Peace never lasts long when it isn't deserved.
Aarvi sensed it the moment she walked into the office that afternoon — the air felt different again. Not heavy like before. Not cold.
Sharp.
She was organizing files when a woman's voice echoed down the hallway.
"Riyan."
The name — spoken without hesitation, without fear — made Aarvi pause.
She looked up.
A tall woman stood near the reception area, dressed flawlessly, confidence written into every step she took. Her heels clicked against the floor like she owned the place. Like she belonged there.
And the way Riyan looked at her—
Not soft.
Not warm.
But unsettled.
Something in Aarvi's chest tightened.
---
The past walked in without warning
"Miss Kapoor," Riyan said carefully, stepping out of his office.
"This is unexpected."
The woman smiled — slow, knowing.
"Still the same. Always prepared for everything… except me."
Aarvi felt invisible standing there, yet painfully aware.
Miss Kapoor turned, her gaze landing on Aarvi.
"And who is this?" she asked lightly.
Riyan didn't hesitate.
"My secretary."
Just that.
Professional.
Neutral.
But Aarvi noticed the tension in his shoulders.
The woman nodded slowly, studying her like a puzzle.
"I'm Maya Kapoor," she said to Aarvi.
"Riyan and I… go way back."
Way back.
Those words echoed.
---
Aarvi learned without asking
They disappeared into Riyan's office.
The door closed.
Aarvi stared at the glass for a moment longer than she should have, then forced herself back to work.
But the quiet didn't help.
Her thoughts spiraled.
Who was she?
Why did Riyan look like he'd seen a ghost?
Minutes passed.
Then voices — muffled, tense.
Not angry.
But loaded.
---
Inside the office — the truth waited
"You shouldn't be here," Riyan said quietly.
Maya laughed softly.
"Still pushing people away when they get too close?"
"You know why I do that."
She leaned against his desk.
"And yet… here you are. Caring again."
Riyan's jaw tightened.
"Why did you come, Maya?"
Her smile faded — just slightly.
"I heard you were finally letting someone in," she said.
"And I wanted to see if it was true."
Riyan froze.
"You had no right."
She tilted her head.
"Didn't I?"
---
Outside, Aarvi's heart sank
When the door finally opened, Maya walked out first.
She stopped near Aarvi's desk.
"You seem… sincere," Maya said lightly.
"That's rare around him."
Aarvi swallowed.
"I'm just doing my job."
Maya smiled knowingly.
"That's what I thought once too."
Then she walked away.
Leaving silence behind.
Leaving doubt behind.
Leaving a crack Aarvi didn't know how to close.
---
Riyan tried to explain — but not enough
He stepped out moments later.
"Aarvi," he said softly.
She looked up, forcing calm.
"Who is she?"
He hesitated.
That hesitation hurt more than any answer.
"She's part of my past," he said.
"And not a good one."
Aarvi nodded slowly.
"She seems confident," she said quietly.
"Like someone who knows you well."
Riyan exhaled.
"She knows who I was," he corrected.
"Not who I am now."
The words were meant to reassure.
But Aarvi couldn't ignore the feeling settling in her chest —
That his past wasn't done with him yet.
And somehow…
it had just stepped directly into her life.