Hey! It's been a while. Here's another update hope you enjoy it.🤗
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AUTHOR'S POV:
A week passed away. And what happened this week? Well let's see...
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Roopa's father recovered from the stroke but he is not well. His heart is weak and Roopa knew by the doctors that he has very little time left.
Naturally she could not leave him like that 'cause at last he is still he father and she loves him. So she chose to stay until she felt everything is better .

On the other hand, Aarna's brother got his admission process done and his training starts from next week. Her parents chose to stay the week and leave once Ram is settled in his dorm as they had a business to run.

Aarna no matter how occupied she was with her parents and brother, made time to visit and take care of Rudran which Rudran noticed and felt elated but he did not know why nor he had time to think of it.

She was working from home these days. Her project was submitted and the review shall be given soon by the client. She chose to work from home to spend time with her family and her slot was around 3-11am which helped her to spend time with her family but she could not meet Rudran these days as she slept early but she made sure to deliver his dinner with the spare keys she has of his house.

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Coming to the present...

Rudran woke up late due to his late night study session. He could hardly make time to study cause he had been managing more classes of another professor who was in his medical leave.

He had to prepare for those classes and also look after his studies as the exams he is preparing for are approaching soon which is his ultimate goal.

After throwing on a light grey shirt and black pants, he rushed to the door, put on his shoes and left to the elevator not before looking at the next door.

Today was Saturday and Rudran wrapped up his work for the week. He left the campus earlier around 4:15pm and reached his apartment around 5:30pm. He locked his car and walked to the elevator and saw it was going to close, so he rushed and pressed the open button and it opened up. He sighed in relief as he was deadly tired and the traffic made it even worse, so he just wanted to hit the bed soon.

As he looked up, he was met with Aarna who looked up at the same time from her mobile screen. They both froze instantly understanding how much they missed seeing each other and their lips carved into beautiful smile. Rudran entered the elevator, stood beside her and said 'hey'.
Aarna responded with a small 'hi' as she leaned on her side of the elevator while still looking at him.
"What are you here for at this time?" He asked as he leaned his back on the opposite side facing her.
"My parents left now. I came down to send them off." She replied still looking at him as if she is capturing him with her eyes even without her notice.

Rudran could see she clearly missed him as much as he missed her, he could see it in her eyes. They hold something that he desperately feel like exploring.

"Oh! They left? I wanted to meet them but was totally occupied with work" he said slightly upset as he wanted to greet her parents.
"It's okay. They may visit often now as Ram is also joined here." She said
"Right! I will definitely meet them next time." He said smiling

The elevator tinged and the door opened. Aarna stepped out first followed by Rudran.
"So... how was work today. You seem extra tired." Aarna asked Rudran observing him.

Rudran looked utterly sexy after work, Aarna thought. His sleeves folded till his elbows and his top 2 buttons undone. Aarna could not stop admiring him.

" As usual but the professor who was in leave is joining on Monday, I can relax a bit now." Rudran said
"Hm mm" Aarna hummed.
Rudran unlocked his apartment's door and went in leaving his footwear on the rack outside, Aarna followed him by closing the front door after her.
"Freshen up. I already kept the food here. I packed it along with the food I cooked for my parents to have during their journey. I will just heat it up." Aarna told Rudran who hummed and fell on the couch with his head leaned backwards.
Aarna saw him and filled a glass of water for him to have.

"Here" she called out for him to take the glass.
While Rudran opened his eyes to see her. At that moment he felt very close to Aarna as if it was all natural for them to just be. Aarna taking care of him felt nice to him and his view over this women in front of him is changing into something beautiful.

Aarna was intimidated by his gaze on her and looked down while forwarding her hand further urging him to hold the glass.
She admired Rudran and Roopa for being generous and genuine from the beginning, but her urge to just look after him felt natural and she liked this feeling.

Both of them felt as if they have known each other for years, so comfortable with each other.

Rudran took the glass from her hand still looking at her maintaining the eye contact. He purposefully brushed his fingers on hers.
Aarna blushed so hard. It was the first time Rudran did something like that.

Rudran patted on the space next to him gesturing her to take a seat. She sat maintaining a decent distance.
He gulped the water and kept the glass on the table in front of them. Then he turned to her who sat fiddling with her fingers on her lap. Both of them aware of the air thickening around them.
He taking a deep breath slowly took hold of her left hand, kept it between them and called out while playing with her fingers "Aarna"
"What do you think about me?"
"Ha?"
Shock was an understatement to what Aarna felt at that moment. She hoped this is not what she is assuming it to be. Rudran is finally manning up to talk about the tension between them or? Is she just overthinking...?

"What do you think about me?" He repeated slowly.
Butterflies. Not just a few but a lot of them started flying around in Aarna's stomach.

She was definitely attracted to the man before her. He, from the day one never failed to make her feel safe and the feelings she had for him since she met him were anything but negative.

Taking in a deep breath, she looked into his eyes and said "I think...you are a good son, a caring man and a kind human being" she answered honestly but she knew this is not what he meant. She was not all that innocent. She could understand the tension, the attraction and feelings brewing between them.

That was always there, The Attraction, maybe from the beginning itself but they did not have the moment to just sit and converse or just did not get the opportunity to think about it considering their busy schedules. Their schedule getting free and Roopa being away may have given the opportunity to what their souls were waiting for.

Rudran looked into her eyes and smiled. He knew she understood it but is choosing to act innocent or perhaps tease him. But he loved it.

"Ok since you don't get it. Let me explain. Stay here" saying this he rushed into his room and Aarna sat confused looking at him disappearing into the room, but found his hurried steps adorable.

After around 5 mins he came back with a small piece of folded paper in his hand.

"What are you up to ?" Aarna asked curious to find answers for his actions.
He took a seat next to her but a little bit closer this time facing her. One leg folded while the other's feet was on the floor.

Rudran held out the folded piece of paper, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"What's this?" Aarna asked, raising an eyebrow, curious.

"An invitation," he said simply, "to a date. Not just any date, though. I want to know the real Aarna. Not that I don't know you. You know what I mean. And maybe, if you let me, I'll share the real me too."

She unfolded the note and read it aloud, her voice soft:
"Let's trade stories, laugh at nothing, and maybe, by the end of it, find a spark worth exploring. tomorrow at whatever time you choose, let's go out."

Looking up, she found him watching her intently. A smile slowly spread across her face.

"Ok," she said. "Let's see what we uncover."

Both of them smiled at each other. Excited for tomorrow.