Ashriti's POV
Let's meet.
The message made my heart jump.
It had been days since I saw him.
Since the kiss. Since Adray left. Since everything changed.
Okay, I replied instantly.
Three dots appeared.
Acha listen… bring some cash with you too.
I frowned.
Cash? Why?
A minute passed.
Actually I need to lend it to a friend. He's starting a company. I promised I'd help him.
That's it?
Just that?
Something inside me hesitated.
Why can't he arrange it himself? Why me?
Then another thought came louder—
He trusts you. He's asking you. He needs you.
How much does he even need? It's not like I don't have money.
Money was never scarce in my life.
Emotion was.
I stared at the screen for a few seconds longer than necessary.
This doesn't feel right.
But then—
What will happen if I give him some? It's just help. He said lend. Not give.
How much? I typed.
Not much. Just 50k. I'll return it in a week.
50,000.
For me, that was shopping money. A casual expense. A dinner bill in some places.
For him—
It sounded urgent.
My heart softened.
He's trying to help his friend. He's ambitious. He supports people.
And isn't that what love is?
Support?
Okay, I sent.
His reply came instantly.
Good girl.
That word again.
That approval.
That warmth.
I didn't notice that every time he called me good—
It came after I agreed.
I stood in front of my cupboard later that evening.
The locker key in my hand.
I had access.
Papa trusted me.
There was always cash at home.
I opened it.
Bundles.
Neatly stacked.
Untouched.
For business. For emergencies. For life.
I took out the amount.
My hands didn't shake.
Why would they?
It's nothing. It's temporary. He said he'll return it.
But somewhere, very faintly—
A voice whispered:
This is your first step.
And you won't come back from it.