‘Love the idea, Bhai.’ Ayaan hugged me next. ‘You were amazing. We should get drinks. Celebrate.’
‘Thanks, Ayaan.’ I patted his back. ‘But I’m busy tonight.’
‘Tomorrow then. I’ll call Yuv and Arjun too. Make it a boys’ night.’
‘Okay. I’ll see you later.’
The board was quick to approve the pitch, so we jumped into strategy. With three sessions of about two hours each, meal breaks and all their questions, it took all day. Most of the office was empty by now. I’d be tired and ready to go home, too, if not for the adrenaline pumping through my body at the thought of my date with Ananya.
I pulled out my phone and went to Kavita’s chat. One unread message.
Ananya wasn’t at her desk when I returned to my office, but I did see an open cream box on it labelled Elie Saab.Perfect.
I quickly changed into the spare suit I kept at the office. Then, I glanced at my watch: 7.20 p.m.
I stepped outside.
A soft click of heels pulled my attention to the corridor.
Ananya walked towards me, and I swear I forgot how to breathe.
The midnight blue dress hugged her body like it had been made just for her. It caught the light with every step, shifting over her curves. The neckline dipped just enough to offer the slightest glimpse of her cleavage. Sleek, sensual and lethal.
But it wasn’t just the dress. It was her.
Soft waves tumbled down her back. Her eyes sparkled like she knew what she was doing to me. That perfect mouth that I’d now kissed more times than I could count.
She was temptation dressed in silk. And I was already on my knees.
‘You look stunning,’ I murmured.
‘Thank you.’ A demure smile formed. ‘For the dress too. You didn’t have to.’
‘You wanted to dress up, so I made it happen.’
I couldn’t help it; I took her in once again. She looked ravishing. ‘And I’m glad I did.’
A sharp intensity lit her eyes.
It took everything in me not to kiss her right then and there. But we weren’t alone in the office, and Ananya didn’t want anyone to know.
‘Dilip will take you to the restaurant,’ I said. ‘I’ll see you there.’
To avoid suspicion, I waited for five minutes to leave after she did.
The restaurant I chose for our date was called Baithak. It had no signboard, just a faded red door on a sleepy street that led to an old building.
Ananya stood outside, looking half-concerned. When I stepped out of my taxi, she saw me and exhaled. ‘Jai. I wasn’t sure I was at the right place.’
‘You are.’ I pressed a hand on her back and gestured towards the door. ‘Let’s go.’
Up a narrow set of stairs was another door. A small sign read the restaurant name. I opened the door, and Ananya entered first.
Soft yellow lights shimmered against old brick walls. The place had five tables, mismatched plates and hand-woven coasters. And it smelled of warm,home-cooked meals. Kishore Kumar played in the background.
I walked to the only empty table and pulled out a chair.
‘What is this place?’ Ananya murmured as she sat down, looking around in wonder.
