Whispers of Destiny.

CHAPTER 7

Nina's POV

The night before Ganesh Chaturthi, I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, my thoughts tangled in the events of the day. Harsh's words echoed in my mind, "I care about you. More than just as friends."It had caught me off guard, but I couldn't deny that hearing him say it made my heart flutter in a way I hadn't expected.

It was strange, really. For the past few days, I had almost completely forgotten about the life I'd left behind temporarily—being the CEO of a massive company, with hundreds of people relying on me, and decisions that affected more than just my own life. There had been a few calls here and there, but nothing urgent, nothing that pulled me away from the warmth of this place, from the laughter of my family, or from the quiet but growing connection I was feeling with Harsh.

I was supposed to be taking a break, but it was more than that. Here, I felt like I could just be. No meetings, no deadlines, no boardrooms. Just the simplicity of home, of being with family, of helping decorate for the festival, of listening to childhood stories. And Harsh. He was part of that now too.

I couldn't help but think about him—how easy it had been to fall back into the rhythm of having him around, even though we'd been out of touch for so long. And Vikram? He was nothing but an old friend, just as I'd said. There was no question about that. His flirting, his playfulness—it didn't stir anything in me the way Harsh's quiet presence did. There was something about the way Harsh looked at me, or the way he would linger close by, that felt different. It wasn't loud or obvious, but it was there, a steady undercurrent that made me think about him more than I cared to admit.

As I lay there, the house was quieter now, everyone having gone to bed, resting before the big day tomorrow—Ganesh Chaturthi. The festival was one of the most cherished times of the year for my family, and this year felt especially important. Maybe because we were all here, together, after so long. Life had pulled us in so many different directions, but now, for a few days, we were united under the same roof, preparing to welcome Lord Ganesha into our home.

The preparations had been in full swing for days now, and the house felt alive with energy. Tomorrow, it would be even more vibrant. Ganesh Chaturthi was all about devotion, new beginnings, and togetherness. We would start early in the morning, bringing the idol of Lord Ganesha into the house with great pomp and joy. The air would be filled with the sound of drums, the scent of incense and flowers, and the chatter of family members moving around, making sure everything was perfect.

The ritual of the sthapana, where we would place the idol in its beautifully decorated spot, was always a deeply emotional moment for me. There was something about the presence of Ganpati that made everything feel possible—that no matter what challenges lay ahead, things would work out. It was a time to let go of the burdens of the past and focus on the blessings that we had.

The courtyard, which had been so busy with lights and flowers today, would be filled with people tomorrow—family, friends, neighbors—everyone coming together to celebrate. I could already picture the vibrant marigolds draped around the idol, the soft glow of the oil lamps, and the sound of the priest chanting mantras as we all stood around with folded hands, offering our prayers.

And then there was the Modak. My mouth watered just thinking about it. It was tradition to make Modak, Lord Ganesha's favorite sweet, every year. We had been preparing them earlier today, and the kitchen was still filled with the sweet scent of jaggery and coconut. Tomorrow, we'd all indulge, offering the sweets to Ganesha first, and then to ourselves. It was one of the best parts of the festival, honestly—being surrounded by family, sharing food, and just soaking in the warmth of togetherness.

There was something about festivals that brought everything into perspective. Sitting here now, I realized how much I had missed this—the simple joy of being with my family, the feeling of being rooted to something bigger than just work. It reminded me that there was so much more to life than the constant hustle and grind. These moments, these connections, were what truly mattered.

And then, there was Harsh.

I turned over in bed, thinking about our conversation earlier. His words had stayed with me, and I couldn't help but wonder what this meant for us. There was an undeniable chemistry between us, something that had always been there but had resurfaced stronger than ever. I felt it in the way he looked at me, the way our conversations seemed to flow so easily, the way he was always there, just close enough to make his presence known but never overbearing.

Vikram's arrival had only highlighted that for me. While Vikram was all charm and confidence, Harsh was quieter, more reserved, but there was something deeper there. A connection that felt more real, more grounded. I had brushed off Vikram's teasing and flirting because it didn't mean anything to me, but with Harsh, everything felt more significant.

I couldn't deny that I cared about him too. Maybe more than I had let myself realize. There was something comforting about the idea of us, something that felt like it had always been there, waiting for the right moment. Maybe this was that moment.

Tomorrow, I'd have to focus on the festival, on my family, and on being present. But tonight, as I lay here, my thoughts kept drifting back to him. To the way he had admitted his feelings, even in that understated, almost shy way. It made me smile, thinking about it. And it made me wonder what would happen next.

The house was quiet now, save for the faint sounds of crickets outside the window. Tomorrow would be loud, chaotic, and full of life. But for now, in the stillness of the night, my thoughts were on him.

Just as I was about to drift off, I heard a soft noise outside the window. At first, I thought it was the wind, but then the window creaked open. Startled, I sat up, only to see Harsh climbing through, trying to be as quiet as possible.

"Harsh?!" I whispered, half-shocked, half-amused.

He grinned sheepishly, brushing off some leaves. "Couldn't sleep," he whispered back, "and I figured you might still be awake."

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