KASHI VISHWANATH : TWO ECLIPSED HEARTS 💕

CHAPTER 2 : "GROWING PROXIMITY"

Vishwanath had left the café earlier, a quiet curiosity tugging at his thoughts. He had casually struck up a conversation with a local customer seated beside him in the cafe, the man happened to mention that many factory workers from the area often visited the café during lunch hours. The remark, though seemingly trivial, had struck Vishwanath like a hook in still water, subtle, yet impossible to ignore. He had tried to probe further, careful not to appear too inquisitive or raise suspicion, but hadn't managed to gather much more.

His thoughts kept circling, not just around his investigation, but also the mysterious girl he had just met, Kashi. There was something about her presence that lingered, something that refused to fade from his mind.

Before stepping out, he had cast one final glance towards the counter. Kashi had been there, surrounded by a few college girls, her laughter soft and unrestrained as she reacted to something one of them had said. It had been a brief, genuine moment, but it struck him deeply. Her eyes, though touched by sorrow, had sparkled with life in that fleeting instant, and the sight had made his heart momentarily flutter. Unsettled by the unfamiliar feeling, Vishwanath had turned away and walked into the hum of the market, her image etched clearly in his mind.

Meanwhile for Kashi, the rest of the shift at the cafe had passed in a blur of orders and customer interactions. By the time it ended, her mind had already shifted to her next job at the textile factory. She rushed home and immediately checked on her mother, making sure she had taken her medicines and that nothing had gone wrong in her absence. After a brief, comforting exchange and a gentle kiss on her mother's forehead, Kashi freshened up quickly, combing and tying her hair into a loose braid again. As she stepped out again, her thoughts wandered back to the enigmatic man she had served earlier at the cafe, the one with those intense eyes and an aura that lingered long after he had left.
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The market of Jhansi was alive with energy, fruit vendors shouting prices, children running around, women bargaining for vegetables. But Vishwanath had some other plans. He had tried casually asking a few vendors and shopkeepers about factory activities but quickly realized that no one seemed knowledgeable or informed enough, to share anything suspicious.

Frustrated but resolute, he knew it was time to do what he had come here for. He needed to visit the factory himself. The factory unit fell under the Singhania Textile Group and was one of its largest production and manufacturing hubs. This factory is also a crucial part of the Singhania Group's supply chain. Yet recent reports of embezzlement and discrepancies in financial records told a troubling story. The demand for funds and resources from the factory wasn't matching the supply rate, raising serious concerns. Production figures also seemed artificially inflated.

Such gaps were dangerous not only to the company's internal structure but also to its public reputation. In the business world, a single scandal or disruption could trigger a chain reaction. Clients would pull out, competitors would take advantage, and years of credibility could crumble overnight. Vishwanath clenched his jaw as he walked towards the factory. If he didn't act fast, the rot would spread deeper. And time unfortunately wasn't on his side, he needed to act fast.

Located at the edge of the market, the factory stood in a modest yet sprawling building. As Vishwanath entered the compound, the rhythmic hum of spinning machines and the click-clack of looms filled the air. Workers moved efficiently, some carrying bundles of cloth, others focused on cutting, stitching, or quality inspection.

The factory floor was alive with movement, buzzing with the energy of countless workers immersed in their tasks. No one seemed to notice the arrival of a new face. Vishwanath walked in, blending seamlessly with the crowd, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of malpractice or irregularities.