FOREVER HIS

Part 1. Teddy bear

A guy stands in front of a mirror, adjusting his watch. He is dressed in a high-end yet understated linen shirt. He looks every bit the billionaire, but without the arrogance.

He walks into the kitchen, where his mother, Ratna (Amma), is preparing a tray of tea. He leaned against the counter, a soft smile appearing on her face after he had only seen her.

“Amma... I’m going to be a bit late coming home today. ” In a low, gentle voice

“Why, Chotte? Is everything okay?”

“There’s a meeting this evening. It’s important. Aman and Akash are already at the office waiting for me.”

Ratna nods, reaching out to pat his cheek affectionately.

“Don’t work too hard, Chotte...”

Arnav noddin.

“I’ll try to be quick. See you later, Amma.”

“Chotte, eat something before you go...”

Arnav picks up an apple from the fruit basket and takes a bite.

“This is enough, Amma.”

“Chotte, you never eat properly...”

“Don’t worry...” Arnav looks around. “Where is Dad?”

“He’s outside.”

“Okay, Amma... take care,” Arnav says as he heads out.

Ratna and ARVIND had a love marriage, marrying against their families’ wishes. Because of this, no one from their respective families accepted them. Determined to prove themselves and live well, Arvind worked incredibly hard to reach the position they are in today. Now, the name AR (Arnav Raizada) is known to everyone.

To them, their world is Arnav. In fact, he is their lucky charm. It was only after Arnav was born that many positive changes and successes began to follow them, continuing to this day.

However, their growth has not sat well with Arvind’s brothers; they are consumed by jealousy. They resent the fact that Arvind started with nothing and now possesses more than all of them combined. On the other hand, Ratna’s family only began reaching out once the couple became wealthy. Choosing to avoid relationships built solely on money, Ratna and Arvind have kept their distance.

Arnav’s car pulled up in front of the AR office. He stepped out and made his way inside. As he entered, the employees greeted him with “Good morning”; Arnav acknowledged them with a brief, professional nod and headed straight to his cabin.

A short while later, there was a knock on his door.

“Come in,” he called out.

A young man entered the room carrying a file.

“Morning, Arnav.”

“Morning, Akash.” Arnav looked up from his laptop.

Akash handed the file to Arnav, who began scanning through it.

“By the way, where is Aman?” Arnav asked.

“He’s out making arrangements for the meeting.”

“Outside? Why isn’t the meeting happening here?”

“It seems the client couldn’t make it here due to some unavoidable reason, so Aman is arranging everything at a hotel instead.”

“Mmm... alright. What time is the meeting?”

“4:00 PM.”

“Okay,” Arnav replied.

Suddenly, Akash’s phone started ringing. He excused himself and stepped out to take the call.

Arnav, Aman, and Akash are more than just colleagues; they are the closest of friends. Having studied together since college, they have been inseparable ever since. After graduation, when Arnav took over his father’s business, Aman and Akash joined him to help build the empire. Among them, Akash is the one who recently started a new chapter in his life. He recently got married to Payal.

At around 3:30 p.m., Aman walked into the cabin, looking slightly breathless but efficient as ever.

“Everything is set, Arnav. The venue is the Grand Imperial. The clients are already on their way,” Aman reported, checking his watch.

Arnav stood up, grabbing his blazer from the back of his chair.

“Let’s go then. I don’t like keeping people waiting, and I promised Amma I’d try to be home early.”

Somewhere...

A girl stands in front of her mirror. She looks vibrant and fresh, wearing a bright yellow top paired with dark blue denim. She is focused, carefully putting on her earrings...

The door is open. Her 9-year-old brother, SURAJ, peeks in, watching her with curious eyes.

“Didi? Where are you getting ready to go?”

“I’m going out, Suraj. Today is Lavanya Didi’s birthday!?” Smiling at him through the mirror.

“Oh, really? Make sure you tell her I said Happy Birthday!”

Turning to him, her expression turned serious but playful

“I will. Now listen, Suraj... you have to handle Buaji until I get back. Amma and Dad know I’m going, but if Buaji finds out, she won’t let me leave. She’ll start her lecture about how the world isn’t safe for girls if they stay out late! ”

“Don’t worry, Didi. I’ll keep Buaji busy. You just go and enjoy yourself!” Beaming with confidence.

" That’s my good boy! I’ll bring your favourite sweets on my way back, okay? ” Touched, leaning down to kiss his cheek.

“Okay, Didi! Deal! ” Grinning.

She grabs her helmet and tiptoes toward her scooty, glancing over her shoulder to make sure Buaji isn’t watching from the window. She moves quietly until she’s a safe distance away, then kicks the scooty to life and speeds off into the Delhi traffic.

Her phone starts ringing inside her bag. She pulls over safely and answers the call.

" Hello? ”

" KHUSHI! Where are you? We’re waiting! ”

" I’m on my way, Poorvi! Just make sure everything else is arranged. You and Charu take Lavanya to the HOTEL, and I’ll meet you there directly with the cake. See you soon! ”

Khushi made it to the hotel as fast as she could.

Khushi rushes through the grand revolving doors. She heads straight to the reception desk, breathless.

“Excuse me! A parcel from Miss Charu?”

The receptionist smiles and hands over a large, bulky bag. Khushi grabs it and sprints toward the restroom.

Minutes later, the restroom door swings open. Out steps a GIANT FLUFFY TEDDY BEAR. Khushi is completely covered in the costume, holding the birthday cake box carefully in her padded paws. Guests in the lobby stop and stare, whispering in amusement, but Khushi doesn’t notice. She is on a mission. She waddles as fast as she can toward the elevators.

A sleek, black SUV pulls up. ARNAV steps out, looking sharp and intimidating. Aman is right beside him

" Arnav, go ahead to the executive suite on the 4th floor. I’ll meet the clients at the entrance and bring them up.”

Arnav nods curtly.

“Don’t be late, Aman. I want this wrapped up by five.”

Arnav walks into the lobby, his presence commanding silence. He heads toward the elevators, eyes fixed on his phone.

The elevator dings. The doors slide open. The “Teddy Bear (Khushi) scurries inside. Just as the doors begin to close, a firm hand blocks them.

Arnav steps inside.

The doors shut. Arnav looks up from his phone and freezes. He finds himself standing inches away from a massive, fuzzy yellow Teddy Bear holding a bakery box. He stares, stunned for a second, his brow furrowing in pure confusion. Who brings a mascot to a business hotel?

The elevator begins to rise. Arnav shifts to the corner, eyeing the “creature” beside him with a look of utter disdain.

“Unbelievable. This city is getting crazier by the day.” Arnav thought.

Suddenly, a muffled phone ringing sound comes from inside the bear. Khushi struggles, her fuzzy arms flailing as she tries to reach a pocket inside the suit. In her panic, she realises she can’t take off the giant teddy bear’s head while holding the cake box in her hands.”

Without a word of warning, she turns and shoves the cake box into Arnav’s hands. Arnav’s eyes widen. He is the CEO of a multi-million dollar empire, and he is currently standing in a moving elevator, holding a pink cake box for a giant teddy bear. His face turns a dark shade of red. He opens his mouth to erupt in anger...

“What the... ! Do you have any idea who... ?” Arnav Fuming.

Before he can finish, Khushi reaches up and pulls the giant teddy bear’s head off.

Her hair spills out in a messy, beautiful wave. She’s breathless, her face flushed pink from the heat inside the suit, her eyes bright and wide. She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, completely unaware of the storm she had just walked into.

Arnav’s voice dies in his throat. He freezes, the anger vanishing, replaced by a strange, sudden silence in his chest. He just stares at her, the pink cake box still held firmly in his hands..

​To be continued... ​