🍁 chapter seven 🍁

Nowadays Shan and Rudra didn’t meet often, but whenever Shan faces Rudra then an awkwardness engulfed him. It had been 24 days since Shan joined the company, and he had completed his assigned task.

"Great job Shan," Pari said, reviewing the designs Shan had worked on. Shan had prepared one model of his all the designs and completed all the paperwork for them.

"So, what are you waiting for? Go get Vivek's signature on this file and then get it approved by the HOD. After that, you'll need to hand it over to Rudra Sir's cabin," Pari said, pulling Shan up from his chair.

"Let me check the file one more time before getting the signatures. What if there's a mistake?" Shan said, holding the file.

Pari sighed with annoyingly "You've already read it ten times. How many more checks do you need?"

Shan didn’t want to tell Pari that he was avoiding going to Rudra’s cabin. Every time he saw Rudra, the incident from the A-Z Store flashed in his mind. Shan knew he couldn’t keep avoiding Rudra because sooner or later, he would have to interact with him for work. Taking a deep breath, Shan decided to go to Vivek.

Rudra was engrossed in reading a file in his office when there was a knock at the door. Without looking up, he said, "Come in."

Rudra’s secretary Mona stood before him, without lifting his gaze Rudra asked "What is it?"

"Sir, Miss Suhana is here" Mona informed him.

"Let her in " Rudra said closing the file. Mona nodded respectfully and left. Soon a slim and elegant woman walked in with a bright smile.

"Hello !" Suhana greeted smiling warmly, but Rudra’s expression remained stoic.

Determined to get his attention, Suhana said, "Do you remember, we met at Mr. Pathak’s party?"

"Hmm," Rudra finally replied, looking at her briefly. Encouraged by his acknowledgment Suhana leaned forward and kissed him....and Rudra too reciprocated the kiss.

As the kiss broke, Suhana pulled Rudra by his tie and led him toward the sofa. Rudra in response pushed her onto the sofa and leaned over to kiss her passionately. Suhana began unbuttoning Rudra's coat while they became engrossed in each other, oblivious to the knocking at the door.

The person outside knocked several times, calling out to Rudra but there was no response as he was busy with Suhana. The door creaked open and Shan entered calling out Rudra’s name. Relieved to see Rudra’s chair empty, Shan sighed but as his gaze fell on the sofa, his eyes widened in shock. The file slipped from his hands as he stood frozen in place.

Rudra stood up abruptly, picked up his coat and wore it. As he turned toward Shan, Shan quickly bent down and picked up the file then ran out with light speed . Shantanu apologized bending ninty degree before rushing out of the cabin. Whatever Rudra wanted to say remained unspoken as shan was already fled away and Rudra stood there all frustrated, kicking the sofa in anger.

Without sparing a glance at Suhana, Rudra ordered her to leave. Suhana is a newcomer in modelling and she didn’t want to ruin her future by angering someone as influential as Rudra, so she quietly left cabin.

Running his hands through his hair in frustration, Rudra muttered "What was Shan doing here? How did he even get in?" He shut his eyes tightly.

"There was already one misunderstanding and now this," Rudra thought, growing angrier.

"How could Mona let him in?"

Rudra stormed out of his office only to find Mona absent, which infuriated him further. "Where the hell did she go?"

Just as he was about to return to his cabin, he spotted Mona approaching. From the distance only Mona sensed Rudra’s anger and thought 'What now? Why is he glaring at me like an angry bull? Did Suhana not satisfy him? What’s my fault in this?

As Mona reached him, Rudra’s thundering voice asked, "Where were you?"

"Sir, I was in the restroom" Mona replied calmly but from inside she was shaking in fear.

Rudra couldn’t argue further because he can't stop people from using the restroom.

Meanwhile Shan reached his desk, his face flushed red either from running or from what he had just witnessed. Throwing the file onto his desk carelessly, he sank into his chair.

Noticing Shan’s quick return, Pari asked, "What happened Shan? You’re back so soon. What did Rudra Sir say?"

Hearing Rudra’s name, Shan’s face turned even redder. Despite Rudra being the company owner, such behavior seemed inappropriate in an office.

"Is everyone in this company weird?" Shan muttered with an embarrassed face. Hearing this Pari laughed and said,"You haven’t even met the weirdest person in this company yet."

Shan squinted at her. "Who?"

"Shakuntala Ma’am. Compared to her, Rudra Sir is nothing," Pari replied.

"Who’s she?" Asked Shan curiously.

Pari sighed deeply. "Shakuntala Ma’am is Rudra and Rajeev Sir’s only aunt and owns 10% of the company shares."

Shan raised an eyebrow. "Rajeev Sir?"

"Rudra Sir’s elder brother, Rajeev Oberoi." Pari explained but before she could elaborate further, Mona arrived there instructing Shan to go to Rudra’s cabin.

Shan’s heart sank at the announcement. How could he face Rudra now? Despite his reluctance, Shan had no choice but to comply.

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When Shan reached Rudra’s cabin, Rudra was seated like a king on his chair. Seeing Rudra, one could never guess what had transpired a short while ago. As flashbacks replayed in Shan's mind, he felt uncomfortable.

Rudra gestured for Shan to sit without uttering a word and Shan obeyed hastily.

"Speak," Rudra commanded. Shan nervously slid the file toward Rudra. "B-boss, I’ve completed my task," he stammered and avoided looking at Rudra.

Rudra began reviewing the file, occasionally asking questions which Shan answered hesitantly, stumbling over his words. Observing Shan’s discomfort Rudra handed him water and said flatly, "Relax ! There’s no need to rush."

"Sorry," Shan muttered gulping down the water and taking deep breaths to calm himself.

Rudra continued to watch him. "Are you okay?" he asked. Shan nodded and attempted a smile.

Once Shan felt more composed, Rudra resumed discussing the project. Shan responded confidently this time, feeling much calmer.

"Now you can work on the endorsement," Rudra said closing the file and looking at Shan.

"Thank you boss " Shan replied with a genuine smile. He lingered briefly, waiting for Rudra to speak further but when Rudra remained silent. Shan began glancing around to ease the awkwardness.

As his gaze landed on the sofa, memories of the earlier incident resurfaced in him, making his face flush red again. Suddenly shan started feeling hot and now he desperately wanted to leave the cabin.

Avoiding Rudra’s gaze, he quickly grabbed his file "Thank you, boss. I’ll take my leave now," said before hurrying toward the door.

Before Shan could exit, Rudra called out, "Wait !" Shan’s grip on the file tightened and he squeezed his eyes shut.

Rudra get up from his chair and began walking toward Shan.

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Stay tuned to read more of "Chained Heart: RuShan,"

This BL story revolves around Rudra and Shantanu. If gay couples aren’t your preference, kindly refrain from reading, as I don’t want hate comments.

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