When Disaster Meets Perfection

Ch 44. An Unexpected Gathering

Half hour before

Aarush ascended the stairs to inform Ishana and the others that Ruhi and Rudra had gone to purchase snacks and that they should take a brief respite before joining the others downstairs.

Ishana nodded, acknowledging Aarush's message, but hesitated.

"Just a few more minutes," Ishana replied. "We have some remaining tasks to wrap up."

Aarush departed, leaving Ishana to face Om's inquiring gaze.

"Wait, Ishana," Om said, his brow furrowed in confusion. "Didn't you just say our work here was finished? We were going to take a break and help them downstairs."

Om settled onto the nearby bench, exhaustion etched on his face.

"I'm spent, Ishana. No more work for me today, till I take some break" Om declared, his voice laced with fatigue.

Ishana's eyes sparkled with mischief as she replied, "Oh, Om, you're so foolish. There's no work left, I just don't want to go downstairs yet."

Siddharth raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "If you don't want to go, that's fine. But let us go."

He took a few steps forward, only to be pulled back by Ishana.

"No one goes downstairs until I say so," Ishana declared, her voice firm.

Siddharth's curiosity got the better of him. "Why don't you want us to go downstairs?"

Ishana's grin revealed her hidden agenda. "I want Aarush and Annika to spend some quality time together. Since my brother became CEO, they haven't had a chance to connect."

Virat's eyes widened in understanding. "You're playing matchmaker!"

Ishana nodded, her eyes shining with excitement. "If they don't spend time together, how will they grow closer? And I want Annika to become my bhabhi."

Sneha chuckled. "You're scheming to get Aarush and Annika together."

Ishana's face lit up with determination. "Someone has to! They're perfect for each other."

Sneha's voice filled with concern. "But what if Annika has feelings for someone else?"

Ishana's confidence remained unwavering. "If that's the case, I'll ensure the guy is perfect for her. But I highly doubt Annika will easily fall for someone else."

Ishana's gaze turned nostalgic. "Annika had a crush on my brother for years, and I'm certain those feelings never fully faded. She was on the verge of confessing her feelings to him, but he left before she could."

Ishana's eyes sparkled with conviction. "Now that he's back, I'm convinced Annika's emotions have resurfaced. It's only a matter of time before she gathers the courage to express them."

Om, Siddharth, Virat and Sneha exchanged worried glances, their faces reflecting unspoken concerns.

What they knew, but Ishana didn't, was that Annika had already interacted with Shivay, and the dynamics were complex.

Annika hadn't confided in Ishana about Shivay yet, and the group wondered how Ishana would react when she discovered the truth. As she didn't like Shivay that much since the time she heard that he has restricted his brother to meet her and Annika.

Om cautioned, "Ishana, shouldn't you consider Annika's feelings before matchmaking her with Aarush? Maybe her emotions have changed since years ago, and she's interested in someone else now."