chapter - 5

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Hey qts 🩷

I'm back again with another one.

(Writing multiple povs in one chapter is tough bro)

Vote please

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Ayaan 

It had been a long day, the kind that seemed to stretch endlessly with meetings, reports, and constant demands. My head was buzzing with numbers and strategies, but despite the exhaustion, there was an unshakable tension I couldn’t quite place. Maybe it was the way the day had begun—waking up to a restless night filled with thoughts I couldn’t push away.

Running a part of the Agarwal empire meant every decision I made carried weight—whether it was about expanding into a new market or simply overseeing daily operations. Every day brought a new challenge, a new problem to solve, and while I thrived on that pressure, it also took its toll. My brothers—Vansh, Arvin and Daksh—shared the burden, each of us taking on our roles with a kind of silent understanding. Vansh, the eldest, carried the heaviest load, and sometimes I wondered how he managed it all without breaking. Arvin, on the other hand, had his own way of dealing with things, always the more adventurous one, but equally committed to our family. Daksh on the other hand wanted no part in the family business, he studied medicine like our dad and became a successful doctor he always wanted to be. I wish he could be here to see Daksh today. He would be so proud. Hell, I was so proud of him.

Yet, for all the business and responsibility that filled my days, there was something more nagging at the back of my mind. The pressure to be something- someone- beyond just the Agarwal name. My bade papa and badi maa had done their best to raise us with values, with the understanding that family came first. But sometimes, it felt like I was living a life mapped out for me, without room for my own choices, my own desires. 

The familiar scent of freshly brewed coffee and sweet pastries hit me as soon as I walked into the café. I didn’t know why I kept coming back here, but something—no, someone—pulled me in every time. I scanned the room, and there she was—busy, vibrant, talking a mile a minute to the customers with that ever-present smile.

I made my way to the counter, quietly ordering my usual. Before I could even reach for my wallet, Ishana was already there, sliding the cup towards me with a grin. “Extra shot of espresso, just how you like it, Mr. Mysterious,” she teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

“Thanks,” I muttered, nodding slightly. I didn’t have much to say, but with her, that seemed to be okay. She was more than happy to fill the silence.

“Are you always this quiet, or do you save your words for special occasions?” she asked, leaning on the counter, clearly enjoying the game she’d started. “Or maybe you’re one of those strong, silent types?”

I shrugged, taking a sip of my coffee. “Depends on the company.”

“Ooh, mysterious and selective. I like it,” she said with a playful wink. 

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