CHAPTER 5

(Ishita’s POV)

I was still working.

It was already around 6 p.m., and almost everyone had left by 5. The office felt unusually quiet now… too quiet.

And here I was—stuck doing overtime.

As punishment.

I sighed, rubbing my temples lightly. My eyes were tired, but I couldn’t stop. Not now.

I had already called my parents to inform them that I’d be late today.

“Great… just great,” I muttered under my breath, flipping another page.

After a while, my phone suddenly rang.

I frowned and picked it up. The screen showed—NGO.

My expression softened instantly.

“Hello?” I answered.

On the other side, the caretaker’s voice came, slightly worried.

“Hello, Miss Mehra… sorry to disturb you, but you didn’t come to meet Aarav today, and he’s refusing to eat anything.”

My heart dropped.

“I’m so sorry… I got stuck at work,” I said quickly. “Can you please give him the phone?”

“Of course.”

There was a brief pause.

Then a small, familiar voice came through.

“Hello…”

A soft smile appeared on my lips, despite everything.

“Aarav, baby… why aren’t you eating?” I asked gently.

Silence.

“I’m coming soon, okay? You have to be a good boy and eat your food,” I added, trying to convince him.

After a few minutes of talking, he finally agreed.

Only then did I end the call, letting out a small breath.

I stood up from my chair to go to the canteen and get some water—my bottle was empty.

But the moment I stood up…

I froze.

He was there.

Standing just a few feet away from my desk.

Watching me.

My heartbeat instantly sped up.

He spoke, his voice as cold as ever—

“Your work is not done yet?”

“N-no, sir… almost done,” I replied quickly.

(Rudraksh’s POV)

I was about to leave for home when I noticed something unusual.

Someone was still in the office.

I glanced at my watch.

7:56 p.m.

Too late for anyone to still be working.

Curious, I walked toward the floor—and there she was.

Miss Mehra.

Still sitting at her desk, surrounded by files.

For a moment, I just stood there, observing her.

Focused.

Quiet.

Tired… but still working.

I stepped closer.

“Your work is not done yet?” I asked.

She immediately straightened.

“No, sir… almost done,” she replied.

My eyes moved to her desk.

Only one file was left.

So she had actually done all of it.

Interesting.

“Then why are you standing? Complete your work,” I said in a cold, firm tone.

She quickly sat back down and continued without another word.

I turned slightly, but didn’t leave.

Instead, I stayed.

Watching.

Minutes passed.

The office remained silent except for the soft sound of pages turning.

Finally, she closed the last file and stood up.

Without looking at her, I said, “Now you can go.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her nod slightly before walking toward the lift.

I watched her leave.

And only after she disappeared did I turn and walk away.

(Next Morning – Rudraksh’s POV)

The next morning, I reached the office as usual.

But my mind…

It wasn’t on work.

It was on her.

Miss Mehra.

I entered my cabin and placed my coat aside.

“Call Miss Mehra to my cabin,” I instructed my PA.

“Yes, sir.”

A few moments later, my PA returned.

“Sorry, sir… Miss Mehra is on leave today.”

My brows furrowed.

“Why?” I asked, my voice low… with a hint of irritation.

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