The scent of roses.
It always came back to her like that.
Soft… sudden… and painfully real.
It had been Valentine's Day.
The office was buzzing, as usual. Keyboards clicking, people walking, conversations blending into noise.
Rithania had been buried in her work, unaware of the storm that was about to walk in.
Until—
The murmurs started.
Then whispers.
Then silence.
She looked up.
And there he was.
Karthik.
Standing at the entrance… holding a bouquet.
Not just any bouquet.
Nineteen red roses.
Her breath caught.
"What is this…?" she whispered, half embarrassed, half confused.
He didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he walked toward her.
Slowly.
Confidently.
As if the entire world had faded away… and only she existed.
By now, the whole office was watching.
Eyes filled with curiosity.
Some with surprise.
Some… with envy.
He stopped right in front of her.
"Rithania," he said softly.
Her name had never sounded like that before.
"I tried to wait," he continued, a small smile playing on his lips.
"But I don't think I can anymore."
Her heart began to race.
"For the past few months… I've been watching you."
A soft laugh escaped her.
"That sounds a little scary."
He smiled.
"Maybe. But it's true."
"The way you help people… even when no one asks you to."
"The way you understand others… without them needing to explain."
"The way you gave up your own opportunity… just so someone else could stand again."
Her expression slowly changed.
From shy… to stunned.
"I've seen everything," he said, his voice lowering.
"And I realized something."
He stepped a little closer.
"My heart… doesn't just admire you anymore."
A pause.
"It belongs to you."
The world around her disappeared.
No office.
No people.
No noise.
Just him.
"I don't want to wait for the right time," he said gently.
"I don't want to lose a single moment."
His eyes softened.
"I want to live every moment… with you."
Her fingers trembled as she took the bouquet.
The roses brushed against her skin… soft and warm.
Just like the feeling in her chest.
"Karthik…" she whispered.
But words failed her.
He reached out.
Slowly.
Carefully.
As if she was something fragile.
His fingers brushed against her cheek, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
The touch was gentle… grounding.
"Say something," he murmured, smiling.
She didn't.
Because she couldn't.
Because somewhere, deep inside…
She had already said yes.
Later that evening…
Inside the elevator.
The world was quieter.
Still.
They stood side by side.
Close.
Too close.
Neither spoke.
But everything was being said.
She could feel it—
His presence.
His warmth.
His breath, soft and near.
She turned slightly.
So did he.
For a moment…
They just looked at each other.
And then—
He leaned closer, his hesitation lasting only a second.
Slowly.
Giving her time.
Giving her a choice.
She didn't step back.
Her eyes fluttered shut.
And in that quiet, suspended moment…
Their worlds met. When his lips finally met hers, it wasn't rushed...
It was gentle, certain...
Like a promise he had already made in his heart.
The memory lingered.
Even now.
Rithania's eyes slowly opened.
The silence of her room replaced the warmth of the past.
The roses were gone.
The laughter was gone.
He was gone.
The shrill sound of the alarm broke everything.
Reality returned.
Cold.
Unforgiving.
Today…
Was her first day back at work.
She sat up slowly, her fingers tightening around the bedsheet.
For a moment…
She allowed herself to feel it all again.
The love.
The warmth.
The life she had.
Then she closed her eyes.
Took a deep breath.
And let it go.
Because Karthik…
Was no longer in this world.
But the love he gave her?
That stayed.
And with that…
She got up.