Akhil saw a familiar figure drinking while sitting on the bar stool. He went near her and sat beside her. She gulped the glass in one go and kept her head on the table, saying, "One more glass, please," as she sang to the bartender, who was trying to tell her she was already drunk and should not have more. She didn't listen, so he gave her another glass. Before she could touch the glass to her lips, Akhil snatched it away. She looked at him and glared cutely with her doe eyes, which were barely open.
Akhil: "Advika, stop it."
Advika: "Haww... How do you know my name?" she asked, widening her eyes cutely.
Akhil: "I know. Now tell me, did you come alone?"
Advika: "No, I came with my friends. Where are they?" She asked him while grabbing the glass from his hands.
Akhil raised his hand, which was holding a glass, glaring at her. She cutely pouted, looking at him and softly saying, "Please," making him melt at her act but still keeping his stoic expression.
He called someone on the phone and told them to search for her friends. Akhil ordered a lemonade for her as she was tipsy. He handed her the lemonade glass, but she denied it, pointing towards the glass containing alcohol. Akhil shook his head, denying her, which made her eyes watery. She sobbed lightly, making him confused as to why she was crying. He wiped her eyes and changed his expression to a softer one, saying, "Drink this first. You have to go home and sleep; you have an interview tomorrow."
Advika looked at him with her doe eyes and blinked, tilting her head to the right.
Advika: "Interview... Oh,"
tilting her head to the side before fainting into a peaceful sleep, clinging to his arm.
Another person, Samar, arrived and apologized for her behavior. Akhil, with a cold expression, questioned why Sammar had left her alone when he knew she was drinking.
"She wasn't this drunk when I left," Samar explained, "I left her sober, but my other friends were too intoxicated, so I went to check on them. I guess she drank more while I was gone."
Akhil nodded silently, maintaining his serious demeanor. He instructed his bodyguard to ensure they reached home safely before departing.
---
The next morning, Advika awoke to an excruciating headache, clutching her head as a groan escaped her lips. Slowly assessing her surroundings, she realized she was still at Divya's house. Checking her phone, she nearly panicked at the realization that she would be late for her interview if she didn't get up immediately. Leaving a message for the still-sleeping Divya, she hurriedly made her way home.
Upon reaching her house, she dashed to her room to find Buddy sleeping peacefully. She quickly prepared his food, just as she had done the day before, gently patting his head before rushing to the bathroom. After a quick shower, she emerged dressed in a formal black shirt and blue denim jeans. Applying minimal makeup, she hugged Buddy tightly, kissing the top of his head, before descending downstairs to encounter her mother, Saanvi, who was glaring at her.
Advika let out a nervous chuckle, which turned into a pained groan as her mother twisted her ear.
Saanvi: "I called you so many times! Couldn't you pick up?"
Saanvi scolded her, and Advika offered a remorseful expression.
Advika: "Mom, I promise to talk to you as soon as I get back. You can scold me as much as you want then. Please, let me go now."
Saanvi: "First, eat something before you leave."
Advika shook her head in refusal, prompting another glare from Saanvi. Advika sighed in defeat, grabbing a piece of bread before apologizing to her mother. Saanvi chuckled at her daughter's antics and went off to call everyone for breakfast.
At Agarwal Company, Advika arrived and proceeded directly to the reception desk to inquire about the interview. The receptionist directed her to the interview hall, where everyone was already settled. She was ten minutes early.
As Advika entered the interview hall, she noticed the panel of interviewers already seated and ready. Taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, she approached them with confidence.
Interviewer: "Good morning, Advika. We're glad you could make it. Please, have a seat."
Advika smiled gratefully and took the offered seat, mentally preparing herself for the questions to come.
The interview proceeded smoothly, with Advika answering each question thoughtfully and articulately. She felt a sense of satisfaction as she conveyed her skills and experiences to the panel.
After what seemed like both an eternity and a fleeting moment, the interview came to an end.
Interviewer: "Thank you, Advika. That concludes our interview. We'll be in touch with you soon regarding our decision."
Advika nodded, thanking the panel for their time before making her way out of the interview hall.
_____________________________________________
After leaving the company, Advika received a call from Divya and answered it.
Divya: "Hey, how did your interview go?"
Advika: "Good. How about you? Where are you?"
Divya: "I'm at home. Why do you ask?"
Advika sighed, "I can't remember anything from last night."
Divya replied, "Neither can I. We were all drinking. Why the sudden concern?"
Advika pondered, "I think I met someone last night?"
Divya asked, "Who?"
Advika sighed in frustration, "If I knew, would I be asking you?"
Divya nervously laughed. After a bit more conversation, Advika headed home.
At the Bakshi house, Saanvi returned from shopping with Aakriti and Aaditi in her arms. She noticed Advika lost in thought as she entered the living room.
Saanvi: "Advika, what's on your mind? How was your interview?"
Advika snapped out of her thoughts with a smile, "Nothing important, Mom. The interview went well." She then took Aaditi in her arms, who was eager to be with her aunt.
Saanvi nodded and went to her room.
Advika said to Aakriti, "I'm taking Aaditi with me, so you can rest, Bhabi."
Aakriti responded, "Sure, if she bothers you, bring her to me."
Advika assured her, "Don't worry, Bhabi, my niece can never be a troublemaker. Right, muffin?" she said, making Aaditi giggle and hug her tightly.
After taking Aaditi to her room, Advika noticed Buddy watching them both. She placed Aaditi on the bed beside her, who seemed a bit scared of Buddy. However, when Buddy approached gently, Advika reassured Aaditi, "Look, muffin, he wants to play with you. He won't harm you." She then guided Aaditi's hand to pat Buddy's head.
As Aaditi started playing with Buddy, the room filled with her giggles.
At night
Advika bathed Buddy, but when there was a sudden knock on the door, she quickly hid him in the bathroom.
Opening the door, she saw Aaditi in Aakriti's arms, crying. Aaditi reached out to Advika, who comforted her and wiped away her tears, patting her back gently.
Advika: What happened to my muffin? Why so much crying?
Aakriti sighed and said she eagerly wanted to meet you, and she's also saying something like "bubby" or something. I don't know what the meaning of that is.
She said, looking confused, making Advika nervously smile. "Umm, let it be, bhabi. She's still a kid; she might be blabbering something. Can she sleep with me tonight?"
Aakriti: But she will disturb you, dear.
Advika: No, bhabi, she won't. You go and sleep.
They both bid goodnight. Advika closed the door and looked at Aaditi, who was looking at her with doe eyes.
Advika: Muffin, it's our secret, okay?
Aditi nodded as if she understood everything.
Aaditi: Bubby.
She said in a cute voice. Advika kissed her cheek and went towards the bathroom. Opening the door, Buddy followed her when she called him. She kept Aaditi on the bed and took Buddy in her lap, wiping his wet body with a soft towel.
While Aaditi was playing with him, they both really looked like long-lost friends. Enjoying her time with Buddy and Aaditi, she felt at ease, like all her stress had vanished.
Advika put a barrier on the corner of the bed, not to take any risk as Aaditi would be sleeping on the bed. She looked at the duo who were fast asleep while cuddling with each other, looking too cute.
She took out her phone, clicking some pics of them. She was about to put her phone back when an email notification popped up. She opened it only to see that she had been selected in the interview.
Sh
e was too happy to speak; she closed the phone and went towards the bed. She kissed the heads of the duo and slept, hugging them.
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