Chapter 2:The Confession That Never Happened

"Sometimes love doesn't begin with grand gestures. It begins with someone remembering the little things everyone else forgets."

The first month at the office passed faster than Riya had expected.

Every morning began with the same routine.

The six girls would rush through the revolving doors at the last minute, laughing as if they owned the building. Someone would forget their ID card, someone would spill coffee, and someone would blame the elevator for being "too slow."

By lunchtime, they had already become the noisiest group on the floor.

"You people laugh too much," one of the senior employees joked.

Swara grinned. "It's free motivation."

Even the seniors couldn't help smiling.

For Riya, the office slowly stopped feeling unfamiliar.

She still wasn't someone who talked a lot.

She preferred listening.

Watching.

Smiling quietly at conversations instead of becoming the center of them.

It made people think she was reserved.

Only her friends knew she simply needed more time before letting people into her world.

---

One afternoon, the six girls were walking toward the cafeteria when Riya suddenly stopped.

"I forgot my phone."

"You go," Swara said. "We'll order for you."

Riya hurried back upstairs.

As she reached her desk, she heard footsteps behind her.

"You forgot this."

She turned around.

Koushal was holding her employee ID card.

"You left it near the printer."

"Oh..."

She accepted it with both hands.

"Thank you."

"No problem."

There was an awkward silence.

"So..."

"So..."

They both spoke at the same time.

Both laughed.

"I'll go first," Koushal smiled.

"After you."

"You really like sunsets, don't you?"

Riya blinked.

"How do you know?"

"I saw the wallpaper on your laptop."

She looked down, embarrassed.

It was a photograph she'd taken herself—an orange sky fading into soft pink clouds.

"I guess I do."

"They're nice."

That was all.

No flirting.

No unnecessary conversation.

Yet somehow, Riya found herself smiling all the way to the cafeteria.

---

Days turned into weeks.

Without realizing it, Koushal became part of her routine.

If she skipped breakfast, he'd quietly place a biscuit packet on her desk.

If she struggled with a task, he'd explain it patiently.

If everyone rushed toward the elevator, he'd somehow end up standing beside her.

Never too close.

Never making her uncomfortable.

Just... there.

Riya never thought much of it.

She had never had a male friend before.

Maybe boys were simply like this.

Maybe this was what friendship looked like.

---

One Friday afternoon, the team decided to order milkshakes.

"What flavor?" someone asked.

Before Riya could answer, Koushal spoke.

"Chocolate."

Everyone looked at him.

"How do you know?" Swara asked.

He looked surprised himself.

"She ordered it last week."

Riya stared at him.

He remembered?

She barely remembered what she'd eaten yesterday.

---

A few days later, the girls gathered around Riya's desk during lunch.

Swara folded her arms dramatically.

"We need to talk."

Riya raised an eyebrow.

"Why does that sound like an interrogation?"

"It is."

One of the girls leaned closer.

"Don't spend too much time with Koushal."

Riya frowned.

"Why?"

"Because he likes you."

She laughed immediately.

"No, he doesn't."

"He does."

"No."

"He literally waits for you before lunch."

"Coincidence."

"He remembers everything about you."

"He's observant."

"He looks for you whenever you disappear."

"Friendly."

The girls exchanged defeated looks.

Swara sighed.

"Riya..."

"Hm?"

"You really have no idea, do you?"

Riya shook her head.

"I think you're all overthinking."

Deep inside...

She hoped they were.

Because if they weren't...

She wouldn't know what to do.

---

That evening, heavy rain poured across the city.

Employees crowded near the entrance waiting for it to stop.

Riya stood quietly by the glass doors, watching raindrops race down the windows.

"You don't have an umbrella?"

She turned.

Koushal.

She smiled sheepishly.

"I forgot."

"So did I."

They both laughed.

"I guess we're stuck."

Neither of them minded.

For nearly twenty minutes, they stood there talking about everything except themselves.

Favorite movies.

Terrible office coffee.

The funniest mistakes they'd made during training.

When the rain finally softened, they began walking toward the bus stop.

There wasn't much conversation anymore.

Just comfortable silence.

Riya realized...

Silence didn't always have to feel awkward.

Sometimes...

It felt peaceful.

---

That night, Swara called her.

"So?"

"So what?"

"You spent half an hour with Koushal."

"We were waiting for the rain to stop."

Swara groaned.

"You're impossible."

"What did I do?"

"Nothing."

"Exactly."

Swara laughed before hanging up.

Riya placed her phone beside her pillow.

For the first time in years...

She wondered if maybe friendships between boys and girls really could exist.

She closed her eyes with a small smile.

Completely unaware...

That someone else was wondering whether friendship would ever be enough.

End of Chapter 2

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