Meet the Characters Tara Mehra — “Soni” The Female Lead Tara is a young MBA graduate standing at the beginning of her professional life. She is sincere, emotional, independent in her dreams, and deeply attached to the people she loves. She doesn't enter the story looking for romance—she simply wants to build her career. But somewhere between office work, unexpected kindness, laughter, and countless little moments, her heart begins writing a story of its own. At home, she is lovingly known as Soni—a softer, more vulnerable version of Tara that only the people closest to her truly know. Vihaan Kapoor The Male Lead | Founder Vihaan is the founder of the company and the person who gives Tara her second and final job interview. At first, he is simply “Sir”—her employer, mentor, and senior. He is practical, responsible, sometimes strict, but also deeply caring in ways that aren't always expressed through words. He notices small things, worries about the people around him, and slowly becomes someone Tara can depend on. What begins as a professional relationship gradually becomes something neither of them expected. Gauri Malhotra HR Manager | The Person Who Opens the First Door Gauri is the HR manager who conducts Tara's first-ever job interview. When that opportunity doesn't work out as Tara hoped, Gauri becomes the person who gives her another chance by referring her to Vihaan. She may not realize it at first, but her simple referral becomes the first link in a chain of events that changes Tara's life. Leya Tara's Best Friend Leya is one of Tara's closest friends and one of the people who stands beside her during the uncertain beginning of her career. She accompanies Tara when she goes for her interview with Vihaan and remains someone Tara can turn to when life becomes complicated.

Nisha Tara's Closest Friend Nisha is another important person in Tara's early journey. She accompanies Tara during her first steps into the unfamiliar professional world and is there during some of the stressful and emotional moments. She is the friend who doesn't simply listen from a distance—she shows up. Kiara The Friend Who Brings the Laptop Home Kiara becomes important during the difficult period when Tara has to stay home because of her mother's situation. She helps Tara by bringing the office laptop home, allowing Tara to remain connected with her work even while she is away. Her role is small in appearance but meaningful in Tara's journey back toward her professional life. Rhea The Office Friend from Another Company Rhea works in another company within the same coworking environment. She becomes part of Tara and Vihaan's early office circle. Through lunches, celebrations, and everyday office interactions, she becomes one of the familiar faces who make Tara's new workplace feel less unfamiliar. Samar The Office Friend from Another Company Samar is another familiar face from the coworking space. He becomes part of the group's lunches, celebrations, and everyday interactions. His presence adds a lighter, more social side to the early office days before Tara's world becomes more emotionally complicated. Shaurya Mehta Senior Employee Shaurya enters the story later, when the company begins growing and the workplace starts changing. His arrival marks an important transition for Tara and Vihaan because their previously quieter office environment becomes more structured and populated.

Ryan Arora Office Colleague Ryan becomes part of Tara's professional environment as the company grows. His presence changes the dynamics of the office, particularly because Tara and Vihaan can no longer spend as much uninterrupted time together. Later, when Ryan leaves, the office becomes quieter again—and Tara and Vihaan find themselves with more private moments together. Siddharth Dev Remote Senior Employee Siddharth is a senior employee who works remotely. Although he isn't physically present in the office every day, he is part of the company's growing professional structure and represents the expansion of Vihaan's business beyond the small team Tara first joined. Parth Malhotra Colleague | The Creative Helper Parth is the colleague who helps with decorating the office for special occasions. He becomes particularly memorable around Vihaan's birthday, when the office needs to be transformed for Tara's carefully planned surprise. His role brings a little creativity and celebration into the workplace. Aarav Tara's College Friend | The Keeper of Her Secrets Aarav is Tara's college friend and someone she feels comfortable confiding in. He becomes one of the few people who knows what Tara is really feeling about Vihaan. With him, Tara can say the things she doesn't know how to say to Vihaan himself. He represents the part of Tara's life that existed before Vihaan—her college memories, friendships, and the person she was before this love story began.

Chapter 1 — The Interview That Changed Everything People often believe love arrives with fireworks. Mine arrived as an unknown phone call on an ordinary Tuesday afternoon. A week after completing my MBA, That afternoon my phone rang. “Hello, is this Tara Mehra?” “Yes.” “This is Goldline Consulting. We found your profile through a recruitment portal. Would you be available for an interview today?” My heartbeat became louder than her voice. “Yes, absolutely.” The office was elegant but unfamiliar. I answered every question carefully, trying to hide how nervous I was. When the interview ended, the HR manager smiled politely. “We’ll let you know.” I walked home convincing myself it had gone well. By evening, her call came again. “We’d like to hire you.” I smiled immediately. Then she mentioned the profile. It was far below what I had expected. Gathering courage, I thanked her and honestly explained that I couldn’t accept the offer. There was a pause. “I understand,” she replied before ending the call. I thought that chapter had closed forever. An hour later, my phone rang once again. “Tara, I may have someone else you should speak with. His name is Vihaan Kapoor. He has a vacancy in his company.” That single referral changed the direction of my entire life.

Chapter 2 — A Voice I Had Never Heard The next afternoon I finally gathered enough courage to dial the number. A calm voice answered almost immediately. “Vihaan speaking.” “Good afternoon, sir. My name is Tara. I received your reference from Goldline Consulting regarding the finance vacancy.” He asked about my education, my MBA specialization, and my experience. Then he interrupted me. “One question.” “Yes, sir?” “How comfortable are you speaking English?” Until that moment we had spoken entirely in Hindi during the call. My confidence disappeared for a second. “I’m comfortable, sir.” “Good. Continue this interview in English.” Without preparation.

Without warning. I closed my eyes for a brief moment and began speaking. I introduced myself, explained my college leadership experience, described the events I had anchored, and answered every question as naturally as I could. When the interview ended, he simply said, “Can you come tomorrow morning for the interview?” “Yes.” “Ten o’clock.” That was it. No unnecessary conversation. No dramatic encouragement. Just confidence. That night I carefully ironed my formal suit, arranged my documents three different times, and stared at the ceiling wondering what kind of person this Vihaan Kapoor might be. The next morning my two closest friends, Nisha and Laya, insisted on accompanying me because I had never travelled that route alone. I laughed at them for treating me like a child. The truth was…

I needed them. We finally reached &Work, a modern co-working space filled with glass cabins, warm lighting, and people rushing through corridors carrying laptops and coffee cups. I genuinely believed the entire building belonged to one company. It didn’t. I called him. “Sir, I’ve arrived.” Within seconds, a man stepped out from one of the cabins. “Tara?” “Yes.” He smiled softly. “Come with me.” He takes me to a two-seater cabin overlooking the workspace. Instead of beginning with questions, he placed an Apple laptop in front of me and handed me an Excel file. “Show me how you work.” For thirty minutes he watched quietly while I created formulas, formatted reports, and solved small tasks. “Now write a professional email based on this situation.” I had never used a MacBook before.

Even finding the symbols felt unfamiliar. Yet somehow, I finished. He read it carefully before closing the laptop. “So…” I held my breath. “I’d like you to join us.” I almost forgot how to respond. “Really?” He nodded. “Officially from Monday. But come tomorrow and the day after. I’ll teach you the basics.” As I left the cabin, Nisha asked excitedly, “What happened?” I smiled wider than I ever had. “I got the job.”

Chapter 3 — A Desk Beside His My first official day began with a disaster. The offer letter mentioned 9:30 a.m., so I left home unusually early. Halfway through the journey my auto driver suddenly took a different turn. Panic immediately took over. “This wasn’t yesterday’s route.” I quickly called Laya. After laughing for nearly a minute, she explained that two places in my city had almost identical names. I had gone toward the wrong one. Thankfully, I still reached on time. Since I didn’t have an access card yet, security guard requested that I wait in the lounge. I called Vihaan sir. “Sir, I’m here.” “You’re already there?”

“Yes… the offer letter said 9:30.” He was surprised and asked me to give phone to security guard; he explained him to take me to the cabin 2E and settle me there. A few minutes later he arrived, smiling with amused disbelief. “You’re very punctual.” “I didn’t want to be late on my first day sir.” I replied He laughed.

“From tomorrow, come around ten.” That tiny conversation somehow made the office feel less frightening. Our cabin had two chairs. One belonged to him. The other belonged to me. He spent the entire morning teaching me everything—from campaign reports to revenue sheets, client emails, and daily tracking files. He never rushed through explanations, even when I made mistakes. Around lunch time he asked, “Would you like to eat with everyone outside, or stay here?” “I’ll stay.”- I replied He simply nodded. After lunch he stood up. “Come. Let me show you the office.” That was when my biggest misunderstanding disappeared. He showed me different companies operating on each floor. I asked- this is not a single company?

“This isn’t one office,” he explained. “It’s a co-working space. Dozens of businesses work here.” I laughed at myself. “I thought everyone worked for you.” He smiled. “Not yet.” While returning to our cabin, curiosity escaped his mouth. “So… what you think tara, what’s my position here?” “Manager?”- I said

He burst into laughter. “I’m the owner.” I stopped walking. ooohhhh?” He nodded. My embarrassment was unforgettable. That evening, while leaving the office, I realized something unusual. For the first time in weeks… I wasn’t anxious about tomorrow. I was excited for it.

Chapter 4 — Four Seats at Lunch Time has a beautiful way of making strangers feel familiar. Within weeks, my routine became effortless. Every morning I entered Cabin 2E and my laptop beg. Vihaan sir is still on his way to the office and I started my daily working slowly, slowly as I don’t want to make any mistake. Soon I met two people who belong’s to other company but they’re known to Vihaan sir. Rhea and Samar, they worked for another company inside the same building, but because Vihaan sir had spent nearly four years at &Work, everyone knew him. One afternoon he looked at me and asked,

“Come for lunch?” We’re going outside today for having lunch. He said- It’s office’s policy to have lunch party if someone joins. So it’s for you tara. I smiled, I was happy inside. We walked to a nearby restaurant together. Just four people. We booked a table. Four strangers becoming something much warmer. At restraint’s door Vihaan sir forget my name and I teased him. Rhea and Samer smiled silently. They teased Vihaan sir for my this nature. “You finally hired someone who actually smiles.” He rolled his eyes while I tried not to laugh. After lunch we returned to the office where a piece of rainbow cake is there on the table.

“My family had a birthday celebration yesterday,” Vihaan sir explained. “Help me finish the leftovers.” I happily believed him. Days later Rhea accidentally revealed the truth. “That lunch was actually Vihaan’s birthday.” I stared at him. “You lied.”

He shrugged. “I didn’t want my new employee feeling obligated to celebrate.” That tiny gesture stayed with me. He had included me before I had earned a place. Then came Holi. My family had never celebrated it and one day while talking I tell him this. He make’s it my most precious holi by involving me in the celebration. That afternoon the four of us ate together again before returning to the office courtyard. Vihaan sir brings colors and ask me come to him. I move towards and feel’s the beauty of color. Rhea suddenly placed pink color on my cheek. I froze. Vihaan gently smiled before placing the smallest touch of color across my forehead. “Happy Holi, Tara.” I couldn’t explain why my eyes became emotional. Perhaps because some celebrations aren’t beautiful because of colors. They’re beautiful because someone remembers you were always left out.

After celebrating with colors, Vihaan sir asked me that he will drop me to the nearby auto stand to my home. THE TIME I ALWAYS CRAVED FOR

That evening, after dropping me, Vihaan sir simply said, “See you tomorrow.” He had no idea. He had just given me my very first Holi.

Chapter 5 — The Goodbye I Never Wanted Happiness rarely announces when it is about to be interrupted. It simply disappears. Not it’s 7th August, carrying hospital corridors instead of office meetings. My mother became seriously ill. Every morning she needed intravenous treatment, and every evening another round of medical care. My elder sister was trying to manage her school job, tuition classes, and our mother’s treatment simultaneously. One night she looked at me and asked. “Soni… ask your boss if he can give you work from home for a few weeks.” I hesitated. I had been employed for barely two months. How could I ask for such a huge favor? Before I could decide, my sister texted Vihaan sir herself.

The next afternoon, after lunch, he quietly closed his laptop. “Tara.” “Yes, sir?” “What happened?” I had no idea what he is asking then he showed me my sister’s message to him. My sister texted him- Hi sir, due to our mother’s health issue tara needs work from home, we need her at home. If is it okay for you to provide her Work from home that will be good, otherwise she has no other option then dropping the job. This message make him little bit angry, and he asked directly. I was surprised but I explained everything. He listened patiently before asking one question. “Did you want to discuss this with me first?” I lowered my eyes. “I was scared.” His voice remained calm, but disappointment was visible. “You’re still learning. You aren’t ready to work independently from home yet. If you need leave, take it. But I can’t give you work from home.”

I nodded. Then he asked something unexpected. “Who’s at home with you?” For the first time, I told him about my family. About my mother. My father. My sister. Our responsibilities. My nature, my family and how they treats me and all. Halfway through speaking, tears escaped before I could stop them. I had no idea how I cried in front of him that day. Without saying anything, he stood up and gently hugged me. “It’s okay.” No impossible solutions. Just warmth. He asked me to leave the laptop in the office and gave me 2 week’s off.

That evening I left the office believing I had probably lost my job. When I reached home, I checked my bank account. My salary for the first seven days of August had already been transferred. He hadn’t needed to do it that quickly. But somehow… He had thought about my needs before I asked. For the next month my world just surrounded by- Hospital. Medicine. Cooking. Teaching my sister’s tuition students. Sleeping from exhaustion. Sometimes my phone would ring and it’s Vihaan sir who always connects to ask me. “How’s your mother today?” It was always him. Never asking when I was returning. Always asking how she was.

Chapter 6 — The Distance Between Us Now it’s almost 2 weeks and then one day Vihaan sir called me and asked in serious tone. Tara are you joining the office or not, what’s your plans for your future. And again, my Ans is silence and here his patience breaks. He asked me directly, give me your alternative now. Recommend someone, refer someone. Even he conducts multiple interviews meantime and no-one stays continue with the company. The office found replacements. None of them stayed. I even recommended my closest friend, hoping I could help the company the way it had once helped me.

So I recommended Leya there. But she resigned after her first day and that’s so confusing for me as well. I felt guilty. One evening, exactly a month after leaving, my phone rang again. “Hello, Tara.” His voice sounded strangely softer. “How is your mother?” “She’s improving.” There was a brief silence. “Can you join now?” I closed my eyes. “No… not yet sir.” Another pause. Then he surprised me. “What if you can start as work from home for now?” I looked up.

“What?” “What if you work from home? Not eight hours. Just two or three. Start slowly.” I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I said okay sir, my friend will pick-up the laptop and I’ll try my best. The next morning my friend Kiara collected the company laptop and delivered it to my house. Later she smiled mischievously. “You know what your boss asked me?” “What?” “He wanted to know how’s your family and who is in your family.”

I laughed, pretending it didn’t matter. But it did. For the next week I carried that laptop everywhere—even to the clinic where my mother received treatment. Between hospital visits I prepared reports, and do some small tasks. It wasn’t perfect. I couldn’t give him the time he deserved. Eventually he called again. “I need you back in the office.”

My heart sank. “It isn’t possible yet.” His frustration finally surfaced. “Then return the laptop. And this time, come yourself.” The next day Nisha accompanied me. When I reached the office, Vihaan was having lunch with Rhea and Samar. He asked me to wait. Ten minutes later we sat inside our little cabin again. He accepted the laptop but never looked at it. Instead, he looked at me. “Do you want this job?” “Yes.” “Then don’t give up on it.”

Before I could answer, my phone rang repeatedly. Nisha. Crying. She had accidentally left her phone inside an auto-rickshaw I rushed outside to help her while Vihaan watched us leave. That night, after everyone had fallen asleep, I was in deep thought of my whole day. I opened our chat. Tara: Sir I’ll re-join or If you’re willing me to join… I can rejoin after fifteen days. His reply came almost immediately.

Vihaan: I’ve already waited this long. I can wait fifteen more days. For the first time in weeks, I smiled without guilt. I didn’t know it then… But I wasn’t just returning to my workplace. I was returning to the place where my heart had quietly begun to belong.

Chapter 7 — The Rain That Changed Everything Fifteen days later, I stood outside the familiar glass doors of &Work with my laptop pressed against my chest. Everything looked the same. The reception. The hallway. The coffee machine humming softly in the corner. Yet I felt like a stranger returning home after years. I called Vihaan. “I’m here.” A few seconds later, he stepped out of the cabin. Instead of welcoming me with words, he extended his hand. “Welcome back, Tara.” I smiled and shook it. The office suddenly felt alive again. Our conversations slowly returned—not all at once, but gently.

We discussed reports, campaigns, spreadsheets, and clients. Sometimes we laughed over the smallest mistakes. Sometimes we worked for hours without speaking at all. Silence never felt uncomfortable with him. Weeks passed, and then one evening the sky broke open. Rain crashed against the glass windows so heavily that the city disappeared behind grey clouds. My sister called. “Soni, the roads are flooding. How will you come home?” I asked Vihaan sir, he said I had no idea. Let’s see. He walked to the window. I followed quietly. For a few moments, we simply watched the rain. “You’re not taking an auto in this weather,” he said. “I’ll manage.” “You won’t.” He picked up his car keys. “Come.” It was the first time I sat beside him inside his car.

The windshield blurred beneath endless rain while soft music played in the background. Neither of us spoke much. Somehow, the silence felt warmer than conversation. When we reached my neighbourhood, he stopped just before the narrow lane leading to my house. “This is fine?” “Yes.” I opened the door. “Thank you.” He smiled. “See you tomorrow, Tara.” As I walked toward home, I turned once. His headlights remained there until I safely entered the lane. For the first time… Someone waited until I reached home.

Chapter 8 — The Language of Unspoken Love After the rain, ordinary days became extraordinary. Lunch slowly became our ritual. We no longer joined everyone outside. Instead, we stayed inside our tiny two-seater cabin, sharing homemade food across one desk. Sometimes he insisted I taste something from his lunch. Sometimes, he feeds me with his hands with care. Neither of us realized we had already begun behaving like people who belonged to each other. One afternoon I completed a difficult client report. He looked at the screen, genuinely impressed. “This is excellent.” Before I could thank him, he gently kissed my forehead.

I froze. He immediately continued working as if nothing had happened. But something inside me had. That tiny gesture became our quiet language. Whenever I solved something impossible… Whenever he felt proud… He would simply kiss my forehead. No words. No explanations. Slowly, I found myself resting my head against his shoulder whenever we discussed ideas. At first, it happened accidentally while looking at the same laptop screen. Then intentionally. He never moved away. Instead, he adjusted his chair so I could sit comfortably.

One evening, while reviewing presentations, he suddenly looked at me. “You trust me a lot, don’t you?” I answered honestly. “Yes.” He smiled without saying another word. Neither of us called it love. But love had already entered the room.

Chapter 9 — The Kiss We Never Spoke About Months later, Vihaan Sir purchased a new office for the company. The place was still under construction. Fresh paint covered the walls, electricians moved through unfinished rooms, and cardboard boxes lay scattered everywhere. He loved taking me there. “Come,” he would say. “I will show you our new office.” I secretly loved those visits because the unfinished office somehow resembled us—beautiful, uncertain, and becoming something new. We regularly visit there and keep admiring our office construction. I was attached there as this is the first time, I ever saw any construction and I am totally attached with the company. Not just as an employee but as I have responsibility and my heart feels it as it’s mine. Then came 23 May. His birthday. I planned everything quietly. A small celebration with Samar. After work, he took me with him for lunch together. I tasted a little wine for the first time, and the light dizziness made the afternoon feel dreamlike. Before returning, he drove toward the new office.

Inside, the building was completely empty. Sunlight entered through unfinished windows. We stood in silence to the way back to the office, then he asked let’s go to our new office. Let’s see what’s the progress there. We went there but I have the hangover and I’m not in my full senses. Then he stepped closer. “So close,” I could hear his breathing. He wrapped his arms around me. My heartbeat became uncontrollable. And then… He kissed me. Not my forehead.

Not my cheek. My lips. It lasted only a moment. But it changed everything. I was shocked, surprised at same time. We stepped outside and drive to &-work. On the drive back, neither of us spoke. I rested my face against the window, pretending to admire the city while secretly replaying those few seconds over and over again. When we reach back in the cabin, I was in hangover and he still has no idea how he faces me. But after saw me and my hangover, even my head is hurting. He asked me to take rest, as it’s his birthday. He is leaving the office earlier. He asked me to put head down and don’t worry about work, he will handle. He asked everyone in the group to ping him not me. As I’m not well.

Chapter 10 — The Secret We Chose The following Monday, I made a decision. I would never mention it. Not the evening of 23rd May at RPS. Not the moments that had quietly changed something between us. I decided to behave as if I remembered only that parts of that day—the lunch, the drinks, the little hangover afterward, and our return to &-work. Nothing more. I thought it would be easier that way. For him. For me. He looked genuinely shocked when I acted as though I couldn't remember the evening. But he never brought it up again. Maybe he was relieved. Maybe he was confused. Or maybe, like me, he was afraid of giving a name to something neither of us was ready to understand. If it had been a mistake, I wanted to protect him from it. And if it had meant something... I wanted him to tell me when he was ready. He looked at me for a few seconds, as if trying to understand what was going on inside my head. Then he let it go.

And somehow, our most unforgettable memory became our most beautiful secret. But emotions have a strange way of growing. At first, they hide between conversations, glances, small smiles and moments that neither person wants to acknowledge. Then, slowly, the way we expressed them began to change. One day, while discussing something, as natural I lay down on his shoulder and then unexpectedly, he kissed me softly on my neck. For a moment, I completely froze. Then I simply leaned into him. It was the first time anyone had ever made me feel that kind of warmth through such a simple gesture. I didn't want the moment to end. I wanted it to continue. I wanted him to stay close. And, more than anything, I wanted to feel that closeness again. After that, our conversations changed too.

We started talking at night. Not about work. Not about deadlines or meetings. About us. About our feelings. About little things we had never said aloud before. One night, gathering all my courage, I finally told him, “When you kissed my neck that day... I wanted more.”

He make some silence and then said. I continued, almost embarrassed by my own honesty. “I don't want you to stop.” He smiled. “I'll definitely give you unlimited kisses.” I immediately blushed. But I didn't feel uncomfortable. Not even for a second. With him, everything somehow felt natural. Safe. As if my heart had already decided that this was where it belonged. Days passed. Then weeks.

And somewhere between our conversations, our drives, our little secrets and our stolen moments, we became comfortable with each other in a way I had never expected. Vihaan sir started dropping me home almost every day. And before I left the cabin, he developed another little habit. He would look at me and ask for a kiss. Sometimes on my cheek. Sometimes on my lips. Every time, I would blush. And every time, I would still lean closer. There was no hesitation anymore.

No awkwardness. Just us. Then came another change. Vihaan Sir was planning to expand the team. The news gave me two completely opposite feelings. One part of me was happy. We were growing. Our little team was becoming something bigger. But another part of me felt strangely sad. We wouldn't be alone anymore. Our little world of two was about to become a world of many.

After several interviews, Vihaan Sir hired three people. Shaurya Mehta, a Senior Regional Manager. Ryan Arora, a fresher. And Siddharth Dev, a Senior Affiliate Manager who would be working remotely from Mumbai. One day, he told me the news. “We're moving to a new cabin too,” he said. “A four-seater.” I looked at him. “So we're not going to be alone anymore?” He smiled. “Not anymore.” I smiled back, trying to hide the strange mixture of happiness and sadness inside me. After spending our left days with each other with more feelings and closeness. As we both know we weren’t be alone like our old days anymore. Then came that rainy day. It was raining heavily outside when Vihaan Sir suddenly looked at me and said, “Come.” I stared at him. “Where?” “Just come na.” I laughed. “But where are we going?” He didn't answer.

We packed our things, left the office and got into his car. As soon as we started driving, something inside me became peaceful. The rain had transformed everything. The roads were wet and shining. The trees looked greener than usual. The air felt fresh. For the first time in days, my mind was completely quiet.

I looked outside the window, watching the greenery pass by, while Vihaan Sir drove beside me. We had already travelled quite far when he finally told me where we were going. “Leopard Trail.” I turned toward him, surprised. “Seriously?” He smiled. The journey itself felt beautiful. Rain-covered roads. Mountains in the distance. Endless greenery.

And us, together in the car, away from the noise of everyday life. On the way, we passed a place where there were monkeys everywhere. People had stopped to feed them. Vihaan Sir looked at me. “Feed them too.” I laughed. “Me?” “Yes.” I hesitated, then tried. But one of the monkeys suddenly scratched my hand lightly.

I pulled my hand back, startled. “It’s okay,” Vihaan Sir immediately said. The scratch was tiny, but he still insisted on washing my hand properly. He made sure I was okay before telling me to sit back inside the car. Only then did we continue. After another thirty minutes of driving through the rain, we finally reached Leopard Trail. The rain had softened by then. The view in front of us was breathtaking.

A long road stretched between mountains on both sides. Everything was covered in greenery. The clouds hung low over the hills, and the light rain made the entire place look like something from a dream. Vihaan looked at me and said “Come outside.” I stepped out. For a while, neither of us said much.

We simply stood there, breathing in the cool air and taking in the view. I am full of nature lover and he know this. He is the one who ever took me to that kind of place where my heart feels peace. I have no words to thank him for everything. He always cares for me, give me something I always wants but never expected that to be feel from anyone. But he makes it real for me and only for me. He took some pictures of me. Then we took a few together. I laughed at some of the pictures, complained about others, and he kept teasing me. It felt simple. It felt happy.

It felt like us. Eventually, we got back into the car On the way back, Vihaan Sir suddenly asked, “Now where should we go, Tara?” I smiled and blushed. “I don't understand what you're asking, sir.” He glanced at me with a smile. “Where should we go now? &-work or RPS? You tell me.” I didn't answer. I only smiled. But he understood. He always did.

Without another word, he turned the Harrier toward RPS. That day, when we reached RPS, everything felt different. There was no alcohol. No confusion. No excuse. We were completely aware of what we were doing. We looked at each other. He came closer.

I didn't move away. He held me close and kissed me. This time, neither of us tried to pretend that it meant nothing. There was no running away from the feeling. No pretending not to remember. No hiding behind silence. Just two people finally allowing themselves to feel what had been growing between them for so long. I felt the warmth I had always wanted.

The kind of closeness that made me feel safe. The kind of embrace where, for a moment, the outside world disappeared. And somewhere in that moment, I understood something. The evening, we had once chosen to keep secret had brought us here. But this time, there was no secret between us. From that day on, our closeness was no longer just closeness. It became love.

Chapter 11 — Love Written on Sticky Notes Now this is the time when the 3 new employees join the company. Everything was new now. A new team, a new routine, a new environment—and, in many ways, a new beginning for me too. I won’t lie. Accepting everything wasn’t easy for me. A part of me still missed the old days—the familiar faces, the old routine, and most of all, the little moments we used to have together. But destiny is unpredictable. Sometimes, life changes things without asking whether we are ready for them or not, our soul is ready to accept the change or not, our heart will accept those changes or not. So, instead of fighting the change, I decided to accept it.

I tried. And somehow, I made it work. Things were different now. We didn’t have the luxury of spending long hours together or having those little moments whenever we wanted. Office life became busier, responsibilities increased, and our schedules rarely matched. But perhaps that is what made our little moments even more special. When you really want to be with someone, you don't need hours. Sometimes, five minutes are enough. We started creating our own little time.

Sometimes, it was just a five-minute walk. Sometimes, we would stay back for a few minutes after office. Nothing extraordinary. Just the two of us walking, talking, laughing, and enjoying whatever little time. We could steal from our busy days. And then came our new way of talking. Sticky notes. If I wanted to tell him something but couldn’t say it at that moment. I would simply write it down on a sticky note and quietly place it inside his diary. Sometimes it was something important. Sometimes it was something completely silly. And sometimes, it was just a little thought I wanted him to know.

He started doing the same. I would occasionally open my diary and find a little sticky note waiting for me. Those tiny pieces of paper somehow became our secret language. We didn’t need long conversations. A few words on a small piece of paper could say everything. Then, one day, something unexpected happened. He came into the office, and I had absolutely no idea what he had planned. I was busy with my work when he came towards me. And I wished him- “Good Morning Sir” He had brought four different roses for me. A red rose. A yellow rose. A white rose. And a pink rose. He gave them to me one by one, each with its own sweet meaning. But he didn't give them all to me together.

That would have been too simple for him, but in opposite too special for me. First, I thought he had given me just one rose. Then, somehow, I discovered another one in my bag. Then another was waiting on my seat. And then another appeared in his hand.

Each time I found one, I smiled a little more and connected to him more. It was such a small surprise, but somehow it made my entire day brighter. I felt like a little princess. Because that was how he treated me. Like someone precious. He always cared about me. He listened to me—even when I talked about the smallest things.

He understood me, even when I couldn't properly explain what I was feeling. He noticed my emotions. He noticed my silence. He noticed when something was wrong, even when I said I was fine. And perhaps that was what made everything so beautiful.

He never needed grand gestures to make me feel loved. Sometimes, it was a five-minute walk. Sometimes, it was a sticky note hidden inside a diary. Sometimes, it was a rose waiting for me somewhere I least expected it. And sometimes, it was simply the way he looked at me and somehow made me feel understood. I slowly realized something. Love doesn’t always grow through dramatic moments. Sometimes, it grows quietly. Sometimes, it grows in five-minute walks. Sometimes, it grows between busy schedules and unfinished conversations. And sometimes… it grows through little pieces of paper called sticky notes. Time passed and we’re moving forward with this daily routine and by that time, the work on our new office was also finally completed.

For me always, office is my home, where I found my peace, my relaxation and my journey. The new office was finally ready. A week later we were leaving the parking lot when another car approached. Vihaan Sir immediately reversed and gave it space. I laughed. “You’re being unusually respectful.” He looked ahead. “That’s my dream car.” The silver BMW drove past us. I looked at it. Then I looked at him.

That evening, I secretly decided something. Next year… I would somehow make his dream feel special. Even if it took me an entire year. Chapter 1 — The Day He Came Back for Me Sometimes, one sentence is enough to make your entire world stop.

It happened one night during one of our usual conversations. Everything was normal. We were talking like we always did, sharing little things about our day, when suddenly, without any warning, he said, “Stay happy from now on. I won’t talk to you anymore.” For a moment, I couldn't understand what I had just heard. My entire body went cold. I stared at the words, trying to make sense of them. Why would he suddenly say something like that? My mind filled with questions, but I had no answers.

And the thought of not talking to him anymore was something I simply couldn't bear. I started crying. I tried to control myself, but I couldn't. The emotions became too much. By the time the night passed, I had become so unwell that I developed a fever. The next day, he called. My mother answered the phone. She told him that I wasn't well and that I had a fever.

There was a pause. Then he calmly said, “Let her rest, aunty. When she wakes up, tell her to call me.” When I woke up, my mother told me about his call. The moment I heard it, I called him. He tried to calm me down. He spoke gently, as if nothing had happened. But I was still hurt.

I finally said, “I'm not coming.” He didn't argue. Instead, he simply replied, “I'll pick you up tomorrow. Be ready.” And somehow, the certainty in his voice made me believe him. The next day, he came.

I got into the car, still carrying all the emotions from the night before. But after a few minutes, I noticed something. He wasn't taking the usual route toward &Work. Instead, the car was heading toward our new office. I looked at him. Then at the road. Then back at him. “Where are we going?” I asked.

He smiled. There was something in that smile that made me suspicious. Then he said, “If I have to convince you, I'll convince you when we're alone.” And that's exactly what he did. He had brought roses for me. As soon as we were alone, everything that had felt so heavy the night before somehow became lighter. He hugged me. Kissed my forehead.

Talked to me. Listened to me. Understood me. He knew exactly what to say. He knew exactly how to handle my emotions. And most importantly, he knew exactly how to make me smile again.

That was something only he could do. I don't know when it happened, but somewhere between his words, his care, and the way he looked at me, I gave in. The anger disappeared. The sadness faded. And once again, it was just us. We spent a beautiful day together. Not doing anything extraordinary. Just being together.

This is how we’re now for each other, we spent our each and every small moments together. Sometimes, we went to Zudio when he needed something. Sometimes, we went looking for shoes. Sometimes, we would stop somewhere and eat Maggie in the evening. And sometimes, we simply wandered around the mall without any particular reason.

Those ordinary moments became some of my favorite memories. There was no grand plan. No special destination. Just two people enjoying each other's company. And perhaps that's what made those moments so special. One day, while we were walking together in the mall’s corridor after having lunch, I finally told him something I had been carrying quietly inside me. I told him that I remembered what had happened between us on his birthday at the new office. For a moment, he looked a little awkward. He didn't know exactly how to react.

I didn't know what he was thinking either. But strangely, nothing changed. There was no uncomfortable silence. No distance. No sudden change in the way we treated each other. Everything simply remained normal.

Because by then, something between us had already changed. We had reached a place where not everything needed an explanation. We didn't have to define every feeling. We didn't have to discuss every moment. We didn't have to ask what we meant to each other every single day. Some things were simply understood. And maybe that was the most beautiful part. Because by then… we had already become something that didn't need to be explained every minute. Time passed and we were spending days with team and sometime alone.

Chapter 12 — Shifting to a New Home & a New BMW Time passed, and slowly, our lives began moving forward with the same familiar routine. Days turned into weeks, and somewhere between work, laughter, long drives, and countless little moments, the work on our new office was finally completed. For me, an office was never just an office. It was home. It was where I found peace, where I could relax, where I grew, and where so much of my journey had happened.

Most importantly, it was the place where I met Vihaan Sir. And now, it was time to leave it. The day we finally had to shift from &-Work to our new office, my heart felt unbearably heavy. I stood there looking around at the familiar walls, the desks, the corners where we had spent so many hours, and suddenly every little thing seemed to carry a memory. This was the place where I had met Vihaan Sir. The place where our story had slowly started taking shape. The place where we had laughed, worked, argued, shared food, travelled together after work, and created memories that I knew I would never be able to recreate in exactly the same way.

I tried to be strong, but when I finally walked out of &-Work for the last time, I cried. Our new destination was RPS, and even though I knew it was just a new office, emotionally, it felt like I was leaving behind a part of my life. Vihaan Sir noticed how emotional I was. He came closer and tried to console me. “Don’t worry, Tara,” he said softly. “We’ll make more memories.” His words made me smile through my tears.

Maybe he was right. Maybe leaving one place didn't mean leaving behind the memories. Maybe it simply meant making space for new ones. From the very next day, our destination changed from &-Work to 12th Avenue. I made up my mind to be strong. I told myself that I shouldn't keep looking back at the old days. Life was moving forward, and I had to move forward with it. Now it was me, Vihaan Sir, and Ryan spending our office days together. Still, I couldn't stop myself from remembering the past.

Every corner of the new office somehow reminded me of the time when Vihaan Sir and I used to spend entire days together. I would often find myself admiring him quietly, remembering our old conversations, our drives, our little fights, and all those ordinary moments that had somehow become extraordinary to me. Then one day, something happened. Vihaan Sir seemed to be ignoring me. I didn't know why, but it annoyed me terribly. By the end of the day, I was angry with him. Usually, he would drive me home after work. But that day, I decided I didn't go with him. I booked a cab and left the office on my own. My phone kept ringing. Vihaan Sir calling me.

Again. And again. I didn't answer. After several calls, he called once more, and finally, I picked up. “Where are you?” he asked. “I left the office. I'm going on my own,” I replied. “Where are you? Just tell me.” “I’m on the highway.” I thought that would be the end of it. I had no idea what he was doing at that moment. While driving, he was checking every car he passed, desperately trying to find me.

And then, about fifteen minutes later, he spotted my cab. His car suddenly came alongside ours. Then he stopped. Right in front of my cab. In the middle of the highway.

For a moment, I couldn't believe what I was seeing. He got out of his car and walked straight toward my cab. He opened the door. “Come out.” I looked at him and couldn't stop myself from smiling. And, yes, I blushed too. The whole thing felt so unbelievably filmy.

Who stops their car in the middle of a highway just because the person they care about left angry and alone? Vihaan Sir did. He could have simply let me go. Instead, he came looking for me. That was the moment I realized something I had perhaps been avoiding for a long time. His care for me wasn't always expressed through big words. Sometimes, it was hidden in small actions.

In the way he worried. In the way he searched for me. In the way he simply couldn't let me go home alone when he knew I was upset. That day, I felt his love and care more deeply than ever before. As we drove home, I quietly rested my head on his shoulder. I didn’t say anything. I just wanted to feel close to him—to feel his warmth, his presence, and the love I knew was there. For the entire drive, I wished the road would never end.

When we finally reached my home, Vihaan Sir stopped the car. But this time, I didn’t want to get out. I didn’t want the drive to end. For the first time, all I wanted was to stay with him a little longer. I just wanted one more day, more time with him.

Days passed again. Then, one day, Vihaan Sir casually told me that he was planning to change his car. I listened quietly. But inside my mind, memories began playing one after another. His Harrier. The car that had been part of so many of our memories. The days he dropped me home. Our outings. That drive to Leopard trail. The countless conversations we had inside that car.

So many moments of my life were somehow connected to that harrier. I was genuinely happy for him. But I knew I was going to miss the Harrier. Then came that day when I was seeing harrier for the last time. Vihaan Sir looked at me and said, “Come. Let me give you one last ride in the Harrier.”

I was sad. But at the same time, I was happy that I got one final memory with it. After that, for a few days, he started coming to the office on his scooty. Those three days became unexpectedly special to me. He would drop me home on his scooty, and I would sit behind him, holding him from behind throughout the ride.

There was something incredibly comforting about those short journeys. It wasn't about the distance. It was about being close to him. Then came the day he went to get his new car. I still wasn't ready to accept that the Harrier was gone. I was totally unaware that he went to get his new car. That night, I saw his story.

I opened it casually. And then I was surprised. He posted his new car. A Black BMW. I had no idea he was going to buy his dream car. I was genuinely so happy for him. This was something he had dreamed about, and seeing him finally achieve it made me happy too for him. But at the same time, I couldn't immediately bring myself to message him and congratulate him. I wanted to do something more special. So, the next day, I prepared a card for him. It wasn't just a congratulations card.

I made it about his journey. I included the memories of his Harrier, the moments he had shared with his car, how connected I had become to it, and then the beginning of a completely new chapter with his BMW. I wanted him to know that while I was happy about his new car, I would always have a special place in my heart for the old one because of everything it represented. I didn't congratulate him before giving him that card. I wanted the card to be my wish. When I finally gave it to him, he read it carefully. Then he looked at me. “I was waiting for your wish, Tara.”

That sentence touched my heart. He liked the card. And seeing him happy made all the effort worth it. His dream car wasn't just a new BMW. To me, it felt like another milestone in our journey. And I was lucky enough to witness it. Life continued. Then one day, Ryan told Vihaan Sir that he wanted to discuss something. Vihaan Sir took him outside. A little later, I found out what they had talked about. Ryan was leaving the job.

Vihaan Sir asked him everything. He wanted to know if there was some problem, whether something had happened, or if there was any reason behind his decision. But Ryan didn't tell him much. And just like that, he left. Vihaan sir didn’t forced him for anything and now Ryan leave. Suddenly, it was just me and Vihaan Sir again. The office became quiet. Just the two of us. And somehow, that quietness brought back a feeling I hadn't realized I had missed. It felt like time had gone backward. The two of us working together. The two of us spending our days together. The two of us sharing the little moments that made ordinary office hours feel special. This time, there were no limits. No interruptions. No third person between us. Just him and me.

Now, again we worked together. We laughed together. We danced like a couple in the middle of the office. Sometimes he would feed me with his own hands. He would drop me home after work. And once again, we were spending entire days together. It felt strangely familiar. Like the old days had returned. Only this time, we had more memories behind us. More feelings between us. And perhaps, without either of us saying it aloud, we both knew that this new office wasn't just a new workplace. It was the beginning of another chapter of our story.

Chapter 13— Building a Home Life surprised us again. This time, not with rain. With bricks. With walls. With the sound of construction slowly replacing the silence that had surrounded an old dream for years. For as long as I could remember, I had dreamed of rebuilding our house for my family. Our old home had given us countless memories, but it had also grown old with us. There were drawings on wall. There were endless discussions.

Sometimes my parents would talk about how the new house would look. Where the rooms would be. How the terrace would be. What color the walls should have. Where the staircase would go. We had imagined it so many times that, in our minds, the house already existed. But there was always one problem. Money. Dreams are easy to design on paper. Building them is different.

So, year after year, the plans remained plans. I once told Vihaan Sir everything. I didn't want him to think that I expected anything from him. I didn't want our relationship to ever feel like a transaction. So I kept most of it to myself. But somehow, he noticed. He always noticed the things I tried not to say. One evening, during one of our usual conversations, he casually asked about my home. I answered normally. I told him a little about the house. About the plans.

About how my family had wanted to rebuild it for years. I didn't ask for help. I didn't even hint at it. I simply spoke. And then the conversation moved on. I thought that was the end of it. It wasn't. A few days later, he spoke with my sister.

I didn't know what they discussed. He never made a big announcement. He never sat me down and said he was going to help. There was no dramatic gesture. No moment where he made me feel that he was doing something extraordinary for my family. He simply helped arrange the financial support my family desperately needed. Quietly. Without making it feel like charity. That was what touched me the most.

He never treated it as generosity. He treated it as belief. As if he wasn't giving my family something. As if he was simply helping us reach something we had already worked so hard to dream about. And then, finally... Construction began.

The first day I saw the foundation being prepared, I couldn't stop staring at it. It was only the beginning. There were no beautiful walls yet. No paint. No windows. No furniture. Just bricks, cement, dust, and a piece of land that was slowly becoming the home we had imagined for years. But to me, it already felt beautiful. Because this time, the dream was real. A new wall. A freshly built room. The staircase taking shape. The railings being installed. The terrace slowly coming together.

Sometimes I would send him pictures without saying anything. And he would understand. He followed the construction almost as closely as I did. Months passed. The house slowly changed from a construction site into something that finally felt like home. The walls were painted. The stairs were finished. The railings were installed. The terrace was ready. Every small detail that I had once imagined on paper was now standing in front of me. And then one day... It was finished.

I stood outside the completed house and just looked at it. Walls filled with the possibility of new memories. My parents were happier than I had seen them in a long time. They walked through every room, discussing where everything would go. I always dreamed to invite Vihaan Sir first. Because long before the construction had even begun, I had made a promise to myself. If that house was ever completed... The first guest would always be him.

It was an old wish. A quiet one. One I had never told anyone. And now, without knowing any of that, my parents had spoken the exact words I had been carrying in my heart for years. For a moment, I felt like maybe life was finally giving me the moment I had imagined so many times. I wanted him to walk through that door first. I wanted to show him every room. But life had its own plans. Work took him out of town. And just like that, the moment I had imagined was no longer possible.

The house was ready. My family was ready. But the person I had wanted to see there first wasn't. I tried not to let it bother me. Still... A small part of me felt like something was missing. That evening, while everyone was busy celebrating in their own way, my phone rang. It was him. I answered. “Hello?” His voice came through. “Congratulations, Tara.” I smiled. “Thank you Sir.” There was a pause. That day, my family got a new home. And another quiet piece of our story.

Chapter — Twenty-Three Little Reasons Another year passed, full of love and care. Not with grand promises or extraordinary moments. It simply passed the way life often does—quietly, carrying ordinary days with it. But somewhere between those ordinary days, something between us had changed. Our love had become quieter. Deeper. Safer. Comfortable. It no longer needed constant words or explanations. We had reached a place where a small glance could say what an entire conversation couldn't. A smile could carry an apology. Silence could feel comforting instead of frightening.

And being beside him had slowly become a feeling I didn't know how to live without. Then his birthday came closer. I wanted to give him something special. The thing which I planned last year with his dream car, is already living with him now and I want something that couldn't simply be bought from a store. Something that would remind him of everything we had lived through together. So I decided to make twenty-three birthday cards. But they weren't ordinary birthday cards.

Each one carried something different. One held a memory. Another held a moment I never wanted to forget. One carried gratitude. Another carried a reason why he had changed my life. Some cards were filled with things I had never been brave enough to say aloud. Some contained silly memories that still made me smile. And some were simply about him—the little things he did without realizing how much they meant to me. Every card was different. Every word was real. I spent hours making them.

Cutting paper. Folding it carefully. Writing and rewriting sentences because sometimes the simplest feelings were the hardest to put into words. There were moments when I would stop writing and just stare at the card in front of me. Wondering how one person could become such a significant part of another person's life. I didn't know if he would understand everything I was trying to say. But I knew I had to try. Because sometimes love isn't about finding the perfect gift.

Sometimes it's about saying, I remember. I noticed. You mattered. And I wanted him to know that I remembered every little thing. On the morning of his birthday, we decorated the office before he arrived. There were balloons, decorations, and little touches everywhere. But the most important part was waiting inside his cabin. His desk was covered with all twenty-three cards.

Twenty-three little pieces of our story. Twenty-three reasons. Twenty-three memories. Twenty-three pieces of my heart. I stood there quietly, wondering how he would react. Then we heard him arrive.

A few moments later, he walked in and happy after seeing the decoration, but what he never had an idea, that a cute surprise is waiting in his cabin. After taking my and Parth sir’s wish, he went toward his cabin. The moment he opened the door, he stopped. His eyes moved across the desk. From one card to another. For a few seconds, he didn't say anything. He just stood there. I watched him take in everything. Then he slowly looked at me. “You made all of these?” His voice was softer than usual. I smiled. “Yes.” He looked back at the cards. He picked one up. Then another. His fingers moved carefully over the handmade cards, as if he were afraid of damaging something precious.

I didn't know what he was thinking. I didn't ask. I simply stood there and watched him. There are some expressions that words cannot explain. There was something deeper that I couldn't name. Maybe love. Maybe the realization that someone had spent hours creating something not because they had to, but because they genuinely wanted to. He looked at me again. And for a moment, neither of us said anything. I didn't need him to. Because everything I wanted to tell him was already sitting on his desk. And perhaps, without even realizing it, twenty-three little ways of saying, You changed my life. He is our boss, I have nothing expensive to gave him as my wish for his birthday, what I just have was love for him and my try to express same in with those cards.

Because those cards weren't just birthday cards. They were pieces of our journey. Pieces of me. And as I watched him hold them, I realized something. Sometimes the greatest gifts aren't the ones that cost the most. I had given him a small collection of everything I had felt but could never fully say. Chapter 12 — The Day He Came Home A few weeks later, fate gave me one final surprise. Though, at that time, I didn't know it would become one of the most unforgettable days of my life.

I injured my chest and had to stay home. For a few days, everything slowed down. No office. No usual routine. No rushing around. Just long hours at home, trying to recover and pretending that I wasn't getting impatient. But there was one thing that never changed. Vihaan Sir’s call. Every single day. Sometimes it was a short call. Sometimes we talked for longer. But almost every time, he asked the same thing.

“How's me?” “Are you resting properly?” “Is it getting better?” I would tell him I was fine. He never completely believed me. He had this way of knowing when I was saying I'm okay just because I didn't want him to worry. Then one afternoon, something unexpected happened. I was sitting at home when I heard my father call from the front of the house. “Soni…” I looked up. “Someone is here.” There was something different in his voice. I slowly got up and made my way toward the front gate. And then I saw him.

Vihaan Sir. Standing outside our gate. For a moment, I couldn't move. I just stared at him.

He wasn't carrying flowers. There was no gift in his hands. Nothing that announced why he had come. He was simply standing there. With concern in his eyes. He looked at me and smiled slightly. “I wanted to see if you were alright.” I couldn't believe he had actually come. He had work. He had responsibilities. He had every reason to simply call me and ask how I was doing. But he had chosen to come himself. Into my world. Into my home. Into the place that had existed in my dreams long before he ever knew about it. And for the first time, Vihaan Sir wasn't just the person I knew from the office. He was a guest in my home. He met my parents. He asked to my father- Uncle do you remember me? Also, spoke with my sister. And then I heard him whisper something.

A name. A name that only my family used for me. “Soni.” My heart melted. I had heard my family call me that thousands of times. But hearing it from him felt completely different. Because that single word meant something I could never explain properly. He was no longer standing outside my personal world. He had quietly become part of it. And somehow, within minutes, the awkwardness disappeared. My family welcomed him naturally, as though they had known him for years. My father, especially, seemed extremely happy. I was happy but emotional too, my that dream of inviting him to my house was finally happening.

After sometime, I said- let me show you the house sir. He came with me, me and him was alone while the home tour. Every room. Every little detail. Every part of the home that had once been nothing more than a dream. This was the moment I had once imagined. Only it was better than the version in my head. Because I hadn't planned it. It had simply happened. le Later, I walked with him upstairs. We reached the terrace. For a few seconds, neither of us spoke.

We simply stood there. Looking around. Taking in everything. Then he smiled. I looked at the house. Then at him. It was him, who made my dream real, my dream of re-buliding my house. I was surprised how I meat him, how he became so important for me. How he cares for me. I was feeling so lucky at that time. He became quiet. He knew how much this house meant to my family. He knew what it had taken to build it. And somewhere between the walls, the sunlight, and the silence, I realized something.

We eventually started walking back downstairs. And somewhere between the terrace and the staircase, the emotions I had been holding inside for so long became too much. I didn't think. I didn't plan. I simply turned toward him and wrapped my arms around him. He held me softly and looked around to ensure no-one is looking. EPILOGUE This Story Is Still Continuing

Sometimes I sit quietly and think about how strange life is. I completed my MBA looking for a job. I gave two interviews. Only two. Goldi Ma'am's interview. Then Vinay Sir's. And after that… I never gave another interview. I simply started working. I thought I was beginning a career. I didn't know I was beginning a chapter that would change me forever. I found my first office. My first professional confidence. My first real workplace friendships.

My first Holi. My first beautiful birthday memories. My first flowers from someone who mattered so much. My first experience of being understood without having to explain everything. I found someone who knew when I was angry. Who knew how to convince me. Who knew when I needed space. Who knew when I needed a hug. Who knew how much I loved rain. Who remembered my family.

Who cared about my mother. Who helped my family build a home. Who came to my gate simply because I was injured. Someone who knew my name as Tara… but eventually called me Soni. And maybe that's why I don't know how to call this story finished. Because it isn't. It is still happening.

There are still mornings. Still office days. Still conversations. Still photographs waiting to be clicked. Still memories waiting to be made. I don't know what the final chapter of this story will look like. Maybe life will give us everything we once dreamed about. Maybe it won't. Maybe we will stay exactly where we are.

Maybe life will take us somewhere neither of us expects. But one thing I know. I will never forget him. I will never forget the time we spent together. I will never forget the little two-seater cabin. The rain. The Harrier. The BMW. The flowers. The sticky notes. The dancing.

The games. The photographs. The kisses. The arguments. The apologies. The laughter. The care. The house. The terrace.

And that one word— Soni. Because sometimes a person doesn't just become part of your love story. They become part of the story of who you became. And whatever happens next… this will always be the story of the girl who went looking for her first job— and found a lifetime of memories along the way. And this story is still continuing…