6 months later.....

Her

As I waited at Heathrow airport, the anticipation of my first visit to London buzzed through me. The terminal was a whirlwind of movement, and the gray sky outside seemed to reflect my mixed feelings of excitement and nerves. After a few moments of scanning the crowd, I finally spotted Bhaiya's familiar face.

"Tara!" he called out, his smile lighting up his face as he made his way towards me. "There you are!"

"Bhaiya!" I exclaimed, hugging him tightly. "It's so good to see you! It feels like it's been forever."

"I know," he said, grinning as he pulled away. "It's been what, six months? Or is it seven? But who's counting?"

I rolled my eyes. "Says the guy who couldn't even text me back last week because, what was it? Oh right, 'big important meetings.'"

"Hey," he said, raising his hands defensively, "those meetings were real. QuantumTech doesn't run itself, you know."

"Sure, sure," I teased, nudging him lightly. "I'm just glad you found time to pick me up. Busy CEO and all."

"Well, I was tempted to send a driver," Bhaiya replied, with a mock serious face, "but I figured I'd be a good brother for once."

I shook my head, laughing. "Yeah, right. You just wanted to make sure I didn't immediately start getting lost in London."

He shrugged, his grin widening. "I mean, let's be honest-you would get lost."

"You underestimate me, Bhaiya. I'd probably end up in the wrong city entirely, just to prove a point."

We both burst out laughing, as we made our way to the car.

The drive to Richmond was filled with a mix of excitement and quiet reflection. I watched the London streets roll by, taking in the sights of red double-decker buses and charming rows of houses. Everything felt so different from Kolkata, and I couldn't help but feel a thrill at the new experiences ahead.

"So," Bhaiya began, glancing over at me with a mischievous smile, "what's the plan for the office? Don't tell me you're going to wallpaper it with floral prints."

I narrowed my eyes, feigning offense. "First of all, I have taste, okay? And second, no florals-maybe just a lot of pink."

He grimaced dramatically. "I knew it. I can see it now-an office decked out like a giant dollhouse. The team's going to love it."

"Relax," I said, laughing. "I'm planning to visit on Monday to get a proper feel of the space. I want to analyze how everything flows and figure out what changes might be needed before diving into the redesign."

Bhaiya nodded approvingly. "Sounds like a solid plan. The office has been buzzing with talk about the upcoming redesign. Everyone's excited to see what you come up with."

"I hope so," I said with a grin. "I've got some ideas that'll knock their socks off. You just make sure to keep Mr. Grump out of my way, okay?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Oh, you're still on about Dante? I thought you'd outgrow your 'nemesis' phase by now."

I shrugged, trying to sound nonchalant. "Let's just say we've had our... differences."

"Uh-huh. Differences like who gets the last piece of cake, or the more professional kind?"

I rolled my eyes. "Don't start, Bhaiya."

He chuckled. "Alright, alright. But I'll say this-Dante's not the worst. A workaholic, sure, but you'll figure it out. Or at least I hope you will, for my sake."

"Don't worry," I said with a grin. "I'll play nice-as long as he does."

As we drove, Bhaiya filled me in on the latest happenings. He talked about the new projects at QuantumTech, the team's recent successes, and the changes that had taken place since I last saw him. I shared updates from home, including Ma's latest adventures in Kolkata, which led to a few laughs between us.

"Oh, and Ma made sure I brought you her special mango pickle," I added. "I think she's still worried you're not eating properly."

Bhaiya groaned. "I love her, but the pickle is like molten lava. I'll keep it for emergencies-like scaring away burglars."

I snickered. "You just can't handle spice anymore, London boy."

"Hey! I can handle spice," he retorted, mock offended. "Just... maybe not Ma's level of spice. There's a difference."

As we approached Bhaiya's house, I couldn't help but admire its blend of modern and traditional design. It was a beautiful home, reflecting both the city's character and his style.

"We're here!" Bhaiya announced as we parked. "Let's get you settled in London. Tomorrow, we'll go over the details and start planning."

"Looking forward to it, boss," I teased, stepping out of the car.

He raised an eyebrow. "I'm going to make you regret that 'boss' comment, you know."

I shot him a playful grin. "Bring it on."

Him

"You good-for-nothing imbecile !! You are nothing, got it ? NOTHING!!!"

The words rang in my ears, sharp and cruel, as I felt blood dripping down my back in that dimly lit room. I could feel the broken glass pieces on my back, piercing through my skin.

I wanted to speak, to defend myself, but my throat was dry, and no words came.

I jerked awake, my breath coming in short, ragged gasps. For a moment, I wasn't sure where I was. The darkness of the room, the echo of those hateful words-it all felt too real. But then I heard the shrill ring of my phone, pulling me back to the present.

My chest heaved as I reached for the glass of water on my nightstand, my hand trembling slightly. I took a sip, the cool liquid soothing my dry throat, and forced myself to breathe deeply. The nightmare was over. It was just a memory. Just a memory...

I answered the phone without checking the caller ID. "Yeah?" My voice was rough, still tinged with the remnants of sleep and the fear that clung to me.

"Dante?" Arjun's voice came through the line, concerned. "You alright? You sound... off."

I cleared my throat, trying to steady my voice. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just finished exercising," I lied, hoping he wouldn't push further.

There was a brief pause, then Arjun's tone shifted, becoming lighter. "Good. I wanted to see if you could join me for dinner tonight. Tara's here-she's in town for the redesigning project."

The mention of Tara sent a jolt through me. I clenched my jaw, trying to push away the unease that crept up on me. "Sure. What time?"

"Seven should be good. Bring a bottle of wine or something." Arjun's voice had that casual, easygoing tone he always had, completely unaware of the storm that had just passed in my mind.

"Yeah, I'll be there," I said, forcing myself to sound normal.

We ended the call, and I let out a slow breath, trying to calm the lingering tension. My heart was still racing, the nightmare too fresh in my mind. But there was no time to dwell on it. I had to pull myself together.

I pushed the covers off and headed to the shower, the cold tiles under my feet grounding me in reality. As the hot water cascaded over me, I let the warmth soothe my tense muscles, washing away the remnants of the nightmare. I focused on the sensation, trying to push away the memories that clawed at the edges of my consciousness.

The thought of seeing her made something twist in my gut, a mix of irritation and something I couldn't quite put my finger on. We'd never gotten along. She was all fire and stubbornness, never backing down from a fight, never letting anything slide. And I was... well, I was me. And that meant we clashed more often than not.

But this was work. We had to put our differences aside. Or at least pretend to.

I stepped out of the shower, wrapping a towel around my waist, and made my way to the closet. I wasn't usually one to fuss over what to wear, but tonight felt different. I sifted through my shirts, settling on a black T-shirt that fit just right-comfortable, but presentable. I combed my hair, making sure it was neat, and gave myself a once-over in the mirror.

Satisfied, I grabbed a bottle of wine from the small collection I kept for occasions like this and headed out the door. Arjun lived next door, so it was a short walk, but as I approached the door, that strange sensation hit me again. A mix of anticipation and something else. Something I couldn't quite name.

I took a deep breath and knocked. The door opened almost immediately, and there she was-Tara, with that familiar defiant glint in her eyes.

And just like that, the weird sensation settled into something more familiar: irritation. But also, something else. Something that made me almost look forward to whatever the night would bring.

Writer's perspective

As Dante approached the door, he took a deep breath, mentally preparing himself for the evening ahead. The door swung open, revealing Tara standing in the hallway with a smirk on her face.

"Look who decided to show up," she said, her tone dripping with mock sweetness. "I almost though you wouldn't come if there weren't a boardroom full of people to impress."

Dante raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing at his lips. "And here I thought I was coming to dinner, not a roasting session. Should I be worried?"

Tara's eyes glinted with mischief. "Only if you can't handle me."

Before Dante could retort, Arjun appeared, his face lighting up with a welcoming smile. "Ah, buddy, right on time! Come on in."

Dante stepped inside, handing over the bottle of wine. Arjun took it with a grateful nod. "Good to see you, Dante. I'm glad you could make it."

"Wouldn't miss it," Dante replied, his tone light but with a hint of underlying tension.

As they moved into the living room, Arjun led Dante to the sofa, offering him a seat. The room was warmly lit, with comfortable furnishings that gave it a cozy, inviting feel. Tara was already seated at the dining table, her expression a mix of amusement and curiosity.

Arjun gestured for Dante to make himself comfortable and went to the kitchen to finish preparing dinner. "Tara, tell us more about this redesigning project," he called out.

Tara turned to Dante with a grin before focusing on Arjun. "Well, the process is quite detailed. It starts with an initial consultation where we discuss the client's vision and needs. That's where I get a feel for their preferences and what they want to achieve with the space."

Dante, looking a bit bored, interjected with a smirk, "So, a lot of talking and dreaming, then?"

Tara's eyes narrowed playfully. "If by 'talking and dreaming' you mean actually understanding what the client wants rather than just guessing, then yes, exactly."

Dante's smirk faltered slightly. "Touché."

Unfazed, Tara continued, "After that, I conduct a thorough analysis of the existing space, taking measurements and noting any structural elements that will influence the design. Once I have all the information, I create preliminary sketches and mood boards. These are visual representations of design concepts and color schemes to help the client visualize how different elements will come together."

She paused briefly, savoring the chance to explain her process. "The mood boards and sketches are refined based on client feedback. We then move on to detailed design plans, including selecting materials, furnishings, and finishes. I coordinate with contractors and suppliers to ensure everything is sourced and delivered on time. It's a bit of a juggling act, but it's all part of the process."

Arjun, who had been listening intently, nodded appreciatively. "Sounds like a complex but fascinating process."

"It definitely keeps me on my toes," Tara said, smiling. "The final step is overseeing the implementation to ensure the design is executed according to the plan. I handle any last-minute adjustments and make sure everything is perfect before the project is completed."

As Tara spoke, the aroma of the meal wafted from the kitchen, and Arjun emerged carrying a tray of dishes. The table was soon filled with an array of delicious food, from tender lamb chops to roasted vegetables, all perfectly prepared.

"Dinner is served," Arjun announced, setting the dishes down and taking his place at the table. "Dig in, everyone."

The conversation shifted to lighter topics as they began to eat. Tara and Arjun caught up on family news, while Dante listened, contributing where he could. The atmosphere was relaxed, but beneath the surface, the tension from earlier lingered.

As they enjoyed their meal, Dante found himself more at ease. The effects of the nightmare faded as they shared stories and laughter, and despite his earlier reservations, he felt a sense of camaraderie with Tara and Arjun.

As they finished their meal and Arjun and Tara prepared to clear the table, Dante glanced at Tara, who was animatedly discussing her upcoming plans. Despite everything, he found himself looking forward to working with her. It was clear that, despite their differences, she brought a unique energy to the project, and he couldn't help but feel a bit of anticipation for what lay ahead. Tara, glancing back at Dante, felt a surprising sense of anticipation about the collaboration that lay ahead.

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