Ayush stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his tie with a determined expression.
Today was important.
He was meeting Amay Shekhawat, and he needed to make a good impression.
Satyajeet had warned him that Amay was a sharp businessman with a reputation for arrogance but insisted he was a decent man underneath.
Ayush took a deep breath, straightening his suit one last time before heading downstairs.
As he descended the staircase, his jaw clenched at the sight of Tina, who was standing in the living room.
She was chatting with his mother and sister, seemingly at ease.
Ayush's anger flared at her presence, but he forced himself to remain composed.
Today was too important to lose his patience.
He was about to step out the door when his mother called, "Ayush, breakfast is ready."
He turned to her, his expression filled with disdain. "Sorry, Mom, but I lost my appetite seeing someone particular who is like a leech, always clinging onto my house," he said, his eyes fixed on Tina.
Tina's face reddened with anger, but she stood her ground, displaying her usual shameless demeanor.
Ayush's mother and sister looked down, feeling the weight of his words.
They knew how much Ayush disliked Tina, but their actions had allowed her to become a constant presence in their home.
Ayush's mother sighed, "Ayush, please, we've talked about this."
He shook his head, his frustration evident. "I don't have time for this right now. I need to go," he replied, turning towards the door.
As he stepped outside, he felt a mix of anger and determination.
Meeting Amay was crucial for his business, and he couldn't let Tina's presence distract him.
He got into his car, started the engine, and drove towards the Shekhawat Legacy hotel, focusing on the task ahead.
Arriving at the hotel, Ayush took a moment to compose himself before entering the opulent lobby.
The grandeur of the place was intimidating, but he squared his shoulders and walked confidently towards the elevator.
He reached the 15th floor, where only two cabins existed: one for Anirudh Shekhawat and the other for Amay Shekhawat.
Ayush's nerves settled as he reminded himself of Satyajeet's words.
He knocked on Amay's door, hearing a firm "Come in" from the other side.
Taking a deep breath, he opened the door and stepped inside, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
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Aarushi watched as Ayush stormed out of the house, his face a mask of anger and frustration.
He hadn't touched his breakfast, and it pained her to see him leave like that.
She turned back to the dining table where Tina was eating her breakfast without a care in the world, her eyes focused on her plate.
Unable to hold back her frustration, Aarushi said, "Tina, don't you think you should talk to Bhai? He was upset and left the house without having breakfast, and here you are eating like a pig."
Tina's eyes flashed with anger at Aarushi's words. Before she could respond, Meena intervened, her voice sharp. "Aarushi, how dare you disrespect our guest like this? Apologize immediately."
Aarushi bit her tongue, holding back the retort that was on the tip of her tongue.
Instead, she fell silent, her mind replaying a different scene from not too long ago.
She remembered the day when Suman had visited their house.
Ayush had been busy and left in a hurry, without having breakfast.
Suman, without a second thought, had packed a tiffin and run after Ayush, ensuring he ate something.
At the time, Aarushi had mocked Suman for being so outdated and clingy.
But now, watching Tina eat without any concern for Ayush, whom she claimed to love, a pang of guilt and sadness washed over Aarushi.
She realized the difference between Suman's genuine care and Tina's blatant disregard.
Feeling a lump in her throat, she pushed her plate away and stood up abruptly.
"I'm not hungry anymore," she said quietly, walking away from the table.
Meena watched her daughter leave, feeling a pang of confusion.
Aarushi's change in behavior was puzzling, but she chose to ignore it.
She turned back to Tina, fussing over her, "Beta, have some more to eat. You need to keep your strength up."
Tina forced a smile, but her eyes were still stormy from Aarushi's comment.
She continued eating, though the food had lost its taste.
Meanwhile, Aarushi went to her room, shutting the door behind her.
She sat on her bed, thinking about Suman and how she had always cared for Ayush.
A part of her felt a growing respect for Suman, and a realization that maybe, just maybe, she had been wrong about her.
As Aarushi sat there, lost in her thoughts, she felt a mixture of emotions.
She knew that things needed to change, and that included her attitude towards Suman.
Maybe it was time to start seeing things differently and to give Suman the respect she deserved.
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Ayush sat across from Amay Shekhawat in a sleek, modern conference room with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of the city.
The atmosphere was professional but charged with a sense of anticipation.
Ayush had just finished presenting his ideas for the construction and interiors, and now it was Amay's turn to respond.
Amay leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled thoughtfully. "Mr. Agrawal, I must say, what you have proposed so far is very impressive. I think there is potential for us to work together."
A smile spread across Ayush's face, a mixture of relief and pride. "Thank you so much, Mr. Shekhawat. I promise you will not regret working with me and my company."
Amay nodded, acknowledging his enthusiasm. "Okay then, I'll talk to my father regarding your project and your ideas. I'm sure he will also appreciate them. Once he gives the green signal, we can proceed with further progress. Is that acceptable to you?"
"Sure, Mr. Shekhawat. I'm okay with that. Once you speak with Anirudh sir, you can contact me," Ayush agreed, feeling a wave of optimism.
Amay stood up, signaling the end of the meeting.
Ayush followed suit.
Amay extended his hand for a handshake. "It was nice meeting you, Mr. Agrawal."
Ayush grasped his hand firmly, "Same here, Mr. Shekhawat."
As they shook hands, Ayush couldn't help but notice Amay's commanding presence.
Standing at 6 feet 2 inches, Amay had an air of authority and confidence that Ayush found both impressive and a tad intimidating.
Amay's sharp features, perfectly gelled hair, and tailored suit exuded a kingly aura.
For a moment, Ayush felt a pang of envy, not just for Amay's stature and looks but also for the wealth and success that the Shekhawat family embodied.
Despite this, Ayush maintained his composure, thankful that the meeting had gone well.
He left the conference room, silently thanking the almighty for the positive outcome.
Back in his office, Amay received a call from Satyajeet Mehrotra. "How did the meeting go, Amay?"
Amay gave his review, "Ayush is a nice man with solid ideas. I think we can work with him, but I will not hesitate to end the alliance if I find any negligence or mistakes."
Satyajeet assured him, "Don't worry, Amay. I'll ensure that everything goes smoothly in the future."
With that, they ended the call. Ayush, on his way home, felt a mixture of hope and determination.
He knew that earning the Shekhawats' trust was a significant step forward for his business, and he was ready to prove himself worthy of the opportunity.
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The temple was serene, the air filled with the scent of incense and the soft murmurs of prayers.
Suman and her mother, Shobha, were there to seek blessings for Suman's upcoming engagement to Ayush.
Shobha handed the prasad thaali to the priest and said, "Pandit ji, this is on behalf of my family. Please bless my daughter; her engagement is in three days."
The priest took the prasad thaali, offered it to the deity, and picked up a flower from the statue of Goddess Durga.
He placed the flower in the prasad thaali and handed it back to Shobha with a smile.
He looked at Suman and said, "God bless you, daughter. I hope your future is filled with happiness and love. There will be many challenges ahead, but don't worry. The one destined for you will come into your life and make it happy and fulfilled. He will never leave you alone on any path of life."
Just then, Amay entered the temple with his mother, Tara.
Despite not being a regular visitor to the temple, Amay believed in God and had come along to make his mother happy.
As they climbed the steps, Amay said, "Maa, give me all these and hold my hand while stepping on the stairs." Tara smiled, nodding her head, and they entered the temple together.
Amay wore a white shirt and navy blue pants, and his presence did not go unnoticed.
The aunties in the temple glanced at him admiringly, envisioning him as a potential son-in-law.
Amay noticed their stares and scrunched his eyebrows, looking uncomfortable. "Maa, yeh log mujhe aise ghoor rahe hai jaise main koi full course meal hoon, aur aap has rahi hai," he complained like a child.
Tara chuckled and replied, "Ab hasu nahi toh kya karu? Vaise bhi mera beta hai hi itna handsome, koi bhi usse dekhta reh jaaye."
Amay smiled, and they stood beside Shobha and Suman, unaware of each other's identities.
The priest, however, saw them and smiled knowingly, sensing a divine match.
Shobha felt joy listening to the priest's words, reassured that her daughter would have a happy life.
Suman, though happy, felt a restlessness in her heart.
As the priest spoke, she tried to think of Ayush, but her mind and thoughts seemed resistant, as if the priest's words were meant for someone else.
This feeling bothered her deeply.
Amay and Suman stood parallel to each other, close yet unaware of each other's presence.
The priest felt as if the gods themselves had orchestrated this moment.
As the blessings were being given, both families felt a mixture of peace and anticipation, unaware of the intertwining fates standing beside them.
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The temple was abuzz with activity as devotees came to seek blessings.
After their prayers, Shobha handed the prasad thaali to Suman and said, "Suman, distribute some money and prasad to the beggars sitting on the steps of the temple. I'll go talk to the other priest about the marriage dates."
Suman nodded and made her way to the temple steps while Shobha went to speak with the priest.
Meanwhile, After taking blessings from Goddess Durga, Tara approached the priest and said, "Pandit ji, this is my son, and it's high time for him to get married. Can you please tell me when he will get married?"
Amay looked at his mother and shook his head, clearly exasperated with the topic.
The priest smiled at them and then looked at Amay. "Well, the exact timing of marriage is known only to the divine deity, but I can tell you this much-his life is about to change soon. Someone has entered his life, but he hasn't recognized that person yet. There will be difficulties, but eventually, he will have a fulfilling married life."
Tara smiled and thanked the priest, then turned to Amay and said, "Chalo, Amay babu, jo zindagi mein aa gaya hai usse pehchano aur jaldi se mujhe usse milwao."
Amay chuckled and replied, "Maa, koi nahi aaya hai zindagi mein."
But as he said this, his gaze shifted to a girl distributing money and prasad to the beggars.
His eyes widened in surprise-it was the same girl he had collided with two days ago.
A smile appeared on his lips.
Tara noticed where Amay was looking and said, "Are you sure? Koi nahi aaya hai, because mujhe lagta hai koi dastak de chuka hai teri zindagi mein."
He looked at his mother and said, "Nothing as such, Maa. She collided with me two days back, and her anklet dropped there. You wait in the car; I will give her the anklet and come back."
As he was about to go, Tara teased, "Waah beta ji, toh payal bhi sambhal ke rakhi jaa rahi hai kisi ki."
He blushed, and Tara was surprised to see him like this.
Tara stood at the temple entrance, watching her son, Amay, run towards the girl who was distributing money and prasad to the beggars.
Her heart swelled with maternal pride as she saw the innocent and beautiful girl.
There was something about the girl that captivated Tara, something pure and enchanting.
"Mata Rani," Tara prayed silently, "agar yeh ladki mere Amay ke liye bani hai, toh inhe milawa do. Please bless them with happiness and love."
Amay quickly made his way to Suman, who was distributing money.
She put the money in his hand without looking, and when she did, she was surprised. "Aap?" she exclaimed.
He nodded, "Ji main."
Suman said, "Aap toh acche khaase ameer thay 2 din pehle, aaj yaha kya kar rahe hai?"
He chuckled and replied, "Ji main bhi yaha wahi kar raha hoon jo aap kar rahi hai, lekin lagta hai aapne galti se mujhe yeh paise de diye."
Suman clicked her tongue, realizing her mistake. "Sorry," she said.
"It's okay," he replied. She tried to take back the money, but he held it firmly. "Kisi ko di hui cheez vaapis nahi lete."
"But it was by mistake," she insisted.
"Mujhe aapki yeh galti bahut pasand aayi," he said with a smile.
She looked down, blushing, trying to hide her face.
He pocketed the 50 rupees and ate the prasad, then offered her a portion from his.
She took it unknowingly and was about to leave when he called out, "Suniye."
She turned around, and he showed her the anklet. "Yeh toh meri hai! Aapko kaha mili?"
"Uss din jab aap mujhse takrai thi, tab vaha giri hui thi," he explained.
She nodded and he handed her the anklet.
"Thank you," she said, extending her hand for a handshake.
"I am Amay, and you're welcome," he said, shaking her hand.
Both felt a jolt of electricity pass through them, a sensation Suman had never experienced with Ayush.
She quickly tried to withdraw her hand, but he held on tightly.
"Aapne apna naam nahi bataya," he prompted.
Before she could answer, her mother called out, "Suman!"
She quickly pulled her hand back, not noticing her bracelet getting stuck in his cufflinks, and ran to her mother.
She glanced back at him, and his smile did something to her heart.
He watched her retreating figure, noticing the bracelet stuck to his cufflink.
He admired the bracelet and said to himself, "Kabhi payal, toh kabhi bracelet. Lagta hai kismat chahti hai ki hum baar baar mile... Suman."
With that, he left the temple, joining his mother in the car.
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