Everything was going too smoothly.
Too perfectly.
And stories like theirs—
Never stayed easy for long.
That morning—
The office atmosphere felt… different.
More formal.
More alert.
"Sir's father is coming today," Meera informed the team.
Instant silence.
Because everyone knew—
This wasn't just anyone.
Mr. Khurana.
The man behind everything.
The one Arman answered to.
Anika felt a slight tension in her chest.
"Why is he coming?" someone whispered.
"Board review, I think," Meera replied.
Anika nodded silently.
But something felt off.
A few hours later—
The office doors opened.
And he walked in.
Sharp gaze.
Strong presence.
Authority that didn't need to be spoken.
Arman stood straight as he greeted him.
"Dad."
That one word—
Completely different from his usual tone.
Respectful.
Controlled.
Anika watched from a distance.
Observing.
Understanding.
This was a different side of him.
The meeting began.
Senior staff only.
Anika wasn't supposed to be there—
But her project was.
So she was called in.
She entered the conference room.
Calm.
Professional.
But aware.
Mr. Khurana's eyes landed on her instantly.
Evaluating.
Judging.
"You're Anika Kapoor?" he asked.
"Yes, sir."
"You're leading this project?"
"Yes."
A pause.
Long.
Uncomfortable.
Then—
"You're young."
The words weren't a compliment.
Anika held her ground.
"I believe capability matters more than age."
A slight shift in the room.
Bold answer.
Mr. Khurana leaned back.
"Confidence is good."
Another pause.
"But it needs backing."
Arman's eyes flickered toward Anika.
Watching.
Carefully.
The meeting continued.
Questions.
Pressure.
Evaluation.
Anika answered everything.
Calmly.
Logically.
Without breaking.
But still—
Something felt off.
After the meeting—
As everyone started leaving—
Mr. Khurana spoke again.
"Arman. Stay."
Anika stepped out.
But something in her chest tightened.
Inside—
Silence.
Then—
"I don't like it."
Arman's expression didn't change.
"Like what?"
His father looked at him directly.
"Your involvement."
A pause.
"And that girl."
Silence.
Heavy.
Arman's jaw tightened slightly.
"She's part of the project."
"I'm not talking about the project."
That hit.
Straight.
Clear.
"I've seen enough to understand," his father continued.
"And I don't approve."
The words were simple.
But final.
Arman's voice dropped.
"This isn't your decision."
Mr. Khurana stood up.
"It is when it affects your position."
Silence.
Cold.
"You don't mix personal and professional."
"And you definitely don't risk reputation for emotions."
Arman didn't reply.
But his silence—
Said enough.
His father walked past him.
Then stopped.
"One last thing."
He turned slightly.
"If this continues…"
A pause.
"…you won't just lose focus."
His eyes hardened.
"You'll lose more than that."
And with that—
He walked out.
Outside—
Anika stood near the corridor.
Lost in thought.
She didn't hear everything.
But she felt enough.
And when Arman walked out—
Their eyes met.
Something had changed.
Again.
This time—
It wasn't about them.
It was about everything around them.
And for the first time—
Their relationship had a real obstacle.
Not rumors.
Not jealousy.
Not fear.
But reality.