Chapter : 2

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Ananya walked down the grand staircase of Sharma Manor, her sharp eyes taking in every detail of the opulent interior. She was perfectly ready for another exhausting day, her pristine suit and immaculate hair reflecting her unyielding dedication to her role as CEO of Sharma Industries. As she neared the bottom of the stairs, she saw her father, engrossed in his morning newspaper. Her younger brother was nowhere to be seen, probably still asleep, as was his habit.

Just as she was about to slip out of the house unnoticed, a cold voice stopped her in her tracks.

"Ananya!" her mother called out, her tone dripping with disdain.

Ananya halted but did not turn around. “Yes, Mrs. Sharma?” she responded, her voice steady. Only she knew the pain of addressing her own mother so formally, a wound that never seemed to heal. To call her own mother anything but “Mom” was a wound she bore daily.

"Come home early tonight," her mother commanded without preamble. "The Mehra family is coming for dinner."

Ananya's brow furrowed in confusion. She had never been invited to family dinners, let alone informed of them. "Why do you need me there?" she asked, keeping her tone neutral despite the surprise and hurt that churned within her. She was always excluded from family gatherings, not even allowed to sit with them.

Her mother's next words hit her like a physical blow. "They have a marriage proposal for you."

Ananya's head snapped around so quickly she heard a bone crack, but the pain was nothing compared to the shock and anger that surged through her. She was about to refuse outright, to declare that she would never agree to such an arrangement, but her father's stern voice interrupted her thoughts.

"If you refuse this proposal," Vikram said, not bothering to look up from his newspaper, "you will be fired from your position as CEO. The role will go to your cousin, Arav."

Ananya's blood ran cold. Arav, the orphaned cousin who had always harbored a silent resentment towards her. Ananya couldn’t lose her position, not when she had worked so hard to achieve her goals and prove her worth in a world that constantly sought to undermine her.

Her rage simmered just below the surface, but she forced herself to remain composed. She needed that position. She needed to fulfill her goals. Without another word, she turned and stormed out of the manor, her footsteps echoing in the empty halls.

Once outside, she got into her car and drove towards her office, the familiar route doing little to calm the turmoil within her. She was enraged, to say the least. If only she could get away from here, from this family that seemed intent on breaking her spirit. In her anger, she didn’t realize when she reached her office building.

Ananya stomped inside, her expression like a storm cloud ready to unleash its fury. The employees around her were too scared to even greet her, whispers of caution spreading like wildfire.

" A advise, if you love your life, don't come in front of her for the whole day," one employee whispered to another.

The other just nodded, too scared to even speak.

Ananya stormed into her office and immediately called her secretary, Mr. Dev, into her cabin. Her voice was dark and commanding, and Dev practically ran to her office, his heart pounding in his chest. He knocked once, and upon hearing a curt "Come in," he entered, still panting.

"Yes, ma'am, you called?" he said, trying to steady his breath.

Ananya nodded, her eyes cold and unyielding. "I want all information about the Mehra family within two hours," she ordered.

Dev gulped, shock evident on his face. "What?" he stammered. His boss asking for someone’s information could only mean something big. He nodded quickly, not daring to question her further, and left hurriedly to gather the information.

Meanwhile, Ananya sat at her desk, lost in deep thought. Why would the Mehra family propose a marriage alliance with her? She was known for being cold-hearted and ruthless in the business world. The Mehra family was already very successful; what could they possibly gain from an alliance with her?

The two hours she had given Dev to gather information on the Mehra family felt like an eternity, and her patience was wearing thin with every passing second. She needed answers, and she needed them fast.

Deciding she needed a break, Ananya pressed the intercom button and ordered a coffee. She hoped the familiar bitter-sweetness would help calm her frazzled nerves. A few minutes later, a peon knocked and entered, carrying her coffee.

"Your coffee, ma'am," he said, placing the cup on her desk.

"Thank you," Ananya murmured, picking up the cup. She took a sip, letting out a small, relieved hum as the bitterness spread through her mouth, followed by a hint of sweetness. It was just the way she liked it. The taste grounded her, allowing her to push her swirling thoughts aside momentarily.

She tried to get back to work, sifting through files and making notes, but her focus was interrupted by a knock at the door. "Come in," she said, her voice betraying her impatience.

Dev walked in, a file clutched in his hand. Her eyes immediately locked onto the file, and she extended her hand to take it. Dev handed it over, noticing her impatience.

"I have the information you requested, ma'am," he said. "The Mehra family is very well-known in our business world. The CEO, Mr. Raj Mehra, is the eldest son. He's married and has two children, twins—a boy and a girl, both five years old. His wife, Mrs. Priya Mehra, is a fashion designer who works with him. Senior Mehra couple are known to be very sweet and honest people."

Ananya listened, her mind racing. Dev continued, "They also have a second son, Rihaan Mehra. He's still single."

"Do you have their pictures?" Ananya interrupted, needing to put faces to the names.

Dev nodded and handed her an envelope. Ananya took it, feeling an inexplicable surge of emotions. She ignored them, focusing instead on the task at hand. She opened the envelope and pulled out a photograph.

The picture showed two children playing with a tall man. He was smiling like a child, his face lit up with joy as he chased the kids. Ananya felt a strange warmth spread through her as she looked at his face. His eyes shone brightly, reminding her of the stars she used to watch when she felt depressed. But his eyes were even more beautiful, full of life and happiness. His smile seemed to radiate pure joy, something Ananya had missed since her childhood.

Unbeknownst to her, a barely visible smile formed on her own lips. Her usually stern face softened, showing a rare glimpse of peace and warmth. Dev, who was watching her closely, was shocked. He had never seen his boss look so serene. Rubbing his eyes, he tried to make sure he wasn't imagining things. But it was real—Ananya was smiling, albeit faintly.

"Is everything alright, ma'am?" Dev asked tentatively, unsure if he should interrupt her thoughts.

Ananya snapped out of her reverie, the fleeting warmth dissipating. "Yes, everything's fine. Thank you, Dev," she said, her voice regaining its usual cold edge. "You can leave now."

Dev nodded and left the room, still in disbelief at what he had witnessed. Ananya turned back to the photograph, a myriad of thoughts and emotions swirling within her. The idea of a marriage proposal still felt foreign and unwelcome, but the image of Rihaan Mehra and his joyful demeanor lingered in her mind, offering a glimmer of something she couldn't quite identify.

Dev left Ananya's office, his heart lighter than it had been in a long time. Seeing his boss smile, even if it was barely noticeable, was a rare and precious moment. He couldn't help but feel a surge of happiness and hope. He had worked under Ananya for several years, witnessing her stern demeanor and relentless drive, but he had never seen this side of her.

As he walked back to his desk, he shared a quiet smile with a few colleagues. His unusual cheerfulness caught their attention, and one of them, Myra, approached him.

"Dev, you seem unusually happy. What's going on?" she asked, curiosity evident in her voice.

Dev looked around to ensure no one else was listening and then leaned in slightly. "I just saw something incredible. Ananya ma'am... she smiled," he whispered, still in awe.

Priya's eyes widened in surprise. "Ananya Sharma? Smiling? Are you serious?"

"Yes," Dev confirmed, nodding. "She was looking at a photo, and for a moment, her face softened. It was like seeing a completely different person."

Priya shook her head in disbelief. "Wow, that's something. I wonder what was in that photo."

Back in her office, Ananya tried to refocus on her work, but her thoughts kept drifting back to the photograph of Rihaan Mehra. There was something about his smile, his joyous interaction with the children, that tugged at her heartstrings. She couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this proposal than met the eye.

Determined to understand, she decided to delve deeper into the Mehra family's background. She picked up her phone and dialed Dev's extension. He answered almost immediately, still buoyed by the earlier encounter.

"Yes, ma'am?"

"Dev, I need you to gather more information about Rihaan Mehra specifically. His interests, his work, anything you can find," Ananya instructed.

"Right away, ma'am," Dev replied, eager to assist.

Ananya sat at her desk, her fingers lightly tapping the wooden surface as she waited for Dev to return with more information about Rihaan Mehra. The curiosity that had been piqued by the photograph now grew stronger, and she needed to understand more about this man whose smile had briefly broken through her cold exterior.

A knock at the door announced Dev's arrival. He entered, carrying a file that seemed heavier than the last one.

"Ma'am, I have the information you requested," he said, handing the file over to Ananya. "I should also explain something important about Rihaan Mehra."

Ananya looked up, her curiosity evident. "Go on."

Dev took a deep breath, choosing his words carefully. "Rihaan Mehra is 26 years old, but due to an unknown reason, he has the mental capacity of an 8-year-old."

Ananya's eyes widened in shock. She opened the file, her mind racing as she tried to process this new information. The details painted a picture of a man who, despite his age, approached life with the innocence and joy of a child. His love for art, his interactions with children, his genuine happiness—all made sense now.

"Thank you, Dev. You can go," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Dev nodded and left the room, leaving Ananya alone with her thoughts. She stared at the file, her mind a whirlwind of emotions. The confident, composed facade she maintained began to crack under the weight of this revelation.

Ananya leaned back in her chair, closing her eyes as she tried to make sense of it all. The Mehra family's proposal was no longer just about a business alliance. It was a profound and personal decision that carried implications far beyond her career.

The image of Rihaan's joyful face floated in her mind. How could she marry someone with the mental capacity of a child? And yet, there was something undeniably pure about him, something that drew her in despite her reservations.

She thought about her own life, filled with cold ambition and relentless pursuit of success. She had built walls around herself, isolating her from warmth and genuine connection. And here was Rihaan, a man who embodied everything she lacked.

Ananya sighed, feeling a heaviness settle in her chest. She knew she needed to make a decision, but it wasn't just about her anymore. It was about the future, about the potential for something different, something better.

Her thoughts were interrupted by another knock at the door. It was Dev again, looking hesitant.

"Ma'am, is there anything else you need?" he asked gently.

Ananya shook her head, offering him a small, grateful smile. "No, Dev. That will be all for now. Thank you."

Dev nodded and left, closing the door behind him. Ananya turned her gaze back to the photograph of Rihaan, his innocent smile filling her with a strange sense of peace. She didn't know what the future held, but for the first time in a long while, she felt a glimmer of hope.

She had a lot to think about, and the decision wouldn't be easy. But perhaps, just perhaps, there was a path forward that could bring warmth and light into her life. For now, she allowed herself to sit in the uncertainty, letting the possibilities unfold in her mind.

Ananya knew she couldn't rush this decision. She needed to understand more about Rihaan, about his life, and what a marriage to him would entail. But she also knew that, whatever she chose, it would be a step towards breaking free from the cold, unfeeling existence she had known for so long.

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