I kept the diary on the table still wondering if I should open it. The girl she looked so familiar. I want to know her mind. But what if it is too personal?

I guess this isn't appropriate. No, Adi no. Kya karne jaa rhe the tum. How can you be such a despo?

I kept the diary in my drawer and turned off lights. Tried my best to sleep. But her voice, her face was distracting my sleep. I sit up frustrated and run my hand through my hairs.

"Anne, I can't fall asleep." I muttered to myself.

"There are many reasons that might disturb ones' sleep...... poor diet, stress, exposure to blue light or screen late night, skipping a meal. While a reason tops the list- aashiqi." The robotic voie answered.

"Abey oh aashiq ki aullad, ek baar paani mei fek denge sara ashqi ka bhoot nikal jayega."

"I am sorry sir. I didn't mean to irritate you. May I know what's on your mind that has been disturbing you so bad."

I leaned in my bed with closed eyes and sighed.

"So listen, today I met a girl in office. She was super genius, super pretty and her voice, the smile on her face. I was enchanted. She left her diary on the table. I so want to read but at the same moment I don't want to touch such a personal and valuable thing to someone. It is getting me restless. She is occupying my mind." I ranted.

"Aashiq ki aulaad apko love at first sight hua h." Anne, my robot answered.

"Shut the fuck up. It's nothing like that. Love at first sight jaisa kuch nhi hota, it's called infatuation. And I am out of these shitty things."

"Love at first sight can be more than infatuation. Maybe you share a past? a past life? something that can't be conveyed in words."

"Anne you are delusional, and you know it, right? Good night"

I hit my head on headboard and closed my eyes.

Next morning-------------------

I was sleeping so peacefully until my phone rang.

I got up at once today. And the diary was the first thing in my mind. I need to return it before I lose my control and read it. I got ready, skipped my breakfast and headed to my office.

The receptionist gawking me as I entered. I headed to my cabin and waited for my PA.

"Sir?" The door knocked finally.

"Come in"

She entered with papers and few files in her hand.

"Sir today you have 2 meetings to discuss about the promotion of upcoming pheromone project and....." She kept on boing me for few minutes.

"This is it for today sir. We don't have much work load this week."

"Yeah I got it. By the way, Do you know some Navi here?" I asked frantically. And I realized how crazy was I to ask this only after saying it out loud. I must appear as a stalker nah. It's just my 2nd day in office and I am randomly asking about girls.

"Sir, can you please specify a little?"

"Umm She was present in yesterday's meeting. She took my personal file by mistake I guess." I tried to excuse myself knowing how lame it was. Ek toh chori upar si sinachori. Usi ki diary leke bol rha hu she has my personal stuff. But it isn't my mistake. She left it. And apparently I didn't even open it. How bad I wanted to...

"Umm .... Yesterday's meeting. Then she must be a manager. Let me check." She said and started swiping on her I-pad.

"Here, this one?" She asked handing me her I-pad with her photo.

"Yeah, it's her. Where can I meet her?" I asked immediately regretting my words.

"Is there an issue, sir?" She asked calm.

"Can you do me a favor? This is urgent but not like you might be getting it. I don't want any rumors regarding it."

"Don't worry sir. I am not that gossiping girl. You can trust me." She uttered genuinely.

"I appreciate that gesture, but I can't trust anyone just yet. And if I heard anything about it in the office, you would be in equal danger." I uttered calmly leaning back in my chair.

"Don't worry sir. I am good at keeping secrets. Well, her cabin.... You have to go straight and take a right and her cabin is 2nd in left. If you need any further help, you can ask me." She mushed. She wasn't that bad.

"Thank you so much.... your name?"

"Akriti Mehra, sir"

"Thanks Akriti."

The first meeting was at 11. I checked the cabin, and it was empty. The day passed delving into work and meetings. And again, I was sitting on my bed frustrated, wondering whether to open the diary but something inside me denied.

Another day I waited for her, but she didn't come.

3rd day and I didn't even get a single glance of her in whole office.

"Akriti, May I ask about Navi? Why isn't she coming to office since last 3 days?"

"I am sorry sir. I don't know about that, maybe some personal issues. Is there anything I can help with?"

"I don't think so but thanks and keep your words."

And the whole week passed. Every night I sat with the diary and resisted the urge to open it. Every day I looked for her and resisted the urge to punch a wall. Is she alive? Is she okay?

I almost hit my head on wall in frustration and once again I kept the diary in drawer. It is Sunday tomorrow, but dad kept a business party for me. This week made me so restless. I don't want to do anything but take out my bike and find that girl in every corner of the world. And say. Girl, please keep your diary with yourself. I might kill myself fighting the urge to read it for once.

In the business party----------

I was sitting peacefully with Mann for few minutes and some people couldn't take it.

"Mr. Advik, are you going to be the next CEO of F- groups?"

"I guess we can wait for that. You will get your answers soon." I answered trying not to lose temper.

"Mr. Advik, are you still dating Olivia?" A reporter asked. Why the hell do they have to bring her up everywhere.

"See, I don't want to talk about any rumors spread by someone. I have clarified before we were never together."

"So do you want to say all those pictures and allegations by Olivia are false?" And a nerve tickled in my jaw. My veins bulged up. I hardly composed myself. And the chatters continued overwhelming me.

In a sudden burst of energy, the door to the room flew open and in walked Navi, her presence commanding all attention. She took the mic from my hand with ease, her dark eyes glinting under the spotlight and her brown skin radiating in its glow. As she began to speak, violins softly played in the background, adding an air of elegance to the scene. I couldn't help but be captivated by her every move, admiring everything about her - from the way she held herself with confidence to the way she effortlessly commanded the stage. My eyes were fixated on her, as if I had been waiting for this moment for years.

This is a business meeting to promote company sales, not a platform for your nosiness. You do not have the right to question someone's personal life or future plans. Perhaps if you focused on real content and spent your time reporting genuine news instead of interrupting a celebrity to ask what they had in dinner, the world would be a better place. Consider your words and behavior. I would like to speak with your manager. What kind of incompetent staff has been hired here that lacks professionalism?" Her voice boomed with authority, silencing any murmurs from the surrounding crowd. I couldn't take my eyes off her. The penetrating eyes and her voice uff.

Her small, delicate hand enveloped mine, sending a jolt of electricity through my body. She exuded perfection and confidence, radiating like a beacon on the stage. With a gentle tug, she pulled me offstage, her piercing gaze still holding me captive. I was under her spell, completely enthralled by her mysterious aura. Her eyes screamed confidence.

"Are you okay?" she waved her hand afore my eyes taking me back to moment. She asked with genuine concern.

"Yeah, I am fine. Thanks." I forced a smile and nodded, but inside I was struggling to keep it together.

Meanwhile, my dad and the girl were deep in conversation, completely unaware of the turmoil within me. And Mann came back and patted my shoulder lightly.

The weight of my heart was crushing me. I needed to get away from this place, even if just for a few moments. Ignoring Mann's questions, I stormed out of the hall and slammed my car door shut. But then realization hits, her diary.

"Where are you going now?" Mann asked grasping my hand.

"I'll tell you later. Just wait here," I replied before storming back inside.

But once again, she was gone. The girl whose diary held such a powerful hold over me had disappeared yet again. I cursed under my breath as I searched frantically for her, but she was nowhere to be found. Please don't do this to me, girl, your diary is driving me crazy.

"What are you looking for?" Mann called after me.

"Actually, the girl I told you about? Jiski diary mere paas thi? It was her on the stage. I have to return her diary. I am dying yrr. I can't keep it anymore."

"You still haven't read it?"

"How could I? It's her private thoughts and feelings."

"But what if there's something in there that can help us find her? An address, phone number, anything. You should at least try to open the diary."

I paused, considering his words. He had a point, but was it really ethical to read someone's diary? I couldn't decide, and my mind was torn with conflicting thoughts and emotions.