Aish stirred awake, her body aching—not from exhaustion, but from the emotional whirlwind of the last few days. Her hand instinctively reached toward the other side of the bed.
Empty.
Her brows furrowed as she sat up, the duvet slipping from her shoulder. Just then, the bathroom door creaked open.
Raahithya stepped out, towel low on his waist, droplets trailing down his sculpted chest. His damp hair clung to his forehead, steam curling behind him like smoke from a forbidden fire.
Aish blinked. Hard.
Aish (in her thoughts):
Seriously? The universe really wants to test me today? Why does he look like a walking Calvin Klein ad?
He caught her staring, of course, and smirked.
Raahithya:
"Like what you see?"
Aish (masking fluster with sarcasm):
"I was wondering how you haven't slipped yet—with that giant ego throwing off your balance."
Raahithya (grinning):
"Admit it. You're impressed. Want a picture for later?"
Aish:
"I'd rather hug a porcupine."
Raahithya (mock offended):
"Ouch. I was going to surprise you with breakfast in bed… shirtless."
Aish (deadpan):
"And now I've lost my appetite for the week."
He chuckled, strapping on his watch with ease.
Raahithya:
"Come on, let's eat."
Aish (folding her arms):
"No."
Raahithya:
"No? What are you, five?"
Aish:
"I get morning sickness if I eat too early."
His smirk faded. Concern flickered in his eyes.
Raahithya (softer):
"You should've told me."
Aish:
"You don't exactly inspire vulnerability."
He stepped closer, voice steady.
Raahithya:
"Fine. No food. But juice or something. I'm not asking."
Aish:
"I said I'm fine."
Raahithya:
"And I said I care. Whether you like it or not."
A beat passed. The silence felt louder than words.
Aish (muttering):
"You're so confusing."
Raahithya (quietly):
"Yeah? Welcome to the club."
She stood up, paused, and glanced at him.
Aish:
"Let me brush my teeth first. I'm not going down looking like a zombie."
Raahithya (smirking):
"You'd still look dangerously cute, though."
She rolled her eyes and disappeared into the bathroom.
A few minutes later, she re-emerged—fresh-faced, hair tied, wearing his oversized white shirt. It hung mid-thigh, sleeves rolled up casually.
He was still there. Waiting.
His gaze dropped slowly down her body and back up.
Raahithya:
"You're seriously coming downstairs like that?"
Aish (nonchalantly):
"What? This is fine."
Raahithya (low, possessive):
"Fine? You look hot. I'll have to walk behind you like a bodyguard."
Aish:
"Oh? Jealous someone might look?"
Raahithya (smirking):
"Not jealous. Just possessive. You're in my territory, Aish. Looking like that? You're tempting fate."
She brushed past him, muttering.
Aish:
"You're impossible."
Raahithya (following, smug):
"And yet, here you are."
They walked down the hallway—her fuming, him grinning. But something between them had shifted.
---
Scene: Dining Area
The dining room gleamed in elegance, but Aish was more focused on resisting the urge to throw something at Raahithya.
He pulled out a chair for her.
Raahithya:
"Sit. You're not leaving until something touches your stomach."
Aish (sitting reluctantly):
"You're bossy before 9 a.m. That's a new record."
He headed to the kitchen to instruct the cook on her diet. As Aish sat alone, two familiar faces entered—Devansh and Veer.
Veer raised a brow at her attire but stayed silent. Devansh offered a warm smile.
Devansh:
"Hey, good morning."
Aish (narrowing her eyes, then lighting up):
"Wait... did you take PCM in 11th and 12th?"
Devansh (confused):
"Yeah… why?"
Aish:
"R & HR evening batch?"
Devansh (face brightening):
"No way! Aishwarya Modi? You were the silent topper!"
Aish (laughing):
"I did talk—"
Devansh:
"To teachers. And your best friend Harvey."
They both laughed. She leaned in, her hand resting casually on his arm as they chatted.
Aish:
"Remember that math teacher who threw chalks like grenades?"
Devansh:
"We ducked like we were in a warzone! I still have trauma from those chalks."
Laughter echoed.
And that's when Raahithya returned.
He paused mid-step. Aish's hand rested on Devansh's arm. They were laughing like they'd known each other forever.
His jaw tightened.
Only Veer noticed—and smirked silently.
Raahithya (flat):
"Looks like we're having a reunion. Should I get balloons?"
They looked up. Aish's smile faltered.
Aish:
"We just realized we were classmates. Small world."
Raahithya (sitting, tone clipped):
"Your juice is here, Aishwarya. You should drink it. Before your nostalgia distracts you too much."
She slowly pulled her hand back. Devansh went silent. The moment passed, but jealousy burned quietly in Raahithya's gaze.
Just then, a staff member walked in with a neatly folded pile of clothes and a file bag.
Staff:
"Sir, these are Ms. Aishwarya's clothes and her laptop."
Aish's face lit up.
Aish:
"Finally! My project's in here—if I'd lost it, I'd cry."
She pulled the laptop out and placed it on the table.
But as she unzipped the case, her elbow nudged the juice glass.
Crash.
The laptop slid off the table and hit the floor.
Aish (gasping):
"No no no—please don't be dead!"
She dropped down, cradling it. The screen had cracked slightly. It wouldn't turn on.
Aish (muttering):
"F**k…"
Raahithya blinked, surprised—he didn't expect her to curse.
He crouched beside her, his voice serious.
Raahithya:
"It'll be fixed."
Aish:
"This isn't just any file. It's my final showcase."
Raahithya looked at Veer, who stepped forward and took the laptop gently.
Raahithya:
"We'll get it fixed. Recovered. Whatever it takes. Just trust me."
She looked at him—reluctant, but something in his tone grounded her.
Later, he sat beside her, quietly insisting she finish her soup. She finally gave in.
Afterward, she went upstairs to freshen up. Meanwhile, Raahithya, Devansh, and Veer headed toward the car, ready for the day ahead.
---
On the way to Company
Raahithya sat on one side of the backseat, gaze fixed ahead, jaw tight. Devansh sat beside him, noticeably stiff. Veer drove in silence, but the smirk tugging at the corner of his lips betrayed how much he was enjoying the tension brewing behind him.
The silence stretched uncomfortably—until Raahithya finally spoke.
Raahithya (calm, too calm):
"Devansh."
Devansh turned slightly, cautious.
Devansh:
"Yeah?"
Raahithya didn't look at him. His tone was soft, but edged in steel.
Raahithya:
"I know Aishwarya can be... warm. Trusting. The kind of girl who laughs freely once she's comfortable."
Devansh stayed silent, but the tension in his jaw spoke volumes.
Raahithya (continuing):
"No matter how friendly she is… you know the limits. And you'll keep them."
The words weren't a suggestion—they were a warning.
Devansh:
"I wasn't trying to cross any line. We just figured out we were classmates, that's all."
Raahithya slowly turned his head then, locking eyes with him.
Raahithya (coldly):
"She doesn't know where the line is. You do."
Devansh froze. The air between them turned frigid.
Devansh (quietly):
"Got it."
From the front seat, Veer stifled a laugh and muttered just loud enough for Devansh to hear:
Veer (teasing):
"Someone's walking barefoot on lava today..."
Devansh shot him a deadly glare, but Veer just chuckled, eyes back on the road.
Raahithya (final words, voice low and firm):
"If you want to keep what we have, Devansh—stay in your lane."
Devansh gave a tight nod, this time slower. The rest of the drive passed in silence—charged and unspoken—while Veer soaked it all in like he was watching a live soap opera.
---
Scene: At the Company
Surprisingly, Raahithya's mood shifted the moment they reached. The usual storm behind his eyes was replaced by something lighter—something that almost resembled a glow.
He checked his phone more times than necessary, messaged the staff twice, and even asked the maids if Aishwarya was comfortable.
Not once.
Not twice.
Four times.
Veer and Devansh exchanged a glance.
Veer (whispering to Devansh):
"Is this the same man who threatened to break your bones five minutes ago?"
Devansh (dryly):
"Shut up."
To everyone's surprise, Raahithya wrapped up early that day and headed home.
---
At Dinner Time
Aishwarya poked at her food, glancing occasionally at Raahithya. He noticed—of course he did. He set his fork down, eyes narrowing in curiosity.
Raahithya (calmly):
"Speak, Aish. You clearly have something to say."
She hesitated, then met his gaze, gathering courage.
Aish:
"I… I want to start going to college again."
Silence.
Raahithya leaned back in his chair, eyes darkening with amusement. His smirk crept in like a shadow.
Raahithya:
"And what makes you think I'd allow that? Who's to say you won't try to run again?"
Aish straightened, defiance replacing her fear.
Aish:
"I won't. I give you my word."
Raahithya (tilting his head):
"And I'm just supposed to trust you?"
She thought quickly, voice steady.
Aish:
"If you don't, then send someone with me. I won't mind."
(Not like anyone would actually waste their time shadowing me through lectures…)
Raahithya's smirk widened like a predator who'd found his opening.
Raahithya:
"Great idea."
Her stomach dropped.
Raahithya (leaning forward slightly):
"You can go. But if you even think about running... don't blame me if something happens to Rachel."
Aish's blood froze. He wasn't bluffing—and he knew exactly where to hit.
Aish (whispering):
"O-Okay."
Trying to change the mood—and shake off the chill—she glanced at Devansh.
Aish:
"Devansh, why don't you come with me? Since we already know each other... it'll be less awkward."
Devansh, who had been casually sipping water, nearly choked. Slowly, he turned toward Raahithya, whose gaze had turned stormy.
Devansh's soul briefly left his body.
Devansh (internally):
Nope. I'm too young to die.
Devansh (blurting out):
"S-Sorry, Bhabhi! I just remembered—I've got urgent work tomorrow. Very urgent!"
Veer, barely able to hold it together, let out a full-blown laugh.
Veer:
"Man said Bhabhi like he was signing his will."
Raahithya watched it all unfold with a lazy smirk of victory.
Raahithya:
"Veer will go with you tomorrow."
Veer straightened, expression switching to serious.
Veer:
"Understood, sir."
Raahithya casually reached for his glass of water, as if he hadn't just shut down a mutiny.
He continued eating, completely unbothered.
Dinner had wrapped up, but sleep was far from Aishwarya's mind. The villa was massive—almost like a private kingdom. Curious and restless, she slipped out of her room and began wandering the hallways, her fingertips trailing along the intricately carved walls.
Her feet eventually led her toward the backyard, where a separate structure stood near the edge of the property. It looked like a small, secluded house—secure, fenced, and oddly quiet for something so heavily guarded.
As she walked closer, a maid passed by carrying laundry.
Aish (pointing):
"What's that?"
The maid immediately tensed.
Maid (nervously):
"That's the guard dogs' house, ma'am. Please don't go near. They're… not friendly."
Aish's eyes lit up.
Aish:
"Dogs? Wait—you mean there are dogs here and no one told me?!"
Maid:
"Ma'am, they're not pets. They're dangerous. Only Sir, Veer Sir, and a few guards can go inside. Not even the bodyguards dare to."
That only made her more curious.
Aish (grinning):
"I love animals. Let me just see them from afar."
Before the maid could stop her, Aish had already slipped past the gate, heart thudding with excitement.
The moment she stepped inside, chaos erupted. Massive, muscular dogs lunged forward, barking, growling, teeth bared. The guards nearby froze, too stunned to intervene. These weren't just pets—they were trained killers.
But Aish… didn't flinch.
Aish (softly):
"It's okay. I'm not here to hurt you…"
They circled her, barking and sniffing aggressively. Still, she didn't step back.
A maid sprinted toward the main house, panic rising.
Maid:
"Call Sir! She's in the dog house!"
But Aish raised a hand.
Aish:
"Please. No one come in here."
She crouched slowly, and to everyone's disbelief, she gently patted one dog's head. Then another. One by one, their growls faded. Tails began to wag cautiously.
Guard (to another):
"This… isn't normal. Even we can't get close without Veer."
Suddenly, a deep, chilling growl echoed from the shadows. A massive black-furred beast stepped forward—Cruise.
Raahithya's favorite. The untouchable alpha. The most dangerous one.
Cruise locked eyes with her. Tension coiled in the air. His jaw twitched. He lunged—and bit her ankle.
She didn't scream.
Didn't move.
Didn't even pull her leg back.
Instead, she calmly reached out and placed her hand on his head, her gaze unflinching.
Raahithya, Devansh, and Veer arrived at the gate just in time to see it. Raahithya surged forward, ready to intervene—
But Cruise stopped.
Sniffed the blood on her ankle.
Then sat down slowly… and licked her wound.
The others dogs began circling her, wagging their tails, nudging her gently.
Guard (in awe):
"She… she tamed them all. Even Cruise."
A faint scratch marked her ankle, but she looked more fascinated than afraid.
Devansh (half in disbelief):
"Cruise… is licking her."
Veer (smirking):
"Should we check if the universe just flipped?"
Raahithya's emotions tangled inside him—shock, pride… and jealousy.
The beast that had been loyal only to him… had submitted to her.
She looked up and smiled.
Aish:
"Didn't know you had such adorable friends."
Raahithya didn't answer. Instead, he waved the others away.
Raahithya (to Veer):
"Medical box. Now."
Once they were alone, he crouched beside her, carefully lifting her leg in his hands. His thumb brushed the scratch gently.
Raahithya (low):
"You let him bite you… and didn't even defend yourself?"
Aish (softly):
"I knew he wouldn't really hurt me. He just needed time."
He looked from her to Cruise, then back. Aish didn't see fear in him—but she did see something else. Worry.
Raahithya (sitting beside her):
"He almost killed you five minutes ago."
Aish (smiling):
"Minor detail."
When Veer returned and handed him the medical kit, Raahithya opened it himself, ignoring the fact that a top-tier doctor was only a call away.
Aish (teasing):
"Wow. Raahithya Agarwal treating a wound himself? Should I feel special?"
Raahithya (dryly):
"No. You should feel lucky you're not dead."
He looked at her with narrowed eyes.
Raahithya:
"That dog was trained to kill intruders. He listens to no one. Not even Devansh. Only Veer and I can handle him. And you… you already walk around with bruises, fractures—and now a scar?"
Aish:
"Aree, it's just a small bite."
He said nothing, just poured antiseptic onto cotton and pressed it gently to her skin.
She hissed in pain and tried to pull her leg back.
Raahithya:
"Don't move. It'll sting for a few minutes."
Aish:
"Oh-kay…"
Just as he was about to wrap the bandage, Cruise trotted forward—tail tucked, eyes soft.
Raahithya (mocking sternly):
"You bite her again, I'll send you to a shelter. And not a five-star one."
Cruise whimpered, nudging Aish's knee with his snout.
Aish (laughing):
"He's saying sorry."
Raahithya:
"Great. Maybe next he'll learn how to make tea."
Aish (grinning):
"I like him."
Raahithya (trying to sound casual but clearly jealous):
"Of course you do. You like dangerous things."
She didn't reply. Her smile said enough.
After a moment, she looked around at the rest of the dogs, still lounging peacefully.
Aish:
"What are their names?"
Raahithya pointed them out one by one, naming them with a surprising softness in his voice. Aish memorized each name, repeating them with affection and laughter as she played with them one last time.
She rubbed her hands through their fur again, gently trailing her fingers across their necks.
Aish (quietly, to the dogs):
"Good night, cuties. I'll come see you again."
And then she stood, ankle bandaged, heart oddly full, and walked back toward the main house.
Raahithya stood there watching her… completely lost in the way she tamed monsters.
Even his.