The next afternoon was supposed to be simple—just a small lunch meeting between the Rathores and the Bhatis about upcoming wedding events.
But nothing about today felt simple.
Neeti walked into the Rathore office with a calm face, her laptop bag on her shoulder, her ID card still clipped from her Google office shift. She had just finished a long coding review and was already exhausted.
She expected a warm smile from Vansh.
Instead, she got tension.
The moment he saw her, Vansh's expression sharpened.
"Neeti, can we talk? Alone," he said, voice low.
She blinked. "Right now?"
"Yes. Now."
There was no warmth in his tone today—only worry. Only frustration.
A bad combination.
The Misunderstanding
He led her into his cabin and closed the door behind them.
"Why didn't you answer my calls?" he asked immediately.
Neeti frowned softly. "I was in a technical meeting… my phone was on silent."
"You could have texted."
"I didn't even see your calls until I came out."
"You were unreachable for six hours."
"Vansh…" she tried to stay calm. "It was just work."
He ran a hand through his hair.
That was his sign—he was upset.
"You were supposed to tell me when you reached your office," he said.
"I forgot. I was rushing for the meeting."
"Do you know how worried I was? Anything could have happened."
She sighed. "But nothing happened."
"That's not the point."
"Then what is the point?" she asked softly, genuinely confused.
Vansh looked at her—hurt in his eyes.
"You don't understand how scared I get when I can't reach you."
Neeti felt her heart drop a little.
He wasn't angry.
He was anxious.
But she wasn't used to someone needing updates on her every movement.
She had lived her whole life quietly, independently.
"I didn't know I had to report everything," she said quietly.
His jaw tightened. "I'm not asking for reports, Neeti. I'm asking for basic communication."
Her silence made the air heavier.
A Painful Moment
"Are you angry with me?" she whispered.
"I'm not angry," he said. "I'm… scared. Overthinking. What if you're hurt? What if someone bothered you? What if—"
She stepped back. "Vansh… I can take care of myself."
He exhaled, frustrated. "I know. But I still worry. I can't switch it off."
"And I can't constantly explain where I am," she said, very softly but firmly.
For a moment, they just stood there—two people who loved each other, but didn't understand each other's worlds completely.
A small silence filled the room.
Neeti finally looked down, her long lashes covering her eyes. "I didn't want to make you feel ignored."
"And I didn't want to make you feel controlled," he said immediately, realizing it.
Her fingers tightened around the strap of her bag.
This was the first time they had ever been on opposite sides.
A Soft Break Down
Vansh took a slow breath and leaned back on his desk.
"Neeti," he said quietly, "I waited outside your house this morning."
She looked up, surprised. "Why?"
"You weren't replying. I thought maybe you left early or skipped breakfast… I just wanted to check."
Her chest softened.
He wasn't controlling.
He was overprotective in the purest way—too pure, sometimes.
"I don't want my fear to suffocate you," he added, voice cracking just a little. "But I can't unlove you either."
Her eyes widened.
He had said it without thinking.
Without hesitation.
Unlove you.
That one line melted every corner of her heart.
The Patch-Up Begins
Neeti moved closer—tiny steps, careful steps.
"Vansh…" she whispered. "I didn't think you'd worry this much."
He let out a small, helpless laugh. "I worry too much. Especially when it comes to you."
She stood in front of him now, her hand reaching out slowly.
She placed it lightly on his arm.
"I'll text you," she said softly.
"Not because I have to… but because I don't want you to feel scared for me."
His eyes softened instantly.
"And I," he said, "will try not to panic when you're busy. Even though it kills me to not know where you are."
She smiled gently—tiny, shy, warm.
"We're still learning each other," she said.
"And I want to learn all of you," he whispered.
Their foreheads touched lightly—not planned, not dramatic—just natural.
Just them.
A Cute Ending to a Tough Moment
Vansh finally relaxed and brushed a strand of hair from her face.
"You're still wearing the bracelet I gave you," he said softly.
"I didn't take it off," she whispered.
"Good. If you remove it, I'll panic again."
She rolled her eyes softly. "Vansh…"
"What? I'm honest," he smirked.
She couldn't stop the tiny smile that escaped her.
Their first conflict didn't break them.
It only made them understand each other deeper.
And somehow…
that felt like the beginning of real love.
End of Chapter 2