Krish halted in his tracks immediately and turned slowly."You're not escaping from here so easily. You'll pay for your crimes, foolish man." Krish's eyes reddened in anger as his eyes met Manav's.A policeman walked over to Krish, putting him on handcuffs too."I'll get back at you for this." Krish gritted in anger and Manav let out a mocking laughter."You can't do anything to me, enjoy your stay in prison." Manav sneered as Krish was being led out of the hall together with Riya.With the hosts arrested, the party came to an abrupt end and the hall got deserted in minutes.*********"Hello there, Zara." Arjun smiled as he flinged the door to the office open.Zara's gaze moved from her laptop to the man in front of her, "Oh hi Mr Arjun. How are you doing today?"Arjun pursed his lips, "You said we are friends right? So why are you still so formal with me?" Zara's lip curved into a half smile, "Apologies. It just sounds so odd for me to address you informally, you know? Especially wh
Arjun moved back from the impact of the slap, "What was that for?" Zara's anger disappeared upon the realization of what she had just done.She swallowed hard, "I'm.. I'm really sorry Arjun. I didn't mean to…" "It's fine, I understand. I saw how you suddenly changed after that phone call and it's why I was so insistent on knowing who called." Arjun explained with sincerity in each word.Zara lowered her head in embarrassment as her action attracted the attention of the customers."Come with me, I'll tell you everything." Zara said softly and turned on her heels with Arjun following closely.The moment Arjun slammed the car's door shut, Zara started crying.Arjun frowned, "Hey Zara, what's wrong? Why are you crying?" He said as he brought out a handkerchief from his shirt, handing it to her.Zara dabbed the cloth on her face as she inhaled deeply, "The person who called me was my stepmom, Jigyasa Khan." She quivered as she spoke."You have a stepmom?" Arjun asked, sounding surprised.
"Hey mama." Utsav called as he walked into the room."Utsav, I've told you several times to address me with sweet names…calling me mama makes me feel old." Jigyasa complained.Utsav smirked, "My bad baby. How bout that?" "That sounds so sexy." Jigyasa wrapped her arms around his neck as they shared a nose kiss. Jigyasa heard footsteps approaching the room, she quickly pulled away from Utsav."Make sure to treat my daughter like a queen okay? I don't want her going through work stress and relationship stress, understood?" "Yes mother. I'll do my best to keep her very happy." Utsav played along with her."Wow." Zara appeared at the door."Oh dear, you're here. Have you come for Utsav? We were just talking about you." Jigyasa said, feigning affection in her voice."You're unusually sweet, any problem?" Zara inquired with narrowed eyes.Jigyasa paced towards her, stroking Zara's arms softly, "Don't say that. I'm always sweet towards you. You just annoy me sometimes and that's okay righ
Zara's eyes widened in surprise, "Mom. That's such a big decision. Please give me some time to give it some thought." Jigyasa adjusted herself on the bed, "But what is there to think about? Utsav is such a good boy and besides you're not getting any younger, you have to get married someday." Zara took Jigyasa's hand, holding it tightly."Mom, try to understand. Marriage is such a big deal. Besides, I don't…I don't want to get married to Utsav." Jigyasa's face twisted in anger but she maintained composure, "Why did you say that? Why can't you get married to him?"Zara rose up from the bed, "I don't really like him. The only reason I'm still with him is because you like him a lot. He's the only one you've ever approved of. But honestly if it were up to me, we'd have broken up a long time ago."With Zara's back in front of Jigyasa, She glared daggers at her. "If it's about that then you really don't have to worry. After you two get married, you'll learn to love him." Jigyasa persuade
The guests became spectators, watching the drama unfold in silence."Why are you trying to stop this wedding? Who are you?!" Jigyasa erupted.Zara stared at Arjun in surprise, "Arjun? What are you doing here? Please go away." Zara said even though she didn't want him to leave. Utsav rose up in anger, "You! How dare you show up to ruin my wedding? Have you no shame?" Arjun remained calm and collected depsite Utsav's words, "I should be the one asking you that, Utsav Singh." Arjun walked casually into the house, "I can't let this wedding take place. Zara is being forced into marriage and I can't let that happen to her." Jigyasa stood with her arms akimbo, "Zara's not being forced into anything.""Jigyasa Khan. I've heard a lot about you. You're a very smart woman but fortunately I'm smarter." Arjun smiled, revealing a perfect dentition.Jigyasa rounded the wedding altar, stopping in front of Arjun. "What do you mean?" Arjun stood taller than Jigyasa, he lowered his cold gaze on her,
The policemen stroded into the house."We can't let you hit him. We're here to arrest him so let us handle it." Officer malhar said.Arjun smiled at the officers, "You arrived just in time. Please arrest him. He committed murder and tried to blame someone else. I've sent you a video, it's the proof." "Please don't arrest my Utsav.. We can talk about this." Jigyasa shamelessly implored."Since you care about him so much, why don't you join him?" Arjun suggested.Jigyasa glared at him but uttered no words."Shameless woman." "Not only shameless, she's very evil." "Hmph. I can't believe I used to be friends with such a person." The guests mocked Jigyasa. It hurt Jigyasa but hurt someone else more. Her son, Dhruv.The policemen handcuffed Utsav and he was taken away. Arjun followed behind them."Jigyasa. Whatever happened today is something I won't be able to forget in a hurry. Mark my words, I'll make you pay for your sins sooner or later." Zara threatened before scrambling up to her
"Yes, she is. But she never really treated me like a child. She only fed me thoughts about how bad Zara was and that's why I can't help hurting her even when I don't want to." Dhruv sighed as he felt lighter after telling Arjun about his problem.Arjun reached out to tap Dhruv slightly on the shoulders, "I think you need to see a therapist. Come with me, I know a friend." Dhruv furrowed his brow, "No, I'm not seeing any therapist and I'm not going anywhere with you. Who knows? You might just be taking me to a police station." Arjun chuckled, "Trust me, you need a therapist and I promise not to turn you in. It can be our little secret." Dhruv narrowed his eyes at Arjun and released them after a while, "Fine. I'll come with you." ***********“Zara, I brought someone here to see you." Arjun said as he opened the door to her office.Zara pursed her lips, "Since when did you start bringing people along whenever you come to visit me? Anyways, tell me. Who is it?" Arjun hummed, "I won'
"Aisha, can you please attend my scheduled meeting at 12? I have somewhere to run to around that time." Zara typed on her laptop as she spoke.Aisha's face wore a fake smile, "I can totally do that." "I forgot I would need this. Aisha, can you please help me with the file on that locker? I really need some information from it." Zara pleaded but her eyes remained focus on the laptop.Aisha grinded her teeth, "Sure." She lazily paced towards the locker, picking up the file on it and turned back. Zara took a quick glance at Aisha, "Thank you so much for choosing to assist me with my work. Honestly, I don't know what I would have done if you weren't here." Zara appreciated Aisha with a smile."You're welcome Zee. It's the least I could do." Aisha said with a smile.There's actually a lot that I can do, but I'm choosing to wait for the right time. You're keeping me here so I can run errands for you despite being the managing director of such a company, the stupid things I have to endur
Arjun saw the garden where Kavita was caring to her flowers from his study. The vista was bathed in a warm glow from the sun, and he felt calm almost automatically. Though their road had been long and difficult, they had negotiated it hand in hand. He had a gentle knock on the door. He said, turning to find who it was, "Come in."Entering the room was their son vivaan. He wore his father's will and the eyes of his mother. " dad, do you have a minute?"Always for you, lad. What then is on your mind?Raj settled down across from his father. "I have been considering the next major initiative for our foundation. There is a fresh project to supply Northern Indian far off villages with pure water. Though it is a big effort, I believe it is well worth it.Arjun slanted forward, his curiosity sparked. Tell me more, please.Vivaan went to get his father a folder. "We have located a number of settlements without access to pure water. The idea is to construct environmentally friendly water sys
Sitting at their kitchen table, Arjun and Kavita were softly illuminated by the early morning sun across the room. Papers and tablets abound on the table, each one loaded with ideas for their most recent projects. Though they had even more aspirations, the Global Youth Council was flourishing."Arjun became quite hopeful as they hung up the phone. "This is the way we produce actual change. Through cooperation, appreciation of local knowledge, and integration with our technologies."Their partnership with Dr. Hassan marked only the start. They contacted like-minded experts throughout the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia. Every area brought unique difficulties, but also great chances for learning and development.After a tough day of meetings, Arjun and Kavita sat on their porch one evening enjoying the cool wind. "We've come a long way," Kavita replied gently. "Still, there's a lot to do."Arjun held her hand. "And we'll do it one step at a time, one other. Like we have always done
Arjun and Kavita sipped in the living room of their estate over a stack of letters from individuals all around the world. These letters offered stories of how their work had changed countries, towns, even personal lives. Kavita picked up a letter written by a small Indian child. "Arjun, listen to this. Thanks to your foundation, I was able to pursue my passion of being an engineer and show up for class. I appreciate you believing in women just like me.'"Arjun grinned cosily. Kavita, that's lovely. These letters help us to remember the reason for our activities.Now a young guy driven by social justice and technology, Vivaan walked carrying a tablet. "Mom, Dad, you really have to see this. One of the communities where we applied dispute resolution artificial intelligence has a video.They watched as he played the film and heard a community elder speak. "We have been able to settle our differences amicably and concentrate on creating a better future for our children thanks to the AI t
The large meeting room of the company hummed with a symphony of many dialects and languages as they prepare for the seminar. Arjun stood at the head of the polished table, a globe mapped on the screen behind him. "Welcome, everyone," he said, his voice exuding a warmth that cut across the niceties of the scene. "It is a privilege to welcome here today representatives from the African Union, the United Nations, and other NGOs. Castle City has shown great benefit from our AI-driven conflict resolution solutions; we are keen to expand their application.Rising from the African Union, a tall woman with vivid headwrap raised her hand. "Mr. Arjun, we have quite keenly watched your development. The Sahel area is seeing growing strife; we think your technology could revolutionize things."Arjun nodded, "We know every area is different even if we share your hope. We are not providing a universal fix here. Our method consists in customizing the technology to fit the particular political and cu
The lovely couple "Arjun and Kavita" were enjoying coffee at their kitchen table discussing their daily schedules as the early sun softly shone over Castle City. The aroma of freshly prepared coffee blending with bread and scrambled eggs created an ambient interior space."Vivaan has been so captivated with his most recent project," Kavita replied, flashing a smile. he reminds me of you, you were also like that.Arjun nodded and lay down his cup. "His degree of fervor is quite remarkable. It is making me think of an idea Kavita. That energy should be directed to produce something timeless. What about a mentoring program for young people intrigued in artificial intelligence ethics and technology?Kavita's eyes came alive. "That's a brilliant concept, Arjun! We may offer instruments and direction to help define the upcoming generations. Imagine the difference we could bring about.Arjun leaned back; ideas were already racing through his head. "We might set up seminars, create a mentorin
As the couple and the team kept dissecting the encrypted communication as their heads were racing with the urgency of the matter. The message suggested an urgent threat to their research and facilities, and they understood they had to act right now to preserve all they had so laboriously created.Arjun replied, fingers speeding across the keyboard as he accessed their security systems, "We need to act quickly." "Let's schedule a meeting including our IT team and top security experts."Kavita nodded and grabbed her phone to begin making calls. "I will get Ramesh and the IT crew here straight away."Within an hour the lab was humming with activity as their most reliable team members crowded about. Among the first to arrive were Priya, their main IT technician, and Ramesh, director of security."What is the circumstances?" Ramesh questioned, his tone austere.Arjun went over the encrypted communication and any threat with the staff. "We must improve our security protocols and guarantee t
The day begin with Arjun sitting on his seat with his computer screen softly lighting his face. As he went over the most recent results from their artificial intelligence effort, the hum of the lab equipment provided a soothing background noise. With Vivaan in her arms and the toddler's eyes wide with inquiry, Kavita walked inside the room."Look who wanted to visit Papa," Kavita remarked, grinning as she laid Vivaan down.Arjun's face exploded. "Hey friend, What have you been doing today?Vivaan toddled over to Arjun and stretched for the vibrantly coloured screen diagrams. What's that, Papa?Arjun got his son on his lap. "We are working on a project here to benefit others. Do you wish to see?"With small hands clutching Arjun's arm, Vivaan nodded excitedly. Watching them, Kavita felt love and pride surge in her heart.Vivaan listened carefully as Arjun broke out the diagrams into understandable language; his apparently limitless interest. Kavita came to sit with them and lightly res
Arjun and Kavita moved into their new house feeling contentment and calm. The estate was everything they had dreamed of its magnificent architecture and amazing vistas. Every chamber promised fresh memories, exciting adventures, and a loving future.One evening, Kavita looked to Arjun with a reflective look when they were seated on their balcony seeing the sunset. "We have gone through a lot together, Arjun. The distance we have come from is astounding.Arjun grinned and cupped her hand in his. "It has been somewhat the trip. Now is also the moment to begin a fresh chapter. Kavita, what do you wish to undertake going forward?She slanted back, thinking about his query. "I want to concentrate on turning this house into a home. Let us begin by organising a housewarming celebration. We might invite colleagues, relatives, and acquaintances. It will be a great approach to show them our satisfaction.Arjun responded, "That sounds perfect." "Let us create it."In the next days, they were bus
As Arjun and Kavita head towards their honeymoon's first stop, the plane shot upward. Seeking to build lifelong memories and experiences together, they had selected a variety of unusual sites, places neither had been before.Looking out the window, Kavita watched the clouds drift by. "this is amazing, Arjun. It still amazes me that simply the two of us are at last here.Arjun squeezed her hand and grinned warmly. "We have long awaited this. Now is our time to savour and discover.The Maldives was their first destination. Painted beaches and glistening clean waterways greeted them with open arms. Gentle waves lapped at their feet as they strolled hand in hand along the coast."Look at this place," Kavita remarked with happy glistening eyes. "Like a piece of paradise."Arjun nodded, staring squarely at her. "it is. But right now, you are the true heaven.Their days were spent snorkelling, touring the colourful coral reefs, and dining romantically under the stars. One evening they were s