“You really shouldn’t answer a stranger’s call like that, sweetheart.”

  The moment those words reached her ears, Ruhi’s temper flared.

  “Who the hell are you, you creep?! How dare you call me…!? Show your face just once, I’ll teach you exactly what it feels like to have your life stuck in your throat! You shameless—”

  Before she could launch her next insult, the voice on the other end cut her off.

  “Whoa, whoa! Easy there, young lady! Don’t turn into Goddess Kali just yet… have a little mercy and at least ask my name first!”

  “…Who?”

  A sweet, teasing voice replied, with the kind of confidence that could only belong to someone entirely unfazed by her temper: “Rudra.”

  The moment his name hit her ears, Ruhi’s anger doubled. She unleashed another round of fiery abuse — which made Rudra hang up immediately.

  He stared at his phone in disbelief, lips twitching between amusement and shock.

  “This girl… she knows real curses. Like… how does she manage to sound both terrifying and… weirdly impressive? I only called to ask if everything at the office was okay. Guess that makes me a criminal now.”

  He leaned back in his chair, sulking for half a second — until his phone lit up again.

  It was her.

  With a slow, exaggerated inhale, Rudra picked up.

  “I have no idea what my mistake was, but still… I’m sorry.”

  “You don’t know?” she shot back. “Really? You made one mistake — you shouldn’t have called me sweetheart. Other than that, you weren’t wrong.”

  A smirk curled on Rudra’s lips.

  “So… you admit you made a mistake, sweetheart?”

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  “Do you enjoy getting cursed at so much that you’re repeating the same mistake?!” Ruhi snapped, barely holding her temper in check.

  Rudra chuckled.

  “Alright, alright, sorry! I actually called to ask — what time will you be leaving today?”

  “Why?” she asked instantly.

  “So your driver can come pick you up, milady.”

  The teasing lilt in his voice was impossible to miss. Ruhi’s eyes dropped to the floor, her confidence faltering for a fraction of a second.

  Trying to bury the guilt in her tone, she said, “I’ll be late tonight, so… you don’t need to pick me up. Don’t trouble yourself for no reason at night. I’ll just take a cab.”

  Rudra was good at reading people’s hesitations — and even better at pretending not to notice them. He knew people hated exposing their vulnerabilities, so he stayed quiet to avoid hurting anyone’s pride.

  “Actually,” he said gently, “I’m working late too. I just thought I’d check your timing.”

  Relieved, Ruhi said, “Oh… well, I’ll probably leave around midnight. And seriously, don’t worry about me.”

  “Worry about you? Nah… I should be worried about the guy chasing you,” Rudra teased. “If he ever faces you, you’ll turn him into pickle!”

  “Idiot!” she muttered, narrowing her eyes before hanging up. Rudra laughed to himself.

  Looking out at the clear sky from his office window, he thought, “You’re just like this weather… perfectly pleasant, but I know the storm’s coming. You feel guilty for taking help from a stranger… but you don’t want to put your loved ones in danger anymore. And me? I can’t hold back when I see someone in trouble. If only I hadn’t gone to that police station last night… maybe you wouldn’t feel this guilt at all.”

  Thinking that, he got up and walked out of his cabin.

  Meanwhile

  From inside a restaurant, Aditya glanced out at the rain, then at Ira — who was happily eating ice cream like a five-year-old.

  “Hurry up, Ira! I’m going to be late for my meeting.”

  Without even looking up, she said, “Brother, rushing ice cream is a sin. It ruins the taste.”

  Aditya exhaled like a man who had fought this battle a hundred times.

  “My wild cat… just finish it already. I told you, I have to go.”

  “But you’re leaving me alone!” She pouted dramatically. “Today’s so boring. Anamika went to take care of her friend, so no games with her… and Ruhi di is buried in work because you overwork her! I have no friends here.”

  Aditya gave her a tired look.

  “Do I have ‘fool’ stamped on my forehead, Ira? Don’t say you don’t have friends here — I know you’re still in touch with your old gang. Cut the drama. What’s the real reason you’re bothering me today?”

  Her pout morphed into a mischievous grin.

  “Shekhar uncle told me about that gift you have to give Anamika. When are you giving it?”

  His eyes narrowed.

  “You know? Which means… you also know what it is?”

  She nodded with all the smugness of a cat stealing cream.

  “And you’re still pushing me to give it to her?” he asked, incredulous.

  “Of course. I want to see how my brother tackles the challenge uncle gave him. Oh, and I’m supposed to report back to uncle too. So… when are you giving her that ring?”

  Aditya looked away, got to his feet.

  “A week from now.”

  Her grin exploded into delight.

  “Yes! A week later, Anamika will officially be my sister-in-law!”

  Aditya’s face turned red. Hiding it, he muttered as he walked away, “Nothing like that is happening. I’ll complete the challenge… but I’m not proposing to Anamika.”

  “That’s cheating!” Ira cried, following him like a cat.

  Aditya turned his head and said, “Well, uncle cheated with me first… so, tit for tat!”

  He quickened his pace, leaving Ira pouting like a sulky child.