Ryan walk into his cabin, his shoulders straight, his face calm—
the same calm he always wore, even when he was breaking inside.
I was sitting on the sofa beside Ayaan's bed, my laptop open, work blinking on the screen.
But my mind wasn't there.
It never really was.
Suddenly—
(Phone ringtone: tun… tun… tun…)
Jiya.
I picked up the call, forcing a playful tone, the way I always did when I didn't want people to notice my exhaustion.
"Rozze speaking! Tell me—what dramatic news do you have today?"
A small smile curved my lips.
"Just promise me one thing… don't tell me anything bad."
Jiya almost screamed in excitement.
"You won't believe this! The new CEO everyone's been talking about—
he's coming tomorrow!"
I froze.
Tomorrow?
"That fast?" I asked, surprised.
"What exactly does he plan to conquer in one day?"
Jiya laughed.
"Whether he conquers or fires people, that's his choice.
He's the CEO, Rozze."
I exhaled slowly.
"I had somewhere to be tomorrow…"
"Not happening," she interrupted.
"Check the group chat. The boss personally ordered you to be there."
I scoffed.
"Does he have some personal grudge against me or what?"
"Ask him yourself tomorrow," Jiya said casually.
"All department directors will be present. See you."
The call ended.
The room felt quieter than before.
I placed the phone down and looked at Ayaan sleeping peacefully.
I gently brushed my fingers through his hair.
He stirred.
"Mumma… what happened?"
I smiled, even though my chest felt heavy.
"I'm sorry, my love.
I won't be able to go with you tomorrow."
His eyes clouded.
"But I wanted to go with you…"
I leaned closer.
"Your daddy will be with you.
Ina will be there too.
You'll all have fun, okay?"
He nodded, trusting me—
the way only children do.
Ryan's Cabin
I stood at the door.
"Ryan," I said seriously,
"please take care of Ayaan tomorrow. I really have to go to the office."
He smiled, twirling the pen between his fingers.
"Don't worry. I'll stay with him.
He's a sensible kid."
My voice softened.
"Thank you, Ryan.
I honestly don't know what I'd do without you."
His smile faltered.
"Rozze," he said quietly,
"if you thank me one more time, I swear I'll get angry."
I looked at him.
"Ayaan is my little responsibility," he continued,
"and you… you're my old friend."
I laughed.
"Alright, old friend.
You've aged, but you're still the same college Ryan."
We laughed together.
Then silence.
I noticed it—the sadness in his eyes.
"And you…" he began softly.
I cut him off.
"You stop me from being sad," I said gently,
"and end up carrying the sadness yourself."
He smiled.
But I knew—
it wasn't real.
Flashback — Seven Years Ago
The campus echoed with chants—
"Say yes! Say yes! Say yes!"
Ryan pushed through the crowd.
"What's going on here?"
Then he saw it.
Faish—down on one knee.
A bouquet in his hands.
"Rozze, will you be my girlfriend?"
My face lit up.
Everyone watched.
Ryan's world stopped.
"Yes," I whispered.
Cheers exploded.
I held the bouquet.
And Saim held my other hand.
Ryan turned away.
(Footsteps: tak… tak…)
"Hey, Ryan!"
Faish ran to him, laughing.
"Did you see? She said yes!"
Ryan forced a smile.
"I saw.
But you didn't even tell me you liked her—
you went straight for the proposal."
His tone hardened.
"You're not playing with her feelings, right?"
Faish's face went cold.
"Do I really look like that kind of man?"
I joined them.
"I just heard…
was there a bet about me between you two?"
Ryan smirked.
"Even if there was, you belong to Faish now."
We laughed.
I pretended to chase them.
"Stop right there!
You won't escape me today!"
The corridor filled with laughter.
But no one noticed—
A heart breaking quietly.
Present
I walked out of Ryan's cabin.
Behind me, I felt his gaze.
Ryan (whispering):
"Rozze… I'm sorry.
For everything."
(Black fade)
Some truths fade with time…
but some lies never die.
Next Morning
I stepped out of the cab.
Phone in one hand.
Bouquet in the other.
"Yes, I've arrived," I said on the call.
"Everything is done."
I bumped into someone.
(Collision sound: thud!)
"Sorry," I muttered, walking away.
Inside the office.
"Good morning, Director Miren!"
"Looks like everyone's late today," I teased.
"Guess we'll all be paying a fine together."
Laughter.
The elevator doors slid open.
(Lift doors: ding)
I stepped out and walked straight into my cabin.
I had just placed my bag down when—
(Footsteps approaching — sharp sandal clicks: click… click… click)
A familiar voice echoed behind me.
Jiya:
"Thank God you made it on time! Come on, hurry—
the new CEO is about to arrive!"
I slowly turned my chair toward her.
Rozze:
"Director Aden…"
(pauses, raising an eyebrow)
"You seem a little too excited, don't you?"
Jiya's eyes sparkled.
Jiya (grinning):
"Rozze! I heard the new CEO isn't just powerful—
he's young, handsome, and smart."
I picked up the bouquet from my desk, shaking my head with a teasing smile.
Rozze:
"Jiya, you're a director.
Try to maintain some self-control."
(leans slightly closer)
"And besides… you already like someone, don't you?"
Now tell me—how is this going to affect the employees?"
She laughed, completely unbothered.
Jiya:
"Oh please, I know exactly how professional I look in front of them."
I smiled knowingly.
Rozze:
"Alright, alright.
I know—you're a highly motivational director."
(stands up, gesturing toward the door)
"Now let's go, or your dream of welcoming Mr. Handsome
might shatter before it even begins."
Jiya laughed, grabbing my arm.
(Soft laughter overlaps as they walk out)
Company Lobby
A white luxury car stopped.
(Car door opens)
(Footsteps—slow, deliberate)
My heart skipped.
My phone rang again.
(Ringtone: tun… tun…)
"Hold this," I told Jiya, handing her the bouquet.
"Ryan?"
"Just wanted to tell you—Ayaan had a mild fever."
"What?! Is he okay?"
"He's fine now. Don't worry."
I turned back—
Announcement
"Please welcome… Mr. Saim Rahil."
My legs stopped moving.
My breath shattered.
I pushed through the crowd.
And there he was.
The man I never thought I'd see again.
"This… this can't be real," I whispered.
"You… you're back?"
(Camera zooms into Saim's intense eyes)
__________________________________
Some truths fade with time…
but some lies return with a name, a face—
and the power to destroy everything you thought was buried.