________@uthor's POV:~~
The next day at Singhaniya Corp, the office hummed with activity. The new interns were working overtime, fully engrossed in their projects. The energy was a mixture of anticipation, nervousness, and the constant hum of collaboration. Everyone had their heads buried in their screens, hoping to impress the senior developers and secure a spot on a coveted team.
Anaya sat at her desk, lost in a sea of documents, emails, and codes. She was juggling her internship tasks with her college work, and the strain was beginning to show. Her eyes flickered over to her phone, where a calendar notification for an upcoming project deadline blinked. She sighed, rubbing her temples, but refused to slow down. Today was a critical day, and she couldn't afford any distractions. However, the fatigue was creeping in, and even her normally sharp focus was wavering.
As the afternoon approached, most of the office was heading towards the cafeteria for lunch. The smell of freshly brewed coffee wafted through the halls, tempting even the most focused employees. But Anaya remained glued to her desk, her fingers tapping steadily at the keyboard, her gaze determined.
"Anaya," a voice interrupted her work. She looked up to see Pranali, her senior, leaning casually against the desk, an amused smile playing on her lips. "Take a break. You're not the only person on my team, you know. I've got five others, and none of them look like they're trying to single-handedly save the company." Pranali's voice had a light, teasing tone, but the concern in her eyes was clear.
Anaya forced a smile, appreciating the gesture. "I'll take a break in a bit. I just need to finish this one last thing."
Pranali raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms. "Nope. Now. Let's feed our tummies before we both pass out from hunger." She tugged at Anaya's arm playfully. "C'mon, it's not a request—it's an order."
Anaya chuckled, knowing there was no way she could argue with Pranali once she made up her mind. She stood up, closing her laptop and stretching, feeling the tightness in her shoulders. "Okay, okay, I surrender," she said with a laugh.
As they made their way toward the cafeteria, Anaya scanned the room, spotting a few familiar faces. She noticed Janvi and Jai sitting at a table, deep in conversation. Both of them were new interns like her, but while Jai was extroverted and quick to make friends, Janvi was more reserved, often keeping to herself.
The cafeteria was bustling with people, the clinking of silverware and chatter filling the space. Anaya and Pranali grabbed their trays and made their way to the nearest table. Just as they were about to sit, they heard Jai's voice rising above the noise.
"So, Janvi," Jai asked with a mischievous grin, "What's your relationship status? You seeing anyone?"
Janvi blushed a deep shade of red, clearly caught off guard by the question. She stammered for a moment before mumbling, "No, I'm not seeing anyone."
Before the conversation could progress any further, Kunal entered the cafeteria, his eyes scanning the room. He spotted Jai and Janvi and made his way toward them, a casual, almost predatory air about him. His presence seemed to command attention wherever he went. Placing his food tray down on the table, Kunal interrupted the conversation smoothly.
"What's happening over here?" he asked, his voice calm but with an edge of curiosity. His gaze briefly flickered to Anaya, who had just taken her seat a few tables away with Pranali.
"We're just talking about relationships," Jai said, leaning back in his chair with a grin. "You know, who's single, who's not."
Kunal smirked but didn't contribute much to the conversation. His eyes, however, seemed to linger a little longer on Anaya than usual. She was sitting opposite him, but they were separated by a few tables. Their eyes met briefly before Anaya quickly looked away, feeling a slight tension in the air.
Pranali, always the observer, noticed the interaction. She leaned over to Anaya, her voice low. "You know, Kunal's been looking at you a lot lately. Any idea why?"
Anaya shook her head, trying to dismiss the notion, but the blush on her cheeks betrayed her. "I don't know. He's probably just... curious about my work," she muttered, attempting to focus on her food.
Pranali wasn't convinced, but she didn't push further. Instead, her eyes fell on the delicate bracelet around Anaya's wrist. It was a simple silver band with a small heart charm—nothing extravagant, but beautiful in its simplicity. Pranali's curiosity got the better of her.
"That's a pretty bracelet," she remarked. "Who gave it to you?"
Anaya froze for a second, her heart skipping a beat. She wasn't prepared for this question, especially with Kunal sitting just a few tables away, listening intently. Trying to act casual, she glanced at her wrist, fiddling with the bracelet. "Oh, this? A friend gave it to me," she said, her voice light but avoiding eye contact.
Pranali raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying the vague response. "A friend, huh? Must be a close friend," she teased.
Before Anaya could respond, Janvi chimed in, her shyness forgotten for a moment. "So, Anaya, do you have a boyfriend?"
Anaya shook her head quickly, a little too quickly. "No, no boyfriend."
Kunal, who had been silently listening, felt a strange sense of satisfaction wash over him at her response. He hadn't realized how much he had been paying attention to her until now. Her answer made him feel... relieved, although he couldn't exactly explain why.
As the conversation shifted, Anaya let out a silent breath of relief. She was grateful the subject had moved away from her personal life. After finishing their meals, the group began to head back to the office, but Kunal and Jai stayed behind, lingering over their coffee.
"You think she's telling the truth?" Jai asked, looking curiously at Kunal.
Kunal raised an eyebrow. "About what?"
"Anaya. No boyfriend?" Jai clarified, taking a sip of his coffee.
Kunal leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Maybe. But who knows? People have secrets." His voice was calm, but there was something more behind his words—an unspoken curiosity that he wasn't ready to admit.
Jai smirked. "And what about you, Kunal? Still planning on staying single forever?"
Kunal gave a small smile but didn't answer directly. "Not forever... but for now, it's convenient." His eyes drifted toward the door where Anaya had just walked out. "But soon... things could change."
Back at their desks, Anaya returned to work, but her mind was racing. The day had been full of unexpected questions, and she felt as if everyone was suddenly paying too much attention to her. Her fingers hovered over her keyboard, but she found it hard to concentrate.
Pranali noticed the shift in her mood and nudged her gently. "You okay?"
Anaya nodded quickly, trying to refocus. "Yeah, just... tired."
Pranali smiled knowingly. "Well, take it easy. We've got a lot of work ahead, but don't burn yourself out. And remember, we're a team—you don't have to do everything by yourself."
Anaya smiled back, appreciating the support. "Thanks, Pranali. I'll keep that in mind."
As the day wore on, the new interns worked tirelessly, trying to prove themselves. But for Anaya, the challenge wasn't just about the workload—it was about navigating the subtle dynamics in the office. The looks, the questions, the lingering curiosity of Kunal—it was all becoming a bit overwhelming.
By the time the day ended, she was exhausted, both mentally and physically. As she gathered her things to leave, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was shifting in her world. And with every passing day, it was getting harder to keep her secrets hidden.
______________________
As the days passed, Anaya found herself becoming more entangled in the web of office politics, subtle glances, and the growing tension between her personal life and professional responsibilities. Each day felt like a delicate balancing act, and today was no different.
The morning started with a flurry of emails, meetings, and deadlines. Anaya, seated at her desk in the corner, worked quietly but diligently. Her desk, neat and organized, was a reflection of her meticulous nature. The sunlight streamed in from the large windows of the office, casting a warm glow on the room. Around her, the hum of typing, muted conversations, and the occasional ring of a phone created the usual background noise of the workplace.
Anaya was deep into reviewing some reports when she felt a presence nearby. Looking up, she saw Kunal standing a few feet away, his eyes on her as if he had been watching her for some time. His usual air of mystery was even more pronounced today, as his gaze was intense and unreadable.
"Morning," Kunal said in a smooth tone, breaking the silence. He was dressed impeccably, as always, in a crisp white shirt with the sleeves rolled up and dark trousers. His jacket was casually slung over his shoulder. He looked every bit the confident, powerful senior that he was.
"Good morning," Anaya replied, her voice polite but professional, hoping her nervousness didn't show. She quickly returned to her work, not wanting to linger on whatever unspoken tension was brewing between them.
Kunal, however, wasn't in a hurry to leave. He leaned against the edge of a nearby desk, arms crossed, observing her. "You've been working late the past few days. Everything going okay?" he asked, though there was something in his tone that suggested he already knew the answer.
Anaya hesitated, her fingers lightly tapping her keyboard. "Yes, everything's fine. Just trying to stay on top of things."
Kunal's eyes flickered with something like curiosity, or maybe even concern. "Make sure you don't overwork yourself. You have a tendency to take on too much. We wouldn't want you to burn out." There was a softness to his words, but also an underlying warning. His gaze lingered on her a second too long before he straightened up.
"I'll try not to," Anaya managed to say, offering a small smile. But as soon as he left, she exhaled deeply, realizing she had been holding her breath. Why was Kunal paying her so much attention? It was beginning to feel... unsettling.
Later in the day, the office buzzed with discussions about the new project. The workload had increased significantly, especially for the interns, who were expected to prove themselves. Anaya was juggling her tasks in both the development and marketing departments, and her schedule was packed. But today, she couldn't shake the feeling that Kunal's eyes were on her more than usual.
Around midday, the team began migrating toward the cafeteria for lunch. Anaya, though usually eager for a break, was still caught up in her work. She was reviewing a presentation for her marketing pitch when Pranali appeared beside her, looking slightly exasperated.
"Anaya!" Pranali said, hands on her hips. "You need to take a break. You've been working non-stop. Come on, let's get some food. You're not the only person in my team, you know. We've got others handling things too."
Anaya chuckled softly, realizing she had lost track of time. "Okay, okay, you're right. Let's go."
As they headed to the cafeteria, Anaya caught sight of Jai and Janvi sitting at a table, laughing about something. She smiled at the sight. Janvi was shy and quiet, but around Jai, she seemed to open up more. Anaya felt a warm sense of camaraderie among the interns, even if the work was challenging.
As they joined the group, Jai grinned at Anaya. "Finally, she emerges from the mountain of work!" he joked, causing Janvi to giggle.
Anaya rolled her eyes playfully. "Someone has to get things done around here."
Jai shook his head, still smiling. "Yeah, but you're not a robot, Anaya. You need to relax."
Just as the conversation was lightening up, Kunal entered the cafeteria, his presence instantly noticed by everyone. He moved with a quiet confidence, carrying his tray as if he had all the time in the world. When he reached their table, he placed his tray down, his sharp eyes scanning the group. "What's going on here?" he asked casually, though there was always a deeper layer to his words.
"We're talking about relationships," Jai said with a smirk, turning the conversation back to its previous track. "Who's single, who's taken... that sort of thing."
Kunal's expression didn't change, but there was a faint amusement in his eyes. "Interesting," he said, taking a seat and looking at Anaya out of the corner of his eye. "What about you, Jai? Are you single?"
Jai laughed. "You know it. And proud of it. Freedom and all that."
Pranali snorted. "You say that now, but just wait until you meet someone."
Jai leaned back, stretching his arms behind his head. "Not happening. I like my space."
Kunal smirked. "We'll see." His tone was cool, but his gaze subtly drifted toward Anaya, who was focused on her food, trying to stay out of the conversation. Pranali, ever the observant one, noticed the brief look and smirked to herself.
Suddenly, Pranali noticed the delicate bracelet on Anaya's wrist, her eyes lighting up with curiosity. "That's a pretty bracelet, Anaya. Who gave it to you?"
Anaya's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly glanced down at her wrist, fiddling with the bracelet. "Oh, this? A friend gave it to me," she said lightly, trying to avoid further questions. She didn't make eye contact with anyone, hoping the subject would drop.
Janvi, however, wasn't one to let things go easily. "A friend, huh? Is this 'friend' special?" she teased, nudging Anaya with a shy smile.
Anaya blushed but shook her head. "No, nothing like that."
Kunal, sitting across from her, was unusually quiet, his attention seemingly elsewhere but his eyes occasionally darting toward her wrist and the bracelet.
After finishing their lunch, Pranali and Anaya headed back to their desks. Kunal and Jai lingered behind, finishing their coffee.
As they sat in silence for a moment, Jai glanced at Kunal with a knowing look. "So... you're still single, huh? Think that's going to change anytime soon?"
Kunal didn't reply immediately, his gaze distant for a moment before he spoke, his voice low and thoughtful. "Not forever. But soon... things might change."
Jai raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. He had a feeling there was more going on with Kunal than he let on, but he knew better than to pry.
Back at her desk, Anaya tried to focus on her work, but her thoughts kept drifting back to the strange tension between her and Kunal. What was he thinking? Why was he paying so much attention to her? She couldn't afford distractions, especially not now. She had too much at stake—both in her career and in her secret life.
As the day wore on, the office buzzed with activity. The new project was demanding, and everyone was working overtime to meet the deadlines. Anaya pushed herself hard, balancing both her internship and her college work, but the weight of her secrets was beginning to feel heavier.
By the end of the day, as she gathered her things to leave, she couldn't shake the feeling that Kunal's eyes were on her. And as she walked out of the office, she knew that the delicate balance she had been maintaining was starting to shift—whether she was ready for it or not.
## To be continue...**