The sun peeked over the edge of the sky, casting a mellow golden light across the city. But in the massive white bungalow of Cabinet Minister Devraj Rathore, the day had already kicked into motion.

In his walk-in closet, Devraj stood before the mirror, adjusting the collar of his navy blue bandhgala suit for the third time.

He frowned.

Too stiff.

He removed it. Picked a charcoal-grey shirt instead. Rolled up the sleeves, opened the first two buttons.

Better And yet… he looked again.

“Since when do you care this much about clothes?” came a voice from behind.

Arnav, his childhood friend and now head bodyguard of security team, leaned casually against the doorframe, arms folded, wearing that annoying half-smirk.

Devraj ignored him, running a hand through his hair.

“I hope she’s in school today,” he muttered to himself.

“Who?” Arnav asked, even though he already knew.

Just then, Aryan, his sarcastic and too-smart-for-his-own-good PA, entered with a file and a teasing glint in his eyes.

“Sir, 12 PM inspection visit at Cambridge Public School scheduled. I’ve spoken to the principal.”

Devraj’s brows lifted slightly. “Did you add my request?”

Aryan grinned. “Of course. Inspection is just the official excuse. Real reason is… Miss Saanvi Rao.”

Arnav chuckled. “Yeh toh sach mein filmy hone laga hai.”

Aryan added with mock curiosity, “Waise sir, aapko pata hai Miss Rao ko duniya mein sabse zyada nafrat kis se hai?”

Devraj looked at him, silently questioning.

Aryan smiled. “Politicians.”

There was a beat of silence, then Arnav burst out laughing. “Aur bhai  toh CM banna pada hai. Aur yahan Bhabhi toh pehle se allergic hai.”

Devraj’s jaw ticked, but his lips curved slightly.

“I’ll change that.”

---

Cambridge Public School 12:15 PM

The black SUV pulled into the school gates. The staff, flustered and panicked, gathered to welcome the minister.

Principal Sharma rushed forward, folding his hands with too much enthusiasm.

“Sir, aapko takleef kyun ki? Aap toh kisi junior officer ko bhej dete. Main toh sari reports bhej deta…”

Devraj didn’t even blink. His eyes scanned the surroundings searching.

And then, coldly, he said, “Miss Saanvi Rao se kehna, I want to speak with her about the school’s progress.”

Principal Sharma blinked. “Saanvi Ma’am? Sir, main bata deta hoon”

Devraj gave him one sharp look.

That was enough.

---

Staff Room – Minutes Later

Saanvi Rao entered, looking visibly irritated. Her kurti was simple pale green cotton her hair tied up messily, a pen behind her ear,

“Good afternoon, CM Rathore.....ji,” she said curtly.

Devraj stood near the window, hands in pockets. He turned slowly, his gaze intense.

“Miss Rao,” he said, voice deceptively calm. “Aap school ki overall progress par mujhe update dijiye. Directly. Not through files.”

She gave him a tight-lipped smile. “You could’ve read the reports. Everything is mentioned there.”

“I prefer direct conversations. Reports don’t show passion. Or negligence.”

Her jaw clenched.

Devraj watched her calmly, arrogantly, like a storm waiting to happen.

Saanvi walked to the projector, switched it on, and started giving a brief overview. Her voice was sharp, clipped.

“And as for infrastructure, the government funding has been delayed, as usual. But we manage.”

Her tone didn’t miss the jab.

Devraj smirked.

“I’ll make sure the funds reach sooner,” he said. “Especially now that I know who’s waiting.”

“I’m not waiting,” she snapped without looking at him. “I just know how to survive without depending on people in power.”

Aryan, standing at the back with Arnav, muttered, “Damn. Bhabhi full form mein hai.”

Arnav grinned. “Isko sambhalna toh Dev ke bas ki baat nahi.”

After the briefing, Saanvi closed her laptop. “Is there anything else, Sir?”

Devraj stepped forward, just close enough to invade her space, but not enough to touch.

“Yes. A thank you.”

She frowned. “For what?”

“For reminding me why I hate people who pretend they don’t care when they clearly do.”

She narrowed her eyes. “And you remind me why I hate politicians. Always reading between the lines that don’t exist.”

And with that, she turned and walked out.

---

Outside – In the SUV

Aryan and Arnav climbed in behind him.

Arnav grinned. “Bhai, toh yeh hai aapka ‘inspection’? I feel bad for the actual schools now.”

Aryan added dramatically, “Iss pace pe toh bhabhi honeymoon pe bhi speech de degi: ‘Pyaar ke liye funding nahi chahiye, bas respect chahiye!’”

Devraj didn’t respond. He stared out the window, a half-smile on his lips.

---

Later That Night – Devraj’s POV

Devraj stood on the balcony of his mansion, one hand in his pocket, the other holding a glass he hadn’t touched in hours.

The moonlight fell softly over the garden, but his eyes held the spark of something deeper. Stronger.

That fire... was all her.

He replayed her voice in his mind, the way she said “I hate politicians,” like a declaration of war.

Like she meant it with her entire soul.

And yet…

He smiled.

“She thinks I’m just another face in her war against the system.”

A pause. His fingers tapped the glass slowly.

“But she has no idea… she’s become the only face I see in a crowd of millions.”

His gaze lifted to the night sky.

“Meri Mirchi,” he whispered.

“Tum jitni jalti ho na… main utna hi deewana ho jaata hoon.”

The wind rustled the curtains behind him. But nothing could distract him now.

Because the game had begun.

And this time he wasn’t playing for politics.

He was playing for her.

---

✨ Author's Note ✨

If you enjoyed Devraj & Meri Mirchi’s clash today

, don’t forget to VOTE & COMMENT your favorite moment below!

Next chapter? Sparks will fly and so will egos 🔥

Stay tuned for more chaos, chemistry, and conflict! 💥