Kismet Ki Kahani

*Chapter 3: Takraar Ki Pehli Mulakat**

**Chapter 3: Takraar Ki Pehli Mulakat**

Mumbai ki shaam, shimmering with city lights and bustling energy. Ayesha is getting ready for her best friend Priya’s wedding. The lavish venue, decorated with fairy lights and flowers, looks straight out of a fairytale. As she steps into her elegant lehenga, she can’t help but admire how beautiful the city looks tonight.

Meanwhile, Raj is also getting ready for the same wedding. Priya is his childhood friend, and he wouldn't miss her wedding for anything. He adjusts his sherwani, making sure everything is perfect. As he looks at himself in the mirror, he takes a deep breath, ready to immerse himself in the festivities and maybe, just maybe, take his mind off the pressures of his career for a while.

At the wedding, the guests are mingling, the aroma of delicious food fills the air, and the sounds of laughter and music create a lively atmosphere. Ayesha arrives with her parents, greeting familiar faces and exchanging pleasantries. She feels a mix of excitement and nostalgia, weddings always remind her of the importance of love and companionship.

Raj, on the other hand, makes his way through the crowd, catching up with old friends and meeting new people. As he heads towards the buffet, his eyes catch a glimpse of Ayesha, who’s busy helping Priya with some last-minute arrangements. There’s something about her that stands out, her confidence and grace are hard to miss.

Fate decides to play its part when Ayesha and Raj find themselves at the same food counter. Ayesha, slightly flustered with the rush, accidentally spills some chutney on Raj’s sherwani.

“Oh no, I’m so sorry!” Ayesha exclaims, grabbing a napkin to help clean the mess.

Raj, trying to hide his annoyance, forces a smile. “It’s okay, hota hai. Waise, aap hamesha itni hi careful hoti hain?”

Ayesha, sensing the sarcasm, narrows her eyes. “Excuse me? I said I’m sorry. And for your information, aap bhi thoda dhyaan se khade ho sakte hain.”

Raj, taken aback by her response, retorts, “Wow, blame shift karna koi aapse seekhe.”

Before the argument can escalate, Priya intervenes. “Guys, relax. It’s a wedding, let’s enjoy. Raj, this is Ayesha, my best friend. Ayesha, this is Raj, my childhood buddy.”

Both Ayesha and Raj force a polite smile, but the tension is evident. They exchange a curt nod and move on, but the encounter leaves a mark. Throughout the evening, they keep crossing paths, each time with an underlying tension.

Later that night, during the sangeet, Raj and Ayesha find themselves in the same dance group. As they perform to the beats of a popular Bollywood number, their competitive spirits come to the forefront. They match each other step for step, neither willing to back down, which catches the attention of the crowd.

After the performance, Ayesha heads to the terrace to catch a breath. Raj, needing some air himself, coincidentally follows. They find themselves alone, the noise of the party faint in the background.

“Interesting dance moves,” Raj comments, breaking the silence.

“Thanks, you weren’t too bad yourself,” Ayesha replies, a hint of a smile playing on her lips.

Raj chuckles, “So, what do you do, Miss Ayesha?”

“I’m a fashion editor at Vogue. And you?”

“Filmmaker, or at least trying to be one.”

Their conversation starts to flow more naturally. They talk about their careers, their dreams, and their families. Despite their rocky start, they find common ground in their ambitions and the challenges they face.

As the night comes to an end, Raj looks at Ayesha and says, “You know, I didn’t expect to have such an interesting conversation tonight.”

Ayesha smiles, “Me neither. I guess some takraar can lead to something good.”

They part ways with a newfound respect for each other, unaware that this fateful encounter is just the beginning of a complicated yet beautiful journey.

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This chapter explores the first encounter between Ayesha and Raj, filled with misunderstandings, sparks, and a hint of what’s to come.