Suman stood in the bustling shopping mall with her family, the lively atmosphere a stark contrast to the unease she felt.
Namita couldn't join her for the engagement outfit shopping due to work commitments, leaving Suman feeling a bit lonely amidst the crowd.
Determined to make the best of it, she decided to use this opportunity to bond with Aarushi, Ayush's sister.
Her thoughts were interrupted as she spotted Ayush approaching with his family.
Her eyes widened in confusion when she noticed a girl with Aarushi.
The girl was wearing a tight, short dress and had an excess of makeup plastered on her face.
Aarushi seemeed particulary animated, happily chatting with the stranger.
Curiousity piqued, Suman wondered who this girl could be.
Ayush caught sight of Suman, and a smile immediately spread across his face.
His initial apprehension about Tina tagging along with his family was momentarily forgotten.
The presence of Tina, with her growing obsession and constant attempts to be near him, had been a source of stress for Ayush.
He despised how his mother and sister were more than happy to include Tina in their outings, but seeing Suman made everything else fade away.
As Ayush's face lit up at the sight of Suman, Tina's eyes narrowed with jealousy.
She fumed silently, curling her fingers into fists.
Seeing Ayush's obvious joy at seeing Suman, who was effortlessly beautiful without a trace of makeup, only fueled her envy further.
Suman, trying to maintain her composure, approached Ayush and his family.
"Hi, Ayush," she greeted, her voice warm.
She then turned to Aarushi, who was still engrossed in conversation with the other girl.
"Hi, Aarushi. Who's your friend?"
Aarushi glanced at Suman with a hint of disdain before replying.
"This is Tina, a close family friend."
Suman extented a hand towards Tina, who accepted it with a forced smile.
"Nice to meet you, Tina."
Tina's eyes flickered with concealed animosity as she replied, "Nice to meet you too, Suman. I've heard so much about you."
Ayush stepped closer to Suman, his presence comforting.
"Suman, you look beautiful today," he said softly, his eyes filled with admiration.
"Thank you, Ayush," Suman replied, her smile genuine.
She felt a surge of warmth from his compliment, which didn't go unnoticed by Tina.
As they continued shopping, Suman made an effort to engage with Aarushi.
"Aarushi, what kind of outfit are you thinking about for the engagement?"
Aarushi hesitated . clearly caught off guard by Suman's friendly approach.
"I'm not sure yet. Maybe something traditional but stylish."
"That sounds perfect. Let's look for something that complements your style." Suman suggested, hoping to find common ground.
Despite Aarushi's initial reluctance, Suman's genuine attempts to bond slowly began to chip away at the walls Aarushi had built.
As they browsed through the racks of clothes, Suman's determination to create a positive relationship with Aarushi became evident.
Meanwhile, Tina seethed silently, watching as Ayush and Suman shared a moment of closeness.
She couldn't stand how effortlessly Suman fit into Ayush's life, and her jealousy simmered just beneath the surface.
By the end of the shopping trip, Suman felt a small sense of accomplishment.
While she hadn't fully won Aarushi over, she had made some progress.
As they left the mall, Ayush walked beside Suman, their hands brushing occasionally, reminding her that despite the challenges, their love was strong and worth fighting for.
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A man in his late twenties, dressed sharply in a black business suit, strode confidently into the Shekhawat Legacy, a seven-star hoetl renonwed for its grandeur and opulent infrastructure.
Five bodyguards followed closely behind him, maintaining a discreet yet vigilant presence.
His personal assistant (PA) walked beside him, carrying a tablet and some files.
The man halted his entourage with a slight gesture and proceeded into the elevator filling the silence.
As they ascended, he mentally reviewed his agenda for the day, maintaining a calm and composed demeanor.
The elevator doors opened to reveal a floor with only two cabins, signifying the exclusivity of the hotel onwers.
The first cabin belonged to his father, Anirudh Shekhawat, while the second was his own.
His PA's cubicle was located outside his cabin, as this floor was restricted to the Shekhawat family and high-level executives only.
The hotel staff operated mainly on the 10th floor.
The Shekhwat Legacy was a sprawling establishment divided into three main parts: a banquet hall, a restaurant and fine dining area, and the main hotel.
The grandeur of the place was evident in every detail, from the luxurious carpets to the intricate designs on the walls.
The man, Amay Shekhawat, stood in front of his father's cabin, where the name "Anirudh Shekhawat" was elegantly inscribed in italice letters on the door.
He knocked and was greeted by a deep voice from within, saying, "Come in."
Amay entered and saw his father engrossed in a pile of papers.
Without looking up, Anirudh said, "What are you looking at, Amay? Apne papa ko pehli baar dekh rahe ho kya?"
Amay, wide-eyed, chuckled at his father's perceptiveness.
Anirudh continued, "I am your father, son. You are my part, so it is obvious that I can sense your presence. And besides, please change your colonge; it's giving me a headache."
Amany laughed at his father's complaint. "Look who's talking, jo insaan khud apni biwi ko impress karne ke liye expensive colonge laga sakta hai."
Anirudh glared at him playfully. "Don't involve Tara between us."
"Why? She is my mother, so she will be in my conversation." Amay retorted.
Anirudh's eyes twinkled with possessiveness. " She is my wife firts, you brat."
Amay laughed heartily at his father's remark and sat down in front of the table.
They shared a comfortable silence for a few moments before Anirudh broke it.
"Amay, do you know Mr. Mehrotra?"
Amay raised an eyebrow. "Satyajeet Mehrotra?"
Anirudh nodded. "Yes. He wants to form an alliance with our hotel."
Amay looked puzzled. "But, Papa, we are in the hotel business, and Mr. Mehrotra has a tech business. What is there to be allied between us?"
Anirudh explained, "His soon-to-be son-in-law has a construction business. He wants to meet us regarding a hotel construction project."
Amay asked, "What's his son-in-law's name?"
"His name is Ayush Agrawal," Anirudh replied.
Amay nodded thoughtfully, considering the potential benefits and implications of this new development.
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Ayush sat with his father, Bhupendra Agrawal, in the elegantly furnished living room of Suman's house.
The soft light filtering through the curtains added a warm glow to the room. Suman was at school, and her mother was the only one present, graciously hosting their guests.
Abhijeet was at the office, handling work in their father's absence.
Bhupendra looked at Satyajeet, gratitude evident in his eyes. "Thank you so much, Satyajeet , for helping us," he said earnestly.
Satyajeet nodded with a smile. "Don't thank me, Bhupendra. Besides, we are relatives, and our children are going to be engaged. I can do this much for my future son-in-law."
Ayush felt a pang of embarrassment.
He had tried to stop his father from seeking help from Suman's father, but Bhupendra had been adamant.
Now, here they were.
Satyajeet turned to Ayush, his expression kind and reassuring. "Ayush, bete, I have talked with Anirudh Shekhawat. He is ready to do the alliance, but first, he wants to meet you."
Ayush nodded, a mixture of nervousness and determination in his eyes. "Sure, Uncle. I am ready to meet Mr. Shekhawat."
Satyajeet smiled warmly. "But there is a little problem, Ayush. You have to deal with his son, Amay Shekhawat, because Anirudh has given this responsibility to him."
Ayush furrowed his brow. "Amay Shekhawat? Isn't he the one who is famous for his rude and arrogant nature?"
Satyajeet chuckled softly. "That's all rumors, bete. I have seen him personally at some business events. His exterior might be rough, but he is a nice man."
Ayush nodded, though he was still curious and somewhat apprehensive about meeting Amay Shekhawat.
He wanted to see for himself what kind of man Amay was and how they could work together.
Suman's mother entered the room, carrying a tray of tea and snacks.
She placed it on the table and offered everyone a cup. "Please, have some tea," she said with a warm smile.
As they sipped their tea, the conversation flowed smoothly.
Satyajeet and Bhupendra discussed business matters, while Ayush tried to gather his thoughts about the upcoming meeting with Amay Shekhawat.
He knew this alliance was crucial for his business, and he was determined to make a good impression.
After some time, Satyajeet turned to Ayush again. "Ayush, I believe you will handle this well. Just be yourself and show them your dedication and sincerity."
Ayush nodded, feeling more confident. "I will, Uncle. Thank you for arranging this."
As the visit came to an end, Ayush stood up, ready to leave with his father.
Satyajeet walked them to the door, offering a final word of encouragement. "Remember, Ayush, every challenge is an opportunity in disguise. I have faith in you."
With those words ringing in his ears, Ayush left Suman's house, his mind focused on the upcoming meeting with Amay Shekhawat.
He was determined to prove himself and secure the alliance that would benefit both their families.
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Suman was walking down the road, lost in her thoughts, her mind wandering through the events of the day.
She had just finished her classes and was thinking about the engagement preparations.
The streets was bustling with activity, but her mind was elsewhere.
Suddenly, she collided with a hard surface.
She stumbled back, rubbing her forehead and murmuring, "Yeh raaste mein deewar kisne bana di?"
A deep, husky voice interrupted her thoughts. "I am not some wall, madam. I am a human."
Her eyes widened in surprise, and she looked up to see the source of the voice.
Standing before her was a tall man with perfectly gelled hair, a sharp jawline, and a well-trimmed beard.
He was wearing a crisp white shirt and black pants, his blazer draped casually over his arm.
In his other hand, he held a coffee cup, now empty, with the remnants of the immaculate white shirt.
Suman's eyes quickly moved from the man's face to the coffee stain on his shirt.
She noticed that the coffee was hot, as red rashes had started to form on his skin where the coffee had splashed.
Her initial embarrassment was replaced by concern.
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Amay stepped out of the Shekhawat Legacy hotel, his blazer draped casually over his arm.
It had been a long day of meetings and discussions, and he needed a break.
He decided to grab an espresso from the nearby cafe, hoping the strong coffee would provide a much-needed boost.
As h exited the cafe, his attention momentarily diverted by the buzzing of his phone, he collided with someone.
He felt the impact and heard a soft thud, followed by a murmured complaint, "Yeh raaste mein deewar kisne bana di?"
Amay chuckled lightly and said, "I am not a wall, madam. I am human."
He looked down and saw a young woman dressed in a light pink kurti with matching pants and a dupatta.
She was carrying a side bag and rubbing her forehead where she had collided with him.
He was instantly captivated by her beauty and innocence, the way her black hair framed her face, her pink and silver earrings dancing with her movements, the small black bindi on her forehead, and the delicate nose ring that added to her charm.
Her expression quickly shifted from surprise to concern. "Are you okay?" she asked, pointing at his shirt.
Amay followed her gaze and saw that his white shirt now bore a coffee stain, and there was a redness forming on his chest.
Realizing that the coffee had been hot and he had burned himself, he felt a sting of pain.
But the concern in her eyes made him feel a warmth that overshadowed the discomfort.
She quickly opened her bag, took out a water bottle, and sprinkled some water on the redness.
Using her dupatta, she gently wiped the area, soothing the burn.
Amay was so mesmerized by her actions that he barely registered the sensation.
He just kept staring at her, noting every detail of her face, her caring demeanor, and her sweet, nurturing nature.
"Jal raha hai kya?" she asked, looking up at him.
He was so engrossed in observing her that he nodded no without thinking, still in a trance.
She looked relieved. "I am really sorry," she said, and then, with a hint of playfulness, added, "Lekin galti aapki bhi hai. Bina dekhe nahi chalna chahiye aapko."
Amay was amused.
He wanted to tell her that she was the one who wasn't looking, but he decided against it.
He was enjoying this unexpected interaction too much to argue.
"Next time, keep your eyes working, okay? Be safe." she said, her tone motherly. He just nodded, still smiling.
She raised an eyebrow and asked, "Are you a kid?"
Confused, he shook his head no. "Toh aap bas sar kyun hila rahe hai?" Aap bol bhi sakte hai."
He smiled a little and said, "I am sorry."
"It's okay, and I am sorry your shirt is ruined. Lekin koi baat nahi, ispe aap nimbu ghisenge na toh yeh saaf ho jaayega."
He nodded with a smile. "Thank you. I will definitely try this."
She made an eww face and said, "Aur yeh kaali coffee nahi peeni chahiye. It tastes so bad."
He was spellbound by how cute she looked while saying this.
"Okay, now I will go. Take care," she said, and with that, she walked away, leaving him staring after her retreating figure.
As she disappeared from view, Amay noticed an anklet on the ground.
He picked it up and looked in the direction she had gone.
Smiling, he murmured to himself, "Kehte hai kisi ki koi nishani aapke paas reh jaaye toh usse sambhal ke rakhna chahiye, dusri mulakaat hona tay hota hai. I will meet you soon........again, beautiful stranger."
He put the anklet in his pocket, feeling a strange sense of aniticipation and excitement.
With a lighter heart, he headed towards his car and drove home, the encounter replaying in his mind like a delighful, unexpected dream.
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