The bustling sounds of the office felt distant to Ranbir. He sat in his chair, his eyes staring blankly at the laptop screen filled with numbers and reports. His assistant entered cautiously, holding a file.

Assistant:

"Sir, yeh presentation ki final draft ready hai. Aap ek baar dekh lenge(Sir, the final draft of this presentation is ready. Will you take a look?)"

Ranbir didn't respond immediately. He was lost in thoughts of Prachi—the way she hesitated, her silence after his proposal, and the uncertainty in her eyes.

Assistant (louder):

"Sir?"

Esha: Ranbir please usaki madad karen(Ranbir please help him!)😮‍💨

Ranbir (snapping out of it):

"Haan? Presentation? Haan, rakh do table pe(Yes? Presentation? Yes, put it on the table.)"

The assistant placed the file on the table and left, sensing Ranbir's unusual demeanor. As soon as the door closed, Ranbir leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair.

Ranbir (to himself):

"Kya galti kar di maine? Kyun nahi samajh paa raha ki uske dil mein kya chal raha hai? Mujhse shaadi nahi karna chahti, toh kam se kam reason toh bataye(What mistake did I do? Why can't she understand what is going on in her heart? If she doesn't want to marry me, at least tell me the reason.)"

Esha: Tum abhi bhi usake baare mein soch rahe hain. Lekin tumhara personal life office life se alag honi chaahiye yaar(You're still thinking about her. But your personal life should be separate from office life, man.)🙁

He picked up his phone multiple times, scrolling through his messages with Prachi but hesitating to call. His focus was shattered, and it reflected in his work.

Meanwhile, at the Kohli mansion, Prachi sat in her room, staring at herself in the mirror. Her hand gently touched the scars on her arm and neck from the fire that had almost taken her life. She was wearing a duppata which covered the most of her body so the rest were not visible. 

Prachi (thinking):

"Yeh dikhne mein toh gehra si lagti hai, lekin andar se mujhe kitna tod chuki hai. Ranbir deserves someone better. Main kaise unki life mein khushiyan laa sakti hoon, jab khud apne aap se sharmati hoon(It looks so deep, but it has broken me so much from inside. Ranbir deserves someone better. How can I bring happiness in his life when I am ashamed of myself?)"

Esha: Mujhe usake liye bahut bura lag raha hai... usaka poora aatmavishvaas khatm ho gaya hai(I feel so bad for her...her entire confidence is gone...)🤕

Namrata knocked on the door and entered, her concern evident.

Namrata:

"Jiji, tum theek ho na? Subah se tumse baat karne ki koshish kar rahi hoon(Sister, are you okay? I have been trying to talk to you since morning.)"

Prachi (forcing a smile):

"Haan, main bilkul theek hoon(Yes, I am absolutely fine.)"

Namrata wasn't convinced. She sat down beside Prachi, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.

Namrata:

"Ranbir ki baatein kar rahi hoon. Woh ajeeb lag rahe hain aaj kal. Tumhare wajah se nahi na(Talking about Ranbir. He is looking strange these days. Not because of you, right?)"

Prachi stiffened, guilt flickering in her eyes.

Prachi:

"Nahi. Main toh unki life se door rehne ki koshish kar rahi hoon. Unhone toh bas ek proposal kiya tha, aur maine mana kar diya. Ab woh mujhe bhool ke aage badh sakte hain(No. I am trying to stay away from his life. He just gave me a proposal, and I refused. Now he can forget me and move on.)"

Esha: Yeh usake liye itana aasaan kaise ho sakata hai(How can it be so easy for him?)😫

Namrata sighed deeply.

Namrata:

"Jiji, tumhe lagta hai woh aage badh sakte hain? Tumhara dard unka bhi dard hai. Tumhare scars unko kabhi farq nahi padte. Woh toh tumse pyaar karte hain, puri tarah(Sister, do you think he can move on? Your pain is his pain too. Your marks never matter to him. He loves you, completely.)"

Prachi looked away, her emotions threatening to spill.

Prachi:

"Lekin mujhe farq padta hai. Woh deserve karte hain kisi perfect ladki ko—jo main nahi hoon (But it does matter to me. He deserves the perfect girl—which I am not.)"

Esha: There we go again! 😭

Back at the office, Ranbir's distraction began to take a toll. During a meeting with his team, he lost his patience.

Team Member:

"Sir, yeh deal ke liye timeline ko extend karna padega. Aapka input chahiye(Sir, the timeline for this deal will have to be extended. It needs your input!)"

Ranbir (snapping):

"Timeline? Tum log ek simple project on time complete nahi kar sakte? Kya main sab kuch khud karoon(Timeline? You guys can't complete a simple project on time? Do I do everything myself?)"

Esha: Relax Ranbir! 🫢

The team exchanged uneasy glances. Kartik, who was also in the meeting, intervened.

Kartik:

"Ranbir, calm down. Woh bas tumse clarification maang rahe hain(Ranbir, calm down. They're just asking you for clarification.)"

Ranbir sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

Ranbir (softly):

"Sorry. Tum log jao, main baad mein dekh lunga(Sorry. You guys go, I'll take a look later.)"

As the team left, Kartik approached him.

Kartik:

"Ranbir, tujhe kya ho gaya hai? Yeh kaam ka stress hai ya kuch aur chal raha hai(Ranbir, what has happened to you? Is it work stress or is something else going on?)"

Ranbir hesitated, but then opened up.

Ranbir:

"Prachi... usne abhi tak haan nahi kaha. Mujhe lagta hai woh mujhe accept nahi karegi (Prachi...she hasn't said yes yet. I think she won't accept me.)"

Kartik:

"Prachi tumse pyaar karti hai, Ranbir. Bas thoda waqt lag raha hoga usse apne doubts clear karne mein(Prachi loves you, Ranbir. It might be taking some time for him to clear her doubts.)"

Esha: Exactly. Bhai-behan un dono ki tulana mein itane adhik hoshiyaar kyon hain(Why are the siblings so much more smarter than either of them?)🥹

Ranbir:

"Ya phir woh khud ko meri life ka hissa nahi samajhti(Or she doesn't consider herself a part of my life.)"

Kartik patted his shoulder reassuringly.

Kartik:

"Sab theek hoga, Ranbir. Usse thoda waqt do, lekin apne kaam pe dhyan do. Tum dono ke beech ki problem ka solution tumhare office ke log nahi laa sakte(Everything will be fine, Ranbir. Give her some time, but concentrate on your work. The people in your office cannot solve the problem between you two.)"

Later that night, Prachi stood on the balcony, gazing at the stars. She clutched the dupatta Ranbir had once gifted her during their trip, her mind a whirlwind of emotions.

Prachi (to herself):

"Kya mujhe ek chance dena chahiye? Ya phir main uske liye ek burden ban jaungi(Should I give it a chance? Or will I become a burden to him?)"

Meanwhile, Ranbir sat in his room, staring at his phone, contemplating whether to text her. He wanted to break through the wall she had built around herself, but he wasn't sure how.

As the night deepened, their hearts remained heavy, yearning for each other but separated by doubts and insecurities.