Chapter- 14
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Vihaan ~
I reclined in my chair and gazed at the document before me, my fingers twitching. I had spent the entire week working on this case, but all I could think about was her. About Shivanya.
I had spent years watching her from a distance, admiring her professionalism and along with that, the fierce independence that she carried with herself. For three years, I had been captivated by her with everything I had.
She surprised me by accepting the wager I had thrown at her last night because she rarely makes snap judgements, but it did end up working out in my favour, so I had nothing to complain about.
I had ten days to make her come running into my arms, ten days to show just how much I was in love with her but I was also aware that at every step, she would resist me, challenge me and I was looking forward to that.
But this wasn't just about winning. If it were, I wouldn't have bothered. No, this was about her. I wanted her heart, her mind, her fire—all of it and I wanted her to have me.
That is why I had arranged for a private meeting with her, here in the office.
"Miss Chopra is here sir, should I let her in?" I nodded at my assistant and just as soon, I heard the familiar click of her heels against the marble floors.
Shivanya entered the room with her usual no-nonsense attitude, her eyes scanning the space before they landed on me, her brow slightly furrowed. "Mr. Raichand," she said, her tone professional, guarded. "You wanted to see me?"
I pushed away from the desk, walking slowly toward her, closing the distance between us. "I did," I said, my voice low, controlled. "Have a seat Miss Chopra."
Her eyes narrowed slightly, that familiar suspicion creeping into her expression. "Is this about the case?" she asked, though I could tell she already knew it wasn't.
"No," I said simply. "This is not about work."
I motioned to the coffee table at towards the corner of the room. She glared at me first, then looked between the couch and me back and forth, still deciding to sit or not for good few seconds before sighing and turning around to leave.
"Shivanya, wait." I called after her and she stopped in her tracks, her back still turned to me, tension visible in her posture.
She hesitated for a second but finally as she turned, her eyes were filled with frustration and curiosity. "You have ten days, Sir," she said. "Ten days to try whatever it is you think will work. But I'm not here for your games. I have work to do."
"If you think that this is a game I am playing with you Shivanya, then perhaps, I might have to make one thing clear. I am not a man who plays games with women and this wager, which you think of as a game, is not, not one for me. I have been in love with you for a while and I am not afraid to admit it. But I am not oblivious either. I know that you are in love with someone else and in your heart, I have no room, not yet at least, but please Shivanya, please give me this one chance to try." For the first time in my life, I laid my soul bare in front of someone, before the woman I have been so long in love with, and it felt liberating.
She stared at me, unblinking, her eyes sharp and unreadable as ever. Her lips parted slightly as if she was about to say something, but then she closed her mouth and crossed her arms instead. This was her defensive gesture, one I had come to recognise. She was not used to being cornered emotionally, especially not by someone like me. "You don't know me as well as you think you do, Mr. Raichand," she finally said, her voice cold and detached.
I refused to move, refused to let my expression change as I said, "I know you more than you think I do, Sunshine."
"I refuse to believe that sir, because if you did, you would know that confessions like these, they are not going to work on me, specially when I know that you can lie with a straight face to anyone in this world. I will not respond to your emotional theatrics, especially in the middle of the office." Her eyes darted around the room, as if checking whether anyone might overhear.
"This is not theatrics, Shivanya. This is me being honest. This is me, standing in front of you, trying to ask you to give me one chance to win your heart over."
"And that's the problem, Mr. Raichand," Her voice softened, but it wasn't with warmth, it was with resignation. "You think you can push your way into my life, into my heart, just because you are used to getting what you want, what you like but I am not some case you can win with your arguments and declarations. I'm not—" she hesitated, "—someone you can have just on some whim of yours."
I stepped closer, reducing the space between us, forcing her to tilt her head slightly to meet my gaze. "Miss Chopra," I said, my voice steady, "never in my life have I acted on a mere impulse. And I will not stand for anyone, least of all the woman I love, to dismiss my feelings as just that. My love for you is no whim, and you will not reduce it to something so fleeting."
Her eyes flickered with something, a brief flash of uncertainty, perhaps doubt—but it was gone as quickly as it appeared. She exhaled sharply and took a step back, trying to regain the distance I had closed between us.
"You really think you can sway me with declarations like that, don't you?" she asked, her voice laced with frustration, but there was something softer beneath it. "That just because you are standing here, saying these things, are you under the impression that I will somehow magically fall into your arms?"
I did not answer immediately. Instead, I watched her, taking in the way she was struggling to keep control.
"I am not asking for magic, Shivanya. God knows I do not believe in it." I finally said, trying my voice to keep calm, "I am asking you to give me one chance. Not because I am used to getting what I want, but because I have never wanted anything more in my life."
She crossed her arms, still defensive, but her eyes—those big, beautiful eyes, flickered with something softer. A hesitation. "You're asking for something I can't give you sir," she said quietly. "and you are the only one who knows the reason for that as well."
I had expected resistance, but hearing it, hearing her admit to me of the reason for her guarded heart struck me like a blow.
"I know," I said softly, allowing a moment of silence. "I know what you have been through, and I am not here to pretend that I can fix it or make go away but Sunshine, please, just one chance." I took a step closer, watching her carefully, making sure not to push her too far.
She remained silent, her arms still crossed, but I could see the war brewing inside her through her eyes before she closed them for a brief moment. She was nothing if not strong, even when her world was crumbling and when she opened her eyes, every little softness she had held me for, was gone.
"I didn't agree to this wager because I want to give you some chance sir. I agreed because I know that I am not capable of loving anyone now and it will be best for the both of us that I quit."
Her words cut me sharper than any courtroom argument I had ever faced. But I didn't flinch. I could not, not now.
"Miss Chopra, wager or not, I am not going to let you go without serving the notice period of six months." She needed to be reminded about it again, perhaps.
Her eyes flared at my statement, "You would hold me to a contract, Mr. Raichand?" she asked, her voice tight with controlled fury. "Do you really think I can't find my way out of a legal contract, especially when I don't want to be here anymore?"
"You can try Sunshine, but I am your boss." I said, looking at her with an unwavering gaze. "And I assure you, if you want to start playing this game, I will win it too.
Shivanya ~
What does this man think of himself? He's arrogant, so particularly self-aware about his brilliant abilities and so cocky.
I stood there, fuming internally, while on the outside, I kept my expression as straight as I possibly could.
"Honestly sir, I'm going home. I am done with you for the day." I said with a sarcastic smile before turning on my heels and walking out of his office.
This time, he did not stop me and thank god for that.
Driving home, I could not believe Mr. Birdbrain.
"He has lost his mind. Love... love? Really? He expects me to believe he's in love with me when the first time we ever even spoke was just last month, after I've been working for him for the past three years! Insaan hai ya alien?" I muttered under my breath, shaking my head in disbelief. "Insane."
(TRANSLATION - Is he a human or alien?)
It was Radhika calling.
"Hey my doll, how are you?" I answered, connecting the call through the car's in-built Bluetooth system, trying to shake off the strange mix of emotions.
Her cheerful voice flooded the car. "I'm good Di, just checking in on you and reminding you that you have to come home today for dinner!"
Shit, I had completely forgotten about that. Taran and Radhika were living at his parents house because aunty wanted that they stayed together as a family and neither of them had a problem with that.
"Everyone is so excited to see you and Taran has been cribbing for a while how you have forgotten him completely." She giggled, sending a pang in my heart.
"I didn't forget him, Radhika," I said softly. "I am buried with work at the moment and well, I have barely had time for myself." I forced my tone to be light, even smiling as I said the words.
"You are married to work, no one can help it." She teased me, making me laugh and then, I promised that I'll be there soon before hanging up.
Reaching home, I quickly changed into my jeans a white kurti, quickly packed the gifts I had got for Radhika and her family since it was the first time I was going there after the wedding and drove to their home which took me over an hour because of the damn traffic.
Shivanya's Look ~
I grabbed the gifts from the backseat and headed up to the front door, Radhika opened the door before I could even ring the bell. Her face lit up with that smile of hers, and I was instantly enveloped in a bear hug.
"Di! You made it!" she exclaimed, pulling back to look at me. "Come in, come in!"
Taran was standing by the dining table, setting out plates, and as soon as he saw me, his face broke into a smile.
"Shivanya! Finally man," he said, walking over to me. He gave me a hug, and despite the awkwardness I felt around him, his presence was surprisingly comforting and it did not hurt to meet him as much, not today. Maybe because it was because of the fact that I had finally accepted that he was Radhika's husband.
"Hi Taran," I said, returning the hug. "I'm sorry I'm late. Traffic was a nightmare."
"Shivanya, beta how are you?" Uncle asked, coming into the dining room, followed by aunty.
I gave him a smile and then touched both their feet.
"I am good uncle. How are you?" I asked and they blessed me, telling me that they were perfect.
"Beta what was the need for this formality? We are family now." Aunty asked, looking at the gifts and narrowed my eyes at me.
"Please aunty, this is no formality. After all, I am coming to my sister's house for the first time, I had to bring something to celebrate that now, didn't I?" I said, giving all of them their respective packets.
Aunty's expression softened, and she nodded approvingly. "How thoughtful of you, Shivanya. Let's not waste time. Dinner is almost ready."
As we settled in, the conversations flowed easily. Taran and Radhika were engaged in light banter and once again, I mentally patted myself on the back for not letting myself affected by it, in fact, there was like a weight lifted off my chest that Radhika was comfortable here.
Then, my mind drifted away. Away to my boss. Radhika seemed to notice my preoccupation. She leaned over and whispered, "Everything alright, Di? You seem a bit lost in thought."
I forced a smile and nodded. "Just a lot on my mind," I replied softly. "But it's nothing to worry about."
"You know, Di, you don't have to keep everything bottled up. If something's bothering you, you can always talk to me." She said while I helped her clear the dining table.
"I know, Radhika. It's just... work stuff. I'll figure it out. Don't worry about me." I said with a smile.
Taran joined us, wrapping an arm around Radhika. "You know, if you ever need to get away from work and just relax, all you have to do is call or drive here."
"I know, you guys! I swear I am fine. By the way, when do you both leave for your honeymoon?" I asked, changing the topic and it worked.
Radhika's eyes sparkled with excitement as she leaned in. "We're leaving next week, actually! Kerala. Taran's been planning it for ages."
"Have fun, you two. I should leave now. It is pretty late." I said, looking at my phone which read that it was almost eleven.
"Yes yes Di, it is pretty late and I don't want you to drive any later. You are bound to get sleepy after such a long day." She said and I bid farewell from uncle, aunty and the two of them.
As I was about to slide to the driving seat, a shiver ran down my spine. Slowly, almost hesitantly, I lifted my head. There, on his terrace, Vihaan stood.
He was leaning forward against the railing, his hands resting on it, as if it was the only thing keeping him grounded. His posture was casual yet imposing, his shoulders relaxed, but his presence was anything but laid-back and he had a small smile playing on his lips.
I tried to look away, to gather my thoughts, but his gaze was like a force that held me in place. My cheeks warmed, and I could feel a blush creeping up despite the dark.
"What is wrong with you Shivanya, you are blushing like a damn schoolgirl!" I scolded myself silently, feeling utterly foolish.
Mr. Birdbrain gaze seemed to pierce through the dark, making me feel exposed and oddly vulnerable. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself, and forced myself to look away, focusing on getting into the car. As I settled into the driver's seat, I glanced up one last time. Vihaan was still there, watching me, and his smile seemed to widen as if he knew something I didn't.
The drive home was a blur and when I finally reached home, I went through the motions of my evening routine mechanically and called it a night.
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The next morning, I somehow dragged myself out of bed.
Walking into the office, my mind still replaying the strange events from the night before and as I approached my desk, something caught my eye. A small, neatly wrapped package sat where my files usually lay.
I unwrapped the package slowly and found a framed document inside—my first-ever case victory. It was a small, low-profile case, but it meant a lot to me and I did not recall mentioning this to anyone in the firm!
Next to it was a note, which was folded once.
I may not know everything about you, but I know a treasure when I see one. Here's to the victories you've earned and the ones yet to come.
—V.
I read the note twice, trying to process his words.
"How did he manage to find this? How?" I asked to myself, feeling the paper beneath my fingers and found myself smiling while I looked at the frame and the note.
I bit my lower lip, the warmth in my chest growing despite my attempts to remain unaffected. For all his arrogance and sharp edges, Vihaan had a way of getting under my skin.
I was so lost in my thoughts when I heard the click of the door opening behind me. I turned slightly and saw Vihaan standing in the doorway of my office before he walked towards me. His gaze fell directly on the frame and the smile that was still lingering on my lips.
"Well, well, if this isn't a smile on Miss Chopra's face," he said, his voice laced with amusement.
Caught off guard, I quickly masked my expression. The smile faded, replaced by the usual straight face. I met his gaze, my voice cold and neutral. "It's no big deal, Mr. Raichand. Just a framed document. It's nothing special."
He raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "Nothing special? You looked quite pleased when you saw it.
I cross my arms over my chest, suddenly feeling vulnerable under his gaze. "I don't know what you're talking about. It's just... one of many cases. But what I am more interested in is how you found out about it. I certainly didn't mention it to you."
He leaned against my desk, his eyes fixed on me. "I have my ways," he replied, a smirk back on his lips, not really disclosing how he got it in the first place.
"You know Mr. Raichand, you are wasting your time. I am sure you have so much to do today and here you are, doing something so unproductive." I said, opening the drawer and keeping the note along with the frame inside before shifting my focus to the laptop in an attempt to ignore him.
His smirk widened, clearly unfazed by my attempt to deflect. He straightened up and leaned in closer. "Unproductive, you say? I think not. If it brings a smile to your face, then it is worth every second."
I shot him a sidelong glance, trying to fight the heat trying to creep my cheeks, feeling a mix of annoyance and intrigue. "Your charm isn't going to change my mind, sir."
He shrugged, his eyes twinkling, "We will see about that Sunshine."
Before I could respond, he turned around and walked towards the door, then he paused, casting one last glance over his shoulder. "Enjoy your day, Miss Chopra. I will send someone to hang that frame here in your office."
As he exited, I was still thinking about a comeback while I exhaled slowly, trying to steady my racing thoughts, focusing on the work before me and the day ahead of me.
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