Advika's POV

After lunch, I went to a meeting. Now it is 2 hours past the office closing time and I am still waiting for his return so that I could leave.

It has happened for the first time that he is out of the office so late. I still couldn't forget the way he treated me in the morning and I could not afford to lose this job so I was not left with any other option than to wait for him.

I also informed my brother that I am going to be late so that he could look after my mother.

With a heavy sigh, I reached for my mobile, hoping to pass the time. Just then, he entered the cabin unexpectedly, catching me off guard. I hastily tucked away my phone, not wanting to provoke him again.

"You still here?" he asked, one of his eyebrows raised, surprised to find me still in the office.

He took off his coat and let out a deep sigh.

"I was waiting for your return so that I could head back"

"Oh! I got busy in the meeting so I forgot to inform you that I would be late and just in case the same situation arises in the future, feel free to leave after office hours" he said casually, appearing calm as if he hadn't been the one who shouted at me like a beast in the morning.

I nodded, relieved to hear his words. My bag had been packed and ready for the past two hours. Exhaustion and hunger had taken their toll on me, and all I wanted was to reach home as soon as possible and snuggle in my bed after having dinner.

"Good night, sir"

I swung the door open and was about to step outside when he stopped me in my tracks.

"Wait a second," he called out, causing me to turn around. "It's quite late now. Let me drop you off," he insisted, reaching for his car keys.

"It's alright, sir. I'm used to going home late. I'll be fine on my own,"

He opened his mouth to protest which was quite clear on his face but then he closed it. Taking it as a cue, I left him and came out of the almost empty building.

I reached for my phone to book a cab I found that they were on strike. I waited a few minutes for the city bus but when it didn't come I decided to walk home. I can't wait for the public vehicle all night.

Frustration crippled up in my veins, I don't think it is a good day for me!

As I walked in silence, lost in my own thoughts, the sudden roaring sound of a bike jolted me out of my reverie. I turned around to see two boys, probably younger than me, grinning and showing off their bikes as if they expected me to be lured by their display.

"Where are you going? Let us drop you," the boy sitting behind beckoned, shifting backward to make space for me between them.

Just from their demeanor and the way they looked at me, a wave of humiliation washed over me, causing my body to shudder and goosebumps to rise on my skin. It was a stark reminder of the vulnerability I felt as a woman walking alone at night.

My mood was already sour, and I had no desire to engage in any unnecessary drama so I decided to ignore them.

"Hey cutie, listen to us. We are your well-wishers. You know it is not safe to travel alone at night. What if some jerk got their hands on you?" one of them called out, their words dripping with an unsettling mix of insincerity and lewdness.

I gulped and increased my pace ignoring their lecherous laughs. Ignoring their lecherous laughter, I pushed forward, my heart pounding with a mix of fear and frustration. In a different circumstance, I might have confronted them, teaching them a lesson about respect, but right now I am worried about my mother.

After a few seconds, I couldn't hear the sound of their bike so I thought that they have stopped chasing me.

A wave of relief washed over me but soon I found them standing right in front of me, blocking my way. I looked around and found myself on a deserted road. There was no one around.

"Just leave my way and let me go!" The frustration and anger were quite audible in my voice.

"Oh, looks like we've got ourselves a feisty cat," one of them chuckled, finding amusement in their own feeble joke.

"What if we don't?" the other sneered, grabbing hold of my wrist with a sudden force that caught me off guard.

My past came in front of me and I started shivering. They reminds me of him, every man who tries to touch me reminds me of him, making me paralyzed and blank.

But suddenly I felt a sudden jolt, causing the boy to release his grip on me.

In a dizzy moment, I lost my balance and was about to fall when two strong arms swiftly enveloped me in their safe embrace.

It happened so fast that it took me a minute to register.

When I looked up I found Shravan holding me tightly against his chest. My eyes flicked down when I heard a painful groan and I saw both the jerks lying on the road.

"Embrace your inner strength, be a lioness. Don't look for someone else's help" Shravan's words echoed in my mind, his voice filled with anger.

Only if it was that easy for me. My past still haunts me.

I pushed him away and stood at a distance. I was still in a haze of what just happened when he spoke again,

"Kick them where the Sun doesn't shine. They deserve it"

"Huh?"

"You heard what I said!" Shravan's voice remained firm, his hands nonchalantly tucked into his pants pocket "I am here!"

He stood there, patiently waiting for me to take action, urging me to confront those who had wronged me.

I was already burning in rage but as I was worried so I didn't say anything to them. But now I couldn't hold myself any longer. With a surge of strength, I unleashed a powerful kick, striking them with such force that they would remember it for the rest of their lives. They will forget to take the names of the girl for their entire life let alone even teasing.

"That's like my addu kaddu" he chuckled.

Did he say, 'My' or my ears are ringing?

"Ms. Addu Kaddu" he changed his words but I didn't react.

I am sure that he is doing all this to cover up how he treated me in the morning but it is not bothering me anymore. Yes, I was hurt at that time but it is also true that he is my boss and I have to listen to him. I am tense for my mother.

"Shall we?" Shravan gestured towards his car, extending one arm as an invitation, and this time I did as he wanted without throwing any drama.

"Are you still angry about the way I shouted at you in the morning?" He asked as he started buckling his seatbelt.

I shook my head and looked down at my lap, fiddling with my fingers, unable to form any word as my throat was choked with emotions. I kept my face hidden with my hair.

"What happened then? You don't seem like your usual self," he observed, genuine concern evident in his voice.

I just kept staring down without moving from my place. After a few seconds, I felt his touch as his finger gently brushed against my temple, sweeping away the strands of hair that obscured my face. Tenderly, he tucked them behind my ear, softly uttering my name.

"Advika."

I couldn't stop myself from looking up into his eyes which were shining with purity and warmth.

They say that the eyes are the reflection of the soul and his seems clear from any malice.

"Are you fine?"

No matter how genuinely he asked, still I couldn't muster enough courage to open my mouth to tell him my problem. Before the tears could ditch me and slide down my cheek, I closed my eyes and nodded my head.

He sighed and started the car, understanding my hesitation.

"Please don't take it the wrong way, but maybe this job isn't right for you. It requires a lot of hard work and can take a toll on your mental health. I believe nothing is more important than your well-being. If you want, I can help you find another job with less pressure," he offered as we drove towards my home, his eyes focused on the road.

"But it won't pay as much," I voiced my concern, feeling torn.

He suddenly hit the brakes, surprising me.

"I thought you are doing this job for passion"

"That too" I fiddle with my fingers again.

"I have noticed in the office that you fiddle your fingers when you are nervous or worried about something. If you want you can share what's troubling you" he spoke softly and I couldn't believe that he is the same man.

He waited patiently for me to respond, but when I remained silent, he started the car again.

"My mother needs treatment, and I need money for it," I finally confessed in a quiet voice.

"What?" he exclaimed, clearly taken aback.

~~~~~~~~

First of all, I am sorry for the late update. The other two stories kept me busy the whole month 🥹. This time I would try to give early updates.

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