Samir's years of experience whispered to him what logic couldn't deny - Meera was telling the truth. She hadn't taken a second to think. She simply looked around, saw no one she liked, and walked away. Free. Unattached. That was her claim, and everything about her said it was real.
But then why…?
That question wouldn't stop spinning in Samir's mind.
He decided to take a shot in the dark - perhaps a deliberate bouncer. "I think I understand now," he said with a teasing smile.
"Oh? Then please enlighten me," Meera replied, her eyes cautious yet curious. The last thing she wanted was for either Swapnil or Samir to get even a whiff of her secret.
"I understand what your heart is saying," Samir said playfully.
"And what exactly did my heart tell you?" she asked with a half-smile.
"That you've started liking Swapnil. That's why you had to return to this assignment," he said, folding his arms smugly.
Meera burst out laughing. "Oh, if only it were that simple! In fact, why don't you go talk to him instead? I think he's the one who's started taking this whole marriage thing way too seriously."
Samir sat up straighter, instantly alert. "I've known him since we were kids. Trust me, Swapnil isn't the kind of guy who falls that easily."
Meera smirked. "Then maybe you don't know what really happened in Andaman."
Samir's eyebrows lifted. "What happened in Andaman?"
"Why don't you ask him yourself?" Meera teased, folding her arms.
"If he had told me everything, do you think I'd be sitting here with you instead of him? As I said earlier - we're a team. Don't forget that. And if you want to win against Swapnil - or rather, keep him bound to this relationship - you're going to need my help, sooner or later."
He extended his hand toward her. "Sharing secrets helps. It's what teammates do."
Meera stared at his hand. She wasn't in this to win or lose. But if she really wanted to control the situation, to keep Swapnil tangled in this mess of a marriage... she would need Samir on her side.
"Deal," she said, shaking his hand.
A few hours later, Samir pushed open the door to Swapnil's cabin without knocking.
"How could you do this to me?" he demanded, fire in his voice.
Swapnil looked up calmly. "Do what exactly?" he asked, completely unbothered.
That irritated Samir more. He stepped closer to Swapnil's desk and slammed his palms on the surface. "I'm your best friend. Since childhood. I had the right to know first. But you… you snatched even that right from me."
Swapnil rubbed his temple and sighed. Ever since Meera and Samir started talking again, this drama wasn't new to him. He locked his computer screen and leaned back in his chair. "Fine. Tell me, what right exactly did I snatch from you this time?"
Samir didn't hesitate. "What happened in Andaman?"
Swapnil instantly knew what this was about. But how was he supposed to explain? He knew Samir far too well - the moment he heard the truth, his brain would twist it, distort it. There was no explaining this away.
So instead, he picked up his phone and dialed Meera.
"Come to my cabin. Now," he said and hung up.
Seconds later, Meera entered the room without knocking. This time, Swapnil didn't even bother reprimanding her.
"No shame at all, huh?" Swapnil snapped at her. "How dare you tell Samir about what happened between us?"
Meera looked confused. "What did I do that you're yelling at me for?"
"What do you mean 'what did you do'? Why did you tell him about what happened in Andaman?" Swapnil said, gesturing to Samir.
"Oh… I didn't know that was a secret," Meera said coolly. "Besides, Samir sir was bound to find out sooner or later."
Swapnil stood up, his jaw clenched, walking toward her. Pointing a finger at her, he said, "If you'd just kept your mouth shut, Samir would've never known that I kissed you."
Meera's eyes widened. She opened her mouth, but before she could say a word, Samir jumped up from his seat and marched toward Swapnil.
"You kissed her?" Samir said, stunned. "And you didn't think it was worth telling me?"
Swapnil glanced at Meera, she shrugged. "Wait - " Swapnil turned toward Meera. "You didn't tell him that part?"
Meera shook her head slowly.
"Then what exactly did you tell him?" Swapnil asked, narrowing his eyes.
"I only told him about our marriage," Meera said quietly, eyes on Swapnil who sighed.
"Oh, that was it!" Samir exclaimed sarcastically. "You are getting married again and again and again - again - and didn't bother telling your best friend."
"Can you shut up for a second?" Swapnil muttered.
But Meera wasn't done. She turned toward him, her eyes blazing now. "No. You don't speak." She said pointing her finger towards Swapnil.
Swapnil raised an eyebrow at her.
She then turned to Samir, her voice steady and sharp. "What does you mean he is getting married again and again and again - again ?"