Hello, my beloved readers! đź’– As I share this chapter, I can't help but feel a whirlwind of emotions for Anaya. She's at a crossroads, grappling with the weight of her secret marriage to Rudra, feeling both the thrill and the fear of what lies ahead. The tension is palpable as Kunal enters the picture, stirring up even more feelings and uncertainties. I hope you can connect with Anaya's struggles and triumphs in this chapter. Your support fuels my passion for storytelling, and I can't wait to hear how this chapter resonates with you!
—————AUTHOR'S POV :~~
Anaya stepped out of the car, her hands slightly trembling as she clutched her bag. The ride with Rudra had been silent, tension simmering beneath the surface. His words from that morning still echoed in her mind: "You can keep avoiding me, Anaya, but it won't last."
She hurried into the Tech-High building, keeping her gaze straight ahead. Rudra had stayed behind, waiting in the car, maintaining the distance he had insisted on for weeks now. No one at the office knew about their secret marriage, and Anaya wanted to keep it that way.
As she neared the elevator, she pressed the button, hoping the routine of work would distract her. The last thing she needed was anyone noticing her growing discomfort. She had become skilled at hiding her emotions—especially around him.
Just as the doors opened, Pranali appeared at her side, a bright smile on her face.
"Anaya! There you are. Cutting it close today, huh? You know the CEO's presentation is in an hour."
Anaya forced a smile, trying to calm her nerves. "Yeah, just a slow start today. I'll be ready."
Pranali tilted her head, giving her a curious look as they both stepped into the elevator. "You sure you're okay? You seem a little off lately."
"I'm fine," Anaya replied quickly, adjusting her expression. "Just a lot on my mind."
Pranali nodded but seemed unconvinced. "If you say so."
The ride up felt longer than usual, the weight of her secret pressing down on her. No one knew she was married to Rudra Singhaniya, the powerful CEO whose presentation she would soon attend. Anaya felt torn between keeping her distance and the unresolved tension between them.
As they entered the department floor, Anaya spotted Kunal sitting at his desk, typing away. He had been working at Tech High for the last two years, part of Jai's team. He was quiet and kept mostly to himself, but over the past few weeks, his presence seemed more mysterious, catching her attention.
"That's Kunal, right?" Anaya asked, though she already knew. Something about him lately felt... different.
"Yeah, he's been with Jai for a while now," Pranali confirmed. "But I swear, he's become even more of an enigma. I don't think anyone really knows him well, except Jai."
Anaya nodded, feeling a strange sense of unease creep over her as Kunal glanced up from his screen. His eyes met hers briefly before he returned to his work, as though nothing had happened. She couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to him than met the eye.
---
The conference room filled quickly, the buzz of excitement growing as the time for Rudra's presentation neared. Anaya found a seat next to Pranali, but her attention kept drifting to the figure seated on her other side—Kunal. He seemed oddly at ease, despite his quiet presence, almost as if he were observing everything without making a sound.
Anaya tried to focus, but her thoughts kept wandering to Rudra. How was she supposed to sit there, pretending nothing was unusual, when the man she was secretly married to would soon walk in? She took a deep breath and fixed her gaze on the front of the room, willing herself to stay composed.
When Rudra finally entered, the room fell into an instant hush. His presence was magnetic, and as always, he commanded attention without needing to speak. He moved with purpose, his suit perfectly tailored, his expression cool and professional.
Anaya kept her gaze fixed forward, but she could feel the weight of his presence settling over her like a thick cloud. Her heart raced as she sensed his eyes lingering on her for just a moment longer than anyone else. He kept his distance, of course, maintaining the professionalism everyone expected of him, but Anaya knew better. Even in a room full of people, Rudra's attention found her.
Pranali leaned over to whisper, "He's so intense, right? You'd think he could cut steel with those eyes."
Anaya nodded absentmindedly, her focus splintering. "Yeah... definitely."
As Rudra began his presentation, detailing the company's upcoming initiatives, his gaze flickered toward Anaya again—subtle, yet unmistakable. To the others, he appeared to be addressing the room as a whole, but Anaya knew those looks were for her. She could feel his silent demand for her attention, even from across the room.
Her pulse quickened, but she kept her composure, knowing all too well that the last thing she needed was anyone noticing the connection between them. She shifted slightly in her seat, trying to focus on his words, but Kunal's presence beside her added another layer of tension. He was quiet, too quiet, as if he were watching something unfold—something only he could see.
The presentation droned on, but Anaya could barely concentrate. Every glance from Rudra felt like a silent conversation—one that no one else in the room could hear. It was as though he was daring her to look at him, to acknowledge the pull between them. But she wouldn't. Not here.
When the presentation ended, the room erupted into applause, and Rudra stepped away from the podium, his gaze briefly meeting Anaya's before moving on. She quickly gathered her things, ready to leave before anyone could notice her discomfort.
As she rose from her seat, Kunal's calm voice broke the silence. "You seemed distracted during the presentation."
Anaya blinked, surprised by the sudden conversation. She hadn't expected Kunal to say anything, let alone notice her. She forced a smile. "Just... a lot on my mind, I guess."
Kunal nodded, his gaze steady but unreadable. "Seems like more than that."
Before Anaya could respond, Pranali returned, distracting them both. But even as she left the room, she couldn't shake the feeling that Kunal knew something—more than anyone else in the office did.
Chapter 8:
Anaya couldn't help but feel unsettled after her brief exchange with Kunal. His words echoed in her mind as she walked back to her desk. It was as if he saw through her calm facade, and the idea that Kunal might suspect something made her even more anxious. For the past few weeks, his presence had grown more mysterious, and now she couldn't help but wonder if he had noticed something between her and Rudra.
When she sat down at her desk, the weight of her secret marriage felt heavier than ever. No one could know, not even the people she had grown close to at Tech High. Her job was important to her—more than just a way to stay busy; it was her chance to prove herself. She needed to stay focused.
She glanced at Kunal's desk from the corner of her eye. He sat there, as calm as ever, typing away on his computer. For a moment, their eyes met again. Kunal gave her a small nod, and then he returned to his work as if nothing had happened. Yet, that unsettling feeling remained.
Why was he paying so much attention to her? And why did it seem like he knew more than he let on?
Her thoughts were interrupted when Jai, her colleague and a close friend, walked by. "Anaya, can you join us for a quick meeting in five minutes? Pranali and Janvi are also coming."
"Sure," Anaya replied, grateful for the distraction.
As the meeting progressed, she felt herself slipping back into work mode. But in the back of her mind, she remained hyper-aware of Kunal's presence. He was quiet during the meeting, only speaking when necessary, but Anaya couldn't shake the feeling that his gaze was on her, even when he wasn't looking directly. Jai was energetic and engaging, often lightening the mood, while Pranali and Janvi chimed in with their insights. It was a brief respite from her turmoil.
After the meeting ended, the four of them stood by the coffee machine, chatting casually. Anaya tried to engage, but her mind was elsewhere.
"You seem a bit distracted today," Pranali noted, glancing at Anaya with concern. "Everything okay?"
"Just a lot on my mind," Anaya replied, forcing a smile.
Kunal, who was leaning against the wall nearby, raised an eyebrow. "You've been working extra hard lately. Don't forget to take breaks."
"Yeah, don't burn yourself out," Janvi added playfully. "We need you around to keep our spirits up."
Anaya chuckled softly, appreciating their concern but wishing she could confide in them about her true struggles. As they finished their coffee, Mr. Nanda, their manager, called for everyone to gather for a quick announcement. Anaya felt a wave of relief wash over her; she could focus on work instead of her own chaotic feelings.
Mr. Nanda addressed the team, highlighting the success of their recent project and encouraging everyone to continue their hard work. Anaya felt a swell of pride at being part of such a dedicated team.
As the meeting concluded, she glanced at Kunal one last time, trying to read his expression. He seemed focused and serious, a stark contrast to his usual demeanor.
Afterward, Anaya returned to her desk, trying to push aside her thoughts about Rudra. But just as she settled in, an email notification popped up on her screen. It was from Rudra, asking her to meet him in his office after hours. Her heart raced at the thought.
When she reached the end of the day, she gathered her belongings and walked down the hall, passing Lady HR, who was organizing some files at her desk. The older woman looked up and smiled kindly at Anaya, her eyes filled with warmth.
"Don't work too late, Anaya. You need your rest," Lady HR advised, her voice motherly.
Anaya nodded, grateful for the gentle reminder. But her thoughts quickly shifted back to Rudra, she wents towards rudra's office floor while hiding from her colleagues and others office staff. Rudra as she reached his office door.She hesitated for a moment before knocking.
"Come in," Rudra's deep voice called from inside.
Anaya stepped in, closing the door behind her. Rudra was sitting at his desk, his gaze immediately locking onto her the moment she entered the room. The tension between them was palpable, thick like a storm waiting to break.
"Sit," he said, his voice commanding but not unkind.
She did as he asked, settling into the chair across from him. For a moment, there was silence. Rudra leaned back in his chair, his intense eyes studying her. He looked every bit the powerful CEO—calm, composed, yet his eyes held a storm of emotions she couldn't quite read.
"You've been avoiding me," he said finally, breaking the silence.
Anaya swallowed, her voice barely above a whisper. "I haven't been avoiding you… I've just been busy."
Rudra arched an eyebrow, clearly not believing her. "You forget that I know you, Anaya. I can see right through you."
Her breath caught in her throat. He was right. There was no point in lying to him, but how could she explain the turmoil she had been feeling? How could she tell him that she didn't know how to deal with the complexity of their situation?
"Why did you call me here?" she asked, her voice more fragile than she intended.
Rudra stood up from his chair and walked around his desk, coming to stand in front of her. The air between them crackled with tension, and Anaya could feel her pulse racing as he stood so close, his presence overwhelming her.
"I called you here because we need to talk," he said, his voice low but firm. "This distance between us... it can't go on like this."
Anaya's heart pounded in her chest. "What do you mean?"
Rudra's eyes softened, but only slightly. "You've been pulling away ever since... ever since we started this marriage. But we both know that we can't avoid each other forever. We have to face this."
Anaya's hands gripped the edge of her seat, her emotions swirling in confusion. "I don't know how to face this, Rudra. You keep everything so... cold, so distant. How am I supposed to know what you're thinking?"
For a moment, there was silence between them. Then, Rudra knelt in front of her, his eyes locking onto hers with an intensity that made her breath catch. "I may not always show it, Anaya, but you mean more to me than you realize."
His words were like a whisper of hope, but they were quickly overshadowed by the storm in her heart. How could she trust him when he kept so much of himself hidden?
"I don't know what you want from me, Rudra," Anaya said, her voice trembling. "I don't even know where we stand anymore."
Rudra sighed, frustration flickering across his face. "I want you to trust me. I want you to stop running."
Anaya's chest tightened, her emotions swirling in confusion. "And what about you? You keep pushing me away, too."
Their eyes locked for a moment, and for the first time, she saw a flicker of vulnerability in Rudra's eyes. It was brief, but it was there.
"I'm trying, Anaya," he admitted softly, his voice raw. "But this... this is new for me, too."
Anaya swallowed hard, her heart aching at the sight of his rare honesty. But before she could say anything, a knock on the door interrupted the moment.
"Sir, the board meeting is about to start," a voice called from the other side.
Rudra's gaze hardened instantly, the vulnerability slipping away as he straightened up and returned to his commanding self. "I'll be right there."
Anaya stood up, too, unsure of what to say. The moment had passed, and the tension between them remained unresolved.
But as she left his office, she couldn't shake the feeling that something had shifted between them. It wasn't much, but it was enough to leave her wondering where they would go from here.
And then, there was Kunal. Something about him still felt off, like he knew more than he was letting on.
As Anaya left Rudra's office, the weight of their conversation hung heavily on her shoulders. She could feel her heart racing, not just from the intensity of their exchange but from the unresolved tension lingering in the air. What did it all mean? After that he already did that to me? She had so many questions swirling in her mind, and yet she felt increasingly lost.
Pranali's figure came into view as Anaya walked down the corridor. Pranali was at her desk, her attention focused on her laptop, but she glanced up as Anaya approached.
"Hey, everything okay?" Pranali asked, concern etching her features.
Anaya hesitated for a moment, torn between wanting to confide in her and the instinct to keep her life private. "Yeah, just a busy day," she replied, forcing a smile.
Pranali raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. "You sure? You look a bit stressed."
Anaya sighed, rubbing her temples. "I've just got a lot on my mind."
"Want to talk about it?" Pranali offered, genuine concern in her eyes.
Anaya appreciated the offer, but it made her uncomfortable. What would Pranali think if she knew the truth about her marriage to Rudra? "Thanks, but I think I'll be fine," she said, her voice firmer this time.
Pranali nodded but continued to watch her closely. "Just remember, I'm here if you need someone to talk to."
"Thanks, Pranali," Anaya said, grateful for her friend's support.
As Pranali returned to her work, Anaya couldn't help but notice how Pranali often spoke highly of Rudra, admiring his professional demeanor and leadership qualities. Pranali was right about one thing—Rudra was undeniably impressive. The way he commanded respect and exuded confidence made him stand out in the office. Anaya shook her head, trying to dispel the conflicting emotions.
After finishing her tasks, Anaya clocked out and headed home. The ride was a blur of thoughts, the anticipation of seeing Rudra again weighing heavily on her mind. As she walked into her apartment, she was greeted by the familiar quiet.
Just then, her phone buzzed with a notification. It was a message from Rudra:
Can we talk again tonight? I want to sort things out between us.
Her heart skipped a beat. Anaya stared at the screen, feeling both hopeful and anxious. Did this mean he was ready to open up, or was it just another conversation that would leave her feeling more confused?
##To be continue...**