*Author’s POV - 9:00 PM, Rathod Villa, Pune*

The gates of Rathod Villa opened at exactly 9:00 PM.

The black Mercedes came in slow.

The entire driveway was quiet. Only the sound of tires on marble.

Servants stood in a line but no one spoke. They all knew when Rudra Rathod came back late, the house went silent.

The driver opened the door.

Rudra stepped out.

White shirt now wrinkled. Sleeves rolled up to elbows. Tie gone.

He looked exhausted, but his face was unreadable. Like he had spent 12 hours making decisions worth crores and still wasn’t done.

He didn’t look at anyone.

Walked straight through the huge living room.

Chandeliers above. Cold marble below. The villa was too big to feel like a home.

He took the stairs two at a time and went to his study on the first floor.

Closed the door behind him.

The room smelled of leather, coffee, and old files.

Floor to ceiling windows. City lights outside.

He loosened the top two buttons of his shirt and sat down.

Opened the drawer. Pulled out Aarohi’s file again.

*Aarohi Gupta. Age 20. Flat 501, Royal Residency, Kothrud.*

*Household: Bua, Husband, Dadi, Yash 21, Nidhi 16.*

*Note: Only Dadi shows affection.*

He stared at her interview photo for a long time. Head down. Hands folded. Voice barely above a whisper.

There was a soft knock.

Kabir entered with a tablet.

“Sir. Driver confirmed. 8:15 AM tomorrow. Royal Residency.”

Rudra didn’t look up.

“Good.”

“HR has sent the appointment letter. Intern. 6 months. Stipend 40,000.”

“Fine.”

Kabir hesitated. “Sir, is it necessary to send the car to her house? The board will—”

Rudra finally looked up. His eyes were sharp.

“Kal subah us ghar mein sab honge. Bua, Yash, Nidhi.

Main chahta hun woh sab dekhein ki Rathod kisko pick karne aaya hai.”

Kabir nodded and left quietly.

The room went silent again.

9:00 PM. The city outside looked small from the 3rd floor.

Rudra stood by the window.

He remembered her today. How she didn’t argue. How she didn’t cry.

How only her Dadi’s name came with softness in Kabir’s report.

He whispered to himself: “Sirf Dadi pyaar karti hai.”

He switched off the table lamp.

Tomorrow 8:15 AM.

The Mercedes would reach Kothrud.

---

The dining table was set. Candles, chandelier, everything looked perfect.

*Dadaji* at the head. *Vikram* and *Ananya* on the sides. *Kabir* standing behind Rudra’s chair.

*Ira*, 23, in a red dress, was already ready to start.

Rudra walked in late. White shirt, sleeves rolled up, face clearly irritated from office.

He sat down and picked up water.

Ira started immediately.

Ira: “Waaah. Aaj itni jaldi? Suraj kahan se nikla Rudra bhai?”

Ananya: “Ira.”

Ira: “Kya Mom, main to pyaar se bol rahi hun.”

Vikram: “Meeting kaisi thi?”

Rudra: “Theek thi Dad.”

Ira glanced at Kabir and smirked.

Ira: “‘Theek’? Bhai aapne aaj 3 baar Kabir bhai ko cabin mein bulaya.

Aur ab driver bhi 8:15 AM ke liye book hai.

Kuch to chal raha hai.”

Kabir shifted.

Kabir: “Iru, wo office work tha.”

Ira: “Haan haan ‘office work’. Raat 9 baje file bhi wahi hai na?”

Rudra’s jaw tightened.

Rudra: “Ira bas karo.”

Ira leaned forward.

Ira: “Kyun? Sach kadwa lagta hai?

Aaj interview mein koi aayi thi kya jo itne distracted ho?”

Rudra put his glass down hard.

Rudra: “Maine kaha na bas karo.”

2 seconds of silence. Then Dadaji chuckled.

Dadaji: “Arre lad lo mat. Khana khao.”

But Ira wasn’t done. She was enjoying this too much.

Ira: “Nahi Dadaji. Aaj pata kar ke rahungi.

Rudra bhai ki life mein pehli baar koi ladki aayi hai aur humse chhupa rahe hain.”

Rudra half stood up.

Rudra: “Koi ladki nahi hai. Kaam hai. Samjhi?”

Ira: “‘Kaam’... 40,000 wali internship wala kaam?”

That was it.

Rudra: “Ira! Bakwaas band!”

Vikram and Ananya exchanged a look and smiled. They were clearly entertained.

Kabir kept his head down, but the corner of his mouth twitched.

Dadaji laughed and tapped his stick.

Dadaji: “Shabash Ira. 2 saal baad isko koi chidha paya hai.”

Rudra looked around the table, irritated.

Rudra: “Aap logon ko maza aa raha hai?”

Vikram: “Thoda to banta hai beta.”

Rudra threw his napkin.

Rudra: “Main kha chuka.”

He walked out without looking back.

Ira called after him:

Ira: “Arre paneer to kha lo! Mom ne tumhare liye banaya hai!”

No reply.

Ira turned to Kabir.

Ira: “Dekha Kabir bhai? Pakda gaya na.”

Kabir: “Iru, mujhe sach mein nahi pata.”

Everyone laughed. For them it was just teasing.

No one knew Rudra had met that girl only today.

_______

Rudra walked in and slammed the door shut.

Irritation was still clear on his face from dinner.

He loosened his tie and dropped into the leather chair.

The file was already open on the desk. *Aarohi Gupta.*

He stared at it.

For 10 seconds he just sat there, frowning.

Then his eyes fell on her photo clipped to the file.

Simple white kurti. Hair tied. No makeup.

And before he could stop himself, a small smile pulled at his lips.

He shook his head and rubbed his temples.

Rudra: “Kaam ke alawa kuch nahi sochna. Bas.”

But he didn’t close the file.

He kept looking at it. Her address. Royal Residency. Her college. Her marks.

“Koi zaruratmand hai...” her words were echoing in his head again.

5 minutes passed.

He exhaled hard, pushed the chair back and stood up.

Enough.

He walked to the door, switched off the study light and stepped out.

The corridor was dark.

He walked a few steps and stopped in front of another door.

He pushed it open.

Pitch black.

He clicked the switch.

Light flooded the room.

It was huge.

A soundproof room. Walls lined with guitars, a piano in the center, drum set, violin, keyboard, mixing board.

Music was his hidden talent. Only his family

He walked straight to the grand piano and sat down.

Ran his fingers over the keys. One soft note echoed.

He closed his eyes.

And the memory came.

3 days ago. Traffic signal.

When I saw her, something came over me; I couldn't take my eyes off her.

She was wearing a white _anarkali_ and had a college bag slung over her right shoulder. Her long, thick hair cascaded below her waist, looking even more beautiful in the sunlight.

He started playing.

Rudra:

“Tera junoon hai

Sar pe chadha

Mujhe na sukoon hai

Karde riha”

When she turned fully towards me, I studied her face closely—she was stunningly beautiful. Fair skin, dark eyes, pink lips, and chubby cheeks; she was short—maybe 5'3" or 5'4".

Rudra:

“Haal ye mera

Dekh zara

Hosh hai baki

Mujhe mein kaha”

She held red roses in her hands; perhaps they looked so beautiful simply because they were in her grasp.

I don't know how long I had been staring at her.

Rudra:

“Jeena mohaal hai ab

Tera sawal hai ab

De bata tu zara

Kya naam loon mein

Tere pyaar ka”

His voice got lower.

White anarkali. Sunlight in her hair. The college bag. Those red roses.

Rudra:

“Tu..

Tu mohabbat nahi hai toh kya

Tu..

Tujhse rahat mil kyun bata

Tu..

Tu mohabbat nahi hai toh kya

Tu..

Tujhse rahat mil kyun bataa..”

The last note faded.

He felt it. Someone was in the room.

He opened his eyes and turned back.

Kabir was standing by the door. Watching.

Kabir walked in and leaned on the piano.

Kabir: "Raat ke 10:30 baje? Aur ye gaana?"

Kabir: "Traffic signal wali?"

Rudra didn’t look away from the keys.

Rudra: "Aarohi."

Kabir: "Naam bhi yaad kar liya?"

Kabir: "3 din ho gaye. Board meeting mein bhi usi ke khayalon mein tha tu."

Rudra stood up.

Rudra: "Pata nahi Kabir. Bas chain nahi hai."

Kabir: "Toh dhoondh le."

Kabir: "Kal 8:15. Royal Residency. Driver ne address nikalwa liya."

Kabir left the room.

Rudra stayed there.

Eyes closed again for one second.

White anarkali. Red roses. Aarohi.

Then he switched off the light and walked out.

---

*Author’s POV - Next day 8:15AM, Royal Residency*

It was a regular morning.

Aarohi was in the kitchen, washing the breakfast dishes. Steam, noise, and Bua’s orders were all around her.

White kurti, hair tied, sleeves folded. She had no idea what was happening outside.

In the living room, Yash was shouting for his shoes. Nidhi, 16, was getting ready for school, checking her uniform in the mirror. Phuphaji was reading the newspaper. Bua was yelling instructions from the kitchen.

Only Dadi was sitting quietly, sipping tea.

Outside the gate, 2 black Mercedes stopped.

Followed by 3 black SUVs.

Guards in black suits got out and walked straight to the door.

The entire street froze.

*Inside - Confusion*

Bua opened the door, frowning.

Bua: "Kisko dhoond rahe ho?"

Guard, very polite but firm: "Miss Aarohi Gupta ka ghar yahi hai?"

The name hit the room like a shock.

Phuphaji looked up from the paper.

Yash: "Aarohi? Kis liye?"

Nidhi stopped combing her hair.

Guard: "Sir ne unhe pick karne ke liye bheja hai. Rathod Industries ke liye."

Silence.

Bua’s face went blank. "Rathod... Industries?"

From the kitchen, Aarohi heard her name and came out wiping her hands on her dupatta, confused.

Aarohi: "Kya hua?"

The guard turned to her.

Guard: "Ms. Aarohi? Aapko lene aaye hain."

Aarohi froze. She didn’t even know.

Outside the window, the middle Mercedes window rolled down slightly. Rudra was sitting inside. He looked at her once. The window went up.

Aarohi froze. She looked at the guards, then at the cars, then at her own house.

She didn’t understand anything.

Dadi stood up slowly, eyes wet. "Beta... jaa."

Aarohi nodded. She didn’t say anything. She just turned and went to her small room.

She picked up her old bag. Put in her tiffin, notebook, and dupatta. Her hands were shaking a little.

She came back to the gate and stopped for a second.

She hesitated before getting into the car. Looked back once at Dadi. Dadi gave a small nod.

Then Aarohi sat in the Mercedes quietly. The door closed.

Outside the window, Rudra was sitting inside. He glanced at her once. The window rolled up.

*Jealousy inside*

The moment the cars left:

Nidhi threw her school bag.

Nidhi: "Isko? Isko Rathod Industries se lene aaye? Main school mein top karti hun!"

Yash: "Jo din bhar bartan karti hai usko Mercedes? Drama hai."

Bua: "Naam lekar bulaya... guard aaya tha... koi setting hogi."

Phuphaji said nothing. His jaw was tight.

*Gossip outside*

Aunty 1: "Dekha? Naukrani ki tarah rakhte the. Aaj naam lekar ghar tak aaye."

Aunty 2: "Rathod Industries! Guard ne khud Miss Aarohi Gupta bola. Pakka badi job hai."

Uncle at tea stall: "Dal mein kaala hai. Ghar mein koi apna nahi."

Mrs. Sharma on call: "Haan suno... saman lekar gayi hai... gaadi mein baithne se pehle ruk bhi gayi thi... bechari darr gayi hogi..."

Kids: "Aarohi didi officer ban gayin!"

In 10 minutes, the colony decided.

*Aarohi got a big job at Rathod Industries.*

And Aarohi?

Sitting in the car, clutching her bag, still not knowing what was waiting for her.

---

9:15 AM, Rathod Industries, 40th Floor*

The convoy stopped at the main gate.

Security saluted. The barrier lifted.

2 Mercedes and 3 SUVs entered the glass tower that everyone in the city knew.

Inside the lobby, the staff was already busy. Typing, coffee, meetings.

And then the elevator opened.

Four guards stepped out first.

Then Aarohi.

Simple white kurti, old bag in hand, hair tied, eyes down.

She looked completely out of place.

The whole lobby went silent.

2 minute baad Team Leader aaya.

Team Leader: "Miss Aarohi Gupta?"

Aarohi: "Ji."

Team Leader: "Aaiye. Main aapko aapka cabin dikha deta hun."

Sabke kaan khade ho gaye.

*Office mein Halla*

HR ne pen neeche rakh diya.

HR: "Intern ke liye alag cabin? Bada wala?"

Senior Employee: "Mujhe 4 saal baad mila tha. Isko pehle din?"

Intern group: "Bhai Rudra sir ne muh bhi nahi lagaya. Phir bhi..."

WhatsApp group: "Setting + ignore combo. Khatarnak hai."

*Cabin*

Team Leader ne bada glass cabin khola.

Badi table, leather chair, nayi laptop, window se poore sheher ka view.

Naam ki plate: *Ms. Aarohi Gupta - CEO Assistant Intern*

Team Leader: "Yeh aapka cabin hai. Koi dikkat ho toh mujhe batana."

Aarohi ne dheere se sir hilaya. "Thank you, Sir."

Wo andar gayi. Bag rakha. Chair pe baithi.

Hath kaanp rahe the thode.

Bahar log sheeshe se andar dekh rahe the.

---

*Author’s POV - 9:30 AM, Rathod Industries, 40th Floor*

Aarohi was in her big cabin. Working quietly.

Outside, the floor wasn’t working as much as it was watching.

Because Rudra wasn’t just the CEO.

He was the office crush.

Handsome, sharp jawline, always in black suits, cold but hot.

The kind of boss every girl secretly stalked on LinkedIn.

And today, that boss had ignored everyone... and given a big cabin to a new intern.

*Pantry - Full Jalan Mode*

Four girls were standing with coffee mugs.

Lady 1 from HR: "Yaar Rudra sir aaj kitne smart lag rahe the. Black suit mein."

Lady 2: "Haan. Aur ek baar bhi us nayi ladki ko nahi dekha. Matlab?"

Lady 3: "Matlab yehi ki wo serious hai. Aur hum yahan 4 saal se hain, ek baar ‘Good morning’ bhi theek se nahi mila."

Lady 4: "White kurti wali ko dekho. Na makeup, na heels. Aur cabin dekha? Mera cabin usse chhota hai."

Lady 1 sighed: "Crush ka attention kisi aur ko mile toh jalan toh hogi hi na."

All of them nodded dramatically.

*At Desks*

Junior girl whispered to her friend: "Didi, Rudra sir ka favorite color black hai. Isliye aaj bhi black pehna hoga."

Senior girl: "Favorite color chhod. Favorite intern dekh le. Bina interview, bina kuch."

Friend: "Par sir ne baat bhi nahi ki usse."

Senior girl rolled her eyes: "Wahi toh khel hai. Ignore karke aur special bana dete hain."

*Near Elevator*

Two marketing girls were waiting.

Girl 1: "Kal tak sab bolte the Rudra sir ko koi interest nahi hai. Aaj cabin mil gaya."

Girl 2: "Interest nahi hota toh cabin kyun milta? Aur wo bhi itna bada."

Girl 1: "Bas. Ab humein bhi chance nahi milega. Ek nayi aa gayi."

*By 11 AM*

The gossip had upgraded.

*"New intern. Big cabin. Rudra sir ignoring her. And we are all jealous."*

Some were jealous of Aarohi.

Some were jealous that Rudra noticed her enough to give her a cabin.

Some were just jealous that he looked good even while ignoring everyone.

And Aarohi?

She kept her head down. Typing.

She didn’t know she had walked into an office... and into 40 girls’ silent competition.

---

11:15 AM, Rathod Industries, 40th Floor*

Aarohi was sitting in her big cabin. Head down, typing.

Outside, her name was echoing everywhere.

*The Guys’ Corner*

Guy 1: "Bhai Aarohi. Kitni shaant hai yaar."

Guy 2: "Aur pretty bhi. Simple mein bhi glow kar rahi hai."

Guy 3: "Naam bhi baar baar le raha hun main. Aarohi... Aarohi..."

All three laughed.

*Ladies’ Desks*

Lady 1: "Dekho, ladke phir usi ka naam le rahe hain."

Lady 2: "Aarohi ye, Aarohi wo. Jalan ho rahi hai mujhe."

Lady 3: "Rudra sir ke baad ab office ke ladke bhi uske peeche."

*Kabir’s Entry*

Door banged open.

Kabir. COO. Rudra’s best friend.

He already knew everything. Raat se.

The floor: "Good morning, Sir."

Kabir just nodded and walked straight to Rudra’s cabin. No knock.

Inside, Rudra was working.

Kabir flopped on the chair: "Toh? Miss Aarohi Gupta? Bada cabin? Aur tu stone face?"

Rudra didn’t look up: "Kaam kar le."

Kabir: "Wahi kar raha hun. Teri life kaam."

He turned and looked through the glass at Aarohi.

Kabir: "Haan, pretty hai. Simple bhi. Aur sab uska naam le rahe hain. Office ke ladke bhi."

Rudra: "Kabir."

Kabir smirked: "Kya? Main janta hun na sab. Tujhe bhi pata hai mujhe sab pata hai."

Rudra finally looked up for 1 second: "Toh muh band rakh."

Kabir laughed: "Theek hai bhai. Par ye mat bhool, main COO hun. Meri nazar sab pe rehti hai. Especially jis ladki ke liye cabin ready hua hai."

He stood up.

Kabir: "Aarohi... naam acha hai."

He said it loud enough that the whole floor heard it through the glass.

*Outside*

The moment Kabir said her name, it exploded.

HR: "Kabir sir ne bhi bola Aarohi."

Marketing: "Ab toh pakka hai. Ye ladki special hai."

IT Guy: "Bhai COO aur CEO dono uska naam le rahe hain. Hum bhi lenge. Aarohi!"

*Aarohi’s Cabin*

She heard it. Her own name, from Kabir’s mouth.

She looked up. Kabir was already looking at her. He gave a small, knowing smile and left.

Aarohi’s grip tightened on the pen.

Pehle Rudra ka ignore.

Ab Kabir ka naam lena.

Ab poore office ki nazar.

She whispered to herself: "Kaam kar Aarohi. Bas kaam."

---

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