Next morning β
The morning sun poured through the extravagant windows of the Malhotra palace, casting a golden hue on everything it touched.
Ishani stood in front of her mirror, adjusting the delicate strands of her hair, tucking her dupatta slightly, she was not nervous but shyness was visible on her face.
"What will I do in front of him ?", she said, looking at herself through the mirror, playing with her fingers.
"Anyways you've to go downstairs", she said, and checked herself for the last time.
"Be calm, and relaxed", she whispered.
As she descended the grand staircase, her heart fluttered at the thought of seeing him. The palace was bustling with activity, relatives and friends mingling, laughter echoing throughout the halls.
"Ishani...", A voice echoed between her ears, as she looked behind.
"Natasha...", she said and tightly embraced her into her arms.
"I'll be staying at your palace", she said and showed her the suitcase.
"Perfect", Ishani mumbled.
"Come with me, I'll show you the room", She said and Natasha nodded.
"Waise ek baat puchu ?", Natasha asked.
(Can I ask you something ?).
"You're waiting for him na ?", she said, and Ishani stops her feet. She looked at her curiously.
"Now who is him ?", She asked her.
"That cafe boy", she innocently replies.
"How do you know, if he's coming or not ?", She asked.
"Raghav bhai, was talking to him, he was on a call", she said and I rolled my eyes.
"He's not coming today", She replied and they both went upstairs.
"Ohh acha....", Natasha said and she put on her suitcase on the bed.
"Uncle and aunty haven't arrived yet ?", Ishani asked.
"Woh kal aayenge ya phir shayad aaj shaam ko bhi, kyuki dad ki meeting thi aaj", Natasha replied and Ishani nodded.
(They'll come tomorrow, or maybe even this evening, because dad has a meeting today).
"You must be tired, I'll get you some juice", Ishani said but Natasha denied.
"No, not at all, I'll help you downstairs and also, I will also meet aunty and uncle there", she said and they both went downstairs.
And so, the house kept drowning in function preparations. Marigold garlands hung from every doorway while the aroma of pure ghee and cardamom drifted from the kitchen.
In the courtyard, cousins fought over Bluetooth speakers, debating between old Bollywood and punjabi beats β so chaotic.
The house is carried with restless energy. Workers moved across the marble floors, carrying crates of flowers and adjusting drapes while Dadβs sharp gaze followed their every step.
His silence is heavier than any command.
In the corner, Raghav scrolled through his phone, thumb moving mechanically, detached from the chaos as usualβpresent in the body, absent everywhere else.
Of course he's busy with his calls.
From the kitchen, Natasha poured freshly squeezed orange juice into tall glasses, ice clinking, her focus gentle but distant, like she was serving a house that wasnβt truly hers.
By the counter, Ishani sat with a small silver bowl. The knife moved carefully, slicing almonds into thin slivers for the halwa. Each cut was precise, controlled.
"Everyone, it's break time, it's already 12 noon", a voice came as Ishani's mother said as she stood between the hall.
"I'm tired as hell...", Ishani whispered and Natasha laughed at her with this expression.
Here everything is going perfectly.
_________________________________________________
In oberois mansion β,
Morning light spilled through the tall windows of the Oberoi mansion. In this mansion mornings always go with discipline, sincerity and well maintained.
He pushed the heavy door open, the faint scent of his cologne still lingering from yesterday.
Shreyansh came out of his gym room, sweating all over, a servant handed him a towel and he walked towards his room.
"I have to get ready", he said, going towards his room.
He pushed the heavy door open, the faint scent of his room, spread across all over it.
Today was simple. No college, no lectures, no notes. Only shopping.
He threw his towel somewhere and went to take a shower, or to cool himself down.
The shower hissed to life, steam curling against the black marble. Minutes later, he stepped out with a towel on his shoulder, wearing the bathrobe water tracing the lines of his shoulders. He ran a hand through his hairβdark, damp, falling messily across his forehead.
At the dresser, he reached for his comb. Stroke by stroke, the chaos settled. His hair was still messy, but now it was deliberate, well-combed, the kind of effortless that took effort. A drop of water slid from his temple to his jaw.
He went to his wardrobe and searched for a t-shirt and a trouser.
"What about the color ?", he said to himself while looking at the clothes on by one.
"Blue for the t- shirt and, white for the trousers... Perfect", he muttered under his breath.
After a few minutes, he was all ready.
He adjusted his watch on his wrist.
He glanced at himself in the mirror, exhaled, and smiled. Just shopping today. No need to look like the heir to the Oberoi empire. Yet somehow, he still did.Β
"Just today more, then I'll get to see you Ishani", he said and closed his room's door.
"Morning everyone", he said, sitting on the table, ready for breakfast.
"Are your bags packed ?", his dad said, taking off his specs.
"Not yet dad, but don't worry I'll do it on time", he replied, drinking a glass of water.
"We'll be leaving at 10 am for the shopping and it's 8:30 am, so be ready on the time okay everyone ?", his dad said with a serious expression.
"Okay doctor", everyone said, and somehow his dad left a chuckle.
"What a family it is", he said and everyone continued their breakfast.
Time skips.
The black Range Rover rolled through the gates of the Oberoi mansion, tires crunching on the gravel driveway. The shopping trip was beginning to start.
Shreyansh stepped in first, shrugging off his sunglasses and running a hand through his hair. It was still damp at the nape from the morning shower.Β
They reached into a mall and everyone was busy buying things for themselves.
Shreyansh as usual doesn't paying that much attention, he was just standing with his family.
Just then his eyes caught a piece β a mehroom coat. He went to the manager and talked about it's price. Surprisingly he brought it.
"It will look good one me", he said and paid the bill.
After 3 hours of shopping, the range rover headed back to their mansion.
Shreyansh stopped his car, and told servants to bring the shopping bags inside the mansion.
His mom descended gracefully, directing the house to help with a wave of her hand. Her bags were handed over immediately, filled with handloom shawls and fresh jasmine gajra sheβd picked up from the flower market near the mall. βPut these in water before they wilt,β she instructed, though everyone knew they wouldnβt wilt. Nothing wilted under her watch.Β
Shreyansh loosened the top button of his shirt and exhaled. The AC hit his skin, cool after the Delhi heat. He dropped his bags onto the couch in the formal living room and glanced at Trisha, who was already unboxing her jewellery on the dining table.
"I'm going to my room", he said to his dad and went to his room, still his bags were hanging on his hands.
He came into his room, grabbed his suitcase and started packing it with his things.
"I shouldn't be late tomorrow", he muttered under his breath.
A soft yet elegant smile spread across its face, as his cheeks are turning into red.
"Now see, what did you do to me", he said while, looking at the moon.
He did his packing, and kept his suitcase, near his wardrobe.
"I should go downstairs, dinner must be served", he said to himself, locked his room and went downstairs.
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So the chapter ends here, I know it must be a little boring.
Do vote and share your thoughts about this chapter into the comment section.
But don't worry, the next chapter will be interesting.
Any guesses, why will happen in the next chapter, did they both meet this soon or they have to wait ?
Or maybe another incident is waiting for them ?
And silent readers, please start to share your thoughts too, I would love it.
Have a happy reading
Yours author_riitu
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