A Rush Against Time

Author's Note:

Hello doston! 🌸

Iss chapter ko likhte waqt mere dimaag mein sirf ek baat thi — kya hota hai jab do log apni dikhave waali duniya se baahar aake dil ki baatein share karte hain? Ria aur Ravi ka yeh safar waise toh ek simple ride tha, lekin unke beech ka asar kuch alag tha. Ek magnetic pull, jise woh dono samajhne ki koshish kar rahe hain.

Toh batao, kya tumhe Ravi ki vulnerability real lagi? Kya kabhi kisi ne tumhare saath aise baatein ki hain jahan bina bole bhi bahut kuch mehsoos ho jata hai?

Agar tumhare mann mein koi sawaal ya thoughts hain, please share karo! Tumhare answers aur perspective sunne ka intezaar rahega. 🤗

— Tumhari curious author 🖋️

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The Singhaniya mansion glowed softly under the morning sun, exuding a calm elegance. But inside, chaos brewed as Ria Singhaniya tore through the living room like a whirlwind.

"Where's my bag?!" Ria's voice echoed through the pristine halls as cushions and throws flew in every direction. Her frustration mounted with each passing second.

Komal, seated gracefully on the couch with her morning tea, chuckled softly. "You're always in a hurry, child. No wonder you misplace everything."

"Grandmom," Ria groaned dramatically, "this isn't just any day. It's my final exam! If I miss this, I'll fail my last year!"

Komal sipped her tea calmly. "Maybe if you didn't rush around like a headless chicken, you'd remember where you kept things."

"I don't need life advice right now. I need my bag!" Ria retorted, finally spotting it wedged under a decorative pillow. Grabbing it triumphantly, she dashed toward the door — only to skid to a halt when she saw Ravi descending the grand staircase, his expression as indifferent as ever.

Tall, composed, and exuding an air of authority, Ravi's cold demeanor was legendary in the Singhaniya household. He looked up briefly, his sharp gaze meeting Ria's frantic one before he shifted his attention back to his phone.

"Ravi!" she called out, jogging toward him.

He didn't break stride. "Hmm?"

"I need a lift to college. I'm late," Ria said hurriedly, hoping desperation might soften his icy exterior.

Ravi paused at the foot of the stairs, slipping his phone into his pocket. "Not my problem."

Ria blinked, stunned. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me," Ravi said flatly, walking toward the front door. "I have a meeting in the opposite direction."

Ria planted herself firmly in his path. "You are unbelievable, you know that? The college is ten minutes from here. TEN. It won't kill you to drop me off."

Ravi's jaw tightened, his expression colder than ever. "Plan better next time."

Ria's nostrils flared. "You're seriously just going to leave me stranded here?"

Before Ravi could respond, Komal's amused voice cut through the tension. "Ravi's right, Ria. You young ones think the world revolves around your whims. He has important work to do."

Ria gaped at her grandmother. "Grandmom! Whose side are you on?"

"The side of logic," Komal said with a mischievous smile. "And Ravi's always been dependable."

Ravi smirked slightly, clearly enjoying the rare moment of being backed up by Komal. "See? Even Dadi agrees."

Ria threw her hands up in exasperation. "Oh, come on! He's cold, not dependable!"

Komal shook her head, sipping her tea. "He's just practical, dear. You could learn a thing or two."

"Practical my foot," Ria muttered under her breath, turning back to Ravi with renewed determination. "Look, I'm not asking. I'm telling you. You are dropping me at college."

Ravi's brows lifted, amusement flickering in his otherwise impassive eyes. "Is that so?"

"Yes!" Ria snapped, crossing her arms defiantly. "Unless you want me to tell Grandmom all about that little incident last weekend—"

"Fine," Ravi cut her off sharply, his voice low but commanding. "Get in the car. Now."

Komal raised an approving brow. "Good. At least you two are finally learning to negotiate."

Ria shot her grandmother a playful glare before following Ravi out. As she climbed into the sleek black sedan, she couldn't resist a smug grin. "See? I always win."

Ravi slid into the driver's seat, starting the engine without a word. But as the car rolled down the driveway, he glanced at her sideways, his voice colder than ever.

"Don't forget," he said quietly but firmly, "you owe me."

Ria's triumphant grin faltered slightly, but she masked it with bravado. "Yeah, yeah. Whatever helps you sleep at night, Mr. Cold Heart."

Ravi didn't respond, but the tension in the air was thick, a silent tug-of-war between their clashing wills.

As the car sped toward her college, Ria couldn't help but wonder — had she really won, or was she stepping into a game where Ravi always held the upper hand?

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The car hummed steadily as it cruised down the tree-lined road, the cool morning air cutting through the open windows. Ravi's hands gripped the steering wheel with a calm assurance, his eyes focused on the road ahead, but his thoughts were elsewhere. Beside him, Ria sat, her head down, her eyes glued to the screen of her tablet. She was editing the latest project on her college assignments—something about a marketing strategy for a startup that was due the next day.

Despite the silence in the car, the atmosphere between them was electric, thick with unspoken words. Neither spoke, but neither could ignore the presence of the other.

Ravi's gaze flickered over to her, a soft sigh escaping his lips before he caught himself. Ria, however, was oblivious to his glances, her mind fully consumed with her work. She tapped furiously on the screen of her tablet, occasionally biting the end of her pen as she edited some text, her thoughts elsewhere.

The traffic outside was dense, the city slowly coming to life as people hurried to their destinations. It wasn't unusual for Ravi to drive through such chaos—he did it daily, the routine almost second nature. But having Ria sitting next to him, so near yet so distant, made every stoplight feel like an eternity.

The quiet stretched on for several minutes until Ria finally broke it, her voice more to herself than him. "I swear, this assignment is going to be the death of me."

Ravi didn't respond at first, his eyes still trained on the road, but he couldn't resist glancing at her again. She was still focused, her brow furrowed in concentration as she clicked through her pages. He almost envied her ability to shut everything else out.

"You're still working on that?" Ravi asked, his voice low, almost casual.

Ria glanced up at him, a touch of surprise in her eyes. "What? You think I'd have it done by now?" she asked, her tone a bit sarcastic. "Not all of us have time to relax like you, Mr. I'm-always-in-control."

Ravi's lips curled into a half-smile at her words, his eyes still fixed on the road, but there was a slight shift in his expression, a hint of warmth hidden beneath the cool mask. "I don't need to relax. I just don't waste my time."

Ria couldn't help but roll her eyes at that. "Of course, you don't. You're one of those perfect robots who always has everything in order, aren't you?"

"Not a robot," Ravi said, his voice steady, though there was a slight edge to it. "Just disciplined."

She sighed, going back to her tablet, her fingers flying over the screen. "Well, we can't all be disciplined robots."

For a moment, there was nothing but the soft sound of the car's engine and the distant hum of the city around them. Ravi's grip on the steering wheel tightened just a fraction as the silence grew. But it was a comfortable silence—at least, that's what he tried to convince himself.

Out of nowhere, the car jerked to a halt as the traffic light ahead turned red. Ravi sighed and leaned back in his seat, letting out a soft groan as he looked around at the cars surrounding them.

"Looks like we're stuck here for a while," he muttered under his breath.

Ria didn't look up, too absorbed in her work to notice the tension in the air. "Great. I might as well finish this. I swear, I won't be able to live with myself if I don't."

Ravi turned slightly toward her, his gaze lingering on her for a moment. Her features were soft yet determined, her concentration unbroken as she worked. Her hair, falling in soft waves around her shoulders, shimmered under the car's light, the scent of her perfume faint but noticeable.

"Why do you push yourself so hard?" Ravi asked, the question slipping from his lips before he could stop it.

Ria paused for a moment, her fingers still on the screen of her tablet. She wasn't sure why he asked it, and she wasn't entirely sure how to respond. She had never really discussed her drive with anyone. "Because if I don't, no one else will," she said quietly, almost as if speaking to herself.

Ravi raised an eyebrow, sensing the weight behind her words. "No one else will?"

Ria didn't meet his eyes, but her voice softened. "You wouldn't understand."

Ravi's expression flickered. He leaned back against the seat and turned his attention back to the front, his thoughts momentarily drifting away from the heavy silence. But a part of him was curious, drawn to her in ways he hadn't expected.

Just as the light turned green, Ria finally glanced up at him. "You think I'm some kind of princess, don't you?" she asked, half-joking, half-curious.

Ravi's eyes snapped to hers in an instant. "What?" he said, clearly caught off guard.

She raised an eyebrow, a slight grin playing at her lips. "You know, you're always so composed. Like you think the world should bow to you. Like you're some kind of prince. So, I must be your princess, right?"

Ravi looked at her for a long moment, his gaze unreadable. "If I did think that, you wouldn't like it," he replied, his voice low and a little too serious.

Ria's smile faltered slightly, her eyes narrowing as she looked at him. "And why is that?"

He didn't respond right away, his mind racing. For a moment, there was nothing but the sounds of the engine and the rhythmic rise and fall of their breathing. He could feel the weight of the air between them, thick and heavy with unspoken tension.

Finally, he spoke, his voice almost too soft to hear. "Because a princess like you wouldn't belong in my world."

Ria's heart skipped a beat, but she quickly masked her surprise with a scoff. "You're not the only one who has a world to live in, Ravi. I have my own, and I don't need anyone to tell me where I fit."

For a moment, neither of them said anything. The car continued its journey, winding through the thick city streets, but the connection between them—however subtle, however fleeting—was undeniable. Neither of them was close to the other. Not yet. But something was changing. Neither of them knew it yet, but they were getting closer.

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The car moved slowly through the morning traffic, each second stretching into eternity as both Ria and Ravi remained immersed in their respective thoughts. The familiar hum of the engine seemed to fade into the background as the tension in the air thickened, unspoken words hanging between them like a fragile thread.

Ria shifted in her seat, still focused on her tablet, but her thoughts weren't entirely on her work anymore. She had always prided herself on her independence, her ability to handle things on her own, but there was something about Ravi's words, something about the way he spoke, that made her pause.

She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. His jaw was clenched, his focus unwavering on the road ahead, but there was an underlying storm in his expression. What was it about him that made her feel this strange pull?

"You never answer questions directly, do you?" Ria broke the silence with a teasing smirk.

Ravi turned his head slightly toward her, eyes narrowing. "I prefer not to waste words," he replied coolly, though there was a flicker of amusement in his tone.

Ria tilted her head, raising an eyebrow. "Sounds like you're trying too hard to be mysterious."

Ravi smirked back, his grip tightening on the wheel. "Maybe I am. But it's better than being an open book."

Ria chuckled softly, her gaze returning to her tablet. "I guess everyone has their own way of keeping things to themselves."

The conversation seemed to die there for a moment, the weight of their earlier exchange hanging heavily between them. Ravi couldn't help but steal another glance at her, his gaze softening as he watched her. The way she seemed so engrossed in her work, yet every now and then, she would absentmindedly push a lock of hair behind her ear—everything about her fascinated him, even though he wouldn't admit it aloud.

Ria, on the other hand, was still trying to focus, her mind wandering back to his words. A princess like you wouldn't belong in my world. The phrase echoed in her mind, tugging at her insides. Was he implying that she was too different, too detached from whatever world he was living in? She didn't know why, but it bothered her more than it should have.

"Where are we going, anyway?" she asked, attempting to steer the conversation somewhere else, though her tone was lighter than she felt.

Ravi glanced at her, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. "You don't know?"

Ria glanced up at him, frowning. "I mean, I know the route, but where are we going?" she repeated, emphasizing the "we" with a sarcastic edge. "I didn't know we were suddenly so... close."

Ravi's eyes twinkled with a mix of amusement and something else—something deeper. "We're not close, Ria," he said, his voice softer now, almost intimate. "But that doesn't mean we won't get there eventually."

Ria's breath caught in her throat. Get there eventually? The words felt loaded, like there was more to them than just a casual remark. She quickly turned her attention back to her tablet, unwilling to show any sign of weakness. "Whatever. Let's just get through the day first."

Ravi's gaze lingered on her, studying her for a long moment before he focused back on the road. The words they had exchanged were still fresh in his mind, and he couldn't help but wonder—was Ria truly as unaffected by their interactions as she appeared to be? Or was there something more under the surface?

The car slowed down as they reached a crowded intersection. Ria didn't notice at first, too absorbed in her screen, but when the vehicle came to a halt, she looked up, noticing the row of cars in front of them.

"Great," she muttered, shifting in her seat. "We're going to be late."

Ravi glanced over at her. "Don't stress about it. It's just traffic."

"I know, but it's my final exam, Ravi. You wouldn't understand."

He didn't respond immediately, but his brow furrowed slightly. "I may not understand exams, but I understand pressure."

Ria looked over at him, confused by the change in his tone. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Never mind," Ravi said, shaking his head. "It's nothing."

For a brief moment, there was an awkward silence between them as they sat in the stillness of the car, surrounded by the noise and chaos of the city. Ravi's fingers drummed lightly on the steering wheel, his eyes scanning the traffic ahead.

Ria shifted again, her frustration growing as the minutes ticked by. "Do you ever wonder why we do this to ourselves?" she asked, her voice quieter than usual.

Ravi glanced at her out of the corner of his eye, sensing the shift in her mood. "Do what?"

"Push ourselves to the edge," she said, voice thick with unspoken emotions. "For what? For success, for grades, for whatever people expect from us... it feels like we're never enough."

Ravi didn't answer immediately, but his grip on the wheel tightened as he considered her words. "I get it," he said finally. "It's exhausting. But sometimes, it's the only way to make something of yourself."

Ria turned toward him then, her gaze locking with his for the first time during their ride. "And what about you, Ravi? What are you trying to make of yourself?"

He met her gaze, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "I'm just trying to get through the day, same as you."

Ria narrowed her eyes, still not fully convinced by his answer, but the traffic began moving again, and the moment passed. Ravi steered the car forward, navigating through the busy streets with ease. Ria returned her attention to her tablet, but this time, there was a noticeable shift in her demeanor—less distracted, more aware of the man sitting beside her.

The ride continued in silence, but it wasn't the same. Both of them were aware of the distance between them, and yet, somehow, it felt closer than ever. The tension, the unspoken connection—it was there, lingering in the air, waiting for something to break it wide open. But neither of them knew if today that day would be.

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The car cruised along the busy streets, the hum of the engine filling the silence between them. Ria's mind was still racing, thoughts of the future, of exams, of Ravi's cryptic comments. She couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this ride than just the mundane. More to him, she thought. More to me.

Ravi, on the other hand, was focused on navigating the city, his expression unreadable as he kept his attention on the road. But underneath his calm demeanor, his mind wasn't as collected. He couldn't ignore the growing tension between them. The more time he spent with Ria, the more complicated things seemed to get. He could feel her distance, but also something else—a pull, a magnetism he didn't understand.

"Do you always look like you have everything figured out?" Ria's voice broke through his thoughts, pulling him back to the present. She didn't glance up from her screen as she spoke, but there was an edge to her words.

Ravi chuckled softly, his hands tightening on the steering wheel. "No, Ria. I just pretend to."

She glanced up at him, meeting his gaze for a brief moment before looking away again, her eyes narrowed in contemplation. "I think that's what I hate the most," she muttered under her breath, but loud enough for him to hear.

He raised an eyebrow, his tone teasing. "Hate what?"

"That you make it look so easy."

A small silence fell between them again. Ravi knew what she meant. It was the way he handled everything—work, family, even life itself—with an almost effortless confidence. But it wasn't always like that. Behind the facade was a different story, a side of him he rarely showed.

Ria sighed, setting her tablet aside for a moment. "It's not just about the exams, you know. It's everything—living up to other people's expectations, trying to meet everyone's standards… I feel like I'm always failing."

Ravi didn't respond right away, focusing on the traffic ahead. For a moment, his fingers drummed lightly on the steering wheel as he processed her words. Then, in a rare moment of vulnerability, he spoke.

"I get that." His voice was quieter than usual, softer. "It's like, no matter what you do, it's never enough."

Ria looked at him now, her eyes softening. There was something different in his expression, something that made her pause. "You feel that too?"

He nodded, his gaze flicking to hers for a moment before returning to the road. "I think everyone does, at some point. You don't always see it in people, but it's there. We're all just trying to figure it out, pretending like we have it all together."

Ria processed his words, her mind spinning. She didn't expect to have this kind of conversation with Ravi, let alone share such personal thoughts. The walls she had carefully built around herself, the ones that had kept her safe, felt less sturdy now.

"Maybe that's why I push people away," she said softly, almost to herself. "I don't want anyone to see how broken I am."

Ravi glanced at her, his gaze softer now, more understanding. "You're not broken, Ria."

She met his eyes again, unsure of how to respond. "Then why do I feel like I am?"

He was quiet for a moment, before responding with a simple but profound truth. "Because you care too much. You're trying to keep it all together, but sometimes you don't have to. Sometimes, it's okay to fall apart."

Ria swallowed, her heart racing in her chest. She hadn't expected this conversation. She wasn't sure what to make of it. But what she did know was that there was something real, something raw, in the way Ravi spoke. Something that made her feel... seen.

The car slowed as they neared their destination. Ravi broke the silence, his voice more lighthearted now, as if trying to shift the mood. "We're here."

Ria blinked, a little disoriented by the shift in tone. "Right," she muttered, gathering her things. "Thanks for the ride."

As Ravi parked the car, he glanced over at her one last time before she opened the door. "You're welcome, princess."

The words hung in the air for a moment, but Ria didn't respond. She just stepped out of the car, her mind still processing everything they had just shared.

Ravi watched her walk away, the moment they had shared still lingering between them. He hadn't expected to open up today, but something about Ria had made him do it. And for some reason, he wasn't regretting it.

Ria, for her part, felt conflicted. She didn't know what to make of Ravi's words, or the way they made her feel. But she knew one thing for sure—there was more to him than the cool, distant exterior he showed the world. And she couldn't deny that, despite everything, she was starting to care about the person beneath the surface.

The day stretched on, the noise of the city filling the spaces between them, but neither of them could forget the quiet moments shared in the car. Moments that had somehow brought them closer, even though neither of them fully understood why.

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The day passed in a blur, the final exam looming over Ria's head as she sat in class, trying to focus on the questions in front of her. Her mind kept drifting, like a leaf caught in the wind, always returning to Ravi's words from the car ride. "You're not broken, Ria."

Those words echoed in her head, and despite herself, she found some comfort in them. She had always been so focused on putting on a brave face, keeping everyone at arm's length. But Ravi had seen through that. He had seen the cracks, the flaws, and yet he hadn't turned away. He had stayed, offering something rare in her life—understanding.

Why did he have to say that? she thought, biting her pen. She was supposed to be focusing on her exam, but all she could think about was the way Ravi had looked at her, the sincerity in his voice. And the princess—he'd called her that again, and it had made her heart race in a way she hadn't expected.

Meanwhile, Ravi, having dropped Ria off earlier, was in his own office, trying to focus on work. But much like Ria, his thoughts were elsewhere. He was supposed to be reviewing reports, but instead, he found himself replaying the conversation from the car. Her words had struck him in a way he couldn't quite explain.

The way she'd said, I don't want anyone to see how broken I am, had hit too close to home. It was as if she had spoken the unspoken truth that he too hid from the world. They weren't so different, after all. He wasn't as confident and unshakable as people thought. He had his own doubts, his own insecurities. But Ria—she didn't know that. She only saw the confident exterior he had spent years perfecting.

But now, after today, it felt like the walls he had built around himself were starting to crumble, and the person on the other side of them was Ria.

He shook his head, trying to focus on the paperwork in front of him. No distractions, Ravi. You've got work to do. But even as he told himself that, he knew it was already too late.

Later that evening, after the exam was over and Ria had returned home, she found herself sitting by the window again, staring out into the night. The weight of the day, the stress of finals, and the conversation with Ravi were all swirling in her mind.

Why did it matter so much?

She had never been one to let her emotions guide her, but Ravi had this way of making her feel things she didn't want to feel. It wasn't just about the ride to college anymore. It was about how he had made her feel understood, not just as a student, not just as someone his family knew, but as a person. And that... that was new.

As the evening wore on, her phone buzzed, pulling her from her thoughts. It was a message from Ravi.

"Princess, you did well today. Hope the exam wasn't too much of a challenge. And remember, no matter what, you're not broken."

The words made her smile, even as they tugged at her heartstrings. Why does he do this? she wondered, reading the message again.

She quickly typed a response, not thinking too much about it.

"Thanks, Ravi. I guess you were right. I'll try not to forget that."

The response was sent, and Ria stared at her phone for a moment before setting it down. She felt a small, unfamiliar warmth in her chest, a flutter that hadn't been there before. It wasn't just the exam results or the relief that came with completing one of the most stressful days of her life—it was something else, something new and unexpected. Something connected to Ravi.

Meanwhile, across town, Ravi smiled as he read her message. There was a quiet satisfaction in knowing that she had taken his words to heart. He had never expected their connection to be so... complex. He had never intended for it to be this way. But somewhere, in the middle of their bickering, their sarcastic comments, and their moments of silence, something had shifted.

I'll get to know you better, Ria. In time, he thought, his finger brushing over the screen of his phone as he typed a quick reply.

"Good. Don't forget that you have someone in your corner. Always."

The next day, Ria arrived at the Singhaniya mansion to collect some materials she needed for the upcoming project, her thoughts still on Ravi and the strange connection that was beginning to form between them. As she walked through the grand hall, she bumped into Ravi in the corridor. He was just leaving his study, his usual calm demeanor in place, but there was something different in his eyes. A subtle softness, as if he was waiting for her to speak first.

Ria hesitated but then smiled, feeling more at ease than she expected. "Thanks for the message, Ravi. It meant a lot."

Ravi nodded, his eyes flickering with something unreadable. "You're welcome, princess." The term of endearment slipped out so naturally, it almost felt like he'd always been saying it. "I meant it. Don't carry the weight of the world on your shoulders alone."

Ria's heart skipped a beat, but she quickly masked it with a playful smirk. "What, are you some kind of motivational speaker now?"

He chuckled, shaking his head. "Only for you."

As he turned to leave, Ria's mind wandered again. Something was shifting between them, and she wasn't sure if she was ready for it. But the more time she spent with Ravi, the more she realized that, maybe... just maybe... they were both beginning to fall into a rhythm together—one that neither of them could quite control.

And as the night drew closer, both of them knew that the distance between them, though still there, was getting smaller, one conversation at a time.

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The next morning brought a wave of anticipation at Singhaniya Corp. The employees were abuzz, whispers spreading through the office corridors as they prepared for the day's crucial meeting. Ravi , known for his sharp business acumen and commanding presence, was expected to lead the session. His reputation for brilliance in strategic thinking was paired with an undeniable air of authority that made everyone sit straighter when he entered the room.

As the clock struck 10 a.m., the sound of polished shoes on the marble floors echoed through the entrance. Heads turned as Ravi strode confidently into the office, dressed in a tailored charcoal suit that fit him perfectly. His black hair was styled neatly, and his expression was cool but focused, exuding the unmistakable energy of a leader in his prime.

"Good morning, Mr. RAVI," the receptionist greeted, her voice tinged with respect.

"Morning," he nodded politely but briskly, maintaining his professional composure.

Employees stood momentarily in acknowledgment as Ravi passed by, acknowledging a few with subtle nods. His presence commanded the room without needing grand gestures. Despite being the youngest member of the leadership team, his reputation made him one of the most respected figures at Singhaniya Corp.

In the spacious conference room on the top floor, key members of the team had already gathered, their laptops open, presentation slides ready, and a mixture of nervous energy in the air. The large glass windows provided a panoramic view of the bustling city below, but the attention of everyone present was firmly fixed on the man who now entered.

"Good morning, everyone," Ravi greeted, his voice steady and authoritative. He moved to the head of the table with effortless ease, placing a sleek black folder on the table in front of him. "Let's get started."

The room fell into respectful silence as he took his seat. "Today's agenda is focused on the quarterly performance review and strategy planning for the upcoming merger proposal with Trinity Corp." His gaze swept across the room, making eye contact with each person as though silently gauging their preparedness. "I expect clear insights and actionable plans. Let's not waste time on irrelevant details."

Ria, seated quietly at the far end of the room as part of her internship rotation, observed Ravi in action. He was a completely different person here — sharp, commanding, and utterly in control. The playful banter they'd shared in the car seemed miles away.

One of the senior managers began the presentation, detailing the company's recent achievements and market performance. Ravi listened attentively, occasionally interjecting with pointed questions that cut through unnecessary jargon. "What's the projected ROI on this initiative? Have we accounted for the potential risks of market saturation?" His questions were precise, challenging the team to think deeper.

The presentation shifted to the marketing strategy. Ria noticed how Ravi's eyes narrowed slightly when the team head fumbled with the data. "I need clarity on these figures," Ravi interrupted. "If we're planning to invest resources, I want to see solid evidence that this campaign will yield results."

There was a brief, tense silence before the manager nodded hurriedly. "Understood, sir. I'll provide a detailed breakdown by the end of the day."

Ravi leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled thoughtfully. "Good. Let's move on."

Despite the intense atmosphere, there was no denying the respect Ravi commanded. He wasn't just a boss — he was a leader who demanded excellence but also inspired his team to rise to the challenge.

As the meeting concluded, Ravi stood, closing his folder with a decisive snap. "I appreciate everyone's efforts," he said, his tone softer but still firm. "Let's ensure we deliver on these targets. We'll reconvene next week to track progress." His gaze flickered briefly to Ria, who was busy taking notes. For a fleeting second, the corner of his lips lifted in what might have been a faint smile — or maybe she imagined it.

As the team began to disperse, conversations buzzing once again, Ravi made his way toward the exit. Ria hurriedly gathered her things, preparing to leave as well. But before she could slip out, Ravi's voice stopped her.

"Ria," he called, his tone casual yet firm.

She turned, masking her surprise. "Yes?"

He approached her with that same composed demeanor, though his expression held a trace of amusement. "You did well today. Keep up the focus."

Ria blinked, caught off guard by the unexpected praise. "Uh, thanks," she managed, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

"And remember," Ravi added with a teasing glint in his eyes, "the princess doesn't just ride in the passenger seat — she leads too."

Ria's cheeks warmed at the reference, but she refused to give him the satisfaction of a reaction. "Noted, Mr. RAVI" she replied with mock seriousness, earning a low chuckle from him.

As Ravi walked away, Ria found herself smiling despite her best efforts to stay indifferent. This man is going to be the death of me, she thought, shaking her head.

And yet, deep down, she couldn't ignore the subtle shift between them — a connection that neither of them fully understood but couldn't quite deny.