At Mumbai International Airport...
Aaradhya Rishi emerged into the heat carrying her suitcase. She signaled for a taxi, gave the driver her address, and quickly settled herself into its backseat.
As the taxi pulled away, she kept gazing upon the city outside; its streets, buildings, and chaotic atmosphere seemed identical.
Six Years. She hadn't returned for six long years.
And so she was back in Indrapur, not for memories or closure, not dwelling on what might have been or wallowing in what could have been. She wasn't here to cry over what had been or lament what could have been.
She was on her way to work.
Her boss had called, explaining that their company was struggling and needing her.
At first, she wasn't bothered; she hadn't intended on coming. After all, there had been a reason she'd left this place behind. But soon enough, it started bothering her more and more - until it hit home that this wasn't why she'd left this world behind in the first place.
But then she remembered. Six years earlier when her life disintegrated, when nothing else had helped, he was the only person who provided unconditional assistance - no questions asked and no judgment passed on either side.
She had promised him so much and now, it didn't matter anymore - only one thing mattered: him.
Let it Burn. When she entered the building, the noise hit her like an earthquake: an office bustled like an active beehive with people discussing business all around.
She passed by quietly, trying to avoid hearing the whispers.
"Did you hear? An investor could possibly purchase our company!"
"Real? Who?" I hope it's one of those high-powered CEOs found in K-drama series!
"Actually, it was SR Enterprises; that would be Ranas."
She stopped. Just for an instant.
"Ranas...SR Enterprises...," her stomach knotted as the name was spoken aloud for the first time since long before. Thought she'd forgotten all about them; had thought they had moved on from it all.
Guess not.
A barrage of faces, places and words with cutting edges hit her hard; she tried desperately to push them back with blinks of her eyelids but they kept on coming.
Not now.
Her hand tightened around the folder she held. Taking a deep breath, she turned around and continued walking forward.
She had an important task at hand. Yet the past would not let go easily.
At six years old, Aaradhya entered Rana Estate for the first time and entered their living room slowly with pale skin that gave away her lack of sleep. Her steps were slow as she entered and looked as if she hadn't seen anyone for days.
Meena approached, concerned for her friend. Meena asked: "Madam? Are You Okay? Something doesn't feel quite right..." Meena arrived quickly with worry written all over her face.
Aaradhya smiled weakly, feeling frail. "I'm doing well," she replied in her weak and tired tone.
Meena replied to him with, "You don't look great," Meena stated, adding, "Let me make something special for you - perhaps Aaloo Poori will be to your liking.
"I'm fine. Really," Aaradhya replied as she studied her documents. "I just haven't had my period in two months so I decided to go the hospital."
She didn't need to say more.
As she reviewed the papers, Meena was taken aback at what Aaradhya had written—she knew exactly what Aaradhya meant without needing him to spell it out again and again.
Meena attempted to console her by saying, "Congratulations!" She nodded at Meena, who smiled in return and offered her congratulations.
Aaradhya took her time sitting down, her hands shaking slightly as she examined the test reports in front of her.
What now? She had been married to Siddharth Rana for three years, but the union wasn't real—they just made an agreement based on an initial three-year contract signed between them.
Because he had loved Ishita.
But due to an unfortunate turn of events--something Aaradhya never wanted to remember--she took over her sister's place and married him instead.
He had made this clear from day one.
"Yes, we are married. However, please don't expect anything more from us than that.
In the evening when they signed the papers, he made this comment.
But for her it was all-consuming, an unfulfilled dream: suddenly the boy she had loved quietly from afar was her husband—even if only temporarily.
She had tried for three years.
She made him meals, took care of him, and was there when he returned late from outings.
She was now carrying his child.
Could things have been different? Maybe so.
Maybe he would stay. Maybe he'd see her... truly see her... and want more than friendship from their relationship.
She was startled when the door slammed shut behind her, revealing a tall man with sharp features and cold blue eyes—the same face she had long desired from afar all these years.
Siddharth entered with his eyes fixed upon her papers in hand.
"I don't want that child," he stated firmly.
Silence came like a bombshell.
Meena gasped, while Aaradhya just stared.
What? He didn't flinch. "Do you think this will change anything?" he inquired in a cool voice filled with coldness. "No, it won't."
"Your child." she announced, putting up her face.
"No. This wasn't planned."
Life is not random.
He was firm: "I told you not to get too attached - after all, you knew exactly what this was all about."
She forced down another hard swallow while her eyes burned from within.
"I hoped... maybe..."
She faltered. He interrupted, warning her not to put so much hope into it. "Don't hope."
"What made you choose me as your spouse?"
He refused to respond. She laughed, bitter and heartbroken: "Right, because Ishita ran away."
"Don't bring her into this.
"Why wouldn't you? She must be on your mind every day."
"Don't talk about her," he snapped.
Words hit her like a punch to the gut, yet she refused to back down.
"You call yourself my wife. But that is only on paper." mes And this baby?
She said no and pointed at the chair where they had just come in from outside to stand before him, his eyes wide with horror at what they had found inside him: I told you. I do not want it."
Meena stared away, uncertain of what she should say next.
Aaradhya slowly sat down. Her voice softened as she whispered. "What would you like me to do now?" she asked.
He turned and left, leaving her standing with the reports still in hand.
She felt her chest tighten. The room felt tighter; its walls closer.
Perhaps he never loved her at all; perhaps he never gave a damn about her at all.
Now...
Now she was alone... Back at her office, Aaradhya sat alone at the conference table. Files filled her view: contracts, numbers and plans were spread out before her.
The company was bleeding money.
She could fix it; she needed to.
Still, that name kept reappearing.
Siddharth Rana had come back out for some unknown reason. What were his intentions, what could happen if he showed up again, what if she saw him...??... and Siddharth knew this meant trouble if she saw Siddharth again?
She shrugged her shoulders. No need to go there now that she was no longer the timid girl who used to retreat into corners and sob herself to sleep.
She wasn't searching for love, or hope or whatever else had once brought her comfort.
She came here to work and to win, so why would he not be part of this agreement?
Let him experience who she has become.
Tell him what has happened.
So let the fun commence.
