AUTHOR'S POV

Morning had barely unfolded over Rishikesh.

Soft mist hovered above the Ganga, sunlight filtering through it in pale gold streaks. The temple bells were gentler at this hour, the chants quieter, the river calmer.

And, unsurprisingly-

Ishika stood dangerously close to the edge again.

Barefoot. Hair loosely tied. Simple white kurta this time, dupatta slipping off one shoulder without her noticing.

She leaned forward, trying to float a flower properly.

“Go straight… go straight… why are you rotating?” she muttered at the river like it was personally offending her.

Behind her-

Footsteps.

Fast. Uneven. Slightly panicked.

Tanvi arrived almost running, breathless, scanning frantically.

Her eyes landed on Ishika.

Standing half a step away from slipping into the Ganga.

Tanvi stopped.

Closed her eyes.

Took one very deep breath.

Then another.

When she opened them again, she marched forward, grabbed Ishika’s arm, and pulled her two steps back.

Ishika blinked. “Hey-!”

Tanvi didn’t answer immediately. She was still recovering from the mini heart attack.

“Okay,” she muttered to herself, hand on chest. “Alive. Still alive. Good.”

Ishika tilted her head. “You do realize I come here every day?”

“Yes,” Tanvi snapped. “And every day I lose five years of my life.”

Ishika smiled sweetly. “Worth it.”

Tanvi narrowed her eyes. “Not for me.”

Then suddenly-

Her expression changed.

Excited. Nervous. Slightly dramatic.

“Ishu,” she said urgently.

Ishika hummed, still watching the river.

“Mahir is coming to meet me today.”

Ishika turned slowly.

Raised one eyebrow.

“Who?”

Tanvi stared at her. “Who?”

“Yes. Who.”

“My boyfriend,” Tanvi said, as if that explained everything.

Ishika blinked once.

Then twice.

“You have a boyfriend?”

“YES.”

“When did this happen?”

“I told you!”

“When?” Ishika frowned, genuinely confused.

“Between quarterly reports and you yelling at me to sign documents?”

Tanvi gasped. “You never listen to important things!”

“I listen,” Ishika defended herself. “Just selectively.”

Tanvi folded her arms. “Three months. Online.”

Ishika stared.

“…Online.”

“Yes.”

“…You are meeting a man from the internet.”

“He is not ‘a man from the internet,’” Tanvi protested. “He is Mahir.”

“Ah yes,” Ishika said gravely. “Much safer.”

Tanvi glared at her. “He is sweet, okay? Smart. Funny. Slightly annoying.”

“Red flag,” Ishika muttered.

“He is coming to Rishikesh today.”

Ishika straightened slightly.

“Oh.”

Tanvi leaned closer, eyes shining. “I am finally meeting him in person.”

Ishika studied her for a long moment.

Then sighed softly.

“Fine.”

Tanvi blinked. “Fine?”

“We’ll go together.”

“You will?” Tanvi’s eyes widened.

“Yes,” Ishika said calmly. “I need to evaluate whether he deserves my PA.”

Tanvi sputtered. “I don’t need your approval!”

“You absolutely do.”

“Ishu!”

“What if he’s a serial killer?”

“He is not a serial killer!”

“What if he kidnaps you?”

“He can’t even decide what to eat for dinner!”

Ishika considered this.

“…Fair.”

Tanvi grabbed her arm dramatically. “You are coming, right?”

Ishika smiled faintly.

“Of course.”

Because despite everything…

She would never let Tanvi face something important alone.

Before Ishika could add anything else, Tanvi was already pulling her toward the steps.

“Come come come, we don’t have time!”

“I can walk by myself,” Ishika protested, stumbling slightly.

“Not today. Today I am in panic mode.”

They climbed into the waiting car, Tanvi still vibrating with nervous excitement.

The car pulled away from the ghat, winding through the quiet morning roads of Rishikesh.

For a few minutes, Tanvi kept checking her phone every ten seconds.

“He hasn’t replied in five minutes.”

“Maybe he’s busy.”

“Or maybe he changed his mind.”

“Or maybe he’s driving.”

“Or maybe-”

“Tanvi.”

She stopped mid-spiral.

“Yes?”

“Breathe.”

Tanvi inhaled deeply… then exhaled dramatically. “I am calm.”

“You are not calm.”

“I am calm internally.”

Ishika watched her for a second, then said gently, “He came all the way here to meet you. That means something.”

Tanvi’s expression softened.

“Yeah.”

Then she looked at Ishika suspiciously. “Why are you so calm?”

“Because I am not the one meeting an internet stranger.”

“Supportive friend,” Tanvi muttered.

The car rolled through the gates of Raichand Mansion.

Inside, the living room was unusually full.

Everyone was there.

Waiting.

But surprisingly…

No one rushed toward Ishika this time.

No panicked scolding. No frantic checking for injuries.

Because Vidyut had already sent discreet security behind her.

Mission: keep her alive without her noticing.

Anvika looked up first.

Her eyes immediately landed on Tanvi’s glowing face.

“Well,” she said slowly, “why are you grinning like that?”

Before Tanvi could answer-

Ishika did.

“Her boyfriend is coming, bhabhi.”

Every head snapped toward Tanvi.

“Boyfriend?” Samridhi repeated.

Tanvi straightened proudly. “Yes.”

“When did this happen?” Vidyut asked, amused.

“Three months ago,” Tanvi said. “We met on Instagram.”

Rajendra chuckled. “Modern romance.”

Agastya’s expression turned serious immediately. “You’re going alone?”

Before Tanvi could answer-

“I’m going with her,” Ishika said calmly.

Saharsh straightened in his seat instantly. “Why you, Buaa?”

“For her security,” Ishika replied simply.

The room went quiet.

Adhiraj looked at her steadily.

“You are just twenty-one, Ishu,” he said calmly. “Tanvi is more mature than you.”

Ishika froze.

Then slowly turned toward him.

“…Papa.”

He didn’t look apologetic at all.

Anvika bit her lip to hide a smile.

Vidyut outright grinned.

Saharsh leaned back, enjoying the show.

“That is emotional betrayal,” she declared.

Adhiraj raised one eyebrow.

“You burned your hand on tea yesterday.”

“That was sabotage.”

“You walked into a glass door last week.”

“That door attacked me.”

“You tripped on flat ground.”

“Gravity conspiracy.”

A few muffled laughs escaped around the room.

Ishika stomped her foot lightly.

“Papa!”

He finally smiled faintly.

“Security will go,” he said calmly.

“I don’t need security.”

“Not negotiable.”

She crossed her arms. “Then I am not going.”

“You are going.”

“Papa!”

Vedika intervened gently. “At least let someone be nearby.”

Ishika huffed dramatically but didn’t argue further.

Because despite her protests…

She knew they worried out of love.

Tanvi leaned toward her and whispered, “Worth it.”

Ishika whispered back, “You owe me dessert.”

“Deal.”

Morning traffic hummed through the streets of Rishikesh.

Inside the car, Mahir had not stopped talking for the past twenty minutes.

“…and I’m telling you, she laughs at my jokes, okay?

That’s rare. Do you know how hard it is to find someone who appreciates genius?”

Rivan didn’t even glance at him. “You are not a genius.”

“I am emotionally intelligent.”

“You send memes at 3 AM.”

“That is communication.”

Rivan exhaled slowly, patience thinning. “Why are you even taking me with you to meet her?”

Mahir looked scandalized. “Support.”

“For whom?”

“For her,” Mahir said seriously. “So she doesn’t feel uncomfortable.”

Rivan’s grip tightened slightly on the steering wheel.

“She is also bringing her friend,” Mahir added.

Rivan’s expression didn’t change. “It would be better if you two met alone.”

Mahir ignored that completely and went back to checking his phone.

Rivan stopped at a signal.

Red.

Cars idled around them. Vendors walked between lanes. The morning sun reflected off windshields in sharp flashes.

He waited for green.

Sixty seconds.

Fifty nine.

Fifty eight-

Then-

Something shifted.

Not outside.

Inside.

A sudden, inexplicable pressure filled the air, like the atmosphere had thickened. The faint electric prickle crawled across the back of his neck.

Wrong.

Something was wrong.

His gaze lifted on instinct.

Across the road-

She stood there.

Mask covering half her face. Simple clothes. Hair tied loosely. Nothing extraordinary at first glance.

Yet-

The air around her felt different.

Charged.

Alive.

She waved at someone on the opposite side of the road, bouncing slightly on her feet like an impatient child.

Rivan’s brows furrowed faintly.

Why did the environment suddenly feel… wrong?

He glanced in the direction she was waving.

Another girl stood there, arms crossed, clearly annoyed.

He turned back.

The masked girl stepped onto the road just as the signal countdown hit six seconds.

Instead of rushing-

She stopped.

Right in the middle.

Rivan stared in disbelief. “What is she doing…”

An old man beside her struggled forward, steps uncertain.

She adjusted instantly.

Slowing.

Positioning herself between him and the traffic, subtle enough that he wouldn’t notice.

Protecting him.

Quietly.

Without claiming credit.

Something in Rivan’s chest tightened.

Then-

A car shot forward from a blind angle.

Too fast.

Too close.

Straight toward them.

His body reacted before thought existed.

A violent surge detonated inside him.

Not power summoned.

Power unleashed.

Sound collapsed.

The world dimmed as if someone had turned down reality.

A translucent barrier snapped into existence around the girl and the old man.

Air warped around it.

Dust froze mid-motion.

Even the sunlight seemed to fracture against the invisible surface.

Inside the car-

Rivan gasped as agony ripped through him.

Not pain.

Rupture.

Like something ancient inside his bones had awakened and clawed its way outward.

His muscles locked.

Vision splintered into white shards.

A metallic taste flooded his mouth.

His heart slammed once - twice - then staggered violently off rhythm.

He couldn’t breathe.

Couldn’t move.

Couldn’t stop it.

The power kept expanding, reaching farther than it ever had, stretching through space toward one single point.

Toward her.

His fingers crushed the steering wheel, knuckles whitening as fine cracks spread across the leather.

A thin line of blood slid from the corner of his nose.

He didn’t even notice.

Because beneath the agony-

There was terror.

Not for himself.

For her.

A primal, wordless instinct screaming:

Protect.

He squeezed his eyes shut as the pressure peaked, body trembling under the strain.

Outside-

The speeding car slammed against the unseen barrier and skidded violently aside, tires screaming.

Time snapped back.

Sound crashed in.

People shouted.

Birds scattered.

The old man blinked in confusion, unharmed.

And the girl-

Did not panic.

Did not scream.

Did not even look around in shock.

She simply frowned faintly, as if mildly inconvenienced.

Then gently guided the old man forward, making sure he reached safety.

No drama.

No awareness.

Just quiet certainty.

As if she knew-

Nothing would happen to her.

Before anyone could react, she turned and ran.

Gone into the crowd within seconds.

Inside the car, Rivan dragged in a broken breath.

Pain still coursed through him, deep and internal, like fractures spreading under his skin.

His eyes rolled back slightly.

Darkness pressed in.

No.

Not now.

With brutal effort, he forced his own power inward, stabilizing himself through sheer will alone.

His hand shook as he steered the car to the side of the road.

Park.

Silence.

His head fell back against the seat.

Every muscle trembled uncontrollably.

Gradually…

The agony began to dull.

Recede.

Like waves pulling back after a storm.

He wiped the blood from his lip with the back of his hand, breathing slow and controlled.

“What she did now…” he murmured hoarsely.

He didn’t know it was the same girl.

But he knew one thing.

His power only reacted like this for one reason.

His life partner had been in mortal danger.

And whatever had just happened-

Was far beyond the minor injuries he had grown used to.

Mahir stared at him, shaken. “Buddy… what just happened?”

Rivan didn’t answer.

His gaze remained fixed on the empty stretch of road where she had stood.

Something deep inside him had shifted.

Awakened.

Claimed.

Finally, he said quietly-

“I’m fine.”

But his hand was still trembling.

And for the first time…

His power had chosen for him.

---

The café overlooked the river, open on one side so the breeze carried in the faint scent of water and incense from nearby temples. Wind chimes tinkled softly above the entrance.

It looked peaceful.

Normal.

Completely unaware that two walking disasters had chosen it as their meeting point.

Tanvi sat rigidly at the table, arms folded, foot tapping impatiently.

Across from her-

Ishika was happily sipping cold coffee as if nothing in the world had happened.

Around them, a few “random customers” occupied nearby tables.

Not random.

Security.

Discreet. Silent. Watching.

Per Ishika’s strict instructions, they looked like tourists, couples, students - anything but guards.

Tanvi leaned forward suddenly.

“Explain.”

Ishika blinked. “About what?”

“About you disappearing.”

“I went to buy candy floss.”

“You LEFT me alone in the middle of the road.”

“You were talking on the phone.”

“That is not permission to vanish!”

Ishika stirred her drink calmly. “I didn’t vanish. I relocated.”

Tanvi stared at her. “You walked across traffic.”

“I checked both sides.”

“You stopped in the middle of the road!”

“There was an uncle.”

Tanvi’s voice rose. “YOU ALMOST GOT HIT BY A CAR!”

Nearby customers glanced over.

Ishika lowered her voice immediately. “Not almost. It didn’t hit me.”

“That’s not the point!”

She pointed accusingly at her. “You scared me half to death!”

Ishika’s expression softened slightly.

“Sorry.”

Tanvi froze.

“…Wait.”

“You’re right,” Ishika added quietly. “I should’ve told you.”

Tanvi blinked again, caught off guard by the sincerity.

Then she huffed, looking away. “Good. You should be sorry.”

Ishika leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. “But the candy floss was very good.”

Tanvi gaped. “Unbelievable.”

She snatched the remaining stick from Ishika’s hand and took an aggressive bite.

Ishika gasped. “Traitor.”

“You don’t deserve sugar privileges.”

At the next table, one of the security personnel subtly relaxed.

Crisis level: downgraded.

Tanvi swallowed, still fuming. “And then you just appeared from nowhere like nothing happened.”

“I walked back.”

“You were gone for ten minutes!”

“Time is relative.”

Tanvi pinched the bridge of her nose. “Ishu, please. Just once in your life… act like a normal human being.”

Ishika considered this seriously.

“No.”

Tanvi dropped her hand in defeat.

Across the café, two security men exchanged a silent look that clearly said: We understand your pain.

Tanvi glanced at her watch for the hundredth time.

“He should be here by now.”

Ishika leaned back in her chair, observing her calmly. “Relax.”

“You relax,” Tanvi snapped. “You’re not the one meeting your boyfriend for the first time.”

“Technically I am supervising.”

“You are not supervising!”

“I am emotionally supervising.”

Tanvi groaned.

Ishika looked around casually, gaze sweeping the café - exits, entrances, people, blind spots.

Not obvious.

But deliberate.

Even now, she was alert.

Something still felt… off.

The air too heavy.

Her arm tingled faintly where the injury had been.

She flexed her fingers unconsciously.

Then ignored it.

Tanvi leaned forward again, suddenly nervous. “What if he doesn’t like me?”

Ishika didn’t even hesitate.

“Impossible.”

“Why?”

“Because you’re terrifying.”

“That is not reassuring!”

“It is to me.”

Tanvi grabbed her hand tightly. “Stay until he comes.”

Ishika squeezed back gently. “I’m not going anywhere.”

A sudden voice cut across the café.

“TANVI!”

Mahir stood at the entrance, waving energetically like he had zero awareness of social volume.

Tanvi shot up from her chair, face lighting up instantly. “Mahir-!”

Then her smile froze.

Because someone else stepped in behind him.

Tall. Composed. Dangerous in a way that had nothing to do with weapons.

Rivan Rathore.

Tanvi’s expression shifted from joy to cautious panic.

Ishika didn’t turn.

Didn’t even look up.

But she felt it.

A sudden change in the air pressure.

Like the room had grown smaller.

Heavier.

Her fingers tightened around the glass unconsciously.

Across the café-

Rivan stopped mid-step.

The same sensation struck him.

Not pain.

Not threat.

Recognition.

His gaze swept the room once - sharp, assessing.

Then landed on Tanvi.

And behind her…

On the masked girl sitting calmly as if nothing in the world had changed.

His eyes narrowed slightly.

Tanvi.

The same girl who had been glaring across the road earlier.

Which_attach‌ed one unavoidable conclusion.

Then-

The masked one.

His chest tightened unexpectedly.

Mahir, blissfully unaware of the charged silence, walked forward.

“Hi!”

Tanvi recovered first, forcing a polite smile. “Hi…”

They stopped at the table.

“Sorry I’m late,” Mahir said. “Traffic was insane.”

“It’s okay,” Tanvi replied softly, still visibly nervous.

Her eyes flicked toward Rivan. “He is… Rivan Rathore, right?”

Mahir grinned proudly. “Yep. My best friend and my boss.”

He added casually, “I just got promoted to his personal assistant this morning.”

At the name-

Ishika’s eyes widened behind the mask.

Rivan Rathore.

So this was him.

She lowered her gaze immediately, expression neutral again.

Not a single outward reaction.

But her pulse had quickened.

Mahir glanced at her. “And she is…?”

Tanvi answered instantly, voice steady despite her nerves.

“She’s my best friend. Ishika.”

She shot Ishika a sharp look.

Stand up.

Ishika glared back briefly.

Then rose anyway.

Graceful. Quiet. Controlled.

She gave Mahir a polite nod.

“Hello.”

Her voice was soft but clear.

Mahir smiled warmly. “Hi! Nice to meet you.”

Rivan didn’t speak.

He was staring.

Not rudely.

Not openly aggressive.

But intensely.

As if trying to place something just out of reach.

Something about her felt-

Familiar.

Dangerous.

His.

The last thought slipped in without permission.

He didn’t even realize it.

Across from him, Ishika felt it too.

That gaze.

Heavy. Claiming. Unyielding.

A strange irritation flared inside her chest.

No one had the right to look at him like that.

The thought shocked her.

Because she didn’t even know him.

She lifted her eyes slowly.

Their gazes met for the first time.

Time didn’t stop.

But it… tightened.

No smiles.

No greeting.

Just a silent, electric collision.

Rivan’s jaw hardened slightly.

Ishika’s chin lifted a fraction.

Challenge.

Recognition.

Something ancient stirring beneath both.

Then Tanvi cleared her throat nervously, breaking the moment.

“Um… please sit?”

Mahir dropped into the chair cheerfully.

Rivan sat opposite Ishika.

Neither of them looked away immediately.

Because neither understood why looking away felt wrong.

Mahir cleared his throat loudly, snapping the invisible thread.

“So,” he said cheerfully, clapping his hands once, “no one is going to say anything? Cool. Not awkward at all.”

Ishika blinked, pulling herself back from wherever her thoughts had gone.

What was that… she scolded herself internally. Get a grip.

Across from her, Rivan exhaled slowly through his nose, forcing his expression back into its usual controlled neutrality.

Ridiculous.

He had faced war rooms, assassins, governments.

And yet a masked girl had unsettled him.

His gaze shifted away from her-

And immediately sharpened.

He scanned the café again.

Not casually.

Clinically.

Three men at different tables. One pretending to read a newspaper upside down. Another with an untouched cup of coffee for fifteen minutes. One positioned near the exit.

Security.

Discreet, but not invisible.

His jaw tightened faintly.

Mahir leaned forward toward Ishika, smiling playfully.

“Are you not planning to remove the mask?”

Before Ishika could respond-

Tanvi jumped in quickly. “Let her be.”

Mahir blinked. “Why?”

Tanvi chuckled nervously. “She’ll attract attention.”

Rivan’s eyes flicked back to Ishika.

Studying.

Assessing.

“You two look like you’re from a wealthy family,” he said calmly.

Tanvi stiffened.

“Umm… I’m from an upper middle-class one,” she replied quickly.

Her eyes darted toward Ishika, unsure.

Say something. Don’t say something. What do we say??

Rivan didn’t wait.

“Then she must be some princess.”

Tanvi let out a small, nervous laugh. “Why are you saying it like that?”

“Security says enough.”

Tanvi’s smile faltered.

For half a second.

Ishika’s lips curved into a faint, hidden smirk beneath the mask.

Observant, she thought quietly.

Tanvi hesitated. “There is no security.”

Rivan leaned back slightly, tone calm but unmistakably confident.

“Relax. We understand.”

His gaze held hers just long enough to make the meaning clear.

“You’re meeting someone for the first time. Someone you barely know.”

Not accusation.

Not mockery.

Just… awareness.

Mahir nodded enthusiastically. “Fair point, honestly.”

Tanvi visibly relaxed a little.

To shatter the remaining tension, Mahir clapped his hands again.

“Okay! Enough interrogation energy.”

He grabbed the menu. “Let’s order something.”

“Finally,” Tanvi muttered, grateful for normal conversation.

Mahir leaned toward her conspiratorially. “What do you recommend? I don’t trust places that look this peaceful.”

“The cold coffee is good,” she said automatically.

Ishika spoke quietly for the first time since sitting down.

“And the waffles.”

All three turned toward her.

Her voice was soft.

Controlled.

But carried an authority that didn’t match the casual suggestion.

Rivan noticed immediately.

Of course she knew the place well.

Of course she did.

Mahir grinned. “Perfect. Two cold coffees, waffles… anything else?”

“I’ll have black coffee,” Rivan said without looking away from Ishika.

She felt his gaze again.

Heavy.

Unrelenting.

She kept her eyes on the table.

But her fingers tightened slightly around the edge.

Because something about him felt…

Dangerous.

Not physically.

Personally.

Tanvi, trying desperately to keep things normal, added quickly, “And one sandwich.”

“Done,” Mahir said, signaling the waiter.

As the order was taken, silence settled again.

Not awkward this time.

Just… divided.

Mahir leaned toward Tanvi, lowering his voice immediately. “So… you’re shorter than I expected.”

Tanvi blinked. “Excuse me?”

“I mean that in a nice way.”

“That did not sound nice.”

He grinned. “You’re cute.”

She rolled her eyes, but the faint blush gave her away. “You’re louder than I expected.”

“Painfully honest. I like it.”

Within seconds, they slipped into easy conversation - small jokes, quick questions, nervous laughter dissolving into genuine comfort.

Across the table-

Ishika had retreated into her phone.

Scrolling.

Thumb moving lazily.

Every now and then, a tiny laugh escaped her - soft, unguarded, almost childlike.

Rivan glanced up involuntarily.

The sound didn’t match the composed, distant girl sitting across from him.

She leaned slightly forward, completely absorbed, eyes crinkling behind the mask.

What could possibly be that funny?

He forced his gaze back to his own phone.

Emails. Reports. Notifications.

He typed quick replies, expression impassive.

But his focus kept slipping.

Back to her.

Back to that soft, unexpected laugh.

Annoying.

Distracting.

Unacceptable.

The waiter arrived, placing dishes carefully on the table.

“Your order, sir.”

Waffles in front of Ishika.

Black coffee in front of Rivan.

Two cold coffees for Mahir and Tanvi.

Sandwich in the center.

The aroma of chocolate and butter rose warmly into the air.

Ishika immediately locked her phone and sat up straighter.

Food mode activated.

She picked up the fork with surprising seriousness, cutting a small piece with surgical precision.

Mahir watched, amused.

Then leaned forward with a mischievous grin.

“So,” he said casually, “are you planning to remove the mask now… or eat with it on?”

Ishika shot him a sharp glare.

Before she could respond-

“Mahir,” Tanvi warned softly, “she gets angry soon. Stop it.”

He raised both hands in mock surrender. “Okay, okay.”

For a moment, Ishika didn’t move.

Then she exhaled quietly… and removed her mask.

The fabric slid away.

She shook her head slightly, letting her hair fall back into place.

Silence fell.

Not dramatic.

Just… stunned.

Because she was undeniably beautiful.

Not flashy.

Not artificial.

The kind of beauty that didn’t try - and didn’t need to.

Rivan’s eyes locked on her instantly.

Not admiration.

Not surprise.

Recognition.

Something in his chest tightened sharply, like a missing piece snapping into place.

Mahir broke the silence first, grinning.

“Ohhh… so beauty attracts attention.”

Tanvi sipped her coffee calmly. “Yes.”

Mahir chuckled. “Well, beauty comes with flaws.”

Tanvi nodded while taking a bite of her sandwich. “Obviously.”

Ishika slowly raised one eyebrow at Rivan, meeting his stare head-on.

Her eyes said one thing clearly:

What?

Rivan blinked once, as if pulled back to reality, and shook his head slightly before returning to his coffee.

“I was just looking,” he said flatly.

She wasn’t convinced.

But she let it go.

She picked up her fork again, about to take a bite-

Chime.

A sharp, electronic alert cut through the air.

A small red light began flashing from the delicate bracelet on her wrist.

Ishika’s expression fell instantly.

She pouted.

Across the café, the security personnel moved at once.

The head of security approached quickly. “Ma’am, let me check.”

“No,” Ishika said immediately, frowning. “Don’t eat it. Just bring another one.”

Her tone wasn’t dramatic.

Just firm.

Concerned.

The man hesitated. “It’s okay, ma’am.”

Before anyone could stop him, he took a small bite.

Chewed.

Then nodded. “It has peanuts. I’ll get you another one.”

At the same time-

Ishika’s phone buzzed.

She answered immediately.

“Hello?”

A familiar voice came through, tight with concern.

“Baccha, what happened?” Agastya.

“Your security bracelet is alerting.”

Ishika sighed softly. “Bhai, it’s nothing. It just has peanuts.”

A pause.

“Where is Tanvi?”

She passed the phone across the table.

“Talk to him.”

Tanvi straightened automatically. “Yes, sir?”

Agastya’s voice sharpened slightly. “Is she fine?”

“Yes, sir. She’s perfectly fine.”

Another pause.

Then softer: “Alright. Take care of both of you.”

The call ended.

Tanvi handed the phone back.

Mahir and Rivan were both staring now.

Tanvi added casually, “She doesn’t like peanuts.”

Mahir frowned. “So? It’s not like something would happen if she ate it.”

Tanvi shrugged. “She doesn’t eat things she doesn’t like.”

Simple.

Final.

No explanation.

Soon the replacement waffle arrived.

Warm. Fresh. Perfect.

Ishika stared at it like it was a complicated life decision.

Mahir leaned back in his chair. “So… what do you do, Tanvi?”

“Project coordination,” she replied smoothly. “Mostly operations, scheduling, damage control.”

“Damage control?” he grinned.

She took a sip of coffee. “Mostly for her.”

Ishika didn’t even look up. “Untrue.”

Tanvi raised one eyebrow. “Yesterday you tried to open a locked door by pulling instead of pushing.”

“It was emotionally locked.”

Mahir laughed. “I like her.”

Tanvi deadpanned, “You won’t when you’re responsible for her.”

Across from them, Rivan stirred his coffee absentmindedly.

“Rishikesh isn’t exactly a corporate hub,” he said. “How do you manage operations from here?”

Tanvi answered before Ishika could.

“Remote teams. Regional offices. Travel when needed.”

Efficient. Clean. Non-revealing.

Rivan noted that.

His gaze flicked to Ishika.

Still focused entirely on her waffle.

Cutting tiny pieces.

Eating slowly.

Distracted.

Uninterested in impressing anyone.

“Do you come here often?” Mahir asked Ishika.

She nodded faintly. “When Tanvi drags me out.”

“Hey,” Tanvi protested. “Fresh air is necessary for survival.”

“I survive indoors.”

“That is not survival.”

She finally took another bite.

Then another.

Then stopped.

Stared at the remaining waffle as if it had personally betrayed her.

Tanvi leaned slightly closer, lowering her voice.

“Ishu… how much time will this take?”

Ishika looked at her.

Then at the waffle.

Then back at her.

Shrugged.

“I don’t know.”

Tanvi closed her eyes.

Inhaled slowly.

Exhaled.

Summoning patience earned over years.

She raised her hand. “Excuse me-”

“Wait,” Ishika said quickly, straightening.

Tanvi ignored her.

“Please pack this.”

Ishika turned toward her instantly, smiling sheepishly.

Tanvi shook her head, completely unsurprised.

“We should leave now. It’s already getting late.”

Mahir stood immediately. “Of course.”

He looked genuinely disappointed but tried to hide it.

“Should we drop you both? If you don’t mind.”

Tanvi smiled politely. “It’s okay, Mahir. We have our car.”

She added carefully, “And I’m sure Ishika’s family wouldn’t like someone knowing her address.”

Rivan nodded once. “That’s perfectly fine.”

Mahir added casually, “Yeah, she looks young too. Her parents’ concern is valid.”

Ishika’s head snapped up.

“Excuse me?”

All eyes turned to her.

“I am twenty-one,” she said with clear offense.

Mahir laughed lightly. “Relax. I meant you look younger.”

“That is not a compliment.”

“It is for most people.”

She folded her arms, still glaring.

Rivan watched her reaction carefully.

Young.

But not immature.

Protected.

But not weak.

Mahir turned back to Tanvi. “So how did you two become best friends?”

Tanvi smiled faintly, expression softening.

“I’ve known her since childhood.”

Rivan’s attention sharpened again.

“My father worked for her father,” she continued calmly. “Now I work for her.”

Silence settled for a second.

Not awkward.

Revealing.

Mahir blinked. “Wow. That’s… loyal.”

Tanvi shrugged. “She’s family.”

Ishika finally looked up at her.

Something warm flickered in her eyes.

Unspoken.

Then she looked away qu

ickly, pretending to adjust her sleeve.

Rivan saw that too.

Everything about them spoke of deep trust.

Not employer-employee.

Something stronger.

He stood as well.

“Thank you for the company,” he said evenly.

Ishika gave a polite nod.

“Likewise.”

But neither of them moved to leave immediately.

Because both could feel it.

That strange pull again.

Subtle.

Persistent.

As if walking away required more effort than it should.

To be Continued...