I wake up to the timely alarm on my phone, dutifully doing its job. The morning sun filters through sheer curtains, casting a warm glow and creating an atmosphere of serene sophistication. Stretching languidly, I rise from my king-sized bed. Double doors beckon, leading to a private balcony—the crown jewel of my personal space.

As I step outside, the cool morning breeze carries the promise of a new day, and the breath-taking views of Mumbai unfold before me. The city, alive with energy, stretches beneath my gaze, and the distant sounds of urban life create a symphony that resonates with the rhythm of my personality, which I cherish.

I stride into my wardrobe and slip into my workout attire. As I step out, a knock at the door signals the arrival of the butler with my protein shake. A nod from me, and he bows respectfully as I accept the shake, heading to the adjacent gym room.

An hour and a half later, I descend the steps and spot my mother emerging from the pooja room, having completed her morning prayers.

"Rishi, take Aarti and Prasad," she calls out.

"Please, Maa, not the laddoo. It's too much sugar early in the morning," I request, settling into a seat at the dining table. The aroma of freshly prepared breakfast wafts through the air. A few minutes later, my father joins me, followed by my sister and my cousin.

"What a miracle! You two are already here, and it's not even 8!" My father playfully teased my sister Revana and my cousin Neel.

"We are going to the airport," they replied simultaneously, excitement evident in their voices, much to my annoyance.

"Oh, yes, I forgot. When is Anshika landing?" he further asked.

"10:00, Dad," my sister replied. "It's been almost two years since I last saw her. Unfortunately, I couldn't meet her during her previous visit to India. I'm eagerly looking forward to catching up with her," Neel chimed in. I couldn't fathom their excitement to see the hurricane.

"Rishi, I want you to be there at Dharam's home by 7 PM. No excuses," my dad asserted sternly. He's the only one who can give me orders; nobody else dares to do that. "Also, ask him to behave well with her. They are not kids anymore," my mother added. My dad gave me a look that echoed the same sentiment.

"Maa, if she behaves well, I will too. It's a two-way street, you know."

"Bhai, it's always you who start irritating her." My sister, the cheater, sided with her best friend over her brother.

"I would suggest not taking him with us. I'm sure they'll start fighting with each other," Neel added.

"All of us are going. 7 p.m. sharp," my dad declared, leaving no room for arguments.

Ignoring all of them, I quickly complete my breakfast and head to the office.

*****

As I step into the office, there is a noticeable shift in the atmosphere. It's apparent that my presence instills a sense of intimidation among my employees. They greet me with a mix of respect and subtle trepidation as I walk through the workspace, making my way to the cabin.

I am greeted by my assistants, Karthik and Palki, seated right outside my cabin.

Shortly after, there's a knock, and I tell them to come in. Karthik walks in, holding a tablet, to read out my schedule for the day.

Karthik, my executive and personal assistant, has been with me since the day I became involved in my dad's business. Unlike others, he doesn't exhibit the same apprehension; he's accustomed to working alongside me. Recognising the increasing workload, I recently brought in Palki to support him.

He scrolls through the tablet, meticulously detailing meetings, appointments, and tasks. I follow along attentively and suddenly interject, 'Karthik, I need you to postpone everything scheduled after 6 PM.'

I notice the shock registering on his face at my unexpected request. His brows furrow in surprise, but he nods, 'On it, sir.'

As the day swiftly comes to an end, I receive a call from my father. Sensing the purpose behind his call, I pick up and reassure him, saying, "I remember, Dad. I'll be on my way home in a few minutes, just finishing up the final task."

"Good," he responds, his tone carrying a subtle reminder. "While work is crucial, never forget that relationships with family and friends should be a priority. Wrap things up swiftly and come over; we are already on the way."

I end the call with a simple "okay." My dad is a man of integrity, with strong values and principles. The Malhotra business faced challenging times until my father took the helm. Collaborating with his friend Dharmendra Srivastav, whose family business was flourishing, they managed to overcome challenges and attain significant success. Today, the M&S group of companies stands as a distinguished brand, a testament to their joint efforts in turning the business around.

My dad holds deep gratitude towards his friend for the support during the tough times. According to him, help shouldn't be forgotten, trust shouldn't be broken, and loyalty shouldn't be deterred. I am not much into these principles, but I deeply admire and respect Uncle Dharam, much like I regard my father. His wife, Aunty Padmini, is a personal favourite of mine. I have a genuine affection for their younger daughter, Tripti; she's as dear to me as my own sister, Revana. However, I must confess, Anshika is a different case. I can't help but provoke her, finding immense joy in her annoyance. It's hard to believe we were once friends as kids.

Swiftly wrapping up my work for the day, I head towards the Srivastav mansion.

*****

Entering the Srivastav bungalow, I am welcomed by the lively sounds of laughter, cheers, and animated conversations. Tripti is the first to spot me; she rushes over, giving me a hug and exclaiming, 'Mom, Rishi Bhaiya is here!' Glancing ahead, I find the little devil seated between my mother and sister.

She's a sight to behold, dressed in a jaw-dropping purple frock that teasingly stops just above her knees. The sleeveless dress showcased her alluringly toned arms. The gown's flowing elegance complements the snug fit around her petite waist, creating an irresistibly sexy look.

"Gosh, Rishi! Remember, she's your enemy. You shouldn't find her exceptionally attractive," my inner voice scolds me.

I walked towards her with a smirk and casually said, "Hi Anshika."

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Thanks For reading! see you in the next part.