An Hour Later…
At Aniket’s Office**
Saniya walked into Aniket’s office building, her heels clicking sharply on the marble floor. Her expression was calm — but her eyes had that dangerous stillness, like the silence before a storm.
She walked straight to the receptionist’s desk and asked firmly, “Where is Aniket Rajput’s cabin?”
The receptionist glanced at her from head to toe and replied, “Miss… do you have an appointment?”
Saniya’s tone was polite but steady.
“I’m his friend. I just need to talk to him. Please, just tell me if he’s in the office right now.”
The receptionist smirked faintly.
“If you’re his friend, you could just call him and ask.”
There was sarcasm in her voice — one that Saniya instantly caught.
She hated being mocked.
Her eyes grew calmer — too calm, as if holding something back.
She took a deep breath and said quietly, “His phone is switched off. And as far as I know, he should be here. So just confirm if he is or not.”
The receptionist leaned forward, smiling condescendingly.
“Sorry, Miss, but your face doesn’t really convince me that you’re Mr. Aniket’s friend. But then again, it’s not your fault. He’s so polite with everyone that people tend to think they’re close to him.”
Saniya’s fists tightened.
Every attempt at patience was fading fast.
She took a slow breath, then gave a sly, devilish smile.
“You know, people like you talk way too much — that’s why I didn’t bother listening. Mind repeating that? Oh wait—actually, don’t. I doubt what you said was even worth hearing.”
The receptionist glared at her in irritation.
Saniya leaned closer, her voice dangerously low.
“Eyes down. Because I have this habit of clawing at the ones who look straight into mine. And if I feel like it… I’ll do it right here.”
The receptionist’s face flushed red with anger. “How dare you threaten me?! Do you even know who you’re talking to?! What’s your worth?”
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Saniya smiled wickedly. “Enough to break your bones if I wanted to. But lucky for you, I’ve got manners. You should be thankful for that.”
Without another word, Saniya turned and walked away — her calm composure restored.
From a distance, Shekhar Rajput had seen the entire exchange.
Something about the fire in Saniya’s eyes and her fearless attitude caught his attention — and admiration.
He followed her and called out, “Excuse me!”
Saniya stopped and turned. “Who are you, Mister?”
With a calm smile, he replied, “I’m Aniket’s mentor, for the time being. Teaching him how to survive in the corporate world — that’s my job.”
Saniya simply nodded. “That has nothing to do with me. Just tell me — is Aniket here?”
“No,” Shekhar said. “He left for home a while ago.”
“Thank you,” Saniya replied curtly and walked away.
Shekhar stayed there, watching her leave — a faint smile of pride crossing his lips.
“She’s got the same fire and attitude as my son,” he murmured. “Aniket… is this the girl you’ve chosen? If yes, then I approve. She’s perfect for our family.”
Meanwhile… at Anamika’s House
Aniket knocked on the door.
To his mild disappointment, it wasn’t Saniya who opened it — it was Anamika.
Surprised, she asked sweetly, “You? At this hour? Would you like to join us for dinner?”
Aniket laughed softly.
“No, thanks. I’d rather not sit through Saniya’s sarcastic remarks tonight.”
He said it jokingly — but deep down, he wanted to know whether Saniya had returned home yet.
Anamika smiled, “Actually, she hasn’t come back yet.”
Aniket frowned. “She’s still working this late? Doesn’t she ever get tired?”
Anamika tilted her head innocently, “No idea. But… won’t you come inside?”
“Oh—right!” Aniket said suddenly. “I just remembered! I had some urgent work with Aditya. Sorry, Anamika, I’ll come some other time!”
Before she could reply, he rushed off in a hurry.
Anamika blinked, confused but still smiling adorably. “Okay then! But you have to come for dinner next time!”
Then, tilting her head with a puzzled expression, she muttered, “But… Why did he even come here? God knows!”
Crossed Paths
Aniket started his car and sped off toward Saniya’s hospital.
Meanwhile, Saniya was already driving toward his house.
Moments later, she reached the Rajput mansion.
Just as she was about to ring the doorbell, a calm but commanding voice spoke from behind — “I’d suggest you don’t ring that bell. My princess must be asleep by now.”
Saniya turned around.
It was Shekhar Rajput — tall, poised, and quietly intimidating.
His eyes were calm like still water, but his presence carried authority.
Seeing him didn’t surprise her. Her expression stayed steady.
Shekhar asked with a hint of amusement, “You’re not going to ask anything?”
“I don’t need to,” Saniya replied flatly.
His calm expression shifted slightly.
“Really? You’re not even curious?”
Saniya looked at him squarely.
“What’s there to ask? Why are you here? But I already know the answer, so why waste time asking?”
He raised an eyebrow. “Oh?! So do you really know why I am here ?”
She smirked faintly.
“If you’re not at your own house, then where else would you be, Mr. Rajput?”
A genuine smile appeared on Shekhar’s face.
“So, you recognize me. But how?”
Her voice was steady, polite yet confident.
“No one but Aniket’s own father would be teaching him about the corporate world while he’s still around.
And your eyes — they’re exactly like his. Your way of speaking too. That’s enough of a clue.”
Shekhar chuckled softly.“Smart girl.”
Saniya took a breath, stepped closer, and said, “I didn’t come here for compliments. I came to return something that belongs to your son.”
She held out the butterfly-shaped earrings.
Shekhar’s eyes flickered with understanding.
“He gave you this… as a gift, didn’t he?”
Saniya nodded silently.
“We don’t take back what we give,” Shekhar said in a calm, cold tone. “It’s yours now. Keep it — or throw it away. Your choice.”
Saniya gave a faint, knowing smile.
“No doubt he’s your son. He said the exact same thing yesterday.
But Mr. Rajput, I have my own principles — I don’t accept gifts without meaning, and I don’t like wasting money. So whether he likes it or not, Aniket will take this back.”
And with that, she walked away.
Shekhar watched her go, a proud smile playing on his lips.
“Stubborn, both of them,” he murmured. “Let’s see whose stubbornness wins in the end.”
The Roads Crossed…
Aniket and Saniya were both on the road — driving fast,
their paths unknowingly crossing each other’s.
At the hospital, Aniket had already learned that Saniya had left long ago.
He sighed in frustration, hitting the steering wheel lightly.
