🍁chapter fifteen 🍁

Shantanu was sitting on one of the thighs of Rudra, leaning forward, with both of his hands resting on the chair's arms to support his body. Rudra was trying to untangle Shantanu's locket.

"Boss, how much longer will it take?" Shantanu asked, feeling awkward. On top of that, his heart was racing fast as compared to other days and he don't know why but he is feeling a bit hot in the cabin now.

"I am doing it," Rudra said with a sigh, struggling to untangle the locket. The moment Rudra's warm breath touched Shantanu's neck, his whole body got shivered. Shantanu gripped the chair's armrest tightly and closed his eyes. He felt an unusual ache in his legs, something he had never experienced before. His legs were starting to go numb, and fearing he might fall, he lifted one hand from the chair and placed on Rudra's shoulder for support.

"Why are you moving so much?" Rudra asked, closing his eyes in frustration. Shantanu was startled by Rudra's strange tone.

"Um...um...I...I'm sorry,"

Shantanu stuttered, unable to form a proper sentence and after this he didn't even dare to breathe as he didn't want to make Rudra angry.

Rudra continued trying to untangle the locket. Shantanu's position in his lap, was making it difficult for Rudra to see the button properly and causing delay to do it.

As Shantanu's hand accidentally touched Rudra's neck, it turned red. "Can't this guy sit still? Why is he inviting trouble?" Rudra thought to himself. As soon as Shan's cold finger touched Rudra's bare burning skin, air got stucked in his throat and his findings stopped thier work for a moment. More blood rushed to head and in response turning his neck dark red.

Shantanu narrowed his eyes in confusion then extended his hand, and touched Rudra's red neck, then his forehead.

"What are you doing?" Rudra asked in a deep voice and stared at shan with dark eyes.

"Boss, do you have a fever? Look, your face is so red and warm, I think you need to go to the doctor." Shantanu asked innocently, stared at Rudra's dark face with concern.

Rudra wrapped both arms around Shantanu's waist and pulled him closer abruptly. Shantanu got confused by Rudra's action, looked at him questioningly. Rudra locked eyes with Shantanu, exclaimed, "Really?" He had finally untangled the locket.

Shantanu could feel Rudra's long fingers firmly gripping his waist. When he saw a crooked smile on Rudra face then he realized what was happening with. He shivered again and his face turning red in embarrassment. His hands on Rudra's shoulders tightened, and he lowered his gaze. "Why am I sitting on his lap? What must Boss be thinking about me?"

With Shan's reaction, Rudra lips twitched more in winning smile. He teased him "Aren't you going to check my fever? " Rudra whispered in a deep and slow voice, near Shantanu's ear. Rudra's warm breath continued to brush against Shantanu's neck. Shantanu's crushed himself thousand times for presenting himself as fool and Fallin into Rudra's lap like toddler. Shantanu started biting his lower lip in nervousness.

After sometime, mustering all the courage, Shantanu quickly jumped off Rudra's lap suddenly

"Aaaaahhh aaahhh " but stumbled and fell to the floor.

His legs were already weak, and Rudra's actions had only made things worse for him.

Seeing Shantanu fall, Rudra's eyes widened in concern. "Be careful," he said worriedly.

Shantanu did not pay any attention to Rudra even for once and quickly got up and rushed away from there. While leaving, he tripped once again. Rudra was looking at Shantanu in shock and surprise.

Rudra knew that if he went ahead to help him then this crazy boy would hold him responsible for everything and shouted at him so it's better to sit there silently rather than getting scolded by him.

"How careless can he be? Idiot. I hope he didn't hurt himself, " Rudra muttered, shaking his head and looking towards the door from when Shaan exited just now. He then got up and walked toward the bathroom.

Meanwhile, Shantanu comes out of the cabin panting, his face still red and his heart beating fast. He leans on his knees with help of his hands and tries to steady his breathing.

Mona noticed his presence and asked him with concern, "Did you get scolded badly ? " Her voice was full of sympathy.

Shantanu raised his head, looked at Mona, and said angrily while panting, "Miss Mona, you shouldn't even talk to me. It's all your fault!"

Mona stood up from her chair, handing him a water bottle, and said, "Mr. Shantanu, you know it's my job, right?"

Shantanu took the bottle and said, "I know, I know. I was just joking." He drank the water, thanked her, and left the floor.

After returning from the bathroom, Rudra called Prem and asked him to join the company. Prem requested some time as he already had his own company and couldn't immediately shift his commitments. Being Rudra's childhood friend, Prem couldn't refuse him either.

The entire day, Shantanu couldn't focus on his work. He kept recalling Rudra's deep voice and the feel of his long fingers gripping his waist. These thoughts were sending shivers through his body, distracting him constantly. At last Shantanu decided to avoid Rudra as much as possible.

A week passed. Shantanu continued scheduling meetings and finalizing deals with people who had responded to his emails. Many had agreed to work with RS Enterprise.

During this week, Shantanu and Rudra hardly crossed paths. It was Saturday, and Prem was supposed to join the company on Monday. Shantanu was very careful about his encounter with his boss and tried to avoid meeting him as he decided.

Today, Shantanu was at a hotel to discuss an endorsement deal with an actress. He and the actress were seated in the hotel lobby.

With a smile, Shantanu extended his hand and said, "Hello, I'm Shantanu."

The actress smiled back, shook her hand with shan, and said, "Hi, I'm Kirti Kapoor."

"Um, I hope your team has briefed you about our project. If not, I can explain it to you," Shantanu said politely, maintaining faint smile.

"No, no, I'm well-informed," Kirti replied, shaking her head in response.

All the meetings of RS Enterprise are held in the same hotel where Shantanu has come. Rudra has a partnership in this hotel, so the workers of RS Enterprise do not have to pay for food, drinks and rooms, they just have to show their ID card.

Kirti is an A-list actress. Though she is young but highly accomplished, outshining  in many field as compared to other older people. Known for her beauty and grace, she was a former Miss Universe and had an impeccable reputation for professionalism and kindness.

Rudra also had a meeting at the hotel that day. Although he didn't notice Shantanu and Kirti while going for the meeting. But when he was returning back from the meeting, he  spotted them laughing and chatting.

Watching Shantanu and Kirti enjoying coffee together, Rudra's expression hardened and fingers curled into a tight fist. He stared at them briefly, then quickly composed himself and left the hotel.

Unaware of Rudra's presence, Shantanu continued talking to Kirti. "I've watched all your films, and I love them all! You perform every role so brilliantly, whether emotional, angry, or full of attitude. You're the best," Shantanu said enthusiastically.

Kirti laughed at his excessive praise. "Hahaha, you're overpraising me. I'm not that good." She took a sip of her coffee.

"You're my favorite. I'm so happy we met," Shantanu said gratefully.

"Thank you. I'm happy to meet you too. We'll be meeting often now since we'll be working together," Kirti replied with a smile.

"Sure, and I'm grateful for that," Shantanu said, returning her smile.

After chatting for a while longer, Shantanu and Kirti said goodbye and went their separate ways.

Meanwhile, Rudra was in a foul mood for some unknown reason. Right now he was sitting in his office cabin and lost in thought.

Pressing a button on his desk, he summoned Mona. Knowing Rudra's bad temper, Mona stood silently and ready to take his orders or face his anger.

"Go and bring Shantanu Joshi here," Rudra said coldly.

Terrified, Mona gathered courage and asked, "Is there something specific you need from him? "

Rudra glared at her, causing her to shiver and lower her gaze instantly.

In a stern and dry voice, Rudra replied, "I need to ask about the progress of the work."

Mona quickly left the cabin but returned with a file, shortly after. "Sir, Mr. Shantanu asked me to give you this file. Sorry, I couldn't deliver it earlier because of your meeting," she said, handing it over.

Rudra kept staring at Mona like a statue. After some time he picked up the file and started looking at it. "Sir, on the first page are the people who have replied to the email. On the second page are the people with whom Mr. Shantanu has spoken and the meeting has been fixed. Thirdly, there are those people who have agreed to work with us and lastly, there are those people with whom we still have to talk. Mr. Shantanu will meet and talk to them in a few days." Mona explained nervously.

Rudra closed the file after some time and stared at Mona intimately"Why do you have this file? Go and bring Shantanu here," he ordered.

"Sorry, sir. Mr. Shantanu is not in the office right now. If there's any mistake, I'll let him know," Mona said in a trembling voice, shutting her eyes tightly in fear.

"Why wasn't I informed that Shantanu isn't in the office? And why did he give you the file instead of me ?" Rudra snapped harshly.

"Sir, when someone is not in the office, the floor's HOD is informed, not the chairman. We don't disturb you for small matters," Mona explained, almost in tears.

"GET LOST!"

Rudra shouted angrily. Terrified Mona rushed out of the cabin in just a second.

Everyone who approached Rudra that day faced his wrath, making it a terrible day for many. However, Shantanu was in high spirits, having met his favorite actress. They had coffee together, took selfies, and she even gave him an autograph. Shantanu felt like he was on cloud nine.

Later that night,

Shantanu was sitting on his couch, working on his laptop when someone rang his doorbell. He checked the time-it was almost 10 p.m.

Frowning, Shantanu wondered, "Who could it be at this hour?"

_______________________________________

Who came to Shantanu's house? Why is Rudra in a bad mood? To find out, keep reading Chained Heart: RuShan

How was the chapter?

Did you like it?

I hope you're not bored.

Please support my book. Like, comment, and share my story.

Thank you!