"Kuch log hamesha tumhe tab chahte hain… jab tum kisi aur ko dekhne lagte ho.""Some people want you… only when your eyes start looking at someone else."— Akari Fujiwara
It was supposed to be just another meeting.
Aryan had agreed to meet Rika once — only to politely decline his father's Tokyo deal.
But Rika had other plans.
She wasn't here for his father.She was here… for him.
"You look different," she said, sipping matcha latte.
Aryan raised an eyebrow. "Is that a compliment or a warning?"
She smiled. "An observation."
He leaned back. "Let's keep this professional."
Rika opened a folder.
Slides. Branding. A solid business proposal.
A marketing merge. Cross-national venture.India-Japan Tech Connect — with Aryan as co-founder.
"I've been watching your vision," she said. "It's impressive."
He was silent.
Then finally said:
"My answer's still no."
She closed the folder slowly.
"But you haven't heard the rest."
Meanwhile…
Akari waited at the park café — same spot, same jasmine tea.
She stared at the untouched cup. Checked the time.
He was late.
Again.
Later that evening, Aryan finally arrived.
Apologetic. Breathless.
"Sorry… she wouldn't let the meeting end."
Akari looked at him.
"Rika?"
He nodded.
Akari smiled softly. But it didn't reach her eyes.
"She seems very… interested in your ideas."
Aryan caught the edge in her tone.
"It's not what you're thinking."
She stirred her tea slowly. "I'm not thinking anything."
But she was.
That night, she saw Aryan's name pop up on a business article.His photo — beside Rika's.
He hadn't told her.
She didn't ask.
But something cracked.
Just a little.
The next day, Rika showed up at school during break.
In a sleek blazer. Confident smile.
She walked straight up to Akari.
"You must be Akari."
Akari looked up from her notebook.
"Yes?"
Rika smiled wider. "I'm impressed. He's changed. Must be the Akari Effect."
Akari blinked."You seem to know a lot."
"I observe a lot," Rika said, leaning in.
"But you should know…boys like Aryan are good at splitting dreams and feelings.Just be sure you're not the filler chapter."
Later that day, Aryan found Akari sitting alone.
Quiet. Not angry. Just… distant.
"Are we okay?" he asked.
She smiled.
"Are we a chapter, Aryan?Or are we… the story?"
He didn't answer right away.
And maybe…that pause said too much.
[End of Episode 20]📝 Next: "Jealousy Hurts Softest Hearts" – Aryan tries to make things right, but Akari begins to pull back emotionally. Trust starts to tremble. Will he realize before it's too late?