[Priya's POV]
I wake up to the sound of my alarm at 5:30 AM. The sky outside is still a sleepy grey. I sit on my bed for a few seconds, rubbing my eyes and letting the silence settle. There's a strange comfort in having a few quiet minutes before the world starts moving.
By 7:00 AM, I'm dressed in a black anarkali and black leggings. Today I thought about letting my hair open, a bag on my shoulder, and the tiniest bit of kajal under my eyes. I boil some water, drink it, and step out into the city's humid morning.
The auto ride is slow—Bangalore traffic has no mercy. Horns, exhaust fumes, scooters zipping through tight gaps. I plug in my earphones but don't play anything. Just watching the city move past me.
I reached the office a little after 8:30 AM. The glass doors, the hum of AC, the swipe-in beep—it's all starting to feel... routine. Comfortable, even.
At my desk, I check emails and sip the instant coffee Tanya left for me, already half-cold. She grins at me from across the table but doesn't say much. It's that kind of morning, quiet, focused, normal.
Around 9:15 AM, my office phone rings. It's Raghav sir.
"Hey, Priya. Can you come to my cabin?"
My heart jumps a little, but I keep my voice calm. "Yes, sir. Coming."
He gives me a new UI screen to work on simple but neat. A few user interaction changes, and he wants a working prototype by the end of the day. I nod, take notes, and return to my desk with a small sense of relief. I understand this task. I can do this.
And just like that, the morning flows. No heavy thoughts.Just me, my screen, and lines of code.
[Aarav's POV]
I skipped breakfast. I know Ma will bring it up again, that damn marriage proposal from last night. The same sugary smile, the same "She's from a good family, beta. Just meet her once." I don't want to hear it. Not after the way it left a bitter taste in my mouth yesterday.
Flashback [Yesterday night]
Maa sat on the living room sofa, shawl wrapped neatly around her shoulders, the warm glow of the lamp softening the lines on her face. Her voice was gentle. Too gentle.
"Aarav, just a meeting. Her family is well-settled. And she's pretty, beta..."
There it is . Again.
I stared at my laptop, jaw tight, pretending to scroll through reports. Maybe if I didn't react, she'd stop but she didn't.
"She works in a consultancy firm. Very grounded girl. I think you'll like her."
I shut the laptop with a snap. The sound echoed.
"Stop bringing it up," I said, standing up.
She blinked, startled. "I'm just saying, what's the harm in meeting—"
"I said NO!" My voice came out harsher than I meant. Louder and Ugly.
She flinched. The room fell silent, except for the ticking of the wall clock.
I hated that look on her face. That small, crumpling expression of disappointment like I'd broken something delicate between us.
But I didn't fix it.
I turned and walked away, my blood hot, my hands clenched.
Locked my door behind me.
And then I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling in the dark, feeling like a goddamn coward.
It was past 1 AM when I knocked on her door.
Softly, at first. Then again.
The light inside flickered on. I heard the rustle of her footsteps before the door creaked open. She didn't say anything and went toward her bed and sat.
I stepped inside.
"Maa..." My voice caught. "I didn't mean to yell."
She looked at me for a second longer, then patted the empty space beside her on the bed.
I sat down.
"I'm just... under pressure," I muttered. "The product launch is chaos. Deadlines, bugs, demos... I'm barely sleeping."
It wasn't a lie. Just not the whole truth.
She hummed in that way she does when she knows I'm hiding something but chooses not to push. Her hand reached up and smoothed down my hair, like I was five again and scared of thunderstorms.
I looked down, guilt gnawing at my chest. She never holds my anger against me.
I leaned in and kissed her forehead. "You should sleep, Maa."
She smiled, tired but warm, and I turned off the light before closing the door behind me.
[End of Flashback]
Traffic moves slowly as I drive toward the company, but my mind is even more crowded. It's 10:00 AM when I finally step into the Infinitum lobby, black sunglasses still on, sleeves rolled halfway up, jaw tight with lingering tension.
I know I'm late.
The receptionist looks up and gives a polite nod. People cross paths, murmuring "good morning, sir." some with that practiced enthusiasm that never quite touches their eyes.
I return none of it. My head's not here, not yet.
Security nods without checking. They always do. My steps echo against the marble floor as I move towards the private elevator, the one only senior staff can access. I tap my badge, the light turns green. The doors glide open.
Inside, it's just me and my reflection in the mirrored panel. I look like I have it together. But the silence knows better.
Now, as the elevator glides up, I exhale sharply, dragging my hand through my hair.
Product launch? That's not what's pulling at my nerves like barbed wire.
It's her, Priya. Is she at her desk yet? What mood is she in? Is she still afraid of me...
The elevator dings softly. I step out, cutting across the aisle toward my cabin when I spot her.
I froze in my place. Priya is in my department.
Her hair is open today, falling in soft waves down her back like ink bleeding into paper. She's wearing black. Not dull office-formal black but something softer. It clings just enough. And the jhumkas... they sway as she speaks, catching the overhead light with every slight tilt of her head.
I shouldn't notice this much. But I do. Every detail. She's standing near Rajat, my junior assistant, smiling, talking, and laughing with him.
Why is she laughing?
Something twists in my chest. I can't tell if it's annoyance or... something more dangerous. My jaw clenches.
Rajat says something and she giggles again.
That's it.
I lean slightly forward against the railing that separates the walkway from the cubicle cluster, eyes locked on her. I know it's not subtle. I don't care.
And then she turns.
Her smile falters for a beat when she sees me watching. Our eyes meet across the floor, and for a moment... everything else fades.
She starts walking toward me, the air around her shifting like she's dragging my focus with every step.
Still, I don't move.
She's close now. Close enough that I can smell the faint trace of jasmine in her shampoo, and can hear the soft tap of her sandals.
And I wonder, does she even realize what she does to me just by existing in the same room?
[Author's POV]
She's just passed a few steps from him when his voice, low and sharp, cuts through the air.
"PRIYA."
She stops.
The name falls like a command, not a greeting. Her spine stiffens instinctively as she halts mid-step, unsure whether to turn or keep walking.
Before she can decide, she feels it—his presence behind her.
He's close. Too close.
The air shifts. Her breath catches. His body never touches hers, but his nearness is electric, dangerous.
Aarav bends slightly, his face near her ear, and his voice comes out like a quiet fire.
"Don't do that again."
Just five words. But they land like a warning. Like a possession.
She doesn't even know what "that" is.
Her fingers tighten around the file in her hand. Her heart stammers wildly in her chest. She can feel the heat of his breath brushing against her neck, and—
He pauses. Closes his eyes for the briefest second and inhales her scent. Something between need and rage flickers across his face, and in the next moment, he straightens and storms off, his jaw clenched, his pace sharp.
Straight into his cabin. Leaving Priya frozen in the hallway half shaken, half burning with something she can't name.
[Priya's POV]
I walk faster than I should. My sandal clack a little too loudly against the tile floor. I settle into my chair and place the file down carefully, like routine will somehow calm my nerves. Tanya is busy on a call, and for once, I'm grateful for the silence.
But my mind refuses to be quiet. I didn't even 'do' anything. Just delivered a report. That's it.
So why did he look at me like that? Like I broke some unspoken rule and why did I feel so... exposed under his gaze?
I touch my jhumka out of habit, twisting the silver bead absently. Was it the way I looked today? Did he even notice anything beyond that?
No. He always looks at me like he's figuring out whether to destroy me or protect me.
Like he hasn't made up his mind yet.
God. Why am I even thinking about him?
I shake my head and turn to my laptop. Raghav sir's task is still pending.
But even as I scroll through my work, my mind drifts back—back to those eyes, and that impossible moment when I passed him, and everything in me felt... watched.
Owned.
I breathe in deep and force myself to focus. He doesn't matter.
Not here. Not now.
At least, that's what I keep telling myself.
[Author's POV]
After some time there's a knock on the door Aarav doesn't turn.
He doesn't need to. The door opens slightly, and one of his juniors nervous, steps inside with a file clutched to his chest.
"Sir," Rajat says cautiously, "Raghav sir asked me to pass this to you. Priya just give it—"
That's all it takes. Her name on his lips.
Aarav turns slowly, his eyes sharp and unreadable. Rajat flinches, but holds the file out.
Aarav doesn't say a word. He walks over in controlled silence and snatches the file from Rajat's hand like he's ripping it out of the air. His fingers tremble slightly as he flips it open, eyes scanning but not reading.
He's not looking at the contents.
He's seeing her.
Seeing her smile at this boy. Seeing her touch the edge of his sleeve when handing him the file. Seeing her lips move when she spoke.
And now this boy stands here, like a messenger carrying her scent into his space.
The next second, Aarav yanks all the papers out of the file and throws them across Rajat's face. Sheets scatter across the floor like a slap to the air.
"This—" Aarav growls, low and furious, "—is all wrong."
The junior opens his mouth to protest, but Aarav cuts him off with a glare that silences everything.
"You're redoing it," he snaps. "You. Alone. No one else."
Rajat nods frantically, bending to pick up the mess, his hands shaking.
Aarav turns away, his jaw tight, the storm barely restrained behind his eyes. Because even when she's not in front of him...She's still controlling him.
And that makes him hate everything, even himself.
[Lunchtime]
The cafeteria hums with noise clattering plates, bursts of laughter, people weaving between tables with trays piled high. Priya walks in with Tanya, Rohit, and Sudeep, each holding their lunch plates. Their usual corner table is empty, and they quickly make their way to it.
The cafeteria hums with noise clattering plates, bursts of laughter, people weaving between tables with trays piled high. Priya walks in with Tanya, Rohit, and Sudeep, each holding their lunch plates. Their usual corner table is empty, and they quickly make their way to it.
But just beside them, at another table already filled with six people, sits Rajat, the same junior Priya had handed the file in that morning.
Priya doesn't notice him her mind is too cluttered. The moment in the corridor keeps playing in her head, Aarav's presence behind her, the warning in his voice, the heat of his breath grazing her neck.
She barely registers where she's sitting or who's nearby until Rohit cracks a joke about Tanya's eternal bad luck with vending machines.
Everyone laughs and Tanya rolls her eyes dramatically, Sudeep almost chokes on his food, and even Priya lets out a faint smile as she picks at the edge of her roti.
Then, Rajat's voice cuts through the casual noise around them. He's talking loudly at his table, not realizing who's listening just beside him.
"Yaar, I don't know what happened to Aarav sir today," Rajat says, tone still tinged with disbelief.
"He threw the papers right on my face! Pulled the entire file out and tossed it like I'd submitted a prank, not a document."
A beat of silence passes on Priya's table. Only the clinking of Tanya's spoon continues, slower now.
"He looked furious," Rajat continued with a half-laugh. "Like one spark and he'd burn down the whole cabin."
Priya freezes.
She sits, rigid, staring blankly at the dal in her plate. She hadn't touched it yet.
Tanya notices immediately. Rohit, brows furrowed in curiosity, leans slightly toward Rajat's table. "When did this happen?" he asks casually.
Rajat doesn't notice the tension his words are stirring. "Right after Priya left our department this morning. She gave me the file, I passed it on, and boom. Next thing I know, sir's pulling papers out like a possessed man." Everyone hears it.
Priya's team falls silent. Sudeep glances at her, puzzled. Rohit opens his mouth to say something, but Tanya acts first.
She reaches under the table and gently grips Priya's hand.
"Priya," she says softly, "Come. We're going to the washroom."
Priya nods slowly almost mechanically and stands. Rohit and Sudeep exchange a glance, a little concerned, but don't question it. "Okay," Rohit says simply.
As the girls walk out of the cafeteria, the noise around them fades but inside Priya, a storm has already begun to brew.
Inside the women's washroom, the world outside dims no cafeteria noise, no staring eyes, just the echo of water dripping and a faint hum from the overhead lights.
Tanya gently pushes the door closed behind them and guides Priya to the corner near the mirror.
"Hey..." Tanya's voice is soft, careful.
Priya doesn't say a word. Her eyes brim, blinking fast like she's trying to force the sting away. But her chest rises and falls too quickly. The tension that's been bottled inside since morning starts to crack.
Tanya steps in front of her, holding both her arms now. "Priya, just breathe. Look at me."
But Priya can't.
Her lips tremble, and before she can hold it back any longer, the first tear escapes down her cheek.
Then the dam breaks.
"I-I don't know what I did..." Priya stammers. "He just... he just came so close. He seemed very angry as if I had committed a crime."
Tanya pulls her in, wrapping her arms around her without another word. Priya buries her face in Tanya's shoulder and sobs.
Not loud or messy but the kind of silent, gasping sob that comes from someone trying so hard to keep it together and failing.
"I was just doing my job, Tanya. I didn't even talk to him... I was just—""You didn't do anything, okay?" Tanya cuts her off firmly but gently. "It's not your fault. He's the one acting like a psycho, not you."
Priya nods, barely. Her hands are shaking. Tanya reaches over to the sink, grabs a few tissues, and presses them into Priya's hands. "You're okay now. Breathe. Just breathe."
For a moment, they stand like that, two girls in a corporate restroom, surrounded by polished mirrors and sterile silence. But in that quiet, a new kind of strength begins to settle in.
Tanya doesn't leave her side.
And Priya, though still scared, still hurt, lets herself lean, just a little, on someone who's willing to hold her up.
[Priya's POV]
I splash cold water on my face again and again.
It's pointless. My eyes are still red. My hands won't stop shaking. There's this tightness in my chest, like someone tied a rope around it and keeps pulling harder every time I try to breathe.
Tanya hands me a tissue. "You don't have to go back right now," she says gently.
"I do," I whisper. "Raghav sir gave me that testing task. It needs to be done today."
She looks like she wants to argue but doesn't. Instead, she pulls out a small compact mirror from her bag and gives it to me.
"Fix your face first," she says with a soft smile. "Let's pretend we had a long gossip session here and not a mini breakdown."
I laugh barely. But it's enough to keep me from crying again.
A few minutes later, we both walked out of the washroom. I try to keep my posture straight, my steps steady, my expression neutral. Like nothing happened.
Like I'm okay.
I'm straight come back at my desk, but everything feels off. I start typing again. Slowly at first. My fingers don't feel as confident as yesterday.
Tanya sits across from me, pretending to scroll through her screen, but I know she's still watching me. I try to lose myself in the UI bug list Raghav sir sent earlier.
My eyes read the lines, but my brain isn't keeping up. It's still stuck in the cafeteria. The way Rajat said ["when Priya came to our department."]
I never thought just hearing my name could make me feel so exposed.
I glance at the wall clock. 2:15 p.m.
I just have to survive a few more hours. Get through this sprint update. Avoid running into Aarav sir again.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
To be continued....
Write a comment ...