Author POV

The house wasn’t the only place where things were changing.

That morning, for the first time in days…

Rhea stepped into the office again.

Not because she was told.

Not because someone asked.

But because she decided to.

And sometimes, the smallest decisions create the biggest shifts.

Malhotra Office – Morning

The office was the same.

Busy.

Professional.

Cold.

Very different from the chaos of the house.

Rhea stood near the entrance for a second, adjusting her dupatta slightly, taking a breath before walking in.

A few employees looked up.

Some recognized her.

Some whispered.

But she didn’t stop.

Didn’t hesitate.

She walked straight toward Karthik’s cabin.

Knocked.

"Come."

She opened the door.

Karthik was sitting behind his desk, focused on his laptop, not looking up immediately.

"I’ll handle the client files today."

That made him look up.

He didn’t expect that.

"You didn’t have to come."

"I know."

Silence.

She walked inside and placed her bag on the side table.

"I still came."

Short.

Simple.

No explanation.

He leaned back slightly, studying her.

"You suddenly decided to work?"

"I was already working."

"You stopped."

"I took a break."

He held her gaze for a moment.

Then said,

"This is not a hobby."

"I know."

"Then don’t treat it like one."

Her tone didn’t change.

"I’m not."

Silence again.

He didn’t argue further.

Just slid a file toward her.

"Check this."

She took it.

No hesitation.

No nervousness.

Just… normal.

Midday – Work Floor

Rhea sat at a desk near the glass wall, going through documents carefully.

Focused.

Calm.

Professional.

Very different from the girl standing silently in the kitchen.

An employee approached her.

"Ma’am, this file needs approval."

She checked it.

"There’s an error in page 3. Fix that first."

The employee nodded quickly.

"Yes ma’am."

Across the floor, Karthik noticed.

He didn’t mean to.

But he did.

The way she worked.

The way she spoke.

No hesitation.

No fear.

And something about that…

didn’t match the version of her he was used to seeing at home.

Entry – Rohan (Unexpected)

"Office mein bhi aap?"

Rohan walked in casually, looking around like he owned the place.

Rhea looked up.

"You came here also?"

"Timepass."

He pulled a chair and sat near her desk.

"Yahan bhi kaam karti ho ya sirf ghar pe?"

She replied without looking up,

"Yahan kaam karti hu. Ghar pe survive karti hu."

He paused.

Then laughed.

"Nice answer."

She almost smiled.

Almost.

From his cabin, Karthik saw that interaction.

Again.

Same thing.

Rohan.

Rhea.

Talking easily.

And that same irritation returned.

Uninvited.

Tension Moment

Karthik stepped out of his cabin.

"Rohan."

"Haan?"

"This is not a café."

Rohan leaned back.

"Relax, I’m not disturbing anyone."

"You are."

He stood up slowly.

"Okay boss."

Before leaving, he looked at Rhea.

"Bye bhabhi, office version interesting hai."

She shook her head slightly.

"Go."

He left.

Silence settled again.

But the effect stayed.

Cabin – Later

Rhea entered with a file.

"This needs your sign."

Karthik didn’t take it immediately.

"You seem very comfortable here."

She placed the file on table.

"I’m working."

"That’s not what I asked."

She looked at him.

Then said calmly,

"I’m not uncomfortable."

That answer—

he didn’t like.

Or maybe…

he didn’t understand.

He signed the file.

"Don’t mix personal and professional."

"I’m not."

"You are."

She held his gaze.

"For that, both sides have to mix."

Silence.

Sharp.

Direct.

Then she added,

"And I don’t bring house things here."

That landed.

Clean.

Precise.

She picked the file and turned.

"Anything else?"

He didn’t answer immediately.

"No."

She walked out.

No hesitation.

No looking back.

Author POV

Something was clearly changing now.

Not loudly.

Not dramatically.

But in small, steady ways.

Rhea wasn’t the same in the house…

and she definitely wasn’t the same in the office.

And Karthik?

For the first time…

he was noticing the difference.

And not liking the fact that…

he couldn’t control it.

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