The Uneasy Morning

The night did not end when Aarushi reached home.

It followed her.

In her thoughts. In her silence. In the strange heaviness that refused to leave her chest.

She barely slept.

Every time she closed her eyes, something felt wrong. Not exactly a nightmare, not exactly a dream. Just flashes. Broken pieces of something she could not understand.

A dark sky.

A voice calling her name.

And a feeling of falling… as if she had lost something important.

Aarushi opened her eyes suddenly.

Morning light filled her room.

For a moment, she just lay there, staring at the ceiling.

Trying to convince herself that everything from last night was just stress.

Just imagination.

Nothing else.

She sat up slowly and pressed her fingers against her temples.

Get a grip, Aarushi, she murmured.

It was her second day. She could not walk in there looking distracted and lost.

Whatever had happened… she would ignore it.

That was the plan.

And for a few minutes, it almost worked.

Until she reached the office.

The building looked the same.

Tall. Silent. Powerful.

But today, it did not feel new.

It felt familiar.

That thought alone made her uneasy.

Aarushi walked inside, trying to keep her expression normal.

Rhea was already at her desk.

Good morning, Rhea said with a smile. You look tired.

Aarushi forced a small smile.

Did not sleep well.

Rhea nodded like she understood.

First week does that to everyone.

Aarushi wished that was the reason.

She sat down and turned on her system.

For a while, everything felt normal.

Emails. Work. Instructions.

She almost convinced herself that she had imagined everything.

Until a message popped up on her screen.

Report to the CEO cabin.

Aarushi stared at the words.

Her heartbeat slowed… then picked up again.

There was no name.

No explanation.

But she knew.

It was him.

Rhea noticed her expression.

What happened?

Aarushi turned the screen slightly.

Rhea’s eyes widened.

Oh.

That one word carried enough meaning.

Aarushi swallowed lightly.

Do I go now?

Rhea gave a small nod.

Do not keep him waiting.

That did not help.

At all.

Aarushi stood up, her fingers tightening slightly around the edge of the desk before letting go.

It is just a meeting, she told herself.

Nothing else.

Still, her steps felt heavier as she walked towards the glass cabin.

The same place where she had seen him yesterday.

The same place where he had been watching her.

She stopped in front of the door.

For a second, she hesitated.

Then she knocked softly.

Come in.

His voice was calm.

Low.

But it carried authority.

Aarushi pushed the door open and stepped inside.

The air felt different here.

Colder.

Controlled.

Just like him.

Veeransh sat behind his desk, his posture relaxed, his expression unreadable.

His eyes lifted the moment she entered.

And once again, that feeling returned.

That strange, unexplainable pull.

Aarushi walked forward slowly.

You called me, sir?

For a moment, he did not respond.

He just looked at her.

Carefully.

As if observing every detail.

Aarushi shifted slightly under his gaze.

Is there something you need me to do?

He finally spoke.

Sit.

The single word was enough.

Aarushi sat down, trying to stay calm.

There was silence.

Not awkward.

But heavy.

Then he leaned back slightly.

How is your first day?

Aarushi blinked.

She had not expected that question.

It is good, she replied carefully. I am still learning.

His gaze did not leave her face.

Of course you are.

There was something about the way he said it.

As if it meant more than just work.

Aarushi felt a small uneasiness again.

He placed a file on the table and slid it towards her.

You will handle this project.

Aarushi looked at it, surprised.

This looked important.

Sir, I just joined. Maybe someone more experienced should

You can do it.

He did not raise his voice.

He did not argue.

He just said it.

Like a fact.

Aarushi looked up at him.

And for a second, she forgot what she was going to say.

Because there it was again.

That look.

Not doubt.

Not expectation.

Certainty.

As if he already knew what she was capable of.

Even when she did not.

Aarushi slowly nodded.

Okay.

A faint expression crossed his face.

Almost like approval.

You can leave.

The meeting was over just like that.

Aarushi stood up, still slightly confused, and turned to go.

Her hand reached for the door.

Then his voice stopped her.

Aarushi.

She froze.

Slowly, she turned back.

This was the first time he had said her name like that.

Not formal.

Not distant.

Something else.

Yes?

For a brief moment, he said nothing.

Then his gaze softened… just slightly.

Do not stay late today.

The words caught her off guard.

It sounded less like an order.

More like… concern.

Aarushi frowned faintly.

Why?

A small pause.

Then he replied,

Because not everything in this building is meant for you.

The room felt colder suddenly.

Aarushi stared at him, trying to understand what he meant.

But his expression was back to normal.

Calm. Distant. Unreadable.

As if he had said nothing unusual.

Aarushi nodded slowly and stepped out of the cabin.

The moment the door closed behind her, she let out a breath she did not realize she was holding.

What was that?

She walked back to her desk, her thoughts tangled.

Rhea looked at her with curiosity.

So?

Aarushi sat down.

I do not understand him.

Rhea gave a small laugh.

No one does.

But Aarushi knew.

This was not just about understanding.

This was something deeper.

Something she could feel but not explain.

Her eyes moved unconsciously towards the cabin.

The glass reflected the light, hiding him from view.

Still, she knew.

He was there.

And somehow…

He knew more about her than he should.

Far more.

Inside the cabin, Veeransh stood near the window, his gaze distant.

Kabir stepped closer.

You should not have called her so soon.

Veeransh did not look at him.

It was necessary.

Kabir crossed his arms slightly.

And what about last night?

A brief silence.

Then Veeransh spoke, his voice lower now.

It was not supposed to happen this early.

Kabir’s expression changed slightly.

So it has begun.

Veeransh’s eyes darkened.

Yes.

And this time… we are already late.

Outside, Aarushi opened the file he had given her.

Trying to focus.

Trying to ignore everything else.

But one thought refused to leave her mind.

Not everything in this building is meant for you.

She did not know why.

But it did not feel like a warning.

It felt like a truth.

One that she was about to discover.

Very soon.

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