DHWANI: His Fading Melody

Chapter 5: An Unplanned Encounter

After the disaster of a meeting with Reyansh Kapoor, I was fuming. I couldn't believe the nerve of that man! The audacity to question my dedication and push my buttons like that! By the time I got back to the office, I was still seething.

Radhika immediately noticed my sour mood. "What happened? You look like you want to punch someone," she said, half-jokingly.

"I just had the most irritating meeting of my life," I grumbled, sinking into my chair.

"With Reyansh Kapoor?" she guessed, and I nodded.

"What did he do?"

"He's just... impossible," I said, throwing up my hands in frustration. "He thinks he knows everything and that he can just control everyone around him."

Radhika raised an eyebrow. "Sounds like you met your match."

I shot her a glare, but she just laughed. "Come on, Dhwani. Don't let him get under your skin. Focus on your work and show him what you're capable of."

She was right, of course. I needed to keep my head down and prove myself through my work. But something told me that this was just the beginning of a complicated and tumultuous relationship with Reyansh Kapoor.

After finishing our workday, Radhika and I decided to head to Marine Drive to unwind. The long stretch of the promenade, with its cool breeze and the rhythmic sound of the waves crashing against the shore, always had a way of calming my nerves.

As we reached Marine Drive, we found a spot to sit and enjoy the view. The sun was setting, casting a golden hue over the Arabian Sea. The sight was breathtaking and, for a moment, made me forget all about the morning's drama.

"This is exactly what we needed," Radhika said, taking a deep breath of the salty air.

"Absolutely," I agreed, leaning back on my hands and closing my eyes. "Just the sound of the waves is enough to wash away all the stress."

We sat in comfortable silence for a while, simply enjoying the serenity. After some time, Radhika started chatting about random things, making me laugh and feel lighter.

"So, what's the plan for the weekend?" Radhika asked, nudging me with her shoulder.

"I don't know yet. Maybe catch up on some sleep, do some coding for my side project, and definitely avoid any encounters with certain infuriating businessmen," I replied with a smirk.

Radhika giggled. "Well, that sounds like a plan. But seriously, Dhwani, don't let that jerk get to you. You're amazing at what you do, and you don't need his validation."

"Thanks, Radhika. I know. It's just... ugh, he's so frustrating!" I exclaimed, throwing my hands up in the air.

We burst out laughing, the sound of our laughter blending with the murmur of the crowd and the waves. It was at that moment that I noticed a familiar figure standing a few feet away, staring out at the sea. It was Reyansh.

My laughter died down instantly, replaced by a mix of annoyance and curiosity. What was he doing here? And why did it seem like he was always turning up wherever I went?

Radhika followed my gaze and saw him too. Her eyes widened in recognition. "Is that... Reyansh Kapoor?" she whispered, trying to hide her excitement.

"Yes, and let's just pretend we didn't see him," I said quickly, hoping to avoid another confrontation.

But Radhika had other ideas. She stood up and waved. "Hey, Mr. Kapoor! Over here!"

"Radhika, no!" I hissed, grabbing her arm, but it was too late. Reyansh turned around and spotted us.