ArIya SS: Beneath the Silent Surface {Completed} - Page 3

Originally posted by: bloomie

oh my god! that was soooo adorable!

Man I wish you would continue further

I’m glad you liked it! I’m yet to read your updates too! Guess what? Your wish is granted!

Part 2

The ETF office hums with its usual rhythm. Riya, still recovering, has managed to get back to her desk, trying her best to keep up with the cases coming in. But Shree and Chotu can’t resist. They’ve been watching the subtle changes in Arjun and Riya’s dynamic, and now it’s time for a little fun.

Shree, with his mischievous grin, strolls up to Riya’s desk. "Kya baat hai, Riya? Lagta hai Arjun sir ke saath time zyada guzarne lag gaya hai?" He nudges her lightly, an eyebrow raised in jest.

Riya looks up, startled. "What are you talking about, Shree?"

Chotu, overhearing from the other side of the room, strolls over, grinning. "Haan, Riya. Arjun sir toh tujhe special treatment de rahe hain. Koi special formula hai kya?"

Riya’s face flushes. "Stop it, both of you!"

Shree chuckles. "Arjun sir is a man of few words. But even he’s been more... attentive towards you lately."

Riya sighs, trying to keep her composure. "He’s just being a good senior. Nothing more."

Chotu smirks, raising an eyebrow. "Really? Arjun sir toh humesha serious rehte hain, par ab kuch aur lag raha hai."

"Please," Riya mutters, "I’m still recovering, that’s all."

Shree leans in closer, teasing. "Acha, acha. Bilkul. But dekha toh hai humne, Arjun sir ke saath har baat pe khudko adjust kar rahi ho."

Riya shakes her head, now fully embarrassed. "You guys never stop, do you?"

Chotu shrugs with a grin. "Hum toh bas dekh hi rahe hain, Riya. Tum dono kya karte ho, yeh humare liye interesting hai!"

Riya rolls her eyes. "You two are impossible."

A few days later, the ETF team is gathered around the conference table, discussing an ongoing case. Arjun is his usual self — stoic, focused, all business. Rathod sits at the other end of the table, equally serious, with an air of quiet authority. Despite being on the same team, the tension between them is palpable.

Shree, who’s been observing their dynamic closely, decides it’s time to get to the bottom of things. He’s heard enough rumors from the team and has seen the cold war between Arjun and Rathod play out on countless occasions. Today, he’s determined to get answers.

"So, Arjun sir," Shree starts casually, breaking the silence in the room, "Rathod sir and you... used to be close, right? Friends, I mean?"

Chotu, who’s been quietly listening, leans in. "Haan, dono ke beech toh kuch purani kahani hai, na? Always a little... tension."

Riya looks at them, curious but hesitant to dive into sensitive territory. She knows that something between Arjun and Rathod remains unspoken, but she’s never pressed them about it.

Arjun looks up, his gaze sharp as always. "We’re still a team. We work together. That’s all that matters," he says, his voice cold, dismissing any further inquiries.

Rathod, who had been silent until now, glances up from his files, his eyes meeting Shree’s with a flicker of annoyance. "We’re colleagues," Rathod says, his voice clipped. "That’s what we’re supposed to be. Everything else doesn’t matter."

Shree leans back, grinning despite himself. "I get it. Koi purani dosti ki baat nahin, bas kaam." He looks at Riya. "But I can’t help but notice, you two never get along when it’s just the two of you in a room."

Chotu adds, "Haan, boss. Kabhi lagta hai yeh dono ek doosre ko kaafi acche se samajhte hain, bas..."

Arjun’s gaze hardens slightly. "Focus on the case, Shree. Rathod and I are fine. There’s nothing to discuss."

Rathod doesn’t react, though his expression is as impassive as ever. "Let’s just get back to work."

Shree and Chotu exchange a glance, but they know when to stop. It’s clear that the cold war between Arjun and Rathod is not something they can meddle with, at least not yet. The two men are simply too locked in their own world of silent tension.

Over the next few days, Arjun and Riya find themselves spending more time together than either of them had anticipated. While Arjun remains his usual brooding, focused self, there are moments where he seems to show a little more care than usual, especially when Riya pushes herself too hard.

One afternoon, Riya is sitting at her desk, absorbed in the latest case file. Arjun walks in, his footsteps soft but purposeful. Without a word, he stands beside her, watching her read the report, his presence a quiet weight in the room.

"Riya," Arjun finally speaks, his tone as direct as always, "You should take a break. You’re pushing yourself too hard."

Riya looks up at him, surprised. "I’m fine, Arjun sir. Just trying to catch up."

Arjun’s eyes narrow slightly. "I said, take a break. You’ve been at it all day."

There’s a sharp edge to his voice, but beneath it, there’s an almost imperceptible hint of concern. Riya hesitates but finally relents, standing up from her desk.

"Okay, okay. I’ll take a break," she mutters, but she can’t help the small smile that tugs at her lips.

Arjun’s gaze lingers on her for a moment before he turns, walking toward the door. "Good. Take care of yourself. You’re no use to anyone if you burn out."

Riya watches him leave, a mixture of gratitude and confusion swirling in her chest. She’s used to Arjun’s tough exterior, but every once in a while, she catches a glimpse of something softer underneath.

Later that evening, as the office begins to empty out, Riya is still at her desk, sorting through some last-minute paperwork. The clock ticks past midnight, and she’s almost finished when the door to the office opens, and Arjun steps inside. His eyes immediately scan the room, landing on her.

"You’re still here?" Arjun’s voice is as cool as ever, but there’s something in his gaze that she can’t quite place.

Riya looks up, surprised. "I’m almost done, just finishing up some details."

Arjun strides toward her, his steps purposeful. "It’s late. Go home, Riya."

She smiles faintly. "I’m fine, Arjun sir. Just a few more minutes."

Arjun stands by her desk, silent for a moment, then shakes his head. "I’m not asking. You’re not going to be productive if you don’t rest."

Riya looks at him, amused. "Since when did you start caring so much about my productivity?"

Arjun’s expression remains unreadable, but there’s a hint of something in his eyes. "I don’t like seeing people push themselves unnecessarily."

Riya nods slowly, sensing the unspoken words behind his statement. "Fine, I’ll go home."

Arjun watches her stand up, his eyes following her as she grabs her bag. He doesn’t say anything further, but his gaze softens for a moment. As she turns to leave, she can feel his eyes on her, the weight of his silent attention pressing down on her.

Just as she’s about to exit the room, Arjun’s voice breaks through the silence. "Samjhi ya samjhaun?"

Riya pauses, her heart racing. She turns back, caught off guard by the playful, almost teasing tone in his voice. "Samajh gayi," she replies, her voice barely above a whisper, though her pulse quickens.

Arjun’s lips twitch into a small, almost imperceptible smile. He turns back toward his desk without another word, but Riya can’t shake the feeling that something is shifting between them.

The days continue, and Riya and Arjun find themselves crossing paths more often than either would admit. Their professional relationship remains intact, but there are subtle moments, like shared glances or quiet conversations, that suggest something more is unfolding.

For Riya, it’s confusing. She’s trying to focus on her recovery, but Arjun’s presence — his unexpected gestures, his small acts of care — are difficult to ignore. And she knows, deep down, that Arjun is beginning to notice her more than just a colleague. Maybe it’s unintentional, maybe it’s just his way of looking out for her. But with every passing day, Riya finds herself more drawn to him.

And as Arjun watches her from across the room, his usual stern face softens, just a little. There’s something different about her, something that makes him pause, something that makes him want to be... more.

But for now, the unspoken words hang between them, their quiet understanding a fragile thing, yet undeniably real.

End

If you’d like for more, I may add a few more parts 🥰. Please drop your creative criticism! Thank you & hope you enjoyed!

Love,

Saraf

Ohhhh I just loved it 💓💓💓

Poor Riya so confused make sure she knows her boundaries or Arjun gonna make her see those boundaries 👀

Can you more focus on Arjun's feelings 🥺

Thanks for pm 😌

Lmao shree chotu has some nerve getting into lion's den

I liked how you left ariya at maybe /care concern stage. Felt very show like. Thanks for updating !

Originally posted by: MariyamBeary98

Ohhhh I just loved it 💓💓💓

Poor Riya so confused make sure she knows her boundaries or Arjun gonna make her see those boundaries 👀

Can you more focus on Arjun's feelings 🥺

Thanks for pm 😌

Thank you 💗!! I won’t be able to promise you about focusing more on Arjun’s feelings but I can assure you that there will be more ArIya moments for you to witness.

Originally posted by: Phir_Mohabbat

Lmao shree chotu has some nerve getting into lion's den

I liked how you left ariya at maybe /care concern stage. Felt very show like. Thanks for updating !

Hihihi 🤭 The story is very much true to the show’s pace line. I can affirm that you will get to enjoy further!

Oh thanks eager to read more about them 🌹

Originally posted by: SarafWasima

Hihihi 🤭 The story is very much true to the show’s pace line. I can affirm that you will get to enjoy further!

Would love to read further. You write great. Do you have links of more ariya fics like long chapters or os?

Originally posted by: Phir_Mohabbat

you will continue this story or something else? Cause the end was written after the update i thought it's 2 shot

Would love to read further. You write great. Do you have links of more ariya fics like long chapters or os?

I wrote more parts hence my little note in the bottom of the chapter. Will continue only if you all keep supporting 🤗. I do have a few more OS on the forum. Looks like I will need to create an index for you all 😅.

Originally posted by: SarafWasima

Thank you! There’s more to come!

It’s here 😊 Would love to know more of your thoughts on it!