Days turned into weeks.
What started as simple "Good Morning" texts had now become long conversations that lasted past midnight. Sasmita didn't even realize when Srikant became a part of her daily routine.
Every morning at exactly 7:00 AM—
Srikant: "Good morning, Professor. Did you sleep well?"
And every night—
Srikant: "Don't overthink. I'm here."
No one had ever said those words to her before.
At home, nothing had changed. Her stepmother still taunted her.
"Always on your phone! Talking to some useless people?"
Sasmita stayed silent. She never argued. Silence had always been her shield.
But now… that silence was slowly filling with someone's presence.
One evening, after finishing her online class, she felt unusually tired. Her head hurt. She opened Facebook, but she didn't message him first.
Within minutes—
Srikant: "You didn't text today. Are you okay?"
She stared at the screen.
How does he always know?
Sasmita: "Just tired."
Seconds later, her phone rang.
Video Call – Srikant.
Her heart started racing.
She had never video-called him before.
After a few seconds of hesitation… she answered.
The screen lit up.
He was sitting in a well-designed office. White shirt. Calm expression. His eyes looked softer than his photos.
"Why do you look sad?" he asked gently.
Sasmita felt something strange in her chest.
"No… I'm fine."
"You don't have to lie to me."
For a moment, she almost told him everything about her stepmother. About the constant insults. About feeling unwanted in her own house.
But she stopped herself.
They talked for nearly an hour. He made her laugh. He told her about "business meetings" and "deals" he was handling. His voice carried confidence, authority.
Suddenly, in the background, she heard a loud sound. Like something heavy falling.
He turned his head sharply.
His expression changed.
Cold. Serious. Dangerous.
"Give me two minutes," he said and muted the call.
Sasmita noticed men moving behind him. One of them looked injured.
Her heart skipped.
What kind of business was this?
After a few minutes, he returned, smiling again as if nothing had happened.
"Sorry. Small office issue."
She nodded slowly.
But something inside her felt uneasy.
Later that night, Srikant stood on the terrace of a massive building. The city lights flickered below. A man approached him nervously.
"Sir… the shipment is secured."
Srikant's voice turned icy.
"If anyone talks… you know what to do."
His phone vibrated.
Message from Sasmita:
"Thank you for today. I felt better."
His expression softened instantly.
Two sides.
One heart.
One dark empire.
And Sasmita was unknowingly stepping closer to a world she had never imagined.