Faded Gems#1: Desert Hearts and City Lights

Prologue

  A fiery glow was cast over Rajasthan's arid expanse as the sun dipped below the horizon. The Thar Desert's majestic dunes were bathed in hues of crimson and gold mirroring Abhilasha Singh Rathore's fierce spirit. Abhilasha was a force to reckon with as her father's only daughter; she commanded respect and her will was as strong as desert sands. Her reputation for being a tyrannical leader and shrewd businesswoman served both as her shield and sword protecting family legacy by iron grip.

The grand opening of a luxurious Umesh Bhavan Palace, a 5-star hotel collaboratively created by Rao and Rathore's was celebrated with electric atmosphere tonight. The event held in the heart of city of lakes (Udaipur), was stage where she would meet him after their business collaboration.
Advith Rao was an enigmatic businessman who hails from Hyderabad having come with well-known surname. His family had made an empire in several industries but it was his intellect and cruel strategies that earned him both respect and contempt. With his arrival, he brought stormy wind into the calm waters; his presence was like nature's force capable of causing all kinds of trouble.
When the night's gala began, the luxury of the place was a stark opposite to the disharmony hidden underground. Crystal chandeliers glittered overhead, touching the styles of the people present in an invisible way. The air was full of saffron and sandalwood smells while soft classical music played in the background as they held negotiations on high stakes.

Abhilasha wore a pair of maroon saree decorated with complex gold embroidery which made her look like she was embodying grace. Her dark eyes had no sense of softness as they searched for that person who will have to face her on his contrary. Eventually, they locked gazes across a large hall where their two different worlds met in an intense clash.
Advith stood there confidently dressed in a tailored suit against Abhilasha's traditional charm with calmness. A slight smile appeared on his face indicating mischief coupled with hidden challenges which attracted him towards them.
Their first meeting was characterized by pointed remarks followed by conflicting ideologies. Advith explored her ardent spirit through clever approach while every interaction between them sparkled with electricity. This rivalry seemed to have been predetermined by destiny since its beginning was without any rational explanation.

Unstoppable as always, Abhilasha did not even acknowledge Anurag Chaurasiya her political spokesperson before stepping over to her father Rajveer in a full-bodied movement. It was at this moment she saw Advith who was looking at her and holding a glass of champagne. She understood he might be about to listen to another of those long dramatic speeches on how great Rajasthan was and if she could just contain herself from doing all that she knows best; therefore he said "Abhilasha ji welcome to our grand gala indeed." "Don't those chandeliers shine like stars?" said Advith standing at one end holding his drink as though it were something precious that must never be put down or put away from him.
Abhilasha drew an expressionless look while keeping her tall head with decorative Rajasthan motifs above her shoulders when she replied, "Oh yeah, Advith ji these chandeliers may be glittering but they can never outshine the beauty and gracefulness within ourselves for other people used to think that we don't change." The guy let out a small smile saying, "Abhilasha ji, your character is much like a hurricane in nature much against my ideas". However, he didn't stop there; rather continuing with what seemed an interjection before anyone could respond or agree upon whenever necessary. When he said that she must bear in mind that business works through stepwise advancements (moves). That is to say "business requires mental calculations which may lead to their formulation especially when forming alliances" at which point she replied leaning forward stating:
"While you're closing deals Mr Rao calculations are made all over farmers' land negotiating droughts...".
"Ahh, let's not argue today Ms Rathore", he said and sighed.
"As if I am very excited to debate over everything with you", Abhilasha huffed putting distance between them and turned her back as if she was walking away from him.
Advith thought she was trying to walk away, he suddenly blurted out so as to keep the conversation going , " Abhilasha jii, shall we dance? Ham shayad dushman hain, lekin nafrat aur jazbaat ke beech ek patli line hai. Shayad hum apni rivalry aaj raat ke liye chhod sakte hain. Apka kya khayal hai? Kya hum aisa karein?"
His words caught Abhilasha off guard. When she looked up at him, her surprise was evident in her eyes because for some unknown reason, there was little amusement there; maybe some humor too, which was a surprise more than anything else, because it came from The Advith Rao, the typically arrogant jerk in question. She thought, sirf aaj raat ke liye—HAAN! HAAN! Sirf aaj raat! Aur phir kal hum wapas apni purani tareeke se chalenge.
. "Yes... Yes, I would love to dance with you, Mr. Advith," she said hesitantly, placing her hand on his. And this was when for the first time Advith had seen Abhilasha mildly shaking with confidence—a slight glimpse of real Abhilasha. He took her to the center of the great ballroom in the palace, which was crowded with partners and gaudy dates of prosperous businessmen and entrepreneurs, so as not to say something more clumsy. When they commenced moving their bodies for a slow dance, everyone was amazed at how they could still be alive after attempting to tear each other apart. The ballroom filled with music and gossiping entrepreneurs became even noisier as these two became the center of conversation .
As the prologue to their story drew to a close, it was clear that their journey was far from over. The fierce Rajasthan sun had set, but the real warmth—complex and unpredictable—was only beginning to take shape between Abhilasha Singh Rathore and Advith Rao.