Author's note: So that you remember, it's an enemies-to-lovers, forbidden love trope story. So, just bear with it. Won't you? : ))

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There's a subtle connection between your soul and your raw emotions. Both can remain hidden to people you want to avoid or impress. However, both have this unbridled urge to bare themselves to people you feel comfortable with.

When we say raw emotion, it means the unfiltered, intense expression of feelings that surge within us, often beyond our conscious control. In its unprocessed state, raw emotion lacks rationalization. It is then more primal, more instinctive. Raw emotion can manifest as unguarded tears, uncontrollable laughter, or unbridled anger. Anger, for instance, connects you to your most authentic self, making it your truest response to other emotions, like sadness, fear, or despair.

Beneath the veil of the sweet fragrances of vanilla and cocoa, Ritu and the waiter, a figure tied to her family's current discord, stared at each other unwaveringly. It was Jai Basu. As they focused their undivided attention on each other, the surrounding background seemed to fade into insignificance. Ritu's eyebrows curled in a frown as the air between them crackled with tension.

She never expected to see Jai there. After their encounter that day, she thought over the whole fiasco several times. Not that her family members would discuss the case in front of her. But she knew they were deeply troubled because of it. It hadn't been even a year since Abhimanyu got married to Shreya. Moreover, they married amidst a scandal. They at least deserved a peaceful life after all of that happened. And because of this dimwit standing in front of her, that life seemed far-fetched. This devious man was using Abhimanyu as a stepping stone to his own success. But she wouldn't let that happen!

Jai blinked, then averted his gaze to the plates he was still holding.

Pihu, sensing the palpable tension, interjected, "Wait, do you know each other?"

That was all it took for Ritu to lose her composure. Her brows furrowed in abhorrence as she raised her voice, "Know him? I bloody hell loathe him! Because of this uncultured imbecile, my family's reputation is now wavering!" She never took her eyes off Jai while the man stood there quietly. Ritu continued with more detest nonetheless, "So, you work here, I see. So, much to stand before my Dadabhai, huh? A person like you, who comes from...what...some slums, you have some nerves..." Ritu spat, her voice laced with unrestrained fury. "Defaming my brother, spreading those vile lies about his involvement in your grandpa's..." she trailed off, panting faster than usual.

Pihu piped in, "What? Your brother...Abhimanyu? And his grandpa...are you talking about the murder case?" Perhaps, Pihu calculated two and two together and gasped, "You're the grandson of deceased..." she faltered, possibly trying to remember the name, "Jagannath Basu. Yeah right. Oh my God," she glanced between Ritu and Jai, then exclaimed, "The whole orphanage scandal is all over the media."

Meanwhile the other occupants of nearby seats had averted their focus toward their table. What started with a low rumble soon turned a full-fledged murmuring. Even some took out their phones and started recording. Pihu might've noticed that as well, as she immediately put on her mask and sunglasses.

Ritu heard the infectious gossips flew around them.

"Look, it's Abhimanyu Roy's sister."

"Oh, I heard, he's been accused with an orphanage owner's murder."

"I heard the trials are still ongoing. They couldn't prove it yet."

"So that's the grandson. He's good looking, eh?"

Amidst the murmuring cacophony, the tension hung heavy like a storm cloud waiting to burst. Ritu's eyes blazed with a fiery mix of anger and indignation as she never looked away from Jai, who was the source of her brother's public humiliation.

Jai's face remained impassive. He remained quiet as he placed the cakes on the table. Ritu's fingers curled into fists on her lap. Without realizing what she was doing she lifted her hand and pushed the plates with such force, it shattered onto the floor with a loud crash. The shards of the broken plates and the crumbs of the cakes scattered around the shop. Those who were sitting close by, leapt onto their feet and let out yelps of surprise.

Pihu hurried to stop her. "Ritu, don't create a scene here. People are watching."

"And I don't give a damn about that!" She screamed. It was like all of Ritu's pent-up anger finally found an island of disposal and now unfurling like a tempest, her eyes ablaze and words came out like hailstones. The weight of her brother's unjust infamy bore down on her heart, igniting her voice with a fiery resolve.

Raw emotions like anger, bitterness, frustration, resentment – are more prone to expose themselves when you find yourself in the proximity of that person who, you know, won't judge you. It can be both beautiful and overwhelming. Because raw emotions are spontaneous, they reveal the depths to your soul. By expressing your raw emotions, you provide the person in front of you a glimpse into your innermost world, building a deeper, empathetic bond between the two of you.

Jai stood there before her, withstanding the storm of her lashes that raged like a wildfire long contained.

"Don't you have the little bit of brains? Even a slender amount of common sense would've proved invaluable in avoiding such a bigoted fiasco. Appearances can be deceiving! Can't you understand this? My Dadabhai is innocent, Oh my God!" She shouted aloud, and spun to face the now growing onlookers. Even the passersby were peeping through the glass windows. "But of course, all of you want to see his position crumple down. Wouldn't you enjoy that? And you," She stood up hastily, facing Jai. "What's your plan, huh? You want to make a name for yourself against my dadabhai's infamy? Is that it? You'll never succeed! You hear me? You'll NEVER SUCCEED!"

Jai's lips twitched finally. "I'll like you to leave the shop immediately."

"Leave? Who the hell are you to tell me that? I'll talk to the owner. Call him! I'll see how you keep working here after all of these damages you've brought upon."

He blinked. Once. Twice. His eyes never straying from her face. A brief pause later he said, "The damages are on your account. I can take legal actions..."

But she didn't let him finish. "That's all you can do, scoundrel! Your 'legal actions' have ruined my family's reputation!" Ritu's voice rose to a furious upsurge. "You've painted my brother as a criminal without a shred of evidence, without a second thought to the efforts he's given to expand Permabell's success!"

Jai exhaled jadedly, his adam's apple bobbed up and down as he responded, "Maybe your precious brother isn't as innocent as you believe. Maybe you're just being blinded by sibling-love."

Ritu's restraint snapped like a brittle twig. She took a step forward, her eyes blazing with unbridled rage. She swiftly clutched a handful of the fabric of his shirt's front. "How dare you? You have no idea what kind of man my brother is. Don't you dare impose your perception on my brother! What do you think of yourself? You're seemingly a spineless worm yourself who likes to make cheap headlines with your name! Don't you? Tell me if I'm wrong? You take pleasure seeing your name published alongside my brother's infamy, don't you?"

Jai's cool demeanor cracked, revealing a flicker of unease. "Miss Roy, are you trying to intimidate me with your dramatics. You aren't succeeding. The truth will come out eventually."

Ritu's grip on Jai's shirt tightened. "The truth? You wouldn't know the truth even if it slapped you in the face. The shoddy fame you've gained has blinded you that you can't even see the damage you've caused. But mark my words, Mr. Jai, I won't keep quiet until my brother's name is cleared and your lies are exposed for all to see. You'll pay for each and every pain you've caused to my fam-" She couldn't finish her words as a loud noise echoed from outside the shop.

Ritu broke their eye contact and looked toward the door, and her eyes widened immediately. A barrage of camera flashes illuminated the scene outside. Media vehicles had swarmed the area, casting an intrusive spotlight on her and Jai's close proximity through the windows.

Ritu's heart raced; apprehension coursed through her veins as the realization of being under the scrutiny of the public eye settled in. She had been so carried away by her raw emotions that she didn't pay heed to her surroundings until now. Now that her eye roamed around the place, she noticed countless people recording them through the glass windows, amplifying the vulnerability of the moment. Her breath caught as the severity of the situation sunk in. The few customers inside were on their feet, phones in their hands, as they recorded their encounter overtly.

The once serene atmosphere of the cake shop, now shattered like fragile glass as a frenzy of camera flashes erupted around her. Several media people climbed off the vehicles outside the shop, determined to direct the unwelcome spotlight on her life. Panic surged within her, a wild, unrelenting force that threatened to consume her. Her heart pounded against her ribs, each beat echoing the chaos outside. The murmurs of the crowd mixed with the camera shutters, creating an overwhelming symphony that drowned her thoughts.

Ritu's palms grew clammy, her breaths shallow and rapid. She struggled to breathe, her mind a jumbled mess of fears and anxiety. Her gaze darted around, seeking an escape from the relentless attention that bore down on her. But she didn't see any. Her whole body trembled with anxiety. Every eye was focused on her and the weight of the stares felt suffocating.

Meanwhile, Jai caught a hold of Ritu's hand that was still clutching a handful of his shirt. She shifted her stare on him as his resolute gaze locked onto hers. She blinked several times, but was too afraid to form any words. What if he pushed her to the spotlight making it even more dreadful? What if he took his revenge? It'd be now easier for him with media people swarming over.

But Jai did nothing of that sort. He plucked her hand from his shirt then averted his eyes onto the staffs behind the counter. Her brain was still foggy when she heard him say, his voice gentle, "If Aakash comes, tell him I haven't come to shop today. And clear the mess as soon as possible."

Then he turned toward her. Without a word, he tugged her towards the shop's interior.

And she let him.

She didn't have time to think before letting him take the lead. The urgency of the situation making their steps hurried. Once they both were inside the shop's pantry, Jai closed the door behind, shutting out the clamor of the media storm outside. Amidst the scent of flour and vanilla, Ritu leaned against a shelf, her chest heaving as she tried to steady her breathing.

Jai stood before her, face-to-face, then raised his eyes slowly. "Are you okay?" he asked softly.

She blinked and looked down, shaking her head. Of course, she wasn't anywhere near okay. And she was certain it was fairly visible from her appearance. Her head was a bewildered mess, eyes burned from the unshed tears and her chest pounded like a trapped bird against a cage.

Her voice trembled, "I- I didn't realize..." She couldn't finish.

"It's okay. I get it. You're worried for your brother." His eyes averted from her face as he extended her walking stick towards her. She didn't see how he had brought that from outside. Now that her eyes fell on that petty object that supported her to stand erect these days, she remembered how her fragile legs were lacking their usual strength and stability. The realization seemed to work its trick reminding her of her vulnerable state.

As unfortunate as this day could further go, at that precise moment, her legs gave out and crumbled beneath her.