Next day at work, Aashi was greeted by Himanshu as she waited for the elevator.

'Hey.' He greeted her brightly

'Hey.' She greeted him back sadly. Himanshu frowned noticing Aashi's sad face.

'Everything alright?'

Aashi nodded, she didn't want to talk anything personal with people around. Once they entered the elevator, Aashi quickly pressed the button shutting the door before anyone else got in.

'Himanshu.' She turned to him, he looked on. Aashi took a deep breath and narrated everything that happened last night.

'That is so bad, that rascal. I can imagine how Suchitra must be feeling. Last time she was so broke.' Himanshu expressed his anger as the two stepped out from the elevator. Aashi nodded.

'Is there something I can do?' Himanshu asked sincerely.

Aashi thought for a while, - 'Actually, I am little busy today, with all the targets and stuff,' - Aashi waved her hand and continued, - 'could you please if you are free, be with Suchitra. You have her number na?' Aashi said. She felt little guilty for giving a responsibility on him unnecessarily.

She was relieved when Himanshu smiled at her, - 'Of course.'

'Thanks, and sorry.' Aashi apologized.

Himanshu smiled wider tilting his head little, - 'Arey, we are friends. I am friends with Suchitra too.' He said. Aashi smiled gratefully.

Himanshu then looked ahead and smacked his forehead, - 'Oops, I got off the wrong floor.' He said smiling. Aashi chuckled. He watched her for few seconds before pressing the elevator button.

'Okay then, I will go.' Aashi said. Just then elevator door opened and Rishabh stepped out. He looked taken aback finding Himanshu in front of him. He smiled at him, but his smile faded on seeing Aashi beside him. She noticed it before he masked by smiling again. Aashi smiled back at him as she didn't want to make him uncomfortable.

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Later in the afternoon as Aashi worked, she felt her stomach rumble and realized it was lunchtime. She glanced at the wall clock in front her desk, 1 pm. She then leaned forward and picked up her phone and texted Rishabh asking him to join her for lunch. She got a quick reply.

Sure

Not in the cafeteria, I don't anyone to see senior and junior together ;)

Ha-ha, okay.

Copper Chimney? The outlet is walking distance.

Okay

After they had decided the plan, Aashi adjusted her yellow formal bodycon, combed her hair with her fingers, grabbed her phone and ID and left the cabin. Outside she dashed into Himanshu.

'Sorry, sorry-' She apologized.

'It's okay. I had come to ask you, want to grab lunch?' He asked with a smile.

Aashi felt wrong to refuse him and agreed, - 'I and Rishabh had decided to meet up at Copper Chimney, join us.' She added. Himanshu nodded. Aashi was slightly disappointed, she had wanted to spend some time alone with Rishabh and perhaps get him to talk about his dark days. She wanted him to talk about it so that she can pull him out of it. But in Himanshu's presence, it's not possible.

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

Aashi entered the restaurant followed by Himanshu. As she looked around for empty seat she is surprised to see Rishabh already waiting for her. She urged Himanshu and together they walked towards him.

'Hey.' Rishabh looked up, he was surprised on seeing Himanshu with Aashi. Once again, she noticed him disappointed, but that was for a millisecond. He masked his emotion. The two men greeted each other, shaking hands.

'I guess we should look for a table for four.' Aashi said and began looking around. Himanshu and Rishabh too looked around.

'There.' Both said in a unison pointing at the same seat. Aashi looked at him.

Both have similar choices - she thought.

Aashi sat on the seat next to the wall, Rishabh was about to sit beside her but Himanshu was quick and he sat beside her, instead.

'Hey, sorry, I thought you were sitting opposite us. No problem, I will move.' Himanshu said raising from his seat. But Rishabh placed a palm on his shoulder and said with a smile, that looked forced to Aashi.

'No problem, I will sit here.' He then took his seat opposite Aashi and Himanshu. Aashi looked at Rishabh and then at Himanshu who smiled at her. She forced a smile. Something is odd, Rishabh had been her closest friend of course, but he was never possessive. He did get jealous at times, but never possessive. Aashi looked at Rishabh who looked slightly miffed.

They ordered the food, Himanshu did most of the talking till the food came.

Both Aashi and Rishabh were least interested in listening but they didn't interrupt him as they didn't want to come out as rude. Occasionally, Aashi glanced at Rishabh from the corner of her eyes but he didn't once look at her. Soon, the food arrived and they ate silently.