Rishtey

Chapter - 5

Anamika was still lost in her grief, the weight of Vineet's betrayal pressing down on her, when a sharp knock on the door pulled her back to the present. She quickly wiped her tears, trying to steady her breath as her assistant's voice filtered in from outside.

"Ma'am, it's time for your meeting with Mr. Raman Bhalla," her assistant called softly, not wanting to intrude but aware of the importance of the appointment. "We need to leave in ten minutes."

Anamika blinked, trying to shake off the emotional fog that had engulfed her. The meeting. The whole reason she had come to Delhi. She had almost forgotten in the midst of her sorrow, caught up in memories of Vineet and the pain of the news she had just read.

She glanced at the clock on the nightstand, realizing her assistant was right—time was running out. With a heavy sigh, she folded the newspaper and set it aside, forcing herself to push the thoughts of Vineet out of her mind. She couldn’t afford to fall apart, not now, not when she had a critical meeting that could determine the success of her latest project.

Wiping the last of her tears, she stood up, smoothing down her outfit, trying to regain some semblance of composure. She was here for a reason, and she had to stay focused. The meeting with Raman Bhalla, one of the most influential businessmen in the city, was key to securing a deal she had worked hard for.

Still, the ache in her chest remained, and as she grabbed her briefcase, she couldn’t help but glance back at the newspaper one last time. The image of Vineet with another woman seemed to mock her, reminding her of how much had changed. But Anamika knew she couldn’t allow herself to crumble now. She had to face the world, even if her heart was breaking.

Taking a deep breath, she walked towards the door, her steps heavier than usual, trying to summon the strength she would need to get through this meeting. Her assistant greeted her with a concerned smile as she stepped into the hallway.

"Are you okay, ma'am?" the assistant asked cautiously, noticing the red in Anamika’s eyes.

Anamika forced a small smile, nodding. "Yes, I'm fine," she replied, her voice steadier than she felt. "Let's go. We can't keep Mr. Bhalla waiting."

And with that, she moved forward, burying the pain deep inside, determined to handle business as always—even if her heart was still shattered.

Anamika arrived at the upscale café where her meeting with Raman Bhalla was scheduled, her assistant by her side. The bustling sounds of the city outside and the quiet elegance of the place didn’t help ease the turmoil within her. She straightened her posture, mentally preparing herself as they entered.

Raman Bhalla, a tall, confident man in his mid-forties, stood up from his seat as he spotted her approaching. His reputation as one of Delhi's sharpest businessmen preceded him, and Anamika knew that this meeting was crucial for her latest project. She had worked hard to secure this opportunity, and she couldn’t afford to lose focus now.

"Anamika, it's a pleasure," Raman greeted her with a warm smile, extending his hand.

Anamika returned the gesture, her hand slightly shaking, though she forced a confident smile in return. "Thank you for making the time, Mr. Bhalla."

"Please, call me Raman," he said, motioning for her to sit. "I’ve been looking forward to discussing the proposal. I must say, what you’ve put together is impressive."

She nodded, acknowledging the compliment, but her mind was already slipping away, back to the hotel room, back to that newspaper. Vineet…with another woman. The image refused to leave her thoughts. Even as Raman began to talk, outlining his thoughts on the project, her focus drifted.