AADHYA KATHIYAWADI✨️
At midnight, in her luxurious London villa, a tired-looking girl sits despondently on the balcony in an armchair overlooking the city. Preoccupied with deep thoughts of her life that is steadily spiraling out of control, she has been sitting in that same spot for over five hours now. Suddenly, the ringing of her mobile phone jolts her back to reality. With only an hour left before sunrise, she realizes that she needs to pull herself together and prepare for her morning yoga routine. After two hours of intense yoga and exercise, she quickly readies herself for work and heads out without having her breakfast.
Sitting silently in the car, the busy city streets rushed by as the girl reflected on her solitude. She felt the absence of a loving hand to hold, someone to comfort and console her, and who cared about how her day went. Even her family seemed to be distant and disconnected from her. Her eyes then caught sight of an elderly couple, both almost in their late 70s, making their way across the street. She watched with fascination as the husband tenderly held his wife's hand, guiding her gently and ensuring she was safe. Seeing their love for each other made the girl feel a deep sense of longing for the same kind of relationship with her own life partner. But, alas, it seemed like an unreachable dream.
Aadhya's gaze drifted out the car window, lost in the labyrinth of her memories. The London cityscape blurred together - a kaleidoscope of steel and stone - as her thoughts lingered on the ghosts of her past. The car's sudden halt before the towering skyscraper, its glass façade glinting like a shard of ice, jolted her back to reality. With a heavy sigh, she exited the vehicle, the cool afternoon air enveloping her like a shroud.
As she stepped onto the sidewalk, the hustle and bustle of the city recoiled, replaced by the imposing presence of the building. The headquarters of her conglomerate, Aadhya Industries, stood as a testament to her resilience and determination. Yet, the memories that lingered within its walls threatened to undo the very fabric of her existence.
Steeling herself against the familiar ache, Aadhya stepped into the private elevator. The doors slid shut behind her, enveloping her in silence. The ascent to her penthouse office was a welcome respite, a temporary reprieve from the world outside. The soft hum of the elevator and the faint scent of polished wood soothed her frayed nerves.
As the doors opened onto the penthouse floor, Aadhya's heels clicked against the marble tiles, echoing through the stillness. Her office, a sanctuary of gleaming wood and glass, beckoned her. She immersed herself in work, determined to drown out her troubles. Reports and spreadsheets blurred together as the hours ticked by - four hours of furious focus, fueled by coffee and sheer willpower.
The knock on the door broke the spell, shattering the illusion of solitude. "Enter," Aadhya called out, her voice steady despite the turmoil brewing within.
Kritika Mahajan, her personal secretary, stepped inside, a warm smile creasing her features. "Aadhya ma'am, you have a meeting with the Desouzas in fifteen minutes regarding the tender project." She placed the fifth coffee of the day on Aadhya's desk, the aromatic steam wafting up like a lifeline.
Aadhya's expression remained stoic, but a flicker of tension danced in her eyes - a fleeting glimpse of the turmoil she kept hidden. "Prepare the meeting room. Notify me when the Desouzas arrive." Her voice was a masterful blend of poise and authority.
Kritika nodded, her dark hair bobbing, and turned to leave. "Shall I have the presentation materials ready, ma'am?"
Aadhya nodded, her gaze already drifting back to the reports scattered across her desk. "Ensure everything is in order. I won't tolerate any mistakes."
As Kritika departed, Aadhya's mask slipped, revealing a glimpse of the vulnerability she concealed beneath her polished exterior. Her eyes lingered on the cityscape, the grey skies mirroring the turmoil within.
Aadhya's day blurred together in a relentless blur of meetings and deadlines, her mind numb from the constant barrage of figures and strategies. She functioned on autopilot, a precision-crafted robot feuled by caffeine and determination. The city outside her office window transformed into a kaleidoscope of twinkling lights, a distant hum of activity that failed to penetrate the fortress of her focus.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over London's skyline, Aadhya retreated to her penthouse apartment, seeking refuge from the chaos. The soft chime of the elevator, the whispered hiss of the doors, and the warm glow of the apartment's lights enveloped her like a soothing balm.
A swift shower and change of clothes later, she stood before the mirror, her gaze catching the clock's steady tick. 12:00 AM. The night had barely begun, yet exhaustion etched itself across her features like a delicate pen and ink drawing. Dark circles shadowed her eyes, and the sharp angles of her face softened.
Just as she turned to head to bed, her phone pierced the silence, shrill and insistent. Aadhya's brow furrowed, wondering who dared disturb her at this ungodly hour. Her mother's name flashed on the screen, and her frown deepened. Why was she calling after a week of radio silence? Had something happened?
With a mix of trepidation and curiosity, Aadhya answered. "Hello?" Her voice, husky from fatigue, betrayed a hint of wariness.
"Aadhya, when are you planning to visit India?" her father's gruff voice boomed, bypassing pleasantries. The sudden shift caught her off guard, transporting her to a past she'd rather forget.
Memories swirled, like autumn leaves on a gusty day, reminding her of the complicated web of family expectations and obligations. "Don't know," she replied, her voice distant, lost in thought. The words hung in the air, a fragile bridge between past and present.
realizing her absentminded response, Aadhya quickly recovered. "I mean, I haven't decided yet. Work's been keeping me busy." She attempted to inject a note of reassurance into her tone, but it fell flat.
Her father's tone turned acidic, the words dripping with disapproval. "I've been telling you for a week now, how careless can you be? You think running a business makes you God? You're not even seeking our permission!" Each phrase stung, a carefully aimed barb designed to pierce her defences.
Aadhya sighed, the weight of her exhaustion and frustration crushing her. Her shoulders slumped, her eyes closing as she leaned against the dresser. "Yes, Dad, I'll be there next week. Can I go? I'm tired. Sorry, bye." The words tumbled out, a hasty retreat from the impending storm.
She knew better than to engage in a futile explanation. Her parents wouldn't listen, wouldn't understand. The familiar ache of disappointment and resentment simmered, a low-grade fever that refused to break.
The call ended abruptly, her father's curt tone still echoing in her mind. Aadhya's eyes opened, her gaze drifting toward the window. The city lights twinkled, indifferent to her turmoil.
Aadhya's gaze drifted downward, her eyes fixed on the floor as the weight of her reality settled in. She had no escape, no alternative. Her life had become an inescapable labyrinth, and she was forced to confront the demons that haunted her.
The thought of returning to India, the country where her childhood nightmares still lingered, sent a shiver down her spine. Her heartbeat quickened, pounding against her chest like a frantic drumbeat. Breathing became a struggle, each gasp a reminder of the suffocating fear that had once consumed her.
Memories she thought were long buried began to resurface, their jagged edges piercing her mind like shattered glass. The echoes of her childhood trauma whispered cruel taunts, threatening to unravel the fragile threads of her sanity.
Aadhya's hand instinctively rose to her chest, as if to physically restrain the turmoil brewing within. She closed her eyes, seeking solace in the darkness, and began to soothe herself with gentle words.
"It's okay, Aadhya. Calm down. Nothing will happen. It's all in the past now. You're a grown woman, strong and resilient. No one can harm you. You've moved on, haven't you?" The words tumbled out, a desperate attempt to quell the rising panic.
But the doubts lingered, taunting her like a relentless specter. What if the past wasn't truly buried? What if the wounds she thought she'd healed still festered, waiting to infect her anew?
Aadhya's inner turmoil raged on, a maelstrom of fears and anxieties. Yet, with a steely resolve, she began to pack her luggage for India. Each item carefully placed, each decision a deliberate affirmation of her determination.
"I will face whatever comes next," she whispered to herself, the words a promise, a challenge. "I will not be broken."
As the night wore on, Aadhya's thoughts continued to swirl, a vortex of apprehension and resolve. Sleep eluded her, replaced by the haunting shadows of her past. But amidst the darkness, a spark of defiance flickered, illuminating a path forward.
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hello sweeties!! i hope you all enjoyed the very first chapter of the upcoming novel.
please leave your thoughts and reviews in the comment section, till then see you all the next time!!
