HAPPY READING ✨

The grand ballroom of the Taj Mahal Palace was abuzz with the chatter of Mumbai's elite. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a warm glow over the elegantly dressed guests. Esha stood near the bar, laughing at something one of her colleagues had just said, her eyes sparkling with excitement. She wore a stunning red dress that hugged her figure perfectly, exuding confidence and charm.

Across the room, Darsh entered, scanning the crowd. He had spent the last two years building his startup from the scratch , and tonight was a celebration of his success. But as soon as his gaze landed on Esha, a familiar pang hit him in the heart. She was talking animatedly with a group of men, their laughter ringing in his ears. He felt a mix of emotions—pride for her achievements and a twinge of jealousy. He took a deep breath, trying to shake off the feeling. "It's just business," he muttered to himself, but his eyes remained glued to her. Esha caught his stare and, for a brief moment, their eyes locked. Time seemed to freeze. The world around them faded, and all he could see was her.

Suddenly, one of the men she was talking to leaned in closer, making her laugh even harder. Darsh clenched his jaw, feeling an unexpected surge of protectiveness. "Esha," he whispered under his breath. Memories of their college rivalry flooded back—late-night debates, competitive presentations, and the undeniable chemistry that had always simmered beneath the surface.Just then, Isha turned and spotted him. A flicker of surprise crossed her face, quickly replaced by a warm smile. "Darsh! I didn't expect to see you here!" she exclaimed, walking over to him. "Yeah, it's been a while," he replied, trying to keep his voice steady. "Congrats on your recent project launch. I heard it was a huge success."

"Thanks! It was a lot of work, but worth it. And I heard you're doing great things too," she said, her eyes shining with genuine admiration.

"Trying to keep up with you," he joked, but the underlying tension was palpable.

"Come on, we were rivals back in college, remember? You always pushed me to do better," she teased, a playful glint in her eye.

"Rivals, huh? I think we both know it was more than that," he shot back, his heart racing as he recalled their late-night study sessions and the moments when their competitive banter turned into something deeper.

Esha's smile flattered for a moment, and he could see a flicker of something in her eyes—nostalgia, perhaps? "Maybe. But look at us now. We've both made our marks," she said, glancing around the room filled with successful professionals.

"True. But I still think we should have settled that debate on market strategies," he said with a smirk, trying to lighten the mood.

"Anytime you want to have a rematch, I'm game," she replied, her laughter ringing like music in his ears.

As they talked, Darsh couldn't help but feel that the spark between them was still there, lingering beneath the surface. But as she turned back to her colleagues, he felt that pang in his heart again. Was it too late for them? Could they ever move past their rivalry and explore what might have been?

Darsh watched as Esha rejoined her colleagues, her laughter filling the air once again. He stood there for a moment, his glass of champagne untouched, the crowd seeming to blur around him. The ache in his chest was sharp but fleeting—he wasn't the same man he had been in college, and neither was she.

He took one last look at her, memorizing the way she lit up the room. Then, with a small, resigned smile, he turned toward the terrace doors, the cool Mumbai night calling to him.The wind hit his face as he stepped outside, carrying with it the distant hum of the city. He leaned against the railing, looking out at the Arabian Sea, its waves endless and constant. Somewhere out there, the future waited—unwritten, unpredictable."Here's to new beginnings," he whispered to himself, raising his glass before taking a long sip. Whatever lay ahead, he knew one thing for sure—tonight wasn't about the past. It was about forging ahead. And as the night carried on, so would

"And just like that,our journey begins "

This was the first step into the world of love,betrayal and unspoken emotions.
There's so much to unfold,so many secrets waiting to be revealed. Stay with me because the real story is yet to begin......

Ur author IRA🎀