"Where is everyone? How much time has passed? Is anyone even ready yet?" Savitri called out loudly, her voice echoing through the house as she tried to summon everyone. Just then, she heard the sound of a door opening from the room next to the hall. It was none other than Ishaan's room.

Ishaan stepped out slowly, his hair damp with sweat, clearly having just finished his gym session. He looked at her and said casually, "What's wrong, Mom? Why are you shouting so much this early in the morning? You're going to strain your voice for no reason."

Savitri turned to him with a shocked expression. "Oh my God, Ishaan! You're still not ready? Have you forgotten what I told you yesterday? The Khuranas are hosting a wedding, and they've specially invited us. You know how much they value you! Can't you at least come with me for once?"

"You know, Mom, I don't like being around people," Ishaan said, his tone firm yet calm.

"Just this once, what will happen if you come? It's the first time I'm asking you to accompany me," Savitri said, her voice softening a little. "And you know Shalini is coming too. It's been so long since I met her-five years, to be exact. I've heard she's even adopted a daughter now...Ishaan called out to the maid, asking for a protein shake. Then, turning to Savitri, he said, "Alright, fine, I'll come. But I have a meeting at 6, so I'll need to leave for that too."Savitri looked at him and smiled, her face lighting up with satisfaction. "That's like my son," she said proudly. _

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I returned to my room after agreeing to go with Mom, and just then, I heard my phone's ringtone. I picked it up.

"Yeah, Sahil, what's up?"

Sahil's voice came through, shaky and worried. "Actually, Sir , you'll need to come to the office quickly today..."

Hearing his nervous tone, I asked slowly, "Why, is everything okay?"

Sahil replied, "Well, there's been a fire at the mines, and a lot of construction workers were there. The media's here now, and I think you'll have to handle this."

Sahil had no idea that I was running one of the largest underworld operations.

To the world, I was just a big businessman, but the truth was far from what anyone knew.

"Alright I'll be there soon." I replied

I told Mom that I had to leave urgently, but I would be back soon.And I swear to her that I'll reach the wedding on time. ______________________________________

Ishaan at the Mines -

Ishaan arrived near the mines and stepped out of his G-Wagon, only to be immediately surrounded by the media. Reporters bombarded him with questions:

"Sir, what do you have to say about this incident? After all, these are your mines." "Sir, why wasn't there proper safety in place at your mines?" "Sir, is your safety system really this weak? You're such a big businessman."

Despite the flood of questions, Ishaan ignored them, maintaining his composure. Accompanied by a team of bodyguards, he moved toward the mines. By the time he reached, most of the fire had been extinguished.

Ishaan's tone turned sharp as he gave a clear order: "I want every worker safe here. If anyone gets hurt, I'll fire all of you."

His commanding voice instilled fear in everyone present, and they immediately sprang into action. His assistants, Rajveer and Sahil, wasted no time contacting the Chief Minister to inform him about the situation.

The moment the CM heard Ishaan's name, he deployed a specialized rescue team to help evacuate the workers from the mines.

What no one else knew, though, was why the CM acted so quickly. The truth was that the Chief Minister himself worked under Ishaan's influence, as Ishaan wasn't just a powerful businessman but also a feared mafia leader.

After everything was under control, Sahil hesitantly approached Ishaan and said, "Sir, I think you had to attend a wedding as well. Your mom specifically told us to remind you to reach there on time."

Ishaan said softly, "Okay... start the car."

Before leaving, he assured the workers' families, "Everyone will be brought back safe and sound. You have my word." He also announced, "Each worker will receive a proper reward for their bravery in working inside such dangerous mines."

His calm yet authoritative tone brought a sense of relief and hope to the worried families.

Ishaan then left from there, heading straight for the wedding.

______________________________________

At the Venue -

As soon as Ishaan entered the venue, his presence was unmatched. His aura was so distinct. His beauty was beyond comparison-his enchanting eyes, so unique that they wouldn't suit anyone else but him; his hair, styled perfectly in a way that seemed made only for him; and those perfectly shaped lips-absolutely mesmerizing.

He was wearing a black tuxedo, and he looked breathtakingly handsome in it. Not just the girls, but everyone present couldn't help but lose themselves at the sight of him. He was so stunning that he left everyone awestruck.

Ishan -

I've been used to this kind of attention since childhood. The moment I entered, as always, people started staring at me. But honestly, I don't like this attention at all.

What I do like is a quiet room with just four walls and darkness, where no one can see me-just me and my paintings.

The rest of the things I've learned are because of the race called life, but the truth... my truth... is this.

I had just entered when Mom called out to me, so I walked over to her. Sahil and Rajveer were with me, as they always are for my safety. Even though I don't fear death, I can't help but worry about my family-what would they do without me?

As soon as I reached Mom, a guest, along with a high-ranking officer, approached me. After a brief conversation, they guided me to a VIP table where three or four people were seated.

My presence seemed to silence many tongues that usually spoke incessantly behind my back. It was amusing to see them so quiet now.

After sitting for a while, my eyes fell on a spot I never liked to look at. A girl... Why? What was it about her that made me look at her? She was sitting quietly, her eyes lowered, completely lost in her own world.

But for some reason, I couldn't take my eyes off her. Something about her held my attention, and I couldn't understand why. "Who is she?" I thought to myself. "And why have I never seen her before? Where did she come from?"

A flood of questions rushed through my mind, but I couldn't find any answers. My curiosity grew, and the mystery around her deepened.

For the first time in my life, I felt like this world seemed so empty to me. Maybe it was because I had never seen someone so beautiful before.

I kept trying to move my gaze elsewhere, but no matter how much I tried, my eyes always returned to her. It was like my attention was drawn to her, and I couldn't stop it.

Sahil approached me, and the first question I asked as soon as he came near was, "Who is she?"

Sahil was quiet for a moment, almost as if he was surprised. It was the first time I had mentioned a girl like this. He then replied, "Sir, I don't know yet, but I'll find out for you."

I was still looking at her when I saw a lady approach her, and it was none other than Shalini Malhotra, Mom's friend. But why was she with this girl? My mind was racing with questions when I suddenly remembered that Mom had mentioned in the morning that Shalini aunty had adopted a daughter.

That's when it hit me-this could be her. If it weren't, I would have seen her before.

After some time, the girl was taken away by another girl into a group of women. My eyes were still fixed on her when suddenly, Mom approached me and started talking about the mines incident.

After a while, Mom said, "Come, Shalini is here. Let's meet her and her adopted daughter too." My heart skipped a beat. Was I really going to see her up close? Mom was leading me toward her, and as she approached, I noticed that her eyes were still lowered. Why was that? Was she really as modest as she seemed, or did she just not like being around people?

As we got closer, Mom started praising her. I couldn't take my eyes off her. First, I looked at her hair, then her eyes, which were still focused on the ground. Then, I noticed her lashes-how could someone be so perfect? How could someone be so beautiful, so perfect in every way?

My eyes couldn't help but move down to her lips. They were so mesmerizing, especially when she bit her lower lip. I don't know why, but I just wanted to touch her-her cheeks, her hair, her hands...

I was still lost in my thoughts when Mom finally said, "So, this is Naina."

I looked at Mom, stunned. Naina... such a beautiful name, one that only someone like her could carry.

Then, Mom turned to me and said, "This is my son."

My voice seemed to freeze, but I had the chance to take her hand, and I stretched out mine. "Hello, I'm Ishaan."

She slowly looked up, and extended her hand and replied,"Naina."

Her hand was now in mine, and it felt so soft that I didn't want to let go. After gently holding it, I couldn't stop looking at her. She seemed scared of me, and it was evident. Everyone gets a little scared when they meet me, but she had no reason to be scared. She was just a sweet, innocent girl... at least, that's what I thought.

Until the time comes when she might need to be afraid... I thought to myself, knowing that time would come soon enough.

After holding her hand for a while, I noticed she was trying to pull away. I gently traced my thumb over her hand, and my mind urged me to hold her tighter. My mind whispered...

( No one escapes this easily from me that too, who had caught my attention,... I will make sure of it., It's fine soon, I'll make sure you won't be able to walk away from me. )

After some time,She was about to leave, and I wanted to keep looking at her-so badly, so intensely. Every part of me just wanted to watch her, to study every detail about her.

I was busy talking to Sahil, who informed me that the workers had been safely evacuated from the mines. But as soon as I turned back, she was gone. "Where are they ?" I asked Mom, and she said she had to leave quickly.

"We'll go and give the gifts to the bride and groom," Mom said, so I had no choice but to go with her.

After spending some time at the wedding, we finally headed back home.

The entire journey back, my mind was filled with thoughts of her. How can she be so beautiful? What should I do to make her mine? Thoughts flooded my mind, and then... an idea struck me.

HOPE YOU LIKE IT 1921 words