An arranged love story of two independent souls who hold their family traditions and culture close to their hearts. What happens when their worlds collide? When they meet, bringing with them their own dreams, ambitions, and past experiences, and ent...
Birds were chirping, signaling that morning had arrived, and it was time to wake up.
"Hey everyone, good morning! It's Chaitanya here. How are you all doing?"
Let me tell you a little about myself. I am Chaitanya Rathore, a girl full of life, embracing the present moment. I used to dwell on my past for years, but not anymore. Life is beautiful, and it is meant to be lived in the present, not in the past. Having broken free from that cycle, I now appreciate every moment and truly love my life.
Oh, and I live in Mumbai!
I firmly believe that we are what we do, which is why I spend my time mindfully. Right now, it's 5:30 in the morning, and it's time to complete my morning routine and then do some yoga.
After finishing my morning routine, I grabbed my yoga mat and stepped out into the garden. As I walked, I greeted everyone along the way, enjoying the peaceful morning vibes. Finding a quiet spot, I set my mat down and started with some gentle stretches before moving into my yoga asanas. The fresh air, the rhythmic movements, and the tranquility of the garden made for a perfect start to my day.
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Feeling refreshed and energized after my yoga session, I headed back home. Living alone has its perks—I value my privacy, so I don't have any house help. Plus, there's not much work to do, so I can manage everything on my own. I quickly completed my household chores before getting ready for work.
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By the way, did I mention that I am a Financial Analyst working with a private equity firm? I absolutely love my job—I have worked really hard to get here! But now, I'm running late, so I need to hurry.
I packed my lunch, grabbed some bread and butter for breakfast, and rushed out the door, bracing myself for Mumbai's infamous traffic. Phewwww!
Upon reaching the office, I was greeted by Dinesh Bhaiya, our watchman.
"Good morning, ma'am!" he said with a warm smile.
"Good morning, Bhaiya!" I replied cheerfully before heading towards the lift. My cabin was on the 10th floor, so I took a deep breath and prepared for the busy day ahead.
Once I reached my cabin, I settled in and got straight to work. Time flew by, and soon it was lunchtime.
I made my way to the cafeteria, where my two closest friends, Ayush and Shreyas, were waiting. Corporate life can be toxic at times, so I prefer quality over quantity when it comes to friendships. These two? They are my real ones. Winks.
"Hi, guys! What's up?" I greeted them enthusiastically.
"Hello, madam! Where have you been since morning?" Ayush asked, while Shreyas nodded in agreement.
"I was caught up with the new bid, guys. But let's leave all that work talk for now. I'm starving!"
As we ate, our conversation shifted to our plans for the upcoming Diwali holidays.
"I'm going to Jaipur, or else my mom will literally kill me," I announced.
"Me too," Ayush added.
"Wait, why are you going to Jaipur?" Shreyas asked, confused.
"What do you mean? You just said 'Me too' yourself!" Ayush retorted.
"Yeah, but I meant that I'm going home, not necessarily Jaipur!" Ayush explained, rolling his eyes.
"You should have clarified that earlier, then!" Shreyas teased.
"You're an idiot, and I can't do anything about it," Ayush replied dramatically.
"No, you're the idiot!" Shreyas shot back.
And just like that, they started bickering like little kids, drawing amused looks from others in the cafeteria. I had to step in.
"Guys, guys, guys! Stop fighting, yaar! Are you two years old? Seriously!" I said, shaking my head. "Anyway, Shreyas, aren't you going home for Diwali?"
"Nah," he sighed. "You know how Mr. Sharma is—he'll start taunting me about joining his business instead of working a job."
"It's okay, bro. You come with me!" Ayush said, patting him on the back.
These two crack me up! One minute they're fighting, the next they're having an emotional moment. But I love them. They are the only genuine friends I have.
"So, Shreyas, it's decided! You're going with Ayush, and that's final. No more discussion!" I declared, standing up. "Now, let's get back to work—I have a meeting for the new bid. This bid is a big deal for me. I hope I get it!"
Back at my cabin, I double-checked everything before heading to the conference room. My entire team was present, along with some senior executives. After greeting everyone, I took a deep breath and began my presentation, outlining our strategy to secure the bid.
By the end of the presentation, everyone was impressed. My seniors appreciated my efforts and instructed me to start working on the bid immediately, as our meeting with the promoters was scheduled right after Diwali.
Feeling ecstatic, I rushed to call my mother. As expected, she answered on the last ring. Typical!
(C - Chaitanya, M - Mummy)
M: "Hello, Chaitu! How are you, beta?"
C: "Hello, Mummy! Dhok! I'm good. What about you?"
M: "Stay blessed, beta. We are all good. What's up? You're calling during office hours—is everything okay? Are you sick? Did something happen?"
C: "Ohho, Mummy, stop bombarding me with questions! I'm perfectly fine. I called to share some good news—I'm going to lead a bid for the first time!"
M: "Chaitu beta, you deserve this! Mummy is so proud of you!"
C: "Thank you, Mummy! Now, tell me—why do you always answer on the last ring?"
M: "Oh, I was with Maasa, discussing Dhanteras shopping. Speaking of which, when are you coming home for Diwali?"
C: "Sorry, Mummy, but I won't be able to come this time."
M: "Beta, you missed Raksha Bandhan and Dussehra too. We all miss you, especially your grandparents."
C: "Haww, Mummy, don't you love me anymore?"
M: "Don't be dramatic! You know I love you!"
C: "I promise I'll come for New Year!"
M: "Okay, beta, but if you don't, I'll give you a nice beating!"
C: "Okay, okay, Matashree! Now, I have to go. Bye, love you!"
M: "Love you too, beta!"
After wrapping up work, I met Ayush and Shreyas outside. They were so excited about my achievement that we decided to celebrate at our favorite restaurant.
We had an amazing dinner, followed by ice cream at Marine Drive. Sitting there, enjoying the cool breeze, and chatting with my best friends was the perfect way to end the day.
By the time I reached home, it was 11 PM. Exhausted but happy, I changed into my comfy pajamas, did my night care routine, and finally—Wallaahhh—fell into bed.
Good night, everyone!
That was my day. How was it? Let me know in the comments! The next chapter will be uploaded soon. Till then, bye!