-> I'm from Maharashtra, India. A small town of Ahmednagar District. Though I was born and raised in Mumbai for three years, but my family moved alot when I was younger.

-> I'm nineteen years old. ;-)

-> Although I'm an introvert, I was always a fan of storytelling. I hated to watch any daily soap if it didn't go the way I had planned it in my head. I love imagining two people meeting and falling in love. I'm hopeless romantic. When in 2018 I downloaded this app, it was solely for reading. But then I wanted to read a story I had planned. And so yeah, it happened. I wrote my first story, The Player, after explaining the plot to my best friend. She really liked it, although I didn't tell her that I made the plot.

-> Quite a few readers have asked me this question. You're really curious, huh? It takes me approximately two hours to write a chapter. Sometimes less. Or sometimes more. Songs help me alot! I love music. Earlier I used to proof read to check errors, but now I'm too lazy to do that. So I just upload it.

-> I love writing, that's for sure. But do these type of careers make a living? Not for a middle class person like me. So even if I want to, I can't pursue my career in this field. But if sometime in future I've a stable life where I don't have to think about money, I might publish one of my work.

-> I study in Pravara's SVIT. The bloody AICTE reduced seats for us diploma holders, so yeah I couldn't get into my dream college. Although this college is in rural area, it has good teaching staff, at least for computer branch cause I've heard a lot of bad things about other branches.

-> I want to, darling. But I seriously lose creativity after writing one chapter. Also, my mother hates it if I stay on mobile for longer than four hours.

-> As I told earlier, I'm an introvert. Not a born though, but made. My cousins are not too fond of me. So I was always left out. Jealousy, anger, resentment, sadness and may be a little bit of emotional trauma has always been my share partners. I didn't had many friends too. My mum is strict so many were afraid to even come close to me. You could say, I was always an outcast? I don't know if that is a correct word. But I never had depression. I'm surprised too. I think at a very early age I realized that self respect is the most important thing and I don't need people to entertain me. Me and my small family is enough. So going in depths to bring these emotions out of my characters is not that tough. And love is always buried deep within me. I want to experience this emotion someday. With someone special. So yeah, romance factor has always been a piece of cake.

And my favorite genre in books are, Rom- Com. Mystery (but I'm too impatient to keep hold on my curiosity until the mystery is solved so I just skip to end lol) and Historical fiction. And I love you too.

.

As she walked away from there, she could hear the heavy beat of her heart inside her head. It was inaudible for others, but she felt every second of it. What was it that bloomed so suddenly? A heavy, deep feeling that was buried, now resurfaced like a rare flower in desert. As if after long years of drought, her barren heart found the hope in first drops of rain.

She shook her head. Driving the intruding thoughts out. These feelings have always landed her in depths of pain and heartbreaks. And her silly heart is trying to find way towards the same destination again?

Yes, he is changed. But for how long? After his past hunts them down again, everything will be same. He'll be the same cold, brutal, selfish, Kabir Raichand again. This softness is temporary. The moment his memories come back, he'll return to his old self. And had she ever found a moment of happiness with that old Kabir in past? No. Never.

"Good morning, Ma'am.", Employees started greeting her as she walked inside her department and headed towards her new office. She greeted them back politely.

"Do you want anything, Ma'am?", The floor keeper asked. "Tea, coffee or any other refreshments?"

"No, thank you.", She said and entered inside her office.

It was not even an hour later that the commotion began surging heavily. With a frown etched on her face, she left the stapled documents on desk before getting up and trudging out. Her frown deepened when she saw few girls squealing and laughing in delight.

"What is this chaos?", The department manager asked and everyone stood straight. As if soldiers on command. She has always been strict.

"So-Sorry, Ma'am.", The group put their heads down in shame.

"I asked reason not apology.", She said sternly.

"Ac-Actually, Mr. Vivek Dahiya sir, the HR, he's fired! Can you believe it!?", A girl with brown hair started calmly but ended up shrieking at end. "Sorry.", She realized her mistake.

"This definitely is a good news. That man was a pain in arse!", Their strict manager shook her head. Almost everyone gaped at the choice of her words. Did she just used a cuss word? "What?", Everyone shook their heads. "Celebrate for five minutes and then back to work. Am I clear?"

"Yes, Ma'am!", Everyone answered loudly.

"Was he that bad?", Rivaah mumbled to herself.

Her unasked question was answered immediately. "You can't even imagine at what extent. He groped and had said dirty words to almost every female here.", The lady beside her spat out.

"He is a filthy excuse of a man.", Rivaah said with a nod.

"I can't agree any less.", She nodded.

"But how did you find out?", A young man asked to the girl who broke this news.

"I was just getting out of my cab when I saw Mr. Raichand's secretary and two guards literally throwing that man out! He was bruised and couldn't even stand on his own!", She said with a heavy sigh.

"Oh! So he's not fired?"

"C'mon, he was thrown out. Firing in his case was actually put into action!"

"That is true!"

Everyone laughed for a minute or so before getting back to work.

"If Mr. Raichand's secretary threw him out that means, Mr. Raichand himself must have ordered, right?"

"I think so."

"Am I falling in love? Don't catch me please. Let me fall!", The two ladies giggled to themselves. Rivaah, after hearing this, rolled her eyes and stepped back in her office.

Few hours went by and Rivaah came out of her office for some work. "Who looks after the thesis of every project?", She asked loudly and received a raised up hand. "Come here please.", The man meekly nodded before raising up from his seat and walking up to her.

"Ye-Yes, Ma'am?"

"Don't worry, I'm not here to point out your mistakes.", She chuckled and he sighed in relief. "Can I get the thesis of past projects please?", He thought for a minute before nodding.

"Can you spare me two hours? They are approximately fifteen and I've them uploaded on cloud. It'll take some time to retrieve them.", He mumbled.

"Okay, can I expect them on my desk until evening?"

"Absolutely, Ma'am!"

"Great."

"Shit, Mr. Raichand is coming here! Stay calm! Stay calm!", The floor receptionist came rushing inside.

"You're the anxious one here, Jess.", Someone chuckled.

"Be on your best behavior!", Everyone gulped at the strict tone of department manager.

"Go to where you're positioned, Jess.", She instructed.

"Sorry, Ma'am."

Not a minute later, Kabir strode in along with Karthik.

"Good afternoon, Sir."

"Afternoon, Mrs. Dixit.", Kabir said back before his eyes swept around the floor, examining everything and everyone before they briefly stopped on his wife. He wanted to go there and hug her close. His mind was still restless because of the morning incident. But he knew his boundaries.

So he gulped and looked away. "Any problems that you're facing?", He asked. May be he was biased with the treatment he wanted to give this department. But his wife works here. And she's pregnant. He wanted to provide her with all the luxuries.

"Everything's fine-"

"The coffee machine is not in a working condition, Sir.", A man spoke up and received a harsh glare from his boss.

"It's fine.", Mrs. Dixit said with a forced smile.

"No it's not. Karthik, write it down.", Kabir said and Karthik nodded before noting the complaint down on his iPad.

"Anything else?", He probed for more, his eyes querying to his wife. She discreetly shook her head. "Okay. Back to work. And-", he was hesitant. Is it normal for a strict boss to say something like this? Certainly not. "And don't stress yourself with work. Don't try to go out of your capacity. Okay?", He asked.

"Yes sir!"

"Thank you, sir!"

"Hmm.", He hummed. Sparing a last craving glance to her, he turned and left.

"He's so sweet!"

"I've never seen a boss like him!"

"Oh my, I'm so gone."

"He's really nice."

Rivaah turned and walked inside her office. Closing the door shut, she took a deep breath before closing her eyes and letting it out. Her body was embraced in a new fresh feeling. A smile was threatening to spread on her face. What is it with her heart that it never listens. After being ripped off in pieces, it still sways with the wind as if it's first time seeing the ray of hope.

She opened her eyes that were brimming with tears. How is she so weak when it comes to control her own emotions. She can't let herself walk into that hell again. May be she's just overwhelmed because of today's incident? Yes, that must be it. No way her anger and slight hatred towards him is reducing.

Her phone rang and she flinched. Exhaling out a tired breath, she walked up to her desk and grabbed her phone. After seeing his name flashing on the screen, she closed her eyes out of frustration.

Not now!

But he must be worried?

Oh god no! Why am I even thinking what he might feel if I cut the call!?

Slamming the device back on table unanswered, she retreated to her chair and got back to work.

The whole day her thoughts ran around only one topic. Despite the hardships of trying to push him to the back of her mind, she couldn't.

“Why would she need a scum like you, when she has me on my knees!?”

This statement, is stuck inside her head and she hates it now. Him saying something like that, is still making her breathless. The way he said it, she felt as if she has all power on him. As if, he's all hers.

Dropping the pen on the soft surface of table, she turned around on her chair and stared at the blank wall.

Incomplete. That's what she's feeling right now. And this crave, this temptation is not new to her. She has been through this before. And it is not her body's need, it is her soul screaming at her.

It is no more whether he deserves another chance or not, now it is about, doesn't she deserves another chance?

But with the same person? Wouldn't that be an utter stupidity!?

What the hell I'm even thinking? Let's just ignore this! Let's just forget this! Focus! Focus on your work, focus on Reyansh and on the aim of making him healthy again. Let's focus on this unborn baby. That's it!

Two firm knocks broke the chain of her thoughts. "Come in!" She called after turning around to face her desk.

"The thesis, Ma'am."

"Thanks. Please keep them here.", She said pointing to the end of her desk and picked up the pen.

It was close to the end of office hours. And she was in desperate need of coffee. But caffeine in this state, is not healthy and may turn dangerous. So she got up and decided to check if there's anything edible to eat in pantry. That way she can be distracted from this sudden outburst of laziness and of course, the flood of thoughts that are still coming in waves in her brain.

There was just a coffee machine inside the small pantry.

"Where's the canteen?", She asked the receptionist.

"On the ground floor, ma'am. Do you need anything? I can order for you.", Jess said grabbing the receiver.

"A pack of chips, please.", Rivaah said with a sheepish smile. Her mobile phone pinged and she frowned seeing the sender ID.

Why is Karthik Sir messaging her?

Sent 4:30 PM

Rivaah gasped.

"What happened, Ma'am?", Jess asked halting her process of dialling for ground floor canteen.

"No-Nothing.", Rivaah stuttered before she looked around, trying to spot him anywhere near. "I don't need anything. Thank you very much!", She said before scurrying back to her office.

"Are you spying on me!?", She asked angrily as soon as he answered the call.

Karthik flinched.

"Is she angry?", Kabir mouthed.

Karthik nodded. He forwarded the phone to his boss whose eyes widened in fear before he shook his head hastily.

"I- I- Rivaah- This-"

"Speak up!"

"It's not my fault! Mr. Raichand asked me to check upon you frequently. He's really worried.", Karthik blurted out and Kabir slapped his forehead.

"Am I a child that your Mr. Raichand left in nursery!?", Rivaah gritted out.

"Yes- No! I mean no!", Karthik fumbled with his words.

"Give the phone to him. I know he's there with you.", She said and Kabir warned with a shake of his head.

"Tell her I'm in washroom.", He whispered.

Karthik nodded. "He says he's in washroom, Ma'am.", He said and Kabir looked on the verge of fainting. How in the Satan's hell did he hire this guy!? He can't even lie properly!

"Really? Why?", Rivaah decided to play along.

"Uhm- He's suffering a severe diarrhea. Yes! He is!", Karthik strenuously smiled.

"Oh really! That's sad.", Rivaah mocked pity.

Kabir's eyes widened. "Dude, she's playing you!", He mouthed.

"You're playing me, Ma'am?", Karthik mumbled slowly as he tried to configure the meaning of it. Did his boss really told him to reply with something like this.

Kabir face-palmed.

"No! Don't say that!", Kabir waved his hand gesturing a No.

"Hand. Him. The. Phone.", She gritted out each and every word.

"Give it to me!", Kabir exclaimed defeatedly as he raised his open palm.

"What the hell, Kabir!?", She shouted immediately and he pulled the phone away from his ear.

"Hello? Hello? Oh damn! The network here is so poor!", He faked an excuse.

"Stop, Kabir! I know you can hear me clearly. And how can you ask him to stalk me? Do you know how creepy that is!?"

"Uhm- What? I can't hear you."

"Stop testing my patience!"

"Hello? I'm sorry I can't hear you.", He said innocently.

"Fuck you, damnit! Go to hell!", She hissed before disconnecting the call.

Kabir breathed out in relief. "You're so useless when it comes to things like this! Your wife must have always caught your lies, right?", He asked.

"How do you know, sir?", Karthik gasped.

"I'm born smart. Now get back to work.", Kabir deadpanned.

_

_

_

_

"C'mon, Rivaah! Get inside before anyone spots us!", Kabir yelled as he drove in a slow speed alongside the walkway.

"Go to hell!", She said crossing her hands on chest.

"Rivaah, stop being childish. I was just worried for you. Okay I'm sorry, I won't repeat this. You should have answered my calls, dove. You didn't and so I had to do something like that.", He groaned.

"Don't call me dove!", She snapped.

"Okay I won't. Now get inside. Rey must be waiting for us. Don't make him wait.", At the mention of her son, she melted. Huffing and puffing in anger, she got inside and slammed door shut. "Now that's like a good girl.", Kabir chuckled playfully.

"Blah blah blah!", She mocked.

"You're so childish sometimes.", He laughed.

"Blah blah blah!", She did it again, this time rolling her eyes.

When they got home, she was greeted with a sweet kiss on her cheek. "We missed you, Mommy!", Reyansh giggled as he tried to keep Murphy away from his mommy. He was being territorial. "You go to daddy!", He said pointing at his father. Murphy just grunted and flopped down on floor angrily.

Kabir scoffed at the blatant rejection. He poured himself a glass of water and brought another for his wife. She took it gratefully and gave it to her son when he eyed it thirstily. "How many times I've told you to drink water frequently?", She chastised.

"I forget.", He giggled.

Both of them them retreated to their rooms while Murphy and Reyansh decided to go out in backyard to play.

"Everyone at my department were really happy today.", She started a conversation while they were in the middle of having dinner.

"Why?", Kabir frowned.

"You fired the HR. He was nuisance to many. Vanya, the receptionist, had told me on the first day that he's a certified pervert and has tried things like this with most of the female employees.", She said with an exasperated sigh.

"You knew his character, yet you still took his offer of lift?", Kabir asked incredulously.

"He was HR, Kabir. Way above me. And he almost begged me to come. How could I reject his offer straight away?"

"The way you do with me! Am I not one of the higher officials in office. Heck! I'm the highest!", He took pride while saying that. "Yet you blatantly rejected me this evening!"

"You're my husband. He's not!"

Everyone fell silent. Even Murphy stopped chewing on his dog food when he felt that the situation has turned awkward.

She blinked.

His mouth opened and closed like a fish.

"I'm full.", She said pushing the plate away and leaving.