Abhimanyu's P.O.V....

The laughter echoed- soft, warm , real.

" Natik , tu pagal hai," I said , my voice light with amusement as u nudges his arm.

" Tu hi toh bolta hai ki life mein thoda madness hona chaiye." he grinned.

We were in the car, music low, rain lashing gently against the windshield. His side profile was a blur, like a half-faded photographer - smiling alive.

And then - CRASH.......

The sound was deafening. A jolt. A flash. Screeching tires, Twisted metal. A scream- mine or his , I don't know.

" Natik!" I shouted, gasping for breath as my eyes flew open.

My heart thundered against my ribs. Beads of sweats gathered on my forehead, trailing down the side of my face.Chest heaving, I sat up on my bed, palms shaking as they gripped the sheets. For a moment, I didn't know where I was. Darkness surrounded me, quiet and unsettling. The pale moonlight slipped through the parted curtains, casting long, ghostlike shadows across the floor of my room.

I could still hear the echo of metal crashing in my ears. I fumbled for the glass of water on my nightstand, my fingers trembling as I brought it to my lips. The water felt cold, grounding - barely. I shut my eyes, trying to slow my breathing, trying to make sense of the chaos inside my mind.

This dream....The same dream, Always the same. That blurry night, Natik's laugh, my smile - and then that horrifying crash.I've lived with the guilt for years, but this dream...it started just three months ago.

Out of nowhere. Like my past found a new way to haunt me -louder, sharper, crueler.

I don't remember the full night. I've tried -God knows , I've tried. The doctors told me about the accident when I woke up in the hospital. Broken ribs. Concussion. Scars. But nothing hurts as much as the absence.

Nothing felt as heavy as the truth... Natik was gone. And I was alive.

I pressed a hand to my face, my fingers cold. All I know - all I remember - is that I had insisted on going out that night.... It was raining. He said no. But I paused. I was twenty one . Stubborn. Excited. Careless.

I made him take me on a long drive . And he...he agreed.

" Ager Main zid nahi karta...agar main ruk jaata...toh aaj sab kuch alag hota." I whisper the words to myself.

It was my fault...My damn fault. Every single day since then, I've lived with it- this crushing guilt. , like chains wrapped around my chest. I killed him. It should've been me instead of him.... Not a day goes by where I don't wish I could trade places. Because if anyone deserve to live , it was him - not me.

" I killed my brother." The words sting. Saying them aloud feels like punishment, but I deserve it. I can never forgive myself... And I won't even try.

I lay back down, squeezing my eyes shut , as if darkness could silence the voices. As if sleep would come... I tried to sleep like always - but just like every other night sleep didn't come.

Instead, in the deafening silence, something else rose. A soft , delicate chhan - chhan sound. Faint. Distant. Yet clear.... Her jhumka.

The sound wasn't part of the dream. It wasn't imagined. It was a memory -half - etched in my subconscious. The echo of it rang through my mind, cutting through the fog like a soft rhythm again chaos.

Like winds chimes in a storm. It didn't fix anything. Didn't erase the past. But it did...still me. For a moment.

My breathing slowed. My first unclenched... And for the first time in years I felt peace.....And I slept -truly slept. without trying, without fighting for it.

_______

The boardroom was sunlit, drenched in the golden hour's glow that filtered in through the floor-to-ceiling glass windows. From the 25th floor of the Kalra Empire Tower, the view of the Arabian Sea stretched endlessly.

As I stepped inside, a dozen key people were already seated - my executive directors, head of operations, design, research, special guests, strategic alliances etc . Everyone immediately Stood up upon seeing me, a silent acknowledgement of the hierarchy in the room. With a simple wave of my hand, I gestured for them to sit. Without pause , I walked straight to my seat at the head of table. That one that carries both authority and accountability.

I placed my coffee down on the table, clicked the remote, and the large screen behind me blinked to life with the kalra Empire insignia: bold, timeless , unmistakable.

" Let's begin," I said , and the room fell silent.

I didn't believe in wasting time. Not when we were talking about a ₹1,200 crore investment.

" Kalra Empire isn't just a company. It's an ecosystem. Real estate and fashion is our crown jewel - our most lucrative fastest - scaling division -but it rests on the strength of four other pillars. And now , with project Synergy, we're aligning all five."

I clicked to the next slide -Kalra fashion. A sleek video played, supermodels strutting in handcrafted lehengas, international magazine covers,our Milan flagship store opening.

We're in 17 countries. Four in -house labels. One sub- brand in collaboration with Elie Saab launching this winter. Our Q1 revenue from fashion alone is ₹700 crores m but I want more."

I turned toward Neel, Head of Global Expansion. " Neel, where are we with the Seoul and Istanbul boutiques?"

He adjusting his specs , flipping open his folder. " Final con - tracts are in legal. Both locations signed. Launch is projected for October, with pre-fall collections leading."

I nodded, pleased. " Good. Let's keep the timeline tight - I want Seoul and Istanbul to be brand statement, not just stores."

Clicking to the next slide, kalra hotels shimmered across the screen in gold serif letters. A montage played -marbles lobbies, private island villas, candlelit dinners, overlooking Santorini,the red carpet launch of The Kalra Havana last year.

"We're currently operating luxury properties in nine countries. Occupancy rates are strong post-Q1 , and guest satisfaction has crossed 92% globally." I glanced around the room , pausing for effect. " But it's the Aaranya Project that has my focus."

A few brows lifted in curiosity.

" Aaranya is our next flagship under kalra hotels - a luxury property set in the heart of Jaipur. Not just a hotel , but a cultural experience rooted in Rajasthani heritage. Picture: sandstone architecture, courtyard gardens, curated folk performances a rooftop spa and a fine-dine menu inspired by royal Rajputana kitchens. Construction begins in June."

" And what sets Aaranya apart from the dozen of luxury retreats already in the market? We need a core differentiator beyond the location." Mr. Shah , one of our key investors, asked from the far end of the table, tone sharp.

" This isn't just about luxury Mr.Shah. it's about legacy -with heart. We're collaborating with Jaipur's local artisans at every step. We're building a hotel that doesn't just cater to the elite -it empowers the locals too. I want Aaranya to be a place where artisans from Jaipur and nearby towns find real, sustainable work. Where their crafts isn't just displayed - it's celebrated." I said, meeting his gaze.

I clicked to the next slide - visuals of handcrafted blue pottery, intricate jali work, and local women weaving under a Banyan tree.

" This hotel will give foreign guests a reason to stay longer, to engage deeper, to experience the richness of Rajputana culture -not through curated brochures, but through lived, breathing moments. From architecture to cuisine to stories - we're offering them India, the way it's meant to be felt."

I continued " Now moving on -kalra Motors. We've wrapped Q1 with promising numbers in the EV segment. The Delhi Showroom launch exceeded projections. And the urban mobility pilot is in motion."

A few heads nodded, pens scribbled... Another click.

" Kalra foods -we've scaled distribution to seven more cities, and the premium organic line is ready for testing next quarter. Let's keep it lean , but aggressive."

Finally, I clicked to the next slide - an image of a young girl painting in a sunlit studio. " Kalra Arts & Culture. Not our most profitable wing -but perhaps the most important. We sponsor young Indian artists, fund restoration work, and host India's largest privately -run Art Gala. We're building more than buildings -we're investing in stories."

The room was quiet for a beat. I took a breath. " Now -about Project Synergy."

I clicked to the final slide . The title appeared in bold gold: A vision called home.

" Goa, our most ambitious undertaking yet -a luxury township that doesn't just house people, it creates a lifestyle.... This isn't just Kalra Estates building villas and high-rises . This is a collaborative blueprints -a fusion of all five verticals."

I pointed to the layout on screen.

" A central promenade lined with Kalra Fashion boutiques -flagships stores, artisan pop-ups , seasonal capsule launches.... A premium Kalra Food market -organic , homegrown, with cafes, bakeries and cloud kitchens.

A state of the art kalra Motors experience centre -EV test drives, smart mobility rentals, and luxury servicing lounges.... A heritage -inspired kalra Hotel & Spa -open to residents and guests, featuring wellness retreats and fine -dins resturants.

And..an immersive Kalra Art & Culture walk -because what's a home without soul? Every corner of this township will reflect storytelling. From the hand-painted murals by great artists on township walls.

And of course, the township itself - Kalra Estates at the core -villas, apartments , green courtyard, smart homes, even a school and community hospital."

I turned to the team. " This isn't real estate. It's a legacy ecosystem. A city within a city. Where every kalra vertical amplifies the other. Where people will live , eat , shop , heal and grow -under one collective vision.

I glanced around the boardroom. " Any questions?"

Silence... And then -a sudden round of applause. A few board members even stood up, nodding in genuine appreciation. Neel smiled wide. Mr.shah gave a low whistle under his breath.

I offered a small nod, adjusting my watch and closed my laptop.

" Good. Let's move."

The meeting was officially over. I walked out of the boardroom, crips and composed heading down the hallway towards my cabin. My footsteps echoed, but I didn't have to turn to know Rhea was right behind.

As I entered my glass - walked office. I unbuttoned my coat and sat down on my chair-the familiar weight of calm settling in.

Rhea entered with her iPad in hand, still slightly breathless from keeping up. " That was... seriously good, sir. They were all floored."

I gave a short nod, fingers steeping together." What's the status on our monthly donations?" I asked, eyes on the table.

" Kalra foundation has lined up this month's contribution for three sectors -one's a women -led skill development NGO in Dharavi , second is a good drive in Ladakh, and the third is for mental health helplines in tier-2 cities. You want me to have the release letters prepped?"

I thought for a beat, then nodded. " Send them through. I'll personally sign off."

She gave a small smile, sensing the conversation was over and turned to leave.

I leaned back in my chair, exhaling.just for a second. Head tilted, eyes on the ceiling...And then-my phone buzzed.

I picked it up lazily, unlocking it with a glance. A notification blinked at the top. " SoulStrock just went live : Raw. Real. Unfiltered."

My brows knit. SoulStrock? I hadn't followed it.

And then I remembered -Manik.

He'd casually asked for my phone a few days ago under some excuse about a " storage check." I should've known better. Definitely his work.

I clicked on the live with a trace of reluctant curiosity. The screen loaded - and there she was.

Surrounded by half a dozen young kids, all splattered in paint. Her cheeks were dusted with strokes of red and blue, a smear of yellow bright on her wrist. She was laughing -freely , head tilted back, eyes crinkled at the corners -as one of the children playfully dabbed more colours on her face.

Behind them, a massive canvas bloomed with chaos and joy-tiny palms pressed like flowers, brush strokes wild and imperfect and honest.

She looked..radiant. Unpolished. Real...I didn't even realise I was smiling. Didn't notice how my shoulders had relaxed. How my breath had softened.

All the noise from the meeting, the numbers, the weight of strategy and structure...it slipped away.

Just for a moment -it was quiet. Warm....And somehow, in a day built on control , this messy, paint-splattered girl on my screen made me feel more grounded than anything else.

I didn't move. Didn't scroll. I just watched her- light spilling across her face, laughter echoing through the live.

And in that stillness, one thought landed, uninvited but certain -She doesn't even know what she does to me.

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Author's P.O.V....

Sir , Goa Township Project ke liye wall murals aur installation art ka final proposal ready hai. Humne shortlist bhi kar liya hai -two-three artist collectives jo kaam ke hisaab se best fit hote hai..but ek team hai jo humare mind se nikal hi nahi rahi." Mr.Verma ( Art & Culture Head ) said.

Abhimanyu absently, eyes still distant. " SoulStrock.."

A beat. Silence. Rhea , standing beside him -eyebrows raising slightly at the name. Mr.Verma pauses mid-sentence.

" Exactly, sir! Wahin team jinki painting ne gala mein sabka dil jeet liya tha. Aapko yaad hai!"

Abhimanyu snapping slightly out of it, clears throat. " Yeah...that one. It'll be good for the township's aesthetic. Bold but grounded... Will connect the souls."

Mr.Verma." Impressed sir. Toh main SoulStrock team se contact karta hoon...Naam kya tha owner ka...ha Miss Ananya."

Abhimanyu suddenly sharper, holding up a hand." No... I'll handle it personally, I want to make sure the vision aligns. face to face clearity ensures better collaboration. Artistic sensibility...you understand?"

Mr.Verma taken aback but nods. " Oh Alright, sir...of course."

Rhea half-smiling , clearly catching on." Sir, shall I schedule the meeting and accompany you?"

" Yes, Rhea. Let's make it official. Let's go Bandra. SoulStrock's centre." Abhimanyu said.

Rhea. " Sure , sir." with a knowing smile.

As the meeting winds down, Abhimanyu strides out with quiet determination. Rhea follows, her heels clicking softly against the marble, her expression thoughtful.

______

The soft glow of the setting sun filtered through the large window of the Soulstrock Centre, casting long shadows and bathing the room in a warm , golden hue. The hustle if the day had slowed, but the creative energy remained palpable, vibrant and alive. Ananya walked through the space, her steps light but purposeful as the centre, with its fresh coat of paint and new renovations ,came to life around her.

Ritika, stood proudly beside her latest creation -a stunning painting of a woman in motion, surrounded by splashes of fiery red and orange m " Ananya Di, look at this!" she said, holding it up for Ananya to admire.

Ananya smiled warmly , walking over to her. " It's gorgeous, Ritika. You've really brought her to life. The energy in this piece is electric."

The renovation crew was putting the finishing touches on the space, adjusting the lighting to highlight the works of art. The once bare walls were now alive with color, each piece adding a unique touch to the overall atmosphere. The space was transforming into something truly special.

Outside the Soulstrock Centre, The golden glow from inside spilled onto the pavement, illuminating the entrance where a few enthusiastic students were struggling to hang a large, hand-painted " welcome to the new Soulstrock" banner across the tall main door. The breeze kept fluttering the edges , and the tape just wouldn't hold.

Uff, yeh reh gaya!" Asha one of Student groaned, the banner sliding off again.

" Wait , I'll hold it-no , you stick it -arey nahi yaar, ulta lag gaya?" another student laughed as they fumbled.

Ananya, watching the chaos unfold from a few feet away, but her lips to hide a smile." Tum log side ho jao." She said , stepping forward, a determined glint in her eyes." Main lagati hoon. Mujhe do banner."

The students quickly moved aside, handing her the rolled up banner and tape. Ananya dragged a wooden chair from the side, balancing it carefully near the door. The chair creaked under her as she stood on it, arms raised, focused intently on pinning one edge of the banner just right.

" Almost there..." she murmured, stretching a little more, her fingers brushing the spot -And then the chair wobbled.

A sharp squeak of wood. Her balance tipped. A short gasp escaped her lips..." Aah-"

But before she could hit the ground, a strong arm caught her mid-fall. In the blink of an eye ,she found herself cradled -not on the floor, but in someone's arms. Safe and steady.

Her eyes squeezed shut in instinctive fear, her heart pounding.." Tum theek ho?" came a low , calm voice, deep and familiar.

She opened her eyes slowly....she was in his arms.... she had fallen directly into his arms,and now their faces were inches apart. The world outside seemed to blur -the noise of the students , the fluttering banner, even the evening breeze held it's breath.

Her eyes met his...Time stilled. A flicker of concern passed through his gaze, but beneath it was something softer -gentle intense, unblinking. His hand was firmly supporting her back, the other beneath her knees, holding her like she weighed nothing.

Ananya's breath hitched as she realized just how close they were. Her cheeks flushed a soft pink, her heartbeat refusing to calm down. She didn't dare move. Didn't even blink.

They were completely lost... The air around them felt heavier, charges , like even the evening was waiting with bated breath. The warm light from inside caught the edges of Ananya's hair, casting a golden halo around her face. The breeze toyed with a strands near her temple, but she didn't move. She couldn't. Neither could he.

Students had gone quiet, watching from a respectful distance, some smiling others wide eyes but neither Abhimanyu not Ananya noticed.Their world had narrowed, everything else fading into a blur as they stood there , close , connected in a moment suspended in time. " Ahm...Ahm.." Rhea's voice came from behind.

Suddenly, the spell broke. Ananya quickly stepped back , gently freeing herself from his arms, her cheeks dusted pink, she stood upright, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, her voice barely above a whisper. " Thank you.."

Abhimanyu gave a slight nod, his eyes still on her. " Aap yaha? Kis liye...?" she asked , trying to compose herself, though her heart was anything but calm..

" For you." He answered without thinking.

The words hung in the air. Ananya frozen...her breath caught, lips parted just slightly as if to respond -but nothing came. Her eyes widened for a second, then softened.... heart beating too fast..her lashes fluttered as she looked away , then back to him, trying to process whether he even realised what he'd said.

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