04

1 - In the blink of her smile

Hey readers just wanted to request that please please don't judge the entire book with just one chapter please a very humble request

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In the chaos of the day, on a silent street, the line of sleek black cars stretched ahead. The only soul on the road-a lone cow-moved aside lazily. One of the cars, marked BMW "M-4", gleamed under the sun, its polished black body gliding smoothly over the asphalt.

A man stepped out, dressed in crisp black pants and a matching shirt. His blazer rested casually on the passenger seat. With his brown, hawk-like eyes fixed on the road, he gripped the steering wheel tightly. His rolled-up sleeves gave him a rugged, sexy look.

His gaze shifted to his wristwatch. His lips curled into a smirk as he muttered under his breath,

"jaldi chal Rishi Mehta Agar time pe nahi pahuncha toh Rahul mujhe kaat hi daalega."

He pressed the pedal. The black cars behind him matched his speed instantly.

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Rishi's POV

I stepped out of my car, my boots echoing with every step. The keys twirled in my finger, and my blazer hung loosely over my left arm. I glanced around the empty living room-no one.

"Shaam ka waqt hai... sab lawn mein honge, chai-vai pi rahe honge," I thought with a chuckle.

I ascended the grand staircase; each footstep echoed through the enormous mansion. Turning the knob of my room, I entered and locked the door behind me. Adjusting the air conditioner, I removed my boots and socks, tossed them in a corner, and grabbed the glass of water on the side table-downed it in one gulp.

I stared at the bed...

5 PM. Thoda time hai... thoda so hi leta hoon kya?

Without a second thought, I peeled off my shirt and vest and fell onto the bed like a man truly exhausted.

The meetings, the robotic smiling, the investor talk-it drained me.

I didn't realize when my eyes shut... I fell into a deep, peaceful slumber.

---

A groan escaped my lips as my phone started ringing.

"Ughh, kaun hai ab?"

I opened one eye to see the caller ID-Rahul.

I rubbed my face, blinked twice, and finally answered,

"Bole be..."

"Kya 'bole be'? Saale! Tere dost ki engagement hai aaj! Koi seriousness hai ya nahi? Ghode bech ke so raha hai kya? Saale kutte! Main bula raha hoon, kutta bhi tujhse acchi dosti nibhaata."

Rahul screamed like a madman.

"Abe thakna band kar... ruk, 1 ghante mein aata hoon," I mumbled, dragging myself up.

"Jaldi aa warna zinda gaad dunga!"

He barked and cut the call.

I sighed, threw my phone on the bed, and walked into the shower.

A quick cold shower later, I walked into my closet with a towel wrapped around my waist, water dripping from my hair and jawline. I looked at myself in the mirror.

"Dekh yaar... ye hi to reason hai ladkiyan marti hain tujhpe," I muttered with a smirk, flexing a little.

After admiring myself a bit too long, I started hunting for an outfit.

But of course...

"Arghhh! Kuch mil hi nahi raha!"

A knock on my door interrupted my chaos. I opened it to find Bhabhi.

"Tu ghar kab aaya Rishu?" she asked.

"2 ghante pehle," I replied.

"Mujhe toh dikhayi bhi nahi diya," she frowned.

"So gaya tha bhabhi Rahul ka phone aaya toh utha. Bohot tired hoon."

Her gaze swept across my messy floor.

"Yeh kya haal bana rakha hai kamre ka?"

"Bhabhi, ache kapde hi nahi mil rahe. Please help!" I pleaded dramatically.

She chuckled and after a few minutes, handed me a perfect outfit.

---

I emerged, fully dressed, and Bhabhi said with a proud smile,

"Kitna sundar munda lag raha hai! Ab toh tujhe meri devrani mil hi jaye, rab ki kirpa se."

She took off the evil eye and blessed me.

"Bas Bhabhi, ab main nikalta hoon. Maloom hai na Rahul meri jaan kha jayega."

She laughed as I dashed out.

I jumped into the car and drove towards the Grand Hall where the engagement was happening. I glanced at the time and sped up.

Upon arrival, I walked with calm authority-straight posture, firm steps. I dialed Rahul's number.

"Abe mein pahunch gaya hoon. Tera room kahan hai?"

Following Rahul's directions, I reached his room and barged in without knocking.

"Pahunch gaya bhai!"

"Ha ha, bohot time pe," Rahul rolled his eyes.

"Bhai waise tu mast lag raha hai yaar," I said admiringly.

"Haan haan, topic change mat kar," he glared.

"Abe sorry yaar, sach mein thak gaya tha. Kab so gaya, pata hi nahi chala."

"Thik hai. Ab chal mujhe Aani ko phone karna hai. Pata nahi woh ready bhi hui ya nahi."

"Abe chal na! Tujhe toh bas biwi se baat karne ka mauka chahiye."

"Aur kya! Hone wali biwi hai meri. Pura haq hai mujhe!"

Rahul blushed and began his call.

I fixed my hair in the mirror, smoothed my collar.

"Ho gayi baat? Entry kar le ya engagement postpone karni hai?" I teased.

"Haan haan, bas hogayi," Rahul replied and ended the call.

Authors pov

Within minutes, all guests gathered in the hall. It was time.

The grand entrance. The most awaited moment.

Hand in hand, the couple walked in. Lights dimmed. A soft instrumental melody filled the hall.

Under a floral arch and a twinkling rain of fairy lights, the couple appeared.

Cameras flashed. Families beamed through teary eyes. Friends clapped and cheered.

And in that magical moment... the celebration of love truly began.

---

Hours had passed, and the once-buzzing engagement party had mellowed down. The loud music had faded into soft melodies, and only close friends and family remained now. The atmosphere had turned calm, intimate-bathed in the soft glow of fairy lights and the cool embrace of a night that felt more like a whispered secret than a celebration.

Rishi, the groom's best friend, stood among a group of boys, casually sipping champagne from a crystal glass. One hand held the drink, the other tucked loosely into his pocket. Laughter echoed around him, the kind that came easy with old friends and fading inhibitions.

But suddenly, Rishi-froze. His lips parted slightly. His eyes, normally unreadable and intense, flickered with something unspoken. They had landed on someone.

In that moment, everything else around him disappeared.

She stood there beside Rahul-smiling, effortlessly elegant, her laughter flowing like a melody that only he could hear. The golden beige saree she wore shimmered under the soft lights, draped gracefully over her slender frame. Intricate embroidery sparkled along the borders, catching the light like a thousand tiny stars. It wrapped around her like a dream-delicate, regal, breathtaking.

Her long, silky black hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall, each strand seeming to dance with the air. Her eyes were deep pools of black, lined with mystery and warmth, framed by dark lashes that curled with perfection. Her smile-gentle yet striking-had a pull that made the world pause.

Rishi's throat went dry. The hand that had been tucked in his pocket began to tremble slightly. His heartbeat quickened, his gaze fixed. It was as if he had been hypnotized, pulled into a dream he didn't want to wake from.

He didn't even know her name.

But at that moment, it didn't matter.

---

To be continued.....

Hope you liked the very first chapter of love beyond the boardroom.

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This story chapters will be updated trice in a week

I wanted to upload daily but I have my other book too

Please check out that book too

"Love beyond the contract "

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