Forbidden Love

Chapter One

Chapter One

Vocabulary

Bhai: Brother

Bhabhi: Sister in Law

Gajar Halwa: Indian sweet dish made of carrots and milk

Bua: Aunt ( Dad's sister )

*****

Soumya Vani Kapoor could hear the clicking of her own heels as she tapped her foot against the floor impatiently. Every bone in her body tingling with uncertainty and nervousness. She sneaked a glance at her brother, Ayaan, who as normal had a calm and composed look on his face but she could see the worry in his eyes. Soumya breathed in and out before opening her laptop and re-checking her presentation.

After a full year of joining ASA, Ayaan had given her the opportunity of heading a really important project for the company and there was no way she was gonna blow it. It wasn't that she didn't have faith in her designs, which she did. The designs she and her team had come up with were phenomenal. They'd pulled out all the shots for this project and there wasn't even a doubt in her mind that their client wouldn't love it. She was actually more worried about stuttering or messing up in her presentation and embarrassing not only herself but Ayaan. Speaking in front of all these people wasn't exactly her cup of tea. One little mistake and the reputation of ASA would go down the drain.

No she couldn't mess up. Wouldn't mess up. She was determined to prove to Ayaan that she was much more than a decorative piece of furniture in the office. Even in the year she'd been working here, the most work she'd been given was so limited she had to resort to reorganizing her cabin every week to fill her time. The amount of times she'd moved things around was uncountable and she always forgot where she put things. It was outrageous how little Ayaan thought she was capable off but now she had the golden opportunity to prove him wrong.

Their client, Mr Ashish Mehra, walked in exactly on time at 12:00. He was a short man in his 50s and a very influential figure in the corporate world. Lately it had been announced that his daughter, Eisha Mehra was getting engaged to her longtime boyfriend on new years eve. They approached many designing companies for her lehenga but turned down every single one. Soumya knew Eisha. They'd met at countless business conventions and parties and Soumya knew exactly the kinds of clothing she liked. Which gave her a slight advantage in pleasing her. Ayaan got up from his chair to greet Mr. Mehra and Soumya hugged Eisha.

" Congratulations on your engagement. " She told her happily. " Look at you, you're glowing. "

She blushed lightly and smiled in return. " Thank you Soumya. Tum bhi bahut sundar lag rahi ho. " ( Your looking very beautiful too. )

" Tho presentation start kare. " Mr Mehra broke the two women up. ( So should we start the presentation. )

The girls nodded and Eisha left to take her seat next to her father. Soumya placed herself at the front and motioned for her colleague to turn down the lights. She breathed in deeply, put on her best poker face and started talking.

***

Ayaan sat at the head of the table and watched his sister as she talked. She spoke confidently and held her head up. He knew she had been nervous but looking at her now, no one would ever be able to tell. She held herself with the grace of a Kapoor and Ayaan was glad she didn't cower away. And the designs, they shocked him to the core. He'd seen her talent and had no doubt she'd come up with something amazing but these designs blew his mind and he couldn't help but puff his chest in pride.

He turned to look at Eisha Mehra and saw her eyes twinkle as she stared at the screen in awe. He knew Soumya would have been able to capture exactly what Eisha wanted and he couldn't have been happier to be proven right. When the lights turned back on there wasn't a doubt in his mind. He knew he had this deal and what made his happiest was that his sister had gotten it for them. But he couldn't show it. Could never show his sister what he was truly feeling. Not without facing the consequences. The farther Soumya was from him the better it was for her and her safety.