**"A Love Beyond Friendship"** **Scene 1: A New Beginning** Ayush had been working at another company when he decided to switch jobs. Excited yet nervous, he stepped into his new office, unaware that this place would change his life forever. Among the many faces in the office, one caught his attention—Preeti. She had been working there long before he joined, but from the moment Ayush saw her, she became his silent crush. At first, their conversations were limited to work—formal, professional, and nothing more. But as time passed, things began to change. --- **Scene 2: The Unexpected Rivalry** 🔥 One day, a new guy, Shashikant, joined the office. Soon, their colleagues started teasing Preeti by linking her name with Shashikant, just for fun. Ayush, however, knew the truth—he had observed Shashikant’s nature and knew he wasn’t the right person for Preeti. Concerned, Ayush decided to warn her. “Preeti, stay away from him. He’s not a good guy.” Maybe it was his honesty, maybe it was destiny, but that day, a bond was formed. They started talking beyond work, slowly becoming friends. --- **Scene 3: The Garland Moment at ISKCON** 🌸 January 13th—Lohri. Their office granted an early leave, and Ayush, Preeti, and a friend decided to visit the ISKCON temple. As they stood before the deity, a priest placed a floral garland around Ayush’s neck. Preeti looked at it longingly. Without hesitation, Ayush removed it and placed it around her neck instead. A simple gesture, yet it carried an unspoken emotion—an attraction that was growing stronger. --- **Scene 4: Mahashivratri & Silent Devotion** 🕉️ Ayush’s feelings deepened. For the first time in his life, he observed a fast on Mahashivratri for Preeti. Their bond grew stronger—laughs, conversations, and daily calls. Yet, for Ayush, this friendship was always something more. Every day, he expressed his affection in small ways—chocolates, flowers, gestures that spoke louder than words. One day, Preeti needed to visit her college for a certificate. Without a second thought, Ayush took a leave from work just to accompany her. That day felt special—just the two of them. Later, he even brought her home for the first time. With each passing moment, Ayush found more reasons to love her. When he traveled to Haridwar, he brought back a pair of earrings for Preeti—a small token of his growing love. She was happy, but at times, overwhelmed. --- **Scene 5: Love vs. Limits** 💔 Ayush cared for Preeti beyond the limits of friendship. Sometimes, she would get upset, sensing how much he was doing for her. Office gossip didn’t help—colleagues often made comments about him, teasing and questioning his actions. But Ayush always reassured her, “Preeti, I’m here for you. I won’t leave you.” Despite the rumors, he never stopped loving her. Then, one day, he finally gathered the courage and said those three words—**“I love you.”** Preeti didn’t say it back, but she didn’t reject him either. Instead, she told him, “Ayush, not now… I’ve been in a relationship before, and you know what happened.” She was hesitant, cautious, scared of history repeating itself. But Ayush? He wasn’t ready to step back. He chose to stay, to love, to care—without expectations, without conditions. And so, the story continues… ❤️ ---