One day, One love

Sneaking Around the Aisle

Manisha was at the salon, getting pampered and prepped for the day ahead. Meanwhile, Abhishek seized the moment to seek his father's help. Abhishek spotted his mother in the kitchen, deeply engrossed in giving orders for the reception preparations. Seizing the opportunity, he quietly slipped into the study where his father, Vinay, was sitting comfortably with a newspaper.

"Dad, I need your help," Abhishek whispered urgently, glancing over his shoulder to make sure his mother wasn't nearby.

Vinay lowered his newspaper, looking at his son with an exaggerated sigh, already sensing trouble. "Ah, here we go. What do you need now, my dear boy? Money? A getaway car? Or perhaps a distraction for your mother?"

Abhishek grinned nervously. "Actually... all of the above, minus the getaway car. I have an important meeting today, and I need to sneak out for just an hour."

Vinay's eyes widened, and he almost dropped the newspaper. "A meeting? Today? Are you mad? Your mother will skin us both alive if she finds out! This is your reception day, not a business day!"

"Dad, please!" Abhishek begged, practically wringing his hands. "It's urgent. The client can't meet any other day. I'll be back in exactly one hour. She won't even notice I'm gone, I promise!"

Vinay leaned back, crossing his arms, and gave Abhishek a skeptical look. "And what makes you think I can help you with this little escapade? You know your mother has a sixth sense when it comes to these things. She'll sniff out your plan before you even leave the house."

Abhishek sighed, desperate. "I know, Dad, but you're the only one who can keep her distracted long enough for me to get out and back. Come on, just this once. Think of it as a favor to your favorite son."

Vinay chuckled. "My *only* son. And yet, here I am, risking my life for you. Do you even understand what you're asking? If your mother finds out, we're both in deep trouble. She'll start with me and then move on to you."

Abhishek nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, yes, I know. But I'll make it worth your while! I'll do all the chores for a month. I'll even take Mom shopping. Whatever you want!"

Vinay sighed deeply, shaking his head. "I must be out of my mind to agree to this." After a moment of dramatic contemplation, he finally gave in. "Fine. But just one hour, Abhishek! And if you're not back on time, I'm telling your mother everything and pretending I had no part in this."

Abhishek's face lit up with relief. "Thank you, Dad! You're the best! I won't let you down, I promise."

"Yeah, yeah," Vinay muttered, already regretting his decision. "Go on, but be quick. And for heaven's sake, don't get caught!"

With a wink, Abhishek sneaked out the back door, careful not to make a sound. As he slipped into his car, he whispered, "Love you, Dad!" before speeding off.

Vinay stood by the door, muttering to himself, "One hour. Just one hour. What could possibly go wrong?"

The meeting was not quite what Abhishek had expected. Instead of being greeted by the heads of the company, as he had anticipated, the room was filled with a team of middle managers and junior staff. The absence of the top executives immediately set off alarm bells in his mind, but he was too pressed for time to dwell on it. The ticking clock in his head reminded him that he had a wedding reception to get back to—a family affair that would not wait for the nuances of business.

As he entered the conference room, his own manager, Mr. Sinha, was already there, waiting with a thick stack of documents in hand. "Sir, the heads couldn't make it, but their team is here to finalize everything," Mr. Sinha explained quickly, sensing Abhishek's impatience. "It's just a formality at this point."