Mujhe Pyaar Hua Tha~ Short Stories Collection

2

Author's POV 

Ishanaya sat at the head of the sleek, glass conference table, her eyes scanning the proposal documents in front of her. MUSE was preparing to launch its most ambitious campaign yet, and they needed a face that was both globally recognized and stylish. Her marketing team had suggested a few names, but one stood out—Abhinav Rathore.

She tapped her pen thoughtfully, trying to ignore the flutter in her chest. She hadn't seen Abhinav in six years. Could they work together without letting their past interfere?

The door to the conference room opened, and her assistant, Anjali, stepped in. "Ms. Malhotra, Mr. Rathore is here."

Ishanaya took a deep breath. "Send him in."

A moment later, Abhinav walked in, looking as effortlessly charismatic as ever. He wore a tailored black suit, his hair slightly tousled in that way she used to love. Their eyes met for a brief moment, and a rush of memories threatened to overwhelm her, but she quickly pushed them aside.

"Abhinav," she greeted him with a nod, her voice steady.

"Ishanaya," he replied, his tone equally professional, though there was a hint of something unspoken in his eyes. "It's been a while."

"It has," she agreed, gesturing for him to take a seat. "Thank you for coming on such short notice."

"Of course," he said, settling into the chair across from her. "I'm intrigued by the proposal. MUSE has always been at the forefront of fashion, and I'm honored you thought of me."

"We believe you embody the qualities we want to highlight in this campaign," she said, sliding the proposal toward him. "Sophistication, creativity, global appeal."

He glanced over the document, nodding slightly. "It's a strong concept. I think we can create something impactful."

There was a pause, the air thick with unspoken emotions. Ishanaya forced herself to focus on the task at hand. "Our team has outlined the key elements, but we'd love to hear your input. We want this to feel authentic to you."

Abhinav met her gaze, his expression unreadable. "I appreciate that. I'll give it my full attention."

As they discussed the details, their conversation remained polite, almost distant. They spoke of schedules, photo shoots, and marketing strategies, both careful to maintain a professional demeanor. Yet, beneath the surface, both could feel the weight of their history, a silent undercurrent that neither dared to acknowledge.

Finally, after they had covered everything, Ishanaya stood up. "Thank you for your time, Abhinav. I'll have the contracts sent over by tomorrow."

He rose as well, offering a faint smile. "Looking forward to working with you, Ishanaya."

"You too," she replied, her heart heavy as he turned to leave.

As the door closed behind him, Ishanaya sat back down, staring at the empty chair where he had been. The room felt colder, emptier, despite the successful meeting.

15 Years Ago

The corridors of Singapore's prestigious Raffles International School buzzed with the usual chatter of students. Ishanaya Malhotra, the reigning queen bee of the school, walked through the hallways with an air of confidence. With her long hair cascading down her back and her impeccable style, she was the center of attention. Her popularity was not just due to her looks but also her intelligence and charm.

In the cafeteria, her usual group of friends surrounded her, laughing and discussing the latest gossip. "Did you hear about the new student in 11th grade?" one of her friends, Bailey, said, her voice tinged with curiosity. "I heard he's from India and his father is some big actor."