EP-2
The street was bustling as usual. Honking rickshaws, late office-goers, and a samosa stall steaming up the corner.
Preeti Sharma, headphones in, was on her usual post-college walk home, happily chewing her gum and bouncing to the beat of her Bollywood playlist.
She was mid-chorus of “Param Sundari” when—
Preeti Sharma/FL
“Aunty! STOP!”
A screech of tires.
A scream.
Preeti’s eyes snapped open. A woman—maybe in her fifties—was stepping right into a speeding car’s path.
Without thinking, Preeti ran.
Preeti Sharma/FL
“ARE YOU CRAZY?!” she yelled, grabbing the lady’s arm and pulling her back just in time.
The car whooshed past, horn blaring, driver yelling something rude.
Both women stumbled to the side of the road. Preeti panted, still holding onto the woman’s wrist like her life depended on it.
The older woman looked shocked.
Preeti Sharma/FL
“A-are you okay, aunty?” She asked, crouching in front of her like a hyper squirrel. “Are you dizzy? Did the car touch you? Do you need water? An ambulance? My blood type?!”
Riya malhotra
“N-no, beta. I think I’m okay…”
Preeti Sharma/FL
“You were about to get flattened like a pizza!” She huffed, fishing a bottle of water out of her bag and handing it over. “Aunty! Why weren’t you looking?! What if I wasn’t here?!”
Riya malhotra
“I... I guess I was distracted."
Preeti Sharma/FL
She plopped down beside her on the bench. “You’re lucky I’m always late. God really said, ‘Here, aunty, take your guardian angel. She may have chappals and attitude, but she’s yours now.’”
Riya malhotra
She giggled. “You’re very dramatic.”
Preeti Sharma/FL
“I’ve been told,” she smirked. “Name’s Preeti, by the way. Preeti Sharma.”
Riya malhotra
“Well, Preeti Sharma,” she said, sipping the water gratefully, “you just saved my life. I owe you.”
Preeti Sharma/FL
“You owe me nothing.” she said, brushing it off. “Maybe just… look both ways next time? And avoid crossing the road like a Bollywood heroine doing slow-motion drama?”
The woman chuckled, her eyes softening. There was something warm about this girl — her quick wit, her boldness, the way she didn't hesitate to help a stranger.
Riya malhotra
“College student?”
Preeti Sharma/FL
“Final year..” She said proudly. “Soon-to-be graduate. Future successful woman. Current unpaid intern of chaos.”
Riya malhotra
“You remind me of someone I used to be.”
Preeti Sharma/FL
“A hot mess with a kind heart?”
Riya malhotra
“No,” she laughed. “A hurricane with a soft center.”
The two shared a final laugh before the woman stood.
Riya malhotra
“Thank you again, Preeti. For saving me. For making me laugh. You’ve made my day.”
Preeti Sharma/FL
“I try.” She shrugged playfully. “Take care, aunty. No more road-crossing stunts, okay?”
Riya malhotra
“Promise.” she smiled. “And Preeti?”
Riya malhotra
“I hope we meet again.”
Preeti Sharma/FL
She smiled. "same here."
Later That Evening – Malhotra Mansion.
Riyan walked into the house, tossing his keys on the marble counter, his expression as usual—grumpy billionaire's son energy activated.
Riyan malhotra/ML
“Mom, where’s my charger—?”
He froze.
There she was.
His mother, sitting on the couch with a glowing face and a suspiciously romantic twinkle in her eye.
Riyan malhotra/ML
“You look... weirdly peaceful,” he said cautiously. “Did you join yoga or something?”
Riya malhotra
She smiled dreamily. “I met the sweetest girl today.”
Riyan malhotra/ML
“Please don’t say you’re matchmaking again—”
Preeti Sharma/FL
“I nearly got hit by a car.” she interrupted dramatically.
Riyan malhotra/ML
“WHAT?!”
Riya malhotra
“But a girl saved me!” she said happily. “She was brave, kind, fussed over me like I was her real mother—”
Riyan malhotra/ML
He blinked. “Okay... cool story.”
Riya malhotra
“She gave me water, yelled at me for being careless, and made me laugh. Her name was Preeti. Preeti Sharma.”
Riyan malhotra/ML
“Sorry—what?”
Riya malhotra
“Do you know her?”
Riyan malhotra/ML
His face went through a mix of horror and denial. “You could say that.”
Riya malhotra
“Well, I’ve decided something,” she declared with the pride of a queen choosing her heir.
“She’s going to be my daughter-in-law.”
Riyan malhotra/ML
“WHAT?!”
Riya malhotra
“You heard me.”
Riyan malhotra/ML
He looked personally victimized. “Mom, she literally fights with me every day in college.”
Riya malhotra
“Perfect,” she said, sipping her chai. “That means you talk. Communication is the key to a good marriage.”
Riyan malhotra/ML
“She once called me an expired cheese puff—”
Riya malhotra
“And you survived,” she said calmly. “It’s called character building.”
Riyan malhotra/ML
“Mom, seriously?!”
Riya malhotra
“I like her. And I have amazing instinct. Just wait. You’ll thank me on your wedding day.”
Riyan stood there, eyes wide, while his mother smiled to herself—already planning Preeti Sharma Weds Riyan Malhotra in gold foil letters.
Comments