Chapter One Hundred and Three.

Chapter One Hundred and Three.
Veda walked down the corridor and pushed through the double steel doors, revealing the wide, bright cafeteria.

A few interns were already scattered around with trays.

“Veda!”

Her name rang out, and she spotted Shanaya waving wildly with a tray of food in hand.

Smiling, Veda walked over to her, her eyes flicking to the long counter where people were dishing their meals.

“You should grab something, Veda..” Shanaya said, balancing her tray.

Just then, Kabir appeared beside her, holding out a tray.

Veda blinked, caught off guard.

The tray was already filled, salads, rice, a little stew, a piece of chicken, some chips, a few other things. She frowned, looking from the food up to him.

“I…I..if you don’t want what’s in here, you can just… dispose of it and get what you want.” he stammered.

Her brows lifted. She looked at the silver tray again, then at him.

Shanaya smirked knowingly.

“Thank you, Kabir, but you really don’t have to next time.” Veda said, a little awkward, though she offered him a small smile.

He only nodded, eyes locked on her as she took the tray carefully from his hands.

“Come, let’s go sit and eat.” Shanaya said quickly, her lips twitching as she threw Kabir a look but said nothing else.

They moved to a spare corner table and sat down.

“So… Veda, how are you liking this place? I know it’s going great for me so far.” Shanaya asked, opening her water bottle.

Veda smiled as she settled the tray down. “Well, so far it’s good. I can’t wait to explore more and collaborate with a few other people.”

“Speaking of explore…” Shanaya chewed on a chip, leaning forward. “You’re from Mumbai, right? Have you explored this place already?”

Veda shook her head. “No, not yet. I don’t know people here aside from a few of my neighbors. And honestly, I don’t want to get lost just yet. I know Bangalore might be safe enough, but I can’t explore alone.”

Shanaya’s grin widened. “Brilliant then..we can explore together on Saturday. What do you think?”

“That’s not a bad idea..” Veda thought, already picturing it.

She nodded, smiling. “Of course, I’d love that.”

“I… I can— I will like to explore with you ved–… girls… with you girls..” Kabir’s voice cut in nervously.

Veda only nodded and quietly continued to eat, her attention on the food.

“Sureeee…” Shanaya drawled, smirking at him. Kabir’s ears were already turning red.

Veda didn’t seem to notice..too focused on her plate.

But Shanaya saw it. And she definitely wasn’t going to let it go.

Shanaya gave Kabir a pointed look, a little tilt of her chin, urging him to say something to Veda.

But Kabir only gulped, shoving another bite into his mouth, his shoulders stiff. Shanaya sighed in annoyance.

“So, Veda…” Shanaya leaned back with a grin. “We know how cool you are, but what else are you hiding?”

Veda paused mid-bite, raising a brow. Hiding?

“Hiding? I’m not hiding anything.” she said, giving Shanaya a weird look.

“I mean casual stuff.” Shanaya pressed. “Do you have a brother? A sister? Or… you know… a boyfriend?” She winked.

Veda blinked, caught off guard. Kabir froze, his spoon hovering halfway to his mouth. His chest tightened.

Does she… have a boyfriend?

He felt his palm curl into a fist beneath the table.

“Um… I don’t have a brother, but yes, I have a Di. Her name is Meera. She’s the best sister ever.” Veda’s face softened with a smile. “And no, I don’t have a boyfriend.”

Kabir let out a breath he didn’t realize he had been holding.

“What? You don’t have a boyfriend? Why? How?” Shanaya exclaimed dramatically. “Girl, you are so beautiful. Are boys blind? Or is it your skin?”

Veda blinked rapidly, then broke into laughter.

Shanaya pouted. “I’m serious! Are they blind? If I were a guy, I would worship you and beg you to be my girlfriend. You’re brilliant, sweet, feisty, and so damn confident. Ugh, sad my brother is already engaged to that witch of a girl..we don’t like her. Otherwise, I’d have set you up with him.” She winked again.

Veda only laughed harder, her cheeks warming. Kabir, on the other hand, shot Shanaya a glare.

Shanaya noticed and cheekily stuck her tongue out at him.

“Oh gosh..” Veda finally managed between chuckles. “First of all, not dating any guy is my idea. It has nothing to do with my skin color. I get proposals, but I’m not interested. I’m only twenty. I have dreams to chase first.”

“So you don’t want any guy? Until what year?” Kabir’s voice came out more tense than he intended.

Veda looked at him, surprised by the question. “Um… I don’t know. I’m just not interested for now.”

Kabir nodded quickly, lowering his eyes back to his food.

But his mind was already running, thoughts pressing in.

Meanwhile, Varun had just finished a meeting. He entered his office with Ruby at his side.

“The next meeting will be—”

“Cancel it..” Varun cut her off without sparing a glance.

Ruby frowned. “But this one is important—”

“I said cancel it.”

He moved to his desk, pressing a button. The large monitor lit up instantly. And there she was.

Veda.

In the cafeteria. Sitting with the same girl from yesterday … and the same boy beside her.

His jaw clenched, eyes locked on the sight.

“Did you assign the supervisor I told you to for the new intern?” Varun asked, his gaze still fixed on the screen.

Ruby hesitated. “I was going to handle that after—”

“Don’t worry about it.”

He switched the monitor off sharply and straightened. “Cancel the meeting. As I said.”

Without another word, Varun turned and strode out of the office, the air around him heavy.

Veda was still chatty with her friends, Shanaya cracking jokes while Kabir argued about some tech detail, when suddenly the air in the cafeteria shifted.

It was like a current ran through the room..laughter fading, trays quieting, conversations breaking mid-sentence.

The silence was sharp, uneasy.

Veda had just finished her meal, pushing her tray slightly aside, when Shanaya froze. Her eyes flicked toward the entrance, widen.

“What–?” Veda began, but then she followed Shanaya’s gaze.

Her heart plummeted.

Varun.

He was standing at the door. His eyes landed on her almost instantly, like he had known she will be there.

Veda’s breath caught, her fingers curling against the table.

The weight of his stare pressed against her chest, suffocating.

Kabir noticed the way she stiffened, and he turned. His brows knitted tightly when he saw Varun.

“Why is he here?” he muttered under his breath.

Varun didn’t blink, unbothered by the dozens of interns and employees watching him in uneasy silence.

It was as if he was daring her to look away.

Her mind screamed..not here, not again, not in front of everyone.

Yet Varun took a step forward. Then another.

Veda’s stomach twisted. She could feel Kabir’s confusion beside her, Shanaya’s anxious glance, the quiet stir of whispers building around them.

But all she saw was Varun..coming closer.

Closer to her.