Abhi’s POV
We reached Aggarwal Uncle’s cabin, and Rehan showed him the list prepared by the production team—four people from production and one from designing.
Uncle glanced through the list and gave a simple nod.
“Okay.”
Rehan then said, “From the designing team, Ms. Ankita can be selected.”
The moment Ankita’s name left Rehan’s mouth, Mr. Aggarwal lifted his head from the file and looked at him with irritation. But within seconds, he controlled his expression and straightened his posture.
“No,” he said firmly. “Take Ms. Sharma for the job. Ankita won’t be assigned for the same.”
Rehan looked at him, and I knew exactly what was going through his mind. Once Mr. Aggarwal made a decision, it was almost impossible to make him change it.
Still, Rehan composed himself and spoke carefully.
“But sir, we have a policy of giving equal opportunity to all staff members. Ankita is new, and this project would give her a lot of opportunity to learn and grow in the company. She has never handled such a big project before, so Abhi can guide her. Moreover, we will also be there to support her. Travelling won’t be a problem either. We’ll arrange vehicles and all other requirements.”
Mr. Aggarwal looked uncomfortable.
We both knew Rehan was right. And he knew it too.
After almost two minutes of silence, Mr. Aggarwal finally said, “No, Rehan. Ankita is not right for the job. She will not do it, and she doesn’t need this opportunity. We also have a policy that if an employee is not comfortable, he or she will not be forced.”
Rehan immediately replied, “Then let’s ask her, sir.”
At that, Mr. Aggarwal lost his temper.
“Rehan, I said no. That means no.”
Neither of us had expected such a harsh response. For a moment, both of us remained silent.
Rehan stood up at once and said, “Okay, sir. I will make arrangements for Ms. Sharma. Please let me know about the production team.”
We turned to leave, but Mr. Aggarwal’s voice stopped us.
“Sorry, baccha. Please try to understand what I’m saying. You already know she doesn’t have any papers in her personal file, which is not really as per the policy of our company.”
We looked at him in surprise.
He sighed and continued, “I know you asked HR for her file, and I want to keep it that way. She is like my daughter, and I don’t want her to go away from in front of my eyes.”
Rehan looked at me, gave me a sad smile, and said softly, “Okay, sir.”
Until then, I had not said a word. But now I could not stay silent anymore.
“Uncle, please let Ankita work on this project.”
Aggarwal Sir looked at me sharply.
“Is it personal?”
I met his eyes and answered honestly, “Yes, sir. I really want Ankita to work with me. I was the one who asked Rehan to talk to you.”
Mr. Aggarwal took a deep breath.
“Abhi, I have already told Rehan that she is like my daughter. I am not letting my personal life interfere with business, but if you want, we can cancel this proposal. Any compensation can be paid. Let me know what contract you have with the other party. We’ll see the amount, and it can be paid. But I don’t want to see you near Ankita.”
His words hit me hard.
I looked at him and said, “You called me your son, Uncle. At least have that much trust in me. I won’t hurt her, not even in my dreams.”
Uncle glared at me.
“You know Ankita from before?”
I knew there was no turning back now. I had to tell him the truth.
Clearing my throat, I said, “Yes, Uncle. You already know my grandfather belonged to Jaisalmer and that we have a haveli there. I saw Ankita there at a family function. The moment I saw her, I liked her. At first, I thought it was just a passing phase. But for three days, I kept noticing her—her helpful nature, her childishness, her eyes. They captivated me.”
I paused, remembering those days as if they had happened yesterday.
“The function ended, and the next day, before I could approach her, she left. I tried to find her. I asked my grandfather, but nobody gave me proper answers. Everyone thought I was just a teenager being foolish.”
I looked down for a moment before continuing.
“After that, I tried many times to get her out of my system. I dated others, tried to move on, but I could never get her out of my mind. I searched for her for years, but it was all in vain. Nobody knew where she had vanished. But those eyes never left me. They stayed with me—in my dreams, in my reality.”
Uncle was listening silently.
I took a breath and said, “Uncle, I promise, if she already has someone in her life, I won’t bother her even for a second. But seeing you protect her like this, I know she doesn’t have anyone. So please, give me one chance. I won’t disappoint you. You have always had my back. Your daughter will be safe with me.”
My voice softened.
“If she is not ready for any relationship, I won’t pressurize her. But at least let her work with me. Let us know each other.”
Mr. Aggarwal looked at me for a long time, as if weighing each word I had spoken.
Finally, he said, “You are young, Abhi. Even if you both like each other, your family won’t accept her.”
I replied immediately, “Caste or status won’t matter, sir. I’m sure my parents won’t have any problem with that.”
Uncle gave me a blank look.
“It’s not about caste, Abhi.”
Then, after a heavy pause, he said the words that froze me in place.
“She is a widow, Abhi.”
Saying that, he started walking out of the room.
For a moment, I could not comprehend what I had just heard.
A widow.
The word echoed in my mind again and again.
After two minutes, I finally found my voice.
“That means she is alone. That means she has nobody in her life.”
Uncle stopped.
I continued, “Then I deserve one chance, Uncle. Just once. I promise, if she doesn’t like me, I won’t pressurize her for anything.”
Mr. Aggarwal turned and looked into my eyes.
“I think you are not understanding, Abhi. Your family won’t accept her in your life. And she is already very hurt. Please don’t make things more difficult for her.”
“Uncle, my family is my issue,” I said firmly. “At least trust me with your daughter once. Please, Uncle.”
He did not say anything.
I looked at Rehan. He gave me a sad look and shrugged helplessly before coming near me.
In a very low voice, he said, “I’m sorry, yaar. I couldn’t do anything. We cannot pressurize Uncle more. You know what he said—he will cancel the contract and compensate you.”
I stood there silently for a while.
Rehan placed his hand on my shoulder and took me toward his cabin. As we were passing by, I saw my sunshine.
Ankita.
The urge to go to her and tell her everything almost overpowered me. I had found her after so many years. How could I leave without even trying?
I suddenly turned to Rehan and said, “Please let me try once. I cannot let this opportunity go.”
Before he could stop me, I rushed back toward Aggarwal Sir’s cabin.
I knocked and entered. Rehan chose to stand outside.
Aggarwal Uncle lifted his head, and seeing me again, he was about to say something, but I spoke first.
“Uncle, please. I know you treat Ankita like your daughter and are worried about her. You may not believe my feelings, but I have been living with her in my dreams all these years. She has been a part of my life, even without knowing it. I don’t want to know about her past, and I won’t hurt her. Please, Uncle. I plead with you. Please give me a chance to know her.”
My throat tightened, but I continued.
“If at any point you feel that I am misbehaving with her or hurting her in any way, I will do whatever you say. Please let me prove myself once.”
Without even realizing it, my eyes had moistened. I quickly composed myself.
Aggarwal Uncle stared at me for some time. Then he came closer and gestured for Rehan to come inside too.
“Okay,” he said at last.
My heart almost stopped.
“I have a lot of faith in Rehan, and I believe your words. But if she is not comfortable, or if she is hurt in any way, then it will be the end of our business relationship—and our personal relationship too. Be careful.”
I nodded immediately.
“Thank you, Uncle.”
Aggarwal Uncle patted my back and left the cabin after saying goodbye.
My happiness knew no bounds. I hugged Rehan tightly.
“Thank you, yaar. Thank you for trying.”
We returned to Rehan’s cabin, but Ankita was not at her seat. I looked around, searching for her.
Rehan noticed and giggled.
“I know you are smitten, but stop it before Sir kicks you out of this office.”
I could not help but smile.
For the first time in years, I felt hope.
Ankita’s POV
It was afternoon.
I knew Abhinav Sir was in Rehan Sir’s cabin. Since morning, Ms. Sharma had been acting as if she was already selected for the project with him. She had been giving instructions and showing anxiety that was visible to everyone.
But when the final list came in the afternoon, her face fell.
She glared at me, throwing dagger-like looks in my direction. I could not understand why.
A little later, she walked toward Rehan Sir’s cabin. I did not know what discussion happened inside, but when she came out, her face looked even more upset.
She came near me and said, “Rehan Sir is calling you.”
Then, with a bitter smile, she added, “I am so good at my work that the company cannot send me to another project, because then the work here will suffer. But it’s sad that this opportunity is not given to me.”
I felt hurt by her comment.
Why did she have to say that to me?
I looked at her, but she simply said, “Go and meet Sir.”
Then she came very close to me and whispered something that shocked me completely.
“Remember, Abhinav is mine. Don’t even try.”
I stared at her in disbelief.
Had she gone mad?
Why would I try anything?
My heart started thumping loudly. I was sure that as long as Mr. Aggarwal was there, I would not land in any uncomfortable situation. He had always protected me. If he knew I was not comfortable, he would never force me.
With those thoughts, I walked toward Rehan Sir’s cabin.
He was a nice and warm person whenever he spoke to the staff, though I had never interacted with him personally.
I was sweating by the time I reached his door.
I knocked and asked for permission to enter.
When I stepped inside, my eyes immediately landed on Mr. Abhinav Kapoor, who was sitting on the sofa beside Rehan Sir’s chair.
He smiled at me.
For the first time, our eyes met.
Something strange happened inside me, but I immediately diverted my attention to Rehan Sir.
“Ankita,” Rehan Sir began, “you must be knowing that we have entered into a business contract with Kapoor Industries.”
I nodded. “Yes, sir.”
He continued, “Well, we have shortlisted some staff members from the production department, and one person from the designing department—that is you. You will be working on this project with Mr. Abhinav Kapoor.”
I became nervous instantly.
“Sir, I don’t think I will be able to do it,” I said.
Rehan Sir looked at me calmly.
“Ms. Ankita, this has already been discussed with Aggarwal Sir, and he has also agreed to it.”
My heart skipped a beat.
He continued, “And if you are worried about the new project or the learning process, then sir, I, and Abhi will all be there. So you don’t have to worry, Ankita.”
The next question slipped out of my mouth before I could stop myself.
“Can I talk to Aggarwal Sir?”
Without waiting for his response, I walked out hastily.
In my hurry, my foot hit the leg of the chair in front of me. It hurt a little, and I saw Abhinav Sir getting up from his place.
“Be careful,” he said, walking toward me.
But I left in a hurry, limping slightly.
I reached Aggarwal Sir’s cabin and knocked. After hearing his voice, I entered.
He was deeply engrossed in reading a file. When he raised his head and saw me, his expression softened.
“Ankita beta, come. Sit.”
I sat opposite him and hesitated before speaking.
“Sir, it’s about my name in the new project with Mr. Abhinav Kapoor.”
He looked at me and said gently, “Baccha, I want you to do it.”
He had already sensed that I was nervous and sweating.
He came near me, placed his hand on my head, and said, “Beta, you will be fine.”
After two minutes of silence, I finally said, “Sir, I don’t know anything about Abhinav Sir’s working nature. If I don’t do things properly, I might annoy him.”
Sir looked at me with concern.
“Beta, you don’t have to worry about Abhi. He is a gentle and good-hearted person. I know him very well. Otherwise, I would not have given my permission for this.”
I listened quietly.
“The project will start in two weeks,” he continued. “Work with him for a week. If you are not comfortable, tell me. I will make some other arrangement.”
Then he added, “But if you don’t accept new challenges, you won’t learn anything. So I think you should accept this task.”
His words slowly calmed me.
After a while, I nodded and said, “I will try my best.”
He smiled reassuringly.
“Don’t worry about anything. Things will be okay, and I am always there with you. Just come to me if you feel anything is not right.”
Then his voice turned softer.
“And Ankita, you need to move on from the past. You have already taken one step by doing a job. Now it is time you start accepting new things, baccha.”
I looked at him, and he gave me an assuring smile.
For the first time that day, my fear settled a little.
I walked back to my department, packed my things, and went home.
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