In His Shadow

A new dawn!

Chapter 1: A New Dawn

Aaradhya sat on the edge of her bed, eyes glued to her phone, waiting for the email that could change everything. The seconds ticked by painfully slow until her phone vibrated, and there it was — the subject line from Rajvansh Industries. Heart thundering, she opened it.

"Congratulations! You have been selected for the summer internship at Rajvansh Industries."

A sharp intake of breath followed by an ecstatic scream escaped her lips. “Mom! Dad! Aditi!” she called, her voice echoing through their home.

Her parents were the first to rush into the room. Her mother, draped in a soft, traditional sari, her eyes glistening with joy, pulled Aaradhya into a warm embrace. “Oh my god, mera bacha! You did it! You actually did it!” Her father, who usually maintained an air of composed pride, had a wide grin on his face. “We knew you could do it. You deserve every bit of this.”

Aaradhya smiled, feeling the overwhelming love and support of her family envelop her. They had always been her strongest pillars, traditional yet open-minded enough to push her towards her dreams.

Aditi burst in moments later, eyes sparkling with excitement. “You got it, didn’t you?”

Aaradhya nodded, and the room erupted in another round of cheers.

“Tonight, we celebrate,” Aditi declared, pulling her into a playful twirl. “Club night, my treat.”

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Later that evening, the club was alive with pulsing music and neon lights that flickered across the crowd. Aaradhya felt a mix of excitement and nervous energy thrumming through her. She glanced around the crowded space, taking in the scene as Aditi handed her a drink.

“Here’s to new beginnings,” Aditi said, raising her glass. Aaradhya clinked hers against it with a smile. The two of them sipped their drinks and moved to the dance floor.

Amidst the flashing lights and throbbing beats, Aaradhya felt a sudden, firm jolt as someone collided with her shoulder. She turned quickly, ready to apologize, when she met the intense gaze of a tall man with striking features.

“Watch where you’re going, girl,” he said, the hint of arrogance clear in his voice.

Aaradhya’s brows furrowed. “Excuse me? You were the one who bumped into me.”

The man’s eyes narrowed slightly, and an amused smirk played on his lips. “Tum ladiya hamesha attention ke liye yeh sab karti ho na?”

Aaradhya’s eyes flashed. “I’m not that kind of a girl. Watch your mouth before you say anything. And for the record, anda toh tum hi ho, mister.”

Rudra’s smirk faltered for a second before he chuckled, a low sound that hinted at intrigue. He found her defiance oddly compelling but shrugged it off. He wasn’t here for drama or the complications that came with relationships. Yet something about her sharp retort planted an unexpected seed of interest.

Aaradhya turned away, brushing off the strange encounter and heading back to where Aditi waited. The two continued dancing and laughing until a shadow loomed behind her. Aaradhya felt a hand on her waist — unwelcome and insistent.

Before she could react, instinct took over. She turned sharply and drove her knee into the man’s stomach, sending him stumbling backward. The commotion caught the attention of several onlookers, including Rudra, who watched the scene unfold from a distance. There was something about her — fierce, unyielding, different.

He shook his head, dismissing the fleeting thought. Infatuation, he told himself, was a waste of time. But he couldn’t deny the curiosity that flickered within him as he watched Aaradhya reclaim her space, eyes still blazing.

“Are you okay?” Aditi asked, pulling her friend into a hug.

Aaradhya nodded, chest heaving from the adrenaline. “Yeah, I’m fine.”

But as the night wore on, she couldn’t shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of something far more complicated than she was ready for.

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The morning sun filtered through the curtains as Aradhya's parents stood at the door, their eyes glistening with pride and love. Her mother, a warm smile playing on her lips, cupped Aradhya’s face gently.

“Beta, pehli naukri hai. Hamesha yaad rakhna, mehnat se badhkar kuch nahi hota. Apna khayal rakhna aur imaandari se kaam karna,” her mother’s voice quivered slightly as she spoke.

Aradhya’s father added, “Aur hum yahan hain, tere saath hamesha. Koi bhi mushkil aaye, yaad rakhna, tera parivaar tere saath hai.” He patted her shoulder with a reassuring nod. The weight of their words sank into Aradhya’s heart, filling her with a mix of excitement and nervousness.

“Haan, Papa, Maa. Main sab yaad rakhungi. Aap dono meri taqat hain,” she whispered, hugging them tightly before stepping out into the bustling streets of Mumbai.

Reaching the towering glass building of Rajvansh Industries, Aradhya took a deep breath, straightened her crisp white blouse, and walked inside. The lobby was grand—marble floors, sleek modern decor, and employees who moved with purpose. She couldn’t help but feel a rush of exhilaration mixed with intimidation.

“Good morning,” a receptionist greeted her, directing her to the elevator that would take her to the 18th floor—where the CEO’s office resided.

As she stepped into the elevator, she was joined by other interns and employees. The chatter was low but charged with anticipation. Aradhya glanced at her reflection in the mirrored walls, giving herself one final nod of encouragement.

The elevator chimed, signaling their arrival. The group moved toward the large double doors of the CEO’s office, where they were to have a brief introduction session. The air was heavy with the scent of polished wood and a touch of jasmine, a subtle reminder of luxury.

“Aradhya,” someone called out from behind. She turned sharply and froze. Standing there, with a mischievous grin and eyes full of surprise, was her brother, Kabir.

“Bhaiya?” she gasped, her voice barely a whisper.

Kabir’s expression shifted from surprise to a proud smile. “So, you’re the new intern everyone’s been talking about?”

Aradhya’s eyes glistened with a mix of joy and disbelief. “I didn’t know you were back in Mumbai.”

“I’ve been keeping a low profile,” Kabir replied with a playful wink. “But looks like I’m in good company now.”

Before she could respond, a deep voice cut through the room, commanding attention. “Alright, everyone, welcome. Let’s get started.”

Aradhya’s gaze shifted to the source—Rudra Rajvansh, the enigmatic CEO himself. Tall, with an air of authority that seemed to silence the room effortlessly, he glanced at the new interns, his eyes lingering on her for just a moment before moving on.

The introduction began, the room buzzing with formality and unspoken tension. Aradhya’s heart thumped loudly in her chest as she stood between the familiarity of her brother and the unknown intensity of Rudra’s presence.

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