CHAPTER 1

(Ishita’s POV)

I woke up to my mother’s loud voice echoing through the house.

“Ishita! Get up and come fast, you’re getting late!” she shouted from downstairs.

I groaned, pulling the blanket over my head for a second before reality hit me. Late? Again?

Half-asleep, I grabbed my phone and checked the time—7:24 a.m.

“Oh shit…”

I jumped out of bed and rushed to the bathroom. Within minutes, I was done with a quick shower, my mind still trying to wake up properly. I hurried to get ready, choosing a simple yet elegant long kurti with trousers. A little lip gloss, a quick glance in the mirror, and I was done.

“Not bad, Ishita… you still look alive,” I muttered to myself before running downstairs.

I didn’t even stop in the living room and headed straight toward the exit.

“Ishita, skipping breakfast is not good. Come and eat first,” Dad called out.

“Sorry, Dad! I’m getting late. I’ll eat later!” I replied quickly, not even turning back.

Grabbing my bag, I rushed outside, started my scooty, and sped off. The cool morning air hit my face, but I barely noticed. My only focus was the time.

My boss hated latecomers.

Actually, “hated” would be an understatement. For him, nothing mattered more than time and discipline. One mistake, one delay—and you were done for.

I had never personally experienced his anger, but the stories from other employees were enough to scare me.

I reached the office at 8:10 a.m., just five minutes before it started.

“Thank God… you saved me today,” I whispered to myself, parking my scooty and quickly heading inside. “Otherwise, I would’ve had to listen to a long lecture from that rude boss.”

It’s not like he has ever shouted at me—not even once—but everyone says he’s extremely strict. He even cuts half a day’s salary if someone is late.

Honestly… I’ve only seen him once.

And even that was from a distance.

As I stepped into the lift, I let out a small sigh of relief. Safe.

Or at least, I thought so.

A man was already standing inside. I didn’t pay much attention at first, too busy calming my racing thoughts. But then I felt it—his gaze.

I glanced up slightly.

He was looking at me.

Not casually. Not normally.

But as if he had just heard something… something he shouldn’t have.

Within seconds, he looked away, his expression unreadable. But the way his jaw tightened made my stomach drop.

Wait… did he hear me?

My heart skipped a beat.

Oh no… did I just say something bad about the boss out loud?

Before I could think further, the lift doors opened, and I quickly stepped out, trying to ignore the weird feeling building inside me.

My thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a tight hug.

“I thought you’d be late today!” Harpal’s cheerful voice rang in my ears.

I smiled, instantly feeling relaxed. “Yeah, I thought the same. But I’m God’s favorite child.”

She laughed as we walked toward our desks together.

As soon as I sat down, I started working. I had to finish everything early today. No distractions.

Because today… I had somewhere important to be.

(Time skip)

By the time the clock struck 5 p.m., I was already packing my things.

As I walked toward the exit, a soft thought crossed my mind—

Now I finally have time for him.

A small, almost shy smile appeared on my lips.

Harpal was already waiting near my scooty when I reached outside. The moment she saw me, her eyes narrowed playfully.

“Hmm… someone looks very happy today,” she said, crossing her arms. “Did you finally find my brother-in-law?”

I gave her a look—are you serious?

“Okay, okay!” she laughed, raising her hands in surrender. “But where are you going?”

I didn’t answer immediately. Instead, I started my scooty, my smile growing just a little.

“To meet him,” I said softly.

And without another word, we drove away from the office—leaving behind the routine of the day… and unknowingly stepping closer to something that was about to change everything.

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