Echoes Of Yesterday

1. self obsession

A grand chandelier adorned the beautiful hall of the biggest mansion in the city—the Singhania Mansion. In the mandir area, a woman in a graceful saree prayed with a serene smile, her hands folded before Bhagwan Krishna’s idol. After bowing with devotion, she made her way to the hall, where her husband, Dev Singhania, sat reading a newspaper. She offered him the prasaad, and he responded with a quiet smile.

"Shravya! Swati! Uth jao bacchon!" she called out loudly, her voice echoing through the vast space. Dev, as if anticipating the loudness, quickly covered his ears.

A few moments later, a girl descended the grand staircase. She was dressed in a sharp business suit with a cinched belt that emphasized her slender waist. Meenakshi Singhania smiled warmly as the girl approached her.

"Swati beta," Meenakshi greeted lovingly, cupping Swati's face with motherly affection.

"Did you sleep well?" she asked.

Before Swati could respond, another voice cut through the room.

"She’s become my personal nightmare, and you’re asking about her sleep?"

All eyes turned to see another young woman stride confidently into the hall. She wore a blue business suit, her tall frame radiating authority. A mole near her right eye, another on her chin, and a single dimple on her cheek made her striking features unforgettable.

"Shivi, behave," Meenakshi chided gently as the second girl, Shravya, approached.

"Sometimes I think you love Swati more than me!" Shravya retorted, rolling her eyes. Swati chuckled softly in response.

"Took you this long to figure it out, honey?" Meenakshi teased, leaving Shravya gaping in mock shock.

Before Shravya could retort, Dev Singhania rose from his chair and enveloped her in a bear hug. Shravya melted into her father’s embrace, momentarily letting go of her fiery demeanor.

"Dekho na, Papa! Mummy kya bol rahi hain!" she complained like a little girl, earning warm smiles from Meenakshi and Swati. The contrast was evident—Shravya was a powerhouse outside, but at home, she was still her parents' playful daughter.

"All right, all right! Let’s get going now," Swati interjected, gently tugging Shravya away from their father.

"What's it?" Shravya asked, her demeanor shifting back to a professional calm. Swati knew this side of her well—the formidable businesswoman who helmed one of India’s top fashion firms.

"Our sales have seen a drop since the fashion show fiasco," Swati informed her. Shravya frowned and massaged her temples.

A few days earlier, M&D Couture, the fashion house owned by Shravya, had hosted a star-studded fashion show. But the event took a disastrous turn when the showstopper’s blouse malfunctioned on stage. Though the actress was a close friend of Shravya’s and refrained from taking legal action, the incident had drawn significant backlash from netizens and fans.

As they left the mansion, Swati opened the passenger door of their luxury car for Shravya. Shravya slid in, her mind racing with thoughts.

"Do you think this could’ve been sabotage by our rivals?" she asked Swati, who was focused on driving.

"The staff, guests, and models were all vetted by me and Viraj. I doubt anyone from a competitor's company could’ve been involved," Swati replied.

"And honestly, if they were capable of infiltrating our show, they’d have done something more damaging, like leaking confidential designs," she added, her logic convincing Shravya.

"But who could’ve done it? That dress was my design, and it had no flaw," Shravya insisted.

"We’ll find out," Swati said firmly.

"Take the car to Bloom & Brew Café," Shravya instructed, her tone softening. The café, owned by her best friend Anamika Parihar, was her haven.

When they arrived, Shravya stepped out and paused to admire the café’s aesthetic charm. She caught her reflection in the large glass pane at the entrance and gasped.

"Hey, sexy lady," she murmured, admiring her own polished look with a proud smile. Turning sideways to check her outfit, she declared, "I’m somewhat of a model myself!"

Absorbed in her reflection, she didn’t notice Swati staring at her in disbelief. Shaking her head, Swati let the moment unfold.

Suddenly, a tall man in a crisp formal suit emerged from the café, his coat draped over his arm. Shravya froze, captivated by his striking appearance. As he passed her, he stopped, turned, and gave her an intense gaze.

"You should seriously consider modeling," he said with a charming smile before walking away.

Shravya blinked, momentarily stunned. His words replayed in her mind.

"Iska kya matlab?" she muttered, puzzled. But as she glanced at the café’s reflective glass, realization dawned. The "mirror" was actually transparent from the other side.

"Matlab usne sab dekha?!" she whispered in horror. Her face flushed as she banged her head against the nearest table—the same one the man had been seated at moments ago.

Swati, who had witnessed the entire scene, burst into uncontrollable laughter.

"I swear, that was the most scenic thing I’ve ever seen!" Swati declared, clutching her stomach as Shravya glared at her.

"Hey, girlies! What’s good?"

Both turned to see a short-haired woman in casuals approach with a wide grin.

TO BE CONTINUED