The arrival of Rahul Rathod changed the rhythm of Rathod Industries.
Not because he demanded attention—
But because Kabir finally noticed what it felt like to be watched.
---
Rahul walked into the office just after noon, dressed casually, confidence effortless. Unlike Kabir's intimidating silence, Rahul carried ease—smiles came naturally to him, conversations followed.
Employees relaxed around him.
Kabir noticed.
"You're enjoying this," Kabir said flatly as they stood inside his cabin.
Rahul grinned. "People breathe easier when you're not around."
Kabir didn't smile.
"I'm here for work," Rahul added. "And to see if the rumors are true."
Kabir's gaze sharpened. "Which rumors?"
Rahul didn't answer. He didn't need to.
---
Their meeting ended when Kabir received an unexpected message.
Aara Sharma is here. Reception.
Kabir's chest tightened.
He hadn't planned this.
---
Aara stood near the lobby, files in hand, when Rahul spotted her first.
"So you must be the intern everyone's afraid to mention," he said warmly.
Aara blinked. "I'm… sorry?"
Rahul laughed. "Relax. I'm Rahul. Kabir's brother."
Her heart skipped.
Brother.
That explained the resemblance—the same sharp features, different energy.
Kabir arrived seconds later.
The shift was immediate.
Rahul noticed the way Kabir's shoulders stiffened. The way his eyes flicked to Aara before anything else.
Interesting.
---
Their conversation was brief but charged.
Kabir kept it professional.
Too professional.
Aara noticed.
And for the first time, it hurt.
---
Later that afternoon, Kavya arrived—uninvited, unapologetic.
She collided with Rahul near the elevator.
"Watch it!" she snapped.
"You ran into me," Rahul replied easily.
They stared at each other.
Recognition sparked.
"You," Kavya said.
"You," Rahul echoed.
Kabir turned slowly. "You know each other?"
"Unfortunately," Kavya muttered.
The tension was immediate, loud, undeniable.
Aara sighed. "This is going to be bad."
---
Their argument followed them into the cafeteria.
"You still think you're always right," Kavya accused.
"And you still argue even when you're wrong," Rahul shot back.
Kabir watched silently—
But his attention kept drifting.
To Aara.
The way she smiled softly at Kavya.
The way she tried to calm the situation.
The way she never once looked at him.
It bothered him.
More than it should.
---
That evening, Kabir and his brothers headed out.
Racing.
Speed.
Control.
Kabir needed it.
The engines roared as the city blurred past them. Rahul glanced sideways.
"You're distracted," he shouted over the noise.
Kabir pushed harder on the accelerator.
"I'm fine."
"You're lying."
Kabir didn't deny it.
---
Later, sitting on the hood of the car, Rahul finally said it.
"You like her."
Kabir's hands clenched.
"No."
"That wasn't a question."
Silence.
Then— "She's not part of our world."
Rahul studied him. "That's what scares you."
Kabir looked away.
---
Meanwhile, Aara sat with Kavya on her bed, exhaustion settling in.
"He scares me," Aara admitted.
"But you think about him," Kavya said.
"That's worse."
Kavya hesitated. "Kabir Rathod doesn't look at people. He claims them."
Aara swallowed.
---
Back at the Rathod house, family dinner unfolded—warm, loud, grounding.
Their mother watched Kabir carefully.
"You're quieter these days," she said.
Kabir nodded. "Work."
She smiled knowingly.
"You were never quiet for work."
Rahul caught Kabir's eye.
The message was clear.
They all knew.
---
That night, Kabir stood alone in the dark.
He replayed Aara's expressions.
Her fear.
Her strength.
Her distance.
His obsession had crossed a line.
And the terrifying truth settled in—
If he didn't change, he would lose her.
But if he changed—
He would lose himself.
Kabir Rathod had never been afraid of loss.
Until now.
And somewhere across the city, Aara whispered into the quiet:
"I don't know how to stay away."
The lines were blurring.
And neither of them knew how to step back.