EKANSH'S POV :

The video conference had finally ended. I walked toward my office with my PA trailing behind, reciting the day’s schedule, but my mind was already miles away, fixated on the next deal.

"Sir, today’s schedule is clear after two more meetings," Mr. Kumar noted.

"Hmm, is that all for today?" I asked, stepping toward the private elevator that led directly to my floor.

"Sir, Mr. Agnihotri is waiting for you in your office," he added before heading toward his own cabin.

I stepped into my office and stopped short. Someone was sleeping peacefully on my couch, a designer coat draped over his face as if he owned the place. I walked over to my desk, grabbed a glass of water, and without a second thought, poured it directly over him.

"OMG! Tsunami! Tsunami!" Abhay jumped up, flailing as he shook off the water, still half-asleep.

When he finally realized what had happened, he glared at me. I was already sitting at my desk, calmly reading through files as if I hadn't just brutally interrupted his nap. He mumbled a curse under his breath and marched toward my office wardrobe to find a fresh shirt.

"Rich bastard," he muttered.

"I heard that," I said, not looking up.

"I said it loud so you'd hear exactly what I think of you," Abhay retorted before disappearing into my walk-in wardrobe.

I felt a wave of exhaustion hit me. I was tired from the morning's negotiations, and this man was determined to test my patience. How we became best friends remains a mystery that only I seem to bear.

"You know what, you rich bastard? You just ruined my new Armani suit. That leather was expensive, man!" he shouted from the wardrobe, pointing at his soaked jacket.

After his "makeover session," he emerged, looking refreshed. "How can you work in this boring office? It’s so... clinical."

"You’re talking about the most expensive building in all of Jaipur," I reminded him.

"Of course it’s expensive, but it’s dull. I came here for a meeting and was waiting for 'His Highness' so long that I didn't even realize when I fell asleep."

"If you're quite finished, let's start the board meeting. They are waiting. Or should I just cancel this project too?" I asked with a smirk.

Abhay grumbled, "As if you care that they’re waiting." He then flashed a cheeky smile, sensing my mood. "Bhai, main toh sirf tere office ke designer ki tareef kar raha tha, aur tu toh bura maan gaya."

[Brother, I was just praising your office designer, and you got offended.]

I didn't bother responding. I simply stood up, ready to handle the remaining tasks of the day.

MR. RANAWAT’S OFFICE

Mr. Ranawat and Mr. Sharma had concluded their project discussion. The two old friends were relaxing with some tea when Samarth Ranawat decided to broach a subject he had been contemplating for a long time.

"Raghav, agar bura na maano toh kuch kehna chahta hoon... ya kahoon ki kuch maangna chahta hoon," Samarth said. Raghav Sharma looked up, sensing the shift in tone.

[Raghav, if you don't mind, there is something I want to say... or rather, something I want to ask of you.]

"Raghav, main koi bhi baat ghuma-fira ke nahi bolunga. Mujhe tumhari beti, Mihika, mere bete ke liye pasand hai," Samarth told him directly.

[Raghav, I won't beat around the bush. I like your daughter, Mihika, for my son.]

Mr. Sharma, who had assumed the conversation was strictly business, was stunned.

"Samarth, maine abhi tak Mihika ki shaadi ke baare mein kuch socha nahi hai. Par agar tumhara beta hai, toh main is baare mein zaroor sochunga," Raghav said calmly.

[Samarth, I haven't thought about Mihika's wedding yet. But since it's your son, I will certainly think about it.]

"Waise, Taksh aur Aarav ki age same hi hai, hai na? Mihika aur Taksh..." Raghav began, assuming the proposal was for the younger son.

[By the way, Taksh and Aarav are the same age, aren't they? Mihika and Taksh...]

Before he could finish, Samarth interrupted him. "Raghav, mujhe Mihika apne bade bete, Ekansh, ke liye pasand hai."

[Raghav, I like Mihika for my elder son, Ekansh.]

Raghav Sharma was visibly shocked.

"Ekansh...? Mera matlab, Mihika aur Ekansh... Tumhe pata hai na, Ekansh bahut hot-headed aur gusse wala ladka hai. Meri Miku bahut shaant ladki hai, Samarth. Mujhe nahi lagta..."

[Ekansh...? I mean, Mihika and Ekansh... You know Ekansh is very hot-headed and angry. My Miku is a very quiet girl, Samarth. I don't think...]

"Raghav, please take your time. Bhabhi-ji aur Aarav se baat kar lo, phir hum baat karte hain. Main sirf tumhe batana chahta tha ki mere Ekansh ki zindagi mein sirf Mihika jaisi hi shaant ladki sukoon la sakti hai," Samarth explained gently.

[Raghav, please take your time. Talk to your wife and Aarav, then we can talk. I just wanted to tell you that only a calm girl like Mihika can bring peace to my Ekansh's life.]

Raghav was deep in thought. Sensing his hesitation, Samarth suggested, "Raghav, kyun na tum apni family ko bhi saath mein E.R. ki 30th-anniversary party mein le aao? Issi bahaane bacchi sab se mil bhi legi aur tum bhi Ekansh se personally mil sakte ho."

[Raghav, why don't you bring your family to E.R.'s 30th-anniversary party? This way, your daughter can meet everyone, and you can also meet Ekansh personally.]

"Theek hai, pehle bacchon ko milne dete hain, phir sab kuch discuss kar sakte hain," Raghav agreed before leaving, promising to see his friend at the gala.

[Okay, let's let the children meet first, then we can discuss everything.]

RAGHAV’S POV

After returning home, I sat down with my wife, Sanskriti, and told her everything about the proposal from the Ranawats.

"Aap kya soch rahe hain?" Sanskriti asked, noticing the stress on my face.

[What are you thinking?]

"Kuch nahi. Mujhe laga tha Samarth, Taksh ke baare mein baat kar rahe hain, par woh Ekansh ke liye Mihika ka haath maang rahe hain," I shared my concerns.

[Nothing. I thought Samarth was talking about Taksh, but he's asking for Mihika's hand for Ekansh.]

"Kyun? Ekansh achha ladka nahi hai aapki beti ke liye?" Sanskriti asked with a knowing smile.

[Why? Isn't Ekansh a good boy for your daughter?]

"Nahi, Sanskriti. Ekansh ek bahut honhaar aur achha ladka hai. Humein toh khush hona chahiye ki hamari Miku ke liye Ekansh jaise ladke ka rishta aa raha hai," I admitted proudly.

[No, Sanskriti. Ekansh is a very promising and good boy. We should be happy that a proposal from someone like him is coming for our Miku.]

"Toh phir aap itne pareshan kyun ho rahe hain?" she asked.

[Then why are you so worried?]

"Aap hi ne kaha hai na woh bahut achha ladka hai, toh abhi aap tension mat lo. Samarth ne kaha hai na bachhe pehle mil lein, phir hi baat ko aage badhayenge. Aur main jaanti hoon aapko apni beti ki shaadi abhi karni hi nahi hai, par ek na ek din toh betiyaan vida hoke apne sasural chali hi jaati hain... toh hum itna achha rishta kaise jaane dein?"

[You're the one who said he's a good boy, so don't worry. Samarth said let the kids meet first. I know you aren't ready to let her go yet, but one day daughters do leave for their new homes... so why should we let such a good proposal slip away?]

"Aap itna tension mat lijiye, apni tabiyat kharab kar lenge. Hum ja rahe hain na parso party mein, tab dekh lenge. Hmm? Aaram kariye aap," Sanskriti said, soothing my nerves.

[Don't take so much stress; you'll ruin your health. We are going to the party the day after tomorrow, we will see then. Now, get some rest.]