Chapter 9: chapter 8

It was a quiet weekend for Naina. After a morning of errands, she decided to visit the supermarket to pick up ingredients for her favorite dish, Chana Ghugni. It had been weeks since she last cooked it, and the thought of the tangy, spicy flavors brought a smile to her face.

With her shopping bags full, she felt the familiar pangs of hunger. She made her way to the food court, hoping to find a quick vegetarian meal. However, the options were disappointing—just French fries and a small fruit salad. Settling for the lackluster meal, she ate in silence, her mind wandering to her plans for the evening.

Once she finished, Naina headed back to her apartment. A warm shower and a cozy nap later, she felt refreshed. The evening called for her favorite routine—a peaceful walk in the nearby park.

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The park was her sanctuary, a place where she could unwind, surrounded by the gentle rustle of leaves and the laughter of children. She walked the familiar path, lost in her thoughts, when a sudden commotion caught her attention.

An elderly woman had tripped near the edge of the pathway and was struggling to get up. Naina rushed to her side without hesitation.

“Are you alright, ma’am?” she asked, her voice full of concern.

The woman nodded, though her expression showed discomfort. “Oh, dear, I think I just lost my balance. My knees aren’t what they used to be.”

“Let me help you.” Naina supported the woman, guiding her to a nearby bench. After making sure she was comfortable, Naina crouched down to check if the woman had any visible injuries.

“Thank you, my dear,” the older woman said with a kind smile. “You’re very thoughtful. What’s your name?”

“Naina,” she replied, smiling back. “And you?”

“Pratima,” the woman said. “It’s lovely to meet such a kind soul. Not many young people would stop to help these days.”

The two began chatting, and Naina found herself drawn to the woman’s warmth. Pratima shared snippets of her life, her love for evening walks, and her family. Naina, in turn, shared how much she enjoyed coming to this park.

Their conversation was interrupted by a voice, deep and unmistakable.

“Grandma, are you okay?”

Naina turned and froze. Walking toward them was none other than Rivaan Raghuvanshi. For a moment, she couldn’t believe her eyes. Seeing her boss in casual attire—a polo shirt and jeans—was so unlike his usual sharp, intimidating presence.

“I’m fine, Rivaan,” Pratima replied, waving him off. “Thanks to this lovely girl here.”

Rivaan’s eyes shifted to Naina, and his brow furrowed slightly in recognition. “You,” he said, his tone neutral.

“Good evening, Mr. Raghuvanshi,” Naina said politely, standing up.

“You two know each other?” Pratima asked, her gaze moving between them with curiosity.

“She’s an employee at my office,” Rivaan said simply, his tone flat.

Naina felt her chest tighten at his words. Of course, it was the truth, but hearing it so plainly stung.

Pratima, oblivious to the subtle tension, began recounting how Naina had helped her. “She’s such a sweet girl, Rivaan. You should be grateful to have someone like her working for you.”

Rivaan turned back to Naina, his expression softening slightly. “Thank you for helping my grandmother,” he said, his tone more sincere this time.

“It’s nothing, sir,” Naina replied, trying to keep her voice steady. “I’m glad she’s okay.”

Pratima, sensing Naina’s discomfort, reached out to pat her hand. “You’re a wonderful girl, my dear. It was such a pleasure meeting you.”

Naina forced a smile and nodded. “It was lovely meeting you too, ma’am. I should get going now. Have a good evening.”

Rivaan gave her a curt nod, and Naina turned to leave, her heart heavier than before.

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Back at her apartment, Naina sat on her couch, staring blankly at the wall.

“She’s an employee at my office.”

The words echoed in her mind, a bitter reminder of her place in Rivaan’s world. She knew she shouldn’t let it bother her—after all, he had only stated the truth. But something about the way he had said it, so detached and impersonal, left her feeling... small.

Why had it hurt so much?

Shaking her head, Naina pushed the thought aside. She was just an employee to him, nothing more. It was better this way—keeping her distance from someone like Rivaan Raghuvanshi was for the best.

But no matter how much she tried to convince herself, the weight in her chest refused to lift.