Enjoy reading!❣️

Rudra's Pov-

It is a very important day for me and I got the time to be late today only. Rudra, you can never be more responsible. Ma always says right, one day this lateness will be very heavy for me.

I ran towards the dining hall, picked up the sandwich and made a run for the car. But before that, my mom stopped me, "Rudra Malhotra, I dare you to put your foot outside this room and you will see why I am your mother."

I stopped then and there only, because whenever ma takes any of our names fully, it means that you are in danger. I slowly turn towards her with a nervous laugh, "Mom, you know it is a very important day and I am already late, please this time let me go. I promise I will get up early from tomorrow onwards." This feels like a deja-vu, since from school days I am like this. I always promised her to wake up the next day early but it never got fulfilled.

"I don't want to hear anything and I don't care about your important day. I want you to sit here and eat your breakfast properly and slowly. Otherwise I will come to your office and in the middle of the meeting I will make you eat."

I widened my eyes because I know she is capable of that. Accepting defeat and making puppy eyes to her to not get scolded more, I sat on the chair and had my breakfast, properly and slowly.

After finishing, I went to my office where I straight entered my cabin and called for my PA and he immediately came.

"When are they coming?" Without speaking unnecessary, I came to the topic.

"They are coming at 12 in the noon sir."

"Ok, make sure the preparations are all done and that to, perfectly. I want everyone to be on their best behavior, one mistake and consequences will be severe. Inform everybody about this."

Neil nodded and went away. Today is a big day. This is because today I have a meeting organized with the CEO of Peral's that is my Ri. And I want this meeting to be successful. I am nervous and it has been a long time since I last got this anxious for any meeting. I want everything to go smoothly. The thought of seeing her today also messed up with my sleep yesterday.

When I got the confirmation of the meeting, I was on cloud nine and in the excitement I didn't close my eyes until four in the morning and also didn't go for the basketball match today. The thought of seeing her only makes me feel tingles all around.

Rudra calm down, collect yourself and this meeting should go very well. My hands are sweating, breathing is rapid, my heart is racing, as the time is coming closer. With little more prep talk, I braced myself and walked towards the conference room when Neil came to inform me they have arrived and are waiting for me.

Taking my parents and all the God's name that existed I entered with a deep breath. And there my world stopped. It is her. It is really her. I can't fucking believe that I am seeing her this close after this long time. I can feel my body coming alive and dancing. Ri is really here and looking like a goddess, nope she is a goddess.

Sitting there in a black satin shirt and brown pants with that hair being tied into a ponytail and with minimal jewelry which consisted of just earrings and a bracelet she is looking so ethereal and unreal. Someone cleared their throat and I looked at my back to Neil standing and then I realized where I was. I completely dazed off, there is going to be a meeting and Neil is waiting for me to go forward. I drew in a long breath and went forward towards her.

Rudra, you got this, you have to be strong. I forwarded my hands and when it met hers, a current passed down my whole body. I guess she also sensed it so withdrew her hand quickly. I swear I am not going to wash my hands for days.

We introduced each other and I tried my best to not let my voice tell my inside feelings. I got the impression that she doesn't like to talk too much and just what is important. She also doesn't like to show her emotions much because the time I am here I only saw her working version, not a smile on her face.

The meeting went great and I have to say her company is a hidden treasure and I would not want to waste any single minute to delay this partnership. I wanted to introduce myself and reveal who I was but before that Tanya, my employee said, "Sir, I would like to propose that mam's company should work here till this collaboration. It will be easy to maintain our finances and time will also be saved very much from going from one company to another. Also we have more advanced equipment that might be helpful in the making of outfits."

"But in such a short span of time, it is impossible to shift everything from there to here." Shruti, her assistant, spoke.

"I think this is the best option." Neil also agreed with Tanya.

All the time Ri was silent and I was nervous. I don't want to pressurize her into this but in this way I will get more time to spend with her. Though whatever her choice will be I will go with her.

"Ok, but give us some time to prepare. There are a lot of other deals going on and I wish to complete those first and then solely focus on this after that. If you want us to work from here then you have to wait for some time." I couldn't believe that she had agreed. Oh my god!! Is this a dream? It had to be.

"I agree, Ri... ummm Ms. Anand you can take as much time as you want to complete those deals and after that you can shift here. If you want any help our company is always there for you." Rudra, are you mad? Thank god nobody listened to what I called her, but from now on I have to control myself from slipping up like this. It can never happen again. Sighing I look that the meeting had ended and then she said, "It will be pleasure to work with you, Mr. Singhania." with a hint of a smile.

"It would be more delightful if you called me by my name since I am younger than you."

"Uhh.. yeah sure..... Rudra."

Listening to this I had a full blown smile which was hard to cover, when I heard her calling my name. It was like taking a bath from holy water and washing all your sins away.

Wishing a bye to her, she went away not before frowning and muttering something she went away. I wanted to know what made her mood gloomy but before I could go to her, she was exiting the door.

I sighed knowing I can never buckle up and went to my cabin. I called Neil and instructed him that Ms. Anand's cabin should be right beside mine and it should be plain with minimalist things, because she doesn't like a room filled with every unnecessary thing.

After he went I busied myself with the work that has been piling up because of my lack of concentration.

Gauri's Pov-

He is weird, very weird. The first time I saw Rudra, I felt that I had seen him somewhere. He felt so familiar, but I can't remember where I saw him. Maybe I have seen him in a magazine after all he is very famous. I have to know a bit about him otherwise I will embarrass myself which I don't want to. I have to make this deal very successful because it can help me a lot in business.

And moving to their office might make it look like they are controlling, but it is my advantage only as I will get to learn more about how the things work and my time will also be saved very much including the finance.

I was in my car going back to my home. I have to also pick up Aarna from her play school on the way. I sighed and put my head on the back of the seat, closing my eyes. Everything is getting hectic, I don't know how I am going to survive. I just want to die, it is getting very difficult. I can feel myself panicking, my breathing rising. I put the divider up between the driver and me. Again a panic attack. I took my medicine from my bag and gulped it down.

I don't know how I am still alive. Maybe because I have the responsibility of raising a child. The child who has now become the reason for me to go and strive everyday to make her future secure. So what if I didn't get to live my teenage life fully, I will make sure that my baby lives each and every moment wholeheartedly.

I calmed myself down, I have to see my therapist soon. I picked up Aarna from school where she came running to me and hugged me tightly. I also took her in my arms and went inside the car and she snuggled into me giving me the comfort I am in need the most right now.

Today I have taken a break because Aarna wanted to go to the play section of the mall that was recently opened. She has seen it on television and was insisting me from last week to come here so here we are.

We reached the mall in twenty minutes and the minute we stepped inside the mall she was jumping and squealing very much and I literally couldn't control myself from smiling seeing her like this. It feels so good.

By the time we reached the top floor where the kids section was, she was all chirpy and telling me about how her day went in the school. She made a run and I was shouting to her to be careful and slow down. If anybody from my company sees this, they will not believe that I am the same as in the office.

I was looking out for her where she was playing with other kids. She is totally an extrovert, just the opposite of me. Before I could go back in the memories of my past, I heard someone taking my name and turned around to find some girls who work in my office. It looked like they were gossiping about me, again. I ignored them and went to find Aarna. By the time Aarna was satisfied with playing and enjoying it was almost night, so we decided to eat something here only in the mall.

I let Aarna decide and she wanted to eat pizza, so pizza it is. We went to the food section and from the time our order came and we sat, I could feel someone's eyes on me. But when I turned around to see, I didn't find anything suspicious. Ignoring the thought and me being delusional about it, I solely focused on Aarna.

The day was good. As soon as we reached home, Aarna was fast asleep in the car only, so I picked her up gently and went inside my apartment. I very slowly and steadily changed her clothes without disturbing her sleep so she could be comfortable. After that, I also went to change and freshen up. I wore a simple silk white nightie and robe.

Going to the kitchen I poured myself a drink since I was in dire need of it and picking it up with my laptop I went to the balcony. I decided to first answer my emails and then search for Rudra Singhania. And I got to know the reason why he was feeling so familiar to me. His parents were my parents best friend and our homes were next to each other so half of the time he was in our house and we used to play together. Ohhh! So he is the same Rudra Singhania, but I doubt if he remembers me. I have not seen him for the last eighteen years or what. He has also grown so much and is also one of the most handsome people. Gauri, you can't simp over him. He is five years younger than you.

And his parents might also not recall me. I took a deep breath and decided to just maintain my boundaries and be professional with him. If he doesn't remember me, I should also act like that. I should maintain the professionalism he showed today. We are nothing more than two people who are working for their company. We are only colleagues and nothing more than that.

But I am getting a feeling that this might turn into something more.

Any thoughts on their meeting?🤔
Let me know through your comments and also vote and share my story with your people❣️