“You are enough to drive a saint to madness or a king to his knees.”

– Grace Willows
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(KABIR'S POV)

As I settled back into my office chair, the image of Taara's surprised expression replayed in my mind like a delightful loop.

I leaned back, fingers steepled, contemplating the brief encounter. Taara was new, interning in our Design and Trend Analysis department.

Her fresh perspective and keen eye were assets to the team, though her reactions to my playful banter amused me as much as her professional skills.Impressive.

"Mr. Rajvansh, you have a meeting at 10 o'clock with the marketing team," Sarah, my assistant, snapped me out of my reverie.

I nodded, acknowledging her efficiency. "Anything else?"

"Yes, sir," Sarah continued crisply, "you have a meeting with the CFO to review the company's finances. Then, after lunch, you have a meeting with clients."

"Actually," I thought about it for a second, "let's squeeze in a meeting with the new interns after lunch too. Their fresh ideas might be beneficial as we plan ahead.

"Sarah quickly noted it down on her tablet. "Okay, no problem."Glancing at the clock — it was already half past nine!

The day promised to be busy. The lukewarm coffee did little to wake me up. Adjusting my tie, I followed Sarah into the conference room, my focus sharp and determined.

After a fruitful discussion with the marketing team, where ideas flowed freely and plans were solidified, it was time for the finance meeting with Mr. Dutta, which was high on the agenda.

He greeted me warmly as we entered the conference room, charts detailing the company's financial health spread out on the table.

Leaning forward, I listened intently as Mr. Dutta presented his insights, optimistic despite some dips in the graphs.

The meeting with Mr. Dutta unfolded in a whirlwind of positive discussions. By the end, I shook his hand, feeling a surge of confident energy.

His analysis, infused with a can-do spirit, echoed my own optimistic outlook.Glancing at the clock again, it was lunchtime already.

"Time to meet Miss Raichand," I thought inwardly with a smile, my steps purposeful and authoritative as I headed towards the company cafeteria.

Dining here was a departure from my usual routine of ordering in, and the surprise on the faces of colleagues who seldom saw me in such casual settings was evident, though I paid it little mind.

However, my smile faltered as I entered the bustling cafeteria and spotted Taara across the room. She was surrounded by friends, laughter spilling from their group.

Yet, it wasn't her laughter that unsettled me. It was the presence of a young man sitting close to her, very close , their conversation animated and exclusive.

A surge of unexpected jealousy stirred within me.(Rashk) jealousy.

Without hesitation, I turned decisively away from their table and headed back to the office. Arriving at my desk, I maintained a composed demeanor as I addressed Sarah.

"I need the information on our new interns immediately," I instructed firmly, masking any hint of the turbulent emotions that had briefly clouded my focus.

After lunch and a series of meetings, it was finally time to meet with the new interns.

I asked Sarah to call them into my office, and within minutes, they arrived. As they entered, I was engrossed in reviewing a report spread out on my desk.

When I finally looked up, I met a pair of curious eyes, their surprise evident. Hairat.

It was clear they weren't expecting this meeting to unfold quite like this.

Gathering my thoughts, I began addressing our new interns, striving to maintain my authoritative presence despite the lingering distractions from the cafeteria encounter.

Among them, I noticed Ankit Ahuja, the young man who had been seated so closely with Taara earlier.

Despite my initial reaction, I acknowledged him professionally as one of our new interns.

"As you begin your journey with us," I started, addressing the group before me, "I expect nothing less than dedication and commitment to excellence. Our company values innovation, teamwork, and a relentless pursuit of our goals. Each of you has been chosen because we see potential, and it's up to you to prove yourselves."

I emphasized the importance of contributing to our company's vision and fostering a culture of collaboration.

Throughout my address, I made sure to include Ankit, ensuring he understood the expectations set for all interns, regardless of recent encounters.

Despite my outward focus, I couldn't shake the subtle glances Ankit directed towards Taara.

Each glance ignited a flicker of unease within me—a mix of irritation and an unexpected twinge of jealousy. As the meeting drew to a close, I dismissed the interns with a final directive, concealing my inner turmoil behind a mask of professionalism.

As the interns started leaving, Sarah interjected, "Miss Raichand, I need your assistance. The rest of you can leave."

Taara's eyes widened with surprise and curiosity. With the room now empty except for the three of us, I maintained composure, though inside, conflicting emotions wrestled for dominance.

"You're dismissed, Ms. Sharma," I said to Sarah, who promptly left us alone.

I took a glance at Taara , she was confused.

"Now it's just you and me, Miss Raichand," I stated calmly, though my heart raced with unresolved tension.

The scent of her delicate perfume lingered in the air, adding an alluring layer to the charged atmosphere.

Slowly, I approached her, noticing the fire and defiance in her eyes. As I closed the distance, she instinctively retreated until her back met the wall.

"You seem to have made new friends, Miss Raichand," I remarked softly, trying to gauge her reaction.

"Yes, Mr. Rajvansh," she replied evenly, her voice carrying a hint of challenge.

"Or should I say, honorable CEO Mr. Rajvansh?". My little kitten.

Her words hung in the air, laden with a challenge that stirred both intrigue and apprehension within me.

Pausing, I felt the weight of her gaze and the intensity of the moment. Despite my attempt at composure, my jealousy flared again, fueled by the unease I felt earlier.

"I don't like that guy, Ankit Ahuja," I admitted abruptly, my tone revealing a mix of vulnerability and authority.

"He's my friend," Taara responded firmly, standing her ground.

"I don't trust this friend of yours," I retorted, my frustration and concern evident.

Taara stepped closer, her gaze locking with mine. "Jealousy doesn't suit you, Mr. Rajvansh," she remarked, a hint of seduction in her voice , Adaah, her words resonating like a gentle echo in the stillness between us.

Before I could react, she moved closer in a fluid motion, her presence magnetic. The rapid thud of my heartbeat echoed in my ears as she subtly stepped on my foot with her heel, a playful yet pointed gesture that jolted me with a mixture of surprise and amusement.

She flashed a teasing smile, a flicker of mischief dancing in her eyes, before turning on her heel and heading towards the door.

"See you later, Mr. Rajvansh," she called back over her shoulder, her voice trailing like a whisper in the air, leaving me standing there, both intrigued and unsettled by the exchange.

As I watched her leave, the lingering scent of her perfume mingled with the complex emotions she had stirred within me.

Taara's confidence and playful challenge had left me captivated, her actions (Nazakat) and words replaying in my mind like an enigmatic melody, promising a continuation of this intricate dance between us.

WO PEHLA SAFAR HAI MERA
SHAYAD AAKHRI MANZIL BHI
WO ANJAANA ITTEFAQ HAI MERA
SHAYAD ANKAHI TAQDEER BHI....

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