Meant to be yours

what if

The Modi farmhouse was supposed to be peaceful.
Green lawns.
A private lake.
Absolute privacy.
Which is exactly why Anamika chose it.
"I want silence," she had said.
Ishika had smiled innocently.
That smile should have warned her.
Anamika and Ishika arrived first.
The farmhouse staff were dismissed early.
Just the two of them.
Fresh air.
No board meetings.
No corporate wars.
Anamika looked unusually relaxed as she removed her blazer and rolled up her sleeves.
"This," she said calmly, "is perfect."
Ishika hummed sweetly.
"Oh, it will be."
Anamika narrowed her eyes slightly.
Two hours later-
A car screeched dramatically outside.
Anamika froze mid-sip of coffee.
Ishika looked toward the window and gasped theatrically.
"Oh no."
Anamika walked outside.
And there stood Riya and Payal.
With luggage.
And smug faces.
"Surprise!" Riya announced.
Payal gave Anamika an unapologetic nod. "We needed fresh air."
Anamika looked at Ishika slowly.
"You knew."
Ishika blinked innocently. "Maybe."
Riya high-fived her.
Evening fell.
All four sat in the living room.
Wine glasses in hand.
And egos fully active.
Payal leaned back confidently. "Riya argues a lot. But in the end? She listens to me."
Riya gasped. "Excuse me?!"
Anamika smirked faintly. "Ishika doesn't argue."
Ishika turned slowly. "What?"
Anamika sipped calmly. "She follows instructions."
Payal nodded approvingly. "As it should be."
Riya and Ishika exchanged a look.
A silent pact was formed.
War declared.

PRANK WAR BEGINS

Prank 1: The "Haunted" Bedroom
That night-
Anamika walked into her bedroom.
Paused.
Looked around.
Her pillows were arranged in a perfect human shape under the blanket.
With glowing stickers on the "face."
She stared.
From the balcony came a low, creepy whisper.
"Mikaaaaa..."
Anamika didn't flinch.
She simply walked out.
Into the hallway.
Where Riya and Ishika were hiding behind a curtain.
She pulled the curtain aside.
Both of them fell out.
"Creative," she said flatly.
Payal burst out laughing from the couch.
Round one: minor success.

Prank 2: The Locked Ego
Next morning-
Payal walked into the bathroom confidently.
Door shut.
Two seconds later-
"Why isn't this opening?"
From outside-
Click.
Riya's sweet voice floated in.
"Oh nooo. The dominant one is trapped."
Payal tried the handle again.
Locked.
"I will remember this," Payal warned calmly.
Riya grinned. "Noted."
Anamika walked by and raised a brow at Ishika.
"Is this your idea of rebellion?"
Ishika folded her arms proudly. "Yes."
Anamika's eyes darkened slightly.
"Good."
Ishika blinked.
Why did that sound like a challenge?

Prank 3: The Pool Push
Afternoon by the pool.
Anamika stood near the edge, checking emails.
Riya nodded subtly at Ishika.
Three.
Two.
One.
SPLASH.
Anamika fell straight into the pool.
Payal froze.
Ishika gasped dramatically. "Oh no! My hand slipped!"
Riya clutched her stomach laughing.
Anamika surfaced slowly.
Hair slicked back.
Expression unreadable.
She climbed out calmly.
Water dripping everywhere.
Walked toward Ishika.
Ishika slowly stepped back.
"You're dead," Anamika said quietly.
Riya immediately pointed at Ishika. "Her idea!"
"Traitor!" Ishika shrieked.
Payal laughed nervously.
Oh this was escalating.
The Counterattack
Dinner was unusually quiet.
Too quiet.
Riya leaned toward Ishika.
"Why are they so calm?"
Ishika swallowed. "I don't know."
Upstairs-
Anamika whispered something to Payal.
Payal grinned slowly.
Oh.
The hunters had decided to hunt.
Ishika tiptoed into the hallway.
Riya followed behind her.
Suddenly-
Two arms wrapped around Ishika's waist.
She shrieked.
Anamika lifted her effortlessly.
"Mika! No! It was Riya's idea!"
Riya tried to run.
Payal caught her mid-step and lifted her over her shoulder.
"PAYAL. I APOLOGIZE."
"Too late."
Ishika squirmed in Anamika's arms.
"I surrender!"
"You pushed me into a pool."
"You said I follow instructions!"
Anamika smirked. "And you followed Riya's."
She carried her toward their bedroom.
Door shut.
Meanwhile-
Riya kicked lightly in the air. "I was joking! It was comedy!"
Payal walked calmly toward their room.
"Excellent. Now it's tragedy."
Doors closed.
Lights off.
Silence.
Then muffled protests.
Then laughter.
Then...
Silence again.
The Next Morning
Riya lay flat on the bed.
Phone to her ear.
"I survived," she whispered dramatically. "How about you?"
On the other side-
"I can't feel my legs," Ishika whined.
Across the room, Anamika adjusted her cufflinks, smirking.
"Monster," Ishika muttered.
Anamika leaned down, brushing her hair aside gently.
"You started a war."
"You escalated it!"
Anamika's voice softened. "You looked cute plotting against me."
Ishika narrowed her eyes. "Don't sweet talk me."
Anamika kissed her forehead.
"You're adorable when you try to dominate."
Ishika flushed.
"I was not trying to dominate!"
Anamika's smirk widened.
"Sure."
Meanwhile-
In the other bedroom-
Riya threw a pillow at Payal.
"You carried me like a sack of rice!"
Payal caught it easily. "You locked me in a bathroom."
"That was playful!"
Payal leaned closer. "So was last night."
Riya's face turned bright red.
"Stop talking."
Payal grinned.
Riya crossed her arms.
They glared at each other.
Three seconds later-
They both burst out laughing.
Breakfast table.
Four of them.
Suspiciously quiet.
Anamika sipped coffee elegantly.
Payal looked perfectly composed.
Ishika shifted in her seat and glared at Anamika.
Riya avoided eye contact entirely.
Anamika finally spoke.
"Any more pranks planned?"
Ishika and Riya immediately shook their heads.
"Good."
Payal added calmly, "Because we haven't even started."
Riya gasped.
Ishika groaned.
The farmhouse trip had officially turned into a battlefield.
And somehow-
Everyone was winning.
**
The farmhouse had finally gone quiet.
After breakfast chaos and mutual death glares across the table, Payal stood up calmly, wiped her hands with a napkin, and looked at Riya.
"Come with me."
Riya blinked. "Where?"
"Walk."
"That sounds suspicious."
Payal leaned down slightly. "You wanted fresh air, remember?"
Riya narrowed her eyes but stood anyway. "If I don't return in one hour, Ishika, call for help."
Anamika didn't even look up from her coffee. "We won't."
Riya gasped. "Traitors. All of you."
Payal placed a hand at the small of Riya's back and guided her out toward the orchards, ignoring her dramatic protests.
The front door shut.
Silence.
Just birds.
Wind through trees.
And two wives left alone.
Ishika was still sitting at the table, pretending to scroll through her phone.
Anamika watched her for a long moment.
"You're unusually quiet."
Ishika didn't look up. "I'm conserving energy."
"For?"
"In case you decide to take revenge again."
Anamika's lips curved faintly.
She stood and walked around the table slowly, stopping beside Ishika's chair.
"I don't take revenge unnecessarily."
Ishika glanced up.
"You threw me in a pool."
"You provoked me."
Ishika huffed softly but couldn't stop the smile tugging at her lips.
Anamika noticed.
She leaned slightly closer.
"There," she murmured.
"There what?" Ishika asked.
"That smile."
Ishika's heartbeat picked up a little.
Anamika gently tilted her chin up with two fingers.
" Mika, you look gorgeous when you smile."
Ishika blinked.
"Did you just compliment yourself?" she whispered.
Anamika smirked. "You call me Mika."
Ishika laughed softly. "You're impossible."
"And you," Anamika said quietly, "are radiant when you're happy."
The teasing tone had shifted.
It was softer now.
War mode off.
Wife mode on.
Anamika brushed a loose strand of hair behind Ishika's ear, her touch lingering just a second longer than necessary.
"You were worried about me the other night," Anamika said gently.
Ishika swallowed. "Of course I was."
"You don't have to."
"I know." Ishika's voice softened. "But I will."
Something in Anamika's expression changed - not dominance, not pride.
Just warmth.
She leaned down and rested her forehead against Ishika's.
"You're my peace," she admitted quietly.
Ishika's breath caught.
"And you," she whispered back, "are my storm."
Anamika chuckled softly. "That sounds dangerous."
"It is," Ishika said, smiling again. "But I like it."
Anamika straightened slightly, then held out her hand.
"Come."
"Where?"
"Lake."
Ishika raised a brow. "Are you planning to throw me this time?"
Anamika's eyes glinted. "Tempting."
Ishika placed her hand in Anamika's anyway.
They walked down the small path behind the farmhouse, fingers intertwined, shoulders brushing.
By the lake, the water shimmered under the afternoon sun.
Ishika leaned against the wooden railing.
Anamika stood behind her, arms slowly wrapping around her waist.
No rush.
No tension.
Just closeness.
"You know," Ishika murmured, "for someone who claims I follow instructions, you listen to me a lot."
Anamika rested her chin lightly on Ishika's shoulder.
"I listen because you matter."
Ishika turned slightly in her arms.
"You're different here," she observed softly.
"Different how?"
"Less CEO. More... mine."
Anamika's gaze softened.
"I was always yours."
Ishika's cheeks warmed.
She reached up and traced the faint smile on Anamika's lips with her thumb.
"Mika," she said again, softer this time, "you really do look gorgeous when you smile."
Anamika caught her hand and pressed a light kiss to her knuckles.
"And you," she replied quietly, "look irresistible when you compliment me."
Ishika laughed, shaking her head.
"You're so full of yourself."
"Only because you fill me with confidence."
"That doesn't even make sense."
"It doesn't have to."
They stood there for a long moment, wrapped in each other, the breeze gentle around them.
No pranks.
No dominance debates.
Just two women who had chosen each other.
And somewhere in the distance, Riya's voice echoed loudly:
"PAYAL, IF YOU PUSH ME IN THIS POND I SWEAR-"
Followed by a splash.
Ishika burst out laughing.
Anamika sighed dramatically.
"Should we help them?"
Ishika shook her head, still laughing.
"No."
Anamika smiled again.
And this time, Ishika simply stared at her, completely certain of one thing-
Storm or not,
She would always choose her.
**
The restaurant was perfect.
Soft lighting. Quiet jazz music. A corner table by the window. The kind of place people went to when they wanted a serious conversation or a very meaningful date.
Rebecca Wilson had chosen it carefully.
Jazz... looked like she was about to pass out.
Rebecca noticed immediately.
"You look pale," Rebecca said, setting down the menu. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Jazz replied quickly.
Too quickly.
Rebecca narrowed her eyes. "You haven't even looked at the menu."
Jazz forced herself to glance down.
The moment her eyes landed on the picture of pasta-
Her stomach flipped violently.
She pushed the menu away.
Rebecca blinked. "You love pasta."
"Not today."
"Are you sick?"
"No."
"You're sweating."
"I'm not sweating."
Rebecca leaned forward. "Jazz."
Jazz grabbed the glass of water and drank it like she had just run a marathon.
Her brain suddenly replayed a memory she had buried under weeks of chaos.
One night.
Too much emotion.
Too little control.
Rebecca crying.
Jazz comforting her.
Then the kiss.
Then...
Jazz's stomach dropped.
Oh no.
Her hand slowly moved to her lower abdomen.
Wait.
Her mind started racing.
When was my last period?
She mentally counted the weeks.
Then counted again.
Her heartbeat skyrocketed.
No.
Another calculation.
Another wave of nausea.
Oh no.
Rebecca was watching her now with growing concern.
"Jazz, what's going on?"
Jazz stood abruptly.
"I have an important meeting."
Rebecca blinked. "At 8 p.m.?"
"Yes."
"You scheduled a meeting during our date?"
"Emergency meeting."
Rebecca crossed her arms. "Jazz."
Jazz was already grabbing her jacket.
"I'll drop you home."
Rebecca stared at her.
"You're acting weird."
"I always act weird."
"That's not comforting."
Jazz walked quickly toward the exit before her brain could finish its terrifying math.
Outside the Restaurant
The car ride was painfully silent.
Rebecca watched her from the passenger seat.
"You're hiding something."
"No."
"Yes."
"No."
Rebecca sighed. "You're terrible at lying."
Jazz kept her eyes on the road.
Her mind kept repeating the same horrifying thought.
What if...
Rebecca finally spoke again.
"That night."
Jazz's grip tightened on the steering wheel.
Rebecca continued softly.
"You've been avoiding talking about it."
Jazz stopped the car outside Rebecca's apartment.
"Yes."
"Why?"
Jazz turned toward her.
For the first time that evening her voice was serious.
"Because I don't know how to process it."
Rebecca studied her face carefully.
"You regret it?"
Jazz's eyes widened.
"No."
Rebecca's expression softened slightly.
"Then what?"
Jazz opened her mouth.
Closed it.
Because she couldn't exactly say:
Hey Rebecca, I might be pregnant.
So instead she said the worst possible thing.
"We'll talk later."
Rebecca sighed.
"You always say that."
Jazz nodded stiffly.
Rebecca stepped out of the car slowly.
Before closing the door, she leaned down and looked back inside.
"You're scared of something."
Jazz didn't answer.
Rebecca closed the door.
Jazz sat there for a long moment.
Then whispered to herself-
"Oh no."
**
The Next Morning - College
Meanwhile-
Ishika walked into campus with her usual bag and coffee.
Students were gathered in small excited clusters.
Whispering.
Giggling.
Half the girls seemed unusually enthusiastic about attending class.
Ishika frowned.
"What happened here?"
One student rushed past her.
"Did you see her?!"
"Who?"
"The new professor!"
Ishika blinked.
"Since when do people get excited about professors?"
Another student whispered dramatically.
"She's gorgeous."
Ishika rolled her eyes.
These kids.
She entered the classroom.
And froze.
Standing at the podium was a woman in a sharp tailored suit, posture elegant, presence commanding.
Melanie Rose.
Ishika's jaw dropped.
Melanie looked up from her tablet.
Their eyes met.
And Melanie smiled slowly.
"Oh," she said smoothly. "This just became interesting."
The students went silent.
Melanie turned toward the class.
"Good morning everyone."
Her voice carried effortlessly across the room.
"I am Melanie Rose."
Several students gasped quietly.
"Yes," she continued calmly, "the same Melanie Rose. CEO of Rose Corporation."
Now the whispering exploded.
"I've been invited as an honorary faculty professor this semester."
Ishika sank slowly into her seat.
You've got to be kidding me.
Melanie's eyes flickered toward her again.
"And to assist me during lectures..."
She paused.
"I'll be selecting Ishika."
Every head turned.
Ishika pointed at herself. "Me?"
Melanie nodded pleasantly.
"Yes. You."
Ishika muttered under her breath, "Of course you would."
The Class Begins
Melanie started teaching corporate strategy.
Within five minutes-
"Ishika."
Ishika looked up.
"Yes... Professor."
Melanie's lips twitched slightly.
"What's the primary flaw in monopolistic expansion models?"
Ishika answered immediately.
Melanie nodded.
"Correct."
Five minutes later-
"Ishika."
The class giggled.
Ishika sighed.
"Yes, Professor."
"Explain vertical integration risks."
Answer.
Ten minutes later-
"Ishika."
Ishika stared at the ceiling.
"Yes, Professor."
"Market retaliation patterns?"
Answer again.
One student whispered loudly, "Ma'am has a favorite."
Ishika glared at Melanie.
Melanie looked completely innocent.
After Class
Students slowly left.
Ishika packed her bag.
"Stay back," Melanie said casually.
Ishika sighed and walked up to the desk.
"You're enjoying this."
Melanie leaned back slightly.
"I don't know what you mean."
"You called my name twelve times."
"Eleven."
"That's not better."
Melanie studied her thoughtfully.
"You're sharp."
Ishika crossed her arms.
"My wife says the same thing."
Melanie smiled faintly.
"I can see why."
Ishika blinked.
"That sounded suspiciously like a compliment."
"It was an observation."
Ishika tilted her head.
"You're surprisingly calm for someone teaching her rival's wife."
Melanie chuckled softly.
"You assume everything is competition."
"Isn't it?"
Melanie considered that.
"Not always."
Ishika leaned slightly against the desk.
"So why me as assistant?"
Melanie tapped the tablet thoughtfully.
"Because you answer before the rest of the class even processes the question."
Ishika shrugged.
"Habit."
Melanie smiled again.
"You also call me 'Professor' every time."
"That's basic respect."
"Even though you dislike me."
Ishika gave a sweet smile.
"I respect authority. I question motives."
Melanie actually laughed.
A genuine laugh.
"You're refreshingly honest."
Ishika smirked slightly.
"My wife calls it sarcasm."
Melanie nodded.
"I can see the resemblance."
Ishika blinked.
"Excuse me?"
Melanie picked up her files calmly.
"You and Anamika. Same sharp edge."
Ishika straightened.
"Well, Professor, sharp edges cut."
Melanie smiled again, amused.
"Sometimes they carve something valuable."
Ishika slung her bag over her shoulder.
"You're an unusual professor."
"And you," Melanie replied, "are an unusually promising student."
Ishika paused at the door.
"Don't expect me to go easy on you just because you're my professor."
Melanie's eyes gleamed.
"I would be disappointed if you did."
For the first time-
Both of them smiled.
Because rivalry or not,
They both recognized something rare.
A mind worth sparring with.