First meeting

A long pleasurable sigh left her lips as the cold wind touched her face. A storm was surely about to hit the city. The leaves of the large trees were swaying along with the breeze.

It was really hot since morning and people like her, who cannot afford air conditioners. Monsoon is a blessing for them but it also makes their lives difficult as it brings so many disadvantages with it.

Saanvi freed her hair from the clutcher and let them fall on her shoulders and back. The sweat droplets which were prominent on her forehead and chin vanished.

"Maa, come na" she shouted from her room. Namisha was washing the dishes. Though Saanvi had opened the windows of dinning hall and kitchen but her room was literally feeling like heaven so she wanted Namisha to join her as she knew her mother must be sweating as hell by now.

A sad frown appeared on her face thinking about her mother's situation. They have lived their lives in adding money and spending them only on the things which were needed the most.

They never had the heart to buy expensive things for decorating their home or eating foods from restaurants.

Her job was surely paying her well but half of the money goes to the bank every month. Namisha took loan from the bank for Saanvi's further studies as her salary wasn't sufficient.

Once Saanvi got the job, she requested Namisha to leave her work as she used to work as a nurse in a hospital.

Saanvi didn't want her mother to work all the day at this age. Surely, sometimes they feel the need of money but soon they realise that there are thousands of people who doesn't have anything. Not even a shelter over their heads.

"Here" Namisha came and gave her a bowl of gajar ka halwa which she took grinning widely.

"The weather is really bad, no?" Namisha asked looking at the dark sky, the waves of cool wind were hitting her face making her feel relieved.

"Yeah" Saanvi replied filling her mouth with the sweet dish.

"Saanvi, why are you buying the air conditioner? I am fine, it's not that hot" Saanvi smiled placing the bowl on the table beside the window.

"Maa, I am earning enough now plus our loan is almost paid. Trust me, we both need it. I can't see you...sweating like this" tears gathered in her eyes as she tried to control them by looking at the tree in front of their house.

A small smile appeared on Namisha's lips as she turned Saanvi towards her and wiped her damp cheeks.

"Fine.. now stop crying" she stated in a scolding manner and patted her shoulder.

"What about the event? From when are you going to start the preparations?" Namisha asked leaning on the window frame.

"By tomorrow only, I have a whole week though but I don't want to take any chance" Saanvi answered taking another mouthful of her dessert.

It's true she has enough time but still she wants to start the preparations soon. Any kind of mistake in this event will cost her so much. Afterall it's the matter of her firm's reputation.

After having some more chit chats, they both retired to bed.

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.

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"Wanna join me to the club?" Arjun shook his head leaning back on the chair and loosened his tie.

His friend, Advik was trying really hard to convince him to accompany him to the club.

However, he also knows that Arjun won't agree as he never did in these five years. But still he was trying his best level to make him agree.

"You sure you are straight?" His sentence earned a stern glare from Arjun and he raised his both hands in surrender.

"Stop bothering me and get out" Arjun growled making Advik sigh heavily.

In these five years, he never saw Arjun getting hooked with any women or even talking to them if they are not his employees or business partners.

Being a good friend, he wants Arjun to enjoy his life or have a lady beside him to fill the void place in his heart and life.

"Fine..bye" with that he existed from Arjun's cabin after an another failed attempt.

Arjun huffed tiredly checking the time on his wrist watch. It was midnight and he finally decided to call it for a day. Taking his phone, he went outside.

A strong gush of wind hit him the moment he stepped outside the building. It was raining heavily.

The car stopped in front of him instantly and his driver came holding an umbrella over his head.

Arjun came under the umbrella and made his way towards the car.

The droplets of water were falling on the glass of his window, the fog was making it nearly impossible to see the view outside.

He was massaging his temple leaning his head on the glass when the thought of his product launching event came in his mind.

This event is so important for him and for the growth of his company. He can't take any chances with it.

Though Nitin has assured him about Saanvi and he too saw the dedication in her eyes for her job. Unlike others, she didn't show the greed of money. Instead she herself asked him to be very sure about her planning his event.

He was a bit hesitant at the start and wanted to test her to his heart's content but the moment she said those words, he changed his mind.

The car stopped in front of a huge mansion after a while. Arjun sighed looking at his so called mansion where neither he feel like home nor as an orphan like he used to feel in the orphanage.

No, the orphanage was worst than the loneliness he feels in this mansion. Despite having so many children around, he never felt happy or home in that orphan age.

The driver opened the door for him as he came out. The staff members became stiff and came bowing in front of him.

"Bring my dinner to the room" he ordered before making his way towards his room.

The staff members released a deep breath they were holding from the moment he entered inside.

They don't even look into his eyes, they can't find the courage to do so or even talk to him without stuttering. The fear of this man has them in it's grip.

The food seemed tasteless as usual. The plain chicken and roti (chapati) were just filling his empty stomach.

After swallowing his meal, he laid on his king sized bed. He could hear the pitter patter of rain, suddenly a memory flashed befor his eyes.

The tiny droplets were falling from the little boy's hair. He was shivering uncontrollably, the thin half ripped blanket wasn't doing any help either.

His slender arms were wrapped firmly yet shakily around his petite form. He was trying hard to atleast give some warmth to his cold numb feet. So, wrapped the blanket around his feet tightly.

The grumbling of clouds were echoing in the big room making him flinch every second.

The other children were sleeping peacefully on their respective beds unlike him.

His eyes went upwards and few tears escaped through his eyes seeing the holes on the roof above him.

The rain droplets had damped his small bed and now were making him drenched as well.

The bitter memory brought a small smile on his lips as he shook his head. That night, he still remembers he couldn't sleep at all till the dawn.

People think he has changed and changed for better now. An orphan who had no support system, built his own empire at the age of 24 but only he knows.

Nothing has changed...yet.

Yes, I want his catering service" Saanvi spoke over the call with one hand while kneading the dough her other hand.

"Okay, thanks" she huffed loudly placing the phone on the slab. The dough was almost prepared for chapattis. Checking the other stove where the paneer was being cooked, she washed her hands.

It was her mother's birthday, she wanted to suprise her by taking her out for dinner but this rain seems to flop her plan.

However, she still booked the table as she had the money and could hire a cab. In this way, they both can enjoy the dinner without having any worry of the transport.

"Smelling good" Namisha said entering the kitchen, a smile was playing on her lips as she indeed was feeling special on her birthday like every other person do.

Not that Saanvi was cooking or doing household chores for the first time or only do these on her birthdays. It's just that she feels special, she can't give any valid reason for that matter.

"I am thinking about working from home today" Saanvi mumbled looking outside the window, "this rain really irritates sometimes" disappointment was clearly evident in her voice.

"Yeah, atleast complete those which can be done from home" Namisha suggested stirring the gravy and checking if the paneer was soft enough or not.

"Yeah" Saanvi sighed wiping her hands with the towel and picked up her phone to make some calls.

"Hello, Saanvi" Nitin said as he picked up his call.

"Hey, Nitin. I have sent you the pictures of some decorations. You can ask Mr. Khanna and I will do as per he wishes" Saanvi proposed as she thought Arjun might not like the decorations done by her or might feel offended that she didn't consider his choice.

"Ahh..actually..Saanvi you can select any decoration you want. Boss..umm..you can say, he has no interest in these kind of things" He replied nervously not finding the right word to describe his boss which is "Tasteless".

"Oh, okay okay. No problem" She understood the meaning behind his words, afterall why would a billionaire like him will take interest in such matters.

But it's his own event that too an important one.

He seems weird.

She scolded herself for being someone she hates the most. She can't judge him or anyone. It's their life and what they like or dislike, it's completely their own choice.

Shaking her head, she started arranging the plates for the lunch.

~~~~~~

"Thank you so much, Saanvi" Namisha said in a pleasured tone holding Saanvi's hand.

They were standing outside the restaurant after having a satisfying and delicious meal. It was still raining, not heavily though.

Saanvi's eyes shone as she spotted a man selling roasted corns.

"Maa you wait here" she took the umbrella and ran towards the opposite side of the road.

"Bhaiya, please give two Bhutta (roasted corn)" the man nodded his head while smiling at the young girl.

The seller was quite suprised as people nowadays, don't buy these cheap things. Especially youngsters like her. But here she was, eyeing the corns with so much longing and excitement in her eyes.

Namisha chuckled as Saanvi ran back towards her and excitedly gave her one. The mother daughter duo enjoyed the corns and finally the cab came after few minutes.

The wind bell made a sweet sound as Saanvi opened the window to welcome the fresh air.

The light rays of sun were falling on window's glass. A smile made it's way on her lips looking up at the almost clear sky.

She decided to visit the site as she wanted to firstly check the venue and then decide the decorations and all.

Nitin messaged her the location as she asked for it in the morning. Taking a quick shower, she jogged towards the kitchen to grab something as she was too late to have a proper breakfast.

"Why are you in a hurry? Atleast eat these" Namisha scolded her and forwarded a plate of poha (flattened rice) towards her.

"No, Maa. I have to check few venues and it's getting late" Saanvi reasoned in a muffled voice as she took another bite of an apple.

Namisha sighed shaking her head. Her daughter is indeed a hard working girl but her job is affecting her health badly.

"Fine but please have something during lunch hours" Namisha said remembering her habit of skipping lunch especially if she is out at that time of the day.

"Okay" Saanvi grinned and hugged her mother. Grabbing her keys, she went outside.

JADE WORLI

Saanvi read the bold letters written in front of her. Her eyes shone in amazement looking at the breathtaking venue in front of her.

She has organised so many events but it was her first time visiting this famous place which is located in South Mumbai, not very far from Khanna Industries.

Sudden nervousness hit her as she started thinking about her capabilities.

Will I really be able to organise everything perfectly?

She didn't want to think about the worst possibilities but couldn't help her over thinking mind.

After having a look all around the venue, she decided to leave as she had to check few more venues which her other clients had sent her..

"Mam, the caterer isn't ready to come" Saanvi's brows furrowed together as her junior informed her.

"What do you mean by that? He can't just back off now" her tone raised slightly making the girl give her a helpless look.

Saanvi sighed and rubbed her forehead as she realised she was taking out her frustration on wrong person.

"I am sorry, Gia. Just let me call him" Gia smiled shaking her head and went away to see the decorations.

"I will make sure to cancel your contract with our firm" Saanvi stated sternly as the caterer was demanding for more money or else he won't show up.

She cut the call and started thinking of the other ways, she could organise  caterers for a small baby shower.

"Mam, I called Uday. You remember he gave us his card while we were organising Malhotra's event?" Saanvi's eyes widened in realisation and a wave of relief washed over her.

"And obviously he agreed" Gia completed with a grin making Saanvi smile gratefully at her and she thanked her.

Gia is new to the firm and her boss has gave Saanvi the responsibility to guide and teach Gia everything that comes under her job.

Uday, the caterer came along with other few people of his team. They started working without wasting a minute as it was already late.

Saanvi was watching every single thing keenly. Just like this function, she wants everything to go well and according to her while organising Arjun's event.

Meet me at 10:30 in my office. I will send the driver - Mr. Khanna

She read the message and her heart beat fastened thinking about the possibilities as to why he suddenly wants to meet her.

She tried to think positive and told herself to stay calm.

Relax, Saanvi. He may wants to discuss things regarding the event.

Everything will be alright. Calm down

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