Morning.
News headlines subtle nahi the.
"Malhotra Industries & Aethra Consulting – Strategic Alliance or Personal Equation?"
Photo.
Boardroom ka.
Frame mein sirf do log clearly visible the.
Rithvik.
Apurva.
Angle misleading tha. Distance kam lag raha tha.
Speculation fast spread hoti hai.
Especially jab power aur past dono involved ho.
Aethra office mein atmosphere tense tha.
Senior partner ne file desk pe patki.
"Explain this."
Apurva ne headline dekha. Expression steady.
"It's a professional collaboration."
"Media is calling it conflict of interest."
She didn't react.
"Are you personally involved with him?"
That question.
Direct.
Public.
She felt insulted.
"No," she said firmly.
"Because if you are, you're off this project."
Apurva ka tone steel jaisa ho gaya.
"I don't mix personal with work."
Meeting khatam.
But damage start ho chuka tha.
Same time.
Malhotra Industries boardroom.
Board member leaned forward.
"This association looks risky."
"It's strategic," Rithvik replied calmly.
"Or emotional?"
Room silent.
Rithvik ki eyes cold ho gayi.
"Careful."
Older director sighed. "You were in the same academy. Rumors travel."
"I don't make decisions based on school memories."
"But she might."
That line triggered something.
Rithvik stood up slowly.
"She doesn't."
Confidence absolute tha.
Meeting adjourned.
Evening.
Parking basement.
Almost empty.
Apurva apni car unlock kar rahi thi jab familiar footsteps echo hue.
She didn't turn.
"You okay?" Rithvik's voice low.
"Media drama doesn't scare me."
"Board ne question kiya?"
She gave a small humorless smile.
"Yours too?"
He nodded.
Silence.
Bas concrete walls aur distant traffic sound.
"Yeh tumhari world hai," she said softly. "Power. Headlines. Control."
"And you think tumhari nahi hai?"
"I fight numbers. You fight narratives."
He stepped closer.
"Wrong. We both fight perception."
Pause.
Dark undertone heavier ho raha tha.
"Tell me something honestly," he said.
She finally looked at him.
"If tomorrow this scandal forces you to choose… project or me — what will you choose?"
Direct.
No filter.
Her jaw tightened.
"You're assuming there's an 'us' to choose."
He didn't smile.
"I'm asking."
Bas ek second.
She could say professional answer.
Safe answer.
But instead —
"I'll choose what doesn't break everything I built."
Honest.
Brutal.
Rithvik held her gaze.
"And if what you built starts breaking because you keep pretending you don't feel anything?"
Silence.
Bas un dono ki breathing.
No touch.
No dramatic move.
Just tension.
She stepped back first.
"Don't create complications where there are none."
He watched her carefully.
"They're already there."
She got into the car.
Door close.
Engine start.
But steering wheel pakadte waqt uske hands slightly tremble hue.
Bas thoda.