𝟒. 𝐁𝐞𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠

The evening had wrapped the sprawling Pawar Mansion in a quiet, golden hush. Long corridors stretched silently, their marble floors reflecting the fading sunlight spilling in from the balcony hallway.

Sitting on the couch placed near the balcony railing, Aniket leaned back with a stern face, lost in his own storm of thoughts. His posture was rigid, fingers tapping impatiently on the armrest as if the silence itself irritated him. The wind rustled the curtains beside him, but the calm outside was nothing compared to the tension brewing inside the mansion.

Slow, careful footsteps echoed through the hallway as Kamala entered. Her face carried the softness of a grandmother but also the weight of countless worries. She paused for a moment before speaking, gathering courage like someone about to walk into a battlefield. "Aniket beta... hame aapse Aarohi ke baare mein baat karni thi," she said gently, her voice hesitant yet hopeful.

(Aniket , I wanted to talk to you about Aarohi)

The moment Aarohi's name reached his ears, Aniket's expression hardened instantly. He straightened in anger, his brows knitting together.

"Aai, ab kya hua?" he snapped, irritation dripping from every word. The air around them suddenly felt heavier, as if the walls themselves had heard this argument too many times before.

(Aai, what happened now?)

Kamala sighed softly, already sensing the direction this conversation would take. Yet she tried once more to talk with her stubborn son, but before she could continue, Aniket cut her off sharply. "Aai, hame aapki poti ke baare mein koi baat nahi karni. Agar wahi baat hai toh aap ja sakti hain," he said coldly, not even looking at her.

(Aai, i don't want to talk about your granddaughter. If that's the case, you can go)

For a moment Kamala stood there silently. His words struck like thorns, yet she swallowed the pain quietly. Kab samjhenge ye apni hi beti ko? she thought helplessly. Somewhere deep in her heart she prayed that one day Aniket's anger would melt, but today clearly was not that day.

Still, she slowly walked forward and sat beside him on the couch. Her hands folded in her lap as she stared ahead at the garden below. Bolna toh padega hi, she told herself firmly. Aarohi's future mattered too much to stay silent. If she remained quiet today, who would fight for the girl's dreams tomorrow?

Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps approached from the corridor. Rajeev, Aniket's trusted assistant, appeared at the entrance with a slightly excited expression. "Saheb, ek achi khabar hai," he announced, stepping closer.

(Sir, there is a good news)

His eyes then noticed Kamala sitting there. Instantly his tone softened with respect. He nodded politely. "Namaste, Aai."

Aniket glanced at him, curiosity briefly replacing irritation. "Boliye Rajeev, kya khabar hai? Kahin Shantanu Kale ne CM ki post se istifa toh nahi de diya?" he said sarcastically.

(Tell me Rajeev, what's the news? Has Shantanu Kale resigned as CM?)

Kamala couldn't help it. A small laugh escaped her lips. Even Rajeev chuckled at the remark.

"Are nahi Saheb," Rajeev said with a grin. "Ye toh usse bhi achi khabar hai."

(No sir, This is even batter news than that)

Now Aniket leaned forward with interest. "Okay? Then speak quickly."

Rajeev cleared his throat slightly before continuing. "Saheb, mera ek dost hai Prakash. Woh Bhosale family ke yaha kaam karta hai. Aaj usne mujhe inform kiya... ki woh log apne bete Veer Bhosale ke liye choti ma'am ka haath maangna chahte hain, rishta aya hai choti ma'am ke liye"

(Sir, I have a friend named Prakash. He works for the Bhosale family. Today he informed me that they want to ask for Choti Ma'am's hand in marriage for their son Veer Bhosale. A proposal has come for Choti Ma'am.)

For a moment the hallway fell silent. Getting into a relationship with Bhosle was not a common thing, and Aniket is currently in the opposition and elections were also about to start in a year, this marriage meant fame, Aniket would not miss this opportunity at all.

Then suddenly Aniket's face lit up with satisfaction. "Are wah! Ye toh bahut achi baat hai," he said happily. His tone carried pride as if a political alliance had just been sealed. He glanced toward Kamala. "Hai na, Aai Saheb?"

(Wow! That's a great thing, isn't it, Aai? )

But Kamala's happiness did not match his.

Her expression turned worried. "Par Aniket... Aarohi abhi sirf 23 saal ki hi toh hai," she said softly, concern clearly visible in her eyes.

(But Aniket, Aarohi is just 23 )

Aniket shrugged dismissively. "Hame pata hai, Aai. Lekin aapki poti ki kabhi na kabhi shaadi toh hone hi wali thi. Thodi jaldi ho gayi toh kya farak padta hai?" he replied coldly.

(I know Aai, but your granddaughter had to get married someday, what difference would it make if it happened a little early?)

His words felt like a door shutting on Aarohi's dreams. Turning back to Rajeev, Aniket spoke decisively. "Rajeev, tell them... we are also interested."

"Ho Saheb,"(Yes sir) Rajeev nodded respectfully. With that, he quietly left the hallway, leaving the mother and son alone again in the fading evening light.

Kamala looked at Aniket with disappointment now replacing patience. "Aniket... you should think about your daughter sometime. ," she said, her voice trembling slightly with suppressed anger.

Aniket immediately stood up from the couch, his expression turning stone cold.

"Aai Saheb," he said firmly, "aapki poti... hamari kuch nahi lagti."

The sentence hung in the air like a cruel verdict.

He continued without hesitation, "Apni poti ko bata dijiye ga... ki ladke wale use dekhne aa rahe hain."

Without waiting for a response, Aniket turned and walked away down the long corridor. His footsteps echoed against the marble floor until they slowly disappeared into the mansion's silence.

Kamala remained seated on the couch, staring at the empty hallway. Her eyes glistened with helplessness.

What to do now? she thought painfully. She knew exactly what this meant. Aarohi had been hoping to continue her studies this year, to build her own identity, to step into a world bigger than these suffocating mansion walls.

But now...now everything seemed to crumble before it even began. Kamala slowly wiped the corner of her eyes. Whether she wanted to or not, she would have to tell Aarohi the truth.

That this time...there would be no permission for studies.

◆◆◆

Aarohi was sitting on the couch placed in the balcony attached to her bedroom. The night air was cool and calm, but the girl sitting there looked like the main character of a tragic drama. Her eyes were slightly red, and in her hands was a romantic novel that she was reading with extreme emotional involvement.

She sniffed softly and turned another page of the book. The words on the page made her sigh dramatically. In a low voice she read a few lines aloud, almost as if imagining them for herself.

"I don't promise you a perfect life. I promise you that no matter how hard the world becomes, you will never face it alone as long as I am standing beside you."

She paused and wiped her tears

"You are not someone I love because I need you. I need you because I love you."

Aarohi closed the book slowly and looked toward the dark sky.

Five or six empty cups of tea were lying on the small table beside her. Whenever Aarohi felt sad, hurt, emotional, confused, or simply bored with life, tea somehow became her emotional support system.

Tonight was clearly one of those nights. "Everyone is so mean," she muttered while sobbing lightly. "No one loves me."

In reality, the situation was quite the opposite. There were plenty of boys who admired Aarohi. Some from college, some from social circles, and some who simply got fascinated by her bold personality and striking beauty. But Aarohi was not interested in any of them.

For her, ordinary boys were boring.

Aarohi wanted something else entirely.

She wanted the kind of man she read about in novels, someone intense Someone protective. Someone who would walk into chaos like he owned it.

In short... Aarohi wanted a fictional man in a very real world.

She leaned back dramatically against the couch.

"My life is so unfair," she declared to the empty balcony.

Just then, suddenly a voice came from behind the balcony railing. "Wifey..."

Aarohi jumped in shock.

"AAAAH!"

She turned around with wide eyes. From the balcony railing, someone climbed inside smoothly. "Relax, relax," the girl said while brushing imaginary dust off her clothes.

It was Gargi.

Aarohi placed her hand on her chest dramatically.

"Gigi! Oh my God! Main kitna dachak gayi thi!

(I got so scared!)

Now meet Gargi Mittal... Gargi was Aarohi's best friend, partner in crime, unofficial therapist, and sometimes the only sane person in Aarohi's chaotic life.

But the real question was... Why did she enter from the balcony instead of the door?

The answer was simple, the Pawar Mansion was not exactly welcoming toward people connected to Aarohi. Guards, staff, and household rules made it very difficult for Gargi to casually walk inside the mansion.

So Gargi had invented her own solution, a ladder.

Yes, whenever she wanted to meet Aarohi, she would sneak in from the outside, climb the ladder, avoid the guards like a spy on a secret mission, and enter through the balcony like she owned the place.

Gargi looked around the balcony and immediately noticed the battlefield on the table. Six empty tea cups. She raised an eyebrow.

"Oh wow," she said slowly. "So my wifey is stressed again."

Aarohi wiped her tears and looked at her. "Gigi yaar..."

But Gargi had already walked inside the room. "Aarohi," she announced dramatically, "I am staying here tonight."

Aarohi frowned."Why?

Gargi waved her hand casually. "I need to find an apartment as soon as possible."

Aarohi immediately understood. "Gigi... you fought with aunty again, didn't you?"

Gargi stopped walking for a second, then she shrugged like it was nothing. "Leave it yaar."

She walked straight to the bed and threw herself on it like someone who had just finished a marathon. "Good night, babe" she said instantly.

Aarohi blinked."Gargi..."

No response, within seconds, Gargi had pulled the blanket over herself and closed her eyes. Aarohi stared at her in disbelief.

"You climbed a ladder, scared me to death, announced you're living here now, and then went to sleep?"

Gargi opened one eye lazily."Yes.

Then she closed it again. "Now please switch off the lights. Your tragic heroine face is disturbing my sleep."

Aarohi looked at her for a moment... then burst into a small laugh despite herself. The night that had started with tears was slowly turning lighter.

◆◆◆

Morning sunlight slipped quietly through the tall ivory curtains of Ramesh's bedroom, filling the large room with a soft golden glow. The room itself reflected the same personality as its owner... dignified, calm, and commanding without trying too hard. Every piece of furniture had history, every corner carried the weight of legacy.

A gentle knock sounded on the door."Come in."

The door opened and Veer stepped inside. He paused for a moment before walking forward. Ramesh Bhosale was sitting on his bed with his reading glasses in hand, looking as composed as ever. Even at his age, the authority in his presence had not faded even a little.

"Dada ji, you called me?" Veer asked respectfully.

Ramesh nodded and gestured beside him. "Ho beta, aaiye. Yahan baithiye."

(Yes, come sit here)

He patted the space next to him on the bed.

Veer sat down beside him, straight-backed as always. Outwardly calm. Internally... already suspicious.

So mumma actually told Dada ji, Veer thought.

He suppressed a sigh. There was only one topic that could make his grandfather call him to his room this early in the morning. Marriage.

Ramesh adjusted his glasses and looked at Veer with a thoughtful expression. "Veer," he began slowly, "hamari baat dhyaan se suniye."

(Listen to me carefully)

Veer nodded. "Ji Dada ji."

Ramesh spoke in the calm tone that always carried quiet authority. "Ab hume lagta hai... aapko shaadi kar leni chahiye."

(Now I think...you should get married)

There it was. The sentence landed exactly where Veer expected it to. Ramesh wasn't feeling well either, ever since Nandini told him about the temple priest. Because he was worried about his grandchild.

Veer exhaled slowly before replying.

"Dada ji... right now I have to focus on my career."

His voice was respectful but firm. Veer had built his life with sharp discipline and calculated decisions. Marriage was not something he planned to squeeze into his schedule right now.

Ramesh listened patiently, nodding slightly.

"Ha beta," he said gently. "Aapki marzi ka hi hoga. Shaadi aapko karni hai... ya nahi... faisla bhi aapka hi hoga."

( yes beta, It will be your choice. Whether you want to get married... or not... the decision will be yours)

Veer felt a small relief hearing that. "Then Dada ji ," Veer continued, "I am saying that I do not want to get married right now."

Ramesh smiled faintly, but the old man had not built an empire and raised generations by giving up easily.

"Bas ek baar ladki se mil lijiye," he said calmly.

Veer turned to him.

(Just meet the girl once)

"Dada ji..."

"Bas mil lijiye beta," Ramesh repeated patiently. "Sirf milna hai. Baaki sab aapka faisla rahega."

(Just meet her, son, you just meet. The rest will be your decision.)

For a few seconds the room fell silent. Veer lowered his gaze slightly, thinking.

Mamma... seriously? he thought internally.

You knew I would never say no to Dada ji. That's why you used him, dukhti naas pakdi hai apne.

He almost smiled at the clever trap his mother had set, typical. Veer rubbed the back of his neck lightly before finally speaking. "okay Dada ji ," he said. "as you say ."Ramesh's eyes softened.

He lifted his hand and gently patted Veer's head, the way he had done when Veer was a child. "Ham par bharosa rakhiye," Ramesh said warmly. "Aapko jab shaadi karni hogi tabhi hogi. Hum aapse zabardasti nahi karenge."

(Trust me, you will get married when you want to, I will not force you)

Veer raised an eyebrow slightly. "Par mamma toh piche hi padhi hai."

Ramesh chuckled softly. Because Ramesh knew that Nandini was not doing all this intentionally, she was worried about Veer. "Bahu se hum baat kar lenge."

Then his tone became matter-of-fact again."Aaj shaam aap ladki ke ghar jaa rahe hai. Mil lijiye ga unse."

( I will talk with daughter in law, You're going to the girl's house this evening. You'll meet her)

Veer stood up slowly he straightened his watch and nodded. "That's fine, Dada ji. I'm leaving. I'm getting late for work. ."

Ramesh nodded."Jaiye beta."

Veer walked toward the door, but just before leaving he paused for a moment. For some strange reason, a quiet thought crossed his mind. I hope this girl understands what she's walking into. Because being connected to the Bhosale family was never just about marriage.

It meant stepping into a world of power, expectations... and control. Veer opened the door and walked out. Behind him, Ramesh Bhosale watched the door close slowly. A faint knowing smile appeared on the old man's face.

Ramesh saw himself in Veer, he was also like that in his youth

◆◆◆

Aarohi's Bedroom

Morning sunlight slipped quietly through the sheer white curtains of Aarohi's bedroom, spreading a pale golden glow across the large room. The soft light fell over the bed where Aarohi and Gargi were tangled in blankets like two exhausted soldiers after a chaotic battle.

Gargi's arm was lazily draped over Aarohi's stomach while Aarohi slept on her side, her hair scattered across the pillow. The peaceful silence of the room carried the calm of a morning that had no idea a storm was about to begin

A gentle knock sounded on the door. Before anyone could respond, the door slowly creaked open and Kamala stepped inside. Her eyes immediately landed on the bed where the two girls were sleeping peacefully. The moment she noticed Gargi, her expression changed into mild disbelief mixed with amusement.

"Arey... Gargi came again ," she murmured under her breath. "Hare Krishna... Ye ladkiyan bhi na... agar humari jagah koi staff andar aa jata toh pata nahi kya kand ho jata."

(Lord Krishna... these girls too... if any staff member had come in our place, who knows what would have happened.)

She shook her head slightly, half scolding and half smiling, before quietly walking toward the bed. Kamala sat down beside Aarohi and gently placed her hand on the her shoulder. Her fingers moved softly as she tried to wake her up.

"Aarohi... uthiye beta," she said lovingly.(Aarohi...wake up)

Then she shook her a little harder. "Aru baccha, uthiye bhi...."

(Aaru wake up now... wake up)

Aarohi stirred slightly, her face scrunching in irritation as the peaceful world of sleep slowly slipped away from her. Still half asleep, she lazily removed Gargi's heavy arm from her stomach and blinked her eyes open.

Her voice was groggy."What happened Dadi...?"

Kamala hesitated for a second before speaking the words that would change Aarohi's entire morning.

"Aaj... aapko ladke wale dekhne aa rahe hain."

(Today... the boy's family is coming to see you)

For a moment, the sentence floated in the air, Aarohi blinked slowly. Then she chuckled softly, her eyes still half closed as if she had just heard the world's most ridiculous joke.

"Achha mazaak tha," she mumbled lazily. And just like that, she flopped back onto the bed again, pulling the blanket over her head.

Kamala stared at her in disbelief.

"Aarohi!" she said, now grabbing her arm and pulling her upward.

With a small struggle Aarohi sat up on the bed, her hair messy and eyes still heavy with sleep. Kamala looked directly at her and repeated slowly, each word clear and serious.

"Ladke wale... aaj... aapko dekhne aa rahe hain."

(The boy's family... are coming to see you today.)

This time the words landed properly, Aarohi's brain finally woke up. Her eyes widened instantly. She jumped out of the bed as if someone had just dropped ice water on her.

"KYA?!" she almost shouted. Now fully awake, she stared at Kamala in complete disbelief. "Dadi what are you saying? Hell no! I am not ready for this!"

Her voice echoed through the room, full of panic and frustration. Kamala sighed softly and gently held Aarohi's hand, pulling her to sit beside her again. Slowly and patiently she began explaining everything. From Aniket's decision... to the proposal from the Bhosale family... to the fact that the boy's family was already planning to visit that very evening

.With every sentence Kamala spoke, Aarohi's expression slowly changed shock, disbelief and anger.

And finally... helplessness. "How can Dad do this? Without asking my opinion " Aarohi said her voice trembling now. "Mera decision zyada matter karta hai! It's my life!"

(My decision matter more)

Kamala looked at her sadly. "Hume pata hai beta," she said gently. "Par aapke Baba... wo sunna nahi chahte."

(I know it... but your father... he doesn't want listen)

A heavy silence filled the room. For a few seconds Aarohi stared at the floor, her mind racing wildly. Then Kamala leaned slightly closer to her.

"Aap hamari baat suniye," she said quietly.

Aarohi looked up.

(You listen to me)

Kamala lowered her voice like someone sharing a secret plan. "Bas ladke se mil lijiye... aur jo hum keh rahe hain... woh kariye."

(Just meet boy... and do what I say)

Aarohi frowned slightly."Matlab ?"

Kamala slowly explained her plan. Every small detail, Every carefully thought step. As Kamala spoke, Aarohi's confusion slowly transformed into curiosity... and then into a mischievous spark inside her eyes. By the time Kamala finished speaking, Aarohi leaned back slightly with a thoughtful expression.

For a few seconds she said nothing, then slowly... a small smile appeared on her face. "Okay..." she said quietly. Kamala looked at her carefully."Sacchi?" Aarohi nodded."mucchi!"

"Fine. Okay. I'll do it. "

Kamala finally exhaled in relief. Some of the tension on her face disappeared. She gently patted Aarohi's cheek like she used to when Aarohi was a child. "Good girl," she said softly.

Then she turned toward the other side of the bed where Gargi was still sleeping like a rock. The girl had not moved even once during the entire dramatic conversation.

Her blanket was half over her face and she was snoring lightly. Kamala shook her head with a helpless smile.

"Inhe bhi utha dijiye," she said to Aarohi. "Main aap dono ke liye breakfast bhejti hoon."

Then she stood up and slowly walked toward the door. Before leaving she turned once more to look at Aarohi. For a moment their eyes met. Kamala gave her a reassuring nod... and then quietly left the room.

The door closed softly behind her.

Silence returned.

For a long moment after Kamala left, Aarohi simply stood in the middle of her room, staring at the closed door like it had personally betrayed her. The soft golden morning light spilling through the sheer curtains made the room look peaceful, but inside her mind everything was chaos.

Her father had already decided her future again, just like he always did, without even asking her opinion marriage. A stranger. The powerful Bhosale family.

The thought alone made her chest feel tight with irritation and disbelief. She exhaled slowly and pressed her fingers to her temples, trying to calm the storm running through her head.

Okay... breathe, she told herself. Panic would not help. And if there was one thing Aarohi Pawar had learned after years of living in this house, it was that sometimes survival meant playing along at least for a little while.

Her gaze slowly shifted toward the bed. Gargi was still lying there under the blanket like a peacefully sleeping criminal who had zero awareness of the emotional earthquake that had just shaken the room.

One arm was hanging off the bed dramatically, her hair was completely wild, and she was snoring softly like the world's problems were none of her business.

A small amused smile appeared on Aarohi's face despite everything.

I'll tell Gigi later, she thought quietly. If I tell her now she'll scream so loudly the entire mansion will wake up.

Aarohi walked toward the bed and grabbed the blanket corner. "Gigi..." she whispered, shaking it gently. "Wake up."

No response, she shook her harder this time. "Gargi get up yaar. What if some staff member walks in? If Dad finds out you sneak in through my balcony every week, he'll turn the security into an army."

The blanket moved slightly, a muffled voice answered from inside. "Relax... I'm awake...just 2 min more"

Two seconds later Gargi suddenly sat up like a resurrected ghost, her eyes half-closed and her hair looking like it had personally fought with gravity and lost.

She rubbed her face lazily before stretching her arms like someone who had just woken up from a ten-year sleep. "Haan haan... uth gayi main," she muttered in a sleepy tone.

Without saying another word she stood up and walked straight toward the bathroom like a zombie operating on autopilot.

Aarohi blinked slowly. "Wow," she muttered dryly. "Such emotional connection."

The bathroom door closed behind Gargi, ten seconds later it opened again.

Gargi walked out casually, completely awake now, and headed directly toward Aarohi's enormous walk-in wardrobe like a professional fashion consultant entering a luxury boutique.

The wardrobe itself was massive rows of dresses, neatly arranged shirts, designer heels, bags, and color-coordinated outfits lined the glass shelves. Gargi opened one section and began scanning the clothes thoughtfully.

Aarohi crossed her arms immediately "Excuse me?"

No reaction, Gargi calmly pulled out an oversized black shirt and a pair of comfortable shorts from one of the shelves.

Aarohi's eyes widened "Bitch," she said slowly, "are you seriously taking my clothes without asking me?"

Gargi glanced at her briefly like the question was completely unnecessary.

Then she shrugged and continued walking back toward the bathroom with the clothes draped over her arm.

"Sharing is caring," she replied casually.

The bathroom door shut again, aarohi stared at it in disbelief. "You climbed my balcony like a thief last night," she shouted toward the door. "Scared me to death, slept through a whole emotional crisis, and now you're looting my wardrobe like it's a shopping mall."

From inside the bathroom Gargi's voice floated out lazily."Correction. Borrowing."

Aarohi rolled her eyes dramatically and leaned against the wardrobe wall."I hate you."

"You love me.... unfortunately."Inside the bathroom Gargi chuckled.

Outside, Aarohi's expression slowly changed again as the reality of the situation returned to her mind. Tonight the Bhosale family was coming. And according to Kamala's secret plan... this meeting was definitely not going to be a normal one.

A mischievous spark slowly appeared in Aarohi's eyes. "Let's see how this goes," she murmured quietly.

◆◆◆

Bhosale Group Headquarters-Veer's Cabin

High above the restless city, the top floor of Bhosale Group Headquarters carried the quiet authority of power and legacy. The glass walls of Veer Bhosale's cabin overlooked the Mumbai skyline, where skyscrapers, highways, and endless movement stretched as far as the eye could see.

Veer sat behind his desk, focused intensely on his laptop screen. Rows of emails, financial reports, and strategy documents filled the display as he reviewed them with the same sharp attention he gave to everything in life. His posture was straight, his expression composed, and his movements precise.

Anyone looking at him would assume that nothing in the world could disturb his focus. But today... there was a faint irritation sitting behind his calm expression.

His fingers paused briefly on the keyboard before continuing again, typing replies quickly while scanning numbers and projections with professional efficiency. The quiet hum of the air conditioner and distant office chatter outside the glass walls created a background rhythm of corporate life.

A sudden knock broke the silence. "Come in," Veer said without looking up. The door opened dramatically."kya hal chal, brooo!" Veer slowly lifted his eyes from the laptop.

Standing at the door with the energy of a walking chaos generator was Kartik. Veer leaned back in his chair slowly, his expression turning flat. "Saaley," he said calmly, "how many times have I told you?"

Kartik paused mid-step, "In the office," Veer continued, narrowing his eyes slightly, "you say sir."

Kartik immediately raised both hands in surrender. "Wait wait wait." He leaned forward and studied Veer's face carefully."You look angry."

Veer rubbed his forehead slowly as if trying to physically massage the frustration out of his brain.

"My entire schedule is about to get wasted today," he muttered under his breath.

Kartik pulled a chair and dropped into it across the desk, curiosity instantly lighting up his expression. "Why?"

Veer shut his laptop with a quiet but deliberate thud.

"Because apparently," he said dryly, "Mumma has decided that my life's greatest milestone should now be getting married."

Kartik blinked."Oh."

Veer continued speaking, the usual professional restraint slipping away as annoyance finally escaped.

"Since morning she has called me four times, sent twelve messages, and reminded me about this ridiculous meeting with a girl I've never even seen before."

He leaned back in his chair with visible irritation. "My brain is officially fried." Kartik stared at him silently for two seconds. Then he slowly crossed his arms and leaned back. "...Fuck."

Veer narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "What?" Kartik tilted his head thoughtfully. "First of all," he said calmly, "the fact that you think marriage will destroy your schedule is actually hilarious."

Veer's glare sharpened."And second?" Kartik leaned forward with a mischievous grin that clearly meant trouble. "The real question is..." He tapped the desk dramatically. "Do you even have a brain to fry?"

The room fell silent, Veer stared at him with the calm expression of a man considering murder."Kartik."

"Yes, sir?"

"You have exactly damn five seconds to get out of my cabin."

Kartik burst out laughing loudly. "Relax bro!" he said, raising his hands again. "I'm just saying... you've been working like a machine for years. Maybe this girl will finally upgrade your damn operating system."

Veer sighed deeply and leaned back again, his gaze drifting toward the window overlooking the busy city below.

"Or maybe," he said quietly, "she'll become another complication."

Kartik shrugged casually, "Maybe she's beautiful."

Veer raised an eyebrow."Maybe she's dramatic."

Kartik smirked wider."Maybe she's crazy."

Veer remained silent for a moment, his mind briefly wandering toward the unknown girl he was supposed to meet in the evening.

Somewhere in the city... a woman he had never met was about to step into his carefully controlled world. And strangely...for the first time that morning... a flicker of curiosity appeared in Veer Bhosale's mind.

"Let's hope," he murmured quietly, "that she's at least interesting.

>_<

Till then bye bye and take care of yourself meet you in next chapter

Note: The quote Aarohi reads in this chapter is inspired by lines I once read in another romance novels. Credit to the original writer.