Akshadh's POV

"Stop thanking me, Akshadh. I have something on my mind, and I hope you'll understand my feelings. Can I share it with you?'" Dhiya asked, her voice hesitant.

"Okay, Dhiya!" I agreed, though I was unprepared for what she would say next.

She paused, then dropped a bombshell, "Why can't we adopt Allen as our child legally?"

I was shocked, yet happy, at the same time. I understood her love for Allen, but I couldn't bear the thought of ruining Dhiya's life. In India, society judges people who adopt children without marrying, and it would affect Dhiya's future happiness.

"Akshadh, what are you thinking? Did I say anything wrong?" Dhiya asked, noticing my silence.

"Did you think about our Indian culture, Dhiya? Did you think about your life? People may misjudge your character. Don't worry, Dhiya, I'll take care of Allen. I'm happy you asked me," I replied.

She didn't respond, instead flashing a fake smile. It was 8:30 p.m., and we finished our dinner.

"Let me drop you home, Dhiya," I offered, trying to break the awkward silence.

I dropped Dhiya off at her flat, and she nodded in acknowledgement. She bid me a quick goodbye and disappeared into her apartment, leaving me perplexed. I couldn't decipher her mood swings - sometimes she was talkative, and other times, she was eerily silent. Shrugging it off, I turned the car around and headed towards my own flat, lost in thought.

Dhiya's POV

After hearing about Akshadh's painful past, I felt a deep sense of pity for him. I finally understood the reasons behind his rudeness and dedication to his work. He was a good person with a perfect character. In my service, I had encountered many patients and their families, witnessing their tears and hearing their stories, but none had affected me like Akshadh's tears.

Why did my heart feel heavy when I saw tears in his eyes? Why did I ask him to adopt Allen with me? Why did I feel a distance when he refused? Had I started liking him more and more? Why did my heart constantly think about him, even when I had other things to focus on? Did I fall for him? I paused at this question... Did I fall for him? Is it love?

When I suggested adopting Allen, Akshadh refused, indicating he had no feelings for me. Would my heart break if I loved him? Would he love me back? Despite finding reasons to stay away, my heart clung to him. I longed to see him now; I missed him terribly. When did I develop these feelings for him? Love has a magical way of cultivating emotions.

Lost in these thoughts, I was startled by the knocking sound at the door. I rushed to the hall, expecting the waiter with my dinner, but was shocked to see Akshadh standing there. I rubbed my eyes, disbelieving, and looked again. Yes, it was him! I couldn't believe my eyes.

"Don't you have manners to welcome a guest, Dhiya?" Akshadh teased, his tone light and playful.

I smiled, no longer seeing the rudeness I once perceived. He looked lovely in his casual attire, and I felt a flutter in my stomach.

"Welcome, Ji," I chuckled, using the respectful term.

"Are you staying alone here?" he asked, his voice laced with concern.

"Yes, Akshadh, this flat is owned by..." I hesitated, knowing he disliked publicity.

"Owned by your daddy, right?" he completed my sentence.

"Yes, how did you know?" I asked, surprised.

"I knew, Dhiya," he replied with a smile.

"By the way, you left your certificates, files, important copies, and mobile phone in the car. I thought you might be worried about searching for them, so I brought them over, even though it's late. Sorry for disturbing you. I'll see you tomorrow. Good night, Dhiya."

"Oh my God! I wasn't aware of it, and I didn't even check," I thought to myself, wondering why I was becoming so forgetful. "What did you do to me, Akshadh?" my mind voice asked.

"Hello Dhiya, Are you okay?" Akshadh asked, twisting his fingers, his eyes sparkling with concern.

"Yes, Akshadh," I managed to reply, still reeling from my own thoughts.

He handed me my belongings, and I took them, feeling a sense of gratitude.

"Okay, Dhiya, bye! Let's meet tomorrow," he said, turning to leave.

But I didn't want him to go. It was late, and my heart yearned for his company. I felt a pang of loneliness, something I'd never experienced before, despite being an only child.

"Akshadh, if you don't mind, please stay here... it's getting late," I blurted out, my heart racing with anticipation.

He turned back, our eyes meeting for more than a minute, and I felt a flutter in my stomach again. An unknown smile spread across my lips, and I worried that he might misunderstand my intentions.

"Let me go, Dhiya!" he said, his voice firm but gentle, leaving me wondering what he was thinking.

"No, Akshadh, don't get me wrong. I'm not that kind of girl. I just feel alone, and when you're with me, I feel comfortable," I clarified, hoping he'd understand.

"Okay, Dhiya," he said, his expression softening. He sat on the couch, browsing through my childhood albums, and I brought us coffee.

We sipped our coffee together, enjoying the quiet moment.

"It's late, Dhiya. I'll sleep here on the couch," he said, pointing to it.

But I had a better idea. "Akshadh, there's another bedroom beside mine. You can use it," I offered, showing him to the room.

He bid me goodnight, and I closed the door, feeling happy and content. I returned to my room, wrapped myself in a blanket, and thought about the day's events – Akshadh's arrival, our conversations, and his kind gestures. Happiness filled my heart, and I drifted off to sleep, with memories of him by my side.

Akshadh's POV

I've always kept Dhiya at arm's length, being rude to her because I never had an interest in girls, life, or family. But fate brought her into my life through Allen. I adore Allen and want to spend my life caring for her. Even if I marry to please my mother, I doubt my wife would love Allen like her own, which could damage our bond.

When Dhiya suggested adopting Allen, she unknowingly entered my heart. But I didn't realize it then. When she bid me goodbye and got out of the car silently, her silence affected me for the first time. I drove away, but her image flashed before me. I felt like I was missing something close to my heart. Many women have crossed my path, but none have impacted me like Dhiya.

As I drove, I couldn't concentrate. My heart longed to see her immediately. Then, I found Dhiya's phone and files in the car. What's wrong with this girl? Is she normal? If I were the old Akshadh, I wouldn't bother, but now I wanted to see her. Would she think badly of me if I visited at this late hour? Maybe she's searching for her belongings too... I'll return them now. I turned the car around and reached Dhiya's flat within minutes.

I hesitated, then knocked on the door. To my surprise, Dhiya looked at me shockingly, her expression dull and unlike her usual self. She seemed unaware of her lost phone and files. I wondered if my past behavior had affected her.

Dhiya asked me to stay, looking exhausted. She confessed feeling lonely and comfortable with me around.

She invited me in and prepared coffee, giving me a chance to glance at her childhood photos. She looked charming and active, close to her parents. I knew about her famous businessman father, but not about her family.

We sipped our coffee in silence, and I prepared to leave. Our eyes met, and I felt a spark. I quickly looked away, going to the room she pointed out.

As I lay in bed, I wondered: "What magic turned the rude Akshadh into a lovely person within a day?" I'm not the type to gaze into a girl's eyes with feelings or stay in someone's flat, even if begged. What happened to me? I thought, turning onto my side.

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