Aisha stepped into her apartment, the weight of the day finally catching up with her. She kicked off her shoes and let out a sigh, heading straight for the kitchen to pour herself a glass of wine. Just as she was about to take a sip, her phone beeped with a notification. A voicemail. Curious, she put the glass down and pressed play.

"Aisha, it's Misha. I know it's cowardly of me, but I can't keep pretending that Veer's marriage doesn't bother me. It's really getting to me, and I need some time off. I'm sorry. I'll talk to you soon."

Aisha's heart sank. She immediately called Misha back, but the phone went straight to voicemail. Panic set in as she dialed again, only to be met with the same result. Without a second thought, she grabbed her car keys and rushed out the door, heading straight to Misha's apartment. When she arrived, she found the place locked and no sign of Misha.

Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months with no word from Misha. The toll on Aisha was immense. Veer was devastated by Misha's disappearance, throwing himself into work to cope. Arjun had moved to London with Ira, leaving behind the drama and starting afresh. Meanwhile, Amrita and Aman had rekindled their relationship, finding a new, deeper bond that went beyond their previous physical connection.

For Aisha, the business was struggling. The incomplete Oberoi wedding had been a significant financial burden. She had turned down multiple events to accommodate it, and the loss of Misha, her best event planner, was a severe blow. Misha had been a one-woman army, bringing so much to the table and handling high-pressure situations with ease. Aisha felt the void every day.

One morning, as Aisha sat in her office, her phone pinged with a new email. She glanced at the subject line: "Destination Wedding Proposal." Her curiosity piqued, she opened it.

Dear Ms. Kapoor,

We are planning a grand destination wedding for our daughter and would like to hire your services. Given the scale of the event, we require the expertise of two event planners. We believe this will ensure the highest quality of service and creativity. Please let us know if you're interested and available for a preliminary meeting.

Regards,
Rajesh Kumar

Aisha leaned back in her chair, contemplating the offer. She had always preferred working solo, but the financial strain on her business was becoming unbearable. This wedding could be the lifeline she needed. She took a deep breath and replied, agreeing to the meeting.

The meeting was scheduled for the following week at a luxurious hotel downtown. As Aisha walked into the grand lobby, she felt a mix of excitement and apprehension. She was greeted by Rajesh Kumar, a tall man with an air of authority and a warm smile.

"Ms. Kapoor, thank you for coming," he said, shaking her hand firmly.

"It's a pleasure, Mr. Kumar," Aisha replied, trying to match his enthusiasm.

They sat down in a private conference room, where Rajesh explained the details of the wedding. It was to be held in Bali, a stunning island known for its beautiful beaches and vibrant culture, making it an ideal destination for a lavish wedding. The guest list included high-profile business associates, celebrities, and dignitaries. The wedding was to span over five days, with multiple events leading up to the main ceremony.

"We've already hired another event planner, Mr. Khanna, who comes highly recommended," Rajesh continued. "We believe that combining your expertise with his will make this wedding truly spectacular."

Aisha's stomach tightened at the thought of collaborating with another planner. But she knew she had no choice. "I understand, Mr. Kumar. I'm committed to making this wedding a memorable event."

"Excellent," Rajesh said, smiling. "I'll arrange a meeting with Mr. Khanna so you two can start planning."

The next day, Aisha met Mr. Khanna at a café. As she walked in, her eyes widened in surprise. Sitting at the table was the incredibly handsome man she had spent a night with not too long ago. He looked just as shocked.

"Aisha," he said, standing up. "It's... been a while."

"Ryan," she replied, her voice a mix of surprise and embarrassment. "Or should I say Mr. Khanna?"

"Ryan is fine," he said, offering a nervous smile. "I guess we have some catching up to do."

They sat down, both trying to mask their surprise. "So, you're the other event planner," Aisha said, trying to keep her tone professional.

"Yes, it seems so," Ryan replied, his eyes still locked on hers. "This is... unexpected."

"To say the least," Aisha agreed, finally breaking into a smile. Despite the initial shock, she found herself feeling more comfortable. Their previous encounter had been brief but memorable.

"We should focus on the wedding," Ryan said, shifting the conversation. "It's a huge project, and we need to get everything right."

"Absolutely," Aisha agreed, pulling out her notebook. "Let's start with the schedule and the major events."

As they discussed the wedding plans, Aisha couldn't help but notice how well they worked together. Ryan's ideas were creative and bold, while Aisha's attention to detail ensured nothing was overlooked. They balanced each other perfectly, and despite their past, the collaboration was smooth and professional.