Ep. 4: Mr. khadoosman
The Oberoi Grand Hotel glistened like a jewel in the heart of the city. Chandeliers spilled golden light over marble floors polished enough to reflect entire lives. The place hummed with different energies: on one side, laughter, music, and the aroma of coffee beans drifting from the open café; on the other, crisp silence of a business conference hall where the future of millions was being sealed with handshakes and numbers.
It was here, in this sprawling labyrinth of glamour and steel, that two worlds unknowingly collided.
Samruddhi Oberoi - FL
The moment she stepped into the hotel lobby, Samruddhi Oberoi tugged lightly at the hem of her deep wine-colored Schiffli backless kurti, the delicate crochet tassels brushing against her skin like whispers. Paired with ivory lace palazzos, the outfit gave her an effortless charm—traditional yet daring. Her bangles clinked softly as she moved, and her open hair spilled like ink down her bare back, catching the golden light with every step. Mischief still sparkled in her eyes, as though she carried her own festival wherever she went.
Ananya Verma- FL's bestfriend 1
“Late again, princess?” her best friend, Ananya teased over the phone.
Samruddhi Oberoi - FL
“Sweetheart, time waits for no one—except me.” she quipped, smirking at her own reflection in the glass door before slipping her phone into her clutch.
A group of businessmen sat in a corner of the lobby, their voices low, but one voice thundered above the rest.
She stilled, curious.
A man stood tall—broad-shouldered, sharp suit hugging his frame like it had been stitched by destiny itself. His presence was magnetic in the most unsettling way. He wasn’t shouting, but his voice carried enough weight to slice through marble.
？？？
“No one talks about women like that in front of me,” he said, the words rolling like thunder.
Samruddhi Oberoi - FL
Samruddhi’s brows rose. Oh wow… angry much?
From her angle, she couldn’t hear what provoked him. She only saw the way he loomed over an older businessman, his jaw clenched, eyes cold enough to freeze time.
Samruddhi Oberoi - FL
Her lips parted into a mischievous smile. “Uff… typical. Egoistic, khadoos, attitude se bhara hua. So much drama.”
Samruddhi Oberoi - FL
She turned back toward the café, shaking her head. “Bas aise hi log toh duniya ko boring banate hain… angry young men jo samajhte hain ki duniya unke gusse ke dum pe chalti hai.”
With that, she walked away, her bangles jingling, her laughter carrying across the atrium as her friends spotted her.
She never saw how his head turned sharply, eyes narrowing as if her presence brushed against his soul.
The café’s golden lights washed over Samruddhi as she finally reached her friends. Ananya and Priya were already halfway through their iced lattes, both sitting like queens who had claimed their corner of the world.
Priya Shankar - FL's bestfriend 2
“There she is!” Priya waved dramatically. “The princess finally makes her royal entry.”
Samruddhi Oberoi - FL
Samruddhi dropped into the chair opposite them, “Excuse me, darling, queens don’t rush. Time adjusts itself for me.” She gave a mock-bow that made Ananya snort into her drink.
Ananya Verma- FL's bestfriend 1
“Bas karo, filmy queen,” Ananya teased. “Tell us—why were you strutting in the lobby like a heroine from Karan Johar’s movie?”
(shut it, Filmy queen)
Samruddhi Oberoi - FL
Samruddhi smirked. “Because maybe I am the heroine.” Then her expression turned mock-serious as she leaned closer. “Aur tum dono mere background dancers.”
("And you both my background dancers.")
All three burst into laughter loud enough to draw stares from the next table.
Priya Shankar - FL's bestfriend 2
“Anyway,” Priya said, tossing her hair, “forget the drama—tell me you saw him!”
Samruddhi Oberoi - FL
“Kaun?” Samruddhi blinked.
("Who?")
Priya Shankar - FL's bestfriend 2
“That angry guy in the business lounge,” Priya whispered excitedly. “Tall, broody, super hot. He looked like he’d walked straight out of a billionaire romance novel.”
Samruddhi Oberoi - FL
Samruddhi rolled her eyes so hard it was a miracle they didn’t get stuck. “Uff, please. Don’t tell me you found that appealing. He was shouting like the world had ended.”
Ananya Verma- FL's bestfriend 1
“Shouting? Darling, he wasn’t shouting,” Ananya corrected, raising a finger like a lecturer. “He was… commanding. There’s a difference.”
Samruddhi Oberoi - FL
Samruddhi laughed. “Haan haan, command karte rahen. Mujhe toh bas khadoosman vibes mili. Angry young man types-bore kar dete hain mujhe.”
("yes yes, Let him command. But I got Angry man vibes from him. Angry young man types-Make me bore")
Her friends exchanged a look, smirking like they knew something she didn’t.
Samruddhi Oberoi - FL
“Anyway,” Samruddhi said quickly, brushing the topic away, “let’s talk about something more important—dessert.”
Samruddhi Oberoi - FL
The waiter came with menus, but Samruddhi already knew what she wanted. “One sizzling brownie with vanilla ice cream. Extra fudge. And two spoons, for these freeloaders.”
Ananya Verma- FL's bestfriend 1
Ananya gasped. “Rude! We’ll order our own. I want a tiramisu latte too.”
Priya Shankar - FL's bestfriend 2
“Same,” Priya chimed in, then leaned toward Samruddhi. “But also, I’m stealing from your sizzling brownie. Just warning you.”
Samruddhi Oberoi - FL
Samruddhi placed a hand dramatically over her chest. “Et tu, Priya?”
(“Even you, Priya?”)
The three dissolved into another round of giggles. Their laughter filled the space—warm, unrestrained, the kind that drew glances but also admiration. Because wherever Samruddhi Oberoi went, she carried a little orbit around her.
For the next hour, they talked about everything—Ananya’s hopeless crush on her lab partner, Priya’s never-ending diet plans (and her equal obsession with breaking them), and Samruddhi’s upcoming college fest where she had already planned three different outfits because one was never enough.
Samruddhi Oberoi - FL
The sizzling brownie arrived, steam curling upward like magic. Samruddhi dug in with a victorious grin. “This. This is why I don’t need men in my life.”
Ananya Verma- FL's bestfriend 1
“Until you meet Mr. Tall, Dark, and Broody from the lobby again,” Ananya teased.
Samruddhi Oberoi - FL
Samruddhi stabbed her fork into the brownie with unnecessary force. “Never happening.”
After the café, the girls spilled into the shopping arcade attached to the hotel, their chatter echoing off polished marble.
Samruddhi Oberoi - FL
Samruddhi’s eyes lit up at the rows of boutiques gleaming under chandeliers. “Chalo chalo, today the Oberoi credit card will save the economy.”
Priya Shankar - FL's bestfriend 2
“Your economy,” Priya muttered, but followed eagerly.
The next two hours were chaos in silk, glitter, and laughter. Samruddhi twirled in a flowy yellow dress while Ananya declared it “too sunshine for your sass.” Priya got stuck in a sequined jumpsuit and begged them not to take pictures—so naturally, Samruddhi clicked ten.
They ended up with bags full of shoes, earrings, and enough outfits to justify at least three imaginary vacations.
By the time they collapsed onto the benches with iced teas, their cheeks ached from smiling.
Ananya Verma- FL's bestfriend 1
You know what I love?” Ananya said between sips. “Days like this. Just us. No drama, no boys, no stress.”
Samruddhi Oberoi - FL
Samruddhi clinked her cup against theirs. “To us—Queens of our own kingdom.”
The evening sun painted the city gold as Samruddhi finally returned to the Oberoi mansion. The sprawling gates opened, ushering her car into the lush driveway lined with blooming jasmine.
Inside, the house buzzed with soft activity—servants moving quietly, her father’s study lamp glowing in the distance, her mother’s voice drifting from the prayer room.
But Samruddhi slipped away to her sanctuary: her room.
She kicked off her heels the moment she entered, sighing in relief. The all worked kurti and plazo was traded for an oversized T-shirt and soft pajama pants, her hair tied up in a messy bun. She curled up on her window seat with a cup of warm milk, staring out at the blanket of stars above the city.
For a while, she just breathed, the laughter of the day still lingering around her like perfume. But slowly, annoyingly, her thoughts slipped back.
To him.
The angry stranger with fire in his eyes.
Why was she thinking about him? He wasn’t special. Just another arrogant man, raising his voice like the world owed him attention. She hated that type. She always had.
Samruddhi Oberoi - FL
Khadoosman,” she muttered to herself. “Absolutely not my type.”
Samruddhi Oberoi - FL
Her gaze drifted higher, toward the moon framed in silver clouds. She hugged her knees, whispering softly as if the sky itself were listening.
Samruddhi Oberoi - FL
“I don’t care who he is. Rude guys will never impress me.”
But her heart, traitor that it was, skipped anyway—like it already knew fate had other plans.
Authy
So little Patoties... Let me know how you liked the chapter!!!
Authy
don't forget to like, subscribe and comment
Authy
see you in next chapter
Comments