Intensely Twisted Fate

Chapter : 4

Third Person POV

Laranya hung up the call with Sumit, releasing a long, weary sigh. Sumit’s demands hadn’t changed: he wanted her to quit her job and marry him. He insisted on two points—he didn’t want her working just to earn money, and he could provide everything she’d ever need. More than that, his friends ridiculed him for having a girlfriend employed at a company that was “just four stars.” They considered it beneath her and, by extension, beneath him.

But Laranya was resolute. She would never abandon her work, not just because she loved it, but because she had responsibilities to her father and younger sister. Today, as every other day, she made her way up the stairs to her cubicle. She’d always avoided the lift. She told everyone it was because she was terrified of getting trapped and suffocating, but the real reason lay deeper than she’d ever shared.

When she answered an intercom call moments later, she learned her Head of Department had summoned her to his office. She was currently working on an article for a new phone brand, one she’d researched extensively. She’d already drafted the piece, opting to present both the positive and negative aspects of the brand. Transparency was her priority, so consumers could make informed choices.

She entered the boss’s office at his invitation and listened as he confirmed the article's deadline. “Tomorrow is the deadline for the phone brand article you were assigned. I trust it’s nearly complete?” he asked, his voice steady and genuine. Laranya nodded confidently, and he smiled approvingly. “Actually, I won’t be the one to review it,” he added, gesturing to a tall man standing next to him. “Shravan here will handle that. Be sure to submit it to him on time. Good luck, Laranya.”

“Sure, sir,” she replied with a polite smile before heading back to her desk.

Shravan didn’t return the smile. Odd. What a strange guy, she thought. Still, she couldn’t help but notice his good looks—Shravan was undoubtedly the most attractive man in the office, but he rarely engaged with anyone other than the boss. Work seemed to be all he cared about. Although Laranya and Shravan had been on speaking terms once, things had changed once Sumit became her boyfriend. She still couldn’t shake the feeling that Shravan’s perpetual bad mood had something to do with her.

As the day wound down, Laranya arrived home, only to be met by her father’s reminder that, at twenty-seven, she should think about settling down soon. Brown parents. She brushed off his suggestion like she did every other time and slipped into bed, ready for the next day.

The following morning, she went to the meeting room, article in hand, and passed it to Shravan for review. He glanced over it with an increasingly irritated expression, and by the time he’d finished, his glare was unmistakable. What have I done wrong now? she wondered.

“How could you write such disparaging things about the company that pays us to promote their product?” he snapped. “If you write negatively, people won’t buy it. That’ll hurt their profits, and ultimately, our jobs could be at risk! Don’t you understand that?”

“Listen, keep your voice down. Isn’t it wrong for us to mislead people by only highlighting the positive?” she countered in a calmer tone.

“I’m not in the mood to argue with you. Let’s talk to the HOD when he returns, and we’ll let him decide.” His tone was icy as he stormed off to his cubicle. What a jerk, she thought. Two days flew by with their respective work keeping them occupied, until finally, the HOD returned and scheduled a meeting with both of them. After hearing each of their perspectives, he decided they should write separate drafts and resolve the issue independently, giving them four days to complete their pieces.

As they parted ways to begin their assignments, Laranya realized she needed a break. Dealing with Shravan’s stubbornness had drained her, so she headed to the cafeteria for some much-needed coffee. As she sipped her drink, her phone pinged with a notification. She opened it to find an image sent from an unknown number: her best friend, Aparna, in a dimly lit room with Sumit. Her heart sank as she swiped through more photos, each more devastating than the last. Aparna was leaning close to Sumit, one of her hands trailing over his half-unbuttoned shirt, her lips pressed to his neck, leaving what would no doubt become a hickey.

Her two closest confidants—the people she trusted most, aside from her family—were betraying her. The sight of her best friend and her boyfriend entwined like that shattered something inside her. Fighting tears, she rushed back to the cubicle, hoping to throw herself into work to distract from the agony.

Shravan joined her, annoyed, yet dutifully setting about his task. He was still upset about the article, but that didn’t matter to her right now. She worked quietly, keeping her head down as the clock ticked toward 10 PM, long past office hours. The rest of the team had gone home, but Shravan and Laranya were still there. Shravan looked over at her once or twice, noting her dazed expression, but he said nothing.

Lost in her pain, she didn’t realize she’d started to cry until she felt a gentle touch on her cheek, brushing away her tears. Startled, she looked up to see Shravan’s intense gaze on her.

“Why are you crying?” he asked, his tone laced with concern despite the faint annoyance lingering in his expression.

“What does it matter to you? Don’t you have work to do?” she shot back defensively.

“I’ve finished for the night. Let me take you home,” he offered.

“I don’t need your help. I can get home on my own. I’m not a child.” She was trying to put up a strong front, but he saw through it. Ignoring her protest, he began packing up her belongings.

“Stop being so stubborn for once. I know what’s wrong, but I’m not going to pry. I won’t tell anyone either,” he said softly, his eyes steady on hers.

She looked away, embarrassed, and murmured, “How do you know?”

He hesitated. “I saw the photos. I’m sorry, Laranya.” She winced but said nothing more as she gathered her things and followed him silently to his car.

As he drove, Shravan cast sidelong glances at her, taking in the sadness in her expression, the quiet defeat in her posture. He knew how much this must hurt her. He himself had fallen for her five years ago, on her first day at work, and had watched her drift away when Sumit entered the picture. Now, he was grateful that Sumit was out of her life, but he wished it hadn’t happened in such a painful way.

He parked outside her apartment and noticed she’d fallen asleep on the ride. He tried waking her gently, but she didn’t stir. Realizing he’d need help, he hurried to her apartment, ringing the bell.

Her father opened the door with a relieved smile. “Shravan, it’s been a long time. Have you seen Laranya? She’s late, and I haven’t been able to reach her.”

“She’s safe, uncle,” he assured him. “She fell asleep in the car. I’ll bring her in.”

He lifted her carefully, carrying her bridal-style into the house. Her father guided him to her room, and he laid her down gently on the bed, covering her with a blanket after slipping off her shoes. Before leaving, Shravan quietly shut the door behind him.

As he turned to leave, Ramesh stopped him. “Wait, sit down for a moment. I’ll get you some water.”

“Thank you, uncle,” Shravan replied, surprised but grateful.

As he handed Shravan the glass, Ramesh studied him thoughtfully. “Have you thought about marriage, son?”

Shravan choked on his water, immediately thinking of Laranya. But he knew she would never consider him in that light, not in her current state.

“It’s getting late, uncle. I should be going,” he said awkwardly, bowing his head as he hurried out the door.

The next morning, Laranya woke to find her father and younger sister grinning at her from the doorway. She blinked, disoriented, as the memories of last night rushed back—seeing those pictures, the silent drive home, Shravan’s concern.

She buried her face in her hands, feeling the sting of betrayal once more but also the lingering warmth of Shravan’s kindness.