The day at Kapoor Enterprises was running at its usual pace. The office hummed with the quiet, efficient rhythm of typing keyboards and soft exchanges between colleagues. Nisha sat at her desk, engrossed in an intricate report, her focus sharp as she reviewed data and made quick notes. Every now and then, she'd glance at the clock, keeping an eye on the time. As Aarav was caught in back-to-back meetings all morning, she knew they wouldn't see each other for hours, so she buried herself in work to keep from missing him too much.
Just as she was making adjustments to a particularly tricky data set, her phone vibrated on the desk. Curious, she glanced at the screen and her face lit up when she saw the caller ID: Meera.
Carefully, she glanced around the office, making sure nobody was watching. Keeping her private life entirely separate from work had become second nature by now, so she picked up the call with a soft voice. "Meeruuuuu!" she whispered in excitement, leaning back to avoid anyone hearing. "How's it going?"
A playful, familiar voice greeted her from the other side. "Nishaaaaaaaa! It's been way too long. I can't believe you're too busy for your best friend these days!"
Nisha stifled a laugh, resting her head back against her chair. "Oh, please! You know how things are over here. Life's... let's just say it's a bit crazier than I ever imagined!"
Meera let out an exaggerated sigh, but her tone was light. "I get it, Nishu. But still, I had to call. I miss our gossip sessions, and I needed to hear from you in real-time, not just through messages."
A wave of warmth and nostalgia washed over Nisha. Meera wasn't just her best friend; she was the one who had helped her break down Aarav's intimidating walls back in college. Without Meera's wild ideas and schemes, Nisha would have never had the courage to get close to Aarav, let alone fall in love with him. She smiled, remembering those days fondly.
"Trust me, I miss them too. Remember how you practically had to shove me into Aarav's line of sight back in college?" Nisha giggled, shaking her head. "He was so oblivious back then."
"Oh, don't remind me!" Meera groaned in an exaggerated tone, but Nisha could practically hear her smile through the phone. "You were head over heels, and he was just… well, I don't know how he could be so cold! The man was a block of ice."
Nisha laughed, thinking of the many awkward moments she'd had with Aarav in the beginning. "Honestly, you did all the work for me. You were the real mastermind behind our love story."
"Hey, someone had to make it happen! And I wasn't going to let my brother miss out on the best girl he could ever meet." Meera's voice softened. "Honestly, Nishu, I'm so happy for you both. You two deserve each other. I still can't believe you're living the dream in New York!"
Nisha's heart swelled at Meera's words. Despite Aarav's often cold demeanor at work, she knew he was a different man when they were together. Those who only saw the CEO at Kapoor Enterprises would never guess how warm and loving he could be when it was just the two of them.
"Enough about me," Nisha said, turning the conversation. "How's everything back home? And… how's Rohit? He's treating you well, right?"
A pause lingered on the other end, one that Nisha noticed right away. Meera had always been a bit private about her husband, Rohit, but Nisha knew him well enough to have her reservations. Rohit could be strict, controlling, and often selfish—a combination Nisha didn't particularly like, even though Meera rarely spoke about it.
"He's… fine," Meera finally replied, her tone careful. "You know how it is. He has his flaws, but I'm managing. We're doing okay."
Nisha felt a twinge of concern, a nagging feeling she'd had for years whenever they spoke about Rohit. But she didn't want to push Meera too much, knowing it could make her uncomfortable. Instead, she decided to offer a gentle reminder of her support.
"If you ever need anything, you know I'm here for you," Nisha said softly. "Just call me, okay? No matter what."
Meera sighed, and though her tone was light, Nisha sensed an underlying heaviness. "I know, Nishu. But don't worry. Everything's okay. Rohit's not perfect, but he's… well, he's doing his part. I'll be alright."
Still feeling a bit uneasy, Nisha let it go. She respected Meera's boundaries, but she made a mental note to keep an eye on her best friend, even from a distance. "Alright, if you say so. But promise me you'll reach out if anything changes."
"Promise," Meera said, her tone brightening. "Anyway, enough about that. Tell me, how's Mr. CEO doing? Still terrifying every employee who dares to look his way?"
Nisha laughed. "Oh, you have no idea. It's like stepping into a silent war zone every morning. Everyone's too scared to make a sound. I swear they think he's some kind of unfeeling machine."
Meera let out a peal of laughter. "Poor souls! If only they knew the truth—that the great Aarav Kapoor is secretly a softy with a huge heart. It's hilarious that they have no idea about you two."
Nisha grinned, her heart warming at the thought. "I know! It's like we're living in two completely different worlds. But I kind of like the thrill of keeping it all private. It keeps things exciting, you know?"
The two friends shared a laugh, and for a moment, Nisha felt like she was back home in India, where they used to have chai together and talk about everything under the sun. Despite the distance, their bond had never wavered.
As their laughter subsided, Nisha's thoughts shifted to her father. Though she tried to check in with him frequently, her busy schedule meant it wasn't as often as she'd like. Meera had always been close to him, and Nisha knew he'd appreciate a familiar face checking in on him.
"Hey, Meera," Nisha said gently. "Could you do me a favor? Could you check on Dad when you have some time? I'm worried he might be forgetting his medications again…"
Meera's voice softened instantly. "Of course, Nishu. I'll drop by tomorrow and see how he's doing. Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on him."
Nisha exhaled, feeling a wave of relief wash over her. "Thank you. He always listens to you. It's like you're the daughter he actually pays attention to," she said with a playful laugh.
"Oh, hush!" Meera teased. "He loves you just as much. I'll make sure he's taking care of himself, don't worry. You just focus on work and enjoy your life over there."
"Thanks, Meeru," Nisha replied, her heart full. "I don't know what I'd do without you."
"Hey, what are best friends for?" Meera replied, her voice filled with warmth. "You take care, Nishu. And let's not let so much time pass before we catch up again."
"Deal," Nisha said with a smile. "And remember—call me if you need anything, okay?"
"Will do. Take care, Nishu!"
After a soft goodbye, Nisha hung up, placing the phone down on her desk. Her mind was still on Meera and the worry in her voice when she'd mentioned Rohit. She'd always sensed that Meera wasn't entirely happy in her marriage, but it was rare for her to admit it openly. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was bothering her best friend more than she was letting on.
As she mulled over these thoughts, her phone buzzed again—this time, it was a text from Aarav.
Aarav: Meeting's over. Leaving soon. Don't wait up.
A warm smile spread across Nisha's face. Even in the middle of his hectic day, he always made sure to keep her in the loop, even if just briefly. She quickly typed a reply, her fingers moving instinctively over the keyboard.
Nisha: Okay, see you later. Take care.
She put the phone away, her mind now divided between her work, her concern for Meera, and the anticipation of seeing Aarav later. The hours stretched on, but she tackled each task with the same dedication she always did. Between balancing her work, her relationship, and her responsibilities to her family back home, there was rarely a dull moment in her life.
But no matter how chaotic things got, she knew she could handle it. After all, she had managed to break through the walls of one of the coldest men she'd ever known—and if she could do that, she could handle anything life threw her way.