Rajas : Passion Unveiled

Chapter 7

Ishani's POV

We reached our destination and were waiting to enter our details at the entrance. After some time we reached the desk. Shreya was doing the formalities while I looked around at the place. This must've been quite expensive, I thought. Who is the host this year? I never asked Kevin. I looked down at the brochures on the desk and picked up one examining it. It showed the names of the main speakers and the agenda of the conven-

There it was. At the top. Khurana Enterprises. They are the hosts this year.

Lokesh Khurana is the host this year.

I froze in shock. The thought of meeting him here made me nauseous. Shreya called my name and I looked at her. She motioned for me to enter the hall. My mind was foggy now. Tiny shivers went down my spine. I looked around in the crowd trying to locate that one person but every face was blurred in my vision. It was like seeing people with no faces. 

I realized I was standing at the same place when Shreya came back and asked me if I was alright. I looked at her but didn't respond. "What is it ?" she asked concerned. "I - its -" I stuttered and passed her the brochure. She looked at it in confusion and soon her eyes widened in realization. She looked around just like I did but to no avail.

"You know what. Why don't you sit somewhere and I will look out okay?" she said softly. I merely nodded and she gave me a smile. She squeezed my hand and went away. I started walking but the feeling of uneasiness still persisted. Water. I needed water. I went to the nearest table and grabbed a bottle of water only to realise that someone was already there about to do the same.

I looked up and saw a man looking at me. "Oh. I am sorry. You take that I will grab another one" he said with a smile. He looked vaguely familiar. "Have we met before?" I asked. He looked confused as to why I would ask that. "It's just that you seem a bit familiar" I clarified. He laughed "Oh no I don't believe we've met. I am Laksh. Laksh Ranawat. CTO of Ranawat Group of Industries" he said forwarding his hand. "CTO?" I enquired. "What is a CTO doing here?" I asked. He seemed flustered for some reason and I realized that his hand was still forwarded. I grabbed his hand " Ishani Agnihotri CEO of Lasya" I said while shaking his hand. His eyes widened in recognition. And he smiled warmly. "Well you didn't answer me " I said. This was good. I was feeling relaxed. 

" Well my asshole of a brother dragged me here" he shrugged. "Not a fan of the crowd I see" I said with a small laugh. He smiled " Yeah not much. I would rather prefer to be alone with my laptop" he said. He kept looking at me like a little kid and I couldn't help but laugh. "What?" I asked my lips tipping up. He chuckled, " Nothing its just that my sister is a big fan of yours. You are her idol. You are the reason why she's pursuing fahion designing" he said with fondness. He seems to love his sister a lot. Warmth surrounded me at the sentiment. He continued " Even though our family is filled with businessmen , you are the only one she admires. That girl practically worships you" he said dramatically. I smiled at him.

"It feels nice knowing that I am an inspiration for young girls" I exclaimed. "You really are" he said . I looked at him. " An inspiration. Not just for her but for many people. Men included." I raised my eyebrows. Who is this man acknowledging my work? Men rarely do that. Usually on seeing a woman more capable than them they either mock her or try to degrade her but here is this man who is appreciating my work. There are very few peole in my life who do that. Well few meaning my employees , Shreya and Shreyansh bhaiya. 

" I admire you too" he said solemnly. " What you have achieved Ms.Agnihotri-"

"Ishani" I interrupted. He smiled feeling pleased. " What you have achieved Ms.Ishani " I hit his shoulder playfully at the tag. "It's really great. Now I mean this in the best way possible because I know being a woman in business might not have been easy and yet you have accomplished so much at such a young age. Its commendable" he said genuinely . He actually meant it. I like this man.