The next morning, Priya turned the key in the ignition once again and sighed. Next to her, sitting in the passenger seat, her brother Aditya laughed.

Her eyes moved to her brother and then to the roof of the car and closed her eyes. "God! Please give me peace," she muttered and turned the key again. The car growled in a weird screeching sound and stopped, like all the time.

Aditya spoke up more to her annoyance. "Di! I know you don't get it how many ever times I have told you. This thing, which you call your baby, is of no use to anyone except for chandlers and raggers. Get rid of it already." He ended with an annoyed tone.

"Don't mouth my baby," she hissed, glaring at him.

He rolled his eyes. "You know I am right," before she could open his mouth, he continued, "Anyways I am late. A bus moves faster than this trash. So... bubye," he says, already on a move to open his side passenger door.

He was almost out when Priya shouted, offended. "My baby isn't trash." Even though she wanted to remind him this was what was there in their bad times, he was already out of the gate and crossing the road to get to the other side.

Her lips twisted to the side. "Stupid," she mutters and plants a kiss on the steering wheel. "My baby. Please startup."

Finally, she gives up when her car doesn't show any sign this time. "Uff!" She puffs air out and shakes her head.

"Better follow my brother," she said, taking her office bag out of the rear seat and she climbed out the car. She straightened her black pencil skirt down her knees and her blouse, taking a look at her face in the side mirror. She smiled.

Last night after Abhay left, a kind of warmth engulfed her, keeping her up with his thoughts. Though he said she was a friend, she still loved him. She was being optimistic that even if he doesn't love her, she would love him. Her's would be an unrequited love.

Smiling to herself, she walked out the gate and took right in the direction of her office. Well, not until she got to the main road she had been able to find a taxi or an auto. She kept walking, with slight difficulty in her high heels in the bumpy path. She thought if she'd known her day would be starting like this, then she might have chosen her flats.

Her thoughts again drifted to last night. Last night, she asked Abhay and Aisha to stay for dinner. It felt good having them for dinner. It was a little weird to have your boss over your house. But then it didn't feel wrong knowing the kind of warmth it gave to her.

He'd behave like a Godzilla one minute and the next minute, a sweet chocolate fountain. She doesn't know which one she loved the most. But she had to give it to him when he apologized and thanked.

He doesn't need to. But he did. It's his wish what he wanted to do for Aisha. Being the sole guardian for that adorable little girl, she couldn't imagine all the sacrifices he made. He deserves some appreciation. What he didn't deserve was for someone to point at him on how to care for the little one, when for five years he did the caring single handedly.

She was definitely an idiot, she realized lately.

Suddenly she came to a halt on the sidewalk when a thought struck her. She must do something special for him.

It should say she accepted his apology and also that he was doing good. She was there for him as a friend. But what should she do? She bit her lower lip, thinking, when her eyes crossed across a flower shop that was on the other side of the road.

"Right," she grinned and immediately crossed the road. It was a small roadside shop in an open space and on rare occasions, she came there to buy flowers. An old man, in his seventies, got up from his small chair when he saw her approach.

Priya stopped in front of the shop and looked at all different types of flowers and bouquets. What does he like? She thought, as her eyes moved from one to another.

"Are you looking for something particular dear?" The old man asked.

She looked at him and nodded. "Actually yes," she admitted.

"We have all the varieties at the back. Orchids, tulips, lilies, anything. Is there any special occasion?"

"Not really," she murmured distractedly.

"Well..." he probed and at the same time, an old woman came to stand next to him holding his hands.

Priya sighed. "Well... I really need a bit of help out here. There is this man. All confusing with his actions. One second super hard like a caveman. Another second super sweet as candy. But in a good sense you know. In his caveman mode, he shouted at me. Well... it's partly my fault. But I am telling you he's a very, very good man. He doesn't deserve that from me. But then yesterday in his candy mode, he's in front of me saying sorry and thank you. Even when he doesn't need to..." She exclaimed. She bit her lip when she realized she had let out her frustration by confessing to two strangers.

The old couple stared at her open-mouthed with curiosity. Priya added distractedly, "He's a good man. He should know he's doing a great job," she whispered, staring at a red rose in her hand.

The old woman knew what she needed. Giving a squeeze to her husband's hand and grinning at him, she walked back inside.

As Priya stood there thinking lost, the old woman walked out with a bunch of flowers tied in the middle.

"This is what you need my dear," the old woman said softly.

Priya looked at her and then at her hands. A soft gasp escaped her lips seeing the beautiful orchids. They were a mixture of a purple, red and purple-red combo. They were beautiful and fresh. With a soft smile, she took them in her hands and held it to her face taking a huge pleasant sniff. She always loved orchids.

"Thank you," Priya whispered, still staring at the flowers.

"This candy caveman, you are talking about my dear... Is a lucky one. To have an understanding companion like you," the old woman smiled broadly.

Priya was tongue-tied. She just nodded and paid her a good amount. "Thank you," she whispered ánd was about to step back when the woman spoke again.

"We'll be expecting you once again, my dear. Take care."

Priya smiled. "Thank you, ma'am. Have a nice day," she hollered as she stepped away and almost took quarter steps to the road when a red car raced at a full speed in her direction.

By the time Priya saw it coming and tried to get away from the path, taking a step back toward the flower shop, the car came to a screeching halt right in front of her. As Priya didn't see this coming, and in her process to get away from danger, her high heeled leg tripped and she fell to the rough paved road. She groaned in pain when her upper torso and knee touched the ground with an impact and her flowers fell to her side.

She faintly heard the old couple shout. But her mind was on the vehicle. She almost had a heart attack and when she saw the person in the driver seat, she was worked up as hell.

Riya... What the hell was she thinking? Priya thought outraged.

As Priya stood up from the ground while glaring at Riya, Riya stepped out of her car and stood there as if nothing had happened. From the corner of her eyes, Priya saw the old couple come towards her.

"Are you ok, my dear?" the old woman asked, holding her arm in a concerned way. Priya looked at her and nodded. The old man was lifting her flowers. She sighed relieved as they were not damaged.

"Are you crazy?" the old woman shouted at Riya.

Priya turned her head and saw Riya was walking towards her smiling. Not an apologetic or genuine smile. A mocking one at that. Ignoring the old lady, she talked to Priya. "Hello, Priya. It's very nice to see you."

"I wish I could say the same," Priya retorted.

"Are you blind? What is that speed? You might have killed her," the old man said angrily.

Riya glared at him and turned her icy gaze back to her. "She's fine."

"Ma'am, sir... It's ok. Let it be," Priya spoke before they could shout at her. She extended her hands to the old man for her flowers.

"How can it be dear? You-" the lady started but stopped when Priya said, "It's fine. I know her," she gave a reassuring smile. The old couple nodded and went away.

Priya sighed and turned to face Riya. "What are you doing Riya?" she asked.

Riya shrugged her shoulders. "Shouldn't I say Hi to you?"

Priya's eyes shot up. "Hi?" she prompted. "Is this how you say hi?" she felt incredulous but stayed calm. She narrowed her eyes as she saw Riya trying to fight a smile.

"Well... I wanted to give a special Hi. I cannot say Hi like everyone else right. As you are so special to my niece Aisha and also Abhay."

"Pardon?"

Riya chuckled. "You are too smart, Priya. First, you trapped that little mutt. And seeped an entry into his heart. I should give you my appreciation for that. Wow!" she clapped her hands.

"You-"

"But remember. This won't stay for a long time. Remember," Riya snapped, at last, pointed her finger at her and hopped in her car, leaving Priya in a baffled state.

As Riya drove away, Priya couldn't help but give a slight laugh at her idiocy. She shook her head and hailed a taxi to her office.

∞∞∞

Priya was standing in front of Abhay's desk, arranging the orchids in a vase while smiling at them. She bit her lip hoping he would like them. She hoped today, she wouldn't see his caveman mode. But she couldn't complain about it.

She heard her mobile start ringing and smiled when she saw the number.

"Hi, sweetheart," Priya cooed softly, running her hands through the orchids.

"Hello, aunty," Aisha's innocent laughter echoed in her ears. "What are you doing?"

"I am at the office. Did you have breakfast?"

"Dadi cooked yummy poha. I am eating now."

"Aww... Are you enjoying it then?"

"So much. You should eat it, aunty. You will like."

"Sure I will," She smiled imagining her already munching over her breakfast and jumping in her seat while talking with her. "Say Hi to your Dadi. I am gonna hang up now. Your father will be coming now."

"Ok. Aunty!" Aisha stopped her, exclaiming loudly.

"Yes, my dear."

"I made a surprise for you."

"Surprise? Really?"

"Yes."

"Well... I too have one for you. I will send it by your father soon."

Priya was settled with her excited laughter. Saying her bye, she hung up the phone. Yesterday night Abhay ordered her to get Aisha's school applications and she was excited. She already had everything set, now he just has to pick a school.

"Where is he? He must be here by now," she wondered out loud, while turning around and jumped when she saw Abhay leaning at the door.

"Oh God!" she patted her heart taking a deep breath and looked at him. He was again wearing one of his suits, black and cream shirt with a red tie and was standing there watching her. He seemed to be a bit amused seeing her reaction. She breathed.

"Whom are you talking about Ms. Malhotra? Is it about me?" he asked, as he slowly stalked towards her.

Oh! Now it is Malhotra? she thought.

"No... Nope..." she stuttered as he continued.

"It seemed like that," he drawled, stopping in front of her. His eyes landed on the flowers behind her and then returned back to her. He titled his head to the flowers. "Did you get them?"

She bit her lip, suddenly feeling embarrassed but was surprised when she heard his next words.

"I like them. Thank you."

Distracted by his words and his masculine smell, she nodded her head. "I will-" she stopped as his hand reached behind her and caressed the flowers. She was struck breathless as he stood close to her, in front of her.

"Thank you for making my day Priya," he whispered.

She blinked her eyes and nodded. "I will get to my work," she said and stepped away. But stopped when he caught her arm and she hissed.

"What the hell happened to you?" his calm voice suddenly turned dark as his gaze sliced up to her.

"Nothing..."

"You are limping... And," he turned her arm and inspected her elbow. "What is this?" She forgot to clean the wounds she received from the collision.

"It's nothing, sir."

"Heck it's nothing," he scolded angrily. Well, here comes the caveman. "Come here," he held her hand gently and moved her to the couch making her sit.

Her eyes widened and her cheeks burned as Abhay lifted her skirt up her knee to inspect her wound. "Sir... It's fine..." she pulled away, embarrassed.

"Sorry," he apologized and moved to a near end cabinet in his room and pulled out a first-aid kit. "What happened?"

"I just fell down," she shrugged.

"Don't your legs be stable for once?"

She looked at him and was offended. "Sir-"

"Put your leg forward," he ordered, kneeling down on the floor in front of her.

She pressed her lips tight at his order. "I can do it," she extended her hand to him.

"Of course. You can. But I want to. I will just put plaster on the wound on foot. You can cover the knee. Now, come on," he said. When she hesitated, he pulled her leg onto his lap, gently, and cleaned the wound very slowly and then did her elbow.

All the time she watched him mesmerized at the care he was showing at her. Right then, Riya's words hit her like a bullet and she blurted out without thinking, "Abhay? Do you like me?"

Her eyes widened at what she asked and more at how she sounded. At the same time, she didn't miss how he jerked his head towards her and looked at her. Was that confusion or craziness? she didn't know. But she felt like an idiot.

Before he could react or come with an answer, she continued. "I am sorry. That came out wrong. So sorry. How can I ask you such a question? That wouldn't happen again. Sorry," she said standing and moving toward the door to escape. Before she exited, she stopped and said to him with her eyes anywhere but at him.

"I'll get back to my work, sir. I'll be here with your schedule in a short while. Have a good day," saying she exited the door and exhaled heavily.

God! Where did that come from? She thought. slapping her head. Shaking her head, she was going to her cabin when she heard a voice.

"Excuse me?"

Priya turned and saw a beautiful lady in her twenties looking at her with a question in her eyes. She's beautiful with her short-length hair wearing a nice designer dress.

"Yes?"

"Is Abhay in the office?"

Priya's eyes short up. She said his name as if she knew him closely. "Yes," Priya's reply was short and clipped.

"Well, can you inform him that Ananya came to see him," she said politely.

Before Priya could say a word, Abhay opened his door and walked out. What shocked her more was at how he seemed surprised and hugged the woman named Ananya tightly.

Priya's mouth opened wide and it felt like someone shot at her heart.

∞∞∞