When We Met

Hum Tum

The next day –

As the rivals settled into their seats, the ambiance of the room shifted, thickening with the weight of their history.

Ruhaan adjusted his cufflinks. His eyes, sharp and discerning, scanned the room briefly before landing squarely on Advay; who leaned forward slightly. The intensity in their gaze was palpable.

"Advay", Ruhaan began, the name rolling off his tongue with a mixture of formality and a touch of condescension, "I trust you understand the gravity of what's at stake here."

Advay's lips tightened into a thin line. "Spare me the preamble, Ruhaan. We both know why we're here. Let's cut to the chase."

Ruhaan raised an eyebrow, amused by Advay's impatience. "Very well. The terms are simple. You concede the American territories, and in exchange, I'll ensure your operations in India run smoothly."

Advay scoffed, a harsh sound that reverberated in the room, "You think I'd give up my control over the Indian companies just like that? After everything we've fought over?"

Ruhaan's smirk deepened, just enough to be noticed, "You know as well as I do that holding onto the Indian part is a losing battle for you. The resources are stretched thin, and the alliances you've built here are... tenuous, at best. I'm offering you a lifeline. Take it."

Advay's eyes narrowed, a flash of anger crossing his features. "You've always underestimated me. That's your problem. The Indian part isn't just about territory—it's about leverage. And I'm not about to hand it over to you on a silver platter."

The tension rose, the air between them charged with a mix of animosity and grudging respect. They both knew this deal is a turning point, a moment that could either solidify their control or unravel everything they've worked for.

Ruhaan leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping to a near-whisper, "This isn't about underestimating you, Advay. It's about recognizing when a battle isn't worth the cost. You're smart enough to know that sometimes, the only way to win is to walk away", forcing him to listen closely

Advay glared at Ruhaan, the words striking a nerve. For a moment, they were silent, weighing the offer. The clock on the wall ticked steadily, the only sound breaking the suffocating quiet.

Finally, Advay spoke, his voice low and edged with defiance. "I'll consider your terms, but don't mistake this for a concession. The Indian territory might be a burden now, but it's my burden. And I won't hand it over unless I get something far more valuable in return."

Ruhaan nodded slowly, acknowledging the counteroffer. "Then let's talk about what you want. We can both get what we need out of this. But remember, time is running out. The longer we wait, the fewer options we have."

After a few days –

Miraya's room was a cacophony of creativity. Bolts of fabric in every conceivable color and texture lined on a table, while sketches and inspiration boards covered another.

Miraya sat in the center, a whirlwind of motion. Her curls were tied up in a messy bun, and a pencil was tucked behind her ear. She wore a simple black dress, the perfect canvas to highlight the vibrant swatches of fabric she kept draping over her arm.

She moved to her couch, where a sketch of a daring red saree lay waiting. She picked up her pencil, her mind already visualizing the final product for the collection. As she sketched, her thoughts drifted to the night of the sangeet, when she had worn a very similar saree. The night when Ruhaan and her, swayed on the dance floor, their drenched bodies mere inches apart from each other. She closed her eyes, allowing herself to be swept back to that evening.