Pallavi's life was going haywire. On one hand, her time in Mansur were getting shorter while on other hand, her days were getting brighter.

“Here's the sim tray,” Pallavi handed out the sim tray Adhvik had asked for lazily. The instant he got it, he threw it back at her. Pallavi extended her palms to catch it but failed as it fell on the floor. “Aree what are you doing?”

“Here, take this and this, too” He threw a piece of front cover he had, followed by another piece of sim tray and another. Pallavi was fully awake now as she displayed her hands to defend herself.

“Aree, aree, pagal ho gye ho kya?!” She retorted then took a piece he threw earlier to throw it back at him, followed by another. This ordeal had unknowingly wheeled their chairs closer to each other.
It was like a a pillow fight, except instead of pillows, it was child parts.

When it stopped, Adhvik took a sketch pen and motioned her something. “Give me your hand.”

“Why?”

“To write something of course.”

“Never. I'm not falling for your shenanigans.” Pallavi refused, crossing her arms in defense.

Later on, she regretted it. Even if something was odd with him, it wouldn't  hurt to offer her hand and see what he intended to write.

On one evening, Pallavi went to the pantry for a cup of coffee. She groaned to herself when she saw the room occupied by none other Adhvik and his beloved boyfriend, Harshit. The entrance was too small for someone else to barge in. Funny, he wasn't stepping aside either. Neither did she told him so.

So she did the only thing left to do. She stepped inside the pantry. A chill ran through her body as her side brushed against Adhvik's. Both of them flicked their heads, their dark eyes meeting for the first time in a long time. Their eyes that conveyed everything from surprise to curiosity, to something else. They parted ways, wearing a hideous smile.

Perhaps Pallavi went back a few chapters back to their flirtatious days. Perhaps she had skipped few chapters again. Whatever it was, she couldn't deny it.

Something was happening.

There was something stirring in the air that was transpiring right into Pallavi and Adhvik. She just couldn't pin- point what. Neither she could pen down when. She just knew it began sometime after they talked about Valentine's Day again. But why? No, she didn't want to think about it. She was already sick of the plethora of theories she formed in her head earlier on. No point in repeating it all over again. Just keep your logic aside and go with the flow.

And Pallavi did, which included a surplus of jokes. Non- vegetarian jokes. Let's illustrate this with an example.

“Look at the number of holes this jig has.” Pallavi said, carefully checking out a testing machine with circular holes arranged in rows and columns. What was it used for, she no longer cared. “I bet anything sizable could be inserted in it.”

“You mean... like this?” Adhvik demonstrated by inserting his fingers and then almost two. He moved it up and down as if trying to finger the hole. He smirked at Pallavi's lack of speech.

Both of them averted away in the next moment, covering either their mouths like a kid caught stealing.

Adhvik clicked his tongue in disdain, “You've got such a dirty mind. No one can suspect it behind your innocent face.”

“Oh, please!” Pallavi dismissed with her hand. “You are no less perverted either. You just fingered those non- living holes. And the other day you joked about Sai anal thrusting himself when he was just trying to look at the microscope, behind a guy. It's like you are obsessed with gay sex.”

Adhvik had his brow raised with a side smile. “Really? I clearly remember a girl saying how a 3D diagram of a pin- gear resembled a tiny dick.”

“Acha, then I also remember that same guy doing this—” Pallavi repeated his past actions by moving her slightly open fist up and down in the air, resembling... ahem, ahem, you readers were intelligent enough to know.

He pressed his lips watching her in absolute amusement. “Please yaar... do it again.”

Her eyes widened and then zeroed at him as she realized her folly. “Shut up!”

His eyes dropped to her raised finger. Pallavi caught on that too, and retracted her hand with a groan. “Ugh, you are too much.”

“And how do you know that, huh? You've never...” He trailed off with a deliberate wink, shocking her once again. He was gone to attend a coworker before Pallavi could reply. Reply him what exactly? She no longer knew.

* * *

Adhvik and Pallavi nearly had all sorts of conversations these days. Even talks about their non- existential love and sex lives. They already knew they were virgins from the conversation they had months ago. Either this was a drastic reaction to the action of her resigning or they were horny. Or both.

“So no one asked you out or hook- up either? Adhvik questioned one time.

“Um, well, no...” Pallavi trailed, contemplating whether to tell him or not. His curious eyes made her go for the former. “but I was indirectly asked to hook up.”

Adhvik's brows shot up slightly. “Go on.”

So Pallavi told about Aradhana family's friend Vivek whom she met a couple of times before. She found him charming and slightly attractive, though she forgot about him after a few days. But one day Aradhana revealed that Vivek found her attractive and would be interested in hooking up with her, if she was interested. Initially, Pallavi gave his proposal a thought. She was twenty- four at the time and still a virgin— still is. Slash that, she'd never been kissed or dated before (even now). She was indecisive about it until Aradhana almost gave his number. It was then reality hit her. She couldn't do it. And even though he was attractive, Pallavi rejected him.

“Why?”

“Don't blame me, I got cold feet. I realized something...” Pallavi continued, staring into space. “If I really want to date or sleep with someone, I want it to be with someone I know well enough. Someone I like. Someone I'm thoroughly comfortable with. I'm not asking for a soulmate, but I don't want it to be casual either. I didn't know Vivek that personally so the thought of sharing my naked body with him terrified me. I want it to be special.”

When Pallavi realized how she was rambling on, she stopped.

“It's okay. I understand. You are a woman and I guess sex for women is more emotional than physical.” Adhvik assured. “I think it's almost the same for me, too. I don't think I'll fuck a random woman or someone I barely know.”

“Really? So what about you? Were you asked for... you know...”

A mischievous smile made its way to his lips and Pallavi understood right away. She wriggled her brows at him. So Adhvik was wanted as well. Thereafter, he recited her two incidents— one flirtatious encounter with a girl during a relative's marriage function, and a call girl he encountered while on a night out with his friends at a club. He recalled when his friend urged Adhvik to lose his virginity for good. Adhvik was excited at the prospect as well.

“But when I got the chance to approach that woman, I couldn't. I couldn't bring myself to touch her. Perhaps she was a stranger and I wasn't comfortable with that. I just greeted her and ran away like a fool.”

“So I guess we are similar in that regard.” Pallavi concluded with a laugh. Adhvik nodded. They were going to continue their conversation when Hyoung called Adhvik. He left to be at his service.

For some reason, Pallavi couldn't help but think how strongly Adhvik resembled the kind of man she wanted.

* * *

Although Pallavi passed her time diligently, she also volunteered for pehs work, eventually forcing Hyoung and Tiwari to acknowledge her presence. It wasn't like she was dying for their attention. She just didn't want anyone to ignore her. Hyoung even gave her a pehs task to do— more like he was obligated to  since she was the only employee besides Hyoung who had a through knowledge about pehs. A small hope brightened at the back of her mind.  Perhaps he would consider keeping her in the company.

Sometime later, Pallavi watched everyone enviously perform their duties. It lowered her self- esteem. So sometimes she tried to indulge in their group discussions like today.

“What are you guys upto?” She asked Sai and Ankur who were measuring a child part with a Vernier caliper and sorting them in two boxes. Even Tulsi and Adhvik joined them in the name of time- pass.

Pallavi tuned Sai out when he rolled deep with the technical details but then open her senses when Ankur and Adhvik recited some funny incidents. She also sensed Adhvik's gaze on her from time to time. Not in the I'm- talking- to- you kind of way but in the I'm- watching- you way. And damn did he look hot with checkered sleeves rolled up to his elbows that rested on the table. His head was tilted while his eyes sized her from top to bottom. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ears. Was she imagining it?

She wasn't.

After bidding goodbye to everyone, Pallavi turned on her heels and slung her handbag over her shoulder to exit the office as usual. She started walking away. Except her heart was racing. It was like she could sense it. Sense a certain someone watching behind her back. Correction, checking her out.

She stopped walking, her heart coming to an abrupt standstill.

Gradually, she made a U turn to see Adhvik in all his glory, watching her in a slow burn— like a candle that took it's sweet time to melt. There was no pretense, no amusement— just latent desire behind his eyelashes. She allowed herself to watch him, too. Watch his eyes, lips, rugged jawline, broad shoulders, all the way to his crossed legs. Even the distance couldn't do justice to the closeness depicted in their gazes. Especially his dark eyes that told what his voice couldn't.

Pallavi resumed walking away and stopped at the next lane to catch her breath. This was unlike anything Adhvik did before. It wasn't even flirting anymore. No, this was a clear indication.

I. Want. You.

Although Pallavi wasn't the one to take the bait that easily. If Adhvik was serious, he had to do this right. She went home, carrying a devious smirk.

* * *

The next morning Adhvik and Pallavi met on the hallway, passing each other by.

“Hi, morning.” Adhvik greeted, facing sideways.

“Morning...” Pallavi replied shyly, their gazes meeting in a curious haze. Unfortunately, their telepathy was broken by Latika who greeted them morning as well. Don't blame poor Latika. She was only introduced two chapters ago, unaware of their story before that.

“Psst, I need to tell you something...” Adhvik hissed, keeping his voice low. They sat down while he swiveled his head to see if anyone was nearby. Pallavi had envisioned several guesses by now but she certainly couldn't guess the next words coming from his mouth. “I got a job interview tomorrow.”

“A WHAT?!” Pallavi raised her voice, shocked on multiple levels. Adhvik shushed her again. Apparently, Adhvik received an email from a vendor company named Boyd who had accepted his resume for the position ‘production engineer’.

Giving interviews weren't an unusual thing for Adhvik. He had given atleast one interview in four months. Either he failed the interview or the pay grade was low or it was too far from his apartment.

Shocking would be an understatement if he actually got the job right when Pallavi was leaving. It would be preposterous.

Moving on.

Adhvik soon got stolen by Hyoung who engaged him to the factory side for the first half. Fortunately, he got time in the afternoon which he spent with Pallavi. You know, conversing about trivial things in particular. Adhvik was seated on the edge of his cubicle, right adjacent to Pallavi's cubicle. Same with her.

For some reason, Pallavi's heart couldn't sit still. Perhaps Adhvik dark gaze had something to do with it.

“... But I don't know how people confess these things you know. It's not like any of us got proposals going on. But that Anna got—” Pallavi chuckled, while commenting about an incident of her old friend.

“I've been wondering that, too. Like how?” Adhvik cut her off, his brows knitted together. He placed his chin on the palm of his hand that rested on the table. He glanced at the table as if on retrospection. “There's this girl who sits next to me, you see. I wish I could tell her how badly I want to do her, but I can't seem to know how. Like how to put in the most nicest words possible?”

There was a pause. The kind of pause where Pallavi must have opened and closed her mouth a few times. The words wouldn't come out. Her mind wouldn't work out. Apparently, they all went to Hawaii on a family vacation. Time stood still. Heck, the world stood still.

And then, Pallavi chuckled.

Yes, you heard right. She actually laughed on his face, albeit quietly like she was high on drugs. Her lips twitched.

“And what if none of them know how to kiss?” She held a palm over the side of her mouth, as if sharing a top secret in a whisper like voice. “I heard they are virgins from top to bottom.”

Adhvik made a O with his lips. “Then they will simply practice it with each other to perfect it. It's gotta start somewhere.”

“Hmm, but you are lean, while the woman you are talking about is overweight...” Pallavi looked away, too hesitant to speak further, “Wouldn't they look awkwardly funny while having sex?”

“Then they will simply switch off the lights to prevent being seen... Dikkat kaha hai? (Where's the problem?)” He replied, giving a knowing smirk.

She narrowed her eyes slightly. Crossing her arms in front of her table, she shifted closer to him. “Dikkat ye hai ki that girl was hoping to hook up with a guy who had feelings for her. A lover of sorts. But since you have none for anyone, Mister Adhvik Dhawan, I think she will only make out with him... for the time being.”

Don't look at me that way. Even Pallavi couldn't comprehend where she was getting all the confidence from.

“No problem, I'll become her lover, too! Dikkat kaha hai?” Adhvik said like he was just asked to walk in a park. Pallavi rolled her eyes though it was the exact opposite of butterflies that were having a circus inside her stomach. It only increased when Adhvik closed their distance, letting go of all the pretense between them. Their faces were just a few inches away from touching their nose. “Tell me, what's the use in having half when you can have all of me, miss Khuranna?”

And then, Adhvik insinuated further by running one long finger along the side of Pallavi's face, almost passing by her pulp lips. That touch alone was like ruffling someone's feathers as it stirred her skin. Her eyes that were downcast before, raised, meeting his intense eyes with her own. “Adhvik...”

I swear on my name— if it weren't for the fact that they were in an office, this had been the key moment where they would have enraptured their lips.

Adhvik let out an exhale as if her reaction alone had stirred something in him. Their gazes darted across the details of their faces in a newfound discovery. It was like they were finally letting each other know what they wanted. Each word was an urgent whisper against her lips as he continued to train his eyes there “Come to my room this Sunday and I'll answer all your questions... by action.”

Pallavi had to put some much needed distance between them for their own sanity. She inhaled a sharp breath. “But, I.... well...”

Adhvik shot a smile. A platonic smile this time. “It's okay. You can think about it. No pressure.”

With that, he left the scene.

The rest of the day proceeded as usual. What just happened? Pallavi bid her coworkers goodbye as usual. What just happened? She travelled from her car to her way home as usual. What just happened? She also ate her dinner...

Oh my Lord, it just HAPPENED!!

The only reason Pallavi didn't lose her marbles because she was partially in denial. It was how she was able to confront Adhvik after all. But now that it hit her like a truck, she had being doing nothing but staring vacantly at a wall for the past ten minutes. She slouched down her bed in defeat. After eight months, fifteen days since the day she met Adhvik Dhawan in Mansur, he had asked her out.

To fuck.

Pallavi placed an arm over her forehead, sighing. Universe sure had a sadistic way to make her wishes come true. Don't get her wrong. She was more than giddy at what transpired today. She had dreamt of it— dreamt of something between them for far too long. Today he proved what she had conjured about him all along. That he was clearly attracted to her. That everything she guessed about him wasn't her imagination.

Only she would have loved it more if he had asked her out, too. It didn't necessarily had to be a date either. Just a casual hangout would suffice. Perhaps that would have lead to something. You know, how it usually happened in love stories. Except he wasn't in love with her. She wished that more.

But you will finally get to kiss him. Just imagine him touching you—

Or maybe not. Puft, who cared about love. She was happy regardless.

The next day was a little awkward. Though Pallavi was talking to Adhvik, she was subconsciously avoiding getting alone with him. While Adhvik seemed to be doing the same. Though that didn't stop them from exchanging sneaky glances and remarks. It was like they had discovered a new version of flirting.

It was late around 11 at night. Pallavi was just lying on bed watching YouTube videos when her smartphone pinged with a message from his highness. And then another.

“Look at how berserk
you are going.”

“Meh, you look like shit!”

Apparently Adhvik was replying to her statuses on WhatsApp. One was a thought on society while another sported a selfie. Grumbling to herself, Pallavi answered it with a question.

‘What is ur damn
problem, asshole?’

‘You!’

Now that was a good way to ignite the butterflies in her stomach.

After some back- and- forth chats later that involved a number of expletives and flirting.

‘No, that should be face-
-to- face na. No fun in words.’

‘Look, don't bother me
this way.’

‘What way?’

‘I mean don't bother flirting
if you aren't going to meet.’

Pallavi's fingers froze. Was this the same Adhvik who said flirting wasn't supposed to mean anything a few months back? Did earth suddenly turned flat? What happened for him to become so upfront suddenly? If he wasn't clear before, then it became clear with the message that followed.

‘I want you.’

Pallavi tossed and turned in her bed like a five year old kid. She was that happy. Oh how the tables have turned? But she wouldn't make it that easy, oh hell no!

‘But we do meet everyday,
right?’

‘I ain't talking about that
meet, mkl. Some other
kind.’

‘No worries, we'll meet later,
too. Restaurants, office, &
... somewhere... u know.’

‘Closed room, I know.’

‘Yeah, we'll see about that...’

‘Tf u mean by “see about
that”? Haven't you decided?’

‘Will tell you, eventually.’

‘...’

‘...’

‘Itna mat tarsa jaalim.’

‘🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️’

‘🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️’

‘Save this for later’

‘Later?’

‘🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️
What have we done?’

‘Fuck you!’

‘I will.’

Pallavi sputtered a laugh at that, her jaw dropping at the same time. What in the world happened to a man called Adhvik Dhawan? Where was he hiding? This was getting too good.

My God! 😂😵😵
You are too... Damn!

‘Good, I know. Hope
to be the same in bed’

‘Omg, stop it!

‘Save that for later, too.’

Pallavi replied no more. Apparently, she was doing nothing but giving him all the ammunition to turn it dirty. She finally knew what to do.

‘Fine.’

‘Fine? Are you
saying yes?’

‘I have a few conditions.
Will tell you tomorrow.
I'm sleepy, ok. Goodnight.’

‘Aree! Come on, you
can't leave me hanging
like this.’

‘Hello? Pallavi?’

‘Bkl
Mkl’

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Author's note

Remember in Chapter 28 after the weird office party when Pallavi concluded that Adhvik didn't feel love but lust with her. Apparently, it wasn't her imagination.

Your overall thoughts? Did you anticipate this? I did say it wasn't exactly how you were imagining. He doesn't have feelings for her now. Do COMMENT if you haven't.

I hope you still like it and are excited for the next chapters. Just a fair warning ⚠- There will be a bunch of inside jokes, dirty talk and who knows, probably some mature sexual content. Just wanna ask if you are all okay with that?

Little teens should not read this story. Come back when you become an adult okay. 🔞

Are you excited? Look forward to the next chapter. There will be another surprise. 😍