"Caught in the Morning Rush"

Dear Readers🎀✨

I am deeply grateful for the love, support, and encouragement you have shown my story. Your unwavering belief in the characters and their journey brings immense joy and motivation to keep writing with passion. Every comment, message, and like reminds me that these stories mean as much to you as they do to me.

As we step into the next chapter, I am excited to make it even more engaging and heartfelt, filled with the emotions, twists, and growth that you've come to love. Stay tuned as Anaya's story unfolds in ways that will leave you on the edge of your seat.

Thank you for being a part of this incredible journey. Your support means the world to me, and I can't wait to share what's coming next.

With love,

— PENOLA.S

_______AUTHOR'S POV:~~

Anaya stirred slowly, the faint hum of the alarm clock buzzing in the background. Sunlight poured through the gaps in the curtains, casting a soft golden glow across the room. She blinked her eyes open and found herself wrapped in the blanket, still lying on the couch in Ria's room. Her heart skipped a beat as she suddenly remembered that she had fallen asleep while watching a movie with Ria the previous night.

"Oh no..." Anaya mumbled under her breath. She shot up from the couch, brushing away the sleep from her eyes. The alarm was still going off, but Ria was sprawled out on the bed, deep in slumber, seemingly unaffected by the blaring sound.

Anaya rushed to Ria's bedside, gently shaking her. "Ria, get up! You'll be late for college if you don't wake up now!"

Ria groaned in response, pulling the blanket over her head. "Five more minutes..." she muttered, her voice muffled.

Anaya, feeling the pressure of the ticking clock, shook her a little harder. "No, not five more minutes! We're already late. Wait—" She glanced at the clock and gasped. "Oh my God, we are actually late! Ria, wake up right now!"

Ria shot up in bed, her eyes half-open but filled with confusion. "What? What's happening?" She rubbed her eyes, blinking rapidly as if trying to understand the gravity of the situation.

"We overslept! I slept here with you last night, and I didn't even tell Rudra!" Anaya's voice was panicked as she started pacing the room. "Oh no... Your brother... He's going to be so mad. I didn't even go back to our room."

Ria, now fully awake, burst out laughing. "Anaya, chill! So what if you slept here? It's not like we ran away from home! You act like you broke some law or something."

Anaya shot her an incredulous look. "Ria, you don't get it! Your brother—he's so... particular. What if he thinks I was avoiding him?"

Ria threw off the blanket and jumped out of bed. "Avoiding him? We're just sisters-in-law hanging out. You've done this before, right? Remember that college picnic when we shared a room? It's no big deal!"

"Yeah, but that was different! It wasn't the mansion, and your brother wasn't—well, Rudra!" Anaya said, still flustered as she checked the time again.

Ria chuckled, rolling her eyes as she began gathering her things. "Relax, bhabhi. My brother isn't going to throw a fit just because you slept here. He's not that bad, trust me."

Anaya sighed, sitting on the edge of the bed, watching Ria nonchalantly grab her clothes for the day. The sunlight spilled across the room, making everything look calm and peaceful, but inside, Anaya's heart was racing. The thought of Rudra being upset over something as small as this felt so real to her, especially with how unpredictable he could be.

The alarm clock was still ringing, so Anaya walked over and switched it off, the loud noise finally coming to an end. The silence in the room was replaced with the soft rustling of fabric as Ria hurriedly got ready.

"Are you always this calm about everything?" Anaya asked, trying to regain her own composure.

Ria smirked, pulling her hair into a ponytail. "When you live in this family, you kind of have to be. Between the business, the family drama, and all the rules, you learn to let the small stuff slide. Like waking up late or, I don't know, sleeping over in your sister-in-law's room."

Anaya shook her head, half smiling. "You're impossible."

"No, I'm just realistic." Ria grinned, grabbing her tablet from the nightstand and tossing it into her bag. "Come on, we're already late. Let's get out of here before Mom notices."

Anaya laughed softly and stood up, fixing her hair quickly in the mirror. The sunlight reflected off her face, giving her a warm glow despite the hectic morning. It was moments like these—simple, chaotic, and filled with laughter—that made her feel like she truly belonged here, even if it was still all so new to her.

As they rushed out of the room, Ria gave Anaya a playful nudge. "And don't worry about Rudra. He's obsessed with you, remember? He's probably the one who'll be more worried if you don't get enough rest."

Anaya blushed slightly at Ria's teasing but didn't say anything. Her thoughts wandered to Rudra, wondering how he would react once they saw each other later. The morning chaos had distracted her from the lingering excitement of their date, but now the nerves were starting to creep back in.

They raced down the stairs, Anaya barely keeping up with Ria's energy. It felt like the calm before the storm, and even though she wasn't ready to face the day, something about Ria's carefree attitude made it a little easier to breathe.

Anaya's bare feet moved swiftly over the wooden floors, the echo of each step following her as she rushed down the second-floor hallway. Her heart raced not only from the speed at which she was moving but also from the lingering panic. Dressed in her pink pajamas, hair in a messy tangle, she barely cared how disheveled she looked. The only goal in her mind was to reach her room undetected.

She paused on the second-floor staircase, holding onto the railing, peeking to make sure no one else was around. "Okay, just get in, change, and run out before anyone notices," she muttered under her breath, as if coaching herself through the mission.

Anaya reached her bedroom door and carefully cracked it open, her eyes scanning the room to ensure Rudra wasn't there. She exhaled in relief, not seeing any sign of him. "Perfect, he's probably already left," she whispered, slowly stepping into the room and closing the door behind her.

She darted toward the closet, quickly rifling through the hangers, her mind racing. "Something professional... but not too formal. I still need to impress the professors but not look like I'm going to a board meeting," she mumbled, fingers brushing over a few outfits.

But before she could decide, the faint sound of water dripping caught her attention. It was subtle, but distinct—like water falling onto the floor from a freshly showered body. Anaya froze, eyes widening. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up as she slowly turned around, her heart nearly leaping out of her chest.

There, standing at the door to the bathroom, was Rudra.

The door had creaked open without her noticing, and Rudra stood there, leaning slightly against the frame. His body was glistening, droplets of water tracing down his chest and toned abs. A black towel hung low around his waist, and his wet hair clung to his forehead in disheveled locks. His sharp eyes were locked on her, scanning her from head to toe, and for a moment, the air in the room seemed to thicken.

Anaya's breath hitched as her eyes betrayed her, tracing the path of the water running over his muscles. His body looked sculpted, almost intimidating in its perfection, and her pulse quickened as she tried to tear her gaze away. But she couldn't stop herself from staring.

"Good morning," Rudra's deep voice cut through the silence, his tone laced with amusement as he took a step forward, his eyes never leaving hers.

Anaya, caught off guard, instinctively took a step back. She felt her cheeks burn with embarrassment. "M-Morning," she stammered, avoiding his gaze. Without another word, she quickly spun around, clutching her clothes tightly, and made a beeline for the bathroom, eager to escape the intense energy Rudra was giving off.

But just as she was about to open the bathroom door, she felt a firm hand wrap around her waist, pulling her back with a gentle but unmistakable force. Anaya gasped, her body freezing in place as she felt Rudra's presence close behind her.

"This isn't my answer," he murmured, his voice now lower, more commanding. His breath brushed against her ear, sending a shiver down her spine. Anaya could feel the warmth of his wet skin through her thin pajamas, and her heart raced even faster, almost deafening in her chest.

"Wh-What answer?" she whispered, her voice barely audible as she stood frozen, her hands gripping her clothes tightly. She didn't dare turn around, afraid of what his expression might reveal.

Rudra's hand tightened ever so slightly around her waist, his touch firm yet oddly gentle. "You rushed off without saying anything. That's not how we greet each other in the morning, Anaya."

His voice was teasing, yet there was a certain boldness to it—a side of Rudra that always caught her off guard. He was in full control, and Anaya was completely out of her element.

"I—I didn't know you were... still here," she mumbled, trying to find her voice, her thoughts a jumble as she desperately tried to make sense of the situation.

"You didn't ask," he replied, his tone playful yet authoritative.

Anaya swallowed hard, her mind scrambling for an escape. She could feel his body heat pressing against her back, and the scent of his cologne mixed with the freshness of his shower filled the air around them. Her hands trembled slightly, unsure of how to react. She wasn't used to this side of Rudra—the one who didn't let her slip away so easily, the one who held her close and expected her to stay.

Before she could find the words, Rudra gently turned her around to face him. His eyes locked onto hers, dark and intense, and for a moment, everything else faded. There was no escaping him now.

His gaze softened slightly as he leaned closer, his lips hovering near her ear. "Good morning, Mrs. Singhaniya," he whispered, his voice sending a shiver down her spine. "Now, that's how we start the day."

Anaya's heart raced uncontrollably, and she felt her breath catch in her throat. Her mind was a whirlwind, unable to comprehend the intensity of the moment. She opened her mouth to respond, but nothing came out.

And then, just as suddenly as he had pulled her close, Rudra let her go, stepping back with a teasing smirk on his face. "Now, go get ready. I'll wait for you downstairs," he said, his tone casual as if the heated moment had never happened.

Anaya stood there for a moment, her heart still pounding, unsure whether to be flustered, embarrassed, or completely overwhelmed. Rudra gave her one last glance before walking out of the room, leaving her standing there with her clothes clutched to her chest, completely thrown off balance.

As the bathroom door finally closed behind her, she let out a shaky breath, her mind still reeling from the encounter. "What just happened?" she whispered to herself, staring at her reflection in the mirror. Her cheeks were flushed, and her pulse was still racing, but she quickly shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts.

She had to get through the day. Whatever this was between them, she wasn't sure where it would lead, but one thing was certain: Rudra was no longer just the distant, brooding man she had thought he was. He was something more now—something far more dangerous to her heart.

And she wasn't sure if she was ready for it.

______________________

After freshening up, Anaya stepped out of her room, feeling more composed but still somewhat distracted by her earlier encounter with Rudra. Her white kurti with loose jeans gave her a comfortable yet graceful look, and the delicate silver tops she wore added a touch of elegance. She had loosely braided her hair, leaving a few strands framing her face. With a stack of files in one hand, she made her way down the hallway.

As she approached Ria's room, she knocked lightly on the door. "Ria, are you ready?" she called out, peeking inside. But Ria was nowhere to be seen. Anaya assumed she must already be downstairs, preparing for college.

Walking towards the living room, Anaya held the files tightly to her chest. Her internship program had her constantly on her toes for the next three months, juggling between tasks and learning opportunities. Today, she was heading to the office, while Ria was the only one going to college. It had become part of their routine.

As Anaya descended the stairs, she spotted Ravi seated on the sofa, tapping on his phone. He looked up as soon as she entered the room, standing up promptly. "Good morning, sister," Ravi greeted her with a warm smile.

Anaya returned the smile. "Good morning, Ravi. You're here to drop me off today?" she asked, adjusting the files in her hand.

"Yes, sister. Rudra sir told me to make sure you got to the office safely," Ravi replied, his tone respectful and responsible. He had always addressed Anaya with the utmost formality and respect, treating her like a member of the family.

Just then, Ria came bounding down the stairs, still looking half-asleep but holding her tablet tightly. She mumbled something about being late and threw a quick look at Ravi before shifting her attention back to her tablet. "Ugh, another day of Ravi the chauffeur," she muttered, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "I don't need a babysitter," she added under her breath but loud enough for everyone to hear.

Anaya shot Ria a disapproving glance. "Ria, stop it," she said, though her tone was light. "Ravi's just doing his job."

Ria rolled her eyes dramatically. "Yeah, yeah, but it's not like we're five-year-olds who need to be watched every second."

Ravi, ever calm and patient, didn't react to Ria's words. Instead, he smiled politely. "I'm just following orders, Miss Ria. And I'll always be around to help, whether you like it or not."

"Well, I don't," Ria shot back, clearly enjoying the little back-and-forth.

Anaya sighed and gently nudged Ria. "Be nice. He's here for all of us."

"Fine, fine," Ria muttered, still holding onto her playful annoyance, but the hint of a smile tugged at her lips.

The trio made their way toward the entrance. Ravi opened the car door for Anaya first, his respectful demeanor unwavering. "Thank you," she said softly as she slipped into the car, placing her files neatly on her lap.

Ria, still with her tablet in hand, slid into the back seat and continued grumbling to herself, but Anaya could see the amusement behind her eyes. She knew Ria enjoyed teasing Ravi, and as much as she complained, it was all harmless.

As they drove through the streets, Anaya gazed out of the window, mentally preparing herself for the busy day ahead. She had her presentation ready and needed to finalize a few reports, but her thoughts kept drifting back to Rudra. The way he had held her that morning, the intensity in his eyes—it was unlike anything she had experienced before. And now, he had left her with so many unspoken words, so many questions she was too nervous to ask.

"Everything okay, sister?" Ravi's voice broke through her thoughts.

Anaya blinked and smiled, turning her attention back to him. "Yes, Ravi, everything's fine. Just thinking about work."

Ravi nodded. "If you need anything, just let me know. Rudra sir has given clear instructions to take care of you."

Ria, overhearing this from the back seat, couldn't help but chime in. "Of course he did. Rudra's always so overprotective. It's like he thinks the world is out to get us."

Anaya laughed lightly, though her mind was elsewhere. Rudra's protectiveness was something she had grown used to, but lately, it felt different—more personal, more intimate. She couldn't deny the fluttering in her chest whenever he was near, and she certainly couldn't shake the feeling that something was changing between them.

The car soon arrived at Anaya's office building. Ravi parked the car and opened the door for her again. "I'll be here to pick you up later, sister," he said.

"Thank you, Ravi," Anaya said, stepping out of the car. "And Ria, be good today," she added with a teasing smile.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever," Ria grinned, leaning back in her seat, though she waved as Anaya walked toward the office entrance.

As the door closed behind her, Anaya took a deep breath and focused on the day ahead. But in the back of her mind, she couldn't help but wonder what Rudra had planned for the evening. He had mentioned something about a date, but knowing him, it would be anything but ordinary.