Hi everyone, hope doing well.
AUTHOR'S POV
The guests had already started arriving.
Upstairs, Anamika and her daughter were sitting together, gossiping about some distant relatives and family members.
Knock... Knock...
"Ma'am, Sir is calling you," a servant informed politely.
"Yes, coming," Anamika replied.
"Mummy, call me when all the guests arrive," Trisha instructed.
"Okay, beta."
---
IN THE HALL
Ravi Sharma was busy talking to the managers and senior employees, making sure everyone felt comfortable.
Although he treated his employees fairly, everyone in the company knew one thing very well:
Ravi Sharma was a strict boss.
The moment Anamika descended the staircase, Ravi's attention shifted completely toward his wife.
For a moment, he forgot about the guests.
He murmured softly enough for only himself to hear,
"Abhi bhi wahi ronak hai inmein... kya karun mere dil ka? Haye... inki adayein."
Meanwhile, Anamika greeted the arriving guests with her usual grace.
"Good evening, Mr. Verma. Kaise hain aap? Aur Mrs. Verma kahan hain?"
Mr. Verma smiled warmly.
"Good evening, ma'am. Actually, she's at her hometown, so she couldn't join me. Aur main bilkul theek hoon. Congratulations on your daughter's birthday."
They exchanged warm smiles before moving on.
Anamika slowly walked toward Ravi and leaned closer.
"Bas bhi kariye. Kab tak aise hi ghoorte rahenge?"
Ravi chuckled.
"Aap lag hi itni khoobsurat rahi hain."
She shook her head, though a shy smile still appeared on her lips.
"Umar dekhi hai apni? Aur flirt kar rahe hain. Aapki beti ki shaadi ki umar ho gayi hai."
"Pyaar ki koi umar nahi hoti, Mrs. Sharma."
His grin widened.
---
Soon, the hall was filled with guests.
Neighbours.
Relatives.
Trisha's classmates.
Board members.
Managers.
Business associates.
Even competitors had arrived.
The atmosphere was warm, luxurious, and lively.
While Ravi and Anamika remained occupied greeting guests, a familiar voice suddenly echoed through the hall.
"Ravi! Kaisa hai, yaar?"
Ravi didn't even need to turn around.
The moment the voice reached his ears, a wide smile spread across his face.
"Anand!"
His voice was filled with disbelief and happiness.
The two men embraced tightly.
Like long-lost friends.
And in many ways, they were.
Twenty-three years had passed since they had last met properly.
Yet the warmth between them remained unchanged.
Mr. Anand Gautam.
Owner of Anand Tech.
A respected businessman and one of Ravi's oldest friends.
Years ago, both men had started their journeys together. Ravi built his industrial empire while Anand established himself in the technology sector.
Meanwhile, Anamika hurried toward Anand's wife.
"Kaisi ho, Kavya?"
She immediately pulled her into a warm embrace.
Both women's eyes glistened.
"Main toh theek hoon, Anamika," Kavya replied. "Lekin aap bataiye. Itne saalon mein Mumbai kyun nahi aayi?"
Anamika laughed.
"Jaise aap Delhi aa gayi thi?"
The two women shared a nostalgic smile.
Anamika and Kavya had been classmates in college.
Later, fate brought them even closer when they married their respective partners.
Over time, friendship turned into sisterhood.
Although business responsibilities had forced the Gautams to settle in Mumbai for many years, they had recently shifted back to Delhi.
And now, after all these years, they were together again.
---
TRISHA'S POV
Oh God.
I've been pacing around my room for the last fifteen minutes.
And I still haven't gathered enough courage to face everyone downstairs.
Argh.
I can do this.
I walked toward the door.
Then stopped.
Again.
"Khadi kyun hai? Ja na."
My mind mocked me.
A few moments later, I stood at the top of the staircase.
Oh God.
Papa said it was going to be a small party.
Ye toh poora hall bhara hua hai!
I smiled nervously and looked around.
Everyone was staring at me.
Why?
Then realization struck.
Right.
It's my birthday.
Which means...
THE CENTER OF ATTENTION IS ME.
Great.
Just great.
---
AUTHOR'S POV
Today was Trisha's birthday.
She was already beautiful.
But today...
She looked breathtaking.
Her gown complemented her perfectly.
Her open hair framed her face beautifully.
The diamond necklace shimmered softly under the lights.
Every guest present couldn't help but notice her.
Some looked at her affectionately.
Some proudly.
Some enviously.
And a few admired her a little too much.
Trisha possessed the kind of beauty that could capture attention effortlessly.
Every eligible bachelor in the room wanted to talk to her.
Unfortunately for them...
Trisha wasn't interested in any of them.
"WOW, Madam!" a familiar voice exclaimed.
"Aaj toh gazab dhaa rahi ho. Kisi ka katal karne ka irada hai kya?"
Sanjana.
Trisha's best friend.
Trisha rolled her eyes.
Before she could reply, another dramatic voice joined in.
"OHHH MY MY MY..."
"Is this really you?"
"I mean... is this Trisha, or am I dreaming?"
Rehana declared dramatically.
And just like that, Trisha finally smiled.
Her people had arrived.
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