Chapter 1

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   (How They Met)



The morning sun filtered through the tall windows of the vast mansion, casting long shadows over the marble floors. Shankar, dressed in his usual crisp white kurta, stood in front of the Shiva temple in his home, his eyes closed, hands folded in devotion. The fragrance of sandalwood and fresh marigolds lingered in the air, as the soft hum of mantras escaped his lips. Despite his rough exterior and fierce temper, this was the one moment in his day where everything calmed. He prayed with purpose, with the strength that he infused into every aspect of his life.

Shankar's life was a constant whirlwind of business meetings, handling the intricacies of his family's enterprise, and ensuring everything ran smoothly. His father had once told him, "In this world, there's no room for weakness. Be strong, be smart, and always be two steps ahead." He had lived by those words, growing into the powerful man he was today—respected by many, feared by more.

He had no time for distractions. Everything had a purpose, a place. His younger brothers and cousins looked up to him, but they also knew better than to cross his path when he was in one of his moods. The only person who could calm him was his mother. She was his anchor, the one he'd never refuse, the one for whom he always made time, no matter how busy life got.

After finishing his morning rituals, he checked the time. Another day filled with meetings, clients to deal with, and employees to supervise. It didn't matter—he thrived in the chaos, in making sure every piece of the business was in place.






On the other side of town, in a more modest yet lively home, Madhavi woke up to the sound of her alarm and the chirping birds outside her window. She stretched with a yawn, already feeling the energy buzzing inside her. Life was an adventure, and she wasn't one to sit still for too long.

She bounced out of bed and quickly got ready, her flute resting on the shelf beside her—always a reminder of the one thing that could bring her endless peace. After her quick morning routine, she stood before the small Krishna idol in her room, offering her prayers. "Give me the strength to keep smiling, no matter what," she whispered with a grin. Krishna had always been her confidant, the playful god who matched her own mischievous spirit.

Her life wasn't filled with grand luxury like Shankar's, but it was filled with love and warmth. Her family, though not as wealthy, lived comfortably. Her corporate job was demanding, but she found joy in balancing work and play. And that playful spark in her eyes? It was never far from the surface. Her co-workers often teased her for her light-hearted pranks and infectious laughter that filled the office.






The day that would change everything for both Shankar and Madhavi started like any other.

Shankar was on his way to an important business meeting, his mind focused, his driver navigating the chaotic streets of the city. In his world, nothing happened without precision and order. As they drove through a busy market area, a sudden jolt stopped the car.

Meanwhile, Madhavi, fresh out of a client meeting, decided to take a different route home. She needed a new set of bangles for her cousin's wedding and thought the bustling market would be the perfect place to find something unique. As she moved between the narrow stalls, she hummed a soft tune, her eyes sparkling as they darted from shop to shop.

In the middle of the road, a small accident had caused a traffic jam. Shankar, impatient as ever, stepped out of the car, his temper rising with every passing second. He was about to give the other driver a piece of his mind when suddenly, amidst the chaos, he heard the faint, sweet sound of a flute. It was almost surreal—how could such a delicate sound cut through the noise of the city?

Madhavi, unaware of the commotion, was playing her flute, lost in her own world, standing by a small vendor. Her music was her way of escaping the crowd, letting the notes take her to a place of peace.

Shankar's eyes fell on her, irritation momentarily replaced by curiosity. Who was this girl? In the middle of chaos, she seemed so carefree, so at peace. And that smile—there was something about it that was almost... infectious. It annoyed him how easily she could distract him.

Without realizing, he found himself walking toward her. "Excuse me," his deep voice broke through her music.

Madhavi stopped, lowering the flute, her eyes meeting his. For a moment, the world around them seemed to fade. She smiled, not knowing who this man was, but intrigued by his intense gaze.

"Do you always play the flute in the middle of a market?" Shankar asked, his voice laced with a mixture of sarcasm and curiosity.

Madhavi chuckled, "Only when I want to make the traffic jam a little more enjoyable."

Shankar raised an eyebrow, caught off-guard by her playful response. This was new. Most people either feared him or tried too hard to impress him. But here she was, unbothered, making jokes in the middle of a mess.

As the conversation went on, Shankar felt an unusual calm in her presence, something he hadn't felt in a long time. And as for Madhavi? She couldn't help but be intrigued by the tall, brooding man who seemed so out of place in the chaos but yet so commanding.

Little did they know, this brief encounter was just the beginning of something that would change both their lives forever.




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Lots of love ❤️😊 

- Melodic Narrator

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