☆ SHAURYA ☆

"Aur yeh tha aaj ka episode! Desi siyape ki duniya se RJ Shaurya ab leta hai ijazat. Par yaad rakhna, siyape khatam nahi hote, bas agle episode tak pending mein chale jaate hain!"

I spoke in the microphone, my team already giving me thumbs up since the recording was going as well as expected for our Newly launched Radio show 'Desi Siyape' which- as expected- based on the dramas of typical indian life

As I stepped out of the recording booth, I let out a big sigh and stretched my arms. Another episode of Desi Siyape wrapped up. My throat was dry, but the energy was still buzzing in the air.

Meera, my producer, was already waiting outside, clapping enthusiastically while Ravi, our sound engineer, was leaning against the console with his signature grin.

"Shaurya, kya baat hai!" Meera said, her voice full of excitement. "Aaj toh poora studio hila diya! That biryani wala siyapa? Mazedaar tha!"

I laughed, leaning on the doorframe. "Arre Meera, desi families ka asli entertainment wahi hai - khana aur drama."

Ravi chimed in, shaking his head with a smile. "Aur woh 'chole khane ka nasha' wali line? Bhai, ekdum sahi baithi! Listeners pagal ho jaayenge!"

I grinned, running a hand through my hair. "That's the goal."

Just then, Pooja, our intern, walked in holding her phone. "Guys," she said, her eyes wide, "abhi se messages aana shuru ho gaye! Listen to this one! Mrs Sunita ne likha hai - 'Aapke show ne mera BP normal kar diya.'"

I couldn't help but laugh and mock-bowed dramatically. "Sunita aunty ko bolna, 'picture toh abhi baki hai mere dost- oh nahi, respect your elders- aunty"

Meera burst out laughing, others joining her soon. "Haan haan, Sanskar toh dekho ladke ke"

Their laughter was contagious, but that wasn't the top concern on my mind right now. Not with the 5'3 woman i had just dropped off at the bus stop some hours back and who had not left a single chance to taunt or talk back the whole ride to city.

And bhai says I'm the one with sharp tongue? Baat karke dekho apni 'behen' se.

I scoffed internally at the memory of interaction she had with everyone before we left, acting all goody two shoes. Guess i am an exception in her list of giving smiles and sweet words to everyone.

"Guys, tum log continue karo....I'll leave the rest to you?" I asked and they gladly let me off as i took the elevator to the parking lot, letting out a sigh and dropping the smile, relaxing my tense as hell muscles and jaw

This was another part i hated about this persona, the constant smiling which was tiring and hurt damn every muscle in the face but you have to have it up to be the most happy and approachable person in the existence of humanity

Did i like it? No. Did i do it? Fucking nailed it

As i sat in the car, the scent of jasmine and warm vanilla filled my surroundings- her scent. My eyes closed and i rest my head on the headrest for a second, letting her warmth that was still in the car envelope me and a strange sense of calm filled me, replacing the tiredness from minutes ago

I was slowly getting attracted to Divya, and there was no denying in this moment that she-

My eyes snapped open and i sat straight, immediately letting the windows open to get rid of this intoxicating scent and drived out of the parking lot.

Shaking my head to snap out of whatever teenager hormones had corrupted my head, i relaxed back on seat as i drove to Aadarsh bhai's office.

No way can i let her, out of everyone be an exception. Divya Desai is a walking disaster. A possible threat to my goals and i am going to avoid her for the sake of my own sanity

The scrunchie in your pocket tells another story though

My subconscious taunted and i tuned it out the very same moment. This fucker never leaves a chance to taunt me. Just like her. Perfect!

As i drove, my eyes land on my phone and a not so evil idea comes in my head. Time to return the favour to our sweet girl. A smirk formed on my face as i dialled a number and waited. Exactly three rings later, a deep voice answered

"i asked you not to bother me when I'm on a mission, Bastard!"

he said it so calmly that I'd have believed he was on a beach in Hawaii relaxing while sunbathing had it not been for the groans and whimpers of the men he, i assume was fighting- or as per his words, toying with.

"You don't seem so occupied to me" i taunted knowing he'd be annoyed and as predicted, a sigh was heard from his side before he answered

"Cut to the chase"

"Nothing special you see. Just wanted to tell you about this one visitor we had last night" i mused, clearly fucking with his brain cuz anyone who was acquainted with this man knew that he could tolerate mind games about as much as an OCD patient could tolerate dirt.

And that's what made the game all the more fun.

"Gossip with your brother. I'm busy" he scoffed

"Hmm...That reminds me! Where is your sister, Aditya Desai?" I asked casually, the mock barely concealed my amusement. Afterall, there were only a few buttons that could trigger this bastard

There was dead silence from his side for 10 whole seconds before i heard a loud gun shot and i knew i had successfully unleashed the bull in binding.

"What the hell do u mean by that?" He asked and i whistled leisurely, parking my sleek black Ferrari Roma outside bhai's office and strolled inside, signature smile plastered across my face partially due to being in public and partially enjoying this game.

"Answer me, damnit! What the fuck did you mean?" Aditya's voice boomed and i knew he was fuming in anger by now

"A certain 5'3, sharp tongued and a little too silly for her own good woman stayed at our winter villa last night on outskirts of pune." I stated and took an elevator to Aadarsh's office

"And she might or might not resemble a certain little sister of my good old friend, you see." And now i regret not Face Timimg instead of this stupid call . Bet his face would be worth million dollars and would make a good stress reliever for next whole month.

"Stop fucking with me Shaurya. Tell me clearly. Is Divya with you?" He asked and i snickered, entering bhai's office without bothering to knock and made myself at home on his office couch

"Not now." I answered and looked at Aadarsh who just sighed at me barging in...if only he knew what fire i was pouring kerosene in right now

"What do you mean NOT NOW!? I swear- if you want your neck intact, start speaking." he threatened, clearly on edge as i heared a roar of engine in background. Good. If i wasn't sure before about having pushed his buttons, now i am.

"Dropped her off on a bus stand. And let me tell you this since we're such good friends, Adi. She didn't look like she just landed in pune and was on a leisurely stroll of the most deserted areas of Pune-"

Aadarsh's eyes widen the moment those words left my mouth and he stood up from his chair, reaching me in 3 long strides and snatched the phone to look at the caller id and the amount of self control i had to use to not burst into a fit of laughter at his wide eyes expression was seriously commendable

See? Triggering 2 people who show emotions a tad bit more than what an ice berg is capable of.....This is what blowing off steam means

I sat up, still barely holding back a good laugh as Aadarsh glared and the next half an hour passed with him pacifying and giving details of the situation to Aditya who was about to return back to India, abandoning the mission he was on.

"All in all, Divya is fine and my shadows are guarding her right now." Aadarsh explained

"And what about those i had assigned to her?" Aditya questioned, an underlying fury in his tone as Bhai answered him in one word

"Dead. We assume that the fucker following her got rid of them beforehand-" a pause

"which also means he wasn't a regular stalker or psycho....he knew about Divya and the shadows guarding her and got rid of them in a location no one would easily show up for help."

"It was a stroke of luck your sister ran into my brother, Adi. And that fucker has yet to open his mouth about who sent him. But i won't be surprised if it was EVER sending people to target your family since you are openly working against them right now." I added, my fingers tapping thrice on the table as we heard a sigh from the other side of call

"Thank you." He said and i paused drumming my fingers. That's new

"Help me keep an eye on her. I'll return after handling the mess here. We are closer to our guy this time" he stated, his voice calmer than earlier and i was about to throw another teasing remark but Aadarsh beat me to it

"Alright. Handle your side." He said and i was about to hang the call but the next words that left his mouth made my jaw drop

"I'll send Shaurya to keep an eye on her." Aadarsh said, a smirk on his lips as his whole face subtitled

'That's your payment for the stunt you pulled'

What Bullshit?

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