Chapter 3: The Trap

It had been a week since Ishika's humiliating encounter with Yash in the parking lot. The memory of his arrogant smirk and mocking words haunted her like a bad dream. She had spent every day since then fuming, planning, and waiting for the perfect chance to retaliate. Today, she finally had her opportunity.

Randhawa Corps, one of the biggest names in the industry, was offering a deal that could skyrocket any company to new heights. Ishika was determined to grab it. She had spent days perfecting her strategy and presentation. Everything was planned to the last detail.

But Ishika wasn't naive. She knew that if Yash Singhania was in the picture, her path wouldn't be smooth. Yash had built his empire by crushing the competition, and she knew he wouldn't let her win easily.

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RANDHAWA CORPS

The sleek, glass facade of Randhawa Corps reflected the bright afternoon sun as Ishika stepped out of her car. She was dressed in a sharp black blazer, her hair tied neatly into a ponytail, exuding confidence and power. Tara, her ever-loyal assistant, followed close behind, holding the presentation file and mumbling something about the hot weather.

Ishika scanned the area as she walked toward the entrance. Her jaw tightened when she spotted Yash leaning against the wall near the lobby, his hands in his pockets, exuding the kind of arrogance that made her blood boil.

Yash's lips curled into a slow, smug smile as their eyes met. "Ah, Ishika. What a surprise. I didn't expect you to actually show up on time" he said, his tone dripping with mockery.

Ishika rolled her eyes and shot back, "And I didn't expect you to show up at all. I thought your ego was too big to fit through the door."

Tara smirked quietly behind Ishika, while Dhruv, standing beside Yash, let out a low chuckle. But Yash's expression didn't falter. Instead, he tilted his head, his smirk widening.
"Let's see if your presentation has more substance than your words" he said, walking past her into the building.

Ishika clenched her fists, forcing herself to stay calm. "Not today, Singhania. You're not winning today" she muttered under her breath as she followed him inside.

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As the meeting room filled, Ishika focused on setting up her laptop. Tara handed her the pen drive, which contained the culmination of her sleepless nights and tireless efforts. She was so absorbed in her work that she didn't notice Dhruv moving behind her chair.

"Done!" Dhruv whispered to Yash as he returned to his seat. The original pen drive was now safely in Yash's pocket, replaced with one containing a ridiculous video clip.

Yash leaned back in his chair, watching Ishika with a satisfied smirk. "She's so focused, isn't she? Pity it's all about to blow up in her face."

Dhruv grinned, nodding. "This is going to be fun."

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The CEO of Randhawa Corps welcomed everyone and explained the agenda. He invited Ishika to present first.

Ishika walked to the front, her steps confident, her head held high. She connected the pen drive to the projector, unaware of the sabotage.

Yash leaned forward, his smirk deepening as the screen flickered to life. But what appeared on the screen wasn't the childish video he had planted. it was Ishika's actual presentation.

The room fell silent as Ishika began speaking. Her voice was steady, her arguments compelling. Slide after slide, she outlined her strategy with clarity and precision. The board members nodded in approval, some even taking notes.

Yash's smirk disappeared. He leaned toward Dhruv, whispering harshly, "What the hell happened? You switched it, didn't you?"

Dhruv's face was pale. "I did! I swear I did!"

Yash's jaw tightened as he leaned back in his chair, his frustration growing with each passing moment.

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When it was Yash's turn to present, he strode to the front, determined to regain control of the situation. He connected his pen drive, confident that his presentation would overshadow hers.

The screen flickered-and a video of two cats wearing sunglasses, dancing to a peppy tune, filled the room.

There was a moment of stunned silence before the board members burst into laughter. The CEO chuckled, trying to suppress his amusement.

Yash froze, his hands gripping the podium tightly. His face darkened as the laughter grew louder. He quickly disconnected the pen drive, but the damage was done.

At the back of the room, Ishika leaned back in her chair, her lips curling into a triumphant smirk. Tara openly laughed, flipping her hair dramatically, while Dhruv glared at her, realizing who was behind the switch. Tara met his glare with a playful wink.

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The meeting concluded with Randhawa Corps awarding the deal to Ishika. As the room emptied, Ishika lingered, waiting for her moment.

Yash stood near the window, his posture tense, his hands in his pockets. His anger radiated off him in waves, but Ishika wasn't intimidated.

She walked up to him, her heels clicking sharply against the floor.
"Rough day, Singhania?" she asked sweetly, her voice laced with mock sympathy.

Yash turned to face her, his jaw clenched. "Don't push your luck, Sehgal."

But Ishika wasn't done. "You set the trap, Yash" she said, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "And yet, you're the one who got caught in it. How poetic."

She took a step closer, tilting her head as if deep in thought. "What's that song again? Oh, right. 'Shikari khud yaha, shikaar hogya. Yeh kya sitam hua, yeh kya zulam hua. Yeh kya gazab hua, yeh kaise kab hua?'"

Yash's fists tightened, but he didn't respond.

Ishika smiled and leaned in slightly. "Check..." she said softly, pausing for effect, before adding, "Mate."

With a final wink, she turned and walked away, Tara following behind her.

Yash remained rooted to the spot, his chest rising and falling as he struggled to contain his rage. Dhruv approached cautiously, placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Let it go, boss." Dhruv said, though his tone lacked conviction.

Yash didn't reply. His eyes were locked on the door through which Ishika had exited. "This isn't over, Sehgal" he muttered under his breath. "Not by a long shot."

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EVENING

The evening sky was bathed in soft moonlight, casting a tranquil glow over the bustling city streets. The air had cooled slightly, a relief from the heat of the day, as Ishika walked briskly along the sidewalk. Her heels clicked against the pavement, the rhythmic sound blending with the fading buzz of the city winding down for the night.

It had been a long, exhausting day, filled with tension and challenges, but there was something calming about walking-an escape from the relentless grind of corporate life. The night breeze whispered through the streets, offering a moment of quiet solace as she moved forward, her mind still buzzing but grateful for the brief respite.

Ishika adjusted her bag over her shoulder, her gaze shifting to the calm sky above. The moon, high and bright, seemed to watch over her, offering a silent promise of peace in a world that rarely slowed down. The city pulsed beneath her, but for now, it was just her, the moon, and the moment of calm, until it was ruined.

A loud honk tore through her reverie, and a sleek black car screeched to a stop just inches away from her. Startled, she jumped back, her eyes narrowing as she noticed the driver-none other than Yash Singhania, leaning back in his seat with a smug expression.

Yash stepped out of the car, his tailored suit impeccable as always, and shot her a lazy smirk. "Are you blind, Sehgal? Or is walking in the middle of the road your new hobby?"

Ishika crossed her arms, her voice icy. "Blind? You're the one driving like you own the roads. Oh wai, you think you own everything, don't you?"

He shrugged nonchalantly. "I do own a lot, including a functioning car. Something you clearly don't have."

Her jaw tightened. "Is that your best insult? Mocking someone for walking? Maybe if you spent less time sitting in your overpriced car, you'd know what it feels like to actually work for something."

Yash stepped closer, his tone sharp. "Work? If this is what working looks like, maybe you need to aim higher. Or is your budget only enough for things like walking?"

Ishika's anger flared. "At least I don't need a fancy car to prove my worth."

The air between them sizzled with tension as their glares locked. Yash, ever the provocateur, grabbed a water bottle from his car, opened it, and without a second thought, splashed the water in her face.

Ishika gasped, frozen for a second before her fury erupted. "What the hell!..!"

Yash smirked, stepping back as if he'd won. "What? Cooling you down seemed necessary. You're burning with all that rage."

Wiping her face with the back of her hand, Ishika's lips curved into a dangerous smile. "You'll regret this, Singhania."

Her gaze darted to the side, landing on a metal rod lying near the roadside. Picking it up, she walked past Yash with deliberate slowness, her heels clicking ominously.

Yash raised an eyebrow. "What's the matter, Sehgal? Bacche ko bura laga? Awww."

She stopped beside his car, turned to him, and, while maintaining unwavering eye contact, swung the rod with precision, shattering his car's front windshield.

The glass cracked with a loud crash, and Yash's smirk disappeared, replaced by a stunned expression.

Ishika dropped the rod, brushing her hands off as if she'd just completed a minor chore. "If I am not driving a car, neither are you."

Without waiting for his response, she walked away, her head held high, leaving Yash staring after her in utter disbelief.

"Sehgal!" he shouted, his voice echoing down the street.

She turned briefly, her voice dripping with mockery. "Next time, drive carefully. You wouldn't want to cross me again."

Yash clenched his jaw, his fists tightening at his sides as he muttered under his breath, "This isn't over."

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NIGHT

The day had been chaotic, filled with shattered glass and blazing tempers. But as the night settled over the city, calmness reigned in some places, while chaos brewed in others.

Ishika lay sprawled on her bed, a soft smirk playing on her lips. The faint glow of the bedside lamp illuminated her room, highlighting her expression of smug satisfaction. She replayed the events of the day in her mind-Yash Singhania's shocked face as his precious car's windshield shattered into shards.

"Serves him right" she muttered, pulling the blanket over her. She loved walking, but knowing she had disrupted Yash's day made it even more worthwhile. For the first time in a week, the memory of him mocking her for not having a car didn't sting. Instead, it felt like she had reclaimed her pride, brick by brick.

Her phone buzzed on the nightstand, but she ignored it, too content to let anything disturb her peace. Closing her eyes, she drifted into a blissful sleep, the faint sound of crickets outside her window lulling her further.

Meanwhile

Across the city, in a penthouse that overlooked the glittering skyline, Yash Singhania paced the floor of his lavish living room. His suit jacket was discarded carelessly on the sofa, his sleeves rolled up to his elbows.

The shattered windshield replayed in his mind like a haunting reel. He couldn't believe she had the audacity-no, the guts-to destroy his car and walk away as if she had conquered the world.

"That woman" he muttered under his breath, his voice seething with rage. He poured himself a glass of whiskey, the amber liquid swirling in the crystal tumbler as he gripped it tightly.

Dhruv, sitting on the armrest of a nearby chair, observed him with amusement. "You know, boss, it's kind of impressive. She didn't just talk back; she broke your car. That's bold, even for Ishika."

Yash shot him a glare that could have melted steel. "Bold? She's insane. Who does that?!"

Dhruv shrugged, trying to stifle a grin. "Well, she's not wrong. You did throw water on her face. Pretty sure that was the match that lit the fire."

Yash ignored him, taking a long sip of whiskey. His mind was a tempest of anger and disbelief. "She thinks she's won. She thinks she's smarter, more powerful. I'll show her what it means to cross me."

Dhruv sighed, shaking his head. "If I didn't know better, I'd say you both have a chemistry."

Yash's sharp gaze snapped to him. "Chemistry? I hate her. She's arrogant, stubborn, and-"

"And kind of got under your skin" Dhruv finished, smirking.

"Whatever! I ship you both!" He clapped his hands together until he was interrupted with a sharp glare.

Yash slammed the glass onto the table, the sound echoing through the room. "This isn't over. She'll regret ever thinking she can win over me."

The clock struck midnight, and while Ishika slept soundly, her dreams filled with victories and the sweet taste of revenge, Yash burned in his fury. The night air was cool, but his penthouse buzzed with the heat of his seething determination.

The hatred between them had only deepened, like fuel to a fire. In this battle of egos, peace was a luxury neither could afford, and the night only solidified their resolve to outdo each other. The war had just begun.