Winds of Destiny

Chapter 8

(A Fateful Encounter)

Madhavi hurriedly paced through the bustling mall, her phone pressed to her ear, thanking her friend, Aditi, for some advice. "Thank you for all the information, Aditi! I owe you one," she said, glancing at her reflection in a shop window.

Aditi's voice crackled with surprise on the other end. "Wait, hold up. You're actually going to get a job at Angel Wings Foundation? Are you sure about this, Madhavi? It's not easy to get in there! People wait for months just to get an interview! And we're talking about Mrs. Meera Jai Pratap Rana's foundation here. It's huge—even renowned internationally!"

Madhavi's confident smile widened. "I know, Aditi, I know. But don't worry, I have a plan."

Aditi pressed further, her curiosity piqued. "What plan, exactly? You're up to something, aren't you? How do you know you'll even get a chance to talk to her directly?"

Madhavi smirked playfully, her voice taking on a teasing tone. "Simple. I'm going to meet Mrs. Meera directly, face-to-face."

Aditi nearly choked on the other end of the line. "What?! Are you out of your mind? Do you even know what you're getting into? Mrs. Meera isn't someone you can just—"

Before Aditi could finish, Madhavi cut her off with a laugh. "Relax, Aditi. If I land this job, I'll cover your medical bills for all this worrying! Gotta go now!" With that, she hung up, tucking her phone into her cloth handbag. She closed her eyes for a brief moment, taking a deep breath as she clasped her hands in a quick prayer. "Krishna, I hope you're with me on this one," she murmured, opening her eyes to face the large mall with renewed determination.

Mrs. Meera Jai Pratap Rana walked through the luxurious aisles of an upscale boutique, examining fabrics with a gentle smile. Her presence radiated simplicity yet carried an unmistakable aura of grace and elegance. Unlike her husband, Jai Pratap Rana, known for his ruthlessness, Meera was warm-hearted and generous. Her beauty lay not only in her outward appearance but in her kindness, which touched everyone she met. Despite not being highly educated, she possessed a keen sense of intelligence, managing the Angel Wings Foundation—a renowned NGO that helped orphaned children across the globe. Her genuine efforts had made the foundation a beacon of hope in places as far as Australia and Africa.

Madhavi spotted Mrs. Meera inside a chic clothing store, flanked by her two bodyguards, who stood like stone statues outside the door. She approached the shop's entrance with a steady gait, but the guards extended an arm, barring her way. "You can't go in right now, ma'am," one of them said sternly.

Madhavi nodded, backing away without protest, but a sly smile played on her lips. "Well, Krishna, looks like I'll have to get a little creative here," she whispered to herself, her eyes falling on the staff uniform lying unattended near the changing rooms. Her mind whirled with possibilities, and she quickly slipped into the outfit, tucking her hair beneath a cap. With her face partially hidden, she approached the shop again, this time confidently strolling past the guards. Her heart fluttered with excitement as she succeeded in her little disguise.

Inside, Mrs. Meera continued browsing through the racks, and Madhavi, carrying a pile of clothes, moved up to her with a polite smile. "Let me assist you, ma'am," she offered, carefully concealing her true intentions.