Rudra's POV

Jatin said. "Sir, here's the information about Arsh Verma's fiancée." He handed me a photograph.

I took one glance at the image and froze.

Ekanshika Malhotra?

The same woman from 2 years earlier. The woman Arsh was using for money.

Jatin looked at my expression and asked, "Sir, everything alright? Is there something wrong? "

I just nodded my head in no and moved towards my office. I sat on my chair and looked at the photo in my hands. I stared at the photo, my fingers tapping lightly against the polished mahogany desk. The image in front of me shouldn't have mattered. It was just another woman-another name in a report. And yet, I couldn't tear my eyes away. The only thing that was running in a loop in my mind is-

Ekanshika Malhotra.

Arsh Verma's fiancée.

Jatin was telling me about the progress on the project but I was lost somewhere else. Jatin's voice had faded into the background and I wasn't able to focus on anything but her name, his usual crisp report dissolving into white noise as the realization sank in. The moment I layed my eyes on her photo, I had recognized her instantly. That face, those expressive eyes- how can I forget them.

The memory surfaced before I could push it down.

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Flashback - A Hilltop Road, Two Year Ago

The air had been thin, crisp with the scent of pine and damp earth and the wind was sharp, cutting through the silence of the hills as I stood near the edge, staring at the endless valley below. The trip was nothing more than business-meetings, deals, and signatures-but I had stolen a moment of solitude, away from the chaos. My driver, Rakesh, stood a few feet away, speaking on the phone, when suddenly-

Crack.

Before I could register what was happening, the loose rocks beneath my feet shifted. A sharp jolt shot through my leg as I lost balance, stumbling back. I barely managed to steady myself, but a stray rock had already done its damage, scraping against my arm.

"Sir!" Rakesh's panicked voice rang out as he rushed toward me.

I exhaled sharply, looking down at the small cut on my arm. It wasn't deep, but the blood trickling down irritated me. "It's nothing," I muttered, brushing it off.

Rakesh, however, was not convinced. "Nahi, sir! Aap baithiye, main koi madad dhoondta hoon!" Without waiting for my response, he rushed off toward a group of tourists nearby.

("No, sir! Please sit down, I'll find some help!")

I sighed, shaking my head. The last thing I needed was unnecessary attention.

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Ekanshika's POV

The trip had been refreshing-a much-needed break from the daily hectic routine. My friends, my sister Anya and I were taking in the breathtaking view in front of us.

I got a message on my phone and it was from my bestie, Naina.

I kept my phone in my sling bag and we decided to move further. We were just chilling and talking when I noticed a man running frantically toward us.

"Madam, aapke paas koi first-aid hai? Humare sir ko chot lagi hai aur unhe first-aid ki zarurat hai." he said, his voice laced with urgency.

("Madam, do you have any first aid? Our sir is injured and needs immediate care.")

I followed his gaze and saw the man he was talking about-a tall, striking figure in a dark suit, standing near the edge of the hill, holding his arm. His face was calm, almost indifferent, but the blood on his sleeve said otherwise.

I didn't think twice before stepping forward. "Usse doctor ke paas le jaana chahiye," I said, moving past the driver.

("He should be taken to a doctor.")

As I approached, I could feel his gaze shift toward me, unreadable and intense.

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Rudra's POV

A woman walked toward me with effortless confidence. Dressed in a pastel green kurta and black jeans, the light fabric moved with the wind, her long, dark hair cascading over her shoulders. Her eyes-sharp, observant-were fixed on my arm.A small group of friends lingered behind her, watching curiously, but she paid them no mind.

"Aap theek hain?" she asked, her voice firm yet concerned.

("Are you okay?")

I glanced at my arm dismissively. "It's just a scratch."

She frowned, clearly unimpressed. "Wounds just nahi hote, infection ho sakta hai. Baithein, main dekh leti hoon."

("Wounds don't just heal instantly; they can get infected. Sit down, let me take a look.")

For a second, I considered refusing, but something about the way she said it made me sit down on the nearby rock. She quickly pulled out a small first-aid kit from her bag.

"You carry this around?" I asked, watching as she carefully tore open an antiseptic wipe.

"Travel mein zaroori hota hai," she replied. As she dabbed antiseptic onto the wound, I barely flinched, more focused on the way her brows furrowed in concentration. The sting was sharp, but her touch was steady, almost practiced.

("It's essential while traveling.")

I studied her face while she focused on the wound. She was beautiful-not in an obvious, made-up way, but effortlessly. Like she didn't have to try.

She taped a bandage over the cut and looked up. "Done. Ab please kisi doctor ko dikhaiye."

("Done. Now please consult a doctor.")

"Chhoti si chot hai, I'm fine," I replied, my voice edged with impatience.

("It's just a small injury, I'm fine.")

She didn't back down. "Chhoti si chot kabhi kabhi badi ho sakti hai. You should consult a doctor."

("A small injury can sometimes become serious. You should consult a doctor.")

I smirked slightly. "Doctor ki zarurat nahi hai, but thanks."

("I don't need a doctor, but thanks.")

She sighed, shaking her head. "Aap boht ziddi hai."

("You are too stubborn. ")

"Aur aap boht bossy," I countered.

("And you are too bossy. ")

A small smile tugged at her lips. "Achi cheezein follow karni chahiye."

("Good things should be followed.")

"I will... From now onwards. " I said, while making an eye contact with her.

Before she could respond, one of her friends called her name. "Ekanshika, chal na!"

("Ekanshika, come on. ")

Ekanshika.

She turned back to me one last time. "Aap apna khayal rakhna, aur ek daffa doctor ko dikha lena. "

("Take care of yourself, and please see a doctor once.")

I sighed before answering. "Ok ok ."

She nodded and walked away. I watched as she joined her friends, her presence disappearing into the crowd, but the name lingered.

Ekanshika.

A stranger. A brief encounter. But for some reason, she had my attention.

And that rarely happened.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Back to the Present,

Now, here she was again-this time not as a passing stranger but as the soon-to-be wife of a man I already didn't trust.

I leaned back in my chair, the weight of the revelation settling over me. This changed things. It wasn't just another business deal anymore.

"Jatin." My voice was steady, but there was a new edge to it.

"Yes, sir?"

"Look deeper into this engagement. I want to know everything about it."

Jatin gave a sharp nod and left the room.

I glanced at the photo of Ekanshika one last time before closing the file.

Arsh Verma had no idea what was coming.

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To be continued....