---
**Chapter 32: A Fine Line Between Closeness and Control**
The next morning, Aanya couldn't stop thinking about the dinner. Arjun had said little—but what he *didn't* say, lingered.
There were no grand apologies. No dramatic speeches. Just one simple truth: *"I won't stop loving you."*
And now it echoed like a heartbeat in her chest.
She got ready for her lecture at LSE, sliding into a grey coat, hair tied in a loose bun. Her fingers hesitated on her phone. A message from Arjun sat there, unopened since last night.
**"Thank you for coming. You looked… free."**
She didn't reply. Couldn't. Not yet.
But when she stepped out of her building, her heart did something strange.
He was across the street.
Leaning against a rental scooter. Dressed in his usual sharp coat and scarf. Not approaching her. Just… there.
Watching.
Like he couldn't help himself.
She stared back, stunned. Their eyes locked.
He didn't wave. Didn't smile.
Just turned and rode away.
Aanya exhaled sharply. This man—he wasn't chasing. He was haunting her.
---
Later that afternoon, her university offered a group project on a business incubation assignment. She was one of the team leads. The professor said, "You'll need a mentor from the startup community. Someone with international expansion experience."
Her classmate chirped, "What about Arjun Verma? That Indian guy who just launched in London? He's been in the news."
Aanya froze.
The professor looked interested. "You know him?"
She swallowed. "Yes."
"Can you reach out?"
There was no escaping him, was there?
That night, she emailed him.
**Subject: Incubation Project.**
*Need someone with your profile to guide our team. One hour a week. Professional only. If you're busy, I'll ask someone else.*
His reply came within ten minutes.
**"I'll be there. One hour. Nothing more. Unless you want more."**
Her fingers hovered over the keyboard. But she didn't reply.
This was how it began again—the cycle of boundaries and blurred lines.
---
The next week, Arjun joined her project team virtually for the first session.
He was different.
Polite. Sharp. Businesslike.
To the others, he was a rockstar—articulate, composed, a little intimidating.
To her, he was familiar. Too familiar.
When the session ended, he lingered for just a second longer. "Great presentation, Aanya."
She only nodded. The others were watching.
He logged off.
Her heart didn't stop pounding for another hour.
---
That weekend, she visited the **British Library** for research. Her mind needed space. Silence.
But as she wandered between shelves, she heard a voice behind her.
"I didn't follow you this time."
Arjun.
She turned. "What are you doing here?"
"Work. Coincidence." Then he added with a crooked smile, "Unless you believe the universe is on my side."
She scoffed and turned away, but he followed her, steps gentle. "I haven't seen you smile in days."
"You don't get to measure my smiles."
"I used to."
"That was *before.*"
He was silent for a moment, then asked softly, "Is there no part of you that misses what we had? Before it all burned?"
She clenched her jaw. "You keep acting like this was a fairytale that went wrong. Arjun, I *hated* being with you. You made me feel caged. Controlled."
His voice cracked. "And you don't think I hate myself for that? You don't think I replay every moment I doubted you, every time I didn't listen—"
"You can regret it all you want. Doesn't mean I'm ready to forgive you."
Then softer, almost broken, she added, "You scare me, Arjun. Not because you hurt me, but because you know exactly how to make me come back."
He closed the gap between them by an inch. His breath hitched. "I'm not trying to make you come back. I just want to be near enough… in case you ever want to."
Her eyes welled up before she could stop them. She blinked furiously, grabbed her bag, and walked out of the library without a word.
---
That night, she didn't sleep.
Neither did he.
---
A week passed. Their sessions continued. Professional. Crisp. Controlled.
Until it wasn't.
After one late project review, the team logged off. Only Arjun and Aanya remained on the Zoom call.
He looked tired. His voice was low. "Can I ask something?"
She sighed. "What?"
He leaned forward. "Do you ever wonder… what it would be like if we met now? As strangers?"
Her chest tightened.
"No arranged marriage. No fights. Just… a guy seeing a girl across a room."
Aanya looked away.
He smiled softly. "I'd still fall in love with you."
Her voice was barely a whisper. "You say these things like they're promises."
"They are."
She shut the laptop.
---
The next day, **Shruti** called from Delhi. Aanya wasn't expecting it.
"Hi bhabhi," she said cheerfully. "Don't panic. I know this is awkward."
Aanya chuckled despite herself. "What's up?"
"I just wanted to say… Arjun's trying. I've never seen him try like this. Not for mom, not for his startup. Only for you."
Aanya stayed quiet.
Shruti continued, "I know he was a mess before. Possessive, immature. But he's scared, Aanya. Of losing you, of becoming his worst self again."
Aanya finally spoke. "He already *was* his worst self."
"And yet you still look for him in crowds," Shruti said gently. "Don't lie. I used to hate him too, you know? For becoming so distant after marrying you. But now… I think maybe he's learning."
The call ended with silence on both sides.
---
Days later, Aanya walked into her dorm building and saw a package addressed to her.
No note. No sender.
She opened it slowly.
Inside was a scarf—light brown, cashmere, delicate.
And tucked into it, a tiny card.
**"You looked cold. Nothing more. — A"**
Aanya held it against her chest, trying not to feel.
---
**End of Chapter 32**