Rhythms of the Heart ✅

35

Neel felt a whirlwind of emotions crash over him. The name Malang hanging in the air was like a ghost from his past. But surely, it couldn't be the same Malang. The odds were astronomical. He forced a smile, trying to redirect the conversation.

"That sounds lovely, Veer. I'd love to hear Malang play sometime," he said, his voice a touch strained.

The rest of the evening passed in a blur of conversation and laughter. However, Neel couldn't shake off the unsettling feeling. Mr. Agarwal and Veer seemed genuinely kind, and the thought that Malang could be a part of their family was a possibility he couldn't ignore entirely.

Finally, the night drew to a close. Farewells were exchanged, and Neel found himself alone in a taxi back to his hotel. The city lights of Paris blurred past the window, each one reflecting a fragment of his growing confusion.

The next day, the atmosphere on the private jet carrying Mr. Agarwal and Veer back to India was light-hearted. Mr. Agarwal chuckled as he recounted some of Neel's witty remarks from the previous evening.

"He's a sharp one, that Neel," Mr. Agarwal mused. "Quick on his feet and seems to have a good head on his shoulders. A valuable asset to his family's business, no doubt."

Veer nodded in agreement. "He's a good guy, Dad. We should definitely try to stay in touch."

Neel, meanwhile, was on a different flight, Mumbai bound. The memory of Paris, the encounter with Mr. Agarwal and Veer, and most importantly, the name Malang, replayed in his mind like a broken record.

He couldn't resist the urge to know more. Back in his Mumbai apartment, he pulled out his laptop and launched into a frantic Google search. He typed in "Agrawal family" and "Malang Agarwal," hoping to find some information, anything that could confirm his suspicions.

The search results were a mixed bag. There were articles about Mr. Agarwal's business ventures, photos of him and Veer at various events, but no mention of another son named Malang. Frustrated, Neel scrolled further down. Finally, a photo caught his eye. It was a slightly faded image of the Agarwal family, Mr. and Mrs. Agarwal flanked by two young boys. Veer, on the left, looked almost identical to his current self, but the boy on the right...

It couldn't be. But it was. A younger Malang, with the same mischievous glint in his eyes and a hint of a smile playing on his lips. The photo was clearly old, a snapshot from their childhood. Disappointment washed over Neel. This wasn't a recent picture, and it offered no clues about where Malang might be now.

With a defeated sigh, Neel closed his laptop, the weight of unanswered questions pressing down on him. He leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes. The image of Malang's younger self lingered in his mind, a bittersweet reminder of a connection he couldn't explain and a future that remained frustratingly uncertain.

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