:* :*

Aashi walked towards the elevator, there is already a man in suit waiting for the elevator.

'Good morning.' Her smile faded on seeing Rishabh standing next to her.

He glanced at her ankle and then at her, - 'Good morning.' He greeted her formally. Aashi nodded and looked away. She is hating this awkwardness and formality between them. She felt his gaze on her and turned to look at him, he quickly looked away. The elevator opened and the two stepped in.

'So, how is your work going?' Aashi asked as the elevator went up.

'Good.' Rishabh said not looking at her but the door.

Aashi hesitated before asking, - 'You were working very late last night?'

Rishabh looked at her, - 'I left shortly after you.' He said. Aashi nodded and looked away, she felt his gaze on her. She knew he wanted to say something and,

'How is your ankle?' He asked

Aashi felt touched that he cared enough to ask her, this also made her think if he was thinking of her last night. Aashi mentally scolded herself - 'Don't be silly, Aashi.'

She looked at him and nodded, - 'Fine.' A smile began forming on her lips, but she quickly wiped it

TING

The elevator door opened. They glanced at each other and then stepped out from the elevator.

'Rishabh, mail me about the work you did last night and be in my cabin after lunch.' Aashi said as they walked through the corridor towards their respective cabins.

'Okay, Aashi.' Rishabh said. They looked at each other again.

Rishabh and Aashi, Aashi and Rishabh, no Maam and no Mr. Khurana exactly how Aashi likes. Calling each other by their first name, they both felt more connected to each other.

Aashi smiled at him and he smiled too, then they walked into their cabins.

**********************************

Aashi glanced at the wall clock, 1pm, she texted Himanshu saying she will be having lunch in the cafeteria as she has some work.

Okay

Aashi felt guilty to lie to him, she didn't even know why she lied to him.

She walked into the washroom and washed her face, she combed her hair and adjusted her white formal shirt and tugged little on her brown pencil skirt. She left the washroom and walked towards Rishabh's cabin.

Before she could have second thoughts, she knocked the door.

'Come in.' His voice called from inside. Aashi took a deep breath and opened the door.

'Hey.' She forced a smile.

Rishabh looked up from his laptop, he looked surprised to see her here.

'Hey.' He replied after few seconds. She entered, the door closing behind her.

'I was thinking-' Rishabh looked at her and then at her fidgeting fingers.

When he looked back at her she continued, - 'We can start our discussion over lunch.' She said uncertainly.

God Aashi, what are you doing? Aashi mentally thought. Rishabh looked at her and nodded thoughtfully. Aashi smiled and quickly fixed her expressions but smiled again when Rishabh smiled too. She missed his smile.

Aashi and Rishabh walked together in silence, their arms brushed against each other as they were to enter the elevator. They looked at each other. They then spend five minutes insisting, you go first, the door closed and the elevator went down. Aashi and Rishabh looked at the door and then at each other and began chuckling.

'Shit, we missed the elevator.' Rishabh said in between his chuckle.

'I know, how silly.' Aashi said and placed her palm on his arm as they chuckled. Suddenly, they stopped laughing and gazed into each other's eyes.

Rishabh was the first one to break the eye contact, he cleared his throat and pressed the elevator button. He and Aashi looked everywhere but at each other.