🧸 Teddy Day - A Silent Promise
The ETF office was as busy as ever, but for Ayesha, today felt strangely different. The lingering moments of Chocolate Day still played in her mind—the unexpected confession, the handwritten note, and the way Sameer had looked at her, as if he saw something she wasn’t ready to admit. She hadn’t even fully processed that yet, and now came another day in this so-called Valentine’s Week—Teddy Day.
Ayesha had never been the type to indulge in these romantic notions. She was practical, strong, and had never thought about chocolates, roses, or teddy bears. And yet… deep inside, an unfamiliar part of her wondered if Sameer had planned something for today.
Would he take the next step?
Would she?
Her eyes instinctively searched for him across the office. Sameer Rathore stood near the glass panels, discussing something with Arjun. His usual composed demeanor was intact, but there was something different about the way his posture eased, as if he was aware of her gaze. And then, as if sensing her thoughts, he turned—his dark, unreadable eyes locking with hers.
Ayesha quickly looked away, her heart thudding.
"Control, Ayesha. Yeh kya ho raha hai tujhe?" she scolded herself silently.
Just then, Shree entered, holding a small teddy bear in his hand, a mischievous smirk on his face.
"Waise guys," he said dramatically, "aaj Teddy Day hai! Kaun kisiko teddy dene wala hai?"
Chotu chuckled. "Mujhe toh sirf chocolates pasand hai, teddy weddy ke chakkar mein nahi padta main."
Sakshi, who had been typing away at her laptop, smirked. "Haan haan, Shree. Tu kisiko teddy dene wala hai kya?"
Shree grinned. "Main soch raha tha… agar ETF ki kisi ek khoobsurat officer ko dena ho, toh kaun hogi?" He looked pointedly at Ayesha, his eyes twinkling.
Ayesha rolled her eyes. "Shree, bas kar. Mujhe in sab cheezon ka shauk nahi hai."
"But ek teddy lene mein kya problem hai, Ayesha?"
Sameer’s voice cut through the conversation like a deep, measured command.
Ayesha stiffened slightly before turning to look at him. He was watching her with that unreadable intensity again.
"Main kisi se expect nahi karti, Sameer," she replied evenly. "Yeh sab bachpana lagta hai."
Sameer tilted his head slightly, a ghost of a smirk playing at his lips. "Aur agar koi bina expectation ke de toh?"
Before Ayesha could respond, something small and soft landed in her lap.
Her eyes widened.
The room went silent.
She looked down at the object resting against her hands—a small beige teddy bear, its tiny black jacket embroidered with "A" on the sleeve.
Her breath hitched.
Sameer had given her a teddy.
And not just any teddy—it had her initial on it.
She looked up in disbelief, but Sameer simply gave a small, knowing smile before walking away to his cabin, as if he hadn’t just shattered all her defenses in front of the entire team.
For a moment, no one spoke.
Then Shree let out a loud whistle. "Sir ne Ayesha ko teddy diya?!! Yeh kya chal raha hai, bhai?!"
Chotu grinned. "Naye zamane ka pyaar ho raha hai!"
Sakshi smirked, leaning forward on her desk. "Ayesha, ab toh kuch kehna padega!"
Ayesha, who had been staring at the teddy in complete disbelief, quickly composed herself. What the hell just happened?
"I… I don’t know," she muttered, gripping the teddy tightly before getting up and walking toward Sameer’s cabin.
She needed answers.
Ayesha pushed open the door, shutting it behind her. Sameer was standing by the window, looking out, his back turned toward her—as if he knew she would come.
"Sameer," she called, her voice steady.
He turned slowly, his eyes calm, but she could see it—the silent storm raging within them.
"Tumne yeh kyun diya?" she asked, holding up the teddy.
Sameer leaned against his desk, crossing his arms. "Kyunki mujhe laga tumhe pasand aayega."
Ayesha scoffed lightly. "Sameer, main kisi bhi ladki ki tarah nahi hoon jo yeh sab pasand karti hai—"
"Main jaanta hoon, Ayesha," he interrupted gently. "Aur isliye yeh special hai."
Ayesha stiffened. "Matlab?"
Sameer sighed, stepping closer. "Ayesha, tum emotions ko accept karna seekho. Yeh sirf ek teddy nahi hai… yeh ek reminder hai ki tum bhi deserve karti ho softness, care… aur pyaar."
Her breath caught.
Sameer’s voice dropped lower, filled with meaning. "Tum hamesha apne aap ko strong dikhati ho, jaise tumhe kisi ki zaroorat nahi. Par Ayesha… kabhi kabhi kisi ki zaroorat mehsoos karna kamzori nahi hoti."
Ayesha swallowed hard. The way he was looking at her—it was making her feel seen in a way she wasn’t sure she was ready for.
She looked down at the teddy, her fingers brushing against the soft fabric. "Aur agar main yeh zaroorat mehsoos karne lago… toh?" she asked hesitantly.
Sameer took another step closer, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Toh main hamesha yahan hoon."
Ayesha’s heart clenched. The unspoken promise in his words sent warmth through her chest, overwhelming yet strangely comforting.
For the first time, she didn’t feel alone.
She looked back up at him, her walls cracking just a little. "Main is teddy ko sambhal kar rakhungi," she murmured.
Sameer’s lips curled into a small, knowing smile. "Mujhe umeed thi tum yahi kahogi."
As Ayesha walked out of his cabin, teddy bear still in her hands, she knew one thing for certain—Sameer Damsingh Rathore was changing everything she thought she knew about herself.
And she wasn’t sure if she wanted to stop him.
That surprise was truly a sweet gesture
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