Chapter 4 – Lines We Shouldn’t Cross

[Scene: Law firm conference room. Files scattered, both looking tired after a long day.]

Anaya: (stretching) "We’ve been at this for six hours. Even the coffee’s given up on us."

Vihaan: (without looking up) "Then maybe you should focus instead of complaining."

Anaya: (mock gasp) "Excuse me? I’ve gone through half these files already. You’d probably still be on page one if I wasn’t here."

Vihaan: (glances at her, smirks faintly) "You talk too much."

Anaya: (smiles, mutters) "And you talk too little."

(A moment of silence as both read. Tension lingers in the air.)

Anaya: (suddenly) "Why did you become a lawyer, Vihaan?"

Vihaan: (pauses, then flips another page) "Because someone had to."

Anaya: "That’s… not an answer."

Vihaan: (finally looks up, voice low) "Not everything needs an explanation, Sharma."

Anaya: (softly) "I think it does. Otherwise… it eats you alive."

(His eyes flicker, something unreadable. He quickly looks away.)

[Flashback insert: College courtroom competition. Younger Anaya whispers to her friend while watching Vihaan present his arguments flawlessly.]

Anaya (whispering to friend): "How does he make it look so easy…?"

Friend: "Because he’s Vihaan Rajput. Untouchable."

(Anaya’s gaze lingers longer than it should. Then, back to the present.)

Anaya: (teasing) "You know, back in college, everyone called you ‘The Iron Wall.’"

Vihaan: (snorts) "And?"

Anaya: (grinning) "And I thought— maybe you had a soft side hidden somewhere."

Vihaan: (dry) "You thought wrong."

Anaya: (eyes soften, mutters) "I’m not so sure."

(He freezes for a second at her tone. Then clears his throat.)

Vihaan: "Focus, Sharma. The hearing’s in two days. Our client’s depending on us."

Anaya: (mock salute) "Yes, sir. Mentor Rajput, the great and mighty."

Vihaan: (raises an eyebrow) "Careful. Sarcasm doesn’t suit you in court."

Anaya: (playful) "Lucky for me, this isn’t court."

[Scene shift: Door opens. A figure walks in — Arjun, their client, looking nervous.]

Arjun: "Um… sorry to interrupt. I just… wanted to thank you both again."

Anaya: (smiles warmly) "Don’t worry, Arjun. We’ve got this."

Vihaan: (nods curtly) "Go home. Sleep. Leave the worrying to us."

Arjun: (hesitant glance at Vihaan, then smiles at Anaya) "Okay… goodnight."

(Arjun leaves. Silence returns.)

Anaya: (leaning back) "You’re too harsh sometimes, you know?"

Vihaan: "Better harsh truth than sweet lies."

Anaya: (soft laugh) "And yet people still trust me more than you."

Vihaan: (smirks faintly) "Because you smile too much."

Anaya: (teasing) "And you don’t smile at all."

(Their eyes meet. The air shifts. For a moment, it feels… different.)

Anaya: (whisper) "Vihaan… do you ever regret—"

[Sudden knock on the door. Both jolt.]

Office Assistant: "Sir, ma’am… we just received notice. The opposing counsel submitted new evidence."

Vihaan: (sharp tone) "What evidence?"

Assistant: (hands over file) "A witness. Someone… from your college days."

(Anaya and Vihaan exchange stunned looks. Tension spikes.)

Anaya: (breathless) "Wait… what? From college? Who—"

Vihaan: (snatches the file, jaw tightening) "It doesn’t matter who. What matters is… we crush them before they crush us."

Anaya: (eyes narrow, whispers) "Unless it’s someone who knows our past…"

(Vihaan slams the file shut. His eyes lock with hers. Cold. Guarded. Something unsaid burns between them.)

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