RUHANIKA'S POV

How fast time changes. It felt like just yesterday when I was jumping in excitement after getting hired at Luxe Legacy, and now I was here to resign. Months had passed like mere hours.

Wait—had I even received my salary? Let's see... a half-day when Dheer took me on a date, a whole week of bed rest, and then... this. Well, there should be something left in my paycheck—enough to flex on Instagram at least.

I made my way inside the company, heading straight to my department. Some of my colleagues, the ones I had bonded with over the months, lit up upon seeing me, but their faces fell when I told them I was resigning. A few others seemed indifferent. Some looked relieved. And a handful, well... they were probably happy to see me go.

After chatting for a bit, I began packing my belongings when Shilpi appeared. She looked sad—no, happy. No, both? It shouldn't have affected me, but it did. I had always looked up to her. She had that undeniable aura, a presence that commanded attention. Confidence dripped from her, effortless and sharp. And her designs? Unparalleled.

I never understood why she had always been so distant with me.

She stopped in front of me, her expression unreadable.

"How are you, Miss Ruhanika? You were on leave again." Her gaze lingered on my face, a little longer than usual.

"I'm fine. Thanks for asking." I resumed packing.

"Well..." She hesitated. "I heard that... umm... are you really resigning?"

I turned to her. Why was she hesitating? This wasn't the Shilpi I knew. The Shilpi I knew never stammered.

"You heard it right."

"Is it because of me?" she whispered, her eyes searching mine.

"What?" The word escaped my lips before I could stop it.

"I know I've been hard on you," she admitted, her voice steady but low. "I know you're good. Your intentions are good. But I just can't trust anyone in this field."

She took a deep breath, then continued. "At the last company I worked for, there was an intern. I taught her everything I knew. She became the closest person to me in that office... and then she betrayed me. The year I was supposed to compete in The Pearl Glam Competition—the dream of every jewelry designer—she framed me. I had to quit my job just a month before the competition."

I saw a flicker of anger in her eyes before it was replaced by something more vulnerable.

"Since then, I've worked hard to get where I am. And when I saw you... I saw the old me. Your designs tell stories, Ruhanika. I admire your talent. But I was scared. I didn't want to lose my place again. I need to win this competition."

She exhaled sharply before adding, "But I want to compete with you fairly." Her voice softened. "If I was the reason you're leaving, then... I'm sorry."

For the first time, I saw a genuine smile on her face—one that wasn't laced with superiority or restraint. She looked... young. Human. Not like the stern headmaster she usually resembled.

I grabbed a bottle of water and handed it to her. "Control, control. Here, drink."

She took it, chuckling softly.

"Thanks for the explanation," I said, tilting my head. "Now I finally understand why you always act like an old... I mean, why you were always so distant with me."

Her lips twitched.

"But trust me, I admired you the most. Your courage, your confidence, your blunt attitude—I admired all of it."

She watched me closely as I continued. "I'm not resigning because of you. I'm resigning because I don't want another controversy staining this company's name. As for the competition..." I leaned in slightly, lowering my voice. "Count me in."

Her brows furrowed. "But how? You're resigning. You can't enter the competition without a company."

I zipped up my bag and turned to her. "You want a fair competition, right?"

She nodded.

"It will only be fair if I resign now."

She blinked.

I  stepped forward and pulled her into a quick hug. "See you at the competition."

And with that, I walked away. My intuition was right—she was a good person. Good enough to let my husband believe that I'm a lesbian for her.

I grabbed my resignation papers and made my way to our boss's office for his signature.

Right now, I'm standing in front of his office, but my courage? Oh, that's somewhere back on the second floor.

Last night, after the second failed attempt at our kiss, we slept like mummies on their deathbeds. We both took our corners of the bed, held our breaths, and lay still. It wasn't until he turned towards me and whispered, "It's okay. You can breathe," that I finally exhaled.

We slept. But in the morning, he once again had a stroke knowing that I am going to resign today.

I took a deep breath and knocked on the door. No reply.

I knocked again. Still nothing.

My mind immediately went back to a scene from a book I had read. The female lead walks into the office and finds her husband making out with his secretary.

Goosebumps formed on my skin. But wait—Dheer has a male secretary.

Oh, thank God.

But... what if he's into him?

What the fuck.

This time, I didn't wait and just barged in. And there he was, smiling like a fool. More like a donkey, actually.

(Please search it on pinterest 😂)

He turned towards me, startled by the sudden noise. Something was suspicious. Why did he shut his laptop the moment his eyes landed on me?

"What are you doing here, Miss Ruhanika?" he asked, acting all boss-like.

Oh, so we're playing this game? Alright, let's play.

"Sir, I need your signature on this document," I said, placing the papers on his table.

He clenched his jaw, grabbed the file, and started reading. After a moment, he slammed it onto the table. "Why do you want to resign?"

Ah, now it's getting interesting.

"Well, sir... actually, I don't want to resign, but..." I trailed off, looking at him.

He looked adorably confused. Like a lost puppy.

"But what?" he asked.

"Actually... my boyfriend doesn't want me to work anymore," I said, lowering my head dramatically.

His hands clenched into fists. Oh God, forgive me for enjoying this way too much.

"Boyfriend?" he asked, his voice tight.

"Yes, sir. My boyfriend doesn't want me to work," I repeated.

He stood up, walked towards me, lowered his head to meet my gaze, and whispered, "Then why don't you leave him?"

He's jealous. He's JEALOUS.

"How can I leave him?" I asked, feigning innocence.

"Just like how you're leaving my company," he replied, staring into my eyes.

He's serious. He's actually upset.

"Sir, please sign the document," I said, trying to get back into character.

"Gimme a kiss," he said.

WHAT?!

My eyes widened. "Sir, I think I heard something wrong."

"You heard it right, Miss Ruhanika. GIMME A KISS."

 "Ghar mein maa-behen nahi hai kya? Tharki saala—"I bl....blurted out,

Shit.

I covered my mouth. My eyes widening as well as his.

He looked straight in my eyes before end up laughing hard.

"What... Ruhi.. You.... Oh goddd, your reaction..." he said in between his laughs.

The sound of his laugh. I could listen to it on loop. It was unfair how effortlessly he could make me blush without even trying.

"You are so cute," he said, pinching my cheek as he tried to control his laughter, though a smile was still stretched across his face, and there were actual tears in his eyes.

And I—yes, I—ended up giving him my most awkward, what-do-I-do-now smile.

I should write a book: How to Embarrass Yourself Without Even Trying.

"Are you signing or not?" I asked, clearing my throat and putting on my serious face.

"Uh, okay," he muttered, probably sensing that I was done playing.

He grabbed the pen, dropped it three times, drank water twice, and finally—finally—signed the damn paper.

I took the file and leaned back in my chair. "So, a while ago, you were basically blackmailing an employee for a kiss in exchange for signing the resignation?" I asked, watching his reaction.

Dheer stiffened. "Ruhi, it was you. I was just joking!" He gulped, reaching for the water glass again, only to realize it was empty.

"Ahh, let... let me order something for you," he said, fumbling with the landline like it was his last hope for survival.

I crossed my arms. "Don't even try to change the topic, Mr. Dheer Rathore."

He immediately put the phone down and sat up straight like a schoolboy caught cheating on a test.

"How dare you say something like that to an employee?" I asked, keeping my voice stern, though it was getting harder to keep a straight face. The man looked genuinely guilty, like I was about to hand him a suspension letter.

"I won't do it again. Sorry," he mumbled, rubbing the back of his neck.

And that was it. I lost it.

Laughter bubbled out of me, and the moment he realized he had been played, he narrowed his eyes. "Ruhi, this is not funny! You bullied me."

"Oh, come on, you should've seen your face!" I managed between laughs. "Absolutely priceless."

He shook his head, but there was a small, defeated smile on his lips.

Ok so now I am going. Don't forget to transfer my salary into my account," I said before grabbing the file.

"Salary?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes, my salary," I replied, not understanding the shift in his tone.

"Ruhi, you were mostly on leave these past two months. The finance department deducts salary for more than two leaves a month, so your salary might actually be in negative," he said, and I had never felt more personally attacked in my life.

Excuse me? Negative? As in, I owe them money? The audacity.

Chillar toh bache honge bhai negative kya hota hai.

"You were the one who took leave on my behalf," I argued, crossing my arms.

"But you were injured and had a fever. You would have taken a leave even if it wasn't because of me," he pointed out logically.

Ugh. Unfortunately, he had a point. But I wasn't about to let him win that easily.

"So what you're saying is, I woke up early in the morning, got ready for the office, left my newlywed husband at home all alone... for nothing?" I said, playing the victim card with my best innocent look.

Dheer pinched the bridge of his nose. "Ruhi, you can't do this to me."

Oh, but I can. And I will.

I hit him with the ultimate weapon—puppy eyes with a pout. Yes, it was cringy, but desperate times call for next-level tactics.

He sighed in defeat, messaged someone, and guess what? My salary would be transferred to my account.

"Bye-bye, work hard for me. Love ya" I said on autopilot before realizing what had just come out of my mouth.

Shit. Shit. Shit.

Run, Ruhi, run. Maybe he didn't hear it. Maybe I can disappear into the void. 

I ran out of the office as fast as I could, my heart hammering against my ribs. Behind me, I could hear Dheer calling my name. "Ruhi! Stop right there! What did you just say?!"

Nope. Not happening. Feet, don't fail me now!

I was out of the building before he could catch me.

I am backkkkk! 🎉

Yes, yes, I know—I took forever. But in my defense, I was drowning in assignments and college records. Send help. 🥲 

Now, coming to the real dealIf this chapter gets 40 comments today, the next one is coming faster than Ruhi running from Dheer! (And yes, I swear I'm actually writing it right now. Not just staring at my screen, questioning my life choices. 😭) But please, no emoji spamming, I beg. Let's keep it civilized.

How was the chapter? Hope it made you laugh a little because... brace yourselves. The upcoming chapters are going to hit harder than my assignments hit my mental peace. 🥲🫂

As always, ignore any mistakes, pretend they don't exist.

Now go, comment, vote, and make my suffering worth it. Love ya! 💖