Chapter-8

Author's POV

In the meeting room, everyone was present and anxiously awaiting Rudra's arrival, knowing that their cold and heartless boss would also be attending. The news of Rudra's presence sent waves of fear and apprehension throughout the room. Each person was determined to avoid making any mistakes in front of him, fully aware of the consequences that could follow. The atmosphere was tense, with an underlying sense of unease hanging in the air.

In the meeting room, Pihu's anxiety surged as memories of saving Rudra's life flooded her mind. The thought of him recognizing her, of their paths crossing, filled her with a mix of fear and unease. She fought to maintain composure, but her racing heart and clammy palms betrayed her inner turmoil. Pihu silently prayed that Rudra would not remember her, that she could remain invisible amidst the sea of faces in the room. Her anxiety loomed over her, overshadowing every moment as she anxiously awaited Rudra's arrival.

Suddenly, the door of the meeting room swung open, and Rudra strode in with an air of dominance and power. His presence filled the room, sending a shiver down the spines of those present. Veer followed closely behind, aware of Rudra's intense gaze fixed only on one person in particular. As Rudra's eyes scanned the room, his focus locked onto only one person who had unknowingly ignited a storm of emotions within him—the one person who could calm the raging tsunami of love in his heart.

But as Rudra's intense gaze fell upon Pihu, a flicker of fear crossed her face. In that moment, Rudra sensed her apprehension and quickly averted his gaze, understanding the impact his presence had on her. With a subtle shift in his expression, Rudra regained his composure and walked purposefully toward the head chair. Though his heart yearned for Pihu, but he doesn't want to expose his true intentions to her.

As the meeting commenced, Rudra found himself irresistibly drawn to Pihu, his gaze fixated upon her amidst the palpable silence that enveloped the room. Every subtle movement she made, every flicker of emotion that crossed her face, Rudra absorbed with an intensity he had never experienced before. It was as if he was seeing her for the first time, truly seeing her, and he wanted to etch every detail of Pihu into his heart and soul.

As the meeting progressed, Rudra's focus wavered, his thoughts drifting towards Pihu, lost in her captivating aura. The discussions and words being spoken seemed to fade into the background as the magnetic pull she exerted on his consciousness grew stronger. He was entranced, unable to tear his eyes away from her. During the whole meeting, Rudra's undivided attention was reserved for Pihu, silently declaring a burgeoning affection that he was yet to fully comprehend.

However, as the meeting commenced, Pihu's attention became fully engrossed in the discussions at hand, momentarily forgetting about Rudra's presence and the anxiety that had previously gripped her. Unbeknownst to Pihu, Rudra's penetrating gaze remained fixated on her, his eyes meticulously observing every nuance of her movements, capturing the subtlest of details, and deciphering the emotions that danced across her face. While Pihu was immersed in the meeting's proceedings, little did she realize that Rudra's unwavering focus was solely directed towards her, silently witnessing her every action without her awareness.

As the meeting came to a close and Pihu returned to her workplace, a wave of relief washed over her. She silently thanked god was that Rudra had not recognized her. Unaware of Rudra's intentions towards her, Pihu immersed herself in the work, unaware of the mysterious web that was beginning to entangle her life with his.

However, an undeniable restlessness consumed Rudra upon seeing Pihu prepare to leave the room. A strong urge surged within him, compelling him to stop her, to talk to her, and to express the depth of his feelings. However, he restrained himself, suppressing his desires; he resolutely made his way towards his cabin, instructing Veer to follow him closely. Within the confines of his cunning mind, a plan began to take shape, a plan that held the potential to intertwine their destinies in unexpected ways. By thinking about his plan a smirk formed on his lip.

In the Evening,

In the evening, as the clock struck 8 o'clock, the once bustling office building grew quiet and empty. Most employees had already left for the day, leaving only a handful behind, including Pihu, who diligently carried on, determined to complete her tasks before calling it a day. However, Shivani had initially planned to stay, but Pihu insisted that she leave early, as Pihu had some work to attend to during the final half-hour, unbeknownst to her about Rudra's cunning plan.

As the office grew quieter, Pihu immersed herself in her remaining assignments, her focus unwavering. She was unaware of the intricate scheme Rudra had orchestrated, manipulating her circumstances and ensuring she would be alone at this late hour.

As Pihu was preparing to leave, Veer approached her with a sense of urgency in his voice. "Ms. Gupta, could you please deliver these files to the CEO's office? I have some pressing matters to attend to," he requested. Before Pihu could respond, Veer handed her the files and swiftly departed, believing that his plan had succeeded.

For a brief moment, Pihu stood rooted to the spot, trying to make sense of the unexpected turn of events. Confusion clouded her thoughts as she contemplated Veer's request. When Pihu finally emerged from her dazed state, a wave of anxiety and fear washed over her. However, she gathered her composure and made her way towards Rudra's office to deliver the files. Deep down, she knew that running away from every challenging situation was not the answer. She resolved to face whatever awaited her with courage and determination, ready to confront the unknown.

On the other side, Rudra was growing increasingly restless, anxiously awaiting Pihu's arrival. This would be their first official meeting since she had saved him, and he couldn't help but feel a mix of anticipation and curiosity. As a knock heard on his office door, Rudra quickly composed himself, pretending to be engrossed in his work. "Come in," he called out, his eyes subtly scanning the room. Pihu entered the office, silently praying that she would be able to deliver the file and make her exit without any further complications.

As Pihu cautiously approached Rudra's desk to place the file, she couldn't help but steal a quick glance in his direction. Seeing that he was still engrossed in his work and not directly looking at her, she felt a sense of relief and decided to make her exit swiftly. Little did Pihu know, Rudra was covertly observing her every move through the corner of his eye. He couldn't help but notice her subtle actions and the way she tried to hurry out of his office. A faint twitch played at the corner of his lips, betraying a hint of amusement at her antics.

As Pihu approached the door, ready to make her exit, Rudra's voice pierced the air with cold authority, commanding her to wait. "Wait, Miss Pihu," he said, his tone sending a shiver down her spine. Fear crept over her, but she summoned her inner strength and turned towards him, keeping a cautious distance. Deep inside, she couldn't help but devise an escape plan, just in case.

Rudra, observing her unease, rose from his chair and took measured steps towards her, making sure not to invade her privacy. He could sense the tension in the air, the palpable energy between them. "I won't harm you," he assured his voice softer now, though the underlying intensity remained. Pihu held her ground, her mind racing, as Rudra stood at a safe distance, acknowledging the invisible barrier that separated them. Yet, the magnetic pull of their connection lingered in the air, undeniable and potent.

Rudra's words broke the silence, his voice carrying a surprising note of gratitude as he try to act surprise "I remember you. You're the one who saved me that day at the mall," he acknowledged, his gaze softening. "I never got the chance to thank you properly, but it seems fate has brought us together again."

Pihu's heart skipped a beat, caught off guard by his unexpected appreciation. She gathered her thoughts and mustered the courage to respond, her voice laced with cautious curiosity, "You're welcome, Mr. Rathore. It was simply an instinctive reaction. If anyone else were in that situation, I would have done the same. So, there's no need to thank me."

However, before she could finish her sentence, Rudra interjected, his voice filled with unwavering determination, "Even if that's the case, I still want to express my gratitude from the depths of my heart. Because sometimes, the simplest acts of kindness leave a lasting impact. I'm grateful for what you did. I hope you understand that." Pihu is unable to understand the meaning of his last line, about his intentions.

Pihu's eyes widened in surprise, his sincerity shining through his words. She was taken aback by his insistence, unable to deny the genuine gratitude in his voice. Her defenses wavered for a moment as she searched for a suitable reply, "You're welcome, Mr. Rathore."

However, amidst the gratitude and fleeting vulnerability, Pihu's determination remained firm. She couldn't forget about Rudra's true identity and the coldness and ruthlessness that resided within him. With the end of her internship just six days away, she firmly believed that their paths would never cross again.

Feeling the need to distance herself, Pihu hurriedly continued, "So, I am leaving, Mr. Rudra." Her words were tinged with a sense of finality, a silent declaration of her intention to keep her distance and move on from this unexpected encounter.

Rudra's gaze followed Pihu as she made her way towards the door, a mix of emotions flickering across his face. But suddenly...............................

"The beast, fierce and formidable, finds itself softened by her beauty, its hardened exterior crumbling under the weight of pure admiration."

..................................................To be continued.