Love and Lies
The Seeds of Revenge
Ishani Deshmukh (Female Lead)
It’s been five years. Five long years since that night.
Ananya Mehta (FL Assistant)
Ma’am, are you alright? You’ve been staring at the photo for a while now.
Ananya Mehta (FL Assistant)
I'm fine, Ananya. Just... thinking.
Ishani Deshmukh (Female Lead)
(The picture on the desk makes her pause) Father, I can't forget what they did. Harish Mehta. Karan’s family. They think they can escape the consequences of his death... but they’re wrong. They have no idea what’s coming for them.
Ananya Mehta (FL Assistant)
You’ve been saying that for years now. I understand why you want revenge, but... you need to be careful. It’s been so long.
Ishani Deshmukh (Female Lead)
Careful? My father's company, his reputation, everything... they were destroyed because of them. No, Ananya, I’m not being careful anymore. I’ve waited long enough. Now is the time to make them pay.
Ishani looks out the large glass window of her office, overlooking the city skyline. The world below her seems unaware of the war that’s about to begin.
Ishani Deshmukh (Female Lead)
Karan Rana. He doesn’t know the truth, but he’s a key part of the plan. I have to get close to him. He’s smart, and he’s not stupid. If I’m not careful, he could ruin everything. But I will win him over, just like his family.
Ananya Mehta (FL Assistant)
How do you plan to do that? Karan’s not just some businessman. His family’s been influential for years. You can’t just waltz in and get him to trust you.
Ishani Deshmukh (Female Lead)
I won’t have to waltz in. I’ll make him need me. He’ll see how beneficial it will be to work with me. And once I’m in, I’ll have the perfect opportunity to strike.
Ananya Mehta (FL Assistant)
That’s risky. You don’t know him like that. What if he sees through you?
Ishani Deshmukh (Female Lead)
If I can’t make him believe me, I don’t deserve to win. I’ll make him trust me, Ananya. Just watch.
Ishani turns away from the window, walking back to her desk where Ananya is standing, nervously watching her every move.
Ishani Deshmukh (Female Lead)
You’ll help me, won’t you? I need everything to go perfectly. I won’t let anything stand in my way.
Ananya Mehta (FL Assistant)
Of course, ma’am. But you need to remember, Karan Rana has his own business empire. He’s not easily swayed.
Ishani Deshmukh (Female Lead)
I’m not looking to sway him. I’m looking to make him see the truth in my eyes. Once he does that, the rest will follow.
Ishani picks up her phone and starts drafting a message to Karan, her fingers hesitating over the keys. She knows it’s a risky move, but it’s the only option.
Ishani Deshmukh (Female Lead)
I’ll offer him a business proposal. A collaboration. I can’t afford to waste time. He might be skeptical, but I’ll make him see the potential.
Ishani Deshmukh (Female Lead)
( Ishani text to Karan): Karan, I’d like to discuss a potential business collaboration. I believe it could be mutually beneficial. Let me know when you have time to meet.
Ananya Mehta (FL Assistant)
You’re really going to do this now? You’re just going to reach out to him like that?
Ishani Deshmukh (Female Lead)
What other choice do I have? He’s the only way to move forward. If I wait any longer, someone else might get in the way. I won’t let that happen.
At Karan’s office. He reads the message Ishani sent, his brow furrowed. He leans back in his chair, unsure of her intentions, but intrigued nonetheless.
Karan Rana (Male Lead)
(Text to Ishani): I’m free tomorrow afternoon. Let’s meet and discuss it.
Karan's Pov: Ishani Deshmukh... Why is she reaching out to me? Her father’s death was a tragedy, but something about this feels off. Still, a business proposal from her could be interesting. I’ll hear her out, at least.
Ishani’s phone buzzes with Karan’s reply. She smiles to herself, a spark of determination igniting within her.
Ishani Deshmukh (Female Lead)
(Text to Karan): Tomorrow afternoon it is. I’ll send over the details soon.
Ananya Mehta (FL Assistant)
So, it’s set? You’re really going through with this?
Ishani Deshmukh (Female Lead)
Yes. Tomorrow is just the beginning. Once I have him on my side, everything else will fall into place. He doesn’t know it yet, but he’s already made his first mistake.
Unlikely Alliance
Ishani Deshmukh (Female Lead)
Tomorrow’s the day. The first step in my plan. I can’t afford to mess this up.
Ananya Mehta (FL Assistant)
Ma’am, you’re still up? It’s past midnight. You need rest.
Ishani Deshmukh (Female Lead)
I can’t sleep. Not with everything that’s at stake. If I don’t make this work, I’ll lose everything.
Ishani Deshmukh (Female Lead)
[Ishani's anxiety creeping in]: I’ve been preparing for this moment for so long, and now that it’s here, I can’t help but feel nervous. What if Karan sees through me? What if he figures out my true intentions?
Ananya Mehta (FL Assistant)
You’ve got this. You’re strong, and you’ve got the plan. Karan won’t know what hit him.
Ishani Deshmukh (Female Lead)
I hope you’re right. I have to make him trust me first. Then, when I’m in, everything will fall into place. This is just the beginning.
The next morning, Ishani arrives at Karan’s office building. The sleek, modern structure looms before her, a symbol of his wealth and power. As she steps into the elevator, her mind races through the meeting’s potential outcomes.
Ishani Deshmukh (Female Lead)
I have to remain calm. Play it smart. I can’t show weakness. Not in front of him.
The elevator doors open, and she steps out into the luxurious lobby, her heels clicking against the marble floor. A receptionist greets her, and she’s escorted to Karan’s office, where she’s shown inside.
Karan Rana (Male Lead)
Ishani, good to see you. (He stands and extends his hand to her.)
Ishani Deshmukh (Female Lead)
Thank you for agreeing to meet. I appreciate your time.
Karan's Pov: She’s poised, calculated. I’ve heard so much about her, but I’ve never really interacted with her until now. There’s something about her... Something I can’t quite place.
Karan Rana (Male Lead)
I’m intrigued by your message. Let’s sit down and get to it.
They sit across from each other at a sleek glass table, the silence between them palpable. Karan’s sharp gaze remains fixed on her, while Ishani shifts slightly, preparing for the moment she’s worked so hard for.
Ishani Deshmukh (Female Lead)
As you know, my father’s company fell apart after his death. I’ve spent the last few years rebuilding, but there’s someone still causing issues behind the scenes. His name is Harish Mehra. He’s been sabotaging everything I’ve worked for.
Ishani Deshmukh (Female Lead)
Ishani's thoughts: Now, I have to make him understand. I have to make him see that I’m not just some angry woman looking for revenge. I need him to believe in the bigger picture.
Karan Rana (Male Lead)
I’ve heard of Mehra. He’s a powerful man, dangerous. What’s your plan?
Ishani Deshmukh (Female Lead)
I need your help. We’ve both been affected by him in different ways. I’ve been trying to take him down on my own, but I can’t do it without the right resources. We both have a lot to gain from taking him down. If you help me, I can guarantee that you’ll see the benefits.
Karan Rana (Male Lead)
Karan's thoughts: Her story makes sense. Mehta has been a thorn in everyone’s side. But why is she coming to me? What does she want from me? I’ll need to be cautious.
Karan Rana (Male Lead)
I’m listening. What do you need from me?
Ishani Deshmukh (Female Lead)
I need access to your resources. Your connections, your influence. Together, we can expose Mehra for the criminal he is. But I need someone who understands the business world, someone who has the ability to move quickly.
Ishani Deshmukh (Female Lead)
Ishani's thoughts: This is it. He’s buying it. Now, I just need to make him believe that I’m the right person to work with.
Karan Rana (Male Lead)
I don’t know you that well, Ishani. Trust is important, and it’s not easy for me to trust someone, especially not with something as big as this.
Ishani Deshmukh (Female Lead)
I understand. But you don’t have to trust me right now. You just have to trust that taking down Mehra is the best choice for both of us.
Karan Rana (Male Lead)
Karan's thoughts: She’s confident. But does she have the chops to back it up? I’ll need to keep my guard up. I can’t let her get too close
Karan Rana (Male Lead)
Alright. Let’s start small. We’ll test this partnership. But don’t think for a second that I’ll just follow you blindly.
Ishani Deshmukh (Female Lead)
That’s all I’m asking for. A chance. Together, we’ll bring him down.
The meeting moves into logistics as they begin to discuss the finer details. Ishani lays out her plan, while Karan listens intently, his mind working through the possible risks and rewards. The partnership is tentative, but it’s a start.
Ishani Deshmukh (Female Lead)
Ishani's thoughts: It’s done. He’s on board, even if he doesn’t fully trust me yet. He will. I’ll make sure of it.
Karan Rana (Male Lead)
We’ll start with a few meetings with my team. I’ll have my people look over your records. We need to make sure everything checks out.
Ishani Deshmukh (Female Lead)
That’s fine. I’ll get everything ready. We’re in this together now.
Karan Rana (Male Lead)
Karan's thoughts: This could work. If she’s as good as she says, maybe this will be worth the risk. But I can’t let my guard down. Not yet.
The meeting wraps up, and Ishani leaves Karan’s office with a sense of accomplishment. The first hurdle has been crossed, but she knows the real challenge is just beginning.
Ishani Deshmukh (Female Lead)
This is just the beginning. Soon, you’ll see, Karan. We’ll both get what we want.
The First Step
At Karan's office, Morning
Ishani Deshmukh (Female Lead)
I’m walking into a lion’s den today.
Ananya Mehta (FL Assistant)
Stay calm, Ma’am. You’ve got this.
Ishani's Pov: I’m standing outside Karan’s office, wondering if I’ve done enough to prove myself. The deal is on, but nothing is ever as simple as it seems. If this works, it’ll be a huge step in taking down Harish Mehra. But if it fails, everything crumbles.
Ishani takes a deep breath, straightens her blazer, and steps into the elevator. As the doors close, she’s already mentally preparing for the meeting. Her mind replays everything she’s planned, and she reviews her talking points. Today’s the day they dive deeper into their partnership. There’s no turning back now.
Karan's Pov: She’s here. The question is, what is she really after? This alliance is just as much a risk for me as it is for her. But she seems confident—too confident. Let’s see if she can back it up.
The elevator dings, and Ishani steps out into the high-rise’s corporate floor. The polished floor reflects the sunlight streaming in through the windows, giving the entire space an air of power. As she walks through the halls, she’s escorted into Karan’s office, where she finds him already seated behind his desk, looking over documents.
Karan Rana (Male Lead)
Ishani, good morning. I hope you’ve had a productive night.
Ishani Deshmukh (Female Lead)
Morning, Karan. Yes, I’ve been preparing for today. I think it’s time we move forward.
Karan Rana (Male Lead)
Karan's thoughts: She’s not wasting any time. Let’s see if her plan is as sharp as she’s making it out to be.
Ishani takes a seat, her eyes never leaving Karan as he sets the papers aside. The room is quiet, and a heavy tension builds as both of them wait for the next step. This partnership is new, untested, but it’s necessary. For both of them.
Karan Rana (Male Lead)
Alright, Ishani. We’ve talked about your plan, but now it’s time to get into the details. What exactly do you need from me today?
Ishani Deshmukh (Female Lead)
I need your team to analyze Mehra’s financial records. We need to see where his money is going, what he’s hiding. The sooner we find something, the sooner we can make our move.
Ishani Deshmukh (Female Lead)
Ishani’s thoughts (sensing the urgency): I have to make him understand how critical this is. I need him on my side, completely. One misstep, and it all falls apart.
Karan Rana (Male Lead)
I’ve got a team that specializes in this. But, we need more than just documents. We need access to his network. And that means a personal touch.
Ishani Deshmukh (Female Lead)
I’m already working on that. I’ve been reaching out to some of Mehra’s associates. They won’t be easy to crack, but I’ve got a few ideas.
Karan Rana (Male Lead)
Karan’s thoughts (impressed): She’s thorough. I didn’t expect her to have this level of preparation. She might be more capable than I first thought.
Karan Rana (Male Lead)
I’ll have my people start digging. You keep doing what you’re doing on your end. We’ll reconvene in a few days with an update.
Ishani Deshmukh (Female Lead)
Sounds like a plan. But Karan, we have to move fast. If Mehra catches wind of what we’re doing, he’ll bury us both.
Ishani Deshmukh (Female Lead)
Ishani’s thoughts (watching Karan closely): He’s not used to working in the shadows. But I need him to see that this is a war. And it’s one we can’t afford to lose.
Karan Rana (Male Lead)
Agreed. We move fast, but we also need to be careful. I won’t risk everything for this. There’s too much on the line.
The meeting continues in a more relaxed atmosphere as both begin discussing their respective teams. But there’s a sense of urgency now—every word, every decision carries weight. Ishani feels a small pang of doubt creeping in. She’s trusting Karan, but there’s still so much she doesn’t know about him. Can she trust him enough to go all in?
Ishani Deshmukh (Female Lead)
We’ll make this work. I’m not in this for the short term. We take down Mehra, and everything else will fall into place.
Karan Rana (Male Lead)
You’ve got conviction, I’ll give you that. Let’s just make sure we’re both ready for what’s coming.
The meeting wraps up, and Ishani stands up, her mind racing with everything that needs to be done. The plan is set in motion, but there are still so many obstacles in their path. Karan seems willing to work with her, but she knows it won’t be easy. The next steps will be the real test.
Ishani Deshmukh (Female Lead)
I’ll be in touch soon. Let’s make sure we’re both prepared for the next phase.
Ishani Deshmukh (Female Lead)
Ishani’s thoughts (walking out of the office): We’re in this together now, Karan. And no matter what happens, we can’t back out. Not anymore.
As Ishani steps out of Karan’s office building and into the busy city streets, the weight of the day’s conversation lingers. There’s no going back. The game has begun.
Ishani Deshmukh (Female Lead)
This is it. Time to play my part. Let’s see if Karan really can be trusted.
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