When I Met Him Again

"No problem, Mr. Aryan. I'll come with you to your office," Aanya said with a smile.

Aryan blinked, clearly not expecting that. "No need. It's okay, Aanya. I'll drop you home first."

Aanya shook her head. "Mr. Aryan, you were already called unprofessional once because of me. I don't want it to happen again. Really—it's no problem."

He hesitated. "But I don't know how long it will take…"

She interrupted sweetly, "Don't worry about the time. I'll wait—take as long as you need."

Aryan paused, clearly surprised by her maturity and determination, then silently started driving toward the office.

Aanya glanced at her phone. "Mr. Aryan, I'll call Prerna and let her know. Otherwise, they might get worried."

Aryan nodded.

She called. "Prerna, we'll be coming late today."

"Why? What happened?"

"Mr. Aryan has some urgent work at the office. I'm tagging along," Aanya said casually.

"Ohh, okay. Take care!" Prerna replied.

"Thanks. Bye!"

"I informed her," Aanya told Aryan, but he didn't respond. She shrugged and looked out the window.

---

Soon, they reached Aryan's office building.

Aanya stepped out and gasped, "Wow… such a big building!"

Aryan walked ahead without reacting. She followed him to the elevator. He stood silently. She peeked at him, but he didn't meet her gaze.

After reaching the floor, Rahul greeted him. "Sir, you're here."

"Where's Rhea?" Aryan asked.

"Sir, she already left," Rahul replied.

Aanya raised an eyebrow. Who's Rhea?

"And the clients?"

"They're waiting in your cabin."

"Okay," Aryan nodded, then suddenly turned to Aanya. "Rahul, show her to the waiting room."

"Sure, sir."

Rahul turned to her. "Ma'am, this way."

Aanya asked, "By the way who is Rhea?"

"Rhea is Aryan Sir's Secretary," Rahul replied.

Oh! Secretary, Said Aanya.

By the way "Please don't call me 'ma'am,' Rahul. Just Aanya."

Rahul smiled. "Of course. Aanya."

Aanya grinned.

Once seated, Rahul asked, "Would you like some tea or coffee?"

"Hmm… actually, can I have a cool drink?"

"Sure."

"Oh, and it should be really cool," she teased.

Rahul chuckled. "Okay—Aanya."

She gave him a thumbs-up. "Perfect."

---

A few minutes later, Rahul brought her a cold drink. "Here you go."

"Thanks! If I need anything, I'll call you," she smiled.

He nodded and left.

Aanya sipped her drink and looked around. The office was silent. Too silent.

She glanced at her phone—only 3% battery left.

"Oh no…" she mumbled. "No charger either."

She walked out and found Rahul again.

"Rahul, do you have a charger?"

"Yes! Here."

"Thanks. Um… where can I plug it in and sit at the same time? Standing and using the phone is hard."

"Unfortunately… there's no socket near the seating area."

She sighed. "Okay. I'll manage."

Then she turned back. "By the way, you said 80 people work here?"

"Yes, across all floors."

"What about this floor? It feels like a ghost town!"

Rahul laughed. "Come, I'll show you."

He led her to an open section filled with quietly working employees.

Aanya was stunned. "Wow… so many people and still pin-drop silence?! Why?"

"Because Aryan sir doesn't like noise," Rahul whispered.

Aanya blinked. "Seriously?! Is this an office or a library?"

Then she smirked. "Let's bring some smiles around here!"

Rahul panicked. "Wait—Aryan sir won't like that…"

"Relax, he's busy with clients. He won't notice. It's just a few minutes."

She walked up to the employees. "Hi, everyone!"

They looked up in surprise.

Rahul cleared his throat. "This is Aanya… Aryan sir's...uh…"

"Relative," Aanya smiled.

"Hello, ma'am," the employees greeted.

"Please! Don't call me ma'am. Just Aanya."

They exchanged awkward glances.

"You guys are amazing, seriously. I mean, staying this quiet all day? That's talent."

One man chuckled. "It's not easy for us either, but it's Aryan sir's rule."

Another whispered, "He even scolds people if they're late—man or woman, Even if it's five minutes.

No mercy!"

"Oh really?" Aanya gasped dramatically. "Even if it's five minutes?"

They nodded.

She laughed. "Wow! Sounds like Mr. Aryan is a retired school principal. I bet if someone breathes too loud, he'll hand them a detention slip!"

Everyone burst into laughter.

Aanya held her chest dramatically. "Raise your hand if you've ever been scolded for whispering!"

People giggled.

Just then…

---

Click.

Aryan stepped out of his cabin and headed to the waiting room. Empty.

He looked around and followed the soft sounds of laughter.

He turned the corner and froze.

There was Aanya, joking with the staff, and everyone was laughing.

Just then, someone said, "One day I got late by five minutes. Aryan sir gave me extra work for a week!"

Aanya laughed, "Come on! Five minutes is normal. There could be traffic, rain, heartbreak—anything! Mr. Aryan must've been a strict school principal in his past life!"

The whole room erupted in laughter.

She giggled with them, clutching her stomach.

But suddenly…

One of the colleagues stopped smiling.

Then another.

And another.

In seconds, the whole floor fell silent and everyone stood up stiffly.

Aanya blinked, confused.

"Why did you all suddenly turn into statues?" she laughed.

"What, is Mr. Aryan standing behind me or something?"

She turned around playfully—

And froze.

He was right there.

Standing tall, his hands casually in his pockets, jaw tight, eyes locked on her.

Aanya's smile dropped like a stone.

Her voice barely a whisper now.

"…Oh no"

---

End Of Chapter 18