Deepali's eyebrows shot up. "An arranged marriage, huh?""Yep," Swati confirmed with a nod."That's so cool!" Kavya chimed in, her eyes sparkling.Anand leaned in and gave Swati a side hug. "You're something else, Swati," he said with a grin."Yeah, I'm already jealous of your future spouse," Karan chimed in playfully, only to receive a playful nudge from Kavya. The nudge set off a wave of giggles that filled the elevator.The elevator doors whooshed open, interrupting their conversation. As they stepped out, Swati couldn't help but feel a warmth spread through her. These people, just a few hours ago complete strangers, now felt like a friendly, supportive group.The elevator doors slid shut, leaving Swati flushed. Compliments on her beauty weren't new, but this time, it felt different. This friendly gang had a genuine warmth to them. Anand and Karan seemed like good-natured guys, while Lavanya and Deepali possessed their own kind of beauty. Lavanya's smile, complete with that adorabl
Pushing the thought aside, I buzzed her on the intercom. "Have you finished the presentation?" I inquired, my voice clipped and impersonal as usual.The pause on the other end stretched a beat too long. When she finally spoke, her voice held a hint of surprise. "Yes, Sir," she replied."Good," I said, the word clipped and devoid of warmth. "Then bring it in. And my coffee."Before she could respond, I cut the connection, a pang of guilt twisting in my gut. I stole a glance at the receiver, half expecting it to spontaneously combust from the force of my curtness.Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her staring intently at the receiver, a flicker of something crossing her face before she quickly glanced down at her watch. Relief washed over me, a selfish emotion I instantly despised. Had I been staring at her for too long? The thought sent a jolt through me."Thank goodness," I muttered under my breath, forcing my gaze back to the paperwork in front of me. But the words on the page blur
Flinging my briefcase onto the bed, I sank into a chair, thoughts swirling like a storm in my head. When had Anjali ever taken such an immediate liking to any of my previous assistants? Why was Swati so effortlessly charming? Everyone – me included, it seemed – appeared inexplicably drawn to her. Rolling my eyes in frustration, I barked out, "HP!" Hari Prakash, along with his brother Om Prakash, seemed to materialize out of thin air, a testament to the ever-present staff at the Singh Mansion. "Coffee," I demanded, the word laced with a touch more impatience than usual.Hari Prakash returned with the steaming beverage within minutes, but for the first time in memory, it tasted…off. Swallowing the lukewarm liquid with a grimace, I realized the fault lay entirely with me. There was no way I could take my frustration out on the ever-patient HP. He couldn't possibly be expected to intuit the emotional turmoil churning within me.With a sigh, I discarded my suit jacket and tie, optin
Despite the unwelcome interruption, the tension in the room remained thick. A minute ticked by, then another. Just as I was about to call out to her, Swati poked her head back in, a shy smile gracing her lips.She knelt down to reach for the abandoned shoe, but her hands trembled violently, making the simple task seem impossible. My amusement momentarily battled with concern as I watched her struggle. The knowledge that I, Arun, the stoic and intimidating CEO, had reduced her to this flustered state, sent a spark of something akin to satisfaction through me.Finally, she gave up on the shoe, opting to carry it in hand as she retreated towards the door. A soft chuckle escaped my lips, the sound genuine and devoid of malice. The sight of her scurrying away, head down and eyes tightly shut, was undeniably endearing.Reaching for my phone again, I ended the call and turned my gaze to the window. There, I saw Swati standing rigidly, taking a few deep breaths. Slowly, she opened her
"What?" Arun barked, the sharpness in his voice momentarily shattering the strange tension that had filled the room. Seeing Swati flinch, a pang of guilt flickered within him. Maybe he was laying it on a bit thick.Swati, for her part, was secretly relieved by his return to his usual bossy demeanor. At least it was familiar territory, a world she understood. "It's ten o'clock, Sir," she announced, gathering her things."Right," he acknowledged with a curt nod. He rose from his chair, his tall frame momentarily filling the doorway. Swati instinctively stepped aside to let him pass, following close behind as he strode out of the cabin.She assumed a driver would be waiting to whisk them away to the meeting. Instead, Arun led her straight to a sleek black car parked in the lot. He climbed into the driver's seat, leaving Swati momentarily confused."Seatbelt," he commanded, his voice clipped.Swati blinked, momentarily thrown off guard. She fumbled with the unfamiliar buckle, a k
Arun watched the entire scene unfold, a reluctant smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He couldn't deny finding her fiery response…intriguing. As Swati reached him, her cheeks flushed with a mixture of anger and amusement, he offered her a silent nod of approval.Adi limped over to Arun, muttering under his breath, "Tigress, that one."Arun simply smirked. "Yep," he thought to himself, "a tigress indeed." The day was turning out to be far more interesting than he'd anticipated.A flicker of unease sparked within me as Adi greeted Swati with his usual brand of charm. I knew his flirtations were harmless, a routine he followed with every new face in the office. But Swati wasn't like the others. There was a quiet strength about her, an enigmatic quality that drew me in. The thought of another man flirting with her, even harmlessly, sent a jolt of possessiveness through me – a feeling I couldn't explain.Relief washed over me when Swati politely declined Adi's dinner invitation.
I dug into my Pav Bhaji, the familiar blend of spices sending a wave of satisfaction through me. Swati, on the other hand, approached her meal with a cautiousness that surprised me. She picked at the fluffy buns, her eyes lingering on the rich curry with a hint of apprehension. A soft chuckle escaped my lips as I polished off my plate. Swati, having finished her buns, seemed unsure what to do next. Her gaze darted towards my empty plate, a flicker of confusion crossing her features. "Never tried Pav Bhaji before?" I inquired, my voice gentle but laced with a hint of amusement.Swati hesitated, her cheeks flushing a delicate pink. Under my watchful gaze, she offered a hesitant nod."Damn it," I muttered under my breath, more to myself than to her. The disappointment was real. I'd hoped to share the experience of this comfort food with her, but forcing someone to eat something they weren't comfortable with wasn't my style. "It's okay," I reassured her, signaling the waiter dis
A few days zipped by in a whirlwind of activity. Both Arun and Swati threw themselves into their work, a silent tension simmering beneath the surface. Stolen glances became a secret game they both played, a delicious dance of unspoken attraction.The late-night office silence was shattered by a sudden burst of noise. Kavya and Deepali, Swati's coworkers, erupted through the doorway, a chorus of "Happy Birthday!" echoing through the room. Swati, startled awake from a light doze, blinked blearily at the sight of a cake and a gaggle of her colleagues. A tired smile tugged at her lips as she acknowledged their well wishes.Arun watched the scene unfold from his desk, a pang of guilt twisting in his gut. He'd completely forgotten about her birthday. He'd been so caught up in his own whirlwind of emotions, in the unspoken connection that crackled between them, that he'd let this important detail slip through the cracks.Swati blew out the candle on the cake, the flickering flame illuminatin
The anticipation buzzed in the air as fans filled the concert hall, eagerly awaiting the arrival of their favorite rockstar, Reyansh Malhotra. Backstage, Reyansh stood in front of the mirror, adjusting his outfit and running a hand through his tousled hair. The nerves and excitement mingled within him, knowing that tonight's performance held a special significance.Saarayu watched from the wings, a smile playing on her lips as she observed her husband's pre-show rituals. She couldn't help but feel a swell of pride at the sight of him, knowing the passion and dedication he poured into his music. As Reyansh turned to face her, his eyes lit up with a mixture of excitement and nervousness."Are you ready for tonight?" Saarayu asked, crossing the room to stand beside him.Reyansh nodded, a grin spreading across his face. "As ready as I'll ever be. This concert feels different, somehow. Like there's something special in the air."Saarayu's smile widened, knowing exactly what he meant. She p
As the dawn broke, casting a gentle golden hue across the room, Reyansh and Saarayu lay in each other's arms, savoring the tranquility of the moment. The previous night had been a whirlwind of passion and love, solidifying the bond between them in the most profound way.Saarayu traced her fingers lightly over Reyansh's chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart. She looked up at him, her eyes filled with a mixture of love and contentment. "I still can't believe we're finally married," she whispered, her voice laced with wonder.Reyansh smiled, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. "Neither can I. It feels like a dream," he replied, leaning down to kiss her forehead tenderly. "But it's the most beautiful dream I've ever had."They lay there for a while longer, wrapped in the warmth of each other's presence. The world outside seemed distant and insignificant compared to the love they felt in that moment. Eventually, the rumbling of Saarayu's stomach broke the serene silence, ca
Reyansh and Saarayu's wedding was a grand affair, a celebration that captured the essence of Indian culture and tradition in all its glory. The festivities spanned several days, filled with joyous ceremonies, vibrant colors, and the warm embrace of family and friends.The wedding began with a traditional engagement ceremony, where Reyansh and Saarayu exchanged rings in the presence of their families and loved ones. It was a moment filled with laughter and tears, as they made a solemn promise to stand by each other's side for eternity.The next day marked the beginning of the Mehendi ceremony, where intricate henna designs were applied to the hands and feet of the bride and her female relatives. The air was filled with the heady scent of jasmine and rose petals as the women sang traditional songs and danced to the beat of the dholak.As the sun began to set, the Sangeet ceremony commenced, a joyous occasion where both families came together to celebrate with music, dance, and delicious
As Reyansh and Saarayu sat together, their fingers intertwined, they knew that the time had come to broach the subject of marriage with their families. With their hearts full of love and anticipation, they began to discuss their future together.Reyansh cleared his throat, his gaze softening as he looked at Saarayu. "I think it's time we talk to our families about our relationship," he said, his voice filled with determination.Saarayu nodded, a smile spreading across her face. "I agree," she replied, her eyes shining with excitement. "I can't wait to share the news with them."They decided to start with Reyansh's family, knowing that they would be supportive of their relationship. With Saarayu by his side, Reyansh made the call to his parents, his heart pounding with nervous anticipation."Mom, Dad," Reyansh began, his voice steady despite the butterflies in his stomach. "Saarayu and I have something important to tell you."On the other end of the line, Reyansh's parents listened int
Passionate Romance in the ClinicThe bustling sounds of City Hospital echoed through the corridors, but in a secluded corner of the building, Dr. Reyansh Malhotra and Dr. Saarayu found a rare moment of solitude. The clinic, usually a place of healing and medical care, had become their secret haven, where they could steal precious moments away from the prying eyes of colleagues and patients.Reyansh was leaning against the examination table, his white coat slightly wrinkled from a long day of work. His gaze was fixed on the door, waiting for Saarayu to join him. The anticipation made his heart race, a feeling he had come to cherish amidst the chaos of their demanding profession.When the door finally creaked open, Saarayu stepped in, her eyes lighting up as she saw him. She closed the door quietly behind her, ensuring they wouldn't be disturbed. The air between them crackled with unspoken desire, an electric connection that had only grown stronger with time."Hey," she whispered, her v
As Reyansh and Saarayu sat together, their fingers intertwined, they knew that the time had come to broach the subject of marriage with their families. With their hearts full of love and anticipation, they began to discuss their future together.Reyansh cleared his throat, his gaze softening as he looked at Saarayu. "I think it's time we talk to our families about our relationship," he said, his voice filled with determination.Saarayu nodded, a smile spreading across her face. "I agree," she replied, her eyes shining with excitement. "I can't wait to share the news with them."They decided to start with Reyansh's family, knowing that they would be supportive of their relationship. With Saarayu by his side, Reyansh made the call to his parents, his heart pounding with nervous anticipation."Mom, Dad," Reyansh began, his voice steady despite the butterflies in his stomach. "Saarayu and I have something important to tell you."On the other end of the line, Reyansh's parents listened int
Reyansh held Saarayu close, their breaths mingling in the soft moonlight that filtered through the open window. The air around them crackled with unspoken words and pent-up desires, an electric charge that neither of them could ignore any longer. The passion in their kiss was just the beginning, a prelude to a night they both had silently yearned for.As Reyansh's fingers traced gentle lines down Saarayu's arms, she shivered with anticipation. Every touch felt like a promise, a declaration of the depth of his feelings for her. He pulled back slightly, his eyes searching hers for any sign of hesitation. But all he saw was the same intense longing that mirrored his own."Saarayu," he whispered, his voice barely more than a breath. "Are you sure?"In response, Saarayu pressed her body closer to his, her lips finding his in a kiss that conveyed more than words ever could. She was sure—more sure of this than anything she had ever been in her life. She had loved him from afar, cherished eve
Passionate Romance in the ClinicThe bustling sounds of City Hospital echoed through the corridors, but in a secluded corner of the building, Dr. Reyansh Malhotra and Dr. Saarayu found a rare moment of solitude. The clinic, usually a place of healing and medical care, had become their secret haven, where they could steal precious moments away from the prying eyes of colleagues and patients.Reyansh was leaning against the examination table, his white coat slightly wrinkled from a long day of work. His gaze was fixed on the door, waiting for Saarayu to join him. The anticipation made his heart race, a feeling he had come to cherish amidst the chaos of their demanding profession.When the door finally creaked open, Saarayu stepped in, her eyes lighting up as she saw him. She closed the door quietly behind her, ensuring they wouldn't be disturbed. The air between them crackled with unspoken desire, an electric connection that had only grown stronger with time."Hey," she whispered, her v
Reyansh held Saarayu close, their breaths mingling in the soft moonlight that filtered through the open window. The air around them crackled with unspoken words and pent-up desires, an electric charge that neither of them could ignore any longer. The passion in their kiss was just the beginning, a prelude to a night they both had silently yearned for.As Reyansh's fingers traced gentle lines down Saarayu's arms, she shivered with anticipation. Every touch felt like a promise, a declaration of the depth of his feelings for her. He pulled back slightly, his eyes searching hers for any sign of hesitation. But all he saw was the same intense longing that mirrored his own."Saarayu," he whispered, his voice barely more than a breath. "Are you sure?"In response, Saarayu pressed her body closer to his, her lips finding his in a kiss that conveyed more than words ever could. She was sure—more sure of this than anything she had ever been in her life. She had loved him from afar, cherished eve