Unexpected Horizons

(4)

A Shared Moment

The evening breeze swept gently through the garden of the luxurious estate. Twinkling fairy lights wrapped around the trees and columns, casting a soft, golden glow over the grand celebration.

It was the engagement party of Reyansh's niece, a lavish affair that blended the worlds of family, tradition, and business into one extravagant event. Everywhere you looked, there were groups of people, lost in animated conversations, champagne glasses in hand.

Reyansh stood at the entrance, exchanging pleasantries with a distant relative. His suit, tailored to perfection, framed his tall and commanding presence, but despite the festive atmosphere, his mind was distant surrounded by laughter and joy, that burden never quite lifted.

He was mid-conversation when something—or rather, someone—caught his attention. Aanshika Wagh stepped gracefully out of a sleek car, the soft glow of the lights highlighting her simple yet stunning dress. She was elegance personified, but what drew his gaze wasn’t her appearance; it was the memory of their last meeting. Aanshika, who had challenged him without ever intending to.

As her family joined the gathering, Aanshika avoided the crowd, standing at a corner her eyes scanning the crowd and crossing Reyansh’s from across the garden. For a fleeting moment, the noise and the chaos around them faded, and time seemed to slow. What is he doing here? Aanshika thought, recognizing him from the conference they had both attended a few weeks ago. Their encounter had been brief, but it left a lasting impression. She certainly hadn’t expected to see him again—especially not in such a personal setting.

Reyansh, as his curiosity piqued, decided to approach. Their previous conversation had left him intrigued, and he wanted to know more about the woman who seemed so sure of herself. Before he could reach her, someone intercepted her, pulling her into a group conversation. Reluctantly, she joined in.

Just when she thought she had lost sight of him, his deep voice sounded close. “We meet again, Miss. Wagh it seems we have more in common than I thought both business and Family.”

She looked at her surrounding and luckily no one from her family noticed them. She turned to face him, slightly startled by how quickly he had closed the distance between them. He was standing a little too close, his presence commanding as always. “Mr. Malhotra,” she greeted him, keeping her voice neutral. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

He gave her a smile, one that didn’t quite reach his eyes but hinted at genuine amusement. “Likewise. But it seems our families are more intertwined than we realized.”

Before the conversation could go further, they were interrupted by Reyansh’s mother, who seemed overjoyed to see Reyansh standing with a girl. “Oh, it’s so wonderful to see you here!” she exclaimed, pulling Aanshika into a warm embrace, even though she have never met her before. “I’ve heard so much about your accomplishments. Your parents must be so proud.”

Aanshika smiled politely, though the attention made her slightly uncomfortable. “Thank you, Mrs. Malhotra. It’s always a pleasure to see you.”

Reyansh asked, “I see you’ve met Aanshika?" she smiled caught by her son.

Reyansh nodded in dinial, understanding his mothers silly habit of matchmaking, his gaze fixed on Aanshika. “She is Aanshika wagh, the Ceo of Ansh Imdustries. A very young and promising Business women”.

Sensing the tension in the air, his mother excused herself with a knowing smile. “I’ll leave you two to chat. It’s such a busy evening.”

As she walked away, Aanshika turned to Reyansh. “Your mother is lovely,” she said, trying to fill the sudden silence.