#1 Year Earlier #

At 5:00 a.m., the entire city lay asleep beneath a blanket of darkness. The streets were silent, the sky painted in deep shades of midnight blue, and even the wind seemed reluctant to disturb the peace.

But inside an elite private gym, the silence was broken by the rhythmic clang of iron.

A man stood beneath the white lights, his broad back glistening with sweat.

Ashvik Singh Rajput.

He wore nothing but a pair of black workout trousers hanging low on his sculpted hips. Every muscle in his body flexed with effortless precision as he lifted the heavy dumbbells. Veins stood prominently along his forearms, his biceps swelling with every controlled repetition while his sharply defined abs tightened beneath his bronzed skin.

Each movement radiated discipline.

Each breath reflected years of relentless training.

Not vanity.

Control.

Just a few feet away, another man struggled on the treadmill.

Shlok.

Drenched in sweat, dressed in a black gym vest and shorts, he looked as though life itself had become a punishment.

Finally, unable to tolerate the sight anymore, he shouted,

"Bhai, kapde pehen ke bhi gym ho sakta hai!" (Brother, people can work out while wearing clothes too!)

Ashvik merely smirked without sparing him a glance.

That tiny curve on his lips irritated Shlok even more.

"Subah paanch baje mujhe uthwa ke hass mat, saale!" (Don't wake me up at five in the morning just to laugh at me, idiot!) he groaned dramatically.

Without stopping his workout, Ashvik replied calmly,

"Muh band rakhega ya treadmill ki speed badhaun?" (Will you keep your mouth shut, or should I increase the treadmill's speed?)

Shlok's eyes widened in horror.

"Don't you dare, kamine!" (Don't you dare, you rascal!)

Ashvik only chuckled.

Nothing motivated Shlok more than the fear of Ashvik's merciless workout sessions.

____________________________________________________________________

Two grueling hours later...

Their workout finally ended.

Both showered and changed into their usual clothes.

While Shlok lazily dried his hair with a towel hanging around his neck, Ashvik was already inside the spacious modern kitchen.

An apron covered his crisp black T-shirt.

One hand expertly flipped an omelette while the other stirred vegetables in another pan. The aroma of butter, herbs, and freshly cooked eggs filled the house.

Moments later, Shlok entered the kitchen rubbing his sleepy eyes.

He opened the refrigerator, grabbed the milk carton, and searched for his oats.

Looking at the sizzling chicken strips on Ashvik's pan, he raised an eyebrow.

"Tere gharwalon ko pata hai tu non-veg khata hai?" (Does your family know that you eat non-vegetarian food?)

Without looking up, Ashvik nodded.

"Hmm."

Shlok poured milk into his bowl before speaking again.

"Achha sun, aaj ki meeting—" (Listen, about today's meeting—)

Before he could continue, Ashvik interrupted.

"Bahar boss hai tu mera..." (Outside this house, you're my employee...)

Shlok immediately pointed a spoon at him.

"...ghar mein hukum chalane ka socha bhi na toh jaan se maar dunga!" (...but if you even think of acting like my boss inside this house, I'll kill you!)

Ashvik rolled his eyes dramatically.

"Theek hai." (Fine.)

Soon, breakfast was plated.

Protein-rich omelettes.

Grilled chicken.

Oats.

Fresh fruits.

Black coffee.

The dining table remained unusually peaceful.

Ashvik silently scanned financial reports on his iPad while eating with mechanical efficiency.

Across from him, Shlok was entirely invested in scrolling through memes, laughing every few seconds at something only he understood.

The silence suddenly broke.

A ringtone echoed through the room.

Ashvik glanced at the screen.

Maa ❤️

Without hesitation, he answered.

"Haan Maa, bolo." (Yes, Mom. Tell me.)

Instead of his mother's warm voice, another familiar voice replied.

"Maa nahi... baap." (Not your mother... your father.)

Ashvik's expression immediately hardened.

His relaxed posture disappeared.

His voice turned emotionless.

Abhiraj Singh Rajput continued,

"Ab mera phone toh uthayega nahi, toh socha teri maa ke phone se hi kar loon." (You don't answer my calls anymore, so I thought I'd call from your mother's phone.)

Ashvik simply replied,

"Boliye." (Go ahead.)

No warmth.

No affection.

Just courtesy.

After a brief silence, Abhiraj asked,

"Iss baar Diwali mein ghar aayega?" (Will you come home this Diwali?)

Ashvik answered instantly.

"Nahi." (No.)

Not even a second of hesitation.

There was another silence.

Then Abhiraj sighed softly.

"Theek hai..." (Alright...)

"Achha sun, Agastya ko tujhse baat karni thi." (Agastya wanted to talk to you.)

The phone changed hands.

Almost immediately...

A loud excited voice exploded through the speaker.

"Bhaiiiiiiiiiii!"

A genuine smile finally appeared on Ashvik's face.

"Bol bandar." (Speak, monkey.)

Agastya pouted dramatically.

"Yaar, mujhe bhi bula lo na udhar!" (Come on, call me there too!)

Ashvik laughed.

"Pehle college complete kar." (Finish college first.)

"Haan haan... woh toh hota rahega." (Yeah, yeah... that'll happen eventually.)

"Aapko kitna miss kiya maine..." (I've missed you so much...)

Then he complained dramatically.

"Aap sirf Maa ka phone uthate ho..." (You only answer Mom's calls...)

"Main kya sautela bhai hoon aapka?" (Am I your stepbrother or something?)

Ashvik burst into laughter.

"Haan... kachre ke dabbe mein mila tha tu." (Yes... we found you in a dustbin.)

Agastya gasped dramatically.

"Yaar! Aapse baat karna hi bekaar hai!" (Talking to you is completely useless!)

In the background, another familiar voice interrupted.

"Bhagg yahan se!" (Move aside!)

Suhani took the phone back.

Immediately, the endless stream of motherly questions began.

"Beta, kab utha?" (When did you wake up?)

"Aur theek se soya tha na?" (Did you sleep properly?)

"Nashta kiya?" (Did you eat breakfast?)

Ashvik smiled softly.

"Maa..."

"Paanch baje utha." (I woke up at five.)

"Gym kiya." (Worked out.)

"Abhi nashta kar raha hoon." (I'm having breakfast now.)

"Uske baad office ke liye nikalunga." (Then I'll leave for the office.)

Satisfied, Suhani smiled.

"Chalo... mera aashirvaad hamesha tere saath hai." (Good... my blessings are always with you.)

Ashvik's voice softened further.

"Dadi Saa ghar par hain?" (Is Grandma at home?)

"Haan beta." (Yes.)

"Ruko, baat karwati hoon." (Wait, I'll give her the phone.)

The next voice was cheerful.

Playful.

Full of life.

"Boliye, Jaipur ke Rana Sa." (Yes, Your Highness of Jaipur?) she teased.

Ashvik sighed dramatically.

"Sampada Singh Rajput!"

His grandmother laughed.

"Kaisa hai mera Ashu?" (How is my Ashu?)

Ashvik groaned.

"Ashvik mast hai." (Ashvik is perfectly fine.)

His emphasis on his full name was a silent warning.

Don't call him Ashu.

She ignored it completely.

"Achha sun..." (Listen...)

"Kal hi Rajvansh ji se milkar aayi hoon." (I met Rajvansh Ji yesterday.)

"Woh tere baare mein pooch rahe the." (He was asking about you.)

The warmth instantly vanished.

Ashvik's jaw tightened.

His tone turned cold.

"Baad mein baat karte hain." (We'll talk later.)

"Arre sun toh—" (At least listen—)

He interrupted.

"Dadi Saa..."

"Unke baare mein mujhe koi baat nahi karni." (I don't want to discuss him.)

"Aap be-wajah mera din kharab kar rahi hain." (You're ruining my morning for no reason.)

She clicked her tongue.

"Aaya bada CEO." (Look who's acting like a big-shot CEO.)

Ashvik smirked.

"Aayi badi artist." (And look who's acting like a great artist.)

Both laughed.

Then her voice softened.

"Ek baar apne bhai ke baare mein bhi pooch liya kar." (At least ask about your brother once in a while.)

"Woh bhi toh teri tarah Delhi mein akela hai." (He's also alone in Delhi, just like you.)

"Usse bhi teri yaad aati hai." (He misses you too.)

Ashvik became quiet.

After a moment, he answered softly,

"Ji..." (Yes.)

"Shaam ko phone karunga usse." (I'll call him this evening.)

Satisfied, she smiled.

"Theek hai." (Alright.)

"Apna khayal rakhna." (Take care of yourself.)

The call disconnected.

Shlok had watched the entire conversation with amusement.

A smile tugged at his lips.

Ashvik noticed immediately.

"Hans kya raha hai?" (What are you smiling at?)

Shlok leaned back in his chair.

"Bas yahi dekh raha tha..." (I was just noticing something...)

"Tu sirf apne papa ke saamne hi khadoos banta hai." (You're only rude with your father.)

"Baaki sab ke liye..."

He grinned.

"...tu abhi bhi unka Ashu hi hai." (...you're still everyone's beloved Ashu.)

Ashvik pointed his fork at him.

"Main tujhe aakhri baar bol raha hoon..." (I'm telling you for the last time...)

"Iske baad agar Ashu bola na..." (If you call me Ashu again...)

His eyes narrowed.

"Jaan le loonga." (I'll kill you.)

Shlok snorted.

"Hatt be." (Get lost.)

After a moment he asked,

"Dadi Saa Aadarsh ki baat kar rahi thi na?" (Grandma was talking about Aadarsh, right?)

Ashvik nodded.

"Tu usse baat nahi karta?" (You don't talk to him?)

Ashvik shrugged casually.

"Waise nahi jaise pehle karta tha." (Not like we used to.)

"Woh MBBS ki seat lekar baitha hai." (He's busy with medical school.)

"Khud hi bahut busy rehta hai." (He barely gets any time himself.)

Shlok looked unconvinced.

"Mujhe nahi lagta tu sach bol raha hai." (I don't think that's the real reason.)

Ashvik remained silent for a second before forcing a smile.

"Haan yaar..." (Yeah...)

"Yahi sach hai." (That's the truth.)

Shlok didn't argue further.

But he knew.

There was far more hidden beneath that calm expression than Ashvik would ever admit.

Soon, both men stood up.

One adjusted the cuffs of his expensive tailored suit.

The other picked up his laptop bag.

The luxurious penthouse doors closed behind them.

One walked out as the CEO who commanded one of the world's fastest-growing corporate empires.

The other followed as the trusted PA who had stood beside him through every battle.

Together, they stepped into another day where power, ambition, and destiny waited for them.

Ashvik and Shlok walked through the grand glass entrance of Aurelius Empires, a building that reflected nothing but luxury, authority, and success. Every employee who crossed their path immediately straightened their posture.

"Good morning, sir."

"Good morning, sir."

Greetings echoed from every direction.

Ashvik acknowledged each one with nothing more than a slight nod before continuing towards the private elevator reserved exclusively for the CEO.

The doors slid open instantly.

Both men stepped inside.

Not a single word was exchanged.

The elevator silently ascended to the executive floor.

The moment the doors opened, they walked together through the lavish corridor lined with black marble and glass walls before stopping outside their respective cabins.

Without speaking, they parted ways.

Shlok disappeared into the PA's office while Ashvik entered the largest cabin on the floor.

The entire office had officially begun.

Meanwhile...

On the third floor—

The Marketing Department buzzed with quiet conversations.

Rows upon rows of modern workstations stretched across the enormous hall. Employees hurried from one desk to another, carrying laptops, presentations, and coffee mugs while computer keyboards clicked endlessly.

Today wasn't an ordinary day.

Today was the orientation meeting for the newly recruited employees.

For most people, joining Aurelius Empires was a dream.

But today...

That dream came with a nightmare.

The nightmare had a name.

Mr. Ashvik Singh Rajput.

CEO.

Managing Director.

And the man every employee feared more than deadlines.

Among the employees sat two girls whispering to each other.

Krutadnya.

And her cousin sister, Mitali.

Krutadnya had joined the company barely two months ago as a trainee in the marketing department.

Bright.

Hardworking.

Curious.

Unlike everyone else, she wasn't scared.

She was... intrigued.

Beside her, Mitali had already completed one year in the company.

Which also meant...

She had survived one entire year under Ashvik Singh Rajput.

A miracle in itself.

Leaning closer, Krutadnya whispered,

"Tai... is he really that cruel?" (Sister... is he really that cruel?)

Mitali let out an exaggerated sigh as though painful memories had returned.

"Cruel?"

She laughed.

"Cruel is a very small word."

She dramatically placed a hand over her heart.

"Tu bhool gayi? Maine tujhe bataya tha na pehle din ka?" (Did you forget? I told you what happened on my very first day.)

Krutadnya nodded.

Mitali continued,

"Usne sabke saamne meri aisi class lagayi thi..." (He scolded me so badly in front of everyone...)

"...ki mujhe laga ussi din resignation likh doon." (...that I felt like resigning that very day.)

Krutadnya giggled.

Mitali wasn't finished.

She leaned back dreamily.

"Par ek baat bolun?" (But shall I tell you something?)

Without waiting for permission...

"Looks..."

She dramatically fanned herself.

"...uffffff."

"Bilkul movie hero." (He's literally like a movie hero.)

"Bas smile nahi karta." (He just never smiles.)

Krutadnya rolled her eyes.

"Stop simping."

"It's embarrassing."

Mitali shrugged shamelessly.

"Main kya karun?" (What can I do?)

"CEO hi itna handsome hai." (The CEO is just too handsome.)

Krutadnya lightly hit her arm.

Both sisters burst into laughter.

A voice from across the hall interrupted them.

"All new employees report to the boardroom immediately."

The cheerful atmosphere disappeared.

Everyone hurriedly stood.

Files.

Laptops.

Notepads.

Water bottles.

Within seconds, nearly thirty newly appointed employees walked towards the massive boardroom.

Some looked nervous.

Some excited.

Some terrified.

Inside the boardroom...

The atmosphere felt completely different.

Heavy.

Professional.

Almost intimidating.

At the head of the twelve-foot conference table stood Ashvik Singh Rajput.

Dressed in a perfectly tailored charcoal-grey three-piece suit, he looked less like a businessman and more like authority itself.

One hand held a black fountain pen.

The other flipped through employee files with practiced precision.

He didn't even look up.

One after another, employees greeted him.

"Good morning, sir."

He acknowledged each greeting with nothing more than a silent nod.

Not rude.

Simply focused.

Everyone in the company had grown accustomed to it.

Everyone...

Except one girl.

Krutadnya.

Her curious eyes remained fixed on him.

He hadn't spoken a single word.

Hadn't even looked at anyone.

Yet every person in the room seemed careful not to disturb him.

It was as though the files in his hands contained something far more valuable than paper.

A few seconds later...

The boardroom door opened once again.

Shlok entered while unbuttoning his blazer.

Walking directly beside Ashvik, he leaned forward and whispered something into his ear.

Ashvik listened.

Nodded once.

Nothing more.

Shlok quietly stepped aside.

Only then did Ashvik finally lift his gaze.

His sharp eyes travelled across every face in the room.

Slowly.

Patiently.

One after another.

Almost as though he had already begun judging them before they had spoken a single word.

The room became so silent that even someone's nervous breathing sounded loud.

Then—

His deep voice echoed through the boardroom.

"A very good morning, everyone."

The employees immediately responded in unison.

"Good morning, sir."

Without speaking another word, Ashvik simply gestured towards the chairs with two fingers.

A silent command.

Everyone understood.

Still...

No one sat.

Not until he did.

Only after Ashvik calmly occupied the chair at the head of the table did every employee cautiously take their seats.

No chairs scraped loudly.

No unnecessary movement.

No whispers.

Only silence.

Ashvik closed the employee folder with deliberate calm.

The soft thud echoed across the room.

"So..."

His gaze swept across them once again.

"These are the people HR believes are capable of handling my marketing division."

No one answered.

Good.

He preferred silence over unnecessary enthusiasm.

"I've also been informed..."

He opened another file.

"...that every single one of you graduated with distinction."

A brief pause followed.

Then—

"Congratulations."

Relieved smiles appeared across several faces.

Only to disappear a second later.

"It means..."

His voice remained dangerously calm.

"...you have absolutely no excuse to perform poorly."

Every smile vanished.

Ashvik leaned back in his chair.

His fingers interlocked neatly on the polished wooden table.

"I don't care how talented you think you are."

A pause.

"I don't care how many degrees you possess."

Another pause.

"And I certainly don't care about university gold medals."

His palms rested flat on the table.

Firm.

Controlled.

"The day your work reaches my desk..."

His eyes sharpened.

"...it represents this company."

"If your work embarrasses this company..."

His voice lowered.

"...you embarrass me."

A suffocating silence settled inside the boardroom.

Then came the final sentence.

Cold.

Emotionless.

Merciless.

"And if you embarrass me..."

His gaze locked onto everyone.

One by one.

"...you won't work here long enough to apologise."

Someone swallowed nervously.

The tiny sound echoed.

Ashvik heard it immediately.

Without looking at the file, he spoke.

"You."

A young employee froze.

Ashvik raised his eyes.

"Stand."

The young man shot up from his chair.

His hands trembled.

"Your name."

"C... Charles Smith, sir."

Ashvik studied him.

Expressionless.

"You've been tapping your foot for the last three minutes."

Almost instinctively, everyone glanced beneath the table.

Charles slowly lowered his foot.

No one had noticed.

Ashvik had.

"If you're anxious because of me..."

His voice remained composed.

"Get over it."

Charles nervously nodded.

Ashvik continued.

"If you're anxious because you're unprepared..."

A brief pause.

"Leave."

Charles immediately shook his head.

"No, sir."

Ashvik gave a small nod.

"Good."

He resumed speaking.

"I don't believe in motivation."

His words carried absolute certainty.

"I believe in deadlines."

Another pause.

"I don't reward effort."

His gaze never wavered.

"I reward results."

Every employee listened without blinking.

"If you fail..."

His tone softened ever so slightly.

"...learn."

Then it became sharp again.

"If you repeat the same mistake..."

He closed the folder.

"...pack your desk."

A woman cautiously raised her hand.

"Sir..."

Ashvik looked directly at her.

"What?"

She swallowed.

"What if... we need guidance?"

Without missing a beat—

"You have managers."

She gathered courage again.

"What if the managers don't know?"

His answer was immediate.

"Then they shouldn't be managers."

A few employees exchanged nervous glances.

She asked one final question.

"What if... nobody knows?"

Ashvik didn't even think.

"Figure it out."

Silence reclaimed the room once more.

He stood.

The entire boardroom instinctively straightened.

"You have three months."

His eyes travelled across every face.

"At the end of those three months..."

He paused deliberately.

"...I'll remember only two kinds of people."

Another pause.

"The ones worth keeping."

His gaze settled briefly on Krutadnya before moving ahead.

"...and the ones whose names I won't bother remembering."

Picking up the employee files, he added one final sentence.

"Welcome to Aurelius Empires."

Without another word...

He turned around.

Walked out.

The boardroom doors closed behind him with a soft click.

For nearly five seconds...

Nobody moved.

Nobody breathed.

Then—

Collective relief filled the room.

Someone finally whispered,

"...Does he ever smile?"

Standing just outside the boardroom, Shlok had heard every single word.

He couldn't help smiling.

Softly.

Knowingly.

He looked towards the corridor where Ashvik had disappeared and murmured,

"Only around four people in the entire world."

And perhaps...

That number wasn't going to remain four forever.

After the orientation meeting, Ashvik returned to his cabin without wasting a single second.

The floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the entire city, sunlight pouring through the glass and reflecting off the polished wooden interiors. The luxurious office was silent except for the voices flowing through the conference speaker.

Ashvik sat behind his desk, discussing a multimillion-dollar expansion project with foreign delegates.

His English was fluent.

Precise.

Confident.

Every sentence carried authority.

Across from him sat Shlok, laptop open, fingers flying over the keyboard as he documented the discussion and handled the operational side of the meeting. Being the CEO's Personal Assistant wasn't simply about carrying files—it meant understanding every decision before it was even spoken.

For nearly two hours...

Neither of them looked away from work.

Neither wasted a second.

This was exactly why Aurelius Empires stood among the fastest-growing corporate giants.

Not because of luck.

But because its leaders never stopped working.

Finally...

The virtual meeting came to an end.

Ashvik removed his Bluetooth earpiece and leaned back slightly.

Without looking up, he pressed the intercom.

"Two black coffees."

(Two black coffees.)

The receptionist immediately acknowledged the order.

Silence settled inside the cabin.

Shlok closed his laptop before looking at his best friend.

A thoughtful expression crossed his face.

"Don't you think you were a little too rude with the newcomers?"

Ashvik looked up.

Shlok continued.

"I mean... they don't have experience."

"But they didn't seem lazy."

"Or undeserving."

For a brief moment, Ashvik remained silent.

Then he calmly folded his hands together.

"It's never about who deserves the opportunity..."

"...or who doesn't."

His voice remained composed.

Measured.

"They've probably spent their entire childhood studying."

"Competing."

"Sacrificing."

"Scoring distinctions."

"Earning degrees."

"And finally reaching this office."

A pause.

"I respect that."

Shlok looked slightly surprised.

Ashvik continued.

"But talent alone doesn't build empires."

"Discipline does."

His eyes shifted towards the glass window overlooking the bustling office floors.

"The biggest mistake young professionals make..."

"...is believing the chase ends after getting the job."

He shook his head.

"It begins here."

"If they become comfortable now..."

"They'll stop growing."

"And the moment someone stops growing..."

"They become replaceable."

Silence filled the room.

Shlok sighed dramatically.

"Understanding you is impossible."

A small smirk appeared on Ashvik's face.

"Then why are you still trying?"

Shlok threw his head back.

"Because unfortunately you're my best friend."

Ashvik chuckled softly.

A gentle knock interrupted them.

Knock... Knock...

"Come in."

The office butler entered carrying two steaming mugs of black coffee.

He respectfully placed them on the table before leaving.

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee instantly filled the cabin.

Shlok picked up his mug.

Took a sip.

Then suddenly laughed.

"I swear to God..."

"...you even speak to women like that."

Ashvik looked genuinely confused.

"Gender doesn't earn my softness, Shlok."

He took a sip of coffee before continuing.

"Who are they?"

"My girlfriends?"

"My wife?"

The question made Shlok burst into laughter.

He pointed at Ashvik.

"People have named you perfectly."

"Monster."

Ashvik merely smirked.

He had heard worse.

Meanwhile...

Third Floor.

Marketing Department.

Mitali walked towards Krutadnya's desk carrying two paper cups of coffee.

Krutadnya sat motionless before her laptop.

She wasn't working.

She was simply...

Rethinking every life decision that had brought her here.

Mitali placed the coffee beside her.

"Hogaye Rakshas ke darshan?" (So... did you finally meet the demon?)

Krutadnya looked up dramatically.

"Bhai..." (Seriously...)

She threw both hands in the air.

"Kya hi Bakasur type ka aadmi hai yeh!" (What kind of giant man-eating demon is he!)

Mitali burst into laughter.

"Wait and watch, darling."

Krutadnya folded her arms.

"Never mind."

"I already hate him."

Mitali gasped dramatically.

"Whyyy?"

Krutadnya stared at her as though the answer was obvious.

"Dayum..."

"He's sooo rude!"

She imitated Ashvik's expression.

"'Figure it out.'"

"'Pack your desk.'"

"'I don't reward effort.'"

She groaned.

"Who even talks like that?"

Mitali casually sipped her coffee.

"So what?"

Krutadnya looked at her in disbelief.

"SO WHAT??"

"Are you even in your senses?"

Mitali grinned mischievously.

"Let's just say..."

"...he's handsomely rude."

She winked.

Krutadnya immediately rolled her eyes.

"Nah."

"Never."

Mitali laughed.

Then gently pushed her shoulder.

"Accha chal..." (Come on now...)

"Kaam pe lag ja." (Get back to work.)

"Sugary coffee se tera appraisal nahi hone wala." (Your sweet coffee won't earn you good performance reviews.)

Krutadnya picked up her mug.

Muttered under her breath.

"Monster."

Then took a dramatic sip.

Hours passed.

The office remained alive with activity.

The constant clicking of keyboards.

The humming CPUs.

Phones ringing.

Printers running.

Employees discussing campaigns.

Presentations being approved.

For many...

This building represented success.

For others...

Pressure.

Every employee sitting here had earned their place.

No one had bought their position.

No one had inherited it.

Only talent.

Hard work.

And relentless consistency.

By evening...

The sky outside had turned shades of soft pink and orange.

Most employees had already packed their bags.

The office slowly emptied.

Instead of using the elevator, Ashvik casually descended the stairs.

He often did this.

Not because he enjoyed walking.

But because he liked observing his company.

Its people.

Its discipline.

Its culture.

His gaze travelled across every department.

Everything looked perfect.

Until he reached the third floor.

The marketing department was almost empty.

Almost.

One desk was still occupied.

One girl remained.

Krutadnya.

She stood beside her desk wearing elegant beige trousers paired with a rich chocolate-brown shirt whose sleeves were folded neatly to her elbows.

Completely absorbed in her work.

Completely unaware of the world around her.

She tucked a black clutch clip between her teeth while gathering her silky hair into a loose bun.

With practiced ease, she twisted the strands and secured them.

Removing the clip from between her lips, she glanced at the tiny mirror placed beside her laptop.

A small smile appeared on her face.

Satisfied.

She looked...

Beautiful.

Effortlessly.

Naturally.

Ashvik stopped walking.

Without realising it.

His eyes refused to move away.

For the first time in his life...

He found himself simply watching a woman.

Not because of attraction alone.

But because there was something strangely peaceful about her.

Something...

Different.

He had met countless women.

Models.

Businesswomen.

Royal daughters.

Socialites.

None had managed to hold his attention for longer than a polite greeting.

Yet today...

One ordinary employee had unknowingly stolen several seconds of his day.

Krutadnya packed her belongings.

Her laptop slid into her bag.

The bag rested casually over one shoulder.

Her phone remained in one hand with tangled earphones wrapped around it.

Between the same fingers rested a small lip gloss.

In her other hand—

Her favourite coffee mug.

She walked towards the coffee station humming softly to herself.

Without looking around, she poured herself a generous amount of coffee.

At the very same moment...

Ashvik stood barely two feet away.

Filling his own mug.

She never noticed.

Not his expensive cologne.

Not his towering presence.

Not even the silence that naturally followed him wherever he went.

Still thinking about something else, she reached toward the shelf where the sugar sachets were kept.

Without paying attention...

She absent-mindedly picked up the nearest mug.

Ashvik's mug.

Added two sachets of sugar.

Stirred it.

Picked it up.

And casually walked away.

Still without looking up.

Ashvik stared after her for a second.

Then looked down at the mug she had unknowingly left behind.

It was hers.

A faint nude lipstick mark rested along the rim.

He simply looked at it.

Then...

A quiet chuckle escaped him.

The great Ashvik Singh Rajput—

The man who disliked sharing even his office pen—

Had just lost his coffee to an employee who didn't even know she had taken it.

He placed her mug exactly where it was.

Never touched it.

A rare smile lingered on his lips as he finally walked away.

Nearly forty minutes later...

His black luxury sedan entered the parking area of his apartment building.

He stepped out.

Locked the car.

And reached the door of the apartment he shared with Shlok.

Ding Dong.

The door swung open almost immediately.

Shlok stood there...

Grinning suspiciously.

Then, in an exaggerated feminine voice—

"Aagaye aap?" (You're home?)

Ashvik frowned.

"Kya ho gaya tujhe?" (What's wrong with you?)

Shlok dramatically stepped aside.

"Aap office se thak kar aaye hain na..." (You must be tired after work...)

He spread one arm toward the dining table.

"...dekhiye, aapki biwi ne khana tayyar rakha hai ji." (Look, your wife has prepared dinner for you.)

Ashvik stared.

Processing.

Then—

"Kamine!" (Idiot!)

"Saale, tu ab meri biwi banega?" (So you've become my wife now?)

Shlok blinked innocently.

"Laiye..." (Give it here...)

"Apna bag dijiye." (Let me take your bag.)

Ashvik raised his hand threateningly.

"Ek kheench ke lagaunga..." (I'll smack you so hard...)

"Haram ke pille!" (You nuisance!)

"Hatt yahan se!" (Move away!)

Shlok dramatically clutched his chest.

"Itna bhi kya gussa karte hain?" (Why do you get angry so easily?)

As Ashvik walked inside—

Shlok loudly called after him.

"Aji suniye toh!" (Listen to me, dear husband!)

Ashvik simply waved him off without turning back and threw his office bag onto the living room sofa.

A few minutes later...

Ashvik returned wearing comfortable lounge trousers and a sleeveless black vest.

The drama...

Unfortunately...

Had not ended.

Shlok immediately looked at him.

"Aagaye aap?" (Oh, you're back?)

Ashvik deadpanned.

"Nahi."

"Abhi bhi room mein hoon." (No. I'm still inside my room.)

Shlok sighed dramatically.

"Saale..."

"Tu kabhi achha pati nahi banega." (You'll never become a good husband.)

"Itna chidhchidha pati kisko chahiye?" (Who would want such an irritable husband?)

Ashvik casually sat on the couch.

"Haan haan..."

"Shaadi karni bhi nahi mujhe." (Exactly. I don't even want to get married.)

Shlok smirked knowingly.

"Hmm..."

"Woh toh dekhi jayegi, janaab." (We'll see about that, sir.)

Ashvik ignored him.

"Time kitna hua?" (What's the time?)

"Chhe baj rahe hain." (It's six o'clock.)

Ashvik nodded.

"Aadarsh ko call kar leta hoon." (I'll call Aadarsh.)

Picking up his iPad, he settled comfortably on the couch and started a video call.

After a few rings...

The screen connected.

"Ji bhai, boliye!" (Yes, brother?)

Aadarsh's sleepy face appeared.

Messy hair.

Messier room.

An overflowing wardrobe behind him.

Books scattered everywhere.

Ashvik raised an eyebrow.

"Subah ke saat baje kya kar raha hai tu?" (What are you doing at seven in the morning?)

Aadarsh yawned.

"Soya hi nahi." (I haven't slept.)

Ashvik frowned.

"Kyun?" (Why?)

"Semester exams ko sirf ek mahina bacha hai." (Only one month is left before semester exams.)

Ashvik's expression softened.

"Khud pe itna zulm mat kar." (Don't be so harsh on yourself.)

Aadarsh smiled weakly.

"I'm fine."

Just then—

His room door opened.

A girl walked inside wearing oversized pajamas and an equally oversized hoodie.

Still half asleep, she yawned loudly.

"Abe..."

"Thoda so bhi liya kar!" (At least get some sleep!)

"Saale, Batman bana rehta hai." (You keep acting like Batman.)

Clearly...

She had just woken up herself.

Completely ignoring Ashvik's presence on the screen, she stretched lazily.

Aadarsh looked at her.

"Nashta ban gaya?" (Is breakfast ready?)

She glared.

"Saalon..." (Idiots...)

"Main tum dono ki cook hoon kya?" (Am I your personal cook or what?)

Aadarsh grinned shamelessly.

"Aloo ke parathe." (Potato parathas.)

She folded her arms.

"Uske badle kya milega?" (And what do I get in return?)

"Do hafton tak teri coffee main sponsor karunga." (I'll pay for your coffee for the next two weeks.)

She pretended to think.

Then nodded.

"Fair deal."

Turning around, she walked away towards the kitchen.

Ashvik watched the interaction.

Then calmly asked,

"Who was she?"

"Roommate."

Ashvik looked surprised.

"A girl?"

Aadarsh laughed.

"Yeah."

"Don't worry."

"Behen jaisi hai." (She's like my sister.)

{ [author- can you guess who is she] }

"Hum teen log saath rehte hain." (The three of us share the apartment.)

Ashvik nodded.

"Final year tough hai?" (Is final year difficult?)

"Haan."

"Par kar lunga." (Yes... but I'll manage.)

Ashvik smiled proudly.

"Kar toh lega hi." (Of course you will.)

"Mujhe koi doubt nahi." (I have no doubt.)

Aadarsh smiled.

"Aaj kaise fursat mil gayi aapko?" (How did you suddenly find time today?)

Ashvik leaned back comfortably.

"Yaad aa gayi teri." (I missed you.)

Aadarsh laughed.

"Chalo jhoothe." (Liar.)

"Mummy ne bola hoga phone karne ko." (Mom must've reminded you to call me.)

For the first time that day...

Ashvik's voice became unusually quiet.

Honest.

"Bhai..."

"Mujhe sach mein teri yaad aati hai." (Brother... I really do miss you.)

Aadarsh's teasing smile faded.

He answered softly,

"Mujhe bhi." (Me too.)

A comfortable silence settled between them.

Then Ashvik smiled.

"Chal." (Alright.)

"Ja."

"Nashta kar." (Go have breakfast.)

"Aur college bhi." (And don't miss college.)

Aadarsh nodded.

"Bye, bhai."

Ashvik smiled warmly.

A smile only family ever got to witness.

"Bye, Adu."

The nickname.

One he hadn't used in years.

For a brief moment...

Aadarsh simply stared at the screen.

Then a genuine smile—one untouched by stress, exhaustion, or exams—spread across his face.

Some bonds never fade.

They simply wait for one phone call to feel alive again.

______________________________________________________________

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Hii, everyone! 🤍

After such a long wait... Chapter 1 is finally here!

Can you believe the prologue was last updated on 10th April? Bhaiii... I'm genuinely so sorry for making you all wait this long. 🥹 Thank you for being so patient and for staying with this story despite the delay. It truly means more than you know.

I really hope you enjoyed this chapter and getting to know Ashvik's world a little better. This chapter was dedicated to introducing him before everything changes.

If you have a moment, please don't forget to vote and leave a comment—I'd absolutely love to know what you thought! Your comments genuinely make my day and motivate me to keep writing.

And if you enjoyed the chapter, share it with your book besties. It would mean the world to me. 🤍

Also, if you notice any flaws, inconsistencies, or anything that could be improved, please tell me! Constructive criticism is always welcome because it helps me grow as a writer. Just remember to be kind—we're all learning, and I'd love to learn with you.

Until the next chapter...

Be kind. Be happy. And take care of yourselves. 🤍

- Shagun