Monday arrived with a nervous silence in Aara Sharma's heart.
She stood at the gate of Rathod Industries, staring up at the massive glass building that reflected the morning sun like a warning. People moved in and out with confidence, purpose written on their faces. She adjusted the strap of her bag and took a slow breath.
This is just an internship, she reminded herself.
But her heartbeat said otherwise.
At home, earlier that morning, Rohan had walked her to the door.
"You'll do great, didi," he said, trying to sound confident though his eyes were filled with worry.
Aara smiled and fixed his collar. "Study well. I'll be fine."
Meera stood silently behind them, pride and fear mixed together. "Call me once you reach," she said softly.
Aara nodded.
Inside Rathod Industries, the air felt different—cold, controlled, powerful.
The interns gathered near the reception. Whispers filled the space.
"Have you heard about the owner?"
"They say he never smiles."
"People are scared of him."
Aara listened but said nothing.
Fear had already become familiar to her in life. She wasn't about to let rumors decide her fate.
From the top floor, Kabir Rathod watched the floor below through the glass wall of his cabin.
He hadn't planned to.
Yet there he was.
Aara Sharma stood among the interns, hands folded, eyes alert. Nervous—but not weak.
Kabir's jaw tightened.
She didn't belong in a place like this.
And yet… she did.
"Sir, should we proceed with the orientation?" his assistant asked.
Kabir nodded without taking his eyes off her. "Yes."
Then, after a pause, "Assign someone to guide her."
The assistant looked surprised. Kabir never interfered in such details.
"Yes, sir."
A young executive named Arjun was assigned to help Aara settle in.
"Don't worry," Arjun said kindly. "First days are always scary."
Aara smiled gratefully. "Thank you."
They walked through the corridors, Arjun explaining departments and procedures. Aara listened carefully, trying to ignore the strange sensation that followed her—like unseen eyes watching her every move.
In the elevator, Aara caught her reflection in the mirror.
Be strong, she told herself.
What she didn't know was that the man everyone feared had already memorized the way she stood, the way she listened, the way she avoided unnecessary attention.
Kabir Rathod was not a man who noticed small things.
Yet with her—he noticed everything.
Later that afternoon, a file slipped from Aara's hands as she walked toward her desk.
Papers scattered across the floor.
Before she could bend down, someone else did.
Arjun.
"Careful," he said, handing her the papers with a smile.
"Thank you," Aara replied softly.
From the glass cabin above, Kabir saw it all.
His expression darkened.
He didn't like it.
Not because Arjun had helped her.
But because he wanted to be the one she depended on.
The realization hit him hard.
Dangerous.
That evening, Aara finally left the building.
She felt exhausted—but proud.
As she stepped outside, she looked up once more at the towering structure.
She didn't know that behind one of those windows, Kabir Rathod was still standing there—watching her walk away.
And for the first time in years, power felt meaningless to him.
Because something far more uncontrollable had entered his world.
Aara Sharma.
And Kabir Rathod had already crossed a line he could never uncross.