**Goa...**
It was 7:00 in the morning. **Adhiraj** was sitting at the dining table, having breakfast. **Ranvijay** was also sitting beside him. **Sankalp** had already finished his breakfast and was now waiting for **Adhiraj** to finish eating. They had an important business meeting today. After a while, **Adhiraj** finishes his breakfast.
As soon as breakfast is over, he and **Sankalp** leave for the meeting.
The meeting was scheduled at a five-star hotel. Many of the country's top businessmen were going to attend this meeting.
The meeting was organized by a famous French company. They wanted to launch a new product in India, so they were looking to collaborate with an Indian company. They wanted to work with the best company here, which is why they had arranged this meeting. All the major companies had brought their own ideas to present.
They had decided that whichever company's idea impressed them the most, they would collaborate with that one.
All the companies had come fully prepared. This deal was extremely beneficial for them, so everyone wanted to give their best.
Almost everyone had arrived for the meeting. While they were all chatting among themselves, everyone's attention suddenly turned toward the entrance.
At the entrance stood **Adhiraj** and **Ranvijay**.
Seeing them, everyone's eyes widened in shock. People started whispering to each other in surprise upon seeing **Adhiraj** there. No one had expected **Adhiraj** to show up. Seeing him drained the color from their faces.
Because they all knew—if **Adhiraj** was in the room, they had no chance of getting the deal. They had lost even before trying.
Seeing the expressions on their faces, **Adhiraj** gave a devilish smile. Watching them in such a state gave him immense satisfaction.
Everyone was surprised because just a few days ago, there was news that **Adhiraj** was not interested in this deal. His sudden arrival today left them stunned.
All eyes were on **Adhiraj** and **Ranvijay** as they walked in, ignoring everyone. Seeing them there filled the others with jealousy. They were furious too, but no one dared to show it. No one could say anything to **Adhiraj**. He was too powerful—everyone feared him.
Soon the meeting began. One by one, everyone presented their ideas. The meeting went on for about three hours. Then came the results. As everyone had expected, the deal went to **Adhiraj**. Exactly what they feared happened—**Adhiraj** got the deal.
After completing all the formalities, **Adhiraj** and **Ranvijay** immediately left the venue.
**Dehradun**
It was 7:00 in the morning. **Nisha** was getting ready to leave.
Although her classes were to start at 9:00, she was still leaving early because everyone in her family was still asleep. She wanted to leave before they woke up. After what had happened last night, she didn't have the courage to face anyone yet.
**Nisha** picked up her scooter keys and quietly slipped out without making a sound.
She had already asked **Rihana** to come early too. On the way, she picked up **Rihana**. A little while later, they reached the college. Since the college hadn't opened yet, they went to a nearby park. They sat down together on a bench.
**Rihana** said, "Let's eat first, we'll talk later." Since **Nisha** had left in a hurry, she hadn't eaten anything. **Rihana** already knew that she wouldn't have eaten, so she had brought food for both of them from home. She took a tiffin out of her bag. **Nisha** refused at first, but **Rihana** insisted, so **Nisha** had to eat despite not wanting to. Soon, both of them finished their meal.
After eating, **Rihana** said, "Now tell me, **Nisha**. What happened? You look so disturbed. Did something happen at home?"
**Nisha** nodded.
**Rihana** immediately asked, "What happened?
Letting out a deep sigh, **Nisha** said, "Dad fixed my marriage... and that too, with **Varun**."
Hearing this, **Rihana's** eyes widened in shock. She jumped up from the bench and shouted, "What?! Your dad fixed your marriage with **Varun**?"
**Nisha** nodded again.
**Rihana** said, "Okay, fine, your dad arranged your marriage—but out of the whole world, he found **Varun**?! Has there been a shortage of boys in Shimla?"
"The guy you can't tolerate for even ten minutes—you're supposed to live your whole life with him? If you hear him talk for more than ten minutes, your ears will start bleeding! **Nisha**, you're in big trouble. You won't be able to live with that guy."
"**Nisha**, at least try talking to your dad once. Maybe he'll listen."
**Nisha** shook her head. "There's no point. He'll never agree. This marriage isn't a union—it's a business deal. In exchange for the marriage, **Varun's** dad is going to invest in my dad's company. You know very well—money is everything to him. If I try to bring it up again, he might even kill me this time."
Rihana felt deeply upset seeing Nisha sad. She didn't know how to help her friend... Talking like this, two hours passed by.
**"Nisha, it's time for class, let's go."**
Nisha nodded silently.
Both of them started walking towards class when Rihana spotted Varun approaching them. The moment she saw him, she immediately grabbed Nisha's hand and pulled her to the side near the wall. Nisha stumbled a bit due to the sudden tug, but before she could fall, Rihana caught her.
**"What happened, Rihana? Why did you pull me like that?"**
Pointing toward Varun, Rihana said, **"Look ahead, that wild cat was walking straight toward us. I didn't want your mood to get ruined first thing in the morning by seeing his face.
He's the root of all this mess. If he hadn't spoken to his father, you wouldn't have to go through all this today.
And anyway, today's lecture is already boring. Seeing his face would've made it worse."**
**"By the way, Rihana, he looks unusually happy today."**
**"Of course he is. His dream's coming true—marrying you."**
**"Forget it, Rihana. We're getting late for class."**
Rihana nodded.
They both entered their classroom and took their seats. A few minutes later, Varun walked in and sat two rows ahead of them. Soon after, the professor arrived and the class began.
Throughout the lecture, Varun kept turning around to glance at Nisha again and again. His behavior made Nisha feel very **uncomfortable**.
Rihana was boiling with anger. She wanted to go slap him across the face, but she knew doing so would only make things worse for Nisha.
Eventually, class ended. Rihana and Nisha went to the canteen. A little while later, Varun showed up there too, not alone—he was accompanied by his friends.
Seeing this, Rihana muttered to herself, **"It wasn't enough that he came, he had to bring the rest of the jungle with him too?"**
Her eyes suddenly landed on a guy who had come along with Varun. Seeing him irritated Rihana even more... It was **Karan**, Varun's elder brother—who constantly chased after Rihana. He had tried to get close to her several times. Rihana absolutely disliked him.
Varun came and sat next to Nisha.
**"How are you, Nisha?"**
Rihana thought to herself, **"She was fine until now, but thanks to you, not anymore."**
With a faint smile, Nisha replied, **"I'm fine, Varun."**
**"You must have heard that our marriage has been fixed."**
Nisha gently nodded.
Meanwhile, Karan had his eyes glued to Rihana. She felt extremely **uncomfortable**. When she couldn't take it anymore, she turned toward Karan and, with restrained anger, said:
**"Mr. Karan, why are you staring at me like that? Do I have pearls stuck to my face?"**
Karan pulled his chair closer to Rihana and leaned in slightly.
**"What can I do? Your face is so beautiful I just can't look away... You're softer than a flower. Makes me want to become a bee and suck all your nectar."**
Rihana became flustered and backed away slightly. But while doing so, she lost balance and nearly fell—when Karan grabbed her hand and pulled her, making her fall straight into his lap.
Karan, overjoyed, wrapped his arm tightly around her waist. Rihana felt extremely **uncomfortable**. She tried to get up, but he held her waist firmly.
Seeing all this, Nisha immediately stood up, walked over, grabbed Rihana's hand, and pulled her out of Karan's lap. Rihana was feeling very **embarrassed** at that moment. Understanding her discomfort, Nisha took her away from there.
Varun, seeing Nisha leave like that, got furious.
He muttered, "Just wait till we're married, Nisha... then you'll see how I make you obey me and control you."
Meanwhile, Nisha took Rihana out into the garden.
"Are you okay, Rihana?"
Rihana nodded.
"Nisha, you shouldn't have just walked out like that. What if Varun complains to your dad? He'll be very angry with you."
"Let him be angry. I don't care... You're what matters most to me. Just you. I didn't do anything wrong.
If someone says something to me, I can take it. But if someone says anything to you, I just can't stand it."
Hearing Nisha's words, tears welled up in Rihana's eyes.
"Thank you, Nisha, for always standing by me."
"What's with the thank you? You're my sister—my sweet, lovely sister... Now stop crying, will you? We're not short of water here.
Save your tears for when we go to Rajasthan—let's cry rivers there, they actually need water."
Hearing this, Rihana burst out laughing.