The Royal Tatvas

Chapter 6

Aditi was assigned her desk and briefed with some important instructions. She settled in and began working on a file, carefully scanning the contents, figuring out the changes she needed to make.

Just then, a sharp voice interrupted her concentration.

"So, you're new here," said a girl with an unmistakably rude tone.

Aditi's POV

I was trying to make sense of the paperwork in front of me, just about to mark the necessary corrections, when I heard a girl's voice behind me.

"So, you're new here," she repeated, oozing fake authority.

I turned to respond, but she didn't let me.

"Anyway, I don't care. But listen to me carefully—your job is to keep up with the latest gossip around the office and report everything to me. Got it? Better get it. And by the way, you'll address me as ma'am. Kriti Ma'am."

Who does she think she is?

I had seen her earlier, sitting like every other employee, doing regular work. Nothing special about her. Just another ordinary face in the crowd. Despite her attitude, I chose to ignore her and returned to my file.

That clearly annoyed her.

She slammed my file shut and stared me down with a full dose of attitude.

What a brat.

But I knew she wouldn't leave so easily. So I smiled sweetly, got up slowly, and—

Picked up a glass of water and emptied it right over her head.

The water poured down her hair and soaked her entire dress. Gasps echoed around the office, followed by laughter. I looked at her calmly and said, "Wake up, princess. And get back to your job."

The laughter grew louder.

To my surprise, I still had a small towel and an extra top in my handbag—I'd probably forgotten to take them out after yoga. I handed both to her. She snatched them and stormed off, completely humiliated.

Finally, peace.

I returned to my desk and began working again. But my mind... well, it refused to cooperate. That guy I'd asked about my lost earring kept popping into my head. Again and again, that moment replayed like a reel on loop.

His voice was deep, but soft. Calming. And when he had touched me... it was just for a moment, but I'd felt butterflies. What the hell was wrong with me? I didn't even know him.

Ugh. I'm going mad.

I quickly took a sip of water and forced myself to focus.

End of POV

8:00 PM

Aditi stood at the edge of the footpath, waiting for her cab. The sky had darkened, and office cars were slowly exiting the premises. One of them—Yug's—pulled out from the gate.

Suddenly, someone tapped her on the shoulder.

She turned—and there he was.

Yug.

Dressed in a crisp white shirt and formal pants, with that same charming smile on his face.

"Hi. Aren't you the girl who was looking for her earrings?" he asked casually.

Aditi felt a smile tug at her lips before she could stop it. There was something so familiar, so warm about his presence.

"Yes," she replied politely. "Seems like you work nearby too?"

Yug nodded. "I work right here."

They talked for a few seconds, and just then, Aditi received a notification on her phone.

Cab cancelled.

She frowned—and caught Yug sneaking a glance at her screen. The subtle grin on his face said it all.

"Hff... Now what?" she muttered. "Okay, I'll leave."

As she turned to go, Yug gently stopped her. "You're going to walk home?"

She nodded, not thinking much of it.

He sighed. "I can drop you. No worries."

She hesitated. "No... but thank you for asking, Yug. You should go."

Yug's POV

Of course she didn't trust me. Why would she?
She barely knows me.

The moment I saw her—those blue eyes, that familiar fire—I knew. It couldn't be a coincidence. And if it is... well, I'll make sure it's not.

Nikhil told me about her cab, how she was waiting. I saw my opportunity. And I took it.
Cancelled it. Just like that. Because I wanted time. Alone. With her.

When I stepped out of my car, I saw that same spark in her eyes that used to challenge me as a kid. I wanted to see if it still burned the same way.
And it did.

She has no idea how easily people trust smiles. How comforting a calm voice can be. I've mastered both.

But make no mistake—I don't play fair. I never have. And I never will.

When she refused the lift, I didn't insist. I let her walk away. She needed to think she was still in control. That she had a choice.

I'll give her that illusion for now.
But eventually—she'll come to me. Whether she wants to or not.

Because what I want, I get.
Always.

And Aditi Rathore... is no longer just some coincidence.

She's my unfinished past.