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As Mahir gently broke away from Bela, his eyes caught the figure of Aditya seated a little distance away, surrounded by a group of men who appeared to be business associates.

But what drew Mahir's attention was the way Aditya's gaze was fixed on Anu, who was dancing carefree with Lakshya, completely unaware of the scrutiny.

Mahir leaned in to whisper to Bela, "Aditya is here." Bela's eyes widened in surprise.

"Here? My boss? I never thought he was the type to hang out in a place like this," she murmured, glancing over to where Mahir indicated.

Aditya, usually composed and quiet, looked different-his usual stoic demeanor slightly cracked as he watched Anu, something intense simmering behind his eyes. Bela noticed it too, and a flicker of concern crossed her face.

"I'm going to go say hi," Mahir said, sensing that something needed to be addressed.

Bela nodded, her gaze shifting back to Anu, who was still lost in the rhythm of the music, laughing as Lakshya spun her around. She hadn't noticed Aditya's presence yet.

Mahir made his way across the room toward Aditya's table, navigating through the crowd.

As he approached, he could see that Aditya was only half-engaged in the conversation with his companions, his attention continuously drifting back to Anu.

"Aditya," Mahir greeted as he reached the table, offering a handshake.

Aditya looked up, slightly startled out of his reverie, before recognizing Mahir.

"Mahir, what a surprise," Aditya responded, his voice measured but with an edge that Mahir hadn't heard before. He stood up and shook Mahir's hand, briefly breaking his focus from Anu. Then gave him a quick hug and smiled at him.

"Didn't expect to see you here," Mahir said, his tone light, but his eyes observant. He noticed the way Aditya's gaze flickered back to Anu, and he could sense the tension underlying his seemingly calm demeanor.

"Business meeting," Aditya replied, gesturing to the group at his table, though his voice lacked its usual crispness. "But it seems you're here for pleasure."

Mahir nodded, "Yeah, just hanging out with friends. But I couldn't help but notice you seemed a bit distracted," he added, subtly implying what he had observed.

Aditya's jaw tightened, and he gave a small, almost imperceptible nod. "Just keeping an eye on things," he said vaguely, but Mahir could tell there was more to it.

Mahir decided not to press further, instead offering, "Well, if you want to join us, we're just over there." He nodded towards the direction where Bela and the others were.

Aditya simply nodded, his eyes already drifting back to Anu, who was still dancing, blissfully unaware. Mahir turned and made his way back to Bela, feeling a sense of unease.

When he returned, Bela whispered, "What did he say?"

"Not much," Mahir replied, glancing back over his shoulder at Aditya. "But I don't think he's here just for business."

Bela followed his gaze and sighed, her concern growing. "Anu hasn't noticed him yet."

Mahir nodded, "Let's keep an eye on things. Something tells me this night isn't going to be as carefree as we thought."

Bela agreed, and together they subtly watched the dynamic between their friends, aware that the night had just taken a complicated turn.

-----
Anu excused herself to go washroom and as she walked into the corridor, she suddenly felt someone's presence behind her.

Her heart raced as she was suddenly shoved against the cold wall of the dimly lit corridor. The dim light barely illuminated the figure towering over her, but the stern eyes and familiar face left no doubt-it was Aditya.

"Aditya!" she gasped, her voice laced with shock and confusion. "What are you doing?"

His grip on her arm was firm, almost painful, and his usually composed demeanor was replaced with something far more intense, almost bordering on anger.

His eyes bored into hers, a mix of emotions swirling within them-anger, concern, something else she couldn't quite place.

"Do you have any idea what you're doing?" Aditya's voice was low, but it carried a sharp edge that sent a chill down Anu's spine.

Anu tried to pull her arm free, but Aditya's grip only tightened. "Let go of me," she demanded, her voice trembling slightly. "What's wrong with you?"

"What's wrong with me?" Aditya repeated, his voice filled with incredulity. "What's wrong with you, Anu? You're out here, with some guy you barely know, drinking, dancing like you don't have a care in the world."

Anu's eyes flashed with anger as she struggled against him. "I don't need your permission to live my life, Aditya! Who I hang out with, what I do-it's none of your business!"

Aditya's expression hardened. "It is my business when you're putting yourself in danger. That guy-Lakshya-you don't even know him. He could be anyone, Anu!"

Anu's frustration boiled over. "You're the one who's acting dangerous right now! And you don't know anything about Lakshya. He's my friend!"

"Friend?" Aditya spat the word out like it was venomous. "Do you even realize what kind of risk you're taking? You think just because someone smiles at you, they're harmless?"

"Why do you care?" Anu shot back, her voice rising in defiance. "Why are you even here, Aditya? Why are you following me, spying on me? You're my boss, not my keeper!"

Aditya's face twisted in an expression of frustration and something else-something that looked like hurt.

"Because I care about you, Anu!" The words burst out of him, raw and unfiltered, leaving a stunned silence in their wake.

Anu blinked, her breath hitching in her throat as she processed what he just said. The corridor seemed to close in on her, the sounds of the club fading into the background.

She stared at Aditya, her anger momentarily forgotten, replaced by shock and confusion.

Aditya let go of her arm, stepping back as if the force of his own confession had knocked the wind out of him. He ran a hand through his hair, his composure crumbling in front of her.

"I care about you, Anu," he repeated, softer this time, almost like he couldn't believe he had said it.

Anu just stood there, her back still against the wall, trying to make sense of the whirlwind of emotions that had just crashed over them both.

She didn't know what to say, what to think. All she could do was stare at Aditya, her mind spinning with questions she didn't have the answers to.

----

As Anu rejoined her friends, her face was a mask of calm, but her hands trembled slightly as she adjusted her jacket. She barely spoke, only suggesting that they call it a night.

Lakshay noticed the change in her demeanor-how her usual confident air had given way to a nervous energy. He exchanged a glance with Bela, who looked equally concerned but said nothing.

Meanwhile, Mahir had spotted Aditya emerging from the direction Anu had just come from. Something about the way Aditya was moving-the tension in his shoulders, the rigid set of his jaw-set off alarm bells in Mahir's mind. Without a second thought, he excused himself from the group and approached Aditya.

"Aditya," Mahir called out, his voice firm as he stepped in front of him. "Can we talk outside for a minute?"

Aditya, caught off guard, nodded curtly and followed Mahir out of the club. The night air was cool, a stark contrast to the heated exchange that was about to unfold. They stopped just outside, where the thrum of the music was muted, and the bustling street provided a semblance of privacy.

"What's going on between you and Anu?" Mahir demanded, not bothering with pleasantries. His eyes bore into Aditya, searching for answers.

Aditya's expression remained impassive, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes-guilt, perhaps.

"I don't know what you're talking about," he replied, his tone too flat, too rehearsed.

"Cut the bullshit," Mahir snapped, his frustration bubbling to the surface.

"I've seen the way you look at her. You're interested in Anu, aren't you? But how did it get to this point? Why is she upset, and why are you acting like this?"

Aditya's jaw clenched, and for a moment, it seemed like he might deny everything. But then, he let out a heavy sigh, running a hand through his hair in a gesture that spoke of his inner turmoil.

"I... I didn't mean for it to happen," Aditya admitted, his voice quieter now, almost strained. "I don't even know when it started. It's like one day she was just my colleague, my subordinate, and then... then she wasn't."

Mahir crossed his arms, waiting for him to continue.

"I'm not good at this, Mahir," Aditya confessed, his voice laced with frustration. "I don't know how to deal with these feelings. I'm used to being in control, in charge of everything. But with Anu, it's different. She makes me feel... things I don't understand, and I hate it. And today, when I saw her with that guy, Lakshay, I just lost it. I didn't think, I just reacted."

Mahir's expression softened slightly as he listened, but his concern for Anu remained. "You're scaring her, Aditya. She doesn't understand what's going on, and frankly, neither do I. If you care about her, you need to figure out how to handle this better. You can't just lash out and expect things to be okay."

Aditya nodded, his gaze dropping to the ground. "I know," he muttered, his voice heavy with regret. "I just... I don't want to lose her, Mahir. But I also don't want to push her away."

"Then you need to talk to her," Mahir advised, his tone firm but not unkind. "Not as her boss, but as a person. Explain what's going on in your head. She deserves to know, and she deserves to make her own decisions about how to handle this."

Aditya looked up at Mahir, the conflict clear in his eyes. After a moment, he nodded. "You're right," he admitted. "I'll talk to her. I just... hope it's not too late."

Mahir nodded in return, placing a hand on Aditya's shoulder. "It's not too late, but you need to approach this carefully. Anu's strong, but she's also sensitive. Don't make the mistake of underestimating her feelings."

With that, the two men stood in silence for a moment, the gravity of the situation settling between them.

-----

Mahir and Bela finally arrived home, their night out having taken more of a toll than either had anticipated. The drive back had been quiet, and at some point, Bela had drifted off to sleep, her head resting against the window. Mahir couldn't help but glance over at her from time to time, her peaceful expression bringing a soft smile to his face.

As the taxi stopped, Mahir carefully unbuckled Bela's seatbelt and scooped her up in his arms. She stirred slightly but didn't wake up, simply snuggling closer to him as he carried her inside. The house was dimly lit, casting gentle shadows across the walls as he made his way to the living room.

Mahir gently laid Bela down on the sofa, her form immediately curling up in a way that made her look like a contented child. The sight warmed his heart, and he knelt down beside her, taking off her heels one by one. He could see the faint marks on her feet from where the straps had pressed into her skin, a testament to how long she had been wearing them. His fingers pressing her skin gently in a way to soothe it down.

He chuckled softly, shaking his head. "You always push yourself too much," he murmured to her, even though he knew she couldn't hear him.

After he reached for a nearby blanket and draped it over her. She sighed in her sleep, nestling deeper into the cushions as the warmth enveloped her. For a moment, he just watched her, feeling a surge of protectiveness mixed with affection.

He brushed a stray lock of hair away from her face, his fingers lingering for a moment longer than necessary. "You really have no idea how much you mean to me, do you?" he whispered, his voice barely audible.

Mahir sighed, feeling the exhaustion from the night beginning to catch up with him. But he couldn't bring himself to leave her just yet.

He sat down on the floor beside the sofa, leaning his back against it as he watched her sleep. His thoughts drifted back to the events of the night, particularly the tense encounter with Aditya.

"Things are getting complicated," he thought to himself. Aditya's sudden confession of his feelings for Anu had thrown Mahir off balance. He had always seen Aditya as the calm, composed type-the last person he'd expect to lose control like that. But tonight had shown a different side of him, one that was vulnerable and, to some extent, desperate.

Mahir couldn't help but worry about how this would affect Anu.

His thoughts were interrupted by a soft mumble from Bela.

She shifted slightly, her hand reaching out unconsciously, searching for something.

Mahir quickly took her hand in his, giving it a gentle squeeze. She calmed down immediately, her breathing evening out as she settled back into sleep.

Mahir's heart clenched at the sight. "Maybe one day you'll understand," he said softly, more to himself than to her.

Eventually, his own exhaustion became too much to ignore. Mahir leaned his head back against the sofa, still holding Bela's hand, and allowed his eyes to close. Sleep came quickly, and soon, the living room was filled with nothing but the sound of their soft, steady breathing, the night finally bringing them the rest they both needed.

----

When Bela woke up, the first thing she noticed was the warmth surrounding her. It took her a moment to realize she was nestled securely in Mahir's protective embrace.

Her heart fluttered as the memories of the previous night slowly came back to her. They must have dozed off on the sofa together.

As she gently shifted and turned around in his hold, careful not to wake him, she realized just how close they were. Her legs were intertwined with his, their bodies practically glued together, and her head rested comfortably on his arm. A soft blush crept up her cheeks as she took in the scene, the intimacy of the moment catching her off guard.

Bela blinked, trying to steady her racing heart as she gazed up at Mahir.

He looked so peaceful, almost like an innocent baby, his usual composed demeanor softened in sleep.

His chest rose and fell steadily, his breath warm against her forehead. She couldn't help but smile, feeling a sense of comfort and security she hadn't experienced before.

She debated whether to move and risk waking him, but the coziness of their position made her hesitate. Instead, she allowed herself to enjoy the moment a little longer.

Carefully, she lifted her hand and brushed a stray lock of hair from his forehead, marveling at how serene he looked.

In his sleep, Mahir shifted slightly, pulling her even closer, his hold tightening around her waist as if he sensed her presence and wanted to keep her near.

Bela's heart skipped a beat at the gesture. She bit her lip, trying to suppress the overwhelming emotions stirring within her.

A part of her wanted to stay like this forever, but another part knew they couldn't stay tangled up on the sofa all morning.

Gently, she began to extricate herself from his embrace, moving slowly to avoid waking him. However, as she shifted, Mahir's eyes fluttered open.

For a brief moment, he looked confused, then his gaze focused on her, and a slow, sleepy smile spread across his face.

"Good morning, Sunshine," he murmured, his voice thick with sleep.

Bela blushed, caught in the warmth of his gaze. "Good morning," she whispered back, feeling her cheeks heat up even more.

Mahir blinked a few times, as if trying to fully wake up, then chuckled softly.

"Looks like I climbed up on the sofa," he said, his tone light, though his eyes held a trace of something deeper as he looked at her.

Bela nodded, her voice a little shy. "Yeah... I guess we were really tired."

Mahir hummed in agreement but didn't make any move to let her go. Instead, he reached up and gently tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear, his fingers lingering for a moment.

"Did you sleep well?" he asked, his voice soft.

Bela's heart fluttered again at the tenderness in his voice. "Yes, I did," she replied honestly. "And you?"

"Best sleep I've had in a long time," he said, his smile widening, making her heart skip a beat again.

For a moment, they just looked at each other, the morning light filtering through the windows, casting a soft glow around them. The world outside seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of them in this bubble of warmth and closeness.

Finally, Bela cleared her throat, breaking the silence. "We should probably get up," she said, though she made no move to do so.

Mahir sighed, but nodded. "Yeah, we should," he agreed, though his tone was reluctant.

Slowly, they untangled themselves, the loss of warmth immediate as they moved apart.

Bela stood up, smoothing down her clothes, while Mahir stretched, his muscles protesting after a night spent on the sofa.

As they stood there, the moment between them still lingering in the air, Bela felt a surge of emotion she couldn't quite put into words. It was more than just comfort or friendship-it was something deeper, something that made her feel safe, cherished, and undeniably connected to him.

Mahir seemed to sense it too, because as he stood up and faced her, he gave her that warm, reassuring smile she had grown to adore.

"Let's have breakfast," he suggested, his tone casual but his eyes still holding that softness.

Bela smiled back, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. "I'd like that," she replied.

And with that, they headed to the morning routine, the unspoken bond between them stronger than ever.

*****
My single ass can't relate whatever is happening here

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