16 Heart to Heart - I

All the events went extraordinarily. Everything went according to plan with no hiccups along the way.

Dhruv coordinated most of it. Product launch, interviews, photo shoot and PR events. For an entire week, he was always there, running around taking care of stuffs. Riya amused at his performance as she never witnessed him at work and the way he handled things were unique and efficient in his own way.

But they were so exhausted by the end of it all. After a brief office party, they travelled back together.

The sleek Lamborghini rolled smoothly with Dhruv driving and Riya admiring the view from front.

"I'm glad the event was a success. I was anxious all the time about something going wrong.", said Riya absentmindedly admiring the trees.

Dhruv chuckled, "You are such a pessimist!"

"But honestly, I'm glad too."

"You try running a business with a bunch of idiots and you'll know", she remarked sarcastically.

He inhaled sharply, "I think we should celebrate."

"We just did! What else do you want?"

"Not that! You and me…..", he glanced at her and raised an eyebrow.

"You…. And me?"

"Yeah… Nothing big. Let's just have some drinks at home."

"Oh…. sure. But you should know that I don't drink. I can give you company though."

"Why don't you drink?"

"It tastes bitter….. I tried once and vomited, so avoided ever since.", she made a yucky face.

He laughed softly. "Fine! Just give me company then."

After the short conversation, they mostly remained quiet.

As soon as reaching home, Dhruv changed into his casual wear, a plain black shirt with joggers and set up the coffee table with drinks and snacks.

"I thought we were going to sit in the dining hall?", Riya questioned him, climbing down the stairs in her nightwear.

"I like it here!", he declared.

She took a seat on the couch, slanted her body to the left, legs folded to her side. Her right hand idly rested on her feet. "I'm not sitting down. I prefer the couch", she announced.

He grabbed a beer for himself, handed over a coke to her and sat near her on the couch.

"Why do you always sit down when you have a nice couch?"

"I'm taller than you. I need more leg space."

She made a funny face mimicking his expression when he boasted about himself.

He ignored that. "Cheers?", he held his beer to her.

"Cheers!", she clanged her tin against his.

They both took a sip of their liquids enjoying the taste.

"You looked funny today… In that trench coat." She commented on one of his attires during the photoshoot.

"It wasn't my choice. Your stylist made me wear it.", he took another sip before continuing, "Mine was still better. What was up with that nighty thing she made you wear?"

"It's not nighty… It's a dress! You have zero fashion sense… Don't know how much Warphed is suffering with you as its shareholder", she remarked funnily and continued to drink.

He remained quiet for a moment. Riya understood the reason behind it and felt stupid.

"So? Brother's fiancé, huh? Should be pretty bad?", it was out of her mouth before she could stop. She really sucked at relationships.

His eyes went wide, and she chided herself for it.

"You knew?", he asked her surprised, embarrassed and flabbergasted all at the same time.

'How did she know?' He was sure to be careful. He never wanted her to know. Especially her!

It was his major weakness and something he was very ashamed of. He wanted to run away, but her gaze was fixed on his face with no place to hide. He blinked like a thief caught red handed.

She bit her lip debating whether to apologize or not.

Dhruv broke the silence first, "Yeah….. It was hard…."

"Tanya was our neighbor and friend. She used to come over often to play with us. I developed feelings for her since college but our parents fixed her marriage with Niranjan…..", he gulped and continued, "I didn't realize my crush evolved into love until late. So, lost my chance at confessing too."

He avoided eye contact as he regretted to admit he still liked her.

"Hmm…", Riya had no idea about love or couples. Hence, had no comment on his story.

"But how did you know?", he inquired her with eyes full of curiosity.

"I... did some background checks on you. But the day you yelled at me for her, I confirmed the hunch."

"Hey…..um…. about that….. do you mind if I ask you something?", he hesitated making her nervous.

"Yeah… Ask!"

"I kind of know….. about your….. phobia", he waited for her reaction.

"Hmm…. I knew… Father told me later that he asked you about it… Good you didn't blow our cover", she smiled guiltily looking down.

"Oh! I'm sorry… I didn't mean to keep it a secret from you…. But thought you'd hate to talk about it."

"Not….. really, but I don't want anyone to know. Still, I should've told you before…."

"So, um….. Is it like you hate when anyone touches you?"

"Hm… Not exactly like that…. It's a bit more complicated. If I make up my mind or want to touch someone, I can do it without problems. But if someone touches me out of the blue, then I'll lose it on the spot. For example, you inform every time before touching, giving me enough time to prepare myself. So I felt okay around you."

He finally understood the reason behind her comfortableness. Only because he was announcing it every time, she was fine. It wasn't because she had opened up to him.

"So then…. That day with Tanya…."

"Yeah… I only made up my mind for a handshake, I lost it when she hugged."

"I'm so sorry, Riya… I shouldn't have yelled at you like that… You even apologized to Tanya, but I was sulking over it. Were you hurt?", he saw her with puppy eyes.

She snorted. "What did you take me for? I'm not so fragile. Plus, it was my mistake….. I should've prepared myself better or warned you before"

"Since when have you been diagnosed?"

"Since I can remember? I don't know… It's always been there.", "My psychiatrist said it might be because I have OCD…"

"Obsessive Compulsive Disorder? You live like a pig, I don't think so."

He knew the scars had something to do with her phobia. Maybe a PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), but kept it to himself.

"Huh?", "Fine! I accept! But you don't have to point it out", she sulked making him chuckle.

"Can I ask you one more question?", he slanted himself to face her.