10 A.M…Anamika’s House…
Anamika was in a terrible rush! Today she was late—and the reason was simple: she had overslept.
Usually, it was Saaniya’s job to wake her up, and until now she had never been late. But today even Saaniya had woken up late!
Anamika didn’t complain though. She thought maybe Saaniya had been unwell yesterday and overslept because of the medicine she took.
Gathering her things quickly, she hurried toward the door, where Saaniya was already waiting for her.
As soon as Anamika reached, they both left together.
Driving swiftly, Saaniya dropped Anamika at the office. Anamika got out in a rush, just about to leave when Saaniya called after her.
Anamika turned back. “What happened?”
Saaniya pulled out a file and handed it to her. “Actually… I opened a joint savings scheme in your name. It’s like a future security plan… I’ve filled everything, just sign it so I can submit..”
Anamika, still moving like a child too busy to stop, replied, “I’m already late… let’s do it in the evening, okay?”
But Saaniya pressed her with emotionless eyes, “It’s just a signature, Anu! I’ve done everything else.”
Anamika grabbed the file and pen from her hand. “Fine, I’ll do it!”
She quickly signed all the papers and started walking away. “Come early in the evening to pick me up, okay?”
Saaniya gave her a faint smile. “Yeah… I’ll come early.”
But the moment Anamika left, her smile vanished, replaced with emptiness in her eyes.
Looking at the papers with hatred, she muttered, “Maybe this will be the last time… I’m tired of lying, tired of hiding things… but I don’t have any other choice!”
She started the car and drove away.
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Meanwhile
“Rudra?!” she whispered in shock.
The moment Rudra saw her, he smiled. “You come to the office at this time?”
Anamika hesitated. “No… it’s just that I got late today.”
After that, she stood quietly. She wanted to know why Rudra was here, but she didn’t have the courage to ask.
Like a child, she stole glances at him. He had a bag slung over his shoulder, leaning casually against the wall while scrolling through his phone—but his eyes noticed every stolen glance of hers.
The elevator stopped at the 14th floor.
The doors opened—and standing there was Ruhi.
Anamika smiled at her, but the moment Ruhi’s eyes fell on Rudra, a flicker of irritation crossed her face. Still, she swallowed her anger and stepped in with a polite smile.
She shot Rudra an annoyed glare. He only smirked at her teasingly.
Just then, Anamika’s floor arrived. As the doors opened, she stepped out. “I’ll get going! Ruhi… let’s have lunch together today?”
Ruhi smiled warmly. “Yes, of course. I’ll come get you.”
Anamika nodded and left.
The doors closed again.
Now alone with Rudra, Ruhi turned to him in anger—only for Rudra to pull out a file from his bag and hand it to her with a grin.
Snatching it from him, Ruhi said sharply, “You shouldn’t come to the office!”
Rudra teased, “Then you shouldn’t forget your important meeting files in my car… sweetheart!”
“Don’t call me that!” Ruhi snapped.
Rudra leaned closer, mischievous. “Then what should I call you?”
Ruhi was about to retort when the elevator doors opened again.
She froze seeing who it was. Rudra’s smile, however, stayed right where it was.
Aditya stepped in, looking slightly confused. “You here, Rudra? Do you have some work?”
Rudra glanced at Ruhi—who was glaring daggers at him, silently warning him to stay quiet.
Aditya noticed and asked again, “What happened? Something wrong?”
With a smile, Rudra replied, “Actually… I was just missing you all a lot!”
Aditya blinked, suspicious. “What?!”
Before he could say more, the elevator opened again.
Rudra walked out with Aditya, Ruhi reluctantly following.
Walking toward the meeting room with him, Rudra said, “Yaar, I was thinking… let’s go on a picnic! It’s been years since I’ve gone anywhere. And anyway, it’s no fun going alone.”
Aditya shook his head. “Sorry, yaar, I can’t! This weekend our company is organizing an Art Fair—it’s for the launch of our new project. I’m tied up with preparations, so I can’t go. But maybe ask Aniket… he might come.”
Rudra pouted, then perked up. “No problem! By the way… can I come to this fair?”
Aditya smiled. “Of course. Actually, this fair is part of our survey. Our company is partnering with another firm to launch a website. We’re handling marketing and funding, while they take care of technical production and suppliers. The more common people attend, the better our survey results will be.”
Rudra grinned. “Perfect! Then it’s a plan—we’ll enjoy the fair!”
Ruhi rolled her eyes. “Aditya sir, would you please explain to this 29-year-old child that this is an art fair, not a funfair with rides and swings?!”
Rudra made a face. “I know! Different artists will put up stalls and showcase their talent. I’m not that stupid!”
Ruhi shot back sarcastically, “So you’re a little stupid then.”
With a sulky expression, Rudra walked away—while somewhere else, another quarrel was happening… between Saaniya and Aniket.
Aniket pouted. “What do you mean I’m not trustworthy? Just give me the baby once—I’ll feed him properly!”
Saaniya, holding a two-year-old baby tightly away from his reach, replied, “Don’t even look at him! I don’t trust you.”
The baby started crying loudly—he was clearly hungry. But Aniket kept insisting he wanted to feed him, while Saaniya refused.
Seeing this, the baby’s mother, sitting on the bed, said gently, “Let him feed the baby, Saaniya. You should trust your friend.”
Saaniya narrowed her eyes. “He needs to do something trustworthy first.”
Aniket smirked. “So you admit I’m your friend?”
Avoiding his eyes, Saaniya finally handed him the baby. “I’ve got other work to do… unlike you, I’m not unemployed.”
With that, she walked away.
Watching her leave, Aniket smiled quietly to himself, sat on a chair, and began feeding the baby.
