Ruh ki Thirkan

Chapter 41: The Cold War

The studio buzzed with its usual energy the next morning, but for Ishika, it felt like the weight of the world was pressing down on her shoulders. She entered the building with a determined expression, head held high, but inside, her thoughts were in turmoil. The previous night’s confrontation with Arav had left her emotionally raw, and the coldness in his eyes when he had called her "Miss Kapoor" lingered like an unwelcome guest in her mind.

He wasn't just hurt. He was angry. And that anger had turned into something she couldn’t break through.

Ishika strode into her office and threw herself into work, hoping to drown her thoughts in spreadsheets and contracts. Her father's expectations loomed large as ever, and the responsibilities she had taken on after returning from Paris seemed endless. But no matter how hard she tried, her mind kept drifting back to Arav.

Why did it still affect her so much? Why did every sharp word from him sting like an open wound?

Her phone buzzed, pulling her out of her thoughts. It was her mother.

"Beta, how is the project coming along? Will you be able to handle everything in time for the upcoming merger?" her mother's voice was calm but laced with the usual undercurrent of expectation.

Ishika sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Yes, Maa. Everything is on track. I’ll be visiting the site later today."

"Good. Your father and I are counting on you. You know how important this is for the family."

"I know," Ishika replied softly, the weight of her family’s reliance settling heavily on her chest. "I won’t let you down."

Her mother paused for a moment before continuing. "Ishika, I know things have been difficult for you since you returned, but remember, your duty to the family comes first."

Ishika swallowed the lump in her throat. "Of course, Maa."

As she hung up the phone, she felt the familiar mix of guilt and frustration rise within her. Her family had always been her priority, but there were moments when the sacrifices she had made seemed unbearable.

And now, with Arav back in her life, everything felt even more complicated.

---

Across town, in the heart of his elite dance studio, Arav Malhotra stood in front of his dancers, barking out commands with an intensity that had everyone on edge. His sharp eyes watched every move, and his strict corrections echoed through the room.

"That’s not how you execute a pirouette!" he snapped, clapping his hands. "Again! From the top!"

His dancers, already drenched in sweat, nodded and positioned themselves for yet another grueling run-through. They knew better than to question Arav’s orders. Ever since Ishika had returned, he had been more ruthless than ever, pushing them to their limits, demanding absolute perfection.

But no matter how much he threw himself into his work, Ishika's face still haunted him. Her voice, her eyes, the way she had looked at him the previous night—it was all too much. The anger he felt wasn’t just about her leaving. It was about the way she had made him feel… vulnerable.

He hated it.

"Focus!" Arav shouted as one of the dancers stumbled. "If you can’t keep up, you’re out of this routine."

The young dancer mumbled an apology, her face pale with fear, and the group started again. Arav’s harsh gaze never left them, but inside, he was battling his own storm.

Why did it still bother him so much? Why did Ishika Kapoor still have the power to make him feel like he was losing control?

After another grueling hour, the rehearsal finally ended, and the dancers dispersed, leaving Arav alone in the empty studio. He stood in the center of the room, staring at the mirrored walls that reflected back the image of a man who had everything—fame, success, respect—but felt hollow inside.

He clenched his fists, trying to shake off the thoughts swirling in his mind, but it was no use. The more he tried to forget her, the more her presence lingered in the corners of his thoughts.

"Miss Kapoor," he muttered under his breath, his voice dripping with bitterness.

---

Meanwhile, Ishika was visiting the construction site for Kapoor Industries’ new project, her mind still distracted by the confrontation with Arav. She walked through the half-built structure, inspecting the progress and speaking with the site manager, but even as she tried to focus on her work, her thoughts kept drifting.

Arav. Always Arav.

She hated how much space he took up in her mind, how his coldness affected her so deeply. She had spent two and a half years trying to bury those feelings, trying to convince herself that she had made the right choice by leaving everything behind. But now, being back in the same city as him, she couldn’t ignore the pull.

"Miss Kapoor?" the site manager’s voice pulled her out of her reverie. "Everything looks good on schedule."

"Good," Ishika replied, her voice steady but distant. "Keep me updated on any changes."

She turned to leave, her heels clicking against the concrete floor as she made her way to her car. As she sat in the driver’s seat, she took a deep breath, her hands gripping the steering wheel tightly.

Why did he still have such a hold over her?

She shook her head, trying to clear her mind. She had a business to run, a family to answer to. There was no room for distractions—especially not ones as complicated as Arav Malhotra.

But deep down, she knew that ignoring him was easier said than done.

---

The next day, fate intervened once again.

Ishika was in a meeting with her team at Kapoor Industries, discussing the final stages of their marketing campaign for the upcoming launch. The meeting was going smoothly until one of her assistants knocked on the door, interrupting the conversation.

"Excuse me, Miss Kapoor," the assistant said, nervously shifting her weight from one foot to the other. "There’s someone here to see you… a Mr. Malhotra."

Ishika’s heart skipped a beat. She hadn’t expected this—hadn’t expected him to show up here, of all places.

"Send him in," she said, her voice betraying none of the turmoil she felt inside.

The door opened, and Arav Malhotra walked into the room, his presence commanding as ever. He was dressed sharply, his expression cold and unreadable as his eyes locked onto hers.

"Miss Kapoor," he greeted her, his tone formal, almost mocking. "I believe we need to discuss the upcoming project."

The room fell silent as the tension between them became palpable. Her team, sensing the unspoken history between the two, exchanged glances but remained quiet.

"Of course, Mr. Malhotra," Ishika replied, her voice steady, though her heart raced. "Let’s discuss the details."

As they sat across from each other, the weight of everything unsaid hung in the air. Arav’s eyes bore into hers, and for a moment, it felt like they were the only two people in the room.

The cold war between them was far from over. And as much as they both tried to deny it, the walls they had built were starting to crumble, brick by brick.

___

Lots of Love
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