Hello, dear readers! 💖
Welcome to Chapter 87 of MINE YES!, a chapter wrapped in quiet emotions, unspoken words, and simmering tension. "Silent Desire" explores the hidden feelings and the vulnerability of wanting something—or someone—yet being unable to express it aloud.
In this chapter, Anaya and Rudra share moments where emotions speak louder than words. Their silent glances, hesitant touches, and unspoken longing reveal the depth of their connection. Sometimes, silence carries the weight of a thousand emotions, and in these still moments, their bond grows even stronger. 💫
I hope you feel the intensity and tenderness of these unspoken desires, the yearning that lingers just beneath the surface. Thank you for continuing on this emotional journey with me! Your love and support mean everything. 💕
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_________
The office hummed with its usual rhythm, the steady murmur of conversations blending with the soft clicking of keyboards. Yet, for Kunal, the noise was distant, almost muted. He sat at his desk, fingers loosely holding his phone, his expression unreadable. The screen glowed softly, a single message lingering on it.
"I'll try to make it. See you soon."
He stared at the message longer than necessary, his thumb hovering over the send button before pressing it with a quiet sigh. The message was delivered, and he placed the phone face-down on the desk. His gaze, as if drawn by an invisible thread, drifted across the room, settling on Anaya.
She sat at her desk, oblivious to the world around her, focused entirely on her work. Her hair fell over her shoulder in soft waves, and every so often, she would tuck a loose strand behind her ear with a gentle, almost unconscious motion. Kunal's eyes softened without him realizing it. There was something about her calm determination, her quiet grace, that held him captive in a way he couldn't explain.
He wasn't sure how long he had been watching her, but a voice interrupted his thoughts, pulling him back to reality with a jolt.
"So," Jai drawled, leaning casually against Kunal's desk, his arms folded across his chest, "losing yourself somewhere? Or maybe… wanting to lose yourself?"
Kunal blinked, momentarily disoriented. "What?" His voice was calm, but there was a slight edge of irritation. He shifted his gaze away from Anaya and back to his screen, though the damage was already done.
Jai smirked; eyes gleaming with mischief. "Come on, don't play dumb. I've been watching you for the past five minutes. You've been staring at her like she's the only person in the room."
"I wasn't staring," Kunal replied coolly, his tone clipped. He reached for a random file on his desk, flipping it open as if it suddenly required his full attention. "You're imagining things."
"Oh, I'm imagining things now?" Jai chuckled, pulling up a chair and sitting across from him, clearly enjoying himself. "Kunal, I've known you for a while. You don't get distracted. Ever. But right now? You're distracted."
Kunal exhaled sharply through his nose, closing the file with a soft thud. "I'm not distracted," he said, his voice level. "I was just... thinking."
"Thinking?" Jai raised an eyebrow. "Thinking about what? Work? Because it didn't look like work to me."
Kunal leaned back in his chair; his expression impassive. "You're reading too much into it."
"Am I?" Jai leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk, his voice lowering conspiratorially. "Because from where I'm sitting, it looked like you were admiring her. And don't even try to deny it again."
Kunal's jaw tightened, a flicker of annoyance flashing across his face. "There's nothing to deny," he said flatly. "I don't know what you think you saw, but it's nothing."
Jai tilted his head, studying him. "Why are you so defensive then? If it's nothing, why do you care?"
Kunal's gaze turned icy. "I don't care."
Jai leaned back, crossing his arms again, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "Right. You don't care. That's why you were staring at her like she's a puzzle you can't solve."
Kunal remained silent, his expression hardening. He picked up his pen and began to twirl it between his fingers, his movements controlled and deliberate.
Jai sighed, shaking his head. "Look, I'm not trying to mess with you—okay, maybe I am a little—but seriously, if you're interested, why not just admit it? No one's going to judge you for it."
"There's nothing to admit," Kunal said evenly, his voice colder now. "I'm focused on work. That's it."
Jai studied him for a long moment, the teasing light in his eyes dimming slightly. "You know," he said, his tone softer, "it's okay to let yourself feel something once in a while. Not everything has to be calculated or controlled."
Kunal's grip on the pen tightened, and for a split second, something flickered in his eyes—something vulnerable, almost fragile. But it was gone as quickly as it appeared.
"I'm not interested," he said quietly, his voice steady but devoid of emotion. "Now, if you're done, I have work to do."
Jai sighed, standing up and raising his hands in surrender. "Fine, fine. I'll back off. But just so you know..." He paused, glancing back at Kunal. "You're not as good at hiding it as you think."
With that, Jai walked away, leaving Kunal alone at his desk. The room seemed quieter now, the noise of the office fading into the background once more.
Kunal stared down at his phone, still face-down on the desk, and for a long moment, he didn't move. Finally, he exhaled, leaning forward and running a hand through his hair.
He wasn't sure what he was doing, or why he felt the way he did. But one thing was certain—Jai wasn't entirely wrong.
Without realizing it, his gaze drifted back toward Anaya.
_________
Chapter Title: Threads of Uncertainty
Kunal let out a slow breath, his jaw tightening as he willed himself to focus. His eyes darted back to the files on his desk, flipping through the pages mechanically, but the words blurred together into a meaningless jumble. It wasn't like him to lose focus. He thrived on precision, on control. Yet here he was, unraveling over something—or rather, someone—he wasn't even supposed to think about.
Across the office, Anaya remained blissfully unaware, typing away on her keyboard, occasionally pausing to scribble notes in her journal. She wore a soft pink blouse paired with tailored black pants, a simple outfit that somehow radiated elegance. Her expression was serene, her brow furrowed in concentration as she worked, completely engrossed in her task.
Kunal tore his gaze away, berating himself silently. Get a grip. He wasn't some lovesick fool. He had no business being distracted, least of all by her.
But Jai's words echoed in his mind. It's okay to let yourself feel something.
No. It wasn't okay. Not for him. Feelings were messy, unpredictable, and dangerous. They had no place in his life.
As if sensing the tension in the air, Anaya's phone buzzed softly against her desk. She glanced at the screen, a smile tugging at her lips as she saw the message. Her fingers flew across the keyboard, typing a quick reply before setting the phone back down.
Kunal couldn't help but wonder who she was messaging. He felt a faint, unwelcome stir of jealousy and crushed it before it could take root. Not your business, he reminded himself. Still, the curiosity gnawed at him.
Just then, Anaya's phone buzzed again, and this time, she chuckled softly, the sound light and musical, drawing the attention of her colleague Pranali.
"Who's got you smiling like that?" Pranali teased, leaning over with a playful grin. "Someone special?"
Anaya flushed slightly, shaking her head. "It's nothing."
Pranali raised an eyebrow. "Doesn't look like nothing to me."
Anaya just smiled, refusing to elaborate. She picked up her phone again and typed another message.
Anaya's phone conversation with Rudra:
Rudra:
Miss me yet?
Anaya rolled her eyes, suppressing a grin. She typed back quickly.
Anaya:
I've been gone for two hours. You're that desperate?
The reply was immediate.
Rudra:
Desperate? No. Just bored without my favorite distraction.
Her cheeks warmed, and she bit her lip, trying to fight the flutter in her chest.
Anaya:
Shouldn't you be working, Mr. CEO?
Rudra:
I am working. Just multitasking.
Anaya:
Multitasking?
Rudra:
Thinking about you while pretending to read this boring report.
Anaya laughed quietly, shaking her head as she replied.
Anaya:
You're impossible.
Rudra:
And yet, here you are, smiling.
She glanced around, making sure no one noticed, though she could feel Pranali's curious gaze lingering. She sent one last message.
Anaya:
Stop distracting me, Rudra.
Rudra:
Never.
She slipped her phone into her pocket, still smiling, as Pranali nudged her.
"You've got that dreamy look," Pranali teased. "Who's the lucky guy?"
Anaya shook her head, laughing. "Just an old friend."
Pranali smirked. "If you say so."
Meanwhile, Kunal watched.
His eyes flicked to Anaya, noting the faint blush on her cheeks, the way her eyes sparkled. It was like she was in another world, far removed from the dull grind of the office. His chest tightened, a bitter pang of something unnameable curling in his stomach. Was this what Jai meant?
"Kunal." Jai's voice broke through again, and Kunal almost jumped. He didn't realize how tightly he had been gripping the pen until he set it down, his knuckles white.
"What?" Kunal snapped, more harshly than intended.
Jai held up his hands in mock surrender, clearly enjoying the effect. "Relax, man. You've been staring at her again."
"I'm not—"
"You are," Jai interrupted with a grin. "Look, it's not my business, but if you keep denying it, you'll lose your mind."
Kunal's lips pressed into a thin line. He wanted to argue, to tell Jai to back off, but instead, he exhaled sharply. "Drop it, Jai."
Jai raised an eyebrow, but after a moment, he relented. "Fine. For now."
Kunal leaned back in his chair, letting the tension drain from his shoulders. But even as he returned to his work, the image of Anaya's smile lingered in his mind, haunting him like a melody he couldn't forget.
And somewhere, deep down, he knew—no matter how hard he tried, this wasn't something he could simply ignore.
_______
Chapter Title: Brothers, Business, and a Twist
The boardroom was steeped in tension, the sleek, modern design doing little to ease the mounting frustration within. Rudra sat at the head of the long mahogany table, sleeves rolled up, tie slightly loosened—a rare sight for someone as meticulously put-together as him. His sharp eyes scanned the digital screen displaying the company's financial reports, his brow furrowed deeply.
Beside him, Ravi leaned back in his chair, drumming his fingers on the table with a restless energy. Aarav, meanwhile, slouched slightly, scrolling through the tablet in his hands, looking for clues to unravel the mess that had plagued the company's records for the last three months.
"How is it that three departments can't produce coherent records?" Rudra muttered, tapping the table impatiently. "Are we running a business or a circus?"
Ravi smirked. "A profitable circus, at least."
Aarav chuckled but quickly composed himself when Rudra shot him a warning glare. "Seriously, though," Aarav began, adjusting his posture, "I think I found something. If I can figure out this discrepancy in the logistics report, we might be able to tie everything together."
Rudra raised an eyebrow. "Bold claim."
Aarav grinned mischievously. "Well, if I do solve it... how about a boys' night out? You know, just us—no work, no stress."
He glanced sideways at Ravi, who immediately perked up. "I'm hooked," Ravi said, grinning. "Seriously, Rudra, when was the last time you loosened up?"
Rudra let out a low sigh, leaning back in his chair. "Boys, boys," he began, rubbing his temples, "as much as I'd love to join you in whatever mischief you're planning, I have other priorities."
Aarav tilted his head. "Oh, come on. You can spare one night. It's not like we're asking for a week-long vacation."
Ravi chimed in, still grinning. "Yeah, think of it as 'team bonding.'"
Rudra's lips twitched into a faint smile. "Tempting. But here's the thing—I'm already planning a night out."
Aarav frowned. "Wait... what?"
"With my wife," Rudra said smoothly, enjoying the look of shock on Aarav's face. "But not alone."
Ravi leaned forward, intrigued. "Wait, wait. Hold on. Not alone? What do you mean?"
Rudra's smirk grew. "I'm planning a small getaway. And yes, before you ask, it includes both of you."
Aarav blinked, stunned. "Wait, you're bringing us? On a date with your wife?"
"Not a date," Rudra corrected. "It's a weekend trip. Anaya's been working hard, and I thought she could use a break. But I figured it'd be good for all of us to unwind. Family bonding."
Ravi leaned back, laughing. "This is a twist. First, you ditch the boys' night, and now you're dragging us into your romantic getaway?"
Aarav groaned but couldn't help the amused grin on his face. "So, what's the catch? Are we there as a buffer, or do you just want to torture us?"
Rudra's smile softened. "No catch. Anaya deserves a break, and honestly, so do we. But I want it to be memorable—not just for her but for all of us."
Ravi exchanged a glance with Aarav. "Alright," he said, throwing up his hands in mock surrender. "I'm in. But if this turns into a couples' retreat where we're the third and fourth wheels, I'm out."
Aarav nodded. "Same. If it's all lovey-dovey stuff, count me out."
Rudra chuckled. "Trust me, you'll enjoy it. Besides, I'm still your boss, so technically, you don't have a choice."
The room erupted in laughter, the tension from earlier melting away. Even Rudra, normally the picture of stoicism, seemed lighter, more relaxed.
"Well," Aarav said, standing and stretching, "I guess I'd better solve this report, huh? Can't miss out on a trip."
Ravi grinned. "Let's get to it. Who knew Rudra Singhaniya could be so full of surprises?"
Rudra watched them with a satisfied smile, feeling, for the first time in a while, a sense of balance between duty and family. He picked up his phone and sent a quick message.
Rudra:
You're going to love what I have planned.
As he set the phone down, he thought of Anaya's smile and knew he had made the right choice.
Chapter Title: Messages and Moments
The boardroom settled into a quiet hum of activity as Aarav and Ravi focused on their work. Rudra, satisfied that the mood had lightened, leaned back in his chair, his gaze falling on the glowing screen of his phone. A notification flashed—a reply from Anaya.
Anaya:
I hope it's not one of your surprises where I end up embarrassed. 😒
Rudra smirked, his fingers hovering over the keyboard. He could almost hear her teasing tone through the text.
Rudra:
Embarrassed? No. Surprised? Definitely.
Anaya:
Should I be worried?
Rudra:
Only if you consider being spoiled a problem.
He set the phone down for a moment, only to pick it up again almost immediately. The conversation was a welcome distraction from the endless reports and meetings. Her next reply came quickly.
Anaya:
Spoiled? By you? Impossible. 😉
Rudra:
Careful. I might take that as a challenge.
Across the office, Anaya sat at her desk, biting back a smile. She glanced around to ensure no one noticed her texting. Ria, seated nearby, raised an eyebrow.
"Texting Rudra again?" Ria asked, grinning knowingly.
Anaya blushed slightly. "Maybe."
Ria laughed softly. "I can't believe you two keep it such a secret. You should see the way Kunal looks at you when he thinks no one's watching."
Anaya shook her head, dismissing the comment. "Kunal's just... Kunal. He's always like that."
Back in the boardroom, Rudra leaned over the table, his phone still in hand. Ravi, noticing his distracted demeanor, shot him a smirk.
"Trouble in paradise?" Ravi teased.
Rudra raised an eyebrow. "No. Just making sure my plans are perfect."
Aarav glanced up, curious. "You're really serious about this trip, huh?"
"I don't do anything halfway," Rudra replied smoothly.
Anaya:
Challenge accepted, Mr. Singhaniya.
Rudra read the message and allowed himself a rare smile, one that softened the sharp lines of his face. Aarav and Ravi exchanged a look.
"Look at him," Aarav whispered to Ravi. "Completely gone."
Ravi chuckled. "It's actually nice to see him like this."
"Boys," Rudra interrupted, not looking up from his phone, "keep talking and you'll both be working overtime."
They laughed but returned to their work, leaving Rudra to his thoughts. The idea of the trip lingered in his mind, but it was Anaya's playful text that held his attention.
Meanwhile: Anaya's Desk
Anaya stretched in her chair, a content sigh escaping her lips. Her phone buzzed again, and she picked it up eagerly.
Rudra:
You'll regret accepting that challenge.
Anaya:
I doubt it. Besides, I'm always one step ahead of you.
She leaned back, savoring the moment, until a familiar voice broke her reverie. Pranali approached, carrying two coffee cups. She handed one to Anaya with a grin.
"Are you two texting again? You've got that look," Pranali teased.
"What look?" Anaya asked, feigning innocence.
"The one that says you're falling harder than you want to admit," Pranali teased, taking a sip of her coffee. "So, what's this mysterious trip Rudra's planning?"
Anaya shrugged, but her cheeks reddened. "I have no idea. He just said it'll be a surprise."
Pranali wiggled her eyebrows. "Well, if it involves him, it's bound to be interesting."
Before Anaya could reply, the elevator doors opened, and Kunal stepped out, his usual stoic expression softening just slightly when his eyes found Anaya. He paused, as if debating whether to approach, but continued walking toward his office without a word.
Pranali noticed and nudged Anaya. "See what I mean? He can't take his eyes off you."
Anaya rolled her eyes. "It's not like that."
Pranali laughed, but before she could say more, Ria approached. "What are you two gossiping about?" she asked, settling into the chair next to Anaya.
"Anaya's secret admirer," Pranali teased.
Ria's eyes widened in mock surprise. "Which one? Rudra or Kunal?"
Anaya groaned, covering her face with her hands. "Can we please change the subject?"
They laughed, but Anaya couldn't help but glance toward Kunal's office, feeling the weight of his gaze even from afar.
Kunal's Office
Kunal sat at his desk, his fingers drumming on the surface. His phone lay face down beside him, but his mind wasn't on work. It was on Anaya. He didn't understand why, but she was always in his thoughts lately.
Jai walked in, noticing Kunal's distracted state. "Daydreaming again?" Jai teased, dropping into the chair opposite him.
Kunal straightened, his expression neutral. "Just thinking."
"About Anaya?" Jai asked, smirking.
Kunal's jaw tightened. "It's not like that."
Jai leaned forward, grinning. "If you say so, but you're not fooling anyone."
Kunal exhaled slowly. "Drop it, Jai."
Jai raised his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. But you might want to figure out what's going on in that head of yours."
As Jai left, Kunal glanced toward Anaya's desk one more time, the tension in his chest tightening. He was drawn to her, whether he liked it or not.
To be continue....