The next morning, Arin made sure that Anil and Nikhil were held accountable, but in a way that wouldn’t trace back to Astha. He met with the HR director privately, detailing the entire incident from the party without making a spectacle of it. By the end of the day, both men were called in for an official discussion about workplace ethics, and a strict warning was placed in their files.
Arin didn’t believe in revenge. But he did believe in consequences.
And no one, no one, was going to get away with treating Astha like a joke.
That evening, as they drove home, Astha suddenly said, “I need to buy some vegetables. Pull over near the market.”
Arin nodded. “Alright.”
She got out of the car, casually walking across the street while Arin watched from inside. He was still thinking about the day when, suddenly, two boys on a bike sped toward her. Before he could even open his door, one of them grabbed at her purse, trying to yank it away.
But Astha didn’t let go.
Instead, with a sharp tug, she pulled the biker slightly off balance, twisting her purse strap around his wrist before swinging it hard—directly into his face. The boy yelped, his accomplice struggling to keep the bike steady as Astha delivered another well-aimed whack, sending them scrambling. The two sped off, cursing, while she simply adjusted her purse and walked into the vegetable shop like nothing had happened.
Arin sat there, stunned.
Then, unable to help himself, he laughed. A deep, genuine, full-bodied laugh.
This woman. This absolutely fearless, ridiculous, incredible woman.
When Astha returned to the car carrying her groceries, she found him still chuckling. “What?” she asked, frowning.
Arin grinned at her. “Remind me to never steal your purse.”
Astha shrugged, completely unbothered. “Good. I don’t believe in surrender.”
Arin shook his head in amusement, but as they drove home, something settled deep within him.
It was clear that Astha needed no rescuing. She was strong, independent, and more than capable of handling herself. But despite that, despite knowing she could fight her own battles—
He still wanted to be there for her.
And that realization hit him harder than anything else ever had.
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