A Symphony Of Silence And Storm

Hit and Miss

As the afternoon sun dipped towards the horizon, casting long shadows across the bustling city, Annika stirred awake from her nap. A gentle breeze rustled the curtains, carrying the faint sounds of Mumbai traffic. Beside her, Aadhya slept soundly, her face flushed with the warmth of sleep. Rising quietly, she crept towards the bathroom to freshen up.

As she emerged, the penthouse door creaked open, revealing Ruhi, Advik, and Ritvik, their faces flushed with excitement. Despite their excitement, exhaustion etched lines on their faces. Annika, sensing their fatigue, gently ushered them towards their rooms. "Go, freshen up and get some rest. We'll order dinner in a bit," she instructed.

They readily complied, eager to collapse into bed. With a sigh of contentment, Annika brewed a cup of coffee and stepped out onto the balcony. The warm beverage cupped in her hands provided solace as she reminisced about the day's encounters. Reuniting with Kavya's infectious enthusiasm, Ishita's quiet strength, and Shreya's unwavering support had filled a void she hadn't realized existed.

Suddenly, a small figure wrapped its arms around her legs. Annika looked down to met with the sight of a sleepy Aadhya, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. Panic surged through Annika as she saw her daughter's distress.

"What happened, my love?" Annika asked scooping Aadhya into her arms.

Aadhya mumbled, "I woke up and you weren't there, Mumma. I got scared."

Annika pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Don't worry, sweetheart. Mommy will never leave you," she reassured Aadhya. "Are you feeling hungry?"

A small nod confirmed Annika's suspicion. Together, they returned to their room, where Annika helped Aadhya change. Dinner plans shifted as Annika's gaze fell upon the peacefully sleeping trio of Ruhi, Advik, and Ritvik in Ruhi's room. Their exhaustion, evident in their sprawled limbs and unchanged clothes, spoke volumes about their day trip. Deciding against disturbing their slumber, Annika opted to bring enough food for everyone.

Annika and Aadhya made their way to the hotel's dining hall, opting for the buffet spread. After settling Aadhya at a table, Annika headed towards the buffet line.

Across the room, Shivay, having finished his meal, was returning to his room. Lost in thought he wasn't paying attention to his surroundings. Suddenly, a familiar feeling – a spark, a warmth – jolted him senses. It was the same inexplicable sensation that Annika was near he'd experienced that morning.

As if drawn by an invisible force, he turned a corner, only to collide with someone – Annika – who was approaching the buffet counter.

A jolt of electricity, a sensation they both recognized from five years ago, sparked between them. However, before either could turn or acknowledge the other, they were jostled forward by the bustling crowd. The moment passed as quickly as it arrived, and they continued on their separate paths.

Annika returned to their table with a plate of food, feeding both herself and Aadhya. Deciding against venturing out again, she ordered room service to deliver dinner for the rest of the family.

Back in their room, Annika found Ruhi and Advik awake. Advik excitedly pulled Annika and Aadhya onto the couch, eager to show off his souvenirs from the day's outing. Laughter filled the room as they settled in for their dinner,while Annika and Aadhya listened attentively to their experience.

After a satisfying dinner, Annika, Ruhi, and the children took a stroll on the expansive, well-maintained hotel terrace. One side boasted a dedicated play area, attracting Advik and Aadhya like magnets. Annika and Ruhi, with Ritvik comfortably nestled in his stroller, strolled in the opposite direction.

Ruhi soon veered off to check on the children, leaving Annika alone with Ritvik. As she pushed the stroller, a familiar sensation washed over her – the same feeling she'd experienced at dinner.

"Why do I feel like Shivay is nearby?" she wondered, then quickly dismissed the thought. "There's no reason for him to be here. He's probably at home. Maybe this feeling has something to do with the meeting tomorrow."

Meanwhile, on a different part of the terrace, Shivay was also taking a walk. The unsettling encounter at the dinner hall, the brush of fingers, had left him uneasy.

"Why am I thinking about that woman?" he chastised himself. "She betrayed me. I need to focus on my project – that's what truly matters."

As he turned to head back to his room, a powerful sensation struck him – a sense of Annika's presence. He squinted into the dimness, catching a glimpse of a woman pushing a stroller. Unable to discern her features in the fading light, he muttered to himself, "Focus, Shivay. Don't let yourself get distracted."

With renewed determination, he marched towards his room. A few minutes later, Annika and the others returned to their own room, unaware of the near miss on the terrace.

The next morning, a tense energy crackled in the air as Annika and Ruhi strategized for their meeting with the Mittals. After some discussion, they decided on a two-pronged approach. Ruhi, the more detail-oriented of the two, would spearhead the initial presentation, delivering their project report at the Mittal office. Annika, with her natural charisma, would handle the evening's networking event, hoping to secure their place in the final pitch the following day.

Ruhi, never one for social gatherings, readily agreed to stay back and look after the children. Business parties were a foreign concept to her, and she much preferred the comfort of their hotel room.

As the evening approached, a familiar flutter of nerves coursed through Annika. Business parties were her forte, but this one presented a unique challenge – it would be her first public appearance in Mumbai as Annika Singhania.

With Ruhi and the children's well wishes ringing in her ears, Annika set off for the party venue. It was located at a different hotel, a mere five-minute ride from their current location. Taking a deep breath, she prepared to step back into the world she'd left behind.

On the other side of the coin, Shivay had also successfully submitted his report at the Mittal office. Opting for a sharp purple suit, he headed towards the reception to hail a cab, his destination mirroring Annika's – the party venue.