Part 4
The ETF team is in full swing. Shree and Chotu are at their desks, barely containing their laughter as they talk in hushed tones. Their usual target? Riya, of course. They can’t resist teasing her about Arjun. It's become their favorite office sport, especially since Arjun has been unknowingly giving them so much material to work with.
"Yaar, Chotu," Shree says, leaning toward his best friend, "Arjun sir really seems to care about Riya. Did you see him today? I mean, really look at her. He doesn't even care about his cold exterior anymore."
Chotu grins mischievously. "Haan, exactly! And have you noticed how she blushes when he says something even slightly... sweet? It’s like she’s melting!"
Riya, sitting nearby, tries to focus on her work, pretending she isn’t hearing every word. But it’s hard to ignore the fact that they’re clearly talking about her and Arjun, and the teasing always leaves her more flustered than she’d like to admit.
Just as she’s about to respond, she hears the familiar sound of footsteps approaching — heavy, purposeful, and all too familiar. She tenses up, her heart rate increasing, and before she can even process it, Arjun is standing in front of them, his eyes locked onto Shree and Chotu with a cold, piercing stare.
"Shree, Chotu," Arjun’s voice cuts through the air like a blade. "What exactly are you two doing?"
The two men freeze, caught off guard by the sudden appearance of their usually stoic boss. They exchange quick, nervous glances.
"Uh... Arjun sir, we were just—" Shree starts, but Arjun doesn’t let him finish.
"Work," Arjun interrupts sharply, his gaze unwavering. "That’s what you’re supposed to be focused on. Not gossiping or making unnecessary comments about your colleagues."
Shree and Chotu look down, clearly caught, their faces flushed with embarrassment. Riya, who had been trying to pretend she wasn’t listening, feels the heat rise in her own cheeks as she watches Arjun reprimand them.
Arjun turns his head slightly, giving Riya a brief look — just a flicker of acknowledgment. He doesn’t say anything directly to her, but the way he looks at her in that moment makes her heart skip a beat. The unspoken communication between them is enough for her to know that he’s aware of the teasing, but he won’t let it slide.
"Next time, keep your focus on the job. This is the ETF, not a gossip corner," Arjun says, his tone firm, though there’s a slight edge of something else in his voice — something almost protective.
Without waiting for a response, he turns on his heel and walks away, leaving Shree and Chotu stammering in his wake.
"Ye kya hua?" Chotu mutters under his breath, trying to recover. "Bhai, kabhi socha nahin tha Arjun sir hum dono ke liye aise... scary ho sakte hain!"
Shree laughs nervously. "Yaar, jab se Riya recovery se wapas aayi hai, Arjun sir kuch zyada hi serious ho gaye hain."
Riya, now slightly more embarrassed than ever, tries to ignore their teasing glances. Why does he always make everything so complicated?
Later that day, Riya finds herself back at her desk, buried in a pile of reports. She’s not paying attention to the world around her when she feels a presence at her side. She looks up, and there stands Arjun, his eyes fixed on her with an intensity that immediately makes her heart race.
"Riya," he says, his tone direct, "you’re still working on this case? Didn’t I tell you to take a break earlier?"
Riya, startled by his sudden appearance, stammers, "I-I’m fine, Arjun sir. Just finishing up some details. I... I won’t be long."
Arjun stands there, unmoving. His gaze remains on her, though there’s a quiet force in the way he watches. "You’re pushing yourself again," he says, his voice low but firm. "You won’t be of any use if you run yourself into the ground."
Riya shifts uncomfortably under his gaze, feeling the weight of his words. "I know, but... I want to get everything back on track," she murmurs, looking away from him, suddenly very aware of the distance between them.
Arjun doesn’t move. Instead, he steps closer, his presence consuming the space around her. He’s still the same stoic man, but there’s something in the way he holds himself now — a subtle change, an unspoken awareness.
"You’re already back on track," he says, and there’s a strange softness in his voice. "But you won’t stay that way if you don’t take care of yourself."
Riya’s breath hitches as he takes another step closer, and for a moment, she feels trapped by his proximity. The tension between them grows thicker, but Arjun doesn’t seem to notice. He leans slightly forward, his hand resting on the back of her chair, so close that she can feel the heat radiating from him.
For a brief second, their eyes meet, and Riya is certain that he sees the confusion and uncertainty in hers. She’s always been a little nervous around Arjun, but now... now, it feels like something else is beginning to stir. Is he being kind? Or is he... testing me?
Arjun doesn’t say anything for a moment. He simply watches her, his expression unreadable. Then, in his usual fashion, he breaks the silence with one final, almost teasing remark.
"Samjhi ya samjhaun?" he asks, the words hanging in the air.
Riya blinks, her face flushing even deeper. She can’t help but feel like he’s deliberately teasing her, using his classic line with an almost too deliberate tone. She stammers, trying to hold her composure. "S-Samajh gayi, Arjun sir."
Arjun smirks, taking a step back. "Good," he replies curtly, turning on his heel and walking away. But just as he reaches the door, he pauses and glances back over his shoulder, his voice cool but carrying a hint of something more.
"And don’t overwork yourself again. I won’t tell you twice."
Riya watches him leave, her heart still pounding in her chest. Why does he do this to me? she wonders. The brief exchange left her feeling dizzy, and she can’t quite place why. But it’s clear now that Arjun knows exactly what effect he has on her — and, much to her own surprise, it seems he enjoys it.
The next day, Riya finds herself in the conference room with the rest of the team, reviewing case files. The usual chaos is underway — discussions, phone calls, and the hum of activity fill the room. Everyone is busy, but there’s something about the quiet interaction between her and Arjun that keeps catching her attention.
She’s absorbed in her own work when she feels someone behind her, hovering just a bit too close. Without thinking, she turns around, and as she does, her shoulder accidentally brushes against Arjun’s chest. The contact is brief, but it’s enough to make Riya freeze, her heart leaping into her throat.
She pulls back quickly, eyes wide. "S-sorry, Arjun sir!" she stammers, her voice thick with embarrassment.
Arjun, however, seems unfazed. He looks down at her for a moment, and then, without a word, places his hand on the back of her chair, his fingers brushing her shoulder lightly as he moves to stand beside her.
"Careful," he murmurs, his voice low and calm. "You might hurt yourself."
Riya’s mind races as she processes the unexpected intimacy of the moment. His hand lingers just a fraction of a second longer than necessary, and Riya feels her face flush in response.
"I... I’ll be careful," she whispers, her voice barely audible as she avoids looking directly at him.
Arjun simply nods, his usual stoic demeanor in place, but there’s an unreadable quality in his gaze. He doesn’t say anything further, but the interaction leaves Riya feeling flustered and disoriented.
She watches him walk away, his presence still lingering in the room long after he’s gone.
As the days pass, Riya can’t shake the feeling that something is changing between her and Arjun. His usual coldness is still there, but now, there are moments — brief, fleeting — where he seems to notice her in ways he didn’t before. He’s still the same stoic, brooding man, but the teasing, the subtle care, and the unexpected touches make her heart race in ways she never expected.
Riya tries to focus on her work, but it’s getting harder to ignore the quiet storm that brews between them. Every time Arjun looks at her, every time their paths cross, she feels that same rush of emotion — confusion, excitement, and something else she can’t quite name.
And Arjun? He remains the same. Stoic. Focused. But there’s something in the way he looks at her now
— something that speaks volumes without ever saying a word.
End
If you’d like for more, I may add a few more parts 🥰. Please drop your creative criticism! Thank you & hope you enjoyed!
Love,
Saraf
Edited by SarafWasima - 7 months ago
Glad you’re liking it! 
Ufff Yeh Love Hai Mushkil
Jhanak
Bigg Boss 19
Bade Achche Lagte Hain Naya Season
31