Aarvi set her foot on the platform—she was in the city of her dreams: Mumbai. Her parents stepped down, each wearing a serene smile. A chuckle escaped her lips, and her mother tapped her shoulder.

“You’re happy now, dear?” She asked lovingly.

“Yes, Mumma! It’s a fresh start, finally. And I’m glad you two agreed to send me here,” Aarvi said, her gaze shifting between her parents.

Her father placed his hand on her head. “Aarvi, dear, it’s beneficial for you. I said I wouldn’t stop you when the time was right. So, here we are,” he said with a gentle smile.

“Okay, let’s get to the hotel, Metro Nest. It’s just 400 metres from the station,” Aarvi said softly.

Her father hired a coolie who helped them out of the station and guided them toward their hotel. They hired a taxi to the hotel and then checked into their rooms—one for Aarvi and one for her parents.

Aarvi locked the door of her room and sank onto the bed. She discovered a full-sized mirror in the room and looked at her reflection. The realisation dawned upon her: she had landed a job at a renowned firm, Inkspire Solutions in Mumbai, as a creative content writer. She would be leading the content team at the office.

She was glad and jumped on her toes, trying to contain her excitement. Aarvi was already daydreaming about her new life when her mom’s voice brought her back to reality. She quickly opened the door and joined her parents for a quick lunch. 

*****

Aarvi was quite excited when she met her immediate boss. Her parents were relaxed after seeing the office and meeting her boos. They were sceptical of sending her to Mumbai, but now they seemed relaxed.

From her acquaintances from the office, Aarvi was informed about a housing society near their office, and so, they decided to halt for lunch and then see a flat, as Aarvi desired. Later, they visited the Happy Home Society, where they decided to rent a flat – a two-bedroom flat, along with a hall and kitchen, and there was a balcony attached to the bedroom. What more could one ask for? Aarvi was excited, for it would be her safe haven from now on.

The next day, after shifting Aarvi to the new flat, her mom helped her set it up and then her parents left for their home, while Aarvi was eager to start the new phase. 

*****

Aarvi had heard that manifestations do come true. As she stepped into her office, within the premises of Inkspire Solutions, she was stunned to see the interiors. They were unlike the usual ones—colourful, with a mix of blue, red, green, and white. The space was meticulously decorated to reflect the nature of the work done there.

She walked up to the reception and asked to meet her boss, Mr. Anand Mehra. The receptionist guided her towards the CEO’s cabin. After a quick meeting, she was assigned a cubicle with a nameplate bearing her name. As she entered the small cubicle, her heart fluttered with joy. Settling in, she placed a small Ganesha idol on the desk. Just as she opened her laptop, the peon informed her that Mr. Anand was calling her regarding some work. She assured him and walked into her boss’s cabin with a confident stride.

As she entered, she noticed a guy already present in the room. He smiled at her, acknowledging her presence. She returned the smile and then greeted her boss, who informed them about a new project. They were to work with a media company to create scripts for a few advertisements—ones that would not only entertain but also convey meaningful lessons.

She found it interesting and was glad to be a part of it. The boss introduced her to the young man, and after discussing the project for some time, he dismissed them.

Aarvi was happy—it truly felt like a breakthrough for her.

*****

After the brief meeting with her boss, Aarvi found herself alone in the discussion room with the young guy her boss had introduced her to.

Nirav Mehra!

 He had told her his name, and true to it, the guy’s presence brought peace and a quiet energy into the room. As they sat opposite each other, Nirav was the first to initiate the conversation about their new project.

“So, what would you prefer, Aarvi? I mean, researching or curating?” he asked, a smile gracing his face.

She looked at him, her lips curving into a small smile. “Umm, both! But yeah, since you’re the one leading here, we can go as per your preference. Also, it’s the first time I’m doing this,” she replied, her tone soft.

“Wow! That’s a good answer! Well, I’d prefer we meet the clients first and then decide how we’re going to take this forward. What do you say?” he asked.

Aarvi’s eyes twinkled with joy. “Yep, it’d be a good idea to have full knowledge about the work we’re supposed to do,” she smiled.

He nodded. “Good! Let me call Mr. Kunal, the CEO of Star Media Company.” He pulled out his phone and dialled a number.

Aarvi watched as Nirav spoke on the call, his smile never fading. He talked to Mr. Kunal Kukreja, the CEO, and requested a quick meeting. They decided to meet at 4 p.m. at their office. After disconnecting the call, he informed Aarvi about the meeting, and then they continued to outline the project tasks. Nirav praised her skills.

“You do have leadership skills, Aarvi. I mean, with everything listed here, it feels easy,” he said.

“That’s my style, Nirav. I always list my tasks so that it becomes easy to accomplish them,” she said.

Nirav acknowledged her, and they parted ways, returning to their respective tasks until 4 p.m. A long day had just begun.

*****

Aarvi and Nirav started working together, and a familiar camaraderie developed between them—it seemed as if they had known each other for a long time.

It was a fine day, and they were in the cafeteria, celebrating a small success—the release of their first advertisement. Nirav played the video on his phone and then glanced at Aarvi. She disconnected her mother’s call, turned her attention to Nirav, and apologised for not listening to him.

“I’m sorry, it was Mom. She’s quite worried since we’ve been so busy this past week. What were you saying?” she asked.

“Nothing much; I was just watching the advertisement. Truly, Aarvi, your idea did wonders, I must say,” he said, praising her efforts.

Initially flustered by the compliment, Aarvi looked at Nirav, a small smile lighting up her face. “Nirav, that’s called team effort. It’s not just about the idea; it’s about the perception and execution. We deserve the credit for this,” she said earnestly.

“That’s sweet of you, Aarvi. But you know, not everyone thinks that way. People love taking credit. I’m glad you’re not like the others,” he replied, genuinely touched by her honesty.

She smiled softly at Nirav. With him around, she felt much more comfortable. She took a sip of her coffee. “Nirav, if we start behaving like everyone else, what’s the difference between us and them? It’s good to be different. And we must embrace these differences. Writing this ad story and executing it has been surreal, Nirav. But it wouldn’t have happened without you,” she said.

Nirav was touched as he sipped his coffee. “You’re different, Aarvi. I’m glad I got to partner with you. Honestly, you’re the kind of person I always hoped to find—and here you are,” he said, letting his feelings show.

Aarvi gave him a mock glare. “Are you hitting on me?” she asked.

“Hey, I didn’t mean it like that. But if you think so—maybe,” he said playfully.

Aarvi giggled. “Then be prepared, Mr Mehra. I’m not easy to please,” she chuckled.

“Ahan! A challenge? What if I do please you?” he asked, his tone clipped with confidence.

“Try it!” she said, a small smile etched on her face.

Nirav smiled, his voice firm. “Okay, we’ve got a five-day fest coming up. It’s our company’s tenth anniversary. I bet, in five days, I’ll win you over.”

Aarvi giggled. “Let’s see.”

They continued discussing their next steps, but the upcoming five-day fest had already taken centre stage in their minds.

*****

A few days passed, and Nirav and Aarvi got immersed in their work—getting new leads, writing scripts, executing them—all at the same time. It had been surreal. What had seemed like a long-term project was completed in just forty days.

After submitting the final report to her boss, Aarvi was at her desk, completely immersed in editing her articles, when someone placed a cup of coffee on her desk. She looked up from her laptop only to find Nirav smiling at her.

“I thought you’d need this,” he said.

“Aw, that’s so thoughtful, Nirav. Thanks,” she said.

“Yeah, but are you thinking of staying in the office tonight?” he teased, prompting her to check the time.

It was fifteen minutes past seven. Aarvi looked around—everyone was winding up their tasks, closing for the day. She sighed deeply.

“Oh no, it’s too late. But that’s okay; I’ll finish this article and then leave,” she said, wearing a smile, though her eyes mirrored tiredness.

“Aarvi, you should leave. Look at yourself—you’re tired,” he said, concerned.

“Thanks for the concern, Nirav. But you can leave; I’ll probably take fifteen minutes more,” she smiled.

Nirav, respecting her time and decision, walked into his cabin to wind up his tasks. From the glass door, he could see Aarvi typing on her laptop, completely immersed in her work. Meanwhile, his phone rang, and he got busy with it. When he stepped out of his cabin fifteen minutes later, he found Aarvi packing up her things. As their eyes met, Aarvi was surprised to see him there.

“If you don’t mind, I can drop you off at your home,” he suggested.

“Really? You were waiting for me?” she chuckled.

Nirav laughed, sensing her thoughts. “Not really. I had a call, and then it got me late. I was just leaving and thought I’d ask you,” he smiled.

Aarvi pretended to think. “Okay, thanks for the lift, Nirav. But yeah—don’t think this is taking you any closer to your mission,” she said, reminding him of the challenge he had taken up.

He giggled. “But it’s still the first step, Aarvi. We have the fest next month, and I’m sure I’ll win,” he said confidently.

She chuckled but followed his lead out of the office, on their way home.

*****

In the confines of her home, Aarvi found herself musing over her banter with Nirav. He had been adamant about winning her over. Yep, he had said that he liked her and that she was the kind he’d prefer as his partner. She had felt her cheeks flush, but then she didn’t pay much heed to him.

“Yeah, it’s not a rule that there has to be a reason for someone to fall for you or to win you over. Though it came casually from Nirav, he’s different. Maybe he’s the one for me!”

 

Aarvi wrote in her diary and then smeared her thumb over his name, clearly fascinated by the guy’s charm. Knowing him, she knew he would do everything to win her over.  She was now awaiting the fest, eager to see how Nirav would claim her.

*****

Aarvi had completed five months at the company. It was a coincidence that the fest coincided with the dates marking her five-month milestone. Her friend Ishika chided her.

“We’re getting a party from the office, yes! But you should also treat us, Aaru! You’ve finished five months here and completed five small projects too. That calls for a party,” Ishika teased.

“Yep! You should give a party. And when I win the challenge, I’ll surely throw one,” Nirav said, catching Aarvi off guard.

“What challenge?” Ishika looked at them curiously.

“It’s nothing, Ishu. Don’t listen to him,” Aarvi stuttered.

Nirav smiled. “You’ll see for yourself, Ishika. Do join the fest,” he said and winked at the girls.

“Ooohh! Seems like some fun is coming up,” Ishika chuckled.

Nirav walked away while Aarvi felt her cheeks warm from his playful teasing. Still, she continued chatting with Ishika about the fest, the activities, and, of course, the food.

It was surely going to be a grand affair.

*****

Another week had passed, and it was time for the fest. On the first day of the event, Aarvi entered the office, dressed elegantly in a white floral one-piece dress—her beauty even more enhanced. As Nirav’s gaze met hers, he was awestruck, lost in her natural charm. When she sensed his gaze, she found herself blushing.

Mustering enough courage, Aarvi looked at Nirav, a small smile lighting up her face. “Hey, don’t stare at me like that—we’re in the office,” she said, a little embarrassed.

“Huh, are you scared, Ms. Aarvi? Someone once said they weren’t scared—so what happened now?” he asked teasingly.

“Yeah, I’m not scared, but I don’t want people to joke about us, you know,” Aarvi explained.

“Hey, they’re busy. Let me take a closer look at you,” he said, leaning toward her.

She looked at him. “Hey, don’t do that,” she said.

“Do what?” Nirav rolled his eyes, clearly enjoying her nervousness.

“Um—um... Nirav, please be mindful,” she said, shaking her head.

Nirav, being the practical guy he was, understood her raw emotions. He realised that his staring was making Aarvi uncomfortable, and he never wanted that.

“I’m sorry, Aarvi,” he apologised softly.

She looked at him, seeing that he was genuinely guilty. She smiled. “Nirav, some things can be done in a friendly way, right? You never know which chord might align perfectly,” she said.

Nirav smiled at Aarvi, knowing she was right. He wouldn’t make her uncomfortable—instead, he’d find other ways to win her over. Of course, she hadn’t made any moves, nor had she said anything to him.

Maybe this was just the beginning.

*****

Nirav had learned a lot about Aarvi while working with her. He had discovered that she found happiness in the little things. Even a simple exchange of everyday items could feel more special than any intimate moment.

The day started with a lot of hustle, and soon, he saw Aarvi and Ishika walking toward the office entrance, carrying baskets of colours and flowers.

“What are you two doing?” he asked.

“Making a rangoli, Nirav. And now, don’t come here with your shoes,” Ishika said, threatening him playfully.

Nirav smiled and watched as the ladies worked, creating a beautiful rangoli, full of colours and positivity. He clicked a picture of the rangoli—and, of course, one of the two girls as well.

As they finished their work, Nirav and one of his friends brought them water and juice. He offered a glass of juice to Aarvi, who accepted it with a grateful glance. They then got busy with other activities.

Soon, everyone assembled in the auditorium, where they played a lot of games. Amidst all of this, Aarvi found herself drawn to Nirav—his small gestures of care and support were slowly making a place in her heart.

*****

Day one of the fest was over, filled with fun and frolic. The following day was Ethnic Day. Aarvi entered the office wearing a purple saree. She joined Ishika and the other girls as they prepped for an impromptu fashion show between the girls and boys, where the best-dressed person would be awarded by their boss.

Nirav entered the auditorium, and as his eyes met Aarvi’s, she smiled and gestured that he looked handsome. He bowed his head in acknowledgment, and then an idea struck him. He started a game—singing Hindi melodies praising their colleagues. He sang the first song, his eyes fixated on Aarvi. She found herself blushing, and she knew he wouldn’t leave any stone unturned in his efforts to win her heart.

Sometimes, you don’t need big events to make things happen; the joy of love lies in the little moments. That certainly seemed to be the case here.

*****

The next two days passed in a blur, and Nirav had outdone himself in proving his worth to Aarvi. Even if she didn’t show it on her face, he knew that his actions were affecting her. On the fifth day, they were at Hotel Radisson for a party that included the company’s clients and a small dance event as well.

Over the past four days, Aarvi had learnt that many of her colleagues were dating, some were married, and she had had the opportunity to meet them. She had also met Naman, Ishika’s fiancé, and had befriended him. As they stood together, Naman leaned over to Aarvi.

“You know, you should give Nirav a chance,” he said.

“What do you mean?” Aarvi asked.

“He’s right, Aaru,” Ishika added. “He’s been doing so many little things for you. Maybe this is your moment.”

“Yeah, I know it may feel quick or abrupt, but it’s real. A man only does such little things when he’s in love. I’ve even started doing those little things after meeting Ishika. I wasn’t like this earlier. Nirav is doing the same—I’ve noticed,” Naman said affectionately.

Aarvi looked at him, knowing his observations were correct. Yes, Nirav’s presence had affected her since day one, but recently, he had made it a point to find a place in her heart. The past four days had been fun, and Nirav had kept his promise—doing things that made her happy. Today, Naman’s words gave her the much-needed push.

“Aaru, not everyone finds love easily. You’re lucky. Of course, there will be hardships in life, but when you’re with someone who adores you, who truly loves you, all the hardships become easier. I’m sure if you let Nirav in, you’ll find a love that lasts a lifetime,” Ishika said.

Aarvi understood the deeper meaning behind her friend’s words. “Are you sure about what you’re saying?” she asked, looking at her friends.

“I’m sure. I even heard him talking about you to some of his friends. Seems like he’s genuine. You don’t have to rush into anything—but at least take a step forward,” Naman explained.

“Yes, Aarvi. Don’t jump into any relationship, but acknowledge his efforts,” Ishika added.

Nirav interrupted them. “Hey, what are you guys discussing? I hope you're all enjoying yourselves,” he said.

“Yeah, Nirav. You’ve put in a lot of effort,” Naman replied.

“Ah, I’m glad someone noticed! Well, Aarvi and Ishika helped a lot too. Aarvi, Anand Sir is calling you,” he said, his gaze fixed on her.

“Oh, I’ll see. Naman, Ishika—excuse me,” she said and followed Nirav.

“Hey, where are we going?” she asked.

“Shh, follow me, please,” Nirav said.

They entered an enclosed room that was completely dark. Aarvi grew nervous, but she found Nirav smiling at her. She looked at him questioningly just as the lights were switched on. She was stunned to find the room decorated with fairy lights and a cake placed at the centre.

“Happy Birthday, Aarvi!” he wished, placing a tiara on her head. And soon, everyone joined him in wishing her.

“I know you didn’t tell us it’s your birthday, but we found out. Special people deserve special celebrations,” Nirav said gently.

“Oh! This is the best surprise ever… but—you did all this for me?” she asked, genuinely touched.

“You’re part of the Inkspire family, Aarvi. It’s a coincidence your birthday fell during the fest week. Nirav suggested making it extra special,” Anand said.

Aarvi was truly touched to see her professional family around her.  And with this gesture, Nirav had struck the right chord.

He held her hand and led her to the centre of the room. She cut the cake and fed him the first piece. Nirav was surprised but took a bite and then let the others wish her.

A little while later, everyone left the room, and Aarvi called out to Nirav.

“Thank you, Nirav. Today was amazing. A memorable birthday for me,” she said.

He smiled and bowed in front of her. “I’m glad you liked it. I told you—” he began, but Aarvi interrupted.

“Yeah, you told me that in five days, you’d win me. And…”

“And you did, Nirav. Truly, you’ve been doing so many little things for me,” she said. 

Nirav was stunned as she stepped closer to him.

“Let’s take a step forward, shall we?” she asked.

“Are you sure, Aarvi?” he asked.

“Yes, Nirav. You’ve done everything so beautifully, and my birthday became special all because of you. Thank you. Let’s take a step towards commitment, shall we?” she asked.

Nirav nodded, his eyes welling up with tears. And just like that, they shared their first hug—a moment where only silence spoke, and they understood even the unsaid.

That’s how some relationships begin—a sweet start, with a promise of forever.