The Sun & the Stars Aligned

1: The lift connection

TARA

I asked Jatin to accompany me to The Chauhan's Group since going there alone felt awkward. I've met with Anirudh's parents and his sister, Riya, to discuss wedding preparations. I even went shopping with Rohan once for the groom's sherwani along with Ishani and Anirudh, and that's when I first met him. He's a cool and funny guy, and we instantly clicked. However, I haven't met the entire family, so going there alone would be uncomfortable.

As we approached the office, I couldn't help but be mesmerized by the sheer elegance and modernity of the glass building. This place is a striking difference from the outside world, blending luxury and functionality seamlessly. It was not just a physical space; it embodied the essence of the Chauhan legacy.

"Hey, I'm Tara Sharma. I have an appointment to meet with Mr. Rohan. Could you kindly assist me?" I approached the lady at the reception desk.

"Yes, ma'am. Rohan sir has already informed us of your arrival. May I kindly request you to wait in the designated area?" She responded warmly and I nodded. She guided me to the waiting area.

As I made my way to the seating area, I collided with an unexpected obstacle – a solid, towering figure. Yes, a muscular wall. Our bodies bumped into each other, and I struggled to maintain my balance. Fearing a potential fall, I instinctively shielded my face with both hands.

Just as I was about to fall, he moved with an agility that took me by surprise. His strong hands found mine, pulling me towards him, and his touch grazed my bare waist, adorned by the delicate drape of the saree. 

A shiver ran down my spine, and I couldn't bring myself to unveil my face, feeling the uneven rhythm of my heartbeat. 

Slowly, I removed my fingers from my eyes, still keeping my face partially covered. His gaze locked with mine, and my eyes met his deep orbs. His eyes were so deep and I was so lost in them that I couldn't find words even if I wanted to.

As I uncovered my face and regained my balance, his grip on my waist tightened, and in a surprising yet effortless move, he lifted me with one hand, never letting go.  He turned around, and before I could comprehend, we were inside the lift. The doors closed, sealing us in, and my heart raced, caught in the whirlwind of the unexpected encounter.

Before I could utter a word—or maybe even shout—he quickly placed his hand over my mouth, and I stared at him with a questioning gaze. The dominance in his eyes became evident as our gazes locked.

Enraged, I removed his hand from my mouth and retaliated by biting it from the side.

"Are you out of your mind? What are you trying to do, miss?" he exclaimed, pulled his hand away and furrowed his brows.

"Exactly! What do you think you're doing?" I demanded in frustration.

"Excuse me, I just saved you from falling when you seemed lost in your world," he responded with a deep voice, exuding an air of authority, holding my gaze and not budging an inch.

"Well, thank you for saving me, but that's not what I'm asking," I said in annoyance. "Why did you lift me and pull me into the lift?" 

"See, I have no interest in pulling you anywhere it's just that the reporters were near the reception area, and I didn't have much of a choice. It was a strategic move to prevent articles about us from dominating the news tomorrow morning." He made the excuse, expecting me to believe it.

"Haha, like I'm going to buy that story. Are you the boss around here, expecting articles about you?" I questioned him sarcastically, my hands still on his chest as he pinned me against the lift's wall.