02

Chapter 1: A New Day Begins

At Sukoon Orphanage 

Amaira woke up to the gentle rustle of leaves outside her window. A familiar sound that signaled the start of another day at Sukoon, the orphanage her dadi lovingly ran. She stretched her limbs, feeling the warmth of the morning sun streaming through the curtains, and smiled as she recalled the laughter of the children that echoed through the halls. The sound of birds chirping added to the tranquil atmosphere, making her feel at peace.

Descending the stairs, she found her dadi already in the kitchen, preparing breakfast with practiced ease. 

"Good morning, dadi," Amaira greeted her grandmother, Pallavi, receiving a warm hug in return.

"Good morning, my dear," Pallavi replied, her eyes twinkling with affection. 

"Did you sleep well?" Pallavi inquired lovingly as Amaira placed her chin on Pallavi's shoulder still yawning.

"Yes, dadi, like a small child" Amaira replied chuckling as she moved away to pour herself a cup of tea.

 "How are the kids today? "Pallavi's face lit up as she launched into tales of the children's latest antics, and Amaira listened with rapt attention, her heart swelling with love for each and every one of them. Just as she was finishing her tea, a small voice interrupted their conversation.

"Didi, didi, look what I drew yesterday at school!" Sara, the 5-year-old little, bubbly girl who lived at the orphanage, said while running to Amaira in the living room, her eyes sparkling with excitement holding a her artwork as her prized possession.

"Wow, Sara, this is so pretty, bache" Amaira exclaimed, looking at the colorful picture Sara drew of a sunny day at the orphanage. She gave Sara a warm hug, feeling a deep sense of fulfillment.

Carrying out the morning activities, Amaira got ready for her day at university for her MBA degree aspiring to be a financial manager one day. She wore a black top with blue faded jeans and paired it lilac colored long shrug she had bought excitedly after watching the Kesariya song play on repeat as the small girls of the orphanage drooled over Ranbir Kapoor and the boys stared at Alia Bhatt.

At Sukoon Orphanage 

Amaira woke up to the gentle rustle of leaves outside her window. A familiar sound that signaled the start of another day at Sukoon, the orphanage her dadi lovingly ran. She stretched her limbs, feeling the warmth of the morning sun streaming through the curtains, and smiled as she recalled the laughter of the children that echoed through the halls. The sound of birds chirping added to the tranquil atmosphere, making her feel at peace.

Descending the stairs, she found her dadi already in the kitchen, preparing breakfast with practiced ease. 

"Good morning, dadi," Amaira greeted her grandmother, Pallavi, receiving a warm hug in return.

"Good morning, my dear," Pallavi replied, her eyes twinkling with affection. 

"Did you sleep well?" Pallavi inquired lovingly as Amaira placed her chin on Pallavi's shoulder still yawning.

"Yes, dadi, like a small child" Amaira replied chuckling as she moved away to pour herself a cup of tea.

 "How are the kids today? "Pallavi's face lit up as she launched into tales of the children's latest antics, and Amaira listened with rapt attention, her heart swelling with love for each and every one of them. Just as she was finishing her tea, a small voice interrupted their conversation.

"Didi, didi, look what I drew yesterday at school!" Sara, the 5-year-old little, bubbly girl who lived at the orphanage, said while running to Amaira in the living room, her eyes sparkling with excitement holding a her artwork as her prized possession.

"Wow, Sara, this is so pretty, bache" Amaira exclaimed, looking at the colorful picture Sara drew of a sunny day at the orphanage. She gave Sara a warm hug, feeling a deep sense of fulfillment.

Carrying out the morning activities, Amaira got ready for her day at university for her MBA degree aspiring to be a financial manager one day. She wore a black top with blue faded jeans and paired it lilac colored long shrug she had bought excitedly after watching the Kesariya song play on repeat as the small girls of the orphanage drooled over Ranbir Kapoor and the boys stared at Alia Bhatt.

At Malhotra Mansion

The sun rose over Malhotra Mansion, casting a warm glow over the sprawling estate. Inside, the family gathered in the grand dining room for breakfast, their voices mingling in a symphony of chatter and laughter

"Good morning, everyone," Mrs. Archana Malhotra greeted; her smile radiant as she presided over the table.

"Good morning, mom," Ahaan replied, taking a seat beside his younger brother and sister

"Did everyone sleep well?" Mr. Malhotra asked, pouring himself a cup of coffee.

"Yup like always" Tara chimed in, earning a playful glare from her siblings. As they ate, the conversation flowed effortlessly, touching on everything from work to current events to plans for the day ahead. Tara, ever the social butterfly, seized the opportunity to make a request.

"Ahaan bhai, could you drop me at college today?" she asked, her eyes pleading him desperately.

"I have a project presentation, and I don't want to be late." Ahaan smiled indulgently at his sister. 

"Of course, Tara. I'll drop you on my way to work." Tara beamed with gratitude; her enthusiasm contagious. 

"Thanks, bhai! You're the best!" After breakfast, Ahaan bid farewell to his family and made his way to the car, Tara trailing behind him. As they drove to college, they engaged in lighthearted banter.

At Malhotra Industries 

After dropping Tara off at college, Ahaan navigated through the bustling streets of the city, with his mind already shifting to the tasks awaiting him at the office. The Malhotra Corporation, a leading name in the construction industry, demanded his utmost dedication. As the eldest son, Ahaan bore the responsibility of supporting his parents and siblings, a duty he carried with unwavering determination.

Arriving at his office, Ahaan strode in with a steely expression, his demeanor immediately setting the tone for the day. His employees, accustomed to his no-nonsense attitude, greeted him with respectful nods, aware that their boss was a man of few words but high expectations. The office buzzed with activity as employees worked on various projects, the hum of productivity reflecting Ahaan's relentless drive for excellence. His personal assistant, Riya, approached him with a stack of documents.

 "Good morning, Ahaan sir. Here's the latest project proposal for the new residential complex in Sector 45. It needs your approval." She said placing the documents on his desk.

"Leave it on my desk," Ahaan said curtly, barely glancing at her. 

"I'll get to it soon. Schedule a meeting with the project team for later today." He said working on his laptop with looking up at her. Attuned to his behavior, Riya took out her iPad and wrote down the instructions using the apple pen.

"Of course, sir. Also, there's a business dinner scheduled for tonight with Mr. Khanna at Le Majestique. He's a potential investor for our upcoming projects," Riya informed him, her tone professional as she matched his brisk manner. Ahaan nodded, his focus already shifting to the tasks at hand. 

"Make sure all the necessary documents are prepared for the dinner. I want everything to be perfect."

"Already taken care of, sir," Riya replied, maintaining her composure despite his sharp tone.

Throughout the morning, Ahaan immersed himself in work, his demeanor efficient and unyielding. He reviewed proposals with a critical eye, held meetings with department heads where his questions were pointed and his expectations cleared, and strategized future projects with a meticulous attention to detail. His dedication to the family business was evident in every decision he made, ensuring the company's continued success through his disciplined approach.

As the day progressed, the employees felt the weight of Ahaan's presence, their own productivity heightened by his demanding standards. Though he was respected for his leadership and vision, Ahaan's cold and precise manner left little room for personal connections, a trade-off he accepted in his pursuit of excellence.

At College 

Meanwhile, Amaira navigated through the bustling streets of the city, her heart brimming with excitement and anticipation. With each step she took, she felt a sense of belonging, a feeling that she had finally found her place in the world. Lost in her thoughts, she had just entered the college when she collided with someone, sending her books flying. 

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" Amaira exclaimed, bending down to gather her scattered belongings. Tara, the girl she had collided with, knelt down beside her, a warm smile on her face.

 "No worries at all! Let me help you with that." As they picked up the fallen books, Tara's vivacious energy immediately put Amaira at ease.

 "I'm Tara, by the way," she said, extending her hand. 

"Are you new here?" Tara asked wondering if she had seen Amaira anywhere. Amaira refused by shaking her head and stacked her books. 

"I'm a student in the business department. Doing my MBA here, you?" Tara's eyes sparkled with interest in the new girl.

"I'm pursuing Fashion designing here, probably that's why we haven't seen each other much" Tara said with a smile. Amaira agreed with her as both girls slowly stepped inside the college sharing small details about their studies and life with each other until they stood in the quadrangle that separated the two building of Arts and Business.

"Friends?" Amaira asked holding her hand out hoping Tara wouldn't mind being friends with her.

"Sure. Give me your number, I'll contact you" Tara shook her hand with Amaira's and hugged her. Amaira opened her WhatsApp and let Tara scan the QR code. Once the code was scanned, Tara sent a hi and saved the number as Amaira's who replied back and saved the number.

"See you soon" Tara said waving her hand at Amaira who rushed to reach her class. Due to hectic schedules Amaira completely forgot about Tara and immersed herself in studying at the library before heading to the orphanage. 

As Amaira reached home, she received an unexpected offer to perform at a lavish restaurant from her usual dealer who set her up for such performances. She was delighted as this would give her a chance to get noticed and also could lead to more work. Feeling happy and content, she accepted the proposal.

The show was scheduled at 8 PM. Amaira quickly got ready and left for the performance, her excitement palpable.

Amaira quickly walked to her team with whom she usually performed like always and they all discusses the cue of the songs that would be played as Amaira and the male lead singer, Vaibhav informed the instrumentalists of the small altercations.

At the same restaurant, Ahaan found himself meeting with a potential business partner. The ambiance was sophisticated, with soft lighting and elegant decor creating a perfect setting for their discussion. As their paths briefly crossed, Ahaan couldn't help but notice a beautiful young woman on stage, her voice captivating the audience with its soulful melody.

"Tere bina jiya jaaye na,
Bin tere, tere bin saajana,
Saans mein saans aaye na" Amaira had been singing the old Lata Mangeshkar classic song upon a request of a couple sitting a few meters away from the where she and her team were settled.

"Who's she?" Ahaan asked his business partner, Mr. Khanna, intrigued by the singer's talent. Mr. Khanna glanced at the stage to know who Ahaan was referring to.

 "Ahh that's Amaira. She's quite new but very talented. I've heard she's making waves in the music scene. We hired her and her team for tonight" Mr. Khanna replied with a smirk, knowing that he did well by hiring a good musician for the night which might help him to get Ahaan to listen to what he had to offer. Ahaan nodded and listened to Amaira for a few minutes in silence, mesmerized by Amaira's performance like the rest of the guests.

Her voice had a unique quality that drew everyone in, and he found himself momentarily distracted from the business conversation. Pulling his attention to the topic in hand he looked at Mr. Khanna to hear his pitch.

 As the evening progressed, Ahaan managed to focus on the meeting, discussing potential investments and project collaborations. Yet, his thoughts occasionally drifted back to the young singer whose voice had left an indelible mark on his heart. 

He still couldn't remove the melodious voice out of his mind which sounded longing and mischievous at the same time, just the way the song was supposed to be sung. He was majorly impressed by the young talent he heard as he felt that the today's generation singers had a beautiful voice but none sang from their hearts, showcasing the emotions of the song in a rightful manner.

Amaira felt a surge of exhilaration as she stood on the stage, the spotlight casting a warm glow on her. She closed her eyes for a moment, letting the music flow through her, and began to sing the next song. Her voice was pure and emotive, each note resonating with the audience. The restaurant patrons, initially engaged in their own conversations, gradually turned their attention to her. Amaira's passion for music was evident in every verse, her performance touching the hearts of those who listened. 

As she finished her song, the applause was thunderous, a testament to her talent. Feeling a mix of relief and joy, she took a small bow along with her team, her eyes scanning the crowd. She caught sight of Ahaan, who was watching her with a look of admiration. Their eyes met for a brief moment, and she felt a strange connection, as if fate had intertwined their paths. He acknowledged her with a curt nod as she blinked and mimicked his action.

After the meeting concluded, Ahaan lingered at the restaurant for a while, his thoughts preoccupied with the young singer. There was something about Amaira that intrigued him, a sense of familiarity and warmth that he couldn't quite place.

As he drove home, Ahaan reflected on the day's events. The business meeting had been successful, and he felt optimistic about the future collaborations. However, it was the encounter with Amaira that lingered in his mind, a pleasant distraction from his usual routine.

While at Sukoon, Amaaira returned home, her heart still racing from the thrill of performing. Pallavi greeted her with a warm embrace, her eyes shining with pride.

"You were wonderful, beta," Dadi said, her voice filled with love.

"I watched a video of your performance that someone shared online. You're going to do great things, I just know it."Amaira smiled, feeling a deep sense of gratitude. 

"Thank you, dadi. It was an amazing experience.

___________________________________________
Author's note 

Hello everyone! the update schedule of this story would be MONDAY, WEDNESDAY AND FRIDAY . 

Kindly do comment and like. Also please share this story with your friends and give it a chance . 

Write a comment ...

Write a comment ...