Devraj Varma, a billionaire CEO, is deeply rooted in a royal lineage steeped in ancient traditions. Each decade, he faithfully returns to his ancestral village, Shiva Ganga, to perform a sacred puja. During this year's ritual, destiny takes a surpri...
The next day, as the sun began to set, Anika and Yuvraj returned home, the warmth of their family visit still lingering in Anika's heart. She felt a mix of excitement and nervousness as they approached the house. After exchanging pleasantries with Radha and Rani Devi, Anika hurried to her room, eager to see Devraj.
As Anika stood by the door, she could hear the tension in the room as Devraj spoke with Mr. Kapoor. His voice was firm, and the weight of his authority was palpable.
"Mr. Kapoor, this is unacceptable," Devraj said, his tone sharp and unwavering. "You had clear instructions regarding the client's requirements, and yet you failed to deliver. This oversight could cost us not just this account, but our reputation as well."
"I understand, Sir," Mr. Kapoor replied, his voice shaky. "There was a miscommunication with the team, and I take full responsibility for it."
"Responsibility isn't enough," Devraj snapped, his frustration evident. "You know how critical this client is to our business. We can't afford to make mistakes like this. You need to be proactive, not reactive. This isn't the first time we've had issues like this, and I'm running out of patience."
"I assure you, I'll rectify the situation immediately," Mr. Kapoor said, desperation creeping into his voice. "I'll reach out to the client and do everything I can to fix this."
"Fixing it isn't enough. I want a detailed report on my desk by the end of the day outlining how this happened and what steps you're taking to ensure it doesn't happen again," Devraj replied, his voice cold and commanding. "If you can't handle this, I'll have to reconsider your position in this company."
"Please, Sir, I've been with the company for years. I can turn this around," Mr. Kapoor pleaded, his tone shifting to one of desperation.
"Years of service don't excuse repeated mistakes," Devraj said firmly. "You need to understand the gravity of this situation. I expect results, not excuses. If you can't deliver, I'll find someone who can."
Anika felt a chill run down her spine as she listened to the conversation. Devraj's intensity was palpable, and she could sense the fear in Mr. Kapoor's voice.
But then, as she shifted her weight, the sound of her bangles chimed softly, breaking through the tension. Devraj's demeanor changed instantly. He paused mid-sentence, a smile breaking through his stern expression. "Mr. Kapoor, I'll have to discuss this later. Fix it in my way as early as possible and report me," he said, dismissing the call with a wave of his hand. He shut down his laptop and turned around, his eyes lighting up at the sight of her.
"Anika!" he exclaimed, his voice softening. He stood up and crossed the room in an instant, enveloping her in a warm embrace. The tension of the day melted away as he held her close, and Anika felt a wave of relief wash over her. Then he took her inside the room and sat on the couch.
"I missed you," he murmured into her hair, his voice low and sincere.
"Seems like you have a company to miss me" she replied, her voice muffled against his shoulder. She could feel the warmth of his body, and it made her feel safe and cherished.
As they pulled back slightly, Devraj looked into her eyes, searching for any signs of discomfort. "Nothing, How was your time at home?" he asked, his tone gentle.
"It was nice. I got to spend time with my family, but I couldn't stop thinking about you," Anika admitted, a shy smile creeping onto her face.
Devraj's expression softened even more. "I'm glad you had a good time, but I'm even happier that you're back. The house felt empty without you," he confessed, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear and gave a little peck on her lips by pulling her neck with one hand and released.
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Anika felt her heart flutter at the peck. "I was worried you'd be angry when I got back. I didn't want to interrupt your meeting," she said, glancing down at her feet.
"Angry? No, I was just... focused," he replied, his tone lightening. "But seeing you now makes everything better. You have this way of brightening up my day, even when I'm in the middle of chaos."
She smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her. "I'm glad I can do that for you."
Devraj took a step back, still holding her shoulders, his eyes serious. "But promise me, if I'm ever too caught up in work, you'll still come to me. I don't want you to feel like you have to tiptoe around me."
Anika nodded, her heart swelling with affection. "I promise. I'll always come to you."
"Good," he said, a satisfied smile returning to his face. "Now, let's celebrate your return.....How about we cook something together? I could use a break from all this work."
Anika's eyes lit up at the suggestion. "That sounds perfect! What do you want to make?"
"Let's make that sweet dish you prepared the other day. I want to learn how to make it," he said, his enthusiasm infectious.
"Really? You want to learn how to cook?" she teased, raising an eyebrow.
"Of course! I can't let you have all the fun in the kitchen," he replied, a playful grin on his face.
As they moved to the kitchen together, Anika felt a sense of joy bubbling inside her. The earlier tension had dissipated, replaced by the warmth of their connection. They worked side by side, laughing and teasing each other as they prepared the ingredients.
In that moment, Anika realized that no matter the challenges they faced, their bond was strong enough to weather any storm. And as they cooked together, she felt grateful for the love and support they shared, knowing that they could always find their way back to each other, no matter what.
