Bonded Forever

ANANYA

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It was a calm, pleasant evening, and everyone in the office was packing up, ready to go home. After a long, stressful day, they were eager to get back to their own places and relax.

Among them was a simple girl with a quiet charm. Even though she came from a rich family, she chose to work here because she wanted to be independent. She wanted to stand on her own, and that was why she worked hard every day. Her clothes were plain, and she was humble, but she moved with a quiet confidence, knowing she was making her own way in life, despite her family's wealth.

"Annu, we're getting late! Come on!" Swetha shouted from outside Ananya's cabin.

"Just five more minutes, I'm almost done!" Ananya called back, still focused on her work.

Swetha, not wanting to wait, rushed into Ananya's cabin and shut her laptop. "Enough now, seriously. You can finish the rest tomorrow!" she said with a mix of playfulness and seriousness.

Ananya sighed but agreed, gathering her things and following Swetha out of the office. As they stepped into the evening air, their differences were clear. Ananya, who was introverted, had trouble making friends. Swetha was her only friend from school, and she knew everything about Ananya. Their friendship was special, lasting through the years, with Swetha understanding Ananya like no one else.

Ananya and Swetha walked through the busy streets of Mumbai, the city lights glowing around them as the evening crowd moved by. Ananya's eyes brightened when she saw a Creamstone shop across the street. "Ice cream!" she exclaimed, pointing excitedly.

"Let's go!" Swetha said with a smile, happy to share in Ananya's simple pleasures. They went into the shop and bought their favorite ice cream—Ananya chose a butterscotch cone, and Swetha chose pista.

With their ice creams in hand, they went back out into the lively streets. The cool night air felt refreshing against the sweetness of their treats. Swetha did most of the talking, sharing stories and ideas, while Ananya mostly listened, giving short replies. That was how their friendship worked—Swetha talked, and Ananya listened.

Soon, they reached the point where their paths separated. Ananya hailed a cab to go to the Khurana mansion, while Swetha walked towards her own home, still smiling from their evening together. Their simple routines and moments together kept their bond strong.

When Ananya reached the Khurana mansion, she saw Indrani, a woman in her 60s, sitting on a couch in the grand living area. Indrani looked elegant and authoritative in her refined clothing.

Ananya tried to sneak past and head up the stairs to her room.

Suddenly, Indrani's sharp voice cut through the quiet. "What time is it now?" she asked, her tone stern.

Ananya stopped in her tracks, looking down as she tried to stay calm.

"I asked you something!" Indrani's voice grew louder, filled with frustration as she stood up from her seat.

Ananya flinched and turned around, her voice trembling with fear. "It's 7:30," she said quietly, staring at the floor.

Indrani's gaze was intense as she processed the answer. The room was filled with heavy silence, and Ananya felt the weight of Indrani's displeasure pressing down on her.

Finally, Indrani spoke again, her voice cold. "You're late again. I expect you to be on time." Her words were sharp and left no room for misunderstanding.

Ananya nodded quickly, her face red with embarrassment and fear. "Yes, I'm sorry dadi ," she said softly, turning back towards the stairs, eager to leave the tense situation behind.

As Ananya hurried up the stairs, she felt the weight of Indrani's gaze on her back, reminding her of the high expectations she had to meet in the mansion. The quiet grandeur of the house returned, and Ananya continued her evening, acutely aware of Indrani's stern presence lingering over her.

At dinner, everyone ate in silence, the atmosphere tense and calm. Once everyone had finished their meal and was getting ready to leave for their rooms, Indrani's stern voice cut through the quiet.

"Dev," she called out firmly.

Everyone stopped in their tracks, turning their attention to Dev Khurana.

"Yes, dadi?" Dev responded, his tone respectful.

"Make sure that there are no problems at your anniversary party tomorrow," Indrani instructed, her voice still strict and commanding.

"Yes, dadi," Dev said, nodding. "Don't worry, everything will be taken care of me."

As Ananya reached the top of the stairs, she heard Indrani's voice calling out again.

"Sumitra!" Indrani's tone was firm and clear. Everyone in the room turned to look at her.

"Yes, Maa?" Sumitra replied, stepping forward, her face showing both concern and anxiety.

"You need to take better care of your daughter Ananya," Indrani said, her voice strong. "She can't be late like this. I expect her to be responsible."

Sumitra nodded quickly, feeling a wave of fear wash over her. "Of course, Maa. I will make sure Ananya understands how important it is to be on time."

Indrani's intense gaze made Sumitra even more nervous. "She has to learn to manage her time better. It's not just about her work; it reflects on our family."

Ananya stood at the top of the stairs, feeling embarrassed as she listened to the conversation. She could sense the pressure on her mother, and her heart sank.

"Ji, Maa, I will talk to her," Sumitra said, glancing up at Ananya with a mix of love and worry. The fear in her voice was unmistakable.

Indrani nodded, satisfied. "Good. I want to see improvement. Remember, we have high standards to maintain."

With that, Indrani turned away, leaving Ananya feeling small and anxious. She wished she could disappear, but she knew she had to face the evening ahead, aware of the weight of Indrani's expectations.

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