It was 10 pm when Vardhaan came back from his office. Parking his car, he saw the whole family sitting and chatting in the lawn area, like they do before dinner. Vardhaan walked up to them with a small smile.
"Bhai is here", Meera noticed first.

"Arree Vardhaan go freshen up you must be tired ", said Aditi.
"Yes kakisa, and baba I have an important meeting tomorrow", said Vardhaan looking over at his father.
"The meeting with the SM Group?", Abhay asked.
"Yes baba, I will be leaving early tomorrow", he said looking at his mother who had a disappointed face.
"What is this beta? When will you start taking care of yourself? Why are you always immersed in work? Aise hi karte rahe toh tabiyat kharaab ho jaayegi", Ragini scolded.
(You will fall ill if you continue doing this.)

"Nahi hoti tabiyat kharaab Maa, don't worry. And this meeting is much important for the joint venture", he said smiling at his mother's concern.
(I am not getting ill Maa)

"Fine as it is important for you but don't stay up till late in your study. I will just check the dinner to get served so you can freshen up and we will have dinner together ", said Ragini.

"Arree bhai agle hafte Mahashivratri aa rahi hain...ladies, bachho kuchh plan kiya ya nahi", asked Anuj.
(Next week is Mahashivratri, have the ladies and kids planned everything?)

"Haa bhai, dekh lo kya kya taiyyariyaan karni hain...koi kami nahi rehni chahiye", Abhay agreed with his brother.
(Yes everyone, see to the preparations which are needed...there should be no faults.)

"Don't worry Abhi, everything is going as planned. The invitations will be sent out from tomorrow onwards. I have already informed Malini about next week, so probably they may come in 2-3 days", said Ragini to her husband.

"Yess bhai sa, the mandir decorations will be starting tomorrow and like every year the kids will bring the shivling from our ancestral temple", Aditi added.

They discussed some more about the festival after Vardhaan retired to his room as he had a meeting the next day.

"Maa sa, please please please can we invite Nitya di??", asked Navya.
"Ofcourse we are inviting Nitya, this way Vardhaan can also meet her, right Bhabhi sa?", Aditi asked.
"Yes definitely we are inviting her. In fact, I will invite her myself, she would never say no to me", Ragini said.

Vardhaan was working on his laptop sitting on the couch and after sometime his eyes droop as he felt drowsy. As he closed his eyes he saw the scene from that morning in front of him. He saw the same girl..though only her back. He shook his head to get rid of the illusion thinking that he was just tired. As he fell asleep, he saw a familiar pair of light brown orbs in his dream, the same ones which he saw this morning at the orphanage. He could hear the same voice that he heard this morning when he saw a girl talking to a 5 year old kid Aisha, as he knew.

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Next Morning

Everyone was settled in the dining table when Vardhaan entered with his usual dangerous yet charming aura.

He was wearing a dark burgundy two piece suit which sticked to his broad shoulders like a second skin with a crisp white shirt and sleek black tie.

He greeted the elders and took his seat still maintaining a stoic face as everyone else was discussing the upcoming festival and what they needed to do for the day.
"Dadabhai sa only behaves nice with Navi", Vivaan sulked, whispering to Riddhi.
"Shut up, if bhai sa hears this aisa pyaar jataayenge tumhe ki pyaar karne laayak nahi bachoge", said Riddhi.
(He would show such kind of love to you that you won't be able to love anyone)

"Kya khusar phusar kar rahe ho tum dono", asked Raghav.
(What are you guys whispering?)
"Nothing bhai, we were discussing about the next week preparations", answered Vivaan with a nervous smile.
"Liar. He thinks I only love Navi and ignore this monkey", Vardhaan stated with a smirk.
"N..no.. w..wh..why would I say this Dadabhai sa. After all you are my brother...hehehe...why would I say this", Vivaan said nervous as he felt his doomsday near.
"Itna naatak mat kar, manhoos zeher lag raha hain", Vigyan snickered.

(Stop your drama, you are quite bad at it)

Vivaan made a sulking face and got back to breakfast.
After the breakfast, as everyone was leaving for their work, Vardhaan called Vivaan.
"Yes Dadabhai", Vivaan came to him.
He said nothing and handed over the keys to Vivaan. Vivaan saw a white and black Honda cbr fireblade with red and blue designs. The bike he asked for and was promised if he excelled his last semester exams.

Vardhaan ruffled Vivaan's hair lovingly, "So, how is the gift?"
"Thank you sooo muchh Dadabhai!!!! You are the bestttt!!!!", Vivaan jumped and hugged him. Vardhaan hugged him back, chuckling at his childishness.
"Now go, and remember you have to join the company soon", said Vardhaan.
"Yess Dadabhai, I will be joining soon, tab tak toh apne chhote bhai ko thoda chill karne dijiye".
(Till then please let your younger brother enjoy a bit)

Soon they left for office.
"Sir, the Maheshwaris are here for the meeting", his P.A. informed Vardhaan.
"Settle them in the conference room, I will be there in 15 minutes", Vardhaan said curtly.
After exactly 15 minutes he entered the conference room and saw his team of five people already settled there which included his Kaka sa, Vigyan, Raghav and two best technicians of his company. Along with them, the new faces were a man almost his age, an older man probably in his 50s and a handful of members of their company. He assumed them to be the Maheshwaris.
"Good Morning everyone, I would like you to start the meeting without any delay", said Vardhan in a cold dominating voice.
"Don't you think you should know how to greet people Mr. Suryavanshi?", asked the young man.
"Mr. Aarambh Maheshwari , if I am not wrong?", asked an amused Vardhaan.
"Surely so Mr. Suryavanshi ", Aarambh replied.
"And why do you think I should be greeting everyone of you instead of doing the work we are here for?", Vardhaan said.
"You should if you have any manners", Aarambh gritted his teeth.
Vigyan, Anuj and Raghav smirked as they felt this guy was gone for good, all thanks to Vardhaan.
"Well well well, Mr. Maheshwari...why do you want to work with a mannerless person then?", Vardhaan asked in a mocking voice.
"Mr. Rituraj Maheshwari, samjhaayiye apne bete ko ki yeh jagah nhi poora sheher mera hain, zaroorat aapko hain iss venture ki, mujhe nahi. Aur jab zaroorat apni ho toh zabaan aur ravaiya dono kaaboo mein rakhne chahiye".
(Explain your son that not only this place but the whole city is mine, you need this venture ,not me. And when you need something, you should keep your tongue and attitude in check.)
Rituraj apologised for his son's behaviour because he knew better to make the royal family his enemies. Aarambh gulped his anger and focused on the meeting which went smoothly.

"I am looking forward to working with you Mr. Maheshwari.  Aapka yeh attitude dekh kar achha lagaa, mazaa aayega aapke saath kaam karne mein ", Vardhaan smirked.

(I liked your attitude, it will be fun working with you.)
They shook hands curtly. Anuj invited them for Mahashivratri as he fell comfortable talking with Rituraj.
"Kaka sa, I will be picking Maa sa today from NGO", Vardhaan left after seeking Anuj's permission.

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Nitya woke up and stood up from the floor where she slept last night. She could feel pain and stiffness in her body due to sleeping on floor.
It was just seven in the morning, she freshen up and had her last day's untouched dinner as breakfast. She took a cold bath to relieve from body ache.
She wore a pastel blue ethnic suit with white chikankari work on it. Paired it with a floral designed oxidised ring, a pair of silver anklets with small flower designs lined with beads and her long three tiered earrings.

She drove to the NGO and checked her schedule. She immersed herself in work and at lunch time was called by Ragini.
"Nitya, I wanted to invite you", Ragini said.
"Invitation? For what ma'am?", she asked.
"As you know about Mahashivratri in palace, I wanted to invite you for that. Nitya was asking too. And how many times should I say that don't call me ma'am. Beti jaisi ho tum meri aur infact beti hi ho jaise Meera, Riddhi aur Navya hain", said Ragini.
(You are like my daughter and in fact, you are my daughter just as Meera, Riddhi and Navya are.)
Nitya was so overwhelmed that she stood up and hugged Ragini tight. Ragini rubbed her back smilingly as she felt tears on her shoulder.
She cupped Nitya's face and rubbed her tears off with her thumb. "Kya ho gaya beta ro kyu rahi ho?", she asked.
(What happened dear, why are you crying?)
Nitya shook her head smilingly, "Kuchh nahi".
They spent some time together and got back to their work.

At evening, when Nitya was on round she heard a kid crying in Ragini's cabin. She knocked and entered when she heard a 'come in'.
Nitya looked at Ragini raising a brow questioningly.
"Here, she is Aisha. She came from orphanage. She was having high fever since last night so had to give her an injection", Ragini answered.
Nitya widened her eyes hearing Aisha and gestured Ragini to let her handle this.
Aisha was sitting on the patient bed. Nitya went and sat beside her, "Arreee, kyu ro rahi hain meri princess?", she asked wiping her tears.
(Why is my princess crying?)
"Doctor give injection!!! Ittaa dard hua mujhe Niya", she said with teary eyes.
(I felt soo much pain.)

"Arree meri jaan, aap toh itne strong ho. Aapko kitna zyada fever ho gaya tha , isliye toh aapko doctor aunty ne injection diya na mera bachha taaki aap jaldi jaldi theek ho jaao phir hum park jaake ice cream khaa sake", Nitya consoled the kid.
(You are soo strong. You got soo high fever, therefore Doctor aunty gave you injection so that you are cured super soon and then we can go to the park to have ice cream)
Ragini looked smilingly at them.

Her smile widened as she heard the cabin door open and Vardhaan entered.

He was about to greet her but stopped when she gestured towards Nitya and Aisha.
He looked at how she was coaxing Aisha and was lost in her angelic voice. He was lost in the beauty in front of him, her animated actions, her laugh, her baby voice, her flowing long hair, the crinkling of her jhumka whenever she moved her head.  Everything

He was snapped out of his thoughts with a tap on shoulder from his mother.
"Dr. Nitya Maheshwari,  psychologist hain", Ragini smirked.
"Maa sa, I didn't ask", said Vardhan with a huff.
" Yeah but it seemed like you would so I told you beforehand", Ragini answered.

"Pinsh charming!!!!", came Aisha's shrill voice as she saw her favorite person apart from Nitya.
She jumped off and hugged Vardhaan's legs, he chuckled and picked her up in his arms.

Nitya looked at the man in front of her and her heartbeats quickened. Their eyes met and she found herself looking into the same pair of dark brown orbs again, which seemed to be distant yet warm, stoic yet with a tinge of softness.
They were lost in each other when Ragini cleared her throat.
"Vardhaan Suryavanshi ", he extended his hand with a smile.
"Dr. Nitya Maheshwari ", Nitya introduced herself shaking his hand.
As their hands touched, both of them felt different sensations.

Vardhaan felt a sudden sense of longing , like he would like to have her hand forever in his. Like it is the only perfect thing that can happen. Like these hands were meant to be held together.

Nitya felt a warmth and protectiveness engulf her. It seemed so appropriate. She could feel herself melt in his touch. She suddenly wanted to melt rather than being strong.

They were again brought to the world back by Aisha's blabbering.

They left hands and suddenly felt the lack of warmth, they suddenly felt as they are letting go of a part of themselves. It suddenly felt void and incomplete.

Heat rushed Nitya's cheeks. She bade bye to Ragini. Giving a smile to Vardhaan with a nod, which he ofcourse returned, she left the cabin.

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So, here is the chapter!!! I know I am soo late and I am sorry for that !!! Just was engrossed in studies.

I could only find it the best way to make Vardhaan and Nitya meet as I wanted them to meet before Mahashivratri.

Please let me know through comments, if the chapter was good enough as this is soo far the longest chapter I have written. And do not forget to vote, which you ofc don't and thank you so much for that!!

Sooo, next chapter will be longer I guess, as I have some real HIGH VOLTAGE DRAMA planned out. So, there will be Mahashivratri and a dhamaka!!! I will try to write it asap. Till then, keep loving!

Your Author, D.
Signing off till the next part.
See you soon❤️