AUTHOR'S POV

When the doctor clarified that Kavya had a Panic Attack, Rudra could not think of anything else. Yes, he has met her just once but still it shifted something in him. He paced outside the room, his jaw tight, replaying the moment she collapsed in front of him.

Navika arrived. As she saw Rudra who was waiting outside the room she ran into the room where she saw Kavya's fragile body lying over the bed. Her throat tightened, tears pricked her eyes. She had never seen Kavya this fragile.

Navika had been with Kavya for almost one and a half years and it was the first time when she saw her like this.

She quickly took out her phone from the pocket and dialed someone and asked her to come here as soon as possible.

After around half an hour one more person entered the room where Kavya and Navika were already there. Kavya was still unconscious whereas Navika was sitting on the couch close to Kavya's bed.

The moment the girl's eyes fell on Kavya she ran towards her. Yes she was none other than her best friend--Aaradhya. They became friends just a year ago and whenever they both met Kavya was always so strong and ready to face the world.

She was used to meeting a fiery, unshakable Kavya... but today, seeing her pale and motionless, something cracked inside Aaradhya.

Rudra stepped in.

                   RUDRA'S POV

I stepped inside the room where Navika and Aaradhya were already busy talking.

"The doctor said she had a panic attack." I said. Now all the eyes were on me. For a moment it was complete silence.

"But how could she have a p-panic...attack?" Navika said broking the silence. Even she could not process that she had a panic attack.

"It might be related to her past....maybe??" Aaradhya said.

Kavya's eyes fluttered now. It was me who noticed it first.

                   KAVYA'S POV

As I opened my eyes it took me a minute to register where I am.

I saw Navika and Aaradhya in the room. Then my eyes landed on him who was already staring me. Yess Rudra the lawyer. My chest ached, breath shallow, and my palms were damp with sweat.

"Finally you are awake" he said. Then Navika and Aaradhya turned towards me. Both were equally shocked to see me like this. And reading his face even he was utterly shocked.

"WHAT THE HELL KAVYA. WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU?? YOU HAD A... P-PANIC.. ATTACK" Aaradhya shouted.

Oh shit. Panic Attack in front of him. Now even Navika and Aaradhya know.

'No-no-no. I could not let this happen. No. He couldn't see me like this. Not him. Not anyone.' This was the only thing I could think about..

Rudra took a step forward, but the instant my grip tightened around the blanket, my knuckles white, he paused.

His sharp eyes caught the movement, and without a word, he stopped-keeping just enough distance to make me feel safe.

"Ma'am I hope you are fine. Y-you collapsed suddenly. So I brought you to the hospital." He said and I just nodded still panicked.

It was all because of him that I fear to have male interactions. Minank. This word makes my body stiff. Sweat start rising all over my body. He is the devil because of whom I can't even talk to male normally.

But Rudra... I had to talk to him for the sake of my company. This company matters the most to me. I gave a glance to Navika who understood the signal and went out of the room with Aaradhya.

So now it was just the two of us. The room grew heavy with silence, only the monitor's soft beeps filling the space. All the memories of that day 15-June-2022 returning. It's one of the days I could never forget.

"Thankyou" it was the only word that left my mouth. After hearing this he smiled softly. It wasn't a polite smile-it was warm, almost disarming.

"Can we discuss about the case?" I asked in a tense voice.

"Ma'am you must rest. You are so fragile right now." He said. I didn't expect this. I thought he will just agree because this is his source of earning. But he- he cared for me. He is the first man I am talking to after that day.

"The company matters the most to me." I replied leaving no rooms for argument and this time he simply nodded.

With each exchange, my voice steadied. For the first time in years, I was speaking to a man without trembling-at least not constantly.

After about half an hour discussing about the case, about the false assumptions on our company I- I felt a bit comfortable with him. I was now able to talk to him but the moment he came close I-I panicked.

He noticed this and kept a respectful distance between us.

                    RUDRA'S POV

After discussing the case when i was about to leave the room a sweet voice interrupted. " Tha-thankyou" she said struggling to pretend to be normal. I simply smiled and left the room.

I just met her once and here I am all worried about her. I need to know why she panicked the moment she saw me. She was not at all comfortable talking to me. I want to know everything about her. I don't know why but I need to. 'Why did her pain matter to me? I had met hundreds of clients, but never once had I carried their fear home with me.' These few questions came to my mind again and again.

I called my assistant- Veer and asked him to find everything about KAVYA MALHOTRA.

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That's all for today cutties. Please vote kar dena and comment bhi. And also give your view points about how the book is.