CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE
Ishika's 🐰🐇POV:
I am so done with this Chudail (witch) of a team manager, all she ever does is ordering me around like a slave and she never gives me the work that I actually want to do.
Today, she asked me to fetch coffee from a specific shop three blocks away and photocopies of the report which is required for today's meeting and some other stuff. Since she has a specific coffee order from that very shop which I forgot, I am so dead.
Juggling the coffee, the photocopies, and the door handle, I managed to keep my balance somehow but as I stepped into the office, disaster struck. My foot caught in something, sending me tumbling forward.
The coffee tumbler with its precious contents, the papers, and everything soared through the air, landing right into a tall wall of a man in a very expensive suit.
"Main ek chalti-phirti musibat kyon banti ja rahi hoon? (Where did I develop this uncanny ability to attract disaster?)" I muttered to myself, my face burning with embarrassment.
The man's expensive suit was now adorned with a dark, ugly stain, courtesy of my clumsy self. But surprisingly, the man was smiling good-naturedly. His expression was totally opposite to what I had imagined.
"I... I am so sorry, really sorry," I stammered, my face flushed with embarrassment. I couldn't meet his eyes, the weight of my clumsiness pressing down on me.
"Oh no, that's quite a stain. Perhaps... dinner would be a suitable form of compensation?" he suggested with a charming smile, his eyes twinkling with amusement. I looked at him with surprise.
"Sorry?" I stammered, my mind racing. My face flushed a deep crimson as I realized the implication of his words.
"What on earth is going on here?!" The team manager's thunderous voice, sharp and accusatory, jolting me out of my stupor. My heart pounded in my chest as I braced myself for the inevitable scolding.
"Can't you even do one thing right? Look at the mess you've created! All the photocopies are ruined, what will I show in the meeting today? The CEO himself is coming to the meeting!" Her voice was sharp, laced with irritation, as she surveyed the disaster zone.
"I'll reprint everything right now," I announced, My focus was on trying to rectify the situation, ignoring the chaos unfolding around me, ignoring the man in front of me.
He turned around to look at the team manager. Her eyes were wide like a saucer in surprise, her jaw dropping slightly. 'Ye isse esse kyu dekh rahi hai? (Why is she looking at him like that?) ' My mind is trying to process the situation.
"Sir, you're here already. I am truly sorry for the inconvenience caused by my employee's clumsiness," the team manager apologized, her voice trembling slightly.
To everyone's surprise, a slow, enigmatic smile spread across the man's face. His eyes, however, held a depth of amusement that hinted at something more complex beneath the surface.
"Don't worry about it," he said, his voice carrying an air of nonchalance. "We can start the meeting after the copies are printed," he added, giving me a last glance that lingered a moment too long. His eyes, a piercing blue, held a depth that was both intriguing and intimidating, and he left to go to the meeting room.
"Hurry up and get to work!" Kamya Sahani, my team manager, barked at me, her voice laced with irritation.
I rushed to the printer and began pulling out the freshly printed copies.
"Oye, toone dekha CEO ko, meree side se hi nikal ke gaya abhi, He was breathtaking. (Man, did you see the CEO? He looked so cool! He just passed by me.)" Hiral my colleague, leaned against the printer and spoke to me, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"CEO ka toh pata nahi par koi chep insaan jaroor mila, dinner ke liye puch raha tha... ek second Vo, CEO tha! (I don't know about the CEO, but I definitely met some weirdo, asking me out for dinner... Wait a second, that was the CEO!)" I exclaimed, making a dumb face. 'Mujhe toh lagta hai ki mera waqt hi bura chal raha hai (I feel like nothing is going my way.)' My jaw dropping in disbelief.
Mrityunjay's 🐯🐅POV:
A summons from Grandfather was never a casual affair. His office, a sanctum of power and tradition, loomed over me as I approached. There was a sense of anticipation, of a storm brewing, a quiet intensity that demanded respect.
"Aao, Mrityunjay. (Come, Mrityunjay.) I am really happy today. Today, I am finally going to erase that stain on our name. I am going to get my revenge on that bastard finally," Bade Rana Sa's voice echoed through the room, his eyes burning with a cold intensity. The old man, usually so composed, was visibly agitated, his voice laced with a venom I hadn't heard in years.
Confusion etched itself on my face as I struggled to comprehend his words. The man I had known for years, the stoic and composed patriarch, was now displaying an uncharacteristic fervor.
"kya ham jaan sakte hai ki, kaun hai vo khushkismat, jisse aapse itni attention mil rahi hai . (Who is the lucky guy getting all this attention from you?)" I asked, a hint of amusement in my voice. The old man's uncharacteristic excitement had piqued my curiosity.
"Vardhman Jaiswal," Bade Rana Sa spat out the name with venom, his eyes glinting with a dangerous intensity. "His neck is under the blade of my sword. I've been waiting for this opportunity all my life, since the day he humiliated me so publicly."
"What are you planning to do to him?" I asked, the old man. The old man's eyes held a cold, calculating glint, a predator's gaze assessing its prey.
"Everyone will find out, in just two days. His company is going to go bankrupt, and his properties are going to be sealed. Soon, he will come begging on our doorstep." he said, his voice cold and calculated. There was a chilling satisfaction in his tone, a predator savoring the moment before the kill.
"Is that all you wanted to talk about?" I asked, my tone flat.
"Nahi nahi, hum to aapko, aapki Aaradhya ke sath shaadi ke baare mein batana chahate the, (No, no, I actually wanted to talk to you about your marriage with Aaradhya Khurana,)" Bade Rana Sa began, his tone firm and decisive.
"I've decided you will marry her in three months. I'll speak to her father about it soon." The unexpected announcement hung in the air, heavy and loaded with implications.
If he thinks I'll marry her, he is dead wrong. There is no way in hell I will marry her in this or any other lifetime. I know exactly how his mind works. A little push, and he'd be dancing to my tune.
"Aagar aap hamari shaadi hi karna chahate hai toh ham samajh nahi paa rahe hai ki aap, itni achchhi opportunity kyu miss kar rahe hai, (If my marriage is the only thing that you want, then I don't understand why are you wasting such an incredible opportunity.)" I paused, my voice laced with a cold indifference.
"Aap kehna kya chahate hai, kaisi opportunity? (What opportunity are you talking about?)" Bade Rana Sa's voice was laced with irritation. His earlier enthusiasm seemed to have vanished, replaced by a cold, calculating demeanor.
"If you want to destroy the enemy completely and take perfect revenge, then isn't an eye for an eye the best approach?" I queried, my tone laced with a cold indifference.
Bade Rana Sa's expression turned contemplative. His eyes, filled with a lifetime of wisdom and experience, held a certain depth. "Izzat ke badle izzat, (In exchange for respect, respect.)" I said.
"Unhone hamari izzat bhare baazaar sabke samne uchaali thi, hamein bhi unhe unhi ke sabdo mein javaab dena chahiye, (He smeared our respect, he took your women, we shall take theirs. To make it all even,)" I said, the words hung heavy in the air, I was trying to coerce him to take the bait and play the game as I want him to play.
He looked at me, a silent battle raging within his eyes. His expression was a complex interplay of emotions, a storm of conflicting thoughts brewing inside him.
"Mrityunjay bhulo mat hamare yaha mahilao ki izzat ki jati hai, ham utne bhi nahi gire hai ki kisi ki bahu beti ki izzat ka, aadar na karein, (Mrityunjay, don't forget that we respect women in our household. We are not so despicable that we will insult someone's daughter-in-law or daughter.)" Bade Rana Sa said with a stern expression.
"Ham kisi ka apmaan karne ko nahi keh rahe hai, bus unki beti se shaadi karke unke bade se gurur ko hamare kadmo ke neeche rondhne ke liye keh rahe hai. (I am not saying that we should insult someone. I am just saying that by marrying their daughter, we could just crush their immense pride under our feet.)" I added just to satisfy his sense of honor.
I know, that I have convinced him to a significant degree.
"Aur aap shaadi ke liye taiyar hai. (And you are ready to get married.)" He asked me with disbelief.
"Hamein agar shaadi karna hi hai toh yeh hi hamare liye sahi hai. (I am obligated to get married anyway, so this is the most suitable circumstance for me to do so.)" I could feel my eyes sparkle at the thought of getting married to my little rabbit.
Ishika's 🐰🐇POV:
Finally, the day was over, and I could escape the confines of the office. After a long, tiring day, all I wanted was to sink into the comfort of my own home. As I waited for my ride to arrive, a sleek black car rolled to a stop in front of me. The driver's door opened, revealing the same man from the morning.
"Need a ride?" he offered, his voice smooth as velvet. "And the dinner is also due." A playful glint danced in his eyes, 'why is he behaving like this.' I thought to myself.
"No, thank you. I'll take a cab," I replied, my voice firm. A polite but firm rejection was necessary. I couldn't afford to get involved in any unnecessary complications.
I watched as he nodded in understanding, his expression unreadable. There was something about him, a certain intensity that intrigued and intimidated me in equal measure.
"I'll have to replace that shirt," he said with a smile, I looked at him with a worried expression, "Such a shame I didn't even get any compensation." a glint of amusement in his eyes. I looked at the ground.
'He is trying to guilt trip me into going to dinner with him. What do I do? ' I thought to myself, frustration bubbling up within me. His charm was undeniable, but I wasn't about to be swayed by his tactics.
"I'll have to change before I go to the dinner," I mumbled, my mind racing. I wished he'd drop the topic altogether. I couldn't afford to offend him, especially after ruining his shirt, he was, after all, the CEO of the company, Atharva Singhania.
"Then let's get you a dress and we can have dinner right after," he suggested, I shook my head vigorously, my cheeks burning with embarrassment. There was no way I was going to accept his offer.
"Sir, I can't let you do that. I ruined your clothes and now you are trying to buy me clothes, this is not..." I trailed off, my voice filled with a mixture of embarrassment and disbelief.
"It's okay if you don't want to compensate me for my shirt, it's alright," he said, a hint of disappointment coloring his voice.
"I... Okay, let's have dinner," my voice barely a whisper. Whatever that is happening is beyond my control.
"Let's get you a dress first," he suggested, he was clearly amused with the situation.
>>
We arrived at the nearest mall to get a dress, I don't know what is wrong with me that I can't deny him. So, as a result I am standing inside a changing room trying on a dress, which by the way I find really nice.
I emerged from the dressing room, I felt a surge of self-consciousness. The dress clinging to my skin. The CEO's gaze swept over me, a slow, appreciative smile curving his lips. As his eyes held a silent appraisal, I could feel another pair of eyes staring at me intensely.
Mrityunjay's 🐯🐅POV:
'How the hell did I get so lucky? It feels like wherever I go she is there' She looked stunning. The dress accentuated her curves in all the right places, her allure was undeniable. For a moment, I was lost in the beauty before me.
I'd arrived at our mall for a pressing business meeting. As I was leaving, my eyes caught the sight of the one and only object of my desire, my little rabbit, coming out of the changing room in that dress she was looking just like a rabbit. A smirk crept across my lips.
The smirk vanished as soon as I saw who was talking to her. A cold fury ignited within me as I recognized the man. He was a predator, and my rabbit was his prey. Atharva Singhania, of all people. My blood ran cold. This was the last person I ever wanted her to meet least of all interact with. Since she works in his company, I know that is impossible.
My feet moved before my mind could register the action. I found myself standing beside her, my presence a silent assertion of ownership. "Atharva Singhania, what the hell are you doing here?" My voice was low, a dangerous growl.
They both turned in my direction, their gazes colliding with mine. Atharva's smirk was a blatant provocation, while Ishika looked startled, her eyes wide with surprise. The tension in the air was palpable.
"Mrityunjay Singh Rathore, what a surprise to find you here," Atharva drawled, his voice dripping with false nonchalance. The amusement in his eyes was clear, a blatant attempt to provoke.
"As you should know, this is my property, who allowed you in here? Why am I even asking, it is your old habit to come uninvited." I spat out, my voice low. The audacity of this man to waltz into my property without permission was infuriating.
"If you haven't noticed, this is a mall, and we are customers here. Right, Angel?" Atharva retorted, his voice dripping with sarcasm. Ishika looked at him wide eyed. Blood rushed to my head. The monster inside me wants blood now, his blood. How dare he call my little rabbit, an Angel, she is an Angel, that is beside the point.
"I… You both know each other? Are you guys friends?" Ishika asked, her voice laced with confusion. The unexpected encounter had thrown her off balance.
"No!" Atharva and I both exclaimed simultaneously, our eyes locking in a battle, we glared at each other. Ishika took a step back, whispering an okay.
Ishika's 🐰🐇POV:
What was going on? Why were they behaving like this? I felt like a small fish caught in a net of confusion and awkwardness. The tension between them was so fierce that I could see the sparks fly, and I was caught in the crossfire.
'Mrityunjay Singh Rathore... Mrityunjay... where have I heard that name before? ' My mind raced, trying to piece together the puzzle. It was the kind of mental block you experience during an exam, when the answer is right there, just out of reach. I have a feeling that bit of information is really essential.
"Ishika, Ishika! What are you doing here? You didn't even tell me you were going shopping," Aanika's voice, my lifeline in this surreal situation, cut through the tension.
"Hey, what are you doing here? it was all a last minute thing." I asked Aanika while hugging her, relief washing over me. Her presence was a beacon of normalcy in this bizarre situation. Crossing my fingers, I signaled her with our secret hand gesture for help which we all came up with in 8th grade.
"I was here to meet with a client, but I'm just leaving. Oh thank god I saw you here. I really needed your help with... with the thing. I was just about to go to your place to ask for your help, please come with me... right now and help me with... the thing." Aanika explained breathlessly, Her acting is goddamn awful. Her eyes darting between me and the two intimidating strangers.
"Oh, is that so, of course I'll come with you to help you with the thing." I said to Aanika, thanking her with my eyes. Before anyone asks, my acting is just as awful as hers.
"I really need to leave now. Thank you for understanding," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. I wanted nothing more than to escape the brewing storm. Grabbing my belongings, I made a hasty retreat, Aanika trailing behind me.
Escaping the tense atmosphere of the mall, we stepped into the cool comfort of the taxi. I turned to Aanika, my best friend, and threw my arms around her in a tight hug. "You are my life savior, I love you for being here when you were." My voice filled with gratitude.
"Alright, alright, what were you doing there, with two handsome hunks like that? And one of them none other than 'Hukum AKA Rana Sa' Mrityunjay Singh Rathore," Aanika exclaimed, her eyes wide with curiosity and amusement.
"Where do I start?... What... What did you say?... I am dead." I am brain dead, trying to process the whirlwind of events. The mention of his name sent a jolt of recognition through me.
>>
I explained everything to her, from the bizarre encounter to the unsettling presence of Atharva Singhania. Her eyes widened in disbelief as I recounted the events, her jaw dropping in astonishment.
"So, the guy you kissed that night is Hukum?" Aanika exclaimed in disbelief, her laughter filling the car. Her disbelief was evident, and I couldn't help but join in, the absurdity of the situation finally sinking in, her laugh was like normal laughing but my laugh was more like an attack of hysteria.
"You're so dead if your family finds out," Aanika warned, her voice laced with both amusement and concern. The gravity of the situation was slowly sinking in.
"No one will find out, I am not telling, are you?" I replied, my voice firm.
"Of course not," she replied, I nodded. 'Why me? Every time, life mein pehle kabhi koi adventure nahi tha aur, jab thoda kuch shuru hua, aapne toh mere raaste lagwa diye (There was never any adventure in my life before and when a little something started, you got me in big trouble.)' I thought talking to bhagwan ji (god) in my head.