ArIya SS: Beneath the Silent Surface {Completed} - Page 8

Thank you so much for your excitement—it truly means a lot! 😊 However, I can’t promise anything specific about future parts or tags. Writing happens when inspiration strikes, and I like to keep it spontaneous. I hope you’ll understand—it’s just how I work! As for Arjun’s feelings, I’ll definitely keep that in mind for the future. Stay tuned and enjoy!

Originally posted by: bloomie

lovely updates

this going in the right direction, Riya getting flustered every now and then and Arjun leaving no stone unturned to make sure she does

unknowingly? I don't think Arjun is giving them material unknowingly

do continue soon

Thank you for your lovely comment! Glad you're enjoying the dynamic between Riya and Arjun. Arjun's actions are definitely intentional—he knows exactly what he's doing! Stay tuned, more to come soon! Happy New Year

Part 5

The ETF office is buzzing with activity. A new case has come in — a high-profile kidnapping with several layers of complexity. The team is gathered around the conference table, reviewing the details when Riya, despite her ongoing recovery, can’t resist speaking up.

"Arjun sir," Riya interjects, her voice steady but filled with determination. "I know I’m still recovering, but I’m ready to assist. I can handle basic tasks on the field."

Everyone in the room turns toward her. The suddenness of her request catches everyone off guard, especially Arjun, who remains expressionless but wary. He looks at her for a moment, silently assessing her resolve. She’s been eager to get back into action since her recovery, and he’s been reluctant to let her push herself too hard.

"Riya," Arjun says, his tone firm but not unkind, "you’re not fully recovered yet. I can’t risk you getting hurt."

Riya looks him in the eye, her gaze unwavering. "I’ll be careful, Arjun sir. I just want to contribute. The team needs me, and I need to be part of this."

Rathod, who’s been observing the exchange, chimes in. "Arjun, maybe let her take on smaller, less risky tasks. She's itching to get back to work, and we could use all hands on deck."

Arjun lets out a long breath, clearly still conflicted, but he knows that Riya won’t back down. "Fine," he finally relents, his eyes softening ever so slightly. "But only basic tasks. I won’t risk you going beyond that, understood?"

Riya nods eagerly, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "Understood, Arjun sir."

As the team begins discussing the finer details of the case, Riya’s heart swells with both excitement and a tinge of nervousness. She’s back in action, even if it’s just a small part of the job. For now, she’s content with that.

Later that afternoon, after a long day of fieldwork, the team gathers in the break room. Riya, still adhering to her hygiene routines, has meticulously cleaned her hands before taking her usual seat at the table. She sips her coffee slowly, her eyes flickering between the files and the ongoing conversation, but her mind isn’t entirely there. The air is thick with the weight of the case and the team’s exhaustion.

Arjun enters the room quietly, as always, holding a cutting chai in his hand. He doesn’t speak immediately, his eyes scanning the room before landing on Riya. There’s something in the way he looks at her — a rare softness behind his usual stoic expression.

Riya looks up, catching his gaze for a split second. She quickly looks down at her coffee cup, feeling a familiar flutter in her chest.

"Arjun sir," she begins, her voice almost shy, "I know I’m not up to full strength yet, but I appreciate you letting me help today."

Arjun takes a sip of his chai, his eyes still on her. "I know," he says simply, his tone low but sincere. "But don’t push yourself too hard."

There’s a brief moment of silence between them. Riya feels the quiet comfort of the moment, the understanding that passes without words. Arjun might be the most reserved person she knows, but in these little moments — when he takes the time to check in on her — she feels a connection that she can’t ignore.

Riya shifts uncomfortably in her chair, suddenly aware of how close their conversation feels. "I promise I’ll be careful," she says, her voice softer now. "But... it feels good to be out there, doing something again."

Arjun’s lips curl slightly, a flicker of a smile that’s barely there. "I know it does."

The exchange lingers, but it’s interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching. Shree and Chotu, ever the jokers, enter the break room with mischievous grins on their faces. They exchange a glance, silently observing the moment between Arjun and Riya.

Before they can make a comment, Rathod walks in, his eyes immediately narrowing at the two men. "Shree, Chotu," he says, his voice laced with authority, "Are you two seriously spying on Arjun and Riya?"

Both Shree and Chotu freeze, caught off guard by Rathod’s sudden appearance. They try to stammer a response, but Rathod holds up a hand, silencing them.

"Focus on the case," Rathod orders, his tone cutting through the air. "And stop making observations about your colleagues. This is a professional environment, not a gossip session."

The reprimand is swift and direct, and Shree and Chotu can do little but nod sheepishly. They quickly retreat to the corner of the room, where they attempt to look busy, though it’s clear they’re still trying to suppress their laughter.

Riya, meanwhile, looks down at her coffee, suddenly self-conscious about the brief moment she shared with Arjun. But she can’t help the warm feeling that spreads through her.

Arjun, unaware of the awkwardness now surrounding them, takes another sip of his chai, his gaze now back on the case files. But there’s a slight shift in his posture, an almost imperceptible easing of his usual tension, as if he’s aware of the subtle bond growing between him and Riya.

Later that evening, as Riya makes her way to her car, she reflects on the day’s events. Arjun’s unexpected moments of care and the rare instances when he lets his guard down keep swirling in her mind. The brief exchange in the break room had left her heart racing, but there was something deeper — something that both excites and terrifies her.

Does he care? she wonders. Or is he just doing his job?

Her thoughts are interrupted by the sound of her phone ringing. It’s a text from Shree:

“Arjun sir seems softer towards you these days. Hope you're not giving him any trouble. 😉”

Riya chuckles, though it’s tinged with uncertainty. She quickly types back, her fingers slightly trembling:

“Don’t be silly, Shree. Just focus on the case.”

As she gets into her car and drives home, Riya finds herself deep in thought. The more she tries to push her feelings for Arjun aside, the more they resurface. His stoic exterior might hide a thousand emotions, but somehow, he’s made her feel things she never expected — things that she’s not sure how to process.

And as for Arjun, he remains ever the enigma. His concern for her, though rarely spoken aloud, is clear in the little things he does — the way he checks on her health, the subtle teasing, and even the quiet moments of shared comfort. But whether these actions mean anything more than simple camaraderie, Riya doesn’t know.

For now, she can only continue to navigate the fine line between what’s unspoken and what she feels deep within her heart. And as much as Arjun tries to keep his distance, there’s a part of her that hopes, just hopes, that maybe, just maybe, he feels something too.

The next morning, the team is back at the office, preparing for another round of meetings and case discussions. Riya enters the office with a quiet sense of purpose, having accepted that things will take time. But today, there's a small shift in the air — a slight easing of tension between her and Arjun.

As she walks past his desk, she feels his eyes on her. She doesn’t look up immediately, but she knows he’s watching. Arjun, as always, doesn’t say anything. But when she meets his gaze, there’s something more — something unspoken but real.

"You’re doing well," he says, the words simple but carrying more weight than she expected.

Riya nods, a soft smile tugging at her lips. "Thanks, Arjun sir."

For a moment, they simply stand there, two people caught in the silent exchange of understanding and respect. There’s no grand confession, no dramatic moment — just two people who have found a rare kind of connection in the midst of chaos.

And maybe that’s enough, for now.

End

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

Love,

Saraf

Wow dynamic between ariya ia changing The trio friendship just love them. Thanks for pm just awesome part hope write more on them coming days inshallah 💓

Wow...soooo soothing & beautiful...😍😍😍

Ariya's silently growing bond; Riya's admiration, confusion & hope regarding their changing relationship & it's future; Arjun's care & concern towards Riya; Rathore's protective gesture towards Ariya to let them have their own space & moments to interact & know each other more; Shreetu's ever so poking noses always finding opportunities to come into the little peaceful & pictorial moments of Ariya's silent interaction & to tease Riya every scene is equally very pretty & commendable. Loved every bit of the chapter very very much....👌👌👌❤️❤️❤️

Keep it up...👏👏👏👍👍👍

Will be waiting eagerly to read the next..

Ariya ke beech mein ek ankahee bond grow kar rahi hai aur riya ka arjun ko admire karna saath mein confusion bhi aur hope bhi aage is relationship ko lekar jo change ho raha hai arjun ki concern aur gesture ko dekhkar choree ko riya ko tease karna aur rathore ka unko ariya ke personal space mein interfere karne ke liye mana karna nicely written luvd everything from the update thanks dear for wonderful update eagerly waiting for nxt

Originally posted by: SarafWasima

Not really conspiring, tu recap mat kar sirf apni feelings bata

Arrey par Tom and Jerry toh evergreen hain aur Sameer-Arjun ka tashan bhi.

Ye chote chote moments Ariya ke kash Hume dekhne ko mile hote show me 😍😍😍

But koi na humari imagination me to bahut acche acche moments hai.

Shree , chotu , Riya ka bond to alag he level ka tha ek mouka nhi chodte the dono Riya tease karne ka 🤩

Yha bhi kar rhe but bechare as always Arjun ki najar se kuch nhi chup sakta hai aur usne dono ko suna Diya😂😂😂

But last me Riya ko jo look diya h hayyyyy main mar jawa ( it's like ki meri Riya ko mere alawa koi tease nhi kar sakta ' Samnjhi ya samjhau 🤭🤭🤭)

And Riya bhi like samjh gyi 😁

Bechare humare shree chotu unki sirf daant milti hai phir chahe Arjun se ho ya Sameer se 🤭🤭🤭

Riya ji apke Arjun sir humesha aapki care karte hai ha but ye alag baat hai ki humesha Sadu Bane rahte hai aur aapko pta nhi chalne dete 😍

Wow saraf ek part se 5 part hoga aap to hum baccho ko bigad rhi ho ab to hume aur parts chahiye iske and Arjun ki feelings bhi to dikha do kahi pe, wo bhi kuch feel kar rha h ya phir humari bechari Riya ke dream hai ye sab 🙈