The Tales of Arshi

1. Stalker?!

Arnav Singh Raizada, the formidable and highly successful CEO of AR Designs, was known for his sharp business acumen and impeccable taste in fashion. His daily routine was meticulous, from his morning workout to his late-night meetings. He was a man who seldom allowed distractions, but life has a way of surprising even the most disciplined individuals.

One balmy evening, as Arnav's car was caught in the usual Delhi traffic, he was sifting through his files, barely noticing the world outside. That's when his eyes landed on her—a girl in a pretty traditional churidar. The vibrant colors and intricate designs were unlike anything he had seen in the market or even in his own fashion line. She was a refreshing contrast to the monotonous flow of his daily life.

She stood by a street vendor, her delicate fingers selecting flowers from a basket. Her eyes sparkled with kindness, and her smile radiated warmth. Arnav found himself captivated, admiring the ensemble she wore—an exquisite blend of tradition and modernity. The churidar was simple yet elegant, a testament to the timeless beauty of Indian craftsmanship.

Arnav couldn't take his eyes off her, and as his car slowly inched forward, he felt an inexplicable pull towards her. He noticed the way she interacted with the vendor, her soft laughter reaching his ears even amidst the chaos of the city. 

As he busied himself in his work, her lingering presence kept in on edge.

This brief encounter left a lasting impression on him, and he found himself looking forward to his daily commute, hoping for another glimpse of the mysterious girl in the churidar.

Days passed, and Arnav's eyes would subconsciously seek her out. 

"Sattish, uss raaste se lena!" Each day, he would catch fleeting glimpses of her—sometimes walking briskly down the street, sometimes helping an elderly woman cross the road, and occasionally, lost in her own world, humming a tune as she waited for her bus. Her presence had become a part of his routine, a pleasant distraction from his otherwise hectic life.

Arnav's fascination grew as he observed her kindness and simplicity. She seemed to embody a sense of peace and contentment that was rare in his high-stress world. The more he saw her, the more he wanted to know about her. 

Who was she? 

What did she do?

 Where did she come from? 

These questions haunted him, and yet, he found himself hesitant to seek answers.

Then, one day, she was not there. Arnav's car cruised past the usual spot, but she was nowhere to be seen. He brushed it off, thinking she might have taken a different route or been delayed. But the next day, she was still missing. A sense of restlessness began to gnaw at him. By the third day, Arnav could no longer concentrate on his work. The files on his desk seemed meaningless, and the usual thrill of business deals felt hollow.

He realized how much he had come to depend on those brief moments of seeing her, how they had become a highlight of his day. 

The thought of not seeing her again filled him with an unexpected void. Determined to find out what had happened, he decided to investigate.

The next morning, Arnav left his house earlier than usual. 

"Jara dheere!" He instructed his driver to take the same route but to slow down when they reached the spot where he usually saw her. 

As they approached, his heart raced with anticipation. He scanned the area, hoping against hope to catch a glimpse of her.

And then, he saw her. She was standing by the street vendor, just like before, but this time, she seemed different. There was a sadness in her eyes, a heaviness in her demeanor.