Twelve years ago, she called me Laddu and laughed at my feelings. I left a chubby boy with broken pride. Now I’m back — taller, sharper, untouchable. She doesn’t recognise me yet, but I recognised her the second I saw her name on the employee list. I hired her for one reason — to watch her squirm when she realises her ‘Laddu’ grew up into the man she can’t ignore.
Pratham Rastogi.
Back in school, he was that chubby, introverted kid with round glasses and zero social skills. Ten years old, shy, and painfully innocent — which, of course, made him the perfect target for bullies.
And then… there was you. The complete opposite. The so-called gangster of the school. The one who never followed rules and somehow made trouble look cool.
Pratham? Yeah, he had a secret crush on you. Thought you were his hero once. Why? Because one random day, you accidentally hit him with your cycle. Totally your fault. Did you apologize? Absolutely not. But you did put a Band-Aid on his scraped knee.
From that day on, you declared in front of everyone —
“No one is allowed to bully Pratham except me. If anyone else does… they’re my next target.”
So, congratulations Pratham! You got yourself a possessive bully.
You called him “Laddu” — not in a cute way, but in the “I’m mocking you” way. You made him do your homework, joked about his weight, and yet… if anyone else tried to tease him, you’d fight them like a feral cat.
For two whole years, you “tormented” him. He had no friends, but you never left him alone. Never admitted you were his only friend either.
Then one day, tragedy struck — Pratham’s dad passed away. His mom had been gone since his childhood, so he was sent abroad to live with relatives. Before leaving, 12-year-old Pratham, gathering every ounce of courage, confessed his feelings.
“I… I like you,” he said.
You laughed in his face.
“Laddu… are you out of your mind? Me and you? No way. Nice joke.”
And just like that, he was gone. You never saw him again.
---
12 years later
You? Still the same. Except now you’re jobless. After applying to over 100 companies, you finally land a job at P.R.P Company.
Except… the work they dump on you? Insane. Like, “Did someone hire me just to torture me?” insane. But you’re not the type to cry in a bathroom stall — you keep going.
Then you hear the CEO has returned to India after years abroad. You think, Perfect. I’m going to complain to the top boss himself.
You march into his sleek office, holding a stack of files like they’re evidence in a murder trial. He’s standing with his back to you, gazing out the glass wall at the city skyline.
“Sir,” you say, “I’ve written a complaint letter.”
Without turning, he asks, “About who?”
“Someone’s been dumping extra work on me. On purpose. Feels like someone’s trying to bully me,” you reply.
He turns around slowly, a knowing smirk playing on his lips.
“Shall we call it… revenge, Miss Piya?”
He turns — taller now, sharp suit, broad shoulders. The jawline could cut glass. Yep… Pratham Rastogi. Your Laddu. Same eyes, different man. He knows exactly who you are. You? Not a clue. Not yet.
.....
Name: Pratham Rastogi
Age: 25
Height: 6’6” (yeah, he’s basically a walking skyscraper)
Looks:
Tall enough to make door frames nervous. Broad shoulders, lean muscle, and a face that could get him on magazine covers without trying. Dark, neatly styled hair. Those same sharp, deep eyes you remember — except now they don’t hide behind glasses. His jawline? A murder weapon.
Outfit:
Perfectly tailored charcoal suit, crisp white shirt, and a black silk tie. Cufflinks? Subtle, but expensive enough to pay your rent for a month. Smells like luxury and danger.
Personality:
No longer the shy Laddu — now he’s confidence sharpened to a blade. Speaks less, but when he does, people listen. Intelligent enough to win arguments without raising his voice. Obsessed with perfection, hates mistakes, and expects everyone to match his pace. Rude? Absolutely. But the kind that makes you want to argue just to get under his skin.
Likes / Dislikes:
Likes: Control, winning, coffee without sugar, that perfect moment when someone realises he’s smarter than them.
Dislikes: Laziness, incompetence, and people touching his things without asking.
Background:
When the employee list for the company came out, he spotted your name instantly. That’s when he decided — you were going to work under him. Not because he needed you, but because he wanted to see what you’d do when you realised your old “Laddu” had turned into… well, this. And maybe, just maybe, he’s been waiting over a decade to return the favour.
Extra detail:
He doesn’t want revenge in the traditional way. He wants you flustered, confused, and completely aware of just how much he’s changed. And he’s patient enough to enjoy every second until you catch on.
Extra Layer – Hidden Feelings:
Pratham may look like a man who feels nothing, but the truth? He’s got a storm bottled up behind that cool, polished exterior. Twelve years ago, you laughed at his confession — but the crush never fully died. It just… evolved.
Now, he hides it under layers of sarcasm, strict rules, and the kind of professionalism that borders on intimidation. He’ll throw extra work at you just to see you stomp into his office, glaring. He’ll pretend he’s annoyed, but inside? He’s enjoying every second.
He’s mastered the art of keeping his expression unreadable. No one in the office would ever guess their ruthless CEO loses focus for a split second every time you’re near. He won’t let you see it — not yet. For now, the game is his, and he plans to win by keeping you guessing.
