missing out so much in life," he shook his head, her dramatic vibes contagious.

"Oh, please! Says the one who doesn't like berries!"

"I hate them," he made a face, which had her smiling.

"Wow," she drawled sarcastically. "You are something else, Sir," she said, with a shake of her head.

"I'll take that as a compliment," he smirked, earning a chuckle from her. "And... We aren't in the office, Arpita. Do me a favor and drop the formal tone," he added.

Her smile widened, "I'll try."

"Try?" He gave her a 'really' look.

She just shrugged, chuckling. He shook his head and sighed in defeat.

As they threw their emptied cups in the bin and walked to the car, Arpita's ankle slightly twisted, she faltered but he caught her by her waist.

He looked up from her ankle to her, "Are yo-" the rest of the words got stuck in his throat, their lips inches apart. His eyes darted up to hers; both pairs of eyes filled with a longing, asking the same question, wanting the same answer.

He dipped his head, wanting to close the distance between them. But she abruptly leaned away, her eyes wide, suddenly snapping out of the trance.

Letting go of her waist, he raked a hand through his hair, just realising what he was about to do. He chided himself under his breath, before he heard her say, "We- should leave."

"Ya."

***

"I was about to kiss her, dude! She wouldn't have looked my way, ever, if..." Sid didn't know how his and Tarun's casual conversation had reached here. "I was about to f*** up."

"It was just a kiss! That didn't even happen!! Chill, bro."

"You don't understand, Man. It's cause' I'm friend-zoned here! I haven't even told her how I feel about her yet. She has no clue. And maybe... she still likes- loves- that guy."

"Which guy?"

"I don't know much. Some guy," Sid replied, irritated. It was not like he could tell Tarun everything she had shared with him, and it wasn't like he wanted to talk about that guy either.

"Is he still in the picture?"

"Hasn't been for years now."

"Then, go tell her how you feel," Tarun said in a 'duh' tone.

"I- don't know," he shook his head, afraid she'd reject him and things won't be the same again.

"Bro, I'm telling you, be confident. I don't think any girl would want to reject you," Tarun encouraged, having sensed the reason for his hesitation. "Look at it this way, Sid. Me- who loves to party, get drunk like a maniac, and who used to be a s**-driven idiot till the day I met Nisha, am happily married to her. Then, why would some girl who knows you reject you? I mean... you are everything a girl wants in a package deal! Smart, hot, rich, successful. And you know how to cook amazing dishes! Plus. You're not heartless."

"Are you done? Stop comparing me to those typical characters your cousin keeps yapping about. And, for your information, every word you described me with applies to you too," Sid rolled his eyes.

"Dude, I'm married; I have two kids, and I don't know how to cook."

"And I don't know why I'm even talking to you."

"Come on, Man. Don't act like you aren't grateful I exist. Cause' if I didn't, you would have been stuck in your office 24/7... Bro, I just figured! From when you fully acquired this company and got her as your P.A, I haven't had to pull you out of your office! Okay, wow! I totally approve of her."

"No one asked your approval," Sid said, but his friend went on, ignoring him.

"I really want to meet this angel who taught you about weekends!"

"Can you stop getting excited over nothing?" Sid said amusedly. "And thanks, for standing up to my expectations of you, by not giving any useful advice." Sid taunted him without reason.

Tarun laughed, "Just give her a few hints and observe how she reacts, bro. Then you'll know your answer."

"Seriously?! You know I don't like to play games, Tarun. I like it straight-forward..." he trailed off, not wanting to accept that being straight-forward about his feelings, especially to her... That thought itself made him nervous.

"That's true. Considering everything you did tell me about her, I guess she likes it that way too. Haha, Match made in heaven," he sang.

***
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