Rai POV:

As I settled into the back seat of the car, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret. Beside me sat Nisha, her voice a constant stream of chatter that I struggled to tune into. 

She was sweet, undeniably so, but there was something about her overly bright smile that made me uneasy. Perhaps I was overthinking it, but the thought of accompanying her on this shopping trip for her engagement felt like a decision I might come to regret.

Suddenly, Nisha turned to me with a sparkle in her eye. "Hey Rai, everyone says you and Rudra are best friends since childhood. You must know what type of girls he likes, right? I mean, what's his type? Can you tell me? I'd love to impress him!"

I sighed, caught off guard by her earnestness. Just as I was about to respond, Devika interjected with surprising boldness. "Whatever Bhai's type is, you are not at all his type!" Her words hung in the air, and I felt a mix of shock and amusement. 

"Princess! You shouldn't talk like that to her! Say sorry," I admonished, trying to maintain some semblance of decorum. 

Devika opened her mouth to protest, but I cut her off. "Now!"

With a reluctant grumble, she muttered a half-hearted "Sorry," her eyes narrowing at Nisha. 

I could sense the tension, but Nisha, ever the optimist, smiled brightly. "It's fine, Rai! Maybe slowly she will become close to me." I chose to remain silent, unsure of how to navigate this budding friendship.

"What do you do for a living, Rai?" Nisha asked, her curiosity piqued.

"I'm in fashion designing. You may have heard of the company 'RO ENTERPRISE'!" I replied, trying to keep the conversation light.

Her eyes widened with excitement. "Wow, you work at RO Enterprise!? That's amazing! I've heard so much about that company. They make the best designs, especially their gowns collection! Ahhh! I hope one day I can wear at least one outfit from their best collections! What position do you hold there?"

I felt a swell of pride as I answered, "I'm the CEO."

"W...what? Oh my God!! Raiya Oberoi? Why didn't I realize that was you!?" Her enthusiasm was palpable, and I felt a mix of flattery and discomfort as she leaned closer, her excitement almost overwhelming.

"It's okay, you didn't know," I said awkwardly, shifting slightly in my seat. I wasn't a fan of being so physically close, but her exuberance was hard to ignore.

"Can I ask you a favor?" she blurted out, her eyes sparkling with hope.

"Sure," I replied, relieved that she had finally given me some space.

"Can I wear any outfit from your collection for my engagement and wedding? Please?" The sincerity in her voice tugged at my heartstrings, and I found it difficult to refuse.

"As you wish! Shaan, turn the car to the company!" I instructed my driver, and Nisha beamed with excitement, her smile lighting up the car.

As we arrived at the building, I led her through the sleek, modern lobby and into the private lift that whisked us up to my cabin. Once inside, I called for the employees responsible for our engagement special collections to show Nisha the magic of our designs.

Rudy POV:

 As I stepped into the office, the familiar scent of polished wood and fresh coffee enveloped me, but today it felt suffocating rather than comforting. The morning light streamed through the large windows, illuminating the sleek, modern decor, yet all I could see was the shadow of my impending marriage looming over me. 

I made my way to my office, each step heavy with the weight of my thoughts. The chatter of my employees faded into the background as I entered my cabin, a space that usually brought me solace. 

Today, however, it felt like a cage. I sank into my chair, staring blankly at the piles of paperwork that awaited my attention. The words blurred together, a jumble of letters that made no sense, much like my life at that moment.

I leaned back, running a hand through my hair, trying to shake off the remnants of last night's conversation with Rai. Her voice echoed in my mind, sharp and unyielding, reminding me of the reality I was trying to escape. "This is not a mere issue," she had said, her tone cutting through me like a knife. I had always known Rai to be strong-willed, but the way she dismissed our connection as trivial felt like a betrayal.

I glanced at my phone, half-expecting a message from her, but the screen remained stubbornly blank. The silence was deafening, amplifying the chaos in my head. I picked up a pen, tapping it against the desk, trying to focus on anything other than the impending engagement that felt more like a shackle than a celebration.

The door creaked open, and my assistant peeked in. "Sir, are you okay? You seem... off today," h said, concern etched on his face.

I forced a smile, but it didn't reach my eyes. "Just a lot on my mind. Can you handle the morning meetings without me?"

He nodded, hi sir, brow furrowing slightly. "Of course. Just take care of yourself."

As he left, I leaned back in my chair, staring at the ceiling. I had always prided myself on being decisive, a leader who could navigate any storm. But now, I felt adrift, caught in a tempest of emotions I couldn't control. The thought of marrying someone else, of standing before Rai as she watched me pledge my life to another, twisted my stomach into knots.

I picked up my phone again, scrolling through social media mindlessly to distract myself. But pictures of happy couples, engagements, and weddings filled my feed, each one a reminder of what I was about to lose. My heart ached at the thought of Rai, her laughter, her fierce spirit, and the way she made me feel alive. How had it come to this?

Suddenly, my phone buzzed, jolting me from my reverie. It was a message from Grandma: "Rudra, I've spoken to Pandit ji. We have finalized the dates for your engagement and wedding in this month only." 

A wave of frustration washed over me. I wanted to scream, to throw my phone against the wall, but instead, I took a deep breath, trying to rein in my emotions. I typed a quick response, my fingers trembling as I wrote, "I told you, you can to whatever you want to." 

Again, a message pops up but this time it's made me more frustrated "Rai took Devika and Nisha with herself to help them in shopping for engagement. I guess you should be present there so Nisha will feel good!" Great just great!! Now Rai also listed her name to annoy me with this marriage.

I tossed my phone onto the desk, feeling the weight of my responsibilities pressing down on me. I needed to focus, to drown out the chaos in my mind. I turned to the stack of papers, forcing myself to read through the reports, but the words danced mockingly before my eyes.

After what felt like hours, I stood up abruptly, the chair scraping against the floor. I needed air, a moment to breathe away from the suffocating confines of my office. I stepped outside, the cool breeze hitting my face like a splash of cold water, grounding me in the present.

As I walked through the bustling office, I couldn't shake the feeling of impending doom. I was about to step into a life I didn't want, and the thought of losing Rai felt like a wound that would never heal.

                                                                                                                                                                    (to be continued)

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