Unbreakable After You

Episode 9 : Lunch, Plans & A Message That Meant More

(Aarohi’s POV)

By lunchtime—

the tension of the morning had finally settled.

We all sat together in the cafeteria.

Trays in front of us.

Finally eating without stress.

“I swear,” Nisha said dramatically, “if I had to present one more slide, I would’ve fainted.”

“You were fine,” Kritika replied calmly.

“Fine?” she scoffed. “I was internally dying.”

Pooja laughed softly.

“At least it’s over now.”

I smiled quietly.

Taking a bite.

For the first time—

food actually tasted like food.

After lunch—

we didn’t rush back.

For once.

We just sat there.

Talking.

Laughing.

Relaxing.

“Okay, honest question,” Nisha leaned forward.

“Who was the most scared?”

“You,” we all said together.

She gasped.

“Betrayal.”

We laughed.

And just then—

two guys walked towards us.

“Hey,” one of them said casually.

“You guys are new, right?”

We nodded.

“I’m Rohan,” he smiled. “Marketing team.”

“And I’m Sameer,” the other one added.

They pulled chairs and sat with us.

“So…” Rohan looked at us, “how was your first week?”

“Survived,” Nisha answered instantly.

Sameer laughed.

“That’s a good start.”

We introduced ourselves one by one.

“Aarohi,” I said.

Rohan nodded.

“You’re the one who presented today, right?”

I paused.

“Yeah…”

“Nice work,” he said casually.

“Thanks,” I smiled slightly.

“So where are you guys staying?” Sameer asked.

“PGs… for now,” Pooja replied.

“Looking for a flat,” I added.

“Good luck,” Rohan chuckled. “This city doesn’t make it easy.”

We laughed.

Before the conversation could go further—

a voice interrupted.

“What’s going on here?”

We turned.

Abhay.

“Team meeting without me?” he smirked.

Rohan stood up slightly.

“Just welcoming the new batch.”

Sameer nodded.

“Yeah, don’t worry, we’re not stealing your team.”

Abhay laughed.

“Good. Because they’re already stressed enough.”

They chatted for a minute.

Casual.

Friendly.

“Alright, we’ll catch up later,” Rohan said.

“See you guys,” Sameer added.

And they left.

Abhay turned towards us.

“So…” he leaned against the table slightly, “since everyone survived…”

We looked at him.

“I think it calls for something.”

Nisha’s eyes lit up.

“What?”

“A party.”

“YES!” she almost shouted.

He smiled.

“Friday night. Smoke Club.”

“Done,” Kritika nodded.

“Wait…” Abhay added.

We all looked at him.

“What wait?” Nisha frowned.

He smirked slightly.

“We also have to invite Kayish sir.”

Silence.

“What?” we all said together.

He laughed.

“Relax. He’s not like this outside office.”

“Are you serious?” Pooja asked.

“Yes,” he nodded. “And I’ve already invited him.”

“That’s worse!” Nisha said.

“Now one of you has to invite him properly,” Abhay added.

We all looked at each other.

Then—

suddenly—

everyone pointed at me.

“What?!” I almost choked.

“You,” Nisha said confidently.

“Why me?” I frowned.

“Because you killed it today,” she replied.

“Everyone did,” I said.

“No,” Kritika added calmly, “you presented last… and got extra attention.”

Pooja nodded.

“So you ask.”

“This is not fair,” I sighed.

Nisha grinned.

“Life isn’t fair.”

I shook my head.

“Fine… I’ll text him.”

“YES!” they all cheered.

“Thursday is off anyway,” Pooja added. “Festival.”

“Exactly,” Abhay said.

“And I’ll be busy tomorrow, so Friday night it is.”

“Perfect,” Nisha smiled.

But my mind—

was somewhere else.

Text him.

That night—

I stared at my phone for ten minutes.

“What do I even say…” I muttered.

Finally—

I typed.

Me:

Good evening, sir. This is Aarohi.

Reply came faster than expected.

Kayish:

I know.

I blinked.

Me:

Sir… actually, we were planning a small team gathering on Friday night.

Pause.

Kayish:

And?

I swallowed.

Me:

We wanted to invite you.

Three dots.

Then—

Kayish:

Why?

I frowned.

Me:

Because it’s our first successful week.

Pause.

Kayish:

That’s your reason?

I sighed.

Me:

And… because the team would like you to come.

Instant reply.

Kayish:

The team… or you?

I froze.

What kind of question was that?

Me:

Everyone, sir.

A few seconds.

Kayish:

So you don’t want me to come?

I sat up straight.

Me:

That’s not what I meant.

Kayish:

Then what did you mean?

I stared at the screen.

Then typed slowly.

Me:

I would like you to come.

Silence.

Then—

Kayish:

Location?

I exhaled.

Me:

Smoke Club. Friday night.

Pause.

Kayish:

I’ll see.

I frowned.

Me:

That means no?

Reply came.

Kayish:

That means I’ll come.

I blinked.

Me:

That’s confusing.

Kayish:

You’ll understand with time.

I didn’t reply.

But I smiled.

Slightly.

Because something about that conversation—

felt different.

Not formal.

Not completely.

And maybe—

just a little dangerous.

Thursday – Festival Holiday

The office was closed.

But we weren’t resting.

“Get up,” Riya said.

“We’re finalizing the flat today.”

We visited the RK again.

This time—

it felt right.

“This is it,” I said.

She smiled.

“Finally.”

By evening—

we decided.

We were shifting.

A new place.

A new beginning.

And tomorrow—

a party.

I stood in the empty room.

Looking around.

For the first time—

this city felt like mine.

And somewhere in my mind—

one thought stayed.

Friday night…

was going to change something.