Sunday arrived quietly, without warning anyone of the changes it would bring.
For Aara, it was supposed to be simple.
A break.
Freedom from office tension.
Freedom from Kabir Rathod.
At least, that was what she told herself.
---
"Come on, Aara! It's Sunday. No brooding allowed," Kavya laughed as she dragged Aara out of the house.
They decided on a casual outing—shopping, street food, laughter without consequences. Aara wore a soft blue dress, minimal makeup, her hair loose. She looked lighter today. Happier.
Kavya noticed.
"You look different," she said, sipping iced coffee.
"I feel… normal," Aara replied. "For once."
Kavya raised an eyebrow but smiled. She didn't push.
---
Across the city, one engines roared to life.
Kabir, Aditya, and Rahul sat inside Kabir's black car, the silence heavy.
"Let's just eat and leave," Rahul muttered. "No drama."
Kabir didn't respond.
He hadn't planned to go out.
But something restless inside him refused to stay still.
---
The café was warm, buzzing with soft music and weekend laughter.
Aara and Kavya found a corner table.
And then—
Kabir walked in.
Time slowed.
Aara's smile faded.
She looked away instantly.
Kabir noticed.
The deliberate avoidance.
The calm dismissal.
It irritated him more than open defiance ever could.
---
Rahul broke the tension first.
"Aara, right?" he smiled warmly. "We met briefly."
Aara nodded, relieved. "Yes. Hi."
Rahul asked "Mind if we join?"
Before Kabir could speak, Aara shrugged. "Sure."
Kabir clenched his jaw.
---
They sat together.
Aara spoke easily—with Aditya.
College stories.
Embarrassing moments.
Dreams.
Kabir stayed silent, watching.
Rahul noticed.
And smirked.
---
"You're doing engineering?" Aditya asked.
"Yes," Aara smiled. "But I want to study business later."
Kabir looked at her sharply.
That was new.
"You should," Aditya encouraged. "You think clearly."
Aara beamed.
Kabir didn't like that smile.
---
Kavya leaned closer to Aara. "You're ignoring him on purpose."
"I need space," Aara whispered back.
Kavya nodded slowly.
She understood.
But she also noticed Kabir's eyes.
Focused.
Unblinking.
Dangerous.
---
Rahul watched Kavya across the table.
She argued.
She laughed.
She challenged.
He hated that he liked it.
He hated it more that he kept thinking about her.
---
Kabir finally spoke.
"Aara."
She didn't look up.
His fingers tightened around his cup.
"You're ignoring me."
"I'm enjoying my Sunday," she replied calmly.
Silence.
Aditya shifted uncomfortably.
Rahul raised his brows.
Kabir leaned back, forcing a smile.
"Fair."
But his eyes darkened.
---
Inside, something cracked.
Kabir wasn't used to being dismissed.
He wasn't used to wanting something he couldn't command.
And that scared him.
---
Later, as they prepared to leave, Aditya walked beside Aara.
"It was nice talking to you," he said genuinely.
"Same," she replied. "You're… easy to talk to."
Kabir heard that.
Every word.
---
As cars pulled away, Kabir watched Aara laugh with Kavya.
Rahul glanced at him. "You're losing control."
Kabir's voice was cold. "No."
"You're scared," Rahul said quietly.
Kabir didn't deny it.
---
That night, Aara lay in bed replaying the day.
Kabir's silence.
His stare.
Aditya's warmth.
She felt guilty.
But also powerful.
---
Across the city, Kabir stood alone, city lights reflecting in his eyes.
She ignored him.
Chose comfort over intensity.
And for the first time, Kabir Rathod felt something unfamiliar.
Jealousy.
Insecurity.
Fear.
His obsession stirred—quiet, dangerous.
Not explosive.
Controlled.
For now.
Because Sunday wasn't just an outing.
It was the day Aara unknowingly took her first step out of his control.
And Kabir Rathod had never handled loss well.