Hey dear readers!
Before diving into today's chapter, I want to give you all a heads-up. A new character is going to make their appearance today. While I won't be revealing their name just yet, you'll definitely feel their presence through their actions and demeanor. Keep your eyes peeled as this person will play a very intriguing role in the upcoming chapters!
As you read on, pay attention to the subtle hints and behaviors that define this new character, as they play a crucial role in Anaya's story ahead.
Also, as always, thank you so much for your support. Your comments and love mean the world to me. Make sure you're following the schedule this week – we've got lots of exciting things coming your way!
Let's jump right in. đź’«
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———_—_—AUTHER'S POV :~~~~
Anaya sat nervously in the cafeteria, sipping her tea. The chatter of people around her felt overwhelming as she adjusted to her new environment. She hadn't expected her first day to feel this nerve-wracking, but then again, working at Singhaniya Corp wasn't something one could approach lightly. Especially since no one knew about her connection to the Singhaniya family, and she preferred it that way.
Just as she took another sip, a shadow fell across her table. Looking up, she saw Pranali, who had been one of the first people she met at the company, standing with a warm smile on her face.
"Mind if I sit?" Pranali asked.
Anaya gestured for her to join, grateful for the company. "Please do."
Pranali sat down, her energy and friendliness immediately easing Anaya's nerves. "So, how's the first day going? Surviving so far?"
Anaya gave a small smile. "So far, so good. It's a lot to take in, but everyone's been helpful."
Pranali leaned in conspiratorially. "You'll get used to it. Trust me, by the time the first week ends, you'll feel like you've been here forever."
Just then, two men and a woman approached their table. Anaya noticed how confidently they carried themselves, exuding the air of people who had been working here for a while. One of the men, tall with a sharp look and deep-set eyes, seemed especially intimidating. The other, more relaxed with a playful smile, seemed the complete opposite.
"Ah, here they are," Pranali said with a smile, motioning for the group to sit down. "Anaya, meet Jai Mishra, Kunal Khurana, and Janvi Chauhan."
The three greeted Anaya, though it was clear that their personalities were quite different. Jai, the playful one, offered her a wide grin. "Welcome to the jungle!" he joked. "I'm sure you'll fit right in."
Anaya smiled back, his friendly demeanor putting her more at ease. "Thank you," she said softly.
Janvi, the other woman, appeared shy, offering Anaya a tentative smile. "I'm new here too," she admitted in a low voice, her hands fidgeting with the edge of her shirt. "We're both in the same internship program."
Anaya felt an immediate kinship with Janvi. They were both in the same boat, trying to navigate their way through the office dynamics and the expectations placed on them.
Then there was Kunal Khurana. He had been quiet since arriving, his dark eyes scanning the group without much emotion. His sharp features and mysterious aura made him stand out. Kunal didn't say much, and when Anaya turned to greet him, he gave her a quick nod but didn't say anything. It was almost as if he preferred to keep a wall between himself and everyone else, a wall that no one dared to cross.
Pranali noticed the tension and immediately jumped in to break the silence. "So, how's everyone doing? Any first-day jitters?"
Jai chuckled. "Not really, but it's fun to watch the newbies struggle." He winked at Anaya and Janvi, his tone lighthearted. "Don't worry, we were all in your shoes once."
Anaya smiled again, feeling more at ease now that the ice had been broken. "Thanks," she said. "I'm just trying to get through the day without making a fool of myself."
Pranali laughed. "You'll be fine. Just follow my lead. If you ever need anything, you know where to find me."
While the conversation carried on between Pranali and Jai, Kunal remained distant. He listened but didn't contribute much, his eyes occasionally darting around the cafeteria as if he were analyzing every corner. Anaya couldn't help but feel curious about him. He had an air of mystery, and although he wasn't rude, there was something about him that made her feel like he wasn't entirely present, as if his mind was somewhere else entirely.
Janvi, on the other hand, continued to fidget with her fingers, occasionally nodding at what Jai and Pranali were saying. Anaya could tell she was nervous, much like herself, and it comforted her to know she wasn't alone in feeling out of place.
"Don't worry," Pranali said, noticing Janvi's unease. "You'll both be fine. It's just the first day."
Before the conversation could continue, a sudden hush fell over the cafeteria as a woman approached their table. She was dressed impeccably in business attire, her sharp eyes scanning the group with a cold professionalism that immediately demanded respect. This was the HR manager, a woman known only by her surname—Lady HR, as she was often referred to by the employees.
"Good afternoon," Lady HR said, her tone clipped and efficient. She stood with her hands clasped in front of her, surveying the interns. "I'm here to officially welcome our new interns."
Her eyes briefly flicked over Anaya, Janvi, and the others, her expression unreadable. "If you need anything, feel free to come to me, but I expect you all to handle your duties with the professionalism expected of "Tech-High" employees."
There was no warmth in her voice, just cold efficiency. It was clear that Lady HR wasn't one for pleasantries.
"Thank you," Anaya and Janvi both murmured, though they felt the weight of her gaze.
Without another word, Lady HR turned on her heel and walked away, leaving the group in an awkward silence. Jai was the first to break it, his lighthearted tone returning as if the brief encounter with HR hadn't phased him at all.
"Well, that was... intense," Jai said, raising an eyebrow. "She always like that?"
Pranali nodded. "Pretty much. But she's fair, as long as you do your job."
Kunal, who had remained silent throughout the entire exchange, finally stood up, his expression unreadable. "I need to get back to work," he muttered, giving the group a nod before walking away without waiting for a response.
Jai watched him go, shaking his head. "That guy's a mystery."
"He doesn't talk much, does he?" Anaya asked, curious about Kunal's reserved demeanor.
"Nope," Jai replied, leaning back in his chair. "Kunal's been here for two years, but he's always been like that. Doesn't really socialize much, keeps to himself. You'll get used to it."
Pranali sighed. "He's brilliant, though. One of the best minds in the company. But yeah, he's... complicated."
Anaya nodded, intrigued but also a little wary. There was something about Kunal that unsettled her, but she couldn't put her finger on it.
As the conversation shifted back to lighter topics, Anaya found herself more at ease, though the thought of Kunal lingered in the back of her mind. It wasn't long before everyone finished their lunch and started heading back to their desks.
Before Anaya left the cafeteria, Pranali caught her by the arm. "Hey, don't worry about today. First days are always rough, but you'll find your rhythm. Just keep your head down, do your work, and you'll be fine."
Anaya smiled. "Thanks, Pranali. That means a lot."
"Anytime," Pranali said, giving her a reassuring pat on the back. "And if you ever need anything, just ask."
---
Back at her desk, Anaya tried to focus on her work, but her mind kept drifting. The day had been filled with new faces, new experiences, and a lot of emotions she hadn't expected. She was grateful for Pranali and Jai, whose easygoing personalities had made her feel welcome. But then there was Kunal, with his quiet intensity, who had left her feeling uneasy and curious in equal measure.
As the day wound down, Anaya packed up her things, ready to head home. She would be taking the bus back, just like she always had, and she found comfort in the routine.
But as she left the building and walked to the bus stop, she couldn't shake the feeling that her life had changed in more ways than one. Working at Singhaniya Corp was going to be an experience—one filled with challenges, mysteries, and new relationships. And somewhere in the back of her mind, she knew that Kunal Khurana would be a part of that story, though she wasn't sure how.
For now, she pushed those thoughts aside as she boarded the bus, looking forward to the quiet ride home.
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As the sun began to dip lower in the sky, casting a warm orange glow across the city, Rudra stood in his office on the top floor of Singhaniya Corp. His large window offered a breathtaking view of the skyline, but his mind wasn't on the scenery. He leaned against the glass, his hands in his pockets, watching the sun set. There was something about this moment of the day that always made him think of her—Anaya.
A soft buzz interrupted his thoughts. He glanced down at his phone and, without thinking twice, typed a quick message to Anaya.
Rudra: Is your work done? Ravi can drop you home.
He sent the message and kept his eyes on the skyline, waiting. His usual cold demeanor was still there, but something stirred inside him. He found himself anticipating her response, even though he had a good guess of what it would be. Anaya was fiercely independent, and she rarely took him up on his offers.
Meanwhile, in the office cafeteria, Anaya sat quietly, staring at her phone as the message popped up on her screen. Her heart gave a slight flutter as she read it. She had been waiting for this—some sort of acknowledgement from him, some small interaction that reminded her that they were, despite everything, connected. Even if their relationship wasn't public, or even particularly close, she couldn't deny the thrill that his attention brought her.
She quickly typed back, her fingers hovering over the keyboard as she considered her response. She didn't want to seem too eager, but she also didn't want to reject him completely.
Anaya: I can go by myself. It's fine.
She sent the message, feeling a mix of satisfaction and nervousness. Her heart raced as she imagined Rudra reading her reply, wondering what he might be thinking. Would he be upset? Would he feel rejected? She had a feeling he wouldn't—Rudra was hard to read, but she liked keeping things on her terms, just a little. It gave her a sense of control in a situation where she often felt powerless.
Back in his office, Rudra glanced at his phone as the message from Anaya came through. As expected, she declined his offer. A small, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corner of his lips. He admired her independence, her strength, even though a part of him wished she'd rely on him just a bit more.
He placed his phone back on his desk, his gaze returning to the horizon, but his thoughts were on her. She was different from anyone he had ever met—bold, stubborn, and more unpredictable than he cared to admit. But it was those very traits that made her stand out to him.
As the sky shifted from orange to a deep purple, Rudra allowed himself a moment to think about how things had changed. He had never imagined himself in this situation—married to someone like Anaya. Their connection wasn't simple, nor was it conventional, but there was something undeniably magnetic about her presence in his life. Even if it was complicated, even if they kept their relationship hidden, there was something there—something he couldn't quite define.
Anaya, on the other hand, couldn't stop herself from glancing at her phone every few minutes. She knew Rudra probably wouldn't reply, but a part of her wanted him to. She found herself wondering what he was doing, what he was thinking. Did he ever think about her the way she thought about him?
Her thoughts wandered back to the moment earlier in the day when their paths had briefly crossed—when his car had stopped next to her bus in traffic. She had caught his gaze, his intense eyes locked on hers through the window, and for that fleeting moment, it was like the world had paused. She couldn't shake the feeling that something unspoken passed between them in that moment, a silent connection that neither of them acknowledged out loud.
As she gathered her things, ready to head home, her phone buzzed again. Her heart skipped a beat, hoping it was Rudra. She opened the message.
Rudra: Alright. Take care.
Anaya smiled softly to herself, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. His messages were always brief, always to the point, but they meant something. It was his way of showing he cared, even if he didn't say it outright.
With that, she left the office, stepping into the evening air. There was an excitement bubbling inside her, a sense that this was just the beginning. Their relationship was full of unanswered questions and unresolved feelings, but there was something thrilling about the unknown. Something that made her look forward to whatever came next.
And though she declined his offer to be driven home, a part of her knew—she was waiting. Waiting for the day when she wouldn't have to say no, when she could let down her guard, when she could truly be with him without all the secrecy and walls between them. But for now, she would wait. And that, in itself, was enough.
––––––– –––—––
As Rudra left his office, the city lights were beginning to flicker to life. The evening was quiet, with a certain calmness that only heightened Rudra's focus. He had an important meeting ahead—one that could potentially secure a major deal for Tech-High. But even as he prepared himself mentally for the business ahead, his thoughts kept wandering back to Anaya and their brief exchange earlier.
Ravi, his loyal driver and long-time friend, was already waiting by the car as Rudra stepped outside the Singhaniya building. Ravi wasn't just his driver; he was also a confidant, someone who had seen every side of Rudra—the powerful CEO, the controlled businessman, and the man navigating a secret marriage. There was an unspoken bond between them, built over years of trust.
"Evening, sir," Ravi greeted, opening the back door for Rudra.
Rudra gave a nod as he slid into the back seat, immediately picking up his tablet to review the details of his upcoming meeting. Ravi took his position in the driver's seat, glancing back briefly at Rudra through the rearview mirror. He could tell something was on Rudra's mind, even if he didn't say it out loud.
As they drove through the city, the car moved smoothly through the evening traffic. But as they reached the heart of the city, traffic became heavier, and the car slowed down near a familiar area. Ravi noticed something from the corner of his eye—a bus, the same bus Anaya usually took to get home. He glanced at Rudra, wondering if his boss had seen it too.
Rudra, of course, had. His eyes immediately found the familiar figure of Anaya, seated near the window, looking lost in thought as the bus crawled through traffic. For a moment, Rudra's focus shifted from business to her. She seemed so distant, so unreachable, even though she was only a few feet away. There was something about seeing her like this—so independent, so much in her own world—that made his chest tighten with an unfamiliar emotion.
Ravi nodded, understanding the complexity of the situation. "Still," he added, "It must be difficult."
Rudra didn't answer. He merely continued watching as the bus slowly moved ahead, taking Anaya further away from him, just like the circumstances of their lives. There was a certain distance between them—both physical and emotional—that Rudra couldn't quite bridge, no matter how much he wanted to.
After a few minutes of silence, the traffic cleared, and they drove on towards the meeting venue. Rudra shifted back into business mode, his tablet lighting up with the details of the evening's agenda. Ravi remained silent, knowing Rudra needed to focus, but also sensing that his boss wasn't completely present in the moment.
As they approached the sleek, high-end hotel where the meeting was to take place, Ravi pulled up to the entrance. Rudra stepped out, straightening his jacket, his sharp, authoritative presence returning. This was his world—the world of power, deals, and influence. But no matter how much success he commanded, there was always that lingering thought of Anaya in the back of his mind.
Inside the meeting, Rudra was a force to be reckoned with. His reputation preceded him as the youngest CEO to steer Singhaniya empire // Techigh // to unprecedented heights. The executives at the table—men and women from across the city's top firms—greeted him with a mix of respect and caution. They knew better than to underestimate Rudra Singhaniya.
He listened, calculated, and responded with the precision of a man who knew exactly what he wanted and how to get it. But as the conversation progressed, as numbers and strategies were discussed, Rudra couldn't help but wonder what Anaya was doing. Was she home yet? Was she thinking about their brief conversation? Or had she already moved on, her mind occupied by other things?
---
Meanwhile, Anaya had arrived home, her heart still fluttering slightly from the message exchange with Rudra earlier. She stepped off the bus and walked through the familiar streets toward the Singhaniya mansion. As she entered, the staff greeted her politely, but there was a sense of loneliness in the large, luxurious house. It was far too grand for someone like her—she had grown up with much simpler surroundings. Despite living there for a while now, she still felt like an outsider in Rudra's world.
She quietly made her way to her room, changing out of her office attire and into something more comfortable. Her mind drifted back to Rudra's offer to send Ravi for her. She had declined, of course, but a small part of her had wanted to accept. She wasn't used to having someone care for her like that, and even though Rudra's actions were subtle, they meant more than he probably realized.
Anaya sighed, sitting by the window of her room, staring out into the dimly lit garden below. She wondered if their relationship would ever move past this awkward, distant phase. She wondered if Rudra even thought about her when they were apart.
She leaned her head against the window, feeling a sense of longing she couldn't quite place. There was something about him—something that drew her in despite the coldness, despite the barriers they had between them. And yet, she didn't know how to get closer to him, didn't know if she even could.
---
Back at the hotel, the meeting concluded successfully. Rudra had secured the deal he had been working on, adding another feather to his cap. He shook hands with the executives and made his way back to the car, his mind already shifting back to personal matters.
As he settled into the backseat, Ravi started the engine and began the drive home. The evening lights of the city passed by in a blur, but Rudra's mind was somewhere else entirely.
Without thinking, he pulled out his phone and typed a message.
Rudra: Did you reach home?
The reply came quickly.
Anaya: Yes. Just now.
Rudra stared at the screen for a moment, then put his phone away. He wasn't sure why he felt the need to check on her. Maybe it was just the bond they shared, no matter how complicated it was. Or maybe it was something more—something neither of them could quite put into words yet.
As they drove through the city streets, both Rudra and Anaya found themselves lost in thought, each waiting for the other to make the next move, uncertain of where their unspoken connection would lead them next.