The office floor of NovaTe Automotive Solutions had a rhythm of its own the soft click of keyboards, murmured conversations, and the occasional ring of a phone blended into a calm background hum. For most people, it was ordinary. For Aaradhya—Aaru to her few close friends. it was a stage to observe, silently, carefully, and always from the shadows.

Aaru belonged to the Circuitrix Team, a small corner of the floor specializing in wiring schematics. Introverted and reserved, she often went unnoticed outside her immediate circle. Only Ankita, her closest friend, had the privilege of seeing the playful, slightly mischievous side of her personality. Around the rest of the office, she was quiet, efficient, and nearly invisible—a ghost in a room full of people.

Her desk reflected her mind: neat, precise, organized. Dual monitors displayed intricate schematics, pens were perfectly aligned, and diagrams were stacked meticulously. This structure comforted her, a sanctuary in a bustling office environment.

Across the floor sat Anroop, or Roop, from the InnoDiagnostics Team. Calm, composed, quietly confident, he moved with the ease of someone completely at home in his environment. Roop didn’t need loud jokes or boisterous laughter to be noticed; his presence was subtle but undeniable.

Aaru had noticed him, too—more than she cared to admit. Subtle glances during meetings, quiet acknowledgment in the hallway, the occasional meeting of eyes before quickly looking away. Nothing intentional, nothing overt—just… awareness. And lately, the awareness had grown into curiosity.

She tried not to think about it. He’s just a colleague. Calm, responsible… organizing things. Nothing else. Yet, her mind had a way of ignoring logic.

The morning passed as usual, Aaru buried in schematics, when Ankita plopped down beside her with barely contained excitement.

“Aaru! Guess what?” Ankita whispered, leaning in conspiratorially.

“Hmm? What now?” Aaru asked, glancing up but keeping her tone neutral.

“Anu’s wedding! And Roop… he’s organizing a hill station trip after the wedding. Two days at Silver Mist Hills! Fifteen people confirmed already!”

Aaru blinked. Her friend’s wedding wasn’t the surprise. it was the trip and, more importantly, Roop’s involvement. Her pulse quickened slightly, and she looked away, pretending to focus on her monitor.

“Roop organizing a trip… with me… fifteen people,” she muttered under her breath, though no one heard. Ankita grinned.

“You’re coming, like it or not. And I’ll be there, don’t worry,” Ankita said cheerfully.

Aaru allowed herself a faint smile. Ankita had no idea how quietly she was already anticipating seeing Roop in this new context. That secret curiosity was hers alone, tucked safely behind her usual calm demeanor.

The week drifted by. Aaru helped Anu with small wedding preparations, blending into the background while Ankita ran around charming everyone. She remained quiet, observing—the way people moved, the subtle gestures of her friends, and, of course, the occasional memory of Roop’s calm, measured presence.

She tried to push the thought away. Focus on the wedding, Aaru. He’s just… organizing the trip. Nothing more.

Yet, when she caught herself thinking of him during these quiet moments, she allowed a small, private smile.

By the time she left the office on the eve of the wedding, Aaru felt a quiet anticipation. She didn’t know exactly what the trip would bring, but she knew one thing: her attention had already settled, silently and privately, on Roop.

The morning of Anu’s wedding was bright and warm. The venue shimmered with marigold garlands and soft fairy lights, laughter echoing through the halls. Aaru moved quietly among the guests, offering help where needed straightening décor, arranging seating, checking minor details always in the background. Weddings were not her scene, and yet there was something comforting in the familiar rhythm of small responsibilities.

Ankita ran ahead, talking to relatives, laughing, flitting between tasks, leaving Aaru to her quiet efficiency.

Meanwhile, Roop moved like clockwork, overseeing the wedding arrangements and the post-wedding trip. Every few minutes, he was checking schedules, confirming transport, ensuring guests were comfortable. Yet in the midst of it all, his eyes occasionally flickered toward Aaru. Not a stare, just the quiet acknowledgment of someone who notices details others miss.

After the wedding ceremony, as guests began to gather for the post-ceremony trip, Aaru felt a mixture of curiosity and nervousness. She hardly knew anyone in the group beyond Ankita and a handful of others. The rest were Roop’s colleagues.

Ankita leaned close, whispering with a grin, “Relax. You’ll be fine. I’ll be right here. And Roop’s organizing everything, there won't be any issue. Even it's you first trip, it will be interesting"

Aaru smiled faintly. She didn’t tell Ankita that “interesting” barely covered the flutter she felt whenever she caught a glimpse of Roop. This secret was hers to keep.

Soon, the group of fifteen loaded luggage into vehicles. The excitement of leaving the city behind, of the hills awaiting them, filled the air. Aaru kept close to Ankita but couldn’t stop her eyes from occasionally seeking Roop out. Calm, composed, quietly commanding attention without raising his voice he was exactly as she remembered, only now more tangible.

The journey began mid-afternoon. The city shrank behind them as the vehicles wound through scenic roads. Conversations rose and fell, laughter ringing through the bus. Aaru remained mostly quiet, observing. Her attention inevitably drifted to Roop, a few seats ahead. He managed the group efficiently, eyes scanning, making sure everyone was comfortable, and occasionally letting his gaze flicker subtly toward her.

She caught herself thinking, Why am I so aware of him? and scolded herself internally. It’s just a trip… nothing more.

The hills slowly appeared in the distance, mist curling over valleys, sunlight glinting off rivers. The scenery was breathtaking, but even amidst nature’s beauty, Aaru’s thoughts kept drifting back to Roop. She smiled faintly, keeping her fascination secret.

By evening, they arrived at Silver Mist Hills. Crisp mountain air greeted them, mingled with laughter and playful banter as luggage was unloaded. Aaru stayed mostly with Ankita, still quiet, still observing, noticing small interactions the way Roop coordinated smoothly, quietly, without any visible stress.

The 2-day journey had begun. Adventure, trekking, and laughter awaited but for Aaru, there was already a subtle anticipation: noticing him, being noticed, and discovering what lay beneath the calm, composed exterior of Roop.

And neither of them realized yet that this quiet awareness was just the beginning.

The rented van vibrated gently as it rolled out of the city, carrying fifteen passengers packed with excitement. Laughter and chatter filled the space, echoing off the metal roof. The seats were lined in rows, and everyone jostled for their spots like schoolchildren heading for a picnic.

Aaru slipped into the second row, by the window, with Ankita sliding in beside her. She always preferred the window quiet, slightly apart from the crowd, a way to watch the world pass by without having to fill the silence with words.

Across the aisle, in the front seat beside the driver, sat Roop. The one who had planned this whole trip outes, bookings, everything down to the snacks stuffed in bags. From where she sat, Aaru could see only the side of his face, sharp in the afternoon light. He spoke easily to the driver, sometimes turning back to answer a question from the team.

The road stretched ahead, wide and familiar at first. The van climbed slowly, the landscape flattening into golden fields dotted with lone trees swaying in the breeze.

Halfway through the ride, someone called out, “Break! Break! We need chai!”

The van pulled over at a roadside stall glowing under a rusted tin shade. The smell of boiling milk tea mixed with fried snacks hung in the cool air. Everyone piled out noisily, voices echoing, ordering steaming cups of tea and plates of pakoras.

Aaru, however, lingered behind. She wasn’t fond of tea the sharp bitterness never sat well with her. Instead, she let Ankita order snacks for them both. Together, they nibbled quietly while the rest cupped their hot glasses with satisfaction, steam fogging the cool evening.

Roop stood not far away, laughing at something one of his teammates said. For a fleeting moment, his eyes swept the group, pausing on Aaru just long enough for her to notice. It wasn’t direct, not intentional even, but it sent a small ripple through her chest.

When they climbed back into the van, the atmosphere shifted into something livelier. Someone hooked their phone to the speaker, and the music burst alive not their language, but a playlist from another state, full of rhythm and unfamiliar words.

At first, Aaru simply listened, amused at how loudly everyone sang along despite missing half the lyrics. But when Ankita elbowed her playfully, she joined in too. Hesitant at first, her voice low, until slowly she matched their rhythm, laughing at herself when she mispronounced a word.

And for the first time that day, she wasn’t just a listener. She was part of the chorus.

Roop, from the front seat, turned slightly at the sound. His gaze flicked toward her quick, unreadable but enough to make her cheeks warm.

As the van curved along a narrow road, a packet of chips slid off one of the bags near Roop’s seat. Without hesitation, he reached for it, tore it open, an without even glancing extended it backward toward the second row. Straight to Aaru.

She blinked, surprised. She hadn’t asked, hadn’t even looked hungry. Yet somehow, the gesture landed right in her lap.

“Thanks,” she said softly, her fingers brushing his as she took the packet. The contact lasted barely a second, but it was enough.

Her heart fluttered unexpectedly, and she turned quickly toward the window to hide the smile tugging at her lips. The trees outside blurred into streaks of green and gold, but all she could think of was the simple weight of a packet of chips and the warmth of a hand that had passed it.

For the rest of the ride, she sang a little louder.