________@UTHOR'S POV:
Ria Singhaniya flopped onto her bed with a dramatic sigh, her laptop open beside her, displaying a half-finished college assignment. Her fingers drummed against the keyboard, but the enthusiasm to complete her work was utterly missing. She glanced at her phone, scrolling through her messages. The last one from Anaya was hours old—a simple "Busy, talk later."
"Busy. Hah!" Ria muttered, rolling her eyes. "Of course, she's busy. Not just my best friend anymore but *Mrs. Singhaniya*—the perfect wife, intern, and apparently, a master of ignoring her best friend."
Unable to hold back her frustration, she opened the messaging app and typed furiously:
*"Anaya, you forget you have a best friend too! Girl, you've been MIA. What's going on? Do you not love me anymore?"*
She hit send and tossed the phone onto the bed, crossing her arms. A few seconds later, she picked it up again, staring at the screen, waiting for those three dots to appear. Nothing.
"Oh, come on!" she groaned. "I'm here drowning in assignments while she's probably off being all perfect and married. Why couldn't I have gotten into her stream? Imagine us working at the same place, living the dream. But no, here I am—still stuck in college, slogging through PowerPoint presentations and spreadsheets."
She buried her face in her hands, letting out a muffled scream of frustration. "Why does *nothing* go according to my plan?"
"Why indeed?"
The voice startled her, and Ria shot up, nearly knocking her laptop off the bed. Komal Singhaniya, her grandmother, stood at the door, one eyebrow raised in her signature no-nonsense expression.
"Grandma! I didn't hear you," Ria stammered, quickly brushing her hair back and trying to look less disheveled.
"That much is clear," Komal said, stepping into the room. "You were too busy talking to yourself. Or should I say, complaining?"
Ria's cheeks flushed. "I wasn't complaining. Just...venting."
"Hmm." Komal sat down in the chair by Ria's desk, folding her hands neatly in her lap. Her sharp eyes studied her granddaughter. "So, what's bothering my little tornado today?"
Ria hesitated, then flopped back onto the bed. "It's nothing, really. Just…everything."
Komal's gaze softened, though her tone remained firm. "Everything is too vague. Start with one thing."
Ria sighed, sitting up and hugging a pillow to her chest. "It's Anaya. She used to be my partner in crime, my bestie for life. But now she's so busy. And not just with work! She's, like, this perfect wife to Rudra Bhaiya, and I feel like…I've lost her."
Komal chuckled softly. "Lost her? That girl is as much yours as she is Rudra's. Just because she's balancing more roles doesn't mean she loves you any less."
"It feels like it," Ria said quietly. "I sent her a message, and she hasn't even replied. I mean, come on! She always replies."
Komal leaned back in the chair, her expression thoughtful. "Have you considered that she might be trying to figure out her new life? It's not easy being married to a man like Rudra. He's not the easiest person to understand, you know."
Ria frowned. "You mean because he's all broody and serious?"
"Exactly," Komal said with a smile. "But I've been watching them. Your Bhaiya and Anaya…they're learning. They're growing together. And you, my dear, need to give them some space to do that."
Ria pouted. "But what about me? I miss her."
Komal reached over, gently patting Ria's hand. "You'll always have her. She's your best friend. And I promise you, once she's settled into this new phase of her life, she'll come running back to you for all her sisterly mischief."
Ria tilted her head, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Are you sure? Because if she doesn't, I'm stealing her back from Bhaiya."
Komal laughed, a rare and genuine sound that made Ria smile. "I wouldn't expect anything less from you. But don't you worry, my little tornado. You'll have your turn soon enough. A love story of your own."
Ria scoffed. "Oh, please. I don't have time for all that romance nonsense. Have you seen my workload?"
Komal leaned in, her eyes twinkling. "Mark my words, Ria. One day, someone will walk into your life, and all those assignments won't matter anymore."
"Yeah, yeah," Ria said, rolling her eyes but unable to hide her smile.
______
Komal gently pulled back from Ria's hug, adjusting her glasses as she looked at her granddaughter with a blend of affection and mischief. "Now that we've solved the 'missing best friend' crisis, why don't you tell me why your assignment is still incomplete?"
Ria groaned, flopping back onto the bed. "Ugh, Grandma, do we have to talk about that? It's so boring. I'd rather watch paint dry than work on another presentation."
Komal raised an eyebrow, her stern look returning. "Ria Singhaniya, if you spent as much time on your studies as you do complaining about them, you'd be top of your class by now."
"Grandma," Ria whined, drawing out the word. "I'm already good at presentations! It's the coding part that's killing me. Why do I need to know how to program a database when I'm not even going into IT? I'm just saying, it's not fair."
Komal chuckled, shaking her head. "Life isn't fair, my dear, but it does reward those who put in the effort. And speaking of effort, you might want to stop daydreaming about being in Anaya's workplace and start making your own mark."
Ria sat up, pouting. "I'm not daydreaming. Okay, maybe a little. It's just…I feel like Anaya's life is so put together. She's balancing work, marriage, and now she's even catching Bhaiya's attention in a way I've never seen before. Meanwhile, I'm here fighting my laptop and wondering why the universe hates me."
Komal's expression softened as she reached out to take Ria's hand. "Ria, listen to me. Your time will come. I've seen the spark in you—the determination, the creativity. You're still finding your path, and that's perfectly fine. You have the luxury of time. Use it wisely, and don't waste it comparing yourself to others, not even to Anaya."
Ria frowned. "But what if I never find my 'thing'? What if I'm just average?"
Komal gave her a light slap on the hand. "Nonsense. No one in this family is 'just average,' least of all you. Stop doubting yourself. You're a Singhaniya, and we don't settle for mediocrity."
Ria laughed despite herself. "You really know how to give a pep talk, Grandma."
Komal smirked. "That's why I'm the matriarch of this family. Now, let's talk about something more exciting. What's this I hear about Rudra and Anaya?"
Ria's eyes sparkled with interest. "Oh, you've noticed too, haven't you? They're so different now! I mean, Bhaiya's still all broody and serious, but there's this softness when he looks at her. It's weird…and kind of sweet."
Komal nodded knowingly. "I've been watching them closely. Your brother might not show it openly, but he's falling for her. And Anaya—well, she's exactly what this family needed. She's brought light into Rudra's life, even if he's too stubborn to admit it."
Ria grinned. "You really think they're in love?"
Komal gave a sly smile. "It's not about thinking, my dear. It's about knowing. Love doesn't always come with grand gestures. Sometimes, it's in the quiet moments—the way he listens to her, the way she looks at him when she thinks no one's watching. They're building something real."
Ria sighed dreamily. "It's so romantic. Do you think I'll ever have something like that?"
Komal's teasing smile returned. "Oh, I have no doubt. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if your Mr. Right is closer than you think."
Ria rolled her eyes, but her cheeks turned pink. "Grandma, stop! You're making it sound like a Bollywood movie."
Komal chuckled. "Life has its moments of drama, my dear. Now, promise me you'll stop sulking and focus on your goals. Love will find you when the time is right. Until then, work hard and be patient."
Ria hugged her again, feeling lighter than she had all day. "Thanks, Grandma. You always know what to say."
Just then, her phone buzzed again, and she grabbed it eagerly. This time, it wasn't just a text—it was a voice note from Anaya.
"Ria! Don't you dare think I've forgotten you. I miss you too, You're the only one who can make me feel guilty and loved at the same time. Let's meet in this evening. I promise! and I owe you a big hangout day. Love you, girl!"
Ria grinned, holding the phone to her chest. "See, Grandma? She's still my bestie."
Komal smiled knowingly. "Of course she does. Now, stop moping and finish that assignment. You've got a bright future ahead of you, and I won't let you waste it sulking over things that are already yours."
Ria laughed, throwing her arms around Komal in an impulsive hug. "Thanks, Grandma. You're the best."
Komal patted her back, a soft smile on her face. "I know, dear. I know."
Komal smiled, standing up and smoothing her sari. "I told you so. Now, get back to that assignment. The world is waiting for the brilliance of Ria Singhaniya."
Ria saluted dramatically. "Yes, ma'am!"
As Komal left the room, Ria sat back down at her desk, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. Her best friend was still hers, her grandma was her biggest cheerleader, and somewhere in the universe, her own story was waiting to unfold.
__________
The sun filtered through the large windows of the Singhaniya Corp office, casting a warm glow over the polished wooden desks. Anaya, sitting at her workstation, was fully immersed in her work. Dressed in a pastel pink office outfit with neatly braided hair cascading over one shoulder, she looked every bit professional yet exuded a charm that was hard to miss. The delicate earrings she wore swayed slightly as she typed away, their subtle sparkle adding a touch of playfulness to her look.
Her phone buzzed beside her, lighting up with a message from Ria. Anaya couldn't help but smile as she quickly typed out a response, fingers dancing over the keyboard.
"Miss you too, girl! Don't worry, we'll plan something soon. I owe you big time!"
She was still smiling when Pranali approached her desk, a file in hand. Pranali, her senior and also a friend, leaned against the desk with a teasing grin.
"You're looking suspiciously happy today, Anaya. What's going on? Found a way to crack the boss's cold exterior?" Pranali quipped, winking at her.
Anaya blushed, immediately shaking her head. "No, no! It's just…my best friend messaged me, and she's complaining about me being too busy to hang out with her. You know how Ria is."
Pranali chuckled. "Oh, I can imagine. She sounds like my sister. Always dramatic but full of love." She handed the file to Anaya, her tone turning more serious but still kind. "Here, I need this report done by this evening. Think you can manage?"
Anaya nodded, glancing at the file. "Of course. I'll get started on it right away."
"Great," Pranali said, then added with a playful smirk, "Oh, and one more thing. HR Lady Supreme has ordered that you submit your personal details today. Can you go with Janvi to get it done? She knows where to go."
Anaya hesitated, her smile faltering slightly. "Personal details? Like…everything?"
Pranali caught the subtle shift in Anaya's demeanor and tilted her head. "Is everything okay? You seem…nervous."
Anaya quickly shook her head, forcing a smile. "No, it's fine! I'll take care of it."
Pranali raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. "Alright, if you say so. But let me know if you need help. And don't stress too much—you're doing great."
Anaya smiled genuinely this time. "Thanks, Pranali. That means a lot."
As Pranali walked away, Anaya turned back to her desk, the weight of the situation settling over her. She hadn't anticipated the need to provide her real address, and the thought of revealing it sent a ripple of anxiety through her. What if someone connected the dots? What if it led to awkward questions?
Just then, Janvi, a bubbly and friendly colleague, approached her desk. "Hey, Anaya! Ready to tackle the HR maze? Don't worry, I'll guide you through. It's not as scary as it sounds."
Anaya forced a smile. "Thanks, Janvi. I appreciate it."
As they walked together toward the HR department, Janvi chatted animatedly about her plans for the weekend, filling the silence with lighthearted stories. Anaya listened, grateful for the distraction but still distracted by her own thoughts.
"So," Janvi said, nudging Anaya lightly, "why do you look so tense? It's just paperwork, not a life-or-death situation."
Anaya hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "It's nothing serious. I'm just not great with…formalities."
Janvi laughed. "You're adorable, you know that? Don't worry. I've got your back. We'll get through this together."
Anaya couldn't help but smile at Janvi's cheerful demeanor. Maybe, she thought, this wouldn't be as hard as she feared. But as they neared the HR office, her heart raced, and she silently rehearsed the answers she might have to give, hoping she could navigate the situation without revealing more than she was ready to share.
As they approached the HR office, Anaya could feel her palms growing clammy. The heavy oak door seemed more like a portal to an interrogation room than a mundane department. She inhaled deeply, steadying her nerves as Janvi reached out to knock.
Janvi turned to her with a reassuring grin. "You've got this, Anaya. Just hand over the forms and flash that charming smile. They won't ask too many questions."
Anaya nodded with a hesitant smile, grateful for Janvi's unwavering positivity. But as the HR lady, a stern-faced woman in her mid-40s, gestured them inside, Anaya's heart began to race again.
"Good afternoon, Ms. Malhotra," the HR lady began, her tone crisp but not unkind. "I see you've brought your completed forms. If you don't mind, we'll need a few additional details for our records."
Anaya handed over the forms, her fingers trembling slightly. As the HR lady began typing away on her computer, she asked the dreaded question. "Your current residential address, please?"
Anaya hesitated, her mind racing. She couldn't possibly list the Singhaniya mansion without raising eyebrows. Thinking quickly, she gave the address of a nearby apartment complex where she had once considered staying before her life had changed so dramatically. "It's… Maple Heights, Block C, Apartment 5A," she said, her voice steady but soft.
The HR lady nodded, typing it in without comment. "Thank you. That's all for now. If there's anything missing, I'll reach out."
Anaya exhaled, relieved the moment had passed without incident. Janvi, sensing her relief, patted her shoulder as they exited the office.
"See? Easy-peasy!" Janvi chirped. "Now, let's grab a coffee. You look like you could use one."
Anaya laughed softly. "You have no idea. Thanks, Janvi."
They headed to the office café, Janvi chattering away about a recent movie she'd watched. Anaya listened, nodding at the right moments, but her mind was elsewhere. She thought of Rudra—how he would have handled the situation effortlessly, his calm confidence smoothing over any complication. And yet, she couldn't help but feel a spark of pride in herself for managing it on her own.
Back at her desk, Anaya's phone buzzed again. It was a message from Ria.
"Don't think you're off the hook, bestie! I demand a girls' day out ASAP. You're neglecting your duties as my partner in crime!"
Anaya smiled at the screen, her fingers flying over the keyboard as she typed a quick reply.
"Promise, Ria. Just a little longer, and we'll make it happen. Miss you more than words can say!"
Her thoughts were interrupted by a shadow falling over her desk. Looking up, she saw Pranali standing there, holding two cups of coffee. "You looked like you needed this," Pranali said with a wink, placing one cup in front of her.
"Thank you," Anaya said gratefully, taking a sip. The warmth of the coffee seemed to soothe her frazzled nerves.
"You know," Pranali said, leaning on the desk, "you've been doing amazing here. Don't let the little stuff get to you."
Anaya smiled at her, feeling a surge of gratitude for her colleague-turned-friend. "That means a lot, Pranali. Thank you."
As the day wound down, Anaya found herself reflecting on the small victories she'd achieved. From navigating the HR ordeal to feeling supported by Janvi and Pranali, she realized that even in the midst of challenges, there was always something to be grateful for.
And as she packed up her things for the day, a new message from Ria lit up her screen.
"Remember, Anaya, you're not just my best friend—you're my sister. Don't let the big bad world of the office steal you away completely!"
Anaya laughed softly; her heart full as she replied.
"Never, Ria. You're stuck with me for life. Let's make that girls' day happen soon, okay?"
Walking out of the office, she felt a renewed sense of confidence and warmth. No matter how complicated her life became, she knew she had people who cared for her, standing by her side every step of the way.
To be continue....