Like every morning, Abhiram woke up early and got Myra ready for school. It was a routine he never skipped.

But today, his mind was elsewhere.

Sitting in the back seat of the car with Myra beside him, he was dressed in a crisp black suit, his posture relaxed but his thoughts restless. He gazed out of the window, his fingers absentmindedly drumming against his knee, lost in a trance.

Beside him, Myra swung her little feet back and forth, her voice animated as she chatted about something—probably her friends or a new cartoon she had watched. But her words barely registered.

His thoughts kept drifting to his upcoming meeting with Maithili.

"Papa, you are not listening to me!" Myra's voice suddenly cut through the haze of his thoughts, pulling him back to the present.

Abhiram blinked, turning to her. Her tiny face was scrunched up in annoyance, her big eyes narrowed as she glared at him.

"Of course, beta, I'm listening," he said, forcing a smile.

Myra crossed her arms, unimpressed. "Then tell me, what did I just say?"

Abhiram let out a sheepish chuckle, knowing he was caught. "Uhh... something about school?"

Myra gasped dramatically. "Papa!" she huffed. "I said I want to go to the water park this Sunday!"

Abhiram smiled, reaching out to pat her head. "Of course, baby. As you wish."

"Really?!" Myra's eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Really."

She squealed in delight. "Yay! Then can we call Kittu too?"

"Definitely," Abhiram agreed without hesitation.

"Yay! I will tell all my friends that I am going to the water park too, Papa! 

Abhiram smiled—genuinely, for the first time since last night.

Seeing her happiness—this pure, innocent joy—made everything else feel insignificant for a moment.

No matter what happened with Maithili, no matter what decision he had to make, Myra's happiness would always come first.

As the car pulled up in front of the school, Abhiram turned to his daughter.

He kissed her forehead gently. "Don't go anywhere until Dadi comes to pick you up, okay? Stay inside the school."

"Okay, Papa!" Myra said, flashing him a bright smile.

She waved at him before running inside, her tiny backpack bouncing on her shoulders.

Abhiram watched her disappear through the school gates, his smile fading as reality settled back in.

Soon Abhiram reached his office, Stepping into his office on the 30th floor—a space designed exclusively for him, Vikrant, and their assistants—Abhiram moved directly toward the massive floor-to-ceiling window. The city stretched endlessly beneath him, a maze of roads and buildings, the distant hum of traffic and life far removed from the storm in his mind.

He wasn't looking at the view.

Pulling out his phone, he dialed Vikrant.

"Where are you?" he asked the moment his friend picked up.

"Parking my car. Why?"

"Come to my cabin directly. There's something important I need to discuss with you."

"What is it?" Vikrant asked, sensing the urgency in Abhiram's tone.
"Come, we'll talk directly." Without waiting for a response, Abhiram disconnected the call.

Exhaling sharply, he crossed his arms over his chest, his jaw tightening as his thoughts spiraled. No matter how much he tried to rationalize it, he kept coming back to the same thing.

 Meeting Maithili.

The sound of the door opening pulled him from his thoughts.

Vikrant walked in, raising an eyebrow as he took in Abhiram's tense posture. "What's with the serious face? You look like you're preparing for war."

Abhiram sighed, running a hand through his hair before gesturing to the chair in front of him. "Sit. We need to talk."

Vikrant sat, leaning forward slightly. "Alright. I'm listening."

For a moment, Abhiram didn't speak. He was gathering his thoughts, choosing his words. Then, finally, he let it out—the entire situation. From the unexpected proposal to Maithili agreeing to meet him. His confusion. His doubts. The questions that had kept him awake all night.

Vikrant listened without interruption, his expression unreadable. When Abhiram finally finished, silence settled between them, thick with unspoken thoughts.

Then, Vikrant leaned back in his chair and asked, "So, what's really bothering you, Abhi?"

Abhiram exhaled, rubbing his jaw. "The fact that she agreed."

Vikrant raised an eyebrow. "And that's a problem because...?"

Abhiram frowned. "Think about it. What woman willingly walks into a marriage where she has to take responsibility for another person's child? Why would she even consider this?"

Vikrant shrugged. "Maybe she's not like other women."

Abhiram scoffed. "Or maybe she has her own reasons. Status. Security—"

"Do you really think she's that kind of woman?" Vikrant interrupted, his gaze sharp.

Abhiram opened his mouth, then shut it.

The truth was, he didn't know. From the little he had seen of Maithili, she didn't seem like someone who would do this for selfish reasons. She was calm, composed, and hadn't once looked at him with any kind of pretense or expectation. But logic told him to be cautious.

Vikrant sighed, shaking his head. "Abhi, you're overthinking this."

Abhiram shot him a dry look. "That's rich, coming from you."

Vikrant smirked but continued, "You're meeting her, right?"

"Yes."

"Then instead of sitting here making a thousand assumptions, just ask her. Find out what she wants."

Abhiram looked away, his fingers tightening around the armrest of his chair. "And what if she expects me to love her?"

Vikrant studied him for a long moment before finally asking, "Are you afraid of love, Abhi?"

Abhiram stiffened.

His grip on the chair tightened, but he said nothing.

Vikrant didn't push. Instead, he leaned back and said, "You don't have to love her today. You don't even have to think about that right now. You just have to meet her."

Abhiram leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples. Despite Vikrant's words, the unease within him refused to settle. This wasn't a business negotiation where logic and numbers dictated the outcome—this was personal. And he hated dealing with the unpredictable.

Marriage. A wife. A mother for Myra.

It wasn't as simple as signing a contract or closing a deal.

Across from him, Vikrant stretched lazily, his sharp eyes never leaving Abhiram's face. "Don't overthink it, man. You won't find answers just sitting here. You need to meet her. Talk to her."

Abhiram exhaled, drumming his fingers on the desk.

"Call Aunty," Vikrant continued. "Tell her to arrange the meeting today. Get it over with. The sooner you meet Maithili, the sooner you'll know where you stand."

Abhiram hesitated for a moment before giving a slow nod.

Vikrant grinned, as if he had won some silent battle. "Alright then. I'm heading to my cabin. Let me know how it goes."

He made his way to the door but paused just before stepping out. Turning back, he added, "One last thing, Abhi."

Abhiram looked up.

"You've always made decisions with your mind." Vikrant's voice softened, but his words carried weight. "Maybe, just this once, let your heart have a say too."

Abhiram didn't respond. He just watched as Vikrant left.

His heart?
That was dangerous territory.

After his conversation with Vikrant, Abhiram leaned back in his chair, staring at his phone for a moment before finally making the call.

His mother picked up on the first ring. “Abhi?”

“Ma, I have some free time today. Arrange the meeting with Maithili.” His voice was calm, controlled—like it was just another business deal.

A brief silence followed before Amrutha’s voice brightened with happiness. “Really, Abhi? That’s great! I’ll call Poornima right away.”

Abhiram hummed in acknowledgment before ending the call.

Meanwhile, Amrutha wasted no time in dialing Poornima’s number. The moment Poornima answered, Amrutha said, “Poornima! Abhi is ready to meet Maithili today.”

Poornima smiled. “That’s wonderful news! I’ll inform Sushma and Maithili right away.”

@Maithili Office

Maithili stepped into her office, but her mind wasn’t in the room with her. The usual rhythm of the workplace—the clicking of keyboards, the buzz of conversations, the soft hum of machines—blurred into white noise. She sat at her desk, eyes on the screen, fingers hovering above the keyboard, frozen.

Her thoughts were tangled in too many directions.

From across the room, Shivam and Aarthi exchanged a knowing glance. They had known Maithili for years, and it didn’t take a genius to read the unease written across her face.

Aarthi walked over and leaned against the edge of Maithili’s desk. “Alright, spill it. Don’t tell me you skipped your morning coffee. You look like someone sucked the soul out of you.”

Shivam joined in, arms folded. “Yeah, you’ve been staring at that screen like it’s showing the meaning of life. And we both know—when you're this quiet, it means something’s brewing.”

Maithili let out a soft sigh, picked up the pen she’d been twirling, and finally looked at them. “Let’s go to the cafeteria.”

A few minutes later, the three of them settled into a quiet corner, far from listening ears. Maithili took a moment, then looked at her friends with a seriousness that instantly silenced their playful expressions.

“There’s something I need to tell you both,” she said softly. “But it has to stay between us. No one else.”

Shivam’s brows pulled together. “Of course. You know we’ve got your back.”

Aarthi grinned. “Obviously! Now out with it, or I’ll start making up wild stories about you eloping with a mysterious prince from Rajasthan.”

Maithili gave a weak laugh, then exhaled. “It’s about a marriage proposal.”

For a beat, silence.

Then Aarthi smirked. “Another one? Your mom’s back at it again, huh?”

Shivam chuckled. “So? Who’s the guy this time? And did he also mysteriously vanish before meeting you like the last one?”

Maithili gave them both a look, then said quietly, “Abhiram Sinha.”

Aarthi blinked. “Wait. What?”

Maithili nodded.

“The Abhiram Sinha?” Aarthi’s voice jumped a pitch higher. “As in—super-successful, multi-company-owning, Greek-god-level-handsome Abhiram Sinha?”

Maithili rolled her eyes. “Yes, that one.”

Aarthi clutched her shoulders dramatically. “Maithili! Are you even listening to yourself? Just say yes! If someone like him even looked in my direction, I’d start practicing my wedding signature!”

Shivam gave her a warning glance. “Aarthi. Let her speak.”

He turned to Maithili, his voice calmer. “What’s bothering you?”

Maithili leaned back in her chair, the weight of her thoughts settling into her shoulders. “It’s not as simple as you think.”

She explained everything—from how the proposal came through Poornima aunty, to Abhiram’s young daughter, to the complete lack of information about his past. His silence. His privacy. His walls.

Shivam and Aarthi listened without interrupting, letting her pour it all out.

When she was done, Aarthi tapped her chin thoughtfully. “You’re right. It is strange. For someone so high-profile, there’s absolutely nothing out there. No interviews, no stories, not even a rumor about his personal life. It’s like the man lives off the grid.”

Maithili nodded slowly. “That’s what unsettles me. He’s not just private… he’s guarded. Like he doesn’t want anyone to know anything.”

Aarthi shrugged. “Well, there’s one way to know for sure. Meet him. Talk to him. The real him—not the name, not the image. Just the man.”

Shivam leaned forward, elbows on the table. “And what about your condition? About your mom living with you? Are they fine with it?”

“I’m not sure what he thinks,” Maithili said. “But Poornima aunty assured me they’ve accepted it.”

“Then that’s a good sign,” Shivam said. “It shows they respect your priorities. And let’s be honest, Maithili, he’s not entering this from a clean slate either. He has a daughter. He’s probably facing his own doubts, just like you.”

Maithili bit her lip, thoughtful.

“When you meet him,” Shivam continued, “ask him what he wants, what he expects. The way he answers will tell you everything you need to know. Like always, trust your instincts.”

Maithili gave a small nod, slowly letting his words sink in.

Aarthi grinned. “And even if nothing comes out of it, at least you get to meet him properly.”

Maithili gave her a pointed look. “That’s not the point. I’ve already met him, remember?”

Aarthi winked. “Yeah, but now you get to meet him without your mom watching . This time it’s a real conversation not just polite greetings. The other was just a teaser. A trailer. Now comes the main film.”

Despite herself, Maithili laughed. The tension in her chest eased just a little.

She didn’t have all the answers yet. But somehow, with her two best friends beside her, the unknown didn’t seem quite so overwhelming.

Maithili was still seated in the cafeteria with Shivam and Aarthi, absently stirring the last remnants of her coffee, when her phone vibrated against the table. The sound barely registered until she glanced down and saw the name flashing on the screen.

Ma.

Her fingers tightened around the cup before she quickly picked up the call.

“Hello, Ma?”

Sushma’s voice came through, calm and composed. “Maithili, Poornima just called. Abhiram has agreed to meet you today. Vinod will send you the location shortly, and he’ll also share Abhiram’s contact number with you. He’ll have yours as well—it’ll make things easier for both of you.”

For a brief second, Maithili felt the world around her mute into a dull hum. The clinking of cups, the low chatter of colleagues, even Aarthi’s exaggerated gestures—it all blurred as her mind fixated on one thing.

Today.

So soon.

She had expected more time—maybe a few days to prepare herself, to settle her thoughts, to figure out what she wanted to say. But the moment was already here.

She inhaled slowly, steadying herself. “Alright, Ma.”

Sushma’s voice softened, as if sensing the whirlwind of emotions building inside her daughter. “No pressure, beta. Just go with an open mind. That’s all.”

“I will,” Maithili murmured, though she wasn’t sure if she was reassuring her mother or herself.

As she ended the call and set the phone down, she felt two pairs of eyes fixed on her. When she looked up, both Shivam and Aarthi were watching her with raised brows, their curiosity practically radiating across the table.

Aarthi leaned in dramatically, resting her chin on her palms. “Well?”

Maithili exhaled. “It’s happening. Today.”

Aarthi squealed, clapping her hands in excitement. “Eee! This is it! We need to prep you—mentally, emotionally, and, most importantly, fashionably.”

Shivam chuckled, shaking his head. “Deep breaths, Maithili. No overthinking, no panic.”

“Easy for you to say,” she muttered, running a hand through her hair.

Shivam smirked. “Honestly, I don’t see the problem. You’re meeting one of the most eligible man in the city, and he’s meeting one of the most eligible women I know. Sounds like a fair match.”

Aarthi sighed dreamily. “And let’s not forget—he’s ridiculously good-looking. If nothing else, at least you get to have dinner with a man who could make magazine covers jealous.”

Maithili groaned, but a small smile tugged at her lips.