Rishabh lead Aashi into the cafeteria, he asked her to wait while he gets their order. Aashi nodded. As he walked towards the counter, Aashi looked around for a seat. Soon, she found one and quickly walked towards it.

Rishabh placed a tray carrying a plateful of pasta and fried rice. He placed the plate full of pasta on Aashi's side and fried rice on his side.

'Egg?' Aashi asked pointing at the fried rice. Rishabh smiled shaking his head.

'No.' He said

'I knew it, still no eggs?' Aashi asked looking at him intently.

'Always.' Rishabh replied. Aashi nodded her head. Since childhood Rishabh never liked eggs, and to avoid eating them he made everyone believe he is allergic to it. He made up an excuse stating the smell makes him puke. Over time, he began believing this too. He is very peculiar with this, even before having cake he enquires if it's eggless. Aashi smiled recollecting his silliness.

She stopped smiling only when she saw Rishabh looking at her inquiringly.

'Nothing.' She said shaking her head and poking the pasta with her fork.

They then began discussing work as they ate their lunch.

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

'Wow, Rishabh. You are good, just in one day. I am impressed' Aashi complimented as the two stepped out from the cafeteria.

'Thank you.'

'God, Rishabh, since when have to started being serious about work.' Aashi said casually. She froze and he stopped too.

She looked at him, he smiled sadly, - 'Things change, Aashi.' He said. She noticed the pain in his voice and felt bad, she also felt curious to know what happened to him that changed him so much. Is it something to do with Laila? She wondered

As they worked silently in her cabin, Aashi couldn't stop herself and asked, - 'How are you, Rishabh?' Her tone soft.

Rishabh looked up from a file. Aashi looked on, shifting in her seat.

'I am good.' -After a pause, he added, - 'and you?'

I missed you so much, Rishabh. Didn't you miss your best friend?

'I am good too.' Aashi said out loud.

Rishabh smiled little at her and lowered his head back into the file. Aashi looked away briefly before looking back at him, - 'And Laila?' She asked cautiously. Rishabh froze while flipping a page.

Slowly he looked up, - 'She is good too.' He said and Aashi felt her heart sink. Laila is with him, are they married?

'Are you guys...married?'

'I guess, we have an important work to do. We should focus on that, Maam.' Rishabh's emphasizes on the word Maam made it clear to Aashi that he isn't willing to talk about his personal life. Aashi nodded and they got back to work.

After one hour, Rishabh had briefed Aashi on everything he took his left. Aashi was left alone in her cabin again. She smiled, that one hour she and Rishabh spend working together reminded her of the countless days, they had spent doing group studying.

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

Night, 8.30pm

Aashi sighed leaning in her chair, she massaged her face and sat straight. There is a knock at the door.

'Come in.' Aashi said stretching her neck.

'Hey.' Aashi looked up hearing Himanshu's voice. He stood smiling at her, she smiled little at him.

'So, how was your day? The new manager is good.' Himanshu asked as the two walked through the corridor towards the elevator.

'Hmmm.' Aashi nodded and then looked front, - 'Rishabh.' She said finding him standing by the elevator. He had his coat on one arm and held briefcase in the other, his sleeves folded. He was leaving too.

'Leaving?' Aashi asked him. Rishabh nodded.

'Do you have a car?' She asked.

'I have booked a cab.' He replied looking at her.

'Hey, if you don't mind I will drop you off.' Himanshu said and Aashi is secretly thankful he did. Now, she might get to see where Rishabh stays.

Rishabh smiled little shaking his head, - 'No thanks, my cab is nearly here.' He said. Aashi felt little disappointed.

The elevator door opened, Aashi stepped in first and then the men.

'So, how is working for Aashi. I am sure she is a tough boss.' Himanshu smirked.

'Hey.' Aashi playfully punched his arm and the two chuckled. Rishabh smiled sadly looking at them. But when they looked at him, he quickly changed his expressions and shook his head, - 'No,' and then looking at her he said, - 'she is sweet, actually.' Aashi felt her cheeks burn when he said that. Rishabh smiled and she smiled too. Himanshu simply looked at them.

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

'You know he is married.' Aashi said as she and Suchitra stood in the kitchen. Suchitra cleaning the slab while Aashi did the dishes.

'No way.' Suchitra looked at Aashi, stunned.

Aashi sighed, - 'Yes way.' She placed a washed plate on the rack and looked at her friend, - 'there goes your destiny theory.'

Suchitra looked disheartened. Aashi turned her attention to the other plate. After a while of silence, Aashi looked at her friend, she seemed to be in a deep thought.

'What?' Aashi asked curiously.

Suchitra shook her head, still staring somewhere in the oblivion, - 'I think he is lying.' She looked up at Aashi. Something clicked to both. They quickly wrapped up their work and sat with a laptop in Aashi's room.

Aashi thought she should have done this long time ago.

'Laila. What was her full name?' Suchitra suggested.

'Ranawat, Laila Ranawat.' Aashi recollected and quickly typed her name. A profile popped up. Aashi and Suchitra leaned forward to properly look at it.

There is Laila, looking prettier than before, her flawless skin shone in the sunlight as she stood outdoors, her back facing an exotic location. She is dressed in summer floral dress. Minimal makeup, her hair on her right shoulder, sunglasses on top of her head and her arms wrapped around a man somewhere in his later sixties.

'Must be her dad.' Suchitra said and Aashi nodded.

She had locked her pics and newsfeed for strangers but her details were there.

Laila Ranawat.... Relationship Status- Married.

'See.' Aashi pointed out, she felt disappointed too. That moment she lost hopes. Once when Suchitra was uncertain, Aashi had begun rekindling a hope but that is also gone.

Suchitra looked disappointed too, - 'Dunno ya, I still feel they aren't together.' She said.

Aashi exhaled loudly and stood up pushing the chair back, - 'I am sleepy I am off to sleep.' She said and then turned around walking towards her bed. Suchitra kept looking at Laila's profile.

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The curious case of Laila Ranawat *hmmmm* What do you guys think? Is Suchitra right or Aashi? Drop in your comments, please *flying kisses*

And Yeah, guys! Our story is Rank #10. Thank you all *muah* *muah* and love you all *muah* *muah*