It was late again.
The office had emptied out hours ago, leaving behind silence and the soft hum of lights.
Anika was still there.
Sitting on the floor near the glass wall of the conference room, files scattered around her.
She looked tired—
But peaceful.
The door opened quietly.
She didn't look up.
"You're going to ruin your posture like that."
A small smile appeared on her lips.
"You're going to ruin my mood if you keep talking."
Arman Khurana walked in.
And instead of correcting her—
He sat down.
Right beside her.
On the floor.
That surprised her.
She turned slightly.
"You're sitting on the floor?"
"Don't make it a big deal."
"It is a big deal."
"It's not."
She shook her head.
"You've definitely changed."
He didn't respond.
But he didn't deny it either.
Silence settled.
Comfortable.
Soft.
After a while, Anika spoke—
"Do you ever stop thinking?"
Arman glanced at her.
"No."
"Same."
A pause.
"My brain doesn't shut up."
"What is it saying right now?"
She hesitated.
Then said quietly—
"That things are getting complicated."
His gaze didn't leave her.
"They are."
Anika looked down at her hands.
"We were easier before."
"Were we?"
"Yes."
"How?"
"We hated each other."
A faint smirk.
"That was easier?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because it didn't matter then."
Silence.
Then Arman asked—
"And now?"
Her voice softened.
"Now it does."
That changed everything.
The air shifted.
The silence became heavier.
Arman leaned back slightly, his shoulder almost touching hers.
"Say it properly."
She looked at him.
"What?"
"What you're trying to say."
Her heart started racing.
"I already did."
"No."
His voice dropped.
"You didn't."
She swallowed.
Then—
"What do you want me to say?"
Arman turned his head.
Their eyes met.
Close.
Too close.
"The truth."
A long pause.
Then Anika whispered—
"I don't understand what's happening between us."
Arman didn't look away.
"Neither do I."
"That's not helping."
"I'm not trying to help."
She exhaled softly.
"This isn't just work anymore."
"I know."
"And it's not just… arguments."
"I know that too."
"Then what is it?"
Silence.
Arman leaned slightly closer.
His voice low.
Dangerous.
Real.
"Say what you think it is."
Her breath hitched.
"I—"
She stopped.
Again.
Fear?
Confusion?
Or something deeper?
Arman watched her carefully.
"Why do you stop every time?"
She shook her head.
"Because if I say it…"
"What?"
"It changes everything."
A pause.
Then he said quietly—
"Maybe it already has."
Their faces were inches apart now.
The moment stretched.
Tight.
Unavoidable.
Anika whispered—
"This isn't supposed to happen."
"Why not?"
"Because you're—"
She stopped.
"You're my boss."
"And?"
"And I'm not supposed to feel—"
She cut herself off.
Again.
Arman's voice dropped even lower.
"Feel what?"
Silence.
Her heart pounded.
Loud enough she was sure he could hear it.
For a second—
It looked like she might finally say it.
Everything.
But instead—
She looked away.
"I can't."
That was it.
The moment broke.
Not fully.
But enough.
Arman leaned back slowly.
Ran a hand through his hair.
Frustration visible for the first time.
"You're impossible."
Anika let out a small breath.
"You're worse."
A pause.
Then—
"Maybe."
They sat there in silence again.
But this time—
It wasn't calm.
It was unfinished.
Because both of them knew—
They were standing at the edge of something.
Something real.
Something dangerous.
Something neither of them could ignore anymore.
And next time—
They might not stop.