Chapter:2 The Meeting

Isha’s POV

The day of my meeting with Aarav arrived, and I couldn’t ignore the flutter of nerves in my stomach. I had spent the morning pacing in my room, trying to convince myself that this was just another formality. Just another day in my carefully structured life. But the truth was, I was more nervous than I cared to admit.

My mother hovered, adjusting the folds of my black sari, her fingers smoothing down every crease. “You look perfect, Isha,” she said, beaming with pride. “Simple, elegant, and confident.”

I forced a smile, feeling the weight of the occasion. “It’s just a meeting, right? Nothing is set in stone.”

She gave me a knowing look. “Just keep an open mind.”

I nodded, taking a deep breath as I walked downstairs. The living room had been transformed, filled with fresh flowers and the smell of chai and sweets wafting from the kitchen. My father was speaking with Aarav’s family, exchanging pleasantries. But when Aarav turned, his eyes found mine immediately, and the room seemed to fall away.

He stood as I entered, his posture poised, and his expression unreadable. For a moment, our eyes locked. He was as handsome as I remembered—tall, with sharp features that gave him an air of quiet intensity. His dark eyes held mine, and I felt a shiver run down my spine.

“Hello, Isha,” he said, his voice smooth but distant. There was a confidence in his tone that both intrigued and unsettled me.

“Hi,” I replied, keeping my voice steady as I took a seat across from him. The air between us felt charged, and I was acutely aware of my parents’ eyes watching, hopeful.

Aarav’s mother, Meera Thakur, spoke up. “Isha, Aarav tells me you’re a lawyer. Corporate law, is that right?”

I nodded. “Yes, I work for a firm that specializes in business law.”

Aarav’s eyes remained fixed on me. “It must be demanding.”

“It is,” I replied, matching his gaze. “But I like it. I enjoy the challenge.”

His lips quirked into a small smile. “I appreciate someone who isn’t afraid of a challenge.”

There was a tension in the air—an invisible thread that pulled us together and yet kept us at a distance. We were two strangers, meeting under the pretense of tradition, but I couldn’t help feeling there was more beneath the surface.

Our conversation continued, polite and measured. He asked me about my hobbies, my family, my work, and I answered, keeping my tone friendly yet professional. But the more we spoke, the more I sensed something guarded about him, like he was keeping a part of himself hidden.

At one point, I decided to turn the tables. “And what about you, Aarav? Import and export, right?”

His eyes flickered with amusement, but there was something else there—something darker. “Yes, I manage the family business. It keeps me… occupied.”

I felt a prickle of curiosity. “What exactly does that entail?”

He paused, his gaze sharp, as if assessing me. “Managing people, ensuring that everything runs smoothly.”

“Sounds complicated.”

His smile was thin, and his eyes never left mine. “It can be, but I’m used to dealing with complications.”

I didn’t miss the subtle edge in his voice, and a small part of me wondered what he wasn’t saying. There was a lot more to Aarav Thakur than met the eye, and I could feel the layers of mystery surrounding him, pulling me in.

Just then, my phone buzzed in my lap. It was a text from Ananya: How’s Mr. Mysterious? Is he handsome? Tell me everything later!

I quickly silenced the phone, glancing up to find Aarav watching me with a knowing smile. “Everything alright?”

I nodded, returning his smile. “Just a friend checking in.”

He leaned back slightly, his eyes still fixed on me. “I hope you’re not bored.”

“Not yet,” I said, smirking a little. It was a challenge, and I could see his eyes light up with interest.

Our parents soon suggested we take a walk in the garden. As we strolled among the rose bushes, I felt the tension between us grow. Aarav’s hand brushed mine, and for a second, I felt a jolt of electricity. I glanced up at him, but his expression was unreadable—intense, yet guarded.

He broke the silence. “I know this arrangement isn’t ideal for you.”

I paused, surprised by his directness. “And how do you know that?”

He shrugged, his gaze fixed ahead. “Just a feeling. You seem like someone who values independence.”

I nodded, appreciating his honesty. “I do. But sometimes… life has other plans.”

He smiled, but there was a hint of something else in his eyes—something that felt like a warning. “Yes, it does. But if you ever want to back out, just say the word.”

I blinked, caught off guard. “You’d let me?”

His eyes softened for the first time. “I’m not the kind of man who forces anyone’s hand, Isha. If this isn’t what you want, I won’t stand in your way.”

The sincerity in his voice surprised me. For a moment, the walls he kept so firmly in place seemed to crack, and I caught a glimpse of the man behind the mask—a man who, despite the power and the mystery, might just be as unsure as I was.

As our conversation ended and we headed back inside, I realized that this was just the beginning. Aarav Thakur was a puzzle I wasn’t sure I could solve, but one thing was certain—meeting him was going to change everything.

And I wasn’t sure if I was ready for it.

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