Chapter 1

In the early morning even before there was any trace of the sun in the horizon, a girl dressed in a full sleeve salwar, her hair braided neatly, lit the lamp in the pooja room and the sound from the bell woke up the rest of the people in her family.

She applied a thick line of holy ash on her forehead and entered the kitchen with a bright smile. Offering her prayer to the lord of agni she ignited the burner and placed a pot of milk and in the meanwhile she started cutting the vegetables to cook breakfast. She quickly prepared coffee and filled the cups and placed them neatly in a tray and walked out of the kitchen.

Her mother smiled at her and entered the kitchen to continue what she had started. Her father Hariprasad smiled on seeing his daughter Aadhira being so responsible at the young age of 21.

Hariprasad: Aadhira, you look like a goddess and I m so proud that you are so responsible.

Aadhira: Daddy, I m your daughter and I will always make you proud.

She passed a gentle smile to him and passed a cup to him before she entered her brother Vimal’s room and pat his shoulder to wake him up. He stirred and picked a cup and sat leaning on the head board.

Aadhira: Brother, its not good to drink coffee without brushing your teeth so please go brush your teeth first. Don’t you think you should respect our father’s rules ? He wants nothing but our well being. I will pray god to give you some sense to respect our father. Poor old man.

She wiped her tears and Vimal looked at her with a sharp gaze. Aadhira cleared her throat and was about to leave the room when he stopped her getting down from the bed. He walked around her sipping the coffee and when he was done he placed the empty cup on the tray in her hand and looked at her with a smirk.

Vimal: Drinking coffee without brushing isn’t bad as doing pooja without bathing you dirty duckling.

Aadhira gasped and looked at him with her lips wobbling.

Aadhira: How could you say such thing about me brother ? I woke up at 4 and did all my routines before I made coffee for everyone. I know you don’t like me but please don’t hurt me.

She held her duppatta against her mouth and started crying hiding her sobs. Vimal knocked her head and pointed to her feet.

Vimal: Next time, be smart to remove your night dress before you dress up with fresh clothes.

Aadhira face plamed and sat crossed legged on the couch placing the tray on the teapoy before her.

Aadhira: Why are you always smart bro ? Why can’t you be like our father and believe everything I do ?

Vimal chuckled and sat next to her with his hand around her shoulder but Aadhira pushed him and picked a coffee for her but once again Vimal stopped her.

Vimal: Did you brush your teeth Aadhira ?

She gave a sheepish smile and started sipping it. She saw him busy in his mobile and smirked knowing who was he chatting with. Slowly she placed the cup on the table and snatched his mobile and ran across the bed. Vimal quickly shut the door and glared at her.

Vimal: You dirty duckling better give back my mobile or I will call father and let him about you cheating him and I m serious Aadhira.

Aadhira: Ohhhhh, I dare you bro. Go ahead and I will show our beloved father all the chat history from your mobile. hello darling, I love you, I miss you so much..

She read few chats and Vimals raised his hands surrendering to her.

Vimal: Fine, what do you want ?

Aadhira: Such a sweet brother you are bro. I haven’t completed my assignment and tomorrow is the last day. You will complete it and also I want a family pack ice cream, strawberry flavour.

Vimal grit his teeth and glared at her still agreed to her demands. Aadhira rushed to him and returned his mobile earning a strong knock on her head.

Vimal: Why can’t you be a good sister and help me in my love ? You might need my help if you fall in love some day. By the way what do you expect from your future husband ?

Aadhira: Aww, my future husband will be a sweet heart, he will be like a hero and love me like I m the only girl on this earth. I m a lucky girl so he will be very handsome and fulfill all my wishes. I don’t have to wake up at 4 and prepare coffee. He will wake me up with coffee. I have a lot of wishes and we will fulfill everything together.

Vimal: Oh I see and what are they ?

Aadhira: Promise me you will not copy my wishes and use that to flirt with your lover.

Vimal: I m not a creep like you. I have my own wishes. Now tell me and let me see if there are ay chances that they will come true.

Aadhira: I want to eat puffed rice with my husband on a windy day.

Vimal: Idiot, only you can always think of food and who will wish to eat puffed rice on a windy day ?

Aadhira: Shut up. Next I want to blow bubbles on each other, he should give me piggy ride, I want to live with my husband in a cozy small flat. He should cook for me and he should never look at any girl other than me. A long ride with him in his bike, he should carry me like a baby and rock me to sleep.

Vimal: shut up and get lost Aadhira. Nonsense, are you looking for a husband or a baby sitter ?

Aadhira: Ofcourse I will be his baby and I have more wishes but only my husband can know them so you shut up and start preparing for assignment. Now let me go back to kitchen and help mom in cooking.

Vimal scrunched his nose on seeing her acting to be a very calm girl and picking up the tray with delicate care. Aadhira walked to the door and turned to her brother with a pitiful face.

Aadhira: Brother, please bath before you join us for breakfast. Daddy will be hurt to know that his son is the exact opposite of him.

Vimal face palmed and Aadhira walked out not before stucking her tongue out to him. She entered the kitchen and saw her mother Kavitha cooking breakfast.

Aadhira: Mom, do you mind if I go back to my room to finish my assignments. Today is my last day to submit them.

Kavitha: No problem Aadhira, I will take care. You go look after your studies.

Aadhira thanked her mother and rushed to her room. She shut the door and tossed the salwar kameez and felt relieved looking at the pjs she was wearing. She looked at her room which was mess with her clothes and books everywhere. Not caring a least about it she quickly laid on the bed and fell asleep instantly which was one of her unbeatable talents.

At the same time, in another part of the city, Rishikesh—standing tall at 6 feet, with broad shoulders, a well-defined, athletic build, and a striking face that could catch anyone’s attention, returned to his room after his workout. His sharp jawline and deep-set eyes, combined with a slight stubble, added to his charismatic aura. Tossing his T-shirt into the laundry bag, he entered the washroom. Standing under the shower, he let the water cascade down his toned body, accentuating the muscle definition earned through dedication.

Afterward, he wiped himself dry and draped a towel around his waist before stepping out and running a hand through his damp, slightly wavy hair. He selected a three-piece suit that perfectly complemented his tall frame and dressed with precision. Standing before the mirror, he adjusted his beard with practiced ease, twisted his neatly groomed moustache, and styled his hair to perfection. He sprayed on a subtle yet captivating fragrance, fastened his classic wristwatch, and picked up his wallet, ready to leave.

Just as he was about to step out, his eyes landed on the book he had left on the nightstand after reading it the previous night. Pausing briefly, he returned it to its place on the bookshelf before finally walking out with an air of quiet confidence.

He entered the dining room and saw his family, his father Raghavan, mother Vaani, grandfather Prithivirajan and sister Manjari waiting for him to join for breakfast. He greeted them and the maids started serving the breakfast.

Raghavan: Rishi, are you sure about winning the deal today ?

Rishi: Ofcourse dad, be assured that I will win today.

Raghavan smiled seeing his son who never failed to make him proud. Rishi had always been the obedient son and never talked against his father’s choice. Raghavan made Rishi the CEO of his business immedaitely after Rishi completed his business studies.

Rishi: Manjari, its been 6 months you completed your studies so what have you planned now ?

Manjari: I haven’t decided yet bro.

Rishi: One month Manjari. Either you will decide or I will do it. Got it ?

Manjari bobed her head and Rishi hugged his mother and walked out with his PA Sudhir following him. Before he got in the car he saw the security missing at the gate and looked for him. The security was talking with the gardener and watering the plant.

Rishi: Sudhir, fire him this instant.

His PA hummed yes and got in the passenger seat as they drove to his office. Rishi walked out of his private elevator and all his staffs rose from their seat and wished him. Sudhir opened the door and he tossed the blazer before got settled in his plush seat. Within few minutes, the door opened and the finance lead a lady in her 20s entered holding a file with a smile and placed it before him. Before she could speak Rishi’s gaze shifted sharply to the file. His expression darkened, and he gritted his teeth as he looked up at her.

Rishi: Who gave you permission to enter my cabin ? By any chance are you given access to this floor or do you have your work desk in my office ?

The lady gulped and smiled nervously fidgeting with her fingers.

Finance Lead: Sir, this file needed your signature so I.. I . wanted your signature.. sir.

Rishi: GET OUT.

The lady picked the file and scurried out with trembling hands. She took deep breathe and knocked on the door, waiting patiently for his permission to enter the room. Hearing a faint come in she stepped inside the room and carefully placed the file before him. Rishi opened the file and signed the documents. Just as she was about to leave, his voice stopped her in tracks.

Rishi: Miss, I hope you learnt a basic manner that you should knock before you enter. Have a good day.

Finance Lead Mv: Pig head…

She bobed her head and walked out closing the door behind. At 11 he arrived at the five star hotel where he had a meeting with one of the customer. Just as he entered the meeting room he heard a squeal and he shut his ears in irritation. He saw the customer and his daughter having a conversation and her voice echoing in the room.

Every word he heard her speaking frustrated him and felt like his head was being banged with a hammer. He mumbled a fuck and cleared his throat which felt in deaf ears as the girl’s voice was dominating in the room.

Sudhir stepped inside the room and called the customer and introduced Rishi to him. Rishi greeted the customer and got seated opposite to him. His daughter was admiring Rishi which made him uncomfortable.

Girl: You are so handsome Mr. Rishi. I didn’t know you would be young. Actually I was expecting someone old with a bald head and a big tummy but you turned out to be opposite. Good I decided to accompany my father. By the way nice to meet you Rishi.

Rishi gave a curt nod and turned his attention to her father. She frowned and looking at his attitude she ignored him and started watching reels in her mobile which again irritated Rishi.

Rishi: Sir, I think it would be better if we could have a discussion in private and if you are worried about your daughter, my PA will keep her company until we are done.

Girl: Excuse, I don’t need a baby sitter.

She stormed out and Rishi looked at Sudhir and gestured him to keep her company while he started with his meeting.

Sudhir walked out of the meeting room and the girl glared at him.

Girl: Is he always grumpy ? What does he think of himself ?

Sudhir: He is very good except for a list of principles in his life. He is very strict in following them.

Girl: I m sure your old man would take his own time so tell me his principles and let me pass the time knowing an alien exist in this earth.

Sudhir: He is very punctual, a little OCD about placing his things in his room. He will never talk to strangers unless he is asked for something because he wants his privacy to be respected. He hates loud noises and people talking too much. He always likes short and sweet speech. He always prefer to be presentable even in his night clothes. He hates people intruding his personal space. He is early riser..

Girl: Ok Stop, he doesn’t belong to this world and I m not interested in such people. Dude, which civilization does he belong to ?

Sudhir: No, he is actually very good.

Girl: Funny, Oh God, I just pity the poor soul who will marry him. I suggest you better stop him from marrying and destroying a girl’s life but I m sure no girl in sane mind will marry such a pig head.

They heard the door opened and the girl smirked at him and looked at Sudhir who had his eyes wide open scared of the worst outcome.

Girl: BYEEEEEEEEEEEEEE SUDHIRRRRRRRRRRRRR

She screamed and Sudhir himself had to shut his ears. He opened the eyes and saw Rishi gritting his teeth and clenching his fist ready to kill someone.

Sudhir: Sir, I will make sure we will not meet her in future.

Rishi: Ofcourse we will not meet her. I just confirmed the deal with him but cancel it. We are not working on this. Fucking noisy monster.

Sudhir huffed and followed Rishi who stopped abruptly, his gaze fixed on a certain person and the certain person turned out to be his sister Manjari, smiling and talking with a man holding his hands.