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The warm afternoon sun filtered through the trees, casting dappled shadows across the garden. Reet Malhotra twirled gracefully, lost in the rhythm of her own dance. Dressed in a yellow kurti that fluttered with each movement, she looked like a vision of joy and beauty. Her mother, Tara Malhotra, stepped out of the house and paused to admire her daughter, captivated by the sight.

"Reet..." Not wishing to disturb the enchantment, Tara spoke out softly.

Reet stopped mid-step, turning to face her mother. She adjusted her dress and bowed slightly in respect. " Ji, Ma?"

[Yes, mom?]

Tara smiled warmly. "You've been dancing a lot lately. Is there something special going on?"

Reet's face lit up with excitement. "Actually, yes! There's a national-level dance competition coming up. I've been practicing really hard for it, Ma. I'm so excited!"

"That's wonderful!" Tara said proudly. Then she added, "By the way, Vivaan called. He asked when you'd be coming. Are you going somewhere?"

Reet's face brightened. "Oh yes, Ma. Today is his basketball match. I promised to go and cheer for him. I'll leave soon." With that, she hurried inside to get ready.

Tara watched her daughter disappear into the house, a fond smile playing on her lips. "She cares for him so much," Tara murmured to herself. "I hope she wins his love soon."

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

There was a lot of excitement around the college basketball court. As the game continued, the students gave loud cheers. The college's hottie and bad boy, Vivaan Oberoi, was the center of attraction. The audience exploded in cheers when the last whistle rang.

As the team celebrated, Reet made his way to the court. Vivaan saw her immediately and smiled as he approached

"Congratulations, Vivaan!" Reet said, her voice filled with genuine happiness for him.

"Thanks, Reet!" Vivaan responded, his smile widening. "It's all because of you. You're my lucky charm."

Reet blushed slightly, shaking her head. "Aisa kuch nahi hai"

[It's nothing like that.]

Vivaan's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Mere saath Coffee piyogi? Chota sa celebration meri jeet ka?"

["Do you want to grab a coffee with me? A little celebration?"]

Reet hesitated, surprised by the invitation. "S-Sach? Mera matlab tum apne friends ke saath jaana chahiye."

["R-Really? I-I mean, you can go with your friends instead."]

Vivaan chuckled. "C'mon, you're my friend too an important one! I want to go with you."

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Reet felt a flutter in her chest. "Umm..."

"No excuses," Vivaan cut her off with a playful smile. "I've already decided."

Before she could protest, he took her hand and led her out of the court.

They went to a cozy café nearby. Over coffee, they laughed and talked about all sorts of things. Reet couldn't stop sneaking glances at Vivaan, her heart beating fast.

At one point, Vivaan leaned across the table and wiped the corner of her mouth with a tissue.

"There was some ketchup on your face," he said casually, not noticing the way Reet's cheeks turned pink.

"O-Oh... thanks," she stammered, struggling to steady her thoughts.

Their conversation took a more serious turn as Vivaan leaned back, a thoughtful expression replacing his usual grin. "I heard someone proposed to you recently."

Reet nodded hesitantly. "Haan... kiya tha. Ye teesri baar hai."

["Yes... he did. It's the third time now."]

Vivaan's eyes darkened slightly. "Aur tumhara kya jawab hai?"

["And what's your answer?"]

Reet bit her lip, uncertainty clouding her gaze. "I don't know. He's tried so many times, and he's a good person. What do you think?"

"Just say no. He's not the right one for you."

"But-" Reet began, only for Vivaan to interrupt her.

"No ifs and buts," he insisted, his tone unyielding. "Agar wo acha hai bhi toi bhi nahi, uske koe jyada dost nahi hai, jab dekho bas kitaabi khida ban kar khitaab mei ghusa rehta hai. You're the most popular girl in our college. You don't need to be with an average boy. You deserve the best... someone perfect, like me."

[Even if he's a good person, he doesn't have many friends, and he's always buried in his books like a bookworm. You're the most popular girl in our college. You don't need to be with an average boy. You deserve the best... someone perfect, like me."]

Reet blinked, her heart fluttering at his words. A shy smile crept onto her lips. "Alright, alright... I'll say no."

Vivaan nodded in satisfaction, his protective nature evident.

"You didn't need to get that angry," Reet said softly, noticing his expression.

Vivaan let out a small sigh. "Yeah... You know I get angry easily."

" Bahot acche se...." Reet murmured, her heart warmed by his concern.

[Very well...]

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

Vivaan stormed into the room, his anger palpable as he confronted his parents. His voice boomed with fury, his frustration reaching a boiling point. "Aap hote kon hai mere zindagi ke faisle lene wale?!"

{"Who do you think you are to make decisions about my life?!"]

"Vivaan, behave yourself!" Anjali Oberoi, his mother interjected sharply, her eyes flashing with a mix of concern and authority. "He is your father!"

Vivaan scoffed, his expression hardening. "Yeah, a father who never tries to understand me."

Ayush Oberoi, his father's face lined with a mixture of regret and resolve, stepped forward. "I'm doing this for your own good, son. You can't keep living like this forever. I'm concerned about your future, which is why I've decided that you should go abroad to handle this project."

"Yes, Vivaan," Anjali added, her tone softer but no less firm. "You need a job, a purpose. We're asking you to join your father's company because we want to see you succeed. You can't remain aimless for the rest of your life."

Vivaan's eyes blazed with defiance as he spat out his words. "If Dad is so concerned about my future, why doesn't he just give the company to his so-called sister's son? He's always been more important to him than I am-his own son!"

Ayush winced at the accusation, a flash of guilt crossing his face. "It's not like that, Vivaan. I know I've made mistakes in the past, but-"

"Enough!" Vivaan cut him off, his voice seething with bitterness. "I don't want to hear the same lies again and again!"

Anjali, seeing the widening rift between father and son, stepped closer to Vivaan, her voice trembling with emotion. "Vivaan... please... Tu apni ma se pyaar karta hai na? Toi mere liye apni dad ki baat maan ja."

["Vivaan... please... You love your mom, right? Then, at least for my sake, listen to your dad this time."]

Vivaan clenched his fists, the inner turmoil clear in his eyes. After a moment of tense silence, he finally relented, though his voice was cold and distant. "Fine. I'll go and help with this project... but only for you, Mom. Don't expect anything more from me."

Anjali let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding, relief mingled with sadness in her gaze as she watched her son walk away.

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

At the Airport, Reet stood at the departure gate, her heart heavy with the thought of Vivaan leaving. "So... you're really going to leave for a whole week or more?" she asked, her voice tinged with sadness.

Vivaan sighed deeply, his gaze softening as he looked at her. "Yeah... You know how my dad is. But don't worry, Reet, I'll be back before you know it."

Reet took a deep breath, summoning the courage to say what had been weighing on her heart. "But today... I wanted to tell you something important."

Vivaan's interest piqued, and he turned to face her fully. "Say it now, Reet."

Reet's heart pounded in her chest as she looked up at him, "Umm... Actually... I-I lov-N-Nothing! I-I will miss you!" The words on the tip of her tongue. But in the end, her courage faltered.

A small, knowing smile played on Vivaan's lips as he reached out to touch her arm gently. "I'll miss you too, Reet. Take care while I'm gone, okay?"

Reet nodded, forcing a smile as she watched him walk away, his figure slowly disappearing into the crowd. As she stood there alone, a wave of regret washed over her. She always wanted to confess, but always lost her courage.

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01.10.24

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