तेरी मुस्कान में ही मेरी हर खुशी का राज़ है,
तेरे साथ बिताया हर पल मेरे लिए ख़ास है,
मोहब्बत तुझसे कितनी है, ये लफ़्ज़ों में कहूँ कैसे,
तू पास हो तो लगता है, पूरी मेरी दुनिया मेरे पास है। ❤️

The next morning, Atharv slowly opened his eyes.

For a moment, he felt something warm wrapped around him. He reached out lazily, expecting to find Mahi beside him.

But her side of the bed was empty. His hand moved across the mattress—only to find a tiny body hugging him tightly.

Atharv looked down. Advait was sleeping peacefully, his little arms wrapped around his father's waist. A smile instantly appeared on Atharv's face.

"My little champ..."

He gently brushed his son's hair before carefully sitting up. But then he looked around.

Where did Mahi go?

He glanced toward the door. Before getting up, he adjusted Advait's blanket and made him comfortable again.Then he quietly walked out.

As he entered their room, he stopped.

Mahi was standing in front of the mirror, getting ready for college.She was putting on her clothes, completely focused on herself. Atharv leaned against the doorway.

And simply stared. His eyes moved over her shamelessly. Mahi noticed him through the mirror. She turned around.

The moment their eyes met, she glared at him. Atharv didn't even try to hide the fact that he was staring. Mahi narrowed her eyes.

Then she grabbed a pillow from the bed and threw it straight at him. Atharv caught it effortlessly.

"Love, what happened?"

"Atharv!"

"Yes?"

"You came so late last night and didn't even wake me up!"

Atharv placed the pillow back on the bed and walked toward her.

"How could I?"

He smiled.

"When my worlds were sleeping so peacefully, how could I disturb them?"

Mahi's expression softened for a second, but she quickly tried to remain annoyed.

"Still, you should have woken me up."

Atharv raised an eyebrow.

"Why?"

"Because you did everything alone!" Mahi complained. "You heated your own food, ate alone, and cleaned everything yourself."

She looked at him with concern.

"I know you work hard, Atharv. You work so much for us... for me... for Adu."

Her voice became softer.

"But I also want to take care of you."

Atharv's expression immediately softened. He stepped closer and pulled her into his arms.

"First, give me a hug."

Mahi smiled despite herself. Atharv hugged her tighter.

"And secondly," he continued, "in the office, I don't run around carrying the whole company on my shoulders."

Mahi looked up at him.

"I sit in my chair, check files, attend meetings, and tell people what to do. That's basically my job."

Mahi rolled her eyes.

"Atharv..."

He smiled.

"So don't stress yourself thinking your husband is working himself to death."

Mahi nodded slowly.

"I understand."

Then she looked at him again.

"Still..."

Atharv immediately placed a finger gently against her lips.

"Shhh."

Mahi stared at him. Atharv smiled.

"Enough worrying about me, baby."

He kissed her forehead.

"Now tell me... are you ready for your second day of college?"

"I am ready," Mahi finally said.

Atharv immediately noticed the hesitation hidden in her voice. His brows furrowed slightly as he looked at her.

"Love... if something is bothering you, you can talk to me."

Mahi let out a small sigh and made a cute pout.

"Atharv... I am not able to study like I used to. I try to read, but I just... I can't focus the way I did before."

Atharv's expression softened.

"Love, that's completely natural. When we don't do something for years and suddenly start doing it again, it always feels difficult in the beginning."

He gently squeezed her hand.

"So don't stress yourself. Just do whatever you can, at your own pace. I know my Mahi will be able to achieve much more than she thinks she can today."

His voice became softer.

"And I'm here, hmm? Whatever you don't understand, I'll teach you. With patience... and with love."

Mahi nodded, finally convinced by his words. Somehow, Atharv had a kind of magic in his voice.

Whenever he spoke to her like this, her worries slowly faded away. His voice always made her feel calm... safe... as if no matter how difficult something became, she would never have to face it alone.

She smiled softly.

"Okay. Now I'm going to make breakfast."

Before she could turn around, Atharv held her hand.

"No. There are people to do these things. I want you to focus on yourself."

Mahi looked at him.

"But Bella isn't here yet. And Adu has school..."

Atharv smiled at her softly.

"Exactly. So you have enough on your plate already. Let someone else handle breakfast."

Mahi stared at him for a moment before letting out a small sigh.

"Still, Atharv..."

He gently interrupted her.

"Shhh... just this once, listen to your husband."

Mahi couldn't help but smile.

Atharv smiled at her and said, "I'm going to take a shower. Bella should be here any minute, I think."

Just then— Ding Dong! (Any Dynamite fan!!)

The doorbell rang. Mahi looked toward the door.

"I'll see who it is."

She walked over and opened the door. Bella stood outside with a polite smile.

"Good morning, ma'am."

"Good morning, Bella," Mahi greeted her warmly, stepping aside to let her in.

Bella entered and immediately headed toward the kitchen to prepare breakfast.

Meanwhile, Mahi went toward Advait's room. Her little boy was still sleeping peacefully, completely unaware that school time was approaching.

Mahi sat beside him and gently shook his shoulder.

"Adu... come on, wake up."

"No, Mummaaa..."

His sleepy voice came out with pure irritation as he buried his face deeper into the pillow. Mahi smiled.

"Okay, come here."

She picked him up in her arms.

"Now let's go brush your teeth."

Advait groaned and squirmed in her arms.

"Mumma, nooo..."

But Mahi knew exactly how to handle her sleepy little boy.

After a little convincing, a little teasing, and a lot of patience, she somehow managed to get him to brush his teeth. Once he was done, Mahi helped him shower and changed him into his school uniform.

The moment Advait realized he was officially ready for school, he started whining again.

"Mumma... no school."

Mahi laughed softly while combing his hair.

"Adu, no school means no vacation. Remember? Your winter holidays are coming."

Advait immediately made a grumpy face. Mahi couldn't help but smile at his expression.

"Now stop making that face."

She neatly combed his hair and adjusted his uniform before giving him a quick kiss on the cheek.

"There. My handsome boy is ready."

Advait still looked unimpressed. But he took his mother's hand anyway.

A little while later, Mahi and Advait walked out toward the dining area. Mahi stopped the moment she saw the breakfast table.

Her eyes widened.

There were so many dishes spread across the table. She looked at the variety in disbelief.

"Bella... you made so many dishes?"

Bella, who was arranging the last few things on the table, turned toward her.

"Yes, ma'am."

Mahi was still looking at the table.

"In such a short time?"

"Yes, ma'am. Like I told you yesterday, I'm trained for this kind of work."

Before Mahi could respond, Atharv walked into the dining area.

"What happened, Mahi?"

Mahi immediately pointed toward the table.

"See, Atharv! Look how many dishes she has made!"

Atharv glanced at the table and then at Bella.

"That's her work, love. Come, sit and have breakfast."

He pulled out a chair for Mahi. Mahi sat down, but her eyes were still fixed on the food.

"But Atharv..."

She looked at him seriously.

"We don't eat this many things. And our monthly budget isn't that much either."

Atharv sighed quietly. He knew exactly where this was going.

Bella stood silently nearby, listening. Mahi looked toward her.

"Bella, don't make so much food next time, okay? One or two dishes are enough. Look at how much you've made!"

Then, realizing she might be sounding a little too strict, Mahi softened her voice.

"I mean... just cook simple food. The kind of food middle-class families normally eat."

She laughed lightly.

"We're not rich billionaires, right?"

Bella remained quiet for a second before nodding politely.

"Okay, ma'am. I'll remember that."

She turned and walked back toward the kitchen. But the moment those words left Mahi's mouth—

Atharv's hand froze. His expression changed for the briefest second.

We're not rich billionaires.

The words echoed in his mind. He looked at Mahi.

She was completely unaware of the storm those innocent words had created inside him. Because for Mahi, it was simply a statement.

But for Atharv...It was another reminder of the truth he had been hiding from the woman he loved most.

After breakfast, Advait left for school with the driver.As Mahi watched the car disappear through the gate, she turned toward Atharv.

"You're not going to the office?"

Atharv shook his head.

"No. But I'll drop you at college."

Mahi immediately frowned.

"But that car is your office car. We can't use it for our personal work."

Atharv sighed.

"Love..."

He walked closer to her.

"My boss is very kind-hearted. He got to know that you've joined college, so he told me, 'Atharv, drop your wife to college every day. She has done so much for you. Now it's your turn to do something for her.'"

Mahi looked at him with surprise.

"He knows me?"

Atharv nodded casually.

"He knows about you."

"But I've never met him."

"He knows about you even if you haven't met him."

Mahi smiled softly.

"That's so generous of him."

She paused before continuing.

"First, he gives you such a good salary that we can afford a maid and a driver... then this huge four-bedroom house... and Adu studies in such a big school, and now I'm studying in such a prestigious college..."

She looked around their home.

"A-Atharv... I'm scared."

Atharv's expression immediately softened.

"Why, love?"

Mahi looked down and tightened her grip around the strap of her bag.

"You know... we've never been used to this much happiness."

Her voice became quieter.

"You know that proverb... 'This too shall pass.' It means that good times will pass, just like bad times do."

She swallowed.

"So right now, we're living in good times... and that's why I'm scared."

Atharv stepped closer.

"Mahi..."

She looked up at him.

"Look at me."

She did.

Atharv gently held her shoulders.

"Mahi, love, hear me out."

His voice was calm, steady.

"The hard work, the struggles, those bad days we went through... they were our strength. They taught us how to survive. They taught us how to stand back up."

He gently squeezed her shoulders.

"I know our God isn't that cruel to give us those same bad days again."

Mahi's eyes softened.

"And even if He does..."

Atharv smiled faintly.

"I am here. You are here. Our baby is here."

His voice carried quiet certainty.

"We'll fight together. And we'll make our good days come back into reality again."

He looked directly into her eyes.

"You'll be beside me, right?"

Mahi didn't say anything. She simply nodded.

Then she stepped forward and hugged him tightly. Atharv wrapped his arms around her, holding her close.

For a few moments, neither of them spoke. Then Atharv suddenly murmured against her hair,

"Although..."

Mahi pulled back slightly.

"What?"

Atharv smiled mischievously.

"I was thinking... you look much more beautiful in pink."

Mahi immediately blushed.

"Atharv!"

He grinned.

"I'm serious."

Mahi looked away, trying to hide her smile.

"Atharv, let's go. We're getting late."

She started walking toward the door. Atharv followed behind her, still smiling.

"I wasn't kidding, love. You look so pretty... like a princess."

Mahi stopped for a second and gave him an annoyed look.

"Atharv!"

He laughed.

"Okay, okay. I'm coming."

As they stepped outside, Mahi noticed Bella arranging books on the bookshelf. She paused and looked at Atharv, who was still shamelessly smiling at her. She narrowed her eyes.

"Atharv..."

He immediately gave her an innocent look.

"What, love?"

Mahi shook her head.

"Nothing."

She turned toward Bella.

"Bella?"

Bella looked at her.

"Yes, ma'am?"

"If Advait comes back before we do, please give him some fruits, okay?"

Bella nodded politely.

"Yes, ma'am. I will."

Mahi smiled and finally walked toward the car, while Atharv followed her with that same lovestruck smile on his face.

The car slowly moved out of the haveli gates. Mahi sat beside Atharv, her bag resting on her lap as she looked outside the window.

Atharv glanced at her.

She was dressed in the same pink outfit she had worn to college, her hair neatly combed, a few strands falling near her face.

He smiled.

Mahi noticed his gaze and immediately turned toward him.

"What?"

"Nothing."

"You're staring."

"I'm looking at my wife. Am I not allowed to?"

Mahi rolled her eyes.

"You've been doing that since morning."

"Because you've been looking pretty since morning."

"Atharv..."

He chuckled and returned his attention to the road. Mahi tried to hide her smile, but the corner of her lips lifted anyway.

After a moment, she quietly said,

"You know... yesterday I was so nervous about going to college."

Atharv glanced at her again.

"And today?"

Mahi looked out the window.

"Today I'm still nervous."

Atharv smiled.

"But?"

"But..."

She paused.

"I think I like it."

His smile grew.

"You do?"

Mahi nodded.

"I met someone too."

Atharv's eyebrows immediately rose.

"Someone?"

Mahi looked at him suspiciously.

"Yes. A friend."

"A boy?"

Mahi stared at him.

"Atharv!"

"What? I was just asking."

"You're jealous!"

"I'm not jealous."

"You are."

"I trust you."

"Then why did your face change?"

Atharv tried to maintain a straight face.

"My face always looks like this."

Mahi laughed.

"You're impossible."

"And you're my wife."

He said it so casually that Mahi's laughter softened into a smile. She looked down at her hands.

After a few seconds, she whispered,

"Thank you."

Atharv looked at her.

"For what?"

"For bringing me back to college."

His expression softened.

"Mahi, you don't have to thank me for giving you something that was always yours."

She looked at him.

"Your dreams were never gone. They were just waiting for you."

Mahi's eyes became slightly moist. Atharv noticed and immediately reached over, taking her hand.

"Hey..."

He intertwined their fingers.

"No crying."

Mahi smiled through her emotions.

"I'm not crying."

"Good."

He brought her hand toward his lips and kissed the back of it.

"Because I want to see my princess smile."

Mahi blushed.

"You really have no shame."

"None when it comes to my wife."

She laughed softly and rested her head against his shoulder for a moment. Atharv continued driving with one hand while keeping hold of hers with the other.

The city moved past them outside the window. But inside the car, everything felt quiet.

Safe.

Familiar.

Just the two of them. Mahi suddenly looked up.

"Atharv?"

"Hmm?"

"If one day I become really successful..."

Atharv smiled.

"You will."

"And if I become more successful than you?"

He immediately grinned.

"Then I'll proudly tell everyone, 'That's my wife.'"

Mahi smiled.

"And if I become your boss?"

Atharv almost laughed.

"Then I'll be the most obedient employee in the world."

She laughed loudly.

"You?"

"Yes. I'll even say, 'Yes, ma'am,' every morning."

Mahi shook her head, laughing.

"Idiot."

Atharv looked at her for a second before softly saying,

"Your idiot."

Mahi's smile turned softer. She squeezed his hand.

"My idiot."

Atharv dropped Mahi at the college entrance and gave her one last smile before driving away. Mahi stood there for a moment, watching the car disappear down the road.

She adjusted the strap of her bag on her shoulder and took a deep breath.

"Okay, Mahi... you can do this."

With a small smile, she turned and walked toward the college building. But barely a few steps inside, she accidentally bumped into someone.

"Oh! I'm so sorry."

Mahi immediately stepped back.

The woman she had bumped into was holding an expensive designer handbag. The moment their bags brushed against each other, the woman's expression changed.

She quickly looked at her bag, checking it from every angle. Mahi noticed and immediately reached out.

"I'm really sorry. Let me check if—"

But before she could finish, the woman looked her up and down. Her simple clothes.

Her modest bag.Her ordinary sandals.Then the woman scoffed.

"Where do these poor people even come from?"

Mahi froze. The woman adjusted her expensive handbag on her arm and continued,

"Why do they even come to colleges like this? God knows."

She didn't even wait for Mahi to respond. She simply walked away, leaving Mahi standing there.

For a few seconds, Mahi couldn't move. She looked down at herself.

Then at the direction in which the woman had disappeared. Her fingers tightened around the strap of her bag.

She had heard similar words before.

Not exactly the same... But the same judgment.

The same look. The same feeling of being made to believe that she didn't belong.

Mahi took a slow breath.

Maybe this is how things are here.

She forced a small smile and whispered to herself,

"It's okay, Mahi."

Then she lifted her head and continued walking toward her classroom. She hadn't come here to prove herself to anyone.

She had come here to fulfill a dream. And she wasn't going to let someone's arrogance take that away from her.

Mahi walked into the classroom and immediately spotted Ekansh sitting in his usual seat, casually munching on a packet of chips.

The moment he saw her, he lifted his hand and waved.

Mahi returned his gesture with a small smile before walking over and taking the seat beside him.

Ekansh looked at her carefully.

"What happened?"

Mahi shook her head.

"Nothing."

She didn't want to tell him about the incident outside.

Before Ekansh could ask anything else, the teacher entered the classroom.

Everyone quickly settled down.

The lecture began.

Mahi opened her notebook and tried her best to concentrate, carefully writing down everything the teacher explained.

After the lecture, the teacher looked around the classroom.

"Everyone, listen carefully. We will have a test in a week, so I want all of you to start preparing seriously."

The room immediately became quieter.

"These marks are important. Your academic performance will matter when you start applying for internships and jobs, so don't take this test lightly. Work hard and make sure you're prepared."

With that, the teacher left.

Mahi slowly turned toward Ekansh.

"Yesterday I just joined college..."

She looked genuinely troubled.

"And today I find out that we have an exam next week. Is this how college works? There are so many exams?"

Ekansh chuckled.

"Mahi, you joined yesterday, but our classes started almost two months ago."

He pointed toward the board.

"This is our internal exam. After this, we'll have the external examinations, and those will be conducted separately."

Mahi's face fell.

She suddenly remembered that she hadn't even finished a single book yet.

How am I going to survive here?

Ekansh noticed her worried expression.

"Hey, don't look like that."

Mahi looked at him.

"I know what you're thinking. You're probably wondering how you'll manage the exam when you haven't studied everything yet."

Mahi nodded slowly.

Ekansh leaned slightly toward her.

"There is something I can tell you that might help."

"What?"

"Do all the PYQs."

Mahi frowned.

"What's PYQ?"

Ekansh stared at her for a moment before sighing.

"Okay... don't take this the wrong way, but I was actually curious about something."

"What?"

"What year did you pass school?"

Mahi answered honestly.

"I passed school a long time ago."

Ekansh waited.

Mahi finally said,

"I'm twenty-eight."

Ekansh's eyes widened.

"Twenty-eight?"

Mahi nodded.

His expression was one of complete disbelief.

Mahi immediately felt embarrassed.

Ekansh quickly realized his reaction had made her uncomfortable.

"Sorry! I didn't mean it like that."

He cleared his throat.

"You know how old I am?"

Mahi shook her head.

"I'm nineteen."

Mahi blinked.

"Oh..."

Then, after a moment, she innocently said,

"Then call me didi."

Ekansh looked at her.

"That's not what I meant!"

Mahi laughed softly.

Ekansh shook his head.

"Forget it. Anyway, I'll help you with the books and explain some important topics. But once you reach home, you'll have to study on your own. If you feel you need more help, you can also take a tutor."

Mahi nodded seriously.

"Okay."

Ekansh reached into his bag and pulled out a small card. He handed it to her.

"Here. This is the number of a tutor who teaches online. You can talk to them if you need help."

Mahi took the card and looked at it carefully.

"But remember..."

Ekansh's expression became serious.

"You'll have to work really hard. The questions aren't always easy."

He paused.

"The internal exam is comparatively easier, but the external exams are much tougher."

Mahi nodded.

She looked down at the card in her hand.

I really have to study hard.

She had returned to college after years. She knew catching up wouldn't be easy. But she wasn't going to give up.

Just then, another teacher entered the classroom.

"Everyone, open your books."

The students quickly settled down again. Mahi placed the card safely inside her notebook, opened her book, and turned her attention toward the board. This time, she knew she had to give it everything she had.

At the office, Atharv sat behind his desk, going through the details of a new project.

The project involved constructing a road under a government contract—one that could bring a considerable amount of business to the company.

Rohan stood across from his desk, explaining the proposal.

"Sir, these are the major advantages of taking this project, and these are the possible drawbacks."

Atharv listened silently, his eyes moving over the documents.

"We can take it," he finally said. "But before we do anything, find out whether a road can actually be constructed there."

Rohan looked at him.

"Sir?"

"I want to know whether the area is suitable for road construction. Check the soil, the terrain, everything. Don't just look at the money involved."

Rohan nodded.

"We already did that, sir."

Atharv raised his eyes.

"And?"

Rohan hesitated for a moment.

"The result was... not good."

Atharv leaned back in his chair.

"Explain."

"The soil in that area isn't strong enough for the kind of road they're asking us to build. If we construct it as proposed, heavy trucks and even regular traffic could create serious problems. The road won't be stable enough."

Atharv's expression hardened.

"Then why are you wasting my time discussing this project?"

Rohan lowered his eyes.

"Sir..."

"If we take a project, we take it because we can actually fulfil it."

Atharv placed the file on his desk.

"I don't care how profitable it looks on paper. If the work cannot be done properly, then it isn't a project for us."

He looked directly at Rohan.

"Our company doesn't take projects just to put our name on them. We take them because we intend to complete them properly. There should be no complaints about the work afterward."

Rohan remained silent for a moment before finally speaking.

"Sir... I didn't want to bring this project to you."

Atharv's eyes narrowed slightly.

"Then why did you?"

Rohan sighed.

"You know our Managing Director's son-in-law is an MLA from that area."

Atharv understood immediately.

"He wants the road built."

"Yes, sir."

Rohan gave an uncomfortable smile.

"You know how politics works. Especially when votes are involved."

Atharv remained quiet for a few seconds. Then he calmly closed the file.

"That's their concern."

He pushed the file aside.

"We aren't taking this project."

Rohan nodded.

"Yes, sir."

"And make sure our company's name doesn't get unnecessarily involved in something like this."

"Yes, sir. I'll handle it."

Rohan turned to leave.

He had barely taken a few steps when another knock came at the door.

Atharv looked up.

"Yes."

The door opened.

"Good evening, sir."

Atharv recognized the man immediately.

"Yes, Mr. Mathur."

Mr. Mathur entered and stood before his desk.

"Sir, I got to know that you rejected the road project."

Atharv leaned back in his chair.

"Yes."

This time, he looked directly into Mathur's eyes.

Mathur shifted uncomfortably.

"Sir... perhaps you could reconsider it."

Atharv said nothing.

Mathur continued carefully.

"I mean... they're willing to pay more than the actual construction cost."

Atharv's expression remained unreadable.

"How much?"

For a moment, Mathur's eyes lit up.

But then Atharv asked the question that wiped the excitement from his face.

"How much money are they going to pay me?"

Mathur blinked. Atharv leaned forward slightly.

"On the cost of how many people's lives?"

Silence filled the room.

"Our company doesn't do that."

His voice was calm, but there was steel underneath every word.

"You know our business rules clearly, don't you, Mr. Mathur?"

Mathur swallowed.

"Yes, sir."

"Then why are you here?"

Mathur lowered his head.

"I'm sorry, sir."

Atharv leaned back again.

"Now you can leave. And go look after another project. There's one waiting for your attention right now."

"Yes, sir."

Mathur quickly turned and walked out. The door closed behind him. Atharv stared at it for a few seconds. Then a cold scoff escaped his lips.

"They think money can buy everything."

He slowly stood from his chair and walked toward the window.

"Money can do a lot..."

A faint, cruel smirk appeared on his face.

"But I'm not that Atharv anymore."

His reflection stared back at him from the glass.

"The boy who once had nothing is gone."

His eyes hardened.

"I've grown up."

He paused.

"And I've become much stronger."

His smirk deepened.

"Much more powerful."

For a moment, the office fell completely silent. Atharv turned away from the window.They could try to buy the world with money.But there was one thing they still hadn't understood.

Atharv Khurana couldn't be bought.

Atharv stepped out of his office, ready to attend his next meeting.

Rohan followed closely behind him with the meeting files in his hands. As they reached the elevator lobby, Rohan suddenly stopped.

"Sir..."

Atharv looked at him.

"The usual elevator for the CEO is under construction. I'm sorry about that."

Atharv glanced toward the elevator before checking his phone.

The moment he unlocked it, his expression softened.There was a message from Mahi. He opened it immediately.

She was asking him something about his lunch and himself . A small smile appeared on his face as he started typing a reply.

For a man who rarely allowed his expressions to change in front of his employees, the sight of Mahi's name on his screen was enough to make him forget everything around him.

"Sir?"

Rohan's voice brought him back.

Atharv looked up.

"Other elevators are working, right?"

"Yes, sir. Of course."

"Then let's use one of them."

Rohan nodded.

"Yes, sir."

They entered the elevator.

A couple of employees were already inside. The moment they saw Atharv, they straightened slightly.

"Good morning, sir."

Atharv simply nodded in acknowledgment.

"Good morning."

Then his attention returned to his phone. He continued reading Mahi's messages, occasionally typing something back. The elevator reached their floor.

Atharv stepped out, still busy on his phone, with Rohan following behind him. The moment the elevator doors closed again, the couple exchanged a look.

The woman whispered,

"I think he was talking to his girlfriend."

The man immediately shook his head.

"No way."

"Why not?"

"Have you seen him?"

The woman raised an eyebrow.

"Of course I've seen him."

"I mean, properly."

The man lowered his voice dramatically.

"He's always working. Same expression all the time. Work, meetings, files, calls... that's it."

The woman smiled knowingly.

"You don't know anything."

"What?"

"You should've seen him a few days ago."

The man looked curious.

"What happened?"

She leaned closer.

"He was blushing."

The man's eyes widened.

"Our CEO?"

"Yes!"

She nodded enthusiastically.

"I've never seen him like that before."

The man stared at the closed elevator doors.

"Seriously?"

"Seriously."

She smiled.

"So don't tell me he can't have a girlfriend."

The man thought for a moment.

"Hmm..."

Then he smirked.

"Maybe our CEO isn't as serious as we thought."

The woman laughed.

"Maybe someone finally found the secret to making Mr. Khurana smile."

Meanwhile, completely unaware of the gossip happening downstairs, Atharv continued walking toward his meeting room.

His eyes were still fixed on one name on his phone.

Mahi. And that small smile on his face said enough.