10 PM – Aditya’s Office
Aditya was sitting at his desk, staring at financial reports like they’d personally betrayed him. The office was quiet, a little too quiet for this hour.
Then—knock knock.
“Come in,” he said without looking up.
Ruhi walked in, holding a small bag. She walked over to his desk, placed it gently, and said, “Sir, your order’s here.”
Aditya glanced at it and nodded. “Oh… thank you.”
Ruhi smiled, “No problem.”
She turned to leave, but Aditya called out, “Ruhi?”
She turned back. He had pushed the reports aside and was looking at her now.
“Sit,” he said, nodding toward the chair in front of him.
Ruhi raised an eyebrow. “Hmm… formal meeting?”
But she sat down anyway, settling in like she wasn’t planning to stay long.
Aditya opened the bag and pulled something out — a really neat-looking men’s watch. He held it up. “Look at this. Do you think Aniket would like it?”
Ruhi’s eyes lit up. “Oh wow… it’s really nice!”
Aditya smiled, clearly proud. “Actually, I designed it myself. Sketched it and gave it to the watchmaker. Wanted something a bit personal.”
Ruhi blinked. “Wait… you can design watches?”
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
“My dad used to,” Aditya said, quietly. “He was a watchmaker. I learnt designing from him, but… never got around to learning how to actually make one.”
Ruhi was staring at the watch a little too closely, probably imagining what it’d be like to receive something like that. Then Aditya’s voice softened.
“By the way… does your dad talk to you now?”
Her face shifted. The spark in her eyes dropped a little.
She looked away for a second, then forced a smile. “Sir… you know me. I don’t let anyone come between me and my dreams. My dad always wanted a daughter who’d cook, get married, settle down. I’m not that girl. I mean… come on. I’m the queen of my own world, okay? I’ll do what I want, when I want.” She winked, but it didn’t fully reach her eyes.
Aditya chuckled. “Spoken like a true rebel.”
Ruhi stared at him for a moment—his laughter, his kindness—and then quickly snapped herself out of it. “Anyway! Speaking of dads… did you talk to Aniket sir’s dad?”
Aditya sighed, leaning back. “Yeah. Same answer as always. Cold and distant. But…” He mimicked Ruhi’s tone, “...don’t worry! I don’t give up. I’m Ruhi’s boss, after all.”
She laughed. “Wow… such inspiration!”
For a while, they just sat there, laughing at their own problems like it made them lighter.
Then Aditya suddenly asked, “What’re you doing tonight?”
Ruhi shrugged. “Nothing much. Might cook, or order something. Probably watch a movie till 1 AM and sleep.”
“That late?” Aditya frowned. “You should really try to sleep earlier.”
Ruhi made a face. “Please don’t start sounding like my dad, okay?”
Aditya chuckled. “I didn’t mean it like that. You’re like… my little sister. And it’s a brother’s job to worry.”
Ruhi gave a tiny fake smile. “Sister, huh…”
Aditya gently touched her forehead. “You remind me of my younger sister. It’s been two years since she moved to the US. Hasn’t even visited. But when I see you, I don’t know... I feel a little less lonely.”
He paused, then said, “Actually, since you don’t have plans… wanna come with me?”
Ruhi blinked. “Where?”
Aaditya, “To Anamika’s place. Saaniya has night shift, and Anamika’s unwell. She asked me to stay over.”
Ruhi went still. “…You’re staying at her place tonight?”
“Yeah,” he said. “I mean, nothing like that. You’re smart, I know you get it. It’s just… Anamika isn’t like other people. She’s scared to talk, scared to ask for things. I just… I thought maybe you could be there. As a friend. Someone she can open up to. You’re strong, Ruhi. You don’t pretend. She could use someone like you.”
For a second, Ruhi didn’t say anything. Something in her cracked, but she didn’t let it show.
She smiled. “Of course. For your future lady boss, I can do that much.”
Aditya turned red like a tomato. His hand went awkwardly to his neck. “It’s… not like that!”
Ruhi laughed. “Really? Okay, sir, but can I give you a fun fact? Your tongue may lie fluently, but your eyes? They're terrible at hiding the truth.”
Aditya let out a shy laugh, his ears still red.
After a pause, he said quietly, “You're right. I love Anamika. But it’s one-sided. I don’t even know if this love story ends in marriage or just... ends.”
Ruhi stood up, walking slowly to the door. Then she turned back and said with quiet confidence, “You’re lucky I’m your secretary. I’ll make sure your love story gets a proper ending. One day, she’ll come to you herself. That’s my promise.”
Aditya looked up at her, eyes soft.
Ruhi smiled — not for herself, but for him.
He whispered, “Thanks… my sweet secretary. I hope you find your love too someday.”
Ruhi nodded and walked out.
As soon as the door closed, her smile dropped.
A single tear slipped down her cheek. She wiped it off quickly, muttering to herself,
“Whether or not I find my love… doesn’t matter. But you deserve it. Because you’re my boss… and you deserve the best.”
They say one-sided love is simple.
But here’s Aditya — forgetting the whole world for one girl…
And here’s Ruhi — ready to give her entire world away, just to make his dream come true.
The real question is —
Will Ruhi succeed?
And will she ever be able to love someone else again?
