London City Airport

The glass doors of London City Airport slid open with a soft mechanical sound as Aarav pushed his luggage trolley through the bright terminal. The morning was cold, and the soft sunlight reflecting off the tiled floor made everything feel strangely distant. Beside him, Yash walked with a heavy bag slung over his shoulder, slightly breathless as he tried to keep up with Aarav's determined steps.

"Just stay two more days, Aarav. I will come with you," Yash requested in a quiet, pleading voice. The weight in his tone made Aarav pause for a moment.

Aarav gave him a small, understanding smile. It was the kind of smile that held tiredness along with affection. "I cannot stay even two minutes away from India now," he said softly. "My little Arvi is finally coming back. Dad told me that she has already returned, which means the storm of our house is back. I need to be with my mom. I know she needs me right now. When she sees Arvi again, she will not be able to hold herself together. I have to be there for her."

His eyes softened as he spoke. It was clear how deeply Arvi's return affected him. The longing he had carried for years reflected in every word.

Yash looked at him with a faint, emotional smile. "You really miss Arvi, do you not?"

Aarav let out a small breath that sounded like a mix of a laugh and a sigh. "As if you do not miss our little troublemaker."

"Of course I do," Yash replied with a soft laugh that trembled slightly. "She is our little heartbeat. She is six months older than me, but she always talked like a strict grandmother. Whenever I think about her mischief, it feels like she was younger than me, not older."

He wiped the corner of his eye quickly, embarrassed by the sudden sting of emotion.

Aarav immediately placed an arm around his shoulder, pulling him into a comforting side hug. "Do not get emotional now. Once Arvi comes back, we will take our revenge. We will not talk to her at all. Not a single word until she apologizes to both of us."

Yash laughed a little and leaned into the hug. "Yes, we will not talk to her at all. Let her try to win us back." Then he tried to lighten the mood further. "At least inform Arjun uncle that you are returning. He must be waiting for you."

Aarav straightened and shook his head quickly. "Not a chance. I love my freedom. If Dad finds out that I am coming back, he will send bodyguards, security, cars, everything. I do not want all that. I like my life simple."

Yash smiled knowingly. "Just like  Pallavi aunty ."

Aarav nodded. "Exactly."

They reached the check-in counter where Aarav parked his trolley to take out his documents. There was a brief silence between them, filled with the bond of brotherhood and the weight of the moment.

"After you finish submitting the last documents, come to India too," Aarav said with a warm smile. "We will have fun like before. It has been so long since we created any chaos together."

Yash clasped Aarav's hand tightly before pulling him into a full hug. The airport noise continued around them, but for that moment they felt like two boys who had grown up together, holding onto the same memories and the same missing piece of their lives.

"I will. I promise," Yash said with steady conviction.

Aarav picked up his trolley again and walked toward the security checkpoint. His heart was full and restless. He was finally going home. To his mother. To his father. And most of all, to Arvi.

His little storm. His little world.

***********************

Mumbai

Shree Empire

Arjun's Cabin

The atmosphere inside Arjun's cabin was calm but sharply focused, the kind of silence that carried weight. Files were spread across the long mahogany table, blueprints half unrolled, and the glowing screen of a projector displayed a preliminary layout. Arjun, Abrahm, and Aman sat together, intensely reviewing the documents for an upcoming construction tender that would decide the future of several projects. The three men worked like a well-oiled machine, each moving through papers and plans with years of experience behind them.

In the middle of a technical discussion, Arjun's phone began to ring.

The sound instantly broke the concentration in the room. Arjun glanced at the caller ID and saw the name "Nikhil." His expression remained unreadable, but a quiet tension slipped into the room.

"Hmm. Nikhil, speak," Arjun said, his voice firm, composed, and authoritative as always.

On the other end, Nikhil hesitated, his voice trembling. "S... Sir, it is about Aarav sir ."

Arjun straightened slightly. "What happened to Aarav?"

Nikhil took a shaky breath before speaking. "Sir, Aarav sir escaped again. We all were following Aarav sir only for his security, just like civilians. I even replaced the entire team so that he would not suspect anything. But I do not know how he always finds out. This time as well, he slipped away without a trace."

His voice shook more with every word, terrified of Arjun's reaction. Years ago, the old Arjun would have thundered in anger, the walls shaking with the force of his fury. But the man sitting in this cabin now was different. Fifteen long years had softened his rage, replaced by a controlled silence that carried far more power.

Arjun did not shout. He did not even raise an eyebrow.

Instead, he exhaled slowly through his nose, containing whatever frustration lingered under the surface.

"What do you expect from my son?" Arjun replied calmly. "People think he does not pay attention to anything, but he notices every single detail. Just provide security for Yash. Wherever Aarav is, he will eventually come here."

He ended the call with quiet finality.

Abrahm, who had heard everything from across the table, leaned slightly forward. "What happened to Aarav?"

Arjun rubbed a hand across his forehead before answering. "My children love playing hide and seek with me. But they forget that they are no longer ten years old." He spoke with a mixture of affection and exasperated amusement.

Abrahm and Aman both chuckled, familiar with the dynamic.

Arjun closed the file in front of him and refocused. "Anyway, concentrate on the tender. This year too, it must come to us. Mallik Sarkar should return empty handed again."

Aman nodded firmly. "I know. If that tender goes into Mallik Sarkar's hands, it will definitely be misused. There are black sheep in his own team who can backstab him at any time."

The thought of corrupt power and compromised projects brought a seriousness back into the room.

The trio adjusted their chairs, leaned back over the table, and resumed their work. Blueprints were turned, figures recalculated, and printouts reorganized. Their determination filled the room once again, steady and unwavering, like the heartbeat of Shree Empire itself.

*********************

The office floor hummed with the usual rhythm of keyboards, printers, and soft conversations. Sunlight streamed through the tall glass windows, warming the minimalist desk where Radhya sat, flipping through samples of gemstones for her next jewelry collection. Her pencil tapped the table in a soft, impatient rhythm.

She had been staring at the sketches for the past one hour, and none of them looked “Gen-Z enough” to her.

Her phone buzzed.

It was Anika.

“Reminder: Your next jewelry design collection deadline is next Friday! Clients want unique pieces - Gemstone Ear Cuffs, Convertible Chain Rings, Fluid Metal Sculpture Pendants, Ear Armor Sets, and Minimal Siren-Core Bracelets. Don’t forget!”

Radhya sighed and typed back quickly.

“Relax Ani. I’ll send everything on time. Designs are almost done.”

(They were not. But she planned to finish them tonight, even if she had to skip dinner.)

She set her phone aside and opened her laptop to submit the project notes she had been compiling for the marketing department - market analysis, quarterly reports, and brand campaign outlines. As she went to upload the files into the company system, another folder popped open by accident.

“Pratap Singh Projects: New Construction Design - Draft.”

Her brows furrowed.

Why was this design file placed in their shared drive?

Curiosity pulled her in. She clicked.

Within seconds, she forgot her own work.

The blueprint opened, revealing an elaborate 60-floor commercial structure… except something about it made her eyes widen in horror.

Her engineer brain,trained by years of helping her brother Satya, switched on instantly.

Radhya zoomed in.

Then she slapped her own forehead.

“Oh God… yeh design kisne banaya hai?” she muttered aloud, unable to stop herself.

Pandey ji, who was passing by, paused. " Beta , this was made by our chief engineer.”

She stared at the blueprint again.

“Toh pakka daru peekar banaya hoga.”

Pandey ji gasped, offended on behalf of their chief. “ radhya ?!”

She didn’t stop.

“Pandey ji, look at this beam load distribution. Who places a primary support right under a ventilation shaft? And this drainage slope - are they trying to create a swimming pool inside the parking area? Yeh walkway ka alignment dekho… aise toh visitors seedha pillar se takra jayenge!”

Before she knew it, she had pulled out a notebook and was already sketching corrections - load routes, stair repositioning, electrical redirection all with the speed of someone who knew exactly what she was doing.

She was so absorbed that she didn’t notice the footsteps approaching.

“Interesting,” a deep voice said from behind her.

Radhya’s hand froze mid-line.

Krishnansh stood there, arms folded, eyes fixed on the corrected blueprint she had drawn within minutes. His expression was unreadable, but there was unmistakable curiosity lurking beneath.

“Care to explain Ms Chowdary,” he asked slowly, “how you know this much about construction designs?”

She swallowed, gathering her confidence, then raised her chin.

“My brother Satya is an engineer. Half of his college projects were completed by me. I practically lived on blueprints during my teenage years. So yes, I know these designs very well.”

There was pride in her voice. A quiet glow in her eyes.

Krishnansh studied her for a long moment.

Then he nodded once.

“Good. From now on you will work with me on this project.”

Her breath caught.

“Next week we are applying for a government tender. Several major companies will compete ,Arjun sir and Abrahm sir’s company included. I am also submitting my bid this time, and I want everything perfect. Pandey ji, add Ms. Chowdary to our team.”

Pandey ji hurried off to make the necessary changes.

But Radhya’s mind went blank.

Help him ? … compete against my father?!

What on earth am I supposed to do?

Her thoughts spiraled.

Before she could protest properly, Krishnansh added

“Get the necessary information from Mr. Akash. Start immediately.”

“But sir… I am supposed to be in the marketing department.”

Krishnansh’s eyes snapped to hers sharply.

For one heartbeat, silence thickened in the air.

Then he spoke - cold, clipped, and unmistakably authoritative.

“In my office, I decide who works in which department. From now onwards, you will work directly with me as my personal assistant and on this project.”

Her mouth fell open.

“If you have any problem,” he continued, “you may submit your resignation and walk out of my office.”

He turned back as if the conversation was already over.

Radhya stood frozen for a second, fuming silently.

“Hey Bhagwaan… yeh aadmi baat karta kaise hai? Jaise yeh office nahi, uska khud ka rajmahal ho! Aur hum sab gulaam… bas hukka-paani lekar khade rahe!

Main kya karu? Marketing handle karu? Jewelry designs finalize karu?

Ya iss lakad bhagge Pratap Singh ka poora day schedule banau?

Isko chai kab chahiye, meeting kab chahiye, kis angle se laptop kaise ghoorna chahiye… sab main hi bataun kya?!

Upar se - UPAR SE!

Project bhi mere sar pe daal diya!

Ek aur kaam… ek aur responsibility… ek aur headache!

Karu bhi toh kya karu?!

Koi mujhe batao!

Main hoon ek hi insan!

Koi robot nahi… koi do-dimaag wali devi nahi!

Bas Radhya… aaj se tera real struggle shuru.

Mahadev, mujhe is lakad bhagge se nijaat dilao… ya phir patience ka lifetime free subscription de do."

(God, how does this man even talk?! It’s like this office is his personal royal kingdom! Am I supposed to handle marketing… manage jewelry… or schedule the entire day of this wild wolf Pratap Singh?!Should I remind him when to drink water, when to blink, when to breathe? Is that also my job now?!

And now… NOW he has put an entire project on my head!

What exactly am I supposed to do?! Someone tell me!

I am just one person, not a robot… not a goddess with three extra brains!

Oh God, please save me from this wild wolf… or at least give me unlimited patience!)

Her face twisted into a dramatic cry-baby expression as she marched toward the door, cursing her fate.

Behind her, Krishnansh turned just for a second… and a tiny smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

He had seen the cry-baby face.

And he liked it more than he should have.

************************

Malik Sarkar’s Office

The sun hung low over the narrow lanes of the slums, its orange glow softly brushing the corrugated rooftops and the old brick walls. Inside a modest but neatly kept office built at the heart of the community, Malik Sarkar sat behind his worn wooden desk. The room smelled faintly of old books, fresh tea, and the incense sticks that Kashinath always lit in the evenings.

The table was filled with files, layout maps, and government tender notices ,  papers that usually made others feel overwhelmed, but today Malik Sarkar studied them with a rare calmness.

Kashinath stood by the window, tapping his foot nervously. He finally turned toward Malik, breaking the silence.

“Sarkaar… iss baar bhi hum quote kar rahe hain na?” Kashinath asked cautiously.

Malik didn’t look up immediately. He kept his eyes on the blueprint in front of him, running his fingers over the figures thoughtfully. When he spoke, his tone carried no flamboyance, no exaggeration just simple, grounded determination.

“Hmm. Iss baar bhi hum bidding karenge. Iss baat pe hum peeche nahi hatenge.”

Kashinath exhaled sharply, half frustrated, half worried.

He moved closer, lowering his voice.

“But sarkaar… why are you so stubborn about this tender? You know how the corporate world works. Even if we win the bidding - which itself is rare - survival becomes hell later. The system crushes those like us. Our difficulties will only increase.”

For a moment Malik Sarkar didn’t reply. His jaw tightened, his eyes turning distant - as if he were staring not at the papers, but at the thousands of lives depending on him.

He finally leaned back, his voice calm but firm.

“You know what, Kasi…

Every year, the tender goes to some big corporate house. And every year, the jobs in that project go to their people. Their connections. Their circles. Never ours.”

His fingers curled into a fist, not in anger - but in quiet resolve.

“For the past ten years, not one single person from our slums has reached a higher post in any of those projects. Not one.

Talent exists here too, Kasi. Our youth deserve good salaries, good opportunities. Their lives shouldn’t be trapped in daily wages forever.”

His voice softened, touched by a rare emotion that Kashinath had seen only a handful of times.

“And the children in our slums… they deserve education, respect, opportunities. A future bigger than these narrow lanes.

Winning this project is important for all of them. That’s why I’m stubborn.”

Kashinath stared at him for a long moment, then let out a surprised chuckle.

“Aaj toh aap bilkul different lag rahe ho, Sarkaar.

Pata hai… aaj dimaag poora thanda hai.”

Malik smirked, a barely noticeable one, but still a smirk.

“Woh isiliye… kyunki kal raat mein bohot acche se soya tha.”

Kashinath crossed his arms with a knowing grin.

“Aur woh isiliye kyunki… kal se aapne ek drop alcohol bhi nahi pi, aur ek cigarette tak ko haath nahi lagaya.

All because of Ayra ..... I mean Radhya.”

At her name, something flickered in Malik Sarkar’s eyes. Pride. Hope. Maybe even fear.

He straightened, his tone turning serious.

“DNA reports kab aayenge?”

Kashinath’s smile faded. He scratched his head.

“Our trusted doctor left India for a week. He’ll return after seven days, and only then we’ll get the test results. If you want, I can ask another doctor....”

Malik raised a hand, stopping him mid-sentence.

A gesture that said everything.

“No. I can’t trust anyone else.

We wait for a week.”

Silence filled the room again, heavy but hopeful.

Outside, the slum children’s laughter echoed faintly - a reminder of what was at stake.

And for the first time , Malik Sarkar felt a strange warmth settle in his chest.

A feeling dangerously close to… belief.

***********************

Shree Empire Office Canteen

The canteen buzzed with its usual afternoon rhythm. Steel spoons clinked against ceramic plates, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee drifted through the air, and employees chatted at every table, enjoying their brief escape from work. Near the large window that overlooked the parking lot, Radhya sat with her small group of colleagues: Rishi, Eira, and Neha.

But unlike the others, she was barely part of their conversation.

Her eyes remained glued to her phone screen as she scrolled through different gemstone references.

Moonstone, Black Tourmaline, Lavender sapphire.

She studied each one carefully, her brows slightly knit together as she mentally visualized them in her upcoming Gen Z jewelry line.

Eira noticed her distraction first.

She nudged her gently.

"Wait. What do you mean you are no longer going to be in our team?"

Her voice carried a hint of worry.

Radhya finally looked up, blinking twice before registering the question.

"Yes. Mr Singh wants me to work with him on the new project. And he also wants me to assist him with all his other tasks."

She spoke casually, as if discussing something as normal as the weather.

Rishi leaned forward with concern.

"And this does not bother you?"

Radhya lifted her shoulders in a half-shrug. Her face remained calm.

"Why would it bother me? My current position is not my dream role anyway. So what problem could I possibly have?"

She smiled lightly at them, genuinely unbothered.

Rishi let out a small sigh and said softly, almost under his breath,

"I mean, without you it will not feel the same."

Before he could complete the emotion hidden in his tone, Eira swiftly kicked him under the table.

He winced and immediately shut his mouth.

Eira leaned forward and spoke louder, masking the moment.

"What he means is that we will miss you. Working with you has always been fun for all of us."

She threw Rishi a warning smile that said, Keep quiet if you want to live.

Radhya chuckled.

"Come on, guys. I am still in the office. I am not shifting to a different planet."

Just as she lifted her coffee to take a final sip, her phone vibrated.

A notification flashed across the screen.

From Boss

Come to my cabin along with the file.

Her face straightened.

Duty mode instantly switched on.

"Okay, I have to go. I will see you all later."

She grabbed the file from the table, finished the last sip of coffee, and walked out with quick steps.

As soon as she left, Eira turned toward Rishi with narrowed eyes.

"Are you planning to get yourself beaten up? You know how Radhya is. If she finds out you have a crush on her, she will immediately create distance. And then you will be roaming around like Devdas, holding a bottle of alcohol with a stray dog following you."

Her voice was a perfect blend of scolding and humor.

Neha laughed, patting Rishi on the shoulder.

"Do not scold him so much. He is a naya navela premi (newly-formed lover). That is why he is acting restless."

Rishi sighed helplessly, running a hand through his hair.

Eira softened a little.

"Spend more time with her. Make her comfortable. Then propose. Do not rush."

Rishi leaned back in his chair, staring at the spot where Radhya had disappeared moments ago.

His voice dropped into a tone he rarely revealed.

"When I am with her… everything feels right. It is like I am seeing a new version of my life."

His friends exchanged a knowing look.

Because everyone in that canteen had understood the truth.

Everyone except Radhya.

****************************

Inside Krishnansh’s Cabin

The atmosphere in Krishnansh’s cabin felt different from the rest of Shree Empire. It was quieter, more disciplined, almost too sharp.

The soft hum of the air conditioning blended with the rhythmic tapping of laptop keys. Krishnansh worked with his usual intensity, eyes sharp, posture straight, fingers moving rapidly across the keyboard. Every now and then, he would pause to review a document before typing again with the same speed.

Across the room, Pandey ji sat with his spectacles pushed halfway down his nose, carefully rechecking the notes submitted by the interns. His concentration was unwavering, his brows furrowed as he flipped through pages with the precision of an experienced employe.

Between them, seated at the small visitor couch , was Radhya Chowdhary.

Her face was illuminated by the glow of her laptop screen as she scrolled through old tender records, her mind completely absorbed. She barely blinked, barely moved, lost deeply in research.

It took several minutes of observing her silent focus before Krishnansh finally spoke.

"Ms Chowdhary, what has kept you so intensely focused for this long?"

His tone held a hint of mockery and a hint of amusement. The girl he had known until now was mischievous, talkative, and someone who had only recently stepped into the corporate world without understanding its real mechanics. Yet the sight in front of him was different.

Here was a girl who looked like she belonged in boardrooms, not classrooms.

A rare hidden smile tugged at his lips as he looked at his laptop, though his eyes flickered toward her for a second.

Still without looking at him, Radhya replied,

"I am trying to understand how Sakaar Construction and Khurana Construction have been fighting for the same tender for the last ten years. The difference in their quoted amount is barely ten or twenty lakhs each year. Yet Khurana Construction always ends up winning the tender. It is strange."

Her voice was calm, analytical, fully focused.

For the first time that day, Krishnansh looked at her properly.

Impressed.

She had dug deep, deeper than he had expected an intern to. Her curiosity and sharp observation were not things one could teach.

What he did not know was that this depth came naturally to her.

It was in her blood.

Without looking away from his laptop, he answered,

"That is because Arjun sir quotes the tender himself. He does it alone. He never involves anyone at the last minute."

Radhya let out a soft, dry chuckle.

"If only Papa could see how every major project ends up with companies belonging to highly reputed families. What benefit do common people get from all this?"

She sighed quietly and began drafting graphs and numbers in her notepad. Her fingers moved fast, determined, as if she were trying to solve a puzzle that no one else cared to look at.

A moment later, Krishnansh spoke again.

His voice softened.

He used her name for the first time in a way that even he did not notice.

"Radha."

Her pen stopped.

She lifted her head, surprised by the gentleness.

"Yes?"

"Why are you working this hard? Ask your Gannu ji. He will hand you the tender himself. Just like he stopped the rain for you."

His sarcasm dripped like unnecessary spice on a perfectly normal dish.

Radhya’s eyes widened with offense.

"Why should I ask Gannu ji? This project belongs to you. The profit from a five-hundred-crore project will not be less than seven hundred crores for you. Why should I ask my Gannu ji for something that benefits only you?"

He chuckled softly.

"I will give you a share in the profit. Now you can ask your Gannu ji."

She shook her head, her voice firm.

"No. I do not need any share. I have enough. And I am not thinking about myself. I am thinking about those who do not benefit from this tender at all. I will never ask Gannu ji for a favour that does not bring good to the common people."

She returned to her work with calm confidence, leaving Krishnansh staring at her with a thoughtful, unreadable expression.

Pandey ji finally closed the file he had been reviewing and placed it in front of Krishnansh.

"Sir, I have rechecked everything. Please sign. I will forward it to the marketing department."

Krishnansh took the file and signed it quickly, his mind still on Radhya’s words.

"Sir," Pandey reminded him, "in the evening we have to go to PS ( pratap Singh's) technologies. The LexCorp team is coming for the meeting."

Without looking up, Krishnansh said,

"Miss Chowdhary, you are coming with me to PS Enterprises. Get ready."

Radhya froze.

Her mouth fell open.

Her eyes widened in disbelief.

An entire storm of irritation gathered inside her.

Under her breath, she muttered,

" Rakshashuda ( bloody demon ) ,  how much work will you dump on one employee? If I am a pure corporate coolie (slave) in this life, then in the next life you should be born as a laptop. That is my curse."

With that, she stormed out of the cabin.

Pandey ji waited until she was gone and then spoke gently.

"Sir, this is getting too much. For an intern, this amount of work is beyond the limit."

Krishnansh leaned back in his chair, expression hard but calm.

"Pandey ji, she is an asset. If she works hard now, she will shine later. Arjun sir made me her mentor for a reason. I will never disappoint him."

The room fell silent again, but nothing felt the same anymore.

Even Krishnansh could no longer ignore the truth.

The girl he thought was ordinary was turning out to be extraordinary.

**************************