Inked With Love : Abhivanya

First Meeting

Abhimanyu sat in his office, staring at the photograph of Shivanya Rai on his computer screen. Her radiant smile and piercing eyes had captivated him the moment he saw her picture. He had read every article about her, delving into her life story, her achievements, and her struggles. There was something about her that resonated deeply within him.

His sister's request for a book had led him to this discovery. Shivanya's writing was exquisite, and her books were bestsellers. Convincing her to publish with Rathod Publications was the only way to save his brother's dream. Determined, he decided to approach her personally.

His thoughts a whirlpool of curiosity and determination. Discovering Shivanya had been an unexpected stroke of fate, and now, he couldn't shake her from his mind. He needed to know more about her. He called for Aman, his trusted personal assistant.

"Aman, I need you to gather every single piece of information about Shivanya Rai. I want to know everything," he commanded, his voice leaving no room for doubt.

Aman, who had seen his boss handle countless high-stakes situations with unflinching composure, was taken aback. He had never seen Abhimanyu show such interest in anyone, let alone a woman. There were countless women who would give anything for a mere glance from him, but Abhimanyu had always remained distant, focused solely on his business.

"Ji sir, I'll get right on it," Aman replied, sensing the urgency in his boss's tone.

An hour later, Aman returned with a thick file. "Sir, here is everything I could find about Ms. Shivanya Rai," he said, handing over the documents.

Abhimanyu took the file, his fingers brushing against the cover almost reverently. He opened it, and his eyes began to scan the pages with an intensity that made Aman pause. Abhimanyu read every line meticulously, absorbing the details as if etching them into his mind. Shivanya's childhood, her parents' tragic accident, her rise as a successful writer, her close friends Janvi and Divya—it was all there.

"Sir, aap itni interested kyun hain inmein?" Aman couldn't help but ask, curiosity getting the better of him. "Aapne kabhi pehle kisi ladki mein itni dilchaspi nahi dikhayi."

Abhimanyu looked up, his eyes thoughtful. "Yeh ladki kuch alag hai, Aman. She’s not like the others. There's something about her... hume lagta hai ki hume inse milna chahiye."

Aman nodded, understanding the gravity of his boss's words. "Main turant ek meeting fix kar deta hoon."

Shivanya sat by the window of her apartment, the soft light of the evening casting a warm glow on her face. She sipped her tea, her thoughts wandering. The past few days in Dehradun had been a whirlwind of memories and emotions. She was back in Mumbai now, trying to settle into her routine, but something felt different.

Her phone buzzed, interrupting her reverie. It was an unknown number. Hesitating for a moment, she answered.

"Hello?"

"Hello, Ms. Rai. This is Aman, personal assistant to Mr. Abhimanyu Singh Rathod. Mr. Rathod would like to meet with you regarding a proposal. Would you be available tomorrow afternoon?"

Shivanya's heart skipped a beat at the mention of Abhimanyu's name. She had heard about him from his sister and even before that the talk of the town - Formidable business tycoon ,and she also heard about his failed presentation and the rumors swirling around it. But  why would he want to meet her?

After taking her time debating in her mind whether she should say yes or no , she finally comes to the conclusion as curiosity took best over her

"I suppose I can make time," she replied, keeping her voice steady.

"Thank you, Ms. Rai. We'll send you the details shortly," Aman said before hanging up.

Shivanya stared at her phone, a mix of curiosity and apprehension flooding her mind. What could Abhimanyu Singh Rathod possibly want from her?

The next afternoon, Abhimanyu prepared for the meeting with a sense of purpose. He knew this was more than just a business proposal. He was genuinely intrigued by Shivanya, and he wanted to understand the person behind the successful writer.

When Shivanya arrived at his office, she was greeted by Aman and led to a private conference room. Abhimanyu was already there, his presence commanding yet calm. As she approached, he stood up and extended his hand. His gaze met hers. For a moment, the room seemed to shrink, leaving just the two of them in their own world.

"Ms. Rai, thank you for coming," Abhimanyu said, extending his hand.

"Please, call me Shivanya," she replied, shaking his hand.

"And you can call me Abhimanyu," he responded with a smile.

They sat down, and for a moment, there was a silence that was both comfortable and charged with anticipation. Abhimanyu broke the silence, his tone sincere.

"Thank you for agreeing to meet with me."

Shivanya nodded, her eyes studying him intently. "You said you have a proposal?"

"Yes," Abhimanyu began, his tone earnest. "I've read your work, and I must say, it’s impressive. Your stories have a unique touch that captivates readers. I believe your next book could bring Rathod Publications back to its peak.Your stories have a depth that is rare. I believe that your next book could be the key to reviving Rathod Publications."

Shivanya listened intently, her expression thoughtful. "I appreciate your kind words, Abhimanyu. But, I have always self-published. It gives me the freedom to express my ideas without any constraints."

Abhimanyu replied. "But I assure you, we won't interfere with your creative process. We respect your vision and want to support it."

Shivanya sighed, her resolve firm. "It's not about interference. It's about control. I've built my career on my terms, and I want to keep it that way."

"I understand that," Abhimanyu said, leaning forward. "But I believe in your talent. I'm willing to offer you complete creative freedom and a partnership that respects your vision."

Shivanya hesitated. The offer was tempting, but something held her back. "Why are you so interested in my work, Abhimanyu? There are many other writers out there."

Abhimanyu paused, choosing his words carefully. "Your stories resonate with people. They have a depth that’s rare. And honestly, your work could save my brother’s dream. He started Rathod Publications, and it means a lot to me to keep it alive."

His sincerity struck a chord with Shivanya, but her skepticism remained. "I appreciate your faith in me, but self-publishing has worked well so far. I don’t see a reason to change that."

Abhimanyu nodded, respecting her decision but feeling a pang of disappointment. "I understand. But I hope you will keep our offer in mind. I truly believe in your talent, and I would love to work with you."

When the meeting ended, Abhimanyu walked her to the door. "Thank you for coming, Shivanya. I hope we can meet again."

"Maybe we will," Shivanya replied with a smile. "Goodbye, Abhimanyu."

As she left, Abhimanyu watched her go, a sense of determination settling over him. He wasn't going to give up easily. Shivanya Rai had captured his interest in a way no one else had, and he was willing to do whatever it took to win her trust.

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How was the chapter???

I know some of you didn't like the simple plain meeting. There was nothing bollywood style, but this is how people normally meet right. There is nothing like shown in the movie. Love takes time to develop

If you have any suggestions, please drop them in the comments

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