The meeting hall buzzed with hushed murmurs and sharp, calculating glances. Tension hung heavy in the air, wrapping itself around each of us like an invisible shroud. Every whisper seemed to amplify the anticipation that filled the room, each subtle glance magnifying the weight of the moment. The soft rustle of papers and the faint tapping of fingers against tabletops added to the cacophony of nervous energy.
My heart pounded in my chest, the rhythmic thudding almost deafening in the silence. I couldn't help but get more nervous with each passing second. The room yet to be packed with key figures—executives, stakeholders, and decision-makers—and the verdict that would seal the fate of our companies. And for me. My gaze flitted around the room, taking in the tense expressions and anxious body language. Everyone was on edge, and for good reason.
Today is the day. The day that decides my life, whether it goes as I want or turns upside down. Just a mere thought of the latter sent a shiver down my spine. My mind was clouded with absurd What if-s. I felt the weight of the world pressing down on my shoulders, the enormity of the situation threatening to overwhelm me.
Maybe. Might be. Maybe sounds better.
Only if HE does or agrees with what I proposed earlier.
As I sat there, trying to steady my breathing, memories of my conversation with Rudradev flashed through my mind. The words exchanged in the parking lot seemed to echo in my ears, a constant reminder of the delicate balance I was trying to maintain.
FLASHBACK: AN HOUR BEFORE
I came to the office basement to park my car, my thoughts still in a haze. A tangled mess, trying to grip a hold of myself to remain calm and composed till the rest of the tender. As I got out of the car, I squinted my eyes, blinded by a pair of headlights of a car speeding towards me as if it was about to crash me. My heart lept into my throat- my already existing anxiety of the future increasing. But I soon recognized the reckless driving and the stuntman behind it.
Of course, it was HIM.
He slammed over the brakes, drifting the car in a smooth and fluid motion, parking it in the yellow rectangle.
Perfection in every-damn-thing. Idiot.
As he stepped out of his car, I couldn't help but notice how strikingly handsome he looked, as always. With his perfectly tailored suit over his well-built appearance, with this dark hair tousled a bit and those piercing brown eyes locked into mine. And the air of confidence surrounding his arrogance. If only, we didn't hate each other... YASHNA STOP.
STOP.
Where are even your thoughts going? No. It won't happen and I wouldn't let it happen.
"Care to come back to the earth, little devil?" I snapped out of my not-so-good thoughts by his voice, deeper than usual...standing right before me, towering over my height. Just by a FEW inches. Just a few. I guess.
"Huh? Oh- yeah.." I muttered, feeling a bit hazed.
"Move, you're blocking my way, " he said, his voice cold and unwavering as always.
I moved aside, his body brushed against mine ever-so-lightly, but still managed to send a shiver down my spine and goosebumps tingled all over my body. His cologne- somewhere a mix of sandalwood and something distinctly masculine braided with my citrusy-vanilla scent, the combination of our scents reminded me, of the proximity between us and the constant tension bubbling beneath the surface.
And before he could walk past me when something struck me. I reached out and grabbed his wrist, stopping him in his tracks. My fingers wrapped around his wrist, my soft palm pressing against the firmness of his masculine wrist. The contrast was palpable—the delicate smoothness of my touch against the rugged strength of his skin.
I could see the annoyance bubbling across his face, because of me or the contact of my skin against him. But I know the better, it was both the reasons.
"What now?" he asked, barely concealing his annoyance but dude, his face was etched in annoyance and his eyes looking down at his wrist, held inside my hand.
I let go of his hand and took a deep breath, composed myself before talking, "You know everything that has been going on for the past couple of weeks right?"
"By 'everything', what do you mean by ?" he responded, clearly confused.
"Oh, come on. Our marriage being fixed? And YOU accepted it? What the hell were you thinking of, huh?" I demanded, frustration clearly boiling over.
"Shh...quiet down. You think I wanted to marry you because I have any sort of interest in you bullshit? I was pushed into that situation, " he replied coldly, his gaze not leaving mine. "And it's not like you have to accept it right? You were given a choice tho. Use it, dumbass." With that he was about to leave again. Can't he stand at a place and hold up an actual conversation ??
A choice? Tch...
"A choice? Like hell, you think my dad will give me a choice in this. But yeah...there's only one way for me to decline this proposal, according to my father's demand. He left me in a one way road with this."
He stopped in his way, turned around and I could see the confusion clouding over him.
"What sort of?" he asked, his curiosity piqued. Of course, this might be the only thing we both could agree on, the only thing we both want and the only thing we both want to escape from.
"YOUR DEFEAT. You should lose this deal. That's the only way left. I know it’d hurt your pride, but give it a thought because I know you can never put up with me, and neither could I,” I explained, my voice steady and firm."
He stared at me for a few seconds, his eyes searching mine, and then he turned and walked away without a word.
Wait. What does that stare mean? Will he lose this deal? Or worse, will he win?
GOD, JUST HELP THIS CHILD, FOR ONLY THIS ONE TIME. PLEASEEE.
I pleaded to all the above forces as I made my way into the office.
AUTHOR'S POV
BACK TO THE PRESENT
The meeting hall's tension thickened, and she couldn't help but glance at Rudradev. His expression remained unreadable, and it made her heart race faster.
What the heck was he even thinking?
About winning the deal?
About giving up?
About the supposedly upcoming marriage?
The clock ticked closer to the moment of truth. Her palms grew sweaty, and she clenched her fists, willing herself to stay calm.
The doors to the hall opened, and the key figures of the deal began filing in, each taking their seats with serious expressions. Yashna's gaze darted around the room, taking in the stern faces of the attendees. This was the moment that could change everything.
The room was filled with a mix of hushed conversations and quiet contemplation. The attendees, a blend of executives and stakeholders, were deep in thought, strategizing and making last-minute adjustments. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation, and every whisper seemed to amplify the gravity of the situation.
As the proceedings began, Yashna found herself constantly glancing towards Rudradev. His demeanor was calm and collected, giving nothing away. Would he stick to their agreement? Would he let this deal slip through his fingers? Each second felt like an eternity as she waited for the verdict.
The first presentation started, but Yashna struggled to focus on the speaker's words. Her mind kept drifting back to the tense conversation in the parking lot. The stakes were incredibly high, and the outcome of this deal would shape the future of their families and businesses.
Minutes ticked by agonizingly slowly. Her company's presentation was done, followed by his. Marking the end of the dealings. Yashna's heart pounded in her chest, a drumbeat of hope and fear intertwined.
As the final decision approached, the room fell into a tense silence. All eyes were on the panel of judges who would determine the fate of the deal. Yashna held her breath, waiting for the words that would either seal her fate or grant her the freedom she desperately sought.
This was it. The culmination of her efforts, her desperation, her resolve. The moment that would decide everything. Her fingers tightened around the edge of the table, and she could feel the sweat trickling down her back. The air grew heavier, and it seemed as if the entire room was holding its breath along with her.
Finally, the lead judge cleared his throat, preparing to announce the decision. Yashna's heart stopped for a split second, then resumed its frantic pace. She exchanged one last glance with Rudradev, his face still an enigma. The time had come, and whatever happened next would change their lives forever.
The lead judge, a distinguished figure with silver hair and an air of authority, stood up to address the room. He cleared his throat and began to speak, his voice steady and composed.
"Firstly, I would like to commend all the participants for their hard work and dedication. It is clear that each of you has put in a tremendous amount of effort and hard work to make it into today, and for that, you should all be proud and give yourselves a pat in the back guy."
Yashna forced herself to maintain a composed expression, though inside, her frustration was growing. She wished he would just shut up and get to the point instead of all this irritating nonsense speech, which was testing her patience and growing anxiety.
"The level of competition has been extraordinarily high, and we have had a challenging time making our decision. Each proposal brought something unique to the table, and it was evident that a lot of thought and strategy went into your plans."
Her anxiety intensified with every word. She clenched her fists tighter under the table, willing herself to remain calm and composed. She glanced at Rudradev, who appeared as calm and collected as ever.
"Ultimately, we had to make a choice based on several factors, including feasibility, innovation, and potential impact. This decision was not made lightly, and I want to reiterate that every participant should be incredibly proud of their performance."
Yashna's heart pounded in her chest. The judge's speech seemed to drag on endlessly, each word a test of her patience and resolve.
"And now, without further ado, the winner of this deal, the proposal that stood out the most, is..."
The judge paused for dramatic effect, and Yashna felt her breath hitch. The room was silent, every eye fixed on the judge.
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