His Favourite Opponent

Ekansh Vardhan’s office was silent except for the rhythmic clicking of his pen against the polished mahogany desk. His gaze was sharp, his mind already three steps ahead as he waited. The air was thick with an unspoken challenge, a storm brewing beneath his composed demeanor.

A knock echoed through the room.

Kabir stepped in, a thick folder in hand. “Sir, the report.”

Ekansh extended his hand, taking the file with an unreadable expression. He flipped open the cover, his sharp eyes scanning the pages.

Siara Rajawat, 28 years old. Current CEO of Rajawat Industries.

So far, nothing he didn’t already know.

He turned the page, his interest piqued.

Father: Veer Rajawat—former CEO of Rajawat Industries. Well-respected, influential, and known for his strategic mind. Also, her closest support system.

Ekansh’s lips curled slightly. Of course, she would be close to a man like that. Typical father–daughter bond

Mother: Meera Rajawat—renowned interior designer and architect. Owns Rajawat Designs, responsible for numerous high-end projects.

Grandfather: Maharaj Ranvijay Rajawat—the pillar of the Rajawat empire, a man whose word still carried weight.

Uncle: Arjun Rajawat—deeply involved in business operations, handles logistics and acquisitions.

Aunt: Ishaani Rajawat—shares responsibilities in business but keeps a lower profile, involved in charity events mostly for publicity and image retention

Cousin: Rudra Rajawat—formerly appointed CEO but never took the position. Reasons not clearly stated.

Sister: Age : 23.Advika Rajawat—currently studying architecture.

Ekansh raised an eyebrow. “And?”

Kabir hesitated before answering. “There isn’t much on her personal life, sir. She’s extremely private. No personal social media accounts, no unnecessary public appearances outside of business-related events.”

Ekansh hummed in thought, flipping another page.

On the other hand, her younger sister, Advika Rajawat, is quite active online—posting frequently about her outings, travels, and personal life.

A smirk played on his lips. “So, chhoti ko limelight pasand hai aur badi ko shadows?” (The younger one enjoys the limelight while the elder stays in the shadows?)

Kabir nodded. “That’s how it appears, sir.”

Ekansh moved to the next section.

Relationship status: According to sources, currently single. However, confirmation remains uncertain.

His fingers drummed against the desk. “Past relationships?”

Kabir cleared his throat. “Nothing concrete, sir. She has never been publicly linked to anyone.”

Kushal, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke up. “Aap hamesha kehte hain ki business personal nahi hota. Toh phir aaj kisi mai itna interest kyun?” (You always say business isn’t personal. So why the sudden interest today?)

Ekansh chuckled, shutting the file with a quiet thud. “Because she made it personal.”

Kushal shook his head. “Aap jaante hain ki Vardhan aur Rajawat families hamesha se rivals rahein hain. Aapne hamesha unke business par nazar rakhi hai, Magar aaj tak aapne kisi ek Rajawat ki life me itni dilchaspi nahi dikhayi. ” (You know the Vardhans and Rajawats have always been rivals. But you’ve never taken this much interest in any of them before.)

Ekansh leaned back, fingers interlocked. “Kyuki unme se koi bhi, not a single one of them have ever been worth my attention.”

Kushal frowned. “Par ab bhi, yeh sirf ek corporate war hai, na?” (But still, this is just a corporate war, right?)

Ekansh’s smirk deepened. “Nahi, Kushal. Yeh corporate war se zyada hai. Yeh battle of control hai.” (No, Kushal. This is more than a corporate war. This is a battle of control.)

Kushal exhaled sharply. “Siara Rajawat ne aap par koi ehsaan nahi kiya hai, toh udhaar ka sawaal kahan se aaya?” (Siara Rajawat hasn’t done you any favors, so where does the debt come from?)

Ekansh’s gaze darkened. “I don’t keep debts.” His voice was calm, almost amused, but there was a lethal edge to it.

Kushal crossed his arms. “Toh phir yeh kya hai?” (Then what is this?)

Ekansh’s smirk didn’t fade. “She cost me something.”

Kushal’s brows furrowed. “Kya?” (What?)

Ekansh tapped his fingers against the file before flipping to a particular section.

Before taking the CEO position, Siara Rajawat had worked in Rajawat Industries as an employee—without revealing her true identity.

His grip on the paper tightened slightly.

She had implemented strategies that boosted company profits, changed business approaches, and secured multiple deals—all without anyone realizing she was Veer Rajawat’s daughter.

He let out a low whistle. “Smart move, Rajawat.”

Kushal leaned in slightly. “Lekin yeh aapko itna disturb kyun kar raha hai?” (But why is this disturbing you so much?)

Ekansh shut the file with a quiet finality. “Because I underestimated her.”

There was a pause before he continued, his voice quieter this time. “And I don’t make that mistake twice.”

Kushal ran a hand through his hair. “Aap uska har ek move analyze kar rahe hain, har ek detail samajhne ki koshish kar rahe hain. Yeh sirf ek competition nahi lag raha, bhai.” (You're analyzing her every move, trying to understand every detail. This doesn’t seem like just competition, bhai.)

Ekansh let out a low chuckle. “Competition? Ye ek game hai, aur Ekansh Vardhan ko jeetne ki aadat.” (Competition? This is just a game, and I’m used to winning.)

Kushal shook his head. “Lekin aap uski personal life mein itna interest kyun le rahe hain?” (But why are you so interested in her personal life?)

Ekansh picked up the file once again, his fingers tapping against the cover.

“Kyunki mujhe apne opponents ko andar tak samajhna pasand hai.” (Because I like to understand my opponents completely.)

Kushal narrowed his eyes. “Sirf opponent?” (Just an opponent?)

Ekansh chuckled, but it wasn’t his usual arrogant smirk—it was something else. “Agar sirf opponent hoti, toh shayad maza nahi aata. Ab to challenge bhi hai.” (If she were just an opponent, maybe this wouldn’t be as fun. Now she's a challenge too)

Kushal sighed, shaking his head. “Aap pehli baar kisi ke liye itna intrigued lag rahe hain.” (This is the first time you seem this intrigued by someone.)

Ekansh merely smirked, leaning back in his chair.

“Siara Rajawat samajhti hai ki yeh sirf ek professional rivalry hai.” (Siara Rajawat thinks this is just a professional rivalry.)

His fingers tapped against the desk rhythmically, his mind already plotting.

“Woh nahi jaanti ki yeh rivalry ab personal ho chuki hai.” (She doesn’t know that this rivalry has now become personal.)

This wasn’t just about business anymore.

This wasn’t just about an apology.

Siara Rajawat had unknowingly set the board.

And Ekansh Vardhan never played a game he didn’t intend to win.

This was a mind game.

And Siara Rajawat had no idea she had just become his favorite opponent.