Tanya Anand sat by the window in the cozy living room, her eyes gazing out at the lush greenery outside. The soft golden light of the afternoon sun filtered through the curtains, casting gentle patterns on the floor. Coco, her energetic pet dog, was curled up lazily beside her, its tail wagging occasionally at the sound of birds chirping outside.
She absently stroked Coco's fur, her mind elsewhere.
An arranged marriage.
The thought still felt unreal. She had spent years building her own identity, creating something meaningful with her passion and hard work. Marriage had always seemed like a distant thought, something she would choose on her own terms, when the time felt right.
But now, a name loomed over her future—Avinash Malhotra.
She had heard of him, of course. Everyone had. Ruthless, brilliant, intimidating. A man who didn't just navigate the business world but ruled it. He was the kind of person who made things happen, whether people agreed or not.
Was that the kind of man she wanted to marry?
Her fingers hovered over her phone. A simple search would tell her everything she needed to know his achievements, his reputation, the stories people whispered about him.
But she hesitated.
Would knowing more make things easier or just confirm that she was stepping into something far bigger than she could handle?
Just then, her phone buzzed, making her jolt slightly. She exhaled, shaking off the uneasy thoughts before glancing at the screen.
Aarvi (Assistant).
Of course. Work. Something she could control.
"Yes, Aarvi?" she answered, her voice steady despite the turmoil in her mind.
"Ma'am, I know it's your day off, but we have a situation."
Tanya sat up straighter. "What happened?"
"The supplier for the upcoming collection just backed out. If we don't secure a replacement by tomorrow, production will be delayed."
Tanya pressed her fingers to her temple. A delay wasn't just inconvenient it could damage her brand's reputation. She had spent months perfecting this collection, and she wasn't about to let a logistical issue ruin it.
"Did you contact Devansh Textiles?"
"Yes, but they need confirmation by tonight. Should I set up a call?"
Tanya hesitated. Normally, this decision would be automatic. But today, there was a weight on her shoulders that she couldn't shake. Her life had always been about her business, her passion. Now, it felt like something else was slipping into that space.
Something or someone she wasn't sure she wanted.
Still, she couldn't afford distractions. She took a steadying breath.
"Do it. Schedule it for 7 PM. Also, inform the design team I want alternative fabric options ready in case we need them."
"Got it, ma'am." Aarvi replied efficiently before hanging up.
Tanya let the phone rest on her lap, staring at it for a moment. Work had always been her escape, her anchor. But for the first time, she felt like it wasn't enough to push away the uncertainty creeping into her life.
"Tanya, come on, the tea is ready!" her mother's voice rang from the kitchen.
Shaking off the thoughts, she stood up. Not now. Maybe she wasn't ready to know just yet.
In the kitchen, her mother was busy preparing tea, talking with the kitchen staff while her father sat at the table, flipping through some papers. Tanya smiled at them, grateful for their understanding and patience. Family was everything to her, and they had always supported her choices.
As she sat down with her cup of tea, her father looked up from the papers.
"Tanya, we just want you to be happy, dear. If you decide this isn't the right match for you, we will respect your decision. But we want you to keep an open mind."
Tanya nodded, but her mind was already spinning with doubts. Was it really just about keeping an open mind? Or was she being asked to take a leap into the unknown?
"Mumma, Papa... do you really think he will be a good fit for me?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Her mother smiled warmly, placing a reassuring hand on Tanya's hand. "We believe in you, sweetheart. You'll know when it's right."
Tanya took another sip of her tea, the warmth spreading through her chest.
Her work was her passion. Her family was her foundation. And now, her future was about to take a turn she hadn't expected.
Would she be able to balance them all?
Would Avinash Malhotra be the missing piece or the storm that unsettled everything she had built?
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Hello Lovies!! 💞
That was the first chapter, and I hope you all loved it! I can't wait to hear your thoughts on Tanya's journey so far. Will she open her heart to what's coming, or will she stay focused on the life she’s built? 🤔
And don't forget to vote if you enjoyed the chapter! Your love and support mean everything to me. 💕
Until next time, lovies! ✨💖
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