The morning sunlight gently streamed through the curtains, casting a warm, golden glow across the room. Sanaya stirred from her slumber, her heart pounding in her chest as she remembered what today was—her big interview. She quickly glanced at the clock. Oh my God, I'm late!
Panicking for a moment, she rushed to the bathroom to freshen up, her mind racing with thoughts of the world's largest company and her upcoming first interview. She wasn't sure if she was ready, but she was determined to give it her all. What if I mess up? What if I freeze? What if… Her thoughts were interrupted when she saw Abhimaan standing by the door, watching her with a quiet intensity.
He leaned against the doorframe, his eyes taking in her slightly flustered figure. "Good morning, Lavender. I thought you were going to have a breakdown there for a second." His voice was light, teasing, but there was something deeper behind his words—concern, maybe?
Sanaya gave him a small smile, trying to mask her nerves. "Good morning, Abhimaan. I'm just… nervous. It's my first big interview, you know?"
Abhimaan moved closer to her, his steps quiet and deliberate. "You'll do great," he said softly, placing a hand on her shoulder, giving her a gentle squeeze. "Just be yourself. That's all you need."
Sanaya met his gaze, and for a moment, the world outside seemed to disappear. His eyes—so calm, so steady—gave her the strength she didn't know she had. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely above a breath. His presence was strangely comforting, like a shield against the world's expectations.
After a few seconds, he gave her a playful grin. "I'm going to drop you off at the office. We can't have my wife getting lost on her first day, can we?"
Sanaya rolled her eyes, a soft laugh escaping her lips. "I'm not that bad, okay?" she teased, grabbing her purse.
Abhimaan raised an eyebrow. "You've been known to lose your way to the kitchen. This is the office, Lavender, not the living room."
Sanaya snorted at his teasing, feeling her nerves ease a little. "Okay, okay. I'm ready. Let's go."
---
The car ride was quiet for the most part, with Abhimaan driving in his usual calm, collected manner. Sanaya sat beside him, her mind racing as she tried to rehearse answers in her head. But every time she glanced at him, the words slipped away, and her thoughts turned into a jumbled mess.
"Abhimaan," she said suddenly, breaking the silence. "What if I fail? What if I mess up the interview?"
He glanced over at her, his expression unreadable for a moment. "You won't," he said simply, his tone firm but gentle. "And even if you do, it's not the end of the world. You have nothing to prove to anyone. Just be honest, be real, and do your best. That's all you can do."
Sanaya nodded, feeling a little more at ease, though the knot of nervousness in her stomach didn't quite go away.
When they arrived at the office, Abhimaan parked the car, and for a moment, he didn't move. Sanaya looked over at him, noticing the way his gaze was focused on the building ahead, like he was deep in thought.
"Abhimaan?" she called softly, reaching out to place a hand on his arm.
He blinked, as if waking from a trance, and turned to her with a smile. "You'll be fine," he said again, the reassurance in his voice warming her heart. "I'll be right here when you're done."
Sanaya smiled back, her heart swelling with gratitude. "Thank you."
After a brief, lingering moment, she got out of the car and walked toward the building, her heart pounding in her chest.
---
The interview itself was intense, but she was more than capable. She spoke confidently, answering every question with poise, and though there were a few moments where her nerves almost got the best of her, she pulled through. The interviewers seemed impressed, nodding in approval after every response.
By the time the interview was over, Sanaya was physically drained, but also emotionally lifted. She had done it. She had survived, and perhaps even thrived.
As she stepped out of the building, she saw Abhimaan waiting for her, his back to her as he checked his phone. Her heart skipped a beat at the sight of him. He's always here for me, isn't he? she thought, her feelings for him growing stronger with each passing day.
"Abhimaan!" she called out, unable to keep the excitement out of her voice.
He turned at the sound of her voice, and his lips curled into a smile when he saw her. "Well? How did it go?" he asked, his eyes bright with anticipation.
"I think… I think I did well," she said, her face lighting up. "I was nervous at first, but I think I managed to answer their questions. I didn't freeze, so that's a win, right?"
Abhimaan chuckled, his usual teasing grin making an appearance. "You didn't freeze, huh? I'd be shocked if you did. You're a force to be reckoned with, Lavender."
Sanaya laughed, the tension in her shoulders easing for the first time that day. "Thanks, Abhimaan. I couldn't have done it without you."
Before she could say anything more, she heard a voice from behind them. "Well, well, well. Looks like someone's done impressing the interviewers."
Sanaya turned around to see a man walking toward them—tall, with messy dark hair and a casual but stylish look. His eyes were mischievous, and he had a grin that made Sanaya instantly like him.
"Who's this?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.
"This is Veer," Abhimaan said, a soft chuckle in his voice. "My best friend. And the guy who's been missing in action during my wedding."
Veer grinned and extended a hand toward Sanaya. "Nice to finally meet you, Sanaya. Abhi's told me a lot about you."
Sanaya smiled, shaking his hand. "Nice to meet you too. And don't worry, I'm not offended by the fact that you skipped my wedding. Apparently, it's a family tradition."
Veer laughed. "I wish I could've been there, but business called. Can't leave that behind, right? But now that I'm back, I'm here to make up for it."
Sanaya chuckled, liking him immediately. "I'm sure Abhimaan's told you enough about me to last a lifetime."
"You have no idea," Veer said, glancing at Abhimaan with an amused smirk.
Abhimaan rolled his eyes. "Don't listen to him, Lavender. He's just trying to mess with you."
Veer threw his hands up in mock surrender. "I'm innocent here! It's Abhi's fault for keeping all the fun stories to himself."
As they all laughed, the tension in the air seemed to fade, and Sanaya felt a genuine sense of warmth. These people—her husband and his best friend—were her new family, and maybe, just maybe, she was beginning to find a place in this life.
---
Later that evening, as Sanaya and Abhimaan walked back to the car, the world felt different. They didn't speak much, but there was a certain ease between them now, a comfort that hadn't been there before.
Abhimaan finally broke the silence. "You were amazing today. I'm proud of you."
Sanaya looked up at him, her heart fluttering. "Thanks. It was nerve-wracking, but I think I managed."
He reached out, gently taking her hand. "That's what I like about you, Sanaya. You push through the fear. You don't let it control you."
She smiled softly, her hand tightening around his. "I'm learning from the best."
As they reached the car, Abhimaan opened the door for her, and she slid into the seat, feeling the weight of the day slowly lifting from her shoulders.
"I'm glad you were there with me," she said, her voice quiet but sincere.
Abhimaan gave her a rare, tender smile. "I'll always be there, Lavender. Always."
And as they drove home, the world outside faded away, leaving only the two of them and the silent understanding between them—an understanding that, no matter where life took them, they would face it together.
---
End of Chapter.
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