Meanwhile, on the other side, in Chennai, the morning at Rodrigues Industries had begun in a manner completely different from the emotional farewell taking place at the airport.
The headquarters of Rodrigues Industries stood proudly in the heart of the city—a towering structure of steel and glass that had become synonymous with power, ambition, and ruthless efficiency.
By eight-thirty in the morning, the building was already buzzing with activity.
Employees hurried through the corridors with laptops tucked under their arms and files clutched against their chests. Assistants checked schedules. Department heads exchanged hurried instructions. Junior employees whispered to one another while keeping a nervous eye on the elevators.
Because everyone knew that the most dreaded person in the building was about to arrive.
And when Ethan Rodrigues arrived, nobody wanted to be caught unprepared.
4:00 A.M.
Ethan Rodrigues's day had begun nearly five hours earlier.
At exactly four in the morning, the alarm on his bedside table rang.
Once.
Ethan opened his eyes.
There was no second alarm.
No snooze button.
No lazy stretching beneath the blankets.
He simply switched the alarm off and got out of bed.
His Chennai penthouse was silent.
It was one of the most luxurious residences in the city, occupying the upper floors of an exclusive high-rise and overlooking the glittering Chennai skyline.
Floor-to-ceiling windows surrounded the living area.
The interiors were elegant but surprisingly restrained.
There was no unnecessary decoration.
No clutter.
No photographs covering every available surface.
Everything was immaculate.
Everything had its place.
The penthouse was beautiful.
It was also painfully quiet.
Ethan lived alone.
He had become accustomed to the silence.
Perhaps too accustomed.
There was nobody waiting for him when he woke up.
Nobody asking whether he had slept enough.
Nobody reminding him to eat breakfast.
Nobody complaining that he worked too much.
Nobody waiting in the living room for him to come home.
His sister Eleanor usually lived in Kolkata because of her work, although she was currently staying with her grandparents in Chennai for their sixtieth wedding anniversary.
So, for most of the year, Ethan's penthouse remained exactly what he wanted it to be—
quiet.
Controlled.
Undisturbed.
He walked into the kitchen, drank a glass of water, and glanced briefly at the clock.
4:08 a.m.
Within minutes, he had changed into his gym clothes.
By 4:20, he was inside the private gym in his penthouse.
And then the world disappeared.
Four Hours of Discipline
The gym was Ethan's sanctuary.
It was perhaps the only place where he didn't have to deal with people.
No employees.
No investors.
No board members.
No competitors.
No endless phone calls.
Just silence.
And his own thoughts.
For four hours, Ethan followed his routine with almost frightening discipline.
Strength training.
Cardio.
Functional exercises.
Weight training.
More cardio.
He never took shortcuts.
He never stopped because he was tired.
If something was difficult, he simply pushed harder.
Pain didn't frighten him.
Failure did.
Failure reminded him of everything he had once been before he had built Rodrigues Industries into one of India's most powerful industrial groups.
By 8:15 a.m., Ethan finally finished.
He wiped his face with a towel and glanced at the clock.
He had exactly fifteen minutes.
A quick shower.
A black shirt.
Black trousers.
Black belt.
Black shoes.
Black watch.
Ethan Rodrigues rarely wore anything that wasn't black.
It wasn't a fashion statement.
It was simply his preference.
Or perhaps, over the years, black had become another part of the armour he wore around himself.
At 8:25, he left his penthouse.
His driver was already waiting downstairs.
“Good morning, sir.”
“Morning.”
That was all.
Ethan got into the car.
The drive to Rodrigues Industries took only a short while because the company's headquarters were also located in Chennai.
At exactly 8:30 a.m., Ethan entered the premises.
The transformation was immediate.
Employees who had been chatting quietly suddenly became silent.
A junior executive who had been laughing with a colleague straightened immediately.
Two managers who had been arguing about a report suddenly discovered that their documents were fascinating.
Ethan walked through the lobby without acknowledging the nervous glances.
“Good morning, sir.”
He gave a brief nod.
“Morning.”
The receptionist sat straighter.
The security personnel moved aside.
The elevator doors opened.
Ethan stepped inside.
The doors closed.
Several employees exhaled simultaneously.
One junior employee whispered,
“Does he ever smile?”
His colleague looked at him horrified.
“Do you want to find out?”
“No.”
“Then don't ask questions.”
The CEO
By 8:35, Ethan was seated behind his desk.
His office occupied the entire corner of the executive floor.
The Chennai skyline stretched beyond the glass walls.
He didn't look at it.
He had seen it hundreds of times.
His attention was on the reports in front of him.
His assistant entered with a stack of documents.
“Good morning, Mr. Rodrigues.”
“Morning.”
“Your nine o'clock meeting is confirmed. The Singapore team has also confirmed the ten-thirty conference call.”
“Good.”
“And the quarterly performance report—”
“Where is it?”
The assistant hesitated.
“Sir, the finance team is still—”
Ethan looked up.
The room went silent.
“Still?”
“Yes, sir.”
“When did I ask for it?”
“Yesterday evening, sir.”
“And it isn't ready?”
“They're finalising—”
“I didn't ask what they're doing.”
The assistant swallowed.
“I'll have it within the hour, sir.”
“You have forty-five minutes.”
“Yes, sir.”
The assistant turned to leave.
“Wait.”
He stopped.
“Tell the finance head I want the corrected figures, not excuses.”
“Yes, sir.”
The assistant hurried out.
Ethan returned to his work.
He was relentless.
He expected perfection.
He didn't believe in accepting mediocre work simply because someone had worked hard on it.
For Ethan, effort mattered.
But results mattered more.
His employees feared him.
Yet, strangely, many respected him.
Because they knew one thing about Ethan Rodrigues—
He demanded from them only what he demanded from himself.
He arrived before most of them.
He worked longer than most of them.
He expected discipline because he lived by discipline.
And Rodrigues Industries was his life.
Or at least, that was what everyone believed.
The Phone Call
At 9:05 a.m., Ethan was reviewing a financial proposal when his phone rang.
He almost ignored it.
Almost.
Then he saw the name on the screen.
Eleanor ❤️
The change in his expression was immediate.
The sternness disappeared.
His eyes softened.
The slightest smile touched his lips.
Anyone from the office who had witnessed the transformation would probably have questioned whether this was actually the same man.
Ethan answered.
“Good morning, Ellie.”
“Good morning, Bhai!”
Her cheerful voice instantly filled the otherwise silent office.
Ethan leaned back in his chair.
“You sound suspiciously happy.”
“I am happy.”
“Why?”
“Because I'm in Chennai.”
“You've been in Chennai for two days.”
“Exactly. Two entire days.”
“That's not exactly a lifetime.”
“Bhai, don't ruin my excitement.”
Ethan smiled.
“How are Grandma and Grandpa?”
“Happy. Exhausting, but happy.”
He chuckled.
“Grandma still giving everyone instructions?”
“She has created a schedule.”
“Of course she has.”
“She wants everyone present for every function.”
“Then you'd better listen.”
“I am.”
“Good.”
There was a pause.
Then Eleanor said,
“Bhai?”
“Yes?”
“I need a favour.”
Ethan immediately narrowed his eyes.
“What kind of favour?”
“Don't sound so suspicious.”
“You've started the sentence with 'I need a favour.' I'm allowed to be suspicious.”
Eleanor laughed.
“Fine.”
She took a breath.
“I need you to come with me to the airport.”
Ethan glanced at the clock.
“Why?”
“I have to pick someone up.”
“Who?”
“My senior's sister.”
Ethan frowned slightly.
“Your senior?”
“Yes.”
“And why are you picking up his sister?”
“Because she is joining IIT Madras.”
That caught his attention.
“She is arriving today?”
“Yes.”
“What time?”
“Her flight is at ten.”
Ethan glanced at the clock again.
9:07.
“You're cutting it close.”
“I know.”
“Where are you?”
“At Grandma's house.”
“Are you ready?”
A pause.
“Mostly.”
“Eleanor.”
“I am ready.”
“You're lying.”
“I am not.”
“Have you eaten?”
Another pause.
Ethan sighed.
“Eleanor.”
“I had tea.”
“That's not breakfast.”
“I'll eat later.”
“No.”
“Bhai…”
“Eat first.”
“I'll eat at the airport.”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because you'll forget.”
“I won't.”
“You will.”
She was silent.
He knew he had won.
“Fine,” she muttered.
“Good.”
Then she suddenly brightened.
“So you'll come?”
“Yes.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“You're not busy?”
“I am.”
“Then why are you coming?”
Ethan's voice softened.
“Because you're my sister.”
There was a small silence on the other end.
Then Eleanor smiled.
“I love you, Bhai.”
Ethan looked away from the phone for a moment.
“I know.”
“You're supposed to say it back.”
“I don't negotiate under pressure.”
“Bhaaaai!”
He laughed quietly.
“Love you too.”
Eleanor smiled.
“Okay. I'll get ready.”
“You have fifteen minutes.”
“Twenty.”
“Fifteen.”
“Eighteen.”
“Fifteen.”
“Fine!”
“And Eleanor?”
“Yes?”
“Take your ID.”
“I have it.”
“Phone?”
“Yes.”
“Charger?”
“Yes.”
“Wallet?”
“Yes.”
“Keys?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
She laughed.
“You sound like Papa.”
“Someone has to look after you.”
“I can look after myself.”
“I know.”
“Then stop checking.”
“No.”
“Bhai!”
He smiled.
“Go eat.”
“Yes, boss.”
The call ended.
Ethan stared at the screen for a moment.
The smile remained.
Then he placed the phone down.
The Other Side of Ethan
His assistant entered a few minutes later.
“Sir, the Singapore team has joined the conference call.”
“Reschedule it.”
The assistant blinked.
“Reschedule?”
“Yes.”
“For when?”
“Eleven-thirty.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And move the nine-thirty meeting to tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?”
“Yes.”
The assistant hesitated.
“Sir, is everything okay?”
Ethan looked up.
“Why wouldn't it be?”
“No reason, sir.”
“Good.”
The assistant nodded.
Then, unable to contain his curiosity, he asked,
“Are you leaving the office?”
“For a while.”
“May I ask why?”
Ethan gave him a look.
The assistant immediately regretted the question.
“Actually, never mind.”
Ethan almost smiled.
“I'm going to the airport.”
“Yes, sir.”
The assistant turned to leave.
“Sir?”
Ethan looked up.
“Who is the visitor?”
“My sister's friend.”
The assistant paused.
“Oh.”
There was something almost amusing about the way the man's expression changed.
Everyone in Rodrigues Industries knew Ethan was frightening.
But those who had worked with him for years knew there was one exception.
Eleanor.
Whenever his sister called, Ethan became a different person.
Not completely different.
He was still Ethan.
Still disciplined.
Still intimidating.
Still blunt.
But warmer.
Softer.
Human.
Eleanor at Her Grandparents' Home
Meanwhile, at her grandparents' Chennai residence, Eleanor was rushing around the guest room.
“Where's my scarf?”
Her grandmother called from downstairs.
“Eleanor!”
“Yes, Grandma!”
“Are you leaving?”
“Almost!”
“You said that fifteen minutes ago!”
“I know!”
Her grandfather chuckled from the living room.
“Let the girl breathe.”
“She has an airport to reach!”
Eleanor finally found her scarf.
“Found it!”
She grabbed her handbag and hurried downstairs.
Her grandmother looked at her critically.
“Did you eat?”
Eleanor froze.
“Bhai already asked me that.”
Her grandfather laughed.
“That means you haven't.”
“I ate something.”
“What?”
“Tea.”
Her grandmother stared at her.
“Tea isn't food.”
Eleanor sighed.
“Everyone is against me today.”
Her grandfather smiled.
“Because everyone loves you.”
She softened.
“I know.”
Her grandmother handed her a small container.
“Take this.”
“What is it?”
“Food.”
“Grandma, I'm going to the airport.”
“And?”
“I'll eat later.”
“You sound exactly like your brother.”
Eleanor laughed.
“Apparently everyone has decided to become Ethan today.”
Her grandfather smiled.
“He worries about you.”
“I know.”
She hugged her grandmother.
“I'll be back soon.”
“Don't be late.”
“I won't.”
Her grandfather added,
“And thank your brother for helping you.”
Eleanor nodded.
“I will.”
She stepped outside.
A few minutes later, her phone buzzed.
Ethan: I'm downstairs.
Eleanor smiled.
She typed back:
Coming!
The Meeting at the Entrance
Ethan was waiting beside his car.
He glanced at his watch.
Eleanor came rushing out.
“You're early!”
“You're late.”
“By three minutes.”
“Four.”
“You counted?”
“Yes.”
She laughed.
“Good morning to you too.”
Ethan looked at her.
“Did you eat?”
She lifted the food container.
“Yes.”
“Good.”
She got into the car.
Ethan followed.
As the car pulled away from her grandparents' house, Eleanor looked out of the window.
“Bhai?”
“Hmm?”
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For coming.”
Ethan glanced at her.
“You didn't have to ask twice.”
She smiled.
“I know.”
“Who exactly are we picking up?”
“My senior's sister.”
“What's her name?”
“Pragya.”
“Pragya what?”
“Pragya Paromita Banerjee.”
Ethan repeated the name silently.
“Banerjee.”
“Yes.”
“Your senior is?”
“Anubhab Banerjee.”
Ethan looked at her briefly.
“Anubhab?”
“Yes.”
“You've mentioned him.”
“He's a really good senior.”
Ethan nodded.
“And his sister is joining IIT Madras?”
“Yes. She's going to start her M.Tech.”
“Biotechnology?”
Eleanor smiled.
“Yes.”
“Ambitious.”
“She is.”
Ethan looked ahead.
“Good.”
Eleanor smiled mischievously.
“Don't scare her.”
Ethan frowned.
“Why would I scare her?”
“Because you're Ethan Rodrigues.”
“And?”
“You intimidate everyone.”
“I don't intimidate everyone.”
“Bhai.”
“What?”
“You once made a senior executive forget his own name.”
“He forgot his own name because he hadn't prepared his presentation.”
“You stared at him.”
“He was wasting my time.”
“You see?”
Ethan shook his head.
“Stop exaggerating.”
“I am not.”
She leaned back comfortably.
“So promise me.”
“Promise what?”
“Be nice.”
“I am always nice.”
Eleanor burst out laughing.
“You're unbelievable.”
“What?”
“Nothing.”
She smiled.
For the first time that morning, Ethan laughed.
It was quiet.
Brief.
But genuine.
The car continued toward Chennai Airport.
Neither of them knew what was waiting there.
Eleanor thought she was simply going to pick up her senior's sister and help her reach IIT Madras.
Ethan thought he was simply accompanying his younger sister because he didn't want her travelling alone.
To him, it was a small favour.
A family responsibility.
Nothing more.
But sometimes, the most insignificant moments become the turning points of an entire story.
And somewhere inside Chennai Airport, Pragya Paromita Banerjee had just entered the terminal with her heart full of excitement, homesickness, fear, and hope.
She had no idea that someone was already on his way to meet her.
Someone she had never met.
Someone whose name she had heard only in passing.
Someone who was about to become an unexpected part of her new beginning.
The Rodrigues siblings were heading toward the airport.
And fate was quietly bringing two completely different worlds closer together.
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